by Addison Jane
He wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her against him as I walked over slowly. “What happened?” he asked, looking over at me as she cried into his chest.
“Some little assholes on the side of the road,” I explained briefly.
Leo frowned. “Come on, let’s go inside.”
He led her in and over to a sofa in the corner where they both sat and chatted quietly. I could see how tense Leo’s shoulders were as she spoke, explaining what had happened.
“Who’s that?” Optimus asked as he and Chelsea came in from the patio.
“Leo’s niece.”
Optimus raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Meyah? I haven’t seen her around here for years. What’s going on?”
I told them what happened. Chelsea looked over at her sadly, and Optimus glared with a heavy frown.
“Fucking kids these days have no respect,” Optimus grumbled.
I looked past him, catching sight of Ham standing in the doorway out to the patio. Ham was a sweet kid, it wasn’t often you saw him without a smile on his face, but he took his place within the club very seriously.
Prospects kind of got the hard end of the deal, mainly serving as the member’s personal slaves and bitch boys. They got all the unwanted jobs, watching the gate, babysitting, cleaning the members’ bikes. But the thing was, every single member had gone through the same process. They had all paid their dues and proved their loyalty to the club.
And Ham was loyal to a fault, so I had no doubt that sometime soon, he would get his colors.
Although with the way he was watching Meyah, his eyes glued to her and a deep frown etched on his face, I had to wonder whether maybe Leo would end up beating his ass to a pulp before he made it that far.
I smiled and shook my head.
I knew that look.
And I just hoped he knew what he was doing.
With Hadley tucked under one arm and Macy in the other, we stood outside the church and waited for the funeral to begin.
In great Brothers fashion, the curb down both sides of the street was lined with bikes. Deacon, the local police officer, had even closed it off to the public so we could have the time to say goodbye to our brother properly.
Almost the entire chapter from Troy had joined us, along with presidents and other members from other chapters around the country. They’d driven hours, and some even days, to say goodbye to a man that was loved by all.
“Leo,” a voice called to me through the crowd.
I smiled when I saw his face and passed Macy to Hadley, so I could embrace the man. “Hey Echo, long time no see,” I said, patting him on the back.
He pulled back with a wide grin. “Yeah man, wish it didn’t have to be under these circumstances.”
I nodded.
Echo was the president of our Maryland chapter, it was one of the largest we had.
He was a good man, had three boys that had all followed in his footsteps, the eldest, Junior, recently stepping up to take the Vice President’s role.
“Same here. But we appreciate you guys coming in to say goodbye.” I turned my body to Hadley and Macy. “This is my Old Lady, Hadley, and my little girl.”
Echo held out his hand, and Hadley shuffled Macy in her arms so she could shake it. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said with a smile.
“Likewise, darling,” Echo replied before turning his attention to Macy. “And aren’t you beautiful.”
Macy giggled and buried her face into Hadley’s neck.
“I’ll catch up with you after, brother,” Echo said with a small salute before making his way through the crowd to where Optimus was standing with Kit.
I took in a deep breath, wrapping my arm around Hadley’s shoulder and kissing the top of her head. This was never easy, saying goodbye. But it was made bearable by the show of support that surrounded us.
When I heard the roar of motorcycles coming down the street, my body tensed. All our brothers that we had been expecting had ridden in last night.
I looked over to Op, who raised his brows at me.
“Go and stand with the girls, okay,” I told Hadley, pressing on her back.
She looked up worriedly. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, just go.”
She nodded, hurrying with Macy toward where Harmony and Chelsea stood with the other old ladies and club girls, one of the only times it was permitted for them to mix.
Optimus joined me as I walked toward the street, Blizzard, Wrench, Kit and Tally coming up behind us.
Four bikes, two with women on the back pulled past Deacon, who was monitoring the street and slowly made their way toward us. I rolled my shoulders, folding my arms across my chest as I waited for them to pull to a stop. They parked in a line in the middle of the street, and I released a short breath of air as I read the name written on their cuts.
“Royal Rebels,” I said out loud.
It was Slider’s sister and her man.
We waited silently as they switched off their engines and climbed off their bikes. One of the women removed her helmet before walking toward us. The man she was with grabbed her arm and halted her advance, pulling her back and whispering softly in her ear. She looked down at the ground, her ash blonde hair flicking in the wind as she seemed to compose herself. When she looked back up, I could see the tears that were running down her cheeks. The others of the group stayed next to their bikes while she and her man came forward.
He spoke first.
“Switch,” he said simply, holding out his hand.
I had no idea who this man was, he had long hair that was tied back and tattoos that reminded me of Skins, covering almost every inch of visible skin. But while I didn’t know him personally, I knew the Royals.
Their club was much like ours. They dabbled in illegal trades from time to time, but over the last few years, they’ve also made the move, like us, into more aboveboard ways of earning money.
“Optimus,” my president answered. He looked to the woman at Switch’s side. “You must be Callie.”
She nodded, also reaching out to shake his hand. “Thank you for finding me,” she said quietly.
“We’re sorry it wasn’t sooner,” Optimus answered sadly. “Seemed like Slider had been looking for you for a while now.”
She wiped at her cheeks, and Switch slipped his arm around her waist in a sign of support. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”
“Neither can we,” I said simply. Optimus had already explained to her on the phone what had happened. “I’m Leo, it was my Old Lady he saved.”
She nodded, a small smile twitching at the corner of her mouth. “Seems like some things never change,” she said cryptically, making me curious to hear the story that went behind the statement.
Slider was never forthcoming with information about his past. None of us pushed him, but I was starting to wonder just how my sarcastic joking friend seemed to have come from a life that was really anything but.
“I’d love to meet her,” she said, her eyes shimmering.
I looked over my shoulder to see people beginning to file inside the church. I looked to Op, who gave me a gentle nod, knowing just what I was thinking.
“You’re welcome to come back to the clubhouse after the funeral,” I told them. “I’m sure you’re just as curious to hear more about your brother as we are to hear about you.”
Callie looked to Switch, who nodded and took the invitation. “That would be great, thanks. Sorry for just springing on you like this, it was kind of a last-minute thing.”
Callie laughed. “In other words, I couldn’t decide if I could handle it, and he got fed up with it and made me come anyway.”
I smirked. “We’re glad you did.”
She smiled, tilting her head to the side as though she was trying to figure me out. “I’m glad he had friends like you,” she said, surprising me.
“We could have done without his smart mouth occasionally,” Blizzard joked, making Callie laugh loudly.
“Yup
. Some things definitely don’t change.”
“Come on,” I said, gesturing toward the church. “Let’s get this done.”
She sobered and nodded.
Switch turned and lifted his chin to the other members behind him, and they placed their helmets on their bikes before joining us as we walked toward the church. Switch and Callie followed us to the front, while the rest of them took seats at the back. The men all joined their women, automatically throwing an arm around them searching for support, no doubt feeling the same way I was feeling right now. Sick to my stomach.
It was lucky that the church was huge because it was completely packed to the brim with people, the air filled with love and respect for a man who’d lost his life too soon.
Tears flowed freely as the priest took his place in front of the room. Slider’s coffin sitting proudly beside him, his freshly cleaned club cut laying across the top.
I barely registered anything that happened.
Words were spoken.
Tears were shed.
I held strong, Hadley’s body tucked into my side as she sobbed. Macy cuddled into her, her little hand rubbing up and down her arm, trying to soothe her tears. She wasn’t quite old enough to realize why everyone was so sad, but she knew that cuddles and kisses made things better.
When everyone had said their piece, Optimus took to the podium. Chelsea moved with him, holding his hand in hers as he took a deep breath and forced himself to speak. I don’t know if I could have done it.
“Want to say thank you to everyone who made the trip to Athens today to show their love for our fallen brother.” His eyes moved to the coffin. “I ain’t gonna say much. Slider’s life spoke for itself. He made it through with laughter, bad jokes and a nose for trouble.” A hum of laughter settled over the crowd, and Optimus smiled. “But above all else, he was loyal to a fault. When he loved you, he loved you with every cell in his body.”
I clenched my teeth, holding my eyes on Optimus even as tears streaked down my cheeks. I wasn’t ashamed to cry. I’d lost one of my best friends.
“We may not have been born brothers,” Optimus started, saying the words I’d heard far too many times. “But the club now runs in your veins as it does mine. Brothers by Blood.”
“Brothers by Blood,” I whispered softly, hearing the same words echo throughout the church like a wave.
Hadley squeezed my hand, and I inhaled a deep breath.
The priest got up and announced that it was time for the body to be carried out to the hearse.
I saw Harmony get up from her seat and move toward the front, her guitar in her hand. She stood by the mic, and she started playing. I knew the song, and it took everything I had inside me not to break down. Her voice sent a chill through me as she began to sing.
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton.
Optimus gestured to us to come forward to carry the coffin. I took a deep breath, pressing my lips to the top of Hadley’s head and making my way forward with my brothers.
The sounds of Harmony’s voice filled the church as we walked down the aisle with Slider’s body braced on our shoulders. The sunlight hit me, stinging my eyes as we walked down the steps.
“Wish he’d eaten less when he was here. Bastard is heavy as fuck,” Tally commented, breaking the harsh tension in the air and making us all laugh. “It had to be said. Let’s face it, he never let any of us get by without a laugh at our expense.”
I was relieved to feel the smile on my face as we placed him down and pushed him inside the long vehicle.
“Say goodbye to your girls and then get to your bikes,” Optimus ordered as he made a beeline for Chelsea and Harlyn. I found Hadley, wrapping my arms around her.
“We’ll meet you back at the clubhouse.”
She nodded.
I’d already explained to her that it was customary for us to go to the cemetery and help cover the body in by hand. It was our last goodbye. We never let a man be thrown into the darkness without knowing that we were there for him. Forever.
“Leo?” Callie approached us, dabbing at her cheeks with a tissue.
“Callie, this is Hadley, my Old Lady. Hadley, this is Slider’s sister, Callie, and her man Switch.”
For a second, I saw Hadley’s eyes widen and her shoulders sink. But Callie swept in, pulling Hadley into her arms and holding her close.
“I’m so sorry,” Hadley whispered through her tears as the other woman cradled her.
Callie shook her head. “Please don’t be.”
I let them have their moment, picking Macy up off the ground and propping her on my hip.
“We’ve got a couple of our own at home,” Switch said, his face softening as he looked at Macy. “Girl who’s six months and a boy who’s two.”
“I’ve got my hands full with one, man.”
He laughed, his eyes moving to the two women. “Hadley looks like she’d be a good mom.”
I didn’t miss the insinuation that said he thought that Macy was ours, but I just nodded, a smile creeping onto my face, knowing that he was right anyway.
She would be a good Mom.
Not just for Macy, but for the future children I intended on putting in that perfectly toned stomach of hers. I kissed Hadley goodbye as she headed down the street to my truck with the other women. Every club member that was there had already climbed on their bikes and started their engines. The roar was unlike any sound you’d ever heard.
I joined my brothers, starting my bike and feeling the motor rumble between my thighs.
The hearse pulled out of the church and drove down the center of the street. As it passed each member, they revved their engine, a chorus that was so sweet, so perfect. As it passed by me, I revved my throttle until the vehicle had moved on. I watched it continue down the street.
“Thanks, man,” I whispered quietly. “Without you, I wouldn’t still have her. I’ll never forget this.”
“Anything I can help with?” I looked up from the carrots I was cutting to see Callie standing in the doorway. The other women looked around.
Callie smiled. “I know the routine.”
“Girls, this is Slider’s sister Callie,” I introduced.
They all welcomed her with warm hugs, introducing themselves. Chelsea handed her a bag of potatoes and a peeler, and she got to work.
“So, Callie…” Rose started casually as she cut up lettuce for salad, “…how did you meet that beautiful specimen of a man you came in with?”
Callie laughed, and Chelsea swatted her friend’s arm. “Rose!”
Rose just rolled her eyes. “Like you weren’t thinking it.”
“No, it’s okay,” Callie offered. “My mom was young and stupid and didn’t like her dad always telling her who she could hang out with, and what kind of guys she could see.”
I listened intently, hoping to get a glimpse into Slider’s life that he never discussed.
“My dad wasn’t a good guy, but she couldn’t see past his charm.” She sighed. “Long story short, my mom died of a drug overdose and Josh, and I got put in foster care.”
“I know the feeling,” Chelsea said, offering an understanding smile.
Callie nodded. “We got split up when I was about twelve. I was quiet and well behaved, but Josh was always in trouble. The other kids would sometimes pick on me, and he’d always come to my rescue, which usually meant throwing a punch.”
My heart warmed as I watch her talk about her brother as though she’d just seen him yesterday, but the reality was, they had been separated for at least fifteen years.
“The family that adopted me, they refused to take him, too,” she said sadly. “And the day I left with them was the last time I saw him.”
I reached out and touched her arm, she looked over at me, forcing a smile.
She inhaled deeply. “So anyway. When I was about twenty-one, I went looking for my mom’s family. Found my granddad at the Royal’s clubhouse and also found Switch.” The sadness inside her was replaced by obvious ado
ration for her man. “We got married not long after, and have two little ones.”
“Aww,” Chelsea said sniffing and rubbing her growing bump.
Harmony laughed. “Calm down, hormonal.”
Chelsea shot a glare at her. “When you and Kit finally get to this point, you’ll understand!”
Harmony rolled her eyes and turned back to her work. Just as we finished putting together the makings of a feast, the rumble of motorcycles filled the air. We all smiled, washing off our hands and walking out to greet our men.
The yard was bursting at the seams with people. Ham was over at the playground with a handful of children, NERF gun in hand as he chased them around.
“Hadley!” Hearing Op’s voice, I turned. Leo smirked next to him, and Kit just laughed, shaking his head. I frowned, walking toward them. “I’m thinking we should get you up at the shooting range again, but Kit is scared.”
I laughed, sneaking in under Leo’s arm as he raised it for me.
“I don’t want to hurt Rifle’s feelings,” I joked.
Kit laughed. “You see, this is what happens. We give these women a voice and they never shut up.”
A hand came around, smacking Kit upside the head.
Bright Eyes appeared next to him, her stunning green eyes glaring at her son. “You’re not too old for me to tan your hide, boy.”
I put my hand over my mouth to try and hide the laughter. The boys around us didn’t care, though, loudly crowing and slapping him on the back.
“I’d be careful, boy,” Oz said as he walked over with a beer in his hand. “She has some power behind that slap. She’s made my ass red on more than a few occasions.” Oz wiggled his eyebrows as Kit forcibly gagged.
“Stop, please,” He pleaded before spotting Harmony standing on the patio laughing hysterically. “Harm, help me out here!”
“You’re on your own!” she called back.
Voices filled the clubhouse and the backyard for hours. There was a lot of laughter and memories shared. But no more tears. We’d said our goodbyes to Slider, and now it was time to celebrate his life.