And dangerous territory or not, I'm already too deep to find my way back.
CHAPTERSIX
evangeline
The Saint's Outlawsclubhouse has been transformed into something I barely recognize.Gone are the beer bottles and ashtrays, the evidence of late-night parties and dangerous business.In their place are flowers, memorial photos of Marcus and Calla, and rows of folding chairs filled with people who loved them.
I'm standing at the podium they've set up near the bar, looking out at faces that tell the story of my brother's life.Coworkers from his accounting firm, neighbors from their street, parents from the kids' schools.And scattered throughout, men in leather cuts who I'm learning aren't the criminals Ethan made them out to be.
They're family.
"Marcus wasn't the kind of person who demanded attention," I begin, my voice carrying across the room."He was steady, reliable, the kind of brother who showed up when you needed him most, even if you didn't know you needed him."
My eyes find the five children sitting in the front row.Mason has his arm around Emma's shoulders, both of them trying to be strong for the younger ones.Jake is holding Sophie's hand while Lily sits in Hades' lap, her small body pressed against his chest like she's trying to disappear.
The sight of him holding her punches something low in my gut; warm and aching and entirely wrong for this moment.
"And Calla..."My voice wavers, and I take a breath to steady myself."Calla was sunshine personified.She could make anyone laugh, could find the bright side of any situation.She loved with her whole heart, especially when it came to her children."
Lily starts crying then, soft, hitching sobs that cut through the room like a blade.Without hesitation, Hades stands and carries her to the back of the room, his voice a low murmur of comfort that doesn't disturb the service but makes my chest tight with longing.
He's so natural with her.So gentle and protective and everything a father should be.
"They built a beautiful life together," I continue, forcing my attention back to the eulogy."A life centered around love and laughter and the belief that family isn't just about blood.It's about choosing to show up for each other, day after day, through everything life throws at you.
"Marcus and Calla's greatest legacy isn't in the things they accomplished or the money they earned," I say, looking directly at their children."It's in these five incredible human beings they raised to be compassionate, funny, resilient, and full of love.They would be so proud of you all."
Mason nods, tears streaming down his face, and Emma reaches over to squeeze my hand where it rests on the podium.The simple gesture of support from a thirteen-year-old girl breaks something open in my chest.
"So while we're here to mourn what we've lost, I hope we can also celebrate what they gave us.The reminder that love is the only thing that really matters.That family isn't about perfection, it's about showing up.And that even in our darkest moments, we're never truly alone if we have people who care about us."
I step back from the podium, my part done, and Ghost takes my place to invite others to share memories.The stories that follow paint a picture of two people who touched more lives than they probably ever knew.
But I'm not really listening anymore.My attention keeps drifting to the back of the room where Hades is still holding Lily, rocking her gently while she cries.The sight of this big, dangerous man being so tender with a broken child does things to me that have nothing to do with grief and everything to do with the feelings I'm supposed to be ignoring.
"That was beautiful," a voice says beside me once the ceremony is over, and I turn to find Tempest holding two cups of coffee.
"Thank you."I accept the coffee gratefully, needing something to do with my hands.
"The kids are lucky to have you."
"They're lucky to have all of us."
Tempest's eyes follow my gaze to where Hades is now crouched down, talking quietly to Mason while still holding Lily."Yeah.They are."
There's something in his tone that makes me look at him more closely, but his expression is carefully neutral.
"He's good with them," I say, trying to sound casual.
"Hades?Yeah, he's always been good with kids.He raised Calla himself when they were young.Their dad was..."Tempest pauses, choosing his words carefully."Let's just say Hades learned early what kids need to feel safe."
The revelation hits me like a punch to the gut.I knew their childhood was difficult, but I hadn't realized Hades had essentially been a father figure to Calla from a young age.
No wonder he's so natural with the children.No wonder they gravitate toward him like he's their anchor in this storm.
"Evangeline."Ethan's voice cuts through my thoughts like a blade, and I turn to find him standing behind me with barely controlled fury radiating from every line of his body.
I'm surprised he's here.After our confrontation when I gave him back his ring, I didn't expect him to show up at Marcus and Calla's funeral.
