Page 35 of Jigsaw
As I got to Dean, he smiled and reached out, taking my hand. I wasn’t sure what to do with the rose, so he took it and handed it to the man standing with us, whose cut read ‘The Rev’. Rev shrugged and tucked the rose behind his ear as Dean took my other hand into his.
He began to speak of riding together, of life’s tests, and a few other things, but I was lost in Dean’s deep green eyes. When it was time to say the words that would bind us together forever, I repeated what Rev said, followed by Dean doing the same. We exchanged rings, then Rev handed Dean my cut so he could put it on me. Rev told us to hold left hands as he wrapped a piece of leather around our hands.
“Rings are an old way of showing your connection, but this symbolizes the oldest of ways to mark a union. The binding of the hands shows that two souls are connected, that they are one, and that no man or woman can separate what the universe has brought together.” He placed a hand onto the binds and declared, “You’re hitched, so kiss your woman and claim your man.”
We pushed our bound hands between our bodies as Rev stepped back. Dean’s kiss was all-consuming, filled with love and promises of unbridled passion. As we broke apart, the cheers erupted, and we stood as the leather was unwound from our joined hands. Dean and I walked down the aisle and straight to his bike, which was waiting at the side of the driveway.
There were cans tied to the back, and he helped me on as the group followed us to his motorcycle. We were only driving around the clubhouse, where we would be celebrating our union, but this was something I really wanted to do. I wanted to ride away with my property cut on, feeling the weight of my wedding ring and having the wind blow through my hair. On a bike was where I was comfortable, and it was where I wanted to be.
He cranked the bike and pulled away, lifting one hand into the air as I turned and looked back at the two clubs—my father’s, which was passed to my brother, and Dean’s, in which he was a revered member—standing together, celebrating the joining of not only us but also them in a way.
We can live with hate or we can lead with love. I knew Dean wasn’t a saint, and I wasn’t either, but I chose to give grace and lead with love.
It was better for my soul in the long run.
Chapter 17
Jigsaw
Three days later
Day after the Sturgis Rally
Iwas helping one of Ghost’s men hook Willow’s camper up to the hitch on my SUV as they were breaking down their campsites. She was speaking to Ghost off to the side as we got the small camper secured to be transported over to our house. Her bike was parked off to the side, and after bumping fists with the Phantom Renegades, I walked over to Willow and Ghost.
“Did it hook up okay?” Ghost asked as he lifted his chin in the direction of the camper.
“I had to switch out the hitch, but that was an easy fix, so we should be good to go,” I returned as Willow pushed against my side and wrapped her arms around my waist.
Ghost looked at her and asked, “And you’ll be back at your apartment next week to pack up?” She nodded. “I’ll come over with a few of the brothers and help get you loaded up since you’ll have people here to help unload.”
“Thanks, Marcus,” Willow said, and he rolled his eyes at her with a smile.
We all knew he wanted to be referred to as Ghost, but this was his sister, not a member of his club. He and I spoke at the wedding reception, and I’d suggested one way for them to heal their relationship was for her to refer to him by his name. It took the club aspect out of the middle of the two of them andgave them equal footing to rebuild the damage Popeye’s actions created.
I looked around and realized most, if not all, their gear was packed away in the trailer they’d hauled using Ghost’s truck. They were getting his truck hooked up, and he gave us a smile as he stepped closer.
Offering me his hand, we shook before he gave his sister a hug. “Just because you’re an ol’ lady now doesn’t mean you can’t come home for a visit from time to time.”
“I’ll make sure we get to Minneapolis at least once a year, and you’re always welcome at our house,” I replied.
He gave a nod and looked around, seemingly unsure of what to do next. Bikers weren’t big on long goodbyes, so I decided to make a move to cut the weirdness. Looking at Willow, I asked, “You ready to get the camper back to the house?”
She sighed and responded, “I guess.”
It seemed like the two of them didn’t know how to say goodbye, so I lifted my closed fist, and Ghost tapped his against it. Willow followed my lead and offered him her fist. He chuckled and tapped his hand against hers before stepping to the side and walking back to be with his club.
Willow looked over her shoulder as I guided her to her bike, trying to make her understand. “I’m sure this is difficult for him.” She looked confused, so I explained, “He’s leaving his sister in South Dakota, and even though you two have history, I think he’s gonna be sad.”
“You think?” she asked before glancing back at the Phantom Renegades.
I kissed her temple and answered, “I know.” She kicked a long leg over her bike, and before she cranked the motor, I warned, “Don’t get too far ahead of me until I know how the camper reacts during transport.”
She gave me a nod and turned the motor over. Walking back to my SUV, I got inside and cranked the engine as Willow looked back at me. I flashed the lights, and she began to pull away from the line of Phantom Renegades bikes. Throwing my hand out the window, I gave them two fingers in the air as I pulled away with the small camper.
The roads were congested with bikers trying to get back home from a memorable Sturgis Rally. Willow made sure to stay right in front of me as the slow traffic filtered down the interstate. A few miles down, we got off on our exit and turned toward our house. The camper was traveling well behind me, and when I gave Willow a thumbs up, she gave me a single nod and shot away at an increased speed.
I trusted her on the bike but still worried about her driving so fast. I wouldn’t slow her down for anything in the world, but I would worry when she was being so impulsive. I was sure some of her need to push the bike was her emotions. She and Ghost may have always been at odds, but that was her only family, and I meant what I’d said to him. I would take her back to Minneapolis every year to ensure the siblings stayed in each other’s lives.
