“Done,” Steel says. “I’ve got one man here tonight who’ll give you his word. I’ll find two more who’ll do right by them.”
Wraith makes a choking sound, realizing he’s just been volunteered. One look from Steel shuts him up. Whatever he’s planning, he keeps it to himself.
And as I watch Wraith finally lower the gun, I know one thing for damn sure, this war isn’t over.
Steel steps forward, hand outstretched. Viking finally stands and offers his. They shake, two hands grasping together, two hands that will change the history of our clubs and the course of our future.
Although… I guess I’m really not a part of that any longer.
I don’t have time to feel fucking sorry for myself, because Viking drops his hands and inclines his head. “Oh, and one other thing. I know you’ve figured out you had a rat in your midst. I might have made some promises, which I’m sure you won’t make good on, as Prez. I’ll leave it up to you to decide what you want to do with the man. If you choose to forgive his betrayal, or if you choose justice. It’s your decision.”
“Who,” Steel growls, and I find myself leaning in, salivating for that name as badly as Steel is, the pair of us like rabid dogs.
Viking lifts a hand and points at Tracker. For a minute, I’m sure he must be mistaken. Steel swivels around, eyes wide.
Tracker remains absolutely silent. Stands rigid and proud, but I can see the hatred shining in his eyes when they lock on Viking. Obviously, the bastard made him some real sweet promises. Promises I know for a fact Steel won’t make good on. I don’t know what he’s gonna do with Tracker, but I know that it won’t be pretty. Leaving town for good, and leaving fucking fast, would be in the guy’s best interests.
The small room seems to close in on us, dank and foul. In the span of an hour, our whole world, our club, our brotherhood, our lives, have all changed. We’re standing here on solid ground, for the time being, but I can sense how that ground will rock and shift and bend, give way into an uncertain future.
“I’ll deal with him,” Steel promises, his voice dark and sinister. His hands curl into tight fists. “Now. Where the fuck are our women?”
Viking motions to one of the big bastards beside him and the guy saunters off. He returns a few minutes later with two other men, leading Leah, Christine, and Harley.
My heart races at the sight of them, their hands tied behind their backs. They obviously haven’t been harmed though, because Harley’s eyes light up right away when she sees me. The women stand still until the guards cut their hands, then they’re off and running to us. Christine stops at the desk, but Leah hurtles into Steel’s arms. Harley runs to me, but she was raised different than Leah, and even though her eyes are burning, she settles for my hand, which she grips in hers. She twines her fingers around mine and lets me tuck her close.
“Let me do you have a favor. I’ll deal with this one.” Viking winks at Steel.
Not sure who winks anymore. The bastard is treating us like family already. The guards rush at Tracker and lead him, protesting and squirming, from the room. Harley looks up at me, a question burning in her eyes, but I shake my head, a silent warning. Her lips thin out.
Instead of saying anything, she reaches out and takes Christine’s hand. We’re all escorted out together, because it’s clear that Viking got what the hell he wanted. We might have too, in a backwards way. Teaming up and joining forces ensures that our interests will be protected in Jacksonville as well as back home. It’s kind of like the second chapter that I’ve been thinking about for a very long time.
Once we’re safely back outside the warehouse, Steel turns to us. He tucks Leah in against him and nods at Harley. She watches him carefully, as carefully as I do.
Steel is Steel and we both know that no grand apology is gonna be forthcoming, but Leah and Harley were just taken, the two women who mean more to him than his own life and even though they weren’t harmed, it’s enough to scare him back to his senses. This shit, life, it’s too short to stay angry at a person for any length of time.
“I’m sorry I ruined your graduation party,” Steel says carefully.
Leah squeezes his arm. He looks like he wants to say more, but his lips draw into a thin line, and he gives us a brief nod before turning around and guiding Leah over to his bike. Leaving me alone with Harley.
Tracker’s bike sits empty, and Christine surprises both of us by sliding onto it. I didn’t know that she rode. Snake’s always been teaching her just about anything though, so it makes sense. Tracker’s bike is a little big for her, and riding with a cast on ain’t the wisest thing, but she seems competent enough. So me and Harley wait until she’s off, before we turn to face each other.
There are a thousand things I want to tell her. A thousand kisses I want to give to her. A thousand ways I want to take her, worship her, make her mine all over again.
For now, though, I settle for all I can do.
I raise my hands and sign quickly, I love you.
She smiles softly, that private, secret smile that she saves just for me, before she mounts up behind me on my bike, right where she belongs, and we ride off after the others, into the darkness of the night.
Epilogue
Harley
Two Weeks Later
Breakfast always was my favorite part of the day. Now that I make it for two, it’s even better.
As I set a plate of waffles down in front of him, Edge grins at me with that shit-eating grin I love so much.
