Chapter 36 #2
He clasps my hand tighter. “Bron, if that was the answer, maybe you and Trip could make me turn my back on the Kings, but if I did, I don’t think I’d be a man you could respect.
I have to stay here and fight with my brothers.
” He holds up a finger on his free hand to shush me as I go to speak.
“Hate to tell you this, darlin’. But courtesy of your asshole of a father, the MDMC has put a target on your back.
They’d likely be on your trail wherever you went.
It’s too much of a risk, Bron. You’re safer here, where my brothers and I can protect you. ”
The MDMC is after me? For a moment, I just stare at him in shock.
Sure, my life up to now hasn’t been typical, though does anyone have the perfect existence?
I suspect, all too often, more than we know goes on behind closed doors.
But apart from my less-than-stellar upbringing, I’m bound by citizen rules, and live in a society where normal people don’t casually talk about lockdowns and wars.
What do I really know of his world? Do I want to be part of it?
My impulse is to grab my son and run. But where to?
And alone, who would protect us? I’ve never even held a gun, let alone fired one.
And though I’d fight like crazy to save Trip, my size is against me.
Any man could overpower me, and probably without breaking a sweat.
Against a club of bikers who want to take my life?
I wouldn’t stand a chance. I’ve no option, have I?
I’ve got to stay here and trust the Kings.
Short’s taken another drink from his glass. In fact, he’s drained the contents. He stares down as if trying to magic some more. When he finally lifts his eyes, the expression in them catches and holds mine.
“There’s more, Bron.”
His tone suggests there’s not just more of the same that he’s already told me. It leads me to suspect that it’s worse. I can’t imagine what he has to tell me, so I rasp at him, “Just spit it out.”
He swallows hard. “Bron, you won’t be seeing your father again.”
He betrayed the Kings? “He’s run away.” I want to spit with disgust. “I won’t cry any tears if he’s out of my life for good.”
Short’s other hand comes out and wraps my fingers in his, so he’s now holding both of mine. “He’s dead, Bron.”
Dead? I just stare at him for a moment, wondering if it’s a joke.
How could the larger-than-life man, who’d tormented me for so many years, who thought it was his right to rape me, and then arrange to sell my son, with me being powerless to do anything about any of the shit he’d pulled, be gone?
How could this monster really be dead? Lost for words, not knowing what I should be feeling, whether I’m a bad child for not caring about my dad’s demise, I stay deep in my head for a moment.
Then, I ask for the confirmation I’m sure is coming.
“This other club, the Mojave Devils, they took him out?”
His shoulders stiffen, but he shakes his head.
“Nah, though it was probably likely if they got their hands on him. Bron, I can’t start what we have between us on a lie.
It was us, the Kings.” His eyes darken. “What he did, what he proposed to do to you and the kid, put him on shaky ground. But he betrayed the Kings, and no man lives after that.”
For a moment, I sit, stunned. But when Short’s face falls, I know he’s mistaking my reaction. He lets go of my hands, and a look of defeat comes over him.
Gradually, I stand. Short pushes his chair back and gets to his feet. I’m conscious we’ve got an audience. Okay, sure, they’re trying to be discreet about it, but the room is full of Kings, and they’re waiting for my reaction.
They killed my dad. If I don’t do this right, there will always be awkwardness between me and Short’s brothers.
Wanting Short and them to know exactly where I stand, I pick up my vodka tonic, which I’ve not yet touched.
Raising my glass, I hold it toward one group after the other, and finally in Short’s direction. The room has gone silent.
Noticing it’s the men surrounding me, and the visitors have congregated around the bar, I keep my voice low so only the members can hear me.
“I feel like singing, ‘Ding Dong, the witch is dead,’ but in this case it’s the abusive asshole.
I can’t tell you how many times I wished he’d stop breathing.
So, I’d like to thank all the Kings who made this possible.
” I raise my glass again, and this time, as conversations restart, there are clinks from all around as Short’s brothers tap beer bottles or glasses together.
Short almost leaps over the table to get to me, and all of a sudden, I’m in his arms, his lips on mine.
Not only does he ravage my mouth, but his roaming hands palm my ass, pulling me in so I can feel his hard cock.
And, oh, that tingling sensation starts again, which has me chasing relief. Shamelessly, I rub myself against him.
The silence of before has been replaced by a cacophony of sound, and gradually some of the words from those nearest to us start to get through to me.
Along with the wolf whistles, lewd comments come, which before would have made me blush, but tonight they just excite me.
After last night, I’m pretty sure Short is fully capable of fulfilling all their recommendations.
When he catches up with me and remembers where we are, he whispers, “Fuck, Bron, I really didn’t know how that was going to go down. I thought you’d hate me, knowing I was a part of what happened to your dad.”
Reaching up, I cup my hands around his cheeks and stare earnestly up at him. “Did he suffer?”
Short doesn’t lie to me. “Yes.”
“Good,” I reply sharply. “Now can we go find Trip?”
He groans. “I thought we were going to get down and dirty.”
Rising on tiptoe, he accommodates me by leaning down, so I can speak directly into his ear. I respond, “I’d love to, but, Short, we’re parents now. We’ve got to at least make sure Trip’s happy before we think of ourselves.”
There’s another loud groan, but then he takes my hand and leads me toward the stairs, while explaining, “Saw Trix take him up a few minutes back. I expect he’s tired, and it is past his bedtime.”
They say it takes a whole village to raise a child, and though I’m trying to learn quickly, I’m happy to be surrounded by people who are ready and willing to help out.
And the conversation I’d had with Short was definitely not for young ears.
When I know he can truly understand, maybe I’ll tell Trip what happened to his father.
Or maybe not. It depends on how much he remembers and which truth is the kindest for him.
It’s slow going as we navigate the room. It seems like every man wants to pat my shoulder or arm, offering their gestures of support and appreciation for the gratitude I’ve shown.
Bullseye stops us just as we’re about to ascend the first step. He gives me one of those piercing looks that used to make me shake on the spot. That I’ve grown more comfortable around these men is proven. I’m rock steady as I return his gaze with a weighted stare of my own.
“It had to be done, Bronwyn.”
“He betrayed the club. Worse, he betrayed his family,” I respond.
“If you’d have let me, I’d have plunged a knife into his cold heart myself.
” Closing my eyes for a second, I shake my head.
“I broke free of his spell the moment I knew what he was going to do to Trip.” Though, as it turned out, what he intended was far worse than what I’d thought.
“My sperm donor had no care about the children he’d brought into the world.
He wanted me permanently out of the picture, and what he wanted for Trip…
” My voice can’t even put it into words.
“I don’t care what the real reason you got rid of him was.
I’m just glad he’s gone.” I hesitate, then tentatively put my challenge to the prez of the Kings of Anarchy. “You are sure he’s dead, aren’t you?”
Instead of being angry that I’ve questioned his word, Bullseye barks a laugh. “Words put him in the cremator an hour ago.” As I turn to proceed up the stairs, he puts out his hand and stops me. “What do you want to do about your mom? She’s going to be raising questions when he doesn’t come home.”
Remembering how she hadn’t lifted a finger to save me, and it seems likely that at least part of my son’s problems are down to her, I say, “You know what, Bullseye? I don’t give a fuck.
She can work it out for herself.” Then, a thought hits me.
“If she reports him missing, it won’t come back to you and the club, will it? ”
He chuckles. “Our arrangement with Doc was done on a handshake. Any relationship she implies between us will be our word against hers. And, she knows she’s complicit in his abuse of you by covering it up, along with Trip’s birth.
She’s got far too much to lose to come pointing fingers.
” He raises his chin toward Short. “Can you get Bronwyn settled with Trip, and then come find me? I’d like a word. ”
Short gives an up and down movement of his head in return.
Each step I take reminds me that both Trip and I are free of the man who’d made our lives a living nightmare.
Sure, I only have to look down at the men preparing for war to know we’re not going to be safe to enjoy our new lives any time soon.
Whatever is coming for us can’t be worse than what’s gone before.
I can’t waste my time worrying about what-ifs and maybes, even when it seems to be the most appropriate question now.
I’ve got my son to look after, and I’m going to protect him with everything I am, just like a mother bear.
I may be small, but woe betide anyone who crosses me.