Page 125 of Ryder

“No, but I’ll happily keep it up if it takes your mind off things.”

“I like what you said; about a vacation. We should take Ade to Disneyland or somethin’.”

She smiles. “A family vacation? I like the sound of that, he’d love it.”

“You think he’ll be okay?”

“We can talk to a counselor; I’ve got plenty of contacts from the school. I can ask around about the best thing to do.”

I nod, worry flooding through my body. “I felt this rage inside me, Crys. It burned a hole in me, so much so, I was ready to tackle him unarmed if that’s what it came down to.”

“I know you’d do anything to keep Ade safe,” Crystal says. “If I had any clue Jimmy had a fucking twin brother, I would’ve obviously said something.”

“I know that.” I kiss her nose.

“This better be the fuckin’ end of goddamn Jimmy. Sick and tired of him comin’ back to haunt us.”

“Jett and Rock already checked. Nobody else is showin’ up on the radar. He was the only family Jimmy had left,” I say. “We’re safe. Nobody is gonna hurt any of us again.”

“I love you,” Crystal whispers. “But I think I’m in trouble with Cash. He told me off in front of everyone for wanting to come find you.”

I chuckle. “I’m glad you listened.”

“Actually, I didn’t. I told Pipes he was taking me and Casey, or we’d basically be more of a problem than he could handle. Then Cash lectured me about staying in the car.”

“Which you would have done, right?”

She chews on her lip. “Just know I’d have used my gun if I’d been there sooner.”

I kiss her forehead. “I know that, and I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to. I love the fact you’re a feisty woman, but Cash was right in tellin’ you to take a beat. Runnin’ around with a gun when you didn’t know what you were up against could’ve been catastrophic.”

“I was willing to shoot him.”

“I know that.” I cup one side of her face. “I know exactly who you are.”

“I’m sure Deanna would do the same if the situation were reversed,” I grumble. “And Cash knows it. We’re not just ol’ ladies; we’re part of this club, too.”

I pull her closer. “I know that. You’re a big part of the club. The women of the club are what keep the wheels movin’ forward. They remind us of what it is we’re fightin’ for when shit goes down. That family is the most important thing.”

“I love you,” she whispers, emotion lacing her tone.

“Not as much as I love you.” I press my lips to hers.

“You’re my hero.”

I smile, rubbing my nose against hers. “Let’s just test that theory right now in bed, shall we?”

EPILOGUE

Crystal

One week later

“Oh, my God, she’s perfect,”I say, stroking little Aubrey-May’s perfect little cheek.

After a long and intense labor, Audrina delivered their little bundle of joy by caesarian section.

Audrina beams with happiness. “West is obsessed with her.” Audrina refuses to call Hustler by his biker name, as well as her son, Asher — also known as Nevada. “He keeps saying: Is this real? Is this really real?”

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