Page 195 of Reckless

She spots Sin almost immediately.

He crosses the room with Marcus in his arms, and the second Maria looks down at her grandson, the rest of the clubhouse seems to disappear. Her fingertips brush his cheek, then his tiny hand, her eyes searching his little face so carefully it almost hurts to watch.

I don’t know what she’s looking for.

Maybe traces of the son she lost.

Maybe proof that some part of him found its way back.

Whatever she finds eases something inside her.

Her shoulders relax, a smile finally reaching her eyes as Sin says something that makes her laugh softly.

They settle into a quiet corner together with Marcus between them, talking while the rest of the clubhouse carries on around them, and I catch myself watching them longer than I mean to.

Family has a funny way of stitching itself back together.

Maria finds Sage before she leaves, and I’m close enough to hear it. “I’ve been following the Calloway situation,” Maria says. “Comes with the badge whether I want it to or not. I’m glad it landed the way it did.”

“Me, too,” Sage says.

Maria looks as if she’s about to leave it there. Instead, she pauses, rubbing the back of her neck for a second before meeting Sage’s eyes again. “If you ever need someone inside the department…” she says quietly. “For one of your families, or if something isn’t being taken seriously…” she gives a small shrug, “… call me. I’ll make sure it lands on the right desk.”

Sage studies her for a moment before a genuine smile spreads across her face. “I’d like that.”

Maria smiles back, gives a small nod, and heads toward the door.

I watch Sage watch her go, and something tells me that won’t be the last time those two cross paths.

Later, as the afternoon light turns everything inside the clubhouse gold, people drift from the Chapel into the main room, conversations overlapping with music and the clink of bottles.

I end up where I usually do, leaning against the wall near the bar, watching the room without really trying to.

Marley is over with Ro and Millie, talking shop while picking at whatever food Piper has shoved under everyone’s nose. Marley runs one of the departments at Blackwell these days, and she’s damn good at it. Nitro watches her now and then with this look that says none of it surprises him. Like he knew she’d knock it out of the park before she ever walked through the front door. Last week she told us all she’s pregnant. I don’t think I’ve seen him stop smiling since.

Sage finds me without looking like she’s trying. One minute she’s talking to Marley. The next she’s slipping into the space beside me until her shoulder brushes mine.

I slide my arm around her, and she settles against my side as if she belongs there.

She absolutely does.

“What are you thinking about?” she asks.

I consider the question with the attention it deserves. “The succulent needs more light.”

She stares at me for a second, then she laughs so hard she has to hide her face against my shoulder.

I wrap my arm tighter around her and let her laugh.

She’s still shaking with it a few seconds later when my phone buzzes in my pocket.

Sin: Sunday run. 10:00. Don’t be late.

It’s the club group chat.

Half the men receiving it are within throwing distance of him.

That doesn’t stop the replies.