AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why did you push me away, Brick?” she asks, her voice laced with a profound sadness that echoes my own. “Was it because of the danger? Or was it something else?”
Her question stings. I’ve spent countless nights wrestling with those very thoughts, questioning my own actions. I’ve pushed her away to keep her safe, but in doing so, I’ve only caused us both more pain.
“Ava, I...” I start, trying to put my swirling thoughts into words. “I was scared. Scared of losing you like I lost my dad. Like I lost Ace and so many other people I should have been able to save Scared of seeing you hurt because of our lifestyle, because of me.”
There’s a moment of silence as my confession hangs in the air. Ava looks at me, her gaze softening as she absorbs my words. But there’s still a question in her eyes, a plea for understanding that goes deeper than words. It’s a plea I’m all too familiar with, because I see it every time I look in the mirror.
“I fucking love you, Ava,” I confess, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s so big and terrifying and… and that’s why I pushed you away. I was afraid that my world, the Reapers’ world, would destroy you. And I can’t live with that.”
Her silence stretches for what feels like an eternity, but she never breaks eye contact. There’s something unflinching in her gaze, an unwavering determination that I’ve always admired.
“I love you too, Brick,” she says, her voice filled with a resolve that quiets my racing thoughts. “But you don’t get to decide what I can or can’t handle. I knew what I was getting into when I fell for you, when I became a part of this world.”
“But Ava, I…” I try to interrupt, the weight of my guilt resurfacing, but she raises a hand to stop me.
“Quiet,” she insists, her tone allowing no argument, and I try to hide a smile. I should know by now not to interrupt her. “Yes, this life is dangerous, and it scares me sometimes. But what scares me more is a life without you. I’ve lived that life for the past few weeks, and I can’t do it anymore.”
Her words crash over me like a wave, breaking down the walls I’d erected around my heart. She’s right. I’d let my guilt and fear cloud my judgment, forgetting that she was strong, that she was capable of making her own choices.
In that moment, all the pent-up emotions and longing that have been simmering under the surface break free. With a sound that’s half-growl, half-sigh, I pull Ava into my arms.
Epilogue: Ava
The air is heavy with the scent of motor oil and freedom, a mixture that’s become comfortingly familiar. I lean against Brick, my body melting into his as we sit on the porch of the Cascade Reapers clubhouse. His arm is warm and solid around my waist, and I can’t help the smile that curves my lips. This is home, a fact that would’ve terrified me a few months ago, but now? Now it fills me with an indescribable sense of peace.
We’ve weathered the storm, Brick and me. He’s my rock, my anchor in this chaotic world of bikers, loyalty, and danger. I never thought I’d find myself happily in love with a biker, but then, life has always been fond of throwing me curveballs.
Away from the clubhouse, away from the rumble of bikes and the rowdy laughter, I’ve carved out a space that’s wholly mine. A low-cost emergency clinic, nestled in the foothills, a beacon of hope for those who can’t afford to pay. It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember, and now, it’s a reality. A place where anyone can walk in, get treated, no questions asked.
Brick’s been nothing but supportive. He helped secure the place, drove me around to look for supplies, and even rolled up his sleeves to help with the renovations. He doesn’t quite understand the medical jargon, but he’s there, a steady presence as I navigate this new part of my life. It’s a testament to his love, to the lengths he’d go to ensure my happiness.
And yet, amid all these changes, he hasn’t lost who he is. Brick’s still a Reaper through and through. He’s made strides in cleaning up the club, cutting off toxic ties, and focusing on legit businesses. It’s a slow process, riddled with obstacles, but Brick’s never been one to back down from a challenge.
I glance up at him, tracing the lines of his face, hardened by life yet softened by love. His eyes, a hypnotic shade of blue, hold a fierce determination, the flames of his resolve mirroring my own. We’ve chosen this life together, aware of the impending dangers and challenges. But as long as we stand side by side, we’re ready to face whatever comes our way.
Looking out at the sunset staining the sky with brilliant hues of orange and purple, I let my mind drift toward the future. Life with Brick, with the Reapers, it’s anything but ordinary. It’s as unpredictable as the roaring engines of their bikes, as dangerous as the secrets they keep. But I know one thing for sure, whatever challenges, threats, or hardships we may face, I will stand by Brick’s side. Because being with him, being a part of this world, it feels right.
Brick gives me a squeeze, pulling me from my thoughts, and I turn to meet his gaze. His eyes hold an understanding that doesn’t need words. He knows what I’m thinking, the unspoken promise hanging in the air between us. We will face whatever comes together, head-on.
Silence settles around us, comfortable and warm, like a well-worn blanket. As the last rays of the sun disappear, I find my thoughts drifting to Ace. A pang of longing hits me, sharp and poignant, but it’s not as crippling as it used to be. Ace, my protective older brother, the first Reaper I ever knew. His memory is etched into my heart, a permanent part of me.
Being a part of the Reapers, being with Brick, it doesn’t replace Ace. It doesn’t fill the void his death left behind. But it does make his absence a little easier to bear. It’s as if, in some way, he’s still with me, watching over me, and that thought brings me a strange sense of comfort.
I close my eyes, a silent prayer passing my lips for the brother I lost. When I open them again, I find Brick watching me, his gaze soft and understanding. He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t ask any questions. He simply holds me a little tighter, his silence offering more comfort than any words could.
The world of the Reapers isn’t easy, it’s filled with challenges and dangers, but it’s also filled with love, loyalty, and a sense of belonging I never thought I’d find. And as I sit here with Brick, his love enveloping me, I know that this is where I’m meant to be.
* * *
The sound of Brick’s motorcycle approaching brings a smile to my face, and I step out of the clinic, wiping my tired hands on my scrubs. He pulls up, that boyish grin of his threatening to steal my breath away. Even though I’m back in his world, Brick still insists on driving me to work every day, a ritual that’s become a small comfort amidst the chaos of our lives.
Today, however, he takes a different route on the way back. Instead of returning to the bustling life of the clubhouse, Brick guides the bike up a winding road into the mountains. The higher we ascend, the more the scenery changes, the cityscape replaced by towering trees and the sound of a roaring river below.
Brick brings the bike to a stop at an overlook, high above the cascading waters. He’s brought a blanket and a bottle of wine, and the sight of the romantic setup warms my heart. We make ourselves comfortable on the blanket, the setting sun painting the sky in vibrant hues, casting a beautiful glow over Brick’s features.
He extends a glass of wine toward me, his eyes meeting mine with a seriousness that feels like an intimate caress. “Ava,” he begins, the low timbre of his voice swirling with the evening breeze, making my heart race.
“I’ve spent a lifetime making mistakes, carrying regrets. But there’s one thing, one thing that I know isn’t a mistake.” His hand reaches up, delicately tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his touch lingering.
