"It baffles me that the two of you are so perfect for each other." Maya said standing next to me as we watched the boys. I laughed, shaking my head as I took a sip from my glass. "The only thing we're perfect at is being the absolute worst thing for each other." She snorted, rolling her eyes. "The fact that you're even allowing him to breathe the same air as you after the other night speaks volumes to what you really think." I hummed. I knew I couldn't deny it, no one ever got a second chance with me since my parents. Forgiving Orion was a card trick I didn't even know I had up my sleeve.

"See, you can't even deny it." She smirked. I rolled my eyes, finishing off my drink, turning away from them. I reached behind the bar we were leaning against and grabbed the bottle of whiskey, pouring myself another glass. "That doesn't make us perfect for each other." I said, turning around and Orion was standing there, a smirk on his face.

Maya stifled a laugh. "You don't think we're perfect for each other?" He asked, pouting. I chuckled, rolling my eyes. "I think that you will be the death of me. And if I'm going down, I'm dragging you with me." I said playfully and he chuckled, wrapping me in his arms. "And that's why we're perfect for each other, because you know I'd let you." He kissed me softly and I pulled away, my cheeks heating knowing Maya was watching.

I pushed away from him, walking back inside. I still hate that he makes me feel so flustered and out of my element. I took a deep breath, calming the butterflies erupting in my stomach as I grabbed a juice from his fridge. The garage door opened and I looked up to see Carter walking into the kitchen.

"I thought you were heading back home a couple days ago?" I asked. He chuckled, shrugging. "I'm not sure if that is home anymore." He said, more to himself than me. I raised my eyebrows at him. He sighed, looking up at me. "When I retired I thought that I'd be content with being alone. Don't get me wrong, I love it. But sometimes I find myself wishing that I had something...more. And I don't mean with the club. Retiring is one of the best decisions I've ever made. Spending a few weeks here with you really made me miss having people around." Carter never has problems sharing his feelings but I can tell this specifically made him feel more vulnerable and he looked at me with many emotions swimming in his eyes.

I shrugged. "So stay." He laughed at my bluntness. "I don't know if that idea will be welcomed." I rolled my eyes. "It's been a few months since I've been around and you've literally been here more often than not. It's not a far leap. Orion wont mind." He glanced up at me. "Ry is all rainbows and sunshine with you, no one else." Carter said begrudgingly and I laughed loudly. "Far from fucking rainbows or sunshine." I turned my full attention to him. "As much as it pains me to admit it to your face, I like you Carter. If you wanna move back here your brother will get over whatever problem you think he has or he can sleep alone. I think he'd rather the first one. And if he doesn't you can stay with me for a while." I said shrugging.

Even Carter looked a little shocked. I hate how Orion has made me soft in ways I can't even explain, and now I've got a soft spot for Carter too. A smirk slowly spread across his lips and I rolled my eyes. "I'll keep that in mind, Lilypad. I'm glad you are finally allowing your true feelings for me to surface." I groaned, walking towards the back door. "Hey Lil!" He called before I could walk out. I stoped, turning back. "Thank you." He said softly, giving me a million dollar smile.

~~

After spending most of the day just hanging out while the guys worked on bikes we were all now winding down out back by the fire. It feels weird being at Orions house when there's not a million people. We all sat around the fire while Spence was grilling some burgers near by on the patio.

"Cadence got in contact with me." Orion said, breaking the peaceful silence. I looked at him with raised eyebrows while everyone else glance from him to me and back. "What did he say?" Carter asked, cautious. Orion sighed, leaning forward and running his hand through his hair. "He basically said what we've all been thinking. He wants a war. He's hot headed and doesn't care to hear a plan for peace or to make any type of deal." Spence and Carter tensed up.

I observed silently, knowing this is what they've been talking about for days. "So what is the plan?" Spence asked. Ry laughed bitterly. "Truthfully, I don't have one. Cadence is nothing like his brother, he's impulsive, unpredictable and fueled by revenge. He's unfit to lead Doomers and he's not going to let go of the fact we got the casino contract and he didn't. I know he's not the most intelligent or tactical but this is not something I'm taking lightly." He sat back, finishing off his glass of whiskey. "Have you thought about talking to Sebastian?" Spence asked and Orion shrugged.

"It's crossed my mind but even if he got him to back down now I doubt it would last long. And I don't think Sebastian would agree with putting a bullet through his skull." Carter sighed. "Spence might be right man. If Sebastian sees that Cadence is fucking all of this up so soon and ruining all the bridges he built he might do something. Sebastian knows realistically theres no way if a war happens they are making it out. We have too many allies." Orion nodded. "Maybe. I don't want to get ahead of myself. I want to give it a couple days before I make any decisions, put out some feelers. Then I'll call a meeting." Spence and Carter nodded in agreement and I remained quiet, just observing.

I understand why Orion wouldn't want me caught up in a war of biker gangs. But he's my person now, he doesn't get to put himself on the front lines of danger, especially without telling me.

"Anyways, burgers are ready." Spence said, smiling. I couldn't help but laugh a little and stood to walk over there. I grabbed a plate and a bun. Spence grinned at me, putting a burger with cheese and bacon on it for me. "Thank you." I said and he chuckled, nodding. While enjoy eating a lot of things, with some things, like burgers, I'm a plain Jane, cheese and bacon is about as much as I'll ever put on them.

I sat my plate by my seat and leaned over Orion. "Would you like another drink?" I asked. He looked up at me before standing and wrapping his arms around me. He kissed me softly. "I think I'm okay, thank you my love." He grinned down at me. I nodded and he let go of me to get his food. I got comfy in my chair next to his and started eating.

~~

We sat around the fire for another couple of hours before calling it a night. Spence and Maya had a few too many to drink so I got them settled in one of Orions guest rooms. I went into the kitchen to grab a drink before going upstairs and Carter was in there, grabbing a snack.

"I talked to Ry earlier." He said and I raised my eyebrows, turning to him. "Yeah? How'd that go?" He chuckled lightly, shoving some chips in his face. "Well, he's not happy that I said spending time with you while he was gone made me want to move back." I laughed, humming. "And did you say it exactly like that?" He gave me a slight smirk and I rolled my eyes. "But, he was open to it. I made it clear that I don't want to be back in club business unless it's serious and he agreed. He agreed to let me stay here for a while whilst I figure my shit out." I laughed, patting his shoulder. "See Carter, you are a big boy." I said passing him, going towards the stairs. He chuckled. "Nighty night Lilypad."

When I got upstairs Orion was turning down the comforter, already dressed for bed (which means just his boxers). He looked up at me and grinned. "Everyone settled?" I nodded, kissing him quickly, but he caught my waist and pulled me closer. He kissed me softly and I reached up, tangling my hands in his hair. His hands moved from my waist down and grabbed the back of my thighs, lifting me up. I laughed as he walked us into the bathroom and sat me on the counter.

I watched as he turned around and turned the shower on. He looked back at me and smiled lazily. He walked back over and stood between my legs. He grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head before wrapping his arms around me. "It feels weird to be at your house." I said to which he chuckled. "It feels weird to me too."

~~

I walked down stairs, stretching as I walked into the kitchen full of people. "Good morning, Lilypad." Carter flashed me a smile as I walked in. Orion looked at him and rolled his eyes. I chuckled softly, standing between the two as I grabbed a piece of bacon. Orion kissed the top of my head. "Morning, Lil." Spencer said and I smiled at them. "You guys sleep okay?" I asked him and Maya and they nodded.

I stood silently, picking off the plates as they resumed conversation. I partially listened but when my phone rang my eyes snapped to it. The caller ID read Reignstorm⛈️. Orion glanced down at the phone and chuckled lightly but despite my silly name for him, Reign calling me means nothing good. I snatched the phone up and walked outside, closing the glass door behind me.

"Whatever it is, it must be serious." I said immediately. "We're on our way to you. There's something we need to talk about." He said and my blood ran cold at the tone of his voice. Deadly serious. I turned towards the doors, seeing everyone starring back at me, completely fixated on me. "I need more than that. What's going on?" I heard Warren in the background say "You have to tell her something or you know she'll spiral waiting for us." Reign gave a dry laugh. "She's going to spiral either way." My breath caught in the back of my throat. Reign sighed. "Word on the street is your mother's looking for you and she's certainly dug herself into the fucking ground this time. We'll be there within the hour." He said before he hung up.

I felt my heart beat slow, my worlds were finally colliding. I met eyes with Spencer as my hand with my phone dropped to my side. His eyes locked on me, his face hardening in a way you'd never think possible for him. He knows me better than anyone ever could. He may not know what the phone call was about but he knows the look on my face is one of war. One of pure hatred and revenge.

I'd promised myself a long time ago that if I ever had the chance I'd torture her the way she did me. And if that bitch is looking for me, I'll be sure she finds me. She must be in a world of shit if she's looking for me. The thought kind of delights me in a sinister way. She thinks she can come running to her little daughter who played fix it for so many years. But that girl died the day my father did. I felt something deep inside me stir. The borderline psychopath who's been suppressed for years after killing an entire frat house after they tried to violate me bubbling to the surface with pure giddiness. And boy is she ready to fucking play.

I calmly walk through the glass doors, shutting them gently behind me. Everyone watched me, silently. The room felt like an icebox. Spencer met me halfway into the room. His eyes held mine as I looked up at him. He waited patiently for me to speak. "Cathleen is looking for me." I said, numbly. His eyebrows raised before a slight smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "It was only a matter of time." He said and I nodded. "Indeed. Im surprised she's not dead yet. I can only imagine what she's done to coming running back to me. But I can't wait to fucking find out." When the smirk broke out on my face Spence's breathing got heavier, he was getting excited. He's not usually too keen on getting his hands dirty but that changes when we're doing it together, we are ride or die, til death, and we have the same sinister darkness looming deep inside us, ready to jump at the chance of the thrill again.

Our heads whipped to Maya as her dramatics finally kicked in. "Hold the fuck up, you said Cathleen? As in THE Cathleen. Jesus fucking Christ." She dramatically flopped back in her chair. Orion and Carter eyed her, curiously. She glanced at us before looking back at them. "You think you're crazy?" She asked, laughing as she looked at Orion who had his eyebrows raised. "I hope you truly like her because that switch has flipped and there's no going back." She mumbled.

"Okay, what the fuck is happening right now?" Carter finally asked, becoming frustrated. "Cathleen is my mother." I said simply. Something clicked for them and they put a couple pieces of the puzzle together, not nearly the full thing though. "That's...heavy." Carter blew out a breath but Spencer and I laughed in sync. "Oh god, it's happening already." Maya mumbled, rubbing her temples.

I chuckled softly. "Oh come on, My, it's been years since we've had our fun." Spencer said drawing out the letters of 'years', walking over to her and wrapping her in his arms. Maya may have a few dark bones in her body but she's definitely no where near as fucked up as we are. She glanced to me and I saw the worry in her eyes. "I'm not worried about you having your fun, I'm worried about the aftermath."

I crossed the room and stood back between Orion and Carter, allowing my shoulder to relax. "This time is different." I promised her. The crease in her forehead didn't let up though. "You've gotta fill us in on some things here, my love. There's too many gaps." Orion said and I looked up at him. "If you're wondering why Maya is so worried, it's a long story, but I can summarize." Maya rolled her eyes. "She won't summarize, she'll sugar coat. God I love them both but when Spencer killed her father, they changed that night. A year later when Lilith was in her partying era she slaughtered a whole fraternity at a collage party. Of course family is everything so it was taken care of by us and the boys. But for months after she was obsessive about getting her hands bloody. Spence feeds off it and they're the most terrifying thing I've witnessed together. His high comes from seeing Lilith in her element but hers comes from something much darker than that and she becomes a void of pent up darkness that finally releases and she doesn't stop until one day she snaps out of it. And just like that, the switch is flipped off and she's normal, boring even, like none of it happened." Maya said. Her tone was confusing to me, somewhere between admiration, fear and worry.

I held eye contact with her for a minute. "I've been made to compartmentalization everything that's ever happened in my life, this is no different. Back then when I snapped I lost control. That won't happen this time. Spence and I have planned this for years and years. This isn't about some handsy frat boys. This is so much deeper than that." I said and she hummed. "That's what scares the shit out of me, Lil." She said softly.