Page 66 of Anchor

“What the fuck?” Ginger snaps, trying to get up, but Heaven ignores her, brings her foot back, and boots Ginger in the face, a crack echoing in the now silent room.

“That’s my fucking daughter-in-law,” my mother cheers loudly as Heaven brings her fist up, ready to punch the bitch, but I quickly stop her, grabbing her hand ,making her scowl at me. I just smile and look at her hand and gently move her thumb so it’s not on the inside of her fist, making the brothers chuckle as her mouth parts in shock.

“Now you may hit her, Angel,” I state as I kiss her knuckles and let go of her fist. She blinks until Ginger groans, trying to getup, and she turns back to her, and brings her fist back again and punches the bitch right in the nose, making Ginger scream.

I hear my son cheer, shocking me as I look his way, not realizing he was here, to see him sitting with all the brothers who look to have been fawning over him. I turn to my girl as she curses, “Crap,” and witness her shaking her hand out. I quickly take it to inspect it, my brows furrowed and my heart racing at the thought of her hurt.

They’re a little red. I kiss her knuckles with concern before we lock eyes. The anger in hers softens a little, and it hits me….

“You didn’t take it the wrong way, did you?” I confirm with hope.

She sighs and admits, “I was sitting with your mom, having snuck in without anyone knowing, to surprise you, to show you I’m willing to try, even if this place holds one of the most painful memories for me, only to see her climb underneath your arms, shocking you.” She glares at Ginger. “The bitch can’t seem to take the hint.”

“H-he was mine first!” Ginger snaps. “I fucked him behind the bleachers; I put my mark on him so everyone knew he was mine!”

Heaven rolls her eyes and says, “And? You did the same with nine others, as well as three teachers, and, news flash—” Heaven holds up her wedding rings. “I married him at eighteen, I had his child at nineteen. You were just a loose hole to try and squash his needs, which clearly never worked; otherwise, he wouldn’t have come straight back home to me.”

Pride hits me, and I grip my girl’s hips, pull her between my legs, and cup her cheek.

“This is the first time you’ve claimed me, Angel, since I fucked up,” I whisper with awe.

She shrugs and admits, “I’m trying. My trust still isn’t there, but I’m trying.”

I nod and gently kiss her lips, my son’s, “Finally,” just hitting my ears, making me smile as the brothers laugh.

Steal booms, “Ginger, looks like your time at the club has come to an end. You’ve ignored club rules and gone after a taken brother. Pack your shit and get out,” getting our attention.

Ginger gasps, and I watch as John walks over with a smirk and grips her arm, lifting her off the floor, before dragging her to the door, not giving her a chance to go to her room.

“Please, no, please. This is my home, mine!” she begs and screams, but no one looks her way. And me? Well, I look at my wife to see her brows furrowed, the conflict on her face showing how kind-hearted she really is.

“Come on a run with me,” I demand softly, getting her attention. Her eyes widen, and everyone quiets in shock.

Brother’s wives and old ladies don’t go on club business, yet I am bending the rules so mine can come.

“Travis,” she whispers, and I cup her cheek.

“I want you to see how much I trust you, and the club trusts you. Come with me on the run; Micha will be here with my mom, your mom, and my sister. Steal and Cass will be at every practice and game. Come with me, Angel, and let me show you my world, let me show you how much I trust you. But come with my property patch on your back, where it should have been ten years ago….”

Her eyes race between mine as the club stays quiet, waiting for her answer, while I hold my breath, hoping and fucking praying she agrees.

We need this to move forward, we need this to be together again. Because if she says no, I’ll hand my cut in now without a second thought, even if it means hurting my family. This girl right here—she’s one in a million, and it’s time sherealizedthat she’s my one in a million.

27

Heaven

I squeeze Travis’s waist tighter as he picks up speed and easily follows the white van in front of us, overtaking car after car.

We’ve been on the road for ten hours and are nearing Nashville, only stopping twice so far, and my ass is starting to go numb. But I ignore it, and hold Travis tighter, knowing I can’t complain because, hey, I did agree to come.

I feel my body tremble a little before his hand goes over mine, squeezing them, giving me the comfort I need.

When he begged for me to come on this trip, a business one at that, wearing his cut, I was apprehensive to say the least, but everyone encouraged me to go. The brothers proved they trusted me, while Cass swore she’d watch out for Micha because who knows what Tina and my mother could get up to with him or, worse, what he’d convince them to do.

A horn beeps from beside us, and I open my eyes to see Bowler looking at me with concern as he maneuvers his Harley closerto Travis’s. He moves his thumb up and then down to see how I’m coping. I quickly release one arm from around Travis and put my thumb sideways, indicating that I’m just hanging on. He nods in understanding before speeding off to the front, and I quickly grab hold of Travis again, closing my eyes.

I know this trip will make or break our relationship, and a large part of me is hoping it will make us because the thought of this man not being mine, of moving on with someone else, kills me. But I know I need trust for us to work, and we don’t have that right now, even with that bitch banished from the club.

---