Bex would have loved this place.
The house sits back from the road on a stretch of land wide enough to breathe. A big yard, with trees perfect for kids to play in, perfect for a tree house. A garden already that looks used and loved. The kind ofplace where you can hear birds instead of motorcycles. Where you expect to hear little voices with big laughs.
The smell of barbecue hits me first, then I see them. Dani stands by the grill flipping something while laughing at something Marisol said. Axel is leaning against the fence beside her. Marisol tucked into his side like she belonged there. Cypher sits on a patio love seat with a laptop balanced on his knee. Meg curled up beside him, her head resting against his shoulder while he types. Ledger is sitting at the outdoor table with a drink in his hand, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen him in weeks.
The sight of it hits me harder than I expect. Because this is the kind of peace… The kind of normal she needed. Something Bex has been asking for since before she moved into the clubhouse.
I don’t see Four, but Dani waves at me, “Have a seat Clutch, Four will be out in a minute and we will eat.”
“Thanks.” My voice comes out as a croak.
Dani barely talked to me all last night and I think that was more for my benefit than hers.
I hear a bike engine pulling up to the property and then it cut out. I move towards the patio table, as Angel walks into the backyard and stares at the scene.
“What the fuck are you all doing here?”
Axel glances over.
“Marisol didn’t want to stay at the clubhouse.” He shrugs like that explains everything. “I sleep where she sleeps.”
Cypher grunts without looking up from his screen and Meg squeezes his arm tighter.
Ledger lifts his glass slightly. “Dani’s cooking. And the clubhouse is a clusterfuck.”
Angel mutters something under his breath that sounds like a string of curses. Then he says, “Bex is gone and the club is a clusterfuck so you decide to have a little party.”
Dani scowls at him saying, “Everyone needs to eat.”
The back door opens, and Four steps out onto the patio. He takes one look at me and Angel, then shakes his head.
“Sit down.”
We do.
The wooden chair creaks under my weight.
Four leans against the railing for a moment, studying both of us.
“Torch will be here soon,” he says. “He’s got Bex's car over at Lincoln’s garage.”
Angel’s head snaps up.
“You took it off the compound?”
Four cuts him off with a look. “Yes, and before you say shit to me about it. I know exactly where your head is at right now.”
His voice stays calm, but there’s steel in it.
“Because Mara is missing.”
Angel’s jaw tightens, but Four continues.
“But you’ve missed some shit, brother.”
He gestures vaguely between us.
“You let fear blind you.”