Page 64 of Freeing Souls

Ryker blinks at him. “Of course I did.” He tells him as if it’s silly to even question that he would do that. Gripping his chin, he gives him a fast kiss and then murmurs, “You are mine, Gray baby.”

Clearing my throat I try to lighten the mood,while also being serious, by saying, “You’re mine, don’t forget that.”

Grayson smiles at me, his cheeks tinted red. “I know.”

After a few other people that I have not met before stand and say some kind words about Gabe and how he helped them or how he made their day whenever he saw them, it’s time to prepare to lower the casket.

Standing, everyone in the club forms a large circle around the grave as they get to work moving the casket and lowering it down into the ground. Minutes pass, and more people begin to take their leave, heading back to the club for the celebration. I stay standing at the end of the grave site as he is officially put into the ground.

My heart aches as my last image of him flashes before me. How broken he was, how he was trying to get me to closemy eyes, how much pain he must have been in, the fear of knowing he couldn’t protect me anymore. “They saved me, Dad,” I whisper.

Carly approaches slowly. Wearing her long black dress, her face is clear of makeup as she has spent most of the time crying. Stopping beside me, she sniffs. “I loved him.”

“I know,” I murmur sadly, not taking my eyes off the ground.

“I’m so sorry, Harley. I know that’ll never be enough for what you lost, but I’m sorry.” She cries.

Taking her hand, I turn and look at her. “You know you can be in pain too. Please don’t hide it from me. As selfish as it sounds, knowing I’m not going through this alone helps me heal.”

She scoffs through her tears. “It’s not selfish. Not at all. It hurts–it hurts because I wasted so much time. And now, all I will ever be able to do is dream of what could’ve been.”

“I’m going to tell you this, not for you to use it to wallow, but for you to remember it in the future when it may be a needed reminder.” I say softly.

Her brows lower, but she nods once. “Okay.”

I take a deep breath. “When we went on our ride the day everything happened, he laid my mom to rest at their spot. I asked him to leave her there and come home and be happy with you. He loved you and he agreed with me. He said he had wasted enough time.”

“He–he was coming home for me?” She tries not to let out a sob, but it forces its way out. Her body is shaking as I wrap my arms around her and cry with her.

“Yes. He was coming home for you because too much time had been wasted. Remember that. Please. Don’t hold onto something you can’t have and let it ruin something right in front of you.”

“I don’t think I can ever love someone like that again.”

I nod. “That’s what my dad said too until a certain blonde changed it and scared the shit out of him. I just don’t think hecould admit how scared he was to let that final wall down with you.”

She chuckles as she pulls back and glances down at where he rests, “Are you calling him a pussy?”

I shrug, “I mean, I didn’t say that word no, but it may have been implied.”

Laughing through our tears, we loop arms and head back towards where my men now wait for us. It’s time to push the tears aside and celebrate his life with the men who love me.

“So want to tell me what’s been going on with you?” I ask Bri as I rest my chin on her shoulder.

She shoots me a small smirk. “You, my dear, are a little drunk.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m tipsy, andyou, my dear,”I mock, “are avoiding my question.”

“Life is just a little chaotic lately. When I know for sure what is happening, I will tell you, I promise.”

“I really hate your vague answer.” I frown at her. “You have barely even been around the guys today. Usually, they surround you any chance they get.”

“Harley, please, let it be for now, okay?” she pleads with me.

Sighing, I sit up and nod. “Fine. Have it your way.”

A while later, a lot of the town people have left, and it’s mostly just our club now. Colton stands and lets out a loud whistle to get everyone’s attention as the music is stopped.

“I have a quick announcement,” he says loudly. “I know most of you are aware, but this is the official announcement: I am now the President of the Sons of Silence MC. I will be stepping intoRage’s very large shoes and will do my very best to make you all proud.”

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