CHAPTER 1 #4
Angel blinks away the sheen of tears that shadow her eyes for a minute.
She exhales a relieved breath, and takes the car Reed hands her, pressing an absent-minded kiss to his hand.
“I’m happy that you understand that. I know this is awkward, but I promise we're good people who only want to get to know you.”
Ugh, this woman is way too sweet for words. My heart is already making room for her, and I’ve known her less than an hour. I can tell she’s good to her soul though, and someone that I’d like in my life.
“And on that note...” Tru leans towards me and whispers, “How many knives do you have strapped on you?”
“Two today; I typically wear three as a general rule,” I responded. “But I’m not wearing my boots. I’ve got a really cool pair from a lady who makes them in the UK. She shipped them to me. I paid a fortune, but they’re custom made and so comfortable.”
That sparks their interest. Somehow, I knew it would. We all seem cut from the same cloth.
“I need to see them,” Janis says. “Who made them for you?”
I run a hand over Mason’s back as he snuggles into me. Tired of playing, he seems more than content on my lap. “Her name is Thea Tin. I’ll give you her details.”
Fern’s head snaps around when I mention the name. “Did you say Tin? Is she in Southampton, UK?”
Surprised, I answered, “Yeah, she is. Why? Have you heard of her?”
Fern chuckles. Siera and Angel share an amused look. “Small world, hey,” Siera murmurs.
Confused, I look at the women surrounding me, then at Jake, who is over near the bar chatting with Axle, Maverick, another dark-haired guy, and Spook.
Spook must see something in my face because his eyes narrow and he puts his beer down. I shake my head, and he eases back, picking it up again.
I turn back to the women, but I know Spook’s watching. I have a feeling I’d only need to raise a hand and he’d be here faster than I could blink. I do have his sons with me, though, so I suppose it makes sense that he’s keeping an eye on us.
“Small world?” I press. Trying to understand their amusement.
“The Tins used to live in the same town as us—Shadow Haven. We’ve only recently moved to Stonepoint,” Angel explains.
“The Tins are part of the Queens Wraiths Motorcycle Club. They opened a chapter in the UK around 2015 or 2016—I can’t remember exactly—but Coal, the eldest Tin, married Thea not long after that. ”
“Ah.” I nod, understanding now. “Wow, that’s so weird. She was really nice, and I love my boots. I can give you her contact details, but if you know the MC, you may have a better way of reaching her.”
“I’ll ask Stacey the next time I see her,” Fern says, just as the doors open and North—who I briefly met earlier—walks in, followed by a pretty, pink-haired woman, and another guy. He’s huge. From the way he moves and the scars on his hands, he’s not someone I’d want to be on the bad side of.
Behind them comes another wave of leather, this time carrying boxes of something that smells delicious.
Bringing up the rear is an older lady who seems gloriously stuck in the seventies.
Axle breaks away from the men he’d been talking to and heads towards her, the other men, including Maverick and Spook, following.
Bending, Axel kisses her cheek. She smiles at whatever he says and pats his cheek gently.
He offers her his arm and starts leading her towards us. I wonder who she is.
Angel stands when they reach us. Spook heads directly towards me, reaches down to lift a sleeping Mason from me before helping me to my feet.
“Honor, this is Lala,” Axle says, introducing us. “She keeps us fed and on the straight and narrow.”
“Pshaw.” She waves a hand, and I have to smile when I notice the tinge of pink on her cheeks.
She grips my hand in a firm clasp. She pauses, her gaze discerning as she studies me. I’m not sure what she sees, but she gives my hand one last squeeze and says, “It’s wonderful to meet you, Honor. I know Angel and Axle have been looking forward to it.”
“Thank you, Lala. Everyone’s been very kind to me.”
“Good,” she nods as if she wasn’t expecting another answer. “Now, I’ve brought food.” She turns and scans the room until her gaze lands on Maverick just behind Axel. “Can I use your kitchen?” Axel moves to look at Maverick peering over his shoulder.
“Of course,” Maverick replies with a wink. He takes a step forward and holds out his arm to her. “You’re always welcome, Lala.”
Lala lets out a rich belly laugh, but takes his arm, with a shake of her head. “Such a flirt.”
I smile as I watch them disappear. I like these people. I have no doubt they do bad things, but from what I’ve seen so far, they’re good people. I could live with that, as long as innocents weren’t hurt.
I know better than most that not everything in this world is black and white.
My gaze catches and snags on the first man who has ever truly caught my attention.
I’m twenty-eight years old. You would have thought I’d have felt that connection before.
My eyes drift to my biological parents, wrapped up in each other.
From what I understand, they’ve loved for years, never once giving up on knowing they’d find each other and their perfect love again.
Maybe there’s more of them in me than any of us thought. I wasn’t the type to settle for second best.