Page 27 of Scythe's Salvation
My son nods and follows us around to the back where the noise level is extremely high. Little ones are in a bounce house, with another prospect keeping watch. Canopied tents are set up and some have tables arranged underneath, laden with food, while others have chairs and playpens, which is where Scythe takes me. “Ladies, this is Tamara. Tamara, I’m not even gonna try to tell you all their names. Y’all be nice to her, I’m trying to convince her to stick with me,” he says, which has every woman laughing.
“Hey, Tamara,” Roxy says, walking up to me and throwing her arms around me in a hug. “Let her go, Scythe, we’ve got it from here.”
“If you need me, sweetheart, just text me and I’ll extract you,” he says, leaning down and kissing me.
“Okay, but I think I’ll be just fine. I’ve met Ryleigh, Rory, Jilly, and Moira already, remember?” I reply.
“Yeah, but now there’s Roxy, Selah, Harper, and Laney in the mix,” he retorts before taking off to find Chance, who’s currently surrounded by another little boy who appears to be close to his age.
“Come on, Tamara, we’ve got mimosas for those of us who can drink, and water for those who can’t,” Roxy states, leading me over to an empty chair. “What’s your preference?”
Since it’s still a bit early, but I know we’re in a safe environment, I reply, “A mimosa to start.”
“Oh, I think we’re gonna get along just fine,” a familiar voice states, walking up to me. “Hey, I’m Selah, glad to officially meet you.”
I nod then reply, “Same. Thanks for the save the other day.”
“Girl, we’ve got your back,” she says. “Okay, now, we’re going to needallthe details as to how you managed to capture Scythe’s eye. He’s a loner from what I’ve heard.”
And that starts the first of two wonderful days with Scythe’s family. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed harder, eaten so much, or drank so much in my life. Hell, we never went home; Scythe put us in one of the rooms in the clubhouse, which thrilled Chance to pieces as he and his new ‘best friend’ Callum quickly became thick as thieves. Roxy and Weston’s adoption went off without a hitch and I met the judge who signed the paperwork. Hopefully, he’s who hears my court case, because he’s obviously all about the kids’ best interest and at the end of the day, that’s what I want for my boy.
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
Scythe
HavingTamara around with Chance is one of the best things ever. The adoption ceremony went off without a hitch, and she got to see, up close and personal, how bikers can party until the early hours of the morning. Of course, I know the prospects hated it since they eventually watched over all of the kids, along with Jilly and RiffRaff, so the adults could let their hair down.
As I dance with her in my arms on our makeshift dance floor that the prospects brought out earlier in the day, I marvel at how perfectly she fits in my arms. “Having a good time?” I ask, leaning closer so she can hear me over the music.
“The absolute best,” she replies, her eyes radiating an emotion I can’t quite figure out. “The ol’ ladies are wonderful and I definitely wanna introduce them to Amara. I think she’d fit right in. Plus, Chance is having the time of his life. If you were wanting to make me fall for you, Scythe, that right there was the key.”
“I don’t understand,” I say.
She sighs, then states, “I think by now you realize that I like you, right?” At my nod, she continues. “But I’m always going to be a package deal, at least until he’s grown and on his own. So, there’s no way I’d ever get involved with someone if they didn’t like my boy.”
“Okay,” I drawl out. “Here’s the thing, Tamara. My interest was piqued the day I came into your place for my massage. It only increased when I met Chance, who’s a remarkable little boy. Seeing how you care for him, it’s obvious that he’s your first priority as he should be. Iwantthe whole package. I want to be alongside you and teach him as he grows. I want childrenwith youso I can treat you the way you deserve to be treated, like a queen, while you grow our babies in your belly. I want those bad times, when tempers are high and solutions are hard to come by, as well as the good times, when we’re so busy loving each other and the family we’ve built, everything else is just noise.That’swhat I want with you Tamara—every fucking thing. You on my bike as my ol’ lady, you with my rings on your left finger as my wife, and you by my side as we grow older, watching the legacy we’ve built. I didn’t try to find a key to get you, Tamara, every one of my actions as well as my words have been nothing but the truth. I don’t know how to be any other way.”
By the time I’m done, tears are steadily streaming down her face, so I lead her away from everyone else to somewhere that’s a bit quieter. It happens to be my room in the clubhouse, but at least there, we’ll have privacy.
“I feel like you’re a little upset with me,” she murmurs as I hand her a wet washcloth so she can wipe her face. “That wasn’t my intention at all, Scythe, and if I gave you that impression from what I said, I’m so so sorry. I know my walls are kind of up, but it’s with good reason. I guess I should’ve said that you’re thefirst man who’s cared enough to scale that wall, not only for me but for Chance. Everything you said you want? I want that too, and while I’m a bit scared because my last relationship ended the way it did, I know you’ll be right there by my side no matter what.”
I pull her into a hug, holding her close without saying anything. I can feel both of our hearts pounding and realize that as nervous as I was to expose how I’m feeling, especially since it’s so soon, at least to regular society, she is as well.
“I meant it, Tam, I’ll be by your side for everything. Especially the pending custody battle.”
“Good. Because I think there’s a good chance he’ll try and pull something slick. Don’t ask me how I know this, it’s just a feeling I have.”
“Trusting your instincts is never wrong,” I say. “The brothers and I also feel there’s something about the whole ‘running for sheriff’ thing. Whether or not it’s club-related that he’s back, because you’re mine,” I stop and raise my hand to keep her from talking, “and make no mistake, youaremine, the club will have your back.”
“Why wouldn’t you let me say something?” she asks.
“Because I knew you were going to come out with some stupid thing about us not even having slept together,” I teased. “Isn’t that what women do these days? Try before they buy?”
She lightly smacks my shoulder while exclaiming, “Scythe!”
“What? It’s true. I’ve heard plenty of conversations over the years,” I admit. “And honestly? Based on the few kisses we’ve shared, I don’t think there’s going to be an issue in thatdepartment whatsoever. I’m fine with waiting until you’re ready, but since y’all are staying here tonight, can I ask that you at least sleep in my arms?”
