Page 35 of Raven
I wanted to change the subject, so I looked around the bar before lowering my voice and asking, “Where’s her cut?”
Jigsaw smiled and replied, “It’s locked in the safe in Roughstock’s office while we’re gone, and the clubhouse is closed tonight to anyone but Sinners.”
Happy the past can’t hurt her anymore, I smiled at my brothers, knowing by this time tomorrow, Sydney would have my ring on her finger and my cut on her back.
If I could just get a baby in her belly, my life would be complete.
Chapter 16
Sydney
The ride was exhilarating, and I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. Caleb led the Sinners on a three-hour ride away from Rapid City and back and the entire time, I kept my arms wrapped around him. We stopped a few times to rest, stretch our legs and take in the scenery. South Dakota was so different from Oregon, and I was swiveling my head the entire time, afraid I would miss something beautiful.
As we pulled back up to the Sin Den, I saw prospects setting up tables and tents in the parking lot, and there was a sign at the road that said the Sin Den was closed for the night. Caleb pulled his bike past the tents and turned so he could walk the bike into a parking space. One by one, the others did the same until everyone was parked and the noise died down.
Caleb swung his leg over the bike and watched as Jigsaw and Willow turned into the parking lot. Only then did he hold out his hand and help me down from the bike. My legs were shaky from being on the bike for so long, so he held onto me until I could stand without wobbling.
The smile on his face as he stood beside me was brilliant, and another piece of me fell in love with him. The feeling of contentment was so strong that I looked up at him and simply said, “Thank you.”
Pulling me closer, he wrapped his arms around me and asked with a curious look on his face, “For what, darlin’?”
Pressing up so we were eye to eye, I stated, “For loving me. For letting me be part of your family.” I paused as a lump pushed into my throat then added, “For everything.”
I wasn’t usually so emotional, but after spending the day with the Sinners Revenge, seeing the world through their eyes, experiencing the beauty of South Dakota in the Fall wrapped around the only man I’d ever loved, I couldn’t not say the words.
“I love you.”
He pressed his lips against mine, keeping the heavy emotions under wraps as he whispered, “And I love you. With every fiber in my being.”
A throat clearing beside us drew Caleb’s attention, and I looked to see Jigsaw and Willow standing there. She had a huge smile on her face, and he had a shit eating grin. I smiled and released my grasp around Caleb’s neck before turning to face them.
“What’s up?” Caleb asked, turning and tucking his hand into my back pocket, drawing me to his side.
“I was going to take the side-by-side over to the ranch and get Charlie and the pups. I didn’t know if you wanted to ride with me.” Willow asked and smirked, before adding, “That’s if you can tear yourself away from Raven for a few minutes.”
I liked Willow. She was outspoken, tough as nails, and rode a sweet ass bike. I wasn’t bold enough to drive alone, but after today, I realized I loved being on the back of Caleb’s bike. Looking up at him, I raised my eyebrows, and he shrugged.
“I’ll ride over.” I remarked, “I’ve been dying to meet the famous Charlie and Jack.”
Jigsaw chuckled and remarked, “You’re getting Jack after Jill. He’s super chill since he got his ol’ lady.” Shaking his head, he added, “But before her? He was a little dickhead who loved to piss on Animal’s tires.”
“No,” I exclaimed and heard Animal laugh as he walked up with Paige.
“He’s telling the truth. Jack was an asshole who loved to terrorize the whole club, but since Paige and Jill became a part of our lives, he’s mellowed so much,” Animal explained as Paige tucked up against him.
“The love of a good woman will do that,” I heard someone say behind me and I turned to see Comet and Claire walking up to join the conversation.
I had gotten their story this afternoon during one of the scheduled stops and I nearly swooned at first loves reconnecting. It was a fairytale, complete with the bad guy who was vanquished.
Caleb looked at me and the love showing in his eyes was enough to make me swoon over my own fairytale, but I wasn’t girly like that. At least I didn’t think I was.
“We’ll be back in a bit,” Willow remarked to the group.
“Thanks for grabbing them. I’ve got to get the grills started and don’t want Charlie to miss seeing everyone before she heads back to her place,” Animal said to her.
Willow reached her hand out and offered it to me. I linked my hand with hers and we swung our arms as we walked away from the group. The conversation continued as we walked away, and I heard the group laugh as she and I turned the corner to the back of the building. The side-by-side was parked near a road and as she got behind the wheel and cranked the motor, I hooked my seatbelt.
“This goes from the ranch house to the clubhouse, so we don’t have to worry about vehicles being on it. We’ll bring back one of the SUV’s so Charlies and the pups are comfortable, and a farmhand will bring this back later,” Willow explained as we bumped down the dirt path cutting across the green fields.
