Chapter Twenty-Three

L eaving Kaitlyn and Kolby today was hard. I haven't left their side since we walked out of that dingy trailer with my family around me.

The aftershocks from that day's events are still present. Kaitlyn is being clingy with Kolby. She doesn't even want to let me hold him. I can see the trauma behind her eyes.

Thankfully, Natalie is here and has been talking to her. If there's anyone who understands trauma, it's that girl. I hope she is able to help her talk through it.

The night we got home, she broke down and cried for hours. She was so strong, keeping it together in front of the others, but as soon as we were alone, she lost it.

She cried for her father who was shot. For the loss of the mother she wanted and the fact she had to be the one to end her life. She cried for Kolby and the damage done to him from these events. Then she cried for me. For the loss of my father. Knowing that one of his own men pulled the trigger and that it wasn't even anyone that I suspected.

When she finally cried herself to sleep, all I could do was hold her. It's all I want to do.

That's what makes today harder for me. Leaving her.

Yet as the temporary president of the San Antonio Chapter of the Lotus MC, I have no choice but to be here right now, standing in a clubhouse full of members that I'm not sure I can trust.

"It's time," Reaper tells me.

I nod as I bang the gavel on the bar. All the members in the main room of the clubhouse look at me.

"Thank you all for gathering today. We aren't in church because we don't have a board right now. As of this moment, I dissolve the board. Everyone's titles are stripped. This club has lost its way. Rogue led with an iron fist, but he cared about this place. I know rumors have been spread about things he supposedly did, but this club has always come first. The true culprit behind the deception in this club was Baldie. He is no longer with us. Usually we would vote on his death, but he was murdered by an outside source. One that we will not be retaliating against. In my opinion, someone took out the trash for us. Herc was working with him as well. Since we have no idea who else was involved, I think it's best we vote on the new board."

I glance around the room, seeing many familiar faces.

"I will be resigning as president effective immediately after the vote. Until then, anyone who would like to take my place should step forward."

There's a lot of murmuring as people chat quietly.

Tiny steps up. "I want to be prez."

He was one of the ones we suspected, but he didn't show up that night. The men from Lotus that showed up all perished along with the Noche Oscura and strange men that showed up.

"Noted," I tell him.

I stand there, waiting for anyone else to step forward. Tiny might have been cleared, but I still don't trust him. I don't think he would be a good president. He would run this club into the ground. Either that or get them involved in shit that would get them killed.

The crowd starts to part as a figure makes their way through the crowd. I smile when I recognize my cousin, Savage.

"I would like to be prez," he calls out, standing next to Tiny.

"You are barely even in the club. You were here for five minutes before you ran off to the Army," Tiny spits.

"True, but I learned valuable lessons in the Army. I learned about leadership and sacrifice. I learned how to make hard decisions and lead men. I also learned skills that will keep this club flourishing. What do you bring to the table?" Savage doesn't even look at Tiny, instead locking eyes with mine.

"I've been here for the last ten years. I've served beside my brothers and helped grow this club," Tiny growls.

"You also were here when your president was murdered and allowed betrayal to remain in the club. Now, I've only been back a little while, so I don't know these men like you do. That is true, but that means that you should have noticed your men acting strange. You should have picked up on that and saved your president. It makes me wonder why you didn't," Savage says loud enough for everyone to hear.

Tiny curses but keeps his mouth shut on the matter. He looks like he wants to argue more, but when he meets my eyes, guilt flashes in his.

"I never wanted Rogue to die. I might have disagreed with him at times, but he was our prez, and I would have followed him to the end." He bows his head respectfully. "I failed him and this club. I admit that."

"Accountability is important. I appreciate you owning your shit. Is there anyone else who wants to throw their hat in the ring?" I call out.

I wait several minutes. Then I pound the gavel again.

"Blind vote. Loyal here will pass out and collect the ballets," I say.

"Who is Loyal?" one of the men calls out.

"That will be the first order of business for your new prez," I say as the prospect moves through the room with paper and pens.

It takes several minutes for him to collect all of them. He then sits in front of us, counting each one. Then he hands me a paper with the winner's name.

"By a landslide, Savage will be your new president. Welcome him with open arms," I call out.

Reaper steps forward. "This chapter is getting a new beginning. Don't waste it. We have eyes watching you. If we are called back down here, we will shut you down."

The room grows quiet at his words. Being the president of the founding chapter, he has the power to do what he says too. It's not an idle threat.

Savage shakes Tiny's hand before stepping forward.

"Thank you for trusting me. I will take some time to get to know each one of you and fill in my important positions. To start, the prospect showed tremendous loyalty to our brothers from Vegas while they sorted our shit for us. We should have been there helping them, but we were sitting with our thumbs up our asses instead. So my first order of business is putting the prospect forward for a patch. Since I do not have a board yet, is there anyone who opposes this idea?" he calls out.

No one does.

"If you agree, say ‘aye,'" he says.

The whole room echoes his word.

He turns to the kid. "Loyal is the name my brother gave you, and it is the one you will keep."

The kid nods. "Thank you."

Then he turns back to the room. "Because of this loyalty, I think our new brother Loyal would be a welcome addition at my side as my vice president. Does anyone disagree?"

Many voices ring out as they speak against the kid.

I step back next to Reaper as we watch it unfold.

"Bold move," Reaper says.

"Very bold. He's related to me, though. Did you expect a pussy bitch?" I joke.

He shakes his head. "Not at all. I think he will make a strong leader."

Just then, Savage barks out, "Enough. I asked out of respect, but we don't have a board to vote. I am appointing him as my vice president. The kid is new, but he has more balls than all of you. If you want to argue about it one-on-one, then you can come find me. Until then, you will respect him as you do me."

Everyone is eyeing him warily now.

"Tiny," he calls out.

So far, Tiny hasn't said a word. Not even about the kid, which is surprising.

"Yes, prez." He bows his head.

"Do you oppose Loyal being vice president?" he asks.

"I can see both sides, but if you want him by your side, then I approve. You need people you can trust. Rogue made the mistake of trusting the wrong people. I hope you do not make the same mistake. We can't afford to lose another leader," he says, meeting Savage in the eye.

Savage nods. "The other appointment I will make is Tiny as my sergeant at arms. Until I get to know the rest of you more, the other seats will remain empty. Take this as a lesson. If you don't like what we are doing here, put in your transfer paperwork or leave. I don't have room for bitching and complaining. We have to rebuild this club up so it is something we can be proud of again. Meeting adjourned."

As the men mill about, talking about what just occurred, Loyal, Tiny, and Savage come to stand near us.

"Congrats, man," I tell Savage, patting him on the back.

"Thanks." Then he turns to Reaper. "Got a minute to chat? I'd like to get your thoughts on some things."

Reaper nods. "Let's go then."

I watch as they head to church, shutting themselves in.

"Loyal, brother. I told you I would take care of you." I smile at him.

He looks nervous. "I wasn't expecting the title, though. I don't know what I'm doing."

"You have my number. Call me. You can do this. All Savage needs is a sounding board. Someone to give him his honest opinion."

"We won't let you fail. We are in this together whether we like it or not," Tiny chimes in.

Loyal nods. "For the record, I never suspected you."

Tiny looks at me. "I wish no one had to suspect me at all, but I get it. I was running off doing my own shit. That won't happen again."

"Make sure it doesn't," I tell him. "I don't want to bury another family member."

"You won't. I'll protect him with my life." I watch as he pats Loyal on the shoulder. "Let's get you a drink and some pussy."

I shake my head, laughing as the kid's eyes widen.

They are going to be okay here. I'm thankful for it. They don't need me anymore.

Now if only I could convince my old lady that Vegas would be the place for us to settle down.

It doesn't matter, though. Wherever she wants to go, I will follow.

Colt has been gone for hours.

Natalie and Midnight were here for a bit to keep me company, but they left a while ago to go back to the hotel. Now that everything is settled, they will be going home in a few days.

I don't know where that leaves us, though. Will Colt want to go home now? Or will he choose to stay here and help the club?

I know he is the acting president for the time being. He could take it over for good. That idea should be appealing to me, but it isn't.

Even sitting in this house brings back the memory of my mother. She was never the mother I wanted, but I still mourn her. Especially since I had to be the one to kill her.

Where would we go though if not here? Maybe Dallas? Then we could still be somewhat close to my dad. I wonder if the Lotus have a club there.

Then again, if that is still on the table, why wouldn't I just move to Vegas with him?

My head is all messed up. I don't know what I want to do. I need to talk to Colt, but he isn't here.

Putting Kolby down for the night, I consider texting him and asking him to come home. I know he would, but I don't want to do that to him. He needs to see things through here.

After I clean up the kitchen and tidy the house, I finally go to bed, but I can't sleep. Instead, I stare at the ceiling.

When I hear the front door open, I'm out of bed before I can question it. Colt is toeing off his boots when he finally comes into view. He turns, hearing me coming. I leap into his arms, needing to be close to him.

"Hey, Little Mama. What are you still doing up?" he asks.

"Waiting for you. How did it go?" I ask as he carries me back to the bedroom.

He sets me on the bed before he stands back, stripping off his cut. I watch as he lays it on the dresser before stripping out of the rest of his clothes.

"Savage is president now. He's my cousin. He said he would watch Mom for me," he tells me.

"Watch her?"

He nods. "If we decide to leave, I mean. I told him we hadn't made any decisions. Did you hear from your dad today?"

He heads toward the bathroom. I follow him, watching as he turns on the shower. I strip out of my clothes, intending on joining him.

"He's been released. He wants me to come see him tomorrow. I told him I would come to him."

"Good. I'm glad he's okay. I'll take you to see him," he tells me, stepping inside the shower before pulling me with him.

I let him hold me close to him as the water rains down on us.

"I love you, Spence," I tell him.

He pulls back. "I love you, Little Mama."

Then he kisses me. The kiss is soft. Loving.

I press closer, wanting more.

He takes my cue, turning and pushing me against the wall. His tongue dives into my mouth as he takes my wrists and pins them above my head. When he pulls back, he looks up, his eyes narrowing. "I hate that they left marks on you," he growls.

"Then replace their marks with some of your own," I whisper.

His eyes flare as he brings one hand down, kissing my wrist. After he pins it back to the wall, he does the same with the second wrist. Then he pins that one up too.

"You are mine," he tells me.

"And you are mine."

Pushing both of my wrists in one hand, he keeps them pinned as he hoists me up onto his hips. Without a second thought, he enters my already wet pussy, thrusting to the hilt in one go.

" Spencer, " I moan out.

"Every time I slide into you, I feel like I'm home. You are my home, Kaitlyn. You always will be," he tells me.

"As you are mine," I whisper.

He kisses me softly once before he starts to thrust inside of me. He latches onto my neck, sucking and biting my skin as he ruts into me. I can tell the moment he loses control because his hand releases my wrists as it falls to my hips as he quickens his pace.

I let my hands fall to his shoulders, digging in as he brings me higher and higher.

When I finally break, his name is the only thing that falls from my mouth.

He jerks inside of me, his warmth filling me, reminding me of the night we conceived Kolby.

Back then, I was scared. Panicked. I told myself I needed to take the morning-after pill, but I couldn't make myself do it.

This time, it prolongs my orgasm, making me spasm around him.

"Fuck, you are so tight," he mutters.

He holds me still as my breathing steadies out. Then he helps me stand.

"Sorry. I got carried away. I should have asked you," he tells me.

My hand blocks his lips. "I don't care. I will have a million kids with you if that's what you want. We needed that. After everything, we needed to feel close again."

He pulls me into his arms. "I don't care where we end up or what we do. All I need is you and Kolby in my life."

"You have us. You will always have us. We are a unit. That won't ever change."

He holds me close to him for several minutes. Then he pulls back and begins to wash me gently. Once he's done, I wash him.

When we finally get out of the shower, I smile at the hickey on my neck. I told him to mark me, and he did. He left his mark, showing everyone that I am his.

I think about the patch I will soon wear on my back.

I can't wait for the entire world to know.

I am Colt's old lady.