I wait patiently as he rises from the bed and pulls off his vest and bloodied shirt. He gets back into the bed with just his pants and boots on and then pulls me against him. His warmskin soothes my running thoughts right away, and I drift into peacefulness.
“Mommy!” Charlie’s voice booms from the doorway, and I am startled awake. I must have drifted off at some point and didn’t even notice it.
“Hey, baby,” I groan.
She quickly climbs onto the bed, and Hunter makes her slow down. “Be gentle, little one. Your mother is hurting.”
I swat his hands away and pull Charlie into my arms. “I’m never too hurt to cuddle my favorite person,” I whisper and nuzzle her hair.
Hunter chuckles and wraps all three of us in a blanket. “Then I guess all three of us are going to rest together. Because I won't be letting my two favorite people go any time soon tonight.” He squeezes us closer to him and we all sit in a peace that I have never felt before.
Chapter 51
Hunter
The next morning, I wake still snuggled with the girls. I thought that waking up to the feeling of Blake against me was one of my favorite things, but that is until now. Watching as the curls rise and fall slightly as each breath leaves Charlie's lips across my chest, brings me to my knees. I never knew I would have thisfeeling again. I didn’t know I would get to hold a child in my arms again. Not like this.
She trusts me. They both do and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.
I know that the coming weeks will be filled with meetings and plans of revenge. The Blue Devils will not be allowed to survive after this stunt. The Phantom Vipers will not stand for it. Hell, I will not stand for it.
But today I have a promise to keep. I slowly sneak out from under the covers and head toward the bathroom. I just want to freshen up before I go check on the bike. I promised Charlie she would be the first person I would take on a ride when I got back and I fully intend to do that.
The engine idles in front of me as Charlie stands off to the side. She is bouncing from one foot to the other in anticipation. She is nervous but also excited. The way she pulls at her fingers makes me realize that she might also be scared.
I grab the helmet off the back of the bike and bring it over to her. She lifts her chin when she sees me near and gives me a smile.
I push a loose hair from her face and cup her cheek. “Are you ready, little one?”
She nods quickly.
I place the helmet on her head and make sure the straps are tightly strapped to her chin. Then I gently tap the top of it as tradition. “Now you are ready.”
I pick her up and place her on the back of my bike. The armrests in the comfy back seat make it safer and easier for her to ride. Once she is secure, I climb onto the bike and push the kickstand up. I lean over my shoulder and look back at her. “If you need me for anything, tap my neck.” I tap the same place I told her mother about just a few days ago.
She follows my fingers and gives me a tap and then nods.
Once she grabs onto the back of my leathers, I put the bike in gear and start off down the driveway. We pull out onto the road and ride off into the morning sunlight.
Epilogue
Blake
It’s been six months since Craig nearly killed me. Not a day goes by that I don’t remember his hands wrapped tightly around my throat or the way I felt when my last breath left my lungs.
It's a terrifying feeling, knowing that you are coming to the end of your life and no matter how hard you fight, you still aren’t strong enough to save yourself.
Charlie hasn’t asked about her dad at all. We never told her about that night, and she never brought up why I was hurt. None of the other folks around the clubhouse have said anything to me either. It's like they all are as ready as we were to be done with him.
While I sat in that room, resting my throat and gathering my bearings, Sam and I got closer. Anytime the guys have to go on a ride or out of town, we hole ourselves up with the kids and play all sorts of games. I can’t really remember a time that I didn’t belong to this family in this house. That I had a friend that would literally risk her life for me without question. I have never felt so full of love before.
Sure, there are tons of people in and out. But everyone bands together in their time of need. Everyone is always there for one another. It's not something I ever experienced.
As soon as I recovered and was well enough to walk around, I made Hunter drive me back to my hometown and check on my mother.
The guys from the club all banned together to help restore my mother’s home, and they even got her a new car. Now, it is all back to what it should look like and that gives me some peace of mind.
Charlie has made the best of friends, and I have honestly never seen her happier. We moved her school down here, and she is thriving..
