“He didn’t make it, baby,” Lip mutters, tears falling down his cheeks.
I close my eyes and cry, a terrible sob escaping my lips. To lose one of our own, it’s a pain that roots deep within the chest. It never goes away.
“Come here.” Lip pulls me into his arms, and I hug him right back. I cry hard and loudly. Tom was one of us, and we lost him. I loved Tom; he was so friendly—horny, but friendly.
“The funeral is tomorrow,” Lip states.
“I’m going,” I add. I will see him one last time and pay my respects, regardless of what kind of shape I’m in.
“You can’t, baby. You need to stay in here and –”
“Fuck that, Lip, I’m going!” I shout, wincing from the pain in my side. Tom gave his life for us, and it’s the least I can do.
Lip smirks and runs his fingers over my lips.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Lip mutters. “Cops came in a little earlier for your statement, but Doc pretty much told them to fuck off. I told them what the rest of the guys did, that we were ambushed by some guys but couldn’t make ‘em out. We’re The Devil’s Dust. We have enemies everywhere.” He winks. “So if they come back, you need to stick with that story,” Lip states. I furrow my brows and nod. “The cops ain’t going to be handling this; you know as well as I the justice system is fucked. The Devil’s Dust will be taking care of this, babe.” Lip brushes my hair from my face and kisses my forehead. I don’t argue, because he’s right. I don’t trust cops to take care of this, not after my last run-in with the justice system.
“But they believed you?” I ask.
“They pretty much know we’re lying, but they have no proof.” Lip shrugs.
“Can I come in yet?” someone hollers from the doorway. My eyes widen with excitement; I know that voice from anywhere.
Lip laughs. “Yeah, come in.”
Piper rushes in wearing a pink little dress, and hair shiny and combed. She looks so youthful and happy.
“Piper!” I cheer with excitement. To see her, it makes me want to move mountains, regardless of the pain I’m in.
“Cherry!” Piper chimes. She crawls onto the bed, and I cry harder as I pull her into a big hug.
“Easy now.” Lip laughs.
I hug her tighter, her little heartbeat pounding against my chest. I take in the smell of her, the feel of her skin against mine, and I swear to God I’ll never let her go again.
“I missed you,” she whispers.
“I’ve missed you,” I whisper back.
I sit her back and look her over.
“You look so pretty.” I pull on the fabric of her dress.
“Thank you. Lip took me shopping,” My eyes pull from Piper to Lip, shocked.
“Yeah?”
Lip shrugs, and I think my ovaries just exploded. Badass biker taking my daughter shopping is something for the books, for sure. I look at Piper, my daughter, and smile.
“Piper, I need to tell you something,” I mutter, my brows furrowing inward. I don’t know if now is the right time to tell her I’m her mother, but I can’t hold it in any longer. I’ve had to keep it secret for six fucking years, so now is as good as time as any. Pushing little strands of hair behind her ear, I tilt my head to the side.
“I’m your mom, Piper.”
Her eyes furrow and she nibbles on her bottom lip as she takes in the words I just spoke. Finally, she looks up from under her lashes, her face unsure.
“I always wanted a mommy like you. You know, sometimes when we were together, I would think of you as my mommy.” She smiles, and what was left of my heart explodes into warmth. Tears leak out of my eyes uncontrollably.
I pull her close and cry into her hair. I finally have my daughter. Finally have my flesh and blood. I didn’t die, but I certainly went through Hell to get her. I’d do it all over again, too.
“I’ll make up the last six years for the rest of your life, Piper,” I promise.
***