“Hadn't had time to think that far ahead.” I watched Claudine knock on the open door to our room, then slip inside. When I turned back, Poet was holding out a set of patches.
“You still looking for a home?”
My hand came up, fingers flexing. “You're letting me back in?”
“Something like that.” Poet gestured that I should look at the patches.
Taking them, I squinted. “The Leslie chapter?” It was the Knights that had forced the Veins to kick me out. Being let back in was one thing, but this... The unlikeliness of it slapped me like a wet fish. “You want me to join the mother chapter, your chapter?” This was a huge honor. I felt the need to look around for cameras. This had to be a joke.
Since the changing of the guard, Steel Veins' membership became extremely strict throughout the whole club. This was especially true of Remy's crew. He only allowed in those he trusted personally.
“Don't you think you've been running long enough?” he asked.
I chuckled and looked off, thinking it over. I'd always been an outsider, even in the Steel Veins. As a Nomad, I was a loner in an organization that prided itself on brotherhood and family. Joining an actual chapter... I'd toyed with the idea every once and a while, but it never seemed like a good fit for me. Even if I'd wanted to, I had something of a reckless reputation. No chapter would risk taking me on.
I looked back down at the embroidered cloth rectangles in my hand. There were two of them. One of them read 'SGT. AT ARMS.' “You're joking, right?”
Remy packed and lit a cigarette, letting the smoke invade, then retreat, from his lungs.“What you did yesterday, most men couldn't have done, especially for the reasons that you did. That shows me that you do care about something larger than yourself, and that you're determined to see it all the way through, no matter how hopeless or desperate.”
Poet handed me a smoke. I took it.
Lighting my cigarette, he continued. “Hate to tarnish your reputation, but those are some pretty admirable qualities. When things get rough, I want a man with those qualities watching my back. The whole chapter agrees, Connor. You're finally ready for this.”
I laughed and looked away. Shaking my head, I turned back to him. “You're serious, aren’t you?” He turned out his hands and raised his eyebrows in an expression that casually said yes.
Flora, my bike, my club... and the piece of myself that I'd been searching for, all within reach. All I had to do was take it.
“On one condition.”
Remy rolled his hand for me to continue.
“Flora's sister comes with us. I want the club to take care of her, too.”
“Might be a little cramped at the clubhouse, but we can carve out some space for her. There's also a methadone clinic at Leslie memorial, it can help her kick the addiction. We'll even foot the bill. Hell, Star will probably find a way to make it tax deductible.”
My smile was hard to mute. “Your girl is pretty crafty. Hey, one more thing. We got any extra hardware kicking around? If I've learned anything, it's that both these girls are going to want to ride. I can't imagine the Knights need their bikes anymore.”
“I think we can dig up something. Lucky's not using his at the moment, I'm sure he wouldn't mind donating to the cause.” Remy smiled knowingly. “Look at that! Concern for others... Shit, man, you have changed.”
I laughed. “I just don't want them stealing my bike anymore.”
Epilogue
Flora
The wind whipped through my hair, long strands curling close to my ears like they had a secret for me. With the fringes of winter on the horizon, today was possibly one of the last days with sun in some time.
I wasn't going to let it be wasted.
Bending low over the bike, I gripped the handlebars. The smile on my face was frozen there, my cheeks aching from the tension of my joy. Nothing came close to this freedom. I'd thought I'd appreciated the sensation long ago, but now I knew better. After coming so close to death, I'd never waste another moment on Earth.
Never again.
At my side, an engine revved. The young woman by my hip was thrusting forward on her bike, as if she was daring the wind to take her captive. Even with a helmet on, her thick hair danced and coiled like a long line of mist on a mountain. Pink glowed on her skin, the surface shiny, fresh.
I knew that face well. I carried it in my pocket everywhere I went.
It had taken a month in rehab, but Claudine had turned back time. She resembled the woman I'd spent years looking up to. Literally, and figuratively. The Veins had been incredibly kind to us both, making sure that we were taken care of.
Truly, I had many people to thank.
But only one of them held a special place in my heart.
Peeking over my shoulder, I saw Ronin a split second before he rolled close to me on the empty road. The day he'd told me that Claudine and I had a new home, if we wanted it, had been one of the best moments of my life.