Reaper's Stand(108)

That’s when I lost it.

I turned back toward the audience, tears running down my face. Most of them would never know what I’d had to overcome to get this far—what I still had to overcome every day of my life. The checks and balances I’d put into place to keep myself from making impulsive decisions. The surgeries to maintain my shunt. The fact that every time I looked down at my hand and missing finger, I was reminded that evil is a real thing that exists in our world, all around us.

I’d use all of it to help my students, I vowed. Every bit of suffering, every stupid decision I’d ever made, every hour of physical pain I’d endured. Every time someone made fun of me for being “slow.” I knew better now. I wasn’t slow—I was different, and that difference was what made me one of the best f*cking special education teachers in the state.

They weren’t making fun of me anymore.

The dean shook my hand as London and Reese and all the others started whooping and hollering for me. That got them some looks, but I didn’t give a shit. They were my people, and they’d been there for me when I needed them.

Now it was my turn to make them all proud.

We’d blown off the formal reception at the University of Idaho in favor of a party out at Spring Valley Reservoir. Not all the club had been able to make it down, but enough were there that the Moscow chapter had come out to welcome us. One of the local brothers had a barrel smoker, which was already full of ribs. London was in her element, bossing all the old ladies around and making sure the food would be perfect. Not a single paper napkin was out of place.

Mellie took off right after the hooding ceremony, which sucked. She had to work later in the afternoon, but the fact that she’d driven down at all meant everything to me. Her path hadn’t been the easiest over the years, but we’d both made it through, friendship intact.


“Auntie Jess, will you braid my hair?” asked Kylie, Em’s youngest. She was two weeks shy of her fourth birthday, but in her mind she was already a full-on adult. “Mama said she needed to help Daddy with something in the tent. I’m not s’posed to bother her.”

I snickered. Yeah, I’ll bet he needed “help” with something, all right.

“Sure, c’mon over to the table.”

We sat down and I finger-combed her hair, looking out across the beach. Marie, Sophie, and Jina were watching over a gaggle of kids and working on their tans. With the exception of Horse, most of the brothers were up drinking beer and supervising the smoker. He’d let the little ones—led by his oldest boy, who I swear was cockier than he was—bury him in the sand. Probably just waiting to explode up and chase them all into the water.

I finished Kylie’s hair and she took off running to the beach, braid flapping behind her. Kit—Reese’s other daughter—sat down next to me with a thump, passing over a beer.

“You know, I never thought I’d get sucked back into this shit,” she muttered. I glanced at her, a question in my eyes. “The MC shit. Thought I’d made it out.”

“Does anyone ever really make it out?” I asked. “Doesn’t matter what life you choose—your family will always be part of you. Just be glad yours is a good one.”

Kit nodded.

“Yeah, for the most part. Congrats on the degree.”

“Thanks,” I said, feeling warm and happy.

“Here you are,” London said. She dropped into the spot on my other side, nudging me over with her hip. I shifted, pushing at Kit until she moved her butt, too. London’s arm came around me and she gave me a tight hug. “So, you ready to settle down now, Ms. Hot Shit Graduate? Maybe give me some more grandbabies?”

“Not every woman lives to have children, Loni,” I said, my voice dry. “I seem to remember you focusing on building your business for a long time.”

“I was focused on raising your ass,” she replied, grinning at me. “You gave me hell. Only fair that someone should make you suffer, too.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I think I’ll wait a little longer. I have it on good authority that raising a kid on your own is a lot of work … Who mentioned that to me? Oh, yeah. That was you, Loni. Remember?”

“Speaking of you turning into a lifeless old maid with a vag full of cobwebs, I have someone I want you to meet,” Kit said, a wicked smile crossing her face. “He should be out here soon. I think you’ll like him a lot.”

“God, just one day …” I muttered, shaking my head. “Just one day without one of you trying to fix me up? Is that too much to ask?”

“This one is different,” Kit said, her voice indignant. “He’s—”

I heard the roar of a motorcycle and looked up to see who was pulling up to the campsite.

Holy shit. Was that … ?

“There he is! I can’t wait for you to meet him,” Kit grabbed my elbow, dragging me to my feet. I followed her, stumbling. No. Fucking. Way.

“Told you he’s different,” Kit said, grinning. Yeah, he was different all right. We came to a stop and he pulled off his helmet, giving me that slow, sexy smile I loved and hated so much at the same time. I just stood there, staring at him like a dumbass until Kit pushed me from behind. The move caught me off guard, and I literally stumbled into his arms.

Seriously?