“All the ladies love me,” Dirt declares around a mouthful of food.
Playful banter continues throughout the meal, making it evident the Unholy are a family—despite being the most feared gang in America’s northeast region.
And I’m a part of this family now. Dirt said so himself.
I won’t lie.
It feels powerful.
Makes it that much more glaring how badly Daniel fucked with the wrong people. They’re going to tear him apart. Mike, too, if that idiot has anything to do with his father’s extracurricular activities. Daniel had to go and get greedy. No, he got stupid. And his foolishness will cost him his life. Maybe even his son’s life. And for what? For nothing. Because in the end, he’ll die groveling. I can guarantee that. All I need to do is look at Jester to see he’ll make Daniel’s death…ugly.
But not tonight.
Tonight is a celebration.
Tonight, everything is oddly normal. It’s easy to forget I’m surrounded by killers. There are children playing and moms trying to herd them to the table to eatjust one more bitebefore they run off again to get good and dirty. It’s just a weirdly wholesome good time, which is something I wasn’t expecting.
The hang-arounds? They keep to themselves, available to the unattached Unholys who want to spend time with them. They’re respectful of the fact that this is a family-friendly day and remain off to one corner of the yard. When I question Jamie on why they’re not welcome at the main tables, she shakes her head, and it’s answer enough. Rules are rules, and everyone has their place here.
I have a place of honor. And not just because I’m Jester’s woman. I did the Unholy a favor and was hurt for it. My blood was spilled, and that’s a debt they take to the grave.
Crow holds court like a true leader. A formidable commander who rules Mayhem with an iron fist masked behind a tempered touch. He’s surrounded by Rotten, Voodoo, Dirt, and Rebel—or management, as they’re collectively known. All of whom drift over to Kerri throughout the day to thank her for bringing the information about Daniel. This, apparently, “proves” her loyalty to Mayhem. What they don’t realize is that she’s protecting me.
Kerri keeps herself plastered to my side. Can’t say I blame her. The Unholy are a lot to take in. And yet I’m in heaven, surrounded by my favorite people. It’s a day I never thought would happen. It’s like I’m caught in a delightful dream, one I don’t want to wake from because come tomorrow, when reality sets in, we’ll have to deal with Daniel, and that’s going to be a whole shitshow.
Once the sun sets, they bring out a cake for Discord, and we all sing a painfully off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Discord, the ham he is, basks in the adulation. As well he should. Havoc and I would do our best to make this day special for him because he was such an adorable little boy, and what he suffered was an unimaginable agony. It’s nice to see him finally get the birthday celebration every kid deserves—even though he’s grown into…him.
Then come the fireworks. And what a show the Unholy put on. As kids, we would sit up on Tyler’s Cliff and watch the display from a distance. Tonight, I have a front-row seat for the spectacle. With Jester on my right and Kerri on my left, I stare up as the sky blazes in a riot of brilliant-colored sparks. It’s too easy to shut out the world. To lose myself in the moment. To pretend nothing exists beyond tonight.
But the night can’t last forever, and like all good things, it ends. After we clean the yard and help Rooster get Sadie comfortable in their car, Jester says his goodbyes so we can leave, too. It’s been a long day. Also, it may be July, but up here in the mountains, the nights get chilly. It’s about time I’m out of this sundress, in comfy pajamas, and snuggled next to Jester.
I gasp when he sweeps me off my feet. Literally. “God, I can’t wait to shower and crawl into bed with you.”
“Funny, I’m thinking the same thing.”
He kisses my forehead. “Great minds think alike.”
“I’m doomed if I’m thinking like you,” I groan.
His laughter echoes around us. “Fizzle, you were doomed the night you barged into the Morettis’ bathroom and tried to kiss me.”
“Thank God.” I trace a finger along his bottom lip. “I love you, Jester.”
His eyes narrow like two amber beams that slice through me. It’s like he sees straight to my soul. There’s so much promise of pleasure in them. I swear my heart is going to hammer a hole through my sternum. “Keep it up, and you won’t be getting to sleep until the sun comes up.”
“Excuse me, but I’m right here,” Kerri declares.
Jester puts me back on my feet and drapes an arm around my shoulders. “No worries, sis. We’ll be quiet.”
“I can stay in a hotel,” she offers.
“The fuck you are.” Havoc’s growl takes us all by surprise.
I didn’t realize he was behind us. Like, directly behind us, the creeper.
“Jesus Christ,” I hiss. “Can younotbe in stealth mode?”
“No.” He comes up beside us as we walk toward the cars. “And you’re not staying in a fucking hotel,” he says to Kerri.
