Prez showed up this morning looking like he'd been through hell. He briefly pulled me to the side just before church letting me know about a text he received from an unknown number claiming to be Grace. She was letting him know she wouldn't be coming back to town for awhile, if at all. He didn't disclose any other details except for the fact it's not settling too well with him. Therefore, we have another issue on our hands to investigate.

The Louisiana chapter ended up staying an extra day longer than expected to make sure there wouldn't be any fall out from the asshole who tried to harm Emerson. However they did come here for more than a good time, we're all heading in to church so they can get on the road today.

"Jake, good to see ya, brother. You missed a good party the other night," Riggs stops just before entering the room and shakes Prez's hand.

"Riggs. Sorry, I had to miss it," Jake replies his tone tired and a little scratchy.

"No worries. Next time you come down south, I'll make sure you don't miss out." Riggs places his hand on Prez's shoulder telling him.

"I'll hold you to it, brother," Prez tells him. And they walk into the room.

Once everyone files in, the meeting starts. We run over the usual bullshit before Riggs, and his other officers fill us in on matters down south. It turns out they are having a bit of a problem with a couple of local gangs starting turf wars in the area, and one is pushing some heavy shit. Things sound like they are starting to get bad just as Riggs stated yesterday.

Leaning back in his chair Prez asks, "What do you need us to do?"

"I'm aware you’ve gotten out of the gun trade, but I need to get my hands on a few things. My list of items is particular to my style and my taste." Riggs tells him.

Prez drums his knuckles on the table a few beats as he thinks. His eyes cut to mine. "You think your old man could help us out?"

I bob my head. More than confident my dad will make good on anything, I reply, "I can give him a call."

Pulling a piece of paper from his pocket, Fender slides it across the table. Jake unfolds and reads it before handing it to me. It’s a list of materials and supplies. Military grade equipment mostly. Shit. Riggs was serious about being particular and hard to get.

M40A5/6/7 Sniper Rifle

NVDs (night vision goggles)

M4A1s

Just to name a few.

I lift my eyes from the paper. With a raised eyebrow I look at him.

His shoulders shrug, "I'm a bit of a prepper. I like being ready for anything. Including war," he admits.

"The moment you need our presence you let me know. We'll ride down and help clean house," Prez tells him.

"Good to know, brother. For right now I think watching them is best. I don't want to make them jumpy. Not yet anyway."

I fold the paper and slide it back to Prez. I'll let him and my dad sort out the details like they used to. The rest of church is hashing out plans for a run and sparking interest in the club. Gain a few recruits throughout the rest of the year. See if we can build our numbers. When it's over, we gather outside.

Riggs, Fender and Kiwi gear up to head out, minus one prospect.

"Had a good time. You come on down when you get the chance, and we will show you how we do it in Louisiana. Ya?" Riggs announces as he throws his leg over his bike and slides his shades over his eyes.

"You got it," I tell him.

"You bring dat pretty woman of yours too," he smirks.

Aside from the incident with Emerson, the weekend went well. Everyone had a good time and took care of business at the same time. Once they’ve cleared the property line, the guys and I head back inside. I pull my phone from my pocket and check the time. Gabriel walks up and plants his large hand on my shoulder, "Today is the day?"

He's referring to the first day I'll be meeting Breanna. I'd like to say I'm fine; the truth is I'm nervous as fuck. Bella has had more time to bond with her and get to know her little personality. I've watched her settle into the mom role, and it looks so beautiful on her. I want that too. I want to feel what she is feeling. I want the baby to connect with me. What if she doesn't? What if I don't feel the connection Bella talks about all the time? I want kids more than anything. I don't care how that comes about, but what if I've missed that crucial time where we can form our bond. "I meet Bella at the hospital in an hour," I tell him.

"It's the best feeling ever, brother," Gabriel confesses. One last pat and he walks away. Walking into the kitchen, I head to the cabinet and grab a coffee mug from inside. Pouring the coffee into the cup, I carry it to the table and take a seat next to Reid whose nursin' his own as he types away on his laptop. Whatever he's doing he has an intense look on his face.

Curiosity getting the best of me, so I ask him, "What up?"

Pausing he picks up his coffee and takes a drink, "Prez asked me to see what I could dig up on Grace."

I guess he isn't entirely convinced himself Grace wanted to leave. I'm not entirely convinced myself. I rub and stretch my neck trying to work the tension out of it. I feel Reid studying me. With a raise of my brow, indicating he needs to speak whatever it is that's on his mind, he finally spills.

"It was unexpected. The connection I have with Ava. She may be a part of my brother- my blood, but I wasn't there for the first four years of her life. We were strangers, but she accepted me- loved me just as I loved her from day one. Hearing her call me daddy for the first time was one of the most defining moments in my life," he tells me.

I don't say anything. He wouldn't have said a thing if he couldn't have read me right. The whole club knows everything at this point. Our loss is now their loss. Our goals, dreams, and determination mingle with their support as they do everything they can to help them become a reality.

I gulp down the last of my coffee and stand. "I'll see ya later," I tell Reid as I keep my thoughts and emotions in check.