Page 7 of Hades

But he was nowhere to be seen. Why did I feel a pinch of disappointment lodge between my ribs at that? I couldn’t reasonably expect Greyson to just waltz into every aspect of my life right away.

“This is a family emergency, Simon. And besides, it’s a little early to be making demands on Greyson’s time after one date.”

A muscle twitched in Simon’s jaw.

“It’s never a demand on his time if he really wants to be there for you and the kids.”

I groaned and rubbed my temples.

“Simon, can we please not argue about this?”

“I’m just saying that if some son of a bitch is going to take you away from me—”

“Simon,” I snapped. “We’re not together. No one is taking me away from you because we are divorced. And it’s been that way for seven years. I don’t care that your club rules claim we’re still husband and wife just because neither of us have remarried yet. In the eyes of literally everyone else, I’m not yours anymore.”

Simon said nothing, stone-faced and silent.

I groaned and turned away, chastising myself. Normally, I didn’t lose my temper like that.

But being with Simon had taught me he was capable of bringing out aspects of myself that I never knew existed. Sometimes, it was fun, especially when it came to exploring and experimenting in the bedroom.

Then there were other times when I wasn’t proud of what I uncovered. Simon could just be…so infuriating. Especially when he talked about me like I was still his wife. I wanted to move on and he was making it so damn hard to do that.

The agonizing silence was finally broken by the rumble of motorcycle engines. Three members of The Reckless Order MC turned into the parking lot, riding up to the curb—Tarzan, Psycho, and Bruiser.

My misgivings about Simon’s club affiliation did not extend to its members or the company he kept. Sure, some of them had criminal records, and a questionable history of morally gray deeds swept under the rug.

Despite all of that, they were good people. Brave, selfless, generous, and loyal to a fault. For a long time, Simon didn’t have anyone like that in his life. Growing up dirt poor in Texas pushed him to desperation. At first, he stole cars and stripped them for parts to sell. Until things took a dark turn and he found himself as the leader of a gang.

Ironside, The Reckless Order's VP, pulled Simon out of that life and convinced him to start over in Colorado as a Prospect. Simon had nothing left to lose and everything to gain, so he packed up and hitched a ride across the border.

Over the years, I had become well acquainted with the members of Simon’s club, along with their girlfriends and wives.

Tarzan’s wife, Keely, and I would often spend afternoons over tea and cookies while our kids played together.

Ironside’s wife, Lena, surprised me on my birthday last year with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from her flower shop.

Next week, I volunteered to bake the wedding cake for Psycho and his fiancée, Bobbie, when they got married.

I didn’t hate Simon’s club. But I couldn’t stomach the chances that it might make me a widow one day.

“How is the little man doing?” Bruiser asked, climbing off his bike.

“We brought him a few get well presents—toys, mostly,” Tarzan added.

“And enough candy to give him a sugar high that should last a couple days.”

Psycho pulled out a giant sack of Casey’s favorite blue gummy spiders from his bike’s saddlebags.

“You know I hate those things,” I said. “They’re disgusting.”

Psycho hid the candy behind his back, feigning a chastened expression.

“Sorry, Mama Bear.”

I snorted and waved him off.

“Don’t pretend like you won’t be feeding them to Casey when I’m not looking. His blue tongue gives him away."