Page 55 of Target

“He does have a nice body,” I blurt out, then gasp looking at her with wide eyes, making her giggle louder.

“Maddi, I know that I am only fifteen, but I am not a young girl. I do know about boys. No, I am not dating anyone before you ask, but you can. You work your butt of at PCE, so we have a good life.”

I look at her and see how grown-up she is for her age and my pride swells knowing that it was me and our grandfather who did that, not our shitty parents.

“I know you struggled when we had to move here, and I am sorry for taking you away from your friends, but I see you now and see how happy and settled you are. It makes me so happy that you made an effort after all the fussing and fighting we did.” I nudge her playfully.

She smiles, but I see sadness shining back at me.

“It was hard, but I get why you did it. Wayne was a waste of space, and I believe now that you and Darian and me were meant to live here. New friends here make me feel like I have been in their lives for years, not just a few months. I think we have both come a long way.”

“When did you get so wise?” I pull her close to me, hugging her tightly.

“I love you, Mads.” Her arms tighten around me, making me smile. Not only for her hug, but for the name that she used for me. it reminds me of Target. Aria and Darian call me Maddi or Madalyn, because I hated ‘Mads’ as Wayne started it, but hearing Target say it sends a wave of desire and warmth through me.

Aria is my top priority as are Kohen’s kids to him. My family is everything and seeing what we have gone through, we are stronger together. Watching my baby sister grow into a young woman is something special, and maybe I will get to witness that with Emmi and Rex as they grow up.

It is early days, like I said to Aria, but Kohen makes me feel things that I had always hoped for. I also know that a part of my wall is still up after not just what Wayne did, but also Crypt.

I know that I need to talk to Kohen about my past and my experience with bikers so that he can understand my reluctance about being with a biker.

The Rugged Skulls MC is nothing like Crypt’s club, the Deadly Dwellers MC.

The RSMC stands for loyalty and respect but have that roughness about them. For years after what Crypt did to me, I was jumpy and scared of my own shadow. I stayed away from motorcycle clubs for my own mental health.

It worked for me, then one day I got stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire and a biker stopped to help. At first I was shaking in fear, but he spoke slowly, with calming words. He kept his distance and made sure that I was comfortable, and that day he fixed a part of me that feared all bikers, because like Darian said, not all bikers are bad.

His road name was Tote, and it has always stuck with me, how kind he was.

A horn beeps from outside and Aria looks up, but does not pull away. The look on her face is one that shows how serious she is with what she is about to say.

“Have a life, Sissy. For me.” I nod to her, kissing her forehead.

“Go on, have a good night and I will see you later.” She jumps to her feet, picking up her bag on the way out. Once she is gone, I am alone to unwind for the rest of the time.

Getting to my feet, I head into the kitchen to refresh my glass of wine. The music still plays softly through the room and I hum along with the tune.

A knock comes on my front door, making me frown. I am not expecting anyone. Setting my glass down on the counter I go to the door, checking through the side window, but see no one. Frowning deeper, I pull open the door and have a peek but see no one there. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, so I quickly shut the door.

Securing the lock, I walk quickly back to the kitchen, picking up my glass and phone and turning off the music. As my butt hits the sofa, another knocks comes.

Opening my phone I get ready to dial 911, and I go to check the door again. Opening it, stupid I know, but I have no reason for anyone to hurt me.

There on my front step is a box. Looking left and right, and checking across the street, I see no one. Looking back down at the box like it has offended me, I collect it, bringing it into the house.

It is has my name in big black bold letters across the top, and no address which means it was hand delivered, but no delivery company would take this package without an address…

My body feels tight, as I stupidly open the brown cardboard box.

Darian would kick my ass if she were here right now.

Pulling the flaps open, I gasp seeing the one thing I thought I had put out of my mind.

It is one side of a heart that matches with its other half to form a complete heart. Like the kind that say, ‘Best Friends Forever’..

This one reads ‘Mine.’

My half, which I threw away, read ‘Always.’

---