Chapter 3

A friend, a father, a brother.

Bikers from every city were scattered all over the clubhouse. It was tradition that when a brother passed everyone came together to celebrate his life. Tommy's service was beautiful, and it made me realise life was too short.

Holding onto Everleigh' hand tight I smiled and greeted every person I passed. My baby was tired and in need of a nap.

"Little Ava now has an even littler Ava".

Grinning at him I rolled my eyes. "Little Ava isn't so little anymore. How you doing Marko?".

"I Everleigh"...

"Ah I see she has her mother's attitude already". He chuckled placing a kiss on my cheek. "You look good darling".

"Thanks Marko I'm-...".

"Mommy". She groaned her little hand squeezing mine.

"I know a tired kid when I see one". He laughed. "I'll catch up with you later".

It was nice to see everyone again. All the girls were here, and I burst into tears as soon as I saw Ally. She still wasn't married, refused to let Cage put a ring on it until I was home. I hadn't spoken with Blaze hadn't really seen him throughout the service, but I knew he was here somewhere, and I knew he was watching. Damn hairs on the back of my neck stood up every time he was close.

"Come on baby lets go nap". Lifting her into my arms I started to make my way through the back when a hand on my arm stopped me.

"Leighton's out cold". My mom chuckled. "And it looks like this little monkey isn't far behind. Put her in with him I've got monitors everywhere".

Is it bad I wanted to take her so I could nap too? Today had been a sad and emotional day and I didn't really want to be around when it gets rowdy because let's be honest, they'll send him off in style.

"Ava she'll be fine now come on I still need to get food out the oven". And off she went running around daft making sure everyone was satisfied. One thing I learned about my mom, when you're in her house you go by her rules.

"Yes ma'am". I saluted continuing my way to put my sleeping child down. Standing in the doorway I continued to watch as she lay sleeping. That little girl had no idea how much she was loved and how special she was.

She held my heart in those tiny little hands. With one last look I left making my way back out front to again smile and greet people I hadn't seen in years.

"Eh where's my fav girl". Ally asked her hands firmly placed on her hips. "I need to see that cute little face at least 1 hundred times a day". She grinned handing me a glass of wine.

"Just look over in the corner pretty sure it'll be like looking at her".

Making a face she slipped her arms around my neck and pulled me in for a hug. "Doesn't really give me the same joy. Looking at him makes me want to commit murder".

"Amen sister". Giving her a high five I sat my wine down more in the mood for a beer. I had gone off wine after I had Everleigh. It just didn't taste the same anymore.

Placed in front of me was a red coloured shot that I definitely didn't order. Frowning I looked around the bar, but everyone was stuck in deep conversation.

"Courtesy of the blond". Kelsey piped up as she pointed across the room my eyes landing on Lexi. Shaking my head, I lifted the shot raised it to her and downed it.

"Wow mama you still got it in you. Missed you girl". For about the millionth time I was yet again pulled in for a hug. "You look good".

"Missed you too Lex".

"Now where's mini-Blaze?". Her words hit me like a cold bucket of water being chucked over my head. Damnit why did she have to look so much like him. Seriously though you carry them for 9 months you birth them and bang out comes a mini version of daddy.

"She's sleeping it's been a long day and truth be told I could join her". I grinned picking my wine back up suddenly needing it.

"Do you know he hasn't stopped staring at you since we've came back here. I can feel the sexual tension". She winked causing me to roll my eyes. There was no tension never mind sexual tension.

Glancing over at him my eyes fell into slits. Yes, he hadn't taken his eyes off me when he had a blond all up in his face.

"Easy tiger". Grabbing both my hands he blocked my view so I could no longer see them. "Put the fists away rocky now is not the time or place for breaking noses".

"Nice to see you too Jared". Slipping my hand into his pocket I pulled out his smokes and parked my ass on a stool at the bar. "Who's the blond?". Taking a puff of my smoke I tried my hardest not to look at him. The rage I felt inside wasn't right, I was jealous, and I hated it.

"Club girl that's taken a liking to him, but I wouldn't worry he's not interested".

Snorting I brought the glass to my lips. "She's welcome to him. He's a free man and he can do whatever and whoever he likes". Even saying that left a bad taste in my mouth.

"You're jealous". He laughed lightly shoving my shoulder.

"Am not". Sticking my tongue out at him we both started to laugh. He was 100% correct I was jealous. I didn’t know seeing him with someone else would bother me this much.

"You fucking are". He grinned.

Shrugging my shoulders, I continued to smoke my cigarette and drink my glass of wine. Blaze wasn't the reason I was here, and I had no right to be jealous we weren't together anymore.

"It'll get easier". Laying his hand on my shoulder I turned to look at him. "Trust me A you're one in a million". Kissing the side of my head he ruffled my hair and that's when it happened. He was dragged away from me and knocked on his ass.

"Blaze". I screamed scrambling to my feet but before I could get in between arms were wrapped around my waist holding me still.

"Get off me". I screamed kicking and punching to get free.

Punches were thrown, words were shouted. Blaze was like an untamed animal out for blood, Jared's blood.

"Stop it, stop it". I cried watching as he punched him repeatedly. Why was he doing this. Jared was his brother; he was his best friend. He did what he asked him to do, he looked after me he made sure I was safe, and this is what he gets in return.

"Split that the fuck up". My dad growled. "And let her fucking go". Turning around I shoved hard on Hawks chest before rushing to see if Jared was still breathing.

"Get out". I yelled pushing on his chest. His hands were bloody, his nose burst. He was glaring hard at me his hands still balled into fists. "Get out". I screamed again pushing on his chest. Bending down I pressed my fingers against his neck checking to see if he had a pulse. It was there but it was faint.

"No ambulances Ava, ambulance means cops and that isn't fucking happening. You sort him out, Cage, Hawk take him through the back and you". He spat pointing at Blaze. "Sort your fucking shit out".

I was pissed, he had no right to do what he just did. Spinning on my heels I marched to where he was my hand connecting with his cheek. "You stay away from me and stay away from my child". Ignoring the pain pulsing through my hand I pushed my way through all the bodies and headed through the back.

Jared was conscious, sitting on the edge of the table with a dish towel and ice held against his face. He got hurt because we were friends. What did Blaze think was going on?

"I'm so sorry Jared".

"Wasn't your fault Ava he got jealous". He shrugged hissing as he held the cloth against his lip. "Fucker can throw some punch though".

"He asked you to look after me Jared and this is what you get in return. I will not accept that, and you shouldn't either. He's a monster".

Throwing his head back he laughed. "We're all monsters darling can you remember when I killed that nosey fucker of a neighbour of yours. You called me the exact same".

"How can you laugh about this?".

"We fought big deal it happens yeah maybe it happened for the wrong reason but fuck it". He shrugged as Cage walked in handing him a bottle of Jack.

"He's jealous as fuck". Cage laughed holding his hand out for me to fist pump.

Really?!

"You guys are idiots". Walking out of there I slammed the door shut behind me. Stopping by the room Everleigh was in I stuck my head in to make sure she was okay. Passed out like a light with her mouth wide open catching flies, just like her dad. Chuckling slightly, I held my hand over my heart.

"Precious aren't they".

"Yeah, she is". Closing the door back over I took the beer he was offering "How you doing Marko. Getting too old for partying?". I grinned.

"Nah darling coming to see if you're, okay?". Holding the back door open for me we made our way outside. The fresh air was welcoming, all those bodies made it far too warm inside.

"They're idiots".

"He's jealous sweetheart he saw Jared as a threat, so he took care of it".

"A threat, how? Jared is like my brother it's not nor will it ever be like that. Why can't he see that?".

"You're his old lady". He shrugged.

"Correction I was his old lady".

Laughing he shook his head. "You'll always be his old lady darling I mean look at your mom and dad. How many years were they apart. You took that oath to stand by his side through thick and thin you-..."

"That was before he left me". I argued cutting him off. "It's been a long day I'm going for a walk to clear my head".

"Be careful Ava and don't go far".

"Yes dad".