I guess you could say that I moved here for a man. He’s twelve days old and weighs three pounds. – Rye
The rest of the week was spent getting certifications required by the state to work at a daycare. Karan had arranged classes for everything that would be needed. Most of them, Rye was exempt from. Either because of her teaching degree or the classes that she had to do to get custody of Michael.Since she took advantage of the free course offered by the hospital, Rye already had her first aid and CPR training and did not have to come in on either Saturday. Instead, she hit the thrift store for more jeans and baby supplies.At Tank and Ink’s insistence, Rye had met their wife, Evie. The three of them had a great relationship and Rye found herself liking both men against her better judgment. She even liked Tank’s little brother, Athos.After her thirty-dollar shopping spree, she took Evie up on her offer of using their laundry room. Rye liked it because it saved herIt’s just for us to get to know each other. The girls will use it to set up social media accounts for The Clubhouse. If you don’t want it used, put a star by it. – Karan“Are you fucking kidding me?” Chance demanded as he held the questionnaire in front of him.“No, I’m not.” She said calmly. “And, yes, you will be at Thursday’s luncheon. And wearing your work shirt.”"I'm not wearing bells." He grumbled.She smiled sweetly at him and appreciated the view of him in her office. The black polo was pulled tight across his chest and abdomen. The sleeves were snug around his tattooed arms, and she knew firsthand how it felt to be wrapped up in those strong muscles. Just as she knew the strength in his denim clad legs. She took him in, all six feet two inches of muscle, tattoos, and attitude. Unconsciously, Karan gave a soft moan. Chance strode across the room and gently cupped her chin, tipping her face upwards. “You are about to be a married woman to
I’m here to help you and your family, Ryanne. If there’s anything I could do for you or you need, you can reach me at this number. – Endless line of social workersRYE’S THOUGHTSQuestions are dangerous. How many times had Rye heard that? A few hundred times every year. Several thousand all together. It was drilled into her from the very beginning. When she was little, she would ask about mom and her bad days. Don’t ask questions, baby sister, it only makes it worse. She would ask how long daddy would be gone, only to be told not to ask mom. It would make her cry and then she would have a bad day.She made the mistake of asking why they had to leave Japan. Then her mom went ballistic on her, and Leigh Anne told her that the world did not revolve around her.Rye learned not to ask questions. Being asked questions can be even more dangerous. Where’s your dad? Why is your mom like that? Why did your sister go away? Why do you look like a skunk?
Yeh want me to feed how many people? On Thursday? Yeh should know we can do that with no issue. – NessieZee from Nessie’s Kitchen was overseeing lunch for the daycare employees. When Karan went to Nessie about the luncheon, she was sure that the other woman could do it. Probably with a hand tied behind her back. Possibly both hands.She left the menu up to Nessie and the Scottish beauty did not disappoint.There was a salad of mixed greens, with fresh strawberries, feta cheese, sliced almonds, and balsamic dressing. The main course was chicken penne pasta with spinach and bacon in alfredo sauce, parmesan cheese was placed on the tables. Yeast rolls were in the daycare ovens and the fruit was being sliced by the girls who came to help.Karan had worked for Nessie for a year and her organization skills still scared her. They were still looking for a full-time kitchen manager for the daycare. But for now, it was being split between Nessie, Karan, and Winona. Winona cou
Good morning, ladies! I brought fresh donuts and piggies. – ChanceEver the flirt, and sometimes all-around good guy, Chance showed up early with donuts and pigs in a blanket. Most of the women, married and single, flirted with him. It was friendly and fun. There was nothing expected. Except for the girl with the gray patch in her black hair. She continued to glare and give him the patented Three Step Look. He was quite sure that she would have no problems with him dying another time or two while he was in hell. It was a good thing that he was a Devil’s Saint. They were already friends with devil himself. Chance snickered at the thought as the woman in question gave him another go to hell look.“Leave her alone.” Karan warned softly as they stood just outside her office in the communal area. “I’m not doing anything.” He objected as the nine teachers kept tight reins on the controlled chaos. Approximately a hundred and fifty kids played in the large a
Chance, Theresa Johnson just called. She has the twins in Rye’s class. Isn’t she Cookie’s sister? – JordanIt was six-thirty and most of the kids had already been picked up. Rye still had two children in her class. Four-year-old identical twins Gavin and Graham. Chubby cheeks, mahogany brown eyes, dark chocolate skin and black curly hair. They both wore blue jeans, gray t-shirts with smiling cars and black tennis shoes. Rye sat at the short table coloring with the boys. Their chubby little hands wrapped around the fat crayons. Two of the coloring pages of the letter A had multicolored scribbles on the pages. The third had the bubble letter colored purple with green grass. Rye was coloring the sky when Chance entered the room. “Why don’t you go ahead and go?” Chance suggested to Rye. “I still have kids.” Her smile was bright and her voice cheery. But her eyes were cold and filled with hate. “Theresa just called, she’s on her way. I know you want to get to your
I don’t even know who the father is of you. I barely know who your mother is. What right do I have to judge? – RyeChance went to his sister’s house for dinner after his encounter with Rye. He listened to the twins and played with the baby. When Mia asked him what was bothering him, he just shrugged and said that the first day was busy.Celt rode with him back to the clubhouse, Pop’s Place. Over a beer, the large red head called him out.“Okay, spill it.” Celt sat on the opposite couch and handed him a bottle of beer. “What the hell is bothering you?”Celt was enjoying his leave and his wavy red hair was now to the middle of his back and his beard was barely controlled. He wore faded jeans, a plain black t-shirt and lace up motorcycle boots. Just like their brethren, he and Chance wore their leather cuts. Black leather with their road names on a black patch with white writing. On the back was the club patch of a red devil with huge angel wings rode a motorcycle.
I told you before, I don’t want or need your help. Thanks. But no thanks. – RyeKaran took another bite of her apple as she scanned over her paper. The alarm chirped notifying her that the back employee entrance had opened. Glancing over at the screen on her wall and saw Rye enter the door held open by Chance. Forgetting her paper, she turned and watched the daily lunch time show. Reaching for the remote, she started to unmute the TV. Setting it back down, she decided that the silent movie was better. Eating her apple and drinking her lemon water, Cookie better realize the sacrifice she was making for their wedding, Karan watched the couple. What they could argue about every damned day, Karan didn’t know. What she did know was that at this point it was a choice. Rye had a set lunch time. Chance did not. The fact that he still continued to come back from lunch the same time she did, spoke volumes. What it said was that it was his choice. He wanted this daily i
I can do domestic stuff. I even know how to bag groceries. Eggs. Cookies. Bread. Seventy-pound frozen turkey. – ChanceIt was Saturday and the Lowery men had already done their weekly workouts. They got together every Saturday for a workout, which was just an excuse to beat the hell out of each other. Werewolf was called into the office and asked Chance to go help his wife, Charlotte, do her Saturday errands. Although she could do them herself, he felt better if someone was there to help. Especially with the large bags of dog food. Chance rode out to his brother’s house and took his brother’s family to lunch at his sister’s restaurant. He made several jokes about driving the minivan that the kids had dubbed Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web. The back window even had a spiderweb in the corner with amazing written in it.After dropping the four kids off, they headed back into town in Werewolf’s dark blue extended cab pickup with bed cover. Chance had tried to convince her that
I’m very good at being Sophia. I just don’t like being her. – ShilohThe door to the Shack opened and a large group of men in suits entered with a woman in the middle of their pack. As they moved through the building, the men moved off and took up positions around the large space. The woman stopped in front of Pagan who wrapped her up in his arms.“We’re going to get them back.” She quietly promised.“I know.” Pagan whispered against her neck.She pulled away from him and pressed a kiss to his lips before she turned in his arms. “Werewolf, what do you know?”“They were taken by Aranya. We know where their president is.” He answered.She spoke in Italian, and six men stepped towards Werewolf. “Tell them.”Werewolf nodded and pulled up the map on his tablet. He explained where the Aranya clubhouse was located and what he knew of the buildings. “Don, with your leave?” Nico asked and Sophia nodded.“Yes, bring him to me.” The men turned to leave. “Nico," Sophia warned, "do not spill any
Mother, I’m not sure who you think you are but let me assure you who you are not. – SophiaNico leaned over and spoke softly in Sophia’s ear. “Do not let her take hold again. You are in charge of her. You control her.”Sophia nodded and gave him a small smile. She needed the reminder. Shiloh only had to be Sophia for a little while longer. They were winning the last few hold outs over to their side. There were a few that her mother still had convinced that it should be her stepson to take the position.With Sophia at his side to make it legitimate.Otherwise, he was just another son of just another capo. Elizabeth did not want to admit that she had moved down the ranks of the family. When she had first married Joseph, he had been second in line to the throne. His older brother and wife were both killed only a few weeks after Joseph had married Elizabeth.Joseph would be the next to lead the family. But then, the inner war took place and Joseph was caught in the crossfire. His father,
I don’t give a damn how it’s done. I just want it done. – PaganPagan was hammering out his frustration along with the hot metal on the anvil. It was the second day of the meeting with the family, and he was missing his wife.He couldn’t help the smile that crept across his face when he thought of Shiloh as his wife.When it was confirmed who her family was, he understood why she did not want anyone to know that they were married. Until everything was settled, it could put him and his girls in danger. He didn’t understand everything about her family, but he knew it worked like the Saints.They had a family leader and CEO of the company. Shiloh was Nonno’s only living heir and should take his place. Be the next CEO. But it was not what she wanted.She would do it out of duty and obligation. And Pagan was certain that she would be good at it. Shiloh had a good mind for business and could lead the family and business with very little effort. But her heart was n
If it goes well, you will never have to use your old name ever again. – NicoPagan loved waking up in the morning with Shiloh in bed with him. Most mornings, he woke up with her sucking on his cock. Or his balls. Or moving between the two.This morning was no different. He moaned as his hips thrust up and she took him all the way down to his base.“Fuck, babe.” Pagan growled.She hollowed her cheeks and bobbed up and down on him. His hands fisted in her hair and guided her as she bobbed, and he thrust. Pagan pulled her off him and towards him for a kiss.“I need in you.” He said between kisses.Her hands moved to his shoulders as she moved up his body. He sat up and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Shiloh wrapped her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. Moving his mouth to her neck, Pagan guided her onto his cock. “Pagan.” She sighed as his head pressed against her folds, sliding into her slickness. He growled again
I love you, Shy, but if you say you’re going to wear a white dress, I’m calling bullshit. – GertieSaturday after they got married, Shiloh went with some of the other ladies to a bridal shop. Surrounded by so much white and ivory, she and Gertie stood out. They looked at each other and shared a smile before they both busted out laughing.“Yeah…” Karan smirked. “I don’t know if we’re going to find anything for Shiloh here.”“Yes, we will.” Rye assured her as she walked towards the back of the large warehouse style store. The rest of the women all shrugged and followed her back. They weaved their way through racks and racks of gorgeous white, ivory and pale pink wedding gowns. There were large and puffy ones, others that were slim and fitting. And there were yards and yards of skirts, hundreds and thousands of beads. Satin, silk, taffeta and tule.Several of the women stopped to admire a gown or dress here and there. Mia pulled one out and held it in front of her.
I won’t even tell Toad. I’ll just tell him that we got the marriage license. – PaganPagan and Shiloh walked into the Shack holding hands just like they always did on Church nights. Ashlyn ran towards Priscilla to show the teen the new outfit. Alyssa headed for Athos to try to con him into a ride. Pagan was never sure if she was going to try for a ride on the bike, or a horse.Nessie looked at the couple as they came through the door from her usual table between the pool tables and the couches. She grinned at them, and Pagan headed towards her having learned not to avoid her. Nessie always knew way more than she should and said that the ghosts talked to her.Pagan had seen the poltergeist activity. Heard her say things about people that very few knew. “It looks good on yeh.” Nessie grinned at Shiloh. “What?” she asked quietly.“A new last name.”They both were quiet as they stared at her.“Yeh’ll not hear it from me. It’s not me place. We can put it
This is just for you and me. The other wedding will be for our girls. – Shiloh Shiloh walked into the front office of the fab shop and did not miss the loud annoyed sigh from the woman behind the counter. Pagan had told her about Carrianne and admitted that if it wasn’t that she was so freaking efficient, he would certainly fire her.But she kept the shop stocked with the iron and other metals that they needed. The other supplies and equipment were never low. Water and sports drinks were always on hand in the coolers and protein bars on the shelves. Project schedules were laid out with monthly, weekly and daily time allotments. Custom jobs were priced and bid for a hefty profit while not discouraging the buyer. Phones were answered when they had to be, although she preferred emails. And those were responded to within a business day at the most.Pagan knew that she did most of her work while she was at home, and he had no problems with it. Carrianne had told him onc
Most people make the mistake of overcooking the lasagna. – NicoOn the second Saturday of the new year, Nico invited himself over to teach the girls how to make authentic Italian lasagna. He showed up with almost all the ingredients that they would need. As he mixed up the pasta dough, he explained everything to the girls. Pagan and Shiloh sat at the table watching them. “Daddy always just thaws out the lasagna and puts it in the oven.” Ashlyn declared and Nico acted like he was going to die in the kitchen.Shiloh laughed at her cousin as he lay on the floor clutching his heart, mumbling a prayer in Italian. “I’ve made it from scratch before.” Pagan grumbled with a smile.“You never made the pasta.” Ashlyn pointed out.“Or the sauce.” Alyssa added.Shiloh laughed harder. “They have no loyalties to you when it comes to food.”“None.” Pagan agreed as Nico slowly and dramatically stood back up. The girls were helping him as he clutched the cabinet door
I don’t think that you understand your place within this family. – Elizabeth GiordanoPagan and Shiloh spent New Year’s Eve at the Shack while the girls went to a kid’s party over at Chance’s house. He knew that his new wife would not be comfortable with the New Year’s Eve activities and hosted the annual party for the kids. When Pagan had called Chance at ten in the morning, Rye answered the phone whispering.“Hey, Pagan.”“Good morning, Rye. How are the girls?”“Still asleep. Hang on.” Pagan could hear her moving around in their house and then she took a picture. A moment later, his phone chimed as the picture came through and he clicked the speakerphone button before he moved the phone so that both he and Shiloh could see the screen.Chance was lying on his back asleep on the living room floor. He had his niece, Morgan, asleep on one shoulder and Alyssa asleep on the other. He looked happy and content asleep surrounded by a dozen or more club kids.