Chapter 21
Mila, Sinner’s sister, has the same curious, light blue eyes that he does.
Her long, honey blonde hair hangs all the way to her waist, straight and shiny.
I might not have recognized it if I didn’t know ahead of time, but her features are a softer, feminine version of his, making their relationship obvious once you know where to look.
It’s inevitable that Axel comes to mind.
Mila and Sinner were given the chance that was stolen from us, and it sits in my chest like a physical ache.
But I’m not alone. Priest is with me, and Sinner and Colt are on their way.
They’re not my brother, but I trust them with my life.
And not just because of what happened the other night.
Mila smiles. “So, you and my brother…”
“I plead the fifth.”
She laughs. “Don’t worry, I won’t ask for details. Trust me, I don’t want to know. I’m just curious. You’re the first woman he’s mentioned in a while, and he sounds different about you.”
I wonder what Mom’s going to say when she hears about this.
I want to not care, but I know I can’t ignore her forever.
Mila really is a freelance journalist, though, and I know she’ll treat the MC connection carefully.
It also helps that Sinner asked for her help personally, so I know she’ll do her absolute best to keep the coverage positive for me.
Besides, I keep telling myself that if Mom was really concerned about appearances, she should’ve done a little more research before associating us with someone like Greg Cook.
We’re back at Brentport Commons, so Mila can get some shots and write a story about how an underhanded publicist terrorized me, and could’ve gotten me hurt if it wasn’t for my bodyguard.
She will downplay the MC involvement by painting Sinner as an independent security specialist, but the connection to the Outlaw Sons is inevitable.
His patch is visible in several pictures, and bystanders reported it as well.
“I like your brother,” I admit. “I don’t know where it’s going, but I think I might want it to go somewhere, you know?”
“I don’t mean to pressure you or anything, I’m just glad to see Danny doing well and moving on with his life. I worried about him a lot when he first got out of prison.”
“That’s Sinner’s real name?” I had no idea.
“He hasn’t told you? I know I should call him Sinner now that he’s blooded and all, but he’s my brother. He’s been Danny for my whole life. I’m proud of him, and I know it’s part of who he is now, so I try, but old habits die hard.”
I glance at Priest, who’s standing nearby, keeping an eye on everything.
“I know what you mean. I knew Priest when I was younger, and it was strange at first to think of him with the new name. We didn’t grow up together, though, so it’s probably easier for me.
He’s so different now. Him then and him now are almost like two different people in my head. ”
“I’d probably get used to it more easily if Danny was in the Screaming Eagles. Then I’d see him more often and get to practice.”
“Maybe I’ll save calling him Danny for a special occasion.” I grin at her, and the mischievous grin I get back makes me feel like I’ve found a kindred spirit.
Mila turns out to be good at her job. She has a lot of questions ready, and leads me through everything that happened, from the night at Inferno, to finding out that Greg was behind it.
She takes a few pictures and records everything I say with an app on her phone.
I point at where Erika fell in, show her the tire tracks on the lawn where the van pulled in, everything.
When we’re done, we drop onto one of the benches right by the water and watch a river boat float by.
“You haven’t had any new threats, have you?” she asks after the recording is done.
“No, why?”
She frowns and looks at her notes. “The whole thing feels a little too neat and tidy. It’s probably nothing, but watch out. I’ve learned to follow my instincts with this sort of thing.”
“I will. We’ve relaxed a bit, but Sinner and the others are still keeping an eye on me.”
“Good,” She flips through the pictures we took, making sure she has everything.
“Can I ask you a question? You’re an old lady, right?”
She smirks. “I’m only twenty-five, but yeah, I know what you mean. My men are in the Screaming Eagles. It’s probably not exactly the same, but close enough.”
“But you still have a career and everything, right?”
“Of course. I think I’d go crazy if I just sat around the compound all day. I love my guys, but I’m still my own person. I don’t know what it’s like in the Outlaw Sons, but most of the Harem Brunch Club have work they do outside the club.”
“The what?”
“Oh, that’s what we call ourselves. The Harem Brunch Club.
” Mila laughs at the look on my face. “Don’t look at me, it was probably one of the founding ladies who came up with the name.
Being an old lady to three or four men is pretty common in the Eagles now, but it didn’t use to be.
The women stuck together for support because they could understand each other, you know?
Now there are a bunch of us, and we still get together at least once a month.
MC life is a family, but the social part doesn’t extend to the women in the same way, so we have our own support network. ”
“You must miss Sinner.”
“I do, but the space has been good for him, and I think he found it just a little too awkward to see me with Mack, Reaper and Scrapper. He’s happy for me, but the move was probably for the best. Besides, Danny obviously likes you.” She laughs. “Aw, blushing brings your freckles out.”
“You don’t mind, do you? That I’m sort of something with your brother?”
“He’s a grown man, even if he doesn’t always act like it.
” She pauses, then turns serious. “Listen, prison was rough on him. It is on everyone, but he was practically still a kid when he went in. He can be a little over the top at times. I think he acts out a bit because he went without freedom for so long, but that’s just my backseat sisterly psychology talking.
He plays hard, and he loves hard. Priest and Colt have mellowed him out a little, though. It’s a good thing.”
“I appreciate you telling me, but I don’t want him to feel like we’re gossiping behind his back.”
“Good. I like that you’re protective. He deserves it. I’ll give it a rest, but I just want you to be warned that if he decides you’re something he wants, he’s going to go all in.”
“I can’t tell if that’s supposed to be a warning or a promise.”
“A little of both?” She shrugs with a little laugh. “I know you said you had history with Priest. You don’t owe me your story, but are you interested in all of them? Or is Priest the one you really want?”
“I… I don’t know if I’m ready to make that sort of decision yet.” It feels like a lie when I say it, even though the words are true. “But I would never hurt Sinner. Not on purpose. I just don’t know if I can have my career, and a relationship like you have.”
I glance back at Priest. Everything about him looks relaxed, but I bet he’s paying attention to every detail of what’s going on around us.
What’s happening now is fun, and it feels real, but it’s early.
I love that Priest, Sinner and Colt are unapologetically who they are, even in a world where I usually feel like I’m anyone but myself.
I don’t know how this will work long term, but I’m not going to run away from what could be the best thing to ever happen to me.
“I think you’re on the right track,” Mila says, and as if in response, there’s a rumble of motorcycles approaching.
“I think we’re about to have company.” She gets up from the bench, waving as Sinner and Colt pull up.
They park next to Priest’s bike on the strip of greenery that separates the promenade from the street.
We hurry over, and as soon as I get there, Sinner yanks me into a hug, followed by the kind of kiss I should be embarrassed having right in front of his little sister.
I’m barely out of his arms before Colt throws his arm around me. “Everything good?”
Mila nods. “I think I got what I needed. Time for me to go, because I really don’t need to see my brother’s tongue. Like at all. Not even a little bit.”
Sinner sticks out his tongue in response, blowing a raspberry. “That’s fair. Now you know how I felt when I was living with you.”
“Yeah, I think we’re set.” I turn to Mila. “It was nice meeting you. Please send me your write-up before you publish it anywhere, okay? I want at least my agent to go over it first.”
She nods. “Of course.”
“Ready to go?” Priest asks, wandering over to join us. “You’re going to want to get some rest before the club party tonight, because there won’t be much after.”