Page 74 of The Fates We Tame

I shake my head. “Nah. I’m just wondering what life looks like when we’re sixty. There was this whole older generation we looked up to when we were kids. Like that summer you were dating Sarah Shellis and we went to Sturgis with them. Your dad was this larger-than-life legend. Cue Ball was his infallible vice president. Now a whole new generation is in charge.”

“It’s how it’s meant to be.” King knocks back a large swig of his beer. “It’s wild you remember Sarah Shellis’s name but can’t remember which clubhouse room is yours.”

“Truth. What’s with you and Niro now? It’s like the two of you are brothers. The last I remember, you guys rubbed each other the wrong way.”

King looks over to where Niro has his arm around Iris’s shoulders. The two of them are teasing Spark, from the angry look on his face, while they laugh.

“It’s fair to say we’ve come to terms.”

A prospect rushes into the clubhouse. “Prez. You got a problem. Vincenzo Viscuso is outside with a shit ton of his snake house, armed to the teeth. Says he needs to speak to a mouthy Outlaw with a fucking scar.” He looks over to Niro.

“Fuck.” The word is out of my mouth and my eyes on Sophia before I can stop myself.

“You take one step towards your wife before telling me what you know about this, and I’ll drop you where you stand.”

“Prez. The Italians?” The prospect seems edgy. Nervous.

Scared.

Maybe he should be. But Outlaws never show fear. So, he’s fucked. Doesn’t know he just earned a high-speed ticket out of the prospect program.

“They’re fucking Sicilians. And they can wait,” King says.

“But they didn’t seem too willing to?—”

He’s stopped by the appearance of King’s SIG pointing straight at him.

“I said they can wait. Go out and tell them we’re discussing their request.” He looks at me, then yells, “Church. Now.”

There are groans.

Confused mutterings.

But I ignore them all and make my way to Sophia. I need to tell her what’s happening before King tells me I can’t.

“What’s going on?” she asks.

“Your dad is standing outside our clubhouse, demanding to speak with Niro.”

Her mouth opens. “What? My father is here? How?”

I take her hand. “Don’t say anything unless directly asked. Let me lead. Trust me to know what’s best for us. So far, he’s only asked to speak to Niro.”

Her fingers tighten around mine, and something about her drawing strength from me makes me feel like a giant. There’s a galvanizing, of sorts. Of the person I used to be and who I am. A better man with all the wisdom I’ve learned along the way. Even if I don’t remember it all.

“I can leave with him,” she says. “I don’t want you or the club to get into trouble or get hurt.”

I pause and kiss her. Don’t give a shit who sees it. Don’t give a fuck if the whole club is waiting for me in church. “To be true and loyal. For better or worse. I’m not letting you leave with them.”

Sophia looks up at me, a vulnerability etched in her features. “Then please keep me away from them. I’ll run anywhere with you.”

I nod, and we walk to the door to church together. “The windows are glass. Sit right here so I can see you at all times. Do not move. Don’t let anybody tell you to. The only safe place is where I can see you.”

“I promise I won’t move,” she says, and I lift her onto one of the long tables that sit outside.

I kiss the end of her nose. “Don’t get any ideas about being a hero, either, Soph. If you run to them, I’ll be forced to hurt people to get you back. We clear?”

As I say the words, I feel a settling in my own skin. I can’t explain it.