Page 27 of The Secrets We Keep

When we walk into the main room as a family, a hush falls over the room. Then everyone erupts into cheers. My shoulders sag in relief and tears fill my eyes. Rowan walks over and wraps me in a big hug and tears fall down my cheeks as I cry into his chest. Next is Axel and Chef who both whisper how happy they are.

Grayson’s voice booms through the room drawing everyone’s attention. “I have an announcement to make!” The room falls silent. “Some of you have already found out, but for those of you who don’t know, this is my son Asher!” He calls out as he pulls Asher into his side. I watch on with a smile as Asher beams at his dad. Then Grayson’s smile falls on me. “Sophie didn’t have a choice in leaving,” he continues making my breath stutter in my chest. “I think that you all deserve to know the truth about John Parker. He loathed his daughter for no fault of her own. He was desperate to have an heir for this club, and Sophiecould never be that for him. We all know that John could be an asshole, but I don’t think any of us knew the extent of his issues. He found out that Sophie was pregnant before she was able to tell me. He choked her. Hit her,” he says through clenched teeth. “He threatened her. He threatened our son. He threatened me. Sophie left because it was the only thing she could do to keep all of us safe. Not because she wanted to. John would have been able to keep tabs on her every move because of his connections with the club.”

He reaches out a hand for me and pulls me toward him until his arm is wrapped around me and Asher is in front of us. “Sophie was always mine and now that she’s back, that’s not going to change. I’m claiming Sophie as my old lady.” His proclamation is met with boisterous cheers. I’m left speechless.

“Old lady” is the title given to wives and serious girlfriends of a member. Sometimes the men don’t even claim their wives as their old lady. It means that the woman is it for you. She’s your person. There will never be anyone else for them. It’s bigger than marriage or kids.It’s forever in the MC world.

The cheers in the room finally die down and then laughter fills the room. “That’s rich since you were with me last night,” Candy’s voice calls out.

My stomach plummets. Grayson doesn’t owe me anything, we aren’t together, or we weren’t until he publicly announced it today. Hearing that he spent the night with Candy is like a knife in the chest.Until Iremember that Grayson came to my room last night.

“Candy,” Grayson’s dad’s voice booms through the room. Kurt strides into the room and through the growing crowd. He stops in front of us and turns to face her. “Don’t fucking lie. I saw you lead a very drunk Grayson away from the stairway and toward the guestrooms. I followed you because I saw how Grayson could hardly stand. When you put him in the room and tossed him on the bed, I heard him say no. I saw you lower his jeans and briefs after that. If I hadn’t been there, you would have sexually assaulted the president of this club.”

Murmurs break out amongst the crowd as Candy’s face pales.

“You thought that you could lie about what happened and make my old lady feel like I betrayed her?” Grayson growls. “It’s a good thing you’re here, though, because you already would have been being dealt a punishment after what you did last night. My dad told you as much. Now, you’ll also be dealt a punishment for lying to Sophie.”

Candy’s anger is palpable as she strides forward. “You could have been a great president. John wanted that for you. He saw your potential. That’s why he set me up to be with you. He knew that I would lead you in the right direction. Away from her,” she spits in my direction.

My blood boils.My father wanted her to be with Gray? Abso-fucking-lutely not. I step forward to takecare of her myself, but Grayson pulls me back.

“I told you that if you messed with Sophie again, you’d be out of here. I told you that if you kept pursuing me, even though I was clearly uninterested, you’d be out of here. You tried to assault me while I was intoxicated and trying to go home to my woman and child. As president of this club, I have the power to ban you for life.” Candy’s gasp rings out. “Candy. You are no longer welcome in this club, effective immediately. You will leave now. One of the guys will pack up your shit. This is a lifetime banishment. If you try to come around, I’ll actually let Sophie handle you. Now, get out of my fucking sight.”

With that, he turns us around and leads us toward the sitting area. We can hear Candy struggle as they take her out of the clubhouse. We take seats on the large sectional and Rowan and Kurt join us.

“That lady was really mean,” Asher says after a moment.

Kurt chuckles. “Yeah, she was.”

“Asher, I want you to meet your Uncle Rowan and your Grandpa Kurt,” Grayson introduces them.

Asher turns a little shy at that moment and the guys sense it.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Asher. I know that your grandma is going to be so happy to meet you,” Kurt tells him softly. Asher gives him a small smile in return. “How would you guys feel about coming todinner? We can have the whole family together.”

“Family,” Asher murmurs reverently.

“Yeah, bud,” Grayson rasps. “Family.”

21

SOPHIE

I’m fucking nervous.

I haven’t seen Grayson’s mom or sister in seven years, and I’ve only spent a few minutes with Kurt and Ro over the last few weeks. The family that I was so close to years ago are now like strangers to me.

I take a deep breath and look at myself in the mirror. I put on a little bit of makeup and curled my hair, because makeup and hair feels like a safety net for me. I brush my hands over the cornflower blue sundress I’m wearing, smoothing the lightweight fabric over my body. The color really brings out my eyes.

“You look beautiful, baby,” Grayson murmurs from the doorway. “You don’t need to be nervous.”

I snort. “Is it that obvious? You only say that because you’re not in my shoes.”

He moves to stand behind me before wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. Our eyes meet in the mirror. “They alreadylove you. They aren’t going to blame you for what happened.”

This man sees right through me. He knows that the real reason I’m nervous is that I don’t want his family to hate me for what happened. I bite my lip and nod.

Grayson pats me on the ass as he smirks at me. “This dress looks incredible on you,” he says before whispering in my ear, “I can’t wait to take it off you.”

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