As I’m being taken into surgery, I wonder if my life even matters to me anymore. Valencia was everything to me. Hell, she is everything to me . . . and I have a hard time remembering what my life was like before she came into it. It doesn’t even seem like it was worth living if I’m being honest.
* * *
Pain radiating through my body lets me know I’m not dead. If I was, I’m sure I wouldn’t feel any pain. “Fuck my life,” I grimace as I use my hands to push myself up on the bed a bit more.
“Glad to see you’re still kickin’. You gave us all a scare there for a minute,” Boss’ voice comes from out of nowhere, and I finally open my eyes, seeing her sitting in a chair by the window in the corner of the room.
She has a brown paper bag sitting on the floor next to her, and I’m praying it’s some food. I can’t eat the shit they serve here at the hospital. That’s for fucking sure.
“Yeah, that son of a bitch wasn’t gonna take me out,” I tell her with a smile, and Boss rises from the chair.
She grabs the paper bag and brings it over to me, placing it on my lap. “This is for you. It’s something I think you’re going to appreciate.”
Even though I’m in a shit ton of pain, I peel back the paper and open the bag up. I reach down, and a smooth, cool feeling greets me. Grabbing the fabric, I pull it out, and the moment I spot the emblem for the Iron Vex MC, I’m blown away.
“Is this a joke?” I’m in fucking shock. This has been years in the making, and I’m finally getting my own cut.
Boss shakes her head. “No, it isn’t. It’s well deserved if you ask me.”
Did I earn this, though? Or did I lose my woman, and Boss feels bad, so she’s finally patching me in? I don’t fucking know. I guess the only way I’m going to find out is if I ask her.
“Boss is this . . . fuck. Did I earn this? ‘Cause right about now, I’m thinkin’ I lost my woman, and you’re trying to keep me from going over the edge.”
“You didn’t lose me. You could never lose me,” Valencia suddenly says as she comes into my hospital room. She comes right up to my bedside and places her arm on my chest as she leans down to kiss me. I wince, and Valencia’s eyes widen. I guess she didn’t realize I’d be hurting all over, but I’m getting a pretty good kick out of it.
“Come here, baby girl,” I tell her, and she finally brings her lips against mine. She leans down for a few moments, kissing me, and fuck, I feel like I’m the luckiest man in the world. I can’t imagine living without her, and that’s how I know I made the right decision, making Valencia, my ol’ lady. This is how you should feel when you’re in love, hands down. “God, I love you,” I tell her, and she smiles so brightly, like everything that was haunting her is suddenly gone.
“And I love you, baby.”
“I gotta ask you somethin’, somethin’ that’ll give us both a good laugh.”
“Okay . . .”
“Is your sister’s name really Narcisa? ‘Cause I can’t think of anything more fitting for her. Sounds like narcissist.” I laugh, which causes pain to shoot down through my body.
Valencia laughs. “Yeah, and I think you’re right.”
I think things are good right now, and I know that with time they’re only going to get better.
CHAPTERTWENTY
Valencia
Christmas Day . . .
“Venom is having twins, two boys,” I say, shaking my head with a huge smile on my face.
We’ve just found out, and I couldn’t be more excited for my friend. It makes me believe that good things do come to those who have been through the depths of hell.
“That’s going to be fun to watch,” Reno says, chuckling.
I smile at him as he presses a kiss on my cheek. “Think of all the fun things we can buy,” I say.
Things have been so amazing that sometimes I still need to pinch myself that this is real life. Things with Reno have never been better. I’ve found my place not only in the world but in the club. I’ve started my classes at Rutgers, and the best part is a lot of them are online, so I don’t need to travel to the school as much as I thought I would.
A few weeks ago, I took care of a lot of important things. I filled out paperwork for a new social security card, driver’s license, and even a membership to Sal’s gym. I haven’t gotten the cards yet, but I’m thrilled to know that I will soon.
“I have something for you,” Reno says, breaking my thoughts.
