by Ryan Michele
I can feel someone behind me and I jump. “It’s just me, Casey.” Becs words instantly relax me as he unties the blindfold and it falls from my eyes.
I blink my eyes repeatedly trying to adjust from the darkness to the bright sun and look around. Directly in front of me is Bam’s headstone, but what catches my attention are the pink balloons and flowers on the stone next to it. I gasp covering my mouth and fall to my knees. G.T. doesn’t release my grip, but he stands there unmoving.
Next to Bam is a small heart shaped headstone that reads ‘Mia Low Gavelson You will be in our hearts forever. Love, Mommy & Daddy.’
My chest clinches so tight I can’t breathe and my throat constricts like a noose. My eyes go blurry from the tears that are unstoppably flowing down my face to the ground. Everything around me is spinning, like I’m falling down Alice’s rabbit hole and it’s engulfing me. G.T.’s warmth meets me on the ground and he pulls me into his lap rocking me back and forth.
“Breathe, Angel.” He whispers in my ear, but my mind isn’t listening. A soft hand lands on my shoulder and squeezes, but I don’t dare turn away from the stone in front of me.
The hand on my shoulder doesn’t move, but words are said in my ear. “We all wanted you two to have a place to talk to Mia.” I turn to Harlow at her words; tears are streaming down her face. I pull out of G.T.’s arms and wrap them around Harlow as tight as I can and pull her down to me.
I sob as she rubs her hand up and down my back. I look over my shoulder at the stone not believing that she did this for me… For us. “Thank you.” I choke out as best I can. I look over at G.T. his eyes are red and his hand keeps batting away tears. I release Harlow. “I love you.” I whisper looking into her eyes.
“Love you too.” She says kissing me on the cheek. I move quickly over to G.T. He’s sitting with his knees propped up and his arms resting on them. I wrap my arms around his chest and pull him tight to me. His face plunges into my neck and he silently shakes in my arms, tears rolling down my neck. I rub his back up and down, not knowing what to say. The shock of what just happened is keeping me weighted down.
A throat clearing causes me to look up into the eyes of a man that I hate seeing. Not because of who he is, just for the mere fact that every time I do, someone has died. “I’d like to say a few words if that’s okay.” The pastor asks and G.T. pulls away from me looking up at him. He wipes his face and turns to me. I give him a small nod.
“That’d be fine.” G.T.’s voice strangles to get out. When G.T. tries to stand, the pastor stops him.
“Please, stay where you are.” G.T. falls back to the ground and wraps his arms around me pulling me tight.
I sit listening to the words flow out of the pastor’s mouth, each one as sweet as the next. He does the sign of the cross and says amen. He steps over to G.T. and sits down in front of us. “Mia will always be in your hearts to love and cherish. Bless you both.”
I sit there staring, not knowing what to say and G.T. must feel the same because no words are coming out of this tough guy’s mouth and I can’t blame him at all. The pastor rests his hands on our shoulders and leaves. I pull away from G.T. “I don’t know what to say.” I tell him honestly.
“Nothing to say. We love her and our family gave us one of the greatest gifts they could.” He picks up my hand and kisses it. He pulls his shirt up from the hem and wipes his face with it, standing up. I follow suit but do it a bit more discreetly. He holds out his hand and for the first time, I turn around.
I heard all the bikes, but nothing prepared me for this sight. Hundreds of brothers and ol’ ladies and even friends stand behind us in solidarity. G.T. squeezes my hand and intertwines our fingers. Words are caught in my mouth and I’m relieved when G.T. speaks for the both of us.
“Thank you all. This means more to us than you’ll ever know.” He looks down at the ground.
Harlow comes up before us. “We wanted Mia to be by her grandpa so he could watch over her.” I look down at the ground tears pooling in my eyes and shake my head. “Casey.”
I look up at Harlow. “See all of these people here?” I nod. “They love you. We are here because you are our family. We will do anything and everything for you, no matter what.” And for the first time in my life, I truly believe it.
14
GT
The ride back to the clubhouse is quiet and somber. I kiss Angel’s hand and lay it on my lap needing to feel her closeness and comfort. What our family did for us, I can never repay. And for once, I’m actually at a loss for words. Seeing brothers from chapters all around standing in unison with Pops in front, choked me up to say the least and I tried my damnedest not to shed tears, but couldn’t stop it. It’s times like these that we really remember who has your back. Everyone can be around when shit is good, it’s the tough times when you know, who you can depend on. And I… we can depend on our brothers and family.
When Ma hugged me at the cemetery, I clutched on to her for dear life. She’s always been my rock no matter what stupid decisions I’ve made in life. But the words she whispered in my ear ring through my head. “You keep this one G.T. This woman is your forever.” Ma’s always into that mushy shit, but this time she is completely right. Angel is my forever and I’ll show her, every damn day.
“We have a party planned when we get back, but if you two want to take a breather and go lay down for a bit, go ahead.” Princess says from the front seat. Angel didn’t even balk this time about Cruz driving; she curled up in the backseat without a word resting her head on my shoulder.
“A big one?” Angel asks her voice raspy.
“Yeah. We wanted to celebrate Mia.” Princess looks back at Angel. “I hope that’s okay.” The reluctance in Princess is a fresh change of pace. I love my sister, but hearing the apprehension in her voice tells me that she wants Casey comfortable and to me that means a lot.
“It’s fine, but I need to lie down for a bit and get myself together.”
“Of course.”
“Harlow?” Angel’s voice quivers.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. What you did for us.” She stops and breathes. “Dammit, I need to stop crying.” She blows some more and I squeeze her hand. “I love you so much, sister.”
“Love you too.” Princess turns away quickly her hands coming up to her face, my tough ass sister not wanting to show her tears.
“Yo sis.” I bellow.
“Yeah.” Her voice breaks.
“Love you.” I say and her head drops to her chest. Her shoulders move up and down silently. I reach over the chair and squeeze her shoulder. Her hand instantly comes up and covers mine squeezing back.
I watch Angel sleep, her face is still red from the taxing morning we just had. We’ve been lying in here for the past few hours, but I can’t sleep. I tried my damnedest, but just keep pulling my woman closer to feel her warmth and feel her heart beat on my chest.
I lay here thinking about the decisions that Casey made, and while I may not agree, I do forgive her. I love her and it’s time to officially let go of the anger and strip it away from me… From us. I’ll remember Mia every day and what could have been, but no more anger.
The music is thumping so loud its penetrating the walls. I’m surprised that sleeping beauty here hasn’t woken up in my arms yet. It’s been going on now for a few hours, but luckily it’s still early in the day so when we get there, it won’t be out of hand… Yet, it is after all a celebration.
Angel’s body moves, her eyes flash up to mine. “Hey.” She says her voice hoarse.
“Hey. You alright?” I brush the loose hair away from her eyes and she smiles.
“Yeah. I think I really am. I can’t believe they did that for us.” She digs her head into my chest pulling me to her.
I sigh and squeeze her, “me either.”
“I’m so sorry, G.T.” Her head burrows deeper in my chest. “For everything.”
“Look at me.” I demand and she stills, slowly turning her head t
o me. “No more. It’s done. Understand?” She doesn’t move. “Angel, what’s done is done. We move on and live.” The air I didn’t realize she was holding escapes her body.
“How can you say that? After everything I did.”
“After everything we did Angel. We are in this together. I’m working through it all, but you have to trust that I do forgive you as I hope you forgive me fully and truly.”
She sucks in a deep breath. “Okay.” She whispers.
“Okay. You ready to go out there?” Her smile radiates the room.
“Yeah, let’s celebrate.”
“Let’s.”
I lace my fingers with Angel’s as we step into the main room of the clubhouse. Tables and chairs are everywhere. A DJ is set up in the corner, his large speakers bumping with bass as music flows out of them.
“There you are!” Princess yells from behind the bar, running towards us quickly. Before I can protest, Angel lets go of my hand as Princess picks her up swinging her around. “You okay?” She asks.
“Yeah. I really am.” Angel says putting her feet back to the ground.
“Good. There’s food. You need to eat.” Princess looks at me. “I’m taking her for a while.”
Before she can pull her away, I grab Angel and pull her flush with my body wrapping my arm around her waist, pulling her as close to me as I can. Her eyes widen in surprise. I lower my lips crashing them to hers, my tongue moving in and out of her mouth. She meets me move for move and I grab her ass pressing her body against my hardening dick.
Angel’s arms reach up, wrapping around my neck and hold me tight, her body melting into mine. I need to take her back to my room. Now. Whoops and hollers come from the room and they get louder and louder the more we go on. I couldn’t give two shits if they watch, but my Angel pulls slightly away. I nip her bottom lip with my teeth and rest my forehead on hers. Her breathing is labored and I take great satisfaction in the fact that I did that to her.
“You done pissing on your territory?” Princess says smiling wide.
“Never. But it’ll do for now.” Angel smiles and I nip her lip one more time before she reluctantly releases my neck and moves with Princess. I watch her ass sway side to side only making my dick harder. I move my hand down to my jeans, adjusting the hard-on that she will be taking care of soon enough.
“Here brother.” Buzz calls handing me a beer and a shot glass full of amber liquid. I shoot the whiskey first and then start on the beer.
I look around in search of Bella knowing she wouldn’t leave without saying bye to Angel. “Thanks. Where’s Bella?” I know she rode back with Buzz, but looking around I do not see her now. Bella’s had quite an education coming here for the past couple of weeks. Even though everything has been pretty calm for the most part, from what I hear, she’s been pretty busy getting to know Buzz and Breaker for that matter.
“Asleep. Be out in a bit.”
“Been keeping her busy?” I smirk.
“Fuck yeah, brother.” He laughs. “She’s fucking hot and a wildcat in the bedroom.”
“She still leaving?”
“Yep. Tomorrow now. She wouldn’t miss this.” I nod and head over to the large table with Pops, Dagger, Cruz, Rhys and Becs.
“Brother. Bout time you get your ass out here.” Dagger chuckles holding up his beer in salute.
“I’m here.” I hold my arms out wide flashing my rag and smirk. I pull out a smoke, roll it between my teeth and light it. Pops kicks the chair next to him in invitation and I sit. Judging by the slew of bottles on the table, this party is in full swing.
“Raise ‘em boys.” Pops declares. All of us raising whatever concoction is near. “To my beautiful granddaughter.”
“Mia.” They say in unison. I smile and take a pull from my beer.
“Princess sure outdid herself this time.” She utterly amazes me sometimes. With all the shit being thrown at her, she’s stronger than ever.
“Brother, you have no idea. That woman is relentless.” Becs says smiling.
“No shit. Try living with her.” Cruz laughs. “She’s been a fucking basket case. I can only calm her ass by fucking her.” He shrugs. “Not that I mind.”
“I gave her a lot of leeway with this shit, probably more than I should have, but I knew how much it would mean to you and Casey. And shit, who doesn’t like a kick ass party.” Pops grins, taking a pull from his beer.
“I just don’t even know what to say brothers, besides, thank you.” I shake my head and search for my girl. I spot her at a table on the other side of the room, Princess next to her and a big pile of food in front of her. Her eyes lock with mine and she smiles so brightly it lights the entire fucking room. I raise my brows suggestively and she blushes turning back to her food.
“She yours brother, or free game?” Rhys asks. My head jerks to him. I clamp the bottle in my hand so hard I feel the bottle waver a bit but not enough to break. My teeth grind and my pulse picks up, fiery rage spreads through my body.
“No one fucking touches her. Got me?” I grind out through gritted teeth starting directly into his eyes.
“You puttin’ colors on her?” Becs stares at me intently and it’s as if Bam asked the question and not him. I know that Casey sees Becs as the closest thing she has to a father because of their tight friendship, so his question doesn’t piss me off; instead it calms me a bit from Rhys’ mouth.
“Absolutely.” I answer immediately.
“Good boy. About fucking time.” He stands up and stretches.
“I’m gonna head outside, make sure everyone’s happy out there.” Dagger smirks standing up too. Outside the club doors, the club mommas wait until the party gets really going. Inside is just for family, for now.
“You do that.” Pops answers knowingly. We sit for what seems like hours talking and shooting the shit about everything; sports, women, our bikes. Members from other chapters come up, repeatedly patting me on the back and giving condolences along with the ol’ ladies who all piled around Casey. She caught my eye several times, giving me her sexy smile and each time, I am tempted to pull her into the bathroom and fuck her senseless, but refrain. Why? Who the fuck knows. But the way the ol’ ladies are rallying around her warms my heart. She’s feeling the family that she never thought she had.
The party is seriously picking up and club mommas in scraps of fabric come in, some with brothers from other chapters hanging on them, some alone but all looking to party.
The ol’ ladies have loosened up and are dancing in front of the DJ shaking their asses, Casey in with them. Currently, she’s wedged between Flash and Harlow shaking her body tempting me at every step. The sly looks she keeps sending me are about to send me over the fucking edge. The thing that stands out though is she’s the only one that doesn’t have a Property of rag on and that will fucking change soon.
I watch as she moves her body back and forth and up and down. Flash, Dagger’s ol’ lady, grabs her from behind and begins grinding with her. Angel’s face turns flush as she pushes her ass right into Flash, her hands hugging her hips tight.
I continue watching, catching her eye often. The sexual tension thickening with every passing minute. Feminine hands land on my shoulder, I glance up seeing DeDe. Back in the day she used to clean my room. “Hey.” I smile up at her as she moves around the table resting her almost bare ass on it.
“Hey handsome.” She crosses her leg, her skirt rising. “I’ve missed you.” Her hand reaches out touching my shirt.
“How ya been?” I pull out of her reach, her once long nails now look like daggers and the dark brown hair does nothing to appeal to me.
“Alright.”
“You been taking care of yourself?”
“Yeah. Some friends of mine wanted to come tonight. Heard about your daughter. Sorry.”
“Thanks.”
“I was hoping we could catch up.” She smiles bashfully.
“Nah. I’ve got my girl.” I look out to the dance floor and eyes are piercing
through me. Several ol’ ladies are killing me right now in their mind; Angel is nowhere to be seen. Shit. Without a word, I move to get up and DeDe stops me by grabbing on to my arm.
“I won’t tell her.” She says softly.
“You don’t have anything to tell.” I growl and move out of her embrace and head to the ol’ ladies on the floor. “Where is she?”
“She needed air.” Bubbles says, nothing like her happy go lucky self. But I don’t need to explain anything to them, they don’t matter to me, Angel does. I leave them, quickly heading out the door.
Casey
Dancing with the ol’ ladies is more fun than I’ve had in years. They know how to let loose and from what they told me, they feel safe here knowing their men will protect them. I do too. One difference that hits hard is their rags. Every single one of them proudly wears theirs and I didn’t realize how much I truly craved that with G.T.
I’ve tried my damnedest to keep in contact with G.T. some way the entire night. Partially for selfish reasons. I want him to know that I’m here and I don’t want him to have any reason to think he needs any other woman. Ever. I am all he needs.
Glancing over at G.T. a woman approaches him. I blink a couple of times to see more clearly and then it hits me like a thousand sledgehammers all at once.
It’s her. After all this time, it’s her and she’s fucking touching him. A combination of the booze and sweat has flushed my body and on top of seeing her… I need air. Now. “I’m going outside.” I yell in Princess’ ear. She looks at me then G.T. and shakes her head.
“What is she doing here?” I grumble to myself knowing no one would hear me over the music.
“Don’t. It’s nothing.” She latches my arm.
“I just need some air. I’ll be fine.” I give her the best smile I can muster and she releases me. I feel her eyes watching me as I exit the building, the cool air hits me as soon as the door opens and I breathe in deep.
