Page 48 of Gypsy's Lady
Gypsy ran his words back through his head, not finding any falsityin anything he remembered spouting. No matter the words, his message had been clear, and he wanted to make sure Kelsey knew it. “Every fuckin’ word, darlin’.”
Softer than before, her voice was scarcely audible when she asked, “You thank God?”
“Every single day.” He knew now what she’d fixed on. “Hate like fuck what you went through. Hate it with my entire being. If I could deal my anger outto those men, any of those men who put hands on you, they’d be dead a dozen times over. But—” He pulled in a breath, trying to steady himself from the sudden flare of anger that consumed him. “—it all conspired to bring me there at the exact moment you needed me. That’s God’s finger, pointing me to you. Making it so I could be what you needed most in that place. And God’s finger, it gave me you. Ithank Him every day.” Tightening his arms around her, he folded his shoulders inwards, resting his burning cheek on top of her head. “I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you, Kels. God’s honest truth.”
“Gypsy.” His name from her soft lips was the aphrodisiac it always was. He had to shift his hips to the side so she wouldn’t know what it did to him. “You saved me.”
“What you don’t knowyet,Kelsey,is you saved me, too.” He kissed the top of her headandshe pulled back, staring up into his face. “You saved me, too.”
Tugboat’s voice came up the hallway, preceding him by enough Gypsy was able to pull himself together before the old man saw them. Gypsy turned them to face the corner so by the time Tug came into view, it looked as if they were already on their way. “Wondered ifyou got lost. What happened?” He squinted an eye, scowling at Gypsy. “Carter came in with a pissed-off face. What’d you do to put that there, huh?”
Kelsey spoke before he could, and the confidence in her voice pinned him to the spot. “Moby was being chatty, seein’ as I’m from Australia and he’s been to Sydney, so he reckoned he’d found a friend. I got nervous, and Gypsy made him stop.” She lookedup at Gypsy, a ghost of a smile on her face. “I’m okay now.”
“Yeah?” Gypsy angled his face so he could see her more clearly.
She blinkedandthe corners of her lips tipped the slightest amount. “Yeah. It’s all good.”
“Then come inside.They’rewaitingsupper for you two, and I’m hungry.” Tugboat’s boot soles slapped the floor as he stalked away, his voice trailing off as he turned the cornerback towards what must be the main room of the Malcontents’ clubhouse.
Gypsy urged Kelsey forwards, his arm crossing her back, hand resting on her hip. Walking like this with her now felt so natural and easy, he couldn’t imagine not having her beside him. She laid her palm on top of his hand, fingers falling between his so he could curl around them and give her a squeeze. Connected in that waythey joined the rest of the group, the noise level finally registering as a mass of people.
Gypsy looked across the sea of unfamiliar faces, trying to pick out anyone he knew. Finally,alongthe back wall, he found someone he recognized. Steering Kelsey in that direction, he shifted his arm, bringing her fingers to his belt and waiting until she grabbed hold before he reached out to shake Hurley’shand.
“Brother.” Hurley leaned forwards and bumped shoulders with him.
“Good to see you, man.” Gypsy studied his face, seeing new lines and pain there.Need to get him talking, see what the story is. Hurley turned to the side, reaching behind him to draw a young woman forwards. “You remember Mela, yeah?”
“Sure, I do.” Gypsy nodded at her. “How you doin’, Carmela?”
She shrugged, sheets of darkhair rippling at the movement. “Good. Mom said to tell you hello.”
Gypsy glanced back to Kelsey, giving her a smile as he held his hand out. She moved to his side and would have stopped there, but he urged her in front of him, propping his arms on her shoulders, wrists crossed in front of her chest. “Tell Juanita I miss her.” Watcher’s wife had been a big part of the man’s life, and most of theRebels had at least met her before his death. When she came to stay with them after his death, in those dark days before Mela had been found, Gypsy had taken the opportunity to get to know her better. “Mela, this is my Kelsey. Kels, this is Hurley’s old lady,” he grinned at how Mela wrinkled her nose at the title, “Carmela. She’s a unicorn.”
Kelsey twisted so she could look up into his face.“That’s a bit of American slang I haven’t heard. What does it mean?”
Mela snorted, and the sound pulled Kelsey’s attention back to her. “He means I’m unique.You’vean amazing accent. Are you from Australia?” Kelsey nodded. “Cool.”
Hurley grinned. “You have an accent, too.” He curled one arm around Mela’s shoulders and gave her a shake. “Got some sexy Mexi goin’ on. Does it for me, every time.”
Mela jabbed his side with her elbow. “Jesus, you’re ahorndog. Admit it, anything does it for you.”
“I’m wounded. You heardher, Gypsy, she wounded my heart with that stab.” Hurley smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His attention was on Mela, but he continually watched the crowd around them, too. “Mortalwound.”
Mela rolled her eyes, head shaking back and forth. “Liar.” Smiling at Kelsey,she said, “It takes a lot to keep these big lugs in line, doesn’t it?”
“Ha-how are you unique?” Kelsey flinched when she stuttered, and Gypsy gave her a reassuring squeeze.
“Oh, that.” Mela rolled her eyes againandHurley’s arm tightened around her neck, pulling her closer. “My father is head of a Mexican club, but I was pseudo-adopted by Watcher, which made me part of his club, the SouthernSoldiers. Then he merged with the Rebels, and I found Hurley to be not too terrible to look at, so that put me here at his side. Most men are only ever in oneclub,unless they’re patch hoppers.” She snorted, telling them all what she thought about the practice. “And here I am, a lowly woman, and I’ve been part of three.” She grinned. “A unicorn. I probably have forgotten more about club protocolthan anyone in here except maybe Tug.” She leaned forwards, Hurley’s hand trailing on her shoulder to cup the back of her neck. “Don’t ya just love him? I’m so glad he’s foundMaggie. He was alone for a long time.”
“He said he was married before. Or,” Kelsey tensed as she tried to backtrack, clearly afraid of giving offense from using what might be the wrong term, “had an old lady before?”
“Yeah,” Hurley grimaced. “A long time ago he lived outhere,after he got out of the military. I guess he was part of the Outriders at that point. Moby told me his Aunt Jilly diedandTug left the club.” He shrugged. “Made his way to Chicago and hooked his star to Mason. Their loss, our gain.”
Mela smiled. “He’s always reminded me of Spider, Papa Watcher’s friend. Lost something so precious henever thought he could find it again. I’m glad he found Maggie.”
Blue Line signaled from across the roomandGypsy nodded. He looked for Tug and found him and Maggie standing near the bar. Gypsy realized Maggie had on a vest withan RWMCPO patch.Fuck. He hadn’t thought to request one for Kelsey. “Kels, you want to hang here with Mela? I need to go talk to Blue Line for a few minutes.” She staredup at him. “I won’t be too long, I hope. You’ll be safe with her.” She flinched, the movement so slight he nearly missed it. Bending close, he put his mouth toherear, whispering, “You’re safe here anyway. Safe because you’re mine and I protect what’s mine. Every man in here knows you’re off limits, Kels, but she’ll be a goodfriend,if you let her.”
Pulling back, he waited until Kelsey liftedher eyes to meet his. She stared at him for a moment, then nodded slowly. “I-I-I—.” Clamping her mouth closed, she rolled her lips and bit them hard, the flesh going white from the pressure of her teeth. Composure regained, she tried again. “I-I’ll be okay.” Shoving her shoulders back, she lifted her chin higher. “I’ll be just here when you’re done, right?”
