24. The Homecoming
Twenty-Four
The Homecoming
Amelia
A week later…
Needless to say, the entire club is excited to have Crush back.
He’s going to be home in a couple of hours, and the Lady Pride, of which I am the newest member, is making this into a homecoming party.
As Ava pointed out, the last few weeks have been stressful for everyone, and now that the threat is over, we’re going to have fun.
Bullet and I have moved into my house together.
Yes, it’s crazy and fast and we have a million reasons not to do it, but we have one great reason to move ahead: we love each other.
I explained this to Mom, and although she was concerned, she trusts my judgment and says that she’s never heard me this happy before.
My dad, on the other hand, is not quite as accepting about Bullet and me living together.
He has concerns, so he and Mom are coming to visit next week.
I have no doubt that Bullet will win them over because I know he will do what it takes to make that happen.
Dad called my brother, Jason, who is a carbon copy of my father; therefore, he’s calling more often, and on the last call, he threatened Bullet with bodily harm if he hurts me in any way.
I was really angry with Jason and Dad, but Bullet calmed me down. “They love you, and they want the best for you. Don’t be mad, baby. Once they get to know me, they’ll be cool.”
On the news, we watched a whole shakedown of the police department with a dozen officers being charged with various crimes.
After that, the police never came to the club for questioning again, and the real killers were found to be a couple of hit men, who were murdered as well.
The police think that their own mob boss ordered the hit to clean up the mess.
As long as they’re not after the club, Bullet, or Violet, I’m happy.
“Can you help me with the balloons?” Vi asks, bringing me back to the present.
“Absolutely,” I reply, and follow her to where she wants them placed.
The room is set up for a party. There are long tables decorated with flowers, balloons, and streamers to make the place more festive for the occasion, and the smell of Hanna’s cooking coming from the kitchen makes my stomach growl.
“Violet’s coming back with him,” Vi says. “Crush is taking her to see Vance tomorrow. She’s going to tell him that they’re siblings.”
“Wow, that’s big!” Vance hasn’t been the easiest person to deal with, but then again, having your dad murdered and finding out he was coerced into an ugly mob mess is enough to make anyone upset. “How do you think that will go?”
“I honestly don’t know. I want to think that since he doesn’t have any family left, he might want to get to know his sister. But, he could go completely the other way and want nothing to do with her. It’s a toss-up,” Vi answers.
“I hope it goes well. Violet’s all alone,” I say with sadness in my heart.
Vi laughs. “You’re kidding, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“Crush is looking out for her. He’s not ready to admit his feelings for her, but that’s not going to stop him from keeping an eye on her.
Violet is under Satan’s Pride protection, and we’ve all decided she’s a sister.
Whether her brother wants to have a relationship with her or not, she’ll always have us,” Vi states decisively.
I curve my lips into a huge smile. This is what I love about this family: we all take care of one another. “You’re right, Vi. We’ll show her all the love she needs.”
Bullet
Before the party gets started, Guard calls a quick meeting for the club members. With Crush home, we all move into the private room for our talk. It’s good to have Crush back, and he’s happy to be here. We embrace in a manly hug and slap each other’s backs.
“Good to see your ugly face, man,” I tease.
“Look who’s talking,” Crush answers, then lowers his voice and says, “Good to be back.”
“The phone’s ringing off the hook. We’ve got to get back to business before our clients look for another handyman,” I tell him.
“Yeah, that’s good. Violet still needs to find a place to live, though.”
“Violet’s staying in our guest room until she finds a place of her own,” I inform him. “We’ve got your back, brother.”
“Thanks, Bullet.” I hear his sigh of relief. “She really likes Amelia.”
“Nothing not to like,” I brag, knowing my girl is all about helping others.
Guard uses the gavel to get our attention.
We all turn and wait for him to start. “A quick update on what’s happening with the Irish assholes who started this crusade against the Pride and killed Sal.
” The room falls silent as Guard goes on to say, “Jonah O’Malley is dead.
This leaves Keenan in charge of their clan.
He and his brother, Kalen, have a truce with Reno and the other Mafia families.
This includes staying out of each other’s territories.
It’s understood that Keenan wants to turn their business legitimate, but that’s going to take a long time, if it ever happens.
Once you’re in, you can’t ever get completely clean, but he and Kalen will do their best to make it so.
The men who supported Jonah have been informed of the repercussions if they choose to fight Keenan on being their leader.
It seems that most of them hated Jonah and his methods, which will make it easier for the O’Malley brothers to move forward. ”
“We’re all in the clear,” Orion announces happily.
“Glad that’s over,” War pipes up.
“Until the next time,” Risk says. All eyes go to Crush.
Crush looks around the room at his brothers. “Oh, no. Don’t even go there. Violet was in trouble. We helped her. The. End,” he says.
“Go ahead, Crush, fight it all you want,” I joke.
He punches me in the arm. “Knock it off.”
“We’ll deal with what comes as Satan’s Pride has always done, but for tonight, we party and welcome home our brother Crush,” Guard says, ending the meeting.
As soon as I walk out into the main room, I see Amelia is waiting for me. I loop my arm around her waist and kiss her soundly on the mouth.
“What was that for?” she asks.
“Because you’re you,” I tell her. “Love you, baby.”
“You’re my world, honey,” she replies.
The music is playing, food is warming our bellies, drinks are flowing, and all is right in the world, at least for tonight.