Chapter 8

CHAPTER

EIGHT

Rebel

Despite her crazy work schedule, Holly and I are managing to see each other several days during the week. Sometimes, she meets me for breakfast after dropping off the girls at daycare before we both head to work. Twice so far, her grandparents have watched Mina and Ruby so I could take her out to dinner. Then there are the nights she’s scheduled at the bar. I sit in my chair and watch her work while nursing a beer or two, take her break with her, then follow her home.

While we haven’t progressed beyond some steamy makeout sessions, each time I see her, I fall for her a little more. I can see a future with her, Mina, and Ruby, as well as any other children we’re fortunate enough to add to our lives.

Soon, you’ll make her yours, my mind whispers. Maybe this weekend since their grandfather is taking them now that he has a place of his own.

“Hey, Pres, you got a second?” Data asks, knocking on my office door, pulling me from my thoughts.

I’m working on the paperwork for the businesses and feel like pulling out my hair, so his interruption is definitely welcome. “Yeah, come on in, Brother.”

When he closes the door behind me, I know whatever he’s about to share will probably get my blood boiling. I wait as he sits down and opens up his laptop, taking deep breaths to keep myself calm.

As he looks up at me, he shares what he unfolded. “Okay, so you wanted some deep dives into both Holly and her ex, which I found. Her ex was in deep with several dealers in the next town over, and I’m not sure if they’ll go after her for his debt or not.”

“They sure the fuck will not be going after Holly,” I growl out. “Find out who the fuck they are if you haven’t already, and we’ll decide as a club if we wanna get that taken care of for her.”

He nods, then continues. “I found several domestic violence complaints against him that didn’t go anywhere. Not because they were dropped by the complainant, but due to the fact that the prosecutor decided there was insufficient evidence to proceed.”

“So, they were bribed?” I ask. “Was it the mother or the father, or both?”

“Looks like the mother. The father seems to be a stand-up kind of man, outside of the fact he had a son who was a drug-addicted bully,” Data replies. “As far as Holly goes, there are several emergency room visits, including one where she had several ribs broken, as well as multiple stitches for deep gashes.”

“Good thing he’s dead,” I bellow. “We may be law-abiding, but there are some people not fit to breathe and he sounds like he was one of them. He never hurt her girls, did he?” I ask Data, knowing he probably checked anything attached to Holly’s name.

He adamantly shakes his head. “Nothing found on them. Something interesting, though, Pres. They got her last name, not his.”

I smirk because that just means if this goes where I want it to, I can adopt them and give them my last name. “Good. So, we just need to find out who he was into money-wise.”

“I’ll put some feelers out, see what I can find, Rebel. Taking it that she’s a keeper, huh?” Data asks.

“Yeah, Brother, she is,” I retort. “Let’s call church and fill everyone else in,” I command.

“The girls are hoping you’ll come with us to pick out a Christmas tree. We usually go to the tree farm on Thanksgiving morning while the food’s cooking,” Holly says. “But it’s okay if you don’t want to go.”

“They do?” I ask.

She reaches out and covers my hand with hers. Inside I’m cheering a bit because this is the first time she’s initiated any kind of contact with me whatsoever. Oh, she’s an active participant when we’re kissing, of course, but I typically start that, so for her to do this voluntarily is huge in my mind.

“Yes, they do,” she replies. “Not gonna lie, but even with only seeing them a few times, you’ve made an impression on both of them.”

Taking a deep breath, I tell her, “I need to tell you something, sweetheart. I know I told you it’s been about fifteen years since I dated anyone and here’s why. Let me say this first, though, what I thought I felt for her is nothing compared to the way I feel about you. But back when Paula and I met, she ticked all the boxes, if that makes sense.” She nods but doesn’t respond, instead she listens intently, which I appreciate. I know she’s younger than me by at least a decade, maybe a few more years than that, but what she’s been through has matured her. “She said and did all the right things and it was right when we were starting the club. I had bought a ring and was planning to make her my old lady.”

At her expression, I can’t help but laugh. “I know you’re new to how a motorcycle club works, but the term ‘old lady’ is a sign of respect. It’s as good as being married to someone if you make someone yours in that way. I pictured us having kids down the road, the whole nine yards, y’know? Instead, a conversation she had was overheard and I found out she was playing a long game, so to speak. She was planning to fleece me once she had access to my accounts.”

“What ended up happening to her?” she asks, her thumb stroking across my hand at this point. The soothing motion calms me enough that I’m able to keep going with the story.

“Well, of course I got pissed, broke it off with her, tossed the ring into the lake, and banned her from every club business.”

“She broke your trust in women,” she whispers, understanding filling her eyes. “Kind of like Devin did with me and men.”

“Yeah, she did. Only one day, I was in the grocery store picking up some snacks and what-not for my room and I heard a little girl giggling, and I was immediately entranced. I know you’re gonna think this is way too soon, given the circumstances, but if I’ve learned anything at all, it’s that life is too damn short.”

“Devin’s accident showed me that,” she admits. “I didn’t think I’d ever want to date again, much less think about another relationship. I mean, how many men would want to get involved with a single mom?” she asks.

“I do,” I reply, leaning in to kiss her.

When our lips finally separate, she sighs and says, “I’m glad, Rebel, because I feel the same way. So, are you coming with us?”

“Yeah, babe, I’ll come with you guys. Should be a lot of fun,” I tell her.

“Oh, and since I don’t remember seeing a lot of kids running around at the clubhouse, have you ever heard about the Elf on the Shelf?” she questions. “Because if you haven’t, you’re in for a wild ride.”

With my brows drawn in, I ask, “What is it?”

“Well, the girls have a female elf called Tiny Sparkles and she shows up on Thanksgiving morning. She reports back to the North Pole about the girls’ behavior, but every day, she gets into something and brings them a small gift. This year, my plan is to redo the last bedroom into a playroom for them, complete with an area where they can play school, as well as a kitchen so they can play house. I just need to find some of that fabricated tape that says ‘under construction’ because I’ll put her on the door with it covered in tape, along with a letter telling them what’s going to happen. The room will be from me, Pappy, and Grammy, with a few small things from Santa.”

“I can get you the tape and any renovation tools you might need,” I say. “The club runs a construction company. I’ll see if I can find a tiny demolition hat for your elf if you want me to.”

“Oh, my goodness, that would be perfect!” she exclaims, her excitement contagious. “They love it when Tiny Sparkles shows up. It’s a lot of work for me every night but so much fun and while they’re both well-behaved, it ramps it up to the next level because Tiny Sparkles ‘reports’ back to the North Pole.”

The laugh that bursts free from me has her smiling because I can only imagine what this little elf will do. “I’m looking forward to seeing what she gets into,” I tease.

“Good, because I may need some help,” she replies.

“Any time you need me, I’m available, Holly,” I say. “All you gotta do is call.”

“Thanks.” The smile she has aimed at me makes me want to claim her lips again.

“No thanks needed, sweetheart. Now, we’re having a party Friday night and I know you’ll be working, but will you come to the clubhouse with me afterward since the girls will be at Samuel’s?”

I see desire flare in her eyes as she nods. “Yeah, I’d like that, Rebel.”

My dick throbs in response to her throaty tone, and I have to discreetly adjust myself. “I had a question for you, babe. Are you able to take on more clients?”

“Probably, why?” she questions.

“Because I hate doing fucking paperwork,” I admit. “Then we have to pay the person we have now, and trust me, they’ve made their fair share of mistakes.”

“What all would you need? And which businesses?” she asks.

“All three of them, the bar, the auto repair shop, and the scrapyard. The normal business ledger, of course, plus payroll on all three, as well as handle the accounts payable and receivables,” I say. “You’d still be able to work remotely, of course.”

“Can we do a trial run?” she questions. “Because I’m not familiar with any of those businesses.”

“Absolutely. Plus, the ratio paid to the brothers is different from the pay for the civilian employees, if that makes sense. All the brothers get a cut from all the businesses, with the percentages varying. The civilian employees are paid a salary rate for the hours worked.”

“Then I’d like to try, Rebel, if that’s okay.”

“We’ll go around to all the businesses Monday, so you get a look at what we do there, and I’ll have Data fix up a laptop for our businesses with the spreadsheets and shit you’ll need,” I reply.

“Works for me,” she says, smiling. “Thank you. I think answering the help wanted ad was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life, next to having my girls.”

“So do I, Holly, so do I.”