Page 57 of Van

We step out into the night, and I take a deep breath. It’s over. It’s finally over.

“You feel better now?” Mask asks me as we lean against the building and have a smoke.

“Yeah, I think I do. Chy won’t have to look over her shoulder anymore. She won’t have to worry every time she goes out now. That makes it all worth it, yeah?” Mask nods, and so do the others.

“How do you think she’s gonna take it?”

“I told her it had to be done. There was no way around it. She’s not gonna have much of a choice but to deal with it. I get he was there for her once before, but he changed. He went crazy on her, and that’s not somethin’ I could let slide, you know?”

“I get it, brother. I do. I think you made the right choice by goin’ after his ass.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Ready to get back to your girl?” Mask asks me. I nod my head and take one last drag from my cigarette before flicking it through the sky.

“Damn right, I am.” We walk over to the bikes and climb on, revving the fuckers up while Mask texts the clean-up guys. When he’s done, we pull out and take off toward the clubhouse. It isn’t a long drive, but it’s long enough for me to decide what to say to Chy. I know what she needs to hear, and I know what I feel.

Nodding to myself, I slow down as we pull into the parking lot of the clubhouse. I kill the engine and climb off my bike before strolling toward the door like nothing happened.

When I step inside, I spot her. How could I not? She’s like a fucking magnet that pulls me to her. She looks up, her eyes making note of the bruise I’m sure is showing on my face by now. Her lips part, but all I can do is smile at her.

Chyanne shoves out of the chair, passing Nate off to Nicole before she comes my way. At first, she walks slowly, unsure what to do, but when she gets closer, she runs and slams into my arms. I wrap my arms around her, holding her against me.

“You said you weren’t going to get hurt,” she says as she looks up at my eye.

“It’s minor. I promise that’s the only thing that’s hurt,” I tell her.

“Are you sure?” She steps back and starts to check me over, which I think is sweet of her. She grabs my hands and notes the bloody and bruised knuckles. I just shrug it off and pull her back into my arms.

“How’s my boy doin’?”

“He’s good. Loves his aunt Nicole.”

“Did he miss me?”

“We both missed you, Van.”

“Good. That’s what I wanted to hear,” I tell Chy before leaning down and kissing her. Her lips taste like heaven, and I’m one fucking happy man. When we finally pull apart, I rest my forehead against hers. “I love you, Chyanne.”

“What?” she gasps.

“You heard me. I love you.”

“Are you sure?” Now I laugh.

“Of course, I’m sure. I never want to be without you. I can’t stand the thought of not bein’ with you, baby.”

“Van. I feel the same way about you.”

“Then don’t leave me. I know what I did is gonna weigh on your mind, but I needed to do it, Chy. I needed to know he would never get his hands on Nate or you again. You have to be able to understand that,” I nearly plead with her.

“I get it, Van. It’s hard. It’s weird and not normal, but I get it. And I’m thankful for you.”

“You are huh?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Just how thankful?” I ask her, teasing a little. Her cheeks heat up, turning a pretty shade of pink before she presses up and kisses me. When she pulls away, Nicole is next to us, holding out a little bundle of baby to me. I reach out and take him, pulling him into my arms.

---