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“It meanswar. A strong name to grow up strong.”
“I agree, and I like it. Gunner Carter.”
Gunner feels right. As soon as I saw it, I knew our son was Gunner. Our son has a name.
In the rearview mirror, I see the twins and Zachery riding behind us, and I ask Jay, “Is the club still on lockdown?”
He nods. “Yeah. Shit’s a little crazy, but there’s nothing for you to fear.”
Now that I’m thinking clearly, I don’t fear the club or its enemies. I have full faith in my husband and his brothers to keep us safe.
We end up stopping a few times for a break and gas, and we make it to the club before dusk settles over the town.
Alannah and Bonnie are waiting on the doorstep, while Leo, Luca, and Victoria hang off to the side.
My heart pounds in anticipation at the kind of welcome I’m about to receive. I pushed them all away for months. I lied to Luca when I told him I’d make an effort to be a part of his life more if he did the same for me. He did, but I ignored him every time he reached out. After a while, he stopped, and I was grateful.
Jay parks, and the silence between us has my nerves on edge. Holding my hand, he squeezes it ever so gently, but enough for me to know he’s got me.
“They’re happy you’re home,” he tells me.
I hear him, but I don’t feel it completely. I guess the only way to know for sure is to get out of the car and find out. I’ve gone over my apologies so many times in my head, and now it’s time to put them into words. It’s a lot more nerve-racking than I was expecting.
Jay’s mom is the first to run over and collect me in her arms. Alannah’s close behind her, but it’s Luca I keep my eyes on.
He has his arm around Victoria and looks so happy. I think back to Jay begging me to attend their wedding, and I curl into the disgust I have for myself. I hate that I missed their special day. I would give anything to be able to go back and see Victoria walk up the aisle to my brother.
Bonnie grins. “It’s so good to have you home.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ve set you up a room in the main house. It’ll save you from having to sleep over in the bar. It’s busy, and…” Alannah trails off, and I smile.
“Thank you.”
“Hey, you feeling okay?” Leo asks, scooping me into his arms.
“I’m good.”
When he pulls away, Luca briefly embraces me before moving back and claiming Victoria.
Jay wraps his arms around me from behind, and as soon as everyone backs away, I look for Cas, thinking he would’ve been here. I don’t know if I’m glad or hurt by his absence. Then I think about what went down before Red Thorne, wondering if I finally scared him off?
“He’s waiting around the back of the house. He didn’t want to bombard you as soon as you got back,” Alannah explains without having to be asked.
Was I that transparent?
“Thanks.”
Turning in Jay’s arms, I look up at him and say, “I need to go talk to him.”
He releases me, and I make my way around the house to find Cas sitting on a fallen tree trunk, staring off into the distance.
My nerves ramp up, but I push them down and take a seat beside him.
“Hi.”
Hi? That’s it? What am I supposed to start with? When he turns to look at me, his smile instantly calms me.
