“Right, because they’ll turn on me,” Charm mutters.
“Shayne, you realize he almost killed Stone, don’t you? We lost a member to that bomb, too. This was more than words, brother. He planned to take this place over and twist it into something full of hate. You really think the club did what it had to lightly?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do. I refuse to let you live in denial. Accept the reality for what it was and move on. Dad went off the deep end. He spent his entire life hating himself over something he couldn’t change.”
Charm looks down at the ground.
I throw my arm around his shoulder. “I’m here if you need me, brother. This is something that’ll take time to wrap you head around and digest. That’s okay as long as you don’t start making stupid choices. I’m not too old to kick some sense into your ass if necessary.”
He laughs. “Yeah, you wish.”
“You want to step into the ring?” I ask, holding up my fists.
Charm rolls his eyes.
I lower my hands, laughing. I got him away from the darkness threatening to swallow him up. It’s a short term solution. I can’t lose my brother. I make mental note to talk to D’Rose and see what she recommends.
“So, I guess congratulations are in order,” Charm says, slyly changing the subject.
I allow it. “Yeah, man,” I say smiling.
“Why did you go solo?”
“Well, Chaos was going through hell at the time and it hit home how quick life can be snuffed out and things can change. I wanted to right the biggest mistake of my life.”
“Are you happy?” he asks.
“It’s only been a couple of weeks, but yeah I am. The only thing left to do is get our own place. We’re looking though.”
“Jesus, it’s like I blinked and you grew up.” Charm shakes his head.
I laugh. “Dude, shouldn’t I be the one saying that? You’re the one who’s younger.”
“You’re different. It’s a good thing though. Before… I think you were just going through the motions in some ways.”
“Observant,” I say, neither confirming nor denying his words.
“I learned from the best.”
I grin. “Such an ass kisser.”
He throws his head back and laughs.
It’d been so long since I heard the sound. “Come on, let’s get back in there, and help out before they give us shit.”
“Let’s finish off this J then.”
He passes it back to me and we finish it off before heading back inside.
Dixie Rose
I smile as Blue cuts the massive sheet cake the club had surprised her, Shadow, and Bolton with. Pixie had withdrawn her petition for custody, Calla had gotten protection to prevent blow back, and the couple have Blue as officially adopting Bolton.
“Finally, a wrong is made right,” I whisper.
“What?” Echo asks, bending down brush my cheek with his lips.