Pulling up in front of Kings Construction, I grab my cut off the seat beside me before sliding out of my truck. It feels so fuckin' good to be back at work. Granted I'm not at one-hundred percent, so I am unable to work in the field, but coming into the office is a hell of a lot better than sittin' my ass at home every day. Since Mila and Ava have moved out, I can't take the emptiness of my place anymore. I used to love the peace and solitude I got from living alone, but now everything about my home is just… off. I miss having Ava's toys scattered around the living room floor. I miss hearing her talk about her day after coming home from preschool. But most of all, I feel a loss without Mila. I miss watching her in my kitchen as she would prepare dinner for us. I long walking into a room and smelling her sweet smell. Now when I'm at home there are no toys on my floor, there is no soft sound of Ava's laughter. The only thing that remains is Mila's scent. I swear to fuckin' Christ every time I close my eyes at night I can smell her. That is how much she has imprinted on me. And it takes everything in me not to go and get her and drag her ass back here… back to where she belongs.

Wanting to make sure she is still coming to the party this weekend, I take my phone out of my pocket and send her a quick text.

Me: Hey, Kitten. How's your day so far? How's Ava?

Kitten: We're okay. Just dropped Ava at preschool. How are you doing? You feeling okay? How was your PT appointment yesterday?

Me: PT was good. No more crutches.

Kitten: Really!!! That's fantastic!! I'm so proud of you!

Mila's last reply has me grinning like a fuckin' loon.

Me: Thanks, babe. Anyway, I wanted to see if you and Ava were still coming to the party this weekend?

Kitten: Of course. Ava misses you; she's excited to see you.

Me: Is Ava the only one who misses me?

It takes Mila a minute to reply, and when she does she gives me the response I was hoping for, and it's officially game fuckin' on.

Kitten: No. She's not the only one.

Me: See you this weekend gorgeous.

Walking in the door of Kings Construction, I'm greeted by our new receptionist Leah. Nikolai hired her a couple of weeks ago. Leah is Alba's friend from school. From what I understand she was having family issues and was needing a place to stay to get away from said family. With Leyna gone we needed a new receptionist. She lives with Alba's other friend Sam. I don't know Sam all that well, but he seems like a decent guy, and he's been a good friend to Alba. He even helped the club figure out who was stalking Alba. Sam is one of the applicants I'm interviewing today. I heard he lost his football scholarship and quit school. Alba said he was working construction before moving with Leah to Polson and was hoping to get hired on at Kings Construction.

"How ya doin' sweetheart?" I say to Leah who is sitting behind the reception desk. The poor girl looks just as scared and jumpy as she did the first time I saw her in the clubhouse the night she drove Alba home.

Pushing her glasses up her nose, she squeaks out, "Good morning, Mr. Carter."

"You can call me Reid, okay?" After she gives me a shy nod, I rap my knuckles on the counter, "I'll be in the office. When Sam gets here, send him on back."

Thirty minutes later after grabbing some coffee from the break room and going over today's applicants, I hear a knock on my office door. Looking up from my desk, I see Sam standing at my door waiting my permission to enter. Tipping my chin and standing I hold my hand out to the kid, "How's it going, man? Come in and have a seat."

Taking my offered hand, Sam answers, "Doing pretty good. I appreciate you taking the time to see me today, Mr. Carter."

This here is why I like the kid, not only did he earn some of my respect when he had the balls to show up at the clubhouse months ago to help Gabriel's woman, he's also respectful. Respect goes a long way with me. "Not a problem, glad you could make it. Your former boss emailed his recommendation, he had nothin' but good things to say about ya. He said he was sorry to see you go." I inform him as we both take our seats. "Yeah, I liked it there, and I hated leaving my boss short-handed and in a bind, but I did what I had to do for my friend. Her safety is more important."

Once those words left Sam's mouth, I knew I didn't need to hear any more. With his glowing recommendation and the fact that he's loyal as fuck to those he cares about, I know this kid is just what we need. "I've heard all I need to kid. I'm giving you the job." Picking up my pen, I scribble an address down on a piece of paper. "Be at this address tomorrow mornin' 7:00 am sharp."

I follow Sam out of the office and back up to the front. When I round the corner, I see Nikolai standing behind Leah, who's sitting at her desk. He's leaning over the back of her seat with his arms on each side of her and his palms on the desk, caging her in. The poor girl is stiff as a board, and her entire face has turned red as Nikolai mutters something into her ear. A few seconds later they both realize they have an audience. I look at Sam and see a shit eating grin on his face, and if possible, Leah's blush turns an even deeper shade of red. Without saying a word to his friend, Sam tips his head to me then leaves.

"How'd the interview go?" Nikolai asks, completely ignoring what just happened.

"I hired him, have a good feeling about the kid." Deciding to pull a Quinn and be nosey, I ask, "Want to tell me what that was all about?" I motion in Leah's direction as Nikolai follows me back down the hall and into my office. Shrugging his shoulders, "Nothing to tell, yet." Knowing what he means I let that be the end of the conversation. "Alright man, I'm going to head out and check on the new job site before calling it a day. Will I be seeing ya at the party this weekend?"

"I wouldn't miss it, man. I'll be there," Nikolai confirms.

* * *

It's early evening when I make it back home. Usually I would stop by the clubhouse and have a drink with my brothers, but I'm bone tired. Even though my PT has been cut back to once every two weeks and I'm off the crutches, I'm still not back at one-hundred percent. Not that I'm complaining, because my injuries could have been worse, hell I've had worse. I know how lucky I am. Deciding to forgo a shower right now, I head straight to my bedroom, strip off my clothes and sit on the edge of my bed. Reaching down, I take the prosthesis from my leg, then my compression sleeve and rub the swollen red flesh. Once some of the ache has diminished, I lie back in my bed. Seconds after my head hits my pillow; I'm out.

* * *

It's Saturday morning, and I'm in my bathroom staring at my reflection. The dream I woke up from just moments ago has me seeing shit in a whole new light. For the first time in a long time, I feel at peace. The dream started out the same as it always does, only this time there was no truck, and there was no death.

"I'm gonna miss you, Reid. I'll even miss the rest of the family. The club-they're my brothers too."

"Fuck, California isn't that far away. I'll be comin' to visit every chance I get."

My brother looks at me somberly, "I'm not going to California, Reid."

"What the hell you talkin' about, Noah?"

He shakes his head. "It wasn't meant to be. God has a different plan for me. But know that I'm happy, Reid. You don't have to worry about me. You don't have to be sad or angry anymore. Everything is just as it should be. It's time for you to take your life back, Reid."

I'm so confused all I can do is stare at my brother. After a moment he speaks again. "Will you do something for me, big brother?"

"I'd do anything for you, Noah. You know that."

"I know Reid. And I know you'll make me proud."

I furrow my brow in confusion. "What do you mean? Noah, you're not making sense."

"Not right now I'm not, but soon everything will make sense. And I'm counting on you not to let me down, Reid. I need my big brother to do me one more solid, okay. Promise me."

"I've got your back little brother. I always do." I agree, giving him my word.

He gives me a big smile, "I knew I could count on you."

My brother's parting words just before I wake up. "Oh, and Reid…"

I cut my eyes to him one last time, "Yeah?"

"Cut your damn hair."

So, standing in front of my bathroom mirror with the hair clippers in my hand, I'm going to give Noah what he asked for, I'm cutting my hair. Shaving the sides all the way down to my scalp, I leave a few inches of length on the top. Then I take my razor and finish off the sides. Once I'm done I look at the person I haven't seen since I lost my brother. I see… me. With the sides of my head shaved you can now see my tattoo. The same one Noah had. Only his was on the back of his shoulder. It's a black and grey skull with red roses. Our pops had the same tat. After he passed Noah and I got the tattoo in his honor. When Noah died, I let my hair grow. Looking in the mirror was a constant reminder that he was no longer here. But now looking in the mirror, I feel different. I feel him with me. And I'm not only honoring my Pops; I'm also honoring Noah.

Walking back to my room, I dress in a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt and my cut. Grabbing the keys to my bike off my dresser, I make my way to the lift. This will be the first time in a couple of months that I have rode my bike and I can't wait to feel the wind on my face. I straddle my bike, then I start it up. I close my eyes and enjoy the rumble and the vibration beneath me. Fuckin' heaven.

When I pull up to the clubhouse, I park my bike and make my way around back. As I round the corner, I can already hear talking and laughter. Once I come into view, all talking ceases. Now everyone's eyes are trained on me. All my brothers including Gabriel have smiles on their faces, while Bella and Alba both have their mouths hanging open in shock. Neither one of them has ever seen me like this, seen the real me. Quinn is the first to break the silence.

"Long time, no see, motherfucker!"

I walk up to the people I consider family, "Yeah, I know, but better late than never, right?" I catch movement to my right, and I see Prez stepping up to me.

"Glad to see ya, son," he says pulling me in for a hug.

"Thanks, Prez." I return.

A couple of hours later I'm sitting outside at a table with my brothers when I feel a set of arms snake around my neck from behind. Looking over my shoulder, I see Liz our club whore. Her actions piss me the fuck off. I have no idea what the hell her game is since I haven't touched her ass in over a year. That's when I see Mila standing about ten feet behind us with a look of shock and hurt all over her gorgeous face.

Son of a bitch.

With Ava on her hip, she quickly turns around and rushes off in Bella's direction. I don't miss the death glare on Bella's face either. Gripping Liz by her wrists, I toss her arm off me as I stand. Leaning in real close to the bitch's face, "I know what you're trying to do, but your games won't work on me. Don't ever fucking touch me again," I seethe. With a slight shove, Liz teeters back, almost falling. The only thing on my mind right now is Mila.

Striding across the yard, I put myself on a direct path to Mila. I step in front of Bella who is currently holding Ava while whispering to her friend, warning her of my arrival. "Kitten," I rumble, "I need to speak with you," I demand, taking her hand in mine and leading her across the clubhouse lawn past all the lingering eyes, past Quinn and his obnoxious shit-eating grin and walk inside. Coming to the first door I see, which happens to be a bathroom, I stop. Tugging Mila inside behind me, I close the door and lock it before I press her against it with my body.

"What are you doing?" she asks with a slight pitch to her voice.

"Just wanted to say hi."

She narrows her gold colored eyes at me, "Well, now that you've said it, you can let me go, and go back to your friend."

Bringing my face a mere inch from hers, I stress my next words carefully. "Liz is not my friend, in fact, she is nothing to me. The whore is just a shit stirring troll." After a moment she seems satisfied with my sincerity and nods. With her face still a breath away from mine Mila licks her lips, and states, "You look… different."

Reaching her hand up, she runs her soft, delicate fingers over the tattoo on my freshly shaved head. "I like it," she admits in a low raspy voice. The words barely leave her mouth when I bring my lips crashing down on hers. We both let out a moan as our tongues make their way into one anothers mouth. Both desperately seeking each others taste. Without thought, I run my palm down the front of Mila's dress and slip my hand underneath until I find what I’m looking for.

"Reid," Mila moans into my mouth as I guide my hand inside of her panties, and I run my finger through her slit, my actions causing her to buck her hips.

"So fuckin' wet for me," I growl. When I see the look in her eyes that says she is starting to overthink things, I lean in and whisper into her ear. "Close your eyes Kitten, just feel and let me take care of you." As soon as the words leave my mouth, Mila closes her eyes, and her body relaxes completely into me. Pressing my palm against her clit, I slip one finger inside of her pussy. Feeling how tight she is has me so fuckin' hard, and I wish it were my cock inside of her instead. When I feel her walls begin to tighten around my finger, I rest my forehead against hers, "Come for me, Kitten." As soon as the command leaves my mouth Mila's pussy spasms around my finger and I take her mouth with mine, swallowing her cry as her orgasm crashes through her.

Once her breathing is back under control and the fog has lifted from her brain, I feel the change in Mila as she stiffens under me. When I pull back, I can see an embarrassed look on her face, and she refuses to meet my eyes. I'm not having it. "Babe, look at me." When she ignores me and starts to fidget, I tip her chin and force her to look at me. "Don't you dare be embarrassed by what just happened. Watching you come undone was the sexiest thing I've ever seen. And I plan on making you come again, only next time it will be on my cock when I'm deep inside your sweet pussy. When it happens, it damn sure won't be inside a bathroom. It will be at home in my bed, where I will spend all night worshiping your body. Now tell me you get me, Kitten." Mila nods her head so I ask her again, "I need words, babe." With a shuttered breath she gives me what I ask for.

"Yeah, Reid. I got you."

Flipping the lock on the bathroom door, I go to take Mila's hand once again only to have her stop me.

"Don't you want to maybe… uh… wash your hand before we go back out there?" She inquires pointing to the hand that she just came all over. Turning my body slightly towards her and looking over my shoulder, I lift the finger that was just inside of her and put them it my mouth, causing Mila's to open hers in shock. Once I've sucked it clean, I give her a wink. "Sweetest thing I ever fuckin' tasted."