Page 54 of Sackett
She had never been to the clubhouse.And she’d only met a few of the men he called his brothers.She was a little nervous about meeting the rest tonight.There were things she needed to say to them all, not just Maverick.She needed to thank them for all the work they’d done and the risks they had taken to rescue her.
“Whenever you’re ready.”She relaxed against him, enjoying the reassuring warmth of him beside her.It was reassuring in a way she hadn’t been aware she needed.Over the last week, Selena had found it easier to go about her daily business, to deal with clients, soon to be ex-spouses, judges and opposing teams of lawyers knowing that he would be at home, and would take care of her later.
She knew from experience that it wasn’t just knowing there was someone waiting for her.Most of the time he wasn’t waiting.He had work and his own schedule, but despite his late hours some nights, he got up with her every morning and cooked breakfast while she got ready for work.It wasn’t a huge thing and cooking breakfast was something she could do for herself, but it was something he did that showed he cared for her.Selena had no doubt he cared, even if he hadn’t told her he loved her.
“Come on, sunshine.Let’s go.”He waited while she looped the long handle of her small purse over her head, so she wore it across her body then they went out to his motorcycle.
Not only was today when she would meet the men who he called family, but he was taking her on his bike for the first time.Her stomach fluttered as she followed him out to the driveway where she’d started parking to one side so he would have enough room to park.He gave her a helmet, then put his own on then helped her fasten hers.All too soon they were climbing on the bike.
Selena’s heart raced as she settled in behind Sackett and wrapped her arms around him.She felt exposed and almost precarious as she perched on the seat, so she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on.The last thing she wanted was to fall off while he was going down the road.
To her surprise, once they were moving, she found herself relaxing.She didn’t know if it was having him so close or that she trusted him to keep her safe, but it only took a few minutes for her to enjoy the ride.The tug of the wind, the feeling of freedom as the world seemed to race by.Selena let her arms around his middle loosen a bit as she laughed out loud.Until now she’d never understood why someone would willingly climb on the back of something medical professionals called donor cycles.But after having tried it, she couldn’t wait until Sackett could take her out again.
All too soon they pulled up a large warehouse with an even larger fenced yard surrounding it.Selena was surprised when Sackett slowed the bike and turned into the open gate.It only took a couple of minutes for him to back the bike into place at the end of a long line of bikes backed up to the building.
“Come on, sunshine.Let’s go inside.”He wrapped a hand around her leg just above the knee and squeezed before releasing her and letting her dismount.Sackett put the helmets with the bike, took her hand and tugged her along as he took her inside.
The interior of the warehouse wasn’t what she’d expected.Though she couldn’t have told you what that was, only that this wasn’t it.Sackett didn’t give her but a moment to take the place in before he pulled her over to a cluster of people, both men and women and started making introductions.
Selena soon lost track of names for all the new people she was meeting, even though she’d worked at trying to remember people’s names for years, she failed this time.She didn’t know if it was the number of new faces, the weird names she had a hard time coming up with mnemonic tricks on the spot with, or that she’d been so nervous about meeting them all.Either way, everyone was friendly and welcoming in a way she hadn’t expected, though she wasn’t sure why.
“All right everyone, time to gather ‘round.”A tall man with a shaved head and a beard that she knew she’d met, but couldn’t recall his name, called from a small, raised area in one corner.She’d noticed the area earlier, not because of the stage, but because of the single floor to ceiling pole that stood there.It was cleverly disguised with floral garland wrapped around it, but she had no doubt it was a stripper pole.People started moving in that direction, a few men grabbing chairs and taking them in that direction, but most of the men and women just moved over and stood in an open semi-circle around the small stage, with a narrow path open through the middle of the semi-circle, as if they’d done this before.
“Savage, get your ass up here, unless you’ve changed your mind.If you have, you need to go upstairs and tell that woman.”
“Hell, no I haven’t changed my mind.”The groom hopped up onto the stage, rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck as if the white button-down shirt he wore under his leather vest was a little snug.
She found herself smiling at the gesture.
43
SackettwatchedasSelenamet and visited with his brothers and their old ladies.He hadn’t been worried that she would think they were beneath her.He’d been with her nearly non-stop for the last two weeks, except when either of them had work or he had club stuff, and he’d never seen her treat anyone with anything but respect and kindness.He knew it would be no different here.
As Tuck called for everyone’s attention, he moved with her to where everyone gathered around the small stage in the corner where the pole and TV’s hung on the wall behind them.He noticed several of his brothers had grabbed chairs and carried them over.They had their women sit in them, Krissi with Amber in her lap, as well as Beth and a couple of others, while they stood behind their women.A few moments later, someone turned onSkip This Partby Troy Grove.They’d hooked whatever was playing the non-traditional song, one that Sackett wouldn’t have chosen but he’d heard it before, and it seemed appropriate for Savage and Donna.
Everyone in the room turned and watched as Donna slowly walked alone up the aisle.She wore a bright flowing sundress and a pair of sandals that showed off toenails that had been painted bright purple to go with the dress.
Sackett marveled at the difference in the woman in the short time since Savage had found her.She’d gone from a woman who hid and apologized for nearly everything to this bright, confidant woman in front of him who shone with love for the man she never took her eyes off of as she made her way up the aisle.
“She’s beautiful,” Selena murmured soft enough that Sackett was sure only he heard it, he didn’t think she knew she’d said it out loud.“Someday, I hope I find someone to look at me the way he looks at her.”
Now he knew she didn’t know she’d said it out loud.
“You already have.”His words were barely more than a breath against her ear, his eyes still on the bride who had just reached the stage and was in the process of stepping up to join her groom.
He was aware of Selena spinning around to stare at him, her mouth half open as if she wanted to say something, but he nodded toward the stage, redirecting her attention to where Tuck was about to perform the ceremony they were all here to witness.She turned without saying anything, but he knew it was only a temporary reprieve.She would ask him about it later.
Thankfully, Tuck didn’t talk long.They listened as Savage promised to love and protect Donna, then while Donna promised to love and honor him.Sackett wasn’t surprised neither said anything about obeying the other, not considering what Donna had been through with her ex-asshole.After Tuck pronounced them Mr.and Mrs.Savage, they turned and retreated, then the real party started.
The grouping around the stage in the corner had broken up.
“Yo, Sackett!”Savage’s voice called over the low murmur of the crowd.
Several of the women had disappeared into the kitchen and the music hadn’t been turned up loud yet.Sackett kept a hand low on Selena’s back as they made their way to where Savage stood with Donna and Tuck.
“Selena, you’ve met Tuck, right?Tuck is president of the Souls.Tuck, Selena is the attorney Maverick and I went to Colorado to retrieve.”
She nodded her hellos while Sackett turned to Savage.
