Page 9 of Bond

“Okay,” Rochelle replies, but I can still see the confusion in her eyes.

“I’ll introduce you to the other Old Ladies tomorrow, and they’ll explain most of it to you better than I can,” I reassure her. “Just know we don’t work like other motorcycle clubs. While what we speak about in Church is for our ears only, our women are allowed in meetings. We’ve found it’s better for them to know what is happening so that they are prepared should they need to be. That reminds me, can you shoot?”

“Yeah,” Rochelle nods, “I think most who grow up here can. I have my handgun in my handbag.”

“Good,” I tell her. “Make sure you keep it on you at all times, at least until we know what the threat level is. Now how about you get into bed, and I’ll put our princess down?”

“Where will you sleep?” she wants to know, looking around the room.

Nodding towards the floor, I tell her, “I’ve got a bedroll in the wardrobe; I’ll be fine on the floor.”

She’s shaking her head before I’ve even finished speaking. “No, please don’t sleep on the floor. We can share the bed. I mean, it’s huge.”

Studying her intently, I wanted to make sure she didn’t feel pressured in any way, but all I saw was genuine distress at the thought of me sleeping on the floor.

Standing up, I cup her chin, tilting her face to mine, “It’s not a problem, Roch, I’ve slept in worse places and conditions. I want you to be comfortable here. You don’t owe me anything. If tomorrow you still feel the same way, then we’ll discuss it again, but for tonight, I’ll sleep on the floor.”

Rochelle grasps the wrist of the hand that’s cupping her chin. “Please, Bond, sleep in the bed,” she says softly. “I don’t want to be alone. I trust you, please don’t sleep on the floor.”

Staring into her green eyes that are swimming with tears, I don’t have the heart to push it. If she needs the comfort of someone next to her, then I’ll happily provide it.

Gently rubbing my thumb under her eyes, I wipe away the tear that flowed. “Okay, baby, go get ready for bed so you can feed Daisy again while I shower,” I tell her quietly. Letting her go, I tug her to her feet, wrapping my free arm around her; I hug her to me as she wraps her arms around my waist, returning my embrace until Daisy squeaks unhappily at being disturbed,making us both laugh softly. Pressing a kiss to her temple, I nudge her towards the bed, where she again settles up against the headboard. Handing Daisy to her for a feed, I leave them to it and disappear into the bathroom for a shower.

Resting my hands on the tiles, I allow the hot water to pound down my back and over my tense shoulders as I try and settle my thoughts about all that had transpired today. I’d never in a million years thought that when I left this morning, I’d be returning hours later with not only the woman who hadn’t been far from my thoughts since I’d first seen her but also her mini-me. Shaking my head, I wondered if this was how my brothers had felt when they met their ladies.

Finishing up, I dried off and put a pair of sleep shorts on before venturing out into the bedroom. Closing the door slightly behind me to allow some light into the now dark bedroom. Stopping by Daisy’s cot, I made sure that the mosquito netting was covering all sides so no pesky mosquitoes would get to her. Although we sprayed the gardens, so we didn’t have many, it was always better to be careful, as a dose of malaria was not fun to have.

Rochelle was asleep already, tucked on her side, one hand under her cheek, her blonde curls spread out across the pillows. Something settled in my chest at the sight of her in my bed. Reaching up, I undid the mosquito net from above the bed and fitted it around our bed. Once I was satisfied that it was tucked in just right, only then did I slip into bed next to Rochelle. It didn’t take long for the day to catch up with me, and I was asleep.

It felt like I’d only just closed my eyes when I woke to an unfamiliar weight on my chest and Daisy stirring. Rochelle grumbled but sat up, still half-asleep.

“Stay here, baby. I’ll get her,” I tell her, not wanting her to try and find her way around the semi-dark room. Lifting themosquito net up, I go to Daisy and pick her up, quickly changing her on the makeshift changing table I’d set up last night before taking her back to our bed and handing her to Rochelle.

“Thank you,” she mutters quietly, situating a fussing Daisy to her breast.

“You’re welcome,” I reply just as softly, sitting next to her and leaning up against the headboard with her. I fully intended to stay awake and put Daisy back in her cot, but the next thing I knew, the sun was sliding around the curtains and Rochelle was asleep next to me. Looking over at the cot, I could just make Daisy out in the murkiness of the morning.

‘So much for staying awake to help,’I thought to myself, slightly disgusted that I’d fallen asleep. I slid quietly out of bed, trying not to wake my girls so I could get a head start on my day.

CHAPTER 4

ROCHELLE

I knew as soon as Bond left the bed. Having lived the last few years on constant alert with a man who would lash out at the least provocation, I’d learned to sleep with one eye open.

Deciding I may as well get up now that I was awake, it didn’t take me long to get dressed into one of my many pairs of shorts and a T-shirt. Standard issue for me at this time of the year with the heat we’d be experiencing as the day wore on. Sitting on the edge of the bed to put my socks and boots on, I was just finishing tying the laces on my boots when the bathroom door opened, and Bond walked out.

He looked surprised to see me up and ready to go.

“Hey, baby, you didn’t have to get up so early,” he tells me, coming towards me.

Standing up, I met him and sighed softly as he enfolded me in his arms. The same feeling I’d had yesterday of safety and coming home enveloped me as I rested my head against his shoulder. Closing my eyes, I returned his hug, my lips tilting up in a smile when I felt the brush of his lips on the crown of my head.

Pushing away slightly, I tilt my head back to better see him before replying, “I’m used to getting up early, and I want to start looking for a job today.”

“About that,” Bond states, “I was wondering if you’d consider working with me. I run the parts, workshop, and tow, and honestly, I could do with the help, but we’ve had a lot of trouble with theft, and I don’t trust easily, so I’ve been reluctant to hire on anyone. It’s a plus for me that you don’t need any training because you know the parts better than me, and you can bring Daisy with you.”

I’d started to smile at his long explanation of why he wanted me to work with him. There was no need. If I got to be part of his day, I’d happily do it, especially after the last year.

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