Chapter Twenty-One
Sera
Ican’t believe this is happening right now. I never wanted them to find out this way. I know I’m going to have to open up and tell them all the truth. I can’t let their imaginations run away with them. They need the cold, hard facts so they can deal with their emotions about what happened to me.
Blade and I are alone for now in the room where they hold Church. It’s massive in here. There’s a long rectangle table with eight seats behind it. My guess would be that’s where all the Officers sit. The rest of the room is just chairs. No doubt where all the other members sit.
Blade walks towards the table and pulls out a seat before flopping into it. I walk over and go to pull out the seat next to him, but he stops me and pulls me into his lap.
“I need you close, Angel.” He says against my neck.
I can’t help but melt back against him. His larger build around me feels like a safety net. I need that right now.
“I need you too, Blade. Thank you for what you did out there.”
“Don’t need your thanks, Angel. Are you ready for this? They’re going to have lots of questions.”
“I know. I’ll be fine as long as you’re here. You give me strength.”
”I”m not going anywhere. If you want to do this whole talk from my lap, I’m not going to complain.”
“I think I might like that.”
I feel him smile against my neck, and then his lips lightly graze me. It’s the softest kiss I’ve ever felt, and it means the fucking world to me. As he pulls back, I turn my face towards him, giving him a quick peck on the lips. I need him to know my intentions. We don’t have time to talk about it right now, but I can make it clear with my actions.
Blade’s eyes are heated when I pull back. I know he’s on the same page as me. Whatever this is between us, we’re going to explore it. As I turn back around, the door opens, and my family steps in. They all look somber.
No one says anything about where I’m sitting, thankfully. They just all walk up and take seats. Except for Wreck and Flame. They position themselves behind my brothers. Both placing their hands on their shoulders. More than likely for comfort and to keep them as calm as possible.
I look around the table, and even though they know the horrid things about my past, not one of them looks disgusted at me. Which is a relief.
“What do you want to know?” I ask.
“How long did it go on for?” Wrath asks.
“Longer than I want to admit. I was seventeen when it stopped.”
“Fucking hell. I don’t even have words to describe how sorry I am that you lived through all that.”
“I don’t want you to feel sorry for me, Wrath. I want you to accept that it happened, but I survived. I’m stronger for it.”
“You did survive, sweetheart, and I’m so fucking proud of the woman you turned out to be. I’m lucky to have a daughter like you.” My Dad says, voice choked up.
“I never wanted you to find out this way.”
“We know that. Shit happened out of your control, Sera.” Flame says.
“What do you want done with her?” Mama June asks.
“You can do whatever you want with her. I honestly don’t care as long as she’s out of my life for good.”
“She will be, sweet girl. Don’t you worry. I’m sorry we met like this, but I’m glad you’re here.” Mama June says.
I smile and nod at her, then turn my attention to Shadow. He hasn’t said a word yet. He looks the most affected, if I’m being honest.
“Shadow?” I say, warily.
He looks up and locks eyes with me. His eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you. You’re my little sister; that’s my job.”
The minute the words are out of his mouth, I’m off Blade’s lap and heading for my brother. As soon as I reach him, I wrap my arms around him. It’s a little awkward with me standing and him sitting, but I don’t care. He clearly needs this right now.
Pulling back, I stare into his eyes. “You’re protecting me now. You want to find every person who hurt me? Go ahead, if I know Blade like I think I do. Tech is already compiling a list.”
Shadow shoots to look at Blade, who’s got an evil smirk on his face and is nodding his head. However, before anyone can say anything, Shadow’s phone starts ringing on the table. He leans over me to look, and if I hadn”t been so close, I might have missed it, but he gets a look of distress. He doesn’t answer, though. He clicks his screen and then places it face down on the table.
We go back to talking, with Blade explaining what he’s already set in motion with Tech and me answering more questions about just what happened to me growing up. Also explaining how I managed to make her stop at seventeen. Telling them about the blackmail material I managed to record about her illegal dealings at least manages to draw little smiles from them all. I can’t help but feel like the luckiest woman on the planet to be a part of this now. I’d never have had the opportunity to have those pictures destroyed or for every man who abused me to get what’s coming to them if I hadn”t overheard about these people. My family.
Shadow’s phone starts vibrating again, and this time he answers.
“Hello.” He says as he answers.
We can’t exactly hear what’s being said on the other side, but we can make out a voice shouting at him. Shadow now has everyone’s attention, and from the look on his face, he isn’t happy about it.
“I can’t talk right now. I’m in a meeting.” He says, interrupting whoever is on the phone.
He listens to whatever they have to say before hanging up and blowing out a massive breath.
“Everything okay?” Wreck asks, looking at Shadow curiously.
“Yeah fine. Sorry about that.”
The conversation carries on around me, with them all discussing what to do once they have names, but I’m not paying attention. I’m focused on Wreck, who doesn’t look happy at all. He looks annoyed. What’s that all about?