Page 28 of Jigsaw
Willow shook her head. “I’m going back to my table.”
I kissed the side of her head and asked, “Are you sure?”
She smiled and nodded. “I’m sure they want to talk about what I just did.”
“More than likely,” I reasoned then added, “We’ll head home in a little bit.” She looked confused. “We’re not riding tomorrow, so I don’t have to be here early. I’d rather us sleep in my bed tonight, and we can leave your bike. It’ll be safe here.”
“You don’t live here?” she asked.
I shook my head as Ghost turned away from our conversation. “I have a house about ten minutes south of town. I only stay here when absolutely necessary.”
“Oh,” she said and looked down at her feet. I lifted her face with a thumb under her chin, and she said, “I don’t know why I thought you lived here.”
“Some clubs use the clubhouse as a home, but we only keep rooms here. All of us have our own homes, and the club helps with the upkeep. We have every manner of craftsman and construction within our ranks, but if there’s something about the house you don’t like, we can change it. I want my home to be your home.”
She lowered her voice and said something so softly, I couldn’t hear what she asked. I leaned over, and she repeated herself. “Are you sure this is what you really want?”
I slipped my hands to the side of her face and placed my forehead against hers, remarking, “More than I’ve ever wanted anything. Never doubt me, Willow.”
She nodded against me, and I kissed her forehead before swatting her lightly on the ass. “Go hang out, and I’ll come get you before it’s time to leave.”
She smiled and glanced at her brother before she walked through the crowd of people partying and having a good time. I made sure to keep my eyes on her until she was safely sitting back at the table with the other ol’ ladies. I saw them offering her high-fives and huge smiles, and slowly, her smile grew.
“She thinks everyone is gonna lie to her to get what they want then change their mind,” I heard someone say and turned to see Zodiac, the Phantom Renegades VP. He’d been a patched brother years before I was a prospect, so I assumed he knew Willow. “I think it had to do with Popeye being a yo-yo in her life.” I gave him a confused look, and he explained, “You know, here today and gone tomorrow.”
I didn’t want to talk about Willow with anyone but her. “I appreciate your insight, but whatever’s wrong, Willow and I will work it out.”
“Either put a cut on her back or put a ring on her finger. She’s gonna be unsure and out of her element until one or both happens,” Ghost said as he turned his head to interject into what I thought was a private conversation.
“I’ve called a chaplain to be here day after tomorrow, and her cut is being worked on as we speak. He’s fast, but it’ll be a day or two before it’s done. So, how do I keep her from bolting before then?” I asked no one in particular and was surprised when Ghost turned to face me as Zodiac turned his attention away from us.
“My sister’s . . . unpredictable,” he began, and I chuckled at his choice of words. “What’s so funny about that?”
I could tell my levity was pissing him off, so I explained, “That’s the exact word they use to describe me. Unpredictable.”
He shook his head and said, “I knew you two were perfect, but I had no idea how impulsive you both were until today. Just do me a favor, would you?” I nodded, and he lowered his voice as he spoke. “She’s never been someone’s number one priority. Make her your priority, above all things, and you’ll have a ride-or-die who will spill blood to protect you.”
I bumped fists with him and turned to find my woman. If he was right, I needed Willow to never second guess my feelings for her or my intentions for her in the future. Pushing through the crowd, I found her laughing with a few of the ol’ ladies.
Willow looked up at me and smiled as I asked, “Are you ready to go home, darlin’?”
“Anytime you are,” she replied, and I offered her my hand. She looked at the ladies and said, “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“We have a club brunch tomorrow, and the clubhouse will be closed until eight so the Sinners can have some downtime, if you want to join us,” Cheyenne said.
“I’d love to help. I make a mean homemade cinnamon roll,” Willow replied then looked at me. “I just need to get a few things from the store.”
I raised my hand into the air, and the prospect assigned to the ol’ ladies was promptly at my side. “Take down a list and make sure everything is here in the morning for my ol’ lady.”
Willow stepped to the side and began listing the items she’d need from the store while I looked down at Paige. “I like her, Jigsaw. She’s perfect for you.”
I looked at Willow then back to Paige and remarked, “She’s always been mine. We just met at the wrong time.”
“And now?” Jackie asked with a knowing smile.
“Bruce will have her cut ready the day after tomorrow, and the chaplain will be here on Monday,” I answered, and the ladies all got a little giddy. “Since tomorrow is Saturday, we can’t get a license until Monday anyway.”
“We could do it at the ranch,” Cheyenne offered, and the ladies launched into ideas.
