Page 10 of April 5

She sat straighter. "Yeah, they don't sound like people I'd want to know."

"They're dead."

Shit.

What was she supposed to say now? Good riddance?

"Listen. I know there was bad blood between Ruger and my parents, but I don't want that to stop us from being a family now." Cora reached out.

Katrina leaned back, avoiding her aunt's touch, and crossed her arms. She did not like strangers to touch her. Especially by a girl that had no clue how she lived her life. She wasn't here to change anything.

"Look." Katrina exhaled loudly. "I was curious to know what you looked like. That's it. I'm not looking to recruit anyone into my family."

"But I am your family." Cora's chin came up. "If you don't want to know me...fine. But that doesn't mean we're not family. You only know what your dad has told you. I'm not my parents." Her aunt stood. "If you don't want to know more about me, that's on you. Just know that I live in Seaglass Cove." She reached into her purse, grabbed a receipt and a pen, and wrote on the back. "If you ever want to know more, you know where to find me."

Cora put the receipt with her address in front of Katrina and walked out of the clubhouse. Katrina watched her storm out. She hated to admit it, but she was impressed.

She despised weak women. It was nice to see Cora had some balls under that dress. Maybe all Albright women had a wild temper.

Going by the sundress and flip flops and the way Cora wore her hair up in a messy bun, she surprised Katrina. Maybe there was more to her aunt than she figured from her first impression.

Katrina scoffed, losing sight of her aunt. She had bigger things to deal with than an aunt trying to turn her and her dad into one big, cozy family.

She finished the rest of the coffee and regained the strength she'd lost after encountering Jagger that morning. She came to see Cora only because it gave her an excuse to see Jagger.

The last time they'd been together, he swore he was done with her. He'd told her to go on with her life and forget about him. Then, he'd left, giving her no choice but to lose him—after he'd spent years telling her he'd never leave.

It was impossible to stop loving him. He was everything to her. Every memory and significant moment in her life revolved around him. Just because Jagger refused to go against the bylaws which said something stupid like he couldn't touch a member's wife, sister, or daughter since her dad gained his freedom didn't mean she could stop wanting him.

Her dad was out of prison, but he wasn't exactly back in her life. She still lived with Mama Sue.

She continued to stay with Mama Sue because she held up hope that Jagger would ride to Beaverton for the yearly rally. But no one from Seaglass Cove attended the last two years because they were busy setting up the new chapter.

She put her cup in the sink and went outside. Men loitered around, going about their business. She scanned the line of bikes, going to the position closest to the door, knowing if Jagger was still around, his Harley would be parked there.

It was.

She walked faster, going to her car. Now that she'd met Cora, nothing kept her in Seaglass Cove. But she wasn't leaving until she was ready.

Right now, all she wanted to do was take a shower, change out of the clothes she'd worn yesterday, and get another chance at seeing Jagger.

She opened the back door of her Dodge Charger and grabbed her overlarge bag. Not knowing what would happen when she arrived, she'd packed enough clothes for a week. Her cell phone vibrated in her back pocket as she shut the door. She pulled out her cell and read the screen.

It was Mama Sue.

Warmth filled her, and she connected the call. "Did you miss me?"

"Child, I always miss you." Mama Sue clicked her tongue. "How was your trip?"

That wasn't the real reason Mama Sue called. If there was one person in the world who supported her one hundred percent and had stood beside her through every visit with her dad in prison, every fight at school, and every heartbreak with Jagger, it was Mama Sue.

Mama Sue had dried Katrina's tears, calmed her anger, and gave her the love and affection she needed, even when she protested.

She owed the woman everything.

"It was a good trip. There wasn't much traffic since I started late, but I made it here in time for the marriage celebration." She looked around at the men. "I met Cora."

"I'm so happy for you. You finally have someone you can call family."

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