Page 21 of Finish Line
Chapter Fourteen
Bull
After we eat lunch, I get a call from Shade.
“Hey, Prez,” he says. “We got everything Athena wanted except one thing.”
“Which was what?” I ask.
“The small jewelry box. We looked all over the apartment, but none of us could find it,” Shade explains. “We’re headed back now.”
“Alright, I’ll let her know. Safe travels.” I hang up and turn to Athena. “The guys and Sienna are headed back. There was one thing they couldn’t find.”
She sets her pizza on the plate and locks eyes with me.
“They looked everywhere for the little jewelry box, but couldn’t find it,” I tell her. Tears well in her eyes. “Shit, Goddess. Come here.”
I pull her into my arms.
“What was in it?” I ask.
“My grandma’s wedding and engagement ring. She passed away ten years ago. It’s been passed down from generation to generation starting with her great-grandma,” she explains through tears. “I inherited it when my mom passed away two years ago. It was all I had left of either of them.”
“We’ll get it back, sweetheart. We’ll find that asshole and he’ll get what’s comin’ to him,” I promise her.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you coming into my life, but thank you,” she whispers, squeezing her arms around me. I squeeze her back, making a promise to myself to do everything I can to give this woman the world, because she deserves nothin’ less.
* * *
The rest of the week goes smoothly. Athena has been spendin’ time with Minx and the other Ol’ Ladies and is fitting in perfectly. Today, we’re getting the clubhouse ready for Shadow’s homecoming party. It’s a special homecoming, because not only is he a Menace, but he’s my son. I’ve gone to visit him while he’s been locked up, but it isn’t the same.
I’m worried about how Minx is gonna handle it. Shadow gettin’ locked away put a huge strain on their relationship. So much so, she hasn’t seen or spoken to him in six years. She knows he’s comin’ home, but hasn’t said anything about it. She’ll be here tonight, because Raze will be.
The ladies are doin’ random shit throughout the clubhouse. Some are cookin’ a bunch of food, some are cleanin’, and some are decorating. Athena is helping Sienna and Marley hang decorations. Every five minutes or so, she steals a glance my way.
Monday night, I got her set up in her own room. It’s right across the hall from mine in case she needs me for anything. I’m not far.
“Hey, Prez,” Gunner says, breaking my focus from Athena. “They’re about five minutes out.”
Ranger, Ratchet, and a couple of the prospects left a few hours ago to pick Shadow up. Ranger and Ratchet are riding their bikes while the prospects took a cage with a bike for Shadow. Hopefully, he doesn’t have any issues ridin’ it seein’ how it’s been so long. I glance around the room for my daughter, only to find her walking out of the kitchen, clutching her stomach.
“Minx,” I call out. “Heads up.”
I can see her roll her eyes from halfway across the room.
“I have to run up to the house,” she replies. “I’ll be back in time for the party.”
“We’re done decorating. Do you want us to come with you?” Sienna asks, gesturing to Athena, Marley, and herself.
“Sure.” Minx shrugs her shoulders.
Athena gives me a small wave and a smile before walking out the door with the others.
A few minutes later, the roar of motorcycles gets closer and closer until it sounds like they’re right outside the door. I walk outside to welcome Shadow home. As I’m walking out, he’s climbing off his bike.
“My boy is home!” I laugh, stopping at the edge of the steps.
He chuckles. “Not much of a boy anymore, Pops.”
