5. Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Wolf
Absently, I stare at Maddox, Joker’s son, pacing next to the wall. When I meet Joker’s troubled stare, he runs his hand through his hair and sighs.
For as long as I’ve known the man, Joker’s had his hair styled in a mohawk. After losing a bet to Romeo, he dyed the crazy strands into a rainbow.
It should look ridiculous, but the man is six feet five inches tall and all fucking muscle. No one would dare laugh in his face and live to talk about it.
Maddox has been acting like a caged bear since Duke brought Miriam home, bruised, and bloody. Luckily, the baby was okay, but seeing the depths of the reverend's brutality broke something in my MC brother.
It was disturbing for all of us, and I had to ask Duke three times before I believed him when he said Lilli was fine when he saw her.
I can only hope this beating was an anomaly born out of Reverend Abernathy’s hatred for anything MC. Still, my soul burns, knowing that this man beat his daughter for falling in love with my brother.
He may hate us because we’re MC but how does that fucker justify this?
“I say we kill him,” Maddox mumbles, echoing my thoughts and Joker sighs.
The problem is, if we so much as sniff in that direction, the Sheriff will be all over our asses and we don’t need them returning the favor. So how do we protect his daughters without exposing ourselves?
The answer don’t sit well with me but I know that we’re riding a thin line here. Do we risk exposure or leave those girls to fend for themselves?
It’s clear now how deep this man’s hatred goes, and Miriam may be safe now, but Lilli needs to steer clear of anything MC. This, at least, will alleviate some of that rage.
“This isn’t our fight, son,” Joker says and Maddox’s eyes flash.
Although he isn’t as tall as his father, he’s got the bulk to try and take him on. He wouldn’t though. Maddox loves his “pops” just as much as he does his sister Draven.
No doubt, Maddox’s feral reaction is related to his mother’s death. Magnolia was a fine woman with a heart of gold. She got caught in a chain reaction of events ten years ago that left her dead.
Before the Smokin’ Aces did the honors though, they beat her repeatedly and left her body on the front stoop of their home.
Unfortunately, while we were out looking for her, Maddox found the body. I can’t truly imagine how that felt but I saw the light blink out of his eyes on that long ago day and he’s been hiding that rage and pain with a fake ass smile ever since.
None of us are the same. Who would be? But we vowed revenge and we’ve been fighting the assholes ever since. It’s one of the reasons we’re knee-deep in this war.
Worth it though to send a message. You don’t mess with our family and live to brag about it.
While I agree with Maddox’s opinion, I know Joker can’t risk it, which is why the reverend will live. For now…
If that fucker thinks he’s immune, he’s delusional though. I’ll kill the man on principle when the time is right.
“Not our fight?” Maddox sneers and Joker slams his fist on the desk.
Interjecting before this devolves into an argument that no one can win, I say, “We followed the guys for the drop. Didn’t find a damn thing. Something’s foul about this, Prez.”
Joker slowly nods and tips his chin. “Only thing we can do is flush the bastard out.”
“How?” Maddox asks and I’m relieved that his attention has turned, for now. Unfortunately, I know Duke will be on my ass the minute I leave this room, and it burns to deny him but it’s what I have to do.
Miriam is safe now and if the other Abernathy girls stay away, it should resolve itself. Once everything calms down, I’ll bring the subject back up myself.
“We bait the trap,” Joker says.
Beside him, Romeo pushes back his chair to stand. Despite his pretty face, which he uses without mercy to bag all the ladies, he’s still fierce as fuck as he leans over the table with his knuckles pressed against the wood, and says, “I’m tired of this fucking shit. Whoever it is, I’ma bust his ass.”
Even though Romeo could have used his tenure to be VP, he never wanted it, which is why when my father, Diablo disappeared six months ago, I stepped into his shoes. Presumed dead, it’s another sin that I will avenge but hunting down the Aces one by one is easier than taking down an entire damn police department.
We don’t know what happened to my father, but I do know the last time I saw him, he was sniffing around the sheriff and his predilection for underage girls. It burns to know we haven’t brought Dad home, but I haven’t forgotten. It’s only a matter of time.
Now, I’m the VP and Romeo the Ride Captain. He’s been around long enough that the men respect him and he’s deadly as fuck at that.
Joker slaps him on the back as Maddox heads toward the door. When he opens it, I follow, saying, “If we start sending them out on false errands, something is bound to rise to the surface.”
“Let the vengeance be mine,” Joker says, and I mentally wince as I step into the hall.
It’s been a long time since Joker spouted shit like that. I hope this doesn’t push him back to the darkness because he might just stay there this time.
Of course, as soon as I enter the main area, I find Duke leaning against the bar.
I refuse to acknowledge the burn in my chest though. I’m leaving Lilli in that bastard’s hands, and it doesn’t sit right…at all.
Lilli
The weeks pass quietly in our home. Daddy is more subdued than I’ve ever seen him. We’re not allowed to speak Miriam’s name and just like that she’s erased from the picture.
I was horribly lucky that no one noticed I was gone, but I can’t be happy about it because my sister took the beating instead.
It’s Friday and I’m sitting on the bleachers during lunch, huddled into my sweater. Out on the field, my peers race back and forth, throwing a football. One of the girls shrieks and I glance up before turning away.
Is Miriam, okay?
I’ve never considered that Daddy could be so violent, and I’m left wondering what else I don’t know about my parents.
It’s bad enough discovering his extracurricular activities but the sheer brutality of Daddy’s anger was so beyond that I’m afraid to consider how far he might one day go.
How he justifies his behavior is a mystery to me, but I know that if he’s right about the fiery hell of damnation, he’ll have a front-row ticket when he dies.
“Hey,” Darcy says, sitting beside me.
“Hey,” I mumble.
“What’s up?” she asks, and I glance at her sideways, admiring her dark hair shining in the early afternoon light.
I don’t blame her for the mess that followed that night, but I can’t help but think it wouldn’t have happened if I had come straight home, instead of partying with her.
Maybe I’d still live with my head in the sand at that. Ignorance is bliss supposedly but even as I think it, I know that’s wrong. Not knowing wouldn’t have changed a damn thing.
“Nothing,” I say, dropping my half-eaten sandwich in my bag.
“I have something for you.”
“Huh?”
She holds out a piece of paper and I take it from her warily. I’m not sure I have it in me for any more revelations.
Lilli Anne,
“What?” I say but when I look up, Darcy is walking away.
Throw this away when you’re done. God knows you don't need more trouble from me. I’m sorry, Lilli. I shouldn't have involved you. I hope he wasn't too hard on you. Don't blame him, I forced him to see that his perfect world isn’t so perfect, and he couldn't accept reality. It’s for the best though. I knew I couldn't stay. I just wish I didn't have to leave you and the girls behind.
I’m okay though. I am. Don't worry about me and I’ll try my best not to worry about you. Be safe. Love you, M
Wiping my nose, I fold the paper and set it aside before hesitating and tossing it in the trash can beside me. As much as I’d like this last link with my sister, I know it would be stupid to keep it. Daddy has lost enough of his mind already.
I feel better knowing she's okay, but it doesn't fill the hole in my heart telling me that I’ll probably never see her again, not unless I leave the fold, thoughts which create a tingle under my skin.
When I get home from school, Mercy is sitting at the table, working on her homework. Her bright hair gleams from the sunlight shining through the window and she looks up at me with a small smile before bending over the book.
My heart aches at the caricature because I know Mercy is hurting too. She was closest to Miriam. They’ve been thick as thieves since she was born, while Rachel, caught up in being Mama’s perfect angel, created a wedge between Rachel and us.
“Hey,” I say, ruffling her hair.
“Hey,” she says, her head buried in her book.
I root around in the cupboard before pulling out ingredients for dinner, but when I glance back at Mercy and see her tiny shoulders slumped in defeat, I grit my teeth. No more.
We may be Abernathy girls, but we’re also human beings and we need light, laughter, and love, or our souls will shrivel and die.
“C’mon,” I say, grabbing her sweater and holding it out to her.
“Where?” she asks, her mouth curving in a real smile.
“I don't know…anywhere,” I say my heart clenching when she stands eagerly and precedes me out the door.
She skips ahead of me, and I tip my head to the sky, warmth suffusing my soul. I should’ve done this sooner for Mercy. For me.
“How was school?” I ask, leading her toward the woods, instinct pushing me toward where I know Miriam used to be.
It’s foolish. She’s not waiting for us on the other side, but it brings me peace to know she once was.
“Okay,” Mercy says, scrunching her nose. “Mrs. Jenkins yelled at me again.”
“What for?”
She tips her head and shrugs. “She’s a bitch.”
“Mercy,” I gasp, and she grimaces.
“She is.”
“You can't say things like that,” I say, glancing around warily. Mama would whip her into next Sunday if she caught wind of her cursing. Ugh.
“Why not? Miriam did.”
Grabbing her shoulder, I turn her around and say quietly, “Miriam is gone.”
“I know.” She pulls away, bowing her head. “She left me.”
“She didn't have a choice.”
When she shrugs, I stifle a sigh and wrap my arm around her thin shoulders. She’s stiff at first but slowly relaxes while I fight a surge of tears for her pain.
Mercy, as the youngest, doesn't understand everything going on. We’ve protected her as best we can, but the reality is, eventually, she won’t be able to outrun our parents and their dangerous rules.
We’re all damned.
Not today though. Today, we’ll have some fun, dang it.
Grabbing her hand, I waggle my brows. “Race you.”
“Where?” She raises her blue eyes to mine, and I say, “The other side.”
She takes off immediately and I laugh, calling after her, “Cheater.”
“Ha,” she squeals, and I shake my head.
Her bright hair bounces on her shoulders and I give a brief thought to the hat I forgot to grab, ignoring the pit in my stomach at Mama’s punishment if she catches it. But I can't control her and so I set it aside because Mercy’s laughter means more than a welt or two from the belt.
“I won,” Mercy yells, when she nears the sidewalk on the other side of the park, jumping up and down with a grin. Rolling my eyes, I stop beside her and shove her in the shoulder.
“Don't be a sore loser,” she crows.
With an exaggerated gasp, I push her shoulders again and she turns to me with sparkling eyes, the blue hue extra bright today. I open my mouth to tease her when we’re interrupted by voices coming from across the street.
The park on this side is quiet because all the housing ends at the entrance we came through to get here. Beyond are mostly fields with the occasional barn or shack in between.
Stopping at the edge of the trees, I feel a little thrill when I see Wolf and a few other men standing opposite which fades to a chill when I take in the scene.
With his arms crossed and a frown creasing his eyes, Wolf looks like a fierce warrior.
Despite Daddy’s antipathy toward anything he doesn’t approve of, I know some of what he says must be true. The Shadow Saints don’t abide by the law. Per Daddy, they deal in drugs and wouldn’t flinch at murdering anyone who gets in their way.
Are they murderers?
With Mercy by my side, I’m not comfortable with taking the risk but as soon as I start to back away, he looks up and our eyes lock.
He’s walking across the street before I can retreat and glancing at Mercy, I whisper, “Go. I’ll meet you back at the house.”
Her brows furrow and she looks behind her with a grimace but Wolf Castro might be more a danger than anything in these woods and with a gentle push, I say, “Go on.”
Thank god, she goes and exhaling, I turn back to Wolf as he asks, “You, okay?”
Huh? Waving my hands because despite what Daddy says, I feel flustered rather than afraid, I say, “I’m fine.”
“You sure?” he grunts. “Your sister…”
Oh. Miriam.
Bowing my head, I clench my fingers between the folds of my skirt. I’m not responsible for my parents’ behavior but shame rolls through me anyway.
On the wings of that, I realize with no little horror that I’m wearing the skirt and button-down shirt Mama insists on because as Abernathy women, we don’t show our skin.
Not only that, but with my hair pulled back in braids and face bare of makeup, I really do look like the innocent he believes me to be.
“Lilli?” he says, touching my chin.
My skin tingles under the warmth of his fingers and when I look up, he searches my eyes. What is he looking for?
“You have trouble with that fucker?”
“Who?”
His mouth quirks into a smile and I shiver. He’s so devilishly handsome and I know it’s a sin to covet but I want this very look aimed at me again and again and again.
“The reverend,” he says and my pleasure fades.
“Oh.” Here I am acting like a twitterpated fool and he’s worried about what happened to Miriam. While I’m warm at his concern, I also feel stupid, which is why I shake my head dumbly.
When he drops his hand, I muster a pathetic smile and murmur, “Tell Miriam I miss her and—“
“Gotta go,” he says, and I wonder why he’s so gruff suddenly. “Stay away from the track, you hear me?”
My heart clenches at his words and I swallow back my frustration. Why is he constantly warning me off?
“Yeah,” I say and turn. A few feet into the trees, I glance back to find him watching me. When he nods, I silently sigh and head back to my prison, the noose around my neck, tightening with each step I take in the opposite direction.
At home, I find Mercy back at the table with her head in a book and I close my eyes.
Will I ever be anything more than an Abernathy? Because anymore, the notion crawls under my skin like a cancer.