Page 22 of Razor's Property

The moment I hear the rumble of the motorcycle riding up the drive, my stomach tightens. I look up from my plate to see Sean staring out the window. A dark shadow falling over his face like a cloud of dread rolling in. My lunch churns in my stomach, no longer sitting well. He’s going to tell King he’s done. And by the nerves I see in his eyes, it’s obvious he’s dreading the moment. I know it’s not going to be easy. Those men have been part of his life since he was seventeen years old. And like he said, they’re family.

I just wish they were good influences on him and weren’t trying to drag him into their crimes. I want Sean to be safe. I don’t want him going to jail or getting hurt. What happened to Rubble could’ve easily happened to him. There was a gun pointed at his head. And if Rubble hadn’t saved him…

I can’t even handle the thought. It’s better this way. It’s better for him to part ways with the club.

“You okay, baby?”

“I’m fine.” I swallow hard. “You?”

“Yeah. It’s been a year since I’ve seen him. Would it be okay if I talk to him alone? It’s not that I have anything to hide from you, it’s just…” I get out of my chair and go to him.

“You don’t have to explain. I get that you want some privacy. I’ll be in the bedroom if you need me. And Sean?” I grip his cheeks, looking into his beautiful eyes, and it’s just like the first day I saw him walk out to his backyard. His eyes full of sadness. Looking like a boy crumbling under the weight of regret. I don’t want him to be sad. I want our lives to be filled with happiness. I’m hoping in time this sadness doesn’t turn to regret— or resentment. “Thank you. I know this isn’t the easiest choice to make. But it means the world to me. I love you, Sean. I mean it.”

“I love you too, Kens. And I’m not just doing this for you. I’m doing it for us. It’s time for us to focus on what we want out of life and to start chasing all those dreams we had when we were kids.”

He leans forward, giving me a sweet kiss, but when the knock pounds on the door, we pull apart. I rush off to the bedroom while he goes to answer it, keeping my door partially cracked so I can peek through. I need to know he’s okay. If King gives him hell, I’ll tell the man to get out of this house.

“Shit, Razor. It’s damn good to see you.” King comes in, pulling him right in for a hug. Both men pound each other on the back. Just like a father and son who haven’t seen each other in a long time. They kind of look like they could be related. Both massive and covered in ink. Dominant. Strong. Handsome. King’s still just as good looking as I remember. Maybe he has a little more salt in his beard, a few more wrinkles around his eyes, but he’s kept himself in good shape.

“Where’s your girl? I was hoping I’d get to see her.” He looks around the room, seemingly disappointed I’m not there.I’m actually surprised he even remembers me. I figured a man of his importance and stature wouldn’t remember some random girlfriend who only came around a handful of times.

“She’s taking a nap,” Sean says, and I can hear the lie within his voice. He’s always been easy to read. At least, to me.

“Wore her out, huh?” King clasps him on the shoulder. “Well, you let that girl know I’m damn happy you two are back together. She was a good girl. Pretty and sweet. And she was a good influence on you. I know you’ve been missing her over these last eight years, whether you’d admit it or not. I almost went to find her for you, but I figured eventually you’d get your shit together and get off your ass to go get her. It’s gonna be nice havin’ her around again, and I know my little girl will love her.”

Wow. His regard for me is so high. I wasn’t expecting that. I thought he’d want some rough and tough biker chick to be with Razor. Though, as soon as he learns Sean’s leaving the club, he won’t like me much. He’ll know I’m the reason.

“Don’t think she’ll be around the club much, boss.” Sean suddenly sounds quiet, his voice bridled with uncertainty. “I’m gonna have to turn in my cut, King. It’s time for me to build a life with my girl. But before I do, I want you to know that this doesn’t come easy for me. You guys have been my blood. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for taking me in and for showing me the ropes. For being there for me. I was a lost kid, but you centered me. Raised me to be a great man, and I’ll always be so damn thankful.”

Every word twists me with guilt. There’s something about this that doesn’t feel right. There’s something about the depth of the sadness in his eyes that’s breaking my heart. It truly is like he’s walking away from his family. And if I were in his shoes, if someone was asking me to leave my mom, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.

“We’re the ones who are thankful, Razor. You’re not just a brother; you’re like my own kid. Always have and always will see you as a son. It’s been great watching you grow up and find yourself. And it will be fun watching you start your life with your girl. Want you to know that whether you wear that leather or not, you will always be family. We’re here for you. So if you find yourself in a bind or need help, you call. You need money, you tuck any pride away and you come to me. Just because you can’t ride with us no more, doesn’t mean we won’t have your back. You hear me?”

When I see the tears form in Sean’s eyes, my heart drops. And it’s in this moment that I know. I can’t let him do this. I can’t let him walk away from his family. For the first time, I see it. It’s not just a bunch of men running around doing crazy shit and breaking the law. These are men fighting for a cause. Men willing to risk their lives to put drug dealers behind bars and stop sex traffickers from hurting girls. These are men with honor who stand together, willing to take a bullet for one another.

I shove my way through the door and rush into the room. “No! Stop, Sean! Please don’t do this.” I step in front of the man who was willing to give up everything for me and look up into his pained eyes. All I want to do is take away that hurt. “I was wrong. I was so afraid of losing you, that I couldn’t see it. These men are your family, Sean. They’re a part of you. Being a Savage Knight is in your blood. It fuels you. I saw it back when we were young, and I see it now. I don’t want you to walk away from them. I don’t want you to give up what you love.” I turn toward King. “He takes it back. He’s not turning in his cut. He was trying to protect me and give me what I thought I wanted. But I was wrong. I was wrong about so many things. I misjudged you and the club, and I apologize, King.”

“Baby, stop. It’s okay.”

“No.” I turn toward the man who’s owned my heart since I was a little girl. Even after everything, I never stopped loving him. “It’s not okay. These men are your brothers. They’ve been here for you. They saved your life. I can’t let you turn your back on them for me. I misjudged you and the club. I misjudged so many things. And I see how wrong I was. I was so afraid of losing you to these men, I wouldn’t give them a chance. But I’m not afraid anymore. So, please, Sean. Don’t quit.”

“Damn, she’s gonna make a fine old lady,” King states. “It’s good to see you, doll. Still as pretty as ever I see.”

I glance over my shoulder and smile. “Good to see you too, King.” And it is. Surprisingly, there’s a comfort that comes with his presence. Over the years, I’d managed to paint him out as a wicked monster in my head. An enemy. But he isn’t. He never was. From the moment we first met, he was always nice to me. It was my fears and ignorance that prevented me from seeing the truth. I painted him out to be a villain, but he gave Sean something I never could: a father’s love.

“King, you think we can catch up another time?” Sean’s gritted words have me turning. “Need to speak with my girl in private.”

When I see the intense look in Sean’s eyes, my body rocks back. It’s a look I recognize. One I saw last night. Right before he devoured me whole.

“Yeah, son. I’ll let you two be. But when you’re ready to let this girl out of your bed, you bring her by the club so we can welcome her to the family properly. Good seeing you both.” He gives me a wink. “I’ll see myself out.” He glances back up to Sean, smirking before he turns to leave.

When the door clicks shut, Sean’s on me. Scooping me up into his arms, stalking us right back to the bedroom. He lays me on the bed and his huge frame comes bracing over me, making my entire body spark to life.

“Never thought I could ever love someone this damn much, babe. You got no fucking clue what that meant to me. Thank you, Kens. Thank you for accepting my life and for being willing to stand by my side. King’s right. You’re gonna make a damn fine old lady.”

The idea is starting to grow on me. In fact, it’s a powerful thought. Me in a black leather jacket, riding on the back of his bike, overseeing things at the clubhouse with the other old ladies. Being there when the guys get back from fighting crime. Ready to welcome my superman properly.

“Do I get my own jacket?”

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