Page 47 of Johny B

“Last but not least,” he points the two fingers holding his now half-smoked cigarette at me. “You treat her like the precious woman she is, because that’s what she deserves.”

“Nothing less,” I confirm. “Thank you,” I choke out, moving around to his side of the desk, I grab him by the shoulders, bringing him to his feet before wrapping my arms around him. I hug the fucking life out of him. Smoke doesn’t realize it, but he has just given me the world. A life where I will give and receive love that I never had before, and only ever dreamed of.

Smoke doesn’t hug me back. His arms stay exactly where they are, by his side, cigarette butt still cradled between his two fingers. I let him loose when it becomes obvious that he’s uncomfortable with the situation. With my arms relaxed, he pushes me away and waves his hand towards the door.

“Now fuck off out of my office, because if you start blubbing like a fucking baby, you’re not man enough for my girl and the deals off.”

I laugh because I’m fucking ecstatic.

Once I’m in the hallway, the door to his office still ajar, I can’t resist having the last word.

“So, will I call you Prez now, or Daddy?” I say with a deadpan expression.

“Fuck you,” Smoke shouts back at me.

I just manage to shut the door before something hard hits it from the inside, but I’m not out of range to hear the laughter come from inside, too.

Epilogue

Three years later

Stone.

Never would I have believed that the call, that had interrupted me watching the Montana Longhorns game all those years ago, would have influenced my future. A future that is so unbelievably good that I can barely keep a stupid smile off of my face. Sasha is growing up into a beautiful, well-adjusted girl. Strong-minded with just enough attitude and confidence, I’m sure she’ll never let anyone take advantage of her empathetic nature. I can’t take credit for how well balanced she is. That’s all Oriana. Every day, I question what I could have possibly done in my past to warrant the blessing of having her in my life. Maybe this is only a dream, and I’ll wake up from a drug infused stupor. The club, Smoke, Oriana and Sasha just a crazy assed trip. I hope to fuck it isn’t.

My love for both my girls is so deep, so strong, that when I look at them… Jesus, I can barely think straight, never mind see through the misting of my tears. And now that Oriana ispregnant, a precious baby boy due in eight weeks, the fear of something coming and taking it all away, is real.

I’m not stupid. I understand the life I lead. Dunne and the Death Valley Irish are no longer a threat, but when you take out one lot of vermin, it’s only a matter of time before another comes crawling out of the woodwork to try to infest your world. But believe me, I’ll be waiting.

I’ll protect my world, my family and our future by any means required. No one is ever taking them away from me.

Smoke.

Life is a little easier without the shadow of Dunne and the DVI looming over the Young Outlaws, but my position as Prez is still as ball-breaking as ever. At least at the end of the day, I get to go home to Tenley.

The cabin we share ended up being bigger than I originally intended when it was just me. It’s still on YOMC grounds because it’s safe and secure. Our cabin is not far from Stone and Oriana’s, but with enough distance so they don’t hear Tenley. She must have bottled it up when still under their roof, because I had no idea until we got into our own place that Tenley…well, she’s a screamer. When we fuck, she lets rip like a banshee, letting the whole world know exactly what we’re up to.

It wasn’t long before Tenley became restless. Her need to get back to work was obvious. I’ll admit I wasn’t happy; my overprotectiveness increased to a level that even I knew was ludicrous. So, I agreed to a compromise. Tenley switched to freelance. A lot of her work was done on the internet and video calls. She wasn’t confined to the grounds as such, but to placate me, she agreed to take a brother with her when she does need to leave the grounds for meetings. It’s not that I don’t trust her.Far from it. It’s all the other fucking assholes I can’t tolerate. I’m sure, in time, I’ll become more relaxed on that score.

The one thing that raised its head recently, making me wonder if we had any longevity in our relationship, was when the subject of kids came up.

Tenley is as broody as fuck since Oriana became pregnant. It’s not like I’m in the throes of youth anymore. I’m not even sure the swimmers are still packing enough punches to get to the destination needed. But fuck me. Some things are just meant to be, I guess, because two nights ago, a very scared, teary-eyed Tenley, dropped the bombshell that, after missing her last period, had taken a test which, if accurate, indicated that she could very well be pregnant. It wasn’t until that moment I realized, more than anything, I wanted to be a dad again. I was ecstatic. Two more tests later, and we were having our own private celebration.

Did I question if this had been an intentional slipup by Tenley? Not for one minute, because she had been a mess, worried that it would end us. Even if she had planned it, I can’t say that I gave any fucks.

I’d always been a little jealous of Stone and Sasha’s connection. Not that I don’t have it with Scarlett, but our relationship was, up until a couple of years ago, under wraps. So, I feel like I missed out on so much, because of my fears after losing Violet, but I only have myself to blame.

I’ll admit, for a while, seeing her with JB pissed me off no end, but after a pep talk from Tenley, telling me to ignore the past, check out how they are when together, I saw things in a different light.

JB adores her. Damn, he risked his life for her and not once, but twice. He saved her from what would have been so much worse than she’d already had to endure. Scarlett? She’s always beautiful, so much like her mother, a ray of sunshine. But withJB, she’s the Aurora Borealis. Dynamic flickers of brilliance that light up the entire sky.

To know she’s happy, safe and loved is all any father wants, and now I realize that JB is the one to provide that. Because of that, I accept him wholeheartedly.

Johny B

Fuck. The last three years have been incredible. I won’t deny that leaving Florida and my brothers wasn’t easy, but finally being with Scarlett, soothed that ache until it became nothing but a collection of awesome memories.

If ever there’s a need for the Nevada chapter to make a call on our Florida brothers, I’m always the first to volunteer, and Smoke, accepts that I need to keep a connection with them. At least once a year, Scarlett and I take a two-week vacation to the area. We take one week of recreation at the sun-drenched beach of either Clearwater, Daytona or Cocoa Beach. No disruptions, no drama, just the two of us and sex so hot that it nearly burns the house down. God, my red-headed woman is an absolute siren, in and out of the bedroom.

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