Page 94 of Hostile Saint

“More dark pasts, Pup. Ones I ain’t going into, but I can say he was taken once someone learned the truth of who he was. Two kids of Presidents were taken for retribution.”

“Wow, so Art is now being protected.” I thought of him not wearing a cut. “Wait, is he a Ryder?”

Dagger actually chuckled. “Oh, the irony. My brother is lecturing Lynx yet won’t even allow his kid to become a Prospect. Ain’t that some shit?”

Staring at the counter, I exhaled… “Dagger, I was so young when my dad died, I barely remember missing him until Lynx began treating me the way he does.” I peered up, hoping to see Dagger was understanding where I was coming from.

“Kid, you ain’t no replacement. Prez and Elle are far too stable to be pulling that, trust me. You’re not naïve to trust them. The mad love they already have for you is sincere and won’t fade. This couple… they are the real deal. Whether you like it or not, Pup, you’ve been adopted.”

Like finding dependable concrete to stand on, my chest eased as I relished in the fact that I had parental figures. A father figure again—Father. I suddenly remembered Lynx telling me that his own had passed. “What happened to Lynx’s dad?”

Dagger instantly was fighting some pain of the heart. “Jesus… One of the best Presidents of all time. He’s gone, kid.”

I wanted to ask more questions, but the sliding door opened. As it did, I had an epiphany.

Before I came to meet the Stallions, moments passed by differently. They were dull and terrifying, creating a blurry time where years simply and tragically passed by. With the Stallions, every moment was crisp. Alive. Brighter than the last, as if I was constantly having awakenings.

One of the rare times I was permitted to watch TV, I learned about a type of fish that would only grow according to the space of his environment. If you didn’t give him a bigger fish tank when needed, he would cease to grow. Out in the wild? He grew to impressive sizes.

I think that is what had happened to me in my prior life. I became stifled, so focused on surviving the next moment that I ceased to grow. I had no opportunities to open my gills and inhale fresh water. Except for some fleeting moments with Lace, I had no substance of a life to cling to.

When Diesel and Lynx came back inside, and Lynx still looked so sad, I learned he wasn’t the only one who had something at stake if under a threat. I had done much to protect my mom, but it wasn’t out of love. It was out of the hopes of being loved. I could see that now, staring at Lynx, because he was actually offering me love. No matter the why of it—the loss of a child or the kidnapping of two others—his feelings for me were true. That man and I had a connection. Possibly an unexplainable one, due to the depth of it, but it was there. And seeing him worry—hurt—felt almost as terrible as seeing Lacey in pain. So, I jumped off of my stool. “Lynx?”

He stopped. “Yeah, kid?”

I pulled up my sleeves and exposed my stomach. “I can survive anything.” My brows pinched in thought. “Well, no, not losing Lace, but you already know that.” I refocused. “The rest?” I lifted my chin. “Indestructible.” I tried to smile. “But, truth? Even if I died tomorrow, while having the chance to keep living like a free man, well, then it was all worth it. Do you understand?” Letting my shirt fall back down, I pointed at him. “You gave me that. You. No one has ever given me such a gift. A gift no dollar amount can ever buy. So, no matter what happens, know, rest your heart in knowing that,” my throat tightened, “these past few weeks have been my best.” I shrugged. “Besides crippling regret for leaving my Lacey behind, I could die tomorrow a happy man because of the freedom you have honored me with.”

Silence…

“The fuck?”

Dagger started laughing through the emotions he was fighting. “Yeah, Pup is a little intense.”

Diesel peered about. “No wonder you two have become all domesticated!” He teased, “Hey, kid, you sure you don’t want to become one of my wolves?”

Lynx burst into laughter while yanking me to him. “Fuck off, Ryder. This boy is mine.”

As Lynx was hugging me, Diesel patted my back—rather roughly. “That means we got some el shit-o to celebrate!” He went into the garage.

“Little fucker,” Lynx kissed my hair then shoved me away, “I’ all up in my heart and shit.”

Even with Tequila in my veins, his caring made me stand a little taller.

Within a minute, Diesel was coming back inside with a black something rolled up in his hand. He handed it to Lynx. “This is being delivered with the full blessings of your club.”

Accepting the offering, Lynx appeared to be in shock. “Is this why you’re here?”

Diesel shrugged. “I thought they were nuts, but,” he eyed me, “now I get it.”

Lynx smirked at his VP. “You in on this shit?”

“I plead the fifth.”

“Jesus H. Christ. My club is turning into a bunch of mushy old bastards.” After staring at the item in his hand, Lynx grinned at me. “Wanna see how your cut fits?”

Absolutely hammered on Tequila, and with three laughing bikers in my doorway, I did my best to relocate a chair in my bedroom so I could properly hang my vest. Yet, I didn’t want the leather treasure out of my sight.

Diesel slurred, “Whut’s with da wooden spoon ov’r therrrr?”