Chapter Seventeen Wildcard

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: WILDCARD

I hear snippets of Colt's exciting tale about his visit to Desdemona's with the other kids, but my focus is solely on Brigit as she makes her way towards me. I can't tell her thoughts by her expression. Easy to picture her raking in the chips with a poker face like that.

When she reaches us, she wraps her arms around Colt and me, leaning up to whisper in my ear. "I'm sorry. Thank you for looking out for my dad. I didn't understand, but I think I do now."

Shock and hope race through my system as I search her pretty green eyes for doubt. Seeing none, I release the stress that I've carried since leaving her with Preacher. I'm not sure how he convinced her that Puma branding him was forgivable, but I owe the man everything because Brigit is staying. Colt wiggles free when Hunter and the other prospects carry in gallons of ice cream and bowls. He rushes to take his seat between Elina and Angel.

"Are you sure?" I whisper back, circling her waist.

"I am. Won't lie. I'm still not pleased about what he went through, and I doubt I ever will be. But I won't hold it against you or the club. He said you gave him a choice. He explained to me why he made the choice he did. Once he heals, he'll have the family he always wanted."

"He has us now. The club voted and gave him the choice. He made the choice and followed through. All is forgiven and forgotten. He's one of us now. Puma's getting him a new kutte, and he wants a new road name."

"He does?" Brigit asks in surprise. "Why? I thought those were lifelong tags?"

"Usually, yes. But I think he sees this as a new start and wants a different name. Squiggy gave him the name Preacher as an insult. Implied that he was a choirboy and not cut out for club life."

Brigit shakes her head. "I'm glad that guy's dead. Dad said he joined the club because he was looking for a family. Seems like that family was pretty dysfunctional. Although his parents were dysfunctional, too. They went to prison, and he grew up in the system. He was desperate for stability and settled for dysfunction."

"The club is a family," I tell her. "Puma is the best President, even if I do say so myself. Speaking of family, how about some ice cream?"

"I'd love some. Then later, I'm hoping we can make each other scream?"

I groan at her horrible pun. "That was terrible, but I'm game."

The day's activities have the kids nodding off in their empty bowls. While the prospects clear the tables, I pick up Colt and carry him to his room. Brigit changes him into his pajamas while I lean against the doorjamb and watch. Seeing her care for our son has me dreaming about putting another baby in her belly. We need to clear her of the murder charge so we can build our life together.

"He wants to say goodnight to you," Brigit says, moving so I can take her place.

"You had a big day today, huh?" I ask him.

"I love it here. Can we stay?"

"I'm trying to convince your mom. You'll have to help me. Okay?"

"Okay. We'll make it happen, Dad."

Damn, if that one word doesn't make my heart expand. "Did you have fun with the other kids?"

He nods. "Elina explained about how she and the others will to take over the club once you guys are too told. She said that I can't be the VP like you because Mal's going to be VP. I haven't met him yet. But she said I could be the tech guy. She suggested I hang out with Spark. Can you make that happen? I have lots to learn."

I want to laugh, but the seriousness of Colt's expression tells me that I shouldn't. I knew from the others that Elina had worked out a succession plan for the club, but I guess I hadn't realized how serious she was.

"I'll make sure you meet Spark and the rest of the club members. But I wouldn't worry about learning everything right away. You have time."

He nods as his eyes droop. I lean over and kiss his forehead before tucking him in. My son. How crazy is that? Watching him sleep, I realize that there isn't anything that I wouldn't do to make him happy. There is no one that I wouldn't kill to keep him safe. The club is my family, and I always thought it would take precedence over anything. But I know that if I had to hand over my kutte to keep Colt and Brigit safe and happy, I would. I don't think the scenario will come to fruition, but the realization that I wouldn't think twice about such a decision shocks me to my core.

Brigit slides her hands around my waist as we walk out of his room. I sling my arm over her shoulder and tug her close.

"What was he talking about? I heard something about spending time with someone named Spark?"

"Elina has a plan to take over the club once Puma and the rest of us are too old."

Brigit laughs. "I heard about that. What does she have planned for Colt?"

"She thinks he'll make a good tech guy. So Colt wants me to introduce him to Spark so he can learn from him."

"She's a character. Alisa told me how much Elina's blossomed since being here thanks to Puma. He's so good with kids. I'm grateful she and the others have accepted Colt. He didn't have very many friends back in Boston. I worked too much. He spent two days a week in childcare and he'd stay with my next-door neighbor, Abby, the other three. I wanted to ask if you'd have Havoc check on her."

"I talked to him earlier, and I asked him to check on her. They're going over there tomorrow." I consider telling her about what they found in her home, but decide the bad news can wait. She's dealt with enough today.

"I heard what you said to Colt about convincing me to stay. You won't have to work hard. I have no intention of leaving."

Grinning, I lean over and kiss her. "Good girl. Because I can't let you go."

"I'll need to find a job, eventually. There are so many hotels here in Vegas. Somebody should hire me."

"You don't have to work if you don't want to. I have plenty of money. But if you wanted a job, you could take the HR Manager's position at 1%. Our previous manager went on maternity leave and Chill fired the temp. It's why she's been doing the job and believe me she sucks at it."

Brigit chuckles. "I can imagine. A good HR Manager needs to have empathy and compassion. Two traits not usually found in a SOA."

"You got that right. She fired the temp a week ago and we've already lost fifteen employees that I know of. Not sure what's she's doing to scare them off."

"So, you need a temp HR Manager until the permanent one returns from maternity leave?"

"She's not coming back. Gave her notice just before Chill fired the temp. She wants to stay home with the baby. Her husband works for us, so he makes good money. We're looking for a replacement. As the hotel manager, I can't imagine anyone else taking the job. Plus, you don't have to worry about daycare. The prospects take turns watching the kids here or we could take Colt with us. The casino offers childcare. Alisa organized it for the employees. They love it."

"I can imagine. I'd like to check it out. We offered nothing like that at the hotel. Speaking as a former HR Manager, having childcare is a game changer. Do the employees pay for it?"

"Nope. It's free for every employee. Even part-time staff. We offer several perks to our employees, which is why we have a constant stream of applications coming in. Which is why we need a qualified HR Manager. Have I convinced you yet?"

"I'll be happy to help you out. I need to earn my keep."

Pulling her into my room, I capture her mouth in a deep kiss. I don't let her up for air until I've had my fill of her taste. "You don't have to do anything of the sort. The club covers our expenses, and I have plenty of money."

"Don't take it the wrong way, but I don't want to live in the clubhouse. I don't mind spending time here, but I want a home."

"You'll have one," I promise. "Puma purchased several acres of land across the street. Spock, our secretary, has broken it up into plots. Puma and Alisa are building a home. So are Chill and Dice. Not sure if Viper has selected a plot yet. She and Rafe split their time between here and his condo. I was thinking you and I could go over and select a plot. We could find a plan that we both agree on and build a home just for us. We'll have to decide on the number of bedrooms. I'm thinking seven or eight."

"Why so many?"

"Because I want a big family."

"I'm not having seven more kids."

"Okay, six kids. One room can be an office. Or maybe your dad will want a room. Dice and Avery are building a separate home on their property for her grandmother. We could do that for your dad."

Brigit beams at me as she pulls me down for another kiss. "I think I remember something about making you scream." She slithers out of my arms and slides to her knees. Unfastening my belt and then my jeans, she releases my cock. She spits in both hands before grasping my cock. Sliding my shaft between her slick hands has me tossing my head back. Fuck, that feels good. When I feel her tongue swipe underneath, I look down into her eyes. Fuck me if that isn't the most beautiful sight.

I release a loud groan when she deep throats my shaft. Her tongue is magic. It caresses my shaft as she takes me deep. The sensation has my legs quaking and my hips jerking. Shit, I'm close. I reach out to stop her, but then she swallows. With a shout, I empty my load down her throat.