CAGED: GODS OF CHAOS (BOOK TEN) (Gods of Chaos MC 10) Page 16
Cherry turned to Grace, who’d been helping her in the kitchen most of the afternoon.
“When is Bullet arriving?” she asked.
“Any minute now,” Grace replied. Cherry nodded, happy to hear it.
After being shot while protecting Libby, Bullet had been rushed into emergency surgery. Bones had done an amazing job and because the bullet dislodged the fragment that was already in there, he was able to remove both pieces and patch him back up, eliminating any risk for it doing any other harm to him. Bones insisted Bullet stay in the hospital for a few weeks to heal.
“Doc would be so proud of Bones,” Cherry said, as she pulled a peach pie out of the oven. “His son has turned out to be as good a man as he was.”
“It’s true,” she agreed. Bones had been a good friend to Grace, too. He’d kept her secret all this time. The last few weeks had flown by and Grace still hadn’t talked to Ryder. She just wanted things to calm down before she uprooted everything again.
They’d all been through so much.
Now that Bullet was coming home, maybe it was time.
Riot’s truck pulled up outside and he and Libby helped Bullet into the house amidst a chorus of raucous cheers.
“Welcome home, brother,” Slade said, hobbling over to him and embracing him in a bear hug.
“Slade,” Bullet said, the two of them growing serious. “I’m glad you’re okay, brother. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep you safe.”
“No, way, man,” Slade said. “You did what you had to do, and so did I. We survived. That’s the only thing that matters.”
“Thank you,” Bullet said, embracing him again.
Grace hugged Libby, warmly smiling at her.
“How are you, hon?” Grace asked.
“I’m so glad to get out of the hospital,” she replied. She’d spent the last two weeks never leaving Bullet’s side. Grace had waited a few days before going to talk to her, but after asking a few gentle questions and realizing that Libby already knew she was adopted, she told her that Mona was her biological mother. It didn’t seem fair to keep that information from her.
Libby was still trying to come to terms with the information. It would take quite a long time before she fully wrapped her head around it, but she was happy to focus on Bullet right now. They’d fallen madly in love and had grown inseparable. He grabbed her hand and walked her to the table where they sat next to Diana and Slade.
Half an hour later, all of the Gods and their families and loved ones were gathered around the huge dining table feasting on Cherry’s comfort food. She watched from the head of the table, engraving this moment on her heart.
She never wanted to forget this.
After she’d served dessert — an assortment of homemade pies which they devoured like a bunch of savages — she picked up her fork and hit it against her glass until their voices died down.
“I have an announcement to make,” she said, her voice shaking.
“What’s going on, Cherry?” Grace asked.
“I’ve been here a very long time.”
“Longer than me,” Ryder replied.
“Yes,” she said. “And you guys have become the family I never had. I love every one of you.”
“We love you, too, Cherry,” Slade said.
“So, that said,” she continued, “I’m fifty years old now. And I hardly leave this place, except to shop for supplies. It’s been the greatest honor of my life to watch you all grow into what you are today. As people, as an organization, as my family.” Tears sprang to her eyes. “But it’s time for me to go.”
“Go?” Grace cried, “Go where?”
“Well, I’ve been watching what Solid Ground’s accomplished the last few years and it’s been fun, but the entire time, I’ve been on the outside looking in. I want a little bit of action myself, I guess you could say. Not anything as dangerous as what you guys do, but I could handle a few light cases.”
They stared blankly at her.
“I know this is out of the blue,” she said. “I’ve never mentioned this to any of you. But it’s time for me to spread my wings a little and get out of here. I need a change of pace. Some new scenery. I’m going to move to New Orleans and move in with my sister. We’ve been talking and we’re going to start our own business. As Private Investigators. Women our age our invisible and we think we can use that to our advantage. Also, I think I’ve learned a lot from you guys over the years and I’m looking forward to putting those skills to use.”
“Cherry, that’s incredible!” Grace cried.
“Thanks, I think so, too,” she said.
“I can’t believe you're leaving us,” Ryder said. “Everything’s going to be so different.”
“I know,” Cherry said. “But you’ll find someone else to cook for you.”
“It’s not just that, Cherry, you’re our rock,” Riot said.
“You’ll be okay,” she said. “And maybe we can work on a few cases together or something.”
“Oh, Cherry, I can’t believe this!” Grace stood up and threw her arms around Cherry’s neck, tears streaming down her face. There was a time, when Grace first arrived, when they didn’t get along so well, but they’d become fast friends so quickly, both of them barely remembered any of that. “We’re going to miss you so much!”
Grace turned to everyone, tears streaming down her face as she faced them all.
“I have an announcement, too,” she said, her lips quivering. “I was waiting until everything calmed down before I said anything. And I should probably tell you first, babe,” she turned to Ryder, her eyes full of love as she smiled at him. “But here we are and I can’t keep this secret any longer.”
“What is it?” Ryder said, his eyes full of alarm.
“I went to the doctor a few weeks ago,” she said, growing serious. “Bones actually, he’s such a good friend and a good doctor.”
“Doctor? Bones?” Ryder said, jumping up and grabbing her arms. “What’s wrong?”
She took a deep breath, the words finally sliding effortlessly off her tongue.
“I’m pregnant.”
Ryder’s face drained of blood, his knees weak as he processed the words she’d just said. Nobody breathed as they waited for his reaction, and then with a huge whoop, he swooped her up into his arms and twirled her around.
“I’m gonna be a dad!” he bellowed, beaming with happiness.
The others broke out into cheers, tears flowing down more than one cheek as the celebrations continued late into the night, Oliver and Olivia perched from a nearby pine tree taking it all in.
****
The Mexican border loomed in the distance. With the top pulled down, Mona drove her convertible down the interstate, a dark hat pulled low over her eyes. It was times like this when she missed Zane. She couldn’t get used to driving herself.
She’d had the foresight to stash away enough cash for an emergency getaway when she’d gotten her first big payday years ago. Within twenty-four hours of fleeing the Gods, she had a new identity, a new car, and a new dream.
All she needed now was a new location.
She’d already set up a meeting with a realtor and explained exactly what she was looking for. Everything she’d left behind was easily duplicated.
Except for one thing, but she had plans to rectify that situation as soon as possible.
She rolled up to the border and flashed the guard her identification. She wasn’t nervous, she’d paid good money for it and she knew there wouldn’t be any questions.
“What brings you to Mexico?” he asked.
She smiled up at him, a sense of peace washing over her.
“I’m going to start a little resort,” she replied. “I’m scouting for properties.”
“That sounds like a big job,” he replied. “You doing this all by yourself?”
“I’ll have help,” she beamed. “My daughter is going to help me.”
“Oh, a family affair,” he nodded. “That’s great. What’s yo
ur daughter’s name?”
“Libby,” she said. “She’s going to love it.”
“You two must be very close,” he said.
“Yes, we are,” she replied.
“Good luck, ma’am,” he said, handing her back her ID and waving her through the gates.
“Thank you,” she replied, a serene smile on her face as she drove forward, her eyes full of the future, her heart full of love for a daughter she never knew.
But that would all soon change.
Soon, Libby would join her and she’d begin to right all the wrongs she’d done. Once she could explain everything, Libby was sure to forgive her.
Once she had her girl back, it would all fall into place and the life she’d always dreamed of would be back within her reach.
If she had to destroy an entire gang of bikers to get there, so be it.
She drove off into the setting sun, a watercolor fantasy of bright orange and red and gold, the perfect inspiration to create a new masterpiece.
THE END
Dear Friend,
Thank you so much for reading Caged, the tenth Gods of Chaos MC book! I hope you enjoyed it.
I have a few things I need to say about this book.
First of all, Miss Mona Superhero is a person! She’s a brilliant duct-tape artist, based in Portland, Oregon, and a dear friend of mine. Her work is stunning and you should look it up and buy her pieces. While she is a real woman, it’s important for me to say that she is NOT a real villain! Instead, she’s an eccentric sweetheart who has a wicked side and asked me to write her in as a villain in one of my books. So, other than the artwork, nothing I’ve written about Mona in this book is true. So, don’t stalk her because she hurt your favorite God, okay? Promise? Thank you. But do tell her Honey sent you if you talk to her! You can find her work at www.monasuperhero.com.
Secondly, I hope you aren’t too disappointed in Cherry’s departure. Please don’t fret, because I have a big announcement — I have a new series in the works, and the God’s beloved caretaker Cherry will be the star of this new series! We’ll follow along as she delves into her new career as a private eye in New Orleans and see what her new life has in store for her. I’m so excited to get started on her story and I hope you’ll give it a try. Make sure you’ve signed up for my mailing list so you’ll know when it’s available!
Lastly, even though this is book ten, I want you to know that I’m still not finished with the Gods. I love the Gods of Chaos and I’ll keep writing them as long as you keep reading and telling your friends about them!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support over the years, I couldn’t have made it this far without you!
Love,
Honey Palomino
If you’re interested in checking out the rest of my work,
you can do so at:
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