I hated that Sloan wasn’t at the garage. The day droned on with me constantly worried about everyone at Crickett’s house. I knew it was the safest place to be, but without me there to actually protect her, I was uneasy.

After our last run to grab a repo, Red and I decided it was time to call it quits for the day.

“You ready to head on over to the bunker, kid?” Red threw his cut back on and started to make his way to the back door.

“Yeah, let’s lock up and head out.” Relief washed over me when I locked the last of the rolling doors and hit the light switch. I couldn’t get to Sloan’s side fast enough.

Walking into the house, my heart felt a million times lighter. Sloan was sitting on the couch, chatting with Raine. They were giggling about something, happily chatting away.

Her face lit up when she saw me. “Trent! I just felt the baby kick.”

I sank down onto the couch next to her. “That’s awesome, babe.”

Raine shot me a knowing grin. “Are there going to be any little Trents running around these parts eventually?”

She fucking loved to give all of us a hard time. I just rolled my eyes at our queen. “Let me change her last name before you start asking us shit like that.”

Sloan’s face turned every shade of red possible as she shoved my shoulder.

I kissed her cheek. “Just a joke, love. Either of you need anything?”

“If there’s juice, the baby would really appreciate it—oh, and bacon! See if Crickett has bacon!” Raine bounced a little as excitement emanated from her tiny body.

“We’ll see what I can scrounge up. Sloan? Beer?” I squeezed her shoulder a little while getting up.

“I’ll help you.”

We walked hand in hand into the kitchen where Crickett was stirring a pot of chili. Her famous chili could make a cowboy cry, I was just that damn good. I could smell the jalapeño cornbread in the oven.

“Damn, woman! That smells amazing.” I wrapped my arm around her. “How’re you holding up with everyone bombarding your place?”

She waved her hand dismissively. “You know I prefer it when the whole family is together.”

“The prego princess has requested bacon,” I stated, opening the fridge.

“Bottom drawer on the right. I’ll fry some up for her right now. Gotta keep the baby happy.” Sloan reached down and grabbed it for me while I filled up a glass with apple juice.

“Will you take that in to her?” I handed the cup to Sloan and she left without question after grabbing a beer for herself.

“How’s she doing?” I asked Crickett.

She cocked her head to the side. “She seems a little rattled, but she’s going to fit in here just fine. She likes you, I can tell.”

“Yeah?” I leaned on the counter, twisting open my beer bottle with my forearm.

Crickett nodded. “A woman like that doesn’t slum it for just any outlaw. Trust me, she’s a keeper.”

“Should I tell her what’s going on?” I mumbled as low as I possibly could.

Crickett pointed her finger at me. “You do not tell that poor girl anything. She has enough stressing her out right now. If she asks, deflect—you’re good at that.”

“Yes ma’am.” I help my hands up in surrender. Crickett was right, but I just hated omitting things when people asked.

Ryder walked up next to us. “How’d it go today at the shop?”

“Same old shit. Nothing to write home about.” I peeled the label off my Coors Light bottle.

“Do you think I’m overreacting?” Ryder glanced from me to Crickett.

She shook her head. “Not my place. Trent, stir the pot. I’m going to check on everyone, make sure they all know where they’re sleeping.”

“I don’t think you’re overreacting,” I finally answered, “I would probably do the exact same thing. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Ryder looked deflated. His shoulders were slumped, his eyes were bloodshot, and he barely had any color in his face. “I just don’t know what to do. I want to get each and every one of those fuckers, but they’re just going to keep coming. How do we keep everyone safe and avenge Abel?”

“Fuck if I know, man. Heavy the head that wears the crown.” I pointed to the patch on his chest. “Abel would be proud of you, you do know that, right?”

He opened another beer, taking a long pull. “Sometimes I feel like it shouldn’t be me wearing this patch. Holt, Red, Jesse, you…I mean, out of everyone, I feel like I deserve it the least.”

“And that is exactly why you need to be wearing it. We’re all worn and weathered. We’ve seen war, have more blood dripping from our hands than we know what to do with. You still have a fighting chance at doing something great with this club.”

“Thanks, man. I needed to hear that.” He slapped me on the shoulder. “Also, that chick is pretty cool. Raine seems to really like having her here.”

“I’m trying to convince her to stick around.” I couldn’t help the smile that spread on my face.

“Well, if there’s anything I can do to help make that happen, all you have to do is ask.” He gave me a little wink and then turned to head back over to where Raine and Sloan were still planted on the couch.

“Dinner time!” Crickett yelled, walking back into the kitchen.

“Need some help?” I asked, handing her back the wooden spoon.

“Get your butt in a chair at the table with everyone. I got this.” She turned off the burner and grabbed the muffin trays out of the oven.

It was nice to have everyone sitting around the table. There was no talk about revenge, rage, murder, the shop, the bar—nothing. It was just a big family having dinner together. We laughed, told old stories, drank way too much, and ate even more.

I looked over to Sloan as she snickered at something Raine said, and the lightheartedness of her laughter had me over the moon. Her cherry Cupid’s bow perked up, making her cheeks almost jiggle with elation. It was adorable. In that moment, I declared it my sole mission in life to never let that smile fade from her lips.

After dinner, I walked up to Ryder and Red on the front porch. I sat on the railing across from where Ryder was smoking a joint.

“Want some?” he offered.

“Nah, thanks though man. Hey, I was thinking…” I trailed off trying to find the right words.

Red chuckled. “That’s never a good sign.”

I ignored him. “What if Red, Sloan, and I head back to the garage and sleep there? That place is damn near a fortress when it is all locked up, and it’s fucking crowded as shit in this place.”

Ryder narrowed his eyes at me. “I feel like I should say no, but at this point, I’m too drunk and high to care what the fuck you do. Just don’t get yourselves killed. That’s all I ask.”

Red heaved up from his chair. “Fuck yeah. Take me home or lose me forever.” As he started to dig his keys out of his front pocket, he stumbled a little.

“Whoa there, big fella. How about I take Crickett’s truck and drive all three of us? We’ll come get the bikes in the morning. It’ll be better if our bikes aren’t out front anyway.”

Ryder pointed at me. “Damn, good thinking. Remind me to keep you around, brother.”

“You couldn’t get rid of me if you fucking tried, man.” I slapped Ryder on the shoulder before turning to Red. “You drunk ass, you’re going to break your damn leg if you get too close to those stairs.” I made Red sit back down so I could get Sloan and head back. I was fucking tired, and it was time for the day to end.

“Hey love, you ready to go?” I put my hand on the small of her back as her soft doe eyes locked onto mine.

“Go? I thought we had to stay here.”

I smirked and shook my head. “I got us a pass to play hooky.”

Raine grabbed my hand. “How fucked up is my husband right now?”

I laughed, putting my hand on her arm. “I am pretty sure he is pretty far gone. It’s time for you to take him to bed.”

“Fuck, that’s what I thought.”