Page 11 of Hounds Ascend
"Hi, love." I can hear the smile in my own voice. This man makes me so happy, even if he hasn’t been around much lately, he is still the only person I want holding me at night. This one. The one with his arms around me. Cass kisses my head and rests his chin on my shoulder.
"I see you met Micah and Raven."
"I did. Thanks to you." I knock my head into his, softly.
"You're welcome. Micah's been a friend of mine for a long time and the Highway Sinners are a brother club to us. He's done a lot for not only me, but the club as well."
"Thanks, brother." Micah beams with pride at Cass's words. Even Raven has a sense of pride in her eyes.
I see more everyday of how much of a family the club is, not only inside the hounds, but with other clubs as well. This lifestyle is family. People just get the wrong impression.
"Come see, I've got some friends I want to introduce you to." Cass tugs at my waist.
Micah and Raven disappear to talk to some of the other people standing around while Cass directs me toward the group of people he was hanging around while I was in ‘jail’. When wereach the group, Mindy peers at me over Linc’s shoulder.
"Don't hate me. I'm broke. Tell my boss I need a raise," Mindy jokes.
"Babe, you heard her. She needs a raise." I look at Cass, waiting for his response.
"She can have a raise ifyoumake a deal with me."
"What's that?"
"Move in with me. Completely. In my house, not the club house."
My jaw goes slack as I stare at him, stunned. Speechless. My mind is trying to process everything. He wants me to move in with him away from the club house. Did that mean my “punishment” is over? Am I able to return to my normal life, now? So many questions form in my head and fuck is he giving me whiplash. But it’d be a lie if I said it didn’t make me happy.
“Yes,” I agree with him before asking the questions in my mind because that’s where my heart is and the answers to those questions don’t change my answer. My heart is with him, whether that’s at the clubhouse, his house, a bar, our house, or across the country. I’d go anywhere and do anything for him.
His thousand-watt smile sends butterflies hammering the inside of my stomach. And that’s why. That smile, right there. Cass takes me in his arms and his lips press firmly to mine, sending those familiar electric blue sparks tingling through me. When I open my eyes and regain my senses, Mindy is still peering over Linc’s shoulder, a look of bemusement on her face.
"Damn, it was that easy? Hey boss, I need another raise!" Herenergy makes my heart happy. I’m elated to witness my best friend with her newfound luminance.
"Hey, easy now. That was just a way for me to get her to move in with me. Besides, I figure you deserve a raise, and she deserves to be out of the clubhouse and have a place to call home. That, and I'm selfish and want her to share my home with me." My cheeks hurt from the smile that threatens to stretch off my face if I don't keep it under control.
A man in a Lucifer’s Hounds cut approaches, but I’m certain I’ve never seen him around before. His name patch identifies him as Clayton and he’s the Sergeant at Arms. Cass’s eyes light up when he spots Clayton, and he greets him with a hug.
"Whatcha say, old man?" Cass asks, his tone light and happy.
"Had to come see what y’all were up to down here." Clayton's voice is deep, and he looks to be in his late fifties. His eyes are a warm amber and the wrinkles at their base are most definitely from a lifetime of smiles and laughter. He doesn’t have the typical rough exterior like most of the older men that I’ve seen that had been around clubs. Either he’s harmless and always happy, or heisn’tharmless and is always happy.
"Oh, man. Not a whole lot. Just out supporting these guys."
Clayton turns his attention in my direction, where I stand quietly next to Cass, watching their exchange and interaction.
"I'm Clayton, Cass's father." Clayton smiles, holding his hand out for me to shake.
My heart hammers, my nerves kicking into overdrive because I’m meeting someone in Cass’s family. “Hi, I’m Lilly.” I shakehis hand confidently.
"She's pretty, son. I'd go to war for her, too."
Cass's face drops, and he eyes his father suspiciously. "Let's take a walk." Cass's tone isn't harsh or rude, but curious. Clayton nods at Mindy, Linc, and myself before walking off with Cass.
Mindy looks at Lilly. "Cass's dad is a Hound?" she asks.
"Evidently so.”
I look at the two of them walking away. Clayton is about a foot taller than Cass, but they bear the same broad shoulders. I can see Clayton’s back patch now. His bottom rocker is Oklahoma City. No wonder I’ve never seen him before. I ponder a moment before I turn my attention to Linc.
