“Sit and don’t talk to anyone.” I stop at the living room area and motion for her to stay. She plops down and goes to open her mouth, but then mumbles, “Don’t get killed.”
I knock on the conference room door. This is where the meetings take place, where everything takes place. This is our Church.
Ryder opens the door, takes one look at me, and lets me pass.
Chuckie sits at the head of the wooden table along with Shark, Blade, Axel, and Slider. No one looks surprised.
Slider rises from his seat. “Take it easy, Prospect.” The man is close to six five and easily four hundred pounds.
“Look, Edge.” Chuckie walks around the table. “We all know why you’re here.”
I look around at the faces of my family and all of them look me in the eyes. No one is hiding; not one of them has guilt. And before I make a mistake and say that they couldn’t even let her visit once? Couldn’t even give me one letter to hold on to? Give me hope while I was inside? I take a breath.
“Edge?” My eyes dart to Shark who stands, and even though he is by far the shortest, he still can kick any of our asses.
“I told you that day you got arrested what you needed to do. You did it and then some. If you’re coming here to try to tell me your heartache, you need to take that shit to a priest. The club comes first. Always and forever.”
The hum from the neon beer signs relaxes me. I pull out a chair and drop into it.
I’m exhausted, raw, and now it’s all out. Axel hands me a beer and I say nothing. Sitting there, I let it sink in: everyone in here was on board with what had to happen.
“I went to jail for her.”
“Yes.”
“She’s mine.”
“I give you my blessing.”
I look around. My whole life, I’ve wanted to hear those words. But a piece of me was taken and broken in jail. These men are hard. They love fierce, but it’s not a woman they fight for; it’s the club.
So, me raging out that they kept my girl from me makes no sense to any of them.
“I respectfully want to know why no one thought I was able to hear the truth. Or at least see her.”
“We needed you strong. Dolly is my daughter, and I want the very best for her, but she would have been a detriment to you and the club.” Shark lights a cigarette and looks down at his phone.
And that’s it. No apology. Black and white.
“Edge?” Chuckie leans against the side of the table crossing his arms. “I want to patch you in, man. You’re a motherfucking warrior. But if this is a problem… or you can’t move past what we as a club thought was best, then maybe you need to think about leaving the cut here.”
A cough from David makes me sit up. Christ, did I drift off?
I reach for my phone to text Blade about a couple of things. He texts back that we’re on schedule. It’s a whole new time.
The Disciples are thriving financially. Blade, Axel, and Ryder going into the SEALs is a huge adjustment. I have a feeling I’m going to be made treasurer. It’s smart—I’m the best at numbers. But first things first, I need to get my patch.
My phone vibrates.
Dolly: I’m finished. Come and get me, bad boy.
I smile as I snuff out my cigarette, grab the keys to my bike, and shut off the lights. This is it. The moment. My moment.
I am a Disciple.
I will always be a Disciple.
What I have with Dolly is mine. I have it all under control.
I blink as I bang open the back door of the club and head toward our parking lot. The bright sunlight of the day seeps into me. Nothing can stop me. I’m a fucking warrior. With Dolly at my side, I’ve got it all figured out. The world is ours.DOLLY
Eighteen years oldI’m sitting on Edge’s lap, laughing. Laughing. We got here about two hours ago. We’re late because he decided to take a shower with me. Geez, it’s a wonder I could even ride the bike after this afternoon. He’s been insatiable lately; we’re talking three to four times a day, sometimes more. Edge can fuck hard. It’s almost like he needs to make sure I know I’m his or he’s catching up for lost time. Whatever it is, he’s a machine.
I’m the luckiest girl in the world.
I’ve pretty much moved him into my small apartment since the clubhouse seems to bring out the worst in me. I’ve stayed over, but the thought of running into Crystal makes me want to puke or get violent. So, Edge stays mostly in my cozy spot. I call it our love nest.