Page 8 of Johny
A giggle burbled up before I could stop it.
“You think I’m joking,a stór.”
“A little,” I reply, “but you’ve made me feel beautiful, so thank you.”
“You’re more than beautiful,milseán. You’re gorgeous. Come on, let’s get you to dinner before I forget I’m trying to be a gentleman.”
Smiling so wide my cheeks hurt, my stomach fluttering and not with nerves, I pick up my clutch and shut the door behind us, taking hold of Johnny’s arm for the short walk to the garage where we parked the cars.
Only to come to a stop at seeing all the men from the Crow MC milling around as if they were waiting for us. The kitchen door opens, and Avy steps out arms crossed as she frowns at the men, the rest of the Old Ladies follow her out not looking very happy with their men either.
“Ah, all your brothers are here to make sure I know that I better treat you with respect tonight,” Johnny grins down at me, not in the least bit perturbed by the show of the brotherhood.
“What? Why?” I ask, confused.
“They love you,milseán, and they want to make sure that I know that they’ll beat my arse if I don’t treat you right. I’m guessing the Old Ladies are here to make sure they don’t ruin our date.”
Tears gathered on my lashes. I’d never in all my life had this. That they would try and intimidate my date just to ensure that he knew I had back up if I needed hit me, so deep I felt it in my soul.
Slipping my arm from Johnny’s, I walked up to Reaper, wrapping my arms around him, I squeeze him tight.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
He sighs but returns my embrace, “Dammit, Maya, we were trying to be intimidating.”
Laughing softly, I let him go, tilting my head back so that I could look at him.
“You are, and I love that you feel like you had to make sure Johnny knows that he has to behave. I’ve never had this, so thank you.”
“Johnny’s a good guy,” Reaper assures me. “Have a good time, but know if you need us, we’re here.”
“I will,” I agree, turning back to Johnny to find him looking at me with a soft look. Tipping his chin at Reaper, he takes my hand and leads me to a black four-by-four. Opening the passenger door, he helps me in, then leans across, pulling the seat belt he straps me in.
“You ready,milseán,”
Smiling, I run a finger across his cheek, “Yeah, I am.”
Taking my hand, he presses a kiss to the palm before closing the door and waving his hand at whatever the guys are heckling him about. I laugh as Cally slaps at Dragon and Draco but they’re all laughing as is Johnny when he gets in the car. We drive out and onto the road.
“Where are we going?”
“I’ve booked us a table at ‘Mio Dolce’, then we’llhave a nightcap at The Lounge, maybe dance a little and then I’ll bring you home.”
“Sounds amazing,” I sigh, a little dreamily. “Thank you for spoiling me today and for my beautiful dress.”
“You’re welcome,a stór. You deserve to be spoilt.”
Gah, my heart. This man was going to obliterate it if I wasn’t careful. He would be so easy to fall for.
CHAPTER 4
JOHNNY
Three weeks, it’s been three fucking weeks since I saw Maya and the children. If Andy wasn’t family, I’d have beaten the crap out of him for the stunt he pulled. Instead, I’d had to smooth over all the shit he’d caused. The only silver lining was that he wouldn’t be going anywhere for a while, not with two broken legs and no wheels.
I’d made it clear the family wouldn’t be cleaning up after him anymore. From now on, he was on his own. I’d ensured that my Uncle Sean and the rest of the family knew it, too. No more allowing him to behave like a spoilt child. He was twenty-three years old, for fuck’s sake, and should have grown up long before now. I knew teenagers that were more mature than him.
It was our fault—we’d spoilt him from the dayhe was born. Well, no more. Da, Adam, and Liam were in agreement. Da had given him a lambasting that lasted so long that I’m sure Andy would be replaying it over and over in his head over the next few weeks.