Page 29 of The Secrets We Keep (Sovereign Sons MC: North Carolina #1)

SOPHIE

One thing that lets an old lady know if she’s going to make it in club life or not, is if her man shares everything with her.

When Grayson came back from Tennessee, I knew something was different.

He told me what happened right away. Eric was never going to be an issue again.

James was never going to be an issue again.

The immense relief I feel at their deaths should probably scare me, but it doesn’t. I know that my family is going to be safe now, and that’s the most important thing to me.

Today we’re having an end of summer barbecue at the clubhouse. It’s members, their families, and a few of the club girls. No outside charters, so it’s more comfortable for everyone.

“Everyone is here, so we’re ready to eat whenever,” I call over my shoulder to Chef as I walk out of the kitchen with a large container of macaroni and cheese .

“Okay!” He hollers back.

Old school rock pumps through the speakers in the clubhouse and members are standing around laughing and drinking beer. A few of the club girls hang off the single guys. I smile as I walk by and place the macaroni on the waiting warmer.

Today we’re having BBQ and marinated pork steaks, scalloped potatoes, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, candied carrots, salad, and rolls.

Chef walks out of the kitchen carrying a large container of fresh rolls and butter.

When he sets them down, everyone knows it’s time to eat.

A few cheers ring out before everyone falls into line.

Grayson and Asher step to the front of the line and Grayson pulls me along with them. The other officers and voting members fall in behind us and the prospects and club girls fall into the end of the line . I swear these guys do everything according to their rank.

Grayson makes me and Asher go ahead of him, but helps Asher get his plate together. It’s amazing how something as simple as him helping our son with his plate makes my heart ache with happiness. I’m not alone in this anymore. I’ll never be alone again.

Our meal is full of laughter and good food.

This isn’t the same club that I remember, and that’s probably because of the men in front of me.

They’re nothing like the pigs who used to be in charge.

They’re more like Grayson and Rowan’s father, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that.

My son isn’t just going to have his father, uncle, and grandfather to be good male role models in his life . He’ll have this entire club.

“What are you smiling about?” Grayson murmurs as he pulls my seat closer to him.

“I’m just happy that we’re here,” I say softly before planting my lips on his.

“Me too, baby,” he whispers against my lips.

“Gross,” Asher mutters, breaking the moment. We laugh and break apart. “Can we throw the football around, dad?”

“Yeah, buddy. Just finish your vegetables and we’ll go into the yard.”

Asher rolls his eyes. “Do I have to? Veggies are gross.”

“Hey now, if you want to be big and strong like all of us, you have to eat your veggies,” Rowan tells him with a wink.

We burst into laughter as Asher shovels his green beans into his mouth at warp speed. “Done,” he mumbles around a mouthful of food.

“Whoa, wise guy. Swallow all that food before you go anywhere,” I say through my laughter.

He makes a show of swallowing and then turns to his dad. “I’m ready!”

“All right.” Grayson plants a kiss on the top of my head and then leads Asher out of the room and into the yard .

I smile as I watch them go and then head into the kitchen to see if Chef needs any help. “You know that you can eat with all of us, right?” I ask when I see him huddling over his plate of food.

“I know, but I’m used to it this way.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “All right, old man. Do you need me to do anything?”

He waves me off. “Nah, sweetheart. Just go and enjoy the evening.”

“Don’t work too hard,” I tell him as I give him a kiss on the cheek and then head back into the main room.

Most of the guys are standing by the bar chatting with our bartender and the club girls. I walk over and join Cole and Nash who have Ana and Lacey on their arms.

“Dinner was great, Sophie,” Ana says with a big smile.

“I can’t take all the credit,” I say with a laugh. “Chef did most of the work.”

Nash’s brow furrows as he looks behind me. “What the fuck is she doing here?”

I whirl around and find a disheveled Candy glaring at me. I sigh and then immediately search the room for my son. I find him through the window, just where he should be, tossing around the football with Grayson outside.

“You can’t be here, Candy,” Cole says as he steps closer, pushing Ana behind him.

She doesn’t say a word and her eyes don’t leave me.

“Get out of here before you make things worse for yourself,” I mutter, not wanting to deal with her brand of crazy right now.

I grit my teeth when she still doesn’t move.

I advance on her. “Don’t make me drag you out by your hair.

” When I’m standing in front of her, she pulls a gun from behind her back and aims it at my head. I stop in my tracks.

“What the fuck, Candy?” Nash growls. I hear him move behind me, but I don’t take my eyes off the crazy woman in front of me with a gun.

She lifts the gun in the air and fires off three shots.

I duck in cover as plaster falls from the ceiling.

Hands grip my hair and drag me forward. Candy holds the gun to my temple as chaos erupts around us.

My eyes search the craziness for my son and find Grayson leading him to Rowan, who urges him further into the yard. Further away from Candy.

My shoulders sag in relief. At least my son is okay.

At least Grayson is okay. The cool metal presses harder into my temple making me wince.

I see Cole and Nash glaring at Candy, Ana is on her phone with the police, and the other members are moving into the room to find out what’s happening.

My eyes lock with Grayson’s as he storms into the room.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” His voice booms as he advances on Candy.

She backs up, pulling me with her until she’s in the doorway. “Stop or I’ll fucking shoot her!” She screeches.

Grayson puts his hands in the air and takes a step back, his eyes taking in every inch of me looking for injury. When he finds none, I see his shoulders slump minutely.

“What do you think you’re going to get out of this?” He asks through gritted teeth.

“You,” she scoffs. “You can’t be with her. I’ve been by your side for almost seven years. I’ve put in the work. I should be the one to reap the benefits.”

“What are you talking about?” Grayson grimaces. “We were never together, Candy. There’s never been anyone but Sophie for me.”

“She doesn’t deserve it!” She yells. “She was supposed to stay in Georgia. You were supposed to be mine. I was supposed to be the queen of the club. I was supposed to be yours. You were supposed to love me like I love you!”

I wince as she tugs my hair with every statement. I almost feel bad for the woman. Almost. She was set up for failure by my father, but she’s a grown adult and should know that that’s not how a relationship works.

“Candy, you’ve been a member of this club your entire life. Don’t do something you’re going to regret,” Grayson murmurs.

“I won’t regret it,” she sneers.

But before the gun can go off, the police swarm the clubhouse and surround Candy. An officer must come up behind her because her grip loosens in my hair and then I’m in Grayson’s arms.

I watch on in a blur as the police toss Candy to the ground, knocking the gun away from her and cuffing her. She screams for Grayson as they lead her out of the clubhouse.

The police chief walks over to Grayson and offers him a hand. “We’ll take her from here, Grayson. Do you guys need medical?”

“Thanks, Tony,” Grayson murmurs against my hair. “I think we’re okay.”

Tony nods. “She’s going to the psych ward, and I can’t see her getting out with the security footage you guys have.”

“Good,” I mutter numbly as Tony walks away. “I better never see her face again.”

“If we do, I’ll kill her,” Grayson mutters. “She’s done fucking with my family.”