My lineage, August’s lineage.
It was all there in front of us the entire time, and we never considered the ramifications. It was impossible. They couldn’t be, because if August was right, then our children would be the most hunted and coveted people on earth. There would be no place they could hide. Everyone they came in contact with would use them to their own advantage. They would never have peace, find happiness. They would forever live in a gilded cage not of their making.
“Holy shit,” a young man gasped, as if he had just figured out the truth. “You are her, aren’t you? You are the one they’ve been looking for all these years.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Sypher?” Montana gruffly snapped. “Who’s looking for whom?”
“HER!” the man shouted, pointing his finger at me as I continued to slowly back away. “You are Diana Cooper.THEDiana Cooper. The missing daughter of the Gods of Mayhem!”
A heavy silence settled over the room, as every person turned and stared at me. No one spoke, though I could see the battle raging within everyone—fear, disbelief, and that gnawing uncertainty of what the future would hold now that secrets were unraveling faster than anyone could contain. Mercy reached out, steadying himself on the edge of the bar. “Do you know the bounty your family offered for any information regarding your whereabouts?”
“Not to mention the death and destruction they caused searching for you,” Montana admitted, then sneered, “Yourfather and brother tore this city apart looking for you, and all along you were fucking August!”
August moved so fast, he looked like a blur when his hand connected with Montana’s jaw, knocking the son of a bitch to the floor.
“You will show my wife some fucking respect or I swear to fucking God, our friendship is over!” August roared as he stood over Montana’s prone body. Grabbing the man’s cut, he hauled Montana close and seethed, “And remember one fucking thing, Montana. We wouldn’t even be in this fucking mess if it weren’t for your fucking father.”
Shoving him away, August walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me as I clung to him protectively. “If any of you have a fucking problem with my wife, say so right fucking now, because Hell will freeze over before I walk away from her again. I never wanted to join this motherfucking club, and over the years, I’ve done everything asked of me, even when it went against my morals. I’ve covered for each and every one of you and never said a word. You want me gone, then have the balls to tell me to my face, but you will not use my wife or my children as a bargaining chip in this war. Am I fucking clear?”
Shame walked over and stood in front of us, arms crossed over his chest. “You want a bargaining chip, then use me. My father is Samuel Peterson, former head of the Disciples of the Word and a direct descendant of one of the Original Seven of the Golden Skulls California Chapter. My mother was a former mistress of Sergio Pavlov, head of the West Coast Bratva. I’m also a sleeper, with ties and connections to several underground organizations. So you want to use someone, then use me.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Montana groaned, getting to his feet as he rubbed his cheek. “Anyone else want to spew more secrets? ’Cause now is the fucking time to do it.”
“I’m pregnant,” Largo piped up, grinning from ear to ear as Mercy stiffened.
“Really?”
Largo nodded as Mercy picked her up and twirled her around.
Montana rolled his eyes. “Not what I had in mind, Largo, but congrats to you both.” Sighing, the president of the Soulless Sinners walked over and looked at me and August. “Contrary to both your beliefs, I may look like my father, but I am not him. I don’t trade family or friends for personal gain. As for you,” he said, turning to Shame. “I will deal with you later. In the meantime, I think we all need a break, and I need a stiff drink. Silver, screw the glass. Hand me a bottle.”
I stood there as the brothers dispersed, while others stayed to congratulate Mercy and Largo. While I was very happy for the young couple, I needed to tell August about our own children and what happened.
“Take a ride with me?”
I looked up at August and nodded. “Where?”
“I want to show you something.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Bane
With her hand in mine, we quietly left the clubhouse and walked into the cool night air. From the front steps, I could hear the water from the New York City Harbor splashing and churning against the pylons as we made my way to my car. Even after twenty years, it still astounded me—the vibrancy of the city that never sleeps. I wondered if anyone else in this vast city felt as tired as I did.
Passing my brother’s bikes, Diana stopped and said, “August?”
“Hmmm?”
“Which one is your bike?”
That stopped me. Turning, I frowned. “Why?”
She shrugged as her eyes scanned the rows of chrome and metal.
Walking over to her, I asked, “Is this your way of saying you would rather take my bike than the car?”
She smirked. “Well, I’ve never been on the back of your bike before. Every time we saw each other, you were driving your car.”