“Good. She’s a defense attorney?”
“For James and Bronte.”
“Impressive,” he said, rubbing his chin. “Might be able to use her expertise someday. But if she’s going to stay here, patch her.”
Vincent didn’t want to be forced into anything. That was a choice every member made for himself. “Didn’t know Cupid fell under the duties of the president.”
Arni laughed, but his eyes were sharply focused on him. “Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t interfere. But she’s associated with the court system, Vincent, works with the police. I need to know she’s loyal to the club.”
He let out an exasperated sigh. Some things were better left alone. Tina didn’t fit the mold of the typical old lady. In fact, he’d never met or heard of one who was a lawyer. The occasional Brother maybe. “She’s loyal to me, which should be good enough.”
His president picked up a retractable pencil and started to click the lead out. “I have no doubt about her feelings for you. Whenever someone mentions your name, she lights up like a Christmas tree. But that feeling needs to extend beyond the bedroom, Brother. Too much has happened; the stakes are higher now. Either she’s in, or you’re out.”
It came down to that? Lang had fought so hard to recruit him, then patched him in early. And when he got elected as treasurer, he knew what he wanted to do with the rest of his life: be a Sons of Odin member until the day they put him six feet under. That feeling hadn’t changed. And it never would.
“What’s your hesitation?” Arni asked.
He met Arni’s gaze. “I’m not sure she’ll accept.”
“You’re afraid of losing her over an old lady patch?”
Vincent scrubbed his face. “Yeah, I am.”
“Take a couple days to think it over.”
Vincent left the office feeling off-kilter. He’d thought about it a hundred times already. In his world, there was no better show of love and respect than offering that patch to the woman he loved. But Tina’s world didn’t intersect with his; in fact, they were as far apart as the North and South Poles.
After enjoying dinner with the club and Tina, Vincent took her to his bedroom. They needed to talk.
“You ate three servings of lamb,” she teased. “Never guessed a rough-’em-up guy like you appreciated international cuisine.”
He smiled at her. “I eat lots of things.” His gaze drifted between her legs.
She squirmed unintentionally, color flooding her cheeks. “That’s not on the menu right now.”
“No?” He caught her in his arms and gave her a deep kiss. All that warmth and passion invaded his senses. God, he loved her.
She stepped out of reach, a little breathless. “My father called today.”
“Everything still set for Thanksgiving?”
“Of course.”
“Is Dustin hanging in there?” He couldn’t take his eyes off her firm little body.
“Yes. It turned into a conference call about you.”
That forced him to focus on her face again. “What did you tell them?”
“Everything.” Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes.
“What’s wrong, baby?” He instantly went to her and cupped her cheek.
“I’ve been a coward for a while now, Vincent, and didn’t have the guts to tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“I didn’t know if my parents would accept you.”
“Because I’m a biker?”
“Yes.”
“That doesn’t make you a coward, sweetheart, it makes you human. I don’t appeal to most civilians for a reason. I chose to leave that life. And if your parents reject me because I wear patches, that won’t change my feelings about you. Nothing ever will.”
She stared at the floor, sniffled, then reached for his hand. “They already love you. My mother said she’d be honored to meet you. You protected their only daughter.”
“While we’re on the subject…” He pulled a paper from his vest pocket. “I lied about the meeting today and tracked down one of the women from the bar Friday night. Caroline Henley is eager to testify against Kline if you want to file charges. Here’s a written statement and her contact information. Her best friend is Jenny Zimmerman; her phone number is there too.”
Tina unfolded the paper and read it slowly. “I don’t know whether to be angry you lied to me or kiss you for doing this. Thank you.”
“Kiss me,” he decided for her.
She laid the paper on his dresser, then wrapped her arms around him. “Is this how love is supposed to feel?”