Furious
Travis
I left Wrenly in the clubhouse to rip Clint a new ass while I called Creed. I could hear her inside screaming at him from the car where I fired up my laptop and stuck the thumb drive into it. Right away Creed said he had a hunch and spent his morning looking into every adult that was in my life as a child. He learned of the MC and it’s charters and consulted Darren.
As I opened files while listening to Creed, it was evident that they were a little too trusting when they let me walk out of the building with the thumb drive. As Creed and I talked, I viewed what they gave me, and I was shocked to say the least. There were cases from all over the country where the perpetrators got off on technicalities. Enough evidence for a conviction, but not in all states. Cases where the arresting officers screwed up, false alibis were given, and the victims were children that were still in danger of being victimized over and over again by their perpetrators. There were also rapists of women, and some older cases Tony handled that were local. I couldn’t believe they just handed it over to me.
We decided very quickly that we needed to involve all the Originals. They had a say on whether or not I discuss an alliance with the MC, and also Creed and I wanted their thoughts on telling Clint, Charlie, and my mom what happened to Bobby and his perpetrators. Creed sent out a text for an emergency meeting and within ten minutes they were all in the conference room.
Before they voted on it, they wanted confirmation of the cases on the thumb drive, and sure as shit simple Google searches told us the perpetrators were either missing or their murders were going unsolved.
I didn’t know what to do, Creed had everything on the line. The entire community would be shut down, Creed and I would go to prison, and Addie would once again lose a father. The twins would be born and have to grow up without their dad.
My mom didn’t understand what she was asking of me. There was too much on the line. The only thing working in our favor, is that we kept no evidence of our crimes, unlike the dumb cops in the MC. Creed covered our tracks, even created alibis, and as far as anyone would ever know, we were in DC meeting with Pennington at the time of the murders. Yes, we are in that deep with the military. Past flight manifests can be manipulated, hotel records could also be changed, and surveillance footage could be erased. That’s what the Originals discussed. Clint and Charlie were cops, and my mother was a stranger that never put my best interest first, but I trusted Clint. That’s what ate at me. Clint. Wrenly’s father. The man she worshipped and loved beyond measure. The thumb drive could destroy her as well. If anything, ever happened to Clint…I couldn’t even think about it.
“I propose you give them nothing today, and Magnus will fly out and meet with them with you. Go to their clubhouse, check it out and let us do our research from back here. If they check out we can discuss an alliance, the leverage they gave us over them speaks volumes.” Creed said.
“We’ve done it for the Devil’s Rejects and The Fallen Angels.” Bolton said..”
“But also, with the State police.” Darren spoke up and I didn’t even know he was in the meeting. What the hell?
“What the hell is Darren doing in an Originals meeting?” I was not just pissed but a bit paranoid. It was one thing to consult him, but to bring him into a meeting?
“I brought him in for a reason, Irons. Go ahead and tell him what you told me, Darren.” Creed prompted.
“I don’t know much.” Darren said. “But there are chapters of this MC and it’s known they are cops. There’s rumors among law enforcement about them, but nothing to this magnitude. They’ve been known to shake up a few crooked politicians, but that’s all I ever heard. But yeah, they’re truly an MC. I have no idea how many members though.”
“They are listed as a charitable organization. I’m guessing that’s how their anonymous backers can legally donate.” Creed said.
“I say we vote.” Granger said.
“Okay, all in favor of sending Magnus out and explore the offer to join alliances raise your hands.”
I obviously couldn’t see them.
“That’s a pass, Irons.” Creed said.
“How about telling his mom the truth?” Bolton asked. “I think she deserves to know, even if it’s presented as a third person account of the details.”
“I think we should wait until I’m out there to feel out the situation.” Magnus said.
They all agreed.
“Alright, I’ll take the first flight out.” Magnus said and that ended the call. I shut down my laptop and put the thumb drive in my pocket before walking back inside the vacant building. They were all talking but it suddenly drew quiet when they looked at me.
I crossed my arms over my chest as I glared at the three people who disappointed me today. Well, mom couldn’t have disappointed me more than she had, but I was pretty damn disappointed in Clint and Charlie.
“Law enforcement officers are meant to be trustworthy individuals paid by tax dollars to uphold the law.” I stated. It was hypocritical, but oh well.
“None of us wear a badge when we are out there doing what’s right for innocent people. Not only that, but in most cases, we are giving these victims a chance at a safer life.” Charlie said.
He could fuck off for all I cared.
“That son of a bitch in Montana didn’t just attempt to violate my six year old daughter, he beat her mother and had a history of abuse toward women and children. The law gave him chance after chance, and he was constantly set free to abuse innocent children and women over and over again. Don’t judge me when it’s apparent you’ve served our kind of justice.” Clint was still obviously furious. “You should have come to me about Bobby the moment you learned anything about his disappearance.”
Wrenly let out a sarcastic laugh. “Right dad, like he would of come running to you, a cop.”
“Not as a cop.” He turned from looking at his daughter to me. “As the guy that hired and paid for your fucking attorney when you were in trouble. As the guy that was willing to bring you into my home and raise you as my own son.” He pointed at Paula and kept looking at me. “If she wouldn’t have stepped in Tony’s way and then mine, it would have been done. I would have went to prison myself to protect you. I’ve respected your privacy, taken care of your home, and not once did I give in to that woman’s begging and pleading to learn where you lived. Charlie has done the same, put his marriage on the line because he refused to investigate your whereabouts. You wanted to live an independent life away from these people and this town, and that’s what we gave you. There should have been no question about my loyalty to you.”
I took a step forward. “You’re standing there next to the woman who threw me away like a piece of trash, and a man that was a cop and didn’t step in when he saw I was being neglected. Nobody stepped in to help, nobody gave me anything permanent. Your friendship with my parents spans far longer than I’ve been alive! Who did anything? Who lifted a finger and made me a priority other than Wrenly? Nobody knew where I was supposed to sleep from night to night, hell I didn’t even know. I belonged nowhere and to nobody. All I had was myself and the only one I could trust was your daughter. Not one adult gave me a reason to trust them, sadly enough, not even Tony. Yeah, he was great, but I wasn’t his priority either. So, I’d think you could probably understand why I turned your help away. So please, explain to me how I’m supposed to trust those two? I trust you, Clint. I know you love Wrenly, and she loves me, but do please tell me why I should trust those two.” I pointed at my mother and step father.
“We gave you leverage.” Mother said.
“Yeah, at the possible expense of Clint! What hurts him hurts the person I love most in this world. So no, you didn’t give me leverage, you gave me a reason to protect him.” I pointed at Clint. “You know I could never use that evidence if you betray me. I would never do anything to hurt Wrenly, even if it means I have to go to prison or be sentenced to death.”
“We wouldn’t let that happen.” Paula said.
“Really? Because I know an eighteen year old boy that has carried the world on his shoulders all these years. You’ve driven by the house, bought his mom groceries when he was locked up, and Tricia sat by and let it happen.” I pointed at myself. “I’m here now and I’ll do for him what nobody did for me.” I was becoming too emotional and not staying on the subject at hand.
“Just set all that aside for now. We have time to put it all to rest later, because it’s not something that will happen overnight.” Charlie the fucking prick spoke up. “You made a call, Travis, let’s stay focused on that.”
I was too furious to look at them and needed to escape. I quickly stepped outside for some air, and Wrenly walked out behind me. She didn’t say a word, just curled up in my arms and let me hold her as I tried to calm down. I was quickly realizing that my healing was far from complete and all I did was fool myself for years. I couldn’t imagine how Brock felt. He felt the tension of Bobby’s disappearance and he was neglected and forgot about, just like me. He had it so much worse than me while watching our father wilt away and die. I’ll be damned if I let that happen with his mother. I want to be the person that fixes this shit for Brock. I want to be the person that was never there for me when I needed someone.
“We’re taking Emma to Indiana.”
Wrenly froze. “Umm…why and where are we putting her?”
“I shouldn’t have said we were taking her, I should have said I’m taking her. Brock has to work in the morning, and I think I need to pay my step mother a visit. I don’t care if I upset her, she can throw whatever she wants at me if she has a tantrum. It’s time she proves she’s his mother and she cares, at least that’s what Brock will think. If she can be convinced, she will give him power of attorney and let me move her into the assisted living center at the nursing home where Jenny works. Creed’s Lake has a good relationship with the administrator, and they have an apartment available. I’ll pay out of pocket until we can get her in there officially. Medicaid will eventually pay some and if I have to make up any kind of difference I will. The administrator said there are waiver programs through Medicaid for assisted living, but it takes time. They do accept self-pay situations, and they have to do some background checks and such, but they’ll make it work. Patrick is officially settled in at Creed’s Lake, and his apartment above the tavern is available for short term until I can find him a house. It won’t be a free ride, but it is a hand up.”
“You want him to have access to his mom whenever he needs it.” She said.
“I can’t treat this like I’m dealing with an adult man. He is eighteen and I can’t presume leaving Emma behind would be easy for him. If she refuses, I’m worried he will give in to her and pass up this opportunity. This way he’s not choosing to take care of himself and just abandon her back here, because I’m sure that’s what it would feel like for him. He said shame is what keeps her held up in that house. Maybe this is one time where it is best to leave the shame behind for a fresh start.”
“You’re a good man, Travis Irons. The best I’ve ever known.” She got on her tippy toes and pecked my lips.
“I’m not on the outs with your dad, but I do need some space to breathe. I think I’m going to get a hotel in Tulsa tonight. I have to fetch Magnus from the airport in the morning anyway.” I needed a better night’s sleep, and I wouldn’t get that at Clint’s. Wrenly and I were both shocked at what we learned about him. I had a lot on my mind, and I needed time to let it absorb.
“Are you upset with me, or can I come with you?” She looked a tad panicked.
“I’m not upset with you and you’re more than welcome to join me, but I presumed you were here to visit your family and wouldn’t want to leave them.”
She gave me the sweetest smile. “I’d rather be with you, plus getting a hotel doesn’t mean our visit is over. We’ll still have plenty of time to visit.” She pecked my lips again. “I only ask one thing of you.”
There she was, comforting me, and I wasn’t the only one that was shocked with information today. “What’s that?”
“Don’t try to do this on your own. Let me in to help you, Travis. If we are going to make this work with us, we have to be a team. We’re in this together. Let me take half the burden.”