“Understood,” we all answered.
“In case you haven’t heard, Mathews had more charges added last night. On top of extortion, tax evasion, kidnapping, and all the other bullshit, they got him for two counts of murder. Seems he killed a couple of kids who witnessed an exchange between him and a few gang members.”
“Damn. This guy is fucked.” With a smile plastered on his face, Country continued, “It couldn’t have happened to a better guy.”
The brothers all joined in, giving their own slam on Mathews. When the heckling finally stopped, Viper said a few more words, then dismissed us from church. The brothers quickly started to disperse, and I was about to follow suit when Viper came over to me and asked, “How’s Remington making it?”
“Pretty good, I guess. She’s back to work and seems to be feeling a little more like herself.”
“I’m sure after all she’s gone through it hasn’t been easy, but she’s a smart girl. Strong with a good head on her shoulders. The kind of girl that makes a good ol’ lady.” A spark of mischief flashed through his eyes as he poked, “She’ll certainly keep you on your toes.”
Viper’s opinion meant a great deal to me, so it did me good to hear him speak so positively about her—especially after their initial meeting. I gave him a nod. “That she will.”
“Heard from Ada this morning. She’s back from her visit with Kara.”
“Good. I’ll have to go by and check in on her.”
“I’m sure that’ll mean a lot to her.” As he turned to leave, he said, “Give her my best.”
“Will do.”
After leaving the clubhouse, I rode straight over to Ada’s. After hearing from Viper she was back home from her visit, I wanted to see how it had gone with her granddaughter. I also wanted to let her know I’d taken her advice to heart—that without her pushing me like she had I wouldn’t be in the place I was now. When I pulled up to her place, she was sitting on her front porch, wearing her big floppy hat, and having a cup of coffee. As I got off my bike and started towards her, she smiled and said, “I wasn’t expectin’ to sees you today.”
“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by to see how you were making it.”
“I’m making just fine. Just like I’s always do. Looks like you are doing pretty good yourself.” She cocked her eyebrow as she asked, “Where dat Remington?”
“She’s at work; otherwise, she’d be here with me.” I walked over and sat down next to her. “How’d it go with Kara?”
“’Bout like I expected, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.” I wasn’t surprised she wouldn’t tell me the whole truth about her visit. Ada knew how I felt about Kara taking advantage of her like she did, but I also knew how much her granddaughter meant to her. I just hoped in time Kara would realize how lucky she was to have Ada in her life. “Enough ’bouts me. I saw da news. Heard dat ‘da police found Remington. Seems they saved the day.”
“Can’t believe everything you see on TV, Ada.”
“Didn’t figure as much. Just glad to hear dat it’s all over and yous two can gets on wit’ it.” She leaned closer and gave me one of her looks. “I’m hopings you took my advice about her.”
“I did.”
“Good to hear. Yous deserve more dan most.”
“Not sure I agree with that, but I did want to thank you. If you hadn’t given me that push, I might’ve let her slip through my fingers.”
“Yous a smart man. You’d figured it out one ways or another.”
“You’re probably right.” I chuckled. “I still appreciate your helping me to see what was right in front of my face.”
“Sometimes we all need a little push, son.”
“That we do.”
We continued to talk for a while longer, then I got up and headed towards my bike. I was about to start the engine when she called out to me, “Yous bring Remington by to see me whens you can.”
“You know I will.”
I left there and went to a place I hadn’t been to in years—the graveyard where my parents were buried. I don’t know what led me there, but for some reason, I felt compelled to talk to them. I wanted to let them know I was okay, I was happy, and had found someone who made my life complete. After everything that had happened to me, I never dreamed I’d have that kind of conversation with them. I’d always thought I was destined to live out my days alone. That all changed when I met Remington. I told them both how she’d changed things in me, and that for the first time in my life, I was looking forward to the future. I spent over an hour talking to them, and when I was done, I got on my bike and rode across town to have a similar conversation with Lindsey.
I told her how sorry I was for what had happened, that I’d always blamed myself for her death, but the time had come for me to let go of all that. I started telling her all about Remington and how much my life had changed because of it. It was difficult to share all that with her, but I found peace in knowing that Lindsey would want me to be happy—or so I hoped. Either way, I was ready to move on with my life. I was ready to stop holding on.
I left there knowing the hurt I felt over losing her and my folks would always be a part of me, but it would no longer define me. That didn’t mean I wasn’t still Shotgun—the Ruthless Sinners’ enforcer. I was still fierce and merciless when it came to our adversaries, and no matter what the circumstance, I would give my life to protect my brothers. That was something that would never change.
Remington
“What the fuck is she doing here with him?” Rafe complained.
Widow took a quick glance around the bar as he asked, “Who?”
“Him.” Rafe motioned his hand towards the back of the crowd and grumbled, “The douchebag in the khaki slacks and loafers. I mean seriously. What the ever-loving fuck?”
I looked over to the corner to see who had him so riled up. It took me a moment to realize he was talking about Jax, the guy Delilah’s friend Krissy had brought with her to the party. From the looks of it, she was pretty cozy with the guy, and Rafe wasn’t exactly thrilled about it. Apparently the two had some kind of history, and it hadn’t played out in Rafe’s favor. Widow’s eyes narrowed as he replied, “Don’t see what you’re getting at, brother.”
“You know damn well what I’m talking about,” Rafe huffed. “How in the fuck did she go from this”—he motioned his hand over himself—“to that?”
“’Cause that is a doctor who makes about three-hundred grand a year and can have any pussy he fucking wants. And right now, he wants hers.” Widow was doing his best to provoke him as he added, “If you didn’t want him snatching up what was yours, then you shouldn’t have fucking ghosted her like you did.”
“I didn’t fucking ghost her. I just wasn’t interested in gettin’ involved with her.”
“Then, enough of your bellyaching. Drink another cold beer and find another chick to warm your bed tonight.”
Rafe gave Krissy one last look, then picked up his beer and finished it off. As soon as he placed the empty bottle on the counter, he ordered another and another. It wasn’t long before he was feeling pretty good, and he wasn’t the only one. All the guys were in a celebratory mood and were drinking themselves under the table. Before coming, Noah had warned me club parties could sometimes get out of hand, but so far, I hadn’t seen anything out of the norm. Rafe was being Rafe, and Widow was giving him hell about it. To me, it seemed pretty tame until a couple of the club girls showed up. They were all dressed to the nine in their short miniskirts that showed off their long, lean legs, and halter tops that revealed every ounce of their cleavage. The music suddenly got louder, and the girls were putting it to good use, swaying their hips seductively as they taunted the single brothers. It was clear that Country took notice as he tipped his cowboy hat and shouted, “Oo-wee! That’s it, baby! Shake what your mama gave ya!”