♕Harley Anderson♕

The guards surrounding the gangs' house- to make sure that no radical Slither members try anything- stop me before I show them the red bandana I was given a few weeks ago to mark me as a Kings member. Besides that, they recognise me almost instantly and let me in. The guards open the big gates and offering them a grateful smile, I enter and park on the gravel in front of the main entrance for the house. Memories of when I first came here flashes to my mind and i can remember Katalina waiting at the tp mof the stairs with a smile on her face as he watcged Dante and I climb out of the car and me stare up at the magnificent house. I swallow down the memory.

Katalina is dead. And there's nothing I can do to change it.

I'm not sure Enrique will still be here but stll, I enter the house. My footsteps echo on the marble floors, the house considerably quiet since a lot of the members are actually already at the Slither's old house that was taken over. Danté never really expressed what happened that day... how many lives he took. But I know he was not innocent in the process of overthrowing Jack.

I knock on Enrique's door and he answers a second later, granting me access. Pushing the door open, I walk in to see Enrique staring at a picture frame in his hand and a drink in another. He looks up to me, placing the frame back down and clearing his throat.  I'm aware that I walked in on a rare moment of him been emotional so I look away before Enrique breaks it.

"Harley? What are you doing here so late? Have you and Cameron made a decision already?" I try my best to ignore the thought that Danté and I might be over. All because he thinks that this life is best for us.

"Uh, no." I shake me head while slipping my hands into my back pockets. "I wanted to ask you if you knew where Ramiro was... he didn't come home last night after the news..." I trail off awkwardly, "and I haven't seen him around but I want to check up on him."

"Oh yes. Ramiro stayed here last night, helping with last minute things. He left very early this morning for Santa Monica."

"Santa Monica?" I ask and Enrique nods.

"Yes. Since I'm busy organising our victory, Ramiro went to start planning for Katalina's scattering of the ashes and funeral."

"Oh." I reply, ignoring Lina's face that pops up in my mind. "Why are we doing it in Santa Monica?"

"Her favorite beach is there and since she wanted her ashes to be scattered in the ocean, Ramiro thought that it would just make sense." Enrique shrugs like it's no big deal, but it's tense and rigid which gives away his real emotions.

"Do you know if... Ramiro is okay? If he's holding up alright?" Ever since he was told about the news of his sister, he stormed off and I haven't seen him again. And it's worried me sick... I care a lot about Ramiro and if Danté is taking it as hard as he is, I can only imagine how Ramiro is doing. He has no more immediate family left- aside from Ariela now- and I'm sure he's feeling very alone. And... I don't want this to set him off the deepend. I need to know his okay and more than anything I just want to be there for him. Let him know that he's not alone in this.

Enrique offers a curt nod. "He's... as good as I think he can be. But he knows grief well and so I think he'll be okay. He's just going to need a lot of time but at least we're all here for him." I don't think you can ever be prepared for grief, no matter how many people you've lost so Enrique's words don't do much to ease my mind. But what does is the fact that Ray has the whole gang here to support him. He has something close to a family...

Not wanting to talk to Enrique about his dead wife any longer, I bow my head before wishing him a goodnight.

"She really liked you and Cameron, you know." He calls out, forcing me to pause in the doorway and I blink rapidly to avoid tears. "She cared a lot for you and would want you to be happy."

I turn around to offer him a tight-lipped smile over the shoulder. "She was a wonderful person, Enrique. And I'm sorry you had to lose her... I know you loved her a lot."

Enrique looks down at his drink, shaking his head before looking up at me. The lamp on his desk reflects in the tears of his eyes and I watch as he clenches his jaw, making a show of offering me a smile for a few seconds.

"Thank you Harley. I appreciate your condolences." He says and I nod my head swiftly, shutting the door on the way out. Letting out a shaky breath, I run down the steps and back to my car. But when I'm behind the wheel, I realise I don't want to go home yet. I'm not ready to face Danté after what happened. I'm not ready to face the reality that we may... we may not stay together. That this may be the end of our road.

So, I make my way to the hospital that Adrianna is staying in instead. It may not be visiting hours but Enrique knows the doctors and has connections which is why no members are subjected to the visiting hours. The hospital is quiet when I enter, the strong smell of disinfectant burning my nostrils. I make my way up to the third floor- ICU- before stopping at the front desk. An older lady looks up at me, the skin around her eyes wrinkling as she smiles.

"Good evening, how may I help you?" She asks. The navy scrubs she has on bring out her eyes, distracting me for a moment before I realise she asked me a question.

"Right," I shake my head to myself. "I'm here to visit Adrianna."

The lady offers me a friendly smile. "I'm afraid visiting hours are over."

"She's with us Jules." A familiar voice says and I look over to see Keva standing near the desk. She offers me a wave and smile which I return. "Adrianna is still awake so I'm sure you don't mind Harley going through?" Keva asks although we all know it isn't a question. Jules bows her head with a smile.

"Of course. She's in room 143 Harley."

"Thanks." I reply before walking in that direction. However, I stop in front of Keva. Observing her for a second, I come to realise that she looks good. If there's anyone dealing with their grief well, it's her. Even with her hair clipped up messily and faint bags under her eyes, she looks better than most of us.

"No problem. Adrianna has been wanting to see you, y'know." She says and I nod, chewing on my lip.

"I know... I just needed a few hours to process everything."

Keva nods slowly. "I understand. We've all suffered a great loss." I don't comment and she adjusts the handbag on her shoulder. "I need to get home but I'll see you around Harley."

"Yeah, sure." I smile and Keva nods her head in a silent goodbye before walking away. Without wasting time, I make my way to Adrianna's room. I knock on the door before pushing it open. She has both legs in a cast on the bed, resting on some fancy pillows, and her skin is incredibly pale which only makes her sunken eyes stick out more. Despite this, she smiles when I enter and I return the gesture shakily before closing the door behind me.

"Hey," I greet softly, walking to the chair besides her bed.

"Hey, I was wondering when I'd see you again." She says and I drop down into the seat. "How are you?" She asks, narrowing her eyes slightly. Swallowing hard, I try and be as nonchalant as possible.

"I'm fine. Just..." My eyes move around the white room as I try and search for the right words. At least Enrique put Adrianna in a nice private ward. It's spacious with her bed and two seats, and a mirror above a basin. Yellow curtains hang in front of the windows and pictures of flowers are framed all over. It's kind of homely.

"Just?" She awakes me from my thoughts and I meet her gaze, offering a grim smile.

"Just trying to be strong."

She frowns, nodding her head and I sigh. "How are you though? What have the doctors said?"

"I'm alright." Adrianna replies. "I lost a lot of blood though which is why I feel like shit." She laughs lightly. "But my right leg is okay... the bullet missed my bone."

"And your left leg?" I enquire with a raised eyebrow. Adrianna looks up at the ceiling and swallows hard, letting dread grip my gut.

"It's a... a semi-fatal would. Or something like that. So there's a very good chance that because of the way the bullet broke my bone, I won't be able to gain full mobility and functionality of my left leg." I watch as her throat bops, her jaw clenching and unclenching and I reach out for her hand.

"Adrianna..." I trail off, not knowing what to say. How do you comfort someone who may have a physical disability because of such an injury? How?

"I just... how am I supposed to be a thief? I need to be slick, fast... I can't do that if I'm hobbling." She whispers, still not meeting my gaze. "I'll be useless to the gang."

"You know that isn't true." I reply instantly. "You're family. Enrique will find something for you."

She shakes her head. "Everything is going to change now. I wish things had gone differently."

Nodding, I squeeze her hand. "I do too."

She looks over at me again, watching me silently. "You don't have to do that here Harley. Pretend like your okay. I nearly died and you made sure I got out of there..."

I shake my head. "I told you I'm fine."

"No." Adrianna argues. "You're not."

Leaning back in the chair and letting go of her hand, I sigh as I stare down at my feet. "I watched her die Adrianna." I whisper. "I watched her body hit the ground." I shake my head. "And everyone is so shattered by her death. Enrique, Bruno, Ramiro, Cameron... and I just... I don't know how to deal with grief." Meeting her gaze, a tear trickles down my cheek. "I don't know how to mourn without letting it consume me." Lifting my wrist, I wipe at my eyes. "I just want to be strong. But I don't know how."

"I'm sorry you had to see that." Adrianna says. "Nobody should have to witness something like that. But you'll move on from it eventually. As for everyone... this is our life Harley. Violence and blood and death. Katalina wasn't the first loved member who died and she won't be the last. Don't get me wrong... I wish it wasn't her. Katalina was a blessing to the gang. But we all know how to move on. We all know there's nothing to do other than that. So if you're going to be strong, do it only for yourself because the gang isn't going to need it."

"Even Ray?"

"Even Ray. He'll be okay. We'll all make sure of it."

I try and convince myself that Adrianna is right. This is their world. Death is no foreign concept to them.

Clearing my throat I say, "Thank you for telling Enrique what you could remember. He's giving Cameron and I a way out becoming of you."

Adriana's eyebrows raise in surprise. "Really? That's great. So I take it that you guys are going to leave, right?"

"Cameron wants to stay." I reply dryly, still feeling bitter over it. Before Adrianna can say anything, I continue with the words spilling out of my mouth: "I don't understand why. But I told him I can't do it. I can't stay in this life..."

"Have you thought that maybe it's because the gang is the last physical tie or connection to Lina?" Adrianna raises an eyebrow, blue eyes watching me. "Give him time. Maybe that's why he's holding on. Maybe he just needs some time to heal before he can really just let go. He was loyal to her, Harley, and that means he was loyal to the gang. He needs time."

Now that I've been given a way out, I'm so desperate to just take it. After months and months of it seeming like there was no hope, finally there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I just want to grab onto it and let it lead me out of the darkness so that I can move on. But I understand Adrianna... Danté may just need time. And if that's what he needs, I owe it to him after all he's done for me. So I push away the way my mind tells me that time is not up for debate and listen to my heart that says he deserves it.

"Goodness, you sound like Ramiro." I laugh weakly, resting my hand against my cheek. Adrianna chuckles with me.

"You learn a thing or two after been with him for so long." She smiles at me. For a moment, things feel okay. Even with Katalina dead, I can still laugh, I can still smile and mean it while doing it. Maybe things aren't so hopeless after all. Things are going to be hard, different... but it's unavoidable. It's life. And I'm slowly coming to accept that I can't protect myself from pain, but I can control how it affects my happiness.

****

With Ramiro in Santa Monica, the house is awfully quiet. There's no sound coming from the kitchen early in the morning, or from the TV. It's lonely, too. I've gotten so used to having him to talk and laugh with that I miss him so much now that he's gone. There isn't even an OJ in the fridge like there usually is since Ray isn't here to top it up.

The silence of the house is deafening- a reminder of the grief-stricken lives around me- and I hastily finish my tea so that I can leave the house. Even though Katalina has only been gone a day, I'm sure I've lost weight from not been able to get anything down. At least tea does so I have something to run on.

Placing my mug in the sink, I grab my keys off of the counter before making a move to leave. However, I stumble to a stop when I see Danté standing in front of me. His usual grey sweatpants are on and his white shirt is all crumpled from his tossing all night. When I returned home last night, he was already asleep. Even though I was terribly mad at him, I had hugged him close and hummed to him when he woke with cries. It hurts that Lina's gone but it hurts even more to see how heartbroken everyone is. And Danté... well, he makes me feel very, very powerless in this situation because I cannot take away his pain.

"Morning," I smile and he offers me a brief one.

"Morning," he croaks. "You heading out early?"

I nod, letting out a breath. "I have some deliveries to make since everyone is kind of preoccupied with the expansion and whatever."

Danté nods, looking at his pants where his hands rest in his pockets.
"I'm ready to leave Harley." He suddenly says, looking up at me and catching me offguard. A frown slips onto my face.

"What?" His sudden change of heart confuses me, "I thought you said you wanted to sta-"

"I know. And I'm telling you I don't want that. I love you amado and if I have to keep running to be with you, I'll do it. I don't love the gang more than you." He says with more conviction than I thought possible in his state. Stepping towards him, I place my hand on his cheek and offer a small smile.

"If you need time to let go of the gang, I understand Danté. We don't have to leave immediately okay?" I say while stroking his jaw with my thumb but he shakes his head even before the words are out of my mouth.

"No." Danté's reply is firm, eyes staring up at me. "We've suffered enough Harley... we deserve the peace outside of this life. I'll tell Enrique today."

I look between his russet brown eyes in concern. "Are you sure? Because I'm sorry for how I lashed out at you last night... I won't leave you."

Danté places his hands on mine over his cheek. "I'm sure. I'm ready to start my life with you. Beyond all of this."

I stare at him for a few moments before throwing my arms around him. I hold him close and he holds me tight, resting his nose against my neck.

"I'm in love with you Danté Barbosa. So fucking in love with you and you're never going to lose me okay?" I say as I pull back and look at him. For the first time since Lina's death, he offers me a small yet genuine smile and nods.

"I know. And that's all I need to get through this."

He presses his lips against mine and it's filled with the promise of a bright future for us.

A happy future.

****

The wind blows with a refreshing breeze, making my black dress and shawl billow in the wind. The sky is a vibrant blue, making the water seem even darker. Soft golden sand sinks between my toes as I walk along the beach. Danté remains on the deck that overlooks the beach while he talks to Keva and Bruno.

The funeral service was beautiful. In a very solemn way. People shared their stories of Katalina, allowing everyone to vividly remember her as the amazing person she was. Everyone laughed, cried... we mourned the loss of a magnificent soul while celebrating the peace she no doubt found. Enrique had cried at the podium and Ramiro... well, he wept. He wept as a loving brother would. And there was a poetic beauty to it. To see him mourn his sister but still manage to smile when he spoke about her. The funeral was small with only the immediate members of the gang coming. Everyone else has to watch the gang back in Concord. Today is our last day in California and while my heart aches because I'm going to miss these people, I feel a certain kind of relief too.

A part of me felt at peace when Lina's ashes were scattered though... she was finally where she wanted to be.

I hold my shoes in one hand, hugging my shawl tight against myself as I walk into the water. I silently take a stance beside him, letting the waves lap at my calves. Tucking my hair behind my ear, I look out at the ocean.

"Would you believe me if I said that a part of me didn't want to leave?" I mumble, breaking my stare to look at Ramiro. He looks handsome today in a black tuxedo and stubble lining his jaw. He keeps his hands in his pockets but nods, squinting into the sunlight.

"Yeah, I would. Nothing is as black and white as it seems." He replies and I smile. I'm going to miss his philosophical and poetic way of seeing things.

"Maybe we could stay... maybe we could start a life here." I say. I've never said it to Danté but I've had doubts about leaving ever since Danté told Enrique we would be going all those days ago. I'm going to miss them.

"You don't want that. And you know it. You and Cameron deserve the peace you've been searching for." Ramiro turns to give me a pointed look. The wind makes his hair messy and I almost reach out to push it back.

"Come with us, Ramiro. You can start over." The words slip out without much thought and Ray smiles, looking at me.

"I would love to... but I cant. I can't just leave the gang when things get tough."

"Lina would want you to be happy-  to do what makes you happy. Even if that means starting over." Ramiro purses his lips, nodding his head before staring back out at the horizon again.

"But she would also want me to help the gang grow. To continue the legacy that she was willing to die for. She wouldn't just up and leave because suddenly life's hard. Besides... I can't leave my niece. I won't. And I can't take her with me." His shrug is tense and I let out a soft sigh as I stare up at this man in front of me.

"They're lucky to have you part of their gang. And Lina was even luckier to have had you for a brother. I'm going to miss you."

Ramiro turns to me. "I'm going to miss you too Harley. So much."

We fall quiet then, the waves filling the space. The birds that fly above us make a joyful noise and kids laughing on the beach make me breathe in deeply.

"I love you Harley." Suddenly Ramiro says. "You know that right?" He looks at me and I open my mouth, too stunned to formulate a response. But he laughs instead before saying: "Not in a romantic way. In the way that a person loves a sunset or a morning coffee. In the way that someone loves car rides and 3am conversations."

Tearing my gaze away from him, warmth overcomes me and I smile to myself. "Then I love you too." I reply, looking up at him. He smiles down at me.

"Are you going to be okay?" I ask and he lets out a breathe.

"Yeah, I think so. Are you?"

"I hope so."

I reach out for his arm, holding onto it and leaning my head against him.

"Thank you for been my friend."

"You made it very easy." He replies.

"Promise we'll keep in contact?" I say and he lifts his arm up, wrapping it around my shoulder.

"I promise."

•••

Sorry for the late update hehe... I officially finished school yesterday so I was celebrating with the family today🥰 y'all don't understand how PUMPED I am to be done... omg.

Anyway... I hope you found this chapter enjoyable despite it being a bit of an emotional one. I really enjoyed writing it.
Also, there's only one chapter left and then the epilogue. So next week's update will mark the end of the story which is making me so emotional lmao. Anyway, I hope you're all safe xx

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