Dash placed his beer on the table and also stood. “So, you’re telling me you’re claiming my sister with or without my permission? Even if that means putting your patch on the line?”
I didn’t even have to think about it. “Fuck, yes, that’s what I’m saying. I love her, with every breath of my being, and if this club doesn’t support that, then this isn’t the club I thought it was,” I stated vehemently.
Suddenly, I realized I was heaving in breath after breath and the room had fallen silent, but I didn’t take my eyes off of Dash, who was currently the enemy in my eyes.
River appeared in my periphery and placed her hand on my back in a futile attempt to calm me. “Are you fucking serious right now, Reed Brook Lawson?”
A look of shock washed over Dash’s face for a split second before he masked it and completely ignored the fact that she blasted his middle name in front of the packed clubhouse. “Yes, my little pain in the ass sister, I’m fucking serious right now. If he didn’t have the balls to stand up to me or anyone else in this club then he couldn’t claim you. But he did, so congrats, brother,” Dash said and extended his hand. When I extended mine, he grabbed it and pulled me in to slap me on the back.
River scoffed and placed her hands on her hips. “Did either one of you cavemen consider asking me what I thought about all this? I mean, if I’m going to be ‘claimed,’ shouldn’t I at least be given the chance to agree or disagree?”
I wanted to laugh because I knew exactly what she was doing, but I wasn’t going to give her what she thought she wanted. No, she was going to get what she needed.
I quickly turned and slid one arm around her waist while I brought the other up and wrapped my hand around her jaw. Tilting her chin up so her eyes met mine, I told her how it was. “No, you’re not getting the chance to agree or disagree because it doesn’t matter. You’re mine and everybody fucking knows it. Now, tell me what I want to hear.”
She narrowed her eyes for all of two seconds before she licked her lips and winked. “I love you, Jonah Jackson.”
I hoisted her into my arms. “Yeah, you fucking do. And, I love you, too,” I said before I covered her lips with mine.
“In case y’all missed it, River’s my Old Lady,” I announced to the room with River still in my arms.
The guys lifted their drinks into the air and cheered. Then, my mother appeared out of nowhere with the biggest smile on her face. I knew what was coming, so I placed River on her feet. “Welcome to the family, River,” Mom said and pulled River in for a hug while she mouthed, “Grandbabies,” to me over River’s shoulder.
I chuckled and shook my head. “I thought you’d already gone home.”
Mom waved her hand dismissively. “And miss all this? You know better than that.”
“Mom, I don’t want you overdoing it. I’d feel better if—” I started but was cut off by an unexpected guest.
“I’m taking her home now,” Dean said. “She said she had a feeling something like this was going to happen and didn’t want to miss it, but she promised to let me take her home as soon as it did.”
And right there before my very eyes, my mother blushed and was suddenly tongue-tied. “Yes, that’s exactly what I said, so we’ll just be going now. River, you be sure to call me if you need anything. And please know, I love my son with all my heart, but don’t put up with any shit from him. He was raised right and I don’t want all my hard work to go to waste, you hear?”
River laughed. “I hear you, Leigh, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Your son’s a good man; one of the best I’ve ever known.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. I haven’t seen him this happy in a long time. Well, you two behave and be sure to call me in the morning,” she said and hugged River again before turning her attention to me. She reached up and placed her hand on my cheek, “Your father would be so proud of you. You’ve grown up to be the kind of man we wanted you to be. I love you, Son.”
“I love you, too, Mom.” I pulled her in for a hug and kissed the top of her head while I swallowed thickly several times in a weak attempt to keep my emotions under control. “I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
After Mom and Dean left, River spent the rest of the evening talking with Dash and Phoenix. I tried to be patient and give her the time she needed, but I was desperate to get her home. I had an uncontrollable urge to lock her in my house where she’d be safe and no one could take her from me.
Walking up to her from behind, I slid my arm around her waist and pulled her back against my chest. “It’s getting late, so we should probably get going.”
“Oh, yeah, I guess you’re right. I didn’t realize how late it’d gotten.”
“Are you guys heading back to Croftridge tonight?” I asked Phoenix while River was saying goodbye to Dash.
“Yeah, gotta get back to Annabelle and the babies,” he said with a proud smile. “Tina should be able to take care of everything from here on out, but don’t hesitate to call if you need me. Shaker’s always looking for an excuse to put that chopper in the air.”
“Thanks, Prez,” I said sincerely and turned back to River. “You ready?”
“Yep,” she said with a smile and returned to my side.
I extended my hand to Dash. “Catch ya later,brother,” I said causing him to laugh.
With that, we climbed on my bike and I took my girl home.
Chapter Thirty-Eight