Ember: Next Gen (Snakes Henchmen MC Book 12)

by Alivia Grayson

  Ember walked toward me with her father’s help. I could barely breathe; it was like an angel was flowing towards me. When Ember took my hand, that’s when I let go of the breath I’d been holding. The ceremony went all too quickly, but the moment we were pronounced Man and Wife, it was the happiest moment of my life.

  The wedding of the year was the unexpected marriage of Saint and Caren. No one expected the news; it came out of nowhere. Two weeks of dating and Saint asked Caren to marry him. I don’t know what was more shocking, the fact he asked, or the fact Caren said yes.

  While Ember and I had a small, intimate wedding, Saint and Caren had a huge church wedding. The two of them allowed the record company to document the wedding. The record company paid tens of thousands for a lavish event that would rival a damn royal. I can’t deny that it was terrific, in any case. I never had Saint down as the type to want the whole church and horse and carriage thing, but he loved it.

  There were reporters everywhere, TV crews, all dying to get the first pictures of the plane crash couple – yes, that’s what they tagged Saint and Caren as – after they were married.

  The world had gone mad, and our lives haven’t been the same since the crash. It’s all anyone wants to talk about five months later. I want to move on with my life. Sure, the crash made us more famous than we ever thought something like that could. Surviving something like that is interesting to the outside world. They always want to know what it was like thinking we were going to die. They ask how we survived for so long out there in the woods. It was fine the first few times we told the story, but now it seems I’m talking on autopilot.

  I’ve made it clear that this TV interview will be the last time I ever speak publicly about what happened. The others can do what they want, it’s their choice, but Ember and I are done. We’ve been through enough therapy to know that it’s time to let things lie.

  “Please welcome Dun’s Dungeon!” The applause is deafening from the studio audience, and I try not to cringe with how hard my ears are ringing.

  Ember takes my hand in hers, instantly calming me. I’m not entirely over what happened, and I still have triggers, loud noises being one of them, Ember being too far away from me is another. I’ve learned in therapy that I can’t keep Ember with me all of the time, and I have to trust that she can take care of herself. I’m feeling fear because of the accident, but everything is okay now, and Ember is safe.

  I look at my wife and smile. She tips her head slightly, are you okay? I nod my head and wink in her direction. Ember looks amazing tonight, like a supermodel at her best. She’s wearing a pair of black flared pants, with a black chiffon blouse, her hair scraped back into a low ponytail and her makeup light. I love Ember more than I could say, and she’s going to be right by my side for the rest of my life. Christ knows I’ll never leave hers.

  Colby has been talking for a while, and the others have answered his questions about the crash. I made it clear the producer when we arrived that I didn’t want that to be all we talked about.

  I tug on my black leather jacket and shift in my seat slightly when Colby turns his attention to me. “You have a world tour coming up in two months. Do you think you’ll be able to get through each flight without thinking about what happened?”

  His question is a valid one, but it annoys me nonetheless. Every moment since Caren told us about the tour has been filled with what if? I think each of us will always have a little fear inside of us every time we get on a plane. However, if we don’t get back on the horse, we’ll never learn to ride again. So my Nana told me.

  Nana is someone else who suffered more than she should through this whole thing. She didn’t come to Scotland because she didn’t believe that I was alive. She stayed with my aunt, and when I returned, she sobbed so hard, I couldn’t help crying with her. Mom admitted that when the news came through that, we had died in the crash, Nana was taken ill. Mary was in the hospital for three days, refusing to eat or drink. That broke my heart into pieces.

  Mary told me that she couldn’t cope thinking I’d died in such a horrible manner and that my body wouldn’t be found. I was shocked when Mary told me how Eagle visited her at the hospital. He introduced himself to Mary, and then he sat with her, holding her hand and letting her talk about me. She said that Eagle told her never to give up hope until there was hard evidence that I was dead. She asked him if he was doing the same thing where Ember was concerned. Eagle said that until he saw Ember’s dead body, he’d never believe his sister was gone.

  Mary told me that Eagle’s words gave her the strength to get up and keep believing. I believe that my brother-in-law saved my grandmother from dying of a broken heart, and I will be forever grateful to him for that.

  “Yes,” Is the only answer I give Colby.

  He plasters on a fake smile while pressing his finger to his ear. I imagine the director is mumbling something in his ear about changing the subject. “Your album is at the top of the charts,” Colby looks at Colin. “Your music video and single were number one for an incredible about of time. Marco and Ember’s commercial is the most played on-air in the world to date. Do you rate your success on your talent or the plane crash?”

  Colin’s eyes widen, and his nostrils flare.

  It’s common knowledge that Colby Horton is a cunt of the worst kind. He asks questions that don’t need to be asked, and he insinuates things to have people wondering. We’re not a controversial band, and we don’t want an asshole like Colby Horton, causing any.

  “Do you rate the success of your show on your talent? Or the fact there’s nothing else on TV at this hour?” I stare at Ember, trying not to laugh.

  The audience is wailing with laughter, and the rest of us can’t stop ourselves from laughing. Colby is staring at Ember with a raised eyebrow. He’s not amused, and I’m wondering if anyone has ever called him out like that before.

  “I’m sure there’s plenty on at this hour,” The fake laugh is back.

  Ember shifts in her seat, but doesn’t let go of my hand. “These guys have worked hard for years to get to where they are today. Don’t ever suggest that their fame comes only from a tragic accident that claimed lives.”

  I wrap my arm around Ember’s shoulder and squeeze. She wasn’t ready for this as much as we all thought she was. Ember has tried to be strong for everyone and even seemed better now that she and Lydia are talking. Little Leo has undoubtedly been therapeutic for Ember. However, it doesn’t alter the fact that Ember can’t deal with stupid people like Colby Horton.

  “My husband, myself, and our friends went through hell, but we came out the other end. The success we’ve had since then is due to our hard work and diligence. Now, if you have any questions unrelated to the plane crash, we’d be happy to answer them, if not, then I think the interview is over.”

  Colby stumbles over his words, allowing Ember to get out of her seat. We all unhook ourselves from our mics and leave the stage. Walking out of an interview like that can make or break anyone. But we have a loyal following of ‘Dungeoneer’s’ as the fans have taken to calling themselves. The audience is even clapping and hollering.

  “Are you okay?” Ember stops in her tracks and turns to face me. I cup her cheek. “What’s going on? You don’t normally get so het up.”

  “Colby is a smarmy piece of shit, Marco. He deliberately tried to get a rise out of us, and I went and gave him just that. Now his shit show will get more ratings, and he’ll be able to piss someone else off.”

  “Don’t worry about that he’ll get what’s coming to him in the end. Now, tell me what’s wrong,”

  Ember sighs. She takes my hand and leads me out of the building. Caren and Colin went to speak to the producer of the show. Hannah and Saint will wait for them, God knows where Bob is, but Ember and I are going home.

  It isn’t until we reach home over an hour later, and we’re changed into nightwear does Ember finally speak. “I’m tired of all of this, Marco,”

  I take a seat beside Ember
on our bed. “Tired of what, sweetheart?”

  “The constant questions about the damn plane crash. Why can’t people just move on? How are we meant to if they won’t?”

  I reach up and tuck her hair behind her ear. I don’t have the answers to her questions; I repeatedly asked myself the same things and got nowhere. “I know that it seems like they never will, but people will get bored soon enough. Some other famous people will have done something to catch the media’s attention, and we’ll be off the hook. It won’t be like this forever, baby. This tour will show people that were more than the plane crash.”

  Ember nods her head and then rests it against my shoulder. “I think our vacation will do us a world of good,”

  I chuckle and kiss her head. I booked a cruise to Rome. I figured avoiding airplanes where we can, will be good for Ember’s nerves. She’s been looking forward to our cruise for weeks. We leave in

  two days for two weeks, and I intend to enjoy every moment of it. We’ll need it to get through the tight schedule of our three-month world tour.

  “I love you, Marco Russo.”

  “I love you, too, Ember Russo.”

  Ember looks up at me. “Does that mean you’ll fix me one of your special hot chocolates with extra marshmallows?”

  I laugh out loud at the way she’s batting her eyelids at me. “Oh, baby girl,” I lean in and kiss her hard. “I’d do anything for you. One Marco special coming up,”

  “Well, you can give me a Marco special later. Right now, I just want hot chocolate.”

  “Cheeky,”

  Ember squeals as I reach in and tickle her until she’s a puddle on the bed.

  Dun’s Dungeon deserves everything that’s coming our way. We worked hard for our fame, and even harder to make our dreams come true. We won’t let one man make us feel as though we’ve been handed everything on a plate.

  Okay, I’ll admit that people fell all over themselves to see us, talk to us, give us free stuff, and even offer us free cars. But we haven’t and wouldn’t take freebies from anyone. Each one of us works for what we have, and that’s the way it will stay. Anything that’s been offered to us, we’ve asked that the companies give them to charity. Those people need it more than we do.

  I’m looking forward to what the future brings. With Ember by my side, I am invincible, and I could take on the world and win.

  Chapter Forty

  Ember

  Epilogue

  “Billie, this is Ember.”

  “I know,” The ten-year-old girl with the wild curls smiles without taking her eyes off of me.

  I agreed to a meet and greet after tonight’s show in London. Caren entered every fan here tonight into a competition. The lucky winner would have their name called out on stage. The winner would then be brought backstage to meet the band.

  The little girl in front of me, our winner has been brought backstage with her mother and older sister. Caren introduced Billie, her mother, and sister to everyone, leaving me for last as Billie is my biggest fan, so she told Caren.

  Billie comes closer to my chair. After a show, I have to sit down for a while because my leg still isn’t fully healed. The pain I’m in after each show can be too much sometimes.

  I hold my hand out to the beautiful little girl with the big brown eyes, and she takes it with a smile on her face. “It’s nice to meet you, Billie.”

  Billie giggles, shyly. “I’m really excited to meet you, Ember,” Billie’s British accent is softer than most I’ve encountered here in London. It strangely suits her shy attitude. “You’re my favorite singer. I want to be just like you when I’m older.”

  “You want to be a singer?”

  She shakes her head. “I want to be beautiful like you,”

  My heart slams against my chest. I stroke my hand down the scarred side of Billie’s face. She stares at me as I try to ward off the tears, pricking the back of my eyes. Caren told us all about Billie before bringing her in, and how she’d been burned in a house fire when she was four. Billie was left with thirty percent burns on the right side of her body. Though the injuries have healed, Billie still goes through hell with bullying because her scars are noticeable. The poor girl has been through dozens of operations to help, and the pain must have been unimaginable. Yet here she is, still smiling.

  “You are beautiful, Billie,” She blinks while looking at me.

  “I tell her that all the time,” Billie’s sister, Toni, tells me. “She was bullied at school and didn’t want to be here anymore.” My heart is breaking! “Then she heard your song Beautiful Me, and Billie took your lyrics to heart and began to understand that the words of some are not the words of all.”

  Beautiful Me is a song I wrote when I was fourteen. I wrote it about a friend Lydia, and I had who was bullied at home. Carmen killed herself when we were fourteen, and it affected me more than I realized. The song was my outlet back then for the pain, and since releasing the song, many have said those words have helped them. I never knew my words could have such a profound effect on people, but that makes this job worthwhile.

  I feel emotion burn in my nose, and I can’t stop myself from pulling that little girl into my arms. She wraps her arms tightly around my neck as I try to control myself. When Billie pulls away, she’s smiling. I scoot in my chair so that she can sit beside me and keep her hand in mine.

  “Do you remember the line, ‘No one can be Beautiful Me?’” Billie nods her head. “Do you know what that means?”

  “That I am beautiful, and no one is like me.”

  “That’s right,” I smile. “You are your own beautiful, Billie. Never try to be like someone else; just keep being you because you are perfect.” Billie throws her arms around my neck and cries. I’m crying too because this little girl touched my heart.

  Everyone is watching me; I can feel their eyes on me. Then I hear Billie’s mother say, “Your wife is very special.”

  “That she is,” I hear the pride in Marco’s voice.

  Billie pulls away from me but watches as I unclasp the silver charm bracelet from my wrist. Twelve charms are hanging from it, but only a handful have meaning.

  I take Billie’s left wrist and attach the bracelet. She gasps and looks at me, her little mouth hanging open in shock. “Now, I want you to have this—this charm,” The outline of an adult holding a baby. “Is for family. Whether it’s a mother, father, brother, sister, or someone else, remember that they will always love you. The music note is for the song that helped you understand that you are beautiful you.” Billie giggles. “All of these charms will have meaning for you in time.”

  “Thank you so much! I’ll treasure it always.”

  “I know you will,” I smile and kiss Billie’s scarred cheek.

  She makes her way back to her mother, who thanks me as I hand both Billie and Toni a bag of merchandise before leaving.

  Marco takes my hand and helps me out of my seat with a smile on his face. I wrap my arms around his waist and smile when he kisses my head. “What you just did for that little girl was inspiring, Ember.”

  “She deserved to hear that she was just as beautiful as everyone else, Marco. How anyone could be so cruel is beyond me. Why do people have to be so vile?”

  “I don’t know, baby. But you made her day, and I’m so proud of you.”

  I smile against his mouth. “If we should use our fame for anything, it should be to help others.”

  And that is precisely what we’ll do from here on in, help others. If my mother taught me anything growing up, it’s that helping those in need will make you feel on top of the world. Giving without question, and expecting nothing in return is what makes you a good person.

  I may come from a motorcycle club family, but I was raised to be a good person. It’s in my DNA. I want to pass that on to as many people as possible, even my children someday.

  “Let’s get changed. It’s time to move on to the next town,”

  “I’m ready for anything as long as I’m with you, Ma
rco.”

  Marco smiles and kisses me. “I’m going to have to leave you for a few hours tomorrow.”

  “Why?”

  He smiles while rolling his eyes. “It was supposed to be a surprise, but I know how you’re not too keen on them. Jessie, Aya, and Lydia are on their way.”

  “What?” My eyes widen, and the excitement is welling up inside me. Marco nods his head, and I throw my arms around him. “I love you!”

  “I love you, too. Just try not to get into trouble.”

  “I’m not promising anything,” I wink.

  I don’t know what life will bring in the months to come; I only know that I’m ready for anything.

  About the Author

  So, heres the thing. I’m quirky and crazy, and I’m not afraid to be just who I am. Why should anybody have to be afraid of who they are?

  I live in London, England with my man and three children, whom I love more than life itself.

  I am also a teacher of history and I enjoy every aspect of it. I love children, they can teach you just as much as you can teach them.

  A child’s mind is a sponge that absorbs informations from every person around them. Teach them well and they can do anything, be anyone.

  I’m probably too talkative sometimes, or so I’ve been told by my older siblings once or twice. But I believe it’s good to talk!

  So don’t be afraid to get in touch any time!

  Also by Alivia Grayson

  The President’s Wife (Shepard, President)

  Strike Fast (Stryker)

  The One I Need (Tank)

  All For You (Hammer)

  Never Give You Up (Jett, VP)

  Kill For Me (Hawk)

  Vidal! (Draven, a Mafia/MC Crossover)

  Die For Me (Wrench)

  Crucify Thy Demons (Roman)

  Two Of A Kind (Trace)