After my mom, dad, and Kane see it, I plan to contact local professionals like counselors and lawyers who can help victims get back on their feet. I’ve managed a shelter before, so I can use my skills and assist with getting the victims jobs and accommodation.

  Ava has been cooking up ridiculous amounts of food, ensuring she masters every dish before the shelter opens. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved, and I couldn’t have done it without the help of the MC.

  Viper greets me at the door. He gives me one of his easy smiles. He reaches out and grasps the salad. “I’ll take that. Come check it out. Turned out better than I imagined.”

  I want to . . . so bad. “No, I want it to be a surprise with Mom, Dad, and Kane.”

  “How long till they get here?”

  “Shouldn’t be long.”

  Seeing the smiles and excitement radiating from the men truly touches my soul and warms my heart. Allowing them to help, to be a part of something that’s important and special, has brought out how amazing this group really is. I helped with the layout of the shelter and ordered what we needed, but they have spent late nights renovating, painting, and putting furniture and beds together.

  “Can I tell you one thing?” He’s bursting at the seams like a little child at Christmas.

  I chuckle at his excitement. “Okay, what?”

  “We’ve put together a playground for the kids,” he blurts out. “Demon has outdone himself. The kids are going to love it.” He hurries off.

  I step outside and wait on the front lawn for everyone to walk inside. I hear gasps and squeals. I shuffle from one foot to the other, holding myself back from going inside.

  I squint as a familiar car turns up the street. I dash to the door. “Everyone, they are here! Quick, quick!” I yell.

  I hear footsteps as I hurry back to the grass. The car pulls up to the curb in front of me and I nervously wait until they get out.

  David knows about it, so I’ve had him distracting them this morning. He gives me a knowing smile. Mom, Dad, and Kane step out of the car looking confused. Avyanna darts out to Kane.

  I wipe my clammy hands on my jeans before I step closer to Mom and kiss her cheek. “I’ve got a surprise for the three of you.” I move to the front of the hall and usher them over until they are close. “Welcome to . . .” I pull the blanket down, and as it falls, it reveals a silver plaque engraved with “Misty’s Safe Haven.”

  Mom’s shaky hands go to her mouth as Dad’s lip trembles.

  “It’s a safe haven for women and children where we’ll provide them with the resources they need to get their lives back on track.”

  It’s Dad who rushes to me and hugs me tight. “I’m so very proud of you,” he whispers into my ear. He sniffles and pulls back, wiping his now glassy eyes.

  “That’s Mom’s name,” Avyanna says as she inspects it. She steps closer, looking at the smaller writing at the bottom. “In loving memory of Misty Pratt, a sister, a daughter, a mother, and a best friend. Her life a beautiful memory that will never be forgotten,” she reads out, then peers up at me. “This is for Mom?”

  “Yes, we created this to honor her.” Maybe, if Misty had something like this to turn to, to get anonymous advice or help, things would have been different.

  Viper appears. “Everything is ready.”

  “Thank you,” I reply.

  “Dad, Dad,” Avyanna says. “Are you okay? Don’t cry.” She wraps her arms around her dad.

  He mouths “Thank you” to me. I smile back, glad that they’re happy.

  I grasp Mom’s hand in mine. “Let’s take the tour. Viper, did you want to do the honors?”

  His face, if possible, brightens more. He gestures broadly at the center. “Welcome, follow me . . .”

  Twenty-Three

  The Brightest Star

  Zara

  Eight months later

  * * *

  It’s Misty’s anniversary again, and it’s bittersweet. We go to visit her often, but today is different. I walk into the house with a bunch of bright-yellow sunflowers and put my keys and bag down on the table by the entrance.

  This anniversary differs from others. No more lies, no more nightmares, no more cuts. When she visits me in my dreams, I still see her face and her beautiful blonde hair and zest for life, which I see in her daughter too.

  When I go out into the backyard, the sight before me makes me laugh. Viper and Avyanna are dancing to “You Can Do It” by Ice Cube. They roll their bodies from left to right in unison with the lyrics and I smile in amusement, thinking Misty would do the same with them if she were here.

  When Avyanna looks up at me, she beams. “Viper’s teaching me the dance.”

  “Is he now?” I dare a peek at Kane, who rolls his eyes, but there’s a smirk on his lips.

  “She has potential,” Viper chimes in.

  “Since when are you a dance teacher?” Axle yells out.

  Noting the swearing and offensive language of the song, I ask, “Where can I change the music?”

  “It’s connected to my phone,” Twitch answers, phone in hand.

  “Can you change it . . . to something more appropriate,” I say as I look at Avyanna.

  Viper scoffs. “Oh please, she hears swearing all the time.”

  I try my best to stifle a laugh while two arms come around me, hugging me and pulling me into a broad chest. I turn to see Knox giving me one of his devastating smiles.

  “He has a point,” he says into my ear.

  Avyanna runs to me and puts her arms around my waist so that I’m sandwiched between the two of them. I have to lift the flowers above Avyanna’s head so they don’t get crushed.

  “It’s a good song, Aunty Zara.” I smile back at Avyanna as her eyes widen at the flowers. “Are those for Mom?” she asks.

  “They sure are.”

  “When are we going?”

  “Now, because we’re going to see your mom first and then we’re going to Crown Village Amusement Park.”

  “Yes!” she says, excited. “Can I come back here afterward?”

  Kane walks to us and peers down at Avyanna. “We’ll be back tomorrow for lunch. Nan and Pop will be here as well.”

  Knox, Avyanna, Kane, and I go together to Misty’s grave before setting out for the amusement park.

  Avyanna gets to go on her mom’s favorite rides, which are now her favorite rides too—no surprises there. Now that I know the truth and have accepted it, I don’t look for Misty in the crowds anymore.

  We stay for hours, sharing stories with Avyanna about her mother, one being the time Misty cheekily smashed the ice cream in Kane’s face. I smile at all the precious memories we share. No one can take those away from us.

  After we get off the bumper cars, Kane says, “We’d better get going.”

  Avyanna groans, making me chuckle.

  “We can come back another time,” Kane tells her.

  “Fine,” she grumbles. He has got his hands full with her. Kane shakes his head with a smile.

  A hand tugs on my wrist. I peer back at Knox. He drops to one knee.

  I gasp as my heartbeat quickens. He looks up at me with that smile that’s reserved for me. He opens the navy case to reveal an elegant engagement ring with a pear-shaped diamond stone.

  “Zara, I know what it’s like to live without you, and I could never do that again. You are everything to me, and I’m nothing without you. As you know, life is short, and I can’t wait another second without us being bound in every way possible. Be my wife, and I promise to make you happy for the rest of your life.”

  “Yes, of course,” I answer with a shaky voice.

  His whole face transforms into sheer happiness. I’m holding back tears.

  Knox stands and puts the ring on my finger. He holds my face in his hands as he bends down and touches his lips to mine in a lingering kiss.

  “I love you so much,” he says, his eyes flashing with so many emotions.

  “I love you too,” I whisper back.

  Kane comes over to us. “Congratulations! You two deserve to be happy.”

  My eyes glisten. “So do you,” I say back to him.

  Kane pats Knox on the back.

  Avyanna jumps to me, all excited, her mother’s best-friends necklace bouncing from side to side around her neck. She looks at my ring. “That’s really pretty.”

  “It is,” I answer.

  We walk back to the car. The night is dark, apart from the moon lighting up the sky and the stars shining brightly. Avyanna skips up to me and puts her hand in mine. I look down at her and notice she’s looking up at the stars.

  “Which one do you think is Mommy?” she asks.

  I close my eyes briefly, then look at Kane as he steps up to Avyanna and takes her other hand in his.

  “The brightest star in the sky, baby girl.”

  After we get back to the clubhouse, I walk through the front door, but I don’t get far as Elena and Ava dive on me, grabbing my hand.

  “Oh, it’s beautiful,” Ava says and kisses my cheek. “Congratulations!”

  Elena gives me a tight hug. “Congratulations.”

  My eyes flick between the two of them. “How do you know already?”

  “Bomber told Reaper and Viper. Viper told Axle.” Elena cringes. “And Axle told everyone.”

  As we walk further inside, Cash, Rage, Reaper, and Twitch crowd around Bomber. I hear a round of congratulations coming from them.

  Axle makes his way to me and pulls me into his arms. “Congratulations and good luck.”

  I pull back with a smirk. “What do you mean good luck?”

  “Having to deal with that cranky bastard for the rest of your life.”

  I laugh out loud.

  Viper’s next. He puts his arms around my shoulders. “Congrats!” He peers up at the men. “Bomber.” Knox turns to him. “I shotgun organizing the bachelor party!”

  “Fuck yeah!” Axle is the first to yell out. Elena glares at him. “Oh . . . I meant boooo!”

  “No strippers!” Elena warns sternly.

  “I’m not having strippers,” Knox tells Elena. She looks relieved. I feel a bit of relief as well.

  “We will have a joint party. There’s no need for a bachelorette party,” says Knox.

  Viper chuckles, then peers down at me. “He just doesn’t want you to have any strippers.”

  “You’re boring, Knox!” Viper yells out in amusement. “Wait . . . will Bomber’s cousin be invited?” Viper asks me.

  “Yes,” I reply, knowing that they will want to be there.

  “Can you introduce me to Sophie?” he asks softly, so that only I can hear.

  “Sure,” I reply with a grin. He doesn’t know what he’s in for.

  Twenty-Four

  Peace

  Zara

  * * *

  “Hey, Mom.” I smile brightly as she walks into my arms. When we pull back, I lift my hand up.

  She grasps my hand and her mouth gapes open. “He didn’t!”

  I giggle. “He did!”

  “John, your daughter’s getting married.”

  Dad shakes Knox’s hand and smiles. “That’s wonderful news.” Dad steps to me and leans in, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

  “Follow me inside. Everyone is out the back,” I say to them.

  “There’s quite a few people here,” Mom points out as she looks at the parked motorcycles and cars.

  “No, not really. Don’t forget that a lot of people live here.”

  When we step inside, her eyes widen. She walks slowly as she inspects the clubhouse. “Are you two going to buy your own house now?”

  I shake my head. “In the future . . . I actually enjoy living here. It’s like an extended home.”

  When Mom moves to where all the men’s police mug shots are displayed on the wall, she clicks her tongue. “Knox Hart.” She emphasizes both his names. “What did you do?”

  Knox puts his hands on her back, ushering her toward the rear of the house. “Oh, look, it’s Elena,” he says.

  “Nice save,” I mutter under my breath to Knox.

  Mom throws her arms around Elena, and Elena hugs her back with a huge grin. “Mrs. Pratt, it’s so good to see you again.”

  “You too, and please call me Helen.” Seeing how well my parents get along with the ol’ ladies and all the men from the MC makes me happy because I can have everyone together at once.

  Ava comes running in through the back door and past us with her hands covering her mouth. My eyes flick back to Mom and Dad. “Kane and Avyanna are outside. You go sit. I’ll check on Ava.”

  I follow Elena, and we rush to her. Ava’s bent over the toilet, vomiting. I cringe at the sound of it, but also feel bad for her.

  “Are you okay?” Elena asks. “Did you want me to go get Milly?”

  Ava stands and presses the flush button. “No, I’m fine, really.”

  I know the signs. “You’re pregnant!”

  Elena squeals. Ava goes bright red. Elena points her finger at Ava. “You are!”

  “We only found out a couple of days ago. Please keep it quiet . . . Reaper and I weren’t going to tell anyone until I safely passed the twelve-week mark.”

  Elena squeals again and jumps up and down on the spot. I grab Ava, giving her a tight hug. “I’m so excited for the two of you.”

  “I can’t believe it. I’m going to be an aunty. I can’t wait to go baby shopping!” Elena beams.

  Ava’s eyes stretch wide. “Shhh! No one can find out,” she whispers. “With my endometriosis, I’m worried something bad could happen.”

  Elena raises her hands. “I’m sure everything is going to be fine. I won’t say anything. I promise.”

  “I won’t say anything either,” I tell Ava. My heart fills with joy at the thought of her having a baby. She’s such a loving person, she will be the perfect mother.

  When we step outside, there’s music playing in the background, but by the table there’s chatter and laughter. As I take my seat beside Knox, his lips curve up into an affectionate smile, making my heart strum. He folds his hand over mine and I lean into him. I’m the one who gets to see every side of him . . . his love . . . his compassion . . . his devotion.

  Reaper’s frowning. He and Ava talk in hushed tones. I peer around the table of friends and family and see only a few people I don’t know. “Who’s the attractive woman sitting next to Twitch?”

  The woman’s head falls back as she laughs, her hand going to Twitch’s leg.

  “Reaper’s sister, Milly. She’s a doctor.”

  Twitch smiles back at her. They hold eye contact.

  “Are they together?”

  “No.”

  I look up at Knox. “They look like they’re a couple.”

  Knox’s shakes his head. “It’s not going to happen. It’s Reaper’s sister. They just flirt.”

  I keep my mouth closed, but I have a feeling, by the way they are looking at each other, it might be more than just friends.

  “Oh dear lord,” Mom calls out in a high-pitched voice. She’s sitting on the other side of me. Her eyes are on Conan.

  “He’s friendly, Mom.”

  She sits up straighter in her chair. “He certainly doesn’t look like it.” Conan’s sitting next to the barbecue, massive strands of drool hanging from both sides of his mouth. Avyanna runs to Conan and Mom yells “No!” but Avyanna doesn’t listen and pats Conan on the head.

  “See, Nan, he’s a friendly dog.” Conan licks her hand and she giggles.

  Mom’s shoulders fall in relief and an adoring smile lights up her face as she watches Avyanna. As I peek around the table, Kane and Knox share the same smile as Mom, and my chest could burst from happiness.

  * * *

  Knox

  Later that night

  “Are you sure about this?” I ask Kane, one more time, allowing him the opportunity to back out, because once it’s done, he can’t come back from this.

  Kane’s lips press into a hard line. “I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life. Burn it down to the ground.”

  I stare at Audrey’s mansion that held Avyanna and Misty captive. I press the detonator and brace for impact. The blast shoots bright yellow flames and scatters debris through the sky. A rush of air hits my face. We’re far enough away to not be hit by the explosion. The destruction of the structure provides an odd feeling of satisfaction, enjoyment even, that the house that held years of pain and secrets is gone forever.

  I pull the burner phone from my back pocket, press the number for Harrison—my cousin who’s a firefighter—and bring the phone to my face.

  “Hello,” he answers in a croaky voice.

  “You didn’t hear it from me, but Audrey’s place just exploded.”

  There’s shuffling. “You just blew up her house?”

  I chuckle. “Yeah, we did.”

  There’s a breath. “Fuck, man . . . Honestly, I don’t blame you. House of horrors. Is it just the house or has it started fires outside the walls?”

  “Not that I can see.”

  “We’re on our way,” he says.

  “Focus on ensuring the fire doesn’t extend to outside the home, but let the house burn for a while. We want nothing to be left there.”

  “I’ll do my best,” he answers.

  Kane, Zara, and I get into the van and drive away. I watch in the side mirror as the flames dance in the sky’s darkness.

  I place my hand on top of hers. She looks at me and smiles. I’m in awe of her fearlessness and passion to help others. Hell, she brought the men in our MC closer together. Like being in the military, we are honored to help women and children in the community and are once again proud of ourselves and what we have accomplished.

  “This is what freedom feels like,” Zara says in the passenger seat next to me.

  I glance at her; she has a small smile. I know she’s referring to Audrey’s house—the last painful piece of the past has been eliminated—but for me, it’s not just that. My freedom comes from Zara returning to me. She broke the chains that had stopped me from living.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20