Butch (26 page)

“What is your advice?” Tiny asked.

“Don’t go to the picnic.”

Alex shook his head. “You know we can’t do that. We
spend a shitload of money and are expected to be there.”

“Eva’s already invited Cheryl. You’re not going to
stop the women from enjoying their day,” Tiny said. “I’m not going to tell my
woman to stop.”

“It’s dangerous.”

“We’re being investigated, Butch. Our money has been
put on hold. The cash we’re getting is coming from Eva’s fucking father. He’s
supporting us and the club right now. Do you fucking know what that feels
like?” Tiny yelled the words, his face red. “I promised him I’d take care of
his daughter, and so far, she’s been in nothing but pain. I’m pissed off.”

“Tiny, calm down,” he said.

“No, you don’t get to tell me to calm down, you little
shit. You couldn’t even stick this life out.” Tiny threw his hand out. “All of
us have social workers on our backs. The cops are checking everything out. I’m
keeping Lash and Angel out of this, but they’re only going to stay in Italy for
so long. I can’t let them come back to this life.”

The raw emotion in
Tiny’s
face was clear to see. He was hurting, and he was hurting bad.

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t need to hear that you’re sorry, Butch. I need
a man with a fucking backbone, and right now that’s not you. You’re offering to
come back, and yet how do we know you’re not going to bail on us again?”

Butch tightened his fists. What could he do to prove
to them he was serious? He stared at the floor, seeing the box that had caused
Cheryl to throw up. This flower shop had emptied out his account. He had enough
money to get him by. If he went back to the life, she’d be exposed in more ways
than one. Yes, he caused this, but what about the future? He wouldn’t always be
the cause. Other brothers had problems, and over the years they’d all dealt
with them. But she’d be surrounded by women who knew the danger they faced.
Eva, Angel, Sophia, Prue, even Tate, knew what the life was like. Cheryl
wouldn’t be alone anymore, and she’d have other women to be with.

“I can leave you to handle this, but I want back in,”
Butch said, turning away.

“That’s it. How do we know we can trust your work?”
Nash asked. “You’ve not exactly been a good enough friend the past few months
to take your word for it.”

Pain exploded inside him. “I fucked up months ago. I
know that.” He threw the keys at Tiny. “I’m a civilian now, but I’m begging for
a chance.” He glanced around the shop. “I bought this place for Cheryl. It was
a gift as I’m going to marry her.” Licking his lips, she stared at Tiny. “I’ll
give it to The Skulls, and Cheryl can work for you. Any money this place makes,
apart from Cheryl’s salary goes back to the club.”

“How does this work?” Tiny asked, glancing down at the
keys.

“I’m not going to leave The Skulls knowing this place
belongs to you.”

“If this doesn’t make any money, we’re back to square
one,” Zero said.

“Cheryl will make sure this place earns its keep.
She’s a hard worker and loyal.” He stared at Alex. “She’s the one who has been
trying to get me to come back to you. Cheryl trusts you, and she knows me.”

“What if she leaves town?” Alex asked.

“She won’t leave town. The only time she considered it
was when you turned back up. Cheryl’s not the running kind.”

“Unlike you?”
Nash asked, pointing at him.

“I deserve all the shit you want to throw at me. I’ll
let you make a decision on what you want to do with me. You can own this shop,
and I’ll talk with Cheryl about it. I’ll do all the shit a prospect does. I
want back in, and I promise you, I won’t back out.” He moved toward the door,
breaking inside at the fact they didn’t snap him back up.
This is your fault, shithead.
“Deliver the keys to Cheryl’s. You know
the address, and I’ll leave you to clean up the mess. I’ll wait for your
decision.”

He turned away knowing they were going to make him
wait for an answer, but he was done running away. The club was his life and
would always be part of him. Closing the door behind him, he climbed into his
car and drove home. Cheryl was on the sofa with Matthew asleep curled up to
her. He slid down, wrapping his arms around her.

“You’re back.”

“Yeah, I’m back.” He let out a sigh, wishing the club
had accepted him back into the fold.

“What’s the matter?”

“I asked for my spot back at the club. I want to be a
Skull again.”

Cheryl smiled. “That’s amazing, Butch.
 
You’re a Skull.”

“They’ve not accepted me back yet,” he said. “I’ve got
to wait for them to make a decision.”

“I don’t blame them. You can’t just change your mind
when it suits them.”

“There’s more,” he said.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I promised to give them the shop.” The smile on her
face fell. “Please, let me explain. They wanted to know how they could trust me
to not leave when all this shit is over. I promised them the shop so they knew
I’d stay. Wherever you are, I’ll always be.”

“I don’t like the fact you did that,” Cheryl said.

“I know, baby.”

She blew out a breath. “If they give you back your
patch then I’m happy about it.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yeah, I love you, Butch. If that means The Skulls own
the shop and I run it, I’ll be fine with it. I get to stay with you.”

“You’re so fucking sweet. I don’t deserve you, but I’m
going to do everything in my power to make it up to you.” He leaned down,
kissing her head.

The turmoil inside him refused to go away. He knew
he’d made a mistake, but he was prepared to take all of the club’s shit to get
back there. It was the only way for him to protect Cheryl and Matthew.

Chapter Fifteen

“We don’t have to go,” Butch said.

Cheryl finished wrapping up the lasagna she’d baked,
glaring at him. “I want to go.”

“It’s part of the club, baby. We could stay in, watch
some movies,
have
some fun.”

“Matthew’s home
with us.
I’ve told him about the picnic, and he’s excited.
We’re going whether you want to or not. They’ll get back to you, Butch, don’t
give up.” She gave him a smile then turned toward him. He’d been concerned
about her ever since she had seen the head in the box. She couldn’t think about
it like that and chose to pretend nothing was different. The last couple of
days she’d been speaking to
Eva,
and the other woman
helped her get through the visible nasty of it all. “Eva’s expecting us. I know
you don’t want to be part of the club, but I like her.” Butch still hadn’t
heard anything back from the club, and they were both waiting to hear news.

He groaned. “It just figures. I quit the club, and
you’re okay with the women there.”

Chuckling, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “I
love you, Butch. I’d never ask you to choose between the two, and they’re going
to let you back. You deserve this waiting period.”

Butch cupped her cheek tilting her head back. “You’re
going to drive me crazy. You should be on my side.” He kissed her lips, and she
opened her mouth for him to slide his tongue inside. They groaned together. One
of his hands ran down her back to cup her ass. “Fuck, I need you.”

She felt the evidence of how much he needed her
pressed to her stomach.

“When we get home Matthew will be exhausted. I’ll take
care of your needs then, and I’m on your side. I just know when you’re wrong.”

“Baby, that better be a fucking promise ‘
cause
it’s the only way I’m going to get through this picnic,
and I’m never wrong.”

Kissing him on the lips once again, she smiled. “It’s
a promise. I’ll take care of your needs, and you’ll come to the picnic. It’s a
pretty fair trade off, and you can be wrong.”

He groaned but no longer in pleasure. “Fine, I’ll come
along without causing a problem.” Fingers sank into her hair, and he pulled her
against him. “You better remember who you belong to.”

Tapping his chest, she pressed another kiss to his
lips. “I do.” She noticed he didn’t make another comment about his wrong
opinion. Cheryl must have won that round.

Butch grabbed the food while she collected Matthew’s
belongings. Together they walked out of their home and started toward the main
part of town where the picnic was going to be held. He took hold of her hand,
and the warmth went through her body. Heat bloomed inside her pussy, making it
hard for her to focus on anything other than Butch.

“I know what you’re thinking about,” he said.

She glanced at him, but his gaze was on her breasts.

“Mine.” He mouthed the words so only she could see.

Shaking her head, she started to smile. Butch made her
feel like she was the most beautiful woman in the world. The walk was a slow
one. After a time she picked Matthew up so he wouldn’t be tired by the time
they got to the fair. He didn’t struggle, and once there she went straight for
Eva. The other woman looked refreshed and happy, unlike the last time she’d
seen her.

“Hey, Cheryl,” Eva said.

The other women in the group greeted her. She took in
the tension among all the men. “Be nice,” she whispered to Butch. “Give them
time to give you a chance.”

He shook hands with the men even though the tension
didn’t leave his body. She rolled her eyes sending her apologies Eva’s way.

“Anyone would think he doesn’t want to be part of the
club.”

“He does, but he’s being petty. I think he expected
them to jump at the chance to have him back,” Cheryl said. She didn’t doubt
them getting him back. The club clearly cared very deeply for Butch, and his reasons
for leaving were non-existent.

Pulling out of Butch’s hand, she led Matthew toward
the children’s play area. Alex stopped her from going to embrace his son and
talk with him. She took the time to talk with Eva.

“This is going to be a safe area for kids, right?”
Cheryl asked.

“Yeah.
We’ve got guards looking out for the kids. Tiny gets paranoid and won’t
allow anyone near here unless he was happy. The club and his kids’ protection
take priority.”

“How have you been?” Cheryl asked, folding her arms.

“I’ve been good. We’re all doing well. It’s just this
Gonzalez guy. He’s causing a few problems and being a general pain in the ass.
I can’t tell you more. You’re not an old lady yet. Sorry.” Eva touched her
shoulder.

Together they placed their children in the play area.
For several minutes she stood and watched Matthew play, enjoying his newfound
freedom.

“I’m going to get back to them,” Eva said.

“Okay.”

Alex stayed by her side, watching Matthew. “I wanted
to say thank you for allowing me the opportunity to spend time with my son.”

“I’m not a monster, Alex. I hate what you did, but
there’s no love lost. I’m asking that you don’t come between me and Butch. I
love him.”

He nodded, reaching out to touch her cheek. “I know
you do. I’m pleased you found some kind of happiness. The club is being
cautious with Butch.”

“I know. Take whatever time you need.”

“You’re not pissed about the shop?” he asked.

She shrugged. “There’s not a lot I can do about it. I
just want Butch to be happy. I hope he realizes that he’s happy with the club.”

“You’re a good woman, Cheryl.”

Not saying anything else, she took it as the
compliment it was.

Soon Alex left to join the others. She couldn’t let
herself get pulled away. Minutes passed with him having fun and her watching
like a guard dog.

“Baby, he’s going to be fine,” Butch said. “
Tiny’s
got men all around the place taking care of
everyone.” He wrapped an arm around her waist then kissed her neck. “Come and
have some fun. This was about you enjoying as much as Matthew.”

“I’ve not been much fun, have I?”

“I don’t blame you. After what you saw I can’t expect
anyone to be feeling okay with that.”

“How have you been? You knew the person, didn’t you?”
she asked.

Butch led her away from stalking her son.

“Yeah, I knew her. She was the doctor who helped me
when I needed it most. I tried to protect her, but I couldn’t. She’s the one
who ended up dead.”

“Honey.”
Cheryl wrapped her arms around him.

“It’s okay. I’m not going to cry. Shit like this
happens, which was why I didn’t want you part of the club. The risk was too
high.”

“Let’s not do this here. The club is part of you.”
Cheryl didn’t want this day to be ruined because of Butch’s stubbornness. She
respected his decision to leave The Skulls, but she was delighted he wanted to
return to the club. Cheryl was determined to get him back to The Skulls. The
club was his life. She would support him in the club like the other old ladies
did.