The clubhouse was still buzzing with excitement. Opie was being thoroughly interrogated about his proposal, Tig insisted he organize the bachelor party, and Juice had somehow turned the whole thing into a betting pool. Abel was in Gemma's arms, happily babbling while she helped him with a toy. For once, everything felt almost normal. I sat beside Chibs, my coffee resting between my hands, watching Bear try to convince everyone that he hadn't actually planned the proposal. Which was complete rubbish. "You absolutely planned it," I called across the table. Opie looked at me. "Stay out of this, Stubby," he replied. I gasped. "You're engaged for five minutes and already making enemies. Impressive." I grumbled back. The boys laughed. Chibs leaned over and kissed my cheek. "Leave the lad alone, lass," Chibs said, sheepishly grinning. I turned to him. "You're supposed to support me." I let out a huff, saying that. "I do," Chibs replied. "Then tell him he's wrong," I grumbled. Chibs glanced toward Opie. "She's wrong, lad," he told him. I gasped dramatically. "CHIBS." I snapped. Chibs just burst out laughing. I shoved his shoulder playfully, and he caught my hand, bringing it to his lips. For a moment, everything was easy. Then I noticed his smile fading. It was subtle. A glance toward Clay. A quiet exchange between them. The way Chibs suddenly seemed to withdraw into himself. I knew that expression. I'd seen it before. And I didn't like it. I leaned closer. "What's wrong?" I asked. He looked at me. "Nothin', lass," he replied. I narrowed my eyes. "Try again," I told him, and he knew I looked through his lie. He sighed. "Riley..." he quietly said, and I knew it was really bad news. "Oh, I hate when you say my name like that," I told him, slightly shaking my head. His thumb brushed over my knuckles. "Can we talk somewhere quiet?" he asked, and this was the confirmation that he had some bad news for me. My stomach tightened. I glanced around the room. Then back at him. "Is somebody hurt?" I asked, and Chbs shook his head slightly. "No," he replied. "Then what is it?" I asked, gripping his hand tighter. He hesitated. That was enough to make the little knot in my stomach pull tighter. "Come with me," he quietly said, pulling me out of the group. Chibs led me into the small room off the hallway, away from the noise of the clubhouse. He closed the door behind us. For a moment, neither of us spoke. I folded my arms. "Alright. Talk." I said, slightly nodding my head towards him. He leaned back against the desk, looking down at the floor. I'd rarely seen him struggle to find words. It frightened me more than I wanted to admit. "Chibs," I said, leaning closer to him, trying to look at his face. He raised his eyes to mine. "The club's got a problem," he told me. I gave him a humorless laugh. "When doesn't it?" I replied, shaking my head. Normally, that would've earned me a smile. This time, it didn't. My expression fell. "Okay. What kind of problem?" I asked. He took a breath. "The others..." he started and stopped slightly. I stepped closer to him. "What about them?" I asked. "They're goin' to prison, lass." He didn't look at me as he said it. For a moment, I didn't understand what he'd said. I simply stared at him. "...What?" I asked, confused. "The club. Most of the lads." Chibs repeated. He swallowed. "Everyone except me, Piney and Opie," he told me. "Plus Prospects and Korzik," he added. The room seemed to go very quiet. I looked at him, waiting for him to tell me he'd made a mistake. That there was another option. That he'd somehow found a way around it. But he didn't. My voice came out barely above a whisper. "You're serious," I said, feeling my voice slightly rise an octave. "Aye," he said with a short nod. I shook my head. "No." I quietly mouthed. "Riley—" Chibs said, but I just shook my head. "No, Filip." I interupted him. I stepped away from him, running a hand through my hair. "How long have you known?" I asked. He didn't answer immediately. I turned back. "How long?" I asked him again. "Long enough," he finally replied. My eyes widened. "You've been sitting out there laughing with everyone while knowing this was going to happen?" I asked him, moving my hand towards the door. His face tightened. "I didn't want to ruin the morning," he quietly said. I stared at him. Then I let out a small, disbelieving laugh. "Oh, that's brilliant," I grumbled. "Lass—" Chibs said, but I interupted him. "No, really. Fantastic plan. Let everyone celebrate, let me sit there thinking things might finally be getting better, and then tell me that half the people I love are going to prison." I snapped. He pushed away from the desk. "I wanted you to have a little happiness first," he told me, taking my hands. My anger faltered. Because beneath it, I could hear the exhaustion in his voice. He wasn't trying to hurt me. He'd been trying to protect me from one more terrible thing. And somehow, that made it hurt even more. I looked down at my wedding ring. "How long?" I asked, not able to look at him. "Two years if they behave; 14 months." Chibs replied. My throat tightened. "And you and Opie aren't going?" I asked, and Chibs shook his head. "No, Prospects will be here the same as Korzik," he replied, and I understood he wouldn't be alone during these fourteen months without the rest of the club. He hesitated. "There are things I cannae tell ye yet," he said after a pause. I let out a breath. "Of course there are." I said with a slightly annoyed sigh. He moved toward me. "Riley, look at me," he said, but I hesitated before looking up in his face.