“That’d be fine.” G.T.’s voice strangles to get out. When G.T. tries to stand, the pastor stops him.

“Please, stay where you are.” G.T. falls back to the ground and wraps his arms around me pulling me tight.

I sit listening to the words flow out of the pastor’s mouth, each one as sweet as the next. He does the sign of the cross and says amen. He steps over to G.T. and sits down in front of us. “Mia will always be in your hearts to love and cherish. Bless you both.”

I sit there staring, not knowing what to say and G.T. must feel the same because no words are coming out of this tough guy’s mouth and I can’t blame him at all. The pastor rests his hands on our shoulders and leaves. I pull away from G.T. “I don’t know what to say.” I tell him honestly.

“Nothing to say. We love her and our family gave us one of the greatest gifts they could.” He picks up my hand and kisses it. He pulls his shirt up from the hem and wipes his face with it, standing up. I follow suit but do it a bit more discreetly. He holds out his hand and for the first time, I turn around.

I heard all the bikes, but nothing prepared me for this sight. Hundreds of brothers and ol’ ladies and even friends stand behind us in solidarity. G.T. squeezes my hand and intertwines our fingers. Words are caught in my mouth and I’m relieved when G.T. speaks for the both of us.

“Thank you all. This means more to us than you’ll ever know.” He looks down at the ground.

Harlow comes up before us. “We wanted Mia to be by her grandpa so he could watch over her.” I look down at the ground tears pooling in my eyes and shake my head. “Casey.”

I look up at Harlow. “See all of these people here?” I nod. “They love you. We are here because you are our family. We will do anything and everything for you, no matter what.” And for the first time in my life, I truly believe it.

Chapter 14—G.T.

The ride back to the clubhouse is quiet and somber. I kiss Angel’s hand and lay it on my lap needing to feel her closeness and comfort. What our family did for us, I can never repay. And for once, I’m actually at a loss for words. Seeing brothers from chapters all around standing in unison with Pops in front, choked me up to say the least and I tried my damnedest not to shed tears, but couldn’t stop it. It’s times like these that we really remember who has your back. Everyone can be around when shit is good, it’s the tough times when you know, who you can depend on. And I… we can depend on our brothers and family.

When Ma hugged me at the cemetery, I clutched on to her for dear life. She’s always been my rock no matter what stupid decisions I’ve made in life. But the words she whispered in my ear ring through my head. “You keep this one G.T. This woman is your forever.” Ma’s always into that mushy shit, but this time she is completely right. Angel is my forever and I’ll show her, every damn day.

“We have a party planned when we get back, but if you two want to take a breather and go lay down for a bit, go ahead.” Princess says from the front seat. Angel didn’t even balk this time about Cruz driving; she curled up in the backseat without a word resting her head on my shoulder.

“A big one?” Angel asks her voice raspy.

“Yeah. We wanted to celebrate Mia.” Princess looks back at Angel. “I hope that’s okay.” The reluctance in Princess is a fresh change of pace. I love my sister, but hearing the apprehension in her voice tells me that she wants Casey comfortable and to me that means a lot.

“It’s fine, but I need to lie down for a bit and get myself together.”

“Of course.”

“Harlow?” Angel’s voice quivers.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. What you did for us.” She stops and breathes. “Dammit, I need to stop crying.” She blows some more and I squeeze her hand. “I love you so much, sister.”

“Love you too.” Princess turns away quickly her hands coming up to her face, my tough ass sister not wanting to show her tears.

“Yo sis.” I bellow.

“Yeah.” Her voice breaks.

“Love you.” I say and her head drops to her chest. Her shoulders move up and down silently. I reach over the chair and squeeze her shoulder. Her hand instantly comes up and covers mine squeezing back.

* * *

I watch Angel sleep, her face is still red from the taxing morning we just had. We’ve been lying in here for the past few hours, but I can’t sleep. I tried my damnedest, but just keep pulling my woman closer to feel her warmth and feel her heart beat on my chest.

I lay here thinking about the decisions that Casey made, and while I may not agree, I do forgive her. I love her and it’s time to officially let go of the anger and strip it away from me… From us. I’ll remember Mia every day and what could have been, but no more anger.

The music is thumping so loud its penetrating the walls. I’m surprised that sleeping beauty here hasn’t woken up in my arms yet. It’s been going on now for a few hours, but luckily it’s still early in the day so when we get there, it won’t be out of hand… Yet, it is after all a celebration.

Angel’s body moves, her eyes flash up to mine. “Hey.” She says her voice hoarse.

“Hey. You alright?” I brush the loose hair away from her eyes and she smiles.

“Yeah. I think I really am. I can’t believe they did that for us.” She digs her head into my chest pulling me to her.

I sigh and squeeze her, “me either.”

“I’m so sorry, G.T.” Her head burrows deeper in my chest. “For everything.”

“Look at me.” I demand and she stills, slowly turning her head to me. “No more. It’s done. Understand?” She doesn’t move. “Angel, what’s done is done. We move on and live.” The air I didn’t realize she was holding escapes her body.

“How can you say that? After everything I did.”

“After everything we did Angel. We are in this together. I’m working through it all, but you have to trust that I do forgive you as I hope you forgive me fully and truly.”

She sucks in a deep breath. “Okay.” She whispers.

“Okay. You ready to go out there?” Her smile radiates the room.

“Yeah, let’s celebrate.”

“Let’s.”

* * *

I lace my fingers with Angel’s as we step into the main room of the clubhouse. Tables and chairs are everywhere. A DJ is set up in the corner, his large speakers bumping with bass as music flows out of them.

“There you are!” Princess yells from behind the bar, running towards us quickly. Before I can protest, Angel lets go of my hand as Princess picks her up swinging her around. “You okay?” She asks.

“Yeah. I really am.” Angel says putting her feet back to the ground.

“Good. There’s food. You need to eat.” Princess looks at me. “I’m taking her for a while.”

Before she can pull her away, I grab Angel and pull her flush with my body wrapping my arm around her waist, pulling her as close to me as I can. Her eyes widen in surprise. I lower my lips crashing them to hers, my tongue moving in and out of her mouth. She meets me move for move and I grab her ass pressing her body against my hardening dick.

Angel’s arms reach up, wrapping around my neck and hold me tight, her body melting into mine. I need to take her back to my room. Now. Whoops and hollers come from the room and they get louder and louder the more we go on. I couldn’t give two shits if they watch, but my Angel pulls slightly away. I nip her bottom lip with my teeth and rest my forehead on hers. Her breathing is labored and I take great satisfaction in the fact that I did that to her.

“You done pissing on your territory?” Princess says smiling wide.

“Never. But it’ll do for now.” Angel smiles and I nip her lip one more time before she reluctantly releases my neck and moves with Princess. I watch her ass sway side to side only making my dick harder. I move my hand down to my jeans, adjusting the hard-on that she will be taking care of soon enough.

“Here brother.” Buzz calls handing me a beer and a shot glass full of amber liquid. I shoot the whiskey first and then start on the beer.

I look around in search of Bella knowing she wouldn’t leave without saying bye to Angel. “Thanks. Where’s Bella?” I know she rode back with Buzz, but looking around I do not see her now. Bella’s had quite an education coming here for the past couple of weeks. Even though everything has been pretty calm for the most part, from what I hear, she’s been pretty busy getting to know Buzz and Breaker for that matter.

“Asleep. Be out in a bit.”

“Been keeping her busy?” I smirk.

“Fuck yeah, brother.” He laughs. “She’s fucking hot and a wildcat in the bedroom.”

“She still leaving?”

“Yep. Tomorrow now. She wouldn’t miss this.” I nod and head over to the large table with Pops, Dagger, Cruz, Rhys and Becs.

“Brother. Bout time you get your ass out here.” Dagger chuckles holding up his beer in salute.

“I’m here.” I hold my arms out wide flashing my rag and smirk. I pull out a smoke, roll it between my teeth and light it. Pops kicks the chair next to him in invitation and I sit. Judging by the slew of bottles on the table, this party is in full swing.

“Raise ‘em boys.” Pops declares. All of us raising whatever concoction is near. “To my beautiful granddaughter.”

“Mia.” They say in unison. I smile and take a pull from my beer.

“Princess sure outdid herself this time.” She utterly amazes me sometimes. With all the shit being thrown at her, she’s stronger than ever.

“Brother, you have no idea. That woman is relentless.” Becs says smiling.