Page 28

Blade

I t’s been two weeks since Ryan took off. With Wildcard’s help, I was able to get the location of where Ryan was staying. I wanted to go to him myself, but I didn’t trust that I could keep my anger in check and, instead, spoke with Guard, heeding his sound advice.

One of the Redemption Riders delivered my message in person to Ryan.

The Redemption Riders are a sister club with an excellent relationship with Satan’s Pride.

Guard has been mentoring their president, and Hawk is a good man.

His club is solid, and the members of the club are loyal to Hawk.

Hawk immediately complied with my request, saying, “Whatever the Pride needs, we’re there for you. ”

Hawk sent his VP, Drifter, to see Ryan. Drifter didn’t lay a hand on him, but being the scary motherfucker that Drifter is, I’m sure Ryan would have crapped his pants at the sight of him.

Drifter reported back after he gave him my message, doing it in person and stopping by the garage on his way back to the Riders.

“He got it,” Drifter said, referring to Ryan. “He knows if he pulls this stunt again, his face isn’t going to remain so pretty.”

“What did you think of him?” I’m not even sure why I asked, but I did.

“He’s a man without a purpose, and when you don’t have a purpose, there’s nothing to keep you grounded. Hope to hell he finds his way,” Drifter answered. Drifter took off soon after, not wanting to be away from his club brothers any more than he needed to be.

I bought all new cameras and equipment for Emryn, and, as expected, she lost her mind.

The only way she would accept was to have a contract drawn up with a payment plan.

I let her have her way, including having Sofia notarize the paper, then I trashed my copy because I don’t give a shit if she pays me back.

The club is doing their part to make sure Emryn is busy at work.

I think she’s photographed all the families in the club, and they spread the word, making her the busiest photographer in the area.

As for Jaws, he’s history.

Normally, Guard would have gathered us all around to witness the demise of a man who wronged Satan’s Pride.

This time, the only men invited were Ghost, Orion, Owen, and Aaron.

Jaws suffered. I know this for a fact because Owen came to me, needing to talk and let it all out.

His secret will stay with me, although I know that one day, he’ll have to give up his thoughts and fears.

Aaron is getting better and better every day and is back in the gym. He seems to be moving past this.

The club is having a celebration. No real reason, except it’s a good excuse to be together. The party is just getting started, and everyone is sitting around the table. It stretches from one end of the room to the other, and all the brothers and their families are here.

Emryn stands up and tries to get everyone’s attention. Guard stands and tells everyone to pipe down.

“You have something to say, Emryn?” he says, and the room goes quiet.

“Uh, thank you.” She scans the room. “I can’t thank all of you enough for opening your hearts and including me in your lives.

This isn’t how I grew up. All the love I received came with conditions, and what you’ve taught me is that love doesn’t have conditions.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever have that with my parents or brother, but I’m okay with that because I have all of you.

” Emryn looks at me. “Especially you.” Then she turns back to the others.

“I made something for the club. I hope you like it.”

Emryn scurries away from the table to a box she insisted had to come with us, which I completely forgot about until this moment. She pulls out a thick, hardcover book, huge in size, and brings it over to Guard. She places it in his hands.

“It’s a coffee table book, but you can put it anywhere. It’s all of you, from the first night we were all together,” she says, then steps back.

Guard puts the book down in front of him and leafs through the glossy photos. Pictures of the women dancing, men in groups talking and smiling, and even the kids are featured in the pages.

“Emryn, these are beautiful,” Guard says.

“No, this family is beautiful. I wanted to capture the genuine love that’s in this room,” Emryn replies.

“Well, you’re going to have to do another book. There’s someone missing in that one,” Abby says, biting her lip.

Emryn looks confused. “I’m sure I got everyone.”

Abby grins shyly. “Not possible. They aren’t here yet.

” Abby turns to her husband, Ghost, who is looking as perplexed as we are.

“We’re having a baby, honey.” Ghost’s stunned expression is nothing less than priceless.

It lasts only a second before he scoops his wife up in his arms and swings her around.

Guard goes over to him and, when Ghost is done kissing his wife, accepts a massive, brotherly hug from Ghost. We all take turns congratulating the parents-to-be. Emryn is in the thick of things, chatting away with the other Lady Pride, and I find myself standing next to Guard.

“It’s a good day, Prez,” I say.

“That it is,” his low voice rumbles.

“Jaws is gone, and Ryan has been warned. No loose ends.” I chuckle.

Guard puts his hand on my shoulder. “As long as we breathe, there will be stories that need to be told.”

It’s Guard’s subtle way of telling me that more is yet to come.