He’s the same guy who fell in line with Tom’s volatile plan for the club, even if he didn’t realize how he was being manipulated.
But it’s also Solana’s brother. Big Eddie’s nephew. A King who lost his way and is trying to find the path back.
I take his hand and shake it firmly.
“I appreciate you saying that,” I tell him. “Takes a big man to apologize and own his mistakes. Big Ed would be proud.”
Gratitude flickers across Moses face. He nods along as if he knows what I’ve said is true. Big Eddie, even if we weren’t on the best terms at the end, always wanted to keep the peace in the club.
“One more thing,” he says, releasing my hand. “Uncle Ed’s funeral service is Wednesday. I hope you and Solana make it. And... uh… tell her she always has a room at the house. If she wants it.”
This is an olive branch—not just to me, but to his sister. After everything that went down between them, he knows he’s got to fix their relationship.
“I’ll let her know,” I say. “I’m sure she’ll want to be there.”
Moses nods again. “I know you’ll treat her right. I’m just... I’m protective of her. That’s all. She’s my baby sister and… I guess I still see her as a kid sometimes.”
“I get it.” And I do. More than he probably realizes. “She’s lucky to have a brother who gives a damn.”
He claps me once on the shoulder and then turns and walks away.
I watch him go, grateful for the chance to clear the air. We’re not all the way there yet. That’ll take time. But it’s a start.
“Things are finally starting to feel like normal again.”
Mace and Cash come up on my left looking more relaxed than they have in weeks. Cash sips from his Coke can with the beginnings of a grin on his face while even Mace’s permanent scowl has eased up some.
I snort, gesturing at the cane in my hand. “Things’ll be normal when I don’t need this fucking thing anymore.”
“Give it time, old man,” Mace taunts. “You’ll be back to kicking ass soon enough.”
“Speaking of getting back to normal,” Cash continues, “Kori and I are having a special dinner next weekend. To celebrate our engagement. You and Solana are invited. It’ll be good for all of us—help us move on. Remember the good we’ve got.”
I nod slowly. “We’ll be there.”
“Good. It means a lot, Prez. Especially since you ruined my proposal.”
I chuckle, unable to refute that very real fact.
He and Mace drift off to join the others, and I’m left standing alone for a moment, leaning on my cane and looking around the room.
The club’s still finding its footing. We’re bruised and battered, grieving our losses and rebuilding what Tom and Wheels tried to destroy. It won’t happen overnight. Healing takes time.
But we’ve survived before. We’ll survive this time too.
It’s what Steel Kings do.
38
SOLANA
We buryUncle Eddie on a gray Wednesday afternoon.
The sky is heavy with clouds, the air smelling of the rain that’s on the way. It feels fitting considering the occasion. Almost as if the weather itself is also mourning Uncle Eddie.
Silver stands beside me the entire service, his hand warm against the small of my back. The Steel Kings turn out in full force to pay their respects—Mason, Cash, Ozzie, Bush, Tito, and so many others. They line up in their cuts, somber expressions on their faces.
I’m struck by how much it would’ve meant to Uncle Eddie to be honored this way. Forever memorialized as one of them.
