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And we did that as a united front.
Now, we need to move on.
Start the next phase of our lives.
This is it.
It’s done and dusted.
Marcel is running the South, and that can only be a good thing.
We have no enemies…
… on the horizon.
The only hurdle we have to jump moving forward is Ingrid’s surgery.
But that might be the most terrifying thing I will face, and honestly, that scares me more than the Bratva and the Baroness combined. And if there’s one thing I hate, it’s being scared of the unknown.
Because if, after all these wins, I lose Ingrid due to surgery, I will lose my fucking shit.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
South
Twelve Days Later
My stomach feels hollow, or maybe I feel nauseous. I can’t tell what this feeling is, but as I pace the hospital waiting room, a bead of sweat rolls down my temple, and I swipe it away, trying unsuccessfully to swallow the large lump caught in my throat.
We just buried Grudge. We had a massive biker funeral for him. It was a great send-off with other Defiance chapters joining in the celebration of his life. His son, Cole, flew over with the Exiled Eight MC, and though it was great to see him again, he was devastated at the loss of his father.
But now all I can think about is fucking death. The idea that eventually everyone dies—most of the time when you least expect it—like when you’re performing routine surgery, for instance.
Fuck, this goddamn hospital isn’t helping me one little bit.
My palms are clammy as I try to control my breathing, but nothing seems to calm me down.
Novah steps up to my side, her gentle hand sliding out and touching my arm. I turn to face her, her kind eyes meeting mine. “She’s going to be okay, South. She has to be. My mom has too much to live for.”
Letting out a long exhale, I nod my head. “Yeah… I know you’re right, and honestly, I get that this is a routine surgery, but after everything, the thought of losing her. I… I c-can’t…” My voice cracks a little at the end, and Novah pulls me to her in a tight embrace.
Hurricane is the next to step up to my side. “Thanks for caring about her the way you do, brother. We treated you like y’all were a fling. I didn’t realize howin thisyou are, even after you claimed her. But seein’ you here, watchin’ you fallin’ apart… I know you would literally do anythin’ for her… so, thank you.”
Nash steps up next, Brianna on his arm. “I came across harsh when we saw you in Revel Rose, and for that, I’m sorry. But after talking to Mom and seeing how happy you make her, I know you’re going to be great together.”
Bayou crowds around us, popping his head through the throng of people and smiles. “I’m just happy you’re a bro and not some old boring guy we have to pretend to get along with. This is a much better outcome, I reckon.”
Novah rolls her eyes as the rest groan at the typical Bayou response.
I finally manage to smile. “Thanks for accepting me into your family. You don’t know what it means to me.”
Hurricane slaps my back. “Yeah, brother, I think we do.”
Dr. Adams steps around the corner with a bright smile on her face, and my heart thumps back into a normal rhythm. “Hi, everyone. I thought I’d come by while Ingrid’s surgeon does the post-op check-up and fill you in while she’s in recovery. Everything went really well.”
We collectively let out a relieved sigh as I bend, placing my hands on my knees, letting my anxiety get the better of me.
Bayou places his hand on my back and taps a few times. “She’s okay, brother. She’s gonna be just fine,” he says, comforting me as Aubree continues.
