Tanner:A Black Widow MC Romance(10)

I looked outside to see the Black Widow MC. It was just an abandoned warehouse that was taken over and turned into our clubhouse. Dozens of Harley's were lined up in a row and bikers with leather cuts walked around holding beers. I was finally home.



Caleb took my arm and helped me out. “Don't get any ideas, Tanner. I'm not going to be your nurse.”



“Damn, I was hoping to get a sponge bath from you.”



Caleb laughed and slapped me on the back. “It's good to have you back, Tanner.”



I released a heavy breath and looked up at the Black Widow sign. I never want to be stabbed again. “It's good to be back.”



Caleb opened the door and waiting inside was the entire MC and all my friends. A banner waved above that stated: Welcome Home Tanner and black balloons decorated every possible inch of the clubhouse. The bar was fully stocked with booze and scantily-clad women bounced around.



Everyone started clapping and cheering. I waved my hands to get them all to stop. It felt like I was a war hero coming home. “Please everyone. I didn't do anything. Being stupid and getting stabbed in the back shouldn't warrant this.”



Claire came through the crowd and kissed me on the cheek. “We're just glad to have you back home, hun.”



“Thank you, Claire.”



“I went over to your place and got some clean clothes for you. I put everything in the spare bedroom upstairs. If you need anything, just ask.”



I gave her a big hug. “Thank you again.”



Big Mike came rushing over to me, juggling two pints of beer. The light brew spilled over the top and dripped all over his feet. “I bet you've missed this,” he said, handing me a glass.



“You have no idea, Mike.” I took a sip and let the beer run down my throat. “Damn that tastes good.”



Mason came over and cornered me. “Welcome back, Tanner.” He have me a quick hug and patted me on the back.



“Thank you, Prez.”



“Come into the meeting room. We need to talk about something.”



Mason led me through the crowd until we were behind closed doors. Our little meeting room was just a wood table with a bunch of seats surrounding it. Someday we'd get a nice spider carved into it. I waited for Mason to start talking. What could he possibly want to talk about right when I got back?



“I know what you're feeling, Tanner.”



He does?



Mason sat down at the head of the table where the President belonged. He motioned for me to sit down next to him. I'd never sat in the Vice President spot before. It felt good. Someday, King. Mason continued, “Many members have gone through this before. That boiling emotion you feel inside.”



Was he talking about Grace? I balled my hand into a fist and examined the bruised and bloodied knuckles. It felt way too good knocking out that doctor. If I was at full strength, I don't know if I could have stopped until the life was beaten out of him.



Mason pulled out a small box with a bow on top. “I know you feel that need for vengeance but we couldn't wait.”



I looked up at him confused. Then it all connected. He's talking about the guy from the bar—the one that stabbed me. I opened the box and found an index and middle finger placed neatly on a bed of velvet. The ends were covered in dry blood. It looked like they had been snipped them off with garden shears—probably while he was still alive.



“Thank you for this, Mason.” I closed the box and set it down. Ever since I met Grace, I had totally forgotten about the need for revenge. I hadn't thought about the man who stabbed me once since I woke up in the hospital.



“That motherfucker won't be roaming the streets any longer. Don't worry we made him pay.”



I hugged Mason again. He was like a father to me. I never wanted to disappoint him.



Mason lit up. “We have one more surprise for you.”



“Seriously, you guys didn't have to go through all this.”



“We need this more than you do, Tanner. We thought we almost lost you in the operating room. Claire sobbed the entire time.”



Shit. I imagined Claire crying uncontrollably and everyone trying to console her. I didn't even think about that. These people were my family and they almost lost me. “So what's that surprise you mentioned?” I asked, rubbing my hands together.



Mason opened the door and Slade walked in with a gorgeous brunette at his side. Her arms were covered in tattoos and her white v-neck barely contained her massive tits. She looked vaguely familiar.



“I think this girl wants to talk to you,” Slade said. He couldn't help but grin as he handed her over to me.



I looked the chick in the eyes and finally remembered. Oh fuck! This was the one from the bar. The girl I got stabbed over. She was drop-dead gorgeous but not get-stabbed-and-almost-die gorgeous.