He leans over me and kisses me softly before pulling the helmet from the seat and sliding it over my head. “I love you, baby. You’re my whole fucking world.”
He fastens the strap before reaching for his own helmet. Once he has it on, I tug him down by the front visor until our helmets are touching, needing him to know that, despite the chaos and fog surrounding me, I see him. That he’s the only thing in the darkness guiding me home.
“You’re my second favorite person in the whole entire world.”
He waits a beat before he throws his head back and laughs, drawing the attention of those around us. Instead of being offended, they all smile, happy for the light relief.
“I’ll take it. I have no problem coming second best to a princess.”
I grin up at him, feeling a little lighter. Maybe it’s because saying our goodbyes to Capone today means we can all start healing a little.
* * *
We walk into the clubhouse hand in hand. Despite the place being filled wall to wall with bikers, Star spots us the minute we enter.
She wriggles out of Theo’s arms and makes a run for us. “Mama!” she shouts, making most people stop dead in their tracks. Although she has found her voice since that day in the cave, she still only uses it sporadically, and I refuse to push her. She’ll speak when she’s ready. Still, I can’t deny how hearing her call me mama heals a part of me I thought would stay broken forever.
I bend down and wrap my arms around her as soon as she hits me. I breathe her in, vowing to never take for granted all these little moments.
“Did you say goodbye to Uncle Capone?”
I swallow hard but nod. “I did.”
“He says you’re not allowed to be sad anymore. It’s making him feel weird.”
I huff out a watery laugh as I pull back and spot Circus moving closer. His eyes are full of wonder as he watches Star.
“He say anything else?” he asks her. She turns and walks to him. He crouches down and braces himself when she places her hands on either side of his face.
“He says he loves you, too, bro, but the moping has to stop. What’s moping, Mama?”
Circus laughs, the crowd joining in with him as I explain gently to Star what moping means.
She shrugs before turning back to Circus. “He says Lucy sure looked pretty in her red dress. Red is your favorite color too, isn’t it, Uncle Circus?”
“Is Capone matchmaking from beyond the grave?” Probe calls out, making Circus grin.
“What do you think?”
“I think we need more drinks. This one’s for you, Capone, the finest brother an MC could have.” Probe raises his beer. “To Capone.”
The room roars. “To Capone.”
* * *
“I want you to come somewhere with me.”
I look up at him and grin. “I’ll go anywhere with you.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” He swoops me up before I can even get my shoes on and carries me out to the truck, making me laugh.
“What’s gotten into you?”
“I don’t know what’s gotten into me. But I know what’s getting into you if you play your cards right.”
I laugh at the cheesiness of his statement, loving how at ease he is with me. He never makes me work for his love. He gives it to me like it’s a gift, with no expectations and no conditions. He doesn’t make me earn it or withhold it as punishment. With him, I get everything. In return, I give him all of me, knowing he can handle all the broken pieces, even the jagged parts that sometimes leave him as bloody and bruised as they left me. Loving someone is a risk, but the reward of having them love you right back makes it worth it.
He jogs back into the house and comes out with my sneakers and my bag. He hands them to me before pressing a kiss to my lips. “Let the adventure begin.”
