Page 2 of March 5

Happy b-day, Dio!

The world is a better place because you were born on this day, a long timeago.

He chuckled and grabbed the back of his neck. It was a long-fucking-time ago.

I hope you know you are loved, respected, and honored today and every day. I don't know what I'd do without you, birthday twin—so don't even think about leaving me.

He remembered her birthday. From the first time he found out they were born on the same date, he'd always given her a little something from him. Sometimes, it was just a fifty-dollar bill because he hadn't had time to buy anything else. Other times, he surprised himself at how pleased she was with his chosen gift.

Hell, even her parents invited him to her birthday parties and ensured his name was included on the cake as if he was part of their family. There were no better people on earth than Maverick, Brooke, and Skye.

His chest tightened, remembering what Skye looked like when she opened the door. He'd always tried to shelter her from the harsher lifestyle at the parties and on the rides.

I hope this year will be your best yet. You deserve everything your heart desires and more.

He dropped his gaze to the bottom of the card.

Love you bunches, Skye

He closed the card and put it beside him on the couch. Then, he pulled out the box in the bag and opened the lid. After seeing what she'd gifted him, it took him several seconds to focus his vision.

He picked up the new, shiny gas tank cap and tilted it, reading the engraved inscription.The Skye's the limit.

His chest warmed, and he smiled at her play of words. He could picture Skye smiling as she bought him the present. She always put such thoughts into her gifts.

He still carried the leather wallet she'd scratched her name into when she was twelve. He'd worn the leather smooth, and her name was no longer visible. But he thought of her whenever he pulled out his wallet and had to buy something.

He exhaled heavily. All she'd wanted to do was bring him a gift on his birthday, and he'd ruined it for her by bringing a woman back to the room for a blow job.

He returned his gift to the box and put everything in the bag. While the Havlin members helped him celebrate his birthday, Skye made the day special as if he had a family around him—a feeling he hadn't had since his parents got divorced when he was a teenager and went their separate ways, marrying other people and forgetting they had a son together. For the longest time, he gave up the idea of having a family.

That desire to surround himself with those he cared about came true when he joined Havlin andgained a shit-ton of brothers.

He walked down the hallway. Bane stood talking to Jagger at the entrance to the clubhouse. He skirted around them.

"Leaving already?" asked Bane.

He turned around. "Yeah. I have an early shift in the shop."

"I'll catch you later." Bane lifted his chin. "Happy birthday."

"Thanks, brother." He nodded at Jagger. "Night."

The president of Havlin watched him with concern. Nothing went amiss under his watch. But what bothered him was private.

He walked out of the clubhouse and found Maverick on his motorcycle. Dio jogged down the line of bikes.

"Did you catch up with Skye?" he asked.

"Yep." Maverick coughed.

"Is she okay?"

"She lied to me." Maverick met his gaze. "She mentioned needing to hit the grocery store before heading home as her reason for running out of the clubhouse."

"Fuck." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't know she would come looking for me tonight."

"You should've known."