Chapter 11 Shadow

C hristmas Eve —

“You need any help, my Star?”

Stefanie shook her head. “No. We already loaded the mural into the truck.”

My ol’ lady was the most talented person I ever met. She could paint a sunset with colors so vivid you could feel the warmth coming through the canvas. There wasn’t much she couldn’t create, and she proved that with the masterpiece we planned to give to the club tonight during the annual Christmas party.

For the last three months, Stefanie had worked tirelessly on the mural, staying up late too often to finish it in time for Christmas. I knew she loved to paint, but I struggled with the idea that she pushed herself to the limit and beyond. The urge to protect her, growl, and drag her to bed had overcome me more than once, but at least I could say the gift was finally finished. Well, both of them.

“I’ve got Cody bundled up. You should see him in that new snowsuit. He looks like that kid from A Christmas Story. The one who couldn’t put his arms down,” I laughed.

“Tell me you didn’t wrap a scarf around him a hundred times,” she giggled.

“Nope. He does have a hat and mittens.”

“As he should.” Stefanie applied lip gloss and set down her makeup, turning to me with a smile. “Let’s go celebrate.”

“We’ve got a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.”

“We do.” She pecked my cheek, and I grinned. “You sure we don’t have time for a quickie.”

Stefanie blushed. “No. Stop. Don’t get me thinking about that right now.”

“I won’t until after the party.”

She smirked. “Come on.”

We loaded the truck and buckled Cody into his car seat. Once we arrived at The Crossroads, we parked the truck close to the entrance and I enlisted help unloading our gift to the club.

Stefanie brought Cody inside and then unloaded the dishes she’d made. Grim and Trish had roasted three hams and two turkeys, and the smell of seasoned meat collided with sweet scents like peppermint, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Enlisting help, I erected several long tables and covered them with red and green tablecloths.

The ol’ ladies began filling them with holiday dishes since we decided on a buffet-style dinner, where everyone brought something to pass around. Silver pans kept all the main dishes hot. I spotted everything from mashed potatoes, homemade macaroni and cheese, and green beans with bacon and onion to cheesy, decadent potatoes, deviled eggs, and candied yams. Fresh rolls and biscuits had been buttered and stacked on a massive silver platter.

Another table held snacks like cheese, crackers, veggies, ranch dip, pickles, and fruit. On its own table, nearly groaning with the weight, desserts piled high. Stacks of brownies, holiday cookies, spiced cake rolls, and chocolates made my mouth water.

Stefanie stood beside the drink table and poured Sprite into an enormous crystal punch bowl. She had the best holiday or birthday punch recipe, and I helped her open the 2 liters of ginger ale, fruit punch, and frozen rainbow sherbet. Once she had it all in the bowl, it looked delicious, and the concoction smelled terrific. The kids would love it.

On the adult table, where we could keep an eye on it, the ladies stacked bottles of our favorite booze. But the biggest attraction in the room centered on the eight-foot tree grim erected and the obscene number of gifts waiting to be opened. The kids were already running around with excited squeals.

Grim whistled once everything had been set out and the food was ready. “Need everyone to take a seat.”

Five minutes later, every adult and child had found a spot.

“We’ve got a special gift tonight from Shadow and Stefanie. I’ve known about this project for months, and it’s killed me to stay quiet about it,” Grim joked.

Several people chuckled.

“But it’s ready, so I want to call them both up to present the club with our new mural.”

Murmurs rose in the crowd as I led Stefanie to the front. We picked up the heavy piece with a little help and slowly began to unwrap it. As the canvas became exposed, gasps echoed around us. I saw the astonishment on my friends’ faces and couldn’t help my grin.

Stefanie’s portrait of all the club members gathered around our table with the RBMC logo in church was breathtaking. A few of the guys slapped their hands over their hearts. A couple blinked, fighting their emotions. But not a single man looked untouched by the tribute to the men in this room.

“Wow,” Grim finally spoke, swallowing hard. “I haven’t seen it finished yet. Stefanie, I don’t have words. It’s extraordinary.”

Club members agreed, and I felt pride for my ol’ lady and her gift.

“Thank you from all of us,” Grim announced.

Not one of my club brothers stayed silent as booted feet rumbled the floor and fists pounded the surface of the tables in agreement.

“I’ve got one more,” she announced and smiled at me as I went to our room in the clubhouse, retrieved the second painting, and brought it back.

“This one is for the ol’ ladies,” Stefanie announced.

All the women had been painted, and with them, seated on the leather couches in the common room, were all the kids.

Tears filled my eyes and threatened to spill over as I hugged Stefanie and kissed her temple. “You did real good, Babe.”

Afterward, we finally got the party started, and people ate, enjoying all the excellent food and company. It wasn’t until the door flew open that I realized Rael had been absent for a long while. He stood inside as snow swirled behind him, gesturing to the sounds of jingling bells.

Before I could do more than blink, Santa Claus entered The Crossroads. Excited shouts and enthusiastic greetings were called to the man wearing the red suit, who ushered in a night of giving as he belted out a jolly ho-ho-ho.

Presents were passed out to the kids first and then to the adults as I caught Mammoth’s gaze. He’d become Santa this year instead of Papa. It was a great choice, and the kids loved him.

Rael hung back with most of the club members as the ol’ ladies and children unwrapped boxes and bags and began playing with new toys.

“I’m not angry,” he announced, turning toward us. “In fact, I know I had it coming.”

Grim snorted. “Yeah, you did.”

“I can’t promise I won’t be a pain in the ass in the future, but I got what was comin’ for me, and I’m not too humble to say that I’ll try to do better.”

Uh-huh.

“Maybe,” he added with a mischievous grin.

Grim snorted. “I’m surprised you admitted that. But hey, it’s Christmas. Besides, we all love you, brother.”

Rael snorted. “The feeling is mutual.”

My Reaper sensed only sincerity from Rael, and I hugged him, smacking his back hard. “Merry Christmas, Rael.”

He laughed. “Yeah. I bet I’ve got a dozen of those coming.”

He sure did.

WITH A GLASS OF MY favorite whisky in hand, I stepped inside the chapel. My gaze glided over the table and chairs where we’d made so many club decisions over the years and then lifted to the frames that lined the wall. Inside each, a leather cut with a fallen member’s patch sat preserved behind glass as a reminder of those we’d lost.

But it was Keys that I lingered on.

“We did it,” I announced, choking on the last word as it broke and nearly died on my lips. “The club is no longer at war, and we’ve created a family. That vision you had so long ago, Keys. It’s come full circle now.” For a few seconds, I stared at his cut and fought the sting of bittersweet tears. “To you, brother. I hope you’re ridin’ that Harley stairway to heaven. Fuck, I miss you. Probably always will.” I gulped the whisky with a quick toss, hardly noticing the familiar burn as it hit my stomach.

“To you all. You paved the way for our freedom with blood, sweat, and sacrifice.”

Never forgotten , Ghrowl agreed.

Keys. Raptor, my father. Lockjaw. Vice, Jigsaw’s father. Boone, Rael, and Chrome’s father. We lost too many. Despite that, our brotherhood was strong.

“I knew I’d find you in here,” Trish announced as she entered.

Our infant son rested against her chest, strapped to her upper body in a carrier. She walked toward me, stopping at my side as she rocked his tiny body and rubbed Colter’s back. He made a soft cooing sound as his eyes fluttered.

“Didn’t seem like Christmas without paying them a visit,” I replied, staring at the row of framed photos. My gaze finally tore away and landed on my gorgeous ol’ lady. “You know, I think this is the biggest and best holiday party yet.”

“I’m going to have to agree with you.” She reached for my hand and held it. “So come back and join us. They’d want to enjoy it.”

Trish was right.

“Happy Christmas, my Trish.”

“Merry Christmas, Grim.”