Chapter Forty-Three
I STOOD OUTSIDE the clubhouse, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow over the lot, watching as Bolt and the others returned from some sort of club business. But the tension of the past few weeks was finally starting to lift, like a dark cloud that had hung over us for too long was finally clearing.
Drago was hiding as far as I knew. His threat gone for the moment, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t looking over my shoulder, waiting for the next hit to come.
The woman from the van hasn’t been able to speak. The doctor says she has Laryngeal Trauma because the men choked her, causing damage to her vocal cords. Since her hands were also damaged, it could be a month before we know her story. Mystic is the only person who seems to be able to keep her calm. He stays by her bedside like a guard dog, growling at anyone who upsets her.
Bolt caught sight of me as he pulled up, a slow grin spreading across his face. He parked his bike and swung off, walking toward me with that easy confidence that still made my heart skip a beat. No matter how much time passed, I knew I’d never stop feeling that spark when I saw him.
“Afternoon, beautiful,” he murmured as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest.
I smiled, leaning into him, the warmth of his body seeping into mine. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, and for a moment, we just stood there, holding each other. It still amazed me how much had changed. How much I had changed. I wasn’t the same woman who had walked into this clubhouse, scared and broken, running from a life I never thought I’d escape.
Now, I am a stronger woman. I had Bolt, my dad, and Brenda. Plus, I had this whole new family of this club that I was growing to love.
“What are you thinkin’ about?” Bolt asked, his voice low as he pulled back to look at me, his eyes searching mine.
I nodded, my heart swelling with emotion. “Just how happy I am.”
He smiled, his thumb brushing over my cheek. “You know, there was a time when I wasn’t sure we’d ever get to this point.”
“Me too,” I admitted, thinking back to the fear, the uncertainty that had gripped me for so long. But those days felt like a distant memory now. “But we made it. We’re here.”
“And we’re not goin’ anywhere,” he said firmly, his eyes locking with mine. “You’re stuck with me now, sweetheart.”
“Good,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Because I’m not going anywhere either.”
Bolt’s smile softened, and he leaned in, pressing his lips to mine in a slow, tender kiss. It wasn’t the heat of a rushed moment, the kind of kiss fueled by lust.
No, this was different.
It was filled with something deeper—love, trust, a promise of what was to come.
When we finally pulled apart, Bolt kept his arms wrapped around me, his forehead resting against mine. “You ready to go in?”
I nodded, but before we could move, the door to the clubhouse swung open, and Brenda appeared, hands on her hips, a teasing grin on her face.
“Are you two lovebirds just gonna stand out here all day, or are you gonna come in and join the rest of us?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. I loved Brenda so much and wanted her to find her happily ever after. I knew that man was my dad, and you’d have to be blind not to see they should be together. But I’m guessing my dad is the problem here and not Brenda. I’ll see what I can do about that.
“We’re coming,” I called back, giving Bolt one last kiss before we headed inside.
The clubhouse was alive with laughter and conversation, the tension of the past few weeks gone. The men were back from their ride, drinks were being passed around, and I watched them so different, yet so alike. I knew there would never be a dull moment in this clubhouse, so I better buckle up.
I took it all in, letting the warmth of the room fill me up. This was my home now. These people—this club—were my family. And I knew, no matter what came next, I wasn’t alone.
Bolt’s arm slid around my waist as we made our way through the room, stopping to talk with dad and some of the other guys. They teased us, as usual, but there was a lightness to it, and I was learning not to take them too seriously.
As the evening wore on, and the sun began to set outside, we found ourselves sitting on the swing, watching as the sky turned a deep, fiery orange. Bolt sat beside me, his arm around my shoulder, and we sat in comfortable silence, no words needed.
“This is it, isn’t it?” I said quietly, my eyes on the horizon. “This is what it feels like to be free and truly happy.”
Bolt looked over at me, his gaze soft. “Yeah. It is.”
I smiled, leaning my head against his shoulder. “I never thought I’d be able to have a life like this, with a man I love so much I could die with it.”
He squeezed me tight. “I feel the same Fiona. I look at you and see love shining in different shades of blue.”
“Hey Spinner,” Jacob yelled, ruining the moment and causing us to turn around to see Spinner coming out of the clubhouse.
“Yeah?” Spinner called from the porch.
“Got some woman at the gate askin’ for you,” Jacob shouted. “Said her name is Lucy.”
The story continues with Spinner and Lucy. Spinner better get ready because Lucy is going to be a handful. Fiona introduced you to the South Caroline chapter and now Lucy is going to shake it up. Plus, you’ll get to meet Drago, and his club, the Dragon Fire MC.