Page 58 of Smitty

“The extra’s a reminder.” Drifter handed him his card. “Call as soon as you hear something.”

“Yes-sir-ree.” Pete tucked the money and the card in his back pocket. “I knows how it works.”

“Have a good one, Pete.”

With that, Drifter pulled away, and once we were a couple of blocks away, he reached for a burrito and opened it. He took a big bite, like he’d just bought the damn thing from a local diner. I looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “You’re really gonna eat that?”

“Just try it.”

Curiosity got the best of me, so I grabbed the other burrito from the dash and started opening it. The damn thing weighed at least a couple pounds and smelled unbelievably good. “After all I’ve been through, I’m gonna be pissed if a damn breakfast burrito takes me out.”

“Ah, shut up and eat.”

“I mean it.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

I finally gave it up and took a cautious bite, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted. The tortilla was fresh, the eggs were fluffy, and the damn thing was packed with sausage, cheese, peppers, and potatoes. When I took a second bite, Drifter chuckled. “I told ya.”

I laughed and shook my head. “I thought you were about to buy drugs or something.”

“Nah.” Drifter didn’t miss a beat. “You gotta ask for the special for that.”

“You’re full of shit.”

“Maybe.”

We continued eating, and half an hour later, we were back at the hospital. Drifter checked in with Ace, making sure things with Stone were still improving. He let him know that he’d talked to Pete and told him to be in touch if he heard anything.

It was a tense visit. We all knew that Stone was lucky to make it through this. We also knew the fight wasn’t over. It had just begun. The club would handle it the way we always did. But for the first time in my life, I wasn’t just fighting for the club.

I would be fighting for the future I didn’t know I wanted.

And I’d be damned if I let anyone take it from me.

12

BROOKE

Ibarely remembered falling asleep.

One minute, I was staring at my phone, smiling as I waited for another text from Brayden, and the next, my alarm was blaring from my nightstand. I hadn’t gotten much sleep. Maybe four or five hours. I should’ve felt exhausted, but I wasn’t.

I wasn’t exactly rested either. Not even close. Every muscle in my body reminded me that I’d stayed up way too late, but for the first time in months, it didn’t feel like I was dragging myself out of bed. Instead, I was eager to get up and start my day.

The thought gave me pause, but I didn’t have time to overthink it. I had a full day ahead, so I threw on a pair of slacks and slipped into one of my favorite button-downs before hurrying down the hall to Anslee’s room. She was already standing in her crib, stepping side to side as she held onto the rails.

Her eyes lit up when she saw me. “Mama!”

“There’s my girl!” I couldn’t help but smile as I scooped her into my arms and kissed her chubby cheek. “Did you sleep good?”

“EEK!”

Her morning happy squeals were always a good sign. It meant she was in a good mood and wouldn’t mind a few extra kisses. I leaned in and nibbled on her neck just below her ear, and she squealed even louder. “Alright, little missy. We need to get you changed.”