Chapter Thirty-Nine
RHYS
Two weeks have gone by since the shit with Blake went down, and everyone is finding a new normal.
Bristol started therapy at my mom’s suggestion, even putting her in touch with someone she trusts and who has experience with trauma and domestic violence.
She started a few days ago, and she feels like it’s something she’s going to benefit from.
I’m more than supportive of it. Anything for her.
Tonight is the first clubhouse party since Rolo’s birthday, and while I wanted to keep Bristol in my room all night long, she wanted to come.
There hasn’t been any discussion of her finding her own place, but I’m going to suggest she stay here until we move out into one of the houses on the property together.
I hope like hell she wants that because even a night away from her would be painful.
Chaos and Saige walk into the common area, surveying everyone and coming to a hard stop.
“Sin. Why the fuck is there a dog in our clubhouse?”
Oh yeah. Bristol and I couldn’t leave Harvey at the shelter anymore, since we both have grown such an attachment to him. I stroke the soft fur of Mr. Bun-Buns, looking down at my dog next to my seat on the couch.
“Oh, that’s Harvey. He’s our pet now. Hell’s Heathens needed a hound, don’t you think?”
“No, I don’t think.”
“Buuuut, Preeeez, he’s sooo cute! Look at him!
” Malice whines, dropping to his knees at Chaos’ feet, clasping his hands up to beg.
“Let him stay, Prez. Sin is right, we needed a pet, and he needs us. He was broken down by people just like we all were. It only makes sense.” Bristol giggles, and it’s so fucking cute, I can’t help but drop a kiss to her temple.
“Get the fuck off the floor, Mal, you’re being ridiculous. He can’t stay here.”
“He has to! He needs us!”
Chaos looks around at all of us, then looks back at Harvey, curled on the floor, sleeping next to the couch. The moment his face falls, I know we’ve got him, and Mal does too. Leave it to him to get what he wants for all of us. Not that I would be giving Harvey back to the shelter. He’s ours.
“Ah-ha! He’s ours! Our first club pet! I’m gonna get him a property patch!” Malice announces.
“He’ll grow on you, just like the group chat did,” I tell him, earning me his middle finger as he walks toward us.
“Bristol, you got a minute? Something I need to talk to you about,” Chaos asks, addressing her, running his hands through his long, dark hair.
My head cocks to the side at him, wondering what the fuck he’s up to.
Bristol looks up at me, not looking for permission, but reassurance that she’s not heading to her death with this unhinged bastard.
“You’re good, my love. I’ll be right here waiting when you get back.”
“You’re coming, too,” Chaos says as he turns and walks toward the double doors that lead to church. I stand, placing my hand on the small of her back, and guide her to the room that barely any women have seen.
Chaos is sitting at the head of the table, where he always is, and motions for us to take a seat.
I’ve got no idea what any of this could be about, so I’m on high alert, wondering if some other shit show is about to be thrown at us when things just started to get easier. All I want is fucking peace.
“I owe you an apology. My brother died shortly after I became president, and I worked tirelessly to protect my family for a decade. Then enemies started to encroach and threatened everything I had worked hard for. I don’t trust easily, I don’t give my love freely, but once you’re in with me, you’re in for life.
You didn’t deserve the welcome you got when you showed up here needing help.
And brother,” he says, focusing his eyes on me, “you didn’t deserve the lack of support I gave you. ”
“It’s water under the bridge, brother. We’re good. We’ll always be good.”
“I appreciate your apology, Chaos, but—”
“Please, call me Camden.”
“Camden. But I get it. This is your family, your home, and I ran here and brought so much shit to your front door. I appreciate you all taking me in, for helping me and Kira, and dealing with Blake . . . Just thank you, Camden.”
“Believe it or not, despite my attitude, that’s what we do here. We don’t go looking for trouble, but we protect those who can’t protect themselves, and we aren’t afraid to handle shit when it comes to us. Don’t be sorry for anything.”
“I appreciate that,” Bristol tells him, and I can tell how honest she’s being. I reach for her under the table, my hand squeezing her thigh in support.
“I heard about your shelter, Bloomfield Animal Haven, and how you lost your funding. It’s not going to be anything like it was, but if you’ll accept it, I’d like to make a donation on the club’s behalf.
It’s enough to hold you over for a year, and Wrath said he’d work with you to help you secure something long-term. No strings attached, no obligations.”
Not a lot shocks me. But this did it. Bristol feels the same way, her hand flying to her mouth and muffling her gasp.
She composes herself, standing quickly and walking over to Chaos.
He stands, accepting her hug. We all are pretty territorial, not liking other patch brothers touching what’s ours, but I let this one go, and so does he.
“Thank you, Camden. Thank you. The shelter means the world to me. I don’t know what to say.”
“You already said it. You make my brother happy, and that’s what matters most to me. There’s one last thing.”
My eyebrow arches, eyes squinting. What the fuck is he up to?
“There are several houses on the property. You’re welcome to one of them for as long as you need. If that means forever, so be it, but there’s no pressure for you to make decisions while you get on your feet.”
Bristol’s eyes go wide, looking from Chaos and back to me like she’s not comprehending the magnitude of what he’s doing.
“If you want space, Bristol, just let me know, and I’ll make sure he stays in his room here with us. You’re in control, you have all the power,” he tells her, and I don’t think I’ve ever respected him more. And we’ve been through some shit.
Chaos sets a set of keys between them, a little tag with the house number on it. I know exactly where it is. It’s the two-story in the middle of the field at the far end of our property line. Perfect for animals.
“You’re sure, Camden? I can just use it until I’ve saved enough to buy a place of my own, I don’t have to stick around—”
“As long as you need. Build a life there, for all we care. It’s up to you. You owe me and this club nothing in return. We’d do the same for any of us.”
Chaos stands, signaling to me that the conversation is done and it’s time to leave. I guide Bristol toward the door, letting her step out first, leaving me alone with Chaos for a moment.
“Thank you, brother.”
“I guess I didn’t forget how to apologize.”
“Nope. Now just work on smiling once in a while,” I jest.
“You know I love you.”
“You know I feel the same. Now, let’s hope for peace.”
“We deserve it after the year we’ve had.”
Chaos and I leave church just as the front doors of the clubhouse burst open in a flourish, Saige’s best friend waltzing in like he’s on a runway, hips swaying side to side.
Saige set him up with everything we managed to pull together to make a case against Sheldon Evercrest and his business dealings.
After he looked it over, he was positive it was enough.
It took a week before we had an update. Sheldon Evercrest and a slew of associates were arrested and charged with offenses a mile long.
It was one of the largest human trafficking rings the United States had ever seen.
We all sleep better knowing those pieces of shit are behind bars, even though my family and I would have much rather been able to deal with them our way.
But sometimes things are just bigger than you, and you have to adapt.
“Oh! It’s a party in here! I am all about this! And who are you, handsome? I am digging the hair,” Seb says as he combs a hand through Malice’s wild blond locks that are sticking up in various directions. “Saige, ladybug, you didn’t tell me you were keeping all the yummy toys in here!”
“I’m Malice, but for you, I’ll be Crew. Want to see the dungeon?”
“Oh, baby boy, you are going to be a delight. Show Seb the way!”
Saige grabs her best friend’s arm as Malice bounds in the direction of his door that leads downstairs. “You know it’s not a real dungeon, right? That’s just what he calls it. It’s a—”
“Honey, I’m gonna stop you right there. I know exactly what he means, and I can’t wait to explore it. You’ve caught me in enough precarious situations on our journey together, you know I’ll be okay.”
Saige laughs, brushing it off. “Have fun, text someone else if something happens to get stuck this time. I’ve seen you naked more times than I can count. I don’t want to add Malice to that number.”
“I’ll call your tall drink of water if I need something,” he says while giving Chaos a wink. I bark out an uncontrollable laugh. Seb may be my new favorite person.
My hands circle Bristol’s waist, whispering into her ear. “I’m going to get us some drinks, my love, anything you’d like?”
“A beer or a hard cider would be amazing.”
“Anything for you.”
I head to the bar to get us our drinks when Rolo comes up beside me, patting me on the back.
“You look happier.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I was right, being a husband looks good on you.”
I laugh at that. “Well, I’m not a husband yet, but I hope someday she’ll give me the privilege.”
“It’ll happen. Marrying Morgan was the best decision I ever made. She keeps that human side of me at the forefront when it’s so easy to give in to the Heathen.”
I turn and look at him, meeting his eyes, knowing I’ve been feeling the same way for so long. It makes me wonder how many of us here have the same thoughts, constantly teetering on that edge of giving completely in to the darkness that calls to us.