“Oh, trust me, he can be an arsehole, and it won’t be plain sailing with him, but one thing with these men is that when you’re theirs, they will protect you with their last breath,” she explains. “You have to understand, these men can be the biggest wankers out there to everyone else, but for you, he will be your everything. You’ll never be lost again with him by your side. Your beautiful little girl,” she reaches over the bed, grabbing her little foot and smiling at her, “will be his everything. She will never bewithout, and she will be surrounded by a family who will adore her.”
“Rochelle,” she looks at me, “what if he gets prosecuted?”
She laughs and throws me a wink. “We’re The Broken Iron Demons. Your ex may be a judge, but he’s never played with us. We have our ways.”
I wish I had her confidence, but she doesn’t know Darius like I do. He’s as corrupt as they come. All his colleagues knew he was beating me, but they didn’t care. If anything, they were afraid of him.
“So, you’re going to be his ol’ lady then?” Rochelle smiles at me, and I find myself grinning.
“Erm . . . I said no initially.” I laugh and run my hands over my tired face. “It wasn’t until the police were taking him away that I realised I loved him, that I want this.” I wave my hand around, as if to explain that I don’t just love him but everything that comes with him.
“Have you thought about your tattoo?” she asks, and my mouth drops open. She throws her head back and laughs, then she pulls down her top to show Drifter’s name inked in script on her collarbone. It really is beautiful. “You’ll both get tattoos with each other’s names. That way, everyone will know that you belong to him, that you’re his for eternity.”
I feel the corners of my lips turn up into a huge grin as a crazy idea forms in my head.
“Let’s do it now,” I exclaim, and Rochelle looks at me as if I’ve got two heads. “I’m serious, let’s do it now. When he comes out, I want to show him that I meant it, that this is the life I choose.”
She stands from the bed, grabbing Meli and making her way to the door. “Come on then, what are you waiting for?”
ROCK
It’s beenforty-eight fucking hours since I got taken in. I knew the minute they arrested me that it wouldn’t be smooth sailing. Darius is a dodgy fucker, and I predicted he’d pull out all the stops so they’d hold me for as long as they could. Gear’s sister, Misty, knew the drill, and I was under strict orders to answer ‘no comment’ to not cause bigger issues for myself.
I walk into the clubhouse and cheers erupt around me. I scan the room looking for her, Red, the one thing that’s kept me going for the last forty-eight hours and the only thing I’ve been able to think about. Her simple ‘yes’ ignited a fire in my stomach. She’s mine, and all I want is to wrap my arms around her, but she isn’t here. My stomach drops as I look around frantically and thoughts race through my mind. Has he gotten to her and she’s agreed to go back?
Gears shakes my hand, patting me on the back. “Welcome back, brother.”
“Your sister is fucking incredible.” He nods in acknowledgement and moves across to the bar, allowing the rest of the brothers to greet me. Drifter approaches me with his arm wrapped tightly around Rochelle. He leans in, giving me a man hug. “Nice to see you, brother.”
Rochelle stands on her tiptoes, placing a peck on my cheek.
“Where is she?” I ask as I look around, still searching for her.
“Don’t look so panicked, Rock.” Drifter grins. “You don’t think we would let her go, do you?” I relax. I should’ve known better than to doubt him.
“She’s upstairs,” Rochelle confirms, and I frown. Why would she be hiding out there when this is where she belongs? “Don’t look so worried. She took on your Pres and attempted to hand him his balls.” She laughs, side-eyeing Drifter.
“She didn’t hand me my fucking balls, woman,” he retorts, pulling Rochelle into his side, but she throws her head back andlaughs. “But good fucking luck with her, brother. She’s got some sass.”
“Meli’s been restless the last couple days, so she’s gone up to try and settle her,” Rochelle adds, and I turn on my heels and make my way up the stairs two at a time.I need to be with her.
I open the door, peering through before I enter. She’s standing in front of the window bouncing Meli up and down as she hums to her. Rochelle was right—she is restless, and her cries pierce through the room.
“Come on, Meli.” Red sighs in frustration. “Just give Mummy an hour without your screams,” she pleads.
I make my way across to her, placing my hand in the small of her back. She startles, her face relaxing when she turns to see me. Tears fill her eyes, and I lean in to give her a tender kiss on her nose.
“You giving Mummy a hard time, princess?” I whisper in Meli’s ear as I lean down to kiss her on the head. A stray tear falls from Red, resting on Meli. I wipe it away with my thumb before reaching over, taking Meli from her and putting her over my shoulder. She settles instantly, snuggling into my kutte. I rub her back gently as I rock her back and forth, and Red breathes out a sigh of relief.
I smile at her. “Missed me, Red?”
“I thought I’d lost you already,” she murmurs, throwing herself back onto the bed.
“You’ll never lose me,” I reassure her as I make my way round the bed and lie beside her with Meli resting on my chest. She rolls over onto her side to look at me, her eyes glistening with tears in the soft glow of the bedroom light.
“She missed you too.” She nods to her daughter, whose small murmurs fill the space between us. Red places her hand over the top of mine on her daughter’s back.
“Rock,” she whispers, and I look down at her. Her eyes are closing as she nuzzles closer to me. “Don’t ever leave me again.”
