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CHAPTER1
CYPRUS
Growing up, I never thought I’d be where I am now. I’m a part of a family that means more to me than my own mother. Granted, I couldn’t give a damn about her. If it wasn’t for Bride, my little sister, I’d have washed my hands of her a long time ago. She’s worthless and someone I could go the rest of my life without.
After her last stunt, I petitioned the courts for custody of Bride and moved her in with me to a small house close to Blaze and Tracker. They helped me find the home, and their ol’ ladies went shopping for me. I didn’t care how much they spent, as long as my little sister had everything she needed or wanted. My main thing was that we had a roof over our heads, and it wasn’t a dump.
Our mother raised us in the same rundown house all my life. I remember she was an amazing mother at one time. Then it all went spiraling out of control the day two men came to the house in uniform, one a chaplain, the other a service member, to let us know Dad had been killed overseas. That was it for my mother. Losing Dad did something to her that I don’t think anyone could have predicted. She became void of herself, drinking and doing drugs. It’s like nothing else mattered to her.
I learned quickly to take care of myself because she wasn’t going to do it. By the time I left home, I was glad for it. I’d been working as many jobs as I could while finishing school. I saved every penny I could, got a used bike, and was out the door the moment I turned eighteen. The only reason my mother tolerated me being around is because of the money she got from Social Services. If not for that, she would have kicked me out a long time ago.
I intended to go into the military, and I thought of following in my father’s footsteps, but I was hesitant of it. So, I found a job at a garage owned by the Devil’s Riot MC. They took me under their wing and suggested I prospect. I told them what I wanted to do with my life, and they didn’t push. I enlisted and the club was there for me. Two years in, my mother reached out to me. How she found me, I have no clue, but she did. She told me she was pregnant and that I was going to have a sister. I knew I wouldn’t be able to make a career out of and the military, so I finished my third year out.
I was home about a month after Bride was born, and it’s a damn good thing because my mother was barely taking care of her. I threatened to take Bride away from her, and she swore she’d be a good mother this time around. This went on for a while, mainly because I needed to be able to have stability for my little sister, but I knew I’d be taking her away from our mother.
The club let me prospect, and at first, only a few knew about Bride. Now, they all know because the night my mother called telling me she needed a break, I took advantage of it and took my sister from her for good. The club’s attorney was already ready to help make sure my mother couldn’t fight me on it.
Since then, Bride has become my priority. She’s all that matters—her and the club.
I can’t say it’s easy, but the ol’ ladies have been helpful in taking care of Bride. However, I know I can’t rely on them forever. I’m going to have to hire someone to help me.
It’s why I’m at the clubhouse rather than heading to the garage. I need to talk to Rachel and see if she can help me with this. I spot the Prez’s ol’ lady right off behind the bar. My guess is she’s doing a stock-take. She does it all the time, because unless Stoney’s out handling business, you don’t find her far from him. Not after the time he nearly lost her. And from where I’m standing, Rachel doesn’t seem to mind. She helps him where she can, and this is one of those things.
“Hey, Rachel,” I call out, getting her attention.
Spinning around, she faces me with a smile. “Hey, Cyprus. What’s up? You need me to take Bride today?”
I shake my head and sit on one of the stools. “Nah, I’ve got her today,” I answer. “But I wanted to ask if you could put an ad out and find a nanny for Bride.”
“A nanny?” Rachel seems surprised. “Why do you want a nanny?”
“Can’t keep asking y’all to watch her all the time.” I know they love having her, but she’s not their responsibility.
“We all love watching her. She and Harlow have plans tomorrow to be in the kitchen to make cupcakes. You’re not going to change their plans, are you?”
“No.” I grin because she knows I’d dare not change any of Bride’s plans, especially with Harlow. The two of them are always baking something. “I just want to have something stable for Bride. Like when I have to go on runs and won’t be home until late. I want for her to be able to go to sleep in her bed. You know what I mean?”
Rachel stares at me for a moment and nods. “Okay, yeah, I get that. I’ll put an ad out. Just know this, even if and when we find someone, the ol’ ladies will still be helping out. We love that little girl, and I think Lincoln will be none too pleased if she wasn’t around to play with him.”
“What about Linc being none too pleased?” Amaya joins the conversation as she takes a seat next to me. She’s Venom’s ol’ lady and Linc’s mom, by all means necessary. She pretty much raised him before bringing him to Venom.
“Cyprus wants to replace us with a nanny,” Rachel teases.
“Oh, well, yeah, whoever you get better know that Bride is to be at the clubhouse more often than not.” Amaya laughs. “Because you’re right, Linc is protective of Bride, and I swear, in the future, they’ll end up together.”
“Don’t say that shit,” I grumble. “I don’t need to think of Bride being with anyone. In fact, she ain’t ever gonna be with anyone. I’ll send her to a damn convent to make sure that don’t happen.”
Both women giggle at my expense.
“Cyprus, you try that, and she’ll never speak to you again,” Amaya says, laughing as she slaps the bar top.
“Whatever. My sweet, shy little sister would never not talk to me. I’m her hero.” I puff out my chest in pride because that’s what Bride calls me . . . her hero.
“Okay. Okay. I’ll put the ad out. I’ll even do the interviews and have Nerd run checks on anyone who applies,” Rachel remarks, grinning. Her eyes on me and through the gleam, I notice the calculation in them, and I wonder what she’s got up her sleeve.
“Appreciate it,” I say and get off the stool. “I’m gonna head out. Let me know when you find someone for me to speak to. Don’t hire them until after I meet them.”
“I promise I won’t hire them until you do. And before you leave, let me ask, are you wanting a live-in nanny? Someone who’ll stay in the third room?”
