Tia
The Key West compound feels different now.
Safer. The walls still rise high with razor wire gleaming under the morning sun but they no longer feel like a cage.
I sit on the back steps with Dad beside me.
His face still carries bruises in deep shades of purple and yellow but he smiles when he looks at me.
Kevin rests in a new pot on the table between us.
His leaves stretch toward the light like he approves of our new life too.
I lean my head against Dad’s shoulder. The familiar scent of his aftershave mixes with the smell of coffee and motor oil drifting from the lot. Engines rumble softly in the distance as men work on bikes. Laughter carries from the main building. Life moves on even after everything we survived.
“Dad,” I say softly. My voice feels steady for the first time in days. “I need to tell you something.”
He turns his head. His good eye studies me with that protective look I’ve known my whole life. “What is it kiddo?”
I take a deep breath. The warm Florida air fills my lungs with salt and freedom.
“I’m in love with Kraken. Reef. Whatever name you want to call him.
I love him. Not just because he saved us.
Because of who he is. The way he looks at me like I’m the only thing that matters.
Also, I’m happy here. In this life. With the Royal Bastards. With him.”
Dad stays quiet for a long moment. His hand finds mine and squeezes.
Rough and warm and familiar. “I saw it coming the night I brought you to him. The way he looked at you. Like you already belonged to him.” He lets out a slow breath.
“He’s a hard man. Lives a hard life. But he loves you.
I can see that clear as day. And if he makes you happy then I’m happy. You deserve that after everything.”
Tears prick at my eyes but they feel good this time. Happy tears. I hug him tight careful of his bruises. “Thank you Dad. For everything. For protecting me all these years. For trusting him with me.”
We sit together a while longer. My gaze drifts to the five potted plants lined up on the windowsill—Kevin, AJ, Howie, Nick, and Brian.
The Plantstreet Boys. I’ve already picked out the next five I want to bring home: The New Kids on the Pot.
The thought makes me smile as we soak in the sunshine.
Men nod respectfully as they pass. The club feels alive around us.
Loud. Rough. Real. I love it here. The chaos and loyalty and the way everyone watches out for their own. It fits me in a way I never expected.
Kraken appears at the corner of the building.
He walks straight toward us with that powerful stride that still makes my heart race.
His arm is bandaged from the fight but he moves like the pain doesn’t touch him.
His eyes lock on me and soften in that way that belongs only to me.
He stops in front of us and looks at Dad first.
“Gunny. You healing up okay?”
Dad nods. “Better every day. Thanks to you, son.”
Kraken reaches for my hand and pulls me gently to my feet. He cups my face with both hands. His thumbs brush my cheeks. The touch feels rough and tender all at once. “I need a minute with her.”
Dad chuckles low and stands. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be inside pretending I don’t know what’s happening out here.”
He walks away with a smile. Kraken waits until we’re alone. Then he kisses me. Deep and slow and full of everything we’ve been through. I melt into him. My hands fist in his cut. The worn fabric feels warm from the sun. His heart beats strong under my palm.
When he pulls back his eyes burn with emotion.
“I love you, Tia. I realized it when they took you. When the world went dark without you in it. You’re my light.
My beautiful light in all this darkness.
I love the way you talk to plants and make me laugh when the weight gets too heavy.
I love how you trust me completely. I love you. And I’m never letting you go.”
Tears spill down my cheeks again. Happy ones. I rise on my toes and kiss him back. “I love you too. So much. I’m happy here, Kraken. With you. With the club. This life. It feels right. Like I finally found where I belong.”
He holds me tight against his chest. His arms wrap around me like steel and safety. The sun shines warmer now. Engines rumble in the background. Brothers shout jokes across the lot. The Royal Bastards live loud and hard but they love harder. I’m a part of it now. Part of him.
We stand there together for a long time. The future stretches ahead uncertain with the Cartel still out there licking their wounds. But I’m not scared. Not anymore. Kraken has me. I have him. Dad’s safe. The club stands strong behind us.
Whatever comes next we’ll face it together. As a family. As partners. As the man and woman who found love in the middle of war and blood and motorcycles.
I look up at him and smile. That bright smile he says he can’t live without. “Take me for a ride later? Just us. The open road. You and me.”
He kisses my forehead. His voice rumbles deep and sure. “Every day, baby. For the rest of our lives.”
The ocean wind carries across the compound bringing salt and promise. I lean into my man and breathe it all in. The life. The love. The future we’ll build together no matter what storms try to come.
This is my home now. With Kraken. With the Royal Bastards. With the man who owns my heart completely.
And I’ve never been happier.