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“I know this club means a lot to you and you want to participate as an equal member but putting yourself at risk like this isn’t necessary. You do the books, you contribute in your own way. You don’t need to prove anything.”
Avery sighed and held back the eye roll. “Dad, I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone. I know that I’m a part of the club and I do my bit, but this party tomorrow night is an opportunity we can’t let go of. If I were anyone but your daughter, you would have no issue.”
Gage rubbed a hand over his eyes and then down his face. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I know I’m right. Come on. I’m good in these high-pressure situations, I know what I’m doing.”
“I guess I still think of you as a teenager needing my protection.”
Avery smiled and reached her hand out to touch his. “I love that you always want to protect me but I’m a grown woman. And I grew up in this club so I’m tougher than most, yeah?”
Gage finally smiled and nodded his head. “That you are. Sometimes…” He paused and looked away. “Sometimes I don’t know if I did right by you. I kept waiting for social services to come knocking on our door.”
“You gave me everything I needed. And being home schooled was different but it worked for us. Going away to university made me realize that lots of people had less than perfect childhoods. Mine was different than most but I always felt safe with you. And loved.”
Gage turned and squeezed her hand. “Not always safe. When you were sixteen…”
“We’ve been over the kidnapping enough times. I’ve talked it out and I’m okay. Children get abducted by strangers or worse, people they know and trust. It was scary but it’s over. It didn’t stop me from going on and living my life.”
“I may not say it often enough, but I’m so damn proud of you, Avery. And I’m happy you came back home. Even though I should want for you to be in a big city somewhere, with a perfect husband and kids. And not here in our outlaw MC.”
“This where I want to be. And kids are still in the cards. After all, I grew up here and I turned out okay.”
“And Sonny? Is he who you want to be with?” Gage looked at her with a concerned expression.
Avery bit her lips and then smiled.
“We’ll see. I haven’t felt this way about any man, ever. He’s a scary motherfucker but I’m a badass bitch. We make a perfect pair.” Avery chuckled as she stood up.
“Go on. Go get prepped for tomorrow,” Gage murmured as he waved her away.
Avery walked around the desk and gave her father a kiss on the cheek. A red flush crept over his cheekbones. Watching her tough biker dad blush made Avery’s day.
“Enough of that, kid. Get back to work.”
“Yes, sir,” she saluted and wandered out of his office.
She passed the kitchen and noticed Rochelle cooking and Nate distracting her by sliding his hand around her waist. They’d been married for five years and were still very much in love. It made Avery wonder about her and Sonny. Was their white-hot chemistry just that? She felt more than sexual attraction but then Avery always tended to lean with her heart first. She hadn’t lied to her dad. She felt more for Sonny than with any other man that came before. But Sonny wasn’t the type of man who wanted long term.
Avery was getting ahead of herself. She and Sonny were brand new, and she’d have to take it one day at a time.
“I’m not interrupting, am I?’ Avery announced as Nate jumped and turned around, red-faced.
With a wicked smile and a loyal heart, Avery could see why Rochelle had fallen hard and fast. Nate was super protective of Rochelle and watching them together made a strange kind of ache fill Avery. Funny how she’d always been so staunchly independent, and yet, something lately had shifted. Maybe having a partner wasn’t as far-fetched as she thought.
“Just helping my wife with dinner.”
Rochelle snorted and shook her head, her long, black hair swinging over her shoulder. “Not quite. I was cooking, he was tasting.”
“Hey, we all have our strengths,” Nate quipped and swatted Rochelle on the ass, then headed out of the kitchen.
“How’re you doing, Avery?” Rochelle asked as she turned the burner off and set aside a large saucepan. “Or should I say, how are you and Sonny?”
Avery rolled her eyes. “Not you too.”
“We’re all witnesses to the passionate way you guys argue. And I know what it’s like when you start feeling that pull for someone but you’re not sure if you should get closer and risk getting burned or run the fuck away.”
Rochelle turned and faced Avery with a knowing smirk on her face. Rochelle was like a sister to Avery, always supportive and understanding.
