Page 18 of Rough Riding

They’re grown fucking men and more than capable of choosing their own path. If that meant blowing off some steam with willing pussy, who was I to tell them it’s wrong?

It has made it harder for the old ladies to come in though. That’s enough of a reason for me to be wary of the whole set-up. But, then again, the angels know the score. They know what their role is, and they embrace it fully.

Sometimes a little too fully, which is the whole problem.

“I just think certain things might be a little stale around here for me,” he grudgingly admits, and my eyebrows shoot up to my hairline.

“The angels?”

He shrugs one shoulder and gives me a look which reminds me of a petulant child. “Maybe,” he winces slightly as he says the word.

I get the feeling something more is going on here and I face him fully even though some of my attention and focus is still on Rebel across the room. I know she’s good though and doesn’t need me hovering over her, even metaphorically. The old ladies have welcomed her with open arms, and they’ll have her back if shit goes down.

Not that any of the angels could think they have a claim on me. I’ve never touched any of them.

“How’s Lake?”

Crucify looks into the distance, not really seeing anything, not even the party going on around us.

Chris has already been patched in as Venom, and brothers are slapping him on the back as they pour him shots. Lennon is getting hugs left and fucking right. I’m sure there have been many sentiments shared with her about how much we’re going to miss her around here.

Because we will.

“Happy,” Crucify whispers. “She’s happy.” He shakes his head and looks at me. “I was fully prepared to go to Wyoming and kicks some ex-Marine ass. I had this vision of going there and stopping the wedding from taking place before hauling her ass back home.”

I chuckle under my breath. I have no doubt that’s exactly what he pictured happening. Lake allowed him to be an overbearing asshole. I know why she did it. They’re the only family they have left since their parents just up and fucking left the day after Lake graduated from high school. It’s not like they were involved before then either.

When Crucify came to the club, I remember him always on the go and spending as much time as we would allow with his younger sister. He’s been a lot more than just her brother.

She’s old enough to make her own decisions now. If being in Seattle wasn’t right for her, I’m glad she’s found her happiness.

“But he’s good for her. It’s clear as fucking day he loves her.” He scoffs, the sound more for himself than me. “I don’t know how the fuck everyone moves so damn fast. She couldn’t have been there that long. He’s not even the one who put out that damn mail order bride ad, but it was fucking fate or something when Lake showed up.”

I glance over at Rebel to see her glancing between me and Crucify with concern in her eyes. I give her a slight shake of my head. I’m not surprised she’s concerned about him. From what she’s told me, he’s become damn close to a brother to her as well.

He probably wants to kick my ass right now. Let him fucking try.

“When you know, when it’s right, it just is. There’s no reason to go slow,” I mutter softly.

He narrows his eyes at me. “When the fuck did you become a damn poet? I thought you had the whole brooding, man of few words thing down. Now you’re over here spouting all this romantic bullshit?”

I shrug my shoulders and smirk at him. “A man in love has many sides,” I deadpan.

His eyes widen as he drops his voice to a hiss, “You’re in love with her?”

“No doubt.”

“Well, fuck,” he breathes. “Never thought I’d see the day, but I’m damn glad I did. She’s a good woman. I can see how she’d be good for you. There’s a fire in her. I expect you to fucking stoke it and protect it,” there’s a warning in his words.

“No fucking doubt.” He gives me a chin lift, and something tugs inside of me, a need to go to my woman. “When you find yours, and you will,” Crucify looks at me, surprise written across his features, “hold on tight. You can’t change the past, it will touch her, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it right.”

“Yeah,” he murmurs, and I can see the wheels turning in his head.

I let my feet guide me to my woman. I never really expected to tell her all about Sofia, but I also knew she needed to know the dark corners of my past. Not only that, but Sofia and her memory deserve to be known by the woman who owns my heart.

It wouldn’t have been fair to either of them to continue to lock up my fears and my demons. It would have caused a rift between us eventually.

What I wasn’t expecting was for the bloodthirsty side of my Hellcat to come out when she demanded to know if all the men who hurt Sofia were dead. I thought she might shy away from that side of me. She did not.

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