Iย WAVEDย to Shelly across the park lawn, shaking my head when I saw her outfit. Skinny white jeans, a pink and white checkered sleeveless button up, and cork wedges.
โYou look like youโre ready for a day at the rodeo,โ I said with a laugh, hugging her.
โIf I was going to the rodeo, I wouldโve worn my cowboy boots.โ She not too discreetly surveyed the area. โWhich one is he?โ
I gestured with my chin to Knight who was leaning against the fence of the basketball courts.
โWow. Heโs good looking.โ I glared at her.
She shrugged. โSorry, honey, but he is.โ
The night before, Iโd called Shelly to invite her to the charity yard sale that was being held in a public park due to the huge space, and to fill her in about Knight. I glossed over what I could, but had to mention club business because Colt had called the Blue Angels from Coeur dโAlene in for back up to deal with the Iron Horsemen. And it wasnโt like I could get away with not telling herย whyย weโd needed back up. But I did manage to leave out the part about a cartel being involved.
โIntroduce me,โ Shelly said.
She took my hand and squeezed it, knowing I was nervous. I still wasnโt sure how to act around Knight. He mightโve been my father, but he was a stranger.
โHey,โ I greeted him awkwardly.
โHey,โ he said, his gaze darting to my best friend. โKnight, Iโd like you to meet Shelly.โ
โShelly,โ Knight repeated. โGood to meet you.โ
โNice to meet you too,โ she said, clearly looking him over and studying him.
โGuessing you know who I am?โ Knight asked with a smile. She nodded. โMia brought me up to speed.โ
I stood by while the two of them talked. Every now and then, Knightโs eyes would dart to mine, like he wasnโt sure how I was going to take his interaction with Shelly. But Shelly was Shelly and knew how to pretend awkwardness didnโt exist. She was aware of social cues, she just chose not to pay attention to them.
โSheโs nice,โ Knight said after Shelly excused herself to find a restroom.
โSheโs the best,โ I said. โWeโve been friends forever. She was there when Grammie died. Sheโs the only reason I got through it.โ
His eyes saddened. โIโm sorry youโve had to live through so much loss.โ
โIโโ Emotion blocked my throat. โI need to help Darcy set up.โ
I turned away from Knight. I wasnโt prepared for public shows of emotion with him. My heart kicked up in grief when I saw his face fall and then close off.
The lawn was covered with folding tables and volunteers were hauling boxes of donated items from their cars and trucks. Kids ran around, laughing and having fun, and Blue Angels stood in small clusters, talking
and watching. I caught Coltโs eye, gave him a quick wave, and then turned my focus to Darcy and the girls who were unpacking used books.
โWhat can I do to help?โ I asked her.
โSort the books by genre,โ Darcy said. โIโm trying to create a semblance of order.โ
I bent down and grabbed a handful of old-school paperback romance novels and set them aside.
โDid I see Shelly?โ Rachel asked.
โYeah. Sheโs here. She went to find a bathroom.โ
โWas it my imagination or did I see you introduce her to Knight?โ Darcy asked. โSelf-help books go on the other end of the table.โ
โYeah, they met. Itโs just weird, you know?โ I shook my head. โI donโt even know how to deal with it. Oh, I wanted to ask you guys before Shelly gets backโฆIโm going to throw her a bachelorette party. Something small, and not a strip club situation. Maybe like a boozy brunch. Would you guys be down to attend?โ
โI love that idea,โ Allison said. โExcept I canโt partake which kinda bums me out.โ
โSorry, lady,โ Rach said with a grin. โIโm not forgoing alcohol in solidarity.โ
โI second that,โ Joni said.
โA girl can dream, right?โ Allison sighed. โAside from the no booze thing which really sucks, I have a hard time staying awake past nine now. Itโs like the clock strikes nine and Iโm supine.โ
โHey, you rhymed!โ Rach said with a laugh.
โEnjoy your sleep while you can,โ Darcy said. โLily still wakes me up in the middle of the night if she has a bad dream.โ
Shelly found her way to our table. Rachel immediately put her to work as they gabbed. Laura came by, brown eyes surveying our work.
โHowโs everything going over here?โ She frowned. โYou guys arenโt done yet? Weโre supposed to be ready to go in twenty minutes!โ
โRelax,โ Joni said. โWeโll be ready. Your yard sale will go off without a hitch.โ
Laura huffed and then turned and walked away, no doubt to berate other volunteers who werenโt finished with their section.
โWhy are we stuck with the books?โ Rachel asked. โI wanted to man the costumes. I saw at least three boas over there.โ
โAh, speaking of boasโฆโ Darcy began as Cameron chased Lily across the grass. The little girl wore a bright pink boa that streamed behind her.
โTheyโre cute,โ I commented.
โTheyโre exhausting,โ Darcy said. โIโve been with them nonstop, even though the lockdown is over and weโre back at our house, Lily has become my shadow. And Cam canโt sit still.โ
โIโll take them for a weekend,โ I offered. โOr even a couple of days during the week if you need a break. Maybe after all this stuff with the club is sorted.โ
โI couldnโt ask you to do that,โ Darcy protested. โTheyโre my children.
Iโm obligated to love them and therefore entertain them.โ โYouโre not asking, Iโm offering.โ
โYou donโt want to clear this with Colt first?โ Darcy asked with a grin. โHeโll be fine with it,โ I assured her.
โYou know my brother wants babies, right?โ Joni stated. โYeah,โ I sighed. โI know.โ
โSo youโre hoping to use my children to scare the hell out of him and praying he changes his mind,โ Darcy acknowledged. โGood plan.โ
โNot a deterrent,โ I said. โBut Iโm not ready for all thatโI want to finish my degree and not feel like the rug is always about to be pulled out from under me.โ
โI wish Iโd brought my flask,โ Joni said. โThis seems like a good flask conversation.โ
Darcy grinned. โOne step ahead of you.โ Reaching into her back jean pocket, she whipped out a metal flask. โAnd before you judge me, itโs Amaretto. Itโs basically water.โ
โI knew I liked you guys for a reason,โ Shelly said with a wink. โDrinking in a public park. My kind of ladies.โ
Cars started pulling up and parking on the street. People trickled across the grass, looking through the tables of second-hand belongings, discovering items they felt they couldnโt live without.
By one oโclock, we had more foot traffic than we knew what to do with. Laura had โhiredโ a band, which was just a group of fathers with kids who attended the elementary school. They covered classic rock hits and jammed out, having a blast. There were four different types of food trucks, so there were options. Laura had thought of everything and I marveled at her event organization skills.
โMama,โ Cam whined. โCan I get a hotdog? And a Sno-Cone?โ
โMe too?โ Lily asked. They both hung off her like little wolf pups. Darcy was in the middle of trying to sell a woman an encyclopedia collection that was missing the lettersย Xย andย Z.
โIโll take the kids for a bit,โ I volunteered.
Darcy sent me a grateful look and then fished around in her pocket. I waved at her to put her money away, grasped Cam and Lilyโs hands, and walked toward the hotdog stand.
โWe have to make one stop before we get food, okay?โ I asked. โFirst one to find Laura gets their own cotton candy.โ
Cam found Laura, who was sitting at a folding table at the entrance of the park, holding the cash box. Lily nearly pitched a fit until I told her Iโd buy her a cotton candy too. Her pout turned into an adorable smile.
I reached into my back pocket and pulled out an envelope to give to Laura. โHere.โ
โWhatโs this?โ
โMy donation. For the clothes you brought me.โ
She adamantly shook her head. โPut that away. You donโt need to donate. The clothes were a gift.โ
โPlease take the money and save us a lot of time,โ I said. โBut Coltโโ
โBut Colt what?โ he asked from behind me.
I turned to him. โI shouldnโt be surprised to find you standing right there, and yet, I kind of am.โ
Colt grinned, leaned down, and kissed me quickly. Cam made a gagging noise while Lily giggled and hugged his leg.
He reached down and hoisted Lily up and settled her onto his shoulders before returning his attention to me. โWhat are yโall talking about?โ
This man, speaking in a drawl with a cute little girl on his shoulders, had me sighing like an idiot.
โSheโs trying to give me a donation,โ Laura said, looking at me with a knowing smile.
โYou gave me clothes when I had none,โ I protested. โI was happy to do it.โ
โTheyโve been arguing for a billion minutes,โ Cam informed Colt. โAnd Iโm hungry.โ
โMe too,โ Lily added.
I folded the envelope and shoved it into the pocket of Lauraโs denim skirt.
Laura didnโt look at me but at Colt. Colt nodded and then Laura accepted it.
โCome on,โ Colt said. โIโm hungry.โ
โHow hungry?โ I asked in a playful voice.
โSo hungry that I donโt think a few hotdogs will do it.โ โNo?โ I asked.
โNo.โ Colt pretended to look thoughtful. โI think I wantโฆa Lily burger!โ
โWhat? No!โ Lily laughed as Colt lifted her off his shoulders and slung her over his back and began to nibble on her arm.
โYep,โ Colt said in amusement. โIโll have a Lily burger, medium rare, with everything on it!โ
โAnd fries!โ Cam added with a grin. โYouโre next,โ Colt warned.
โEat him first!โ Lily offered.
Colt set Lily down on the ground and playfully tugged on her pigtails. โNah. I think itโs too much trouble. Guess Iโll settle for three regular burgers then.โ
I snorted in amusement. โJust three?โ
โGotta keep up my strength for tonight.โ He winked. โWhy do you need strength for tonight?โ Cam wondered. โWay to go,โ I muttered.
โIโm gonna be in a wrestling match,โ Colt deadpanned. โWith costumes?โ Lily asked in excitement.
โYeah, weโll wear suits.โ
โHey, guys, why donโt you run ahead to the hot dog truck and order.
Colt and I will be there in a moment,โ I suggested.
The kids took off in exuberance, and when I was sure they were out of earshot, I looked at Colt. โSuits?โ
Colt slung his arm over my shoulder and pulled me into his chest. โYeah, suits. Birthday suits.โ
I let out a chuckle. โYou think youโre hilarious.โ โI got you to laugh, didnโt I?โ
โYep. You also got me thinking about you naked.โ
โThen I definitely did something right. Iโve been missing you this week.โ
โYouโve been busy,โ I said. โHow are things with Sanchez?โ
โComing along. Knight and his boys are going to do us a solid and help Sanchezโs men move the product.โ
โFor a cut, right?โ I asked.
โA cut of the game, yeah. They want in. Make it profitable for all of us if we can run shit up all the way to Idaho.โ
I paused in thought and frowned.
Colt noticed my pensive expression. โWhat?โ
I glanced around at the park bustling with smiling, laughing kids, their parents, young twenty somethings buying used furniture to outfit their boho chic apartments.
โI justโdrugs destroy communities.โ My gaze drew back to his. โAre we knowingly going to be part of something that will change the landscape of Waco? Itโll have repercussions and they wonโt be good.โ
Colt scratched his jaw, obviously weighing his words. โWhat about pharmaceutical companies? Doctors write scripts for opiates. Do you know how long it takes to get addicted to opiates? Ten days. You know the duration doctors are writing those scripts for? Ten days. Bankers swindling old ladies out of their pensions. The world is stuffed with people robbing each other blind.โ
โTwo wrongs donโt make a right,โ I pointed out.
โThatโs true. But why is it okay for others to fuck with humanity? Because itโsย technicallyย legal? Itโs bullshit. How many people die from alcohol related incidents versus pot?โ
He took a step closer and wrapped his hand around my neck. โYou chose this life, Mia. When you chose me.โ
My eyes swept up to meet his. โI know that, Colt.โ I sighed. โBut Iโm allowed to push back. It helps me process.โ
I reached up to cover his hand caressing my neck. โIโm not going anywhere. If thatโs what youโre worried about. But that doesnโt mean I can turn a blind eye without saying something. That money will be used to take care of our family. That money will send Cam and Lily to the college of their choice. But in taking care of our family, who do we hurt in the process, you know?โ
โI know,โ he murmured. He paused for a moment. โYou still love me?
Knowing what you know?โ
I smiled slightly. โYeah, I still love you. I just have to reconcile it, okay? And this wasnโt me busting your ass or naively saying, โOh, just do something else for money. Something legitimate.โ I just donโt want to be a raging hypocrite, enjoying the comfort the money will bring without at least broaching the topic of what my comfort will mean for others.โ
โThis event is because of the Blue Angels. All under wraps, mind you, because we donโt want to make people uncomfortable. We give back to our town, and maybe thatโs all anyone can ever hope to do, you know?โ
He squeezed the back of my neck and then let go. โCan we be done talking about this now?โ
โYeah, we can be done.โ
He smirked. โCan we talk about when we can get out of here?โ
โNot for a while yet. Oh, and when all this stuff is sorted with the Iron Horsemen, I told Darcy weโd take her kids for the weekend.โ
โWhy would you do a thing like that?โ he demanded.
I grinned. โSo she and Gray can remember what itโs like to be childless for a couple of days. And then I can give you an idea of what our life is gonna be like when we finally decide to go that route.โ
โYou think youโre gonna scare me away from it, but ten bucks says it backfires. Youโre gonna see how hot I look caring for kids and youโre gonna beg me toโโ
I jumped into his arms and sealed his lips with mine. Partly so he wouldnโt say anything dirty in public and partly just so I could kiss him.
After we got our hotdogs and burgers, we took them to a spot on the grass. Lily finished her hot dog in record time and then asked for ice cream instead of a cotton candy.
โLetโs wait a minute,โ I suggested, not wanting to deal with an upset stomach if I let her gorge too fast.
โButโโ
โListen to Mia,โ Colt commanded gently but firmly. Lily closed her mouth and crossed her arms over her chest. Then she widened her eyes and gazed at Colt.
โDonโt look at me that way,โ he said, his voice losing some of his gruffness. โIโm immune to manipulation.โ
Lily dropped the act and frowned. โWhatโs immune mean?โ
โIt means that look you use on your parents wonโt work on Colt,โ I answered.
โRats,โ Lily said.
โTen minutes,โ Colt relented. โThen you and Cam can have your dessert.โ
Cam and Lily high-fived. โCan I go play with my friend Brock?โ Cam asked.
โWhereโs Brock?โ I asked.
Cam pointed out a dark-haired boy. Something about Brock looked familiar.
โOkay,โ I said. โBut you have to stay where I can see you.โ Cam scrambled up from the grass and dashed after his friend.
โWhat about you, Lily Burger?โ I teased. โYou want to go play with them, too?โ
She shook her head. โThey donโt like it when I tag along.โ โWeโre more fun anyway,โ Colt said.
โWhoโs Brock?โ I asked Colt. โLauraโs son.โ
โAh.โ
Lily climbed into my lap and I hugged her. I pressed my cheek to her blond head and closed my eyes. There was something about Lily. Maybe it was her inherent sweetness, her trusting nature, even though she hardly knew me. But I realized how much I wanted to be around to see her grow up. To paint her toenails and give her advice. To see her go to prom with a nice boy who respected her.
An ache formed in my throat and swelled when I thought of Knight, whoโd missed all of that with me. I didnโt know what kind of father he wouldโve been, but the photo heโd shown me of him and my mother, and my motherโs smileโฆ
She left him not because she didnโt love him, but because she wanted to protect me from Knightโs way of life.
I glanced at Knight who was standing with Bishop and Boxer. He threw his head back and laughed, and I realized in that moment that I wanted to know him. It wouldnโt make up for lost time, and all the years he hadnโt been there could not be gotten back, but that was neither of our faults and it wasnโt fair to punish him for my motherโs choice.
It was time for Knight to be a part of my life. โWhatโs that smile about?โ Colt asked.
โIโm justโฆhappy. Despite all the crazy.โ
โHas it been ten minutes yet?โ Lily asked impatiently, effectively ruining the intimacy of the moment.
โItโs been long enough, honey. Letโs get you an ice cream,โ Colt said.
I turned to Cam and Brock and yelled out, โYou guys want ice cream?โ
The young boys ran toward us, boisterous and full of energy, eager for sugar, which they clearly didnโt need.
And then I heard the sound of motorcycles, followed by a series of gunshots and the screams of terrified children.
โBrock!โ Laura shrieked.
โMom!โ Brock howled, darting toward her.
โStop him!โ I screamed to Colt as I shoved Lily behind me to shield her. โLaura! Get down! Weโve got Brock!โ
More gunshots rang out and I heard a distant scream. Laura tucked and rolled behind one of the bushes, and Colt didnโt hesitate as he ran for Brock. Cam was frozen in fear next to his friend; Colt grabbed both boys and pushed them to the ground. โStay down,โ Colt commanded. โCrawl on your bellies to the hot dog truck. Get behind it and stay there. Go!โ
The boys snuck off, and I gave a sigh of relief when I saw them make it to safety.
Colt took out his pistol and peered around, looking for threats. I crouched and slid across the grass, all the while making sure my body was in front of Lilyโs.
โBe careful,โ I called to him over the roar of motorcycle pipes and shots.
I continued to slither with Lily until we made it to the hot dog truck. Brock and Cameron were sitting with their backs against the vehicle, terrified, pale, and shaking.
โItโs okay,โ I whispered repeatedly, trying to wrap my arms around all three of them, wanting to block out the noise but unable to.
โCover your ears,โ I commanded all of them. Once they did what they were told, I peeked around the back of the truck to survey what was going on.
Five masked men in white T-shirts sat atop motorcycles with weapons
drawn, letting off shots at anything that moved, the chrome of their bikes gleaming in the sunshine, their presence sending fear through the crowd.
I knew it was the Iron Horsemen, but why was Dev bringing this war out into the open instead of keeping it between clubs and on club territory?
Heโd violated the sacred code of not bringing a war to families. Colt would kill him for it.
They reloaded their firearms and opened fire again, causing more panic and screaming. I felt Lily trembling beside me and I reached a hand out to her, but my eyes were scanning the park, searching for the people who were my family. I removed the pistol from the holster at my hip, feeling safer with a weapon in my hand. Iโd defend myself and protect the children. Whatever the cost.
I saw Colt in the middle of the park, helping a woman and her child toward the safety of the public restrooms, which left him out in the open.
The Iron Horsemen didnโt waste any time as they fired off another round of shots, and I watched as Colt fell to his knees. His face was a picture of shock as his hand went to his side, covering a bloody stain on his shirt.
I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out.
Colt lifted his pistol and fired off a few shots toward the Iron Horsemen, but they went wide and he missed.
He dropped his weapon to his side, a look of angry resignation passing over his face as if he could hardly believe he was going out that way.
Turning his head, his eyes found mine. There was nothing but remorse shining out from them, silently apologizing for the life we wouldnโt get to share.
Colt mouthed something to me and even though it was too far away to lip-read, I knew what he was saying.
I love you.
โFuck that, Colt,โ I whispered, tears spilling from my eyes.
Hope drained from his face, mine going with his. I refused to look away, I refused to let him think he was dying alone, that I wasnโt dying with
him. Because I was. Every last bit of me that had survived the death of my mother and grandmother, would die now, too. Colt had helped me live. Heโd helped me love.
More gunshots from across the park pulled his attention and a slow smile crept across his face as though he had embraced the finality of what was to come.
โGet down, you bloody fool!โ Flynn Campbell yelled from behind a large oak tree.
Colt heard him and flopped to the grass, letting out a moan, his eyes closing.
Flynn yelled in a foreign tongue, which sounded very much like a war cry. Men swarmed from every avenue, armed, ready, and firing at the Iron Horsemen.
My heart was torn in two. The love of my life was bleeding out on the lawn, but there were three children who needed my protection.
My savior came in the form of Darcy who had somehow managed to avoid the fray and snuck up against the hot dog truck. No danger would stand between a mother and her babies. She sent me an overwhelming look of gratitude for protecting her children, but then she gestured with her chin at Colt.
โI know,โ I whispered. โI have to go to him. It might already be tooโโ โGo,โ she urged.
I attempted to hand her my pistol but she shook her head. โIโve got one.โ
All rational thought for my own safety left my mind, and before I stopped to think if it was a good idea or not, I was up and running toward Colt. I didnโt get far because someone tackled me from behind and I went down hard, teeth rattling in my head.
โLet me up!โ I wheezed, attempting to get out from underneath a solid body of muscle.
โIโm not gonna let you die,โ Knight murmured in my ear. โIโm not gonna die,โ I snapped.
Gunshots rang out, cutting through the screams. I managed to lift my head, enough so that I could watch more people dodge bullets and run for cover.
โLet me up,โ I commanded again.
Knightโs hand went to my head and pressed it into the grass. โNo.โ โColtโI have to go to him.โ
He sighed. โAll right, but you crawl. You stay low to the ground. The brothers need my help. You promise me youโll stay low!โ
โI promise.โ
Knight reluctantly released me and then went to join the fight. I hadnโt considered him my father, but heโd thrown himself over me, shielding me from the spray of bullets. It was true paternal instinct.
I crawled on my hands and knees, my pistol still in my grasp. When I got to Colt, I pressed two fingers to the pulse of his neck. It was rapid but strong.
I let out a breath.
โNo, get to safety,โ he croaked, opening one eye.
โHush.โ I set my weapon next to me and pulled up his shirt to assess the damage. Not that I had any idea what I was looking for.
โMia, get out of here, itโs not safe,โ he gritted as I lowered his shirt and mashed it into his side to staunch the flow of blood.
โIโm not leaving you.โ
Flynn bellowed from behind us and it jarred me out my stupor. I took Coltโs right hand and pressed it to his left side.
โPress here, and hold tight,โ I said.
Adrenaline coursed through my veins. The love of my life, the last person in the world I could bear to lose had been shot by a man who was hell-bent on killing me and destroying everything I loved.
Anger, unlike anything Iโd ever felt, burned inside of me, demolishing every last trace of fear.
I watched as the Iron Horsemen drove around, trying to circle Flynn and escape his men. One of the bikers approaching on a motorcycle caught my eye. It was Dev and his mask had slipped during the fight.
The bastard had made this personal.
I picked up my pistol, lifted myself slowly to balance on one knee, and locked eyes with Dev as his motorcycle roared.
The scent of bloody steel, oil, and gunpowder engulfed me in the faint stirring of the breeze.
I raised my pistol and gripped it with both hands, focused on my target, and fired.