“Aye,” I find myself saying in unison with most of the room, declaring Canada the clear winner.
I watch as a beautiful smile crosses my wife’s face. Her head turns toward me, and her smile deepens.
“Thank you,” she mouths across the room.
She’s not thanking me for voting for the one she clearly wanted. She’s thanking me for being honest with her. For warning her ahead of time. For giving her another reason to trust me, and for a woman like Rain, trust means everything.
I tip my head toward her.
“So…think you can make a plan to head to Ontario?” Panther asks as he walks toward me.
Reluctantly, I look away from her and turn to face him.
“I already have a partial plan. It just depends on how long we want to be gone and confirming stops,” I tell him.
“Do you think we will have any issues with other clubs?” Eagle asks as he steps next to us.
“There are a couple of clubs located along the way, but I don’t have any plans for us to stay in their areas overnight. If that changes, though, it shouldn’t be a big deal. There are a couple of clubs in Ontario, though, so that could make it a little complicated,” I tell them.
Meek walks up, nodding. “In Ontario, there is a club called Kings of Anarchy. From what I’ve gathered, they have their hands in a lot of pots. If we have trouble with any club, it might be them.”
Panther rubs his jaw. “As long as we don’t step on anyone’s toes, we should be fine.”
“I’ll make sure of it,” I reassure them.
Laughter catches our attention, and we all turn to look at the girls.
“She looks happy,” Meek says, catching me off guard.
Out of all the brothers I figured would notice, I wasn’t expecting him. Not because he’s not observant, but because he usually keeps to himself. He doesn’t try to insert himself into people’s personal lives.
“She is,” I say.
“Let’s keep it that way. The last thing we need is you two going sideways and having to choose between the two of you,” Eagle says, slapping my shoulder.
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep my cool. I know his comment was harmless, but it was unnecessary and slightly insulting.
“I don’t think we have to worry,” Panther says calmly, looking right at me.
“I need a drink,” I mutter and slip away.
I head over to the bar and wait for Chloe to make her way to me.
I feel her before I see her.
“You told me the truth,” she says as she comes up next to me, standing close.
I turn my body and lean against the bar, and she mimics my pose.
“I’ll tell you the truth as often as I can. I won’t purposely keep things from you if I can help it.”
“I’m learning that,” she murmurs softly.
“Are you excited about Canada?” I ask, changing the subject.
The corners of her mouth kick up. “Actually, yeah, I am.”
“Good. I think what I have planned so far you will like.”