One Rule

Chapter 43

The next morning, Happy came over as promised. I'd left the front door unlocked for him because I was busy puking and didn't want him to have to wait on me. I heard the front door open and Happy call out while I was in the bathroom.

"Diana?" he called.

"Here," I called back just before heaving again. Thankfully nothing came up that time. "You're killing me," I mumbled, looking down at my belly.

"You okay?" Happy asked, standing in the doorway.

"Yeah. Morning sickness is a bitch, but I have to be almost done with this. I'm just into my second trimester, and this crap is supposed to stop around then," I explained.

"I'll call my mom later and see if she knows anything to make it stop, or at least not as bad," he offered.

"That would be amazing," I said, standing up. I brushed my teeth and we started moving boxes out to my car. We managed to fit the remains of life into my SUV in just under two hours. I felt like I didn't do very much.

When we were done, we were standing in front of my car. "This feels so weird," I admitted, working my house keys off my key ring.

"You're not having second thoughts are you?" Happy asked as I handed over the keys and the garage door opener.

"No. I know it's what Kozik wanted, and I know Opie wanted me to leave too," I sighed. "It's just weird to be leaving again. I had this feeling when I went up there the first time. It's just nerves."

"You'll be fine. I know those guys. They'll take care of whatever you need," Happy reassured me.

"I know. Thank you for your help today. I really appreciate it," I said, giving him a small smile.

"Anytime, Mama." We hugged. "Don't be a stranger. Call me if you need anything."

"I will. I'll let you know when I make it up there," I replied.

"Drive safe."

I got in the car and drove over to the bank, emptying both Kozik's and my safety deposit boxes. Mine was full of our important documents. His was full of cash, and a ring box.

"Wow," I sighed. It was a sapphire ring. There was a note in the box: For Birthday, or pregnancy - whichever is first.

I put the ring in my purse, and filled a backpack with the cash and documents. When I was done, I put everything in the passenger side floorboard, got in the car, and drove out of Charming.

...

Late that night, I pulled onto the lot of the Tacoma clubhouse. I sent Happy a quick text before I got out and grabbed an overnight bag before going to meet Lee, who was waiting for me at the door. "How was the drive?" he asked as I got close enough.

"Long," I admitted, failing to stifle a yawn.

"We've got a dorm for you to crash in tonight. I'll take you up to the cabin in the morning," he told me.

"Thank you for this," I said.

"Don't worry about it. You're family," Lee told me, ushering me inside. "We were sorry to hear about Kozik. Kept wondering when the wake would be. We'd have come down if we knew when it was."

I shook my head, "There never was one. I was told we'd do it after things calmed down with the cartel, but it never happened."

"Then we'll have one here," he said. "You don't have to lift a finger."

"I have what ashes were left, and his kutte," I told him. "I think I want to get rid of his kutte when we're done. I don't want to keep it." Personally, I wanted to destroy the symbol of what got my husband killed.