Page 115 of Colt

Bowie stood from his chair and nodded for me to do the same. “We gotta get back to the clubhouse.”

Me, Callum, and Donny got to our feet.

“Appreciate ya, Bowie,” Cal said, clapping him on the back. “Talk to Dagger, see what you can do.”

Me and Bo made our way toward the door. “Catch you on the flip side,” he called back as we left the bar, closing the door behind us with a thud and heading back to the SUV in silence.

“Well, that was fuckin’ surreal,” Bowie muttered, unlocking the car, and sliding into the driver’s seat.

“Donovan O’Shea fucks everythin’ that moves,” I told him, climbing in next to him, fastening my seat belt, and watching as my brother did the same. “Freya’s too good for him.”

He started the car, checked his mirrors, and pulled away. “Ya think?”

“I know,” I responded. “She won’t go for him anyway.”

Bowie lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I dunno. She crushed on him when she was younger.”

My body locked. “Huh?”

“Yeah.” He chuckled, giving me some side-eye. “You weren’t the only one she had hearts in her eyes for.”

My head swiveled left. “Don’t you fuckin’ start too.”

“Well, it’s no surprise,” Bowie scoffed. “And Cal was right, you did sound jealous back there.”

“What if I am?” I asked, testing the water.

He glanced at me. “Then you better watch your back, ‘cause Pop and half the club will cave your skull in. You’ll need Freya the doctor in your life ‘cause you’ll probably be eating through a damned straw for the rest of it.”

“What about you?” I inquired. “Would you give me your blessing?”

“Nope,” he admitted. “Not ‘cause I don’t like ya, Colt. I’m as close to you as I am to Cash and Kit. I just don’t want Freya with a biker. It’ll hold her back.”

I nodded because that I could agree with.

“When Freya meets her man and has her babies, she’ll do anything for them,” he went on. “I don’t want her to have to. Plus, being with a Demon would tie her to Hambleton. I want her to be able to see places, even work abroad if she wants to.”

My chest burned even hotter at his words. He was wrong because I wouldn’t tie her to anywhere. I’d travel with her and see the world if it was what she wanted. However, Bowie didn’t know that yet.

“Don’t you want that for Layla too?” I asked.

Bowie shook his head. “Layla loves the simple life. As you know, things weren’t good for her when we met. At least me and the club can protect her, Sunny, Willow and all the other babies I’m gonna plant inside her. She could hardly afford to eat when I met her, now, if she wants somethin’, I’ll give it to her.”

I sat back contemplating what Bowie said and I got it. Being with a biker would hold Freya back, but I wouldn’t be a biker for much longer, so it was immaterial. Though even a brother would be better than Donovan—scabby dick—O’Shea.

The whole encounter had made me think.

I had been an asshole to her, though it wasn’t something I’d done intentionally. I didn’t like change and I hated lying, so being back at the club while dealing with lots of shit had made me realize I’d actually needed a transition period to get my head around the changes, if nothing else.

The good thing about it was that Freya knew me so well, she’d get it.

I was lucky to have her, and knowing Donny was on the prowl it was apparent I needed to lock her down. This had changed everything. No more screwing around, no more taking her for granted.

From here on in, it was me and Freya together. I needed to see which states she was applying to intern in and see what type of work I could do there. I could compromise and I knew Freya would too if it meant we could be together.

By the time we pulled back into the compound I’d worked everything out in my head.

Me and Freya would sort our bullshit, I’d make damn sure of it. She was everythin’ to me and the thought of her not being by my side made my heart shrivel up. What the fuck had I been pulling away for? Jesus, sometimes I was an asshole, and I knew she deserved a better man than me, except I was determined to start being more supportive and put her before me, every time.

---