Page 11 of Reign
“Thanks, VP, but that’s not what I meant. I noticed the crap on her face covering bruises and also the cut. Thinks she’s been fooling us all these years covering up any bruises she got while on a skip but we knew. Just decided not to mention it to her. I also noticed the kiss and attention you have been showing her Prez.”
I meet his stare, not backing down. Now is not the time to show weakness. My gut is telling me this is right. Raven is mine.
“I’ll be honest. Had feelings for Raven for a long time but knew the timing wasn’t right for us. First, she was too young, then I knew she wanted to go out into the world and experience life. Never want to hold her back or step on her dreams. But now she needs me, not just to help with her grief but also because I saw the bruising, the cut, and the fear in her eyes. I’ll take it her pace and be respectful but I am letting you know now, Raven is mine”
I let that soak in, not sure how he is going to react but I gave him my word. I will respect her needs and go at her pace. I’ve waited this long for her; I will wait longer if I need to.
“I knew you had feelings for her before. You thought you hide it well, but you didn’t.” he laughs
“Dad knew too. He said when the time was right, he would give you, his permission. We both knew you would do right by her. Not sure if you are aware or if I should be telling you this at all but Raven had a crush on you too back then and I think she might still have feelings for you too. But Prez, don’t hurt her.”
“I promise, I won’t do anything to hurt her. Let me deal with the funeral for you. Banjo wasn’t a patched member but he was still a part of this club so will be getting a full Royal Bastards funeral. Other chapters will be coming to pay their respects. You focus on Raven and whatever happened in Vegas as we know something did”
“On it Prez”
All three leave my office and I get back to arranging the funeral, which is set for in a few days’ time. After a call to Jameson from the mother chapter, he sends his condolences and said he would be sending Powertrain for the funeral. Getting a headache from talking to too many people and noticing it is now late, but I have managed to arrange the funeral. It is definitely time for bed.
A few days later and the funeral is today. The clubhouse is a hive of activity. The club girls have arranged the clubhouse for room for visitors to sleep and to make life easier we have arranged for the wake to be catered.
Raven hasn’t really dealt with anything. Since coming to the clubhouse, I have not seen her smile once. She is like a zombie, just going through the motions. Her being in the room next to mine is a blessing and a curse. I like having her close but it also means I can hear her crying out in her sleep.
Nearly every night now I have ended up in her room, holding her tight so she can sleep. I make sure I am gone before she wakes up so nothing is awkward. This being gentleman fucking sucks. I want her so bad, my body aches for her. But she’s not ready so I will remain her rock until she is.
I am in the common dressing in a black button-down shirt, new black jeans, my good boots, and my cut which has had a clean special for today. The brothers are dressed similarly but in dark-colored button-down shirts. Tyres is here but I don’t see Raven. I head back to her room to check on her. I find her sitting on the edge of her bed in tight black jeans and a lace black shirt. She looks sad but beautiful.
“Are you ready, precious?” I ask her.
“Don’t think I can do this Reign,” the sadness in her eyes breaks a piece of me.
“It is never easy saying goodbye precious but you will regret not going. You can ride behind me and I will be at your side through the whole service” I promise her
“Promise you won’t leave me?”
“I promise, swear it on my cut,” I say as I pull her up and into my arms. Placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
“I got you precious”
“I know, thank you. You have been my rock the last few days.”
I want to puff out my chest and peacock strut at her words. I want her to lean on me and know I have her back.
“Don’t think I don’t know you have been slipping to bed with me when I need your strength. Thank you for not making a big deal out of it. I feel safe when you are with me” she admits
“Anytime you need me, I am there for you”
I walk with Raven back down to the common room and meet everyone else, we all head outside and to our bikes. I straddle my baby and fire her up, holding my hand out for Raven. She places her small hand in mine and gets on behind me. Wrapping her arms around me and snuggling into my back. A wave of rightness crashes over me. This is where she is meant to be, on the back of my bike and in my life as my ol lady.
I pull forward and wait at the open gates for everyone else to get into position behind me. The hearse is waiting so as it starts to pull away, I raise my arm and signal to move out. We move as one, in formation and follow the hearse all the way to the graveyard. As we get closer, biker line the way with members from our other chapters all there to pay their respects.
We park up and I help Raven off. I can feel the shake in hand as I wrap my arm around her and follow the coffin. The graveyard is packed. I spot stood among the mourners, Powertrain from the mother chapter with Plague and Blow from Central Texas.
Aero and Grizzly have also made it from Atlantic City, along with Sleeper, Sledgehammer, Ghoul, Wiley, and Crow from Cleveland. Kingpin is also here from our Nashville chapter.
I give them all the standard chin lifts as my brothers fill the chairs left empty for us. Tyres sits first with Debs beside him and then Raven with me still holding her hand. The brothers and club girls fill the remaining chairs. Throughout the service, which for a funeral wasn’t as bad as some I keep a hold of Raven's hands, never letting go.
I scan the faces in the crowd and give a nod to Derange, Aftermath, Bones and Pretty Boy from our Los Angeles chapter, not far from them is The Irishman and Inferno from Omaha with Demon and Drake from Savannah.
It shows how much each of the chapters thought of Banjo and that some have travelled so far just to show their respects to his family and the club as a whole. It's a proud feeling to be part of Royal Bastards MC.
