Page 16 of Stone

John’s dad was a complex man, and I often felt as if he judged me. Admittedly, I was shy and quiet around him, but it didn’t mean I was weak. In Bandit’s world, it was survival of the fittest, and I was determined to prove I was the right girl for John, even if it meant I had to step out of my comfort zone.

“I’ve heard of karaoke,” I said quietly, hiding the tremor in my hands by hanging onto John’s shirt. “It started in Japan. It’s popular over there.”

Bandit’s lip curled. “Still not forgiven those fuckers for Pearl Harbor, but I guess givin’ us karaoke is the beginning of healin’ the rift.” His gaze went to John. “Did you explain to her how the clubhouse can get?”

“Yeah.” John glanced at me and then back to his dad. “I’ll look after her.”

A thoughtful expression stole across Bandit’s face. “Guess if she’s gonna be your ol’ lady, she’ll have to get used to it sooner or later. When you become prez, she’ll have to keep the club girls in line, so the sooner she gets on board, the easier it’ll be.”

His eyes met mine again, but they were softer that time. “What goes on in my club stays here. You understand, girlie?”

Yes, Mr. Stone,” I said, somehow keeping my voice steady.

He shot me a conspiratorial wink. “Call me Bandit. I’m too young and sexy to be called Mr. Stone.” He craned his neck to address the brothers. “Get the karaoke box in there and set it up, you fuckheads. I feel the spirit of Jimi Hendrix takin’ me over.” He twirled on his heel in a complete circle, then began to play an invisible electric guitar while whistling the intro to ‘All Alongthe Watchtower’ through his teeth as he turned and disappeared inside the barn.

“Jesus. Ignore him,” John muttered. “He’s been drinking the fuckin’ Kool-Aid again.”

Stepping closer, I snaked my hands up his chest, linking my fingers around the back of his neck. “He’s hilarious. It’s crazy how everybody thinks he’s some tough guy, but underneath his crazy exterior, he’s funny.”

One side of John’s mouth hitched. “Don’t be fooled. He is a tough motherfucker. The humor’s all very well, but he takes the club and its business seriously. He filled a prospect’s ass full of buckshot last week for havin’ loose lips in public.”

“At least he didn’t kill him,” I reasoned.

“There is that,” he agreed, lowering his face and kissing my lips softly. “You’re so beautiful. The way the sun’s hittin’ you from behind makes your hair look like spun gold.”

My heart bounced inside my chest. “You’re beautiful, too, John. I look at you sometimes, and it hurts to breathe.”

His eyes flickered between mine. “I love you even more for sticking by me, Duchess. I don't know if I could leave if you said you wouldn’t wait for me. When I come home, we’ll be set. I’ll join the club and open the auto shop. Then we’ll get married, and I’ll give you lots of babies.”

“Three or four will do.” I smiled, eyes shining with love as I studied his handsome face. “We’ll have a few boys who’ll follow in their dad’s footsteps, then a princess we’ll name after your mom.”

“Can’t wait for us to have it all, Leesy,” he rasped, voice laced with emotion. “We’re gonna rule the fuckin’ world.”

I beamed my reply.

To the outside world, John was strong and capable. He was a man’s man, riding around town on his bike, wearing his leather jacket, looking handsome, and being charming as hell. Stonewas liked and respected, but still held something of himself back from others because of the club.

But not from me.

I was lucky to see a different side of Stone, the romantic, earnest, almost boyish version. The boys I’d known before played games and never had the confidence to admit if they liked a girl for fear of not being cool, whereas peer pressure wasn’t something John even considered. If he felt a certain way, he’d tell me. John openly spoke about our future and didn’t care about showing his feelings or laying his cards on the table.

Gently, he tugged at my hand, pulling me toward the barn. “Mom will be out back, cookin’. You wanna go hang with her, or stay in the bar with me and the boys?”

Rolling my eyes good-naturedly, I followed him into the building. I knew what was expected of me. Ol’ ladies and girlfriends always assembled in the kitchen. It was old-fashioned, but the men got drunk and shot the shit, while we cooked, gossiped, and drank wine out back.

The expectations of the MC were fifty years behind society. Women’s roles had changed drastically over the years. These days, females could even be breadwinners, though you wouldn’t think so as far as the club was concerned.

Here, women still cooked, cleaned, and looked after the family. I didn’t mind. All I wanted was to be John’s wife and have babies, so club life suited me perfectly. A career for me was something to keep me busy while John was away. The instant he came home, I’d leave my job to marry him and become a mother, and I couldn’t wait.

The interior of the barn was dark and a little dingy. The sheetrock on the walls had been painted black, some with graffiti. My dad would have called it the work of the devil, and he’d have a point, except it was the work of a Demon. A makeshift bar had been built across one wall, and the furnitureconsisted of cheap plastic picnic chairs and tables and upended beer barrels doubling as seats.

“You wanna coke, Duchess?” John asked.

Looking around, I tamped down the urge to grimace at the stench of beer and tobacco. “It’s okay; I’ll grab one from the kitchen.” Leaning up, I pecked John on the cheek and turned for the door, half-listening as he began to tell the men what happened at the recruitment office.

I hurried through the bar, needing to get out of there, my throat burning with the flow of emotions I’d kept inside all day. Listening to John get so excited about leaving made me want to scream. I didn’t want to hear it anymore. Suddenly, it all seemed like too much.

Constance looked up, smiling widely at me the instant I stepped into the kitchen. “Hey! How did it go and Rock Springs...” She must’ve seen everything I felt etched onto my face because her voice trailed off before she murmured, “Come here, Elise,” and opened her arms wide.

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