He cupped her face. “If you had a choice to have a man who you knew could defend you no matter what the cost or a man you had to take his word on defending you, who would you chose?”
“That question makes no sense. I don’t need protection.” Edward wouldn’t let go of her face as she struggled to pull away.
“Stop it. It’s important. These men are my family. If I can’t fight them and they’re the hardest men I know, then how the hell can I call myself a Skull?”
She stopped fighting him, hating the fact he was right.
“I love you, baby. Nothing is ever going to change that, but I need to prove that I’ve got their back. Not only that, I’ve got to prove they can trust me.” He pressed his head to hers. “I know you’re going to hate this. I haven’t got a choice.”
“It’s time,” Lash said, invading the moment. Glancing behind her she saw the women were set up on what looked like bleachers at a high school. “The women love to watch.”
Sophia doubted it. The women were sticking around to make sure the men were not hurt.
“Let me do this.”
“Fine.”
He still wouldn’t let her go. “I love you.” Edward took possession of her lips. The feel of him brought the memories of the previous night came flooding back to her.
“I love you, too.”
“Come on, pu**y,” Zero said.
Pulling away she sent Edward a smile before taking a seat between Angel and Tate.
“Everyone, I want to introduce you to Edward’s-slash-Nash’s, woman, Sophia.” Tate made the introductions. “That’s Angel, Eva, Sandy, Rose, Kelsey, and the two f**kers on the end are the new prospects. Their job is taking care of us and doing the mundane shit.”
Sophia smiled at everyone before returning her gaze to the main floor.
“I hate this more than the parties,” Angel said. “At least in the parties I know he’s going to be okay.”
“We’re all worried. My babe is going to beat the shit out of him,” Tate said.
Sophia winced as the fighting started. She didn’t recognize all the men, but Tate pointed out them all. Killer was currently throwing some punches at Edward. She pressed her hands over her eyes not being able to watch.
“Kick him in the balls,” Sandy said, screaming out. “I love it when men fight. They look all sweaty, and I’m getting horny.”
Sophia wished she could get horny instead of wincing every few minutes. The men were relentless in their attack.
Chapter Ten
Four hours later the guys backed away. Edward was standing on his feet but barely. Tiny and Lash hit the hardest out of all of the men. He didn’t know if they were going to let him back in the club. The one person he was having an issue with was Zero. The other man kept eyeing up his woman. Not that he blamed him. Sophia was the complete opposite of the club, and yet she fit right in. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans with a red and black checkered shirt. The top few buttons were open revealing an expanse of creamy cle**age. Zero was using every opportunity to look at her.
“Sandy, come and check him out,” Tiny said.
The blonde doctor came rushing down to check his war wounds. He stayed still staring at Sophia. His woman looked worried. Edward nodded his head for her to come down. She walked down, tucking some of her black hair behind her ear.
Zero helped her down from the bleachers, lingering a little too long for Edward’s taste. Grinding his teeth he stayed still as Sandy poked and prodded him. He jerked when she prodded at his ribs.
Sophia chuckled at whatever Zero whispered against her ear. Didn’t she realize he was copping a feel of her behind? The bastard knew what he was doing, and it was driving Edward mad. When he got his title back Zero wouldn’t be mauling his woman.
She pulled away from Zero going straight for him. “Is it over?”
“You stayed away like I asked.” Opening his arms, he waited for her to step closer. Sophia hesitated. “What’s up?”
“I don’t want to get in her way. She needs space to treat you.” She nibbled on her lip.
“Come here anyway. Sandy doesn’t mind.”
“No, I don’t. Hug him. He deserves it.” Sandy smiled up nodding her head. He’d gladly kiss the doctor for giving his woman permission to come close to him.
“Please tell me it’s over.” She kissed his neck.
Glancing toward Tiny he waited for the other man to give his consent. Tiny jerked his head. “Yeah, it’s over.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I couldn’t have watched much more. You must be hurting all over.”
“I ache, but I’m alive. I did better than I thought possible.”
Sophia grasped the back of his head and smashed her lips against his.
That’s right, Zero. She’s f**king mine.
Turning away from Sandy he held his woman.
“Enough, enough. Alex needs us back at the clubhouse. You’re staying here, Edward. We’ll let you know if you’re a member of the club,” Tiny said, heading out.
Jerking away from his woman he watched as the boys left the gym one by one. The women were leaving as well. They all pulled Sophia into a hug. His brother and Angel stayed behind.
“What the f**k, Lash? I did everything you asked. I took the f**king beating. What gives?” Edward had fully intended to be a member.
“Shit is hitting the fan out there. Two weeks is a long time in club business. We’ve not been able to do our run, and some of our buyers are hitting out.” Lash took a step closer leaving Angel a few steps behind. Edward knew his brother didn’t bring his woman into club business. He couldn’t keep shit from Sophia.
“The guys think you’re responsible for making us look weak.” Lash was whispering to him. “News spread about what happened at the diner and then at the club. We’re in a delicate position right now. Tiny’s thinking of calling in Chaos Bleeds.”
Pulling back Edward looked at his brother. “He’s not f**king serious.” If people thought The Skulls were rough, they hadn’t met the other biker club they knew. Chaos Bleeds were a rough bunch of thugs. They were not like The Lions that they’d taken down over a year ago. Chaos Bleeds really didn’t give a f**k about rules or sticking to one place. Over five years ago they’d breezed through town only stopping long enough to have a good time. Tiny had made friends with the leader, Devil.
Edward didn’t like them. If the other biker group were to come to town then Fort Wills was looking at a pretty rough couple of months. “I’m not getting back into the club, am I?”