Page 16 of It's Your Love: Rebel & Holly

“Okay, Mama. Can Mr. Rebel come help us find a Christmas tree?”

“I don’t know, but we’ll ask him,” I reply.

Devin, I know it doesn’t make me much of a Christian right now, but I sure hope you’re paying for your sins over a lake of fire for all you did tomybabies!

Chapter Eight

Rebel

Despite her crazy work schedule, Holly and I are managing to see each other several days during the week. Sometimes, she meets me for breakfast after dropping off the girls at daycare before we both head to work. Twice so far, her grandparents have watched Mina and Ruby so I could take her out to dinner. Then there are the nights she’s scheduled at the bar. I sit in my chair and watch her work while nursing a beer or two, take her break with her, then follow her home.

While we haven’t progressed beyond some steamy makeout sessions, each time I see her, I fall for her a little more. I can see a future with her, Mina, and Ruby, as well as any other children we’re fortunate enough to add to our lives.

Soon, you’ll make her yours,my mind whispers.Maybe this weekend since their grandfather is taking them now that he has a place of his own.

“Hey, Pres, you got a second?” Data asks, knocking on my office door, pulling me from my thoughts.

I’m working on the paperwork for the businesses and feel like pulling out my hair, so his interruption is definitely welcome. “Yeah, come on in, Brother.”

When he closes the door behind me, I know whatever he’s about to share will probably get my blood boiling. I wait as he sits down and opens up his laptop, taking deep breaths to keep myself calm.

As he looks up at me, he shares what he unfolded. “Okay, so you wanted some deep dives into both Holly and her ex, which I found. Her ex was in deep with several dealers in the next town over, and I’m not sure if they’ll go after her for his debt or not.”

“They sure the fuck willnotbe going after Holly,” I growl out. “Find out who the fuck they are if you haven’t already, and we’ll decide as a club if we wanna get that taken care of for her.”

He nods, then continues. “I found several domestic violence complaints against him that didn’t go anywhere. Not because they were dropped by the complainant, but due to the fact that the prosecutor decided there was insufficient evidence to proceed.”

“So, they were bribed?” I ask. “Was it the mother or the father, or both?”

“Looks like the mother. The father seems to be a stand-up kind of man, outside of the fact he had a son who was a drug-addicted bully,” Data replies. “As far as Holly goes, there are several emergency room visits, including one where she had several ribs broken, as well as multiple stitches for deep gashes.”

“Good thing he’s dead,” I bellow. “We may be law-abiding, but there are some people not fit to breathe and he sounds like he was one of them. He never hurt her girls, did he?” I askData, knowing he probably checked anything attached to Holly’s name.

He adamantly shakes his head. “Nothing found on them. Something interesting, though, Pres. They got her last name, not his.”

I smirk because that just means if this goes where I want it to, I can adopt them and give themmylast name. “Good. So, we just need to find out who he was into money-wise.”

“I’ll put some feelers out, see what I can find, Rebel. Taking it that she’s a keeper, huh?” Data asks.

“Yeah, Brother, she is,” I retort. “Let’s call church and fill everyone else in,” I command.

“The girls are hoping you’ll come with us to pick out a Christmas tree. We usually go to the tree farm on Thanksgiving morning while the food’s cooking,” Holly says. “But it’s okay if you don’t want to go.”

“They do?” I ask.

She reaches out and covers my hand with hers. Inside I’m cheering a bit because this is the first time she’s initiated any kind of contact with me whatsoever. Oh, she’s an active participant when we’re kissing, of course, but I typically start that, so for her to do this voluntarily is huge in my mind.

“Yes, they do,” she replies. “Not gonna lie, but even with only seeing them a few times, you’ve made an impression on both of them.”

Taking a deep breath, I tell her, “I need to tell you something, sweetheart. I know I told you it’s been about fifteen years since I dated anyone and here’s why. Let me say this first, though, what I thought I felt for her is nothing compared to the way I feel about you. But back when Paula and I met, she ticked all the boxes, if that makes sense.” She nods but doesn’t respond, instead she listens intently, which I appreciate. I know she’s younger than me by at least a decade, maybe a few more years than that, but what she’s been through has matured her. “She said and did all the right things and it was right when we were starting the club. I had bought a ring and was planning to make her my old lady.”

At her expression, I can’t help but laugh. “I know you’re new to how a motorcycle club works, but the term ‘old lady’ is a sign of respect. It’s as good as being married to someone if you make someone yours in that way. I pictured us having kids down the road, the whole nine yards, y’know? Instead, a conversation she had was overheard and I found out she was playing a long game, so to speak. She was planning to fleece me once she had access to my accounts.”

“What ended up happening to her?” she asks, her thumb stroking across my hand at this point. The soothing motion calms me enough that I’m able to keep going with the story.

“Well, of course I got pissed, broke it off with her, tossed the ring into the lake, and banned her from every club business.”

“She broke your trust in women,” she whispers, understanding filling her eyes. “Kind of like Devin did with me and men.”

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