Page 44 of Amy's Santa

Hank. Paladin had called his first child the name of the man he once prospected with, and who was killed protecting Sophie. I glance over at Wraith’s wife to see her wiping a tear from her eye.

A girl about four stares up at Paladin, her arms folded across her chest. Another girl, clearly her twin, copies her sister’s example.

Pal just shakes his head. “I told you two before. You couldn’t bring your new bikes. There wasn’t room in the car. Now stop sulking.”

As Pal competently deals with his brood, I count them. Five kids, and standing behind Pal is a very pregnant Jayden, and, well, look at that—I’m delighted to see Ella and her daughter Faith.

“Jay!” I call out, then I, too, am running across, greeting my old babysitter.

“Is there any fuckin’ food left?” a loud voice behind Pal asks.

Another roar as Beef, the VP of the Colorado chapter, enters with his wife Steph, and her latest guide dog. I swear Rock has tears in his eyes, as he slowly stands, then quickens his pace. Within moments, Beef and Rock are hugging.

“Sunny side up, Brother.”

“Dirty side down.”

Even Drummer seems choked up as the old team is back together.

Once the newcomers are settled with plates—there were plenty of leftovers—Drummer stands and raises his glass. “Merry fuckin’ Christmas, Devils.” People drink, then there’s another toast. “Let’s raise our glasses to people who can’t be with us tonight.” He looks up at the ceiling, then back down. “Here’s to Tongue, Viper, Slick, Hank, Adam, Kidder and ShortAss. They may be gone, but there’ll ride with us forever.” As Drummer mentions the men who’ve been lost over the years, silence descends. I cast my mind back. ShortAss only rode with the club a few years. He prospected when I was a teenager, got into an argument with an eighteen wheeler and lost just before I left for Phoenix. Kidder joined later, he’d been shot, but I never heard the details of who, why, or how.

As everyone spares a moment to remember, glasses are raised and drinks are sampled respectfully.

Drew takes my hand, his eyes settling on all his members, then he looks back to me. Brushing my hair back from my face with one hand, he leans in. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

Chapter Thirteen

Amy

Igo to return his Christmas greeting, but the words dry in my throat as I see the fire in his eyes. There’s such promise in them that I shiver. This is real. I’m going to be in this man’s bed tonight, and, if he has his way, forever.

“Babe, don’t look at me like that,” he warns. “Else I’m going to forget I’m the prez and that I ought to stay here, and instead drag you back to my room right fuckin’ now.”

I love my family. Despite the misgivings that came with me to the compound, because of the man beside me, I’ve enjoyed the evening immensely, the celebrations and fun exceeding my expectations. But now I’m more than ready to leave and have Drew to myself. “Yes.”

His eyes sharpen. “Yes?”

I raise my head slightly, then let it drop.

Fulfilling his threat, he grabs my hand and leads me through the partygoers, moving so fast I struggle to keep up with him. Hawk slaps him on the back and winks, Hound chuckles as we rush past, and Throttle stops him for a second and says something in his ear which I can’t hear, but makes Drew snort.

Our progress is slowed as one by one the men want to talk to him. On my part, Sophie gives a hand wave, and Sam a thumbs up. Even Ella, who earlier I’d managed to have a brief chat with, grins and mouthsgood luck.

Eventually we’re outside in the fresh air.

I hold him back. “What did Throttle say?”

Drew taps the side of his nose. “That’s between me and Throttle.”

I narrow my eyes at him suspiciously.

“Babe.”

“So, you’re ‘babing’ me now,” I accuse. But my lips are curved upwards.

Drew draws a deep breath and remarks, “Alone at last,” as he puts his arm around me and we start to walk up to his suite. “Just you and me. Fuck, I’ve waited years for this.”

We don’t have far to go, as prez, he stays close to the clubhouse. His bloc is one of the nearest.

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