24. Silas
TWO WEEKS LATER
It hurt to reach for the lemons, which was going to be a mother fucker to get past, but my doctor said I just needed more recovery time.
Technically I wasn’t even supposed to be in the orchard working, but I needed to get back into my routine. While Natty, Rook and Ryle had been taking care of things, there was something therapeutic about being out here, about tending to the fruit and ensuring the trees were healthy.
There was also the nightmare I had last night that was still in my head, still behind my eyelids when I closed my eyes. The orchard on fire, burning so hot that it crawled toward the cottage, and burned my home down too. It was so real, so vivid that it had me reflecting on the Destroyers arriving, and the war they had brought to our doorstep, and then seemingly just disappeared.
Lance explained that Archer Green was the only reason they survived the attack. That them slinking back into the shadows was due to being outnumbered. He’d also told me what he offered in exchange for the Stone Riders leaving the club to get me that doctor. While I knew my best friend would do just about anything for me, the reason I was alive, and Lance had agreed to what he had was all because of Natty.
My wife was a force to be reckoned with when her loved ones were in danger. And for me, I knew she’d move heaven and earth if she had to, just like I would for her. Still, even with them gone, I knew he wasn’t gone.
“So, you ever going to tell me who he is?” Natty asked, walking up behind me. She had on a pair of jeans, a pair of brown boots and a tattered hoodie that made her look beautiful in a way that shouldn’t even be possible.
“Who?”
I turned back toward the orchard and started walking farther into the trees.
“Your brother.”
I was turned away from her, so she didn’t see my face when she said that. Alec flashed through my mind, his gray eyes so much like my father’s. The easy smile he always offered to Natty, the way he was always staring at her. The love he had for her. Then my mind went somewhere dark.
Memories so painful that I had repressed them. An older brother who tortured both Alec and me. Someone made from the exact cut of cloth that Fable had been cut from.
“There’s nothing to tell, Caelum.”
She had her arms crossed, her green eyes watching me so keenly. Curled pieces of dulled sunshine tucked into a braid, her flawless skin flushed from the cold. I wanted to pull her under my arm, and kiss her.
“Silas, I have your back. Forever. I’ll always stand in your corner, on your side of the line, whether it’s right or wrong…but for the sake of our sons, I need to know.”
That caught my attention, making me turn.
“What do you mean?”
She pulled something from her pocket. “Rook said a man named Max was in the cellar. A man who said he was your brother. He gave this to our son to give to you once you were well enough to process it.”
My adrenaline spiked, my heart thrashing around in my chest.
Fingers trembling, I took the note and stared at it.
“Open it,” Natty urged, and that made me think she’d already read it.
Unfolding each edge, I slowly opened the letter.
Silas,
I will give you until they’re grown to get away from the Stone Riders. I know it was you who killed our father, but I have an old debt with Simon Stone I want to settle with his club. Remove your family from the crosshairs and they’ll be spared. I decided to take pity on little Rook, so I will give you until he’s graduated and old enough to defend himself if he needs to. You’re all more than welcome to fight with me. But I’m coming for them, and if you’re in my way, you’ll die. Tell your wife, it’s time she chooses a side.
- Max
Natty stepped closer.
“Who is he, Silas?”
Natty’s whisper had me stepping back, trying to catch my breath.
Rage I hadn’t felt since I realized Natty had been hurt by Dirk rushed through me like fire. My wife stepped closer, pressed her lips to my neck, then whispered, “Tell me.”
Old memories rushed through my mind, things I never wanted to revisit.
Things I thought I could outrun.
Finally, swallowing the lump in my throat, I answered her.
“He’s a monster and they don’t show mercy, so this is a lie or a ruse. Either way, we can’t trust it.”
My wife’s face was drawn down in worry. “So what does this mean?”
My shoulder ached, my ribs felt cracked, and this note was only making things worse. But through it, I finally felt some clarity.
“It means we need to make a choice. We either double cross the Stone Riders and hide amongst the Death Raiders, and fight with Max.”
“Or?” Natty stepped closer, drawing her body flush with mine. It was a tactical move because she didn’t like my answer.
I kissed the tip of her nose. “Or we raise our sons as Stone Riders and prepare them for the battle of the century.”
“We could always move. Go back to London. I liked London.” Natty wrapped her arms around me, squeezing tight.
“Maybe we should…but he’s still coming for Killian, and by default his kids, Laura and everyone else tied to the club. That’s your family and I know it matters to you if they get hurt. I think it matters to our sons too.”
“So we fight?” Natty’s face tipped up, and I pressed a kiss to her mouth .
“We fight, and this time, we make sure the Stone Riders are ready for my brother.”
The End….