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PTSD is real. I haven’t been formally diagnosed as having it, although many of the men I served with suffer from it. I don’t have it to the degree that Saint or some of the others do, but it’s there. After speaking with Saint, I sought help early and have my coping mechanism when I feel the walls closing in. Because I know it’s hard to ask for help, I volunteer as a veteran buddy. It’s a new program designed to help veterans assimilate back into civilian life.
When I first saw Francesca across the way, I knew she was unique. The more time I spend with my girl, the surer I am that she was made for me. There’s a sweetness about her and yet a fierceness that she doesn’t see in herself. It’s going to be incredible to see her as she discovers her own power. Her confidence took a beating, and she’s doubting her instincts. After what she’s told me, she has every right to question people’s motives. It also explains a lot about her reaction to the impromptu housewarming party.
I care about this woman, and she needs to know that I’m going to be in this for the long haul. She’s not alone. Francesca just got herself a whole new family.
TEN
Saturday Night Confessions
HAMMER
It’s been a week since that first night with Francesca, and we’ve spent every evening together since then. Between chasing bad guys and hauling their asses back to jail and making time for Francesca, I’ve been busy, so now, updating Guard on what I’ve learned is a priority.
I meet Guard, Orion, and Ghost at the club. I lay out all I know, emphasizing the possible problems that may arise.
“When the hell has the Pride ever backed down from a fight?” Orion barks.
“There’s more to consider,” I say, turning to Ghost. “You just got your life back. If there’s one thing Francesca knows, it’s the power of the media. They dig and dig. What if they find out?—”
“Don’t insult me,” Orion scoffs. “Ghost is Liam now. Let ’em dig.” I know that tone. Orion is thorough, and he’s the best there is as a hacker and computer genius. Orion gave Ghost a new identity and brought him back to the Pride, where he can walk free. A close second is a tie between Wildcard and Dante Viale. It’s a good thing Wildcard is a brother, and we’re even more fortunate that Dante considers the Pride brothers. I worry about the media looking into each of us and uncovering who Ghost really is, or any other information my brothers want to keep hidden.
“I trust Orion. Don’t worry about me,” Ghost states with steely determination.
“This isn’t just about you. What about Demon? He’s been to hell and back, especially with reporters. It wouldn’t be right to pull him into a situation that’ll set him back,” I point out. “Maddie? Risk and Hanna? They’ve been through enough too.”
“It goes to a vote,” Guard says.
I nod in agreement, but add, “Either way, I’m not letting Francesca go. If that means walking away from the club for a while, I’m going to have to do that.”
“She’s the one?” Guard asks, tilting his head and giving me a grin.
“I’m in love with her. She’s in love with me,” I tell them. This week’s been exactly what I’ve been missing. Francesca picks a new recipe from her grandma’s cookbook and buys the groceries, then we make dinner together. We always end up making love after, and I’m rewarded with her sweet moans as she pants my name in my ear.
“Then she’s ours too, brother,” Guard says. “Saturday, before the party, we’ll have a meeting.”
“Francesca wants to be the one to tell the women. She insists on them having a choice, and I completely agree. No matter what happens, I’m still loyal to the brotherhood.” These men were my salvation after I rejoined civilian life. They gave me a purpose, a job, and most of all, they gave me back my sister. With our parents in Florida, she’s the only other family I have. Being part of the club gave me a home and a family.
“You know what they’re going to say.” Orion smirks. “Vi doesn’t back down from anything and this won’t be any different. She might, in fact, go looking for Jessop herself. I wouldn’t put it past her.”
“Abby looks like an angel, but if you mess with her family, she becomes an angel with a pitchfork,” Ghost says with a chuckle. We all laugh, calling attention to ourselves. Roscoe must have heard, because he comes over to join us.
“Private joke?” Roscoe asks with a grin.
“Saturday at six. Make sure the men know this is mandatory,” Guard tells him. “Might want to spread the word that Francesca’s going to want to have a word with the women.” His tone is serious.
“We got problems?” Roscoe asks, his gaze flitting to each of us.
“Potential issues,” Guard responds curtly.
Roscoe knows better than to push it further. “Right. I’ll spread the word. Just a reminder, Hawk and some of his men are joining us for the party.” Hawk is the president of Redemption Riders. They’re an MC from Nebraska that Thunder met on his travels. Hawk helped out with a situation we had a while ago that concerned Rose and Thunder. Hawk and Guard have met up several times since and the two clubs have found there’s a lot of work they can do together to make them more profitable.
“Hawk understands club business. His men can entertain themselves for an hour,” Guard says. “I’ll give him a heads-up.”
* * *
Francesca’s been fretting and dreading the prospect of talking about her past to the women she’s grown to care for and admire. There’s not a damn thing I can do about it, and there are no words I can say to ease her mind. I wish I’d waited until today to tell her, but, like a chump, I told her about my meeting with Guard and the others as soon as I got home that night.
Now, we’re supposed to be meeting everyone at the club in fifteen minutes, and Francesca’s talking to herself in the bedroom and tossing clothes out of her closet, mumbling, “No. No. Not cool enough. Hideous. What was I thinking?” and the litany goes on.
