Beyond the walls of the compound, evil still exists. It always will. The world doesn’t stop being dangerous just because we’ve carved out a small place of peace inside it.
But here…within these walls…I’m safe.
I’m loved.
I’m happy.
Happiness is something you hold onto with both hands, knowing it can be taken the moment you loosen your grip.
So tonight, I stay close to the fire. To my family. To the place that feels like home.
Because when the darkness comes again…And it always does…I want to remember exactly what I’m fighting to protect.
And that darkness is far closer than any of us realizes.
Chapter Nine
Tank
The Iron Knuckles is officially up and running.
“He would’ve been proud of all of you,” Eli says as we stand back and take in the new sign.
“He would’ve been proud of you, too, baby,” Skip tells him quietly.
Silence settles over us as we each take a moment to remember our fallen brother. Knuckles didn’t just die too fucking young…he died protecting one of our own.
“He would’ve insisted on this name if he were still here,” Skip adds with a sad laugh. “The man was so damn excited to build bikes in this place.”
“He knew he was dying before we even bought it,” Spike says. “But yeah… he was already planning how to make it his.”
“So we do it for him,” Eli says, his voice cracking.
We’ll never truly understand the bond Knuckles and Eli forged in those final hours together. Knuckles died saving Eli…fighting men who wanted him dead while cancer was already doing its best to finish the job.
“We make this place his,” Eli continues. “We can’t bring him back, but we can make sure his name lives on. Knuckles will never be forgotten. Everyone will know the kind of man he was. The kind of hero.”
Skip pulls Eli into his arms, holding him tight. The rest of us nod, agreement unspoken but absolute.
“Alright, calm down, pretty boy,” Skip says gruffly. “I don’t want you fainting again…at least not until I have you in our bed later tonight.”
Laughter breaks the heaviness, just enough.
Shaking my head, I head into the garage.
Those two are hopelessly in love.
Abigail’s beautiful face flashes through my mind, uninvited and relentless.
And just like that, the ache settles back into my chest…steady, familiar, and entirely my own fault.
***ABBY***
“I’ve got your seats reserved in the VIP section,” Cody announces. “And just remember…if I don’t hear you bitches cheering during curtain call, you’re all fired as my BFFs.”
“What’s going on here?” Tank asks as he steps out of the clubhouse. “Why are you all dressed up like you’re going to meet the queen?”
“We’re heading to Cody’s performance,” Riley explains.
