Page 8 of The Secrets We Keep

“What about my car?” She asks as she nods in its direction.

I look at the piece of shit Camry in front of me. It’s old and rusting. It doesn’t look like it has much life left in it. “I’ll have a prospect come pick it up and have the guys take a look at it in the morning,” I tell her as I usher her onto the back of my bike.

She begrudgingly gets on and lets me strap the helmet onto her head. When I get on, she sits further back, trying to avoid all contact with my body.

“That’s not how this works, Soph,” I chide her before taking her arms and wrapping them tightly around my waist. “Don’t let go,” I whisper to her as I turn on the engine and peel out of the parking lot.

6

SOPHIE

My hands tighten around Grayson’s waist as he pulls his bike out of the parking lot. I press my head into his back and take a deep breath of the familiar leather cut while I try to reign in my anger. I cannot believe that Grayson had the nerve to show up at the hotel and barge into our room, demanding that we come to the clubhouse with him.Who the hell does he think that he is?

Not that I wanted to stay there a minute longer, but I didn’t need Grayson telling me what to do. Especially with the new title he holds. Seeing the president patch on Grayson’s cut felt like a blow to the gut, only fueling my frustration with him.

I turn my head to the right and find Asher on the back of Rowan’s bike, smiling wide as he holds on tight. Rowan isn’t going fast, but seeing my kid on a motorcycle terrifies me. Even if I grew up on them, he’s never even been around one.Hell, I haven’t been around one for seven years.

Grayson’s muscles flex beneath my fingers as hemoves the powerful bike down the street. It’s dark out, so the streets are pretty empty, most of the town having already called it a night. Grayson and Rowan weave through the streets until we’re pulling onto a familiar street. My stomach clenches as the Sovereign Sons’ compound comes into view.

The building looks just as daunting in the dark as I remember it. The two-story building is spread along the horizon. I can tell that they’ve done some remodeling since the last time I saw it, the once light gray siding has been replaced by something darker, and every inch of the compound is illuminated.

We pull up to a gate, stopping long enough for someone to open it from the other side, and then pull up to the front of the building. I don’t move as Grayson pulls the motorcycle to a stop or even as he climbs off. I stay rooted in my seat as I look around, so many memories flooding me.

Not all the times I had here were bad. Most of them were good, even. I had friends here. Not just Grayson and Rowan. Most of the club members had kids around my age. We all grew up together. Most of them stayed in town.I didn’t.

A small hand clasps my own. I look down and find Asher beside me with a huge smile on his face. I can’t help but return it.

“That was so much fun, mama!” He tells me, squeezing my hand. “I want to do it again.”

I snort. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, all right?”

He nods his head eagerly and then looks up at the large building. “What is this place?”

“This is our compound,” Grayson says, stepping up next to us. “You and your mama will be much safer here.”

I roll my eyes as I climb off the bike, allowing myself a moment to let my legs adjust to being on solid ground again. “We would have been fine,” I grumble.

Grayson pins me with a look. I swallow the lump in my throat and pull Asher into my side.

“Come with me,” he orders as he strides toward the building.

I don’t immediately follow. I turn to look for an escape but only find Rowan smirking at me. “Don’t think about it, Soph,” he murmurs. “He wouldn’t let it slide.” He motions for me to follow Grayson.

I sigh but pull Asher along with me, my bare feet soaking in the last of the day’s warmth left in the concrete. Grayson holds the metal door open wide for us and waits for us to enter. I step into the building with my heart in my stomach.

The main room is bustling with activity. There’s loud music and laughter, with people scattered around the room. A quick scan tells me I don’t need to cover Asher’s eyes from anything nefarious. Grayson and Rowan enter the room after me and when the metal door slams closed, the entire room turns to faceus.

All noise dies out when their eyes fall on me and I’m suddenly aware that I’m standing here in just a threadbare t-shirt. I push my shoulders back and hold my head high, determined not to let them see my nerves.

“What the hell is she doing here?” A familiar voice calls out.

I look toward the sound and find Cane staring at me. He definitely doesn’t look happy to see me. I pull Asher closer to me.

“For those of you who don’t know,” Grayson calls out, his voice echoing in the silent room, “This is Sophie Parker, John’s daughter.” The room erupts in whispers, mainly from the people I don’t recognize. “Her and her son will be staying here for the foreseeable future. They are off limits. She is off limits. Do not cause problems or you’ll be answering to me. Am I clear?”

Answers erupt in the form of, “yes, pres,” and “sure, pres.”

“Good,” Grayson says. “The main area is off limits for all extracurricular activities while there are kids present.” Groans sound around the room.

---