Page 35 of The Souls We Claim

King scratches his chin. “I got my own theory.”

“Yeah?”

“He’s always said the brotherhood was his family. Having us saved his life. But I think he was just existing. We didn’t save him. He was exactly who he had always been with us, and he annoyed the fuck out of us. Right?”

I consider what King said. “That’s fair.”

“His mom bailed on him, yeah? After his sister died. So, here’s my theory: it’s actually the love of women that’s helped him.”

“He’d hate that.”

“See, I’m not sure he would. Because I’m not just talking Catalina, although I don’t know a single brother who’d take on an old lady like her except him. Don’t get me wrong, I think she’s an asset to the club, but would I let Rae anywhere near a fight? No way in hell.”

I chuckle at the idea. “I don’t know, Prez. I’ve seen the two of you fight. I think she can hold her own. You kidnapped her, and she got the better of you.”

King rolls his eyes but grins. “Fair. So, there’s Catalina, for sure. But there’s also his relationship with Rae. He trusts her more than he trusts me. And then there’s little Avery, who we never need to worry about because not only Bates but Niro would scorch earth for her. And then there’s the self-defense classes he’s running with the women. Like, Spark’s all grumbly because Iris loves nunchucks. And for all Niro was a dick to each and every one of them at some point, they’re all leaning in to defend him. If he ever pulled some bad shit and we had to remove his ink, I think the old ladies would make a ring around him and fight us. It’s the women in his life who are helping him heal. Not us. Hence, the green house.”

“Shit. That makes so much sense. You sure Rae didn’t feed you that idea?”

King shakes his head. “Came up with it all on my own.”

“What did you come up with all on your own?” Rae says, walking towards us with a wide sun hat on her head and gardening gloves on her hands.

“A way to fix this bike, Duchess.”

Rae’s smile says she knows King is lying. “Hey, Halo. You want a drink? Was just about to get something.”

“I have a question for you. Personal, if King’ll let me ask you it in private.”

“In these matters, Uther has no say. Of course, you can ask me a question in private, and Uther can act like a civilized human being instead of a neanderthal.”

By the time she finishes speaking, she’s underneath King’s arm, looking up at him, and he’s looking down at her like she’s the fucking sun.

“It’s kinda cute how you can make him lose that death glare of his, Rae.”

Said death glare returns, and King aims it at me. “I’ll go get us some drinks.”

When he leaves, I face Rae. “What’s the best thing I can do to help a woman who’s been abused?”

“Mercy’s sister?”

“You know about her?”

“Halo, we have a group chat that includes Gwen, queen of all gossip. Of course we all know about her. The best thing you can do for her is to get her to talk to people. Police first—get that face of hers documented before the bruising is gone. A good therapist. Someone who has the skills to help her process all the complex emotions she’ll be feeling. Friends. She needs other women to lean on.”

“I already introduced her to Briar and Iris. I felt like they might have something in common with her. And she met Gwen at the store the other day.”

Rae nods. “A good start. What about Lola’s first birthday? If you host a party at the clubhouse, you could introduce her to the rest of us.”

“Shit,” I mutter. “Haven’t organized anything yet.”

“Want me to do it for you? I have a bit of time, could make a few calls.”

I’m ready to hug my president’s old lady. “Could you? I think Arianne already has enough to adjust to.”

“What about you, Halo?”

I shake my head. “If I’m gonna flip Dad’s house so I can sell it, I need to be there, not organizing a party.”