Free Payne (The Soldiers of Wrath MC: Grit Chapter Book 3) by Sam Crescent, Jenika Snow

the beginning, and running hadn’t been the best course of action. He’d missed out on the first months of her pregnancy. After it was clear he wanted this just as much as she did, Vicky knew things would work out perfectly.
    They were meant to be together.

    * * *
    T hey’d arrived at the MC about half an hour ago, and Payne couldn’t get his focus off Vicky and how vibrant she looked. Everyone was cooing over their son, and although these men were in leather, sported tattoos, and had badass personalities, they were gentle with Ryan.
    Beast was now holding the little guy, but when Ryan started wailing Beast looked scared as fuck and handed him off to King. Surprisingly, King was able to calm Ryan down enough so that he only whimpered. He cooed down at the baby, stroked his cheek, and looked totally in love. King then looked over at his old lady and smiled, and there was some exchange going on there, something private and special.
    “You did good, man,” Smalls said as he walked up to him.
    Payne grunted. “You don’t have to tell me, brother.” He looked over at Vicky. “I’m one lucky fucker.”
    “You sure are. I swear, it’s one after the other with the patches finding old ladies and settling down.”
    He looked over at the other man. “You want to settle down?”
    Smalls seemed to think about it for a second, then shook his head. “What the fuck would I do with an old lady?”
    Payne heard this strange emotion in Smalls’ voice.
    “Although I’m starting to think something is up with the twins.”
    Payne glanced at Grim and Reaper. They were off to the corner, looking scared as fuck as they looked at Ryan.
    “You see how they were acting in the meeting?”
    Payne nodded. “Could be anything. You know how those two work.”
    “Nah, I think it’s something else. I think they might want something more than what they’ve had.”
    Payne looked at Smalls again. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
    Smalls just shrugged.
    The other man ended up walking away after a little while, and Payne went back to looking at Vicky. She was holding Ryan now, and the old ladies were around her. He saw the love in his woman’s eyes as she looked down at their son. And when she looked at him he felt his heart jerk in his chest. He mouthed, “ I love you, ” and the smile on her face could have sent him to his knees.
    God, he was one lucky bastard.

20
    I t took Payne three months before he went back to dealing with club business. Vicky was more than happy to deal with Ryan. He was such a sweet and charming boy. Payne didn’t like being away, and she did miss him at night. She was determined to prove to him that she could do all of this on her own. It wasn’t that she wanted to do it on her own, only that she could.
    She had run because Payne wasn’t willing to give her a chance. The truth was, she truly believed he didn’t love her, or want anything to do with her.
    “Daddy will be home soon. Yes he will, and if we’re lucky, he’ll sing you to sleep. I know you love it when Daddy sings.” She pressed a kiss to his temple, and laughed at the baby noises he made. The love she felt for Ryan was soul deep. He was everything she loved about Payne, and so much more.
    “I hear my name,” Payne said, making her gasp and turn toward him.
    “See, Daddy’s here.” She held Ryan close to her chest and turned to smile at her man. He wore his leather cut with the patch clearly stating his Prez status within the club. He held his arms out, and she handed Ryan over to him. “Has he eaten?”
    “I’ve just fed him.” She stroked Ryan’s cheek, smiling as he nuzzled against his father, clearly happy and safe. “You got back quickly.”
    “Always. You know I like to be there with him when he goes down to bed. I always try to be home for you two.” He reached out, cupping the back of her neck and drawing her closer. “I missed you.”
    “I missed you, too.”
    Vicky watched and listened as he sang to Ryan,