“How many Chapters now?” I frown. Back when I met Ghost, there was only Driftwood.
He smiles wide, pride shining in his eyes. “Twelve,” he declares, and I swear his chest actually puffs out.
“Holy shit,” I whisper, completely shocked. That’s a massive jump in numbers.
Ghost
I’m at the bar, nursing a beer that went warm and flat as fuck an hour ago. Watching Adora like a hawk. She’s at a table playing poker with the women and a few of the brothers.
But the one really grabbing my attention is Domino. Sitting right beside her. Brushing her arm. Laughing. Telling her jokes. Making sure her glass is always full.
At one point, he bumped her shoulder playfully and I almost —almost— launched my bottle across the room straight at his damn head.
It would’ve felt good. I have no idea how I stopped myself.
Adora hasn’t glanced in my direction once. Not even a flick. She’s avoiding this side of the room like it’s radioactive.
Fuck.
Letting her go was easier when she wasn’t this close. When I was off on missions, catching glimpses of her in secret every few weeks.
But now? Seeing her every damn day? It’s going to be fucking torture.
I already feel myself cracking.
Signing those divorce papers… it screwed with my head in more ways than one. And above it all, I can feel it — a wave of panic, rising like a fucking tsunami. Tearing through all the numbness I’ve been drowning in. I didn’t realize how much that last thread between us was keeping me in check.
“Stop staring. You look fucking creepy,” Bones mutters, leaning against the bar beside me.
“Keep talking like that and you’ll catch a nut shot,” I growl, sipping my beer. It’s fucking disgusting. I put it down. Push it away.
He snorts. “Temper wants kids. You damage the goods, she’ll turn you into Swiss cheese.”
I roll my neck. Glance at him. “I’m happy for you. That you got her back. But fuck, Bones, I envy the hell out of you.”
He leans in, lowering his voice. “Envy’s fine, brother. Understandable. But is there… anything else?”
I narrow my eyes. “Subtle. Like a jackhammer.” I breathe deep. “I’m not going to kill myself, Bones.”
I look at Adora, then back at him. “I won’t leave her. She’s been alone most of her life. Doesn’t matter how many friends shemakes now, or who she moves on with, or how much she hates my guts. She’ll always have me.”
I turn fully, stare him down. “And don’t think I would’ve letyoucheck out either. Back when you were moping around this place. I had safety nets. Replaced the firing pins with dummies in all your guns.”
“Joke’s on you,” he snorts. “I was gonna take the bike. Blaze of glory, all that shit.”
“And ruin the damn bike?” I shake my head. “No respect, fucker.”
He chuckles, then sobers up fast. “You put all the original firing pins back, right?”
I roll my eyes. “Months ago.”
“Good.” He huffs. “Shit… what if someone came at me and all I had was a broken piece?”
I smirk. “You saying you can’t handle yourself without a gun?”
He presses his lips tight. “Touché, asshole. Touché.”
Adora
