“Thank you, baby. You saved my life,” Tank murmured in her ear.

  “All I did was smash a chair against his back. I was aiming for his head, but I severely underestimated the chair’s weight,” Tiffany admitted.

  “Either way, it was quick thinking on your part. If you hadn’t acted, he would’ve managed to pull out his gun and shoot me,” Tank said grimly.

  “Thank God he’s finally dead,” Tiffany whispered. She could hardly believe it. Her nightmares came less often now that Tank slept in her bed, but on bad nights, they resurfaced. Hopefully, Tiffany could put those awful memories to rest.

  “Guys, you’re both cute and all, but we got to scatter before the cops arrive,” Gunner said.

  Tiffany blinked. She allowed herself to slide into a private bubble where only Tank and her existed. A quick look around the bar showed her the place had mostly emptied, save for the four of them and a couple of Reapers. Two other bodies joined Finn’s. All three outsiders had been dealt with. The bartender was nowhere in sight.

  “Let’s go,” Tank said. She saw Gunner trading words with the other MC members. Tank seemed intent on leaving, so she followed her man to the parking lot.

  “Is it okay leaving the mess for the others to clean up?” Tiffany asked. “What about the police? They’ll have questions about the bodies in the bar. The bartender saw everything.”

  Tank scoffed, handing Tiffany her helmet. She accepted it. “Old Mick? We don’t need to worry about him. This isn’t the first time men have fought and died in his bar. Usually, paying him a generous compensation would make him forget all about tonight.”

  “And if someone from the local sheriff’s office starts asking questions?” Tiffany asked. “I don’t want you or any of your MC brothers getting into trouble on my account.”

  “Baby, you worry too much,” Tank replied. He touched her cold cheek, smiling when Tiffany leaned into his hand. “Look, the local coppers are on our side. We’ll probably get off with self-defense. Besides, you’re sweet to worry, but those men deserved to die.”

  “I can’t argue with that,” Tiffany admitted. “It’s hard to believe Finn’s dead. He and his pals just walked into the bar like they owned the place. They didn’t see this coming?”

  “The Black Dogs MC members have been getting cocky lately,” Tank said with a scoff. “This isn’t the first time they pulled this kind of shit and their prez, Rat, doesn’t give a damn. He’ll just recruit more men. Lives don’t matter to him.”

  Tiffany shivered despite the jacket she wore. Tank noticed and gave her a quick embrace. Tank pressed his mouth over hers and Tiffany melted into the kiss.

  “Come on. Let’s head home,” Tank suggested after breaking away. “It’s been a long night.”

  Chapter Ten

  “You don’t need to do this anymore,” Tiffany said after getting off Tank’s motorcycle. She handed him her pink helmet.

  “What’s that?” Tank asked, after putting the spare away. He reached out and tucked a stray strand behind her ear, leaving her face clear. Tank immediately moved his gaze to her kissable lips, which he took without warning. Tiffany leaned against him, clutching at his arm.

  When he pulled away, she said, “Keep doing that and I might just call in sick for work. Doesn’t matter if we’re standing right in front of the diner now.”

  Tank chuckled, incredibly tempted by the idea. He didn’t have any important jobs today. Spending the entire day with his woman and spoiling her as much as he could sounded like a good idea.

  “Do that,” he suggested.

  Tank trailed a finger down the buttons of her waitress uniform. He didn’t understand why the uniform looked unappealing on the other waitresses but on his Tiffany, it was so sexy. Then again, she looked fantastic in everything, it was sheer torture.

  Tiffany nibbled on her lower lip, as if she was seriously considering his offer. Then she sighed. “I can’t do that, especially not today,” she said.

  “Maybe I can convince you to change your mind. I’m seriously good at that,” he reminded her. Her musical laughter only tightened his jeans. Tank was instantly horny for her and Tiffany knew it.

  “It’s my last day at work today. The other waitresses are throwing a party for me later,” Tiffany admitted. Her words took him by surprise. Tank furrowed his brows.

  “Last day? What do you mean? Did your boss let you go?” he asked. If that was the case, then her manager would have to deal with Tank personally. He initially thought Mr. Combs was a decent guy.

  “No, nothing like that.” Tiffany laughed again and Tank relaxed.

  “So, you’re thinking of changing jobs?” Tank pressed.

  “Yes, and I’ve gotten an admin job at a small accounting firm in Grace,” she said, sounding a little shy. It took Tank a few moments to process her words, then he wrapped his arms around her. Tank lifted her a few inches off the ground and let out a joyous whoop.

  “Set me down, you silly man,” she said but the smile hadn’t left her face.

  “When were you planning on telling me you’re moving to my town?” Tank demanded.

  Heck, it surprised Tank she managed to keep this a secret from him for so long. Was he pleased? Hell, yeah. Tank would no longer need to drive back and forth towns to see Tiffany, or arrive early to take her to work.

  Sure, Finn was dead but he wasn’t leaving her security to chance. Two weeks had passed since the incident at the roadhouse. They paid the appropriate bribes to the police and the bartender. So far, it didn’t seem like there would be any retaliation from the Black Dogs. Gunner suspected that apart from the loss of a few men, Rat didn’t really lose out in terms of profit. That black-hearted bastard probably didn’t give a damn about the loss of a few damaged products either.

  The Black Dogs MC would not remain idle for long. The Reapers would face some backlash sooner or later, but for now, things were peaceful. That was all that mattered. If Tiffany moved to Grace, he could ensure her safety completely.

  “For a while now,” Tiffany admitted. “This town has been good to me but a change of scenery would be nice. Of course, the fact you’re headquartered there is also a factor.”

  “Of course,” he said, grinning. “All right, then, I hope you enjoy the party your coworkers are throwing you. What time should I come by?”

  “I can go back home on my own,” Tiffany insisted. The next protest on her lips died when he claimed her mouth again, savoring the addictive taste of her.

  “Pick me up at ten,” Tiffany responded, slightly breathless after the kiss.

  “Will do,” Tank said.

  Tank noticed a few faces pressed against the diner’s glass. Tiffany’s giggling colleagues had seen him around often. Deciding he’d already taken too much of her time already, Tank got back on his motorcycle. He rode back to Grace, thoughts of his future with Tiffany never leaving his mind.

  Tank returned to the MC clubhouse to help his brothers sort out a new cache of weapons from their suppliers. That task preoccupied him until lunchtime. He and Gunner drove to their favorite diner to get some lunch. After their orders arrived, they dove into their burgers and fries. Tank told Gunner about Tiffany’s decision. His friend approved of Tiffany moving to Grace.

  “You really doing this?” Gunner finally asked once Tank revealed his plans.

  “I am,” Tank said firmly. “Don’t worry, Gunner, I’ve thought this through.”

  “Sounds like you’ve only thought about it for a few hours, but I’m not complaining,” Gunner said. “Paige and I like Tiffany, she’s a great match for you. Just want to warn you that marrying a woman is different from her just being your girlfriend.”

  “What? Tank’s planning on proposing?” asked another familiar voice. Razor, who’d been sitting in another booth with a few other bikers, nudged Gunner aside to give him some space.

  “That’s right,” Tank said. “But you ought to mind your own business, this is a private conversation between two friends.”

  Tank was only pulling Razor’s leg and the other man knew it. The bonds between the bikers in the MC ran deep.

  “So, you picked a ring and everything already?” Razor asked.

  “No, Gunner and I are going ring shopping after this,” Tank said.

  “We are?” Gunner asked. When Tank gave him a look, Gunner nodded. “I guess we are. We finished sorting the new merchandise early anyway, so we have some free time.”

  “My old lady says I have good taste. Mind if I tag along?” Razor asked.

  “Sure,” Tank said with a nod. “I could use all the help I can get. The ring has to be perfect, something Tiffany could wear on a daily basis.”

  “Leave it to us, Tank,” Gunner said with a smile. “We’ve got your back.”

  ****

  “He’s here, your man,” Gracie, one of the waitresses who organized tonight’s party, said. Cherry and Gina, the other two waitresses, giggled. The other girls had even gotten special permission from the management to hold the small gathering at the diner. Tiffany hadn’t known them long, but they all treated her well.

  Tiffany peered out the diner windows and saw Gracie was right. Tank had arrived, exactly at ten p.m. like he promised. He looked dashing, as usual, in his riding leathers and windswept hair. Even though they’d been together for a few months now, some days she couldn’t believe this man was truly hers. Tank claimed he was no one’s white knight and yet he swooped in during the darkest period of her life. She would’ve died in that hell house if it weren’t for Tank. He also gave her a reason to live, to start believing in herself again.

  Tank spotted her and gave her a devilish grin. He took out his phone, typed something on it, and a few seconds later, Tiffany’s phone beeped. She took it out and read his text. Tank basically told her not to rush, to take her time.

  Gracie peered over her shoulder. “Why don’t you invite him in for a few minutes, Tiff? It’s cold outside and we have plenty of beers,” Gracie suggested.

  Tiffany did exactly that. Tank strode in and Tiffany introduced him to her coworkers and their boyfriends and spouses. She noticed Tank was on his best behavior the entire time. Initially, when Gracie and the others told her about the going-away party, she’d been reluctant to go. She’d never been a social butterfly, but eventually decided it would be rude to refuse. While Tiffany wasn’t as close to Gracie the way she’d become instant friends with Paige, she would never forget Gracie’s kindness. The other woman gave her tips and essentially helped train her when she first started working at the diner.

  When it was time to go, Gracie gave her a hug. Tiffany stilled, only comfortable when Tank touched her. She awkwardly patted the other’s woman’s back.

  “Thank you for tonight, I really enjoyed myself,” Tiffany told the other woman.

  “We’re going to miss you, Tiff. Good luck in your move and your new job,” Gracie said. She turned to Tank next. “You take good care of her, Tank.”

  “Of course. You can count on me,” Tank said with a grin. They left the diner in good spirits. Tiffany had a good time but all she wanted to do was collapse on her bed and fall asleep with Tank lying next to her.

  They got on Tank’s motorcycle and Tank drove her back to her apartment. Once they were inside, Tiffany took a quick shower. She expected Tank to be in bed, stripped down to his boxers and nothing else. She had some energy leftover for a quickie. Tiffany had pictured Tank sinking his dick inside her the moment he arrived to pick her up, but Tank was still dressed.

  She caught him looking out the window. He turned and when he saw her, the smile he flashed felt like warm sunlight on her face. Something about her man was different tonight, although Tiffany couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

  “Is something wrong?” Tiffany asked, a little worried now.

  Maybe Tank wasn’t being truthful with her earlier this morning and wasn’t happy about her moving to Grace? No, Tank wasn’t petty like that. More likely, her decision had taken him by surprise. They did promise each other they would discuss every important decision as a couple. That was probably it.

  “Everything is perfect,” Tank said, approaching her. He took her fingers in his, then kissed them. “After leaving you this morning, I came to a very important decision as well.”

  “A decision?” Tiffany asked.

  She was more curious now as opposed to being worried. Tiffany knew she should stop jumping the gun every single time she thought she made Tank unhappy. It was a habit she was slowly learning to break. Tank was crazy about her and she felt the same about him.

  “One that would affect us for the rest of our lives,” Tank said.

  “Gee, those words sound a little ominous,” she joked.

  Tank didn’t laugh. In fact, he had a very serious expression on his face. Tiffany sobered up, a little glad she hadn’t drunk too much at the party earlier. Tank looked like he wanted to discuss a very important matter with her and she needed to pay close attention.

  “Damn it. I should’ve known I’m no good at his. I even practiced saying the words with Gunner and Razor,” Tank grumbled. He ran a nervous hand through his hair.

  “What?” Tiffany asked, a little confused now. “Just say it, Tank. I’m all ears.”

  Tank took several deep breaths, then he kneeled in front of her. Part of Tiffany’s mind still wasn’t sure if this was truly happening, not until Tank took out a black, velvet box from the inside pocket of his jacket.

  She gasped when he showed her the ring inside. It was perfect. A gold band with a princess-cut diamond at the center. Tiffany widened her eyes. A dozen scenarios popped up in her head when Tank had gotten serious. Tank proposing wasn’t one of them.

  She put her hand to her mouth, at a complete loss for words. Tank took her free hand, while still holding the box with the other. “Tiffany, I love you with every fiber of my being. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’ll treat you like the queen you are and make sure no harm ever comes to you. Do me the honor of being my old lady, my wife,” Tank said.

  Tears filled her eyes. She knew Tank had trouble expressing himself most of the time, but he allowed himself to become vulnerable when she was with him. Tank must’ve really practiced hard before proposing to her.

  “Yes,” she answered, heart racing. “I will be your wife!”

  Chapter Eleven

  Tank decided he didn’t want to wait any longer to marry her. Two weeks later, Tiffany and her husband-to-be stood in Grace’s City Hall to get hitched. Her life had become a sudden whirlwind of activity.

  They stayed at the MC clubhouse while apartment searching, eventually finding the perfect place and location a week later. They were still fixing up their new home when Tank suddenly proclaimed he wanted her to be his wife. Tiffany had no complaints. Thanks to the help of their friends, their impromptu wedding somehow came to life.

  Thanks to Paige’s help, Tiffany managed to procure a gorgeous second-hand, mermaid-cut wedding dress that fitted her body like a glove. Paige and the other old ladies of the MC had helped doll her up for the special day.

  Now, Tank and her were waiting to be married by the official. They were third in line. Tank looked dashingly handsome in a rented black suit and tie, although personally, Tiffany preferred him in his riding leathers. Tank grasped her hands in his.

  “Baby, you can still change your mind. I know we both agreed on getting married here but if you want a big church wedding and a reception someplace fancy—” Tank began but Tiffany placed a finger to his lips.

  He paused and Tiffany leaned in close and kissed him. She smiled up at him. Tiffany knew he would give her the world if she asked but she didn’t want a lavish wedding. Hell, six months ago, Tiffany was still stuck in that horrid cell. She expected death to come for her any time.

  Back then, Tiffany thought the entire world had forsaken her, but Tank busted though her cell door and put a bullet in her tormentor’s skull. He ended that nightmarish chapter of her life and for that, she would forever be grateful.

  “Hey, shouldn’t you guys save the kissing after you’re both officially man and wife?” Razor teased.

  “Shut up, let them be,” Gunner told Razor.

  “Pipe down or we’ll get kicked out,” grumbled King, Tank’s president. In fact, the Reapers were making a ton of racket in the waiting room. She was certain they were only limited to six guests but at least a dozen of Tank’s MC brothers were here. Tiffany had a feeling the staff let them be, because they knew who the Reapers were.

  “I want this, I want to be yours by today,” Tiffany told Tank plainly. “Besides, let’s just save that money for something more important.”

  Tank laughed. “I’m a lucky bastard, aren’t I? I’m about to marry the most beautiful and practical woman in the world.”

  Their turn soon came next. Tiffany’s heart beat erratically as the official started speaking. She fumbled with her vows but neither Tank nor their guests seemed to mind. The next thing Tiffany knew, Tank slipped a gold band over her ring finger.

  “Let these rings be given and received as a token of your affection, sincerity, and fidelity to one another,” the official said.

  Before the official could finish his pronouncement, Tank held her close, banding one muscled arm around her waist. Tiffany gazed at her husband, her soulmate. She lifted her lips to a smile when she saw the love, tenderness, and devotion in Tank’s eyes. Tank kissed her in front of their witnesses without holding back. She grasped his shoulders, sucking on his tongue when he thrust it down her throat. The watching bikers let out hoots and cheers.

  Minutes later, their party finally left City Hall. It was good to feel the fresh wind on her face. She noticed one of Tank’s MC brothers had placed an adorable “Just Married” sign on the back of Tank’s Harley. Before leaving the building, Tiffany had changed out of her white dress into a more comfortable one suitable for riding.

  Normally, it was a short drive to the bed-and-breakfast where they would be holding the wedding reception. Tank reserved the honeymoon suite for them. Several of the bikers and their women were also staying there for the night. This time, Tank took the longer, scenic route. Tiffany enjoyed the ride immensely, even though she lost her veil when a strong gust of wind blew.

 

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