I yelled “Maddox! Come on, Buddy Roe! I’m going to be late.. I still have to drop you at school.” He hollered down to me he was coming. True to his word, he landed his little ten year old self in front of me from the staircase landing.

He grabbed his backpack and I shoved my phone in my back pocket. I asked “Jeep or bike? It’s still warm enough for the bike.” He grinned and grabbed his helmet. Reckon that’s my answer, then!

I climbed on my Harley Softtail Deluxe and backed it out of the garage. Maddox got on behind me, and we took off for the school. I was hugging the curves and flying low. Maddox loves speed.

Parked out in front of Pine Grove Elementary, I asked “You have everything, right? Homework? Lunch card? Inhaler? Maxi pads?” He grinned and said “You’re such a dork.” Then he walked off, dramatically sighing “Ohhh nooo! I forgot my maxi pads.. AGAIN!”

I started the bike.. laughing at his antics, and made my way to the diner. I walked into a pretty big breakfast crowd, for a Thursday. I smiled and told Ashley good morning.. before checking on my line cook and chef.

She smiled and said “I’m leaving at noon.. but I have Tammy coming in to cover you. The doctor wants to run some labs.. he’s worried about congenital diabetes with this baby. Seems he’s bigger than he should be.”

I asked “Even for a wolf? Does your doctor know you got knocked up by a wolf?” She shushed me and said “No one knows, Delaney! I only told you because you would have smelled it anyway.”

I made a face “Eww. When you say it like that, it sounds creepy.” She giggled “Dude! It IS creepy!” I laughed at her and my wolf, Iris huffed at her.

I set about rolling silverware for lunch and dinner.. and Ashley asks “Hey! Did you hear about the motorcycle club moving to town?” I shook my head and she continued “They bought that five hundred acres with those old campgrounds. Wolf warriors or something.”

I perked up “Wolf warriors? Do you think? Could it be Warrior Wolves? That club that has mostly rejected wolves as their members? If so.. this town just got a whole lot safer. They’re feral rogue hunters.”

She shrugs and tells me “Well. I’m sure I don’t know. There was just a biker in this morning.. at the asscrack of dawn. Before I even got coffee started.. saying his club was moving to town and he was just hanging out.. waiting on Mr. Donaldson over at the bank.”

Again, I nodded. Not that I don’t care.. because I do. A bike club would bring in a lot of business.. and that can only help me out! I smiled at Ashley and said “Hey! Fresh meat! For all you know, your future ex-husband is a member.. a Biker AND a Wolf? Mega jackpot, right there!”

She cracked up and responded “You just can’t help it, can you? Do you make a conscious effort every morning to be a bitch, when you crawl out of bed?” I laughed and said “Hell no! That shit just comes naturally!” Making her laugh, again.

I asked “Did you remind Tammy she’s on her own from three to six? It’s Thursday.. and Maddox has training.” She said “Shit! No! I will text her right now.” She looked around for her phone.. then said “Give me your phone.”

I laughed “Lost it again, did ya?” and handed her my phone. She muttered shut up and texted Tammy. She handed my phone back and said “You have a message from Maddox’s teacher.. something about maxi pads.”

I choked on my own spit. That boy! I texted her back.. explaining it was just a joke between Maddox and myself, and I would take care of it.

I went to the kitchen to see if Chef needed my help prepping for dinner.. but he said no. I have line cooks for the standard daily fare. But Chef works Thursday through Saturday evenings.. for a more substantial, upscale cuisine. It works well for the people in town.

We got through lunch, and Ashley took off for the doctor. Congenital diabetes, my left tit! That baby is half wolf.. he’s going to be bigger! I left at 2:45 to grab Maddox from school.. and hurried home.

We changed into our black combat clothes.. and I threw the duffle bag in the back of the Jeep. I drove out to the old abandoned farm we had found our first weekend here.

I had set up a training ground for Maddox to hone his weapons skills. I don’t know if Marcus is coming for us.. but my little brother will not end up like my mother!

Getting out of the Jeep, I asked “What do you want to work on first?” He shrugged and told me “Archery.. I’m better at that, than knives. And katana is always saved for last! It’s my favorite!” I grinned and said “Mine, too!”

We ran our routines.. and I am so impressed with his accuracy and agility. His speed is increasing, too. His instincts are good and he never freezes. I grinned and said “Next week, we will start on moving targets. You have gotten good enough, we need to step it up!”

He laughed “Yeah. I still don’t want to run the course blindfolded.. like you do. I don’t have that extra boost to my senses, that’s all you!” I told him “You have extra something, Buddy Roe! You’re accurate, as hell.. and fast. Your instincts are on par with a wolf’s.”

I took him home to have dinner and do his homework. Mrs. Sutton from across the street came to babysit, until I closed the diner.

Back at work, I was restocking the cooler and Tammy said “About time you made it back! I had a rush at four. Was in the weeds for an hour!” I straightened up and looked her over “You realize I am the person who signs your paycheck, right?”

She nodded and I snarled “Then what gives you the right to use that tone with me? I won’t tolerate disrespect Tammy! From anyone!”

She sneered “You know what?! I don’t give a fuck! I quit! That new M.C. is taking applications for club girls. Free room and board. A clothing allotment and two hundred cash a week!”

I laughed and asked “You’d rather be a club whore than work in my diner? I wish you luck, young one! I hear initiation is a bitch!”

She scoffed “Not a whore, you idiot. A club girl.” I busted out laughing..” Never been around a bike club, have you? Well! I wish you luck. Now, get your shit and clock out. I will have your final check cut in ten minutes.”

I texted Ashley that we have to run an ad.. I need a new server

Maddox wanted to spend the day at the diner with me.. so I brought him to work. I had texted his best friends’ mother to see if Hunter could join Maddox for an afternoon matinee.. I know he will get bored.

I had finished clearing breakfast dishes and had set all the tables with placemats and silverware, for the lunch crowd.

We still haven’t put on a new server yet. But the ad has only been out for two days. Saturday mornings are usually Ashley’s shift.. but this pregnancy is hitting her hard.

The curse of being the owner means I turn more key to key shifts than I care to think about. That’s okay, though. I signed up for it. I have to provide for Maddox..

Running away with him before I was even seventeen, was necessary. I wasn’t going to wait around for Marcus to hurt Maddox.. or me! I waited until I heard the sirens and jumped out my bedroom window. With Maddox piggybacking to my mom’s car.

I jumped in and took off. Marcus was arrested and I was three states over, by the time I ditched the car. We rode a train west.. ended up in Pine Grove. Here we are.. five years later.. and thriving.

Marcus was sentenced to ten years.. and that scares me to death. I am technically guilty of kidnapping.. and I really don’t want to have to kill my brother’s father.. but I will. Maddox is my kid! I won’t risk his life!

The door dinged, and I looked at the clock.. realizing the lunch crowd is starting. I yelled at Harry, the line cook.. “Could you fix a grilled cheese and cheesy fries for Maddox? I’ll come grab it in a minute.”

I saw three bikers at the front and walked over. “Follow me, gentlemen.. and I will be right with you.” I seated them and got them some water.

I took an apple juice over to Maddox and he asked if he could play a game on my phone. Handing it to him, I said “Game. No YouTube!” He nodded and I went back to the biker table.

I asked if they’d decided on drinks.. and they all ordered coffee. I brought it back to them.. dropping Maddox’s food.. telling him “At least two thirds.. or no movie matinee.” He grinned and dug in.

I stopped back at the bikers and asked if they knew what they wanted. They ordered burgers and fries. One of them said “Cute kid? Yours?” I grinned and said “Yep! Spit him out just after my eleventh birthday.”

As I walked away, I heard his buddies chuckling at him. I had three more tables seated by the time the bikers food was up. I dropped their order and got water delivered to my other tables.

By the time the other tables were served, the bikers were done. I cleared their table and dropped the check. The largest of the three said “I’m Venom.. President of the Warrior Wolves. We just moved here and I gotta tell ya. You’re the first person to treat us with any normalcy. I mean, we’re used to it.. but sometimes, the stares and the rudeness are a bit much. I just wanted to thank you.”

I grinned “Give it time. It’s a small town. Everyone knows everybody.. they take a while to warm up to new people. I was in your shoes five years ago. I’m Delaney, by the way.”

He nodded and they left.. Just as Hunter and his mother came in. She smiled at me and said she would take the boys to the movies.. and that was one less worry off my afternoon.

I was clearing tables when I realized Venom had left a hundred dollar tip on a forty dollar ticket! Damn! I could get used to that.

The rest of the day was uneventful.. I had enough time to take Maddox home so Mrs. Sutton could get him ready for bed. I rode my bike back for the dinner shift.

I had just gotten the salad bar set when customers started showing up. It was getting hectic and fast paced. Which is exactly how I like it. Doesn’t allow for thinking.. and time flies.

I had cleared my last table when I heard the bell. I looked and saw the same three bikers.. only this time, they had dates.. Tammy was hanging on Venom’s arm. I grinned and told them to sit anywhere and I would be right there.

I brought them water.. and set menus down in front of them. Now.. I am really not sure what Tammy was thinking.. or what crawled up her ass.. but apparently, she thought she could be rude.

As I was placing silverware, Tammy said “I guess me quitting didn’t hurt anything. You’re dead for a Saturday night.” I smiled.. not rising to the bait “Actually, I was slammed earlier.. not that that’s any of your concern.”

She laughed.. a fake assed tittering worthy of mean girl status and I stood waiting. The guys ordered coffee again.. the girls ordered soda.

When I brought the drinks back, Venom said “Delaney, this is my VP Snake and my enforcer Axe.” I smiled and said I was happy to meet them. They ordered their food.. and I went back to stocking for breakfast service.

I brought their food out..and Tammy asked for a side of ranch. I went to the kitchen to get it.. when I returned she asked for extra napkins. I looked her dead in the eye “What are you doing? I won’t be a runner for you. You know me better than that. You trying to impress your pimp?”

Venom said “Hey! I’m not a pimp!” I laughed and said “Ya kinda are, dude. Tammy here is now a sweet butt. You pay her a weekly stipend to entertain the guys.. that includes sex. She can never refuse to have sex with anyone.. and you can make her give head.. to anyone.. anywhere. That, my friend, is the very definition of pimp.” He laughed and agreed.

And I was still not sure what Tammy was thinking.. she jumped up and stomped her ass over to me.. getting right in my face, she screamed “I am no whore! You take it back! I am a club girl.”

I shot an eyebrow into my hairline.. I looked at Venom. Because I know a lot of bikers don’t like their women getting hurt.. even the paid whores. He shrugged and held his hands up in a ‘do what you gotta do’ motion.

I quietly said “Did you borrow someone else’s balls tonight? It is certainly not conducive to your continued good health to get up in my face, Tammy.”

She ground out “I Said… take it back!” I laughed at her and asked “Truth hurts? Let me break it down for you. You signed a contract. To have sex.. with anyone..at any time. You cannot refuse in any fashion.. not the time..not the who.. not the way. Even threesomes will become normal.. all for compensation of some kind. That.. in legal terms.. is prostitution. Not that it is in any way different than what you were doing before.. Maybe you should have thought about it before signing that contract, Sweet Butt.”

She stepped back enough to swing on me. I grabbed her wrist and yanked her to me.. I twisted and slammed her forehead into the table next to me. I growled “You really are too stupid to quit while you’re ahead.” and I knew Iris was shining through my eyes.

I said “And Tammy? Never enter my restaurant, again. Consider yourself banned.” I looked over at Venom and told him “I won’t apologize for marking your whore. She had it coming.. but she’ll probably have a black eye for a week or so.”

He laughed and told me “Oh.. she definitely had it coming. And she will be punished for her actions when we get back to the clubhouse.”

I laughed “Best be prepared to be punishing her, on the regular. She’s hardheaded.. seldom learns.”

Venom’s POV ~

Another town.. Axe found this one. Which seems alright, as small towns go. We needed to be in this area, anyway.

I founded Warrior Wolves when I was discharged from the army. I had grown up believing I would be Alpha to Golden Lake pack. However, I was deployed when my father was killed, and my younger brother was placed as interim Alpha.

When I was discharged, and went home.. Cabot had decided he liked playing Alpha house.. he also discovered he liked fucking my Goddess given mate. Preferring to challenge me, instead of stepping down.

I laughed at him.. refusing the challenge. I may not like Cabot a lot. He is still my brother, and I would seriously prefer not to kill him. Besides, I wanted my freedom.. being in the military, had me feeling confined. So, I started the club.

We aren’t one percenters.. we, frequently, walk a fine line between legal and felony as fuck..but we only step outside the law when the law can’t get the job done.

I have built our reputation on being there to help. We aid in search and rescue. We hunt down feral rogues.. rapists.. murderers.. Anyone the law can’t find. Or can’t touch. I have been known to do the touching for many police captains.. or district attorneys.

Now, we have moved to Pine Grove permanently. We needed a solid home base.. instead of being a nomad motorcycle club. Somehow, our members have increased to nearly a thousand. My guys need roots. They are all mostly ex-military..and we have all gone through losing our mates. Either rejection or death.. the pain is the same.

The property we purchased butts directly up against the Kootenai Forest. On the other side, is Trenton Falls. Rumor has it, they are dealing with several ferals.. terrorizing the town. I figured two birds.. one stone. We get a permanent home.. and my men can hunt ferals.

After meeting Delaney at the diner, I find myself intrigued. She never blinked twice when three huge tattoed bikers walked into her place. She treated us like we were everyone else. That doesn’t happen often.. So, I have decided to like her.

We are nearly all set up here, at the new compound. The fencing will go in tomorrow.. and should be electrified and ready the day after.

The main lodge needed a new roof, so that was priority. Axe had that arranged before the rest of us arrived. The lodge became our new clubhouse.. complete with a club bar.. and dining room. Forty rooms that became bedrooms.. and the top floor is strictly for the ranks. It worked out well. We turned one of the larger cabins into an infirmary.. and Doc is setting that up, to his liking.

That brings me to the Sweet Butts. We brought four with us.. but had hired twelve more. I don’t mess with the girls much. I might get drunk and demand a blow job, now and then.. But mostly, I steer clear. They get clingy and demanding. Wanting to become somebody’s old lady.. even knowing not one member can take a Sweet Butt to his Valkyrie. That is one of my most sacred rules.

Snake told me he had all sixteen girls in the conference room, waiting on me. I nodded.. pinching the bridge of my nose. I asked “Why must we go through this shit with every new girl we sign?” He laughed “Because we always seem to get the ones who have their heads in the clouds.”

Walking into the conference room, I looked around. They were pretty girls, for the most part. Relatively intelligent. They choose this life for various reasons. Some are running from something or someone bad. Some have nowhere else to go. Some just like to fuck. Those are the ones I prefer to hire. They seldom reach above their station.

I looked at Tammy. She had latched onto my arm in the diner.. glaring at Delaney like she was staking a claim. I am about to nip that in the bud, right now.

She has a huge goose egg above her right eyebrow.. and a lovely shiner. Delaney was right. I smiled at that. I like a woman who doesn’t take any shit!

I spoke quietly, but clearly “All right ladies. We have a few things to discuss before we can call it a night. First rule.. Know your place. You never approach a brother. He will approach you. Never greet one of us when we return from a run. Absolutely, never touch me. I don’t like it.. and I won’t tolerate it.

You are here to service the men.. whether our members.. or a visiting M.C. You do as you’re told. You have the right to refuse service, if you feel your safety is threatened. In that case, you speak directly to Axe.. and he will investigate your reasons.

Never.. and I do mean Never.. stray from your lane. Anyone, member or visitor here is to be treated with respect. Step out of line, you will be punished.

When you are in town, you will behave. You may be sweet butts.. but you still represent my brand. You behave badly, it reflects on the club. Your contract will be terminated for anything that brings embarrassment to our members.

Tammy, you are on your first strike. You deliberately set out to give the diner owner a hard time. It was unprovoked and uncalled for. As punishment you are confined to the compound for two weeks. So, if you have any family you want to notify.. do so now, before your phone is confiscated. Two weeks. No interaction outside the club. Now, I will answer any questions you may have.”

A girl named Bethany asked “What happens if a brother decides he wants one of us, exclusively?” Shaking my head, I replied “Won’t happen.. and can’t happen. It’s against the rules. You are all here to service whomever asks. A brother may choose you as his one exclusive. You girls are still required to service any requests. You don’t have exclusivity. That luxury is not yours, however.”

Another girl, Christie, I think.. asked “What if a brother and one of us fall in love.. can we be together?” I responded “Love has a mind of its own. If such a thing happens, the brother will move into a private residence with the whore. She would never be claimed as a Valkyrie. Not allowed at meetings or parties. And absolutely never permitted to ride behind the brother on runs. He can’t claim her as his old lady.. only as his property. And he has to buy out her contract.”

Someone asked “What happens if we get pregnant?” I grinned “That’s up to you.. your body, your choice. Bear in mind, the only children allowed to be raised in the compound belong to menbers. The brothers will never be forced to pay child support.. unless he chooses. If you decide to carry through with your pregnancy, a DNA test will be done. If the brother who fathered your child decides he wants to raise it.. the pup will be given to him, and you will be paid a severance and made to leave.”

They were all looking at me, wide-eyed.. and I laughed “Go to your rooms. Read over your contracts. All of this is covered.. and you need to memorize the rules. I don’t tolerate the ‘I didn’t know’ defense... I expect each of you to fully comprehend and know these rules, inside out. After today, there will be no exceptions.”

Delaney ~

Here we sit. Maddox and I. In the principal’s office.. again. Maddox has a bloody nose and the other kid is holding his arm.. giving me the impression he may have a dislocated shoulder.

The principal sighs “Miss Quinn. There seems to be a pattern starting. Your brother can’t go around yanking other students arms out of sockets.”

I nodded.. asking “What preempted this altercation?” The other boy.. larger and more of a bully type.. says “He jerked me out of my chair at lunch. Me and my friends were joking around and apparently Madman didn’t like it. I punched him with my good arm after he hurt me.”

I looked at the principal “I assume you have video surveillance?” He shook his head “The cafeteria cameras aren’t online yet. That’s scheduled to happen today.”

I nodded and said “Convenient. Maddox.. what happened?” The door opened and a woman walked in. Fuck! The mayor’s wife? That means that boy is the mayor’s son? Deep doo-doo, my lad.

Maddox quietly said “He and his friends were talking smack about Valerie. They had hurt her this morning on the way to school and were laughing about it. I don’t know all they did to her, but when she got to class, her arms were all scratched up.. and she had bruises on her face. When I asked her about it, she just told me to leave it alone or it will get worse.”

I asked “Has this happened before, Maddie?” He nodded and said “I thought she was being abused, at home.. but turns out she’s abused on her way to school. And Bert there.. with his three friends, thought it was funny to brag about it, at lunch.”

Valerie is a sweet, quiet girl that hangs out with Maddox and Hunter. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt her. I’m beginning to see why Maddox acted in defense of his friend. I am pissed.

I looked at the principal and said “Perhaps you should be asking why four of your students think it’s okay to bully and physically harm another student.. a little girl, at that.. on her way to school.”

The principal said “If it happens off school property, I can’t do anything about it. I can’t investigate what I don’t know is happening, Miss Quinn. Rest assured I will get to the bottom of it.” I can accept that.

The boy’s mother said “We are here to address the abuse my son has suffered at the hands of this bully.” I snapped “Lady, my brother isn’t the bully in this room. You need to take a long, hard look at your self-entitled, spoiled rotten son. Ask yourself what YOU should have done differently! That boy of yours is headed for a fall.. and it won’t be pretty.”

She snarled “Your brother dislocated my son’s shoulder. I should press charges! Then, let’s see how you act! You expect me to believe what he said my son was joking about? Where’s your proof?”

I demanded the principal bring Hunter and Valerie to the office.. along with the other three friends of Bert. Then I said “If Valerie doesn’t have any marks on her, Maddox will apologize and I will cover Bert’s medical bills. If she does have marks.. your son will apologize to her.. and I want a guarantee it will never happen again.” She agreed.

By the time all the other kids arrived, Bert was squirming in his seat. He was nervous about what might be said.. Interesting..

Valerie’s little face had a scratch above her eyebrow.. and several bruises on her cheeks. Her arms were scratched, all the way up both.. from her forearm to her shoulder. I pulled her to me.. and into my lap. I miss this so much. Maddox only snuggles now if he’s sick.

I asked her to tell me what’s going on.. she quietly starts “I don’t know what I do wrong. They always follow me to the bus stop. When it’s time to get on the bus, they never let me. I usually end up having to walk to school. I’m always late to first period. Today, I really needed to ride the bus to get my science project to school in one piece. They wouldn’t let me. They busted my project.. and shoved me into the thicket. The briars scratched me up and now I am failing science.” She began crying and the whole time she spoke, I watched Bert’s mother.

She asked Valerie what she does to provoke the boys and I lost my shit. I yelled “Are you shitting me right now? You’re THAT guy? You’re the person who accuses an assault victim of asking for it, aren’t you!? I see where your son gets his bullying tendencies. How dare you insinuate this little girl could do or say anything that would warrant being accosted.. molested.. and abused by FOUR boys.. each one much bigger than she is! What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

The principal interjects “Regardless, Miss Quinn. There are repercussions. Restitution must be met. I am suspending Maddox.. pending further investigation since he initiated the contact. Three days.”

I stood and said “I see. So.. punish the hero.. let the bully go free. I am finally aware of what greased wheels mean. I want to be there when you realize riding in the mayor’s pocket is too confining. Mrs. Alden.. feel free and try suing me for your little punk’s medical bills. You will lose! Bert. I haven’t heard any apology! Today was the very last time you ever lay hands on Valerie again. I will be bringing her to and from school from here on out. Maddox. Let’s go.. we have a three day vacation to do whatever we want.. but we will be increasing your training to three days a week. Valerie may need you again.”

I took Valerie’s hand and opened the door.. ushering Hunter and Maddox out.. the principal said “Miss Quinn.. I can’t allow you to leave with these other students.”

I sneered “Call their parents. They already know.” I had texted Hunter and Valerie’s moms when I found out what was going on.

We stopped for ice cream before I took the kids home. We had Valerie laughing and much happier, when I walked her inside her house. Her mom is single.. and works really long hours. I explained to her what had been happening with Bert and his little gang. Then I let her know I would be picking Valerie up from now on. She was relieved and just clung to her little girl, as she cried.

Back at the diner, I got Maddox situated with my laptop so he could complete school assignments. His teachers had agreed to not dock his grades because they felt he was being unjustly punished.

I glanced up, as the bell dinged to see Venom and two others walk in. I brought water to the table and started to place menus down, but I was told they didn’t need them. Simple. Coffee with burgers and fries.

I grinned and said “You’re becoming a regular and this order is becoming your usual.” He shrugged, smiling “I am a creature of habit. And these burgers are pretty damned good.”

I laughed and said “Let’s make it happen, Cap’n!” Not realizing that was his actual rank in the Marine Corps

Venom ~

This little restaurant is rapidly becoming my favorite hangout. The food is good.. the service better. And Delaney is pleasing on the eyes.. about 5’4.. dark auburn hair.. a body to die for.. or kill for.. depending on the mood.

We ordered burgers and fries.. the damned things are addictive! Chainz asked “The little waitress.. she attached?” I grunted “Beats me. This is only the third time I have seen her. Don’t really know anything about her. I like it here because she doesn’t treat us like second class citizens.”

Chainz grins and says “One way to find out.” When she comes back with our food, he asks if she’s seeing anyone.. She grins and says “I pretty much see everyone.. being the best restaurant in town. If you are asking if I am dating anyone.. the answer is nope. Don’t need to. Don’t want to. I am raising my brother and running my restaurant. I don’t have a lot of free time.”

He shrugs and smirks “Shame. I could show you a real good time.” She laughed at him “I can show myself a good time, without the drama, sweetness!” And it was my turn to laugh. Really starting to like this girl!

She delivered our food.. asked if we were good. Then she excused herself, saying she needed to talk to Maddox and was within earshot if we needed anything.

I tuned my hearing to listen.. just to make sure everything was okay. She said, lowly.. “Okay, Maddie. Out with it.. you’re brooding.” His little boy voice sounded teary.. “Bert’s the mayor’s son, Laney. What if his mother sues me? I didn’t mean to jerk his arm out of its socket.. they just made me so mad.”

She hugged him and told him “My sweet little man. You did exactly what we train to do. You stood up for someone being abused. We don’t stand idly by and allow bullies to go unchecked. I am so very proud of you for protecting Valerie. She’s too small to be accosted by even one boy.. much less four. I meant it when I said you are a hero. I know Valerie thinks you are! As far as being sued.. I pray to the Goddess that woman gets me into court. I will eviscerate that entire family. Remember when I told you some people will always try to throw their weight around and force us into doing something we shouldn’t? And I told you that those same people always have skeletons hanging around they don’t want rattled? I make it my business to locate those skeletons, honey. And I ain’t afraid to rattle the shit out of them.”

He giggled and whispered “I am sorry, though..” Delaney shook her head “Never apologize for being right, Never tell anyone you regret standing up and doing the right thing, baby. There are a million injustices happening around us every day. If we can prevent even one.. then we are doing exactly what we are supposed to do!”

Maddox nearly whined “But, Laney.. what if they rattle our skeletons? What if they make me go back to Marcus when he gets out? What if they put you in jail for kidnapping me? I get so scared, Sissy.”

She pulled him into her lap.. “You listen to me. When I turned 21.. I had old Mr. Masters.. grandma’s attorney.. draft paperwork to adopt you. We can change your last name to Quinn to match mine.. instead of Walters.. Marcus isn’t eligible for parole for another eighteen months. When he was convicted, I was granted guardianship.. we have the adoption hearing in four days. Then… nobody can ever take you away from me, Bubby. No one! I will kill them first!”

As I listened to the love, support and understanding she gave, in listening to her little brother, I realized she is my kind of people.. She believes in much of the same things we stand for. I think I am going to be great friends with her.

That little boy dislocated someone’s shoulder? Damned impressive! She mentioned they train.. I wondered where.. I also wondered why. I found myself really wanting to know this girl’s story.

I mind linked Snake and told him I wanted everything he can find on a Marcus Walters.. on my desk.. within the hour.

We paid the check.. and as I was walking out, I handed her my card, and told her “I overheard what you were saying to your brother. Please. Don’t hesitate to call me.. my numbers are on the card. If you ever need help.. or find yourself in an untenable situation.. call me. It’s what we do.”

Her body language screamed her response. Proud stance.. face set. I grinned and said “You know what they say about pride, don’t you, Delaney?” She shrugged “Yeah.. it goeth before the fall.”

I nodded.. grinning wider “Everyone needs a little help sometimes. It’s okay to ask. Let me be your friend.. we all need to know someone is in our corner.”

She actually smiled.. some of the tension leaving her shoulders.. telling me “I will keep it in mind.”

Shaking my head and chuckling, I walked out.. climbed on my bike and headed to the clubhouse.

Snake met me at the door and said “I ran the info down. You’re gonna be pissed.. this guy is a piece of work!” I nodded my head and went straight to my office.

Opening the file.. I began reading.. Marcus Walters grew up in a group home in Idaho.. problems as a teenager landed him in juvie. Obtained his GED while incarcerated.

When he was released, he landed a mechanic’s position in a bike shop.. working his way up to manager.. eventually reaching the ability to buy the shop.

He married a widow with a nine year old daughter.. Marnie Quinn.. They had a son two years later.. Maddox.

Marcus fell in with some bad people from his juvie days. Started dealing drugs.. eventually doing them.. drinking and gambling. Every time he was financially strapped, he forced his wife to bail him out with her inheritance..

She started refusing.. and went to her attorney… having the inheritance locked down in her daughter’s name.. along with her daughter’s trust fund.

One fateful night, he came home.. demanding money to pay his drug supplier. Instead of selling the drugs.. he and his prison buddies did them.

When she informed him she could no longer access any cash.. he beat her to death. The daughter called 911.. and waited to hear the sirens.. before she ran off into the night.

At Marcus’s sentencing hearing.. an attorney appeared in Delaney’s stead.. seeking guardianship of her minor aged brother. It was granted and Marcus was sentenced to ten years for involuntary manslaughter.

I looked at Snake.. “Who do we know in Red Onion State Prison? I want eyes on this asshole at all times.”

He nodded and said “Let me get to looking. We don’t have that many we know left in Virginia.. but we may know a guy who knows a guy.”

I said “I don’t care who.. I just want someone keeping us apprised of this bastard’s movements. I want to know if anyone visits him.. who he calls.. Everything! Right down to whether he farts or not.”

Snake chuckles “Someone getting under your skin, Prez?” I said “No. I don’t know. Maybe. I only know I admire her strength. She loves that little boy so fiercely. Always stands up for what’s right. Anddd she digs dirt on anyone she perceives could be a threat. We’re similar in a lot of ways. I don’t know how to feel about that. It’s freaking me out

Delaney ~

Maddox and I spent his three days being together. He helped me decide on two new servers, since Ashley was put on bed rest with her pregnancy. The restaurant is finally doing good. All our loans are paid off.. mortgages satisfied on the house and the restaurant. Escrow accounts set up to cover insurance and taxes..

We’re now in a position to hire a manager, if we want. I am considering it.. to give me more time with Maddox. I want to finish my online courses in nursing, as well. It’s something to think about.

Today is our court hearing to see if I can adopt Maddox. As I was walking in, I noticed Venom and his ranks sitting in the back pew of the courtroom. Odd.. But I didn’t waste a lot of time thinking about it.

My attorney presented my case for permanent custody.. The judge asked Maddox his feelings on the situation and he said “Delaney has been my everything for a long time. My sister. My mother. My father. My provider. My protector. My defender. My teacher. My teammate. Your honor, Delaney has always been there.. and I don’t want to be without her. Ever.”

I had tears in my eyes.. hugging him to me, I kissed the top of his head. The judge granted my petition and we agreed to change his last name before we left the courtroom.

We walked out laughing and holding hands. Venom was leaned against his heritage classic 114. I grinned “Nice bike.” He laughed “Yours ain’t so bad, either.” I nodded and told him “Yep.. I’m fond of her!”

I was helping Maddox with his helmet and grabbed his leathers out of the saddles. Venom said “I was hoping to talk you both into coming to the clubhouse. We have arranged a cookout and party in congratulations to your new family.”

Maddox started jumping up and down “Can we go, Laney? Please please please? We never go to parties. This one’s for us. Please, Laney? Say yes? Pretty please?”

I laughed and said “So.. you’re kinda on the fence about attending this party, huh!? Well.. make up your mind. Do ya wanna go? Do you really really wanna?” He grinned and hugged me tight. Laughing again, I turned to Venom “What time should we be there?”

He grinned and said “Now.. Come! Ride alongside me.” I climbed on my bike, and started it.. Venom started his, just as Maddox climbed on behind me. We followed Venom out of the parking lot and to his clubhouse.

It was great .. he had decorated with Congratulatory banners.. balloons everywhere.. a huge sign that said ‘Welcome Maddox Quinn’ and he had an above ground pool.. a trampoline and bouncy house. It was all catered to everything Maddox could have wanted.

He ran over and hugged Venom, repeatedly thanking him. I giggled and said “Yes. Thank you so much. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for either of us. It means a lot.”

He smiles “I told you I want us to be friends. We are actually quite similar.” I laughed “You think so? I wouldn’t have guessed that. But.. sure. We can be friends.”

The afternoon was a wonderful time for us. I met some of the Valkyrie whose children were playing and having fun with Maddox.

They were all in the midst of a water balloon and super soaker fight.. my little brother’s laughter filled the air. I bent into a cooler to get a bottle of water and Splat!

The back of my jean shorts were soaked. I straightened up and slowly turned around. Venom stood about twenty feet away bouncing a second water balloon in his hand… Grinning like a possum eating shit.

Oh. The man wants to play? Okay.. I can play. I walked over to the balloon pit and picked up two balloons.. stuck one down my shirt.. holding the other. I took off running and parkoured off a tree.. flipping over his head.. balloon bombing on my way over to land on my feet behind him.

Water sliding through his hair and running down his face, he busted out laughing “That was fucking badass! Definitely unexpected. Truce, oh mighty ninja fairy.” I laughed and said “Truce!”

I went inside to try and dry off a little.. when I heard a knock on the bathroom door. Cracking it open, a Valkyrie handed me a pair of sweatpants and said “It ain’t much, but it’s dry.” And I hugged her. How thoughtful!

Making my way back to the party I overheard two girls talking about me.. the first one was saying “So what? If she’s caught Prez’s eye, ain’t nothing you can do.” The next voice I recognized.. Tammy said “I can make her go away. She won’t have anything to do with him once I tell her I fucked him.” The first girl said “But you didn’t. Nobody does. I don’t think he’s even had one of us give him a blow job in months.”

I went in search of Maddie and found him on the trampoline. He talked me into jumping with him and before I knew it I had ten kids sitting down.. me jumping high enough to land hard enough to bounce their butts off the mat.

I was exhausted. The kids were all sprawled out on the ground.. watching a movie on a huge screen Venom had arranged. They had had dinner.. and after the movie, Maddox would be given gifts and have cake. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Venom sat beside me “He’s a good kid. You’ve done a really good job. Just a kid and you stepped up.” Iris growled.. I said “Sorry. She’s very possessive over Maddie. I didn’t do anything more than he would have done for me.. if roles were reversed. He is a good kid because he is inherently a good kid. All I had to do was keep his belly fed.”

Venom chuckled “And you’re humble. I gotta tell ya.. you’re a hell of a lot different than any other woman I have met! If you didn’t have a mate out there, somewhere.. I would snap you up in a heartbeat.”

I whispered “I don’t.” He sat quietly for several moments then asked “What?” I sighed and shrugged “I don’t. I don’t have a mate. He was the Alpha of Tall Pines.. well.. he is Alpha. He came in the diner a couple years back.. We realized we were mates. He rejected me on the spot for being half human. I accepted.. and here we are.”

He growled “That bastard! He better hope I don’t run into him.” I laughed and told him “Odds are you will.. he and his Luna eat at the restaurant once or twice a month. I think he believes he’s rubbing it in what should have been mine. I believe he’s just pathetic for even bothering.”