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Max bounces around our feet happily, excited because we are. My mind drifts to my conversation with Rachel as I hug them.

Nothing is ours to hold forever … but for now, these people are mine. I’m going to cherish every moment I can with them.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Lexie

“Please, I don’t need you to go with me,” I beg Ash, shaking my hands out in front of me.

“There is no way in hell I’m going to let you go alone. Just breathe.”

“But the prosecutor told me to be prepared for the defense to bring up my past. I don’t want you or the club to hear all that. You’re all going to be so embarrassed by me.”

He takes my hands in his. “Look at me, Lex.”

When I don’t, he grabs my face, holding my head in his hands. His nose brushes against mine.

“There isn’t anything that’s going to come up that will change our relationship. I love you. All of you, and that includes your past. You wouldn’t be the woman I love today without it.”

He holds me strong and sure as I struggle to calm myself.

“Breathe, baby. Breathe.”

Eventually, I pull myself together. He leans away, looking me in the eye to make sure I’m okay. When he sees that I am,he glances around. “Why do you always end up here on your walks?”

“How do you know I always come here?” I tease, shoving him lightly. Of course he follows me everywhere I go. Not because he doesn’t trust me, but because he is forever protecting me.

I glance down at the grave by my feet. “I don’t know. It’s quiet here I guess.”

His gaze follows mine, and he leans over to straighten a little dragonfly ornament. “I’m not judging. Just curious, that’s all.”

“Everyone here listens without talking back.” I laugh lightly.

“I guess I never thought of it that way. Maybe I should try it sometime.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders and guides us back toward the farm. “It’s going to be okay, Lex. I promise. We’ll get through this.”

We shower together when we get back to our little house, and then we head over to the courthouse. The entire parking lot is filled with bikes.

“Oh my gosh, this is crazy. Who are all these people?”

“Neighboring chapters. Skulls protect what’s theirs, Lexie. You are family, and that reaches far beyond our own club.”

JD and Elizabeth push through the crowd to get to us. The whole scene is crazy and frightening. There are reporters everywhere. Men in black cuts form a line, shielding me from their questions. It’s the first day of the trial. I feel bad for the younger girls who will eventually be called to testify. This is terrifying.

When we walk into the courtroom, Graham turns in his chair as if he can sense me. His eyes follow me all the way to my seat. Ash growls under his breath and tucks my face against his chest after we settle in our seats. Elizabeth sits beside me with JD on the other side of her. His big arm rests along the back of the chairs, and his hand rests on my shoulder.

My other “parents” gather around us. Lily, Dan, Dirk, Jesse, Katie, Petey, Raffe, and even Rachel is here to support me. Of course, everyone else is here too. Jackson, Willow, Tank, Kelsie, Elijah, and Billie Rose.

My gaze roams the room. Everyone is here but the two people who brought me into this world. I’m sure they were too proud to face the humiliation of the situation or just plain embarrassed by me, their daughter.

When the judge enters the room and everyone quiets, my heart falls to the pit of my stomach. Graham turns his chair slightly so I’m in his direct line of sight. The smirk on his face tells me he knows exactly how I’m feeling. It’s right where he wants me. He gets off on me being uncomfortable.

JD sits forward and locks eyes with me, blocking Graham’s view. The next thing I know, I’m being shoved to the floor as glass shatters a window nearby. All hell breaks loose. Women scream and men shout.

“It’s okay, baby. It’s okay,” Ash whispers against the back of my head.

When I open my eyes, I see Elizabeth next to me on the floor, her eyes on me. She reaches out and takes my hand in hers. JD is lying on top of her.

What the fuck is happening?