Page 78
If not for a rather dubious, but merciful gangster, I’d be dead. Undoubtedly Gerard and Judy would not only have danced on my grave but pissed on it too.
“Girl, I ain’t good with feminine emotions. I’m an old bastard, who’s a man’s man. But if you need a shoulder to cry on until your man gets back, I can give you that,” Lasher said.
I released a watery laugh and swallowed hard.
“I’m okay, Lasher, thank you. It’s just a bit of shock and tears from being relieved at still being alive. Less than an hour ago, I’d had a gun pointed at my head, not something a mom usually faces.”
“No, sure as heck ain’t.”
Impulsively, I gave Lasher a quick hug, which he returned, then dashed upstairs to shower. I needed to be clean.
Chill
Inglorious and Nancy were having the children overnight. Although Meadow was putting on a good show, it was obvious she was struggling to cope with everyone and everything. The allies had come back to celebrate our safe return, and a loud, large party was happening.
I excused us early because it was clear Meadow was buckling under the pressure of maintaining a brave face.
Once in our room, I ran the bath, bathed her, wrapped her up warmly, and put her to bed. I took a second shower myself, as I still felt the dirt from that ring on me. When I came out, Meadow was crying silently.
“It’s okay to be sad, babe.”
“I’m crying ‘cause I’m relieved to be alive. And as horrible as it sounds, I’m overjoyed because it was Gerard who was shot and not me. I’m so glad Locke picked him to kill, which is awful.”
I chuckled at Meadow’s sentiment. “Guess I’m thankful that it wasn’t you, because who would I have cuddled at night in bed?”
“Seriously, that’s your priority?” Meadow giggled.
“Yeah, babe, it’s a serious issue cuddling my woman.”
“Yes, it is. What’s going to happen with Isak?”
“Can’t talk about his shit, baby. Things happened that Isak couldn’t avoid. We’re gonna get him help, and he has an entire club supporting him,” I murmured.
“Isak’s a legacy?” Meadow asked.
“Yeah. He’s Chap’s nephew. Nanci had reached out, but from what Isak said, his father intercepted the message and refused on his behalf. Isak was taken not far from here, but he’s safe now, babe,” I said.
Meadow settled into my chest without another word, and within minutes, I felt her body go limp.
I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight. This is what life was about: club, children, my woman. Someone had tried to take that from me today. They had failed, and while I was a member of the Unwanted Bastards MC, whoever came for us would always fail. Meadow and her kids were mine. God help anyone who thought differently.
Epilogue.
Tiny
I rode back to Hellfire MC, relieved we’d had a good ending. If the Unwanted Bastards had lost Chill today, it would have sparked a war unmatched by any other. The Rapid City war would have faded into obscurity compared to what the Unwanted Bastards would have unleashed on the Underground.
Marker remained free, pressing to take over South Dakota. Nobody had said anything because we were celebrating, but this wasn’t over, not by a long shot. Undoubtedly, Locke would send Pick’s head and hand to join his cousin’s. Marker had lost two lieutenants; he wouldn’t let that stand.
I parked up outside our clubhouse, one of the last few to return, and swung off my hog. At least I’d got revenge for my fighters who had died, although they wouldn’t rest easy because Marker remained free.
As I entered the clubhouse, the mood inside was relieved and happy. We’d all stayed and celebrated with the Unwanted Bastards for a few hours. But we’d become the boring club; we were now the responsible ones and had been the first to leave. The thought made me smirk, because when things went to shit, we still kicked ass.
Clio, Rain, and Thalia hung around the bar talking to someone. My cock stood to attention before I even saw who it was. There was only one blasted woman who had that effect on me, and as Thalia moved, I saw Polly, her quint, standing there.
Everything about Polly drove me fucking nuts. I couldn’t control my cock’s reaction. Around her, it had a mind of its own. Deliberately shoving her from my mind, I walked upstairs to my bunk to shower.
Tomorrow was a new day, and I needed to figure out my next move. Though one thing was certain: I had to end this underground fight ring before more innocents died.
