Page 12 of Pit's Salvation

War, Roam, and Brew stood up. “We are at your disposal, and we also want to buy you a really nice gift. Some of us to say they’re sorry and me, just because I’m the best big brother. Figure out what you’d really like,” Brew said.

“Oh, is there a price limit?” Ariel asked.

Pit grinned because he was positive Ariel was going to squeeze her brothers for a nicer gift.

“Brew is tossing in five hundred. He said that Roam and I need to pony up a thousand to show you that we’re sorry,” War muttered.

Pit joined in the laughter at War’s expense.

“Well, let’s get my stuff moved in. While we’re working, I’ll think about a proper congratulations and we’re sorry present.”

Chapter Eight

Arielleanedbackinher cozy enclosed back porch. She chuckled when she thought about her brothers’ faces when she’d told them about the wedding present they were gifting her. With Brew’s construction experience and their twenty-five hundred dollars, she’d checked with Gavin about having the guys enclose the covered part of their deck with windows that could be all screen or switched out with solid glass for the winter months.

Besides being a great present for them, it had cemented a great working relationship with the Saint’s and the Bluff Creek men. Pit had asked for volunteers to help, and it had turned into a project all of them worked on.

Her parents, Charlie, and Ruth had decided that, in addition to the presents they’d already bought the couple, they would fill the room with furniture. Ariel had gone with them to a furniture store and picked out the items. Brew had also made a surprise for Ariel in one area. He’d crafted a huge hanging bed so Ariel could lie out there and read. Brew had rolled his eyes when some of the Saint’s brothers had teased Pit about having fun with Ariel on it. Oh yeah, she planned on taking advantage of her husband out there. But it was also a great place for them to hang out in the winter when Pit wanted to smoke or grill something.

Even though he could get his stuff from the restaurant, he still enjoyed smoking briskets or pork butts at home.

Ariel was looking forward to baking with the huge kitchen she now had. She and Pit had seen her family off, and Pit had left to check on his restaurant. Her family had stayed the rest of the week to help with the build. Today was Friday, and she was looking forward to her first weekend alone with her husband. She looked through the trees toward the back of Pit’s property and saw Charlie and Ruth making their way across the backyard. She stood up and opened the door to the porch to let them in.

Charlie glanced toward the main part of the house.

“Pit left to check the restaurant,” Ariel said.

Charlie nodded and sat down in one of the chairs. Ruth sat down on the loveseat across from Ariel.

“Now that you’re family, we wanted to share something with you,” Charlie mentioned, then stared at Ruth. Ruth didn’t say anything right away. Ariel hated seeing her so uncomfortable.

“That Ruth is Ruthless, the SOMC bogeyman of Kansas City?” Ariel asked.

Charlie and Ruth stared at her. “How’d you know?”

“When I became interested in Pit, I investigated the club. I know they are one-percenters, but I wanted to make sure it was a type of one-percenters I could live with. In researching the time the guys were away in the military, I noticed when Ruthless was spotted and when Ruthless wasn’t. I’m amazed at how you both held the club together when you had to be grieving.”

Charlie leaned over and patted Ariel’s hand. “Thank you. We did it because we didn’t have a choice. We weren’t going to let those boys lose out on their legacy.”

“Yes, and we also weren’t going to let someone who trafficked women claim the territory,” Ruth said. “Though I have to admit, playing Ruthless let me get some of the anger out about how our men were betrayed.”

Ariel could understand the grief and the anger. She’d only been married for less than a week. If someone took Pit from her, she’d burn the world to get justice. She couldn’t imagine how scared Charlie and Ruth had been and how worried they were about what was next.

“I was actually going to come chat with you about it anyway. I know Pit and the guys haven’t figured out why they were targeted. I think it might be time for Ruthless to take credit again for a couple of things to put some fear in people. We might not know who they were, but we know what building they were using. I’m positive the shell corporation that owns it isn’t above board. I’ve been thinking.”

The grins on Charlie and Ruth’s faces told Ariel they were more than on board with her idea. She smiled, then laid out her plan.

Kansas City would be as safe as she could make it for any of their future children. Hopefully, Pit would understand what she had to do. He had to know when he married her the type of person she was.

Chapter Nine

Pitstaredaroundthetable. Ariel had organized three different Thanksgiving meals along with a couple of deliveries to those in need and first responders who were working the holiday. Tonight, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, had been when all the MC brothers were off work.

The smoked ham and smoked turkey were from his restaurant. His mom had made her sweet potatoes and dressing. Ariel had taken charge of the desserts because she loved baking. His aunt had made her cheesy potato casserole along with mashed potatoes and gravy. When she mentioned just making her cheesy potatoes, FNG, their prospect, had mentioned he’d never had homemade mashed potatoes and gravy. Ruth couldn’t stand that he hadn’t experienced it, so she’d made both.

Pit had so many reasons to be thankful. He’d fallen in love and married a fierce, loving woman. His brothers were gathered around the table, and they hadn’t lost anyone this year. His mom and aunt were walking around with smiles on their faces at the possibility of grandkids at some point. His Sugar wasn’t pregnant yet, but it wasn’t for lack of trying on their part. Hopefully, it would happen soon, but if not, he was willing to have kids with his Sugar however she wanted. There were plenty of kids in the world who needed a home.

Pit stood up and waited for the group to quiet down. “You know I’m not big on sharing feelings.”

---