Page 21 of Bond

“Braai,” Rochelle corrects.

“What?” Cairo and I look at each other a little confused.

“If you all are going to live here, then you have to know we don’t barbecue, we braai; you’ll have to get used to it. I suppose you haven’t had our local maize meal and gravy either?” Then shewaves her hand, dismissing our answer, and walks towards the door. “Don’t worry, Grace and I’ll sort that out.”

Shrugging, I pushed the trolley as Cairo pulled it, following a muttering Rochelle, who seemed to think that we were missing out on a local delicacy.

I loved that she was comfortable enough to start being herself around my brothers. Rochelle was not a shrinking violet, and I had a feeling that she’d only get more confident as time went by. I, for one, loved her feisty side.

It didn’t take long to traverse the path towards the houses at the back of the hotel. They were separated from the hotel by a wall and a locked gate that stopped guests from wandering onto private property. I was surprised to see Rochelle stop by Grace and hand her Daisy, but her hands were going a mile a minute, and Grace was laughing with her.

Rochelle’s eyes were sparkling a little, and a wide smile graced her face when we drew even with her, “Grace is going to keep Daisy for a little bit; I’ll come and get her as soon as we’ve unloaded.”

“Okay, baby. Give us a shout if you need us, Grace,” I tell her.

“Don’t worry, Uncle Bond,” Roman states, coming up next to me, with a panting Rosie following him. The siblings were never far from each other. “Rosie and I’ll help Grace.”

“Thanks, Ro,” I answer, holding my fist out to him for a fist bump before ruffling Rosie’s hair.

Leaving the kids in good hands, we continue past Bull and Rogue’s homes to the two-bedroom cottage behind them, coming to a stop at the steps of the small veranda. I hear Roch exclaim tearfully, “Oh, Noni. Thank you.”

Cairo’s gaze meets mine over the boxes, and he nods towards the house, “Best you get in there, brother. The rest are on their way, and they can help me unload.”

Leaving him to it, I bounded into the house and went straight to the nursery, coming to a stop when I saw Roch wrapped in Noni’s arms, Julia rubbing her back, and Josie looking on almost as tearful as Roch. Looking around, I see what’s caused the tears.

Daisy’s bedroom.

It's beautiful; painted a bright white with pink trim around the top and bottom. On the one wall is a large daisy with smaller daisies blowing away in the breeze. On the other wall, there’s a bank of photos of all of us from the Crow MC, including the UK chapter. But pride of place is a picture of Rochelle, her dad, and Daisy from the day Daisy had been born. I’m not sure how Noni had got hold of it, but I’d guess that Skinny had something to do with it. Next to that one is a framed photo that I know had only been taken a few days ago of Roch, Daisy, and me. We’d been standing on the steps of the hotel, Rochelle holding Daisy in her cute floppy hat and me behind them, arms wrapped around them both. Josie had insisted on the photo, and now I knew why. I fucking loved it. It showed nothing but happiness on all our faces. Noni and the ladies had also furnished the nursery with a pretty white cot that had draped mosquito netting, making it look like a princess cot. There was a matching changing table, chest of drawers, and wardrobe.

“Thank you,” I mouth at them all.

Rochelle turned her head as I stepped further into the room, “Did you know?”

I shake my head, “I knew Noni was painting the nursery, but no, I didn’t know the ladies did all this, but I’m not surprised, though; it’s the sort of thing the Crow ladies are known for.”

“It’s beautiful,” Rochelle sputters tearfully, going to each of them and hugging them, and saying thanks before she ended up back next to me. “I can’t thank you all enough. I’ve never had this. You can’t know what it means to me.”

“You’re welcome, Rochelle,” Julia smiles at her, reaching for her hand, and she gives it a little squeeze. “You’re a Crow now, and that means you no longer have to do everything alone. We’ve got you.”

“I’m starting to understand that,” Rochelle assures Julia as she looks around the nursery one more time, wiping the tears from her cheeks as she pulls herself together.

“Come on, let’s get unpacked so that I can cook a few things for tonight. You can’t call yourselves Zambian if you’ve never eaten any of the local food,” she informs us.

“As long as it’s not grubs,” Julia shudders.

“But they’re so good for you,” Josie teases laughingly. “Full of protein.”

“Eww, no grubs,” Rochelle assures Julia, “although I do think you should try fried flying ants; they’re delicious.”

Julia goes green at the thought of eating the winged insects and holds up her palm, “I’m good,” she declares.

Laughing, we left the bedroom. It didn’t take long to unpack, as neither Roch nor I had much. Before long, we were settled in. Everybody had left, and Daisy was fed and down for a nap. Finding Rochelle in the kitchen, I picked her up and tossed her laughing over my shoulder.

“Time to christen our new bed,” I inform her, slapping her gently on the arse as I walked down the short hallway towards our room, where I tossed her gently down on the mattress.

She bounced and laughed as her bandana flew off and her curls cascaded over the dark blue bedding. Toeing my shoes off, I followed her down, my mouth taking hers in a hard kiss, and I proceeded to show her that I do know the difference between fucking and making love.

We’re both smiling and panting by the time we’re finished.

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