Page 30 of Ruckus

“I believe we can. Hell, I got Eden back, anything’s fuckin’ possible.” He looks over to where she is and smiles like he’s that lovestruck teenager again.

“It’s good to see you happy,” I tell him, smiling a little myself. “Willow would much prefer that than for you to be angry.” I take the opportunity to have this out with him. I can already sense tension between him and Raze and I know enough about club politics to know that the VP always has to have his president’s back.

“You telling me not to be angry is like telling shit not to stink.” He looks up at me and smiles. “Now, are ya gonna stick around or not? Because between you and me, I’m planning on knocking up my wife real soon and I’d really like my kids to have their aunt around.”

“Kids?” I almost choke at what I’m hearing. “This place really has changed you.” I can’t help but smile back at him. I’ve spent so long being angry at him, I forgot how much I missed him.

“Stick around, Freya, at least give it a chance.” He doesn’t wait for me to answer, he stands up and makes his way over to his wife, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her cheek.

Being close to him again and hearing how excited he is for the future, despite how much has gone wrong in the past, has me thinking… Maybe I do belong here. Maybe I can forgive myself for all I did wrong. The least I can do is try. The clubhas changed, the people have changed, the rules have changed too. Wrath is married to his president's little sister. From what I hear, even Willow was involved with a club member before Dad took her. Alicia is pregnant with a member's baby, despite the fact Saul is her brother.Unless maybe it was Saul that had killed Griller?

Could Aaron accept me and Ruckus?

I decide not to run before I can walk, especially after what I saw last night. Instead I get up and move over to join the little group that have gathered at the bar.

Polly, Raze, and Aaron’s faces turn pale as I approach, while Eden and Peyton both look as confused by their reaction as I am.

“What’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” I laugh at them, and when I figure that it’s not me they're staring at and turn around to face the door, seeing who'sstanding in front of it turns my stomach cold.

“That's exactly what we’re seeing.” My brother’s voice comes from behind me.

“Finn.” I stare at Davy’s son when I step out and see him, alive and fuckin’ breathing in my clubhouse.

The guy was supposed to have killed himself while he was locked up in Solano.

“Ain’t no one here gonna offer me a drink? I came a long way,” he asks sarcastically, readjusting the Stetson on his head.

“I’ll say. Dragging your ass back from the fucking dead must have been quite the fuckin’ journey.” My VP steps in front of his sister like this man is some kinda threat. Finn was just a prospect when I left here ten years ago, but I know that during my absence he earned his cut. He also got let down by his club brothers when they left him and his dying father in the middle of the road to save themselves from getting arrested. That’s not how a brotherhood works and I guess Wrath is right to be wary. If I were Finn I’d be looking for some vengeance.

“Jimmer Carson always was full of surprises.” Finn chuckles as he taps Wrath on the shoulder and makes his way to the bar.

“You still serving that cheap nasty vodka, Pol?” he asks, taking the Stetson off his head and placing it down next to him.

Polly looks at me for permission and when I nod back at her she gets to work serving him.

“Are you telling me that all this time, Jimmer knew you were alive?” I move across the room to stand beside him, ensuring that Peyton is standing a safe distance behind me. I have no idea how this is gonna go down and if fists start flying I want her clear of ‘em.

“That's what I’m telling ya,” he confirms, knocking back the vodka and turning back to face everyone.

“You're wearing his cut.” I hear my father’s scratchy voice come from the corner and watch as he drags himself up off his chair in the corner and shuffles his way over.

Davy and him were both members of the Dirty Dozen, the original Twelve members who helped Jimmer form the club. There are a few ‘em that are still alive and suddenly I feel real lucky that I convinced my old man to stay. Even if he is a pain in my ass.

“Vex, I was not expecting to see you here.” Finn takes his hand and shakes it.

“Not half as much as I wasn’t expecting to see you. Polly… I’ll take a shot of that cheap vodka, ain’t every day your godson comes back from the dead.” He shakes his head and chuckles. I guess when you get to his age, nothin’ much surprises you anymore.

“I take that since you’re wearing the cut, you still consider yourself a member?” I test the water.

“Jimmer gave it to me.” His face turns serious, then when he notices the picture we got of him and his father on the wall next to Griller I see his jaw tick. “It’s good to see that ya ain't forgot about us.” He heads over to take a closer look at the picture. It’s one of them standing together on what I assume is the day he got his cut. I had it put up on the wall after I found it in one of the motel storage rooms. Our fallen brothers should all be remembered.

“What happened to your father won’t ever be forgotten,” I assure him.

“You're right about that.” Finn knocks back another shot and hearing the threat in his tone makes me wish the girls would get the hell outta here.

“So what brings ya back here?” I ask, looking at Wrath and seeing that he’s as guarded as I am.

“Is it true he’s dead?” Finn focuses his eyes on him too. “Did ya really kill him?” It was never proven, but we all know Cliff was behind what happened to Davy. Davy was gettin’ far too suspicious of his actions.

---