Page 22 of Hardy

My little baby is inthere.

As the time wore on they cleanedaway their dishes, and they packed into Hardy’s car.He had to give Rosea warning about being alone.Both he and Baker needed to be atchurch, and she wasn’t going to be left alone.Before she waspregnant he wouldn’t have minded leaving her for an hour, but sinceshe was carrying their baby, he wasn’t going to allow it.Ifanything happened to their unborn kid, it would break her, and he’dhave no chance to get her back.Hardy was going to work damned hardin getting his woman back.

So Rose sat in the back, and she wasstaring out of the window refusing to pay him anyattention.

He could handle the coldshoulder.It wasn’t the first time he had to live throughit, and nowshe was pregnant.Her hormones were all over the place.

That baby was his last chance to makethings right with his woman.He’d fucked up in many things, but thelove he had for Rose was pure, soul destroying, and he wasn’t goingto let her go.Hardy hadn’t fought for much in his life, but whenit came to Rose, he’d fight.

Eva, Sophia, Lacey, Prue, andSunshinewerewaiting around the bar when he entered.Rose went straight to thewomen and started talking with them.It was good to see her part ofhis world once again.He needed to bring her back to the club moreoften.

Hardy and Baker were the lasttwo in the room.Fighter and Inkwere also in the room.Tiny sat in thechair that Lash once sat in, and Killer was on the other side.Lashwas staring at the chair as if it was going to bite him.

Slowly, he lowered himself downinto the chair.Hardy figured he’d be nervous, but to show it in front of thebrothers was also a sign of respect to them all.They were afamily, and a family took care of each other.

“Lash, you’re meant to bethere, brother,” Zero said.

“Can’t see anyone elsetaking that seat,” Whizz said.

“This was always going tobe you,” Nash said.

Around the table the men agreed witheach other.

“I didn’t make the wrongdecision, Lash,” Tiny said.“I’m old, and The Skulls needs freshblood.You’re it, and we’ve all got your back.I’m still here ifyou need me.”

Lash ran his hands across the edge ofthe table.“Okay, I guess it’s time for us to get to business.I’vepulled us out of the coke deals Ned Walker is running.I know he’syour father-in-law, but we’ve taken enough hits in the last coupleof years to last us a lifetime.I’m not looking for trouble.We’regoing legit.We’ve got the capital, and with Whizz’s play on thestock markets, we’ve got more than enough to invest in our shit.It’s what I want to look into.Investing.”

“The gym in town is going tobring in some good dough,” Whizz said.“Investing is the key, andthe adult business.We’ve got a few warehouses, and we can employsome people close to start distributing.It’s all good.”

Lash nodded, and even Hardy washappy to hear the news.Getting out of the illegal drug and gunruns would take the heat off all of them going to prison.He didn’twant to belooking at a long jail term with a kid on theway.

“We’re all agreed.There’sonly so much shit we’re all willing to deal with,” Murphy said.“We’ve got too much to lose.”

“The next order ofbusiness.Hardy’s concerned about the protection detail on Millie’stoy shop.”

All eyes turned to him.

“I was in there today, and she’sgot no sense of her own security.She helps the club, and gives usgreat deals.Our women adore her, and let’s face it, Baker wants tofuck her.”

There were a few chuckles at hiswords.

Hardy gave them time to have theirmoment before continuing.

“We’re goinglegit, but itdoesn’t mean we’ve not got enemies anymore.The Skulls, we’re aname, and we come with a reputation.We’ve got to protect thoseclosest to us.Millie’s got no sense when it comes to her ownsafety.”

“I agree,” Bakersaid.

“I like Millie, but there’s onlyso much protection we can put on her without her getting pissed,”Lash said.“I’ll get Angel to stop by and talk with her.We’ll takethe time to stop by the shop, offer her advice, and guard her.Ifwe start showing favoritism with her, it could cause someproblems.”

“Then Millie will become myold lady,” Baker said.

Hardy glanced toward Baker.He’d alreadylost a wife and kid, and Hardy hadn’t anticipated him makinganother declaration anytime soon, even if it had been a couple ofyears.

“That gives us great causeif she’s your old lady.I’m happy with that.We’re all inagreement, right?”

They all raised their hand inagreement.

Lash raised the gavel, bringing itdown.