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My dad stood beside her. He leaned down to her ear, whispering something to her.
She nodded, kissed his cheek, and ran toward me.
I held out my arms and waited.
When my mom closed the distance between us and threw herself against me, a sob left her.
“My baby,” she cried against my chest. “I missed you so much.”
I cupped the back of her head, holding her tight. I wanted to tell her I was sorry. Sorry for worrying her. Sorry for darkening that light that had been in her eyes ever since I was a small boy. Sorry for scaring her and for no longer being the son she raised but now a monster instead.
A dark shadow loomed over us and I didn’t have to look up to know that it was my dad. He had agreed back in the beginning of my sentencing that we didn’t want either Piper or my mom showing up. As much as it killed me not to see them, it wasn’t a place for them. So, my dad came to visit me as much as he could, in their place.
I could never thank him enough. Either of them. For what they did for Piper. For our daughter, their granddaughter.
Mom leaned back, cupping my face. “You’ve gotten so big.”
I only smiled because if I said a word, any word, I would have fallen apart at her feet.
“How are you doing?” she asked, searching my face.
“Eve.” Dad cupped her nape.
She looked between us. “I can’t imagine.” Her breath hitched. “What you did for her.”
My chest tightened, memories of that night slithering their way into my mind.
Him.
Piper.
Blood.
“Eve,” Dad repeated, his voice firm.
“I know.” Mom cupped my cheek. “She’s perfect for you. She’ll help you heal.” She paused, her eyes searching my face. “You good?”
“I will be,” I finally said, my voice thick. “I…” My voice trailed off when a loud rumble of engines made their way up the large driveway.
“I love you, Jaron.” Mom gave me another hug.
“I love you too, Mama,” I murmured, returning the embrace.
“I’ll go check on your daughter.” She turned, gave my dad and me one final look, and headed back into the large house.
When I caught Piper still standing nearby, I let out a slow breath.
“How are you doing, Son?” Dad asked, clapping me on the shoulder.
“I don’t know.” But before I could say any more, we were interrupted by other members of Hell’s Harlem.
As much as I wanted to see everyone, I needed Piper and to meet our daughter. I needed…hell, I didn’t even know what I needed anymore. I glanced around me while the club members got off their bikes and came toward me.
Piper was suddenly nowhere to be found. She said she would stay with me. She wouldn’t leave without telling me. Mom said she was going to check on Brynn. She must have gone inside with her. But it still didn’t make me feel any better.
“Jaron.”
I turned back around and found my uncles Tray and Catch coming toward me. While we weren’t blood related, they were the closest thing I had to family besides my parents. And now Piper.
