BEAR

I was already fucking stupid about Natasha. The woman's long held a crazy power over me. As soon as I tasted her lips, I felt as if I'd handed a part of myself to her.

Riding away from the Thibeaux Mansion, I realize she owns me more now. I ought to hate that shit. Except this time around, I hold more power.

Natasha needs me. I am the monster she knows. She might have flipped out when I demanded she keep the deal, yet I know she craves the same future as I do.

I spend an hour racing around town, just letting myself deal with the frenzy Natasha whips up inside me. I can feel her skin against my fingertips. Even with her battered face, she's still the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen. And if I stay focused, she'll be mine.

Stopping at a 1980s-themed burger joint, I order a burger and fries from a dude with crimped hair and fake eyelashes. Madonna plays overhead, wearing on my nerves. The only reason I tolerate the noise is to get a batch of the best fries in the entire city.

Tack and Indigo brought me here when Natasha ran off. They filled me up with great food before taking me to the clubhouse for booze and pussy. Rather than make me feel better, I was only reminded of how no woman was ever going to make my heart feel right like Natasha did.

Waiting on my chocolate shake, I text Aneta and explain how I'm getting married.

"Who's the lucky girl?" she texts back.

Rolling my eyes, I reply, "What makes you think it's a girl?"

"So, you and Indigo are finally making things official, huh? I always wondered why he wouldn't put out," she texts back, really fucking with me. "Congrats, btw."

"I won't ghost you unless Natasha demands it."

"You've got to do right by the one you love."

I consider Aneta's words. Is it possible to love Natasha when I don't really know her? We've never gone on a date. Even when we're together in two days, she's bringing along the kids.

Of course, the last engagement was supposed to last a month. That's how long it takes for the Kovak family to put together a wedding and announce the engagement to all the right people.

I'm back on the road as the failing sun creates a golden glow over the city. I consider going home. I want to walk around the place and see it with fresh eyes. What issues might Natasha have with the setup? Is it safe for kids?

I'm idling between two police cars at a light when I receive a text from Aunt Fred. As soon as the light turns green, I change directions and head for the farm.

This place has changed some since I first showed up. There are more houses built on the property. The old red barn was torn down and replaced with state-of-the-art stables.

I enter the main house to find Elvis dancing to his namesake. His grandsons, Hicks and Hudson, wiggle around to the beat of "Such a Night." The kids barely acknowledge me as Elvis points toward the back of the house.

I walk through the wide hallways until I reach the back sunroom, where Aunt Fred sits with her brother, Caveman. Just outside are Zoot and Noble. My president enters when he spots me.

"Is this thing sticking?" he demands like I'm the enemy.

Unable to stop myself, I growl, "I want her."

"We get that," Zoot snarls at me, and I wonder why he's so pissed before remembering he's Zoot and everything pisses him off. "But is this thing happening?"

"I'm not letting Natasha Kovak weasel out of the deal again."

Caveman snorts at our argument and rests his feet on a coffee table. He swallows up the room with his massive size. I'm surprised he isn't egging us on. The men of the Hills Chapter spend their days looking for reasons to throw fists.

Meanwhile, Aunt Fred breaks through the testosterone and rests her hand on my shoulder.

"Bear, you're speaking of a woman you want to spend your life with. Maybe dial down the animosity."

"I'm not angry."

Aunt Fred squeezes my shoulder. "It's okay to admit you're upset."

"Yeah, filly, share those fucking feelings of yours," Caveman taunts. "The world's your very own therapy session."

"Ignore him," Aunt Fred tells me. "You know how he gets."

Caveman chuckles at his big sister's quiet taunting while Zoot crosses his arms.

"Is this thing happening?"

"Yes," I bark at him. "She's mine. I'm keeping her. She basically agreed today."

"Basically, eh?" Caveman mutters and cracks his knuckles. "Got that lass wrapped around your fucking finger, don't you?"

Aunt Fred doesn't physically roll her eyes, but I feel her mentally doing so. Her gaze remains on me.

"I spoke to Katja today, not long after you left Thibeaux Mansion."

"How do you know when I left?"

"We had a drone watching."

"Does the Syndicate know you spy on Thibeaux Mansion?"

"Of course. I'm sure they have a drone over the farm right now."

Glancing up at the sunroom's ceiling, I shake my head. "Are they our allies or not?"

"Yes, but the club comes first," Aunt Fred explains. "That's why I called Katja and asked if Natasha was set on the marriage. I didn't want you to go through another runaway-bride situation. I've received assurances." Aunt Fred glances at Zoot and adds, "So, yes, this is happening. We've set a wedding date for a month from now."

Smiling at that past part, I share, "Natasha's bringing her kids to my house in two days."

Aunt Fred offers me a warm smile while Zoot rolls his eyes. "Now, Bear's got to take care of another man's kids?"

"Hey, pickle dick, there's honor in raising up other people's kids," Caveman announces, having taken in several kids despite him having no wife. "Meanwhile, a weasel like you can't even raise up a dog. Shameful."

Zoot glares down at Caveman and snarls, "I'm going to punch you in the fucking head."

"Take it outside," Aunt Fred tells them, and they instantly head for the door.

While the men shove each other and Noble enjoys the show, I look at Aunt Fred and explain, "I like her kids."

She rewards me with a great smile. "You always took care of your younger brothers. That's why you're a great road captain, and why you'll be a great father. You deserve this, Bear."

I sink into the hug she offers. Being here with her soothes the wired state I've been in since I woke up. I kept thinking someone was about to jump me and steal what I need.

"I don't know if I can get through a month without fucking up again," I admit to her in a quiet voice while the sounds of battling men fill the air.

Aunt Fred nods at my concern. "You need to be sharp now, Bear. Not only because you want to win Natasha's heart. We're about to make enemies of the Brennan family and their cop minions."

"Will you need to meet them to turn down their offer?"

"That won't be necessary. As soon as word goes out about your upcoming wedding, the cops will have their answer. We certainly wouldn't agree to this marriage if we intended to overthrow the Kovak Syndicate."

"Is me wanting Natasha putting the club in a bad spot?"

Aunt Fred rests her hands on my cheeks like she did when I was young and spewing bullshit. "We were never siding with those disloyal fucks," she says tenderly. "Unless one of Viktor's boys runs this alliance into the ground, the Kovak Syndicate is the club's future. There's more to life than money and power. That's what the Brennan family can't understand. Loyalty is what matters most. If you find someone willing to suffer for you, don't neglect that relationship. The Kovak Syndicate will bleed for the club like the Brennan family never would. That's why no amount of money or promises will change our course."

Nodding, I glance outside to see Caveman with Zoot in a headlock. My president stomps down on the other man's ankle hard enough to send Caveman reeling. Fixing his hair, Zoot smiles at the snarling president of the other chapter.

"You're getting old," Zoot taunts before Caveman lunges at him.

Aunt Fred shakes her head and sighs. "They'll be out there for a while. Why don't we go find Carys and Siobhan. They can help you pick an engagement ring worthy of your mafia princess."

I get a jolt of adrenaline at the thought of Natasha wearing my ring. We never got that far in our first engagement. Ollie died two days after the date was set and before any planning could start.

This time, I'll be smarter and not only with the wedding and avoiding mistakes. I need to be on my guard for what Alec Brennan might do once he learns the club won't help make him Banta City's next king.