Page 35 of Savage Bond

When my gaze returns to Porter, I don’t find anger staring back at me. His brows are furrowed as he takes in how we are with each other. He’s watching how I comfort his daughter and how she’s reaching for my free hand and intertwining our fingers.

“I’ll be moved out by Friday. My cut will be on the table in the assembly before I leave.” I lift my chin and keep my voice free from emotion.

“Excuse me?” Porter rears back like I just slapped him.

“Porter, I'm not playing games. If I can’t date Roxy because I'm a patched member, then I won't be a member anymore. I'm out. I don’t want to leave the Savage Wolves, but I refuse to walk away from her. She’s all that’s ever mattered to me. She’s the only woman I’ve ever seen a future with and I'm not letting you ruin that.”

“Really?” He pinches his lips together, but his features are emotionless.

“Let’s be honest, your rule is stupid. It’s completely idiotic to say the girls can’t date a club member. We’re the only ones who can keep them safe. Do you really think some random guy from town will keep Roxy safe from other clubs? Really? Do you think he’ll even be able to handle someone as stubborn and strong as my girl? Because I’ve seen more men tuck tail and run in the opposite direction, than I’ve seen stick around to get to know her. Most men look at her and see a woman who’s too difficult to deal with. One who won't go with the flow and will cause issues more often than not. She won't put up with some mother-in-law telling her how to parent her children or how leather and lace isn’t appropriate after she’s a mom. She’ll cause enough waves that a weak man won't stick around. Is that really what you want?”

“And what do you see when you look at my daughter?”

“Me?” I ask with a chuckle. I stare down at my girl before I even attempt to answer. “When I look at this gorgeous woman beside me, I see someone driven. Someone who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and fight her own battles. She doesn’t want someone to control her life or deal with things for her. She wants a partner who will stand by her side and fight the demons with her. She wants someone who will stand back and give her a chance to solve her own problems. I see a woman who’s terrified of letting anyone in because she doesn’t think she’s worthy of their attention. I see a woman who’s been convinced she’s too much work and has started to believe that. More than anything, I see the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. The mother to my future children.”

Roxy’s staring up at me when I finish. She wipes a tear from her eyes and wraps her arms around my neck. She’s hugging me as tightly as she can. Like if she doesn’t hold on tight enough, I’ll disappear from her life forever.

“You’d really be willing to walk away from the club for her?”

“I’d be willing to set the world on fire and watch it burn if it means keeping her in my life and being able to call her mine,” I growl, tightening my hold on Roxy.

“It seems you’ve already made up your mind. Why did you want to talk to me?”

“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to leave the club. That you’d respect the fact I'm coming to you and not sneaking around behind your back. That you’d consider all of the times I’ve put my life on the line to protect Roxy and know that you can trust your daughter with me. But I guess none of that matters. You’re only willing to bend the rules for Storm. Like I said, I’ll be out of here by Friday.”

“No! You can’t leave the club,” Roxy sobs into my shoulder. Her entire body is shaking.

I forget all about Porter. He doesn’t matter, nor does his opinion. Instead, I tug Roxy onto my lap and she instantly wraps her arms and legs around me. I run a gentle hand up and down her back, trying to calm her down.

“Don’t worry about me, Rox. I’ll find a new place to live and we can be together. It will take me a little bit of time, but I’ll make it work.”

“But you love the club! You belong here.”

“I do love it, but that doesn’t matter. I love you more.” I close my eyes as I rest my head against hers. I’ve never seen her so upset.

“I'm moving with you. I won't stay here if you’re not here,” she whispers, but it’s loud enough for Porter to hear her.

“You’re not moving, Roxy,” Porter growls.

And just like that, Roxy loses it.

Chapter 21

Roxy

“You’re not moving, Roxy,” Dad growls.

I pull back and spin around to face him so quickly I almost fall off of Chopper’s lap. He’s quick and catches me before I can land on the ground, but I don’t say a word. I'm too focused on what Dad just said.

“Excuse me? What did you just say to me?” I try to stand to my full height, but Chopper wraps his arms around my waist, locking me in place.

“I said, you’re not moving. This is your home, I won't let you leave.” Dad folds his arms across his chest as he relaxes back into the chair.

“You won't let me? I don’t remember asking your permission! I’m a grown woman and I don’t need your permission to do anything! If I wanted to move to Alaska and marry an Eskimo, you couldn’t stop me!”

“You really think I couldn’t stop you?” Dad arches a brow.

“What are you going to do? I love him! I want to marry him! Why is it ok for Dixie to be happy, but not me?” I struggle against Chopper’s arms again, but he won't let me go. “Let me go, Chopper!”