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For as long as I could remember that title belonged to my selfless, loving, compassionate, always-do-the-right-thing younger sister. A social worker who volunteered her time at the local homeless shelter here in Providence. Cara’s heart was as wide and fathomless as the ocean. There wasn’t a single person on this earth who didn’t love her.
Maybe that was part of the reason R.J. fell so hard for Cara. That biker worshipped the ground she walked on and I wondered what it would be like to experience that kind of passionate, all consuming love. The kind of love story written about in books and tugged on your heartstrings. I longed for more than a quick fuck to relieve stress or the broken promises of men who wanted to get me between the sheets but didn’t have an interest in sticking around to make the bed. Yeah, my life was one big, messed up metaphor and I only had myself to blame.
Why? Because I always fell for the bad boy.
Show me a little leather and a motorcycle, a cigarette dangling from a pair of sexy lips, a tight ass in blue jeans, and I was a goner.
Nine years ago, I met a biker on the side of the road when my car ran out of gas during football season of my senior year in high school. He offered me a ride on his Harley and his cock, and I eagerly said yes to both. Never even learned his last name or where he lived. All I knew was that Owen wore a vest with the Satan’s Outlaws MC logo on the back.
I never saw or heard from him again, even when I tried to track him down at their clubhouse to let him know he was going to be a father. No one knew him. Not a soul would give me information. I never heard from Owen again.
That was how I ended up with my little snuggle bear Sophie just short of eight months later. Becoming a single mother at such a young age screwed up my plans for the future. The prestigious college opportunities, the parties, and all my free time were gone. I had a baby girl to feed and care for and no one wanted to stick around for that. I lost all my friends within weeks. One of the most popular girls in school to a loner without a soul to talk to other than my sister. I’d been shunned.
If it wasn’t for Cara, I might have fallen into depression. My sister was always there for me and I learned long ago not to trust in or hope for help from anyone else. I didn’t regret having my sweet, perfect little girl, but it was a rude awakening. I had to grow up fast.
Now, watching her run around the Ravagers Clubhouse, I smiled. I might have given up some of the things I wished for as a young girl, but I had new wishes now, excitement for the future, and hope that my daughter would grow up a strong, independent woman who decided her own path in life.
“You concentrate any harder, sweetness, and you’re gonna pop a blood vessel in your brain,” a masculine voice joked, dropping onto the picnic bench next to me.
I glanced at Beckett, giving my shoulders a brief shrug as I laughed. “I guess I was a little lost in thought,” I admitted.
“I’m just giving you a little shit.” His mouth quirked up on the left, betraying his amusement. “Us outsiders got to stick together.”
I wondered what he meant by that.
“If you aren’t a member or one of their ol’ ladies, you’re not part of the inner circle,” he explained.
“Ah, yeah, I see what you mean.”
“But, you, me, and Shane? We’re a bit different than everyone else who shows up here to party. We’re still family, even if we haven’t patched in or been branded.”
Branded? I guess he meant my sister and Rae.
“I grew up with Edge, R.J., and Bryce. We’re close. I might sit on the other side of the law on occasion but that doesn’t mean shit to my boys. We’re still family. You? It’s the same. You’re Cara’s sister.”
“So I’m in,” I realized, smiling when I saw Sophie and Leah chasing one another, heading toward the grass across the lot to play tag.
“Exactly.” He scratched at the light stubble on his chin, obviously thinking over his words. “I don’t know why I feel compelled to say this, but you’re not alone. I’m sure things have changed since R.J. claimed Cara as his ol’ lady.”
“They have, but I’m happy for my sister. R.J. adores her.”
“Not arguing that point, honey. Just sayin’ you gained a whole tribe. It’s not just the Riders and their ol’ ladies. You gained me, Shane, and handful of others who are just as loyal. Keep that in mind, okay?”
“Thanks.” I gave him a small smile, appreciating the effort he made to ensure I felt welcome and included. “You’re a good guy, Beckett. I won’t forget what you told me.”
He flashed a grin. “Glad you think so, Charlotte.”
“Glad about what?”
I turned to the right, catching the booming voice of another biker in the club. One with an Irish accent that sometimes slurred when he had too much to drink.
“That Beckett is a sweetheart,” I beamed as Beckett winked.
Valan appeared annoyed as he shot Beckett a look. “You got somewhere to be, kid?”
“Nah. Just opened a fresh beer.”
I hid my amusement, glad that Beckett didn’t take any of Valan’s shit. These bikers had a way of giving one another a hard time that an outsider would view as being an asshole. It was just how they interacted. I learned that over the last couple of months, often humored by their banter.
