Page 158 of A Love Like Venom

They were cruel to me and vicious but never once did I not see them as family.

Naively I always held on to hope that one day they would see me as one of them. That they would regret what they did to me.

But it’s true.

They aren’t.

They never were.

“I don’t consider them family.” And when I say those words out loud I don’t feel an ounce of guilt.

Slater goes to lay a hand on my shoulder but stops mid air before glancing at Reed. When Reed nods his head Slater then lays an assuring hand on my shoulder. “The family you are born into is just blood. The family you choose, the people who loveand care for you are your real family.” His wise words are spoken like they are from experience.

And I believe him.

Family is more than blood.

Family is about being there for one another. Protecting each other. Caring for one another. Being supportive. Keeping your best interests at heart and making sure you don’t go down the wrong path. At the end of the day even if you argue and don’t agree you still love each other.

The Vipers MC is a family.

And now I’m a part of that.

God. My heart strings pull as tears press at the back of my eyes.

I have a family.

“I told you, angel. This is how family works,” Reed whispers in my ear.

Blinking back the tears my voice is emotional as I say, “Thank you all so much for everything.”

Rosa walks around the bar counter and when she reaches us she pulls me away from Reed’s arms. She then encircles me in her own. My arms wrap around her tightly.

My own mother has never even hugged me.

I can’t tell you how many times I wished on the stars when I was younger that one day she would.

“You never have to thank family, honey.” She pulls back but keeps me in her arms. “But I do want to thank you.”

“Me? For what?”

Her own eyes start to water as she looks behind me and then back at me. “You took off the mask. I’m not blind. I know the man who joined this MC wasn’t the real him. He was hiding from everyone. Even himself. But you . . . You took the mask off. And I can’t thank you enough for that.” She brings me back in for another hug except this time it’s tighter.

Not finding the words, too overwhelmed by all the emotions inside of me, I hug her back just as fierce.

When she releases me Reed pulls me back against him. His arms circle around me as my back is flush to his front.

“Hey everyone, Oak and your friends are here,” Slater announces. He tips his head towards the security feeds on the flat screen TV.

There on the screen I see Grace, Conner and Oak.

It’s almost comical how small Grace is compared to the man next to her. He more than towers her, he’s a skyscraper. With broad shoulders and muscle of a brawny fighter he is three times her size. As intimidating as he may appear it’s noticeable how he’s soft towards her.

He stays by her side but not too close. He periodically glances over at her with gentle eyes. And then when the three of them reach the steel door he places his hand on the small of her back.

Curiously I watch her reaction. I know she is attracted to him but I doubt she will ever let him know it.

She tilts her head up to him and arches her eyebrow in a,what are you doing,way.A ghost of a smile appears on his face as he removes his hand from the small of her back. She says something to him and he laughs.

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