Chapter 3
THREE
CHLOE
A year later
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, tugging at the curve-hugging emerald green fabric of my bridesmaid dress. Damn, I clean up nice. Who would've thought this broken girl could be standing here, in the Iron Reapers clubhouse, about to watch her best friend walk down the aisle?
My hands tremble slightly as I adjust the sweetheart neckline. Nerves and excitement swirl in my stomach like oil and water. Sophie's getting hitched today. My guardian angel who got me through the toughest years of my life. I blink back the sting of tears. We've both come so damn far.
Snatching my bouquet of red roses and baby's breath, I stride to the door and yank it open.
The hallway pulses with energy - a whirlwind of leather and lace. Brothers and their old ladies scurry about in their wedding finest. Loud laughter and raunchy jokes bounce off the walls, mingling with the steady thump of bass from the sound system. I inhale deeply, the scent of whiskey, cigarettes and Sophie's favorite vanilla candles filling my lungs.
I stroll down the hallway, my heels clicking on the scuffed hardwood. A brother passes by and wolf-whistles at me. I roll my eyes but can't suppress my smile. A year ago that would have sent me spinning, now I know it isn’t meant to be anything but a compliment.
I round the corner into the main room and halt, drinking it all in. Twinkling fairy lights cast a magical glow over everything. Delicate tulle and satin ribbons drape the walls, softening the harsh edges. Who knew Perdition could clean up so good?
And there, in the center of it all, stands my girl. Sophie. A vision in white, her dress flaring out from her tiny waist like a bell of fresh cream. Butter yellow rosebuds peek out from her wild tangle of curls. She's biting her plump bottom lip, eyes round and shining with unshed tears as she looks around in wonder.
In this moment, she's not that broken woman anymore. She's a phoenix, risen from the ashes. Strong. Powerful. Incandescent. And I'll be damned if I let anyone clip her wings ever again.
I weave my way through the bustling room, dodging patches and leather cuts, until I reach Sophie's side. She turns to me, her face alight with joy and nerves.
"Chloe," she breathes, clasping my hands tight. "I can't believe this is really happening."
"Believe it, babe." I tuck a stray curl behind her ear, cupping her face gently. "You deserve every bit of this happiness. Tank is head over heels for you."
Sophie ducks her head, pink staining her cheeks. "I love him so much it scares me sometimes," she whispers. "Is it crazy to be this happy after everything?"
"Crazy? Nah. It's a damn miracle." I pull her in close, mindful of the delicate dress, and just breathe her in. Girly and sweet like honeysuckle. "You fought like hell to get here. Both of you. This is your reward."
Sniffling, Sophie squeezes me back fiercely before pulling away. She swipes at her misty eyes, careful not to smudge the mascara we so painstakingly applied. "No crying yet! I promised Tank I'd make it down the aisle without turning into a total mess."
“Good luck with that." Carlie pops up beside us, grinning impishly. "I give it two minutes tops before the waterworks start."
"Such a softie, our Sophie," Jenny chimes in, bumping her hip against Sophie's playfully.
Sophie huffs out a laugh, flipping them both off. "Screw you guys. I'm a motherfucking bad ass biker bride."
Carlie throws an arm around Sophie's shoulders, careful not to mess up her veil. "In all seriousness though, honey, you look absolutely stunning. Tank’s eyeballs are gonna fall right outta his head when he sees you coming down that aisle."
Sophie preens under the compliment, standing a little taller, blue eyes sparkling. "Ya think?"
Jenny nods. "That man won't know what hit him."
Pride surges through my chest, fierce and bright. My brave, beautiful little bird, ready to fly. And I'll be right there to catch her if she falters. Always.
"Alright, alright, enough chit chat," I say, slipping effortlessly into bossy bitch mode. "Let's get this show on the road before the natives get restless."
On cue, raucous hoots and hollers erupt from outside, the distinct rumble of bikes filling the air. The cavalry has arrived.
Sophie's smile is blinding, incandescent. She squares her slim shoulders, sucks in a shaky breath. "I'm ready."
And hand in hand, hearts full to bursting, we step out into the sunshine together. Toward the next chapter. The rest of our lives.
Just a couple of broken dolls, pieced back together with tears and sisterhood and the unshakable love of some damn good men.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
As we make our way outside, a wave of memories floods my mind, slamming into me with the force of a freight train. Fragments of my old life, jagged and bitter, slice through the joy of the day, reminding me of just how far I've come.
"Chloe? Honey, you okay?" Sophie's concerned voice yanks me back to the present. To sunlight and safety. Home.
I blink, shaking off the clinging cobwebs of the past. "Yeah, sorry. Just...remembering."
She squeezes my hand, understanding shining in her eyes. No need for words. We both carry our scars, visible and otherwise.
The roar of engines grows louder, dragging my gaze out the window to the long line of bikes rumbling down the dirt road. Leather and chrome glinting in the sun, an undeniable display of strength and solidarity.
And at the head of the pack, a familiar figure astride a massive black Harley. Dagger.
My heart does a traitorous little flip in my chest as he dismounts, tall frame unfolding with lethal grace. Jesus, the man is pure sex in worn denim and scuffed leather. Dangerous. Delicious.
The thrum of anticipation builds. Carlie fusses with Sophie's veil, tears glistening in her eyes. Jenny secures a delicate strand of pearls at Sophie's throat. I step closer, my heart so full it aches. "Soph..." Words stick in my throat, tangled up with a thousand unspoken emotions.
She turns to me, ethereal in the soft light. "I know, Chlo." Her hand finds mine, squeezing. "I wouldn't be here without you."
"Damn straight." I laugh, blinking back the sting of tears. "You're gonna rock this wife thing."
Sophie giggles, a sound of pure joy. The haunted shadows in her eyes have faded, replaced by a fierce hope that leaves me breathless.
"It's time," Carlie murmurs, ushering us into formation.
The first strains of the wedding march reach my ears as we step into the sunlight. I falter, stunned by the transformation of the Iron Reapers compound.
Twinkling lights drape the trees, their soft glow a stark contrast to the row of gleaming motorcycles flanking the aisle. Wildflowers spill from mason jars, a riot of color against the weathered wood of the benches. Rugged men in black leather stand shoulder to shoulder with women in sundresses, a beautiful collision of worlds.
And at the end of it all, Tank waits at the altar, his brothers at his side. Their cuts are pristine, hair slicked back, boots polished to a high shine. The sight steals the breath from my lungs.
Sophie's hand tightens on my arm as we begin our march, the steady beat of the music guiding our steps. The guests turn, smiles blooming on roughened faces. I spot a familiar flash in the sea of leather. Prez and Hawk, shoulders squared like sentinels.
My gaze locks with Dagger's, and the rest of the world fades away.
The music swells as Sophie takes her place beside her man, their hands entwined. And as the vows begin, I let the tears fall freely.
Tears of gratitude. Of hope. Of a love that's clawed its way through blood and bullets to something beautiful.
In this gritty slice of heaven, a place of chrome and leather and fierce loyalty, we've all been reborn. Forged in the fires of our pasts, tempered by the unbreakable bonds of our present.
And as Sophie and Tank seal their forever with a kiss, I whisper a silent promise to the sky above.
We'll ride this wild road together, come what may. A family. A club.
An iron-clad love that will never yield.
The roar of the crowd erupts around us, a cacophony of cheers and revving engines. Sophie and Tank break apart, their faces full of happiness.
I catch Sophie's eye as she turns, her smile brighter than the goddamn sun. She mouths a silent "thank you," and I nod, my heart too full for words.
Tank sweeps her into his arms, spinning her around like she weighs nothing. She laughs, and I feel a weight lift from my chest.
We've come so far, fought tooth and nail for this slice of happiness. The road behind us is littered with the wreckage of our pasts, but the path ahead stretches out like an open highway.
As the newlyweds make their way back down the aisle, I fall into step beside them. The other club members close ranks, a protective wall of leather and muscle.
We move as one, a pack, a family. Bound not by blood, but by something far stronger. Loyalty. Sacrifice. Love.
Perdition's doors slam open, and we spill inside, laughter and shouts echoing off the walls. Drinks are shoved into hands, hugs and backslaps exchanged.
I watch Sophie and Tank, lost in each other's eyes as they sway to the music, I feel something deep in my chest. Hope. Belief. The knowledge that even in the darkest of nights, love can light the way home.
As the night progresses, I find a quiet moment with Sophie. We slip away from the party, our hands intertwined as we navigate the hallways of Perdition. The muffled sounds of music and laughter fade behind us, replaced by the gentle creaking of old floorboards beneath our feet.
We step into a small room, a makeshift sanctuary amidst the chaos. Sophie turns to me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Chloe..." she whispers, her voice trembling. "I wouldn't be here without you."
I pull her into a tight embrace, my own vision blurring. "We saved each other, Soph. You're the sister I never had."
She clings to me, her small frame shaking with emotion. "I'm so fucking grateful for you, for this family. I never thought I'd find a place where I belonged, where I could be myself."
I stroke her hair, understanding the depth of her words. We've both been through hell, battled our demons, and emerged stronger. The bond we share is unbreakable, forged in the fires of our shared trauma and the love we've found in this unlikely place.
"You're stuck with me now," I tease, lightening the mood. "We're gonna grow old together, raise hell, and watch our kids wreak havoc on the world."
Sophie laughs, a watery smile brightening her face. "I can't wait."
Eventually, we make our way back to the party, arms linked, hearts full. I watch as Sophie is swept into a dance by her new husband, their love a force that seems to light up the room.
I step outside, needing a moment to myself. The cool night air kisses my skin and I welcome it. I lean against the wall, tipping my head back to gaze at the stars.