Page 31 of The Secrets We Keep (Sovereign Sons MC: North Carolina #1)

SOPHIE

Last night was one of the best nights of my life. My family is finally going to be one. I get to marry my best friend, the love of my life, the father of my child.

The club was ecstatic for us, so much so that they are throwing us a party tonight. The girls wouldn’t let me help with anything, so Grayson, Asher, and I stayed in our suite all afternoon, watching movies and relaxing before the evening.

When we’re about ready to head downstairs, I throw on a rock t-shirt, distressed denim shorts and black sandals. I toss my curls over my shoulder and apply a little concealer, bronzer, blush, mascara, and lip gloss.

The light shines on my beautiful new ring in the mirror. I smile as I think about the future I’ll get to have with Grayson. Strong arms wrap around my waist as I daydream.

“What are you thinking about, beautiful?” Grayson murmurs huskily in my ear, making goosebumps race across my skin.

“About how happy I am,” I say as I turn around in his embrace and kiss him softly.

He gives me a big smile, his beautiful teeth on display. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah,” I reply with a laugh. “Is Ash ready?”

“He’s been ready,” he chuckles. “He’s so excited to tell all our family that we’re getting married.”

“I know I already said it, but I’m so fucking happy that we’re here.”

“Me too, baby,” he murmurs as he swipes a piece of hair out of my eyes. “Let’s go tell our boy that we’re ready.”

He takes my hand and leads me out of our room and into the living area, where Asher is waiting. His excitement is palpable as he paces around the room. He turns wide eyes to us and then bolts toward the door without a word.

I shake my head as Grayson pulls me after him. Music fills our ears as we exit our suite and head downstairs. As we get closer to the main room, we hear the chatter of our friends and family. When we walk inside, they all turn around and cheer.

My cheeks heat from the attention as Grayson pulls me close, a devilish smirk on his face.

He dips me low and slams his mouth on mine.

His large palm dips to my ass, lifting my leg to his hip.

The cheers grow louder as Grayson’s tongue delves in, stroking my tongue in a rhythmic pattern that almost has me stripping him down right here.

Until I remember that we’re in the middle of the clubhouse, surrounded by people.

Grayson pulls me to my feet and gazes down at me before brushing his thumb along my lower lip and fixing my lip gloss. Or what’s left of it. I take a deep, steadying breath, and then find Asher looking grossed out. A laugh bursts out of me, and I reach out and ruffle his hair.

“Going to have to get used to that, bud,” Axel tells him with a laugh.

“Gross,” Asher mutters before running over to his grandparents and aunt.

I shake my head and smile. Grayson’s hand finds my lower back as everyone moves to congratulate us. Lisa hugs me extra tight as she welcomes me to the family officially. I blink back the tears that fill my eyes, so I don’t embarrass myself.

The guys grilled so we could enjoy the cool fall night.

Summer is long gone and its finally bonfire season.

As the sun sets the guys dish out burgers and hot dogs for the kids, and steaks for everyone else.

We sit outside at picnic tables and laugh through our meals.

When we’re done eating, the kids make smores in the fire.

When the kids are with Lisa and Kurt, I sit by the fire with Wren. We’re a few drinks deep already and have been laughing our asses off all night. It’s so nice to have her back.

“What the hell is going on with you and Axel?” I ask when I see him watching her for the fifteenth time tonight.

She groans. “Nothing. He’s annoying.”

I laugh. “It sounds like nothing has changed between the two of you, then.”

“It never does,” she murmurs.

I swear I can hear a hint of sadness in her tone, so I change the subject. “What’s the deal with those two?” I ask with a gesture in Nash and Cole’s direction.

They’re sitting off to the side with Ana between the two of them. Nash and Cole are both hot as hell. Actually, every member of this club is hot now. I don’t know if that’s something they require of prospects, or if it’s just the luck of the draw, but you won’t see any of the women complaining.

“Ahh, those two,” Wren murmurs reverently. “Sit back, girlfriend, do I have the gossip for you.”

I giggle and sit back in my seat, holding my drink close to my chest.

“Apparently, they like to share,” Wren whispers dramatically.

“What?!” I screech, sitting up in my chair.

Wren widens her eyes at me, telling me to shut the fuck up, because everyone is looking at us. I wince at her and sit back in my chair, at least partially. When everyone turns back to their conversations, she starts again.

“They share. I’ve heard a few of the club girls talking about it and fuck, does it sound hot.”

“Wait, do they do stuff together? Or just to the girl?” I ask.

Wren shrugs. “That, I don’t know. But can you imagine how hot that would be?” She sits back and fans herself with her hand.

I definitely could imagine that. Nash has beautiful brown skin that’s peppered in black ink.

He’s muscular, with black cropped hair, and deep chocolate brown eyes.

And don’t even get me started with his smile.

Cole has tan skin that’s bare, which is rare for bikers.

He has dark brown hair that’s a little shaggy and beautiful green eyes.

I don’t know many women that could handle being between those gorgeous men. But I know a few who would like to try.

I make eye contact with Wren, and we dissolve into laughter, knowing what each other is thinking.

“What are you two laughing about?” Grayson says as he picks me up and sits in my seat, placing me in his lap.

“Nothing!” I chirp.

“Mhm,” he chides, just making us burst into laughter again.

It’s a peaceful evening until Rowan shows up.

He was noticeably absent for the evening, and he didn’t answer his phone after multiple members tried to call him.

We sent two of the prospects out looking for him about an hour ago.

He walks past us all with a dark expression.

My brow furrows and I turn to Grayson. He nods his head, and we follow him inside with Axel, leaving Asher with his aunt and grandparents.

When we walk inside, he’s not in the main room.

We look in the kitchen and don’t find him, so Grayson leads us to Rowan’s suite.

When we walk up to his door, it’s ajar. We let ourselves in and hear the water running in his kitchen.

We stop dead in our tracks when we find him at the kitchen sink.

He furiously scrubs at his arms that are covered in blood.

A gasp tears from my throat and I’m instantly sober at the sight. Grayson and Axel move to stand on either side of him with concern coating their features. Grayson reaches out to squeeze Rowan’s shoulder, but he pulls it out of his grasp while he continues to scrub.

“Ro, what happened?” Grayson rasps.

Rowan’s shoulders slump and Axel takes the opportunity to pull the sponge from Rowan’s hand while Grayson turns off the water. They lead him over to the kitchen island and force him to sit. When he looks up, his eyes are haunted.

“I was running late to the party, and I saw three members of the Devil’s Knights run a car off the road,” he says softly, his voice pained.

“The car was flipped upside down. I parked my bike and called 911 while I ran to the car. The driver’s side was closer, so I tried to pull him out first. His seatbelt was locked, so I pulled out my knife and cut the strap.

He was covered with blood,” he rasps. “I checked for a pulse, and it was faint, so I moved to the passenger’s side.

The woman had a small cut on her head, but she looked okay, otherwise.

I cut her down and pulled her to safety.

I went to check on the driver again and his pulse was fading.

I did CPR until the paramedics showed up, but he didn’t start breathing again. ”

“Oh my gosh,” I say as I cover my mouth in horror.

“Are you okay?” Grayson asks thickly.

Rowan nods numbly. “The driver died.”

“I’m sorry, Ro,” Axel murmurs.

“How can one person in the car die and the other person be almost untouched?” He asks no one in particular. “And why the fuck did the Devil’s Knights run them off the road?”

We stay silent. There’s not an answer, unfortunately.

I wish he didn’t have to go through this, but I can’t help thinking that he was in the right place at the right time.

I don’t know what this means for the club and the Devil’s Knights, now.

They moved into this area and now they hurt people who live here.

Killed someone who lives here. That’s not going to go over well with the club.

“Let’s get you in the shower,” Grayson offers. “We’ll worry about everything else later.”

“I don’t want to ruin your night,” Rowan says with a shake of his head.

“You’re not ruining our night, Ro. Let us help you,” I plead.

He nods his head minutely. “I’m glad you’re going to be my sister, Soph.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Me too, Ro.”

Grayson and I exchange a worried look over Rowan’s head as they walk him to his room. This is something that’s going to have a profound impact on Rowan’s life and we’ll be here for him every step of the way.