November 18
Dani was up before 5 am. She had thought about waking Happy up as she rolled over, but he had his arm over his face, and was laying there snoring. That, and he had woken her up at 3:30 am and had made long slow love to her. It hadn't been a fuck, it was passionate, and sensual, and she had clung to him as he thrust into her over and over.
Dani slipped out of bed and went into the bathroom. She went to the bathroom, and then pulled on Happy's old worn Harley t-shirt. She had worn it quite often over the last 9 months, but this morning it just felt different. It was just more comforting than usual. She pulled on a pair of yoga pants and headed downstairs.
She made a pot of coffee and then stepped out onto the patio to have her morning smoke. It was still pitch dark, but the light from the kitchen was shining through the windows, and it gave her enough light to see. Dani sat back in the chair, sipping her coffee, and thinking, about Happy, which made her smile. She also thought about Jacobson, which pissed her off.
When she had finished her cigarette, she went into her office. First, she assembled the list of the Elite administrators and board members. She wished she had Loco's email address, she would send that to him, but she would have to wait till Quinn or Happy were up.
Then she started in on finishing the paperwork on Jacobson's daughters. She had done quite a bit of it the afternoon before. As she was filling it out she thought back about whether she should have been more forthcoming with prior Elite paperwork, but then she remembered, prior parents had tried to kill her. She wrote scathing comments, and her recommendations where harsh.
Dani decided she had better take a break, before she sent the paperwork to the Elite director. Give herself an opportunity to step back and then reread the document before attaching it to the email and sending it off. She looked over at her coffee cup, and it was empty. She got up from the desk and headed for the kitchen to get more coffee.
As she came out of the office and around the corner, she heard something, and she jumped and gasped. She looked up the stairs, to see Quinn walking down the stairs in sweat pants and a t-shirt.
"Jesus, you scared me," Dani said, her hand on her chest.
"Sorry Darlin, I am an early riser, but wow, you have me beat." Quinn said as he descended the rest of the stairs. "How long have you been up?" Quinn asked.
"About an hour," Dani replied as she walked over to the kitchen, refilling her cup and pouring one for Quinn.
"How's Hap feel about waking up to an empty bed?" Quinn asked as he took the coffee from Dani.
"I am guessing he is used to it. I am always up before he is." Dani responded.
"Come on, let's go smoke. I need that morning fix," Quinn said as he opened the patio door, holding it for Dani.
This time, Dani turned on the patio underlighting as they sat down. Both of them lit up, and then Quinn just looked at Dani. He stared at her, and slowly he smiled.
"Why are you smiling?" Dani asked.
"I bet you called Cadence really well when you were in the service," Quinn finally commented.
A bit confused, Dani looked at him. "Well, not that I marched in formation often, but yeah, I could hold my own. Where the hell did that come from Quinn?" Dani asked.
"Just an observation. You, were, … Definite in who you belong to last night." Quinn finally stated, smiling at her.
Dani, for her part, turned bright red. After a moment, she finally spoke up. "I think Happy wanted to make a point. To you. To me. AND to himself." Dani said softly.
"Well he put an exclamation mark on it from what I heard." Quinn replied. He could not help it, he was smiling wide.
"Happy told me you were going to call your wife if you started to hear us," Dani said softly.
"I did. We were both very impressed." Quinn said, smiling more.
"Tell me about her," Dani said. Taking the opportunity to change the subject.
"Katherine?" Quinn asked. Dani nodded. "She is a cardiac surgical nurse in Reno. She is tall, long black hair. She pretty much hates motorcycles, but rides with me when I ask. She was working in Reno when we met, and since I was already nomad at that point, didn't make any sense for her to move anywhere."
"How did you meet?" Dani asked.
"She was the nurse on duty the night I laid my bike down outside Reno," Quinn answered.
"Were you being chased?" Dani asked.
Quinn chuckled, "No, according to the sheriff's report, I hit a big horn sheep on the curves on 431, south of town. I woke up to Kate hanging another IV bag at the hospital. She is the only thing I remember about that whole day. She has been my angel and lucky charm ever since, although it took me a while to figure it out." Quinn said. Dani could tell he was thinking about the memory as he talked.
"Like it took Happy a while?" she asked.
"Sort of. Look Dani. Each member of the club reconciles their personal life with club life differently. And Hap, well, until you, the only personal life I ever knew him to have in almost 20 years was his Ma." Quinn took a sip of coffee. "Now I am not going to defend what he did, but I do get it."
"Well it sounds like you got it regarding Katherine. How long have you been married?" she asked.
"15 years. We "ran" off to Vegas. There was no way I was doing that club wedding bullshit." Quinn said dryly.
"Club wedding? What the hell is that?" Dani asked.
"A shit show, in my opinion. Anyway, Hap was there, and her sister. As far as we were concerned that was all we needed." Quinn was smiling big as he talked about her.
"I'd like to meet her," Dani said.
"I'd like that. I think you two would really hit it off. But that'll be up to Hap." Quinn said flatly.
"Up to Happy? What will be?" Dani asked.
"If you and Katherine meet. Its up to him how 'involved' you get with the club, its members, and the old ladies." Quinn stated.
Dani sat back. This was something she hadn't thought about. Sure, she knew how MC's worked. How they were highly patriarchal, and how women deferred to their man, but for things even like meeting another member's wife?
"Dani," Quinn said, waiting for Dani to look at him. "Can I give you some advice?" Quinn asked. He waited till Dani nodded. "You and Happy need to talk. Not just about how you feel, but how this will work for you two. Kate and I did way back when. And truth, it was more helpful for me than it was for her." Quinn paused as Dani took in what he said. "There aren't many hard and fast rules, and there are even less when your old man is a nomad. But this only works if you are honest with him, about what you want, about what you need, about what you can do, and just as importantly, what you can't or won't do."
Dani thought a minute, and then looked at Quinn. "Katherine tell you to tell me that?" Dani asked.
Quinn nodded. "She may be your biggest fan. Although, after yesterday, I am not so sure. You have quite the fan in Jack." Quinn said flatly.
Dani smiled. "What did Jack say to you?"
"Just said he tried to warn you about Hap." Quinn said. He watched as Dani smiled.
"He did. The day of the Toy Run 2 years ago. I had to remind him I was a big girl." Dani said.
"I had to remind him of that yesterday." Quinn said. "Of course, other than Jack, and Loco,
no one really knows about you and Hap," He chuckled. "Katherine and I have been talking about you since, well,"
About that time, the patio door opened and the two of them looked over. Happy came walking out, carrying a cup of coffee. He walked over, sliding his hand into Dani's hair. He pulled her head back and bent down, kissing her softly. He whispered, "Morning girl." He then moved over to the empty chair and sat down, "What the fuck are you two talking about at 6:45 in the morning."
Dani smiled, and Quinn responded, "Katherine." Happy looked at Quinn. "Dani here wanted to know how Katherine and I met."
"Oh, you mean the 'I woke up and she had a golden light around her' bullshit?" Happy said dryly as he took a drag from his cigarette. Dani chuckled. It was obvious that Happy had heard the story more than once.
"Golden light?" Dani asked as she laughed.
"That's right," Quinn said smiling.
Wanting to change the subject and wanting some time to think about what Quinn had told her, Dani took the opportunity to change the subject.
"Alright. Now that the 2 of you are up. I have a list of all the Elite people for Loco. If you have an email address, I can send it to him." Dani said. "I also have all the paperwork done for the Jacobson girls. I am going to reread it later this morning. I want to make sure it doesn't sound biased."
Happy looked at her. Happy knew her dodge and weave moves. There had been more in her conversation with Quinn than just Katherine. He was going to talk to her about the conversation later.
"I'll get you his email. But we have a bit of time don't we? That paperwork isn't due till the 20th? Let's get Loco's report back on the people before you send that paperwork, so we are prepared if there is an issue." Quinn said.
Dani nodded in agreement. "Sounds good."
"You heard from Loco?" Happy asked. He wondered what he had gotten out of Ramirez last night after they left.
"Just a text telling me he had dumped him, and he was working on the info." Quinn said.
"Is he an early riser like us? Maybe he has something." Dani said.
Quinn chuckled. He knew Loco. He probably hadn't gone to bed yet. He was probably madly searching on each of the people on Ramirez list. "Darlin, he probably has been in front of his computer all night. He sort of gets tunnel vision when he has something like this to chase."
"Well then, call him. See what kind of progress he has made, and then tell him to come over for breakfast." Dani said. Dani started to get up to head for the kitchen. She wanted more coffee, and she needed to see what she had to make for breakfast.
"Dani," Happy started. His voice making her turn to look at him. He didn't need to say it. Dani saw it in his look. He didn't want Loco coming over.
"If he has been working all night, he deserves a hot meal. And then we can know what he has and get working on it." Dani stated flatly.
Quinn sat back. This was between them. He needed to let them come to their own resolution. Personally, he kind of agreed with Happy. Until this was over, there was no need to expose Dani anymore than necessary. But he also knew Dani was trying to find her boundary.
Happy took a deep breath. He wanted to just put his foot down. However, he knew she was trying to get her footing back. To not feel like a victim. But she was still recovering, and he couldn't help but want to protect her. Happy stood up, walking over to her. He stood right in front of her, his hand moving to the back of her neck. "We'll get hold of Loco, see what he has, and tell him to come over. But no cooking breakfast." Happy said as he looked right at her.
"Then what do you suggest we eat?" Dani asked.
"I'll make some breakfast. You have done enough." Happy said to her.
"Hot damn, Hap's cooking," Quinn piped in. Dani and Happy looked over at him. He was grinning as he raised his cup. Happy just rolled his eyes as he pulled Dani to him. "You are a dick." Happy quipped at Quinn.
"Yep, and its long and thick." Quinn answered back. Dani giggled into Happy's chest, and Happy just glared at Quinn.
Happy looked down at Dani. "You go get ready." Then he leaned down, whispering in her ear. "and for god's sake put a bra on." Dani looked up at Happy. Her eyes widened as she realized why Happy said it. Happy nodded his head.
"Sorry, Sir. Didn't think about it." Dani said softly. She tried to look down, but Happy kept his grip tight on the back of her neck, forcing her to keep looking at him.
"Don't worry girl. I'm not worried about Quinn. But I don't want anyone else seeing that shit." Happy said back softly. "Now, we'll take care of shit down here. You go get ready." Happy gripped her neck harder and leaned down, kissing her softly.
Dani nodded and then turned and stepped inside. Happy turned to Quinn, "Call Loco. Seems we are having breakfast here." Happy then stepped into the house to see what was in the kitchen.
Quinn laughed. He was kind of impressed, with both of them. Dani had been strong, and contrary to his character, Happy had been almost compromising. If Quinn had to score the interaction, he would probably call it a draw. Dani got what she wanted, and whatever Happy had whispered to her, it had clearly made his point with her.
Quinn flipped his phone open and dialed Loco. He picked up on the 2nd ring. "Whatcha got?" Quinn asked.
"More than enough. He is one underhanded mother fucker." Loco answered.
"Well, gather your techy shit and head over here. Hap is cooking breakfast." Quinn said
"Really? Fucking perfect. I am starving." Loco said.
"Dani has a list of people for you to look into related to this sport shit. She will email it to you, but you can get to work on it here." Quinn replied.
"Perfect. I'll see you in 20." Loco said and then hung up.
Quinn looked in his cup, seeing it was empty, he got up, heading into the kitchen. He wasn't going to miss this opportunity to needle Happy. He walked in and over to the pot. After filling his cup, he turned around and leaned against the counter. "Loco is on his way. Said he'd be here in 20."
Happy was taking shit out of the refrigerator. He had noticed the banana bread sitting on the counter. He had felt it, it was cool. Dani must have taken it out of the freezer this morning. He was getting organized, but he could feel Quinn looking at him. "Something you want?" Happy asked.
"Not really. Was just wondering what you had whispered to Dani that turned her so apologetic." Quinn smiled when Happy practically slammed the large skillet down on the burner as Quinn talked. Now he knew Happy had really held back while he was talking to Dani.
Happy looked over at Quinn. "I told her to put a bra on. Walking around with her fucking tits looking like that in her shirt."
Quinn laughed. "Hap, its her house." Quinn said.
Happy braced himself on the counter. "I know. But doesn't mean she needs to show that shit off. Especially to my brothers." Happy growled.
"Well, I am sure she will realize now it bothers you. You know you need to talk with her. About rules and boundaries. She wants to meet Katherine. I told her that was up to you." Quinn stated.
"Yeah, I know I do. I thought about that when I walked out seeing you two talking. We got shit to figure out." Happy said, as he continued to work on breakfast.
"Well you two figured this morning out. I am sure you will get the rest." Quinn said.
"Am I always going to just want to put her in a bubble?" Happy asked.
"Yes, and no. That gut feeling of wanting to protect her never goes away. But with time, you two will get a rhythm. And she will learn too." Quinn said. Happy looked at him, wondering what he was talking about. "She will learn what to ask for help on, and what she can handle herself. She's taken care of herself a long time. She has to adjust, just like you do."
Happy nodded. Jesus, this relationship shit was not simple. Happy had started sautéing the vegetables in one pan, and the sausage in another. He was going to need a plan. Fuck, what did he want? Did he want her to stay a secret?
Happy heard the stove beep, letting him know it was preheated. He took the eggs he had beaten, the veggies, the sausage and cheese and put them in the large flat skillet. Then he put it in the oven. He was basically making a frittata, although he just called it oven eggs.
Happy pointed at the cabinet, indicating Quinn needed to open it. Quinn opened it and saw the plates and got down 4 plates. Quinn went about getting shit out for them to eat with while Happy cleaned up from prepping breakfast. When they heard a motorcycle coming down the street, Quinn went over to the door. He nodded back, indicating it was Loco. Quinn opened the door as Loco stepped up on the porch.
After the obligatory greetings, Loco asked, "Where can I set up?" Loco asked. Happy pointed at the dining room table. As Loco got set up, Dani came walking down the stairs. She was in a Long sleeve Harley Shirt, and yoga pants, and a bra.
Happy stepped out of the kitchen, meeting Dani at the bottom of the stairs. She looked up at him as Happy ran his hand through her wet hair. "Better?" She asked softly. Happy nodded and leaned down kissing her softly. When he broke the kiss, Dani leaned over, so she could whisper in his ear. "I have panties on too." She pulled back and smiled at him. Happy moaned. "I'll keep that in mind for later." He whispered back.
Happy led her over to Loco. "Loco, this is Dani." Happy said. Dani just smiled as Loco looked at her.
Dani extended her hand to shake Loco's hand. "Nice to meet you. I assume you are 'the guy,'" Dani said. Loco shook her hand and nodded. "That's me."
Dani gave Loco the WiFi password and offered him a cup of coffee. Loco had just finished setting everything up when Happy took the eggs out of the oven. "Let's eat." Happy said as he put the pan on the hot pad on the breakfast bar. Everyone sat down and dug in, passing the banana bread around.
"I fucking love it when Hap cooks," Loco said as he helped himself to a second helping of eggs. Dani smiled as Happy just shook his head, thinking back to that morning when she had first learned Hap could cook.
"You missed it last night, Dani made us Supper, it was fantastic." Quinn piped in.
"Sounds like they are a good match. Between the two of them they could keep the nomads well fed." Loco got up, grabbing the coffee pot that had just finished making a fresh pot, and filled everyone's cup. Happy glared at Loco as he filled his cup. "What? Is it such a bad thing that you two have matching aprons?" Loco said. Quinn nearly choked on his bite he laughed so hard. Not phased at all by Happy's glare, Loco looked at Dani. "Dani, Quinn said you had a list of people I need to check out. Have you emailed it to me yet?"
"No. let me do that real quick. Or do you want a hard copy? I can print it." Dani said as she walked into her office. Loco followed her into the office.
"Both would be great. That way I can make notes, etc." Loco said. He gave Dani his email address, and then took the printout when Dani handed it to him. Loco went to step out the front door, and Dani asked where he was going, "Out to smoke." He replied.
Dani pointed to the patio door. "Out there, dear." She said to him. He nodded.
Quinn took the opportunity to give Happy and Dani a moment alone. "I'll join you," he said, getting up and heading out the door. Dani had walked back into the kitchen and was starting to clean up the plates when Happy walked up behind her. He turned her in his arms and softly kissed her.
Dani moaned into his mouth as she leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. When he broke the kiss he looked at her. "Quinn says you want to meet Katherine." Happy said as he stroked her cheek.
"I do. He also pointed out some things we may need to talk about." Dani said.
"Yeah, he pointed that out to me too. We will figure it out girl, but I need you to know something," Happy paused. He looked at her. How did he say this? "Me not wanting you to meet others in the club isn't about being ashamed of you. I just," Happy paused again.
"You want me safe." Dani finished for him. Happy nodded.
"Is Katherine not safe for me?" Dani asked.
"No, not at all. I just got to figure out how far in I want you to get. Is that ok?" Happy asked.
Dani nodded. "But in the meantime, can't I meet Katherine? I think," Dani trailed off.
"You think what?" Happy asked.
"I think she might have some advice I could use too." Dani said. Happy smiled.
"I'll talk to Quinn. See if we can work something out soon." Happy said. Dani smiled. Happy pulled her to him and kissed her again. Dani felt his hand sliding in the back of her yoga pants. He gripped the panties she had on, pulling them. Dani moaned. Hap was about to rip them off her when he heard the patio door open and Loco walk back in. He pulled his hand out, tucking Dani into his chest.
He whispered in her ear. "Remember that for later." Dani's cheeks were bright red and Happy chuckled. "I need to talk to Quinn, be good." Happy said as he headed for the patio. Dani started to say she would join them, but then stopped. He would have said 'let's go smoke' if what he had to talk about with Quinn he wanted her to hear. So she stayed in the kitchen and looked around, wondering what she could do. Well first she needed a cigarette. So she went out to the garage, on the premise of wanting to get something out of the deep freeze. She smoked in the garage, and then came back into the house.
After she had cleaned up the kitchen, she grabbed the coffee pot. She walked over to Loco. "Need anything? Can I help?" Loco looked at her.
"No ma'am." He said. This was when Dani noticed that Loco was significantly younger than Quinn, and Happy, and herself.
"Ma'am? Really Loco, please call me Dani." She said.
"Can't really do that. Unless Hap says that's ok. Even as a member, you don't call another member's old lady by her first name unless he says that's ok, or you hear other members using her name." Loco said.
Dani's eyes got wide as saucers. Old Lady? "Loco, 2 things. 1. You heard Quinn call me Dani, so it is Ok, and 2. I am not Happy's old lady. At least, at least I don't think I am." Dani said. She trailed off. Was that what she was now?
"Ok Dani. But either way, I think I am good." Loco said.
"Well, do you have the info on the people Ramirez gave you? I can start looking over that." Dani asked. Loco looked at her hesitantly. "Look Loco. I'm who they tried to kill. I am the one in danger. I have EVERY right to read that shit. Now give it to me." Dani said.
"Yes ma'am." Loco said as he handed her the stuff. She walked into her office and shut the door. Between the old lady comment, and Loco not wanting to give her the info, she was sort of put off, and rather than say or do something, Dani chose to retreat, read the information, and compose herself.
Happy had stepped out on the patio, sitting down with Quinn. "Everything good with your girl?" Quinn asked as Happy lit up a smoke.
"She's good for now. You think Katherine would be able to come up, say after Thanksgiving?" Happy asked Quinn.
"I don't think the Mayans starting a war would keep her from coming." Quinn said, smiling at Happy. "See, its not that hard to work things out."
"Yeah, well first thing we work out is Jacobson. Then Dani and I can work out the boundaries of her and I." Happy said.
"So, we need to look at that info Loco has from the names Ramirez gave him, and then see if he digs up anything of the sports people. Then send the paperwork. I say we wait to threaten Jacobson with the info Loco dug up till he has received the "disappointing" news about his girls." Quinn said.
"I agree, we do it before then, and he will know something fishy is up with their acceptance." Happy nodded.
"Till then, we wait. Dani say how long it is till team shit is announced?" Quinn asked.
"They don't fuck around. All done by the 23rd. I guess they get team assignments and have to fucking start practicing over Thanksgiving." Happy said.
"Cool, that will make this waiting around shit short. You know, she isn't going to make it cooped up in the house till the 23rd." Quinn said.
"Too bad. Its for her own good." Happy said as he crushed out his cigarette. He looked at Quinn, who was glaring at him. "Ok, I know. I can't keep her here. But I am not just letting her run around town like nothing has happened."
"I get it Hap. I had Nugget at our place for 3 weeks after Kate was in that car wreck. And that was truly an accident, not a threat. But you can't lock her up." Quinn said as he looked at his friend. "Gonna have to talk to her about it."
"Jesus, I need a fucking list." Happy said. Then he chuckled.
"What?" Quinn inquired.
"First time I was here. Dani made me breakfast, didn't have any syrup for pancakes. I teased her she needed to put it on her list." Happy trailed off as he thought about that morning.
"And here you are the one who needs a list," Quinn chuckled.
"Yeah. Go Figure." Happy mumbled. Happy looked at the door. He had kind of figured Dani would have come out by now. Quinn had noticed him glancing at the door.
"You worried about something?" Quinn asked.
"Nah, just figured Dani would have come out by now." Hap commented.
About that time, Loco stepped out onto the porch. He sort of had this look like, he wasn't sure if he should be or wanted to be doing what he was about to do.
"Something up Loco?" Quinn asked.
"I don't know. I think, I don't know." Loco stammered.
"Spit it out." Happy snapped.
"I think I may have said something that, may have, well, upset Dani." Loco said. Happy started to jump out of his chair, but Quinn grabbed his arm. Giving him the look to be calm. He motioned for Loco to come out and join them.
"Now tell us, what makes you think you said something."
"Honestly, I was just being respectful. She asked if she could help me, and I said no ma'am. She told me to call her Dani and I said that I couldn't unless you said it ok with you" Loco pointed at Happy. "Told her it was just a matter of respect for old ladies." Loco was looking away from Happy, every word out of Loco's mouth had made Happy more agitated and Quinn smile more.
"And then what happened." Happy growled.
"She sort of stammered, like she was thinking about something, and then demanded the info I had on the names Ramirez gave me and went in her office. She shut the door. And I realized when I got up to get more, she took the coffee pot in there with her." Loco said.
Quinn was trying his best to not bust out laughing. But what he did know was the small success they had this morning regarding the bra was probably about to be totally discounted. Before he had a problem with his enforcer wanting to kill his intel officer, Quinn decided maybe it was time for him to interject himself into this situation.
"Loco, tell you what. You got the names from Dani, right?" Quinn asked. Loco nodded. "Alright, you head back to the hotel. Work from there. When you have cleared all of them, let me know. If any of them don't clear, document how they are attached to Jacobson, and get that to me." Loco nodded. Loco started to turn to head inside. "Wait for me outside, I will ride out with you."
When Loco stepped inside Quinn turned his attention to Happy. Happy looked like a caged animal. He was angry. "Happy, listen to me. Loco and I are going to get out of here. But before you talk to her, you need to calm down. Loco didn't do anything any member wouldn't have done." Quinn paused, letting what he had said sink in with Happy. Finally Happy nodded.
"Fuck," Happy exclaimed. "Any suggestions?" Happy asked his friend.
"Yeah, just ask her what is wrong. After you have talked about shit, then go over that info together. Do not cut her out." Quinn stood up and patted Happy on the shoulder. "Remember one thing. She is the woman you love. I'll call you later."
Quinn walked in and headed upstairs, getting dressed quickly. When he headed back down, the office door was still closed. He saw Happy still sitting out on the patio. Quinn decided to help this along a bit. He walked over and knocked on the door of the office. He heard Dani say come in softly.
He opened the door just a bit and stuck his head in. "Loco and I are heading out. We need to take care of a couple club things. We will get you this info to you on the sports people asap. Thanks for the hospitality." Quinn told her.
Dani smiled softly. "Anytime Quinn. See you later today."
Quinn closed the door. He walked out to the garage and opened the garage door. He saw Loco waiting, He started his bike and backed it out of the garage. He used the code on the panel to close the door, and he and Loco pulled out. When they got to the end of Dani's neighborhood, Quinn looked over at Loco. "You got a 2nd copy of that shit your found out from Ramirez?" He asked. Loco nodded yes. "Give it to me."
Loco put his kick stand down and got the stuff out of his saddle bag. Quinn folded the papers and put them in his jacket. "Head back to the motel and do your shit, I need to do some things."
Loco nodded and got back on his bike and headed out. Quinn for his part, went the other direction. He found a gas station and pulled into the parking lot. He sat there a minute and then decided he better make the call. He took out his phone and called, lighting a cigarette as he listened to it ring. When he heard the line pick up, he simply said, "Need your help."