Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Francis

On the way home, I rehash everything that we went over in Church. Our club is evolving and I'm happy with where Brick is takin' it and what we have achieved so far. It isn't easy tryin' to walk the middle path between good and evil. And we still tend to go down the dark side every now and then. I'm thinkin' in some ways we always will. But to give up the drugs and illegal shit does make me feel better. Especially with Grace and Damien in my life now.

As I ponder about our little family, my phone rings. Thank God I'm in the truck. Answering I hear both Grace and Damien talking.

"Hey, you two, one at a time, please. What's up? I'm on my way."

As I wait, I can tell they have muted me so they can talk between themselves. I wait patiently as this isn't our first rodeo with three people on the phone. They seem to do this quite frequently. Finally, I hear Grace tell Damien to finish his homework. She won the phone battle this time.

"Hey, honey, how was your day? How was Church? I'm starting dinner and need a favor, if you don't mind. Can you stop and pick up some hamburger buns? I'm making sloppy Joes with crinkle fries, if that's okay. Long day at the hospital so looking for something easy and quick."

I can hear the exhaustion in her voice. She's once again burning both ends of the candle with work, family, the animal shelter, and now adding helping Doc with his pops. I don't want my woman worn out all the time. I want to make life easier not more difficult for her.

"Grace, I can pick somethin' up, you don't have to cook. I can hear the exhaustion in your voice. Let me know what you want."

"Not going to work, Francis, Damien has already started the ground beef.

I'm fine just need the buns, please, babe."

Letting her know I don't mind, we talk about each other's general daily shit for a minute or two then we disconnect. I figure on stopping at the store a couple of blocks ahead. Once I get out of town I'm screwed. My cabin is remote so have to hit something before I leave the populated areas. With that thought my mind wanders. I'm worried about Grace, Beast, and Bullet. And not in that particular order.

Not to mention there could be an arsonist in our county. I haven't said anything to anyone yet, but my captain at the firehouse sat us all down the other day.

A couple of our prior fires were investigated and came back as arson. Someone is setting abandoned buildings on fire with accelerants. I can't get a feel on this, but every time I try to think about it my head aches something bad. Something is trying to push its way to the front but it is fuzzy, and I can't grasp what my mind is trying to tell me. The chief said this is looking to be a serial arsonist. There are three classifications but serial arson is defined as: three or more fires set at different locations and each fire has a cooling off period between the sets.

Not to mention all the shit happening within the club. Beast is not himself and today proved he is hidin' something. Something huge. That is his general MO and he has never been good at sharin' his problems with us. He throws a temper tantrum to put you off track of his actions.

Since when I was a prospect that is how he acts. At one time Beast and I were pretty tight. But then he pulled away, and even though I consider him a brother and friend, he isn't like a close friend right now due to his attitude. I know Grace is pretty friendly with Cathy, so gonna have to mention my gut feelings to her so she can feel out Cathy to see what is going on. And there is Rider. Beast and Cathy's boy. What a cute lil' bugger he is. Younger than Damien but such a sweet kid. Damien and Rider seem to get along well. Maybe we can have the kid overnight to give his parents some quality time together. Anything to help a brother out.

With all this shit running through my mind I look up and realize I passed the damn store. Fuck, got to turn around. If I come home without the buns I'm gonna catch some serious shit. I laugh to myself and make a U-turn.

After dinner, cleanup, homework, and watching some TV we head to bed.

Needing to feel my woman, I help her undress and then place her on our bed. Gently I move her legs apart and kneel between them. I love to watch Grace's reaction as I suck her clit into my mouth. At the same time I work two fingers into her wetness. Her back lifts off the bed as a long gasp comes from her full lips. I use my available hand to ghost up her tummy to her breast. I immediately grasp her nipple between my forefinger and thumb and pinch hard. I then continue to roll and pull, watching the reaction from Grace .

When I see her face I immediately pull harder on the nub. Her body spasms up and her body goes tight, for maybe ten seconds or so, and then she floods my fingers which are buried deep in her core as her body relaxes back into our bed. I continue to pull everything I can as one orgasm turns into another until she reaches down, grabbing my arm, pulling my fingers from her. I look to her as I wipe my mouth on my other arm while leaning back on my calves.

"Baby, please I need you. Francis, want you inside of me, please, can you do that?"

I look at her beautiful flushed face, satisfied from multiple orgasms, begging me to give her more. Fuck she is perfect for me. She wants me.

In that moment I realize my life has taken a turn I couldn't even image in my wildest dreams. As I feel my woman's eyes on me, her hand trying to pull me to her, clarity finally hits me. I'm free. Free to find that happy I've been lookin' for forever. I slowly crawl up Grace's body, kissing, nipping, and sucking until I reach her beautiful mouth. I put both of my hands on her face, looking deep into her hazel eyes and see her truth.

This stunning, intelligent, kindhearted woman is completely satisfied to spend the rest of her life with me. I lean down and kiss her hard, wet, and deep. As we continue to kiss I know she can feel the hardness I'm pressing into her belly. She shifts her legs open more and I fall into the curve between them. Taking one hand, I grip my cock and place it at her entrance. I bump her clit a couple of times with the engorged head and she moans into my mouth. Her wetness makes my entrance smooth as silk. We both take a minute to catch our breaths and then I start to push in, retreating slowly out. Repeat and then repeat again. Grace wraps her legs around my upper thighs and manages to open her legs even farther, giving me more room to move.

Taking full advantage, I immediately increase my speed now, making sure my pelvic bone hits her clit each time I enter her core. I can feel her excitement building as her nails rake down my back. My mouth finds her neck as I kiss her, making my way to that special spot behind her ear and bite down. She immediately reacts as her hands move down and grab my ass hard. I know she is getting close by her body's reactions and I have the familiar feeling running down my spine. I feel my balls start to draw up.

"Grace, hand to clit now. Get yourself there, darlin'."

The words aren't even out of my mouth when I feel her one hand release my ass cheek. She immediately pushes between our bodies, her fingers going to her swollen clit excitedly. I feel instantly when she has found it as her body tightens up again, which I feel deep on my next push in. I start to plunder her, moving and shifting in and out faster and faster.

Our breaths mingle together as we work to find our mutual release. The need to come is so overwhelming. I reach a hand down and push her hand out of the way. I start to tap on her clit as I grind down each time I bottom out. Grace is matching my thrusts and then fuckin' finally my girl finds it.

Watching her climax increases my excitement as I start to lose my rhythm. My hips are pistoning as that feeling moves from my lower back, spiraling into my cock. I feel myself swell more and after one, two, three frantic pushes, chasing my own orgasm on the fourth I stay planted deep as I feel my release fill her. I hope and pray this feeling never ends. Grace wraps me up and holds me tight to her as my body begins to slow down. Holy fuck, each time seems to be better than the last one.

As we continue to hold each other as close as two human beings possible can, I realize anything can come my way as long as I have my saving Grace. Everything that has happened is worth it to have her by my side and in my bed. Nothing will ever be able to bring me down with Grace and Damien part of my life. Not my constant battle with the two inner halves that make me whole. Good and bad. Firefighter and member of a motorcycle club. Not Beast's bullshit or Bullet's struggles. Life is all about second chances and once you realize that, you are the master of your destiny. Feeling Grace pull me closer to her I grab on to my lifeline.

"Honey, are you okay? Seems like I lost you for a minute."

She glances my way with concern and love all over her face. Damn, this woman reads me so well. Reaching down, I shift, moving us so Grace is on top, me beneath her still connected. We gaze into each other's eyes for some time until slowly I lose our connection. I gaze into her eyes, hoping mine reflect all of my feelings and emotions.

"Darlin', I love ya. Nothin' else matters right at this moment but that. You're my life and nothin' and I mean nothin' will ever come between us. I won't let it."

We stay this way, enjoying our emotional connection until I feel the wetness dripping out of my woman and on to me. I gingerly place her on our mattress and move out of bed. Reaching down, I pull the covers over her and go to our bathroom. First I clean up and then grab a washcloth and wet it with warm water. I reenter our bedroom to see Grace hasn't moved an inch. I remove the covers and take care of the task of cleaning our lovemaking away. I love taking care of her after we make love. The dominant side of me feels the need to do aftercare and nurture my woman each and every time. After I walk back and toss the washcloth into the bathroom sink. Grace holds the covers up and I enter our bed. I pull her back to my front and spoon her close. Breathing in her hair I smell fresh, light flowers and some kind of musk. Her unique scent, her essence.

"Grace get some sleep, darlin'. Tomorrow is another day. Love ya."

"Francis, love you too. Night, honey."

Without another word I give her a squeeze. In less than five minutes I feel her body relax farther into mine as she falls into a much-needed rest. Not even a couple of minutes after I join her in my own sleep.

And we stay spooned all night together.

Want more Stitch and Grace? Check out Bottom of the Chains-Prospect (Book 2) . This is Tim "Bullet" Jambanski story of his struggles to find his path in life.

Check out a Sneak Peek at Chapter 1 below.

CHAPTER ONE - SNEAK PEEK

Bottom of the Chains

Bullet

The following day I'm so deep in thought, I don't hear the first knock at my bedroom door before a more insistent one finally registers.

"Bullet, honey, you have some visitors, if you're up for it. Is it okay to let them come back to your room or would you rather see them in the family room?"

Hearing Momma Molly's voice, I instantly jump off my bed, moving to the door, flinging it open.

"Who's here to see me, Momma? I'm not expectin' anyone. Ya, guess the family room is okay, if you're all right with that? My room is a disaster."

She smiles at me as she leans in looking at my room, shaking her head.

"Sure, sweetie, that's fine. It's some of your brothers. From the club. They want to have a word with you."

Totally don't want my club brothers to see how I've been living—fuck no, existing since the beatdown—not to mention my just being a slob. My room is chaos. Probably stinks to high Heaven too. And I don't give a damn, though gotta do some laundry soon. Runnin' out of clean clothes.

Heading down the long hallway to the family room, I wonder what the hell is up now. Since all the shit that went down, the club has been keeping a close eye on me. I kinda get it and deep down appreciate all of them worrying, but I'm not a fuckin' kid anymore. Need to learn to take care of myself. It's bad enough I live with Momma and Bubba. I don't want to be a bigger burden to the only folks who give a shit about me.

Turning right, walking into the family room, I immediately come to a stop. Chains, Stitch, and Fury are sitting on the sectional and loveseat. Apparently I've fucked somethin' else up and they're here to try and fix it. When Stitch notices me he smiles instantly, rising up and offering his hand in my direction. The other two brothers see his reaction then turn their heads, just as I get close to the sectional. They just shoot me a couple of smirks as I reach out, shaking Stitch's hand I feel the calm he's always able to provide me. He sits back down so I grab a seat on one of the recliners. As I wait on what the hell is goin' on, no one says a fuckin' word so we all kinda stare at each other. Talk about being goddamn uncomfortable. Startin' to feel strange, I look at each of them, and finally Fury clears his throat.

"All right, kid, I've got an idea I want to run by you. This has been on my mind for some time, but had to finish some shit before puttin' it out there. Hoping you can help a brother out."

Staring at my VP, I wait for him to continue. I watch as he glances at Chains then turns his head to Stitch. They share a quick look then Fury moves his dark eyes back to me.

"Not sure if you know, Bullet, but my ol' lady, Abby, is into rehabbing and designing homes. Sayin' that, she decided the upstairs space of our garage needed to be finished. She drafted a plan and we worked on it together with some help.

"Anyway, it's finished and we turned it into an apartment. We've tried to rent it out but been told it's either too big or we are asking too much for rent. Most of the folks coming through I wasn't really comfortable with them living there, so close to Abby, the twins, and me. Not to mention the work we'd have to do like background checks and shit. Abby and I talked about it, running some ideas at each other a couple of nights ago once the two hellions went to bed. Abby asked if any of the brothers or prospects would be interested in renting the apartment. It would have to be a couple of y'all, ‘cause it's four bedrooms with en suites, kitchen, family room, and even a large party/game room. Yeah, I sound like those son of bitching idiots on that remodeling station on cable. She's been driving me fuckin' crazy every night, wanting to know if I spoke to you guys. So here we are, talking to you about it."

He takes a breath and leans forward.

"Gotta tell you, I spoke to Brick first. He thinks it's a great idea—as long as whomever rents it can manage living together—without killing each other or wrecking my place. I can't have any goddamn problems at home. Abby would lose her ever-lovin' mind if shit happened with her boys around.

"So knowing most of the brothers have their own homes or places to flop, I'm reaching out to the prospects. Dingo was first on my list. He's definitely in and single, no baggage, and can't wait to move in. He is excited to have his own place to call home besides the room at the club. Know he's kinda of quiet, so he's a good fit. You're my second choice. Figured you're getting to the age you might want somewhere that's yours.

"After you, gonna talk to both Velvet and Iron. With Velvet comes his ol' lady, Sweet Pea, not sure how that'd work. Iron comes with his daughter, Everly, whom he gets every weekend and occasionally during the week, depending on if her mom has to work. Not sure either would even be interested, but gonna put it out there. Both live in dumps now, so this would be a step up. So your thoughts, kid? Does it sound like something you would be interested in, Bullet?"

Fury is watching me closely, as are Stitch and Chains. Feeling like I might be being manipulated, I react immediately, without taking a minute to think it out before running my mouth off.

"Fury, I'm not a goddamn kid, don't need to be babysat. I know you guys are worried..."

"Fuck, kid, knock the chip off your shoulder already. It's getting old. Shit happened and your dealin' with it. This ain't got nothing to do with what happened to ya. For Christ's sake, quit looking a gift horse in the mouth."

I look to Chains to see he is pissed. Not sure why, it doesn't even concern him, but before I get a chance to ask he continues.

"I wish someone would have stepped up for me when I first became a prospect. Lived rough until Brick realized I needed help. Never let on how bad it was, being so fuckin' stubborn. But when Brick extended his hand to me, offering me help, that became the best day of my life back then, kid. Made me fuckin' think I mattered knowing someone cared what happened to me. Got my head out of my own ass. So I get it, really I do. Being in foster care sucks big time, as we both know. But we can't live in our pasts. Can't change it either, Bullet. Gotta concentrate on the present and what you want in your future, brother. Do what's right for you at this point in your life. Fury is providing ya with a solid, and if I were you I'd take it. Just sayin'."

Thinking on what Chains and Fury shared, I look to Stitch, who seems to be intently watching me. Crazy as it sounds, sometimes I feel like he can get in my head. He has even gone as far as tellin' me shit when I'm strugglin' with stuff in my head, trying to help me. But I haven't even told him how I've been feeling. Because of that, I try to keep my thoughts blank. Today, unfortunately, my mind is goin' round in circles. Stitch nods my way, giving me a knowing smile.

"Bullet, everyone has bullshit in their past. Some worse shit than others. Chains is right, can't go back and change it. You do have the choice to make your life better, which I see ya fighting to do. The club finding ya and you workin', taking brothers' shit, being a prospect is gonna give ya a future. Takin' Fury up on his offer will allow ya more freedom. Also, giving you a chance to grow up even more. That's all this is about. You're not a kid anymore, you're right. We are just trying to give ya options. That's what family does, Bullet. And, no, we don't pity you or think of you as a fuckin' kid. Get that shit out of your mind, brother."

My head jerks up, ‘cause motherfuck, that was just what I was thinkin'. He grins my way, which makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. He continues to watch me or maybe analyze me, not sure which fuckin' one. Then he looks to Fury nodding. Fury smiles. Not sure what that shit is about, just know it is freakin' me the fuck out though.

"Fury, I like the idea but don't want Momma Molly and Bubba to think I'm leavin' them because I don't like it here. They have been totally awesome with all my bullshit. I owe them so much. Let me talk with them first, and if everything is cool with them, we can figure shit out like rent, utilities, and whatever else I'm missing. Yeah, I kinda know about this shit ‘cause Momma and I have had long talks about what she calls 'real life and growin' up.'"

Fury tells me to take my time, as he has to talk to the other guys, then we can all work out the details. I start to feel excited as this next chapter in my life is tentatively laid out before me.

Also, I'm scared as hell to be out on my own with my demons. Now Momma and Bubba are here to have my back, if I leave I'm out there by myself. Maybe I can get Grace's take on it tomorrow at my follow-up appointment. She seems to have her shit together.

"If only you knew how much, kid."

Francis grins as I jerk at his comment. I knew that motherfucker could get into my head.

What the ever-lovin' fuck is going on?