Chapter Ten
Nora
As we pulled up to the Dixie Reapers compound, my stomach clenched with a mixture of nerves and anticipation. Dawson rode ahead of us on his motorcycle, wearing his Swift Angels cut. He’d warned me his family might not be happy about it, and that it wasn’t something he’d shared with them before now. I didn’t know why he’d decided now was the best time. I was already a wreck, worrying over whether they’d like me. Now he wanted to drop an extra bomb on them?
By some miracle, we pulled through the gates without an issue, and I followed along behind him until he stopped in a driveway.
I got out and unbuckled Taylor from her booster seat. No sooner had I shut the door than Dawson came over to us.
He placed his large, reassuring hand at the small of my back. “You okay, darlin’?”
I nodded, not fully trusting my voice. My gaze swept over the compound before us. We’d passed by a lot of motorcycles, chrome glinting in the afternoon sun. A building just inside the gates had Dixie Reapers across the top in a neon sign, and I’d noticed more bikes parked out front. All the houses had been a surprise. He hadn’t described this place as a gated community, but that’s what it essentially was.
Despite Dawson’s reassurances, I couldn’t shake the feeling I was an outsider invading a secret world I had no business being part of. The whole place exuded an aura of danger and unpredictability. Although, I’d noticed a few children as well.
Would his family really accept me, Taylor, and my unborn child? Or would they see me as just some knocked-up girl their prodigal son had brought home out of pity? My hand drifted subconsciously to my stomach, as if to shield the tiny life growing inside from the unknown.
“Hey,” Dawson said softly, turning me to face him. His work-roughened hands cupped my face gently as his thumb stroked my cheek. “They’re going to love you, Nora. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
I wanted so badly to believe him. To have faith that his biker family would welcome me as readily as he had. But a lifetime of disappointments had taught me to always expect the worst.
I took a deep, fortifying breath, willing my racing heart to slow. “Okay, I trust you. Let’s do this.”
Hand in hand, Dawson and I headed toward the front door with Taylor skipping along beside us. If she noticed the tension, she didn’t show it. Before we even had a chance to knock, the door swung open, and a petite woman with vibrant blonde hair and blue eyes stepped out. This had to be Dawson’s mother. He had her eyes. Her face lit up with a warm smile as she spotted Dawson, and she quickly closed the distance between us.
“Dawson, my baby boy!” she exclaimed, wrapping him in a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
Dawson returned the embrace, his large frame enveloping her smaller one. “Hey, Mom. It’s good to be back.”
The woman turned her attention to me, her eyes filled with curiosity and kindness. “And who might this lovely young lady be?”
I felt my cheeks flush under her scrutiny, and I instinctively moved closer to Dawson, seeking his reassuring presence. Taylor, who had been hiding behind my leg, peeked out shyly.
Dawson placed a comforting hand on the small of my back again. “Mom, this is Nora and her daughter, Taylor. Nora, meet my mother, Ridley.”
Ridley’s smile widened, and she opened her arms, inviting me into a hug. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nora. Welcome to the family.”
I hesitated for a moment, surprised by her immediate acceptance. Slowly, I stepped into her embrace, feeling the warmth and sincerity radiating from her. It was a foreign sensation, being welcomed so openly by someone I’d just met. Then again, hadn’t Dawson pretty much done the same thing? Maybe he’d learned it from her.
As we pulled apart, Ridley crouched down to Taylor’s level. “And hello there, little one. Aren’t you just the cutest thing?”
Taylor giggled, her initial shyness melting away in the face of Ridley’s genuine affection. I’d thought it would be the other way around and my daughter would melt the ice. I never knew if she’d be outgoing or shy. It was hit and miss with her. But then again, this place was far different from anything we’d experienced before.
“I’m Taylor and I’m this many years old.” Taylor held up five fingers.
Ridley gently tapped Taylor’s nose, eliciting another giggle. “Well, Miss Taylor, I have a feeling you and I are going to be great friends.”
Watching the interaction between Ridley and Taylor, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe we’d be accepted after all. I glanced around, noticing more people moving about the compound, including a lot of men in leather cuts that said Dixie Reapers MC across the back.
“I know this all seems a bit overwhelming,” Ridley said, as if reading my thoughts.
I nodded, trying to muster a smile.
Her gaze focused on her son, or rather the leather cut draped over his shoulders. She shook her head. “Your dad is going to lose his shit, but I’m guessing you already knew that. Is that why you’ve been so secretive?”
Dawson shrugged. “Part of it.”
Ridley linked her arm with mine, guiding me toward the house. “Come on, let’s head inside. Let me warn you ahead of time, my Venom can have quite the bark, but he’d never hurt you. Our wayward son on the other hand…”
As we walked, I couldn’t help but marvel at the way Ridley had effortlessly put me at ease, her warmth and acceptance a balm to my frayed nerves. She led me into the kitchen and motioned for me to have a seat at the table.
“So, tell me about yourself, Nora,” Ridley said, her blue eyes sparkling with genuine interest. “What’s your story?”
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “Well, I’ve had a bit of a rough past, but meeting Dawson… it’s changed everything.”
Ridley nodded, her expression encouraging. “He’s a good man, my son. Even if I don’t like the way he keeps secrets from us. How did you two meet?”
As I recounted the story of how Dawson had saved me from the fire at my apartment building, Ridley listened intently, her face a mix of empathy and admiration. Although, I noticed the narrowed gaze she shot toward her son.
“You’re a strong woman, Nora,” she said, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “And I can see how much you and Dawson care for each other.”
I felt tears prick at my eyes, overwhelmed by her kindness. “Thank you, Ridley. That means more than you know.”
“As for you, son, exactly when were you going to tell us you were a firefighter? Here I was, thankful you’d decided to skip the dangerous life of a Dixie Reaper, but no, not my son. Instead, he decides to run into burning buildings for a life and starts his own club.”
Dawson smiled at her. “But you love me anyway, and you know it.”
She nodded. “I do. Just remember how much your dad loves you too when he rips into you later.”
“As for how you know I helped start the Swift Angels…”
His mom just smirked at him. I had a feeling there was a story there. Which meant she’d actually known all this before we’d arrived, and had merely acted like this was a big surprise. Something told me being around her would keep things interesting.
* * *
Dawson
I watched as Mom and Nora got to know one another better, a sense of relief washing over me. If anyone could make her feel welcome here, it was my mother. But as I turned to face my father, the tension in his jaw and the hardness in his eyes told me our conversation wouldn’t be quite so easy.
“Let’s take a walk,” Dad said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I followed him across the yard, moving away from the house and toward the back of the compound. It wasn’t lost on me this was where they used to take people they wanted to make disappear. When we were well out of earshot of pretty much any human in the area, he turned to face me, his arms crossed over his broad chest.
“What the hell are you thinking, son?” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Bringing an outsider here to the club? You know better than that. And what the fuck are you wearing?”
I stood my ground, meeting his gaze head-on. “Nora’s not just an outsider, Dad. She’s my future. And I need you to trust me on this. As for the other…”
Dad shook his head, frustration etched into the lines of his weathered face. “Trust? You’re asking a lot, boy. You walked away from the club, from your family. I know you stopped by now and again, but it’s not the same. And now you expect us to welcome you back with open arms? While wearing colors for another club, no less. That alone took some balls. If your grandfather saw you wearing that, he’d probably pound your ass into the ground.”
I clenched my fists, fighting back the anger that threatened to boil over. “I’m not asking for a free pass. Yes, I wore my club colors because I didn’t know how else to tell you. You think I haven’t known how you’d react? How everyone would react? It’s why I kept this part of my life a secret, along with a few other things. But Nora and Taylor… they’re non-negotiable.”
Dad’s eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer, his presence looming over me. “Non-negotiable? You’ve got some nerve, Dawson. The club has rules, traditions. You can’t just waltz back in and expect everything to change for your little family.”
I stood tall, refusing to be intimidated. “I’m not asking anyone to change, Dad. I’m just asking for a chance. A chance to show you that I can be a good son, a good brother, and a good father. I know I’ve made mistakes, but I’m here now, ready to make things right. It was wrong of me to hide the fact I’d become a firefighter, or that I’d helped create a new club. I admit I was wrong. But can you try to see it from my point of view? My dad was the fucking VP of the Dixie Reapers. How the hell was I supposed to tell you I helped form a club for first responders?”
Dad’s jaw went tight, and he just glared at me. Yeah, I’d known he would be pissed. Honestly, right now, I’d rather he yell at me. His silence was always far worse, especially since I had no idea what thoughts were rattling around in his head.
I threw my hands up in the air and turned away, wondering what the hell it would take to get through to him. Then again, I’d known he would be like this. It was the main reason I hadn’t said a damn thing. I’d known the moment I confessed what I’d been up to there was a good chance he’d tell me to never come back. Even if I didn’t agree with how the Reapers did things, they were still my family.
I turned back to face him, thinking he was a little too quiet. Dad’s gaze bore into mine, searching for any hint of weakness or doubt. I met his stare unflinchingly, pouring every ounce of determination and sincerity into my words. “I love Nora and Taylor, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe and happy. Same for the baby. Even if it means facing the judgment of the club, of you.”
My dad rocked back on his heels. “Baby? Seriously?”
I wasn’t sure if he wanted to pinch the bridge of his nose like he often did with my sisters, or if he wanted to take a swing at me. Like I’d ever fucking tell him the baby wasn’t biologically mine. If I had things my way, that kid would know me as their dad.
For a long moment, the silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken emotions and years of built-up tension. Finally, Dad’s shoulders slumped, and he let out a heavy sigh. “You always were a stubborn one, just like your mother.”
A glimmer of hope sparked in my chest. “So, you’ll give us a chance?”
Dad’s expression remained guarded, but I caught the faintest hint of softening in his eyes. “Like I’d hold any of this against Nora and the kids. But as for you and the Swift Angels… One chance, Dawson. That’s all you get. You prove to me, to the club, that you’re serious about your new little family, and that your club won’t be a hindrance for the Dixie Reapers. If you can do that, our gates will remain open to you. I’ll convince the others somehow.”
I nodded, relief and gratitude washing over me. “Thank you, Dad.”
As we walked back toward the house, I marveled at how much my dad was willing to bend for his kids, no matter what shit we dumped on his door. Well, except my sisters. They’d royally fucked up a while back and nearly run off our Aunt Meredith and Uncle Lynx. Even my parents telling them to leave and not come back hadn’t made a big enough impression on them. No, they were so stubborn they’d been sent to Casper VanHorne for an attitude adjustment. Both the Devil’s Fury, the club their men belonged to, and the Dixie Reapers had figured if the retired assassin couldn’t straighten them out, then they were a lost cause. Thankfully, it had worked, but they still didn’t come home that often.
When we walked into the house, the sound of Mom’s laughter drew my attention away from my own thoughts, and I turned to see her and Nora engaged in an animated conversation. As I approached, snippets of their words floated through the air, mingling with the distant rumble of motorcycles and the faint scent of leather and whiskey.
“… and then he just took off, stark naked, running through the compound!” Mom’s eyes sparkled with mirth as she recounted what I could only imagine was a wild tale from her past.
“Shit, Ridley. Of all the stories to tell her,” my dad grumbled. “Don’t leave out the part where you, Darian, and Isabella stood outside the clubhouse to watch.”
Definitely not something I needed to know. But it wasn’t a big secret my mom liked watching the younger club members work out. She and Darian went once a week, sometimes with popcorn in hand. It was something of a joke around the compound now, but I knew it irritated the shit out of my dad.
Nora’s delicate hand flew to her mouth, stifling a giggle. “No way! What happened next?”
I marveled at the sight before me -- Nora, my sweet, shy girl, slowly emerging from her shell in the presence of Mom’s vibrant energy. It was like watching a flower bloom, each petal unfolding to reveal the beauty within. She hadn’t been this animated even when she’d met with the Swift Angels, and I knew Avery had chatted her ear off.
Mom leaned in conspiratorially, her voice dropping to a stage whisper. “Well, let’s just say the guys around here don’t take dares like that one anymore.”
Dad rolled his eyes. “Yeah, because some of you nut jobs decided to take pictures of his junk flapping around and posted them all over the compound.”
The two women dissolved into a fit of laughter. For a moment, I forgot about the rough-and-tumble world surrounding us, lost in the joy of seeing Nora so at ease.
As their laughter subsided, Nora’s eyes found mine, and a smile graced her lips. “Dawson, your mom is amazing. The stories she has…”
Mom clapped a hand on Nora’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Stick with me, sweetheart. I’ve got plenty more where that came from.”
Mom winked at me, and I knew she was doing this on purpose. She’d noticed Nora’s unease and had done the only thing she could think of… tell inappropriate stories. I looked around the house and realized Taylor was nowhere to be seen.
“Um, where’s Taylor?” I asked.
“With Akira,” Nora said. “She stopped by and took her to the playground with a little boy named Kellen.”
So, Akira had snagged Thunder’s son. Good call, since the kid was only a year older than Taylor. Hopefully, the two of them would get along.
Nora’s smile widened as she faced my mom again, and I could see the gratitude shining in her eyes. “Thank you, Ridley. For everything. I know this can’t be easy, accepting us into your world like this.”
Mom waved a dismissive hand. “Nonsense. You’re family now, Nora. And family sticks together, no matter what. Isn’t that right, Dawson?”
I nodded, even though I caught the edge to her words. Yeah, she was pissed about the secrets I’d kept, but she was doing her best not to show it in front of Nora, for which I was grateful. “Damn straight.”
As Mom and Nora fell back into their easy conversation, I marveled at the way my worlds were colliding. The woman I loved, the mother of my children -- and yeah, I was claiming both Taylor and the baby as mine, was slowly finding her place among the people I called family. Now if I could just find a way for the two halves of my world -- Swift Angels and Dixie Reapers -- to not collide in a negative way.
Dad approached us, his eyes flicking between Nora and me. A look of understanding passed between us, and I knew he could see the love and determination in my gaze. He gave a slight nod, a silent acknowledgment of the path I had chosen. At least he approved of my woman. I’d take any victory, even small ones.
“Son,” Dad said, his voice gruff but not unkind. “You’ve got a good woman by your side. Don’t forget that.”
I would have asked how he could be so sure, since he hadn’t bothered to really get to know her, but my dad tended to see things others didn’t. Even if he hadn’t spoken to her much, he’d been observing her. I’d once heard my dad could watch someone for just a few seconds to a minute or two and tell you whether or not they were worth getting to know or going to be trouble. Of course, if that were entirely true, the club wouldn’t have had some of the issues they’d faced over the years.
For now, I’d just assume he was trying to make Nora feel welcome. The fact my mom had been talking to her and not tossed her out would be enough for my dad, unless Nora proved she couldn’t be trusted.
Since my woman was sweet and didn’t seem to be the lying type, I wasn’t worried about that happening. Not now or ever.
I reached for Nora’s hand, intertwining our fingers. “I won’t, Dad. I promise.”
Nora leaned into me. The only other time I’d seen her this happy was when she’d made cookies while Taylor and I had decorated the tree. I wished she’d have many more days like this one.
Mom’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked at Venom. “See, honey? They’re meant to be, just like I said after he called yesterday.”
Dad grunted, but I caught the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Yeah, yeah. You’re always right, aren’t you, woman?”
Mom winked at Nora. “That’s the secret to a happy marriage, sweetheart. Always let them think they’re in charge but remind them every chance you get that you’re the smarter of the two of you.”
Nora laughed, a beautiful, carefree sound that made my heart soar. I pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I think we’re going to be just fine, baby,” I whispered.
As we stood there, surrounded by the love and acceptance of my family, I realized that this was where we belonged. Or half of where we belonged. No matter that I was a Swift Angel and a firefighter, I would also always be a Dixie Reaper, even if it wasn’t as a patched member. I’d been born and raised here, and as they said, you couldn’t run from your past. I’d learned about loyalty, family, and protecting the innocent from the people at this compound. This was where it had all started.
I met Nora’s gaze, and the love and trust I saw reflected in her eyes filled me with a sense of peace I’d never known before. Knowing my family accepted her lifted a weight from my shoulders. I’d had a feeling my mom would like her, but I hadn’t been sure about Dad. But they’d both welcomed her and set her at ease. I really did have an amazing family.