“Thank you, brother.”
“I guess I didn’t forget how to apologize.”
“Nope. Now just work on smiling once in a while,” I jest.
“You know I love you.”
“You know I feel the same. Now, let’s hope for peace.”
“We deserve it after the year we’ve had.”
Chaos and I leave church just as the front doors of the clubhouse burst open in a flourish, Saige’s best friend waltzing in like he’s on a runway, hips swaying side to side. Saige set him up with everything we managed to pull together to make a case against Sheldon Evercrest and his business dealings. After he looked it over, he was positive it was enough. It took a week before we had an update. Sheldon Evercrest and a slew of associates were arrested and charged with offenses a mile long. It was one of the largest human trafficking rings the United States had ever seen. We all sleep better knowing those pieces of shit are behind bars, even though my family and I would have much rather been able to deal with them our way. But sometimes things are just bigger than you, and you have to adapt.
“Oh! It’s a party in here! I am all about this! And who are you, handsome? I am digging the hair,” Seb says as he combs a hand through Malice’s wild blond locks that are sticking up in various directions. “Saige, ladybug, you didn’t tell me you were keeping all the yummy toys in here!”
“I’m Malice, but for you, I’ll be Crew. Want to see the dungeon?”
“Oh, baby boy, you are going to be a delight. Show Seb the way!”
Saige grabs her best friend’s arm as Malice bounds in the direction of his door that leads downstairs. “You know it’s not a real dungeon, right? That’s just what he calls it. It’s a?—”
“Honey, I’m gonna stop you right there. I know exactly what he means, and I can’t wait to explore it. You’ve caught me in enough precarious situations on our journey together, you know I’ll be okay.”
Saige laughs, brushing it off. “Have fun, text someone else if something happens to get stuck this time. I’ve seen you naked more times than I can count. I don’t want to add Malice to that number.”
“I’ll call your tall drink of water if I need something,” he says while giving Chaos a wink. I bark out an uncontrollable laugh. Seb may be my new favorite person.
My hands circle Bristol’s waist, whispering into her ear. “I’m going to get us some drinks, my love, anything you’d like?”
“A beer or a hard cider would be amazing.”
“Anything for you.”
I head to the bar to get us our drinks when Rolo comes up beside me, patting me on the back.
“You look happier.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I was right, being a husband looks good on you.”
I laugh at that. “Well, I’m not a husband yet, but I hope someday she’ll give me the privilege.”
“It’ll happen. Marrying Morgan was the best decision I ever made. She keeps that human side of me at the forefront when it’s so easy to give in to the Heathen.”
I turn and look at him, meeting his eyes, knowing I’ve been feeling the same way for so long. It makes me wonder how many of us here have the same thoughts, constantly teetering on that edge of giving completely in to the darkness that calls to us.
“Yeah, exactly that. Sheseesme, and that’s more than I could ever ask of someone.”
“Same with Morgan. I love her more than anything.”
“Same with Bristol. Gonna ask everyone to vote on her being my old lady.”
“That’s a good idea. I sleep better at night knowing if something ever happens to me, you all will get Morgan through it.”
“That’s the vow.”
“I’m happy for you. You deserve it, Sin.”
