Chapter 42 #2
I wish I had said it before when we were alone, but it is what it is and when his eyes light with an unnatural fire, I squeeze his fingers, wrapped around mine.
However, the little zing of pleasure fades when Peter says, “What are you doing, Delaney? These fuckers are scum.”
When half a dozen bikers with a serious dose of distrust for the law stiffen, I rush to say before he starts a war, he can’t possibly win, “No, Peter. They’re not. They’re people, like you and me.”
My words are lost to him though. The truth isn’t always pretty but with her omission, my mom’s created a fissure in our relationship that neither Peter nor I can mend.
Oblivious to our exchange, Peter pushes past her and says, “Enough! Have you seen what they did to your mother?”
To my shock, he grabs her arm and pushes her forward.
“Hey now,” Joker says but Peter’s on a roll.
More disturbing is Mom’s lifeless reaction when Peter pulls up her shirt, revealing her abdomen.
The room drops to silence and my throat closes when I see the brand marring her otherwise smooth stomach.
“Is that…?” I whisper.
“These fuckers branded your mother, Delaney. Still think you’re in love,” he sneers.
Speechless, I shake my head while Mom steps away, her chin wobbling.
Joker didn’t do that, right? He wouldn’t do that.
Fuck, I hope that I’m not wrong.
“Red,” Joker says, and she shakes her head. “Tell me why you have our colors on your fucking body.”
“Ha!” Peter barks while Mom looks over the assembled crowd.
When her gaze stops on me, her eyes flicker before she says, “Ice did this to me after I left.”
My stomach bottoms out at her words and I shiver, taking comfort from Maddox’s warm arms, wrapped around my body.
“Why?” I whisper. Nothing should surprise me by now but branding. Fuck me.
Her lips lift into a humorless smile before she meets Joker’s wide eyes and says, “He punished me when I chose you.”
I can’t define the expression that crosses Joker’s face but my heart falls when he slams his fist against the wall before dropping to his knees.
Clutching his head, he mutters an expletive that’s lost to Peter’s chuckle.
The bitter sound slides down my spine like razors as he rolls his head her way and says, “You said it yourself, Helen. You didn’t want this life for her.”
“You’re right,” she says, stiffening. After throwing her arm into the air, she continues, “I didn’t want my life for her, but this isn’t my life, Peter.”
Her shining eyes meet mine and I feel the first blip of hope that falters under Peter’s vitriol when he says, “You left this shit for a reason. I never thought my little girl would turn out to be a patch whore.”
The cruel words so casually spoken create an uproar when Maddox says, “What the fuck did you just say?”
Although my stomach swirls at Peter’s brutal proclamation, I’m reminded of Maddox saying the same thing not too long ago. This is born out of fear and hurt, and maybe it’s cruel but I understand, I do.
He’s grieving the loss of his only child and as long as he believes it was me who didn’t fulfill my duty in watching Petey, having sex in my room at that, he will never get past his hurt and anger.
Not so Maddox though and maybe it’s because he too remembers uttering the filthy slur, he rushes forward.
Behind me, I hear Romeo mutter, “Fuck.”
Simultaneously, Joker springs forward and I cry out when Peter staggers back, reaching for his gun.
Unfortunately, Maddox follows but when I move to intervene, Romeo picks me up and turns away.
“Let me go!” I cry.
“Nope,” he says, and I flail in his hold until Joker barks, “Enough!”
To my relief, Peter dangles in Joker’s arms, the gun previously in his hand, now resting on the floor.
Dazed, I turn back to Maddox, who shouts, “You piece of fucking shit. Delaney is pure. She’s fucking everything. You want to hurt someone, hurt me!”
“Fuck,” Romeo says, and I slump in his arms.
This will never work. Look what’s already happened?
Maddox almost assaulted a police officer, whom Joker is now restraining. This is so not going to end well.
If Maddox and I continue this charade, what will happen to our families?
I can’t change Peter’s prejudice against MC’s but maybe knowing the truth will temper his anger toward the wrong person which is why I whisper, “Mom? If you’re really trying, you can’t hide from what happened.”
Of course, she shakes her head, and I let it go because this isn’t my battle, although I wish she would try a little fucking harder to fight her own.
When Maddox meets my gaze, I mouth, I’m sorry.
Shaking his head, he winks and says, “Princess, nothing and no one could keep me from you.”
“You don’t understand,” I mumble, touching the pulse speeding away in my neck.
“Oh, I understand,” Maddox says, “but I don’t care. I will walk through fire for you, Delaney and the sooner this fuckhead gets it, the sooner we can get to exploring.”
His mouth tilts into an adorable smile and I tip my head, acknowledging his message. We’re in this together, no matter who or what is against us.
A new warmth invades my chest, and I smile, so very grateful for this man, and the fight he’s not willing to lose…for me.
“This is real sweet and all,” Peter sneers. “But I’m not here for this shit.”
“Stop. Just stop it,” Mom barks and Peter pounds his head against the wall.
Thankfully, Joker has backed off, but Peter still looks ready to pounce at any moment.
Meanwhile, I spy Jersey lurking behind him and when our eyes meet, I shake my head.
Now, I know I’m in hell because the broody, serial killer looking MC brother just winked at me.
As though sensing my defeat or maybe finally seeing what her choices have brought, Mom says, “Stop.”
She spins in a circle, meeting the eyes of the Saints men before she stops beside my stepdad and says, “Peter, look at me!”
His brows flicker but he refuses to turn. Undeterred, she says, “Stop this. You’re punishing her for something she didn’t do. You’re punishing them. It’s not their fault, Peter.”
“Yeah?” he drawls. “Then whose is it?”
“Mine,” she says, and he closes his eyes. “I lied because I was scared and then that lie became a bigger lie until I couldn’t see the truth any longer.”
My skin prickles at her whispered words but I don’t know what the answer to all of this is.
Her lips tremble when she touches her mouth and I brace myself for the fallout as she turns to Joker, and says, “I didn’t leave because I couldn’t live the life.”
His blue eyes flicker but he doesn’t move until she says, “I was ashamed. Ice, he raped me…”
There it is the confirmation I was dreading, and I inch away from Maddox in anticipation of his rage, but he hauls me back into his side as she says, “I was pregnant, and I didn’t know…”
She clears her throat and from the corner of my eyes I see Joker bow his head.
“At the time,” she continues, “I thought it was a blessing when I miscarried.”
Wait? What?
“I’m sorry, little songbird,” she says. “I lied to you. I know who your father is.”
Licking my numb lips, I prepare for the truth to drop into this room like a bomb but I’m both surprised and confused when she says, “It’s Diablo.”