CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Noah

I am on a fucking high.

It's no surprise, after spending the afternoon with my mom and she and Rhyan got along so damn well. It was exactly what I'd been needing after the events of the last few weeks. We even filled Mom in on everything that happened with Atlas. Needless to say, she wants to be informed when his punishment is carried out, which I'm anxious about.

Waiting for that is like another form of torture, but I know Alpha has a plan. I just have to wait and see what that plan is, then trust in it and him.

Pulling my bike into its place in the clubhouse parking lot, Rhyan's arms squeeze around me in a hug just before she steps off the back of my bike. I smile at her before I kick out my stand. "Thank you, dragonfly. For coming today. For everything you did for my mom. She loved you. I can tell."

Rhyan beams from ear to ear as I step off my ride and reach for her hand, taking it in mine.

"Honestly, she seems so grounded, even though she's been in there for the last seven years. She's an amazing woman, Noah. So fucking strong. Honestly, I'm a little in awe of her."

Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I pull her to me and plant a chaste kiss on her head as we make our way to the clubhouse entrance. "I don't know if this day can get any better."

Rhyan waggles her brows. "Oh, I can think of a way. You, me, our bed, in three minutes… naked."

Grinning from ear to ear, I nod and begin walking faster. "Yep… yep, that'll do it." I chuckle as we rush inside the clubhouse with only one thing on our minds, but as soon as we enter the building, Alpha greets us.

"Prospect, where the fuck have you been?" Alpha questions, and I pull back in confusion. He knew where we were. But before I can respond, he turns to Rhyan. "And you, you need to go to find Ellie. Now! "

Rhyan's face mimics mine—a pinched confusion—as she looks from Alpha to me.

"Did I fucking stutter?" Alpha yanks me by the front of my cut, then shoves me further inside.

I have no idea what the hell is going on, and I almost stumble from the force. I look around the clubhouse, the rest of the club gathering around, their faces hard and full of judgment. None of this makes sense, and I shake my head while I run through the possibilities.

Atlas is the only common denominator.

But still, something is off.

Loki approaches, dragging a chair, and as he walks behind me, Alpha strides around him, kicking my feet out from under me. Thankfully, I land on the chair, but barely.

"Pres, what's this about? You knew—"

"Did someone give you permission to speak, Prospect?" Loki growls, and I quickly shake my head, my eyebrows pinching in confusion.

It's then I see Rhyan move in next to her mother. There are tears in her eyes, and I tense, not knowing what the hell is going on.

Fuck, she shouldn't be here.

Why would Alpha make her witness this?

Whatever the fuck this is?

Swallowing hard, I glance around the room, my heart racing as I turn, facing the rest of my brothers. My face pales, and my palms begin to sweat as Dutch steps out and into the room. My eyes widen, seeing the gruff expression on his face when he moves in front of me with a blade in his hand.

My breathing becomes desperate, so fast I can hardly catch it. I hear my pulse reverberating in my ears, and it's so loud. I clench and unclench my fists, anxiously watching Dutch step up to me, the blade dangling precariously in his hand.

"Noah, I brought you into this club. I trusted you. There's been multiple instances in the time you've been here where you've tested the limits. Where you've pushed the damn boundaries. Alpha gave you passes. We hoped to see you grow. I've learned a few things about you that I honestly haven't been happy to hear…"

Oh shit! Alpha told him about New York.

I'm screwed!

My stomach begins to churn as I shift my eyes to Rhyan, wishing she weren't here to see whatever punishment her father is going to dish out to me.

"You lost your place in this club. But you earned it back…" My eyes move back to Dutch as he brings the blade closer to me, almost at my throat. I tense, my eyes wide, staring at him, my nostrils flaring while I pant harshly. "The thing is, Noah. I know!"

Panic ripples through me, my eyes shooting to Rhyan, tears flooding down her face. All I want to do is run to her. Tell her we're going to be okay, that we're going to live a long and happy life together.

But I can't do that.

Because I deserve everything her father is about to do to me.

"Dutch… I—"

"Shut up, Prospect. I'm the one talking here." Dutch stops me from trying to explain, his blade shifting to my throat, the coldness of the metal connecting with my skin. The sharpness pricks a little, causing a small hiss to escape my throat as a trail of warm blood slides down my neck.

My body shudders, my eyes meeting Rhyan's. I mouth, I love you while tears continue to slide down her face.

Dutch lets out a low growl. "Any last words as a prospect?"

I keep my eyes focused on Rhyan, my body shaking, my palms sweating as I weakly smile at her. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Rhy."

She shakes her head, moving to run for me. "Daddy, stop !" she yells, but Ellie grabs hold of her, keeping her back, pulling Rhyan to her in a tight embrace as she breaks down crying.

I pull my eyes away from her, facing Dutch one last time, and he narrows his eyes on me, shifting the blade from my neck and positioning it at my chest. I clench my eyes, waiting for the impact.

"I know exactly the kind of man you are, Noah. I know exactly what you could bring to this club. I know who you could be for my daughter," he growls out, and I tense, confused, but still waiting for the blade to plunge into my chest.

But instead, I feel my club cut being hacked at.

Letting out a heavy breath, my eyes snap open. As I glance down, I watch Dutch slicing off my prospect patch. I pant frantically, wondering what the fuck he's doing. My head snaps around, looking at everyone else and seeing the bright smiles on their faces.

And…

… it all clicks into place.

Dutch is hazing me—the fucker.

Letting out a manic laugh as my prospect patch falls to the floor, Alpha squeezes my shoulder. Loki steps up beside me, opening a small wooden box. I snap my eyes back to Rhyan as Ellie spins her around to face me. Her eyes widen when she finally realizes what's going on at the same time I do.

Dutch cracks a smile, a small laugh escaping him before he reaches out, lightly slapping the side of my face twice. "Sorry, kid. Alpha said I should do this properly, but I had to have one last moment of scaring the fuck out of you. You understand?" He grins wide.

"You're a fucking asshole." Shaking my head, I sigh in relief and lightly chuckle.

Dutch smirks, reaching for my patch, then hands it to me. "I know. But if I'm going to basically be your father now, I need you to know where you stand." He glances over his shoulder, looking at Rhyan. Her eyes are still glistening with tears, only now they're happy.

Inhaling deeply, I take the patch from Dutch, a sense of pride flowing through me. I wasn't sure I would ever get to this point. I shift my eyes to Alpha, smiling at him. "Thanks, Pres. You don't know what this means to me."

Alpha dips his head. "You've had a rollercoaster of ups and downs to get to this point in the club, Noah. But your efforts in returning Atlas from the asylum and in helping fellow brothers out of the hazard of that day were fucking remarkable. It had to be rewarded. We had Church a few days ago to discuss you getting your patch… the vote was unanimous. You needed someone to sponsor your promotion, and one man put his hand up immediately."

I raise my brow, looking around the room, trying to figure out who fast-tracked my patch. "Thank you. Whoever sponsored me, I won't let you down."

Dutch grips my shoulder. "I know you won't, brother. I know you won't."

A wide grin lights my face as I stand, thrusting my arms around Dutch. My mentor, and hopefully, we will legitimately be family one day. We slap each other's backs a few times before we pull back from each other with huge smiles. Dutch wraps his arm around me, slapping my chest. "Brothers, welcome to the club our newest patched member, Montana."

I smile hearing my road name for the first time, though I admit I am a little confused by it. "Montana?" I ask.

Alpha snorts out a laugh, gesturing to the scar on my face. "It's in reference to Tony Montana… the character from Scarface. Not just because of the killer scar on your face but also because of your live-hard-die-fast attitude, just like Tony Montana. You're both rebels without a cause. It's because of that attitude that you're able to save people from dire situations. Like Wes."

I glance over my shoulder at Wes, who's smiling at me, looking happy as shit.

"You deserve this, brother. Let's hear it for Montana!"

Everyone cheers, and I can't help but laugh as they all race over, slapping and jabbing at me. I take all the congratulations from my fellow brothers, lapping up the congratulations, but right now, there is only one thing on my mind.

Making my way through the guys, I spot Rhyan standing back, patiently waiting. A bright smile on her face as she watches me. The noise in the room is so loud with everyone cheering, but I can't hear anything.

I can't see anything.

The only thing I am focused on is my woman standing right in front of me, looking so fucking beautiful it's knocking my breath from my lungs.

I reach out for her, pulling her to me. She lets out a small squeal, laughing as I hold her, and I look into her eyes.

She bites her bottom lip, her hands snaking around my neck, her fingers playing in the hair at the base of my neck. "I am so, so fucking proud of you, Montana."

Hearing my woman call me by my road name sends a wave of adrenaline through me like nothing ever has before.

I told her I would do this as soon as I got my patch.

I swear I am keeping my word.

"Rhyan Bennett, I love you with everything I have. I'm not letting another day go by where you're not officially mine. I am claiming you as my Old Lady with everyone here to witness. To walk beside me. To ride at my back. And to keep me sane when I start to falter. You are my life, dragonfly. I fucking adore you."

A single tear slides down her cheek, a smile lighting her face before she slams her lips to mine. That intense spark lights up the entire clubhouse. My heart races while my tongue slides against hers, needing her right now. I don't care who is watching. My hands slide down to her ass, pulling her closer. She whimpers against my mouth when someone clearing his throat beside us regrettably forces us apart.

We both turn to see Dutch standing there, and I weakly smile as I put a little bit of space between his daughter and me, even though I don't fucking want to. But when I look down into Dutch's arms, I see he is holding a cut.

Rhyan gasps. "Dad, is that a property patch?"

Dutch chuckles, nodding. "I had a feeling this would happen as soon as we patched Montana in, so your mother and I got the property patch ready for you to wear right away."

Rhyan laughs as she rushes forward, slamming into Dutch and embracing him tightly. "Thank you, Daddy. This means so much to us."

My eyes meet his, and I smile. "Thank you, Dutch. I really appreciate this."

He places his hand out for me, and I shake it, finally feeling like I am now truly a part of their family.

Dutch turns, sliding my property patch over Rhyan's shoulders. "You look perfect wearing this, baby girl." He leans in, tenderly kissing Rhyan's cheek, and she smiles wide as Dutch dips his head at me, then turns, walking toward Ellie.

Inhaling deeply, I pull Rhyan back to me. "Remember how I said I don't know if this day could get any better… it just got so much fucking better."

Rhyan bursts out laughing, holding me to her tightly. "I have to admit, I was worried for a moment there. Dad was really playing a role."

"Yeah, I was fucking terrified."

"Can I have your attention, all you fuckers?" Alpha calls out.

We turn to look at our president, who throws his hands in the air. "Tonight… we party. Let the celebrations begin."

Everyone cheers as I turn back to Rhyan, slowly reaching for her hand. But Sadie stands in front of everyone with Maverick by her side. "Actually, while we're on the theme of celebrating, Maverick and I have something we want to announce."

I glance at Rhyan, and she shrugs while Maverick wraps his arms around Sadie from behind, placing his hands on her stomach. Sadie giggles happily while we all wait with bated breath.

"Well, what is it?" Haven calls out.

Sadie's hands move to her stomach on top of Maverick's, and my eyes widen, instantly cluing in.

"We're pregnant!" Sadie announces.

Clover bounces on her toes, laughing. "Man, it has been killing me keeping this secret. Thank God you've told everyone," she chimes.

Rhyan gasps in excitement before we make our way over to our friends. "How long have you known?" Rhyan asks.

"Maybe a week. We were going to wait until the second trimester, but honestly, we were too excited. And once Clover found out, there was no way to keep it a secret for long." Sadie chuckles.

Clover scoffs. "Hey! I could've kept it in for a little longer."

Maverick scowls. "It's been a week, and you're already bursting at the seams."

Clover bounces on her toes. "I know, I am so freaking excited. I'm going to be an aunt."

"How far along are you?" Rhyan asks.

"About five weeks," Sadie answers.

Rhyan glances at me, and we chuckle, turning back to them.

"A New York baby, huh?" I ask.

Maverick shrugs. "I mean, it was an eventful weekend."

Everyone moves over, congratulating Sadie and Maverick, while I turn to Rhyan, subtly grabbing her hand and shift her back from the crowd. "You know, I didn't think you could look any fucking sexier. But wearing my property patch? Damn, dragonfly." I pull her close, letting her feel just what it's doing to me.

She slides her hands up around my neck. "Hmm… I couldn't tell," she teases, biting her bottom lip.

I rock my hips into her, letting my hands slide down her back to her ass, a low growl rumbling in my chest. "Is that so? Then maybe I need to show you."

She releases a quiet whimper that has me smirking. Her eyes take in the celebration behind us, and then she leans in and asks, "You think anyone would notice if we disappeared for a little bit?"

"I wouldn't care if they did, dragonfly. Apparently, my Old Lady needs me to prove a few things."

With my hands still on her ass, I dip, lifting her, and she immediately wraps her legs around me and lets out a surprised giggle. My lips crash into hers, and I carry her to our room, only needing to glance at where I'm going a couple of times.

Once inside, I kick the door closed, but when I go to step toward the bed, Rhyan breaks the kiss and unwraps her legs, sliding down my body.

"Hey, I wasn't done," I protest, rearranging my cock to ease some of the pressure.

"I'll be right back." She turns, heading for the bathroom, and I can't take my gaze off her ass as it sways back and forth.

I'm one lucky sonofabitch.

She closes the door behind her, and I shake my head, letting out a small laugh. I can't help but think about what a rollercoaster ride the last few weeks have been, all culminating in me getting my dream girl and my fucking patch. I don't know what I did to deserve all this good fortune, but I won't take any of it for granted.

My mind flicks back to that spa day with Rhyan. I chuckle to myself at the thought of how fucking long it took for that damn nail polish to come off my fucking toenails. And how we almost kissed at the ice cream parlor for the first time. Glancing to the bathroom, wondering what the fuck she's doing in there, a thought crosses my mind. More of a memory.

Rhyan lifted another spoonful to her mouth, but a drip of Biscoff drizzle dripped down the corner of her mouth without her noticing. I let out a small chuckle, gesturing to her lip. "You got a little…"

Her eyes widened as she grabbed for the napkin, swatting at the wrong side of her mouth. She looked at me like she was mortified, then exhaled. "Did I get it?" her tone almost desperate.

I slid out from my chair, her eyes widening as she followed my movements. I leaned down, towering over her, reaching for the napkin and taking it from her fingers. Mine grazed hers when I took it, and it was like an electrical surge radiated through me, but I ignored it as I squatted so I was face-to-face with her.

Leaving the napkin in my grip, I used the thumb of my other hand to gently wipe along the edge of her bottom lip, removing the liquid. The air around us seemed to disappear as our eyes locked. Our breathing was rushed and frantic while my thumb darted out, running along her bottom lip. Her breathing hitched when I pulled my hand back and slid my thumb into my mouth, sucking off the Biscoff drizzle.

She stuttered out an uncontrolled breath, her tongue darting out and licking her bottom lip to taste any remaining drizzle on her lip.

I grinned. "Wouldn't want to waste any, now, would we?"

Warmth floods my body as an idea springs to mind. I want to remind Rhyan of that day. I want to show her that spending that time with her meant fucking everything to me. So I spin for the door, heading out of the bedroom and for the club kitchen. Ducking and weaving through everyone at the party, I pull open the door and walk into the giant room, looking for one thing in particular.

Biscoff spread .

Smiling, I grab it, then take off for the freezer. Pulling open the door, I reach in for the tub of vanilla ice cream, and with a small chuckle, I close the freezer door. Then I race to return to the bedroom before Rhyan comes out of the bathroom, wondering where the hell I am.

I walk so fast and don't stop for conversation as I head for my room, almost breaking into a run. Barging through the door, I close it with a gentle click, placing my items on the desk beside me. Seeing Rhyan isn't out yet, I let out a relieved sigh. I kick off my boots, then slide my cut off, placing it on my nightstand.

The sound of the bathroom door opening has me turning, and when my eyes land on my Old Lady, I swear I must be dreaming. She's standing in the doorway, the light from the bathroom glowing around her. My breath is frozen mid-exhale. She's wearing absolutely nothing but her cut. The property patch is resting over her breasts. Her perfect pussy is on display for me.

I'm speechless.

Without thought, I grab the back of my shirt collar and tug the fabric over my head, tossing it aside. My eyes roam over every inch of her perfect skin, and I swear I've died and gone to Heaven.

"You just going to stare at me?" she asks, snapping me out of my trance.

I shake my head quickly, blinking and taking a much-needed breath. Stalking toward her, I undo my jeans, letting them fall to the floor in a heap. Kicking off my boots, I step out of them, followed by my jeans. Then I grab my aching cock, stroking it, and can't help the grin spreading across my face as her gaze locks on to each movement of my hand. "Now, who's the one staring?" I taunt, using my thumb to spread the bead of pre cum on the tip.

"I'm not really staring. I just suddenly got a little hungry," Rhyan argues, but it's useless, and she knows it.

Chuckling, I step over to the desk and pick up the ice cream and Biscoff spread. "It's a good thing I'm on the same page, though the kitchen wasn't stocked with a proper drizzle. We will have to get creative with heating this up," I tease, tilting the jar of Biscoff spread and waggling my brows.

"Hmm… great minds do think alike." She steps out of the doorway and pulls back my desk chair, gesturing for me to sit. My eyebrows raise with humor, loving that she thinks she's the one who's going to play.

This was my idea.

"Why don't you get comfy in that chair? Place one foot on the desk and scoot that perfect ass to the edge of the seat," I tell her, and she twists her lips, then moves to slide off her property patch. "Uh-uh," I tisk. "That stays on, and you better keep it clean." Though my tone has a playful edge, she hears the warning for what it is.

Setting the containers on the desk, I open them and scoop out a bite-sized serving of the ice cream, followed by the Biscoff spread. Then, without a word, I hold the spoon to her lips, the ice cream beginning to melt, dripping down her chest. The sight has me transfixed.

"Noah, I don't know how long I can sit like this," she says with a giggle and takes the bite with a low moan, pulling me back to my task.

My cock throbs at the sound, and I groan. "Don't worry, dragonfly. I don't plan to take my time. Now, hold those gorgeous tits together for me, careful not to let your cut get in the way."

Rhyan squirms, her ass teetering on the edge with her shoulders braced against the back of the chair, her back arching.

If my cock wasn't so hard, throbbing in anticipation, I would savor every fucking inch of her. Instead, I take a generous scoop of ice cream from the container and slide it onto her cleavage.

She gasps, "Shit! That's cold." And like the vixen she is, she tilts her head down, taking a lick, all while staring at me with a flare of desire behind her eyes.

I roll my head, giving it a shake to suppress the shudder running through me and take a scoop of the spread, letting it fall on her ice cream-covered chest and over her breasts, ensuring each nipple is thoroughly covered. Unable to resist any longer, I throw the spoon on the desk and bend down, bracing myself on the arm of the chair, growling before I suck each nipple clean and slide my tongue through her cleavage, licking some of the ice cream.

I pull back and watch as my Old Lady's cheeks heat, her eyes dilating and zeroing in on my lips while my tongue flicks out along my bottom lip.

"You've got a little…" Her words trail off when she leans in, capturing my lips with hers. I groan, knowing she's remembering our moment at the ice cream parlor, my tongue sliding against hers. Too soon, she pulls back with a smirk, repeating what I had told her that day. "Wouldn't want to waste any, now, would we?"

Grinning, I reply, "Of course not. In fact, if I don't get busy, we will have quite the mess." I straighten, taking her in as I drop to my knees between her delicious thighs. "Now, I want you to slowly let go of your tits."

As she does, a trail of ice cream and now melted Biscoff spread starts to run down between her breasts. It starts to settle on her low belly, and I tuck my hands under her, tilting her so it continues to my waiting tongue. Unable to resist, I lean up, my tongue diving into the gooey sweetness, and start licking, tasting the delicious mix of ice cream, Biscoff, and delectability that is Rhyan. The sweetness hits my senses. It's an overload as I suck, a slight moan escaping me, my tongue gliding over her sensitive skin while she writhes against me. The melted ice cream coats my face as I lap it up, completely licking her clean of the Biscoff. Rhyan pants harshly with my movements as I slowly pull my lips from her body.

"I could taste you like this all fucking night . "

Her hips rock, and I make my way down, my tongue delving into her slick heat, and she lets out a gasp. My gaze locks on hers, and I watch as she dips her head down and grabs her breasts once again, squeezing them together before she licks up the leftover dessert. My cock aches with the need to be inside her, and I can't take it.

The sight of her… my undoing.

Standing abruptly, I move her leg off my desk while I tug her up, pulling her to me and slamming my lips to hers.

Stickiness be damned.

We can shower later.

If I thought I was eager when we first returned to the clubhouse, I'm fucking desperate for her now.

She reaches down, wrapping her hand around my cock as she slides her other hand into my hair, tugging sharply. I pull back, breaking the kiss with a sudden hiss and nipping her bottom lip in return.

We're both worked up, needing more.

I quickly spin Rhyan, bending her over the desk. The ice cream is melting, seeping through the container and onto the wooden surface. She pushes everything to the side when she leans on her forearms and widens her legs for me.

I don't hesitate, lining myself up and slamming into her, burying myself completely in one go. "Fu-uck. So damn wet for me. So tight."

"Shut up and fuck me, Montana. I can't handle any more teasing tonight," she begs, pushing her ass into me to get me to move.

Hearing her call me my road name while I am buried balls deep ignites an inferno inside me. Grabbing her hips in what I'm sure is a bruising hold, I pull back and thrust into her with a punishing pace. She's still wearing her cut, and I may never allow her to take it off. Knowing she's mine, that everyone will now know she's mine, spurs me on.

With one hand still possessively holding her hip, I slide my other hand through her hair, forcing her head to the side so she's facing the mirror on the other side of the room. "Watch us. Look at how fucking sexy you are wearing my property patch. With my name on you."

She moans, meeting me thrust for thrust. "More, Montana. Faster!"

Knowing exactly what she needs, I let go of her hair, sliding my hand down her back, slightly pressing her to lay flat on the desk. She stretches her arms out, her eyes still focused on our reflection. Keeping my hand firmly against her back, I drive into her, then grind my hips against her ass. I let go of my hold on her hip and slide my hand around, my fingers finding her clit.

Her pussy clenches around me, and I smile. "Come on my cock, dragonfly."

I continue to work her clit, my fingers circling it as I rock into her. She grips the back of the desk, keeping herself from sliding with the movement, the position ensuring I stay deeply seated. She moans, the sound filling the room, and I want to hear it on repeat. "I-I'm gonna come. Just need—"

She doesn't need to tell me. I pull back and slam into her, the force rocking the desk and pressing firmly on her clit, cutting her off. Her pussy squeezes around me so tight, I swear I see stars. I moan, my pace faltering as a shudder wracks my body, heat traveling up my spine.

I press into her one last time and groan, my hands sliding up her body to grip her shoulders, pulling her against me at the same time as I come, my cock jolting with my release. My head becomes fuzzy, and the room sways. My hips rock with the aftershocks running through me, and each time Rhyan tenses, the movement causes too much stimulation.

Sucking in a deep breath, my head starts to clear, and I take a step back, slowly slipping out of her. My breaths are hard and heavy.

I gently help a satiated Rhyan from the desk and turn her, brushing the hair from her face. "So beautiful…" I glance down to her property patch, running my finger over my name, still trying to catch my breath, "… and all mine ."

Rhyan slides her fingers up into my hair, gently caressing the back of my head, and bites her bottom lip. "But you know what else this property patch means, Montana?"

Raising my brow, I tilt my head. "What?"

The most beautiful smile lights her face as she stares into my eyes. "It means that you're all mine too."

Letting out a small laugh, I lean in, pressing my forehead to hers. "Oh, dragonfly, I've been yours ever since the first moment I laid eyes on you."

She grins, slowly edging me toward the bed. "I'm not ready to go back out and join the party just yet," she says, shoving me back onto the bed.

I chuckle as I fall onto the mattress, bouncing as I go. She shrugs out of her property patch, gently placing it on the side table. "I need more of you, then a shower, then more of you again. Then, and only then, we can maybe rejoin the party." She moves to the bed, kneeling over the top of me, my cock instantly jerking awake again when my hands slide to her hips while she moves over the top of me.

I nod frantically, the brightest smile on my face. "I mean, I'm not the kind of guy to deny his Old Lady anything, so…"

Rhyan giggles, bending down, slamming her lips to mine, my hands gliding up her back as she grinds down against my cock, the pleasure rolling through me instantly.

Thank you, Lord!