Page 27 of Fanatic

“That can go in either of the two big bedrooms, it doesn’t matter which, and the other bed frame in the second large bedroom, please,” I said.

Clark grunted and walked upstairs. Typical biker, a man of few words until you got to know them. Then those fuckers had plenty to say. Two more candidates entered, wrestling an armchair.

“I’m Sailor, and this is Harlequin. Rascal and Runner’s bringing in the other one. Just in here, okay?” Sailor announced with a warm smile.

“Bring them in, dear!” Gladys called.

I stood awkwardly, feeling superfluous, as Gladys arranged the sofa and chairs and decorated them. She stepped back with a grin as bedroom furniture was carried upstairs.

“What do you think?” she asked.

Gladys had transformed the sofas and armchairs. They had scatter rugs covering them now and lots of different shades of grey and cream cushions. They didn’t resemble mine and Grey’s.

“I like them,” I said, walking over and curling in my favourite armchair. My body sunk into it, and I sighed happily.

“I was wed before Gil. Married Mario at sixteen and had two children with him by twenty. Mario was stolen from me in a logging accident; he never got to see Lucia born. But judging how Mario treated Elisabetta, he’d have adored her. He was rather the antithesis of an Italian. Mario was very calm and chilled out.

“Mario was a wonderful husband, and we were deeply in love. Afterwards, I closed myself off, and Gil had to batter my walls down. I’m glad Gil did because he brought me so much happiness. I was twenty-three when Gil and I married. We had four more kids. Poor Gil has one son and five daughters. Two of whom take after their Italian father and adore drama.

“It’s easy right now to shut yourself off. Everything still reminds you of him. And believe me, sweet girl, even when you’re my age, something will catch your attention, and you’ll feel pain. But lean on the next man you allow into your heart. Because you can have more than one great love in your life. And if he can’t accept he shares your heart with another, he’s not worth it,” Gladys said wisely.

“Thank you. That means a lot. Grey and I had a long-term relationship. In addition, we also worked together. Learning to work without him was extremely difficult. Living without Grey is much harder. Countless times, I turn to speak to him, and Grey isn’t there,” I replied.

“Your Grey is here. He’s in your heart, your memories, and in that precious baby boy. Grey will always remain with you Willow, don’t let yourself forget him. Pain lessens, it never goes away, but you learn to cope better each day that passes.”

“Thank you, that helps a little,” I said as there was a shout, bang, and crash from upstairs. Jinx, Pyro, and Gil looked up, and Jinx shrugged.

Footsteps stomped downstairs, and Runner glowered at us in the living room. Jinx held his gaze steadily.

“I ain’t working around that Jonah,” Runner stated and walked out. My jaw dropped as Pyro drew up to his full height.

Bike pipes roared before Pyro reached the entrance, and Pyro whipped his phone out. With a look at us, he shut the front door, and I knew he was calling Chance. Shit, Runner was about to get a beatdown he would never forget. Not my problem, I thought, shrugging.

Jinx seemed uncomfortable; he’d held his ground in front of Runner, but now he was awkward.

“I’ll go before something else gets broken,” he said. “Nice meeting you, Mrs G and Gil. Willow, I’m sorry for the scene I caused.”

“Don’t you dare move, candidate. You’re very welcome in this house, and Danny likes you,” I ordered, motioning to Danny, who was reaching for Jinx. “That asshole needs to understand what an MC is, which I’m sure the inner circle will teach him.”

“What the fuck would you know about an MC?” Clark asked rudely.

“Being a Rage MC founder’s daughter, a legacy princess, and an old lady, I’d say a lot.”

“You’re Fanatic’s old lady? He’s a prospect. That doesn’t make you an old lady,” Clark sneered.

“Being the old lady of a prospect in Rage does. You don’t like that? Take it up with Chance and Drake. Those are the bylaws of the clubs. And yeah, I know them off by heart, being a founder’s daughter,” I hissed.

Clark sent me a shitty stare and walked out. Jinx rubbed his neck as bike pipes roared.

“It’s getting on. Anyone hungry?” I asked.

“Not for us, sweet girl. Gil and I have our Friday night date! Let’s go, hubby mine, we’ll see you soon, Willow. Don’t you and Fanatic be strangers,” Gladys said and dragged Gil out.

“Pizza?” I offered Jinx.

“No mushrooms,” Sailor bellowed down the stairs, and I laughed.

“Loads of cheese garlic bread. That shit’s better than the pizza,” Harlequin called.

---