Chapter Eight Rev
After Annabel left and I apologized to Bishop, he and I silently stared each other down for a few minutes.
I knew what I needed to say to him—what I had to say.
But while the admission seemed to have flowed so effortlessly from my lips just hours earlier, I found myself tongue tied with a mouth full of sawdust.
After clearing my throat several times, I managed to croak, “You want the truth about what happened to me? The truth about what brought me out here?”
He shot me a surprised glance, and I knew that was the last thing he expected me to say. “Of course I do.”
Leaning back against the tile, I nodded. “Then here it is.”
For the second time that day, the bathroom became my confessional.
I once again purged myself of the terrible secret I had kept hidden for so many years—and from so many of the people I loved.
Telling Bishop was just as frightening as I had imagined it would be.
When I finished, I felt as if all the muscles, tendons, and bones in my body had been stripped away, and I stood bare to my very soul in front of him. It was both terrifying and liberating.
Meanwhile I cocked my head at Bishop, waiting for his response. Surprise flooded me at the sight of tears in his eyes. He swayed on his feet like he wanted to close the distance between us, but he was unsure of how I might react. “Fuck man, I don’t know what to say.”
With a humorless laugh, I said, “That seems to be the consensus when hearing the story.”
“And you never told Mama?”
I shook my head. “No one but Preacher Man and Breakneck knew.”
“Jesus,” he muttered, as he scrubbed the tears from his eyes. “I just can’t…all those years…” His breath exhaled in a wheeze. “When Preacher Man left, I was just a kid, but I still remember wondering what the fuck could have possibly gone wrong.”
“It was because of me.”
Bishop’s face clouded over, and he jabbed his index finger at me.
“Oh hell no it wasn’t. I don’t care what kinda guilt shit you’ve carried around all these years, but I’m not going to fucking stand here and let you blame everything that happened on you.
To start with, it was that fucking pervert’s fault.
And even though I hate to say it, Preacher Man was to blame too for letting it get the best of him. ”
Now it was my turn to fight back the tears. Deep down, I had always feared that if Deacon, or especially Bishop, found out my secret, they would hate me for ruining the family. “Thanks, man. I appreciate you saying that.”
“It’s the truth. I mean every fucking word. I ain’t sugar coating anything.”
I snorted. “You guilty of sugarcoating? Never.”
Bishop grinned. “Damn straight.”
Pushing myself off the wall, I moved closer to him. “One reason I told you my story was because I felt you had a right to finally know. But there’s another reason as well.”
“What’s that?”
“Annabel.”
Bishop’s brows came together in confusion. “What does she have to do with it?”
“Everything. She’s the reason I came out to Texas. At first it seemed like Sarah was the only reason, but after everything that has happened, I understand now. While I might’ve saved Annabel, she did the same for me by allowing me to finally get rid of the secrets.”
“You told her before you told me?” he questioned accusingly.
“Yeah, I did.”
Although he appeared angry, I knew Bishop was hurt more than anything. “But I’m your blood, man. I’m your blood and your MC brother.”
I placed my hand on his shoulder. “I know that. Just like being in the Raiders bonds us with our brothers, the same thing can be said for me and Annabel and the abuse we suffered.”
Bishop rubbed his jaw while eyeing me thoughtfully. “I guess I get what you’re saying. But I gotta be honest and say I don’t really like it.”
“I’m not asking you to like it. I just want you to respect it. And I want you to respect her.”
His blue eyes narrowed. “I ain’t never disrespected her.”
“It’s two different things, brother. You need to respect her feelings. There’s nothing for her to go back home to besides two self-absorbed assholes for parents. While it might not make any sense and it won’t be easy, she should come to Georgia with us if she wants to.”
“You talked to Deacon about this?”
I laughed. “Are you suggesting I need to clear my business by him? Last time I checked I made my own money and owned my row house at the compound.”
“It ain’t just your business. You’re bringing home a former Diablos captive and drug cartel’s favorite piece of ass.”
My fists coiled in rage at my side, and before I could stop myself, I shoved Bishop.
Hard.
His arms pinwheeled wildly as he flew back against the wall. “Do not ever refer to Annabel like that again.”
Bishop slowly shook his head back and forth. “Jesus, man, what has come over you with this girl?”
I threw my hands up in exasperation. “I already told you—”
“It’s more than just that.” He eyed me suspiciously. “You’re not ready to let her go either, are you?”
“No, I’m not, but it’s not for the reason you think.”
He cocked his brows at me. “You sure about that?”
“While she’s healing, I’ll do everything within my power to help her. I don’t want Annabel to spend wasted years of her life drowning in useless emotion.” Staring straight into his eyes, I said, “I really would like to have you on my side.”
Bishop crossed his arms over his chest and grunted. “I should be offended that you even have to question whether or not I’m on your side.” His expression lightened. “You’re my brother—I’m always on your side. I might not like the shit you’re doing, but I’m with you.”
I couldn’t contain the smile that spread across my face. “I’m so glad to hear you say that.”
“Just remember though. We never let puss—er, women come between us. Got it?”
“It’s a deal.”
***
The next morning I awoke to the sound of someone pounding on the door. Annabel shot straight up in the bed with a whimper of alarm. “Easy, now,” I assured her.
My words did little to ease her fears as her body began to shake. Although I would’ve preferred to stay and comfort her, I couldn’t ignore the pounding any longer.
“Lock the door behind me,” I instructed.
Annabel’s eyes widened in fear, but she didn’t argue with me. Instead, she slipped out of the bed and
I grabbed the gun off the nightstand and hustled down the hallway. Cocking my gun, I demanded, “Who the fuck is it?”
“Just Chulo,” came the muffled reply.
I peeked out the ragged curtain to confirm he was alone.
“What the fuck are you doing here so early?”
He waved a manila folder at me. “I have the paperwork for you guys.”
Relief echoed through me.
While Annabel forced down some breakfast, I slipped in the shower to get ready. I had almost finished when Annabel’s blood curdling scream had me barreling out the door, buck naked and ready to take someone out.
With her eyes widened in fear, Annabel cowered on the bed.
Her horror came from the three strange bikers standing in the room.
Of course, I could see the back of their cuts plainly read “Raiders”.
“Wait, it’s okay, Annabel. These guys aren’t going to hurt you,” I said.
Quickly, I ducked behind Sidewinder so she didn’t have to see me naked.
I hadn’t bothered to stop for a towel when I heard her screaming.
“Rev?” she pleaded as if she couldn’t imagine safety among any bikers other than Bishop and me.
“Yeah. Give me one sec. Okay?”
“Um, okay.”
I raced back into the bathroom and threw a towel around my waist. When I came back out, Chulo had his hands up as if Annabel was arresting him. I bypassed the two to go to Annabel’s side.
Chulo put his hands down and smiled. “We’re sorry to have scared you, but we just wanted to stop by and see you before you left.”
“You did?” Annabel asked.
He nodded. “I knew you would need something to wear, so I borrowed some things from my girlfriend.” When Sidewinder snickered, Chulo smacked him on the back of the head. “They’re probably going to be a little big on you because I like my women thick.” He then held out the bag to Annabel.
She took it and smiled at him. “Thank you. That was very kind of you. Please thank your girlfriend for me as well.”
Chulo grinned sheepishly. “If it’s all the same with you, I would prefer not to mention that I was giving some strange woman her clothes.”
Ghost nodded. “Lucia would beat his ass if she thought he was cheating.”
While I chuckled, Annabel murmured, “Oh.” Her face tinged pink. “Well, thank you anyway.”
When she started off the bed, her face became eye-level with my chest. For a moment, she paused as she stared at my intricate tattoos. She even took the time to read some of the lined verses.
The longer she remained pressed against me, the more convoluted my feelings became. I inwardly berated myself for even momentarily enjoying the feel of having her so near to me. What kind of sick asshole would I be if I was remotely thinking of Annabel in an intimate way?
Finally her gaze swept to mine. “I, uh, I’ll go get ready now.”
“Okay,” I replied, as I was grateful for her to put some distance between us.
She hurried past me into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.
“Sorry we scared her, Rev,” Ghost apologized.
“It’s okay. I should’ve mentioned you guys might be coming by.”
As the shower turned on, Ghost stared past me to the bathroom. “How’s she doin’?”
I shrugged as I reached for a clean shirt. “Good as can be expected I guess.”
“I guess she knows to get the hell out of Texas, right?”
“Yes. She knows.” When I pulled my cut over my shirt, Chulo whistled and shook his head. “What?” I asked.
“Don’t be wearing colors at the border. That’ll get your shit flagged.”
“Oh, okay.” I didn’t know why I hadn’t thought of that myself. As I pulled off my cut, I asked, “You think we’re going to have any problems getting out of the country?”
Chulo’s dark brows rose. “You doubting our paperwork ability?”