Page 97 of Hawk's Sapphire

“All right.Then we could do three tiers.Or we can do two tiers and cupcakes on the side for the kids or just for the people who like finger foods.”Andi smiles.“We could actually make the entire meal finger foods, which would give the guests a lot of variety, but it’s not as formal as a sit-down dinner, so they don’t have to feel obligated to stay longer than anticipated.”

“You’re going to want everyone to leave as quickly as possible so you can get to your honeymoon,” Jayde states.

“Why would that matter?They can leave whenever they want.It’s not like they haven’t been fucking this whole time anyway,” Skyler says laughing.Avery’s face turns bright red.

I slap Skyler’s shoulder, shushing her.

“Ew!That’s my brother!Don’t put those images in my head.Gross,” Jayde shouts.“They’re going on a cruise, stupid witch.It’s too cold at Christmas time to have a honeymoon anywhere around here.They’ll have one night in their hotel near the port, then they leave the next morning.I was thinking they’ll need to leave early for the drive.Fucking perv.”

We all fall into a fit of laughter.It’s so nice to be back home with everyone, making plans and feeling like I belong again.I don’t know how the guys feel or if they’re still mad at me for taking off on my own after the hand I had in Nate’s death, butthis—being here with all my girls—feels right.

The back door to the clubhouse opens and Gabe and the guys come walking inside.Linzie gets up and immediately stops in front of Gabe, putting her hand on his chest.His eyes drop to her hand, then back up to meet hers.All the women go deafly quiet.

Nosy ass bitches!But I love them.

“I owe you an apology for the way I went off on you the last time I was here,” Linzie starts.“This is your club, yourlifestyle,and I had no right to yell at you the way I did.I heard the rumors in town and had the Feds in my shop talking to customers about you all, and I was worried for my son.”She sighs.“That being said.I’m sorry for the way I acted, and I hope we can go back to the way things were.”

I chance a glance at Avery, who smiles and wiggles her eyebrows.

Well, well.Uncle Gabe has been keeping secrets of his own, it seems.

“Yeah.That’ll be great.”

That’sGabe’s response?Linzie just apologized for disrespecting him in his own club, admitting she wants to continue seeing him, andthat’swhat he says?

“Oh shit.”Skyler mumbles beside me.

Oh shit indeed.

Linzie nods her head, clearly upset as she spins around, grabs her things, then kisses her son on her way out the door.The rest of us watch on in amazement.

“You really fucked that up, Pres.”

Leave it to my man to point out the obvious.

“She’ll be fine.It’s none of your business anyway, asshole.You have your own woman to reprimand,” Gabe says, looking pointedly at me.“Come here.”He crooks his finger and like the scorned child I am, I go, stopping a foot in front of him.

Gabe grabs me, pulling me into a tight hug.“If you ever try to leave this family again, I will hunt you down and blister your ass.I don’t give a shit how old you are.You aremy niece.My blood.You got me?We don’t walk out on each other.We don’t try to solve our shit on our own.We’re not just a club, Baby Girl.We’re familyfirst.Your parents may have fucked up by walking away from you, but I—we—will never abandon you.This is your home.Don’t you ever try to leave it behind again.Got me?”

“Yes, sir,” I say between sniffles.

When he finally pulls back to look me in the eye, he smiles wide and shouts to the room, “Someone play some music!We’ve got a union to celebrate!Sadie is officially Hawk’s ol’ lady!”He leans down close to my ear and whispers, “Is that officially a King enough for you?”

I laugh, nodding my head as I swipe away my tears.

The room fills with hoots and hollers, and just like that, my heart fills with pride and I know I’mhome.

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