Chapter Twenty-One

Neve

I wince as the needle drags across my skin. I hate needles. It's taken Ryder two whole weeks of begging, pleading and bargaining to get me in this chair. And even after all his promises, I still needed two shots of tequila and a double whiskey. We'd even argued over my tattoo placement. I wanted it somewhere more discreet, like my hip but Ryder had refused point blank hating the thought of another man touching me there. So now, as I stare at the ink seeping into my wrist, with Ryder holding my other hand, I smile. He was right, it does look good having his name on me.

He didn't even hesitate to have my name in large, scrolled letters over his heart. And then he got Harlee to write her name right underneath, alongside Alfies, which he then had tattooed. We're on his skin forever and that feels special. For the first time in months, years even, I feel relaxed and happy.

There is no threat of Finn turning up and causing me problems, or worse, him taking custody of our little girl. My new restraining order covers us both and lasts until Harlee turns eighteen, by which time, we're able to re-apply should we need it. But if Ryder is right, he's going away for a very long time.

And since our return to the club, Ryder has been amazing. He's been patient and understanding, and hardly left my side. I'm thankful for that because being around him makes me feel safer than I've ever felt. I close my eyes and think back to last week when he confessed to his kiss with Sassy. Don't get me wrong, I thought for a spilt second, things were over and I hated that feeling.

"Baby, I have to tell you something, it's eating me up inside and before I make us official, I have to clear it with you." Ryder took both my hands in his, which alarmed me because he looked so serious and worried.

"If this is gonna upset me, Ryder, its best you don't tell me. I'm a woman on the edge after everything that's happened."

"If I don't tell you, we're starting off all wrong and I don't want that for us, Siren. Just remember, I love you so much and you're my world. And please let me explain before you go bat-shit." My heart hammers, I know this isn't going to be good. I've never seen Ryder look so uncertain. "Sassy kissed me when you were held by Finn." He paused, letting his words sink in which is his first mistake because he doesn't see my slap coming. It takes him off guard and he clutches his cheek. "Fuck, woman, that hurt."

"You swore you two were done, Ryder. How the fuck did she kiss you?"

"We are done. She caught me by surprise, landing one on me when I was feeling vulnerable."

I scoff. "How was she even close enough to kiss you?"

"Baby, it was a misunderstanding. She'd seen me vulnerable the night before and she was worried. She woke up with strange ideas about us getting back together, but I put her straight. I love you, end of."

I'd pause in my manic pacing at his words and I can tell by his face he instantly regrets them in the way he winces. "Woke up?" I repeat. "She woke up where exactly?"

"Okay baby, before you fly off the handle let me explain. I got drunk, like so drunk I passed out. I woke and she was…"

Rage courses through me. "Do not tell me she was in your bed, Ryder, do not say those words."

"We were fully clothed, I had no idea she was even there. Nothing happened, I promise." I try to leave the room, needing distance between us but he blocks my path. "Neve, you promised to let me finish"

"I am so mad, like crazy mad," I hiss, clenching my fists.

"I love you. Nothing is going on with me and Sassy. I put her straight and told her that from now on she needed to stay the hell away from me. I want to see Alfie away from her. She agreed, she apologised-"

"She did not apologise to me. She sat in her fucking office talking to me about Harlee's trauma," I yell. "Neither of you said a word."

"Look, she's due any second to drop Alfie off, please calm down. I swear it was one time and a massive mistake. I love you. I told her that and she accepted it. Don't let this come between us, Siren, I'm begging you."

"How would you feel?" I ask, arching a brow. "If I'd kissed another man, an ex, even. Finn for example?"

He doesn't like the image I just put in his head and his fists clench at his sides. "I'd understand that you love me," he grits out through clenched teeth.

"Bullshit," I yell.

"Okay," he snaps, "I'd rip his fucking head of. But I wouldn't love you any less, baby. You're my everything. My world. You and Harlee are my future."

"And she knows that, does she?" Sassy enters the club and Ryder groans. "You really should have timed it better, babe," I spit, pushing past him and heading directly for Sassy.

She looks surprised as I march up to her. She releases Alfie's hand and he rushes off to find Harlee. "Do you have something you need to say to me?" I snap.

Her eyes glance past me, probably to Ryder. "Did I miss something?" she asks innocently.

"Yeah you missed the part where you stupidly tried it on with my old man thinking that shit was okay. Well let me tell you something, you stuck up bitch. I am his ol' lady now and I won't let that shit slide. You keep your manicured witchy fingers to yourself and we'll get along just fine."

I feel Ryder behind me and he places his hand on my lower back, letting her know we're a team. She nods stiffly. "Understood."

I turn to Ryder, reaching up and placing a kiss to his lips. "You let another bitch kiss these lips again and I won't be so understanding, do you hear me, Ryder?"

His eyes blazed with heat and he tugged me in for a deeper kiss. "Understood, Siren."

The tattoo gun switches off and I blink away the memories. Ryder smiles proudly at his name on my skin. "Fuck, Siren, that shit is hot."

Ryder

I stare around at the packed-out club. Brothers have travelled far and wide to come here to celebrate me and my old lady.

Neve leans into me. "Everyone is so nice," she whispers. "Just thinking that all these people will be here for me and Harlee, blows my mind. We're so lucky."

"I'm the lucky one, Siren."

I'd offered to buy us a house, one where we could grow our family, but Neve was set on staying at the club full-time. She clearly loves this huge family of bikers and that makes me happy. It takes a special kind of woman to put up with us.

Mya rushes over and grab's Neve's wrist, "Let me see."

Neve proudly shows off my name and they hug. Mya hasn't quite forgiven me for refusing to let her in on all the shit that was happening when Neve got taken. It was club business, something she didn't understand. But having her and Harlee back seems to have thawed her ice heart a little towards me and she gives me a small smile.

Mary rushed past with a tray of food. "Do you need help?" asks Neve but Mary shakes her head, smiling wide when a few bikers help themselves to her food. She seems to have settled well, and she adores feeding us, taking so much pride in everything she does. And although I haven't voiced it out loud, she's been worth her weight in gold around here, keeping the place spotless and making sure there's a home cooked meal on the table every evening.

Everything seemed to be slotting into place. Finn was facing life inside, Neve was back with me and settled. Harlee was back in school and loving her counselling sessions to help her understand what had happened. And he was having weekly visits with Alfie.

I place a kiss on Neve's head, "Yah know, all we need now is a baby and we're complete."

She smirks. "I think you've already started working on that plan, don't you?"

We haven't used protection at all since her return but neither of us have brought it up. "A Christmas baby would be nice."

She laughs, "Um, Christmas is exactly nine months away, what are the chances."

I slap her backside, pulling her closer, "We better get to work now."