The moment that the bullet left the chamber and entered his head, emotion finally swept over me.
Relief.
It was over. He wasn’t coming back to cause more pain in my life, and I got to watch him suffer. After all his years of torment, physically and emotionally, I was finally able to see him on the receiving end of it.
No, it didn’t change what happened or what I went through, but it was exactly what I needed to close that chapter in my life.
Sire tried breaking me. For some time, he had. I’ll give him that. Will and this club helped put me back together. In the end, I won. Cody too. We were both living our lives full of happiness, while Sire would be rotting in the dirt where he belonged.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
WILL
Peace was finally creeping back into our lives. It had been a week since the club took care of Sire. We hadn’t had any issues at all. We weren’t worried about Jocelyn either. I overheard Tech talking to Viper over the phone while he thought I was sleeping. Apparently, she up and moved to North Carolina with her sister. He didn’t go too into detail, but from what I gathered, she had been in a rush.
I didn’t know what caused her sudden move, but I didn’t care, as long as she wasn’t here causing problems for us.
Tonight, Tech and I were at the clubhouse celebrating our engagement with everyone. Our bachelor parties were still set to take place in Las Vegas, but that wasn’t for another two months.
I was surprised to find out that all the brothers wanted to attend. I figured a few of the single brothers would want to stay behind and enjoy the clubhouse without couples or kids.
While we were set to go to Las Vegas, Crystal planned a trip for the kids. Victoria and Smoke would be tagging along. Even Big Red’s mother, Paula, would be attending.
Just as I did, Red had a strained relationship with his mother. They had been in contact for about a year, and he had finally introduced her to the kids. I was happy for him.
I wished I could have done the same with my mother, but sometimes life didn’t go the way we wanted. As much as I longed to be close with my mother, she no longer had the power to depress me like she did in the past. I was finally in a place where I woke up every day overjoyed. I refused to let anyone or anything tear me down.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Bianca's cheerful voice.
“Come on, everybody, we’re supposed to be celebrating. Let’s get a round of shots!” she demanded.
Everyone turned away from her while a few sucked their teeth and rolled their eyes. I heard Tech chuckle behind me. He was seated on a barstool while I leaned against him in between his open legs. I peered over my shoulder and couldn’t help but return his smile. His eyes were so bright these days. It was something I didn’t think I would ever get tired of seeing.
“Bianca, if you don’t sit your ass down. It is a damn Wednesday. I will not take shots with you when I have work in the morning. I’ll save my miserable hangover for Vegas,” Cara told her.
Madison nodded in agreement. “I’m with Cara on this. I know we’re doomed once we get to Vegas, but I am in no rush to drink with you.”
Bianca scrunched her face up, turning to Blade. He shook his head immediately. “Don’t even think about it.”
That got a few laughs around the group. Bianca folded her arms and pouted. “I just wanted to take one shot.”
Sara scoffed. “Lies! One would have turned into two and somehow ten. Don’t get mad because we won't fall for your trickery.”
Bianca smirked, shrugging her shoulders. “It was worth a try.”
Tech wrapped his arm firmly around my waist and leaned forward. “How much longer do you want to stay? I’m ready to get home,” he purred in my ear.
Goosebumps pebbled over my skin from the huskiness in his voice. I bit my lip, beyond ready to get home now. Before I could open my mouth to tell him so, Wyatt approached us.
“Hey, Will, your stepsister is at the gate. She says it’s an emergency. She’s crying and everything. Should I let her in?”
I was filled with panic. If Tabitha had come here, something terrible must have happened. I spun around to face Tech. “Do you think it's my mom? What if something bad happened? What if?—”
Tech grabbed my shoulders. “Calm down, Dimples. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. Okay?”
I nodded, and Tech told Wyatt to let her in. Alice and Oscar both came over and rubbed my arm, trying to soothe me. I wished my roomies had come to celebrate too. Leah was still nervous about being around the guys, so the rest of the ladies stayed home so she wouldn’t be alone. They did promise to come to my bachelor party, so I wasn’t too bummed.
When the front door of the clubhouse slammed open, Tabitha scanned the room until she found me. She was practically hyperventilating. Her body rocked with sobs, making my chest tighten. My life had finally gotten back on track. I didn’t want any devastating news.
