Avenging Angel by Naomi Porter

27

Storm

It’d been a couple of weeks since the hell we’d all endured. Madeline was recovered physically, sans the small cut near her eye. Emotionally it would take some more time.

Today was AJ’s memorial out at Wennberg Pond. I held Madeline close as we watched Raul release AJ’s ashes. All club members, prospects, and kittens were in attendance.

There were also a few unexpected guests: Madeline’s parents and my dad and his family. Too busy with my role in the memorial, I had yet to speak to any of them.

When the service was over, we congregated to the clubhouse for the barbecue.

My Angel was doing better. She was the fiercest woman I knew, but she wasn’t indestructible. Or made of iron.

At the silo, she’d done what was needed for everyone’s safety. Her sacrifice had left her emotionally fragile. She cried at the drop of a hat. Had nightmares every night. It cut me deep when I held her trembling body and listened to her whimpers until she settled back asleep. She tried like hell to resume her usual activities, like cooking with Sugar and Tina and hanging out in the bar with me. None of it was easy, yet she persevered—determined to not let the Hunters break her.

None of it had been easy for me either. The few times I needed to go into town to meet with Sheriff Hendricks tore me apart. I worried nonstop about Madeline, unable to relax until I had her in my arms.

Without asking, I led my girl to her parents’ table. They’d wanted to come out to see us both after Madeline had called them last week. It just happened they could only come this weekend. Tara and Stephanie were seated at their table. Madeline’s friends had been spending more time at the clubhouse. Tara had a room in the basement. Madeline had begged her to stay, not wanting her alone. Hero had demanded Roja remain at the compound. Between the two of them, of course I made Tara a home within our care.

“Mom, Dad.” Madeline rushed over to them. She hugged one and then the other. Love filled the air. It wrapped around me like a vice, stealing the air from my lungs.

My chest tightened as I felt a familiar emotion: unconditional love. Neither shot me a glaring look. They were the same, kind folks I remembered.

“How are you, sweetie?” Mrs. Hamilton asked.

“Better.” Madeline reached her hand out to me. “Remember Kaleb?” she whispered my name. “Call him Storm from now on.”

“They don’t have to, Angel.” I nodded to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton. “Sir.” I extended my hand.

Thomas gave me a once-over before shaking. “I hardly recognize you, son.”

My heart slammed into my chest. Son. It was what he used to call me.

Madeline squeezed my hand, tugging me out of my shock.

“Yes, sir. I’ve changed quite a bit. Mrs. Hamilton, it’s good to see you.” I’d never been so nervous. Did they blame me for what happened to Madeline? I’d been too chicken shit to ask if she’d told them about the Dirty Hunters—at least the parts I’d given her permission to talk about.

“Aww, it’s Sara.” She hugged me. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. AJ was a good guy.” We pulled back at the same time.

The four of us looked at each other, waiting for someone to speak. My heart raced as my imagination threatened to take me down a dark tunnel, to a life where I didn’t have my Angel.

What if they convinced her to dump me?

“You can relax, son. We’re not going to give you the third degree about anything. Maddy told us about the baby and how much she loves you. Congratulations, Daddy.” Thomas winked, putting his hand on my shoulder. His easy-going attitude hadn’t changed. I respected the hell out of him.

Daddy.

Shit, I needed a drink. In my pocket was the ring I’d bought Madeline weeks ago. When she told me her parents were coming to AJ’s service, I figured it was the perfect time to ask for her dad’s blessing. Thought he might want to see the ring.

Tonight, I planned to propose. No fancy dinner or anything, just me keeping it simple. I knew Madeline didn’t want anything else. She’d said as much, a dozen times. Clearly, she suspected I’d ask her to marry me.

“We can’t wait to be grandparents.” Sara reeled Madeline in for a hug. “How’ve you been feeling, honey?”

“Let’s sit.” Madeline pulled out a chair.

“I’ll get us some drinks.” I needed a minute to regroup. The Hamiltons hadn’t changed one bit. I hadn’t needed to worry.

“I’ll join you,” Thomas said as I turned toward the bar.

“Copper, Jack and an IPA, lemonade for Angel. What will you have?” I asked Thomas.

“I like how you call her Angel.” He studied me for a painfully long second. “Ask me.” He smirked, then told Copper, “Two drafts.”

Did he mean what I thought he meant? “Ask what, sir?”

“For my blessing.” Always a straight shooter, like Madeline.

Copper set the whiskey in front of me. I tossed back my liquid courage and embraced the burn. “You know, I never imagined I’d fall in love and want to get married. Madeline changed all of that.”

The pride and love in his blue eyes hit me square in the chest. “She’s a remarkable woman.”

“She is.” I took a long pull of my beer. “I can’t live without her.”

“She told us the same about you. With a baby on the way, you’ll be forever bound to each other. You ready for forever with Maddy?” He watched me earnestly.

“Yes.” There was no question in my mind.

“No hesitation. That’s all I needed. You have my blessing, son.” He gave me a fatherly hug as Madeline made her way toward us.

She sidled up next to me. “Everything okay?”

“Just catching up, Angel.” I dropped a kiss on her lips. Relief rushed through my veins now that I knew where I stood with Thomas.

My dad appeared. “Storm, Jane and I would like to meet your Angel.”

“I’ll take this to Sara.” Thomas took the mugs of beer and left.

My dad hadn’t met Madeline after the rescue. She’d hid in our bedroom for days. When he left, he said he’d be back soon. For once, he kept his word.

I put my arm around my girl and introduced her. “Angel, this is my dad, David and his wife, Jane.”

“It’s nice to meet you both.” She shook their hands.

“The pleasure is ours.” Jane waved over the girls. “These are our daughters, Hannah and Megan.”

“Hi,” Maddy waved.

My half-sisters sure had grown since the last time I saw them. Dad had told me they were in high school. Hannah was a junior and Megan was a freshman. I nodded to them.

It was strange watching my dad act like a family man. He was never this way with my mom. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.

“I want you to know, I’m happy Storm found you,” my dad said. “I remember how he doted on you back home in Garrison. He called you a little firecracker. Of course, back then, you were a scrawny little girl. But you’ve blossomed into a beautiful woman.”

Who the hell was this guy? I couldn’t believe he remembered any of that. Jesus, I needed another shot.

Madeline giggled. “Thank you. We’ve both changed a lot. Has he told you the news?” She peered up at me.

I shook my head.

David narrowed his gaze. “What news?”

“Tell him.” She patted my stomach.

“We’re having a baby,” I blurted like an idiot. Being around my dad made me fuckin’ uncomfortable.

David’s eyes bulged. “No shit? I’m going to be a granddad?” He grinned, his stormy gray eyes glittering. “Did you hear that, honey? We’re going to be grandparents.” He threw his arms around Madeline and me, hugging both of us at the same time.

Was I in the Twilight Zone?

“Thank you, Mr. Knight.” Madeline fisted my shirt. I could read her like a book. She was just as confused and overwhelmed by my dad.

“David, call me David.” He tightened his embrace and shook us. Excitement radiated off him. I swear, I’d never seen him this way before.

“When is the baby due?” Jane pulled David away and hugged us. All this acting like we were close was irritating me. But I held it together for my woman. She was having a good day despite her sadness over AJ. Talking about the baby always made her happy. I would endure anything to keep a smile on her pretty face.

“The end of May. I’m hoping our little peanut stays in until school is out.” Madeline patted her belly and flicked her baby blues up to mine. Her returning to work was a sore subject. After everything she’d been through, she still wanted to start work the day after Labor Day. The only reason I agreed was that she promised to not leave the building. I’d drop her off and pick her up, and a prospect would sit in the parking lot all day.

“How wonderful! Are your parents excited? I bet they are. I’m hoping you’ll bring the baby to Garrison often. Oh, it would be so wonderful to spend holidays together…” Jane ran away at the mouth. It wasn’t fair to her, but I could hardly stomach being around the woman. I wasn’t quite sure why. She seemed to make my dad happy and wasn’t the reason my mom left. I’d just never met anyone, so… sugary sweet.

Movement out of the corner of my eye drew my attention. Hero stumbled in, a bottle of tequila in his hand. Dammit. I’d wondered where he went after the service.

“Excuse me.” I interrupted Jane. She hadn’t stopped talking. Not that I was listening to anything she said. I’d tuned her out. My dad had wandered off to Raul’s table.

“I’ll be back, baby.” I kissed Madeline.

She peered around me toward Hero. “Sure. I hope he’s okay. I’ll be at my parents’ table.”

I went over to Hero and Track. “Hey, brother. Have you eaten?” I gripped Hero’s bicep.

“Don’t need food. I just wanted another bottle to take up to my room.” Cheap tequila wasn’t what he needed. The guy would be hugging the porcelain before the night was over.

I cut my gaze to Track’s, then told Hero, “Let’s get you some food first.” My brother had been a mess, drinking himself into the gutter all week. He felt responsible for the Hunters getting the jump on him. He’d been in the silo when Dawg had hit Madeline and forced her to strip. Yeah, Hero was fucked up. Fighting demons of the past and what he viewed as another failure for not protecting AJ and the women.

I knew this kind of pain and was sure AJ’s memorial didn’t help. Hero wasn’t handling the loss at all, hunkered down in his bedroom. I had to pull rank as his president and order him to stay in the clubhouse when he tried to leave. Patch wanted him watched, worried Hero was a danger to himself. Mentally, my brother was unstable. Survivor’s guilt had him on edge. I wasn’t sure what he might do. We were set to leave on the run Monday. I wanted him clear-headed.

“We need to get him sober,” Track muttered, helping to hold up Hero.

Wobbling against us, Hero was hellbent on drowning himself in booze. I didn’t want to put him in the quiet room, but if he didn’t get his head straight in the next twenty-four hours, I’d have no other choice. His well-being was my priority.

Tara appeared beside us. “Storm, can I help? Please, I need to help him.” The redhead’s eyes were glossy.

Track and I stared at each other. She’d been begging to see Hero since the day they were rescued, but Hero had refused. He didn’t want her anywhere near him. I didn’t understand it.

Who was I to decide for him?

“You can ask,” I told her, jerking my chin to Hero. Maybe Tara was what Hero needed like I had needed my Angel. My girl quieted my demons and healed me in ways I could never repay.

Tara went in front of him. “Hey, big guy. Let’s blow this joint and find a quiet place.”

Hero raised his head. “Rooojjjaaa.” He swayed on his feet. “Fuuuck.” His head bobbled as he checked her out. The dude was so wasted he didn’t even finish talking and closed his eyes.

She reached up and took his face in her hands. “Look at me.” He peeled his eyes open. “Let’s get out of here, okay?”

“Not off the compound,” I whispered, even though I was sure she knew better, but I wouldn’t take any chances with my SAA. Not after what just happened.

“Wa… meee?”

God almighty, what was he trying to say? The tequila bottle in his hand dropped to the floor, shattering as he reached for her. He hooked his arm around the back of her neck and smashed his lips to hers.

“Shit,” Track hissed as we tried to pull Hero off Tara.

Tara brushed us away. “No. No, it’s okay. I got him.” She was a little taller than Madeline, but Hero was twice her size. No chance she could get him up to his bedroom on her own.

“Help her get him upstairs,” I told Track. “If he gives you any trouble, Tara, get someone. My bedroom’s at the end of the hall. Don’t hesitate. He’s not in his right mind. I’m not sure what he’s capable of.”

“We’ll be fine, Storm. I can handle him.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Come on, big guy.”

“She wooves meee.” Hero slurred his words.

I shook my head at Track as he helped Tara drag Hero out of the bar. “Make sure they’re okay before you leave.”

Madeline took my hand. “Where are they going?”

I hugged her, burying my face in her neck, inhaling her into my lungs. I hoped Tara could do for Hero what Madeline did for me.

“They’re taking Hero to his room.” I dropped a kiss on her lips. “Did you get any food yet?” I pressed my hand to her stomach, where my baby was safe inside her.

“No. I was waiting for you.” She smiled so brightly I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Angel, you know you don’t have to wait for me. You need to eat so you can grow a healthy baby.”

“I’ll always wait for you. Forever.”