Page 72 of Falcon

Falcon

If I was shocked Myka could fish, and that Dad praised her skills, then I was even more so when she got down to clean them. Mom disappeared as she always did, which made me laugh. She’d gut a human with no concern, but a fish—no, not Mom. Between us we’d caught a good haul.

Fragment caught the most, and Myka came second with Dad after her. Jayes beat Axel, Dad, and Elijah. Penny, Myka, and Axel cleaned them while the other old ladies busied themselves preparing corn and baked potatoes. Mina and Carmelle were also making some side dishes.

“We’ll eat outside,” Calamity bellowed, and a chorus of replies chorused back in agreement. I was hanging around helping fetch and carry, with several of the old ladies offering teasing looks. Ignoring them, I opened the kitchen door, which led into the area we used for parties and cookouts. My brothers had already manned the grills. The prospects were fetching a keg and the ice coolers from an external storage shed we kept.

We’d debated at length over where to place the swimming pool, considering the daycare site or a spot near the clubhouse. The clubhouse won, simply because we were here more. Keeping a close eye on the children were four of the prospects, watching the kids play happily. In addition to them, Axel boomed instructions at them, encouraging their rowdiness.

A six-foot fence surrounded the entire yard, which was massive. There was no gate; anyone coming here would have to arrive through the clubhouse. Something the club had insisted on to keep our families safe. There was a play area for them: climbing frames, swings, a sandpit, and other stuff. This was a true party area, designed for what we wanted.

I smiled as I unlatched the hatch in the kitchen wall, which would open into an outdoor food counter with built-in heaters. Not something you’d expect to see at a motorbike club. But who the hell liked cold food? And why shouldn’t we have luxuries? We could afford them.

Klutz and Glitch carried over the two tables that were also used for serving and placed them next to the counter. Old ladies began flowing from the kitchen, carrying out covered bowls and platters.

I smiled. This was what being in an MC meant—being together and celebrating life. Already insults were being exchanged between my club and Dad and Axel. Calamity watched, amused, as Axel tore Texas a new one and then slapped him on the back. Despite now being two different clubs, some bonds couldn’t be broken. Texas had been the person to swing the vote Drake’s way when Drake challenged for Prez all those years ago. If not for Texas, this version of Rage MC might not exist.

Texas had his faults, but that fact was something we all owed him. Sometimes it was hard to remember, but none of us would be here today without him. And screw telling him! Texas’s ego was already the size of Texas.

I smiled as I studied Axel. Grandpa looked older, a little smaller, and he often rubbed his paralysed leg. I couldn’t imagine a world without Grandpa. Axel was an extraordinary man, and I hoped he knew how much he was loved. He had built something special with the other founders—Arrow, Norfolk, Spike, and Fury.

That was why Fury had fought so hard to take Rage back, and he failed because of what they’d all created. There’d been too much death and pain, but now we breathed and lived free because of what Ghost and everyone else had sacrificed. They’d be honoured as the years passed—deservedly so.

Myka’s laugh caught my attention, and I turned to her. She was sitting by Axel in her wheelchair, which I knew was really starting to annoy her, but her body was still healing. She should be able to get rid of the chair next week. But with a broken foot, ribs, arm, and everything else, she was safer in that for now.

Myka stole my breath away. She was giving Axel a full-on, genuine smile, and her inner light shone. Dad watched from the side, a small smirk on his lips as he nodded approvingly. Dad already adored Myka and would protect her and Jayes. Jayes was wary of my parents, as was Myka, but I knew that would fade in time.

Myka faced me with a grin, which faded as someone hit me face-first in the chest and slung their arms around my neck. Instinctively, I went to push them away, and then I smelled her perfume and returned her embrace. I lifted her up, laughing.

“Put me down, asshole!” Nova cried.

Instead, I turned and spun her in a circle. “Why are you here?”

“You’re conflicted, annoyed, and in love. You wouldn’t shut up internalising, so I flew home. Uncle Akemi and Grandpa came with me. We’re going to stay a week before returning to Japan.”

I wrapped an arm around her waist and bowed my head to hers. “Whoever harmed you better be prepared for a world of pain. Nova, you’re still in agony.”

“Yeah, but I beat the crap out of his mistress and took every medal away from her. I feel happier for that,” Nova taunted, but I felt her misery.

I glanced over to Myka and saw hurt, jealousy, and anguish on her face. “Oh, shit, come on.”

Nova let me drag her across to Myka, laughing at my panic. We’d both guessed what Myka was thinking, and as we approached, Myka’s face was blank. Before I could say anything, Axel beamed at Nova.

“Sweetness!” he boomed and swept her into a hug. “There’s my precious girl.”

Myka pasted a polite smile but shied away from my touch. Her eyes said everything, and I wasn’t going to let her think I was a cheating shit. “Myka, this is Nova.”

Myka’s expression remained neutral, and then understanding dawned. “Your twin? She’s gorgeous.”

Nova turned and grinned. “I like you. Gotta say you’re stunning too. My twin’s a lucky asshole.”

“Yeah, he is,” Myka said boldly, and I gaped before smiling. Myka was growing in confidence, and I loved that.

“Cunt!” someone snarled, making all jump.

“Hell no! Where did the fuckin’ Hillbillies come from?” Axel boomed.

Damn good question, I decided, seeing at least fifteen Beauregards, all male and with Wanda-Faye in front of them.