After Us (Next Generation #6) - J.M. Walker Page 0,123

Brynn goes to bed.”

I laughed, smacking his shoulder playfully. “I don’t think you’ll have any issues convincing me.” I winked, placing Brynn in her highchair.

“I don’t think so either.” Heavy arms wrapped around my middle, pulling me back. Jaron kissed the side of my neck before turning me around. “You good?”

“I am.” I hugged my arms around his hard middle. “Are you?”

Jaron pulled out of my grip and grabbed my hands. He placed a soft peck on the ring on my finger. “I couldn’t be better.”

***

(Jaron)

Once Brynlee was put to bed, I was on Piper. She never even had a chance to shut the door to our daughter’s bedroom before I had her up against the wall and my mouth fused to hers.

She gave as good as she got.

A few hours later when we were curled up in bed and I could still feel the scratch marks on my back.

While she slept peacefully beside me, I checked my phone.

My dad told me I could take over and be the president of Hell’s Harlem. After everything that had happened recently, he told me to take my time and to go to him whenever I was ready.

Price was still nowhere to be found. I wasn’t sure why, but a moment of peace settled over me. I knew that he would be caught. Eventually. I also knew that it wouldn’t be me who did it. Someone else would take him out and I just hoped that I would be there to watch him fall.

My eyes flicked to the leather cut hanging over the back of the chair in the corner of the bedroom. Although the room was dark, the moonlight had cast an eerie glow around the vest. It was like the universe was saying that it’s time.

I kissed the top of Piper’s head, letting out a deep sigh.

I realized something in that moment.

Being president was something I was never ready for. Life always got in the way and prevented me from taking over the club.

Now that my daughter was safe, Piper was in my arms, and our unborn baby was healthy and growing inside of her…

I was ready.

Jaron

“You ready, Son?” my dad asked, holding a knife in his hand.

It had been over five months since I was shot and almost lost my life. Zach and Luna had finally gotten married. Piper was entering her third trimester with our second baby. I had heard through her that Cyrus had met someone. She only told me that the woman was nice and was someone who worked at the center. She didn’t know much more than that but warned him in the meantime to be careful. I knew he would tell us more whenever he was ready. But I did notice that he was happier. Sammy was still grumpy, but I wasn’t ready for a fight, so I never questioned him on his shit.

I had also approached Candace. I needed to make sure there were no further issues for Piper and I.

“Jaron.” Candace’s wide eyes looked up from her computer. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

“I need to make sure that you know that it’s over between us. For good.”

“I…” Her mouth opened and closed like a fish before a hard sigh left her. “Yeah, I know. I knew that a long time ago. Even before you got out of jail. You could have called though instead of showing up here.”

“I’ll be here often with my crew, I need to make sure that there aren’t going to be any issues for Piper and me.” I was tying up loose ends before Piper and I made things official between us.

“You won’t have any issues,” Candace said softly.

“Good.” Instead of waiting for her to respond, I left her office and made my way out of the club.

Heading home, I made my way to the one and only woman who had ever captured my heart. The only one I wanted to spend my life with.

“Jaron?” Dad clapped my shoulder. “We can wait if you aren’t.”

“I’m ready,” I told him.

“You sure?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded, blowing out a slow breath and taking the knife from him. My eyes shifted to Piper who was standing between Cyrus and Sammy.

I love you, she mouthed, cupping her swollen stomach.

My body stirred at the sight of her. I love you more.

She grinned, shaking her head.

Taking another deep breath, I started cutting off the vice president patch from my leather cut. When it was removed completely, it had felt like the world had shifted.

“Did you choose?” Dad asked, low enough so only I could hear.

I nodded, grabbed the small patch, and went up to Cyrus. “We’ve been through a lot together. You fight me when I need it and have my back without me even having to ask. You keep me in line, voice your thoughts but still stick by me even if you don’t agree with my choices.”

Cyrus’s jaw clenched, his throat working hard as he swallowed.

“I love you and Sammy like brothers. You took care of my girls when I couldn’t.” I glanced at Sammy.

He shifted on his feet, wrapping an arm around Piper’s shoulders.

If it was anyone else who touched her, I would have killed them already but not him or his brother. I trusted them with her life and prayed that they found the happiness they both deserved.

“I can never repay you for what you’ve done for us.” I looked back at Cyrus. “I want you to be my vice president.”

His eyes widened a touch. His head whipped around.

Sammy returned the look, a wide grin spreading on his face. “Don’t look at me. Wasn’t my idea.”

Piper laughed.

“But…” Cyrus cleared his throat. “You good?”

Sammy rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to be vice president, C. I’d rather be the enforcer anyway. Means I can get bloody.”

Laughter sounded around the room.

“You sure?” Cyrus asked me.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else. Not even fuckhead over here,” I nodded toward Sammy.

“Rude,” Sammy grumbled.

I chuckled. “Seriously though, Cyrus. You deserve it and I need you at my side. Both of you.”

Cyrus took the patch from between my fingers. “I’d be honored to be your VP.”

A round of cheers and hollers sounded around the room.

Cyrus and I ignored them and sewed the patches on our leather cuts. When we were done, he pulled me into his arms. “I love you, brother.”

“I love you too.” I clapped his back, squeezing him.

“Let me in here.” Sammy wrapped his arms around our shoulders.

My mom sniffled and muttered softly with the rest of the ladies.

Lifting my head, I found Piper standing beside us. Grabbing her hand, I pulled her into our little huddle.

She laughed lightly.

Along with my daughter and unborn baby, these three were my life. I would do anything for them, and I knew they would do the same for me.

It was a good day to be a biker but an even better day to be with the ones I loved.

My family.

THE END

The Next Generation Series:

https://www.aboutjmwalker.com/next-generation-series

We are now t books into The Next Generation Series!! I feel like with each book that releases, the crazy only gets worse and worse. But it’s SO exciting and SO much fun to write!

First, I’d like to thank my team for their constant help on every book I write. I really couldn’t do this without them!

Angie, Jennifer and Christina: You girls see my stories in the raw. You help me perfect each book. You tell me when to cut scenes or when to add them. I often find that you know these characters better than I do.

Joanne: Thank you for your editing expertise! I really couldn’t do this without your help and I appreciate you more than I could ever say!

J.M.’s Jems: Best group ever!! You are my safe place.

Authors and bloggers: Thank you for your constant support and for cheering me on throughout my journey!

My readers: Best readers ever! Seriously. You all are amazing and I really couldn’t do this without you. I thank you often for reading my stories but really, thanking you isn’t enough because no words could ever describe how much I love and appreciate each and every one of you.

If you’ve read The Next Generation Series thus far, thank you! Also, a little warning: The books only get more intense from here.

JM

J.M. Walker is an Amazon bestselling author who also hit USA Today with Wanted: An Outlaw Anthology. She loves all things books, pigs and lip gloss. She is happily married to the man who inspires all of her Heroes and continues to make her weak in the knees every single day.

“Above all, be the HEROINE of your own life...” ~ Nora Ephron

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