Chapter
Sassi
"Jesus Christ, where are the keys to the damned red Sebring?!" I yell out into the garage from the office.
Juice jumps up from where he's working and fishes them out of his pocket. " Sorry, Sassi. I forgot I had them."
"Get your head out of your ass, Juicy. We need to get through this shit by the end of the day." I damn near seethe at him.
Yeah, we're spending the night at the clubhouse because we're swamped with work. Bri wasn't happy about it but Bridgette was elated. I wonder why...
"Hey, where're you off to?" I ask Bri as she tries to slip out of the office from her spot on the couch.
Smacking her lips with attitude, she roll her eyes and retorts, "I'm going to take a nap. Is that okay?"
Sighing hard I glance around the office until I find Gemma, who is giving me a knowing look. That was the third time she got snippy with me just today.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we officially have a preteen and all of her attitude," Gemma remarks while walking into the office with a wry smile.
Gemma chuckles, the sound echoing softly in the room. "She's going to be a tough one by the time she's sixteen."
I lean back against the couch, feeling the worn fabric against my skin. "I still have a little over five years to worry about that. Her Mom made me promise that if something were to happen, Bri would be loved and well cared for. She'll be eleven next month. That was the age that everything started changing for me."
Gemma nods in understanding, her gaze thoughtful. "She'll get through it just like you and Jaycee did. Has to, she's the next generation. Happy won't have it any other way."
I exhale slowly, the weight of Bri's future settling heavily on my shoulders. "I don't know about all of that. She has a good head on her shoulders. I want her to graduate from high school and college. I don't see that happening if she settles for the first biker that shows her the time of day."
"They're not all like Daniel. Happy should have proven that by now," Gemma counters, her tone firm.
I shift uncomfortably, the mention of Daniel stirring up old wounds. "Can we not talk about him? He was exiled a long time ago."
"Sorry—sorry," Gemma apologizes quickly, sensing my discomfort. "Look at me and Clay then... Sure we have our moments, but we're more solid than most marriages in this town."
I offer her a grateful smile, the warmth of her friendship easing some of the tension in my chest. "You've got a point there. You two have been through hell and back, but you're still standing strong."
Gemma's hand finds mine, her touch grounding me in the present moment. "Happy is a good choice. He'll take care of you and that little girl. And everything else... That's just life in the club. It's never easy, but as long as you're a good old lady to him and he does the same in return, you'll make it through whatever comes your way."
I squeeze her hand in return, feeling a surge of gratitude for her unwavering support. "Thanks, Gemma."
...
After the last car is finally fixed, I find myself sitting on a worn-out couch in the clubhouse, a glass of whiskey in hand. Jax and Tara are lounging nearby, the dim light casting soft shadows across their faces.
"Just like old times, huh, Sassi?" Jax remarks with a smirk, raising his glass in a mock toast.
"Don't mention it! I'm honestly surprised that Gemma didn't try to push me back into your arms," I reply with a laugh, taking a sip of my drink.
Jax chuckles, the sound echoing softly in the room. "I was expecting that too. You're the only girl my Mom liked me with."
Tara's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Wait a second... You and Jax?!" she exclaims, turning to me with wide eyes.
I nod, a playful grin spreading across my face. "We were preteens. It was puppy love. Ancient history. He's too pretty for my liking."
Tara's expression shifts slightly, a hint of suspicion flickering in her eyes. She glances between Jax and me, her curiosity piqued.
Jax feigns offense, his expression turning mock-serious. "Hey! I gave you your first kiss."
I roll my eyes playfully, taking another sip of whiskey. "I barely remember, so it must not have been that good, Jackie."
Tara's suspicion seems to deepen, and she leans forward, her gaze fixed on us. "Hmm... Just like old times, huh?" she mutters, her tone thoughtful yet wary.
As Tara's unfounded suspicion lingers in the air, I can't help but feel a sense of unease. She's always been perceptive, and her probing questions could unearth more than I'm comfortable with. I'm one of his brother's old ladies. What a moron.
Jax seems unfazed by Tara's scrutiny, his easy smile never faltering. But I can sense the tension brewing beneath the surface, threatening to unravel the casual atmosphere we've cultivated.
I quickly change the subject, eager to steer the conversation away from my past with Jax. "So, Tara, how's the new job treating you?" I ask, hoping to shift her focus onto something else.
Tara's expression softens slightly, grateful for the change in topic. "It's been good, thanks for asking," she replies, her suspicion fading momentarily.
Relieved, I take another sip of whiskey, the warmth spreading through me as I relax into the familiar surroundings of the clubhouse. But beneath the surface, I can't shake the feeling that Tara's suspicions may not be so easily dismissed.
Happy
As I stand in the shadows, watching Reese laugh and joke with Jax, something gnaws at me inside. It ain't jealousy, but more like a feeling of being out of place, like a square peg in a round hole.
"Hey, Hap, when did you get back in town?" Bobby outs me from the corner of the bar.
Reese's head snaps in my direction. Downing the last of her drink, she hops up and damn near runs to me. It's a sight. A beautiful woman running to me, smiling.
When she gets close enough, she jumps into my arms. My hands go right to the backs of her thighs for support. Without giving anyone else attention, I carry her back to our bunk.
When the door is closed, I set her down, and she says, "I missed you. How was the road?"
"Ight. Did the job and got paid," I tell her without giving any details away. "Got Ma's meds and a good amount for you to put away."
She nods, still looking at me like I'm the best thing she has seen all day. "Okay. I'm glad you're home."
"Not for long," I bust her bubble. "I'll be heading out in three days. Going out east for a bigger job than the last. Probably be gone for a few weeks."
Her face falls, but as usual, she's my hard-ass bitch about it. I picked the right one. "Okay. Let's make the most of the time we have then."
"Where's the kid sleepin'?" I ask, knowing that it's late.
Reese nods to the left. "In our old bunk. Her bunk I should say since I always end up in yours."
"About what you were talking about out there..." I start, my voice low and gruff, not wanting to come off as soft. "You and Jax? How serious was it again?"
Watching Reese closely, I notice a flicker of surprise in her eyes before she shakes her head. "Not at all," she replies, her tone steady. "We were just kids."
"Good," I grunt, trying to keep my expression neutral.
She sighs, sensing the tension between us, and decides to address the issue head-on. "I think Gemma had some grand plans for us, you know? But then Tara came into the picture, and everything changed. Besides, this rough and tough biker came along and changed everything. He's everything I've ever hoped to find."
I hand her the lighter as she takes a drag from the joint, the smoke swirling around us. As she breathes it in, I can't help but feel a pang of unease, knowing that Reese and Jax share a history I wasn't aware of.
I find myself lost in thought. Memories, really.
Seraphina.
Her name brings a surge of memories flooding back, memories I've tried to bury deep within me. She was my first old lady. At one time, the thought of her would make me swear off ever committing like that again. Sera was a woman of fierce loyalty and strength, with a beauty that turned heads and a spirit that could not be tamed.
She wasn't just another biker's bitch; she was my partner in crime, my ride or die. Seraphina knew the streets as well as I did, maybe even better. She had a way of navigating the twists and turns of our world with a street-smart savvy that kept us one step ahead of trouble.
But trouble has a way of finding you, no matter how fast you run. And when it found us, it came in the form of a bullet meant for me. Seraphina took the hit, sacrificing herself to save me, and in that moment, my world shattered into a million pieces.
I'll never forget the look in her eyes as she lay there, bleeding out on the pavement. It was a look of love and defiance, a final testament to her strength and courage. As I held her in my arms, I made a vow never to forget her, to honor her memory in everything I do.
But honoring her memory isn't easy when the ghosts of the past haunt every corner of my mind. Seraphina's death weighs heavily on me, a constant reminder of the dangers of this life we lead. And now, as I stand here with Reese by my side, I can't help but wonder if I'll ever be able to escape the shadows of my past, or if Seraphina's memory will haunt me for the rest of my days.
Reese's presence grounds me. The kid... She reminds me of my life's fragile balance between light and dark. The warm glowing light in my shadows reminds me that there's still some good left in this world. I just wish she would thaw out a little.
Taking a deep breath, I push aside the turmoil swirling inside me and focus on the present moment. "Thanks," I murmur, my voice rough with emotion, as I pass her the lighter.
She gives me a small smile, her eyes softening with understanding. At this moment, I'm grateful for her presence. For the way she can climb up and see beyond the wall I've built around myself. Sees beyond the blood and kutte.
The Next Evening
Sassi
The late afternoon sunlight filters through the kitchen window, casting warm, golden rays across the countertops. The scent of simmering lasagna and freshly baked garlic bread fills the air, mingling with the faint aroma of mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. A soft breeze drifts in through the open window, rustling the curtains gently as it sweeps through the room.
"Smells good in here," I hear Happy rasps from behind.
His arms wrap around me, and kutte is warm against my skin as he pulls me close. His presence is solid. I heard the faint rumble of his motorcycle outside just a minute ago and have been waiting for him to find me.
"I'm making lasagna, mixed veggies, mashed potatoes, and garlic bread. Gotta send you off with some good home cooking," I reply, glancing over my shoulder at him.
"Nah, you're just tryna make sure I come back," he teases, his voice low and gravelly.
I can't help but chuckle at his comment, the sound echoing softly in the cozy kitchen. Turning to face him, I meet his intense gaze, the depth of his black eyes drawing me in. Despite the playful banter, there's a sense of seriousness in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the fact that he's leaving in the morning for at least a few weeks.
I can't help but grin at his comment. Turning around, I meet his intense gaze. "Do I have a reason to worry that you won't? Besides the obvious?"
"Nah," he repeats, his lips quirking up in what I've learned is his version of a smile. "I didn't ink you just to skip out."
Before our conversation can continue, the front door creaks open, breaking the moment. Bri enters the kitchen, her expression guarded as she takes in the scene before her. The tension between her and Happy is palpable, adding to the already charged atmosphere.
I attempt a genuine smile at the young girl who has been moody the last couple of weeks. "You're just in time. Dinner's almost ready."
She eyes Happy warily before turning her attention back to me. "Can I eat in my room? I have a lot of homework."
"Bri..." I start to protest, but Happy interjects.
"Yeah, kid. Gotta get good grades. But tomorrow, we're having breakfast before I head out," he says firmly.
As Bri retreats upstairs without another word, I can't help but feel a pang of disappointment. The rift between us weighs heavily on my mind, casting a shadow over the evening.
"She's been like this since we told her that you're moving in. We used to be so close, and now she barely talks to me," I confess, rubbing my temples in frustration. "I don't know what to do."
Happy pulls me into his arms, offering me comfort. "The kid will get over it, Reese. She's already having to adjust to Charming after living in a whorehouse in Vegas. We've put a lot on her, but she'll deal with it."
His comforting embrace offers some solace, but the uncertainty lingers, a reminder of the delicate balance we must navigate as a newly formed family.
"I don't want her to hate having you here. I don't know how to fix that," I admit, feeling a knot of worry in my stomach.
"Hey," he says, forcing me to meet his gaze. "We're family now. She's going to be okay."
I lean into Happy's embrace, again feeling the warmth of his kutte against my skin. Around us, the kitchen is bathed in the soft glow of the overhead lights, casting shadows across the counters and floor.
"Yeah, well, she better get over it quick," he grumbles, his voice rough but determined.
I glance out the window, where the last rays of sunlight filter through the curtains, painting the room in a golden hue. Outside, the trees sway gently in the evening breeze, their leaves rustling softly.
"She will. It'll just take some time," I assure him, my gaze drifting back to Happy's rugged features.
He nods, his jaw clenched tight as he stares out into the fading light. "We'll make it work."
Drawing strength from his resolve, I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle around us. "Yeah, we will."
With a silent understanding passing between us, we return to dinner, the comforting aroma of lasagna and garlic bread still fills the air. As we move about the kitchen, I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the man beside me. He walked into this unusual situation and is facing it head-on. The strength in him is awe-inspiring sometimes.