Page 85 of Merciless
“We’ll stop by but might leave early.” Dad smiled apologetically. “This old man gets tired once the sun starts going down.”
“So do these,” I said, gesturing to my four men. “But they still try to party like kids.”
My husbands came over to say hello and hug my parents before the lights started dimming in the auditorium. The governor and his daughter walked onstage to the sound of applause. I looked past my mom when I stood to clap, noticing the three reserved seats on the other side of her were still empty.
“Mom,” I whispered, leaning over quickly. “Who was supposed to sit there?”
She looked at the empty seats and frowned. “Those biker friends of yours, I think. The three men who are always together.”
So the Sons of Odin were snubbing the governor by not attending. Interesting.
Kyrie kept a pleasant expression on as she stood next to her father onstage, but I didn’t miss how her eyes kept shifting to the three empty seats.
Governor Vance’s speech was extremely flattering and long. I felt self-conscious from all his praise at first, then I quickly grew bored to the point where I was zoning out. I didn’t know what the official story was that he was told about New Ireland, but from his speech, I got the sense he believed we saved the territory from a dictator using slave labor. That was close enough to the truth.
The governor stepped aside after his long monologue and invited Finn to the stage. Reaper’s father walked up to shouts and applause and smiled charmingly from behind the podium. He looked the part of a diplomat, handsome and charismatic.
In Finn’s speech, he praised the Jerriton troops who came to our aid and took a moment to speak the names of the fallen medics, soldiers, and Steel Demons who lost their lives over the course of the conflict. He even mentioned Dallas and the Sons of Odin club members who were lost before Four Corners ever became a target. That floored me, and I reached across the seats to squeeze Reaper’s hand.
“I also want to extend my utmost gratitude to Andrea Marks, the widow of Dallas Marks, who went into New Ireland undercover to gather information for us.” Finn’s eyes scanned the room for her. “She acted selflessly to honor her husband, who gave his life selflessly so that his family could have a peaceful future. Four Corners is forever in your debt, Andrea.”
Those of us in the front row stood and applauded loudly for her, with Finn’s soldiers quickly following after. I spotted her a couple rows back, wiping her eyes and smiling as Tessa hugged her.
“To Javier and Emma Wilder,” Finn continued, looking straight at my parents. “Not only are these two brave survivors of the New Ireland compound, they gave us the keys to save over two hundred more lives and secure a victory over this enemy. My wife and I have gotten to know you both personally over the last few weeks, and we are honored to call this kind, inspiring, beautiful couple, our family. Thank you for what you’ve done, and that includes,” he leaned over the podium, grinning, “giving me the most incredible daughter-in-law I could ask for.”
A ripple of soft laughter and applause rose from the crowd and my face burned hot.
After they each spoke, Finn and Vance took turns calling people up for awards and medals. Some were called individually, others grouped together, like the specific units who went into battle. Andrea walked onstage with her two children to accept her award. My parents went up together while holding hands. Because the Sons of Odin weren’t present to accept their award, Shadow, as Grudge’s assumed next of kin, accepted it in their stead.
We’d been sitting for a while and the guys were fidgeting, getting antsy. Once all the awards but ours had been given, a beaming Governor Vance strode up to the podium with his chest puffed out.
“And for the heroes who need no introduction, who not only saved our modest territory from annihilation, but also who is most precious to me.” He paused to look at his daughter who, for a moment, flicked her eyes to the ground as if she was uncomfortable. In actuality, Kyrie may have never been rescued if the Sons of Odin hadn’t devised the plan. T-Bone and the others insisted they didn’t want credit for that mission, but it was owed to them.
A couple seats down from me, Reaper also shifted uncomfortably. I knew he didn’t feel the same way now, but he had been against the mission back then and didn’t feel right with being awarded for her rescue. The Sons’ absence was jarring, and I hoped they would still attend our after party.
“Our gratitude is beyond measure,” Vance continued. “Words and recognitions fall short of describing what the Steel Demons MC has done for Four Corners. I speak for everyone in this room, in this territory, when I say I’m honored to have met you all. May the legacy of your strength, bravery, and compassion live on for generations.” He paused once more to wipe his eyes. “Reaper, Jandro, Gunner, Shadow, and Mariposa. Please come forward and accept our highest decoration, the Four Corners Cross.”
The room exploded into applause as everyone stood up for us. Even I had gotten a little teary-eyed at his speech and needed a moment to compose myself before I stood. The applause never stopped, not even as each of my men accepted the medal around their necks one by one, including handshakes with the governor, Kyrie, and hugs from Finn. Once my guys were fully awarded and it was my turn, Governor Vance stepped aside and Kyrie walked up to the podium. Only then did the applause die down to silence, but everyone remained standing.
“Mariposa Wilder,” Kyrie said into the microphone. “For your dedication as a medic and for saving countless lives, it is my greatest honor to present you with the Caduceus Excellence in Medicine Award.”
“What?”
The squeaked-out word was lost in another round of thunderous applause. None was louder than my men clapping across the stage. I started to actually cry, taken aback with a hand on my chest. Kyrie placed the ribbon over my head with the medical award, and then her father followed with the same medal my men wore.
Kyrie pulled me into a hug, quickly whispered, “Thank you,” into my ear, and then the remainder of my time onstage was a blur. Only the familiar scents and touches of my men grounded me again as they guided me back to our seats. The next thing I knew, it was time for the dinner party.
“Ah, thank fuck,” Jandro muttered as we and the other guests were ushered into the dining room.
Unlike last time, today’s meal was more of an informal cocktail hour than a multi-course, sit-down dinner. There were several tables with various foods to snack on, several wet bars, and pub tables to sit at. It would allow us to chat and mingle enough to be polite, then exit whenever we wanted. Maybe the governor and his staff had picked up on the fact that we weren’t terribly formal people.
“Shit, I forgot Vance had good fuckin’ whiskey.” Reaper turned to me, playfulness lighting up his eyes. “How many am I allowed before we blow this pop stand, sugar?”
“Hm.” I tapped on my chin. “Two.”
“That’s it?”
“We have plenty to drink at home and a whole evening to celebrate.”
