Where We Started (Stone Riders MC, #1)

by Ashley Munoz

How I realized you were the culmination of all my fears and hopes. I thought having you would be the hardest part of becoming a parent, but with a horrific realization, it’s letting you go that will be my undoing.

“I think he loved her because she wasn’t lost, she just wanted an adventure. She was always sure of who she was. She knew what her role was in Neverland…and with Peter.” “But he rescued her so many times…” Callie argued softly. I shook my head, knowing she couldn’t see me. “Sometimes rescuing someone can lead to a pretty fun adventure. I bet Peter enjoyed it.” She didn’t ask anything else, and I started to drift off. Right before I fell asleep, I heard her whisper. “I think Wendy loved Peter more.”

“Callie, if you want to use a fishing metaphor, then you’d be the river, not the fish inside it. You cut a path through me, filled it, and now it’s always shifting and moving. I can’t wait to see what our life will look like someday, but for now, I’m happy taking it one day at a time.”

Holding her was the only dream I had at present, and I knew that was pathetic as fuck, but she’d been it for me for so long, I had no idea what would ever compare. I wasn’t eager to find out, either. If I could have her and just support whatever dreams or aspirations she had, I’d be the happiest man alive.

“I wanted you to choose me, Wes. I needed you to be different from my dad.”

“Yes. I wanted yours too, River. I wanted all of you, everything you touched, all the air you breathed, the fucking dirt under your nails. I wanted it all.

“You’re always cognizant when you’re with me. You clawed me open, Callie Stone, and demanded a position inside as queen of my heart. We can’t be apart. Even in death I’m pretty sure I’d follow you.”

I’d wage war for that girl. I’d go to hell and pick a fight with the devil if I had to. In every scenario, she was on my mind. How to keep her, how to love her, how to make her mine. Nothing would ever change that.

I wanted a future. One where I could show her that the roots she hated so much were strong and beautiful. Where I could help her heal enough to love this life, to live it with me.

“Like fuck is another man going to date you while you’re here. If you leave, then that’s one thing. I can’t control who you’re with. But in this town, you’re mine. It’s me you’ll date. Me you’ll call. Me you’ll fuck. You need romance, then read one of those books you love so much. When you go back to DC, you’ll have your fuck buddies again, but here, there’s not a chance I’ll stand by and let you be with anyone else.”

“And she’s my entire fucking soul. We’re bound, her and I. In this life, and even in the next. She will haunt me for eternity, and when the devil tries to pry my soul from her grasp, he’ll realize there’s nothing to claim because it’s hers. All I fucking am, and all I ever could be belongs to her. There is nothing inside me that would have tolerated waiting. You’ve never once asked if I loved your daughter, and I know it’s because you already know. What you don’t know is that she’s my ending, Simon. She was my first love, there when I just barely started in this world, and she’ll be the only thing on my mind when I leave it.”

“You will come back stronger, Callie. You’re a Stone. If you aren’t sure how to be strong, you look to me and I’ll show you.”

His kiss was just as memorable as it had ever been. It was moonlit paths at night, starlit skies and first kisses in the dark.

“You once said if you could tattoo it onto your skin as a way to make it happen, you would,” Wes muttered, almost in awe as he stroked the replica of the key he’d given me.

“Never once did you call, or text…or anything, Wes. It left me no choice but to believe that letter.” “Because I couldn’t have you until I was sure I could offer you a life you didn’t want to leave,”

“I did do what I wanted!” she yelled back, stepping closer. “In the real world, Wes, people don’t get to just do whatever they want. Rent is due, bills are due, most people have to work, and they survive paycheck to paycheck, just happy they have a roof over their heads for one more month. I don’t live in some imaginary world where I have a car reliable enough to drive a thousand miles across the country, or unlimited funds for gas and food. I grew up poor, Wes. I left here with nothing. I have worked my ass off for those meager things you’re now pointing out as failures.

“I want forever. You agree to stay, to be mine, you need to understand it’s for good. I stalked you when you went to DC. You were never really free of me; this time I won’t even let you leave.”

You were a little thief, sneaking in and taking my heart, staking a claim to my entire future.”