"Hey." I squeeze her hand. "None of that. We're starting fresh, remember? Clean slate."
"Clean slate," she repeats, like she's testing the words. "I like the sound of that."
We drive in silence for a while, the miles disappearing beneath us.
The snow starts to fall somewhere around the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border—light flurries at first, then thicker flakes that dust the windshield before the wipers sweep them away.
"Garrett?" Her voice is hesitant.
"Yeah?"
"What happens when we get there? To the clubhouse, I mean. Are people going to..." She trails off, but I know what she's asking.
"They're going to welcome you home. That's what happens." I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles. "Ruger's already talked to everyone. You're my ol’ lady. You're carrying my kid. That makes you family, and family takes care of each other."
"Even after everything I did?"
"Even after everything."
She nods slowly, but I can see the tension in her shoulders.
She's scared.
Of course she's scared.
She spent years burning bridges, stealing, lying, disappearing.
Walking back into the clubhouse means facing all of that.
But she's not facing it alone.
Not this time.
The clubhouse comes into view around four in the afternoon, the compound rising up out of the gray winter landscape like a fortress.
The gates are open, waiting for us, and I can see bikes lined up in front of the main building despite the cold.
"They're here," Vanna says, her voice tight.
"They wanted to welcome you home."
"All of them?"
"Most of them. The ones who matter."
I pull the truck through the gates and park near the entrance.
The compound looks different in the snow—softer somehow, the harsh lines of the buildings blurred by white.
Smoke rises from the chimney, and I can see lights glowing warm in the windows.
Before I can even cut the engine, the front door swings open, and people start spilling out.
Ruger's first, because of course he is.
He's the president—he sets the tone for everything.
His cut is on, the patches standing out stark against the leather.
