Page 250 of Fury

My heart skipped a beat. He’d brought me here to his special place to declare himself, make a pledge.

He took me in his arms and held me. The sound of the breeze whipping around us, the crush of his body filled my senses. I kissed his scarred cheek. “I want that too.”

He took in a sharp breath. “Let’s go to the club.”

“Let’s go,” I replied.

He slung an arm around my shoulders, and we headed back to his bike.

We got to Elk within the hour and drove through the gates of the Flames of Hell MC. He parked at the head of a long line of Harleys. My stomach tightened as he shut down the bike, and we snapped off our helmets. This was his territory, his realm.

And now it was mine.

We got off his bike, and my knees wobbled as I handed him my helmet. He pulled me close, throwing an arm over my shoulders. That familiar scent of metal, cedar, and sweat filled my nostrils, and the tension evaporated from my muscles. I slid an arm around his waist, his skin warm, taut muscles moving under my fingertips. Mumbled hellos and looks. Shouted greetings. He ushered me inside his clubhouse.

In the large common room I recognized a very pregnant Nina, Butler’s ex and now Catch’s old lady.

“Lenore!” She hugged me.

I pulled back and admired her swollen belly. “Look at you.”

“Ready to pop,” said Nina. “Get him out of me already.”

“A boy?” I asked.

“Yeah, a boy.” Catch whooped behind her, planting a kiss on the side of his old lady’s face. “Hey, Lenore.”

“Hey, Catch.”

“So.” Catch licked his lips, his eyes racing from me to Finger and back again. “You guys good?”

Nina snorted, elbowing her old man in the belly.

“We’re good,” I said. “Real good.”

“Excellent.” He beamed a look at his President. He cared about his mentor a great deal, and I liked that. Finger only raised his sunglasses over his head, giving Catch a lift of his chin.

“Holy shit. It’s you?” came a strong female voice accompanied by the stomping of heavy boot heels.

A woman my age if not older with blond and brunette ombré hair and flashing eyes stood before me. I knew her. She was one of my very favorite customers. “Krystal?”

She grinned. “Lenore, Lenore, Lenore, Queen Bee of Undies and Naughty Goodness.”

Krystal shopped at my store on her birthday every year, splurging on herself. Bright, opinionated, snarky, strong-willed, take-no-shit Krystal.

“I didn’t know you were—”

“When in other club territory, I keep that shit to myself. Welcome to the Flames, babe.” She pulled me in a big hug. “I’m that troll’s old lady.” She gestured at the Flame who stood with Finger, winking at him. He blew her a kiss. “Drac VP” was patched on his colors.

“Whoa, babe.” Drac saluted me, his thick, dark eyebrows climbing his forehead, a grin splitting his pale face. “I’m one of your biggest fans.”

Finger punched him in the chest with the side of his fist. “Easy.”

Krystal put an arm through mine. “Thrilled to have you here, hon. Thrilled.”

70

Later that day in myoffice, Drac and Slade and I reviewed the new additions to our club. All the remaining chapters of the Broken Blades had come under my control and been patched in as Flames of Hell. Pick had traveled to each one and made the case for joining me. They had no alternative really. They’d agreed, and the takeover was now done.

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