Page 37 of Infinitely Mine

“Mammoth.”

“I’m the V.P. of the club, Ro. This is our shit to handle. You being my woman? That means you and Jacob are under our protection. I’m taking you to The Crossroads.”

“For how long?”

“Until I find this motherfucker and end him.”

“Dag and Killer?”

“On the hit list.”

Chapter 10

The hit list. Those were Mammoth’s words, and they still raced through my mind three hours later as he sat behind closed doors inside his clubhouse’s chapel, where they held church. I learned that private space was special to the brothers in the club. They discussed club business and shared secrets. Brothers forged deep bonds inside that room, and I wondered how often they were forced to choose violence over peace. Life for a Royal Bastard seemed to carry its fair share of burdens and triumphs.

Heather pushed another iced tea toward me as we sat by the bar. She’d kept me company at a table that faced the chapel where I planted my ass until those doors opened and Mammoth filled me in on their plans. Did I think he would disclose everything? No. But I also knew this was personal, and I deserved to know the truth of the club’s decisions since it affected me and my son.

Trish, Nylah, and Bess joined us.

I hadn’t talked to Bess much before today since the cookout had been so hectic, but she reminded me that Papa and Mammoth were related. Cousins, she said. You could see the resemblance because they were both big men with bulging muscles, although Mammoth was broader and taller. Papa had a salt-and-pepper beard and graying hair. But their strong angular features and chiseled jawlines were almost identical.

At one time, many years ago, Papa had been the V.P. but gladly handed it over to Mammoth when he was voted in, and Grim became president. It was a sad time, from what I understood, because their former president, Keys, had been murdered by Bloody Scorpions MC members.

I didn’t focus on all they revealed because I kept glancing at the chapel and hoping Mammoth would come out soon. All this waiting made me anxious.

“Rowen.”

I blinked and turned to Heather. “Sorry. I’m a bit distracted.”

“No need to apologize,” she assured me. “You know the shit I’ve been through. I still stare off into space sometimes, and Spook has to pull me out of the darkness back into the light.” She shrugged. “Healing is a process.”

“She’s right,” Bess added. “Trauma manifests in different ways, and we all handle it the best we can.”

I didn’t know her story, but Heather mentioned it was worse than her past, abuse I couldn’t begin to fathom. “That’s true.”

“Almost all of us have had some type of trauma in our past. Mimi says it’s not what you’ve gone through but how you deal with it that makes all the difference.” Nylah reached for my hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “If my sister can bounce back, anyone can.”

I forgot until now that traffickers had taken Mimi. She’d been forced into a life of prostitution and violence until Patriot helped rescue her. It made sense how they would fall in love after that. She got a happy ending because she fought for one. I admired her courage.

“I guess I’m not as concerned for me as I am for Jacob,” I admitted.

All four women nodded.

“Every mother’s worry,” Bess agreed.

“He’s a bright boy and adores Mammoth,” Trish pointed out. “I think he’s doing fine. Kids are so resilient.”

“They are.” I sighed as fatigue set in. I’d been up the entire night. The adrenaline had worn off, and now I fought to keep my eyes open.

“Hey, Rowen. Why don’t you lie down in Mammoth’s room? I can show you where it is and let you in. I’ve got a spare for each of the guys in case of emergency,” Trish offered.

“No. I want to wait for him. Thanks, though. I appreciate it.”

“Of course.”

“I hope Jacob’s having fun with Rev and Olivia.” I left him with Diablo and Gina since the kids had so much fun together on the day of the cookout. They played in one of the family rooms at The Crossroads, watching movies, eating pizza, and enjoying the impromptu sleepover.

“He is. I’m sure of it,” Trish replied with a smile. “I just texted Gina, and she said they haven’t stopped giggling since their popcorn fight started. Noah and Miles joined them.”