Live Free (Lords of Mayhem 3)

“You think I deserve it?”

“Not getting caught in that crossfire, Firecracker.”

She gave a small smile. “Smart man.”

“I have my moments.”

The car came to a halt and they exited with her in between Rocky and Ajax, who she felt an odd kinship with now. She could tell from the deadness in his eyes he was dangerous, but he also understood in a way she felt sure most people never could. Whatever happened to him had been nasty and life-altering. Her

heart began to speed as she entered the club. A wave of applause filled the air. Her jaw dropped and she glanced up at Rocky.

A look of wonder was erased by one of pride. “This is for you, Firecracker. They’re giving you props for a job well done.” Rocky gently pushed her forward.

She scanned the crowd, spotting her friends. She refused to meet their concerned gazes but held up her hand instead. “I don’t deserve this.” She shook her head. “I did what I had to and that’s that. I don’t want any glory for taking a man’s life.”

Low murmurs went through the crowd and the Prez stepped up and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You make it hard to compliment you, woman. It ain’t easy to earn recognition from Mayhem, so shut your pretty mouth, smile and accept it.”

She clamped her mouth shut and nodded. You didn’t argue with the Prez.

“Come on, boys, we got church.” He guided her toward the meeting room.

Evonne couldn’t help but feel like a little girl on her father’s shoulders. Tiny exuded that awe-inspiring ability. You wanted to please him, worried about displeasing him and feared slighting him. Fair he might be, but he could also be harsh. Surrounded by a group of burly men with leather vests, rap sheets and the capability of great violence, she felt safe and comfortable. Life is an ironic bitch.

They all piled into the space and Tiny led her up to the front.

“We all know what happened earlier today. This woman was willing to do what needed to be done to keep Mayhem safe. It’s not something I plan on ignoring. Her blood runs black and white. So I nominate her as an honorary member of the Lords of Mayhem.”

Her jaw dropped. “Wait—what?”

Laughter filled the space and Tiny patted her back. “You’re family, girl, and with a set of balls like that on you, you more than earned your patch if you want it.”

“Yeah, I want.” She grinned.

“Well, shit, there you have it,” Tiny said.

“Damn, Prez, you stole my fucking thunder,” Rocky grumbled.

“Fuck you guys, dragging your feet. We do this shit tonight. Everyone needs a celebration about now. That being said, you pull some shit like that and I’m going to whoop your ass, forget Rocky!”

“Understood, Prez.” She nodded.

“Look at this shit, already sounding like one of us. That shit done, we need to have real church. We’ll get your cut made up, Firecracker.” Tiny smirked.

Evonne ducked her head, shuffling off with a look toward Rocky who was beaming like an idiot. When she left the room and the door shut behind her—reality hit. Her friends would want answers. As her thoughts drifted back to what she’d done, she immediately thought of her mom. Shit. With all the members in the room behind her, she had no choice but to face the girls head-on.

Fuck, this day was never ending. Smirking at her very Rocky-like thoughts, she reminded herself she’d just done far worse. She walked into the main room and the girls descended in a pack.

“What the fuck were you thinking?”

“How could you do this?”

“You scared the hell out of us!”

The words blended together and she held up her hands. “I know you have a lot of questions, and I’ll answer them, but right now I have to get a hold of my mom. I don’t know how she is or what they’re doing with Paul. I need to know they’re okay.” That I didn’t do this for nothing. She didn’t say the words out loud, but she saw the understanding in their eyes.

“Fine.” Joey pointed at her. “But then…we talk.”

“Jesus, you got this mommy thing down,” Evonne muttered.