Lia and I have spent the day shopping in town, doing girlie things, and getting to know each other while Ramsey and JJ took care of some club business. I don’t know what I had imagined club life to be like, but today turned out to be way more fun. Having never been one for girly company and retail therapy, I’m surprised to find that I’ve loved it, and I love Lia even more, if that’s possible, after spending quality time with her. If this is how our days will continue to play out, shopping, lunch, and a sexy little black dress ready for tonight’s party, I think I’m going to settle in just fine.

“No,” Ramsey snaps, shaking his head fiercely.

“What do you mean, no?” I stomp my foot and fix a stern glare right on him. He almost balks and gives in, but then he looks me up and down and tries to hold his place.

“I mean, NO. You are not wearing that.” He sweeps his hand up and down, indicating the little black dress I’m wearing. It’s short, very, very tight, and fits like a silk glove.

I am not taking it off.

He shakes his head and grabs up his keys off the cabinet. “Where is the panty line under that dress?” He takes the hem and tries to lift it up, but I slap his hand away and scowl.

“Uh, excuse me?” I cross my arms in front of me and stare him down.

“I’m not arguing over this, Sadie. Please tell me you’re not going commando.”

“Ramsey! No, I am not going commando, jeez,” I mumble, frowning at him. “Well, I guess we will both be standing firm because I’m not taking it off.”

“Firm?” he questions with raised brows. “Sadie, not only am I rock fucking hard seeing you in that dress, but I won’t be the only one that’s standing firm if you wear it. I don’t want to be responsible for putting a gun to someone’s head tonight.” He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.

“Ramsey,” I say, stepping in closer to him and pressing my body against his. “Look at me,” I tell him, and he drops his hand, opening his eyes slowly. “Not only will I be arriving with you and making it very clear to all the women there that you’re mine. But I have eyes for no one else,” I reassure him, touching my palm to his cheek.

“That was never in question, Raven. My problem is other men looking at you.”

“Let them look. I see nothing and no one but you. Let’s just live in our bubble, and go and let loose at this party. I’m pretty sure that when I enter on your arm, no one is going to so much as even look at my feet.”

He huffs. “Fine. But won’t you be more comfortable in jeans and boots? I mean, those heels look impossible,” he comments, trying to make me take off the damn dress with a different approach.

“Do you like the heels?” I ask, taking his hand in mine.

“Well, yes, but—”

“If you play nice, I’ll drop the clothes and wear just the heels for you later, deal?”

“Fuck,” he groans, throwing his head back.

“Deal?”

“We’ll have to take the fucking van. You are not getting on my bike like that,” he acquiesces, and I smile to myself. There is no way in this world I would take this dress off. I’ve never worn something that makes me feel so sexy and powerful, let alone owned a dress like this. I’m used to spending my life in jeans and boots, and not only are the black leather, studded heels pretty high, they’re super sexy, and are driving Ramsey crazy right now.

“Already sorted. Tex is waiting for us in the yard.” I lean in and kiss him softly on the cheek. “Time to go.” I tug his hand, and he follows me with a groan.

“You’re gonna be the death of me, Raven.”

The bar is full when we get there, and I enter, flanked by Tex and Ramsey, with Ruck behind. He was quiet on the ride over here, and I can tell Ramsey is worried about him, but JJ is right, a big party like this is great for morale and bringing everyone together. I glance back and smile at Ruck, and he returns my gesture, even if it’s not with quite as much enthusiasm.

Ramsey leans in and shouts over the music. “Do not accept a drink from anyone that you haven’t been introduced to before, understand?”

I nod. “Isn’t everyone here one of the club brothers?”

“Yes, and their old ladies. But there are also some hang-arounds, and Vinny’s crew are here too. I don’t know them. I don’t trust them, and neither should you.”

“Okay.” I nod as we weave through the crowds to a roped off area where we find JJ and Lia.

JJ embraces me in a warm hug, and I smile up at him. “Hi.”

“Hi, Princess. You look…” He holds me out at arm’s length and frowns. “You let her come out like this?” he barks at Ramsey, and before Ramsey can answer both Lia and I smack him on the arm. He jumps and tenses with a comical look on his face. “Hey!”

“She looks stunning,” Lia interjects, linking her arm in mine. “She looks the part. President’s daughter—VP’s old lady.” She winks at Ramsey, and he smiles with a shake of his head. “JJ…” She raises her brows at him in expectation.

“You look stunning, Princess. Gonna give Ram and me a fucking heart attack watching out for you, but you look stunning.”

“Now,” Lia says excitedly, unlinking her arm from mine and clapping her hands together. “Champagne!”

“I’m not drinking any of that shit,” Ruck mumbles behind us and joins the crowd queueing at the bar.

“Me either.” Tex laughs. “I’m out.”

“More for us!” Lia grabs the magnum off the table which, at her five-foot height and small frame, looks nearly as big as her. She passes JJ the bottle and hands me a glass as he unwraps the cork and wiggles it loose with a pop. Bubbles pour out over the top, and Lia shoves her glass underneath to catch it before too much spills.

“Get your glass under here, girl. Tonight we’re gonna get wasted on champagne and dance on the tables.” She laughs as JJ fills our glasses.

“Not in that dress she ain’t,” Ramsey grumbles under his breath. I slide my hand around his waist, smiling to myself as I look up at him. He looks edible in his black, short-sleeved, button-down shirt. It accentuates the muscles in his arms and fits snugly across his chest.

“You don’t like my dress, baby?” Huskiness lingers in my tone as I envision him peeling the dress off me later and everything else that might follow.

“Yeah, I like your dress.” He purses his lips and narrows his eyes as he returns my sensual tone. “I love you in your dress.” He lowers his head to mine, his lips hovering above my ear. “But, when I get you home, I’m going to tear that zipper clean off, and work you so hard with my tongue that you’re going to come all over my lips.” A breath shudders through my chest, and my eyes widen and sparkle with expectation and excitement for later. He kisses my cheek and winks before knocking back his drink and scanning the crowd with approval.

I glance around too, mainly to get my racing pulse under control. And I realize that although I don’t know all the people here like Ramsey and JJ do, they don’t feel like strangers to me. I don’t feel unsafe, or vulnerable, but rather loved, protected, and part of a very big, extremely noisy, happy family.  It’s everything I ever wanted, yet something I never knew I yearned for.

“Knock that back, sweet girl,” Lia sings as she comes to me with the magnum in her hand. “There’s more where this came from.”

“Lia, you’re going to have me raging drunk before the evening has even begun.” I laugh as Marnie joins us too, and Ram talks to JJ.

“Marnie,” Lia says, holding up the bottle with both hands. “Get a glass, girl. We’ve got a truckload of bubbles to get through. Sadie,” she says sternly. “You’re a VIP tonight. You gotta start drinking like one!” She refills my glass with a little too much enthusiasm, and it fizzes over the top. All of us squeal with laughter, and I can feel the happiness radiating from me. It’s weird. It’s amazing. I fucking love it.

“Why are we VIP’s?” I call out, taking a swig of my champagne.

“Girl, you an old lady now. Not only that…” She looks between me and JJ, and I know what she means. Being the daughter of an MC President and the old lady of the Vice President is big stuff.

“What’s going on? What was that look for?” Marnie questions, and Lia winks at her, tapping the side of her nose.

“You should know better than to ask questions, Marnie, my love. But you’ll find out soon enough.” Lia grins over at me, and I feel a warmth in my stomach.

“Are you pregnant?” Marnie screeches, jumping to a very wrong conclusion. It’s only been a matter of weeks that I’ve been a part of this madness, even if it does feel like its been much longer.

“NO!” Lia and I both blurt out at the same time before looking at each other and laughing like a couple of high school girls. I always underestimated female company and girlfriends. I guess that’s because I never found my tribe before now.

JJ sticks his head in between mine and Lia’s shoulders and frowns hard. “Did I just hear the word…pregnant?”

“Uh,” she bites her lip and glances at me as I start to laugh. “Yeah, you did, but—”

“Tell me no one is pregnant…” He glares pointedly at me with a subtle look of fear in his eyes.

“No.” I shake my head with a smile. “No one is pregnant.”

“Thank fuck for that.” He wipes his brow playfully. “So let’s do some shots!” He signals over to the bar, then spins Lia around so she lands in his arms, before kissing her as though we weren’t all here and watching.

Ramsey snakes his arms around my waist from behind and whispers in my ear. “I think you just gave JJ some more gray hairs.” He laughs, kissing my neck.

“The look on his face, that was priceless.”

“Uh huh,” he murmurs against my skin. “There’s plenty of time for that.”

“What?” I snap, freezing in position.

“Babies.” He shrugs. “Not for a while, and definitely not until I’ve seen through my promise and had you on every surface in my house, twice.”

“Y-you want babies?” I stutter, the words falling out of my mouth as my brain tries to catch up with this conversation.

“Oh my god. Your face, Raven. Almost as priceless as JJ’s.”

“Fuck.” I grin, snorting out a laugh and turning in his arms to smack him on the chest. “You asshole!”

He drops a kiss to my lips and looks me in the eyes. “I love you. I want it all with you, one day.”

“All?” I gulp, not knowing if I’m made for normal, or if this life, his life, is even set up for a family.

“I want everything you want. You are all.” He shrugs unapologetically, kissing me gently on the tip of my nose.

As the crowd gathers around us, and I stare into his eyes, I realize that any life with Ramsey is going to be all I need, all I want. It doesn’t matter that our life isn’t traditional or normal, all that matters is it’s ours.

“Shots!” Tex booms as he steps into the roped area with a tray of clear liquid shots, and Ruck following closely behind with a huge guy that I don’t know.

JJ shakes hands with the guy and embraces him in the warmest man hug I think I’ve ever seen. “Vinny, this is Sadie.” He introduces us and Vinny holds out his hand to shake mine. When I place my hand in his, he raises it to his lips and places a kiss on my knuckles.

Ramsey launches between us, yanking my hand from Vinny’s grip. “No kissing, Vinny boy. This is my girl,” he growls, holding on to me protectively.

Vinny laughs, shaking his head. “I was just being a gentleman, Dalton. Not tryin’ to steal her from ya.”

“Don’t even joke about it,” Ramsey bites back with humor in his voice, while still making a threat.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell Vinny, as Ramsey’s arm tightens around my waist. Vinny smiles with a nod and greets everyone else who’s here. “Stop it,” I say through gritted teeth.

“What?” Ramsey questions, raising his hands.

I turn and poke him in the chest with my index finger. “I don’t need you to approve who I speak to.”

“He was speaking with his lips on your flesh.” He shakes his head, and the tick in his jaw jumps ferociously.

“Ramsey,” I sigh.

“He can say hello, but he doesn’t need to touch you.” I open my mouth to speak, but Ramsey places his index finger across my lips. “This world.” He glances around the room. “My world. It’s harsh, Raven. I’m not trying to own you, but I need to make it clear that you’re mine. I won’t have anyone disrespect that or try to move in, do you get that?”

“Yeah.” I place my palm against his cheek. “I get that.”

“Good.” He smiles.

“If you lovebirds are done with the touching and kissing,” JJ rolls his eyes, “I have something I want to say…”

“We’re all ears, Prez.” Ramsey winks at me, taking my hand and giving JJ his attention.

With all the familiar faces from the club around us in the VIP area and the extended Souls family crammed into the rest of the bar, JJ stands on a chair, signaling to one of the bartenders to lower the music, and with a glass in his hand, he begins.

“Okay, people,” he yells and everyone cheers. He raises his hand, and within seconds the crowd falls silent other than a few jeers from the back. “I’m glad you could all come this evening, and I know you’re all wondering why I decided to throw a party like this in such short notice. The last couple of months have been…hard, and you’ve all been the most loyal club members I could have asked for. I want you to know how grateful I am for your loyalty, your kinship, and your dedication. And I don’t just mean my brothers. It’s not easy being an old lady, but you’ve all learned from the best!” He glances down at Lia, and she blows him a kiss. “We’re lucky to have Ruck here with us.” He smiles and raises his glass to Ruck and everyone cheers for him, too. “Unfortunately, as you know, Dev can’t be here. He’s got a long fucking road but he’s gonna make it, and he will ride out with us all again before you know it. The only good thing about him not being here is not having to listen to the screams down the corridor at night.” Everybody laughs, but falls silent again and awaits JJ’s next words. It would be impossible not to feel the respect all of these people have for JJ. I never once imagined a group of wayward men, outlaws, even violent criminals, could have such a tight bond and a mutual respect for each other and the important women in their lives.

“There’s just one more thing before you drink ‘til you pass out and Vinny here has to peel you off the furniture. Very few of you knew this, but twenty-four years ago, I had a daughter. I had four amazing years with her before we were separated.” He swallows loudly and glances down into his glass, avoiding my gaze as everyone falls silent. “There hasn’t been a day in the last twenty years that I haven’t thought about her, what she was doing, what she would look like, and if I was ever going to see her again.”

No one makes a sound. No jeers, no impatience, no disrespect. They’re all listening intently to the big boss man, their club President, open his heart as if he were talking to himself. It’s rare for a man to lay himself on the line like this, to show he has a softer side. But here, with his extended family and friends, that side only adds to his humanity.

“Well, a few weeks ago, she found her way back to me.” Someone gasps, and I notice Lia wipe her cheeks with the tips of her fingers. “So, Ladies and Gentlemen, bikers and bitches,” he smiles and everyone laughs, “I want to introduce you all to my daughter.” He looks over to me, his eyes glistening with tears I can see he’s trying to push back, as I let my emotions run freely down my cheeks. He holds out his hand for me to come to him, and steps down off the chair as Ramsey guides me forward. “My daughter.” He swipes a tear from my cheek with his thumb. “Sadie.”

The cheers are deafening as he pulls me tightly into his arms and presses his cheek against the top of my head. As he releases me, his smile instills in me that everything is going to be all right. It doesn’t matter what’s in store for our future, or what bites us from behind in our past, we have each other. A crazy, unorthodox, sometimes unlawful family. But a family nonetheless.

Lia joins in the hug, and JJ kisses her on top of the head. “I always wanted a daughter, and now I have one! I hope you’re ready for some serious shopping, Sadie.”

“Thanks, Lia. I’m ready, I think.”

“Oh, God. Does that mean more dresses that give me a fucking heart attack,” Ramsey groans from behind me, and I pull away from them both to slip my hands around the back of his neck and pull him to me for a kiss.

“You love it,” I murmur against his lips. He rolls his eyes playfully before kissing me long and slow.

“Now can we do shots?” Tex asks, thrusting a shot glass under my nose.

I take it from him and grin. “Down the hatch, Tex.” I raise it to his glass. “Cheers.” We clink them together, and I swallow it in one, gasping and wincing at the immediate burn.

“You’re gonna have to watch her, Ram, she’s gonna be able to drink you under the table sinking shots like that.”

Ramsey grabs up two more shots and passes me one. “To us,” he smiles, tapping the edge of his glass against mine. I don’t often drink, let alone shots, but I’ve never suffered a hangover, and I’ve always been able to hold a fair amount of alcohol for my small size, so I drop my head back as the shot slips down my throat, burning harder than the last one, and I swear it strips some of the skin on the way down.

“Ah.” Ruck sidles up beside us, looking a little worse for wear already. “Aren’t you two cute.” His hands are still heavily bandaged, although he does manage to hold a cigarette in one and a tumbler of whiskey in the other.

“You okay, Bro?”

“Never better.” He narrows his eyes, and the look he gives us doesn’t match the words coming from his mouth. “How’d you do it?” He jerks his chin toward me, and I look at him blankly.

“I don’t know what—”

“Come on,” he laughs. “First my brother. Now JJ. You think I can’t see through you?”

I look between him and Ram, my mouth gaping open then closed as I try and find the words to reply to him. I don’t know what he’s talking about. But he sounds bitter, and he certainly doesn’t look like he’s firing on all cylinders.

“Ruck,” Ramsey warns, his voice low and dangerous.

“Oh, relax, Bro.” He grins, patting Ramsey on the chest before dropping his cigarette on the floor and setting his empty glass on the table next to us. “I just came over to say congratulations.” His change of tone and fake smile makes me extremely uneasy, and I step backward as he steps toward me. “Welcome to the family, Sadie.” He holds out his hand with a smile on his face but contempt in his eyes. I glance to Ramsey for his reassurance, and he gives a tight nod, but I can see he’s losing his composure pretty quickly, and I hope for Ruck’s sake, he sorts himself out or steers clear for the rest of the night. I place my hand in his, nerves making my fingers tremble, but not wanting to rile him any more than he already seems.

But it was the wrong thing to do.

Despite his slurred words, he moves remarkably fast, and before Ramsey or I can act, Ruck has pulled me closer and spun me so my back is to his front, with his arm clamped tightly around my chest. He backs us against a wall and presses something cold, and hard to my temple.

An eerie feeling immediately surrounds us. The color drains from Ramsey’s face, and my legs start to weaken with fear. As every person in the room turns toward us, a weighted silence falls over them like a blanket until all we can hear is the music playing in the background.

“Put it down, Ruck, and let her go.” Ramsey speaks low and calmly, but his hands are shaking—with rage or fear, I don’t know.

“No,” he replies, laughing manically.

“Ruck.” Ramsey holds up his hands as he moves closer.

“Don’t!” Ruck yells, pushing what I now realize is a gun harder into my temple. “I swear, if any of you come even a step closer, I will put a bullet right through her brain.”

I notice JJ out of the corner of my eye, standing with his fists clenched tightly and battling with the need to step forward.

“Come on, man. Let’s grab a drink,” Ramsey offers, holding out his hand.

“Nah,” Ruck replies as though this were an everyday conversation in your everyday situation. “I’ve had a fair amount to drink already, plus a couple of lines of coke. I’m good.” I feel him nod behind me, but he doesn’t loosen his grip on the gun. I try to figure out if there’s a way I can safely get this all to stop. He needs help—that much is clear. But I can’t see how to diffuse this without putting someone at risk.

“Let Sadie go, and we’ll talk, yeah?” Ramsey offers.

“No, let’s talk here.” Bitterness drips from his tone and trickles down my spine. “Everyone stopped and listened to the big boss man about how he found his long lost daughter. I was half expecting you to stand up and talk about how you found the love of your life, and that you couldn’t be bothered with your brother anymore.”

“That’s not true, and you know it,” Ramsey tells him sternly.

“Do I?” he asks rhetorically. “Do you have any idea what happened to me in that lockup?”

“Ruck, this isn’t the time or the place. Let’s just go. I’ll drive you home, we’ll talk—”

“See, you’re not listening. You’re not hearing me. They fucked me up, brother.” His voice cracks, and I feel his arm slacken across my chest. “They fucked me up.”

“Let Sadie go, Ruck. She doesn’t deserve this,” Ramsey pleads, and JJ comes into view.

“Come on, son. Let her go.” JJ holds out his open palm, and Ruck’s breaths come faster in his chest as I feel him falling apart.

“I can’t do it,” he says, tears rolling down his face and dropping onto my bare shoulder. I almost relax in his hold because he’s so damn broken, he needs love to be fixed. “I’m sorry,” he sobs, and Ramsey nods, acknowledging his apology. “I’m sorry.”

Then a gunshot splits the air, and everything goes black.