Page 85 of Bleed Me

Amazed, Justice agreed, “Had Grace not been sick, Giver would have been too drunk to ever remember a biker bragging.” My girl had found her a sign and wasn’t going to miss this advantage. “Torque, can you get me some—”

“Pics?” He smirked, already knowing where she was headed. “Sure thing.” With photographs, Justice could do an image search on the internet and get us some identities.

Lynx nibbled on the inside of his cheek. “Yeah, before we school these punks, let's find out if someone sent them. It just doesn’t feel right. If you know us, why poke a bear?”

Our chapter was the mothership. If Lynx put out the word, he could make it rain bullets.

“Maybe they think this bear is sleeping. We’ve had quite the calm streak.” Dagger suggested, “Someone is thinkin’ we’ve gone soft? Complacent?”

Far from being concerned or afraid, Lynx cracked his knuckles while stretching his arms above his head. “Things have been a little boring. Maybe we need to remind whoever is watching, we don’t sleep… Speaking of,” he laughed, “I’m tired as fuck. Let’s shut her down with one last note. Our boy Giver here has asked Captain to marry him.”

The Stall went eerily quiet. I was lost to why this marriage proposal was so important.

Lynx fought an emotional response. “And she has said yes.”

Grown ass, badass, deadly bikers all gasped. Then they exploded into celebration.

What’s going on?I assumed they would be happy for us, but this was so much more. They were all on their feet, elated!

Dagger pointed to me as he walked around the table of men, fighting emotions, then yanked me into a hug that felt like a father being proud of his son. “Best decision of your life, boy. Besides Gracie, this is the girl for you.” Swallowing—really not wanting to cry in front of my brothers—I nodded but couldn’t speak. He whispered in my ear, “You may never know what you’ve done for us, but thank you. We weren’t sure we would ever see the day.” After patting my back, he grabbed my shoulders so he could look at me. Almost to himself, he said, “Giver just keeps on givin’.”

That’s when I finally noticed all the embraces Justice was receiving by men who saw her in so many different roles; a sister, a daughter, a friend, but most of all, a Stallion. And each and every Stallion brother of hers was so full of gratitude as if they had truly believed Justice would never be a mother nor wife.

Ah, shit. I grabbed my chest while watching her, and whispered to Dagger, “Don’t let her change her mind, right?” I needed one last bit of his advice to move forward. Tonight was the night with Sapphire. She had called before the meeting, telling us that she was ovulating.

“See her through it, Giver. Be the man she needs.”

Even though Justice and I experienced a heartfelt end to the meeting, we were both quiet and almost solemn, her holding me tight as I rode us to Saph’s house. Inside, Saph greeted us, quickly reading our mood. She quietly said, “Grace has been down for a couple of hours. You guys need to see her?”

Justice nodded, her eyes slipping shut.

The three of us stood silently, staring at the little beauty sleeping in the crib. Gracie’s arms were sprawled like she didn’t have a worry in the world.

Saph whispered, “She is worth the sacrifice we’re making for her.”

Justice and I nodded… then followed Saph into her bedroom.

It was wild to have just been receiving praise for a marriage proposal and now be standing naked in another woman’s bedroom. Someone should write a book about my life.

In a short nightgown, Sapphire was off to the side, letting Justice and I take the lead in this awkward situation. Saph had the clinical attitude that I was simply a doctor visit for her. Her eyes stayed to the floor as she waited, no present emotion from her other than pity for the now engaged couple who was in uncharted waters.

Lay down? Stay standing? Look at Saph? Bend her over? What the fuck have I got myself into? “Babe, I may need you to spell this one out for me. I, uh… Babe?”

Fully clothed, Church Eyes was staring at the mattress as if it were alive and deadly to her mental wellbeing. Every part of me wanted to scoop her shocked body up into my arms and run out of Saph’s home, but Dagger’s words haunted me. I trusted that old coot. He had known Justice for way longer than I had. Was it time for me to be the man of this relationship and give my girl a way out? Or the man Dagger claimed I had to be.

“Saph—”

She held up her hands. “Giver, you do what is best for the both of you. Don’t worry about me right now.”

Thankful, I nodded and focused on the woman I hoped to never steer wrong. I stepped to face her and took hold of both her hands. My voice was deep and full of honesty. “I’m in love with you.” Church Eyes found mine. “I want—I need you by my side in every step of my life.” Her eyes began to fill with tears. “Let me have you as close as possible right now.” Slowly, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to hers. It was a passionate kiss, but not sexually. It was a caring one, begging for trust. It was one I hoped would entrance her, connect her to me so I could walk her past a hurdle she didn’t see coming when desiring another child. Justice thought she would be fine sharing me.

She wasn’t.

I appreciated that.

But I loved her too much to not see her through. “Don’t take those beautiful eyes from mine.” Still holding her hands, I stepped back toward the bed until I felt it. After sitting, I pulled her to stand between my legs. I pointed to my eyes. “Right here.”

She nodded.