Promise - Book 3 (Hope)

It took less than an hour to fall asleep, which is pretty impressive for me. It is not easy to fall asleep when everyone downstairs parties all hours of the night. I wake up to the sound of my phone vibrating on my nightstand. I feel around until I find it, disconnect the charger and pull it close enough for me to read.

Amara:

You are bringing Marco Gutierez to the club house to meet the family?! WTF! Come to my room as soon as you get up!

I look at the top corner of my phone and quickly sit up…it is already 4pm. I quickly run to the bathroom to relieve myself, brush my teeth and shower. As soon as I finish I walk into my room wrapped in a towel and head to my dresser. I find a pair of black skinny jeans and a metallic silver halter top with 3 silver chains that fan across the back from the collar to the hem that sits low enough to show the crest of the Warriors tattoo I got a year ago. I put on my socks and a pair of 4” black leather mid calf boots. After I finish combing my hair I make my way down the hall to Amara’s room. She flings her door open before I can even knock.

“Oh my god, is it true?” I cock an eyebrow as I act like I have no clue what she is talking about.

“Is what true?” She leans against the door frame and is clearly unamused with my act.

“Are you reeling bringing Marco here to meet your parents? Like…the son of the Black Devil?” I smile and nod.

“Yeah, I am picking him up in a few hours.” she laughs and throws her arms around me.

“Thank you god!” I pull back and give her a look that clearly shows my confusion.

“Why are you thanking me?” She shakes her head and laughs before cupping my cheeks in her delicate hands.

“Because now I can date whoever the hell I want and all anyone will say is ‘at least it isn’t the Black Devil’s son’. Who the hell asks permission to date these days anyway?” I shrug.

“It was his request. I am so glad I have made your romantic life easier for you, Am.” She laughs and squeezes my face.

“Go get your guy. I need to get ready to help with dinner for the boys.” We share a quick hug and then I head downstairs to the common room. Slade and mom are sitting with Blake at a table in the far corner. I give them a wave and blow mom a kiss before making my way to the front door. I walk into the garage and hurry to get Poseidon pulled out and ready. Thankfully Rain already filled the tank before he left this morning, he is always making sure my bike is in tip top shape. I grab an extra helmet, climb on and as he roars to life I tear out of the parking lot. The ride to the club seems much longer than it did last night, but I am also nervous as hell. I pull into the parking garage at 7:20 and decide I am going to have a drink while I wait. The bouncer opens the door for me as I walk up and I waste no time getting to the bar, taking a seat at the same stool as last night. I am happy to see the same bartender who slides a Jack and Coke to me and flashes me a warm smile.

“Thanks.” he leans on the bar, closing the distance just enough for me to be able to hear him without either of us having to scream over the music.

“I thought you were just passing through?” I smile and look down at my glass.

“I am meeting someone.” he gives a nod as he sees a couple approaching the other end of the bar.

“Well if you need anything, just holler.” I smile and wave him off. I don’t know if it is my nerves or what, but the time seems to be moving so slowly.

“I haven’t seen you around here before. What’s your name?” the strange voice makes me uneasy.

“Not interested.” I don’t bother to look at him before dismissing him.

“Awe, sexy and feisty. I like that.” I whip around with fire in my eyes as I glare at the man invading my nervous tortured wait.

“Go fuck yourself.” a wicked smile warps his face. His short, perfectly groomed black hair and dark brown eyes make him look similar to Marco. This must be one of his brothers.

“I would much rather fuck you princess.” just as I rise off my seat, fully intent on putting this asshole in his place, I catch sight of Marco who is clearly not happy as he makes his way toward me.

“Carlos, what the hell are you doing here?” Marco’s voice his heated and sexy as hell.

“I was just coming to visit you, but this stunning creature distracted me.” I glare at him, but before I can respond Marvo slides an arm around my waist and a evil grin pulls at his lips.

“She is spoken for, but you are right, she is quite stunning.” he looks down to me and his features soften. “Are you ready to go?”

“Sure am.” I shoot one more quick glare at Carlos as Marco takes my hand and leads me through the crowd and out the door.

“I am so sorry, he is a real asshole.” he gently squeezes my hand, but does not look at me as he pulls me to the parking garage.

“I can see that.” I chuckle as Marco spots Poseidon and walks right to him.

“So your family agreed to meet me?” I hear the surprise in his voice. He turns to look at me and I see the nervousness in his eyes.

“Well, not at first. I didn’t give them much of a choice.” He raises a brow.

“How so?” I smile proudly as I hand him the extra helmet.

“I told them they could either respect my choice or I would leave.” he shakes his head then slides the helmet on.

“And just like that, they agreed to this?” I climb on the bike and nod. He climbs on behind me and tightly wraps his arms around my waist. The ride back to the club house is much less tense than the ride to the city and seems to go by quickly. As we pull onto the dirt road I feel Marco shift behind me, his grip around my waist tightening ever so slightly. Pull up to the left of the steps instead of going to the garage and tap Marco’s hands and he quickly climbs off, pulls off his helmet and offers me his hand. I take his hand and climb off before leading him up the stairs, but I pause at the doors and turn to him.

“Are you nervous?” my heart melts when he smirks at me.

“Not at all. Are you?” I laugh and shake my head.

“You should be. They are going to eat you alive.” his smirk drops and is replaced by a concerned look. I release his hands and open the doors where we are met with more than a dozen tall, intimidating, angry looking men and at the bar just behind them are my mother and Slade. I walk in, passing the other men with Marco staying close behind me. As we approach Slade he stands from the barstool and rolls his shoulders while staring down Marco.

“Took you two long enough.” Slade hisses the words, but I ignore him.

“Mom, dad…this is Marco. Marco, you already know Slade, but this is my mom, Cherilie.” Marco holds out his hand and Slade takes it in his and I can tell he is squeezing tightly, but Marco doesn’t so much as flinch.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Cherilie and it is good to see you again Slade.” His greeting is warm, but his voice gives away how nervous he really is.

“It is nice to meet you Marco. Hope told us that you had wanted to come here to ask us something?” my mom is clearly trying to cut through the tension between Marco and Slade, giving him an opening to get down to business which I am thankful for.

“Um…yes, that is correct. I have come here to ask your permission to take Hope on a date.” Slade lets out a dark chuckle.

“Like it matters what we say. The girl does whatever the fuck she wants anyways.” Marco quickly glances to me and then back to Salade, standing tall and making full eye contact with the man.

“It matters to me. While my father has no concern for traditions and formalities, my mother raised me better than that.” Slade arches his brow.

“You seriously want my permission to take her on a date? Tell me, what do your parents think of this?” I look to Marco and wonder if he has even told them anything about our meeting or his plan to meet my family.

“Depending on your answer, I will be speaking with them tonight.” Slade tilts his head as he prepares to fire his next question.

“Do you really think they will be happy with this?” Marco stands taller and gives a forced smile.

“My mother will be very happy.” SLade gets his wicked grin that tells me he knows the answer to what he is about to ask.

“And your father?” it is very subtle, but Marco’s shoulders slump ever so slightly.

“I have yet to do anything that has made him happy, so I don’t figure I will be starting now.” He lets out a sigh and looks to me with the warmest smile, then takes my hand in his and looks back to Slade who did NOT miss a thing and does not look thrilled with the open physical contact. “Look, I know my family’s reputation all too well. Most of the rumors about them are true. I am here tonight because I want to show you that I am not like them. My father tries to get me involved in the family business at every turn, but I always refuse him. Everything I have in my life, I have worked for. I opened the club on my own. I took out a loan through a bank and everything. I am much more than just the son of the Black Devil.”

“I am starting to see that.” Slade’s words shock everyone in the room, most of the other men’s jaws drop and even my mom looks surprised.

“Dad, you always told me that we are in charge of our own destiny. That means that Marco’s destiny is not tied to his father’s. I am not saying we are going to fall in love and chase down a ‘happily ever after’, but I do want to see where this goes.” Slade steps toward me and pulls me into a tight hug.

“Alright.” he pulls away and looks at Marco. “You have our permission, but if you hurt her….We will hunt you down and we WILL kill you.” Marco looks at me, his smile beaming.

“Yes sir. I would expect no less.” I hug my parents then take Marco’s hand and lead him back out to the parking lot.