Page 125 of Knight
Ghost nodded his agreement without a word.
Flynn flipped the burgers on the grill. “If things go sideways, you might need us.”
“I made a deal with them,” I said. “You can’t get in the middle of that. It’s too dangerous.”
“So, we’ll be there to make sure they stick to the terms of your agreement. If they see you’ve got backup, they’ll be less likely to screw you over.”
I looked at Aiden for backup. “You can’t want your brother to take that risk. Not for me.”
Aiden handed the plate to Flynn and came over to me. “It’s his decision. You’re his friend.”
I shook my head. “I’m not worth it.”
Aiden wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek. “I never thought I was worth it, either. But we don’t get to choose who loves us.”
He held my gaze as he pulled back, and I could see he was including himself among those who loved me. I wasn’t sure I was worthy of that, either. But I was so damn thankful we’d come into each other’s lives for a second time.
I just hoped I didn’t break his heart tonight—or mine.
“I don’t regret it for a second, Aiden,” Flynn said. “I’d trade any amount of time to keep you safe.”
Aiden turned, his smile tinged with sadness. “I know.”
“He’s your brother,” I said. “Of course he wants to protect you. But I can’t ask anyone to do that for me. I brought this down on myself. This is my bullshit past coming to haunt me.”
“You’re not asking,” Flynn said.
“We’re here because we want to be,” Hollywood added.
I looked around at all the men that had my back. My chesttightened. “Thanks, guys. I’d hoped I could do this without dragging any of you down with me, but it means a lot that you’re here.”
“I’m just here for the food,” Joyride said, rubbing his stomach. “I’m fucking starving.”
His words broke the tension, and everyone laughed.
Flynn returned to the grill. “These are almost done.”
“I’ll go inside and grab plates and napkins,” Aiden said.
“I’ll help.”
I dumped Waffles into Hollywood’s lap, watching him grimace as Waffle launched into a full tongue offensive, and followed Aiden through the door.
I needed a moment to catch my breath. When I joined the Serpents, one of the biggest lies they told me was that the motorcycle club was like a family.
Sure, we’d partied together, fought together, forged bonds together. But there was always the understanding that one wrong move could get me a knife in the back. If I pissed off Hector, I’d fall down the ranks and be treated like shit until I was in his good graces again.
It wasn’t a real family—and not because we weren’t blood-related. That family hadn’t done much for me either. My mom was deep into the church, and she’d been horrified to learn I was gay. She hadn’t wanted anyone to find out and had ordered me to bury it. My dad had done her one better and suggested I wasn’t fit to live under their roof anymore.
I left home with a duffel bag of clothes and one hundred bucks. I’d crashed with a few friends until I wore out my welcome with their parents, and then I’d ended up on the streets.
I picked up odd jobs where I could, got a cheap motel room once a week to clean up, and spent time at the youth center.
That was where Puck found me. And everything he offered had seemed like a dream. But the truth was, it was just another toxic family all too willing to let me drown.
But Aiden and the Redemption Road guys? They wererealfamily. Showing up tonight, nothing but unconditional love for me? I didn’t even know how to process it.
“Are you okay?” Aiden asked.
