Page 4 of A New Era

“It’s not so bad inside,” I assure her.

Stepping through the door, Victoria’s dog is having a field day sniffing everyone, and Rayna tenses in my arms.

“It’s okay, it’s Auntie Victoria’s dog. He’s called Princess,” I tell her.

It doesn’t relax her and when the dog sniffs at us, she starts screaming, in turn, the dog starts barking.

“Can someone get him outta here,” I snap, and Angel clicks his fingers.

“Princess!” Angel snaps and the dog immediately goes to him. “No barking at Rayna. Victoria wouldn’t be happy with you!” Taking hold of his collar, he takes him upstairs and Holly watches with fascination.

“Did he just talk to the dog like he’s a child?”

“Yeah, apparently the dog understands.”

Sitting Rayna at one of the tables, I kneel down, tuck her hair back behind her ear, and wipe her tears away.

“Hey, you’re safe. You don’t need to be scared.”

I don’t think she hears me. Her gaze is stuck on the stairs. “You want pizza for dinner?”

“Yep, yep, yep,” she sniffles.

Angel jogs down the stairs and tells me, “He’s in Luca’s room, I’ll have Max walk him once Rayna’s in bed.”

“Thanks.” I turn back to my daughter. “You won’t see him now. Happy?”

She nods and becomes quickly distracted by her iPad.

The atmosphere at the dinner table is buzzing with excitement and the Dog City chapter join us. The presence of Rayna and Gunner, along with the arrival of the twins, Penelope and Thomas, adds to the lively energy in the room. Drinks are passed around, and everyone is in high spirits, celebrating a new addition to the club. It's heartwarming to see how happy everyone is for Luca and Victoria. As dinner is served, Rayna enjoys her two slices of cheese pizza, but the tiredness starts to weigh on her. Her eyes struggle to stay open. Rudi, being considerate, escorts Holly to their room, ensuring she gets some rest.

Mom takes Holly’s seat and lowers her voice when she asks, “Which one is Konan?”

Scanning the bar, I settle on Luca’s prospect and he’s sat in the corner with Maxwell and Trey. “Over in the corner with the bottle of water.”

Watching my mom, I tip the bottle of beer to my mouth as she takes him in and arches her brow. “I never imagined her as a mother. It wouldn’t surprise me if he just fell out after she sneezed, what with all the dick she used to take.”

Snorting half my beer across the table, I bark out a laugh.

“Wow. The city really brings out the inner bitch in you.”

“Well,” she huffs. “It’s not like I’m exaggerating. Thank fuck he was born well after she left town and he’s not another one of your dad’s offspring.”

It’s no secret how my dad hurt my mom under my great uncle’s orders back in the day. When I first heard how he made moves for my mom to walk in while he was nailing some club ass, I didn’t speak to him for a month. I wondered how she could ever forgive him, but it seems she’s never forgotten.

“It’s suspicious why he’s here now.”

Shrugging, I tell her, “His mom sent him, knowing the club, to get revenge for his brother. Sounds like she’s had a hard life, losing a son.”

“Yes, well, you reap what you sow but she never done anything to warrant having to bury her own son.”

Dad joins us, asking, “What are you two talking about?”

I leave it to Mom to fill him in. “Oh you know, just thanking the lord the boy over there isn’t one of yours… what with you going with his mom all those years ago.”

Narrowing his eyes, his jaw tenses and he mutters, “We’re not bringing this up again.”

As sweet as sugar, she smiles. “Don’t worry, I’m not mad. Just thankful, like I said.”

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