A Family Man (22 page)

“
I can do that. I’m just getting in the way here.” He walked her to her car, then mounted his Harley and followed her to Joe’s apartment.

As she glanced into her rear view mirror, Beth couldn’t help but smile. Of all Joe’s brothers, Samson was her favorite. He would fool around and flirt with her without ever overstepping his boundaries, and it was clear that her man trusted him implicitly.

Joe grinned as he noticed Samson’s bike outside the apartment block. His former president had a soft spot for his old lady and had allowed himself to get dragged into packing their stuff away, ready to go into storage.

It hadn’t surprised him how well she got along with all his brothers. She was an easygoing girl and was always respectful of them and their old ladies. He suspected that some of the Friday night whores had been giving her a hard time, but when he’d questioned her about it, she’d insisted it wasn’t a problem and reassured him that if any of them gave her too much trouble she’d let him know. His grin broadened on entering the apartment and seeing Samson and his old lady crashed out on the sofa, her head resting on the big nomad’s shoulder and him snoring loudly. He maneuvered himself around the boxes that were scattered about the floor and kicked his brother on his boot.

“
Hey. You wearing my old lady out?”

Samson woke with a grunt. “Where the fuck you been?”

At the sound of his voice, Beth started to stir. Blearily she opened her eyes and stretched. “Oh, you’re back. Samson helped me pack everything. Seeing as you were too busy.”

“
Sarcastic bitch.” He pulled her to her feet and kissed her softly, ignoring the rolling eyes of his brother. “What’s that I can smell?”

“
Chili. It’s for the workers.”

“
I’m a worker, bitch. I’ve been out earning, while you’re cozying up to my brother.”

Beth grinned. “Jealous?”

“Nah, ugly fucker’s got nothing on me.”

“
Still here folks.” Samson stood and stretched. “How about you lend me your cage an’ I’ll take the chili to the workers.”

Joe and Samson loaded the pot of chili into her car and Samson set off to the clubhouse, where the guys would be waiting.

As soon as they were alone, Joe pounced. His mouth crashed down on her and he pushed her back onto the sofa. “Get naked.” Frantically he tried to undo the buttons on her shirt, growling with frustration as they resisted his fingers.

Laughing, Beth pushed his hands away and slowly unbuttoned her shirt and pulled off her jeans. “Could say the same to you, big man.”

Within seconds, he had removed his clothes and was inside her, not wanting to waste a second. Samson would be back soon and Amy was due back from the movies in less than an hour. Joe loved it when the apartment was empty and his girl could cry out as much as she liked. Maybe Amy staying at Barney’s would have its advantages.

As they lay in each others arms catching their breath, his hand found its way to her inner thigh and the words ‘Freak lady‘ that were inked there, for his eyes only. He smiled as his eyelids grew heavy. She had been seriously pissed when she realized what a sensitive area that was. Now though, she loved it as much as him. There was another, one that his brothers could see if she wore her hair up. It wasn’t big or ornate. Just the word ‘Tiny’ in cursive script on the back of her neck. It was all that was needed to mark her as his. Of course, it was only fair that he should do likewise, so now, on his shoulder blade, were her and Amy’s names and the word ‘family.’

At times like this, he couldn’t believe how lucky he was. She was so much better than him, and after being pushed to the sidelines for so long, she should have walked away. But she had waited until he finally opened his eyes and saw what had been in front of him all along.

“
Joe.” She nudged him in the ribs. Don’t fall asleep. Samson will be back soon, so will Amy.

He groaned and, sitting up, pulled on his jeans, all the time watching her as she did the same. “Have I ever told you that you’re one hot bitch?”

“Wow, you really have a way with words, Joe.”

“
I know. It’s part of my charm.”

~ oOo ~

When Samson let himself back in, they were fully dressed and sharing a joint. He took one look at the expressions on their faces, and grinned. “Is it possible for you two to go more than five minutes without jumping each other?”

“
Nah, she can’t keep her hands off me.”

Beth rolled her eyes and reluctantly got to her feet. “You want a beer, Samson?”

“Sure.” He waited until she had gone disappeared into the kitchen. “Just got a call from Vince. He needs a little help. Wondered if you wanted in.” He glanced over to the kitchen. “I know you got a lot on here, if you say no, that’s cool.”

Joe sighed. Beth wasn’t going to like it. “I’m in. Beth will be cool.”

“Beth will be cool about what?” She frowned. “You’re going away again.”

“
I’m sorry. You mad?”

Samson looked between the two and decided to make a strategic exit. If Beth was pissed, he was going to be in the firing line. He was a brave man who had stared at death a thousand times. But an angry woman? No way. There was a reason he’s never taken an old lady. “You two need to talk. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Joe barely acknowledged his brother as he left. All his focus was on his old lady. “You pissed?”

“Would it make any difference if I was?”

“
I dunno. No, probably not.” He sighed. “You know how it is, Beth.”

“
Yeah I do. I’m tired. I’m going to bed. You can wait up for Amy. she won't be long.”

“
Beth…”

“
Not now, Joe.”

~ oOo ~

“Hey.” Amy flopped down on the sofa and planted a sloppy kiss on his cheek. “What’s with the long face?”

“
Beth’s pissed.”

“
Really? Wow. You must have done something really bad. Beth never gets pissed at you.” Joe looked at his hands and she frowned. “Oh shit. You’re going away again. How long?”

“
Dunno. Not too long, I hope.”

“
Have you talked to her?”

“
She ain't in the mood for talking.”

“
Have you tried?”

“
Thought I’d give her some space”

“
So you’re just gonna let her stew? Space is the last thing she needs. You gotta show how much you love her. She understands that the club comes first, but it doesn’t mean she has to like it, and she’s probably terrified you’re gonna get hurt again.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. “Joe, you know I’m just a kid right? I shouldn’t be telling you how to do relationship stuff. Shit, I can’t even get a boyfriend. Just sort it out. Please.”

“
I will.” He kissed her forehead. “So why can’t you get a boyfriend? Are they blind?”

“
No, terrified of you. They think if they as much as look in my direction, you’ll kick their asses.”

“
Ah.”

“
Ah? Is that all you have to say?”

“
Well I might have mentioned to some little punks that were watching your ass, that if I caught them anywhere near you, I’d rip their heads from their shoulders.”

“
Oh way to go, Joe. I might as well go and live in a convent.” She stood up, rolling her eyes. “Talk to Beth. No point in us all being miserable.”

“
Okay, sugar. And don’t be mad at me, too. I need at least one of you to love me.”

“
We both love you. Although I’m not sure you deserve it.” She bent and kissed him on the cheek. “Night, Joe.”

“
Night, sugar. Sweet dreams.”

“C’mon, Beth. Don’t be pissed. I know you’re awake, turn over an’ talk to me.”

With a sigh, Beth turned over and opened her eyes. “I’m not pissed. Well, maybe I am a little, I heard Samson give you the chance to refuse.” She touched him softly on the chest. “We’re moving out on Saturday and I could use you around. And yes, before you say anything, I know you’ll make sure I’ll get help. It never occurred to you to say no, did it?”

“Truthfully, no. It’s what I do, what I’ve always done. I’m sorry, Beth, I thought you understood.”

“
I do.” She allowed him to pull her into his arms. “I would never try to come between you and the club. But after last time….”

“
It will be fine, I promise.”

“
That’s not something you can promise, Joe. We both know what you do puts you in the firing line. I love you and I don’t want to lose you. So no, Joe, I’m not pissed. I’m scared.”

“
Shit, baby girl. Why are you with me? You are gonna go through this time and time again. I’m sorry but I ain't gonna change. To tell the truth, I couldn’t if I tried.” He grinned as she snuggled into his chest. “I am glad I got you, though. You an’ Amy are my life, and I swear I will do whatever it takes to come home to you in one piece.”

With her hands on his cheeks, Beth kissed him. “You’re right, I will always hate it when you’re away. But I wouldn’t change one thing about you. The club has made you the man you are, so you being away, doing whatever it is you do for it is a small sacrifice. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love you, Joe Taylor, and I’ve always known that the club comes before everything. Just don’t get killed, okay?”

“I’ll do my best.” He pushed her onto her back and positioned himself between her legs. “You really are the best thing to ever happen to me. I love you too, girl. And now I’m gonna show you just how much.”

Beth giggled and wiggled her hips against his erection. “Ooooh, show me big man.” She gasped as his mouth came crashing down on hers with bruising ferocity.

His hand found its way down between her legs, and he grinned at how wet she was for him. “Dirty little bitch.” With a feather light touch, he teased and tormented her till she could stand it no longer and took matters into her own hands. “This what you want?” He plunged inside her, his eyes never leaving hers. He loved the look on her face as he fucked her. In fact there was nothing about her that he didn’t love.  

Samson looked up from his newspaper as a cold blast of air told him the door had opened. “Joe, brother. Still up for this run to Cali?”

“
Said I was, didn’t I?” Joe joined him on the couch. “When you planning on leaving?”

“
Tomorrow morning. Ain't no desperate rush. But Vince’s got some bunch of white trash shitheads selling meth in town, and you know that nothing happens in Bay View without being sanctioned by the club. Someone has to put those fuckers in their place.”

“
An’ that someone would be us, right?”

“
Right. Feds have been sniffing around. Vince’s plan is for us to take down the cookhouse and send a message to these shitheads while the chapter are all present and correct at a charity fundraiser being held that weekend, surrounded by lots of witnesses.”

Joe chuckled. “Vince’s always been one step ahead of the Feds. So, just you an’ me then?”

“Yeah, I figured we can take care of this between us. If the intel we’ve been given is correct, the cookhouse isn’t particularly well guarded and is well off the grid. We should be in and out before anyone notices, and the asshole running the operation lives on site, so we’ll be killing two birds with one stone.” Samson grinned. “The purse is two grand, easier to split it two ways. But if it turns out we do need some help, I got Spider and Fox in the area.”

“
Okay. I need to talk to the grunt ‘bout helping my old lady on Saturday, then I’m heading up to the house. I’ll meet you here in the morning.”

~ oOo ~

As he wandered around what was more construction site than house, Joe couldn’t shake that guilty feeling. Beth had been project managing the build while working full time and somehow there was always a decent meal on the table for him and Amy to come home to every evening. He had no idea where she found the time; he swore there weren’t enough hours in the day. He had helped with work on the house, but most of his efforts had been on trying to keep the cash rolling in. Seattle wasn’t a rich chapter, and there wasn’t the opportunity to earn in the way he did as a nomad. He still worked at Seattle Auto, but the money he earned there wasn’t enough to cover the mortgage and the cost of building materials on top of his ma's meds and home care. Even with Beth’s salary they were beginning to struggle financially. The purse from Bay View would be a big help in keeping the wolf from the door for another month, and not having to pay rent on his apartment would ease things a little in the future. He knew, though, that without him taking these jobs, they would still be living in a RV in a year’s time.