Chapter 3

I watched my little girl, Kennedy, twirl around in her princess dress. Today was her fourth birthday, and we'd gone all out for our princess. She giggled, running toward me with open arms.

"Look, Daddy!" she exclaimed, tripping over the hem of her gown. I caught her just in time, lifting her into the air.

"Careful there, sweetheart," I said, a smile spreading across my face. "You're the star of the party. Can't have you taking a tumble."

Kennedy beamed up at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Thank you for the bestest birthday ever, Daddy!"

I hugged her tight, a warmth in my chest that only my family could bring. I set her down, watching as she raced off to join the other kids in the bouncy house.

The backyard was alive with color, laughter, and the unmistakable scent of freshly baked cupcakes. Tina, my wife, had outdone herself. Streamers hung from tree branches, creating a magical canopy above the tables filled with finger foods, drinks, and an assortment of sweets. Balloons dotted the landscape, their vibrant hues lending an air of whimsy to the celebration.

The centerpiece of the party was the bouncy house, a fortress constructed entirely of inflatable walls and floors. The children's laughter rang through the air as they bounced and played within its confines. Kennedy's friends, dressed in their own princess gowns and superhero capes, ducked and weaved through the castle.

Nearby, a long table draped in a pastel pink tablecloth held stacks of plates, cups, and utensils. Parents mingled amongst themselves, sipping on cold lemonade or snacking on the treats Tina had prepared. A sense of joy and contentment filled the air, and for a moment, I could almost forget the harsher realities of life.

"Hey, Brooks," Tina called from across the yard. She was standing behind the cupcake table, her apron covered in a dusting of powdered sugar. Her eyes were bright, her smile infectious. I couldn't help but grin back as I made my way over to her.

"Need some help?" I asked, already reaching for a tray of cupcakes.

"Always," she replied, nudging me with her hip. "Just be careful not to drop them."

"Me? Drop something?" I feigned offense. "I'll have you know I have the steadiest hands in town."

She rolled her eyes, laughing softly. It was moments like these that I cherished the most—just being able to enjoy each other's company without any outside interference. Together, we carried the trays of cupcakes to the main table, the sweet aroma wafting through the air as we walked.

The moment the cupcakes were set down, I felt a strong slap on my back and turned to see my brothers, Dax, Ryder, and Ace. Their leather jackets bearing the Red Devils MC insignia seemed out of place amidst the pastel-hued birthday decorations, but their grins were as genuine as ever.

"Happy birthday, little princess!" Dax boomed, bending down to give Kennedy a bear hug. She giggled, squirming in his arms until he set her down with a chuckle.

"Thanks for coming, guys," I said, clapping each of them on the shoulder. "Means a lot."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, brother," Ryder replied, his eyes softening as he looked at Kennedy bouncing excitedly between her uncles. "She's growing up so fast."

"Too fast," I agreed, feeling a pang of melancholy mixed with pride. My little girl was getting older, and there was nothing I could do to slow down time.

"Ah, don't go getting all sentimental on us now," Ace teased, punching me lightly in the arm. "We're here to celebrate, remember?"

"Of course," I snapped back into the present, allowing a smile to spread across my face. "Let's get this party started."

Tina joined me, slipping her hand into mine and intertwining our fingers. She leaned in for a quick kiss, whispering, "I love you" before pulling away. Our connection was electric, even after all these years, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for the life we'd built together.

"Alright, everyone!" Tina called out, garnering the attention of the children and adults alike. "It's time to sing ‘Happy Birthday' to Kennedy!"

As our family and friends gathered around the table, arms draped over shoulders, I felt my daughter's small hand grasp mine. She looked up at me with those big, innocent eyes—the same ones that reminded me every day of what I was fighting for.

"Ready, sweetheart?" I asked her, my voice cracking slightly under the weight of emotion.

"Ready, Daddy!" she exclaimed, her excitement infectious. The room filled with the sound of laughter and singing as we celebrated Kennedy's birthday. For a moment, the outside world ceased to exist, and all that mattered was the love between us.

It was a fleeting sense of peace, one I knew wouldn't last forever. But in that moment, surrounded by family and friends, I allowed myself to truly cherish it. We were in this together, and no matter what challenges lay ahead, our love would keep us strong.

With the sound of "Happy Birthday" fading, Kennedy's excitement shifted to the bouncy house that I'd set up earlier in the backyard. She dragged me by the hand, her eyes shining with anticipation.

"Come on, Daddy! Bounce with me!" she squealed as we approached the massive inflatable castle. The other children had already begun to jump around, their laughter ringing through the air like a chorus of happiness.

"Alright, sweetheart," I agreed, feeling my own heart swell with joy at the sight of her beaming face. We stepped into the bouncy house together, and as I watched her bounce up and down with unbridled enthusiasm, I knew that these were the moments I lived for.

"Higher, Daddy, higher!" Kennedy shouted, giggling as I tossed her into the air. She soared before landing among the cushions, her laughter infectious. I couldn't help but join in, forgetting for a moment the darkness that loomed beyond this celebration.

"Look at you two," Tina called out from outside the bouncy house, snapping a photo of us mid-air. Her smile was genuine, a testament to the love we shared as a family. I caught her eye and grinned, silently thanking her for capturing this memory.

"Your turn, Mommy!" Kennedy insisted, pulling Tina into the bouncy house with us. As the three of us jumped together, our laughter mixing with that of the other children, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and contentment. This was our sanctuary, a place where we could briefly escape the chaos and danger that threatened to consume us.

"Alright, gang, time for another game!" Dax shouted, clapping his hands and herding the kids out of the bouncy house. They squealed with excitement, their faces flushed from exertion and pure joy. I held Kennedy's hand as she stumbled out, her energy seemingly endless.

"Did you have fun, sweetheart?" I asked, my voice warm with affection.

"Best day ever, Daddy!" she beamed, wrapping her small arms around my neck. As I hugged her tightly, I knew that I would do anything to protect this little girl and the love she brought into our lives.

"Promise me something, Kennedy," I whispered in her ear.

"Promise what, Daddy?" she asked, her eyes wide and curious.

"Promise that you'll always keep smiling," I told her, a lump forming in my throat as I considered the uncertain future we faced.

"Promise, Daddy," she whispered back.

As we gathered around the picnic table, all eyes on Kennedy as she excitedly tore into her presents, I couldn't help but chuckle at the pure joy radiating from her little face. The sun cast golden rays across the backyard, dappling the grass with warm light. The sound of children's laughter filled the air, along with the sweet scent of vanilla frosting from the freshly baked cupcakes.

"Man, she's really racking up the gifts, huh?" Ryder teased, playfully nudging me in the ribs.

"Looks like you've gone soft on us, Brooks," Ace added, smirking beneath his beard.

"Hey, it's just a birthday party," I replied defensively. "Can't a man spoil his daughter a little?"

"Of course, brother," Dax chimed in, slapping me on the back. "Just don't forget who you are. Red Devils MC and all that."

"Trust me," I said, meeting each of their gazes with a smile. "I haven't forgotten."

Kennedy let out a delighted squeal as she unwrapped yet another toy, her happiness contagious. My brothers and I exchanged grins, our rough exteriors momentarily softened by the affection we felt for this little girl.

"Alright, enough teasing," Tina said, shooting a playful glare at my brothers as she approached. "Brooks may be a tough biker, but he's also an amazing father, so lay off."

"Relax," Ace replied, raising his hands in surrender. "We're just messing around."

"Besides," Dax added, winking at Tina, "we know how much you two lovebirds adore your little princess."

"Damn straight," I agreed, reaching out to squeeze Tina's hand. I couldn't deny the love that bound the three of us together — a fierce, unbreakable bond that gave us strength in even the darkest of times.

"Alright, everyone," Tina announced to the gathered children. "Time for cake and ice cream!"

The kids cheered, racing towards the table where a beautifully decorated cake awaited. Kennedy's bright blue eyes sparkled with anticipation as she stood on her tiptoes to get a closer look. The backyard hummed with a sense of serenity, a calm oasis that seemed far removed from the brewing storm that lay just beyond our reach.

"Happy Birthday, Kennedy," I whispered, brushing my thumb across her soft cheek. Her giggle was a balm to my soul, reminding me of all that I had to fight for—and all that I would risk to protect this family that meant everything to me.

The laughter of Kennedy and her friends filled the air as they excitedly devoured their cake and ice cream. I couldn't help but smile at the sight, my heart swelling with pride for my little girl. Tina stood beside me, her hand resting on the small of my back, a comforting presence.

"Hey, Brooks! Toss me a beer, will ya?" Ryder called out from across the yard, disrupting our intimate moment.

"Sure thing!" I shouted back, grabbing a cold one from the cooler and lobbing it over to him with ease. His hand shot out, catching it effortlessly before he cracked it open and took a swig.

"Nice throw," he said with a nod of approval.

"Years of practice," I admitted with a chuckle, watching as my brothers joked around and chatted with the other party guests. It was moments like these—when we were all together, not a care in the world—that I cherished the most.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I frowned at the unfamiliar number on the screen. "Excuse me, babe," I murmured to Tina, stepping away to answer the call.

"Brooks, it's Marty from the shop," the voice on the other end said urgently. "We've got a problem."

"Spit it out, Marty. What's wrong?" I asked, my grip on the phone tightening as my gut churned with unease.

"Someone hit the shop last night, broke in and cleaned us out," he explained, his voice shaky with fear. "They left a message, Brooks. It's the Pistons."

My heart raced, my blood boiling with anger as my mind raced through the implications of this betrayal. The Pistons had just declared war, and I'd be damned if I let them get away with it.

"Alright, Marty," I said, struggling to keep my voice level. "I'll take care of it. Sit tight."

As I hung up the phone, I felt the weight of the situation settle on my shoulders. Our peaceful oasis had been shattered, and now I had to face the storm that was about to descend upon us all.

"Brooks?" Tina questioned, concern etching her face as she noticed the change in my demeanor. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing we can't handle, babe," I replied, forcing a smile for her sake. But as I looked around at the joyous faces of our family and friends, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to change—and not for the better.