Page 11 of Johny

“Sure, man, come on,” Reaper said, walking towards the back of the gym and the small break room they had back there. Dragon and Rogue fell into step behind us.

Once we’d all found seats, I took a sip from the water bottle that Reaper handed me, wetting my dry mouth.

“What can we do for you?” Reaper asked when I didn’t say anything.

Jesus, why the fuck was I so nervous? I was theone they sent into situations just like this to smooth things over, joke a little to put everyone at ease. It was a different story when it was your own heart involved. Well, there was nothing for it. I was just going to have to tell them and hope for the best. Either way, I was taking Maya out whether they liked it or not. It would just be a little easier if they didn’t give me a hard time.

“I wanted to let you know that I’m going to ask Maya to come out with me tomorrow night.”

That certainly got their attention. Dragon had been leaning back in his chair, balancing on its back legs. The chair dropped back to the ground with an audible thunk as he sat up. Rogue had been sitting on the counter, but at my words, he slid off and to his feet. The only one that still seemed relaxed was Reaper, but I knew he wasn’t, not with the way he was eyeing me.

“Uh huh, and what makes you think that you’re good enough to take her out?”

“Oh, I know I’m not,” I informed Reaper. Surprise flashed across his face at my words. “I’d still like to take her out, though.”

“You know what she’s been through?” Dragon growled.

Nodding in acknowledgement, “I do.”

“What’s your plans for her?” Rogue demands. “She’s not the type you can mess around with, and she’s got little ones.”

Steadily, I gazed at them, “You’re not telling me anything that I don’t know. I’ll tell you what I told my brothers. She’s the one for me. I’ll marry her when she’s ready, and you know that her children will be mine no matter their surname.”

“Just like that?” Reaper asks.

“Just like that,” I agreed. “I know that she’s the right one for me and I hate that she’s had to go through what she has, but selfishly, I’m also happy because it brought her here. Now, am I going to mess up? Probably. But it will never be with the intention to hurt her or the children.”

Reaper was silent as he considered me. He nodded, “Okay, I appreciate you coming to us. You didn’t need to. Maya’s a grown woman and can make up her own mind, but it’s appreciated, anyway. Doesn’t mean we won’t give you some shit, though.”

Smirking at him, I tell him, “I’d expect nothing less. And thanks.”

Rogue laughed, “We were expecting you. Aunt Maggie told us what you’ve been doing.”

“For fuck’s sake. You made me sweat fornothing,” I muttered, throwing my empty water bottle at him.

“Sure, as fuck did,” Dragon grinned. “If you had sisters, you’d get it.”

Relieved to have it over, I left them and walked down to the beauty spa that was Bren’s brainchild and booked Maya in for the works. I’d bought her dress while I was in Ireland. I’d told my aunt about her and had spent an afternoon being dragged from shop to shop. It had been hell, but when Maya opened her door, I saw how gorgeous she looked. The afternoon of hell had been well worth it.

She was everything I’d dreamed of, and I couldn’t wait to prove it to her.

CHAPTER 5

MAYA

It had been a perfect evening; I’d never had a first date like this ever. I’d also never felt so spoilt in all my life. Johnny was attentive, funny, and made me feel like I was the only woman in the room. Not once did his eyes stray, not even when the waitress placed our plates down and pushed her breasts in his face. He just leant back and carried on talking to me about Ireland and why he’d had to go.

It seemed like his younger brother needed a wake-up call sooner rather than later.

Pushing my plate away, I wiped my mouth and took a sip of wine, “Thank you for dinner, my dress, and the spa. I feel thoroughly spoilt.”

He smiled at me, taking my hand and pressing a kiss to the palm, a shiver ran along my body atthe intimate contact.

“You’re welcome,a stór, you deserve to be spoilt a little. Now, how do you feel about dancing?”

I blinked a little at his swift change of subject, “Um, I like it. It’s been a long time, though.”

“Well, then let’s get out of here and to The Lounge. I have a new band playing tonight and I want to check them out. We can take a turn around the dance floor at the same time.”