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“We’re more fun anyway,” Colt said.
“Who’s Brock?” I asked Colt.
“Laura’s son.”
“Ah.”
Lily climbed into my lap and I hugged her. I pressed my cheek to her blond head and closed my eyes. There was something about Lily. Maybe it was her inherent sweetness, her trusting nature, even though she hardly knew me. But I realized how much I wanted to be around to see her grow up. To paint her toenails and give her advice. To see her go to prom with a nice boy who respected her.
An ache formed in my throat and swelled when I thought of Knight, who’d missed all of that with me. I didn’t know what kind of father he would’ve been, but the photo he’d shown me of him and my mother, and my mother’s smile…
She left him not because she didn’t love him, but because she wanted to protect me from Knight’s way of life.
I glanced at Knight who was standing with Bishop and Boxer. He threw his head back and laughed, and I realized in that moment that I wanted to know him. It wouldn’t make up for lost time, and all the years he hadn’t been there could not be gotten back, but that was neither of our faults and it wasn’t fair to punish him for my mother’s choice.
It was time for Knight to be a part of my life.
“What’s that smile about?” Colt asked.
“I’m just…happy. Despite all the crazy.”
“Has it been ten minutes yet?” Lily asked impatiently, effectively ruining the intimacy of the moment.
“It’s been long enough, honey. Let’s get you an ice cream,” Colt said.
I turned to Cam and Brock and yelled out, “You guys want ice cream?”
The young boys ran toward us, boisterous and full of energy, eager for sugar, which they clearly didn’t need.
And then I heard the sound of motorcycles, followed by a series of gunshots and the screams of terrified children.
“Brock!” Laura shrieked.
“Mom!” Brock howled, darting toward her.
“Stop him!” I screamed to Colt as I shoved Lily behind me to shield her. “Laura! Get down! We’ve got Brock!”
More gunshots rang out and I heard a distant scream. Laura tucked and rolled behind one of the bushes, and Colt didn’t hesitate as he ran for Brock. Cam was frozen in fear next to his friend; Colt grabbed both boys and pushed them to the ground. “Stay down,” Colt commanded. “Crawl on your bellies to the hot dog truck. Get behind it and stay there. Go!”
The boys snuck off, and I gave a sigh of relief when I saw them make it to safety.
Colt took out his pistol and peered around, looking for threats. I crouched and slid across the grass, all the while making sure my body was in front of Lily’s.
“Be careful,” I called to him over the roar of motorcycle pipes and shots.
I continued to slither with Lily until we made it to the hot dog truck. Brock and Cameron were sitting with their backs against the vehicle, terrified, pale, and shaking.
“It’s okay,” I whispered repeatedly, trying to wrap my arms around all three of them, wanting to block out the noise but unable to.
“Cover your ears,” I commanded all of them. Once they did what they were told, I peeked around the back of the truck to survey what was going on.
Five masked men in white T-shirts sat atop motorcycles with weapons drawn, letting off shots at anything that moved, the chrome of their bikes gleaming in the sunshine, their presence sending fear through the crowd.
I knew it was the Iron Horsemen, but why was Dev bringing this war out into the open instead of keeping it between clubs and on club territory?
He’d violated the sacred code of not bringing a war to families. Colt would kill him for it.
They reloaded their firearms and opened fire again, causing more panic and screaming. I felt Lily trembling beside me and I reached a hand out to her, but my eyes were scanning the park, searching for the people who were my family. I removed the pistol from the holster at my hip, feeling safer with a weapon in my hand. I’d defend myself and protect the children. Whatever the cost.
