Chapter 7 - Amy #2
But for now, for these few hours, maybe I can pretend that I'm just a normal woman enjoying a beautiful day with new friends.
Maybe I can forget that I met these people because they killed my captors.
Maybe I can ignore the fact that the man whose body I'm pressed against has blood on his hands and darkness in his past.
The lake appears ahead, a shimmering blue expanse nestled among pine trees. Several picnic tables dot a grassy area near the shore, and a small dock extends into the water. It's picture-perfect, like something from a vacation brochure.
The bikes pull into a gravel parking area, engines cutting off one by one. Viper waits until I'm steady on my feet before dismounting himself. He removes his helmet, running a hand through his dark hair.
"You good?" he asks, those eyes searching my face.
"Yeah," I say, and I'm not entirely lying this time. "It's beautiful here."
He looks around, nodding. "One of our favorite spots. Quiet. Usually empty during the week."
Indeed, we have the place to ourselves. The others are already unloading coolers and bags from the cars, setting up at the picnic tables. Kelly waves at me from where she's helping Blade spread tablecloths.
It's surreal. All these dangerous men in their leather cuts, setting up a picnic like any other group out for a day at the lake.
Evelyn and Reaper arrange food on a table while Emma and Wilder set up a portable grill.
Ghost lifts the little boy onto his shoulders, making him squeal with delight as they head toward the water's edge, the mom following with a smile.
"Come on," Viper says, grabbing a cooler from the back of the car. "Let's join the chaos."
I follow him to the picnic area, unsure of my place in this strange gathering. But Kelly immediately pulls me into helping arrange plates and cups, chattering about how beautiful the lake is and how Blade promised to teach her to swim later this summer.
"Later this summer?" I repeat. "You're planning that far ahead already?"
Kelly blushes but doesn't back down. "I told you, Amy. I'm not running anymore. I like it here. I like him." She glances at Blade, who's setting up horseshoes with Wilder. "I know it seems fast, but... when you know, you know."
I want to argue, to remind her how little time she's known these people, how dangerous their world is. But the happiness radiating from her stops me. Who am I to judge? My caution, my careful planning, my distrust led us straight to the Vultures MC.
"As long as you're happy," I say finally, squeezing her hand. "That's all that matters to me."
"I am," she says, her eyes bright. "Happier than I thought possible after... everything. And I want that for you too, Amy. You deserve it."
Before I can respond, Reaper calls everyone to gather for food. The next hour passes in a blur of grilled burgers, cold beer (which I decline in favor of soda, not wanting to mix alcohol with the lingering pain meds in my system), and conversation that flows more easily than I expected.
I find myself sitting between Viper and the brunette woman who came with Ghost, who introduces herself as Debbie. Her son Tyler is building a sandcastle nearby under Ghost's watchful eye.
"Ghost is your...?" I trail off, not sure of their relationship status.
"Boyfriend, partner, pain in my ass," she says with a laugh. "All of the above."
"And Tyler's father?" I ask, assuming Ghost is just playing the role of stand-in dad.
Debbie shakes her head. "No, Tyler's biological father is... not in the picture anymore." Something dark flashes across her face. "Ghost is the only father figure he's ever really known, and a damn good one."
I watch as the intimidating VP helps the little boy pack sand into a bucket, his massive hands surprisingly gentle. Another piece of the puzzle that is the Outlaw Order MC shifts into place.
"How did you meet?" I ask, genuinely curious how this normal-looking woman ended up with a biker.
"He saved us," she says simply. "I was in a bad situation. Ghost got us out. Sound familiar?"
I nod, understanding dawning. "Very."
"These men," she says, looking around at the group, "they might be rough around the edges. They might do things the law doesn't approve of. But they protect what's theirs with everything they've got. And once you're under their protection, you're family."
The concept of family has always been loaded for me. Kelly is my only real family, has been since we were kids. The idea of belonging to something larger—a community, a tribe—is both appealing and terrifying.
The conversation changes as Emma joins us, talking about her upcoming exams in Boston and how she's trying to convince Wilder to visit her there.
"He's convinced they'll arrest him the minute he steps into the city," she says, rolling her eyes fondly. "As if the Boston PD has nothing better to do than harass random bikers."
"To be fair, he's not exactly a model citizen," Viper points out, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Neither am I," Emma retorts. "I just hide it better."
Her easy acceptance of the club's outlaw nature, despite her career aspirations, is fascinating. She's straddling two worlds that should be incompatible, yet somehow making it work.
After lunch, the group splinters into smaller clusters. Some of the guys start a horseshoe tournament, while others stretch out on blankets in the sun. Kelly and Blade disappear down a walking trail, her laughter floating back to us in the breeze.
I find myself sitting at the end of the dock, feet dangling over the edge but not quite touching the water. The sun warms my face as I close my eyes, listening to the gentle lapping of waves against the wooden posts.
"Mind some company?" Viper's voice pulls me from my thoughts.
I open my eyes to find him standing a few feet away, two bottles of water in his hands.
"It's a free country," I say, patting the dock beside me.
He sits, offering me one of the waters. "Thought you might be getting dehydrated. Sun's stronger than it feels."
"Thanks." I take a long drink, realizing he's right.I am thirsty.
We sit in surprisingly comfortable silence for a few minutes, watching dragonflies skim across the water's surface.
"Kelly seems happy," I finally say. "With Blade."
Viper nods. "He's a good man. Rough around the edges, but solid where it counts."
"What about you?" I ask, curious despite myself. "How old are you?"
"Twenty-eight." He takes a drink of his water. "You?"
"Twenty-two."
He nods, seemingly unsurprised. "Thought you might be around there."
I'm not sure why that matters, but something eases in my chest at the fact that we're close in age. Not that I'm interested in him that way. Obviously. I've got far too much baggage to be thinking about any man right now, let alone one who lives in a world of violence and danger.
"What happens after this?" I ask suddenly. "When the picnic's over, when the celebration ends? What does your club do when you're not hunting Vultures MC?"
Viper considers this, his profile sharp against the backdrop of the lake. "We protect what's ours. Run legitimate businesses. Garage, towing company, security for local establishments. Keep the peace in Pine Haven."
"Legitimate," I repeat skeptically.
He turns to face me. "Mostly legitimate," he amends with a hint of a smile. "We're not angels, Amy. But we're not the devils some people think we are either."
"And where do I fit into all this?"
"Wherever you want to," he says simply. "You heard Reaper yesterday. You can stay in Pine Haven under our protection, or we can help you start fresh somewhere else. Your choice."
"And if I stay? What then? I can't live at the clubhouse forever."
"No," he agrees. "But we can help you find a place, a job if you want one. Pine Haven's small but it's got opportunities."
"Why would you do that? Help me?"
"Because you survived something most people wouldn't. Because you did it with your spirit intact. Because people like you—survivors—deserve a fucking break for once."
His intensity catches me off guard. There's something personal in it, something that makes me wonder what battles he's fought, what losses he's survived.
"Is that why you joined the MC?" I ask quietly. "Looking for a break?"