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I didn’t want to let him go.
Ever.
I knew that this was where I belonged, that this was the future I’d always dreamed of and it wasn’t just because of Blizzard. It was the whole club.
They were the family I’d imagined. They were rough around the edges and dysfunctional at times, but they let me be myself. Be who I wanted to be, and do what I wanted to do without judgment. They accepted me for me, and the knowledge that I would no longer have to smile and force my true self below the surface. That was the most freeing feeling I had ever experienced.
Being a DePalma was no longer a part of my future. I didn’t want to have to live the rest of my life being smothered by aname. I was done with pretending. It only ever brought me—and the people I cared about—pain.
Blizzard and the club had finally given me a place where I could be myself and not have to worry about whose last name I had, and making sure it stayed sparkly and clean. I wasn’t perfect. I was going to make mistakes, I had already made so many. But the club would accept me anyway because that’s what a real family did.
Anthony DePalma and his empire didn’t need me, there were people here who needed me. And I needed them. I would thank him for taking me in, and giving me a place to live. But I would walk away knowing that I was happy with my decision.
“Rose!” I smiled as Jayla came running at me from the playground. I was laying on the deck watching her, Harlyn, and Macy play.
Harlyn called after her friend. “Careful, Jay! There’s a hole.” Jayla slowed down and jumped over the dip in the grass, smiling triumphantly as she picked up speed again.
Harlyn was going to be the most amazing big sister. She watched over these two little girls with eagle eyes. She helped them when they got stuck and reassured them when they were scared or nervous. She was young, but she had the most amazing protective instincts I’d ever seen.
“Jayla!” Laughing, I held out my arms just as she launched herself on top of me. I hid a painful grimace behind a smile, my abdomen still ached, but I wouldn’t let her see me cringe away from her. I knew it would hurt her so see me in pain. She was a smart little girl despite the lack of vocals.
She smiled down at me before tilting her head questioningly. “Bwizzid?”
I smiled. “Chelsea said he had to go out for a bit, beautiful.” I tucked a stray piece of hair back from her eyes. “I miss him, too.”
She nodded sadly. It was true. The last couple weeks had been a rollercoaster ride for all of us. Blizzard had told me about Jay’s nightmare, but according to Chelsea, she’d slept like a rock while he was gone. It was so strange. She seemed so perfectly fine.
I wanted to ask questions, but I was afraid that if I did, her mind would go back to that place that she’d done such a good job of blocking out.
I knew the feeling.
“Rose?”
I looked over my shoulder to see Ham standing just outside the doors with a soft smile.
“Hey.”
“Blizzard rang, he wanted me to get you girls inside.” He seemed relaxed, but I was sure that he was acting that way for my benefit.
Jay climbed off me and I struggled to my feet. My body is still full of aches. “Okay. Did he say why?” I caught Harlyn’s eye and waved my hand for her to come to me. She frowned, but lifted Macy out of the kid’s swing and held her hand as they walked over.
He stood to the side of the patio doors as I ushered the girls in. “Nah, just said he wanted you to wait for him in the clubhouse. He’d be back soon.”
I didn’t miss the flick of the lock behind me as Ham followed us in. Chelsea came down the stairs not a moment later.
“I’ve put cartoons on Dad’s television for you girls. Harlyn, there’s popcorn, too.” She grinned as they raced past her without even a goodbye or thank you.
I frowned as I followed her past the bar and to a sofa that was set against the wall. “What’s going on, Chel?”
She sat down and I had to smile as her hand instantly went to the tiny bump in her stomach. “Dunno. Op said, everyone inside. I have my moments, but I know when not to argue.”
I dropped into the soft cushions beside her, wriggling until I got comfortable. “Does it ever stop?” She looked over at me, clearly confused. “The drama, the running, the scary men trying to take down the people you care for.”
She giggled. “Rose, honey. It’s not always like this. Sure, you get drama often, but usually, it’s something that can be sorted out with a conversation or for some of the boys, a short trip to court and some community service.” She laughed again. “The club isn’t just the brothers. There’s club girls, old ladies, the staff at X-Rated and the other businesses. There’s always going to be people with personal problems, or work problems, problems with their kids. But we always find a way to sort them out.”
“Ow! That hurts!” I heard a sharp crack. It sounded like a whip. Phil, one of the prospects came flying out of the doors that lead to the kitchen and dining room a second later with his pants around his ankles and holding his junk. Camo was hot on his heels bearing a wide grin, twirling what seemed to be a wet dishcloth.
“Get back here ya pussy and take it like a man.” Camo flicked the cloth and it made another cracking sound in the air. I cringed. That sounded like it would be painful and from the red welts on Phil’s white ass, I was probably correct.
