Chapter 8
Dagger
“What the fuck, man? Did you hear that? It sounds like someone’s crying?”
The entire room goes silent, listening for the sound, and then I hear it. I’m out of my seat, sending a warning around the room.
“Not a fucking word to her or anyone about this, understood? Not one fucking word.”
They all nod, and I take off down the hall to my room. I rush in and scoop her into my arms, just like I used to when she was a kid. Her sobs are wracking her body, but her eyes are still closed. She’s still asleep. Reliving the nightmare that she went through with her dad.
“Hey, Wyn. You’re okay. It was just a dream. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
The sobs stop abruptly like she’s just come out of it. Fuck. I thought her nightmares had stopped, but they’re back. This must be thanks to that father of hers showing back up in her life. Goddamn, I’m going to kill him. I’m going to make him suffer from limb to limb.
“Vale?”
“Yeah, I got you, baby. You’re in my room. He’s not here, okay? You’re safe.”
I rock her just like I used to, rubbing over her back and trying to soothe her.
“I’m sorry I woke you.”
“Hey, Wyn. No. You don’t have anything to be sorry about.” I omit the fact that I wasn’t asleep, so she doesn’t come to the realization that everyone heard her. We really need to do something about the damn walls in this place. “How long have you been having the dreams again?”
There’s a long stretch of silence, nothing but her shuddering breaths, before she finally answers me.
“Since the day you left.”
It’s like a kick in the gut. Fuck. No wonder she hates me.
I moved out and abandoned her, and there she was suffering all alone.
Her mother never woke up when Wyn was having a nightmare.
Either that, or she didn’t want to acknowledge her daughter’s pain.
I think the guilt of leaving her behind is locked too deep, and she does everything she can to avoid having to face it.
Now that Wyn’s older, there’s too much anger and resentment standing in the way of their relationship.
“I’m sorry, Wyn. I wish you’d told me.”
“And what would you have done? Move back in?”
No, but I would’ve gotten her some help. And I think it’s about time that I did.
“I think you should talk to someone, Wynter. I think a therapist would be able to help you stop the dreams.”
She starts to shift, trying to climb off my lap, but I don’t want her to go. I know she’s not a fan of speaking with a shrink, but she can’t keep everything bottled up inside. It’s destroying her.
“I’m fine, Vale. I don’t need a shrink.”
“If you don’t want to talk to someone, at least talk to me.”
She slowly settles back into my hold, but I can still feel the stiffness in her limbs.
The dark silence only compounds my worry.
I wonder if I should tell her I saw the letter from her dad.
But then she’ll hate me even more for invading her privacy.
I don’t want to fight with her any more tonight.
I just want to hold her and keep her safe.
“What do these symbols mean?”
Her soft voice drifts in as her finger slides down my neck, slowly tracing over my tattoos.
I’m shocked she can see them in the dark, but the light of the moon is shining in through the window.
It’s giving off enough glow to highlight the swollen pain still splotched on her face.
God, she’s breaking my heart. I don’t want her to be tormented by her past anymore. I want to get her some help.
“They’re the symbols for the Greek gods.” My voice is gruff in the stillness of the room. “Poseidon is the one that looks like the trident. Zeus is the lightning bolt. The Caduceus is a staff for Hermes. All seven are represented.”
“That’s really cool.” Her finger traces over the bow for Artemis, sending another shiver over me. “Do you have a favorite?”
“Probably Apollo.” I shift her on my lap, hoping she doesn’t feel the semi that’s formed between my legs. It’s an inappropriate reaction to her touch. But she’s being so gentle. “Apollo had the power of healing.” And if I’d had that power, I could’ve healed my mom.
“And what does this one mean?”
She trails over my left shoulder and across my pec. When her thumb brushes over my nipple, my pulse flips. It wasn’t intentional, but my dick is having a hard time deciphering. I feel like a heathen for being so attracted to her, but no man nor god could be immune to her beauty.
“It’s an ancient warrior symbol for protection.” My voice is even rougher. “Back when men would go into battle, they’d paint this symbol on their skin. It was said that the angel of death would pass over the ones shrouded with this shield.”
“That’s what I need. But does it have to be done in black? Could I make mine colorful?”
I tip her chin up, needing to see her eyes. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, Wyn. If someone tries, I’ll kill them.” Like I intend to kill her father.
“You’re not always going to be around, Vale.” She tugs from my hold and tucks her head back down.
“Your dad isn’t going to walk free, Wynter.” As soon as I mention him, her body turns rigid. It even feels like the temperature of her skin has dropped. “Even if he comes up for parole, they won’t let him walk free.”
He’s not even going to live until the hearing. She drops her eyes to my stomach, obviously not wanting to talk about it.
“What does this tattoo mean?”
Her fingers trail down my abs, a slow swipe over each ripple, and it causes more goose bumps to form across my skin. My pulse is rioting now. If she doesn’t stop, I’m going to be forming a mess in my pants.
“It’s the Savage Knight coat of arms.” I struggle to focus on the details. “The symbol for our brotherhood. We each have one somewhere on our bodies. King’s is on his back, shielded under two black wings. He’s our Prez and it’s his job to protect us.”
“Why’d you join the club, Vale?”
No one in my family has ever asked me that before.
I’m not sure there was a single driving force that led me here.
It wasn’t like I was running from a dark past or in need of the club’s protection.
I wasn’t caught up with the wrong crowd or seeking out danger.
My life was steady, and I was happy with the status quo.
But then I learned what the men stood for, and I decided I wanted to patch in.
“At the time I met them, I was still a student. The instructor had brought in an old Indian Roadster and allowed me to tinker with it. By the time I was done, it looked brand new. Turned out it was King’s old bike, and when he came to pick it up, he offered me a job on the spot.
” Told me their bikes are their babies, and they wanted someone they could trust to work on them.
“It was an offer I couldn’t refuse, and a job of a lifetime.
” There’s no way I would’ve made that kind of money anywhere else.
“When I started working for them, I didn’t even really know what they were about.
I kept my head down, did my job, and minded my own business.
But over time, I grew close with the men and got to hear things here and there.
My respect for them grew. Then one day, the sheriff and four of his men showed up at the shop.
I about pissed my pants thinking they were there to make an arrest. Instead, they were there to ask for assistance on a case.
It was then I knew what kind of power the Savage Knights held, and I wanted to be a part of it. ”
“So the cops are okay with you guys being one-percenters?” Her voice sounds incredulous. “It sounds like the cops are corrupt too.”
Some of them definitely are. Make no bones about it. Some of them are more crooked than the mafia. But that’s exactly why we’re here. To keep things in order.
“When that one percent works in their favor, they’re okay with it.”
“Wow. I don’t know whether that’s seriously concerning or really cool.”
“It’s cool.” I smile. “Your brother is a total badass.”
Even in the dark, I can see her eyes roll. I grip onto her sides and start tickling her. She squirms in my arms, giggling as she tries to get away from me. It’s a relief to hear after the sobbing terror she faced in her sleep.
“Vale, stop. You’re going to make me pee.”
I let up and plop her down on the bed, then I get myself situated. I’m not leaving her alone anymore. In case those demons come back, I’ll be here.
“Night, Wyn.” I pull the blankets up over us, settling in. It’s been a long-ass day.
“Thanks, Vale.”
Her soft whisper hooks me in the chest. For as much as this girl puts up one hell of a fight, she’s got a sweet core. We just need to figure out how to make her show it to the world.