Epilogue 2
Leo
Some Years Later
Ilean back in my chair and run my fingers over the gavel. The wood as smooth as it was when my father passed it down nearly twenty years ago.
There are more chairs around the table, some lining the walls to accommodate the growing club.
“It’s a big day for you,” Dad says while we wait for the brothers to get their asses here.
“For you too, no?”
“Like I keep tellin’ ya, never thought I'd live this long to see these days so yeah, it’s a big fuckin’ deal.” He lights a cigarette and exhales the smoke up toward the ceiling. “Though, it’s Ray you need to keep your attention on. She’s out there runnin’ wild.”
My muscles bunch tightly, and I take out a cigarette for myself. Lighting up, I drain half the smoke as Sparky shuffles in and drops down hard in his chair.
“I’m dealing with her, old man.”
“Really? Cause it looks like she’s walkin’ all over ya.”
Rolling my eyes, I sit forward and tap the ash into the ashtray. “She’s going through a phase. It'll wear off.”
“She called your mother a liar the other day, told her only Kris tells her the truth.”
“And if I ever get my hands on her Grandma Kris I'm going to cut her fuckin’ tongue out.”
I don’t give a fuck that she was Slade’s old lady, or that she’s Zach’s mother. Six months ago, she told my kid how India died, and how it was all my fault. Rayna was quiet for weeks and we couldn’t figure out why, not until she blew up after Holly kept on at her one night.
I push out the memory of her looking at me like I pulled the trigger that killed her mother myself and stare at my father.
“It’s a phase. She'll come back to us.”
Our conversation is drowned out by the brothers walking in and taking their seats. The door is closed, and I slam the gavel down.
“First order of business,” I begin. “The night clinic was hit last night. They got away with the meds and a script pad. The sheriff believes it was out of towners, but I’m not so sure. Times are hard out there, and shit has been crazy for a long time. If any of you hear anything, let me know.”
Brothers nod and I move on, “Second order of business,” I continue, pointing to Bam and Joey. “You didn’t pay Josie after trashing her bar. Sort it out by the end of day or you’ll have me to deal with.”
We've handed over more than enough cash over the years in compensation to Josie. It's the only reason none of us have received a lifetime ban.
“Lost Souls always pay their way.”
They both nod and I move on, stubbing my cigarette out in the ashtray.
“As you are all aware, my boys have been prospecting for the last year. It's time to put them to a vote. If you feel like they’re still not ready, speak up.”
Gunner sits forward and says, “They’ve been ready for the last year. They've got my vote.”
I wasn’t expecting any less from him. “In my eyes, they’ve proven themselves to be worthy of wearing the patch. They're strong, and they’re not afraid to protect and fight for this club.” I could go on all night but deep down, every brother here already knows it.
“My only concern is they’re reckless,” JJ states.
Grinning, I say, “No more than we were.”
“They have us beat, brother, and you know it.” He laughs.
“Who’s in favor of Roman and Wolf earning their patch and their place at our table.”
Dad: Aye.
JJ: Aye.
Bam: Aye.
Gunner: Aye.
Sparky: Aye.
Mason: Aye.
Myles: Aye.
Joey: Aye.
Damon: Aye.
Aye’s float around the room and I slam the gavel down. It’s official, my boys are now Lost Souls, and I couldn’t be prouder.
They've always known they could choose another path to live, but like me and Luca, this shit is in their blood. I've known since they were ten years old, that they would grow up to walk in my world.
“Call them in.”
Bam opens the door and hollers their names. I've spent years raising them into the young men they are, and I know more than most that they are ready.
They walk in and while Roman holds his cockiness together, Wolf is wearing his usual shit-eating grin.
He's been my son since I scribbled my signature on the adoption papers, I treated him no different to Rayna or Roman. I gave him the same life I would have if he had been my blood. But his own blood shines through every now and then. His grin is his father’s, and I’ve let him know it over the years.
I like that he has something from Shane. It keeps him alive.
I stand and collect the patches from the drawer off to the side of the room. They stand side by side, their chins held high. I don’t hide my pride and grin straight back at them.
“Tonight, my sons, you collect on everything you’ve worked for over the last year. You know what it means to be a Lost Soul, and in turn, you know what is expected of you both. Is this what you both still want?”
They both nod and I slap their patches against their chests. They take them and I pull them both in against me.
“You’ve done me proud, you little shits.”
“Thanks, Dad,” they murmur simultaneously.
Releasing them, I say, “Get them sewn on and don’t get anyone pregnant when you celebrate tonight. I'm not old enough to be a grandpa.”
“Fuck that, I'm not old enough to be a great grandpa,” Dad calls over.
Brothers cheer and my boys are welcomed into the fold. I step back and watch on.
“Is this what you felt like when you patched me into the club?”
“It was an honor to bring my blood under the patch. No matter what’s happened over the years, I've never regretted a fuckin’ thing.”
“Can’t say I feel the same, I've got a few regrets that still haunt me to this day, but my boys... they’re the future.”
“I fuckin’ hate the future, always plannin’ for it, yet never turns out the way we think or hope.”
The brothers spill out into the bar, and the music is turned up. I slip out unnoticed and head over to the house. Holly is sat out in the back yard and smiles when I drop onto the bench beside her.
I drape my arm around her shoulders. “I take it the boys are celebrating? I heard the music get cranked up.”
“Yeah, the guys voted them in. They've got their patches.”
“Wolf has been hoping this night would be the night for the last six weeks. I think he was starting to lose faith.”
“Nah, he’s just a little inpatient.”
She looks up at me and runs her finger over my beard. “There’s more and more grey every day,” she murmurs.
“Love you too, babe.” I snort.
Her laughter soothes me. “I like it.”
“You like we’re gettin’ old?”
“I like that we’re old enough to go grey, old enough that we get to look back on our lives and see that there’s still more to come. We've got we wanted, Leo. A life with our family and the club.”
She's right. I thought my life would be shared with India, and for over twenty years my life has been Holly.
I've been stabbed, and shot, beat, and kidnapped.
But I'm still here and I’m stronger today than I've ever been.
With my brothers and my boys having my back, standing at my side, and my old lady always in front, I am untouchable.
I'm a Lost Soul and the Lost Souls Motorcycle Club will last longer than any of our lifetimes. I'll make sure of it.