Page 25 of Blade

“For what, sweetie?”

“For being so kind,” I return, still whispering.

Silvia pulls back and scans my face. “We have so much to talk about. I’m enthralled by an independent woman who is also a great artist. And don’t say it isn’t art, because photography is an art.”

“I totally agree,” I tell her. Silvia’s eyes are twinkling with delight. The worry inside me begins to fade.

“Mom, you’re hogging her,” Jaci interrupts as she wiggles herself between us. “I’m Jaci, the most loved and adorable child in the family,” she announces, rolling her eyes at her brother. “Right, bro?”

“You wish. Everyone knows I’m the favorite,” he insists, mocking his little sister.

“Puuuulease!” she draws out, then bats her lashes at her father. “I’m your precious little girl, right, Daddy?”

Jon strokes Jaci’s hair and kisses her forehead. “That’s right, precious.” Then he adds, “And Ben is my handsome risk-taker, and it seems he’s making all the right choices.” I blush as Blade’s dad looks at me as he speaks. Although I don’t have much time to be embarrassed because Jaci links her arm in mine and walks me toward the group of Lady Pride standing close by.

“You have to introduce me,” Jaci says. “I’ve heard so much about these people, all good, of course. Blade’s always been a happy guy, but since being with Satan’s Pride, he just seems so much more confident and focused. I love that for my big brother.” Her tone is genuine. I can see there’s a connection between the siblings that I’ve never had with my own.

I love my brother, Ryan, but it seems that our relationship consists of me constantly listening to his needs and wants. I’m also his go-to for any problems that come up. Lately, I’ve been purposefully distancing myself from him. Our last interaction was a mess, and I still shudder when I think of how much I had to sacrifice to start fresh.

Throughout dinner, I sit between Silvia and Jaci, but the Lady Pride have them laughing so hard that the time flies. I brought my camera with me and ask permission before taking any photos. I spend much of my night snapping shots of the amazing people around me. Guard agreed that I could use my camera as long as the pictures were not distributed outside the club. No website, no social media. Ghost reiterated that it all stays with the Satan’s Pride family. Since I had no intention of doing anything other than printing the best shots and putting them into an album for the club, I wholeheartedly agreed.

Blade and his dad had huddled with the men, but they come over every so often to make sure our drinks are topped off and our bellies are full. Blade makes sure to touch me in one way or another, to let me know that he’s with me.

I watch him across the room with the others. It seems that the prerequisite for joining Satan’s Pride is that you have to be a hot, sexy biker. But my man, he’s the most handsome of them all.

Blade

Dad picks his moment at the end of the evening to pull me aside and ask me to take a walk with him. I knew it was coming. While I was growing up, every so often, Dad would pick his times and tell me to put on shoes and go for a walk with him. I cherish these moments with my father. Even when we disagree, I consider them my best memories with my dad.

“You’ve found where you belong, son,” Dad says as we walk side by side down toward the edge of the property. “These men respect you.”

Admitting this out loud is big for my dad. The worst argument we ever had was about me joining the club. Like most people, he had misconceptions about what being in the club means. “I respect them too. They’re good men, with families, who are living their lives the best way they know how,” I reply.

“I can see that.” He nods. “Guard is a wise man for his age. Never seen anyone so secure in who they are. He’s a good leader.”

“Next to you, he’s the best.”

Dad places a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll admit it, I didn’t want you to leave town. I wanted you to stay where I could be close to you, thinking that if distance came between us, it would change who we are with each other. I didn’t want to lose my son.”

“Dad—”

“No, let me finish. I always considered what we had, this bond between us”—he motions between us with his hand—“to be special. I was scared of losing it. And in the end, it was me who was pulling us apart. I’m sorry. What you’ve done for yourself here is truly amazing.” He finishes with “I’m proud of you.”

I get a lump in my throat because my father is the most important man in my life, and I know how much he’s done for his family. All of us, Mom, Jace, and me. Dad has done everything to give us what he could to make our lives better.

“Thanks. I wouldn’t be here without you. It was you who taught me to be my own man and take chances if the risk was worth it.”

Dad smiles at me, clasping my shoulder tighter. “Emryn’s a beautiful girl,” he says, moving on to the next topic at hand.

I chuckle. “Yeah, she is. But she’s also sweet and funny. And when you get her riled up, she’s a spitfire.”

“Sounds a little like your mother.” He laughs. “Your mom likes her. A lot. And Jaci is already planning a girls’ day out.”

I do an eye roll. “Jaci’s nutty. But it’s good that she likes Emmy.”

“Is she the one, son?”

“I think she is,” I reply, but I can’t help the uncertainty in my tone.

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