Riding Him (Ghost Riders MC #5)(22)

It’s the soundest sleep I’ve ever had in my life, and when I wake up in the morning to her smiling face, I know I won’t let another day go by without it.





11





Violet





“You ready?” Knox asks as he squeezes my hand. We just pulled up outside the club, and I can see the row of choppers lined up. Everybody is here.

Looking into his eyes, I squeeze his hand back, letting him know I’m not running. After last night and finally giving over to him and admitting what I’ve been feeling, I’m not looking back. I plan on living my life the way I want to, and for once, I’m going to be honest about who and what I want. I love Knox, and I’m taking him. If my attack when I was younger taught me anything, it’s that life is short and it can all be taken away from you in the blink of an eye. I’m not willing to live the rest of my days in fear of it falling away. I’m ready to grab hold of what’s in front of me and live in the happiness and love he makes me feel.

“Let’s do this.”

Pres called a meeting this morning to go over the shooting and any sort of blowback. When Knox finally let me out of bed, we threw on some clothes and headed over. It didn’t hit me that everyone would be here and see us together until we got close. But now that we’re here, I’m over it. Let them see what we have. I know Knox loves me, and I love him. This is something beyond the club, and I know he feels that way, too.

He walks around and opens the door of his SUV for me, and we walk into the club hand in hand. All the members are sitting around the bar. Casper is in one of the big chairs with her feet propped up. Her feet are swelling almost as much as her ankles.

When we walk in, everybody turns to look at us. Pres looks down at our joined hands and then looks to Knox. I open my mouth to say something, but he beats me to it.

Of course he does.

“Yo. Little announcement here. Violent Violet and I are together. She’s my old lady and I’m her old man. Yada yada yada, we’re getting married. So there’s that.”

I look at him, and I feel my jaw pop open. “Did you just yada yada your proposal to me?”

Knox shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Wasn’t going to let you tell me no.”

The big scarred-up guy named Savage comes over and gives him a high five. “Best way to do it,” he says and pats Knox on the back.

“What the f*ck?” I mumble, knowing I should probably be protesting what he said, but my stomach is busy doing flip flops of excitement. I bite my lip to hide my smile. Holy shit, I’m engaged!

“About time you made an honest man out of him,” Pres says, walking over and giving me a hug. I feel Knox’s hand tighten, and he doesn’t let it go while I awkwardly try to hug the guy back.

Casper gets up and makes her way over to us, and she gives me a big hug, too. This time Knox lets my hand go, and I wrap my arms around my sister-in-law. “This might be the first time we know something before Vincent does,” she says, leaning back and smiling at me. She looks way too excited about knowing something he doesn’t.

“Don’t be too sure,” he says from behind us as he makes his way over to where we’re standing. He reaches out, shaking Knox’s hand and congratulating him. “Figured this was what he was up to after changing your Facebook status.”

I glare at Knox, and he just shrugs again like it’s no big deal. I’m going to strangle him when we get home. But then I’m sure I’ll end up giving up. Because what do I really care? I kind of just like riling him up.

“We all good?” Pres asks Vincent.

“Just got the clearance from the Fed. Nobody’s digging too hard into Cobra’s death, and they’ve targeted men inside their own club. The place was dismantled when they got there last night, and someone had set it on fire. Looks like the Five Aces are finished, and the Ghost Riders claim the territory back. My guys are okay with this as long as things keep running like they are.”

Pres nods and looks at me, and I feel the weight of the club’s eyes on me, too.

“You took care of the club, and you made sure we’re all safe for generations to come.” He looks at Casper as she rubs her belly, and then over to Savage who’s got two little kids of his own. “We’re all a family here now, and it’s going to stay that way. We agreed that you’re patched in, regardless if you marry this nerd or not.”

I lean into Knox and laugh. “Thank you.”

“Welcome to the Ghost Riders,” Pres says, and suddenly I hear a champagne cork pop and we’re all being sprayed with suds.

I try to turn into Knox’s chest, but he holds me in front of him so I get covered. I don’t know how many people have bottles, but they all have their fun soaking everyone in the group.

It feels like a time to celebrate. To prepare for a new baby on the way with Vincent and Casper, to welcome me to the club, and to toast the end of the Five Aces. We finally have peace in our town and in our club. No more drama or worry about what comes next. And that’s a pretty great feeling.

As more champagne is popped and more bottles get poured, Knox spins me in his arms and raises me up so we are at eye level.

“I love you, baby,” he says, kissing me on the lips.

‘I love you, too,” I mumble as I wrap myself around him.