Page 84 of Scar

Harper looked over Scar’s shoulder. “Did you need to stay with him or did you want to come back with me?”

“He’s being a stubborn ass,” Tessa said as she jumped from the van. Scar stepped to the side so she didn’t have to squeeze between him and the open door. “I’ll head back with you since I have no hope of doing anything with him until Tally gets here.”

Harper smiled, meeting Scar’s eyes. “I like her, Scar. She’s fierce.”

“She’ll have to be,” Bear said as he too jumped down. “To deal with this lot.”

Tessa rose up on tippy toes to kiss the underside of her much-taller husband’s chin. “Take out his IV when the bag’s empty?”

“You got it, Mama Bear. Kiss our cubs for me. I’ll be there soon.” To Harper, he said, “Lucky’s cage is about twenty minutes out.”

The sound of a vehicle coming down the drive drew their attention, but Scar’s shoulders slumped when he recognized one of the club’s SUVs.

“He needs to hydrate,” Tessa called over her shoulder as she and Harper headed towards José’s house and their babies.

“Love it when she gets all doctor-bossy,” Bear quipped before gesturing for Scar to head inside. “Fucking sexy. Too bad she’s put a cap on more cubs for now. Says I need to give her uterus a rest. Personally, that woman is never hotter than when she’s knocked up with my cub.”

Keys rushed past, looking like a kid who just found out his parents still had a sex life.

As Scar stepped into the clubhouse, he took a deep breath. The building hadn’t been used as a distillery in many years, yet the malty scent still permeated the walls. Scar hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol since the night José had come to find him at the bar in Texas. Yet that sweet and yeasty aroma comforted him, gave him a sense of home.

Others followed them inside. Cage had his arm around Angel’s shoulders, smiling down at her like she was his entire world. With their left hands laced together at her collarbone, Scar noticed their rings for the first time. Both had black silicone bands on their third fingers. When had they gotten married?

Scar paused in front of the bar. The back wall between the locked glass cabinets that held the club’s liquor were two framed cuts.In Memoriamwas in big, bold letters above them.

The first was Lionheart’s, the prospect they’d lost nearly two years ago. He’d died saving Harper’s life. The club had buried him in full colors to honor his sacrifice.

The second was Scar’s. Not his real cut, that one he had hidden in Tally’s apartment, but a memorial cut. To honor the dead.

Except Scar wasn’t a member of the club. Not anymore. He still considered theVia Daemoniahis family, his brothers, but he wasn’t one of them. He’d left, yet they’d honored him as they would a patched member.

Ivy and Scissors were chatting as they entered, aiming for where Sissy was sitting on one of the couches. Another vehicle arrived outside. The door opened to reveal Steel, Grumpy, Papaw, and Bones.

Bear was removing Scar’s IV when the last vehicle pulled in, driven by Lucky. Soon, they were all in the clubhouse. The back door opened as Jasmine, Abby, and Sophia walked in. Scar quickly put on his black, long-sleeve shirt, not wanting to startle the ladies with the sight of his marred chest.

Everyone seemed to be talking, greeting each other, or chatting aimlessly. Aerial beat Jumper to greet Jasmine, who laughed and scratched the German Shepherd’s ears playfully, before straightening to kiss her husband.Fiancé, Scar corrected himself, recalling Keys’ message that they hadn’t gotten married in April.

Yet something else Scar had missed.

Pumpkin was the only patched member missing. He was still in rehab, as far as Scar knew, and likely would be remaining there for a while. Scar would make the trip to see him soon, though he had no idea if the club was keeping Pumpkin in the dark too, not wanting to add stress when Pumpkin had so much healing to do.

Scar had to look away when José reached Abby. There was intimacy, and then there was Abby and José. Their love was so powerful, it felt like an intrusion to witness.

A hush fell over the clubhouse. Scar didn’t notice at first, too busy looking at Sophia to ensure himself that she’d walked away from their ordeal at the bridge unscathed. From the way Pirate and Sophia greeted each other in a passionate embrace, with Pirate’s hand possessively gripping Sophia’s ass, Scar would guess she was doing just fine. Their eyes met over Pirate’s shoulder and Sophia smiled at Scar, mouthing, “Thank you.”

He nodded once, and then he heard it.

“Click… Click… Click…”

Scar’s head snapped to the left—and there she was. Her long obsidian hair loose, just as he’d dreamed about in that fucking interrogation room. Her milk chocolate skin glowed in the afternoon sun shining in through the open double doors behind her. She wore a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, but fuck if Scar could have described them. His heart, his very soul, were transfixed by her beautiful face.

For the first time since seeing her on the streets of Atlanta, Scar let himselffeel. He let himselfhope. There were no barriers now, no secrets. She’d saved him in more ways than she’d ever know.

Scar didn’t need to move. He didn’t need to indicate where he was in proximity to the room. He stood stock-still and waited. She’d come this far… Would she come a little bit further?

He knew the moment she found him. Watched as that little smile he adored so much touched her lips.

Her steps were confident and sure as she moved. The clubhouse—fuck, the rest of the world—could have burned in that moment and Scar wouldn’t have noticed or cared.

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