Page 77 of Outlaws' Single Mom
What are they?—
“Logan,” Jackal starts in a stern voice. “We’ve got a really important question for you, and it’s important you answer honestly, okay?”
“Okay.” Logan looks back and forth between them, thoroughly confused. While they have his attention, he forgets all about everyone else, who’ve started murmuring quietly. They’re probably wondering what’s going on too.
“Here’s the deal,” Lash says. “We love you very much. You know that, right?”
Logan smiles, and nods eagerly.
“And you know how you grew in Auntie Georgia’s tummy, but then Mommy took over as your mommy?”
He nods, a little less certain.
Stiff takes his turn. “Ice is your daddy, and he would love to be here with you. But since he can’t, could we be your daddies instead? Take care of you and Mommy?”
The way Logan’s face lights up is like the sun rising on his face. “Forever?” God, the cautious question of a boy who’s lost way too much at way too early of an age.
Jackal grins. “Of course forever. We really like Mommy, but we needed to run it by you first.”
Logan throws himself at him, Jackal only just catching him in time so he doesn’t launch off the altar. Then Logan gets a big hug from Lash, and finally he ends up with Stiff, who squeezes him tight as he stands up. I can’t tell if Logan is laughing or crying or both, wiping at his face with the back of his hand, but sitting in the crook of Stiff’s arm, there’s no doubt he’s happy.
Jackal grins at me. “Had to make sure we had permission first.”
“Like there was a question. He worships the ground you walk on.”
Stiff shrugs. “He’ll learn better eventually, but we’ll do our best.”
Hellfire clears his throat. “Should we get this on the road? We booked the Burnout and Hector’s waiting.”
Right. I stand with the guys, waiting to find out what I need to do next.
Hellfire looks out over the crowd. “This time, I fucking knew it. The moment these three animals came to me talking about some girl, I knew they were hooked. I don’t even try to fight it anymore. Poor Eagle-eye over at the Eagles has learned this a long time ago, and I suppose I’m starting to as well. I don’t get it, but it’s none of my fucking business, as long as you stick to your club duties.”
Wow, I bet that’s not how the ceremony sounded before the Sons took over the church.
“And once again, I’m amazed that a smart and tough lady like Dakota has chosen these three particular fucks over everyone else. But, her choice. I’m staying out of it.”
I nudge Lash with a smirk. He grins back.
“Stop giggling back there so we can get this over with. Now, despite my misgivings, these three menaren’t complete fuckups. They’re loyal, they’re honorable when they can be, and they know when the right answer is a swift kick in the balls instead. I’m proud to have them in my club. But, that also means I have high expectations. Not only do you have a girl to protect, you also have a kid, and don’t think I didn’t hear how he accepted you as his fathers. That’s a big fucking responsibility, and you’d better live up to it. Any sign that you’re mistreating her, mistreating him, abusing your position or anything else that’s gonna piss me off, things are gonna get real ugly. That understood?”
“Yes,” Jackal and Lash say together.
Stiff nods. “Of course.”
“Good. Now, Dakota.”
I nearly leap out of my skin when he calls my name, and I was even paying attention.
“Being an old lady ain’t easy. I’m not gonna mince words. We do dangerous things, and dangerous things happen to us. Each day one of your men goes out, he might not come back. It’s not a threat, but it’s a fact of life. Your men will do anything for you and each other, and they’re gonna expect the same right back.”
I nod, not sure what to say. “Yes, I do.”
Hellfire’s lips quirk for a moment, like he finds it funny, just as Savage comes up to him with a black bundle and hands it over. Hellfire in turn passes it to Jackal, who holds it up so it unfolds on its own.
A leather jacket, just like the ones I’ve seen Jessica, Paige and Willow wear. And sure enough, across the back, it says “Property of” in letters curved over the top of the Outlaw Sons MC logo, and underneath, curved along the bottom, it says, “Stiff, Lash and Jackal.” Jackal holds it so I can put it on.
Hellfire continues, sounding more formal now, “By wearing this, Dakota, you represent the Outlaw Sons MC, and you represent your men. You're expected to give both them and the club your full loyalty, always. By claiming you as their old lady, they'll be responsible for you as long as you bear their patches. Understand?”
