Page 101 of Smitty

I stepped inside, expecting to see Anslee playing on the living room floor and Brooke cleaning up after dinner. Instead, I found a room full of boxes. They lined the walls and were stacked on the tables along with newspaper and packing tape.

Picture frames had been taken down from the wall, leaving pale squares on the walls where they’d hung. “What the hell?”

Brooke looked up from where she was kneeling beside an open box, and she gave me a tired smile. “I’m moving out.”

20

BROOKE

Iwas a wreck the first time Brayden brought me to the Fury clubhouse, and when I walked through the door, it didn’t help matters that they all looked like they were waiting for a fight.

Their faces had been fierce and unforgiving, their voices low and intimidating, and every move they made had an edge that left no doubt these men would do whatever it took to protect the people they loved.

I wasn’t afraid of them. Not really.

I just wasn’t sure I would ever want to spend a Sunday afternoon with them. But Brayden asked me to give them another chance. The second we stepped into that family room, the laughter drowned out everything else. The guys were carrying on and sipping their beers as they argued over the game that was playing on the television. The women were gathered in the back corner in various groups with their little ones, whispering and laughing like they were the best of friends.

I found myself hoping to be part of that little group someday.

Because this didn’t seem like a dangerous motorcycle club. Nothing of the sort. Instead, it was family. A big, boisterous family who always had each other’s backs.

I don’t know what had changed. I could only assume that the concerns they’d had with Raymond, or those photographs were no longer an issue. I asked Brayden about it, but he was quick to say it was handled and that I shouldn't worry.

That was easier said than done, but as I looked around the room at all the smiling faces, I couldn’t help but think that all was right in the world. I glanced over at Brayden, and he was still right next to me with Anslee perched on his hip.

Goose and Grim were talking a mile a minute, and Anslee was listening to every word as she clung to the front of Brayden’s T-shirt, happily babbling at anyone who glanced in her direction. Grim smirked as he looked down at her and said, “It’s a good thing you look like your momma.”

“Hey, now. She looks like me, too,” Brayden complained.

“Don’t know about that.” Grim grimaced. “Maybe the eyes, but that’s about it.”

Like she’d been waiting for her cue, Anslee reached up and grabbed a fistful of Grim’s beard. He let out a little grunt as he whined, “Hey now. Easy on the grip. That shit’s still attached.”

“She’s got my smarts, too.”

“I see that.” Grim carefully untangled her tiny fingers from his beard and shook his head. “Kid’s got a hell of a grip.”

“She’s just keeping you in line,” Goose teased.

“Somebody needs to,” his ol’ lady called out from across the room.

I was still learning everyone’s name, but I was starting to get the hang of it. Or at least, I thought I was. Anslee giggled like she knew exactly what was going on, and I couldn’t help but smile. Watching her with Brayden and seeing how proud he was of her made my heart swell.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say she not only fit into this club world, but she thrived in it. A little girl with dark curls waltzed across the room with a little stuffed rabbit clutched close to her chest. She and the rabbit were adorable, and I wasn’t surprised when they’d both caught Anslee’s attention.

She started rocking against Brayden’s hip as she reached out her hand and said, “Bunny… bunn-nny.”

“Luna,” Grim called. “Come over and tell Anslee hi.”

She darted back over in our direction and smiled as she leaned against his leg. “Hi.”

“Hi, Luna. It’s really nice to meet you.” She smiled back, and I immediately asked, “Would you mind if Anslee and I came over to sit with you, your momma, and little brother?”

“Jax.”

“His name is Jax?”

“Um-hmm.”