“Grandpa!”
I turn around and Rayna comes toward me and hides behind my back as Sebastian chases her around with a water pistol in hand.
“Hey now, Seb, don’t go shootin’ me. Go find your dad.”
Laughing, he runs around us and heads over to where Zach and Nina are sat with the twins and their families. He shoots water at the back of Myles head, and he leaps up out of his chair. Sebastian turns on his dad and blasts him in the chest.
He doesn’t see Myles coming and is thrown in the air, his laughter uncontrollable. This is what the club is about, family and good times. I swapped my president patch for a grandpa patch, and I wouldn’t change a fucking thing.
Epilogue 2
Leo
Some Years Later
Ilean back in my chair and run my fingers over the gavel. The wood as smooth as it was when my father passed it down nearly twenty years ago.
There are more chairs around the table, some lining the walls to accommodate the growing club.
“It’s a big day for you,” Dad says while we wait for the brothers to get their asses here.
“For you too, no?”
“Like I keep tellin’ ya, never thought I'd live this long to see these days so yeah, it’s a big fuckin’ deal.” He lights a cigarette and exhales the smoke up toward the ceiling. “Though, it’s Ray you need to keep your attention on. She’s out there runnin’ wild.”
My muscles bunch tightly, and I take out a cigarette for myself. Lighting up, I drain half the smoke as Sparky shuffles in and drops down hard in his chair.
“I’m dealing with her, old man.”
“Really? Cause it looks like she’s walkin’ all over ya.”
Rolling my eyes, I sit forward and tap the ash into the ashtray. “She’s going through a phase. It'll wear off.”
“She called your mother a liar the other day, told her only Kris tells her the truth.”
“And if I ever get my hands on herGrandma KrisI'm going to cut her fuckin’ tongue out.”
I don’t give a fuck that she was Slade’s old lady, or that she’s Zach’s mother. Six months ago, she told my kid how India died, and how it was all my fault. Rayna was quiet for weeks and we couldn’t figure out why, not until she blew up after Holly kept on at her one night.
I push out the memory of her looking at me like I pulled the trigger that killed her mother myself and stare at my father.
“It’s a phase. She'll come back to us.”
Our conversation is drowned out by the brothers walking in and taking their seats. The door is closed, and I slam the gavel down.
“First order of business,” I begin. “The night clinic was hit last night. They got away with the meds and a script pad. The sheriff believes it was out of towners, but I’m not so sure. Times are hard out there, and shit has been crazy for a long time. If any of you hear anything, let me know.”
Brothers nod and I move on, “Second order of business,” I continue, pointing to Bam and Joey. “You didn’t pay Josie after trashing her bar. Sort it out by the end of day or you’ll have me to deal with.”
We've handed over more than enough cash over the years in compensation to Josie. It's the only reason none of us have received a lifetime ban.
“Lost Souls always pay their way.”
They both nod and I move on, stubbing my cigarette out in the ashtray.
“As you are all aware, my boys have been prospecting for the last year. It's time to put them to a vote. If you feel like they’re still not ready, speak up.”
Gunner sits forward and says, “They’ve been ready for the last year. They've got my vote.”
