“Travis will be the SAA; we know that, like Lennox, you will protect everyone linked to the club and those we love.” Travis nods to Royal, with his daughter Mabel in his arms.
“Last, but not least,” Jack starts but Calder cuts him off.
“I knew you would leave the best until last, I am the best after all.”
“I believe that the president is the best,” Luna calls out.
Calder flips her off, with Kady at his side with their son in her arms. “Semantics.”
Everyone laughs.
“As much as it is hard to fucking admit we are getting old, it is time,” Sarge says, his voice thick with emotion.
The men nod in agreement.
“Right. Now that the heavy shit is done.” Magnum holds his beer bottle up in the air. “To the future of the Rugged Skulls. No one stands alone.”
“No one stands alone,” we all repeat, the sentiment sticking to my heart.
This fucking club is everything to me. It gave me a new purpose.
The women go to their men and lots of hugs and kisses are given. I sit back watching it all, Valarie coming to mind. I have no fucking clue what I am going to say to her when I see her next, knowing that she is fucking working for the MC, hooking up with their fucking SAA.
It pisses me off that she went down that route, when she wanted Vinnie away from all that shit. Their parents were criminals ad they both grew up in a shitty household and swore that they did not want any of it, and now look at them.
Vinnie is in jail and Val is some scumbag’s Ol’ Lady, when she should have been mine all along.
Fuck.
My mood plummets, and I need a ride. Need the wind to blow off this negativity, but I can’t leave, not yet. Today is a celebration of the club, a way forward.
“Brother, you good? You look like someone told you that the Easter bunny isn’t real.” Savage sits in Lilith’s empty seat.
“He’s not real.” I muster up a fake shock sound, then sigh. “Yeah, man, I am good.” I finish my beer.
“Yeah? You want to try that again.” Arching a brow at me, I shake my head.
“This thing with Val. It is because of me that she got mixed up with the MC, and now fucking claimed by some prick.” I grunt.
I am usually a happy go-lucky-kind of guy. Yeah, I take things seriously when I need to, but I usually let shit slide. Always happy to make people happy and help out when I can. I will do anything for the people of this club, but this thing with my ex has put a dark spot on my soul.
Savage scoffs, before taking in a mouthful of beer.
“Logan, you are not to blame for any shit that other people do. She had a choice and she chose wrong. Brother, I think she is in deeper than we think, being claimed by the SAA, but then making out with that Crypt fucker; they had their hooks in her. Now with the Death Dwellers gone, the crew she was with seem to have a new presence around here, and we need to end that, so you need to be prepared, Crash.”
Looking at him, I frown. “Prepared for what, Sav?”
He shrugs. “Sending her to prison, or to ground. From what I saw, she has no intention of leaving them, man. Looks to me she is liking the power she carries being linked to them.”
I nod but say nothing, letting his words sink in. When Madalyn was taken, and I used a car to crash through the house to save her, Crypt was shot and killed by the club along with most of his men, but some fled, and we have not seen them since.
The street crew that Valarie has now attached herself to are making a name for themselves. I understand what Savage is saying, and a part of me agrees that Valarie is okay with staying with them and pushing the drugs as being seen with the crew gives her money.
Something she has always wanted.
They hated being poor, fuck we all do, but there are better ways to bring money in.
Seeing Valarie that night, it was like looking at a stranger, her hair now a bright red, tattoos up both arms and her neck. She was not the person I left. I am not sure who she is anymore.
