Raging Barons MC – Book Nine – Knuckles

-:- JOLENE -:-

Saturday morning, and I know I’ve got to go down to help in the kitchen preparing food for tonight’s shindig we’re holding in the common room. It’s going to be great fun, dancing, eating and a little bit of drinking, for me, in that order too.

Looking down at the laptop, I quickly type the next scene in the chapter of my newest novel. Bringing the character to life and making him into a hero for the neighbor who he took a shine to.

The time flies, as do my fingers on the keyboard, and when someone knocks on the door, it has me jumping in surprise. “Come in.”

When the door opens, Winter and Tilly walk in and quickly close the door behind them. Giggling between themselves, I sit and wait to see what the heck they are doing. Tilly giggles more every time she looks at me, and eventually, I have to ask. “What? What’s going on?”

Winter laughs, then covers her mouth with her hand and her eyes flick to the door. “Oh, my goodness Jo, we’ve been reading book three in the series and the bit where she goes into the bathroom and comes out in the lingerie, spins and gives him that little dance, well we did it.” Bursting into more laughter, both of them flop down on the bed, rolling about, struggling to get themselves back under control.

“What? You played out the scene?”

“We sure did.” Tilly laughs. “I’ll tell you Hammer was out of the bed and across the damn bedroom that fast, I didn’t have time to do the damn dance.”

“Target was cleaning his boots for the morning. He looked up, dropped the boot in his hand, and a damn smirk crossed his face, which fell when I started to dance. I’ll tell you his pants tented so fast it’s a wonder he could stand up without tipping over. But Jo, it was a gooooooood night.” Winter busts into loud laughter, then, with her eyes sparkling, asks. “When’s your next book coming out? Because I’m going to be buying it and I’ll be playing out more scenes.”

To say I’m surprised by both of them is an understatement. They are talking about going back to book one and rereading so they can find more they can try out on their men.

Switching off the laptop, I shake my head at them as I’m grinning. “Come on, we need to go help Meat in the kitchen. I promised I’d do some cakes and biscuits while the smoker was on, and the side dishes were made ready. I think Amelia, Bitty and Sybil are helping too.”

“Oh, no, those three are so bossy. Get this, do that, fetch me the other, honestly, it’s worse than being back at school.” Tilly laughs.

Tilly was right, we were given our orders by the three older ladies, and none of us dared to say anything about them ordering us around. We just get on with it. But Mia, I noticed, didn’t get told to do anything, and she kept giggling at the look on all our faces when we have another order thrown at us.

Three cakes in the oven, frosting ready. I turn to start the biscuits when Meat walks in and he’s looking more relaxed thankfully than he has been since we’d been snatched. I’ll never be able to thank him or Wings enough for all they did.

Stitch walks into the kitchen with Bianca, and she looks thin and tired, but I don’t think she looks as bad as I’d expected. Her brown hair has a shine now and her eyes are not dull. I walk over and smile, “Hi, how are you?”

Bianca gives me a small smile in return. “I’m much better, thank you. I am so happy to see you got away from Tommaso and his men.”

“Oh, we’re happy to have gotten you away with us. I just wish we could catch the horrible man and hand him over to Vincenzo Vitale.” I note Bianca’s eyes broaden, then she gives a broader smile.

“Mr. Vitale is the Don and he’ll want to clear up the issue with Tommaso. He cannot afford one of his Capo’s to show disrespect or try to make a move to unseat him. It’s the highest betrayal in the family.” Bianca obviously knows how the mafia family works, and although she’s had a horrendous experience, she doesn’t look broken.

Stitch is hovering and I look at him, wondering if he’s sticking to Bianca because she’s still injured and needs watching or if he’s just sticking because he’s interested in her.

Meat is taking more trays of meat outside to place in the smoker, and I watch him grunting at Amelia as he walks past her. I don’t know if she speaks grunt, but she seems to know what he’s saying.

The afternoon quickly moves along and more of the ol’ ladies arrive, helping to organize tables in the common room for the food. Billy arrives with bottles labeled ‘Baron’s Bordeaux’ in crates, handing them over to Reuse behind the bar.

A pair of strong arms wrap around me from behind and looking over my shoulder, I smile at Knuckles and turn into him, wrapping my arms around his middle. “No drinking the red stuff Jo. It’s Meat and Billy’s moonshine, it’ll knock everyone off their feet.”

“Oh, I won’t be drinking it. You know I hardly drink anyway but give me something light if I have to have alcohol.”

Kissing my nose, before sighing as we both hear Axel call Knuckles away. “See you later and make sure you save the dances for me.”

The afternoon flies past and rushing upstairs I shower, wash my hair and spend time choosing a dress, which is suitable for the evening. I settle for a summer dress which is lemon with small flowers dotted, thin straps and a modest round neckline. It sits just above my knees and has a nice flair when you spin. I love it for this evening. Grinning to myself when I wear my cowboy boots instead of heels.

Walking back downstairs, I’m scooped up in strong arms and moved into the storage room. Giggling as Knuckles pushes his nose into my neck and takes a lung full of my scent. “You look so hot Jo, remember you’re mine.”

“Caveman much.” I giggle, then blush when he murmurs in my ear.

“Book two, chapter eight, the scene.” Kissing me deeply before saying. “That’ll be us later.” Before I can respond or bring up where he’s found out about that he has us out of the room, and I’m left watching him walk away.

Stepping into the common room, I walk over to Winter. “Book two, chapter eight, what scene is it?”

Winter looks at me with concentration on her face before holding her finger up and rushing over to Mia. They have a few words, and then they both laugh before Winter walks back over to me, whispers in my ear and my face flairs with embarrassment when I realize what scene Knuckles was speaking of.

The evening starts, and Chisel and Krylon are keeping the music playing. I’m not sure how and I’m not bothered as long as it keeps playing.

We eat the smoked meats Meat provided, and the sausages were to die for, eating six myself, much to Linc’s amusement. We laugh, talk and dance, relaxing and enjoying the evening.

Wrapped in Knuckles’ arms as a slow dance is playing, he holds me against him and when my feet leave the floor; I dangle as Knuckles laughs. His dimples pop and I can’t help but swoon at the sight of my man enjoying himself.

The music changes and the ol’ ladies whoop and holler. A line dance quickly develops, and I’m pulled along next to Kya, who is laughing loudly, eyes sparkling and thoroughly enjoying herself.

“Look at all the men, Jo. They’re drinking Meat’s moonshine.”

Turning my eyes, I notice Sting, Ruger, and Rock staggering next to the bar. Sting hanging on to the edge to stop himself from sliding down to the ground. Flicking my eyes, I can tell Dice, Clay and Grease are as bad.

Beer, TwoCents and BS are playing some sort of game, which has them hooting with laughter, but Axel is standing next to Mia, looking down at her with such love in his eyes that it had my breath hitching.

The Baron’s Bordeaux has gone down well, and turning back to Kya, I giggle. “You know they’re all going to have terrible hangovers tomorrow.”

“Yeah, and BS can suffer with it, too. But the funniest thing is Meat isn’t drinking it.” Kya throws her head back and laughs, which I’ve got to admit I quickly copy.

Chaos and Wings are walking out of the kitchen with fresh plates, and they make headway to the tables, filling them with so much meat it’s a wonder they’ll eat it all.

Turning back to Kya, I ask. “Do you think we’ll be doing training tomorrow?”

“Not me girl. I’m going to be making sure BS gets over his hangover fast. He has a scene to play out.”

“No, not you as well?” I ask, flushing, knowing all the women are reading the books and playing out the love scenes.

“Oh, yes, I loved the lingerie scene, and so did BS.” Kya giggles, no shame on her face at all.

Stitch, I notice, has been next to Bianca all evening, and they look cozy. I hope he doesn’t get hurt because I don’t think for a minute Bianca will stay here. She’s a mafia woman after all, and to her, its family, even if her father doesn’t want her.

Sybil, Bitty and Amelia are talking and enjoying themselves on one side of the room. They have integrated with the brothers with no problems at all, and it seems they are all held with respect.

Knuckles appears again, and I give him a questioning look. “I just had to check something for Axel. All’s good. Now you want to dance again?”

“No, I want to sit and watch everyone enjoying themselves, if that’s okay?”

“Yeah, come on.” That’s how I find myself sitting on Knuckles’ lap, his arms around my waist and listening to him talking with Lincoln, Mav and Brag, who had walked over and settled at our table.

Getting bored with the talk of motorcycles, which bike is better than another. Then the conversation about the underground fighting has me sitting up straighter and looking Knuckles in the eye.

“What’s up?” Knuckles asks giving me a concerned look.

“I don’t want you doing the underground fights anymore. I don’t want Lincoln doing them either.” I’m not sure if I’m overstepping, but I’m not withholding how I feel.

“Okay.”

“Okay? Is that it?” I ask, more than a little surprised.

“Yeah, if you don’t want me to do the fights, I won’t do them. I only did them ‘cause I was bored. I’ve more than enough money to buy us a house or have one built. We don’t need millions of dollars to have a good life. We’ve already got that here, with the brothers and the sisters, of course.” Popping his damn dimple at me when he says, sisters.

“Okay, that’s good. We can stay here for a while. I’m happy here for now.”

“Okay then.” That ends the conversation and Knuckles goes back to talking with his brothers, but I notice Lincoln giving me a small head nod that he’s good with what he’s heard.

I hear Axel shout ‘Church’ lunchtime tomorrow, and that’s the last I hear as my head rests tucked under Knuckles’ chin. I close my eyes and eventually fall asleep.

Feeling motion, I look around and look up when I see rooms passing me by. “Go back to sleep, Jo. You were tired and fell asleep on me. I’ll get you tucked in and then go back and help with a little cleanup. Some of the brothers are gonna feel bad tomorrow morning.”

“Okay,” I mumble and close my eyes, not even feeling when Knuckles removes my clothes and tucks me into bed. Wrapping me up with the cover and kissing the top of my head, whispering ‘sweet dreams’ in my ear.