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The last few weeks play through my mind. All the unanswered texts and phone calls from both Sam and me. Croy’s the reason why Hawk never answered. He’s the reason why my son lost the one man that he felt a connection with.

“That wasn’t your place, Croy. You have no right to tell him any of those things. I was better off with him here. I was stronger with him here.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, T.”

My fingers flinch, and I feel something hard in my hand. Bringing it up, I see a clear plastic with a single clover in the center. My heart sinks as a smile spreads across my face.

“What the hell is that?” Croy sits forward.

I drop my hand and ignore his question. “I appreciate everything that you’ve done for me, Croy. I’m sorry if I ever took advantage of your generosity. I haven’t had a lot of practice when it comes to friendships, and that’s my problem. But Sam and I won’t be needing your help anymore. I can’t keep doing this to you. I see I’ve been in the wrong for so long, and it’s time to make it right.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Tessa?”

“Croy, I’m going back to New Mexico, I’m going home.”

The street hasn’t really changed in all these years. Bianca’s house looks the same. The clubhouse still sits to the right of her property. There’s a building at the far-right end that I assume is where Fury now builds bikes. From how Hawk described it, anyway. Bianca’s driveway has been widened, probably to house all the bikes. Hawk pulls up next to the others as I pull over in the street.

“Where are we?” Sam asks. He’s been full of questions since we left Los Angeles. He knows his life is changing, he just doesn’t know how drastic.

“We’re at my friend’s house. Remember I told you her name is Bianca?”

I look in the rearview mirror as he unlatches the seatbelt and slides out of his booster seat. The passenger side door opens, and Hawk leans down smacking his hands together signaling for Sam to come to him.

I slam my door close and jump at the noise. I’m a nervous wreck. I’m starting to second guess my decision. When I make my way around the car, Hawk raises his arm, and I settle up next to him as he wraps it around my shoulder. With Sam on his hip and me at his side, I’m sure we look like the perfect family, but I know we’re anything but.

“You don’t need to worry, Tessa. I’ve got you. We’ve all got you.” He drops a kiss to the top of my head and starts to walk forward, giving me no choice but to move as well.

As soon as we both step foot on the porch, he gives my shoulder a squeeze. Without knocking he opens the front door and ushers me in first. I can feel his body right behind mine, but that doesn’t do anything to calm my racing heart as everyone in the living room stops talking and turns their head towards me. I recognize almost everyone.

The movement towards my right has me turning my head as Bianca comes towards me. Tears fall from her eyes as her lip quivers. “Mija, ah mija. Por fin vuelto a casa. Oh, cómo te extrañé.” You’ve finally come home. Oh, how I’ve missed you.

“Hi, Bianca.”

Another sob breaks from her chest as she pulls me towards her small frame. “Tessa. Mi Tessa.”

“Mom,” Cut calls out, “Give her a chance to come in. You’re smothering her.”

She pulls away and turns towards Cut. “I’m smothering her? Lo Siento, hijo. It’s not every day one of her children finally comes home.”

A scrape of a chair makes me jump as Sin stands and heads out towards the backyard, slamming the wooden screen behind him. Hawk places a hand on my shoulder, letting me know that he’s there.

“And who is this handsome man?” Bianca looks over my shoulder towards Sam.

“I’m Sam, and I’m almost seven. In one more month.” He gives his best smile.

Her eyes flit to mine before they go back to my son. “Well, aren’t you just a precious gift. Un Regalo especial.”

Sam laughs. “You talk funny. Some of the kids in my class talked like that.”

“Well, it’s Spanish, and I’ll be happy to teach it to you. My name is Bianca, but you can call me Mama B. All the kids do.”

“There are kids here?”

“Yes, they’re all in the back. They’re all my grandkids, and I’m their Abuela, their grandma.”

Sam’s face is somber as he takes in the information. “I don’t think I have one of those.” He scratches his head.

“Well, you do now.” She smiles and pats him on the shoulder. “Savannah,” Bianca calls “Can you please show Sam where the other kids are?”