Page 15 of Marx

He turns on his heel and starts to walk off. What the hell? No. Reaching out I grab his forearm, stopping him in his tracks.

“I’d advise you to take your big mitt off me, kid. I may be old but I bet I can break at least two of your fingers before I go down.”

My hand pings back as quickly as it shot out and I can’t believe I just manhandled a senior citizen. “Shit, sorry. Fuck, she’s got me all tied up in knots and it’s my fault for flapping my gums and saying some shit I didn’t mean.”

“Well, I’m glad you can admit you were a grade A douche canoe,” Pops nods. “When Lovely told us girls at Mommies Group I had to swear not to go down to the clubhouse to kick your ass.”

My brows fly up at his words, “Mommies group? Why are you at mommies group?”

He steps into my much larger body, poking me in the gut with his bony finger, “Because I raised those kids that you like to go to for advice, so I’m their fucking Mommy, you got that?” He shakes his head in disgust. “Jesus kid, you just gotta open that trap sometimes and rub people the wrong way, huh? Now, do you want to come up with a shitty plan to woo Lovely yourself, or do you want a spectacular plan, with my help?”

My eyes narrow as I take in his offer. “Will there be explosions?”

“Does Lovely look like the type of woman who likes explosions?”

Does she? I don’t know. I would lean toward her not really liking them, but what if she does but I just don’t know that about her? Actually, in the scheme of things, I don’t really fucking knowanythingabout her.

“If you have to think that long about it, then you don’t know the girl. Tell you what, spend a little time talking to her, and then when you know what she likes, come find me.”

“You’re really willing to help me with this?” I ask, raising a brow.

Pops takes a deep breath, then lets it all out. “Look, I see that girl as a granddaughter to me. And the MC is my family. For me, family comes first. If that means I have to help you, a huge ass with no fucking filter when it comes to women, then so be it.” I nod, taking in his words. “But we do itmyway. In this realm I’m the Pres. The Love Pres, if you will. Got it?”

I glare at him and he glares right back. I mean shit, if Pops was pissed at my treatment of Lovely, then the rest of the women will be too, and they’re a force to be reckoned with. If I want to have a real shot at making Lovely mine, then I’ll need allies. And help. If I do this on my own I’ll probably fuck it up even worse, so I decide to make a deal with the devil.

“OK. I’m in”

“You’re in, what?”

“I’m in…to woo Lovely?”

“No, you need to say ‘I’m in, Love Pres’,” Pops says with an entirely straight face.

“No. Hell no. Fuck no.”

He shrugs and starts to turn, “Ah well, mustn’t want it enough then,”

I close my eyes, letting out a breath. “I’m in, Love Pres,” I say through clenched teeth.

Pops spins around faster than a man of his age should be able to, and thumps me on the shoulder, before gripping it fucking hard and shaking me slightly, “Good shit, kid, let Operation Dumbass Woos An Angel commence.” He beams at me, then using the grip he has on my shoulder he turns us toward the farmhouse, forcing me to follow. “The first step is to check in with your men. You have a house full of testosterone and people wanting revenge. We need guidance, oh great one, and also, women don’t like men who can’t get their shit together and lead an all out war on two cartels. Just saying.”

I let him lead me through the front door, because he’s right. I need to pull myself together and get this shit sorted. I can’t wish to have a life with Lovely and Bee if I can’t keep the club safe. I need to get my head in the game and take care of this cartel shit. Once that’s done I can claim Lovely. I hope she’s ready for me.

Lovely

“Right, to bed with you young lady, and Bee,” Vi giggles, and then grins at me.

“You know, I’m sure we’ll be fi-”

“Nope. I’m on Lovely and Bee watch this afternoon. Besides, Jules is having daddy-daughter time. They do it every Wednesday afternoon, and because we’re kinda all stuck here forsafety reasons, me coming here lets them keep their routine.” She smiles softly, and I love how much she loves Jules and Juno.

I have a soft spot in my heart for those two. I guess because I live next door I’ve seen all the ups and downs he’s had becoming a dad. It makes me feel all gooey inside knowing he has found the woman for him. Vi is the absolute best mom to Juno and she understands both Juno’s and Jules’ quirks. She even shares the grumpiest pictures of them on the Girl Gang messenger group and it always makes me giggle.

“If you’re sure?” I don’t want to be a burden. In the Keep if you were a burden you were sent away. I never knew where to, but they didn’t want people who couldn’t pull their weight.

I shake off the thought like I do every time the Keep invades my mind. I’m not there. Actually, the Keep is no longer there either, thanks to my siblings and the MC. I’ve not visited the old site since the boys took over, but I know they’re using the place for good now instead of evil.

“I’m super sure. Besides, I need to be here to run interference. Marx is up to something, and there’s no way I’m letting him say shitty stuff to my friend.El idiota.”

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