Chapter 24
TWENTY-FOUR
CHLOE
A few months later
The girls invited me over to make some Iron Reapers MC t-shirts, but I should have known they had something else up their sleeves. As soon as I push open the heavy, creaky doors of Perdition, a wave of cheers hits me. Pale yellow and green balloons bob in the air, and a banner—strung between two rusted chandeliers—proclaims, "Welcome Baby Steele!"
The sight makes me laugh and blink back tears at the same time. It’s a mix of hilarity and sweetness that somehow suits this place perfectly. My cheeks already ache from smiling, and I’ve barely made it past the door.
I waddle in further, one hand on my lower back and the other resting on my enormous belly. Nine months along, and every inch of me feels it. The baby’s been kicking up a storm, as if they’re just as restless as I am. The idea of giving birth any day now has me on edge, but today isn’t about that. Today is about celebrating, and love practically radiates from every corner of the room.
"Surprise!" Sophie’s voice cuts through the cheerful chaos. She’s holding a cupcake stand decorated with biker-themed pastries. Tiny motorcycles and sugar skulls sit atop fluffy frosting. Her grin is wide and infectious—pure Sophie.
"You sneaky, sneaky women!" I laugh, my voice hitching with emotion. "I can’t believe you pulled this off."
Carlie steps forward, camera in hand. "We’ve been planning for months. You’re not easy to fool, Chloe."
"It’s a miracle she didn’t catch on," Sophie adds, ducking a playful swat from me.
Jenny joins in, balancing a tray of snacks. "We just wanted to do something special for you. You deserve it."
The room is buzzing with energy. Familiar faces fill the space—club women, old and new. The men hang back in clusters, their leather jackets looking out of place amid the pastel decorations. The sight of Tank awkwardly holding a teacup nearly makes me burst out laughing. Mason and Gavin are by the bar, beers in hand, their banter lively. Then there’s Dagger.
He’s standing by the gift table, a cluster of balloons in one hand, the other resting casually on his mom’s shoulder. Evelyn is smiling as she chats with Frank, her husband and Dagger’s new stepdad. Frank’s quiet humor and steady presence have made him an easy addition to the family dynamic. Seeing them together fills my heart in a way I didn’t know was possible.
"What’s all this?" Dagger’s voice pulls my attention. He strides over, the silver ring on his left hand catching the light—a quiet but powerful reminder of how much has changed. We got married just a few weeks after the raid at the docks, a whirlwind decision that somehow felt like the easiest one we’d ever made. He plants a kiss on my temple, his voice warm and teasing. "Looks like my wife is the center of attention."
"More like completely spoiled," I reply, nudging him gently. Moving is a feat with this belly, but his closeness makes everything feel more manageable. Over the past few months, his mom, Evelyn, and I have grown close, her steady support making her feel like the mother I always wanted, but never had. She’s been by my side through it all, helping me navigate this new chapter of life with kindness and wisdom.
"You deserve it," Dagger says, his tone soft and steady. He brushes a strand of hair from my face, his touch as grounding as ever. I lean into the gesture, the weight of his love and the security he brings washing over me. Dagger isn’t just my husband—he’s my rock, the unwavering center of my world.
Evelyn steps forward, her warm eyes crinkling as she smiles. "You look beautiful, sweetheart. Absolutely glowing."
I chuckle, shaking my head. "If by glowing, you mean sweating like crazy and ready to pop, then sure. Thank you."
Her laugh is warm and easy, and she pats my hand reassuringly. "You’re doing wonderfully."
The next couple of hours blur together in a mix of laughter, games, and food. A diaper-changing relay has Mason swearing under his breath when Gavin beats him by twenty seconds. Carlie snaps photos of everything, especially when Sophie convinces a reluctant Tank to wear a baby bonnet for the “cutest biker baby” contest. Spoiler: the teddy bear wins.
"Open the gifts!" someone calls out, and soon, I’m seated in the most comfortable chair in the room. Packages are piled around me, wrapped in everything from shiny pink paper to crumpled newspaper comics.
"This one’s from us," Evelyn says, handing me a box wrapped neatly in soft tissue paper. I open it carefully and pull out a quilt. It’s handmade, and colorful, with little motorcycles stitched into the corners.
"It’s beautiful," I whisper, my voice catching. Evelyn’s smile is knowing as I glance up at her.
The other gifts are equally thoughtful: tiny leather jackets, onesies that say "Born to Ride," and enough diapers to stock a small warehouse. Dagger stays back, watching with an amused but proud expression. He steps forward only when a stroller is revealed, immediately assembling it like he’s been preparing for this moment his whole life. The sight of him, equal parts tough biker and soon-to-be dad, swells my heart.
As the party winds down, Sophie, Jenny, and Carlie take charge of cleanup. I sink into a chair with Evelyn and Frank, sipping ginger ale while my swollen feet finally get some rest.
"He’s going to be a great father," Evelyn says, her voice soft as her gaze drifts toward Dagger, who’s helping Mason load gifts into a car.
"I know," I reply, my voice thick with emotion. "If this baby’s lucky, they’ll be half as strong and kind as him."
Evelyn squeezes my hand gently. "They’ll be lucky just to have you as their mom."
Frank, ever the quiet observer, adds, "And if they’re anything like their dad, they’ll keep you on your toes from the start."
The words make me laugh, but the moment is cut short by a sharp, unmistakable pain in my lower belly. I gasp, clutching at my stomach as warmth spreads, soaking my dress.
"Chloe?" Evelyn’s voice sharpens with concern.
Another wave of pain hits, and I know immediately: my water just broke.
"It’s happening," I manage to say, my voice trembling. "Oh my God, it’s happening."
Evelyn is on her feet, calling for Dagger. He’s at my side in seconds, his face a mix of concern and focus as he assesses the situation.
"Alright, let’s get you to the hospital," he says, his voice calm but firm. He lifts me into his arms with ease, and I cling to his shirt, trying to steady my breathing.
"Guess the baby couldn’t wait for the party to end," I joke weakly, earning a small chuckle from him despite the tension.
The room bursts into motion. Keys are grabbed, directions shouted, and before I know it, we’re on our way. My heart pounds with a mixture of fear and excitement, but as I glance at Dagger, his steady presence grounds me. This is it. Our world is about to change forever.
Ten hours later, Baby Steele finally makes his debut, and he’s absolutely perfect. His tiny fingers wrap around mine, his scrunched-up little face melting my heart in an instant. Dagger sits beside me, his arm steady around my shoulders, the silver ring on his left hand catching the soft hospital light. His eyes are locked on our son, filled with awe and a tenderness that makes me fall in love with him all over again.
The room buzzes with quiet excitement as friends and family start to trickle in. Sophie and Tank are the first to arrive, Sophie practically glowing as she steps closer.
“Look at him!” Sophie whispers, her hands hovering as if she’s nervous about holding him. She glances at me, her eyes shining. “Chloe, he’s perfect.”
I smile and hand her the baby. “You’ll need the practice,” I tease gently, watching her face light up with the mention of her recent news.
Tank leans over her shoulder, his large frame towering protectively. “She’s not wrong,” he murmurs, his usual gruff tone softening as he looks at the baby. “This little guy’s got a strong grip already.”
Mason and Carlie arrive next, wrangling their nearly three-year-old twin boys, who are both buzzing with energy. The toddlers bounce on their toes, craning their necks to see the baby.
“Boys, meet your new friend,” Mason says, his tone light but filled with pride as he lifts one of the twins up so he can get a closer look. “This guy’s going to be running around with you in no time.”
Carlie settles into a chair with the other twin on her lap, laughing as he immediately tries to grab for one of the balloons. “We’re outnumbered now,” she jokes, shaking her head. “The boys are already planning their next move.”
Mason takes the baby next, his normally cool demeanor softening as he holds him. “He’s a heartbreaker already, Chloe,” he says with a grin, though there’s a hint of awe in his voice.
Jenny and Piston are next, their two-year-old daughter, Rose, toddling in front of them. Jenny scoops her up with a practiced motion and beams as she takes the baby into her arms.
“Oh, Chloe, he’s beautiful,” she says, her voice filled with warmth. Rose looks at the baby curiously before burying her face in her mom’s shoulder, suddenly shy.
Piston stands close by, his quiet presence steady as always. “Good lungs on this one,” he says with a small nod when the baby lets out a squeaky cry. “Going to be a strong one.”
Evelyn and Frank have been with us the entire time, their support unwavering through every painful contraction and moment of doubt. Evelyn sits beside me now, her hand warm on mine as she gazes at her grandson.
“You were incredible, sweetheart,” she says softly, her eyes brimming with pride. “And look at him—he’s absolutely perfect.”
Frank stands by Dagger, a hand on his shoulder as they share a rare, quiet smile. “You’ve got a good one here,” Frank says, his voice steady. “He’s lucky to have you both.”
Dagger leans down to kiss my forehead, his voice low and meant just for me. “You’re amazing, Chloe. He’s perfect—just like you.”
Tears well in my eyes as I look around the room. Sophie is still holding the baby, her excitement mixing with the quiet anticipation of her own journey into motherhood. Mason and Carlie are trying to wrangle their giggling boys, who are chasing each other around Frank’s legs. Jenny rocks Rose gently while she and Evelyn swap stories about toddlers and sleepless nights. Piston stands back, watching it all with his usual calm, while Dagger keeps his arm firmly around me, his warmth anchoring me in this moment.
Baby Steele is already surrounded by love, and I know he’s going to grow up in a world filled with laughter, strength, and the kind of family you fight to keep close. This moment—this perfect, chaotic moment—is everything.