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I rest my forehead on his hard chest and take a deep breath before looking up into his ridiculously dark brown eyes. “I’m ready.”

“Your chariot awaits,” Pops says, elbowing Johnny out of the way and making a big scene about getting me settled into the back.

I share a look with Johnny who rolls his eyes but still tips Pops. It possibly wasn’t enough because Pops looks at it with disgust but still pockets it anyway.

We sit in comfortable silence as Pops drives us through the farmland he owns. There are no animals here, but a lot of trees and random plantings here and there. I can only imagine what the little outcrops are meant to be hiding. Before long we pull up to what looks to be a hedge.

“Just wait for it,” Johnny whispers in my ear, causing those darn shivers and a flutter deep in my core.

Pops hops out of the ATV with the agility and energy of a man decades younger. I’m shocked when he performs some type of elaborate knock on what I thought was a hedge but seems to hide a solid wall. The door opens outward and I get a glimpse of more twinkly lights. Delicious smells waft out of whatever this place is and I have to tear my attention away when Johnny moves to stand, offering me a hand to help me out of the back of the ATV. Holding hands we step inside and I’m in awe. We’re standing in a large room with fairy lights hanging from the ceiling and the walls are decorated with kid-sized crossbows, swords and all manner of things. There are tables set up, complete with white table cloths and candles. Fox and Nitro are sitting at one,dressed nicely and sharing what looks to be sparkling water. With Fox still recovering I’m sure Nitro would have a conniption if the man tried to have a beer. Blanche and Tav are here, hands entwined on the table, and I give a little wave to Kaia who is frowning at Judge on the other side of the room. At another table Pops takes a seat where Mama Debs was waiting for him.

“Shit the old boy moves fast,” Johnny says under his breath, making me giggle.

“Ahem, do you have a reservation?” Dex stands behind a podium of sorts, an open book in front of him.

Johnny growls beside me, and then growls more when Dex smirks at him. “Just show us to our table, jackass,” Johnny grumbles as Dex throws his dark head back and laughs.

“Please, follow me.” With a flourish, he shows us to a table near the back of the room.

It’s a little more private than the other tables and I appreciate that. I also appreciate how somehow Johnny and the club have managed to make this feel like a date at a real restaurant. I’m having trouble trying to keep the fizzy feeling inside me and not gushing out everywhere. It’s just, never in my wildest dreams did I think that someone would want to take me on a date, and put this much effort in. It’s overwhelming and my heart is full to the brim.

“Sir, madam, would you like to start with a drink?” Niko stands dressed in a black shirt and trousers, a white napkin draped over his forearm, holding a bottle of wine.

Johnny raises a brow and I nod eagerly. I finished the last of my pain pills and antibiotics yesterday so I should be fine to have one glass. No more than that because I’ve heard the other women’s stories and I don’t want my vagina to turn into a hussy. Just yet.

Niko lets out a small grunt and then with the most concentration I’ve ever seen etched into his face, he pours twoglasses of wine before nodding once and bustling away to the other tables.

“To the first of many dates,” Johnny says, holding his glass toward me.

I giggle and clink mine against his, feeling all sorts of giddy. I take a sip, the sweet bubbles make my nose tingle.

“So, Lovely, have you thought more about Mad Dog’s offer?” Johnny asks, staring at me over the table, his face illuminated by the lit candle.

My mouth twists as I try to find the words. “I have and I haven’t. It carried such terrible memories for me, but when we had Candice in the Rev Room I picked up the gun and it just felt… natural. I mean, it was a poor job, the girl gang wanted to make her look hideous, but it still didn’t feel as bad as my memories feel. Does that make sense?” I worry my lip, before looking at the man across the table.

He reaches over and gently tugs my lip from my teeth. “I know what you mean. I’ve seen your drawings. I’m sure having a pencil or paintbrush or tattoo gun in your hand feels natural. It’s your gift, Lovely, and whether the memories are good or bad, you’ll always be drawn to making art.”

I nod, as usual the Pres of the DRMC hits the nail on the head. “I like the thought that I could help the women Mad Dog can’t. Maybe doing good could help wipe away the bad.”

Johnny smiles gently. “I think you would be perfect to help Dad, and all those women, make a fresh start.”

We grin at each other, the candle light flickering, making me forget we are surrounded by couples, friends and family until Cove walks straight up to the table, dressed in her black halloween dress.

“The food is ready. Are you ready to eat?” she yells, causing both Johnny and I to jump in our seats.

“Yes, thank you Cove,” Johnny answers, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Thank you Cove, you’re doing a great job,”

“I know!”

She bustles off, hurrying up the other big little kids as they ask the other couples if they too, are ready to eat. We all share smirks amongst ourselves while Pops looks proud as punch, obviously having something to do with the organisation.

“OK, so I’ve seen this done on a movie, can we do a quick round to get to know each other?” I ask Johnny, peeking up at him. He grins so I take that as a green flag. “OK, favorite childhood memory, a food you hate, and if you could choose any super power, what would it be.”

He leans back in his seat, his large, blunt fingers tap on the table as his brow furrows, thinking deeply. I know he’s the type of guy who would put thought into my question.

“My favourite memory would be when Rhodie was born. There’s five years between us. My mom was trash, an ex club girl that tried to trap Mad Dog. When that didn’t work out she would leave me on my own for hours on end, out scoring drugs. She disappeared and I got to live with my dad. Rhodie’s mom came along not long after. She was the type of mom I wished I had. Gentle, kind,” his eyes flick to mine, some type of awareness shining through, “ a lot like you actually,” he chuckles. “Then she was pregnant and I remember thinking that she would have her own baby and love them more than me. I was bad and that’s why my mom was bad. Molly was good, and her baby would be good.” I reach across and place my hand over his, squeezing, “Anyway, the day she had the baby, Mad Dog came to take me to the hospital to meet my little brother. I was nervous they wouldn’t love me anymore.”

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