He laughs and steps back, eyes dropping to my stomach. “How are you feeling?”
“Fat. Tired. Ready for this to be over.”
“You look beautiful.”
“Liar.” But I’m smiling.
The door chimes. Louie emerges from the back room, wiping his hands on a rag. He’s covered in fresh ink from his fingertips to his elbows—a new sleeve he’s been working on for months.
“Hey, Bonnie.” He kisses my cheek. “Good to see you out and about.”
“Yeah, well. Ash is letting me have a little freedom now that the Savage Legion is gone.”
“About damn time.” Snake leans against the counter. “You been doing okay? Really?”
“Really. Peace is good for us. Ash is already talking about expanding territory. Setting up new revenue streams that don’t involve guns and drugs.”
“Smart move. Especially with a baby coming.” Louie grins. “You scared?”
“Terrified.”
“You’ll be great. And you’ve got three men who’ll spoil that kid rotten.”
I laugh. “Don’t remind me.”
The door chimes again. We all look up.
Jackal stands in the doorway, helmet under his arm. His eyes lock on Snake and something passes between them. Something electric and unspoken.
Snake straightens. “Jackal. Didn’t know you were back.”
“Got in a couple weeks ago.”
The tension is thick enough to cut. Louie glances between them, eyebrows raised.
“Well,” Louie says slowly. “I should…check on that order in the back.” He looks at me. “Good seeing you, Bonnie.”
He disappears through the curtain, leaving the three of us in awkward silence.
“I was just telling Snake that peace is finally here,” I say, trying to fill the void. “And that I’ll be setting up my own shop soon. Once the baby comes and I’m ready.”
“That’s great,” Snake says, but he’s still looking at Jackal. “You deserve it.”
“Yeah.” Jackal shifts his weight. “You still doing good work?”
“Always.”
Another beat of silence.
I bite back a smile. This is painful to watch.
“We should go,” Jackal says abruptly. “Don’t wanna be out past dark.”
“Right.” I hug Snake one more time. “I’ll come by again soon. Maybe you can start designing something for me. For after the baby.”
“Anytime. You know where to find me.”
I follow Jackal out to the bikes. He’s already on his, engine roaring to life.
