Page 4 of Worth It All

Mason is close behind us and pops the back hatch so we can load the groceries. It’s that moment that I feel eyes on me. This eerie feeling that someone is watching me and I can’t shake it. I turn around, scanning the parking lot.

Collin. He’s standing across the lot, arms folded over his chest, cigarette loose on his lips. He watches me for a moment, then climbs into a Chevy Silverado and drives off.

I open my mouth to tell Mason he was there. Give him an opportunity to go after him. Put an end to all of this.

But I can’t. Not because I don’t want this war to be over. Because I do. The club has suffered enough devastation at Collin’s hands.

But because I want answers. Why did he leave? Why is he back? And most importantly, why is my heart hammering in my chest?

7

Mason

It’s half past eleven before I get Charlie in bed. I admit, he was a little wired from all the candy. Plus, he thinks he’s one of the guys and that he’s supposed to help us get everything locked down. He’s going to make one hell of a Bastards’ president one day.

Growing up, my brother and I always knew one of us would take over. We just always thought it would be Collin, despite his reputation for being a troublemaker. He was the oldest. It was practically his birthright. Deep down, I knew he wasn’t the right person for the job. My parents knew it too. Collin is the only one who didn’t want to hear it.

My dad passed away a few years back. Cancer fucking sucks. Although my mom was always around the club, she wanted a new environment and moved to Georgia with her sister.

“Yes, Mom. Everything is good here,” I assure her.

She calls every week and I travel to see her a few times a year. I haven’t told her about Colin. I can’t bring myself to do that. She knows that we have an enemy, which isn’t uncommon for the club. She made peace with Collin leaving a long time ago. No need in dredging up the past.

“Love you, too. Talk soon.”

I disconnect the phone as a few remaining members come inside, heading to their rooms to settle in for the night. Skyler walks past carrying her daughter, Maisy. She gives me a silent nod and I do the same in return. Jake takes a seat at the bar, beer in hand. I grab one and join him.

“Trouble in paradise?”

He laughs a little. “Skyler is pregnant.”

“I take it that isn’t good news.”

“Jesus, man. We’re living in a fucking shit show. Watching our back every turn. Worrying about the next attack. The timing sucks.”

I shrug. “We’ll get through this. The club always does.”

Even as I say this, I understand his concern. My brother didn’t hesitate to attack a pregnant woman. Lina and her unborn baby are dead because of him.

“Yeah, but at what cost?” Jake asks, not expecting an answer, and tosses his empty beer bottle into the garbage. Instead of grabbing another one, he heads down the hall.

I check the time and it’s almost midnight. A group of club whores come in with the last few members, just in time for lockdown.

“Want some company?” Jada, one of my regulars asks as she walks over.

She trails her finger down my chest, and I smile before lifting her and placing her on the counter. I can use the distraction, not only from my brother, but from the thoughts of Davina that won’t seem to leave my mind.

As if knowing I’m thinking of her, Davina walks in. She looks over at me and stops walking. Her lips part as though she is going to say something, but then she closes them.

Jada giggles as I pull her shirt up and over her head, tossing it to the floor. Davina shakes her head and walks off. I resist theurge to follow her. Once we cross that line, there will never be any turning back.

8

Davina

Ifind myself looking for Collin everywhere, but he hasn’t come back. Not sure why I expected him to. He’s the one who left all those years ago. He’s the one who let everyone believe he was dead. And now he’s The Harvester.

I shouldn’t be excited at the idea of seeing him. I should despise him for what he’s taken from the club. Lina was one of my best friends. He took her life as though she meant nothing. As though she didn’t have future plans for her family.

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