Page 99 of The Souls We Claim

“Thank you. Be safe.”

And with that, the men begin the process of leaving. Rae whispers something in King’s ear that makes him take her handand place it over his heart before kissing her soundly. Bates kisses Vi again, then drops to his knees to kiss her stomach in a move so breathtakingly beautiful, it makes my heart ache that I won’t get to experience anything quite like it.

Niro is trying to make Catalina laugh and finally succeeds.

Halo is the last to leave.

And then there is quiet.

“Can we sit outside?” Rae says, bouncing a very awake Lola on her hip. “I know it’s getting late, but I’ve had clients all day, and I desperately want what’s left of the daylight.”

“Of course.”

“Are you okay if I familiarize myself with the layout of Halo’s home?” Cat asks.

“Sure. Whatever you need to do.”

“Can I go with you, Auntie Cat?” Avery asks. “Then I can tell Uncle Colton I helped.”

Cat smiles down at her and brushes the top of her head. “Sure thing, chaparrita.”

The rest of us head outside. Rae kicks off her sandals and lowers Lola to the ground so her feet touch the grass too. She bounces in place and then begins taking steps forward.

“Avery idolizes Cat,” Vi says. “There are days when I think she’d rather live with Niro and Cat than with us.”

“It’s simple at that age,” Rae says. “She clearly adores Niro. And sees that he’s chosen Catalina. So, she wants to be like Catalina to remain Niro’s favorite.”

“Because that’s just what I need, Avery going out on runs with Miles at some point.” Vi laughs as we sit on the patio sofa. “How are you doing, Ari?”

“A lot better than when I first arrived,” I admit.

“They’re a lot, aren’t they?” Rae asks as she sits down on the grass with Lola.

“How do you deal with the worry? Like, will he get hurt? Could he go to prison?”

Vi squeezes my hand. “I was younger than you when I first got together with Miles. Even back then, he was my whole world. But I felt like because of the Outlaws, I wasn’t his. That I wasn’t his priority. I was scared of the man he was going to be. So, I left him. And while I knew intellectually it was the right thing to do, I regretted it deeply until the moment he reappeared in my life earlier this year. I don’t think you can focus on the what-ifs. Sometimes you just have to throw yourself into this life and rely on other old ladies for support when you need it.”

“Makes sense,” I say.

“I have a different perspective,” Rae says. “And I thinkthat’ssomething you’ll find between all the old ladies. We handle things differently but together. King and I talk about it. I have a written plan to answer all those questions. Like, if he gets arrested, I have a phone list. Lawyer first, Clutch second, Saint third. Last month, I got King to write a will, not because I want all his things if he dies, but I know I won’t be able to handle legalities while dealing with his loss.”

Vi shivers. “I don’t know how you can talk about it that calmly.”

Rae smiles softly. “Because I’m present enough to know it’s not happening now. And worrying about what might happen in the future has the ability to ruin this.” She gestures at me and Vi. “It’s a lovely afternoon. I’m with friends. I get to play with this adorable little bundle,” she says as Lola offers her another handful of grass. “But I do think there are things that, as old ladies, we should have in place, so that if the worst happens, we have a system ready to kick in.”

“I don’t even know if Miles has a will,” Vi says.

“Do they even have health insurance?” I ask.

“Yeah, he’s called Switch,” Rae answers.

Vi and I laugh at that, but it doesn’t answer the question. And I guess both Jax and I should have wills too, for Lola’s sake.

“I guess the one thing that makes me feel better is that Jax was a Navy SEAL. They’re so well trained, I’ve got to believe that gives him an advantage over anyone he has to go up against,” I say.

“And I always feel better that they have each other’s backs. Niro would die for Miles. I know it,” Vi says.

Catalina steps out of the house holding Avery’s hand.