Page 114 of Chains
“Okay. Your friends were nice to help out. Are they in your club?”
“Yeah. We have each other’s backs, and now that you’re my woman, they have yours. What do you want on your pizza?”
“I’m not that hungry, so whatever you want is fine.”
Chains placed a glass in front of her then poured a healthy portion of red wine into it before pulling the tab on a can of beer. “I know what you went through is traumatic. We can talk about it if you want.”
“Order the pizza first. I’m going to change into something more comfortable. I’ll be done in a few.” She wanted to take a shower and block everything from her mind.
Thirty minutes later, she heard Chains yell, “Pizza’s here,” from the bottom of the stairs, and she combed her damp hair then went down to the family room.
“Are you feeling better, baby?” he asked as he opened the pizza box and put a slice on a paper plate then handed it to her.
“A little. It was just so scary. You know how they say your life flashes before your eyes when you think you’re going to die? Well, nothing like that happened. The only thing on my mind was getting away from him.”
“The instinct of survival. It wasn’t your time, darlin’.”
She took a bite and chewed, then said, “Do you really believe that?”
“Yeah, I do. I’ve been in some close situations and I’m still breathing. I had a friend in high school who got shot the week before we graduated. He was in Pueblo visiting family and he got caught in the crossfire of two guys gunning for each other. Three shots were fired, and they all went into him. Died on the spot.”
“That’s awful.”
Chains nodded. “Yeah, it was bad, but it’s life. Some people do dangerous as hell things and they die old, some do nothing and they’re killed in a car crash or whatever. What happened to you tonight could’ve been real bad, but you were smart and called me. I’m just happy as fuck you didn’t get hurt.”
“I feel so grateful.”
“And that’s a damn good thing. Be grateful for the life you have and live it to the fullest.” Chains brought the beer bottle to his mouth.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He leaned over and kissed her. “Now let’s discuss our new home.” He grabbed another slice of pizza and took a big bite.
For the next hour, they talked about the construction of their new home. Cinder slept in her favorite corner of the couch, close to Autumn, while Thor stretched out on the rug in front of the sofa, next to Chains, and she sat beside the love of her life. The flames dancing in the fireplace cast an orange glow around the room, and after Chains had reassured her that she was safe along with a few glasses of red wine, the incidents from earlier that night seemed like they’d never happened, like it had all been just a bad dream.
“Do you think your parents will ever accept me as part of your family? Your mom has never called me about the breakup, which actually surprises me,” Autumn said as she leaned back against the cushion.
Chains quirked his lips. “Bret told my mom bullshit about the breakup which put him in a good light.”
She grimaced. “I wondered about that. I like your mom, and I hate that she thinks bad things about me.”
“She’ll never believe he was the jerk in all of this. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve spoken with my mom, and I haven’t talked to my dad since the brunch. As far as I’m concerned, they don’t need to know what the hell I do. What about your parents? What do they think about us getting married?”
“They think I’m crazy, but they both told me they’ve never seen me happier. It turns out, they weren’t all that fond of Bret. I kind of picked up on it, but they never said anything to me when I’d ask. They can’t wait to meet you, so I thought we could go to Denver for Thanksgiving. Would you be game for that? The holidays are big in my family.”
“Yeah, that’s cool. I want to meet the people who made such a sexy and special woman.” He winked, then picked up the bottle of beer.
“They’re going to love you. They may not get the whole biker thing, but they’ll definitely relate to the rebel in you. Both my parents were hippies before they realized money is a necessity if you want a decent life. My dad’s still a rebel at heart, joining protesters whenever he feels there’s been an infringement on our rights. I’d say he’s a Constitutionalist for sure. He’d have been right beside George Washington.” Warmth spread through her. “He’s the best dad. My mom is less radical, but she’s a free spirit for sure. I really lucked out with both of them.”
“I can’t wait to meet them, and I’m with your dad all the way. The fuckin’ government is trying to eradicate the Constitution and throw our rights in the damn garbage. It’s good that your dad stands against it. We’re gonna get along just fine.”
“Do you think you’ll ever make amends with your family? Your sisters seemed nice.”
“I just don’t fit in. It used to bother me when I was a kid, but it hasn’t for a long time. The only thing we have in common is that we share the same blood. That doesn’t mean shit to me. You know who my real family is.”
“And they’re great. Some are really scary, but I know that they’ll always watch over me because I’m with you.”
Nodding, Chains put down his beer. “That’s the brotherhood.”
