I Dare You To Meet Me
Chapter 38

Well this is interesting, Hunter was not with the brothers in the bar as he told me. But there were my friends hanging out with the crows as if they were lifelong acquaintances.

Rey and Caleb were laughing with Bruno and one of the twins with a beer in hand each. The other twin was in a drinking contest with Boris while others cheered them on. Bullet was playing a game of pool with Anton and lastly Ivan was trying to beat Bloody at cards.

Toro as always being antisocial was just sitting at the bar ignoring everyone.

I walked over to where Rey was with the others, luckily there was a chair available which I didn’t hesitate to take.

-Wow, I think it’s the first time since you arrived that you’ve left the Prez’s office without wanting to kill someone. Said the twin I recognised as Diablo jokingly, for some reason Demon didn’t seem to like him very much, but there was nothing I could do about it.

I shrugged.

-It’s the first time since I’ve been here that he’s thought about what he’s going to say before he opens his mouth. I replied simply and was a little surprised when everyone laughed, including the two crows.

-It’s in our genetics to say what we think before we realise that maybe it’s not a good idea. scoffed the attempted biker.

-We can attest to that. Caleb replied and I saw him squint.

-What do you mean by that? I asked innocently.

-I would love to answer that question but I happen to have a great appreciation for my life and specific parts of my anatomy. And with that answer he made us all laugh again.

A very familiar laugh was heard and my friends and I turned to look at the entrance that connected the bar to the hallway leading to the living room and then to the bedrooms.

Sabrina walked in next to a biker wearing a big black t-shirt with a club print that went halfway down her thighs and last night’s tennis shoes, I think I remember she was also wearing shorts and most likely the t-shirt covered them because it looked like she was wearing the t-shirt and nothing else.

I didn’t know the name of the crow walking with my friend but I recognised him as the bartender from last night. They were both dishevelled and Sabrina didn’t have a drop of her normal make-up on, as they walked in our direction I gave Toro a quick glance.

The biker with the scar had the best poker face I’d ever seen on anyone, his body was perfectly stiff and he didn’t move a hair, he didn’t blink and looked like he wasn’t even breathing. At first I thought he didn’t see it and didn’t care but then the wheelie in his hand broke.

Just like the pool cue from a few nights ago, and just like that time, no one seemed to notice as he just wiped the glass off his hand and then stood up and walked away.

I think Toro has a temper worse than my father’s…

-Sabrina, we were wondering where you were off to, how come you didn’t make it to the flat last night? Caleb said casually as our friend and the raven approached.

They both grabbed chairs from a table nearby and sat down with us.

-I wasn’t in the mood to drive back to the flat last night. That was all the blonde said before changing the subject.

No one dared to press her for more answers. If my father and Toro had a temper. Sabrina was definitely a nuclear bomb when she put her mind to it.

-Some little horns told me you decided to patch things up with your biker. Rey said, capturing my attention.

I smiled with all my teeth.

-I’m not sure what I’m doing or the direction I’m going. But I’m happy when I’m with him, a happiness I haven’t felt in a long time. Or maybe I’ve never felt it, and now that I’ve tasted it I’m not willing to go back to living without it. I commented while I played with the box that had the rings inside.

-That means you’re not going back to Russia with us. Sabrina jumped in and my friends put on a serious face.

-I’m sorry but no Sab, Russia is where I’ve lived most of my life, but my home has always been California as well as my mother’s. I’m sure she’s happy wherever she is. I’m sure she’s happy wherever I am with my decision to stay. My friend smiled at me and reached out to take one of my hands in hers.

-Don’t regret the things that bring you happiness, we’ll miss you but we’re glad that one of us has a happy ending. You deserve it, and we will always be family, no matter the distance or the time. So enjoy your life to the fullest. A lump rose in my throat and I squeezed his hands.

-Well, enough with the sentimentality, you two always have to get dramatic. We should be celebrating that the great Medusa is finally settling down. Caleb interrupted and I let go of my friend to lean back in my chair.

-We should be toasting to Hell becoming the first of our crew to have a mate for more than three days. Diablo said and signaled a passing sweet a*s to bring more drinks.

-Speaking of Hunter, where is he? I asked looking around.

-Did he tell you his real name, whoaaaaaaaa. A hiss from my half brother.

-I’ve always called him that and I don’t see anything wrong with it. I sounded a bit defensive.

-No no no no, there’s nothing wrong with it, but most of us don’t know his real name. It’s weird that we call ourselves by it, we chose a road name for a reason.

Explained Diablo and I think about how since our first meetings I always called the biker with coal eyes by his name, only when I was annoyed with him I called him by his nickname. Besides, he himself had told me that he liked it when I called him that.

I shook my head.

-Don’t evade my question, where did Hunter go, he said he’d be here. Diablo and Bruno shared a look.

-He went to look for something important. That’s what the red twin said, leaving me intrigued.

A girl with a skirt shorter than any of my tops and a t-shirt clinging to my body like a second skin approached and left us all a crystal glass pouring a shot of Brandy. But when she reached me I shook my head.

-No thanks, could you get me a glass of water? I asked and the girl nodded before running off to get it, after a few moments she returned and handed me a bottle.

I uncorked it and took a big gulp. I sighed tiredly, I would have killed for a shot of tequila.

-Tasha,” I turned to Caleb, “Are you pregnant? He asked and the bikers choked on their drinks.

-Are we going to have a mini Hell running around here? Bruno shouted and many of the brothers turned to look at us.

-Shit, I hope he doesn’t inherit his parents’ humour. Diablo commented.

I felt myself turning red up to my ears, being so pale I probably looked like a f*****g tomato.

-What are you idiots saying, of course I’m not pregnant. I said it in a pretty strong tone.

-Are you sure? Rey asked and gave me a look, “No one will judge you if you are, it’s natural. He said to me like I was a baby.

And I stopped to think about it for a second.

It could be that…

NO, STUPID, YOU’RE ON BIRTH CONTROL, REMEMBER THAT.

-I’m pretty sure I’m not expecting a baby, where did they get that idea? I complained and my friends shrugged.

-We’ve never seen you turn down a drink and ask for water instead, and you know pregnant women can’t drink alcohol. Caleb excused himself and I rolled my eyes.

-I’m on medication you morons, I’m not allowed to mix meds with alcohol.

Everyone relaxed except Sabrina who already knew that, and rather laughed her head off at the scene we had just played out.

I rubbed my forehead wearily, you fools.

A baby, I didn’t even know if Hunter wanted kids.

Damn.

I didn’t even know if I wanted kids.

I lowered my hand from my face and placed it on my belly. A baby of Hunter’s and mine, I wonder what it would look like.

I pursed my lips, I’m too young to be a mum. But it’s something I’ll definitely have to discuss with my biker at some point.

-That took less time than I thought. Diablo said with his eyes fixed somewhere behind my back, I half turned and saw my man walking in our direction with a medium sized box in his hands.

I raised a questioning eyebrow and crossed my arms. He finally caught up with us.

-Sorry, I thought I’d get there before you finished talking to the Prez, you two seemed to have something pending. He apologized as he walked over to me and placed a k**s on my head, I relaxed and rested it on his stomach.

Since I was sitting and he was standing, which made us have a big difference in height.

-It’s okay, I think all the things we had to say to each other have already been said. There’s nothing more to hide. I confessed.

-Does that mean that the fights between you are over? He asked and I broke away from him.

-Don’t ask for a miracle either, sooner or later we’ll end up arguing again. He is the only person capable of bringing out the worst in me.

I answered quickly and my biker gave me a lopsided smile, “Well, what’s that in your hands?

His eyes sparkled and he took a step away.

-It’s for you but I’ll only give it to you if you promise to accept it and wear it every day. He said seriously and I got up from my chair.

-You’re going to give me clothes? I tilted my head to one side and looked from the box to him.

-Promise and you’ll find out. I answered.

-Okay, I promise. My hands itched to open the white box with a red ribbon around it.

-Promise what? I need you to say the whole thing. He insisted and pushed it away when I reached out to take it.

-I promise I will accept it and wear it every day until I die. Happy? I said impatiently and he smiled even wider as he handed it to me.

-Very happy. But I didn’t answer, concentrating on removing the ribbon and then opening the box.

I dropped the ribbon when I finished unwrapping it and removed the lid leaving it on the table behind me.

I picked up the garment inside and pulled it out, spreading it out for all to see.

A leather waistcoat identical to the one worn by all the bikers but in my size was inside, on the back was a patch that covered almost the entire back. A gasp escaped my mouth and probably other unhuman sounds.

The design was impressive to say the least. A drawing of Medusa was the main attraction, dozens of small ravens flew around her and a large raven in mid-flight was at the bottom. It had the words Black Ravens MC all the way to the top, below that you could read Property of Hell and still below that was the name Medusa.

A true piece of art, I caressed the patch carefully and brought it close to my eyes to appreciate every detail. F*****g amazing, no doubt someone had spent a lot of time designing and sewing every inch of it.

-Do you like it? The charcoal-eyed biker asked me as he smiled and I could only stare at him with my mouth open.

I swallowed and blinked hard.

But no, I wasn’t dreaming, this is really happening.

-It’s amazing, I totally love him. I said excitedly and happily as I hugged him to my chest.

-I’m glad you liked it. You already promised you’d never take it off but I’m still going to ask you so there’s no doubt.” He cleared his throat and adopted a more serious countenance, “Tasha Kozlov, will you be my Old Lady?

Wow, he really asked me, I put on one of the biggest smiles of my life.

-Yes, of course I do, I most definitely do. I shouted and all the brothers along with my friends shouted in support.

Hunter smiled again and came over and wrapped his arms around my waist as I wrapped my arm around his neck with the arm that held the ring box and the other arm that held the waistcoat.

-I love you Tasha.

-I love you Hunter.

The biker’s face moved carefully closer to mine and he kissed me with all the calmness in the world. Soft, slow and full of feelings. Those k****s that you only get a few times in your life.

We separated a few seconds later and I pulled away a little.

-Can you help me, I still can’t stretch very far? I asked and Hunter took the waistcoat around me to help me put it on.

Yeah well, maybe I looked ridiculous with the combination of the clothes I was wearing, but I had never ever had a garment fit me as well as my waistcoat.

I felt a k**s on the back of my neck and my man hugged my shoulders from behind, pressing my back to his chest.

The people in the bar were watching us with huge smiles but Hunter’s and mine were sure to be even bigger.

I turned my head slightly to look at him.

-I still think there’s one thing missing. I said and he raised his eyebrows with a questioning expression.

I lifted the box slightly for him to see and he stared at it for a moment before nodding. I opened it and took out the wider ring which was obviously the man’s ring. I took the biker’s left hand and placed it on his ring finger.

When it was in place Hunter took the box and pulled out the diamond ring. He took my left hand and then placed it where it belonged. Then he brought my hand up to his mouth and left a k**s right where the ring was.

I pulled my hand away and turned to face him. I pulled him to me and this time I kissed him, a wilder k**s.

When we broke apart the bikers and my friends came over to congratulate and hug us, I passed through the arms of people I had never seen before, but in a way it felt right, it felt like I belonged to something, like a home.

In between congratulations I saw a figure out of the corner of my eye and I could see my father standing away from everyone half hidden behind the corner. His arms are crossed and he is smiling, the huge burden he seemed to carry since I came here seemed to have disappeared from his shoulders.

He winks at me and for the first time in a long time Hades resembled the image of the father I had retained in my earliest memories.

I smiled back at him before continuing to celebrate with everyone, Hunter came up to me and hugged me by the shoulders as we chatted with the others.

-Does this mean we’re already married? I asked with a sly smile and he shrugged his shoulders.

-If you want to look at it that way, yes,” I leaned my head back on him, “Remember that between MCs is our way of spending the rest of our lives with someone. The ownership waistcoat tells everyone that you’re mine, and this- He raises his hand and shows the ring- It’s so they also know that I’m yours. But if you want we can also get married in the traditional way.

I go over the options in my head.

-I want to have a party where we throw the house out the window,” I said decisively and Hunter looked at me surprised, “I never thought I’d get married and I want to celebrate in style. Besides, what’s the point of having money if you can’t spend it with the people you love? My biker gave me a soft k**s.

-I told you doll that if you ask me to, I’ll bring down the moon for you and if you want a big party, I swear it will be unforgettable. Our children’s children will talk about how great it was-.

That completely melted me and also reminded me of the conversation we had pending.

-Hunter, would you like to have children? I asked and the biker looked at me curiously before looking around and away from the people to a more private area.

-What’s with the question Tasha? He asked and stared at my belly, I rolled my eyes and hit him on the head.

-Why does everyone think I’m pregnant, it’s just a question, we’ve never touched on it before and I think it’s something that all couples should discuss at some point.

Raven scratched the back of his neck and folded his arms in a thoughtful pose.

-I never thought about being a father if I’m being honest. Hell, I never thought I’d love a woman enough to give her my letters, our thing is full of firsts, doll. I don’t know if I want a child right now but I admit I’m excited at the thought of a little you chasing me around.

A tender image of a little baby with onyx eyes and coal-black hair flashed through my mind and I got excited.

-Maybe in a few years, when we’re both ready. I’d like to do a lot of things before we start a family. I decided and the smile the raven gave me was one full of warmth.

-Do you want to have an adventure, doll?

-My life is already an adventure, biker, and I want to live it with you.

We kissed again, and never before had my lips met mine so well.

(…)

-So last night after you got the bitch off his back that was kissing him he just led you to his motorbike and took you to an amazing mansion he had bought for the two of you? Sabrina asked and I almost laughed at her incredulous tone.

-He wasn’t kissing me. Raven replied but my friend and I ignored him.

-Yeah well, that’s a good way to sum things up. I replied and took a sip from the glass of soda I had.

At last I had something to drink besides plain water and juice.

Oh, and after all the celebrating I remembered that I hadn’t taken my medication for over 12 hours so Hunter went and got it and now I feel much better.

-Wow, if you weren’t telling me, I’d be sure that story is a lie. Who buys a house for a girl who isn’t even their girlfriend, I can’t get flowers but you get a mansion? She let out a snort and now I laughed at her as well as everyone else at the table.

-If our dear Medusa could find a guy crazy enough to put up with her, there must be some other idiot out there for you. Ivan consoled her and earned a nudge from the blonde.

We had joined several tables in the bar so we could all sit down. And so we ended up with Bruno, Caleb, Reykon, Demon, Sabrina, Ivan, Diablo, Bones (the raven who had arrived with Sabrina), Toro (who came back just in time to join in but still didn’t say a word), Anton, Bloody, Bullet, Hades, Hunter and me.

It was complete madness, none of us could finish what we wanted to say because we would be interrupted by someone else causing us to be shouting at each other so we could hear what the other was saying.

We had to stop several arguments that were getting out of hand several times, but after about forty minutes we had gotten used to it and the family atmosphere was in the air as well as the laughter and jokes.

I felt like Hannah Montana at the moment, having the best of both worlds.

-You’re crazy Hell, where the hell did you get the money to buy a mansion, if I had known you had all that money before I wouldn’t have bought you drinks so many times. Diablo scoffed and the biker’s huge body shook as he laughed.

-You never asked if I had any money, how do you think a rich person stays rich, it was convenient for me if you kept spending your money on things like that, but I promise I’ll buy the beers more often. My man commented in a relaxed tone and I smiled half-heartedly at his answer.

-You’re such a show-off. He said as he took a sip of the drink he had poured.

-And what are you going to do with your mother’s will? Rey asked, and Hades and Hunter looked at him with the desire to hit him.

-What about that, mum made it very clear that I couldn’t move out of this club until a year has passed, so my hands are tied until then, when the year is up we’ll just move, that’s all. I said calmly.

-Aren’t you going to live here like the rest? Bloody asked from where I was and I grimaced.

-With all due respect bro, I love living in the club but I want to be able to be with my girl without having someone interrupting us and coming into our room every two minutes. Hunter replied and I thanked him mentally.

I didn’t want the crows to think I was trying to take Hunter away from them.

-I was referring to the matter of your inheritance, your house and your family’s company. Rey spoke again, and reality slapped me in the face.

-I had completely forgotten about the company, I haven’t seen anything of it since I was kidnapped. Besides, when I was taken from my home I swore to myself that I would go back there even if it cost me my life. I thought out loud and my man squeezed his hand that was intertwined with mine.

-Where you go, I will go. He reminded me and I smiled gratefully as I looked into his eyes.

It felt weird to have this kind of gesture, I wasn’t a very affectionate person or given to public displays of affection. But somehow Hunter made everything we did together feel very natural.

I shook my head a little and returned the squeeze, then looked back at my friend to respond.

-I don’t know what I’m going to do with that yet, since I have full access to mum’s will I’m trying to get in touch with the board of directors of the company, but they seem to be running away from me, and I can’t just go to the main headquarters in Moscow because of the ban. So as the year ends I will plan what I will do with that. Reykon raised his bottle in approval.

Hades who was sitting opposite me cleared his throat and looked at me guiltily.

-Well actually there is a way to make it all happen before the year is out. He said and my eyes narrowed in his direction.

F*****g more secrets, are you serious?

-What do you mean by that? I asked with accusation in my voice and my father sighed deeply as he took a swig of his Vodka.

-In the letter your mother left me, the one you handed me. She told me a lot of things.” Color rose to his face and he scratched his arm uncomfortably. “Remember how the lawyer told us that someone would be checking on us every so often to make sure we were doing your mother’s bidding? He asked and I replayed that conversation in my head.

…Both of you can access her assets, from the monetary to the material ones from this moment on, several of your mother’s trusted people, whose names I can’t reveal, will be checking that you are complying with Mrs. Anabella’s last will every certain random period of time. All the information on how to access your inheritance is in these letters…

Damn it, I forgot that detail until this moment.

-As far as I can remember no one has come to check it out and I’ve been living here for months now. I said and Hades swallowed nervously.

-Yeah well, as far as I know he hasn’t, but the point is that in your mother’s letter there was a part where she told me that if an emergency arose we could discuss the terms of that clause with Cara.

-With who? I’d never heard that name before.

-Cara Saxton, she’s your birth godmother. And she was also your mother’s best friend.” Sadness returned to her countenance as she spoke of my mother, “They met when they entered university and were practically inseparable, they did everything together. They would have done anything for each other, so it makes sense that I left her in charge of seeing that her will was done.

-So she was able to override that ridiculous clause from the start? I was outraged.

All this would have been over a long time ago if only that woman had decided.

A lot of trouble would have been avoided, fights, screaming, deaths, my kidnapping.

But you wouldn’t have met Hunter and you wouldn’t be together.

…

I think that despite everything I went through I wouldn’t change anything I went through because it got me to this point.

-I don’t know for sure, he didn’t tell me if he could do it, but it doesn’t hurt to ask him. My father answered me simply.

-If you knew she could do something from the beginning, why didn’t you look for her before? I asked curiously.

-You think I didn’t try, you would have been much safer in Russia but the bitch is elusive, I’ve been chasing her for weeks but it’s complicated. We lost communication when Anabella left with you. He complained frustrated and angry.

-She’s a very smart woman, she knows us and she knows our methods. Demonio confirmed and sounded annoyed, my eyes went to his waistcoat where I could see the Intelligence Officer patch.

He must take it personally that he can’t find her.

-Ivan, do you think you can find her? I asked him and my friend stopped talking to Sabrina to look at me thoughtfully.

-I don’t have the same connections here as I do at home so I’m not sure, but I can try. The red-haired twin looked at him with irony.

He probably didn’t think he could do it, but I had faith in my friend. I knew him well enough to know that he always found a way to figure out what he needed.

-Thanks for trying anyway. The Russian winked at me and continued his conversation.

Hades nodded in my direction and also continued his conversation with Bullet.

-Are you alright? Hunter asked and my attention returned to him.

-I’m fine, it’s just been a lot of emotions these last few hours. I tell him as I give him a smile and stroke the ring on my finger.

-I understand, changes are hard and your childhood along with your adolescence has been practically a roller coaster. The biker really knew how to read me like an open book.

-Yeah, well, I’m not the only one with a difficult past, you didn’t have it all roses either. I tried to make light of the matter by remembering my man’s past, “Can I ask you something personal? I sounded a little nervous, I didn’t want to be nosy.

-Beautiful, you’re my wife, there’s nothing you can ask me that’s too personal. I really envied her way of making things so simple.

-What happened to your mum, as far as I know she’s the only family you have left and I’d like to meet her? My biker sighed heavily and changed his calm attitude and I cursed myself for that -You don’t have to answer, I’m sorry it was stupid-. I tried to correct my mistake.

-It’s ok, it’s normal for you to be curious about my past. I haven’t seen her since the day I left, but I send money every month to a private clinic so they can take care of her and keep an eye on her, from time to time they send me reports about her life there-.

-Do you think we can visit her?

-Do you really want to go and see my mother? He sounded incredulous and surprised.

-If I didn’t want to I wouldn’t be asking you, before what happened to her she was a normal person, or as normal as you can be in a world like this, but I really want to meet your family. You already know mine. I say, waving my arm around, taking in the space around us filled with my loved ones.

-I haven’t even spoken to her in years. He confessed with a hoarse voice.

-Why? I asked with my head cocked to one side.

-It’s complicated. That was all he said and before I could ask him more about it we were interrupted by the sound of motorbikes.

A crow approached us, or rather approached my father.

-Prez, people with the Demon Angels patch are approaching. I informed him and Hades frowned.

-What the hell does King’s club want at this hour? Bullet asked and my father shrugged.

-I haven’t the faintest idea, he didn’t tell me. But we’d better listen to them, I remind you that we still have matters to settle that concern us all. He said as he stood up and looked at the bikers, not wanting to say too much as it was against his rules to reveal information to civilians.

-Snake, take them to my office when they come in,” he indicated to the raven he had warned and he went out to carry out his order, “Toro and Bloody come with me to talk to them. The aforementioned also got up from the table.

-I’ll go too, Prez. Said Hunter starting to get up.

-No.” My father stopped him. “We can handle this without you, you just claimed your Old Lady, the club’s problems can wait until tomorrow. Toro will brief you on everything we discussed.

-But Prez…”. My man started to say impressed but was interrupted again.

-That’s an order Hell, I don’t want to see your a*s more than six feet away from my daughter or I’ll see to it that you help the prospects clean the toilets at the club. He said in a firm tone and I finally saw the President of the Black Ravens who everyone looked up to.

The confidence and calmness in his voice was appealing, a person who was used to being in control and in leadership.

Hades shook his head and walked out of the bar followed by the other two bikers, moments later the raven who if I remember correctly was called Snake passed nearby accompanying two muscular men wearing leather waistcoats with an image of a demon’s face with angel wings along the same path that led to the office of hell.

-I don’t know if I should be happy that he’s giving me the rest of the day off or worry about the trouble that’s coming. Hunter thought aloud and tugged on his arm to sit back down.

Which he did after a few moments of hesitation.

-As Medusa’s father said, trouble isn’t going anywhere, so forget about it and worry about it until you have no choice. You’d better take this opportunity to ask about your wife’s past, we know better than anyone all the stupid things she did. Boris tried to encourage him.

I didn’t know whether to thank my friend for his intrusion or kick him for the suggestion, which obviously got my biker’s attention.

Hunter gave me a sidelong glance with eyes full of amusement and mischief.

-Can I ask anything? He said and I eyed him suspiciously for his poorly disguised excitement.

-I told you, doll, that if you ask me, I’ll bring down the moon and if you want a big party, I swear it will be unforgettable. Our children’s children will talk about how great it was-

-Well, I think it’s about time we met again in the depertement. Reykon announced and the rest of us nodded and nodded.

-I told them because I didn’t want them to leave. I told them because I didn’t want them to leave, I had to end this kind of terdes.

-We have to pick up our things, our flight is back and Russia is late and half an hour late. Said Rey in a serial voice and my heart broke a little.

-Why are you early,” I said in a breathy voice.

F**k I knew they wouldn’t stay long but I hoped to have them for a few more days.

-We only came quickly to make sure that you are alive, we left a lot of things unfinished in Russia, and you know that people like us can’t stay away from that world for long without consequences. We’ve been there as long as we can and it’s time to go back. Rey’s voice sounded indifferent but only we who knew him knew that it was a date to hide his sadness.

I sighed and rubbed my heathers.

-I know King, but knowing it doesn’t make it any easier, you are my wife. I said as I looked into their eyes.

They looked at me in the same way as me and them.

-We promise to come and visit you often, but the job will take us away. We’ll miss you a lot, try not to give us any more scares like this. He asked me and I laughed.

-I promise I’ll never hurt you for something similar. I swore and we parted.

-Be good for once in your life, and you know that if you need anything you can always come to us. He gave me a k**s on the cheek Boris and squeezed my shoulder before turning away.

-Don’t forget about us, okay. Reykon was the last one and I could not help but snatch him up with all my might, ignoring Hunter’s snort.

-Never forget them, have a safe old man and avoid them when they arrive. I asked and my friend gave me a k**s on my forehead.

-Sure, now go to your man before he starts another fight. We separated and turned and looked at Hunter who had his heathers crossed as he looked at Rey with a furious look on his face.

I really hope they’ll get along at some point.

I leaned against him and he wrapped me around his waist, sticking my back fully into his chest as he wrapped me in his heather.

-I said with raw honesty. I told them with raw honesty.

-And we and you. They answered but then turned around and we all moved away together.

When they came out of the door I felt a part of my being go with them, and I couldn’t help but turn around in Hunter’s anger but be able to break it myself, as I closed my eyes tightly and tried to tighten the knot in my gergent.

-Are you all right?” the biker asked me in a quiet voice and I denied unequivocally, “Do you want to ride?” He returned and tried again, getting the result, “Do you want to stay here?” A note of concern sounded and I denied again.

-I want to challenge myself, I haven’t been able to descend and with all this my whole body hurts. I g*****d and Hunter pulled away from me long enough to be able to lie down and take me between the heather.

-Your wish is my command. Hunter shut himself up to say goodbye to the crows for the two of us before taking me to the dormitories.

But he didn’t take me to my own bed, but let’s go into the room that is in front of me.

What shall we do there?

I opened the door and looked around. I mainly noticed a picture on a table on top of a piece of furniture, where Hunter and Toro were holding each other’s shoulders. They are both smiling at the camera while wearing their leather jackets and you can see the clubhouse in the background, but the most interesting thing is how the Executor’s brain is clean without any scars.

Interesting, I have never wondered how it was done. But I guess it’s something recent and the photo can’t be very old because of the faces of the two of them.

I stopped looking at the photo when the biker left me with his wife on the bed, I sat down and the smell of Hunter’s cologne enveloped me. Definitely this is his body.

The little honey had a better mattress than me.

-…with them. I was the only thing I heard, and I paused several times to clear my head.

The onyx-eyed biker was sitting near my feet and looked at me emotionless.

-I’m sorry, what did you say? I asked him and he sighed.

-Why did you ask that? I asked, extreme.

-I don’t want you to be unhappy, the last thing I want is for you to regret having chosen to stay. He was really worried about me.

I smiled a little and shook my head.

-I know but you have nothing to worry about, I’ll stay here. But Rey is right, there are many things waiting for you there. If there is only one way they can stay…”. Drag that last one out.

Wait, why couldn’t they do that?

The building where you live is practically falling apart, there is my apartment and you can use it as much as you want, I have no problem with that.

You don’t have a job, I can ask Tristen to give you a job at the ber or even the crows can give you a job in the hotels or clubs that they run.

Do you have a residence, my surname is still a big name and money moves the world so I just have to pull the necessary strings.

-I can see the cogs in your mind working, what are you up to this time Teshe? My man asked me, a big smile started to spread across my face.

-I have an idea, but I need you to help me. I was excited and nervous and hoped that everything would go well.

If what I had in mind worked, my friends would also have the opportunity to improve their lives there.

And that’s all I wanted.

-Past tense made forgotten biker, ask them anything you want. I replied and Sabrina let out a little squeak as she rubbed her hands together mischievously, “But don’t you go overboard either. I threatened her but as usual she ignored me.

-I’d like to know how you two met. She asked after a few seconds of deliberation and it was inevitable that we all started laughing.

-How we met…” I repeated out loud slowly and turned my gaze to Reykon, “Rey, why don’t you tell it yourself, you’re always better at stories”. My friend gave me a half smile.

-Well, it was all Nikolai’s fault really,” he started to tell the story and everyone’s smile shivered at the sound of his name, “One night we had just won a particularly difficult race and we won the car that raced against us. By majority vote we decided to sell it and make money, as we were all short of cash as usual. But as it was obviously not a very legal thing to do we couldn’t just do a transaction at the bank so we asked for the cash. It was a big amount.

-I’ve never seen so many notes together in my life. Ivan added and the rest agreed with him.

-Well, the point is that we were at the place where we live while we were counting the money and separating it into equal parts, when through the door came Niko with a brat with black hair covering half of his face and clothes dirtier than my conscience.

-In the damn orphanage it was hard to wash your own clothes, okay, plus they weren’t that dirty. I defended myself but got a look of whatever you say from my friends.

-Anyway,” Rey continued with the story, “Obviously we all went ballistic because Nikolai took a complete stranger to the place where we lived without warning.” He took a break to take a swig from his beer bottle and continued, “We yelled at him that he was stupid for doing something like that because she had just seen all the money and that we couldn’t trust just anyone.

-I definitely would have taken it as an insult if it had happened to me, but I get it, money makes people crazy. Hunter commented and my friend nodded several times.

-Yeah well, you’re not the only one. The Russian girl next to you turned as red as a cherry and shouted at us that she wasn’t a thief. And the last thing she wanted to do was touch our dirty money that we had earned like f*****g criminals. Rey counted and I cleared my throat in embarrassment.

The boys had really given me the best lesson in humility in my life, I was so wrong….

-To sum up the next part I’ll just tell you that we all got mad at each other and I ended up on the floor getting beaten up by Sabrina until Niko pulled us apart. I stepped in and the crows looked from the Russian to me in awe.

-You were like asparagus, I almost felt sorry for giving you the beating you deserved. My friend said as she fixed her hair and I stuck my tongue out at her.

-Wait until I get back on my feet and let’s see who beats up who. I pointed at her accusingly and she blew me a k**s,

-Whatever,” Reykon interrupted us looking annoyed for interrupting him and we both apologized. “After that I introduced us properly but neither of us talked to each other, we really couldn’t stand being together and as the days went by things didn’t get any better. We could barely be in the same room without arguing. And most likely everything would have stayed the same if it wasn’t for the fact that one day when the dark-haired girl came into the house she had a busted l*p and a couple of scratches on her face while Nikolai had a big bruise on his cheek-. There was anger in Rey’s voice and my friends’ smiles disappeared.

-That day, a group of boys from the home thought it would be funny to fill my clothes drawers with raw card they stole from the kitchen. They scolded me for an eternity and when they let me go I confronted the culprits and we ended up fighting, Nikolai got in the way and defended me but before I got there I got a good beating. I told him and bit my l*p hard, I really got into a lot of fights and I didn’t care if I didn’t win.

-Why do most of your arguments end in blows? Bruno asked, and he sounded amused and disbelieving.

I gave him a strange grin like smile.

-It’s in the b***d I guess,” I shrugged, “Go on, King. I asked him and he did.

-Medusa was like a hedgehog, anything we said to her made her jump and go on the defensive, so we didn’t ask her directly no matter how much we were dying to know all the details. That day Nikolai moved the few pieces of furniture we have in the living room and gave her a few basic self-defence lessons using us as helpers from time to time.

-We were practically his punching bags for the next few weeks and although he almost broke his fingers at first because he couldn’t throw a good punch, he learned quickly enough that it was hard to keep up with him. I contribute Caleb’s story because he had been one of the ones who had suffered the most from my punches at the time.

-We got along better and better little by little, and we learned to trust each other. But it wasn’t until the first time we all went out together that we really became a great group of friends- We Russians shared a smile- We went to a race and everything was going normal, until a bunch of drunks tried to hit on Sabrina-. My friend tensed up and slammed her fists on the table.

-It was three against one, it wasn’t fair, and I had heels and a couple of drinks on me. But luckily Tasha who was near me realized what was going on and jumped in to defend me- The hazel eyes looked at me gratefully- We started another fight and soon the friends of the drunks came over to help them and so did the guys. It was a mess, everyone ended up fighting with everyone, even people who had nothing to do with us and were just trying to separate us went home with several blows-. Sabrina smiled nostalgically and I shook my head a little.

-When we got back to the building Rey yelled at both of us for being reckless and starting a fight in such a dangerous place like that, when it was over we all treated our wounds and Sabrina came up to me to help me, thanked me for helping her and hugged me. That night I realised that life on the streets was hard and that I was judging them unfairly, I apologised for my attitude and the beautiful friendship that you know today began. I finished the story and Hunter pulled me out of my chair to sit on his lap and hide his face in my neck.

-If only I could kill every a*****e who’s ever hit you. He said in a muffled voice but loud enough for all of us to hear.

Reykon, Sabrina, Boris, Anton, Caleb and I laughed but the crows seemed to consider it.

-You can’t do it, they’re on another continent, plus that task would take you years or even decades, believe me I don’t even remember most of the reasons why I ended up beating the crap out of someone. I told him amused and he grunted in annoyance raising his head slightly from his hiding place.

-That’s because you were always fighting about everything, even stupid things, remember that time you almost threw me down the stairs just because I borrowed some of your shampoo? Caleb asked me amused and I batted my eyelashes innocently as Hunter looked at me impressed.

-I admit I used to be a little violent back then.

-Please, a little? You threw a glass bottle at my head, (which I dodged by a miracle), just because I called you Natasha and that was because you weren’t paying attention to me. Ivan complained and I looked at him with death eyes.

-Don’t call me Natasha. I said through gritted teeth, “There are only two people capable of calling me by my full name and you are not one of them, so don’t push your luck, my aim has improved a lot since then” I threatened him and he raised his hands shaking them in the air.

-I learned my lesson years ago Medusa, so I’m fine thank you. He feigned panic on his face and we all laughed.

-Well, I think it’s time for us to go back to the flat. Reykon announced and the rest of us grimaced before nodding.

-So fast, it’s not that late. I told them because I didn’t want them to leave, I missed these kind of afternoons.

-We have to get our things, our flight back to Russia leaves tomorrow mid-afternoon. Rey said in a serious voice and my heart broke a little.

-Why so soon,” I said with a breath in my voice.

F**k I knew they wouldn’t stay long but I was hoping to have them for a couple more days.

-We just came quickly to make sure you were alive, we left a lot of things unfinished in Russia, and you know people like us can’t stay away from that world for long without consequences. We’ve been here as long as we can and it’s time to go back. Rey’s voice sounded indifferent but only those of us who knew him knew it was a facade to hide his sadness.

I sighed and rubbed my arms.

-I know Rey, but just because I know doesn’t make it any easier, you are my family. I said as I looked each of them in the eye.

They looked at me the same way I looked at them.

-You are our family too Tasha but we are glad that you are building a better life, you deserve it. Boris said to me as they got up from their chairs and I stood up with them.

Sabrina was the first to come up and hug me.

-We promise to come and visit you often, but work calls us. We’ll miss you a lot, try not to give us any more scares like this. He asked me and I laughed softly.

-I promise I’ll never put you through anything like this. I swore and we parted.

-Good because if you do it again I’ll be sure to kick your a*s from here to Mars. Caleb warned me as he said goodbye.

-The house will be very quiet without your yelling Medusa. Now it was Anton’s turn and I pulled a strand of his hair which he g*****d at as he scratched the affected part, “Take care my friend.

-Be good for once in your life, and you know that if you need anything you can always call us. Boris gave me a k**s on the cheek and squeezed my shoulder before pulling away.

-Don’t forget about us, okay. Reykon was the last one and I couldn’t help but hug him with all my might, ignoring Hunter’s snort.

-I would never forget you, have a safe trip and let me know when you arrive. I asked and my friend gave me a k**s on the head.

-Sure, now go to your man before he starts another fight. We parted and turned to look at Hunter who had his arms crossed as he glared at Rey.

I really hope they get along at some point.

I walked up to him and he wrapped his arms around my waist and held me close to his chest as he wrapped me in his arms.

-I love them too much. I told them with raw honesty.

-And we love you. They replied and then turned around and left all together.

When they disappeared out the door I felt a part of me go with them, and I couldn’t help but turn around in Hunter’s embrace so I could hug him myself, as I closed my eyes tightly and tried to get the lump in my throat down.

-Are you alright?” the biker asked me softly and I denied slowly, “Do you want to talk?” he tried again and got the result, “Do you want to stay here?” a note of concern sounded and I denied again.

-I want to lie down for a while, I haven’t been able to rest and with all this my body hurts all over. I g*****d and Hunter pulled away from me long enough to bend down and take me in his arms.

-Your wish is my command. Hunter took it upon himself to say goodbye to the crows for both of us before carrying me up the stairs to the dormitories.

But he didn’t take me to my bed, we went into the room opposite mine.

What were we doing here?

He opened the door and I looked around. My attention was drawn mainly to a picture in a frame on a piece of furniture, where Hunter and Toro were hugging each other’s shoulders. They were both smiling at the camera while wearing their leather waistcoats and you could see the clubhouse in the background, but the most interesting thing was how the Enforcer’s face was clean without any scars.

Interesting, I never wondered how he got it. But I guess it’s something recent as the photo can’t be very old from the faces of the two of them.

I stopped looking at the photo when the biker gently set me down on the bed, I settled in and the scent of Hunter’s cologne enveloped me. This was definitely his room.

The fucker had a better mattress than me.

-…with them. That was all I heard and I blinked several times to clear my head.

The onyx-eyed biker sat near my feet and looked at me emotionlessly.

-Sorry I was distracted, what did you say? I asked him and he sighed.

-I said, “I said, do you regret not going back to Russia with them?

-Why do you ask that? I asked in surprise.

-I don’t want you to be unhappy, the last thing I want is that when time goes by you will regret having chosen to stay. He was really worried about me.

I smiled a little and shook my head slowly.

-They are my family and I adore them, it’s hard to be without them but there is nothing waiting for me in Russia. Here I have you, Gael, Bruno, even Hades. They can come whenever they want as money won’t be a problem, besides I don’t know if I could bear to live in my family’s house without my mother and grandparents. I have a new opportunity to build a better future and I plan to take it. I was sincere and Hunter visibly relaxed.

-I love you Tasha, you’re my wife and I’m not kidding when I say I’d go with you to the ends of the earth.

-I know, but you have nothing to worry about, I’ll stay here. But Rey is right, there are many things waiting for them there. If only there was a way you could stay…”. I dragged that last e.

Wait, why couldn’t they?

The building where they lived was practically falling apart, here is my flat and they can use it until they want, I have no problem.

They don’t have a job, I can ask Tristan to give them a job in the bar or even the crows can give them one in the hotels or clubs they run.

Residency, my family name was still a big name and money moved the world so I just had to pull the necessary strings.

-I can see the cogs in your mind working, what are you up to this time Tasha? My man asked me, a big smile started to spread across my face.

-I have an idea, but I need you to help me. I was excited and nervous and hoped that everything would work out.

If what I had in my mind worked, my friends would also have a chance to improve their lives here.

And that was all I wanted.