Page 89 of Anchored to the Storm

I hugged them both, expressing all my gratitude for them helping save my life and for watching over my fellow fosters. “Forever in your debt. They mean the world to me.”

Avenger said, “We know. Did you think you were out here all those years, unprotected at the Weathers’?” He pointed to one of his cut’s patches. “That’s how we are now the Saltbone Sinners.”

My ears began to ring. Noma was always calling me a Sinner.

Then, Peacemaker chimed in to really blow my mind. He repeated past words spoken by me. “Those bones someone had told you are cursed, the bones in your body, were not only built—grown from food, but also resilience. Heart. Soul. Surroundings, good and bad, have made you who you are, Blue.”

My mouth hung open so I could breathe through more tender memories in this life I now see I was so lucky to have.

Peacemaker added, “How much I long for her. Like the saltwater she swims in is part of my bones.”

River-fucking-Styx, with so much damn love in his huge heart, told me, “After Lennox died, that club name… well, we all agreed it was to stay with its Prez. So—” He grinned at me, then pulled something out from behind his back.

Well, fuck me.

It was my very own cut. My rank patch read: Someday President

There were collective cheers as Styx put it on me. It fit perfectly over my new holster. I nodded to them all, so grateful for another moment I’d never forget. I wanted to hear all the stories, every detail, but we had pressing matters at hand. So, we all loaded into the SUV and drove to the Weathers’.

It had been just over a month since I’d been there. However, after we parked down the street and jogged through some trees to spy, I stood there, hidden, feeling as though it had been decades since I lived here.

That didn’t stop me when, at around one AM, I took a step forward as my friends came sneaking around the side of the house in the dark.

Styx caught my elbow. “We made a deal. They’re not to know you’re here.”

In the black clothing I had bought them before Caleb passed, the Misfits were being stealthy, avoiding triggering any security lights. My spirit yearned to be near them. I love you, fuckers.

Styx told Avenger, “Damn, you called it. Tonight’s the night.”

It was so hard to hold still. If all I’d been told was correct, Finn had a gun and murder was happening today. I asked, “Interfere yet?”

“Nope. Need to know if Seb’s gonna spill the beans or get his friends killed.”

These mature Saltbone Sinners weren’t just protecting. They were testing future MC members.

I asked, “What did he do?”

Watching the Misfits, Peacemaker said, “A few things. He’s gone behind his brothers’ backs. And,” he grumbled in disappointment, “took Sarah with him. The two of them went to the pastor’s. I’ve never seen such irresponsible fuckery in my whole life.”

Knowing the man had seen his share of serious shit, I now understood why he was concerned about Seb “going off the rails.” My boy was making stupid decisions.

Come on, Sebastian! Show them your smarts. Do right.

With Seb carrying a black duffle bag, they made their way to a red Jeep I’d never seen before.

Observing the bag, Styx asked, “I think I know, but what’s in the bag?”

Peacemaker replied, “Inventive weapons, from what I’ve gathered.”

I could hear Gage say, “Okay, let’s go over his schedule again so we do this right.”

When Gage, Finn, and Ethan went to get into the Jeep, Seb finally said, “Wait.”

I exhaled. Thank you. It was time to confess what he’d been up to.

“The pastor-pig is putting all of Blue’s donations personal use but staying pretty close to the same routine as when Johnny studied him.”

Hearing them speak that name punched me in the gut.