Epilogue
ONE MONTH LATER
Julie
“You are such a cheater.” Sap throws his cards on the table.
“You’re just mad I’m not your partner. I’m sorry. He is my old man. I have to choose him every time,” I tell him, looking across the table at Yak.
He has a smirk on his face as he watches us bicker.
“You can’t keep winning every hand. What the fuck are you smiling at? You didn’t know how to play either.” He turns to Yak.
I hold out my hand, not saying a word.
Sap looks at me, then cusses under his breath, slipping out a twenty.
“Stop pouting and deal,” I tell him.
“You need to learn faster,” he growls at Poutine. “Euchre isn’t that hard.”
Poor kid is still a prospect. He looks from Yak to Sap and then to me. He is trying his best, but these guys intimidate him. He puts on a brave face, but he wants to impress them. He looks up to them.
“You’re doing fine, dear,” I tell him, patting his hand.
“Angel, you better stop touching him before Poutine resembles the dish he’s named after,” Yak growls.
I shoot him a glare. “He’s a kid. Stop being so grumpy.”
“Ma’am, I’d prefer if you didn’t refer to me as a kid. The guys give me enough shit. I don’t need them adding that to it,” he says low, trying to keep the others from hearing.
He is the tough biker around the guys, but his language always becomes more formal with me. As if he was raised by a family with a good education.
“Oh, we are going to give you shit anyway. Also, you owe her money. Shit is still a curse word.” Sap laughs.
I glare at him.
He holds up his hands. “I gave you a twenty. I’m covered for at least a hand or two.”
Poutine pulls out a five and hands it over. I try to push it back, but he shakes his head.
I get it. He wants to feel like part of the group, and somehow my no-cursing habit has become a bit of a thing at the clubhouse. All of the brothers buy into it. So much so that I’ve started donating to charity and paying off school lunches with it.
“Okay, we better win this hand,” Sap tells Poutine.
Poutine nods solemnly like he knows this is going to go bad.
“What are you doing in here?” Goose comes in, his best friend Dice at his side.
“Playing Euchre. Want in? Poutine could use a break,” Sap asks.
I see the way Poutine’s face falls. He wants to be one of the guys.
I kick Sap under the table. He glares at me.
“You are being a jerk. Stop it before I kick you out of the game and replace you with someone with better manners.”
“Oooh, she’s got you there,” Dice yells, his hand circling his mouth.
“Owned by a woman,” Goose jokes.
“Excuse me, that’s my old lady you’re talking about,” Yak says, arching a brow.
“We all know. We get it. She’s yours. Don’t worry. As much of a catch as she is, none of us are stupid enough to touch her. We got the message.” Dice rolls his eyes.
“You know, I thought bikers would be tougher. You guys are dramatic. It’s quite comical. I wish Liz could see it.”
I smile sadly as I think about her. She’s still not speaking to me. It hurts, but I’m trying my best to live my life. It’s what my dad would want, even if he would want us together for it.
“Yeah? Maybe I’ll go meet your cutie one day. Show her my moves.” Dice swirls his hips.
“You are beyond ridiculous,” I tell him.
Yak adds in, “She has an old man, remember?”
Dice snorts. “He’s a fucking poser. I’ll show her how an old man is supposed to treat his old lady.”
He’s pulling out his wallet before anyone even says anything, slapping a ten on the table.
“That’s a fucking promise.” He looks me right in my eyes.
None of the brothers like the fact that my pseudo-sister is connected to their rival club. They won’t make a move though until she asks. I only wish she would ask.
“Is there a reason you are in here right now?” Yak asks. “If not, go on. You’re interrupting game night.”
I smile at him. The club still has its parties, and the women are still barely dressed, but with the approval of the whole club, Thursdays have become game night.
Many of the brothers are playing cards around us.
Some of them are even playing strategy games like Risk and Catan.
Meanwhile, we play Euchre. More of the brothers know how to play, but none of them like being Sap’s partner, which is why Poutine got roped into it.
“Yooper is calling a meeting in twenty. Sorry to ruin your little game, but he wants you there, Sap.” Goose waves to the table.
“Are you scared of losing?” I raise a brow at him.
I know Goose knows how to play. He let it slip once. Which makes me wonder why he won’t sit at a table with me. Something has me thinking it has to do with Yak.
I look to the man in question to find his eyes already on me.
“All of this kumbaya stuff ain’t my thing. See you in twenty,” he tells Sap, then he looks to Yak. “He wants you there too.”
Yak draws his eyes from mine to Goose. Something unspoken passes between them. Yak nods, then Goose and Dice leave.
“Twenty minutes means we can get some more hands in. You going to suck less, Poutine?”
“That’s it.” I turn to Sap and hold out my hand. “Give me the cards.”
“What? No. Why?”
“Sap, give me the cards,” I hiss through gritted teeth.
He holds them away from me, looking like I am trying to take away his favorite toy. “I won’t be mean. I promise.”
I press my lips together and look at Yak. He has an amused expression on his face. Then he leans forward, pulling the cards from Sap’s hands before handing them to me.
“Et tu, Brute? I thought we were friends.” Sap holds his hand over his heart.
“She said give her the cards. I don’t know how many times I tell you knuckleheads: if my woman wants it, she gets it. You fucked up, own up to it.” Then Yak looks at me. “I’ll pay the jar later.”
I shake my head. “Go to your stupid meeting. Poutine and I are going to play two-handed Euchre.”
Sap pouts but gets up and leaves.
Yak gets up and comes around the table, planting a kiss on me that causes many of the men to catcall. When he pulls away, there’s lightness in his eyes.
“I love you, Angel.”
I smile. “I love you too.”
After he walks away, I turn to Poutine. “Okay, I’m going to teach you how to play until you can beat him because I am tired of his whining. You ready?”
Poutine’s eyes light up. “Yes. Where do we start?”
Yak
Standing at the end of the table, I take in the committee my brother has surrounding him.
Yukon to his left, the sergeant at arms who will protect him at all costs.
Goose is next to him, all humor from earlier gone as he settles into his role as road captain.
Keener, Sauga, Canuck, Hoser, Wolverine, and Predator all make sense.
They all play a role on the committee. Sap and I aren’t, though. We are just members.
“What’s going on?” I ask, my eyes meeting Yooper’s.
I keep my eyes off the empty seat to his right. It’s where Aragon sat. His vice president who betrayed the entire club.
Yooper gives me a “shut up” look. I’m not known for my patience, though.
“This meeting is in session. It’s been a little over two months now. Things are settling. There is a gap, though. We have a void to fill. The VP chair cannot remain empty. Would anyone like to nominate a suitable replacement?” Yooper asks.
“I nominate Yak,” Predator says, his eyes meeting mine.
I’m shocked how quickly he spoke up. Yooper barely finished speaking before he spoke up.
“I’ll second him,” Goose adds.
I nod to them both, unsure how I feel about this development. I never wanted a title. I am happy being a member.
“Does anyone have anyone else they would like to nominate?”
When no one speaks, Yooper holds up his gavel. “All for Yak being VP say ‘aye.’”
A chorus sings out.
“Anyone against it say ‘nay.’”
No one speaks up.
“The ‘ayes’ have it with a unanimous vote. Yak is our new VP.” He slams the gavel down.
Sap pats my shoulder. He’s become a close friend since everything went down. I’m glad he is standing here with me right now.
“Yak, come take your seat.” Yooper nods to the empty seat.
It feels monumental as I make my way toward the empty chair. When I finally sit and look out, it feels right. It feels like fate. That damn bitch seems to have done it again.
“Onto the next order of business. Wolverine has a request,” Yooper says.
We all look to Wolverine. He looks nervous.
“I know you know I wasn’t in on it with Aragon, but I still trusted him. Believed him. The guilt is eating me up inside. Being here, it isn’t good for my mental health. I would like to request a transfer to the Forbach chapter. I feel like I need a fresh start.” He looks down at his hands.
“No one blames you.” I speak up. “I understand the need for a new place, though. I will back his request.”
Wolverine looks up at me and nods.
We haven’t talked much, but I can see he is haunted by what happened. If getting out of here helps him, then I’m all for it.
“You will visit, though, brother.” Predator pats his shoulder as he sits next to him.
“When I can,” Wolverine lies.
He won’t come back here. Not if he can help it.
“Anyone have anything to say?” Yooper asks, the room growing somber.
We are losing one of our own today.
When no one speaks, Yooper holds up his gavel. “All in favor.”
We all approve. Not a single nay in the room.
Yooper bangs the gavel and moves on.
“That means we have a new position to fill. Wolverine, you have a recommendation for tail gunner?” Yooper asks.
“I do. I nominate Sap. He’s loyal and observant. He would be able to watch your backs,” Wolverine states.
“I’ll second that.” I speak up, backing the man who is quickly becoming my best friend for the position.
“Any objections?”
No one speaks.
“Put it to a vote, then.”
Within seconds, Sap looks as stunned as I feel as he takes Wolverine’s place at the table.
“If there’s nothing else, this meeting is adjourned.”
One last gavel bang, and the room clears. Everyone congratulates Sap and me. I watch as Wolverine hands the patch from his vest to Sap. Sap accepts it, hugging the man. They speak quietly for several moments before Wolverine pulls away. I can see the sheen in his eyes, so I look away.
The world thinks we are emotionless bikers, but the truth is, we are just better at hiding our hurt.
Once the room starts to clear, I go to stand, but Yooper shakes his head.
I sink back into my seat. When Predator exits, he looks back, closing the door behind him.
“I know this isn’t what you planned. You wanted to leave after everything. Are you sure you are okay with this? I won’t be offended if you want to go back to Colorado.”
I shake my head. “Her home is here, and my home is with her. I didn’t expect the position, but you’re my brother, and these guys are slowly becoming family. I’m happy to be by your side to help you run this place.”
“Good. I was hoping you’d say that. This is for you then.”
He pushes a brand new patch across the table toward me. I take it, looking at it for a long moment.
Vice President.
Wolf is going to shit himself when he hears. I smile thinking of my old friend.
“Usually we would pass it down. It holds legacy, but I would never want you to have anything that Aragon tainted. This is a new legacy. One we are building together. Maybe one day you’ll hand that patch over to your son.
Maybe not, but it will be a positive thing.
No more rotting from the inside. We embrace this, and we make it what we never had,” Yooper tells me.
“Do you think it will ever be safe enough to see them?” I ask, thinking of our sisters.
“I hope so. He’s getting out on parole, you know.”
My eyes flick to his. “He is?”
He nods. “Two weeks. I didn’t want to say anything until I knew for sure. It’s why I wasn’t worried about bringing you here. He already knew where you and I were. He doesn’t know about the girls, though. They are hidden, and I want to keep it that way.”
I nod in understanding. With me in Canada with Yooper, we are somewhat protected. Our father is a felon. He can’t leave the United States legally.
It does leave our sisters at a disadvantage.
“Then we make a lot of noise. Tempt him to violate parole. Put him back in his cage,” I vow to him.
“That’s the plan.”
“I don’t want him to be able to get to Julie,” I growl.
“He won’t be able to get to anyone we love. If he tries, I’ll rip his head from his shoulders.” Yooper’s eyes grow dark.
This is the brother who protected me when we were kids. The one willing to do anything for those he loves.
“Good. Tell me when he’s out. I have a homecoming gift for him.” I smirk.
Dear ol’ pops has no idea what’s in store for him.