Bound In Secrets

Fairy Uncle

Sawyer

"Mo cherub!" My Uncle Jax shouts, running to me. He lifts me and spins me around while I laugh happily.

Jaxson has always been the most fun-loving of my uncles. He sets me down, making me giggle when he rubs his freckled nose against mine.

Fairy kisses, he calls them. From the very first time he met me, he has greeted me this way. He makes me feel like a little girl again.

"That's enough of dat, you," Uncle Tee scolds him with his arms crossed over his chest.

Jax looks at him with a knowing smirk, sauntering toward my uncle. "What's the matter, mo pheata? Are you mad I didn't come to kiss you first?"

Tee scoffs at him, but when Jax puts his arms around his neck, Tee's face softens, and he holds his husband close. "Did you miss me, ma doudou?"

I snicker at the sound of Tee's pet name for Jax. 'Pheata' translates to pet and 'Doudou' loosely translates to pookie or security item like a blanket.

Jax's reply is to kiss Tee in such an obscene manner that embarrassment creeps up my neck watching them. They are adorable together.

I wish I had someone that I could be that open with, practically making out in public.

When the kiss breaks, Tee lets out a soft chortle, "I'll take that as yes." Jax rolls his eyes, stepping out of Tee's embrace.

"Well, show me this place that would make a good dance studio, Pet," Jax suggests, placing his bag in the backseat of my truck.

Jax turns to me. "Oh, Sawyer, we can test it out. You will teach dance lessons for me, won't you?" He sing-songs.

I place both hands on my hips, cocking one to the side. "I haven't danced in ten years, Uncle Jax. Are you sure you want me teaching?" I scrunched up my nose at the thought.

About two years ago, I could wear heels again after what happened six years ago at the hands of Razor Grothman. My feet haven't been the same since. Then again, I haven't pushed to get back to dancing.

Jax laughs. "Of course, I do! You were my best student, mo cherub beag."

I swore to my uncles when I was ten that I would always be their little cherub. My children are now their cherubs as well.

I must admit, the idea of dancing again sounds tempting. I would need to work to get back into shape.

I'm sure I could run the dance studio, but that would also mean letting Cruise run my club more often. Cruise is very capable. He just doesn't know how to deal with other people's emotions.

"I'll think about Uncle Jax," I say. The entire car ride to the honest-to-goodness warehouse Tee found in town, Jax begs me relentlessly until I finally agree to be a dance instructor for him.

The man is annoyingly persistent.

"Fine, but I'm going to need help. Can you come here to dance with me so I can get back into the swing of movements and routines?" I ask.

Tee and Jax shared a loaded look. "What? What was that look for?"

"You don't know, do you?" Tee asks.

"Know what?" I snap, frustrated at being left in the dark.

"Do you know who owns that new strip club in town?" Jax asks.

I frown. "No, it was bought out from underneath me, but I've heard rumors. It's amazing. The sets and choreography are phenomenal. Why?"

"The owner is a student of mine and I think you know him," Jax hints.

I look at Tee, who is not being helpful at all. "He came to your apartment this morning, cher."

"You mean, one of Tempest is a stripper?!" I shouted, completely flabbergasted.

"Oh Seraphim, it's more than that. You aren't the only major player in Grêle anymore. You have competition," Jax says just before the real-estate agent pulls up in her little car.

I'm not that worried about my boys being my competition to own the town. If they are the same boys I grew up with, they will hand over everything to me. All I have to do is ask.

Though having Tempest buy up bits and pieces, I don't already own will work to my benefit. Teaming with them will keep the gangs out of Grêle. Well, all but C.H.A.O.S. and my team, the Death Angels, that is.

I still need to share the town with the Louisiana Chapter of the Death Riders MC, the Death Angels, but Pèrèrè is the current president.

Aunt Ali's father started the original Death Riders MC in Texas. Her older brother, Grimm, is strict with the bylaws. The MCs are forbidden to run skin, drugs, or guns.

Almost everything they do and own is legal. Well, I mean the Death Angel's chop shop isn't, but the wrecking yard doubles as one, so it all ends up well. Plus, it gives some kids a job to flex their boosting muscles.

I was one of those kids, not that my boys even knew that I had been boosting cars to make money since I was ten.

"Hello, I'm Annie. Nice to meet you, Mr. St. Juste." The brunette woman in sensible heels and a navy pants-suit says, first offering her hand to Tee.

"Nice to meet you person, too. Please call me Tee," my uncle says, shaking her hand.

"It's O'Dwyer," Uncle Jax growls under his breath beside me.

I roll my eyes at this age-old point of contention between my uncles. Uncle Jax thinks that Tee should have taken his last name when they got married. Uncle Tee refused, and Jax has yet to get over that fact. It changes nothing, so I don't understand the hangup.

Uncle Tee's head snaps to his husband. "Don't start dat, you," he warns in a low voice that promises severe punishment.

Uncle Tee then turns back to the lady with a friendly smile on his face. "With me is ma husband, Jax, and my niece, Sawyer. Sawyer lives here."

He turns so that the real estate agent can introduce herself. She shakes Uncle Jax's hand.

She halts when she sees me. "Hiya, Annie girl. How's your girlfriend?"

"Leanne is doing just fine, Ms. Seraphim! I haven't seen you in coon's age. How's the little angels?" Annie asks me, giving me a much more enthusiastic handshake than the polite ones she gave my uncles.

Annie is one of my people, a Seraphim Serpent. I helped her get her business started and introduced her to her girlfriend. She has been loyal to me ever since.

Like I said, I'm not worried about Tempest attempting to take over. This is MY town.

"The kiddos are growin' like weeds. They were excited to see my Uncle Tee this mornin' when they woke up."

"Your uncle?" She asks and I nod.

"Tee is Nate's stepbrother. I've known him since I was eight. He's my uncle. So that makes Jax my uncle, too. Treat them well, Annie girl."

"You got it, boss, ma'am. Deys family. I'll make sure they get a good deal," she assures me, and I laugh.

"You don't have to make a deal on this warehouse if they want it. They are loaded, so money doesn't mean much to them. I just ask for transparency and honesty. If there is somethin' wrong with the building or it needs work, let us know."

Annie beams. "Well, in that case, I can do that. How about we look and discuss as we go, hmm?"

I nod with a smile, gesturing for Annie to lead the way. She is the one with the key to the chain on the doors of this place.