“Less than two minutes.”
“Did you ask Libby what had happened?”
“Of course, I did. She kept repeating she was glad he’s dead, and that he deserved it.”
Fucking liar.
Glancing at Dex, he slightly shakes his head, in which I’m hoping is him telling me not to worry.
“Okay, tell me what happened the day you fought with Dex.”
The bruises are still visible, and I hope they hurt.
“Libby was getting worked up because Dex was telling Gabe he thought Rebecca was responsible, I got her out and took her upstairs, so she could calm down.”
“Have you ever been in a relationship with Libby?”
“No.”
“Have you fucked her?”
“No.”
“Are you telling me you’ve never wanted to?”
“We have rules, brother’s sisters and daughters are off limits, so no, I’ve never wanted to.”
I snort, his lies are just rolling off his tongue as light as the air I breathe.
“Is he lying?” Cas asks me.
“For sure.”
I’m all cocky until he pulls out a gun from the back of his jeans. He releases the safety catch and points it at Baze.
“Are you lying? I mean, look at her, she’s young but she’s a looker, are you seriously telling me you’re a stickler for the rules, and haven’t even thought about fucking her?”
His jaw ticks and I don’t think it will be too much longer before Cas pushes him too far.
“You’ve fucked her, haven’t you? I’m sure most of our brothers would if they stood a chance with her. I’m pretty sure Dex would tap it if he could, who knows, maybe he already has, they have been cooped up in their motel room for the last couple of days.”
Looking over to Dex, he’s pissed and staring so hard at Cas, I think he could bore a hole into the guy’s head.
“This isn’t about whether he’s fucked Libby, this is about Cam,” Gabe cuts in.
“I think it does based on her version of events, which remind me, what are they Libby?”
Showtime.
Every set of eyes fall on me and I clear my throat.
“My dad hadn’t been home in a couple of days after beating my mom so bad she couldn’t get out of bed. Baze came around to see if we needed anything and we went up to my room. It wasn’t the first time either. He always came around when my dad wasn’t home.”
“How long for?”
“Since last summer.”
“Okay, carry on.”
“Like I said, we were up in my room and my dad came home. We didn’t hear him of course until he came in my room and dragged Baze out into the hall. They were arguing and when my mom came out to see what was going on, my dad knocked her over. Baze threw my dad down the stairs and stood at the top of the stairs. It wasn’t until dad said he was calling Gabe that Baze ran down the stairs and they fought. I quickly got dressed and made sure my mom was okay. By the time I got downstairs, my dad was on the kitchen floor and Baze was covered in his blood.”
“What happened next?”
“Baze went and showered, he got dressed and made my mom pack a case. He called her a cab and sat with her in the living room until it showed up. He promised her he’d look after me and we’d be in touch soon.”
“And what did you do?”
“I just stood there, I couldn’t believe how much blood there was. After my mom left, I sat next to my dad and that’s where Gabe found me after Baze called him.”
Cas thinks it over and itches the side of his head with the butt of his gun.
“Her story is a vast contrast to yours, wouldn’t you agree?”
“We’re brothers, you should be taking my word, but you’re taking his word,” Baze spits out jerking his chin towards Dex.
“Ricky, would you go out and bring our guest in.”
The place goes extra quiet while we wait to see who Cas has brought with him, and when the door opens, nothing makes sense anymore.
“Don’t move,” Cas warns me, and it’s difficult.
Ricky stops my mom by Dex and she looks well. She looks better than she has in a long while. She doesn’t seem afraid of these men.
Dex looks between us and again, he seems angry. His shock at my mom’s arrival is genuine.
“We picked up Rebecca on our way in to town, for hours she answered my questions after we took her to get checked out. Turns out, she has sustained injuries for years. Anyway, her version of events matches up with Libby’s more than yours. In fact, they don’t match up with yours at all.”
He pauses while Slade hands him the laptop and points to the screen.
“It’s funny, Slade can’t find any call made from Cameron to you, but he’s found every call and text you made to Libby for the last eight months.”
Baze falls a deathly shade of ghost white but it’s Gabe I’m looking at. I reckon he knew the truth deep down.
He sits back in his chair and rubs his hand over face and then through his hair.
“Fuck,” he sighs, and I know this is over.
“Libby’s telling the truth, isn’t she?” Cas urges.
“Nah…”
Cas waves his hand and shuts him down.
“I’ve heard enough, it’s time to vote.”
If it gets any quieter, you’ll be able to hear everyone’s heart beating in their chests.
“You’ve all heard what happened, who believes Libby is guilty of taking out her father, our brother, Cameron?”
Zander is the only one who puts his hand in the air. He quickly puts it down when he sees he’s alone, and I almost feel sorry for Gabe. Almost.
“Who believes Baze is guilty of killing Cameron?”
One by one, hands rise into the air and last but not least, Gabe raises his hand, not making eye contact with Baze.
“You have been found guilty by a jury of your club brothers, you lying, brother killing, fucking piece of scum.”
“This is fucking bullshit,” he yells, jumping up to his feet. He doesn’t get a chance to go for Cas, every brother immediately pulls out their guns and point them at him.
This is the first time I’ve seen him vulnerable. He turns slowly, taking in everyone against him and his shoulders sag in defeat.
“I didn’t do this,” he carries on, pointlessly.
Cas shakes his head and turns his back on him.
“Pope, Rick, take him out the back,” Cas orders his men and then turns his attention to me.
I want to go to my mom, but the look in his eye has me on my best behaviour.
He walks towards me and shoves the gun in the back of his jeans.
“Just so you know, we always believed you from the moment Dex said he did, but I had to give the club what they needed.”
I don’t understand, and I don’t care to either.
“Can I take my mom and go now?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll take you back to the motel, the prospect can take your mom.”
Dex appears behind me and as much as I want to be with my mom, I don’t want to miss time with him.
“No, you’re needed here. Ricky will take them and make sure they get wherever they want to go.”
Is Cas dismissing me, and silently telling me my time with Dex has come to an end?
“Dex, go out and get Rick and help Pope if he needs it.”
He walks off and I turn to Dex. I’m finally free to leave with my mom and have a dad free future, and the thought of not falling asleep with this guy tonight fills me with a coldness that sends a constant shiver down my spine.
The silence between us stretches out for too long, and awkwardness hits us both.
“I didn’t know they found your mom, I would’ve told you if I knew,” he blurts out.
“I guessed as much, and hey, that’s probably why they didn’t say anything,” I smile, stepping closer to him.
Leaning up on my tiptoes, I press my lips against his cheek, l
eaving them there longer than I usually would.
“Thank you, for everything.”
I pull away from him and step back when he tries to hold my hand.
“What would you say if I asked you to stay with me?”
“I’d say, until I’m the one you dream about, we have no business trying to make anything work.”
“It’s not like that,” he defends himself.
“I know,” I tell him, “I just want to be the centre of someone’s life, someone who doesn’t feel like she’s always replacing people. Get right with yourself and come find me, I’m sure Slade will track me down if you really want to find me.”
Brushing against his shoulder as I pass by him, I know I’ve made the right decision, even though it feels like I’ve just made the biggest fuck up of all time.
I don’t look back and run over to my mom. She collects me in her arms, and a few seconds, I forget all about Dex.
“I’ve been trying to call you, where have you been?” I ask, now feeling angry with her.
“I’ll tell you in the car, can we please get out of here.”
Her eyes jitter around the place and her hands shake in mine. I forget how she sees these men differently to me because of my dad.
Wrapping her arm around my waist, she begins to pull me towards the door. I can’t help myself, I look over my shoulder and Dex is just standing there watching me. He doesn’t move, and he doesn’t call out for me to stay.
My legs numbly carry me to my mother’s car that she’s acquired from god knows where, and she opens the passenger door for me.
Ricky has followed us out and climbs on his bike. He revs the throttle and my mom cringes before bringing our car to life.
“I’m not going to miss that noise,” she tells me and starts backing out onto the main road.
“Are you okay, mom?”
I know she knows everything that happened that day and for the first time in a long time that I can remember, she looks relaxed.
“I have no idea, sweetheart, but we’re free now and our biggest decision is where to start a new life.”
A new life.
I wish Dex was a part of this new life, but as my mom drives down the mountain and away from home, and the club, I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.
Last night was perfect, but perhaps it was only meant to be one of those nights that exist in the movies.
He’s a biker after all and what they say is not necessarily what they do.
“Where’s your things?”
I snap out of my pity party haze and say, “At the motel, just outside of town.”
It’s quiet during the rest of the drive and I watch Ricky follow us in the side mirror, wishing it was Dex.
Time begins to drag. My mom can’t wait to leave town, while I know Dex won’t hang around here for long, it’s still hard to leave him here.
Dex gave me the key before we left for the club and I dig it out of my coat pocket. Ricky stays sitting on his bike and makes a call. While he’s busy, my mom stays in the car and I let myself in to the little bubble I spent the last few days in with a guy I can’t stop thinking about.
I refuse to look at the bed, knowing what happened between us there last night and I grab my bag.
I lock up on my way out and walk over to Ricky. He’s making all sorts of promises to who I imagine is his old lady, and I blush listening to them.
I clear my throat and he ends his call.
“My wife is pregnant, I was just checking in,” he says, sounding proud to boast about it.
“Congratulations on the baby,” I say, passing him the key.
“Thanks,” he grins, “Did you get everything you needed?”
“Yeah, will you tell Dex that I…”
I, what?
I have his bloody number, I can tell him myself later.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Adjusting the bag strap on my shoulder, I step back and head for the car. I dump my bag on the back seat and fall in the front.
“I saw you talking with a young guy back at the clubhouse, did something happen between you?”
I look at my mom and I wish she had kept her mouth closed.
“Where did you go this week?” I ask instead of answering her question.
“I got a train down to my sisters, it’s been years since I saw her and after Baze…did what he did, I was free to see my family again. I told Baze where I was going, didn’t he tell you?”
Frowning, I don’t believe this. She has no idea what has happened, and I had no idea she had a sister.
“How did you end up with Cas?”
“They showed up and asked if I would come back with them, they needed to know what happened with your father. They promised me all I’d have to do is walk into the clubhouse and I would walk out with you.”
She jumps hard when Ricky starts his bike and her breathing becomes laboured.
“Breathe with me, mom,” I coax, taking a deep breath.
She copies for a full minute and reaches to hold my face.
“He’s not here anymore and I’m still scared,” she admits and breaks my heart.
“It will take time, but I’ll be right here with you.”
I have two people in my life and they both have demons to deal with.
“Where to?”
“Let’s just drive.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Dex
I look over at Baze and I could slice his throat clean open and not hesitate, or lose any sleep because of it.
Pope kicks out the back of his legs and he drops to his knees. Leaning on his shoulders, the prick isn’t going anyway with Pope around. I should be with Libby, what is Cas playing at? I should be the one taking her back to the motel.
“You should see what we did to the guy who killed Oak, what we’re going to do to you is going to be much worse. Taking out a brother cause of pussy is the lowest,” Pope growls low and menacingly.
Baze has the grace to keep his mouth shut and hangs his head. Finally, Cas walks out of the cabin, flanked by Sparky and Slade. Fuck knows what they’ve been doing in there, but we’ve been freezing out here.
For a minute, I don’t think Gabe and the other northern brothers are going to show their faces, but one after the other, they head outside and form a circle around us.
With his gun in one hand and a cigarette in the other, Cas stands there staring at Baze.
His head slowly turns to Gabe and disgust fills his eyes.
“Tell me why you shouldn’t be joining him in the ground?”
Gasps and mutters bounce around the club, and Zander moves closer to his president.
“What?” Gabe frowns.
“You’re the president of this chapter, yet you acted like a prospect. You were going to punish a young girl for a crime she didn’t even admit to, and you threw a brother out when he came to you with the truth…”
“I’ve known Baze since we were kids, he said there was nothing going on and he was innocent. He’s my brother.”
“Fine, I’ll accept that, but from now on, I’ll be checking in up here more often until I’m satisfied I don’t need to shut this chapter down.”
This gets everyone attention and they see Cas isn’t fucking around. He’s deadly serious.
Cas fades into the background, my line of vision is glued to Ricky climbing off his bike. He searches the brothers until he seeks me out and heads my way.
The motel key is swinging around his finger and I feel sick. I shouldn’t be here, I mean, I want to watch him take his last breath for what he’s done, but I should be with Libby making her see that she is all I need.
Backing up, I turn for my bike and make it halfway across the dirt before Cas calls my name.
I stop and turn around. He walks up to me and hands me his gun.
“I want you to take him out, after all, he’s the one who tried to set up your girl and put a shiner on your face. That’s who you’re running off too, isn’t it? Li
bby?”
Nodding, he presses the gun into my hand.
“This isn’t like before, this is for the patch. The patch you killed for when you saved my life. Use him to right your ghosts that still haunt you.”
I don’t need him to save me from my ghosts, Libby drives them away just with her presence. However, I will take him out, so he can never haunt Libby again. Adjusting my grip on the gun, it takes nine strides before I’m standing in front of him and I raise the gun to his head.
He doesn’t say a word and closes his eyes. Pope steps away from him and drops to his knees.
“Look at him, look down the barrel, and watch the bullet come for you,” he growls.
Baze doesn’t open his eyes, Pope doesn’t scare him into watching his death hurtle towards him.
“Does anyone have any last words for our soon-to-be dead brother?” Sparky hollers.
Silence falls, and Cas says, “It’s time.”
For the second time in my life, I’m standing with the weight of someone’s life on my shoulders, only this time, it doesn’t push me down. Shutting my eyes, I squeeze the trigger and before I can change my mind, not that I will, the gun kicks back in my hold and I hear the thud of Baze’s body hitting the hard, cold ground.
“We do not tolerate disloyalty, nor do we accept that we don’t have consequences for our actions. We are brothers, we don’t take shit from anyone, we don’t allow anyone to get the better of us without dire retribution and we certainly don’t fucking kill one another over a woman. Our only salvation is the bond of our brotherhood. Baze will be buried and he will be forgotten, disgraced and like an animal…”
I drop the gun by Baze’s body, ready for it to be handled and dismantled. This time, I make it to my bike and Cas doesn’t stop me.
Revving the engine, I warm my baby and pull away against the cold wind whipping around my face.
Riding down the mountain and into town is becoming second nature to me now, and I’m glad I won’t have to make the trip up there again.
They might be our brothers from another chapter, but I don’t like any of them one fucking bit.
I didn’t want to come here in the first place when Cas called, I’m glad for it now because of Libby.
I swing by her house first, now her mom is back, they might have gone home. Only, it’s all shut up and no one is home. Riding out to the motel, she isn’t there either.