Chapter 30
GIANNA
I’ve never been to a real party before, much less a biker club party. And now that I have, I might never stop attending them. Silly as that sounds.
There’s loud rock music playing, laughter and loud conversations going on, open air barbecues, a pool tournament, and very beautiful women dancing with men that I’d be scared to meet in the street.
But it’s all so wild and free and alive that I just want to melt into it, and become a part of it forever.
Matteo left to have another meeting with the MC president Rogue and a few other men that definitely did not look like they were here just to party…
or that partying is high on their list of priorities at all.
But as soon as he gets back, I’m going to drag him to one of the fires that had sprung up all over the yard outside.
There we can kiss under the stars with this energy of life and freedom thrumming in the air all around us, the possibility of endless futures riding the fire’s sparks high into the sky.
And then maybe I’ll try to convince him to buy a motorcycle so we can take a ride or ten along the coast, because I just know I’d love that very much too.
But will there be time?
What if he doesn’t survive his war?
It’s close now. I can feel it.
I can also feel that everything will change now. Again.
But I’m trying very hard to ignore all that. Trying very hard to focus on just tonight.
“You look a little lost,” Bella says as she wanders to me and hands me bottle of soda, wet with the perspiration of the heat in the air. “Did he leave you all alone again?”
“Not for long,” I say. “And wow, is this your life every day? I never imagined parties could be this much fun. This alive. All the parties I’ve ever been to have been very stiff affairs, and I was expected to leave them by ten PM so the men could talk and such.
Even my own twenty-first birthday party. ”
The pang of pain in my chest as I remember that night, which was not so very long ago, is real enough to make my eyes water a little. But that was my life then. And this is my life now. And I’m going to enjoy every moment. Because I now know that you truly never know what tomorrow will bring.
Bella laughs. “You like it, huh? But no, it’s definitely not this much fun every night.
The Angels spend most of their days hunting down some criminal or another, and I spend most of my time sketching tattoo designs or inking them into their skin.
But it’s a good life. Much better than those stiff parties you were talking about, and men who think they can control every aspect of my life.
I hope Matteo’s not like that with you.”
“He’s not.”
She gives me a serious look like she’s trying to see if I’m lying. I kind of am, since he’s still keeping me locked up, but I’m sure that will end as soon as that war of his ends. If he survives it.
“He’s a good man and he does care about you,” I say. “Very much, I think. He’s just been hurt a lot.”
She nods and looks away, but not before I see the deep sadness in her eyes. “I know he’s a good man. And I know he’s been hurt. And I know—”
“Forget it,” I interrupt her. “There’s no point being sad over the past. Not tonight. Not ever, as far as I’m concerned.”
She gives me a grateful look. But one that also plainly says I’m being naive. Which I know I am. But I’m not letting any sadness in, not tonight, not from anywhere.
I can already feel the sun of Matteo’s presence on my back. Wherever he was, he’s on his way back to me. Or is just thinking about me, I also always feel that now. Even when we’re miles apart.
“So, you’re a tattoo artist?” I ask. “Are you any good?”
“Apparently she’s the best,” Matteo says as he wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Or so Blade tells me.”
She blushes a little. “You two talk about me?”
“I like to know that you’re doing good,” he says. “Even if I don’t always show it. I’m sorry I didn’t return your calls last week.”
She shrugs, her cheeks turning redder. “It’s fine. You have a lot on your mind and I’m sure I’m the last person you want to talk to.”
She looks away during the pause that follows.
“That’s not true,” he says, but there’s a lie in his voice and we can all hear it.
“Do you think you’re good enough to fix some of Matteo’s tattoos?” I ask, keeping my voice happy and loud, though it’s also very strained. “He could do with some pretty images on his skin. Maybe a rose or something? Or my name?”
He smiles at me and I smile at him and at least for now, the darkness is held at bay.
“How about a golden rose, right over my heart,” he says. “Then there’d be no need to add your name at all. Since that’s what you are. My golden rose.”
“Oh, no, I definitely want my name on there,” I say. “To warn off any other woman who happens to see you shirtless.”
“Oh, it’s like that?” he asks, laughing.
“It’s exactly like that.” I might not be able to wear his ring because of my curse, but he’s mine and I want the whole world to know it.
Bella laughs too. “I can definitely do a golden rose. I can even do a whole bouquet of them. And add your name to them. How’s that sound?”
He’s staring so deep into my eyes that I’m sure he can see into all, even the tiniest, darkest corners of it. “That sounds perfect.”
And it will be. But not tonight. Tonight, he’s all mine, no need for branding. And it’s time we head for one of those fires outside, watch those sparks full of life and possibility fly into the night sky. And just be in this perfect moment. Make tonight one of those memories we will never forget.