Avenging Angel by Naomi Porter

25

Storm

I’d called Tina to stay with Madeline once we got to our bedroom. I didn’t want to leave my Angel. Not for a second. It was hard enough waiting in the hallway when she was in Tara’s room. The distance away from Madeline killed me, but I’d relented for her.

Now I hugged her, trying to rip myself away to go downstairs to deal with Justin. I wasn’t strong enough for this shit. I needed a break. Needed my woman in my arms and the rest of the fuckin’ world to stay out of our way.

She kissed my neck. “I’ll be okay.” The sound of her voice didn’t match her words. She was putting up a good front, but I knew better. Like me, she was barely holding on.

I dug my phone out of my pocket. “I’ll call Raul. He can deal with Justin.”

She covered my hand with hers. “No, I’m okay.”

“You’re not, Madeline. After everything you just went through. You can’t hide it from me. You’re slowly crumbling. I need to be here for you like you’ve always been for me.” I softly brushed my thumb along her jaw.

Was she out of her ever-loving mind? Maybe she was after the nightmare she’d gone through.

“Please. It sounds serious. I heard Justin say he wanted out. Out of the club, right?”

Tina gasped. “Sorry.” She grimaced.

“See? This is serious, Storm. Go handle it. I’ll be here. Tina’s with me.”

I cradled her face in my hands, careful to not hurt her. “Fine. Call me if you need me. I’ll come running. I won’t be long.”

“I’m just going to clean up.” Her face twisted in disgust.

“I’ll be back before you’re finished.” I dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose to avoid her bruised cheeks.

“I’m sure you will.” Her voice sounded strong. Damn, she was convincing. But she didn’t fool me. The faster I went to settle this shit with Justin, the faster I could return to her. Then nobody better bother us until I gave the all-clear.

“Tina, if she needs anything,” I told her in a warning tone, “call me.”

“I have my phone right here.” She shook it in front of her.

“I hate leaving you after I just got you back, Angel.”

Her hand cradled my cheek. “Then hurry back to me.” She pushed me toward the door. “Go.”

Reluctantly, I left my whole world again. I stalked down the stairs, pissed as fuck. The rumble of voices eddied out of the bar. My dad’s louder than the rest. I turned the corner, heading down the hallway toward my office. When I entered, Justin and Raul were waiting for me.

“Let’s get this done. My woman needs me,” I barked out, shutting the door, not caring about anyone else’s feelings. I dropped into my chair and leveled my eyes on Justin.

“I want out—today. I’m taking my Emilee and leaving.” Justin held an unyielding gaze.

I dragged my hand down my face. Tired. I was so fuckin’ exhausted. “I get it, brother. The last couple of days have been hell. I want to take Madeline away and hide from the rest of the world, but I can’t. The club is our life.”

Justin shook his head. “No. Emilee is my life. I almost lost her. Laura must’ve been turning in her grave.” He teared up, shaking his head. “I’m out. For my daughter’s safety, I gotta go.”

Raul looked sidelong at Justin. “Emilee’s an adult, Justin. She’s in love with my nephew. They’re having a baby.”

Justin flew out of his chair, pointing his finger at Raul. “I don’t give a fuck about your nephew! Every man in the club knows to stay away from my daughter. My. Daughter. I should beat him within an inch of his life.” He gripped his head between his hands. “She’s all I have. She’ll go where I say she goes!”

Dammit, I knew where Justin was coming from. If it were me in his shoes, I’d drag my kid kicking and screaming too.

“So you just want out?” I asked. “Why not take a leave of absence. A couple of weeks or a month. Clear your head, but don’t quit the club. Don’t turn in your cut.”

“My mind is made up. Put it to a vote.” Justin exhaled a labored breath. “Now, preferably. I have Emilee packing. I want to go as soon as possible.”

I flicked my eyes to Raul. “Do we have enough members in the bar to vote?”

Raul sighed, lifting out of the chair. “Yeah. I’ll get Hero’s proxy and explain what’s going on to the rest in the bar.” He left the office.

I leveled my gaze at Justin as I rocked in my chair. “A leave of absence would be better. If I fill your spot at the table, that’s it. You can’t get it back.”

“I know, Storm. I’m not going to change my mind. I’m too old for the club life. Too damn tired to be a one-percenter. Living and dying for the club isn’t what I want anymore. I need to think about Emilee.”

“Does she know you’re getting out?”

His eyes went to the floor as he leaned against the wall, shoving his hands into his pockets. “No. I’m taking her back to school and will stay with her. Find an apartment where she can live with me. I’ll get a job. Have a normal life.”

I snorted. “There’s no such thing as normal, brother. You know that.”

“I need to do this, Storm. I won’t put her life in danger again.”

Justin wasn’t a fool. He was unhinged. Having the shit scared out of a person did that. If he wanted out of the club, I’d let him go.

“You could talk to Abe. See if he knows of any job prospects.” Fargo wasn’t far from my cousin’s territory. He’d know what’s available.

“Nah. I want no affiliation to the Knights. Sorry, brother.”

I stood and went to the door. “Let’s get this over with so I can get back to my woman.”

Everyone was gathered in the bar. I could cut the tension with a knife, it was so thick. Not once had a member wanted out. Only two members had ever been kicked out of the club, years before my time as president.

“Brothers,” I shouted. “Do you understand what this vote is for?”

They grunted.

“Justin wants out of Knight’s Legion MC. His position at the table as secretary will be open. A new member will be voted in by the council when I deem the time is right. Understand?”

They grunted.

I put my arm on Justin’s back. “Are you sure?”

He issued a short nod. “Yes.”

In a situation like this, it wasn’t likely anyone would vote against Justin leaving the club. A vote was a futile part of the process. So rather than ask who was in favor, I asked, “Does anyone oppose releasing Justin from the club?” I scanned the bar, making eye contact with my brothers. Not one spoke.

“Where is she?” Dodge stormed into the bar. So much for no one speaking. Heads turned his way.

“None of your goddamn business,” Justin yelled. “Stay away from my daughter or I’ll kill you.”

Shit, I didn’t need this. “Track. Boxer.” I jerked my head toward Dodge. They both grabbed an arm and held him back. It did no good. Dodge was a big motherfucker. I understood his desperation, but he’d betrayed Justin’s trust. It was time for him to learn a hard, painful lesson.

Justin pointed his finger at him. “If you go near my daughter, you’re dead.”

“She’s my woman. I claimed her. You can’t keep her from me.” Dodge struggled to get loose from Track and Boxer. “She’s having my baby, you sonofabitch,” he roared, getting red in the face.

My phone stole my attention in my back pocket. I took it out and my heart jolted. “Tina, what is it?”

“You need to get up here now,” she choked out through tears.

“Raul put him in the quiet room. Handle the rest,” I shouted, running out of the bar.

My bedroom door was open, Tina waited beside it. “She went in to shower and has been sobbing. The door is locked. I couldn’t get in. I’m sorry.”

I checked the doorknob like an idiot. “Angel, open the door.” Jesus, I was fuckin’ stupid. Like she could hear me over the shower and her wailing.

My heart thundered in my chest as I heard my woman in agony. The door locked from the inside and didn’t have a key so I kicked the door open. Dramatic? I didn’t fuckin’ care. I was desperate to get to my girl. Tina and I rushed in.

I choked back a gasp, seeing Madeline on the shower floor, curled into a ball.

“Fuck, baby.” I pulled off my boots and cut. “I got this, Tina.” I ripped off my T-shirt and unzipped my jeans. “Lock the bedroom door on your way out.”

She was gone as my jeans came off.

Stepping into the shower, I scooped up my girl and sat with her on the floor. “Baby, I’m here. I’ve got you.”

Her arms went around my waist, clinging to me as her sobs filled the steamy air in the shower. Jesus, I died inside. I should’ve never left her. I knew she was hanging on by a thread, and I let her down again.

“It’s my fault. I should’ve listened to you. I’m so so sorry.”

I held the back of her head with one hand, the other wrapped around her. It wasn’t enough to stop her body from shaking. She was so undone I doubted she’d hear anything I said. I knew the state she was in. The personal hell where she’d locked herself. I knew that place intimately, having lived in it for twelve years after Tommy’s death.

But my Angel? The light in my darkness? She should never be in such a desolate place. I wouldn’t let her drown in guilt like I had all those years, filled with anger and hatred toward myself.

No, I wouldn’t let my beautiful, kind, loving woman fall. I wouldn’t let her break. Or shut down. I’d carry her, pour my strength into her.

It wasn’t time for words—only tenderness, understanding, and love.

I reached for her shampoo, lathering up her wet hair. I messaged her scalp, hoping it would relax her. By the time I conditioned her hair and rinsed the suds out, she’d calmed a little. Helping her to her feet, I braced her against my chest. I squeezed her favorite body wash onto a poof and cleaned her backside. Madeline rested her head on my chest, her body still trembling as she exhaled several times. I felt her release some tension. She let me pull her away to wash her front, arms, and legs. I went slow, hoping to relax her further.

My chest burned, feeling like it would cave in. I hurt so goddamn much for my Angel. What happened with the Hunters wasn’t her fault. She and her friends should’ve been able to go out without fear of being taken. Nobody should be afraid to go outside their home. To go to the store or out to lunch. But evil had roamed the earth since the beginning of time. Being my woman put a target on her back, bringing danger straight for her.

Hell, as much as I wanted to take the blame, I had to accept it wasn’t all my fault. The Dirty Hunters were vile and corrupt. A group of lowlifes. They didn’t care about anything or anyone but themselves. Dawg was a selfish monster. My club did everything we could to drive them out of Minnesota. But they’d had Deputy Fuckin’ Miller’s help. No wonder we couldn’t find where they’d been hiding. Miller would get his. He’d rue the day he ever messed with my woman.

I turned the water off once Madeline’s body was free of soap. After squeezing the water out of her hair, I opened the glass door and reached for a large towel. She walked into it as I held it open. I dried her off, then myself.

“Come on, baby.” I picked her up, cradling her in my arms, and carried her to bed.