Chapter One

Vladmir

May 2024...

“The last time I arrived at this place, I was broken and beaten so badly I could barely walk the few steps to the front door. Yet, when I walked through those doors, I never felt safer in my whole life,” my daughter said, sitting next to me as we both looked at the newly constructed clubhouse.

It looked almost the same as the one before.

There were subtle differences, but in the end, it was still the same.

A motorcycle club. But not just any clubhouse.

The Golden Skulls’ clubhouse.

I knew her trepidation.

I felt it too.

The name alone was synonymous. The cruelty, depravity and death that went along with the Golden Skulls was known worldwide. The club emerged after the Vietnam War, when seven friends started the club. The ringleader, a man named Xavier Goldman, wanted to create a brotherhood, where men could live freely.

Only that never happened.

Greed was the main destruction, and the aftermath left a trail of bodies that was still being felt to this day. But behind those doors was one man who survived it all, with determination, skill, and a nasty fucking temper that no one could control.

Not even her.

Did I really want my daughter with him?

After everything they had been through, I wasn’t positive he was what she needed, but the decision wasn’t mine.

It never was.

I lost the chance to have a say the night I gave her away.

That was on me.

“You’re sure he’s in there?”

“According to Sypher, he returned with Sandman months ago. When he saw the children, he stayed. He hasn’t left since, and according to my informant, he has taken the Golden seat back.”

She nodded, staring at the clubhouse.

“Remi, my little lion,” I whispered, reaching for her hand. “Say the word and we will leave. He will never be good enough for you.”

She smirked. “I agree, but there is one problem. I love him. I have since I was eight years old. There will never be another for me. Only him.”

And that right there was the crux of the matter.

My daughter was in love with the only man on the planet who had the ability to destroy her, and she knew it.

I hated this for her.

A powerful part of me wanted to take her away and hide her from this world. She’d suffered so much. The ramifications of her life still ate away at me. It was a guilt I couldn’t shake. While she never blamed me, I did.

I was her father. The one who should have protected her.

Instead, I handed her over to the wolves.

I would never forgive myself for that.

Facing me, she asked, “What will you do now?”

“Go back to New York. Maxim has need of me.”

She nodded, turning to look at the clubhouse again.

“We’ll be on different sides of the country again.”

“Would you feel better if I were closer?”

She shrugged. “I don’t see how that’s possible. You live in New York. My family is here in California.”

“It’s only a short flight, Remi.”

“I know,” she muttered, taking a deep breath. “Do you ever wish things could have been different?”

“We only have one life to live, Remi. Our destinies were written long before either of us were ever born.”

“It just sucks, you know. All I ever wanted was a happy life. Instead, I got the complete opposite.”

“Life isn’t easy, Remi. You know that better than anyone. You now have a chance at your greatest desire. I think what scares you is the fear of actually obtaining it. Life with Reaper will never be easy. You knew that going into the relationship, but you weathered the storm, and now you have a chance of happiness at your fingertips. All you have to do is reach out and grab it, sweetheart.”

“What about you?”

I smirked. “I’m too old for happily ever after. I’m too set in my ways. No, it’s better if I just live my life and when my time comes, maybe I’ve done just enough good in this life to have a second chance in the next one.”

“I think if I can get a second chance. You can too.”

Shaking my head, I squeezed her hand. “Enough about me, my little lion. What are you going to do because we cannot sit here all day?”

Taking a deep breath, she nodded, then leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Thank you, Vladmir. For everything.”

“It was my honor.”

“Call me when you have time, okay?”

“I will.”

Releasing my hand, I tried to contain the rush of emotions that ravaged my soul when she slid from the car. Closing the door behind her, I watched as she stood firm, shoulders back, determined.

“Dad?”

“Yes, Remi.”

“Promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“If you ever get the opportunity for a second chance, grab it with both hands and never let go.”

I sat there and watched the strongest woman I’d ever met hold her head high as she walked fearlessly toward her future. When she disappeared into the clubhouse, I prayed for the first time since she was born that I was doing the right thing again.