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I watch from the half-open door. I wish she could see what I see: an adorable woman with a heart of gold. It’s time to take control.
I walk into the room. “Baby, we’ve got to be out of here in ten.”
She stops what she’s doing and stares up at me. “I can’t possibly be ready in ten minutes. I haven’t even figured out what to wear.” She’s making excuses, and the longer I let her go on, the worse it will be. The Lady Pride love her already. She’ll see this soon enough, and delaying the inevitable is only making her more anxious.
“Black pants, and that red top. You look hot in red,” I tell her. “Eight minutes left, babe. Do not think I won’t carry you out over my shoulder, dressed or not.”
“You can’t be serious!” she shouts.
“Frankie. You’re building a picture in your head that isn’t going to happen.” I move to her and caress her cheek. “No matter what, I’ll stand by you. If they can’t take it, though I’d bet my left nut that they’ll stand with us, it doesn’t change a damn thing about me and you.” I touch my lips to hers. “I’m all in.”
She gives me a strained smile and takes a deep breath. “I’ve got seven minutes to make myself presentable.” She straightens her spine and picks up my choice of clothing, then waves me out the door. I think it’s cute that she’s shy about dressing in front of me. I’ve enjoyed every inch of her desirable body, paying particular homage to her tits and pussy. Simply recalling how tight her pussy is around my cock has me wondering if we can get away with being late.
Not a good idea for tonight. I leave her to it. Francesca appears in the living room at the very last second, ready and waiting to leave. She’s left her hair loose, hanging down over her shoulders in big waves. I was right: the red top shows off her creamy skin and the long column of her neck. I can see that she’s unsettled, but she stands tall, ready to face what comes. I want to get this over and done with so we can move on. I take her hand, and instead of riding, we take the trail through the two properties and walk over.
* * *
The place is already bustling with club brothers and their wives. It takes only seconds for the women to circle around Francesca and me to welcome her. I kiss her soundly on the mouth and say, “Gotta meet with the guys. Be back soon.”
I see Guard across the room and head straight for him. He’s talking with Hawk and his men. I’ve met Hawk a few times. If I weren’t devoted to Satan’s Pride, I would have considered joining the Redemption Riders. His style is much like Guard’s, but with a grittier attitude and not the same finesse. But he’s fair, and he believes in justice. His men are as carefully chosen as the Pride’s, and only a select few are allowed to prospect for the club.
Only Hawk, his vice president, and enforcer, came on this trip with him. I know they’re ironing out a contract to supply the Redemption shops with product through our trucking lines.
“Sorry to interrupt. Good to see you again, Hawk.” I look at the others and give them a chin lift.
“Ready to get this done so we can start the party?” Guard asks confidently.
I look over my shoulder. “Yeah.” I expel a heavy breath.
Hawk looks from Guard to me, then to the women across the room. “Need a hand?”
“Not yet,” Guard says with a chuckle. “But I’ll let you know if that changes.” Guard gives the sign, and like a pack of wolves, we all come together, filing through the door to the private room where we hold church.
We haven’t even begun before there’s a loud rap on the door and several voices rise on the other side.
“Demon, honey, please open the door,” Sofia calls out.
“War, I’m in.” That’s Maddie.
“Girls, you know we don’t interrupt them during church. Besides, do you really think any of them are going to change their minds?” Ava says. “We’re a family. Francesca is part of that.” She lets out a frustrated huff.
War moves to the door, looks over at the group of us, and says, “I think that says it all.”
Demon is already up and walking to the door. “I’ve got nothing to hide. They want to start shit, let’ em. I know who I am. I have enough money to retire three times over, and no one will ever stop me from making music,” he says. “My skeletons are out in the open, but I guarantee that if they come for any one of us, we’ll expose theirs.”
Guard hits the gavel before anyone touches the doorknob. “We do this right,” he declares. “Every brother has a say. I’m putting it out there. Francesca seems to think if the paparazzi find her, our lives will become a media nightmare. I personally couldn’t give two shits. But each of you has a decision to make. They’ve already forced a good woman to leave her home and start over. They almost succeeded in paralyzing her business, and the jackass who started this is living high. Not only do we have to decide if we’re in, it’s a matter of how far we go.”
“I say we find the asshole and make him pay for what he’s done,” Risk says.
“Legally,” Steady adds. “Force him to come back and face the consequences.” His name is Steady for a reason. He’s the man who watches carefully and weighs the options before speaking. “Francesca needs to breathe free, and we can give that to her. Let’s just do it smart.”
Priest is quiet, and I see the darkness in his eyes. He’s mentally rehashing all the crap he’s gone through because of the reporters from his mother’s trial badgering him. They dredged up all they could, but with Sofia on our side, she took legal action immediately and had the files sealed.
“Priest,” I call to him.
His gaze comes to me. “I’m in,” he says gruffly.
“You don’t—” I start.
