Page 70 of The Bastard's Lily
I squeeze his hand, the weight of everything outside this room a little lighter. Whatever storm waits beyond the stockroom, we’ll meet it side by side.
Theclubhousehumswitha low, restless energy—boots scuffing concrete, engines outside grumbling for the road. Brothers move with quiet purpose, checking weapons and loading saddlebags, every sound sharpened by the knowledge that tonight isn’t just another run.
I stand in the middle of it, one arm locked around Calla’s waist, the other holding Beau tight against my chest. He fits perfectly there, head tucked beneath my chin, small fingers fisted in the collar of my cut. Calla leans into my side, steady and warm despite the storm in the room. Her heartbeat thrums against me, a counterpoint to the rumble of bikes outside.
Around us, men who’ve stared down bullets and fire glance our way and nod. No questions. No judgment. Just quiet acknowledgment.
Ash’s voice cuts through the noise from across the room. “Fiveminutes, brothers.”
Beau tilts his head back to look at me, eyes wide and unafraid. “You’re coming back, right, Dad?”
My grip tightens. “Always,” I tell him, voice low but certain. “Always back.”
Calla’s hand finds mine, squeezes once. And for a moment, before the engines roar and the night swallows us whole, it’s just the three of us, a heartbeat of family carved out of the chaos.
Grimm cuts through the noise with that easy stride of his dark eyes scanning the room before landing on us. He’s got that crooked grin he’s worn since we were all too young to know better.
“Little man,” he says, stopping in front of Beau. “You keep your mom company for me, yeah?”
Beau leans forward from my arms, serious as a judge. “You be safe,” he says, tiny finger wagging like he’s the one in charge.
Grimm chuckles, a low rumble that somehow softens the edges of the night. “Always, buddy. Best friends gotta look out for each other, right?”
“Best buddies,” Beau corrects, offering a fist.
Grimm taps his knuckles against Beau’s with a quietclink, then meets my eyes over the kid’s head. He shifts his weight, then reaches for Beau without a word. I ease my boy into his arms, and Beau curls against his chest like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Grimm’s gaze lingers on us—me, Calla, the kid we somehow built out of all the wreckage. “Crazy, huh?” he says, voice low enough for only us to hear. “Used to watch you two sneakin’ around like a pair of lovesick idiots. Now here you are—whole damn circle closed.”
Calla’s breath catches, a small smile flickering. “Guess some things were meant to find their way back,” she murmurs.
Grimm gives a slow nod, rough hand resting steady on Beau’s back. “Yeah. And some of us were meant to keep watch till it happened.”
The words settle deep, heavier than the rumble of engines outside. I clasp his shoulder once, no need for more. He knows.
Ash’s voice cuts through the room like a whip. “Mount up! Time to roll.”
The clubhouse shifts—boots scraping, engines firing outside. Grimm adjusts Beau in his arms, but he’s already grabbing his kutte from the back of a chair.
“Sorry, little man,” Grimm says, lowering Beau back to the floor. “Best buddy’s gotta ride tonight.”
Beau’s face falls. “But—”
Grimm crouches, eye-level and gentle. “I’ll be back before you wake up. You hold down the fort, all right?”
Beau nods solemnly and slips his small hand into Yeti’s, who’s staying behind. Yeti gives him a reassuring pat. “I got him.”
I crouch, ruffle Beau’s hair, and press a quick kiss to the top of his head. “Be good for The Yeti. I’ll see you soon.”
Then I stand and turn to Calla. She’s already watching me, chin lifted, eyes fierce in the dim light. I slide a hand to the back of her neck and draw her close until our foreheads touch.
“Don’t leave this clubhouse. Not even outside. Phone on you,” I say, voice low and rough.
“I will.”
I kiss her hard, brief but claiming, then whisper against her ear, “You’re the strongest thing I know. Don’t forget it.”
Her fingers tighten on the front of my kutte. “You either.”
