Page 32 of Jigsaw
“Hell no, darlin’. My brothers are impressed with your skills on the bike, I just wanted you close to me today, that’s all.”
She smiled, seeming to understand my reason for the request, and when she pushed up and placed a soft kiss on my lips, I exhaled some of the worry. Taking her hand back into mine, I guided us out the front door, and after setting the alarm and locking the door behind us, I helped her down the stairs and out to my bike.
Willow climbed onto the back, and I saddled up in front of her before turning the loud motor over and letting it idle for a minute. She had her hands on her legs as she looked around the yard, but when I tapped her knee, she wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged her body closer to mine.
The entire drive over to the clubhouse, I thought about what I was going to do today, and not a single part of me was reluctant. If anything, I was eager and wished it was already tomorrow, that we were married and she had my cut on her back. Then and only then, did I think I would finally relax and stop worrying that she was going to leave when the Rally was over. Remembering Ghost’s and Zodiac’s comments about her worries and fears of being left behind, I vowed to never let her think she was anything but the most important part of my life.
The parking lot of the clubhouse was mostly empty for a few brothers. After backing the bike into a space and turning the motor off, I climbed off the bike and helped Willow, making sure she didn’t burn her sexy legs on the scorching hot pipes.
The front door to the clubhouse was open, and when we walked inside, I saw the prospects were busy scrubbing the tables and floors, getting the Sin Den in tip-top shape. Jackie, Paige, and Claire were sitting at one of the tables, laughing at something. I knew if Claire was there, so was Comet. I looked at Willow and asked, “Do you feel like sitting with the ladies so I can speak with Comet?”
Willow smiled and released my hand as she responded. “Go take care of business. I’ll be with my girls.”
I kissed her, and the sound of catcalls filtered through the empty bar. Lifting my middle finger to whoever it was that made the noise, I heard laughter again as I released Willow, giving her a tap on the ass as she walked away.
I saw Comet behind the bar, and with purpose, I walked to him. He lifted his gaze and glanced at Roughstock’s closed office door. He walked around the bar and patted me on the back as we walked to the office. I pushed the door closed behind me as Comet walked over to a filing cabinet against the wall and opened it, pulling out a small black box and a leather cut.
Taking the cut from him, I held it up and smiled as I looked at the exquisite craftsmanship put into it. I handed it back to Comet and he returned it to the filing cabinet drawer as he headed me the little box.
I opened it and smiled down at the ring I’d chosen for Willow.
“It’s beautiful, brother,” Comet remarked as I closed the lid and handed it back to him. “Do you think she’ll agree to do it tomorrow?”
I chuckled. “She’s been described as unpredictable, so I think she’ll be more than ready to do it tomorrow.” I paused as worry began to fill me, then I added, “I hope.”
Comet clapped me on the shoulder. “It’s obvious Willow is head over heels in love with you, and I don’t know the whole story, but I think it needed to happen the way it did. It makes you appreciate her more than you would have if your old club would’ve accepted the two of you.”
We began to walk to the closed door as the sound of bikes approaching faintly echoed into the room. “Do you feel the same about Claire?” I asked him.
“I used to not, but honestly, I’m not sure if she and I would have fizzled out if she’d left with me when I asked her to. Am I still pissed at my father for his manipulations and getting herhooked up with her ex? Fuck yes, I am, but I’ve put all that behind us. You need to do the same.”
“Already done, brother,” I remarked as I opened the door, and we walked into the clubhouse.
There were over three times the number of brothers and ol’ ladies sitting around the clubhouse when we walked out, and Roughstock was coming through the back door as I closed his office door behind us.
He approached and lowered his voice. “Ghost is outside. Warhol will bring him in whenever you are ready.”
I looked to see who was missing then looked at my President. “Five minutes?”
He gave me a nod and turned to the back door as I walked away, giving Comet a look that said to get ready. He returned to the office as I walked across the room and behind Willow. She turned and smiled up at me before looking back to the ladies. They were talking about Jackie’s crazy horse, Luna, and when I heard Willow say she wanted to ride her, my eyes grew wide over her head.
Jackie gave me a subtle nod, but I didn’t trust that horse any further than I could throw her big ass. And the last thing I wanted was for Willow to get injured. Cheyenne walked up to the table and gave me a nod, indicating everyone who was coming was here, so I exhaled and placed my hands on Willow’s shoulders.
She looked back at me, and I asked, “Could you come with me for a minute?”
She wrinkled her eyebrows but replied, “Sure.”
As she stood and followed me to the center of the room, the brothers in attendance began to move closer, and Willow looked around at what was happening with worry in her eyes. I pulled her hand up to my lips as we stopped in the middle of theroom. Comet moved around until I knew he was standing next to Roughstock behind me.
“You know I love you, don’t you?” I asked Willow, and she nodded, glancing around the room before she brought her eyes back to mine. I raised my voice and reached backward as I began to speak. “I’m laying claim to Willow Tate and declare her to be my ol’ lady. She has the full support of the Sinners Revenge behind her, and from this moment forward, she never walks alone again. I will lay down my life to protect you, and I profess my allegiance and loyalty to you, here, in front of my brothers.”
Her hands moved to cover her mouth as I brought the cut around and showed her the back. Tears filled her eyes as I asked, “Do you accept my claim?”
“Yes,” she announced, and I used one finger to motion her to turn around so I could put the cut on her.
She did as I requested, and as I slipped the cut onto her arms and she adjusted it, I felt the box being placed into the hand I’d slipped behind my back. Lowering to one knee, I opened the box and waited for Willow to turn back to face me. Her eyes tracked down to where I was kneeling in front of her, and she cried harder as I began to speak.
“Years ago, I made the toughest choice I’d ever had to make, and I walked away from you. Now, I can’t imagine my life without you, and even though our path was long and filled with pain, I want to promise you that I will never walk away from you again. Willow, will you marry me?”
