Page 51 of Blood Revealed

When we walk in there’s a big sign congratulating Hero and Brinley. The party is on. I feel bad that Hannah doesn’t get her sign too, but when we see Chaos in a chair, alive and awake, that’s all I need.

I tug on Hannah’s hand. “Over there, baby.” She and I make our way through the crowd. My sister is pressed to Chaos’s back, keeping people from knocking into my best friend.

When we come to stand in front of my brother and Liv, he’s wearing his killer got-into-a lot of women’s panties grin. “Wish I could’ve been there, man,” he says.

“What?” I ask.

He uses his chin to point to Hannah’s finger. “All I see is asses sitting in this fucking chair. Think I’m missing something that bling?” We both snicker.

Liv comes around the chair to grab Hannah. “Welcome to the family, officially, sister-in-law,” she whispers. “I’m so happy for you and my brother. It’s about damn time.”

“Liv,” I warn.

“What? I know there was shit keeping you two apart. You were gone for several days before the women went to find Elise. Don’t be a tool, big brother.”

A tool? Who says that anymore? I bark out a laugh as I pull my sister into my arms. “Love you, sis. It would’ve been perfect if you and Chaos had been there.”

“I get it. We take the happy when it presents itself. I’m just glad you’ve got who you’ve always wanted to be with. Trust me, I understand.”

She would. Those two spent fucking years apart and most of that was because they didn’t want to piss me off. I’d been a bit slow on coming around to their relationship. Wouldn’t have it any other way now.

“I can tell them,” I whisper to Hannah. “Make an announcement.”

“Naw,” she says, swiping her hand in the air. “My sister hasn’t had much in her life that’s just hers. Let her have this. Letthemhave this. We’ll tell the group tomorrow.”

We sure as fuck will.

11.

Hannah

It’s been three days since Raif not only officially declared me his old lady within the club, but we also told them we’d been married in a double ceremony with Hero and my sister. We partied into the night. The club had seen some rough tides in recent weeks and it was the little reprieve we all needed, today though, it’s back to business.

I’ve been looking at the contents of my closet for ten minutes. It’s Carver’s funeral today and I find it hard to concentrate. I’m in my heels and thigh-high stockings, but that seems to be as far as I can get myself to ready.

With everything else happening at once, I never really got the chance to grieve the loss of my friend. He accepted me as his little sister from the moment we met. The man had a light about him that most bikers never find. It was a wonder he hadn’t been snatched up by some lucky woman by now.

“Baby? You’re still not dressed.” Raif walks up behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder and hugging my waist from behind.

“I’m sorry. It’s just kind of hitting me now that he’s gone. He shouldn’t be gone, Raif. He should’ve been here cracking jokes at your expense about why it took you so damn long to claim me.”

“I know, baby.”

“I love him like he’s my own flesh and blood brother. Not loved. Love. And I never got to say goodbye.”

“Baby,” he whispers. “He’s here. You think that stubborn ass would willingly leave us? He made those jokes. We just couldn’t hear them.”

“But I want to hear them, Raif. It’s not fair and in a way, it’s my fault, just like Duke said. If I’d have been—”

“Stop it, Hannah,” Raif says, cutting me off. “You did what you felt you had to do to protect the club. I get it. Duke was hurting, but he gets it now. Even Carver got it. That’s why he was there to have my back, baby. Don’t take that on.”

“It’s already there. I don’t feel like I have a right to show up today.”

“Not only do you have the right, but baby, you gave vows that said you’d be there to help me through this kind of shit, just the same as I made those vows to you. Through thick and thin, remember?”

Right. He helps me pick an appropriate dress. It’s mostly black with purple trim because it’s appropriate to wear some color to funerals now.

As we gather at the back of the property where the service will take place, I’m not met with glares like I thought I might be. Even Tommy Doyle and a very pregnant Maryanne show up to pay their respects.

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