Page 18 of Mercenary's Redemption

The faintest of smiles tugs at the corner of my mouth.

"Keep telling yourself that, brother. One day, the right girl's going to come along and knock you square on your ass when you least expect it."

He scoffs at that, waving a dismissive hand.

"Yeah, yeah. We'll see. For now..." Knowledge's expression turns grave once more. "We got bigger problems to worry about than your new lady friend."

Instantly, I'm all business again, eyes narrowing. "What did you manage to get out of that piece of shit?"

"This wasn’t just some lone wolves out for payback because you showed up one of his boys." Knowledge shakes his head grimly. “This is something bigger, Chance. They want us gone—the whole Rogue Riders MC. The Outlaws think they can muscle in and take over Pine Valley for themselves if we're out of the picture."

My fists clench unconsciously at the very notion. Take over my town? Like hell, I'll let that happen. What started as a peaceful haven is now the root I've planted, the life I've staked a claim on. They'll have to go through me and every last brother in my club before I let some two-bit punks chase us out.

My gaze drifts back over to Holly again. She catches my eye, offering a soft, reassuring smile despite Trickster's continued gruff grumblings as she works. Something in my chest clenches at the sight of her gentle caring, her fearless compassion in the face of our brutal world.

She's become my driving force now, the light I'll fight to protect until my dying breath if need be.

Squaring my jaw, I turn back to Knowledge with a look of grim determination.

"Let 'em come, then. We'll be ready for whatever those bastards try to throw at us." I let my eyes drift pointedly towards Holly again, letting the promise - the vow - resonate loud and clear.

They want Pine Valley? They'll have to go through me first.

Epilogue - Holly

"Shhh, everyone be quiet! Chance is almost here!" I hiss, casting a stern look around the dimly lit bar.

Trickster rolls his eyes but obediently falls silent, an arm slung casually around his girlfriend's shoulders. Knowledge just grunts; he's never one for excessive noise anyway.

The others— Knowledge’s girl, Chance's brother Snake and his wife, Bear and his old lady—all quieten down, too, exchanging excited looks.

My heart pounds heavily in my chest as I listen to the low rumble of Chance's motorcycle pulling into the lot outside. I can't believe it's been three whole years since that wild, fateful night when he first swaggered into my life. So much has changed, and yet...

My gaze drifts over to where Jayden stands, right beside Snake, both of them grinning in anticipation of surprising Chance. My son has grown so much, finally finding his confidence without needing to act the tough guy.

Chance took him under his wing, training him in self-defense and showing him what it truly means to be a man of honor and integrity. But he's also kept Jayden safely removed from the grittier aspects of club life.

A fond smile tugs at my lips as I take in the rest of our newly extended family surrounding me. The other bikers' ladies have become true friends to me over these past few years. We've had each other's backs through all the chaos and turmoil, forming an unbreakable bond.

The sound of boots scuffing against the pavement outside snaps me back to the present moment. I suck in a sharp breath, excitement and nerves fluttering in my belly. Please let him like this surprise...

I don't know why I'm so anxious all of a sudden after all this time. Chance has only ever shown me unwavering devotion and fierce protectiveness, even when I never could have predicted falling for a rough-and-tumble biker.

The door handle rattles. My pulse spikes.

Then Chance is shouldering his way inside, head down as he rumbles something under his breath about the damn lock sticking again-

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Chance freezes in the doorway, eyes wide with surprise as our combined shouts ring out. For a heartbeat, he just stands there, motionless, taking in the scene—the dimmed lights, the crudely strung birthday banners, all of us grinning like idiots as we wait for his reaction.

Then his lips curve into that crooked, knee-weakening smile I've come to love so much.

"Well, I'll be damned..." he rumbles, shaking his head in amused disbelief as he ventures further inside. "You crazy kids actually managed to pull one over on the old Mercenary, didn't you?"

Jayden is the first to break ranks, rushing forward to clap Chance on the shoulder.

"We got you good, didn't we?" he crows triumphantly.

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