Page 156 of Colt

Billy sauntered in from the yard where he and a few of the men were talking, probably about how they were gonna get rid of a fucking elk. “Yeah, Prez?”

“Call around all the ranches in the area. Ask ‘em if they’ve got any ponies for sale,” he ordered.

Sunny’s eyes rounded. “Oh my Gods,” she whispered.

“John! No!” Layla protested.

Atlas began to crack up laughing again.

Dagger turned to Layla and shrugged. “It’s just a pony or two.”

“I don’t want one, Grandpa,” Kai told him. “I’ve got my bike.”

Kady kept her mouth shut. The kid wasn’t stupid, and she obviously was all over getting a pony.

Kennedy popped a hip. “I hope you’re not expecting me to muck out shitty stables, John. I’m far too pretty for manual labor.”

Dagger turned to her, rubbing his beard in thought. “God, forbid you get your hands dirty. That’s what we’ve got prospects for.”

Billy pursed his lips. “Great.”

“Come on, everyone,” Abe bellowed. “Excitements all done. Let’s get back to the table.”

Laughter and chatter filled the air about the elk incident as everyone headed back into the bar. Me and Freya lagged toward the back and walked together.

My pinkie reached out to touch hers. I couldn’t stop myself, whenever she was close, I needed to feel her, even if it was only a millimeter of skin. I’d never been drawn to anyone like I was her. Our hearts were magnets, pulling us together and connecting our souls.

Getting through the day knowing what was about to happen made my chest ache but it also strengthened my resolve. The stakes were high, but Freya was worth the risk. I’d choose her every time, no hesitation.

I only hoped that Dagger would go easy on me when the truth finally came out.

Chapter Thirty

Freya

I slicked on some nude lip gloss and smoothed down my long white skirt, making sure my matching crop top was in place and my boobs were contained.

It was New Years Eve, and I was dressed to party.

Christmas day had passed without any more elk incidents, thank God, and the following days that led up to New Year were filled with love, laughter, and family.

I’d soaked everything up. Each joke, every burst of laughter, and every beautiful, heartwarming moment because I knew everything was about to change.

Colt and I snatched fleeting moments together, but it was difficult to get privacy with so many people around. Families were still living at the clubhouse because of the fires the Sinners set earlier in the year. The new houses were being built, but everybody was in limbo until they were finished.

Most of my interactions with Colt were over the phone with him in his room, and me in mine. We were tempted to sneak around and do some bed hopping but Colt didn’t feel right about it with my dad under the same roof.

Talking of Dad—he announced the day after Christmas that he wanted to throw a New Year’s Eve party. A buzz of excitement spread around the clubhouse and the town. Everybody was invited, Dad said, he wanted it to be the shindig of the year.

My excitement was palpable. Colt planned to go into Dad’s office first thing in the morning on New Years Day and tell him all about us. The party was an opportunity for me and him to go out with a bang amongst all our friends and family and say a proper goodbye.

My eyes caught on the boxes and bags stacked up in the corner of my room.

I’d started packing and throwing away all the things I didn’t need. I’d already filled two suitcases and had boxes full to the brim ready to go into storage. It was crazy how much stuff I’d accumulated over the years.

Shifting through everything evoked memories that were so beautiful, I couldn’t help wishing there was a different way. Leaving everybody I loved made my heart ache and although I knew it was something I had to do, it wasn’t easy for me.

However, I had faith in Colt and what we had. Living without him would be akin to all the light in my life being stripped away, and as much as I knew I’d miss home I couldn’t help feeling excited for our new beginning.

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