CHAPTER 17

GIA

This morning with Navy had blown my mind. Neither of us had mentioned the fact that he’d forgotten a condom. I think we’d both known it was futile to worry about it. We’d be making our lives together, regardless. I couldn’t imagine being without him. I’d loved meeting some of his younger brothers yesterday. They’d pulled Tristan into their building plans. I think that they’d been a little surprised at how good he was with tools. None of us had missed the heated looks that Derek kept giving him.

Selfishly, I had my fingers crossed that they’d make a go of it only because it would tie me to Navy further. I’d helped Hope, Vi, and Derek this morning making up camp beds for the children in the loft. Derek, Tristan, and the younger brothers had already set up their camp beds on the main floor. I’m sure the children’s mothers would rest easier knowing that there were responsible adults around if they were needed.

Hetty and Aggie had done the same in the house, ensuring that each couple would have their own room. This house was huge, and I could see why Hope and Bas kept some of the house sealed off as it would cost a fortune to heat in the winter.

We’d just finished in the barn and as were making our way back to the house, when we heard the first bikes. Hurrying, I walked over to where Navy, Bond, Cairo, Sam, Blaze, and Derek were standing. Vi, George, Tristan, and Bas came out of the house. Stopping next to Navy, he lifted his arm and curled it around my shoulders, pulling me into his body. I loved this about him; he was easy with affection and not only towards me, I’d seen him dish it out to his brothers, his cousins, and Vi and George. Aggie, Hetty and my Gram were also included in his affections. The man had a lot of love to give and from conversations I’d had with his younger MC brothers, Navy was a firm favourite amongst the MC Old Ladies, mostly because he spoilt them and let them get away with all sorts. I could believe it.

I do know that while he loved spending time with Hope, Bas, and the children, he’d missed his MC family and couldn’t wait to get back to them. I was hoping that everything with Julian would be sorted soon so that he could do that. I needed to make plans for my Gram, but Navy had assured me that she could come with us as could Hetty. There was a lot to sort out but that was for another day. This weekend was about having fun and enjoying life.

Vi and George were nearly vibrating with excitement as the bikes started to filter in. I guess they’d stopped at the top of the road because most of the bikes had children riding behind the riders. They’d also removed their helmets, I guess due to the fact that they weren’t going very fast.

Navy grinned when he saw the kids on the back of the bikes and started pointing them out to me as they rode up. In the front was Reaper and, on the back, must be his youngest son KJ, behind him was their VP Draco with his daughter Sophie, then Onyx their SAA and his eldest daughter Mila, Dragon and his daughter Leila, Hawk with his eldest son Kaleb and finally Rogue with his son Roman.

There were a couple of members missing, but from what I understood from Navy, one of their members had lost his wife not so long ago and was only now coming back to them. He was their medic, and he’d opted to stay at home with his brother and a few of the second generation to oversee the home base.

My heart had hurt when Navy had told me about his story, and I understood that he wouldn’t want to be surrounded by happy couples.

“Uncle Alan,” George turned to us his eyes huge on his face, his smile so wide his cheeks must be hurting, “I need a bike so I can join your MC when I’m older.”

Navy laughed, ruffling his nephew’s hair, “Sure thing, but you’ll have to get that past your mum first.”

Hope snorted and rolled her eyes. I don’t think she’d care what her son did as long as he was happy.

“Are girls allowed?” Vi asked curiously. “I was doing research on motorcycle clubs and none of them have women in them.”

Navy wrapped his free arm around Vi’s shoulders and pulled her to him, “That’s because most don’t allow it, it’s in their bylaws but our club is a bit different, and we allow our ladies to be part of the club.” Navy points at Avy as she got out of the driver’s seat and stretches, “See that lady, her name’s Avy and she’s been riding since she was a teenager, has her own bike and everything.”

“Really,” Vi’s eyes are wide as she looks at Avy, who catches us looking at her and waves at us.

“Really,” Navy says, “come on, and I’ll introduce you,” tugging both Vi and me along with me to greet everyone.

I’d met them all at the breakfast after the ball and was welcomed with open arms. Vi was a little shy, but Mila didn’t let her stay that way and before long they’d taken all the children that were old enough to stay in the barn along with them to show them where they’d be sleeping. After a few warnings to behave from Reaper that they’d just waved a hand at and shouted okay before they took off.

Leaving Reaper shaking his head and the rest of them laughing.

“Don’t worry, they can’t get into anything in the barn. I made sure it was safe,” Derek assured Reaper.

“Holy shit, there’s more Navy’s. And this one’s even hotter,” a female voice whooped from the back of the crowd. Laughter broke out only to be followed by an aggrieved, “Fuck’s sake, Firecracker, will you stop calling every man in Navy’s family hot?”

“Don’t worry, lover, I still think you’re hot. But I have eyes in my head and the man is banging.”

Derek was blushing, while Tristan who was stood next to him snickering, bumping his shoulder. “She’s not wrong, you are hot.”

I wasn’t sure if Derek could have got any redder, but he did. Molly pushed her way through everyone until she was standing in front of Derek, who looked slightly terrified at what was going to come out of her mouth next. Molly held out her hand, “I’m Molly.”

Derek gently shook it, “I know, I’ve heard about you.”

Molly waved a hand, “Pfft, whatever they told you, it’s all lies.”

My stomach was hurting from laughing. Molly was frigging hilarious and had absolutely no filter. She didn’t apologise for what came out her mouth either. Draco, her husband, stood behind her, arms crossed, rolling his eyes. But he didn’t stop her and his affection for his wife was clear in his gaze as he watched her with a small smile as she turned to Tristan, holding out her hand to greet him.

“I’m Tristan, I’m Gia’s younger brother,” Tristan said, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to the back of it. Molly pinkened slightly at the old-fashioned gesture. What had me smirking was when Derek took hold of their hands, gently pulling them apart, “Okay, enough of that.”

“What?” Tristan shrugged with a smile. “The lady’s right, I’m not blind. She’s hot.”

Derek rolled his eyes, “Yes and she’s an Old Lady, do you want to get your arse beaten? Stop flirting. Besides you’re also taken.”

Tristan doesn’t reply but he does smile at Derek, “Sadly, the man is right.”

Molly just laughs, saying to Navy, “Talk about keeping it in the family.”

She’s not wrong.

But Molly had done what she did best and broken any awkwardness that there might have been. We’d set up lunch as buffet style and soon everyone had drinks in hand and was stuffing their faces. Gram seemed to be having the time of her life. She was nearly back to her old self now that she was back on her meds, which had me drawing a breath of relief.

Not long after that, teams were chosen, and a mini war broke out on the paintball field. These guys didn’t play around. After an hour was up, I was done. It hurt like hell when someone made contact; we’d all have bruises tomorrow. The kids had also started to get bored and had been leaving the field one by one.

Hope and I had set up tables just inside of the barn earlier, and we’d brought out sandwiches, crisps, and fruit, knowing they’d be hungry once they all finished. A fire had again been laid in the temporary fire pit and more chairs had appeared. We ladies had got comfortable with glasses of wine and were getting to know each other. I’d never had women friends like this, they brought me up to speed on what they all did, asked how things were now with Tristan and his company, and if there was anything we needed. Even Gram had been overwhelmed but happy at the outpouring of support. She’d come out for an hour or so. Then she, Hetty, and Aggie had disappeared back into the warmth of the main house.

We’d been watching the goings on in the field in amusement. “Do you think they remember they’re not in the military anymore?” Avy remarked as we watched Navy give a hand signal to Reaper, who replied with a different signal. I had no clue what they were saying, but they seemed to if the way they all flowed as a team showed. It was a little hot to watch.

“Is it me or is that a little hot?” Julia asked, waving a hand in front of her face.

I giggled, “Oh, thank god, I thought it was just me.”

“Nope,” Abby agreed, “there’s just something about watching all that maleness in uniform working together.”

“Pity it’s not summer,” Rea muttered. “We could have persuaded them to take their shirts off.”

“Mmh, yes, it’s been a while since we saw Cairo without a shirt,” Molly sighs a little wistfully. Making the rest of us snort with laughter.

“I think we need to make this an annual thing,” Hope agrees, “but in the summer.”

“Definitely,” Abby agrees, “you have my number. Let’s get something in the calendar.”

“What’s happening tomorrow?” I ask Hope.

“Were doing a shoot off,” Hope says. “Molly is going to teach the kids how to throw knives, but they can shoot too if they want.”

“Cool,” I reply. “I haven’t done any shooting for a while.”

“You shoot?” Hope questions, looking surprised.

“I do. My stepfather was an arsehole, but he did insist I learn everything a lady of wealth needed to know. I can ride too.”

“Fantastic,” Molly says. “Does Navy know you can shoot?”

“No,” I reply a little hesitantly, wondering where she was going with her questions.

“How good are you?” Molly asks.

I shrug, “Fair to medium, I’d guess.”

Molly rubs her hands together, “Are you up for a little bit of fun? If they don’t know you can shoot, we can set up a little wager with the men.”

“I may not be any good anymore. It’s been nearly two years since I last shot a gun.”

“We can’t do it now because we’ve been drinking but if you can slip away tomorrow morning, we’ll go and get a few practice shots in. Someone other than Molly and me will have to be in charge of setting it up because the men will catch on if it’s us. We’re shit stirrers,” Hope informs me with a smile.

“I’ll do it,” Julia says, putting her hand up like she’s in school. “They’d not suspect me.”

“She’s right,” Abby nods, “nobody would suspect Julia.”

“As long as any money made goes to a charity,” I insist.

“It will,” Molly assures me.

“Then I’m in.”

The men were finally finished playing war and were sauntering towards us, helmets off and paintball guns over their shoulders.

“Oh, holy hotness,” I mumble into my wine. “Right,” Molly replies dreamily from beside me, holding up her hand for a high five, which I happily oblige.

“Jesus, that man just does it for me,” Abby sighs.

“Yeah, if I had ovaries, mine would stand up and clap an ovation for Marcus,” Julia agrees.

“Mine are clapping loud and proud,” Cally breathed. “Just saying,” she grinned when we laughed at her.

“I think Milo is hotter now than he was in his twenties,” Rea agrees in a husky voice.

“Hawk is lethal to my state of mind when he’s in any uniform. If I’m not careful, I’m going to end up with another set of twins,” Avy says in a hushed tone.

Hope clears her throat, “Ladies, just so you know the bedrooms are soundproofed, so if you feel like it, go wild. I know I certainly will.”

“Well, that makes me feel better after this morning,” I mutter with a blush.

Laughter rings out from the women, bringing the men’s attention to us.

“What are you ladies up to?” Reaper asks suspiciously.

“Nothing, just discussing tomorrow’s knife throwing and shooting activities,” Hope assures him.

“Mmh and that’s why Gia’s blushing,” Navy smirks.

“Oh, that,” Molly waves a dismissive hand with a cheeky grin at Navy, “that reaction is because Hope’s just told us that the bedrooms are soundproofed, and I’m guessing you know how to treat a lady right.”

I slap my hands over my face and sink into my chair as if I can hide my mortification. Laugher peals out around me. Julia squeezes my arm in sympathy, “Don’t worry you aren’t alone, I’ve been where you are several times when Molly loses her filter,” she assures me.

Smirking Navy saunters towards me and tugs me out of my chair so he can sit in my place before pulling me down and onto his lap, hugging me to him, his body shaking with laughter as he asks, amusement clear in his voice, “You been telling tales, sweets?”

Shaking my head, I hide my hot face in his neck, wondering if the ground can swallow me up.

“I can’t believe Molly outed me like that,” I laugh softly.

“You’ll get used to it,” Navy assures me. “There’s no secrets in this family.”

Tilting my head back on his shoulder so that I can see him, I meet his gaze with a smile, “I love both your families,” I assure him.

“That’s good, sweets, because you’re not going anywhere. Especially not after this morning,” he whispers to me, softly kissing my lips.

Snuggling deeper into his lap, I listen to the laughter and teasing being bandied around. Not long after, the fire is built and we’re piling sandwiches onto our plates. Blankets are brought out and children are corralled.

The older ones sit on logs and blankets around the fire, eating and chatting, and with the younger children, it doesn’t seem to matter who the child belongs to — if there’s an empty lap, they’ll climb on, happy to fall asleep with whoever.

It’s another late night when we finally douse the fire and call goodnight to everyone.

I’m still smiling in amusement at some of the conversations from this evening. But it’s been a long day and I’m asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.