Page 5 of Sunshine & Sinful

Till throws her head back and laughs, her entire body shaking so violently it vibrates through the cushions. Hating the sound at my expense, I pluck one of my last pieces of precious chocolate from the box and chuck it at her face. It knocks the side of her nose, and the mouthy bitch laughs louder, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Oh, man.” Till slaps her leg between gasps. “You don’t even like vanilla, but you’re fuckin’ the dullest man in existence.”

I shove her leg. “Shut your mouth, bitch.”

Sweeping the tears from beneath her eyes and collecting the ball of chocolate from a couch cushion, Till pops the goodness into her mouth and chews thoughtfully for a second to calm her wild ass down. “Kali, seriously.” She pats my knee. “If you don’t want to tell us what happened, fine. But ditch Todd. He’s putting all of us to sleep.”

Ugh. This again?

“Aren’t you supposed to be supportive?” I throw back.

“Of what? You’re sad. I don’t support that.”

Fine.

She’s right. I’m sad and don’t like vanilla, but I do need stability. Todd offers that in spades. He’s not a forever man—he’s a fine-for-now man.

Heaving a miserable, over-the-top sigh, I reach inside the neck of my t-shirt and into my bra and pull out a small citrine crystal. I set the tumbled beauty on Till’s jean-clad knee.

Eyes widening in surprise, she opens and closes her mouth like a fish.

“Thank you for caring,” I say, hoping she understands the depth of my gratitude. I won’t tell Till or anyone what happened on the yacht, because I can’t. Just as I can’t share the news about Dark or Sunshine. Partly because it’s Sacred Sinner business. Also, I don’t want to discuss what happened. Not the sex. Not the deceit. They know about Dark and his cheating with Abby. I can’t imagine how any of them would take it if they knew he’d been doing it for years before Abby arrived in our lives. Or worse than that, if Till found out Sunshine knew the whole time, she’d disown him. As much as I’m devastated he lied and protected his son for decades, I know Sunshine was also protecting me in the only way he knew how. While I respect that because I’d likely do the same for my kids, it doesn’t change the pain they’ve both caused.

The club and the brotherhood always come first.

Then family.

I’ve just now started to realize how true that really is.

That’s why I won’t date another biker.

I don’t want to be someone’s afterthought—their second priority.

I want to be their everything.

For years, I’ve remained single, living life on my terms. Dating Todd will not change that.

I’m still Kali—a little broken and in need of repair—a little gold to fill in my cracks.

I’m a mother.

A Sister.

Business owner.

Plant lady.

Murderer.

Friend.

And…

I’m taking it day by day.

Today was a good one.

Resting my head on Till’s shoulder, I relax with my sisters and listen to their stories, and for a little bit, everything’s normal. There’s no more ribbing. No more drama. Just girl talk, and I love girl talk.

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