by Jessica Ames
The clinking of a glass has everyone’s attention going to Derek who is standing in the middle of the common room, tapping a spoon off his pint glass.
The room falls silent.
“We’re here today to remember our fallen brother. Lucas might not have taken the patch fully, but he was part of the Saxons’ family, nevertheless.”
I glance over at Rabbit and King, our two remaining prospects, who look sombre. They will have been closest to the man, all sharing the prospect status at the same time.
“Let’s toast to Lucas!”
We all raise our glasses, bottles, whatever we’re drinking from and yell, ‘to Lucas’.
When the noise subsides, Derek says, “I wanted to talk to you about something else, and maybe now isn’t the best time to do it, but while I have everyone here, I need to.”
Icy chunks sit in my belly at the seriousness of his tone.
“I’m stepping down as president.”
A collective gasp goes around the room and the chatter begins immediately. Derek holds a hand up and silence resumes.
“I don’t make this decision lightly, but some of you may have noticed I haven’t been myself lately. It’s because I have early onset dementia.” Another gasp goes around the room. I feel like the rug has been pulled from under my legs. Derek can’t have dementia. He’s always so… Derek.
“It’s only in the early stages, but it’s going to get worse. If this last year has taught me anything, it’s that leadership is important and good leadership is imperative. The boys’ll vote in a new president in the next few weeks and I’ll step back.”
“You’ll always be a member of this Club, Derek,” Dean tells him, patting him on the back.
“Always,” Weed adds.
“I know that, but I can’t lead from the front anymore.”
My heart breaks for him. The Saxons are all he has. To not have that… I brush a tear away as it rolls unchecked down my cheek. Dane squeezes my hand.
“My last act as president is to do what I should have done a long time ago. Shore up our defences. This shit taught me that it’s not good to exist in isolation. If it wasn’t for our friends helping us, we’d be done for, but we can’t rely on other people. The Lost Saxons need to be strong on our own. That’s why I’m setting up a secondary chapter in Northampton. We’ll share territory with the Devils, who will take half the town and we’ll have the other.” His eyes scan the lads and stop on Adam. “I want you to head it.”
Adam jolts. “You want me to run it?”
“I want you to be president of our new Northampton chapter, yeah.”
Adam glances at our brothers and I see the mix of emotions that cross his face. My little brother has been overlooked in favour of Logan and Jem his entire life. This is new territory. Jem grins at him and Logan crosses his arms over his puffed up chest.
“Fuck yeah, I’ll head it.”
Derek slaps his palm against Adam’s before pulling him into a hug.
“We’re strong together. Don’t forget that.” He raises his glass. “Saxons forever! Forever, Saxons!”
“Saxons forever! Forever, Saxons!”
Epilogue
Three Months Later…
Sitting behind Dane, the wind in my hair, the bike rumbling beneath me feels amazing. I can barely contain the laughter that wants to bubble up my throat as his Harley roars down the country roads on the way into Kingsley.
Being behind my guy is the best feeling in the world and I love every second of it. I love the feel of his hard abs under my hands, the way his powerful shoulders move as the bike shifts back and forth. I love sitting behind him and letting him take control.
It’s been three months since I left Kingsley for Manchester and I’m eager to see my family again. I’ve missed the hell out of them, but it’s Beth I’m most itching to see.
Two weeks after I got out of the hospital, I moved to Manchester with Dane and it’s been incredible. The Devils are a different type of club, which took some getting used to, but they’ve gone out of their way to make me welcome. I don’t know what happened to Lola after the incident, but she hasn’t been seen since she betrayed the Devils. I’m guessing whatever they did to her wasn’t good, but no one has said a word.
We don’t head to the clubhouse, but veer off towards Kingsley General Hospital. There’s a host of Harleys parked in the bike parking area and Dane adds his ride to the number. I climb off and pull my head free of the helmet, running my fingers through my hair as Dane kicks down the stand.
He climbs off, taking my helmet from me and securing it to the back of the bike before doing his own. Then hand-in-hand we walk into the building. I love the feel of his big palm against mine.
We head straight for the maternity unit and for once I feel a hint of relief that we’re here for something good, not because someone got shot or hurt.
As soon as we push through the doors, we’re greeted by Saxons’ kuttes and family. Sofia reaches me first, hugging me tight, then I’m passed around the brothers, and the rest of my family. Mum is missing, as is Jack, so they must be in with Beth and Lo.
I feel warm, happy, safe here, and when I finally have said hello to everyone I sign, “Is she here yet?”
Sofia nods. “About an hour ago. She’s adorable.”
I grin and glance up at Dane who smiles back. “Can we see her?”
Sofia nods. “Room seven.”
Dane and I head up the corridor, buzzing to get through the security doors into the unit. We make it to the room number and knock on the door. It opens a second later and I’m greeted with a red-eyed Jack.
He engulfs me in a hug before ushering me and Dane into the room.
Logan is sitting on the edge of the bed, his chest bare, his kutte draped on the back of the bed. I don’t fail to notice the new patch on his kutte—President.
After Derek stepped down, Logan was voted in as president. Was I surprised, no. I was more surprised that Slade took a step back from the table to become a regular member. He told everyone he wasn’t getting any younger either and that the business of running the Club should be left to the younger generation. I suspect it had something to do with the fact he and Clara are trying for a baby. Dean finally stepped up and took the position of VP, with Wade moving into Sergeant-at-Arms and Weed getting a seat at the table as his enforcer.
Time changes many things.
My eyes go to Beth who is sitting up, her hospital gown falling off her shoulder as she cuddles a tiny bundle to her chest. My heart swells as I move to the bed and get my first look at my niece.
The baby is tiny, with a hint of dark hair and big blue eyes that are staring up at me.
“She’s gorgeous,” I sign at Beth.
“She didn’t feel so gorgeous coming out,” Beth says softly, but she never once takes her eyes off her daughter.
“Do you want to hold her?”
I nod and sit in the chair at the bedside. Logan takes the baby carefully from Beth like she’s breakable and hands her to me.
I stare down at her and I can’t help but smile. She’s beautiful. My brother made a beautiful daughter.
“What’s her name?” Dane asks the question that my occupied fingers are dying to ask.
“Erin Marie,” Logan says, “After Beth’s gran.”
I love the name and I love this baby already. I glance up at Dane who is staring at me with heated eyes. Does he want this? Does he want a baby? We haven’t spoken about it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not on his mind.
We visit with Beth and my brother for a while then leave the new parents with their daughter. When we get out into the corridor, I sign, “Isn’t she the cutest?”
“You want that?” It’s asked with curiosity.
“Someday, yes. What about you?”
He turns me towards him. “Baby, I’ll give you whatever you want. If it’s babies, then I’ll put a kid in your belly.”
I roll to my toes and kiss him, while my fingers trace signs on
his arms, telling him I love him.
And I do love him. I love this man to my soul.
I glance up as I see Adam walking up the corridor. He’s wearing his kutte but his now says Northampton on the back and president on the front. He seems to have grown a couple of inches and the swagger as he walks suggests a new found confidence that suits him.
“How’s the happy couple?” he asks.
“Good,” I sign. “How’s life as president?”
He grins.
“Life’s pretty good, but it feels good being back with everyone again.” He dips his head and kisses my forehead. “I’m going to see my niece. Don’t shoot off, okay?”
I nod, affirming I won’t.
As soon as he’s out of earshot, Dane says, “Do you want to stay for a few days?”
“Can we do that?” I sign.
He nods and kisses me. “Yeah, baby, we can do whatever you want.”
And that right there is why I love this man. He gave me everything I ever wanted and more. Maverick asked him once if he was prepared to fall for this club and he proved his loyalty to me and my family.
For that, he’ll always be my fallen rider.
The End
This concludes the Lost Saxons series.
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About the Author
Jessica Ames lives in a small market town in the Midlands, England. She lives with her dog and when she’s not writing, she’s playing with crochet hooks.
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