Chapter Twenty

Teagan

SATURDAY WAS DAD'S birthday, so I'd promised my mother I'd help get everything ready at the house for the party that night.

Cash dropped me off, promising he'd be back after he picked up something being delivered to his house. I headed inside, and my parents acted like I hadn't seen them in a year, hugging me for what seemed like an hour.

"Guys, I love you, but I just saw you yesterday."

"That was longer than twenty-four hours ago," Mom said.

Dad hugged me again and I laughed. "I have a gift I want to give you early."

"Oh yeah?" he said.

I nodded, reaching into my bag and pulling it out. "Here."

He raised an eyebrow as he ripped open the meticulous wrapping and unfolded the T-shirt. "Jesus," he hissed before busting out into a deep, belly laugh.

"What does it say?" Mom asked.

He turned it around to reveal, ‘Mack's Discount Spleen Removal Service, Free Estimates While you Wait.'

"I'm wearin' this tonight."

I grinned. "I'd hoped you'd say that."

He pulled me in for another hug. "Thanks, baby girl. I love it."

"You're welcome." I turned to my mom. "Okay, what can I help with?"

For the next hour, Mom and I worked in tandem to bake, prep, and cook to get ready for the party until the rest of the old ladies arrived with yet more food, followed closely by Cash.

"What took so long?" I demanded as he walked in.

"I was waitin' on something, and it was late," he said, leaning down to kiss me. "Sorry."

I raised an eyebrow. "Something good?"

"Have a look." He grinned, handing me an open packing envelope. "It's for you."

I pulled the item out, discovering it was a T-shirt and shook it open. "Oh my god."

I couldn't stop a snort as I read it.

‘Teagan's Discount Spleen Removal Service, Free Estimates While you Wait (Family Owned and Operated for over Fifty Years).'

"Did you know Dad's literally wearing his right now?"

"Well, you better go put that on then," Cash said.

"Good idea." I shoved the empty packing material at his chest with a nod and rushed to the powder room off the stairs.

I changed faster than I ever had, then found a brush in a drawer to fix my hair. Once I was satisfied I didn't look like a warthog, I headed back to Cash in the foyer.

"You look fuckin' adorable, Turtle."

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

"Thank you, honey, I love it." I gave him a squeeze. "I can't believe you did this. When did you do it?"

"Started planning when you ordered your dad's. I ordered it the day after you ordered his. I was pissed this one took twice as long to get here."

"Yeah, that's not cool." I wrinkled my nose. "Come on, let's go show him."

We headed into the great room where everyone was congregating and I heard Dad say, "Jesus Fuckin' Christ," then he bust out laughing.

"Holy shit!" Grayson said. "I'm gonna need one of those."

My sisters also decided they needed one which Cash promised to order pronto.

"I'm too sweet," Mom said. "I'll pass."

Dad just laughed harder. "Okay, baby, let the delusion continue."

She flipped him off and poured another glass of wine and Dad pulled her in for an R-rated kiss.

The rest of the party was a blast, filled with most of the club. The officers and their wives and kids, along with a few of the members and families. It was a full house, and I loved every second.

* * *

Hatch

We pulled into the Zoo's main parking lot to find Warlock and his officers waiting by their bikes. We parked beside them and were barely off our bikes before Warlock came over to greet us personally.

"Hatch, it's been way too fucking long, my man. You look good."

"Thanks," was all I could manage. Here I was about ready to paint my face for battle, and Warlock is acting like we're old war buddies. Which I suppose isn't too far from the truth, but still.

"These your guys, huh?" Warlock asked.

"This is Booker, my VP, Flea, Sergeant at Arms, and Mack—"

"Is one big motherfucker," Warlock said with a smile.

"Yeah," I said.

"Nice to meet you boys. I'm sure some of you know Trunk, Slammer, and Vega."

"We're acquainted," Mack grunted out.

"Good, good," Warlock said, turning back to me. "I'm sure I don't have to ask you if you came heavy?"

"I know the rules," I replied. "You and your crew unarmed?"

Warlock grinned, opening his cut and showing he was weapon free. "As if you'd have to ask. Let's head inside and take a seat and we can talk a little business. I have a proposal that I know will be beneficial to both our clubs."

We walked together to the picnic area and grabbed a bench large enough to accommodate both clubs. One on each side of the bench. The area was mostly empty except for a group celebrating Braydon's 8th birthday according to the banner and balloons, and a janitor eating his lunch.

"Nice place you've picked for us," Warlock said. "Maybe I'll go visit the monkeys after we're done with our chat."

"Is that what this is? A friendly chat?" I asked.

"Absolutely. Why should it be anything but?"

"Oh, I don't know. One could imagine that I might be a bit sore over the fact that the Spiders bombed one of our buildings, almost killing two of my people. Or that you've been putting the squeeze on businesses under the protection of my club. Or that you're terrorizing children in my town."

"Our town, old friend. Don't forget. We share Portland."

"If I'm not mistaken, your cut reads ‘Gresham Spiders.'"

"The greater Portland metro area is implied," Warlock said.

"Is that so? And what about the Burning Saints? What do they have to say about your co-ownership of Portland?"

For the first time, Warlock's smile dropped. "Don't worry your pretty, long-haired head about them. I'll deal with the ‘Burning Taints' when the time comes. As for the unfortunate accident your property sustained, and my recent administrative work with some of the local businesses I have interest in, let's just say that I hope that will all be water under the bridge once you hear my proposal."

"Let me save you some time," I bit out. "I don't want to do business with the Spiders. In fact, I want our clubs to stay as far away from each other as possible."

"Excellent," Warlock said. "Right off the bat, we want exactly the same thing."

"Then, what else is there to discuss? You know we run a clean shop, and you don't see diamonds on our cuts."

"Same old Hatch. You've always been the Boy Scout… with the dirtiest hands."

"What the fuck's that supposed to mean?" Mack growled.

"Come on. You guys don't have to pretend around me. The Dogs of Fire may not officially be a one percent club, but let's not act like you boys haven't dug a few holes from time to time."

"I'm ready to protect my club and my family at all times." I nodded to my brothers. "As are each of our members."

"More good news, because that's exactly what I want you to do. I want you to do what's right for your club and your family, and I want you to stay out of the Spider's way as we continue to rebuild our club."

"Then what's this business proposal you keep talking about?" Booker asked.

"That's it. You stay clear of any and all of my business interests within, let's say, the tri-state area, and I will leave your little scooter club alone."

"Simple as that?" I asked.

"Yup."

"What about Motorworks and Daryl?" Flea asked.

Warlock clapped his hands together. "Tell you what. To show my good faith, you can keep your original deal with Daryl, and I won't interfere. Plus, I'll thrown in ten grand cash to say how sorry I am about his wife's accident."

"Twenty-five," I replied.

"See, I knew you'd get into the negotiating spirit," Warlock said. "Fine, twenty-five grand to Daryl's old lady and you stay out of my business."

I held out my hand. "Deal."

Warlock shook my hand before rising to his feet, followed by the rest of us. "See, I told you guys Hatch was a reasonable man and a good president," he said to his crew. "Hey, did I ever tell you guys that me and him used to ride together down in San Diego? Shit, if I recall, we even banged the same chick."

"That was a long time ago," I growled. That ‘chick' had been my wife, and she'd started steppin' out with him soon after we were married. I refused to let that settle in my blood because I had Maisie now, and she'd healed all of that, but Warlock was a piece of shit, and the fact he was bringin' it up proved it.

"It sure was." Warlock chuckled. "Look at us now, both wearing president patches, working to make peace with old enemies."

"It's peace then?" I asked.

Warlock nodded, before adding, "Oh, there is one detail we didn't discuss that we do need to hammer out."

"What's that?"

"When should I expect you to turn your grow operation over to me? Is within the next ten days good?"

"What the fuck are you talking about? Our grow business isn't for sale."

"I didn't say anything about buying it," he said. "I thought I made myself perfectly clear. The Dogs of Fire are to stay out of any and all of my club's business. Well, in case you forgot, the Spiders main trade is drugs, Hatch. So, obviously I can't have you running a marijuana grow operation in my backyard."

"You slimy piece of shit. I knew I couldn't trust you."

"What is this?" Warlock said, feigning shock. "Is the Boy Scout going back on his word so soon?"

"I agreed to stay out of each other's business interests. We are partners with the Primal Howlers out of Colorado in that grow operation. You'll never get your hands on it."

"You tell those Rocky Mountain assholes to cut their losses and stay the fuck out of my way. And I'll say the same to you, Connor. You have one week to turn your operation over to me or I'll start taking things that are even more precious to you."

"You're gonna regret you said that," I growled before turning and walking away, my officers right beside me.

"What are we gonna do now?" Booker asked.

"First, I'm gonna buy my granddaughter a new giraffe stuffie. Then I'm gonna find a way to squash the fucking Gresham Spiders once and for fucking all."

* * *

Teagan

"Teagan, we're gonna be late for our reservation," Cash complained.

"Oh, keep your pants on," I sassed, stepping out of the bathroom.

"Jesus," he hissed.

I frowned. "What?"

"You're not really wearin' that, are you?"

I glanced down at my deep green mini dress. It was one shoulder with a front diagonal cut-out and the only sleeve was semi-sheer. It fit me like a glove and the color complemented my red hair perfectly. I'd paired it with a strappy pair of gold sandals and a gold Louis Vuitton clutch I borrowed from my mother. "You hate it?"

"I love it, Turtle. The problem is, so will every other red-blooded, straight man we run into tonight."

I grinned. "Then I've achieved my objective."

He sighed. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." I dropped the purse on the bed and ran my hands up his chest. "Now, I have a very important question for you."

"Yeah? What's that?"

"Do I put on panties, or just leave them off?"

"Jesus, woman, are you not wearing panties?" he demanded, slipping a hand under my skirt and squeezing my butt.

"Currently, I'm not. So, what say you, big man? Stay without?"

He moved his hand to finger my clit and I gasped as he slid a finger inside of me. "Yeah, Turtle, give me easy access."

He removed his hand, licking his finger clean with a sexy grin.

"No panties." I shivered. "Got it."

"Where's your necklace?"

"What?" I reached for the chain at my neck and gasped. "Shit. It must have fallen off. The clasp has been a little iffy lately and I keep meaning to ask you to look at it."

Cash frowned, reaching behind his neck and removing his. "Here, wear this for the moment. You need to be trackable at all times."

"But so do you," I pointed out.

"Humor me for the moment." He secured his chain with his anchor tracker to my neck. "We'll get you a new tracker tomorrow."

"It's probably in the laundry."

"We'll look for it tomorrow."

"Fine," I said.

"You ready?"

"Yeah. I'm ready." I grabbed the purse again. "Where are we going?"

"Nice try," he said, taking my hand and leading me out to his truck.

"No hints?"

He smiled, helping me into the cab. "No hints."

"We are going to eat, right?"

"Yeah, baby, we're going to eat," he said on a chuckle as he started the truck. "I don't want you hangry on our special night."

I let out a quiet snort. "I'm not sure if I like that you know me so well."

He laughed as he pulled onto the highway. "Liar."

"Refer to previous statement."

He reached over and took my hand, giving it a squeeze. "Love you, beautiful."

"Love you too."

We drove for about another twenty minutes until I figured out where we were going, and I couldn't stop myself from jumping up and down in my seat.

"Oh my god, we're going to Rondan's?" I chirped.

Rondan's was the club's go-to jeweler. Olen Rondan was a man in his fifties who had been taking care of engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, and ‘I'm sorries,' for as long as I could remember.

Cash nodded. "It's impossible to surprise you, but yes."

"Just to be clear, this is a proposal, not a new necklace, right?"

"Baby, I didn't know your necklace broke until half an hour ago, what do you think?"

I wrinkled my nose. "That's not an answer, Cash."

He laughed. "Yes, Turtle, it's a proposal. Do you want me to ask now, or when you choose your ring?"

"I'm going to say yes, even if the diamond's the size of a pinhead, but I like the idea of witnesses," I said. "So, let's wait until I pick my ring, please."

"The diamond's bigger than a pinhead," he assured me.

"Well, if it's not, I don't care," I pressed as we pulled up and parked in front of the store.

After lifting me down from the cab, Cash took my hand and guided me into the jeweler, who was ready and waiting with six rings for me to choose from.

A simple round solitaire, just over a carat. Pretty, and near perfect. An oval, a princess, etc., but when I reached the emerald cut emerald with diamond baguets on the side, I nearly lost my mind. I clasped my hands in front of me and leaned in with a quiet sigh. "Oh my god," I breathed out.

"Told ya," Cash said to Mr. Rondan.

Mr. Rondan chuckled.

"I'm glad I didn't take that bet," he said, as he took the ring out of the case and handed it to Cash.

"What's happening?" I asked.

"I suggested we go with more contemporary choices, but Cash said you'd love the emerald above all else," Mr. Rondan said. "He offered a small wager on your choice, but I declined. I'm glad I did because I would have lost. In all my years, I've been wrong twice. This is the second time."

"What was the first time?"

"You don't know her. She returned the ring for a smaller diamond." He smiled. "Never before have I had a bride want a smaller diamond."

I smiled, turning back to Cash to find him down on one knee, holding the emerald ring up. I covered my mouth with my hands, forcing myself not to cry. "Teagan Elizabeth Reed, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"Yes," I breathed out, and Cash slid the ring on my finger before standing and pulling me into his arms and kissing me.

I held the ring up to the light and let out a cry of excitement. "Oh my god, honey, it's so pretty."

"You like it?"

"I love, love, love it."

"Thanks, Mr. Rondan," Cash said, shaking the jeweler's hand.

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Rondan," I parroted.

"You bet. Enjoy it, you two." He handed us a bag with the ring box inside. "Have a great night."

We headed back out to the truck but before Cash could open the passenger door, I wrapped my arms around his waist. "I love you, Cash. This is beyond amazing."

"Love you more, baby. I'm glad you love the ring."

I cupped his face. "It's like you plucked my dream ring from my dreams."

He stared at me for a few seconds, his love for me filling me to the brim before he leaned down to kiss me. "Let's get to dinner."

I blinked back tears as I whispered, "Okay."

He helped me into the truck, and we headed toward the Pearl. I was thrilled to find we were back at the Pink Priest and when we walked inside, I heard, "Surprise!" yelled from the left of me.

I jumped a little as I turned toward the sound to find my family and a few of our close friends pouring out from the side room, Dad leading the pack, to pull me into their arms to congratulate me.

"Oh my god!" I squeaked.

Once Cash pulled me back to him, I leaned up and whispered, "If I'd known it was a party, I would have insisted on panties."

"Nah, this is our night. I get to enjoy it too," he retorted, squeezing my ass.

Daisy rushed me, grabbing my hand to look at the ring and then dragged me around the room to make sure everyone saw it.

By the time Cash took me home and utilized his easy access, I'd chalked this night up to the best one of my life (so far).