Wrath (Dirty Soul MC: Long Beach #2)

Chapter 36

A aron was just as shocked as I was after I explained that my father was responsible for my friendship with Laura and everything that followed. I’m too tired to go into how hurt I feel over it, and right now, I need to be there for him. His sister, Willow, is dead and the Reapers being responsible for it means things are going to get very messy. The only positive I can pull from this whole situation is knowing that Cliff can do no more damage.

I understand now why people fear my father so much. He did what he did to Cliff without hesitation or remorse, but it didn’t scare me. I enjoyed seeing the man who caused all my suffering get what he deserved. I don’t know what that says about me as a person, but it’s enough for me to know that I’m exactly where I should be. I might still be mad at him for what happened with the Collards, but I guess what he did came from the heart, and for that reason, I can be forgiving. My dad isn’t a well man, he can’t have very long left of his life, and I won’t waste the opportunity I have to get to know him.

Aaron pulls through the gates and into the Dirty Souls compound, then takes my hand once we get out of the cage. I take a deep breath as we step through the arch, knowing that a lot of people are gonna be pissed at me for what I did earlier.

“Why are ya lookin’ so nervous?” Aaron asks as we pass the pool pit toward the clubhouse door.

“People are gonna be mad. I ruined Peyton’s car and almost ran Rocco over. I’m guessing I’ve also got Vike and Saul into trouble for letting me break out on their watch.” I feel bad just thinking about it.

“They’ll understand.” He stops us before we go inside and turns his body into mine.

“And what about you? Are you mad at me?” I check.

“Not tonight.” He manages a tiny smile despite all the grief he must be feeling.

“Thank you.” I stare up into his handsome, blue eyes. Even though they’re drowning in sadness they still glisten from the light the moon gives off.

“I didn’t do anythin’.” He slides some of my hair behind my ear and keeps that smile on his face.

“That's not true, you were gonna fight that tournament to the end before it got stopped.” I look down at his still-bare torso. Grateful that Trisha made that call. “You gave up on being the one to end your father so you could fight for me, and that–”

“I’m always gonna fight for you,” he interrupts me.

“You gave up killing Cliff, despite all your anger and all your wrath. ” I smile. “You gave it up so my dad could keep his pride.”

“Like I said back there, I get to protect ya for the rest of my life. Your father needed to do somethin’ to make up for his mistakes, I know how that feels and I got years left to do it.”

“You're a beautiful person, Aaron Adams,” I tell him.

“And you're gonna be the death of me if you don’t start doin’ as you're told.” We both laugh because we know that isn’t ever gonna happen. “Come on, it's time to face these guys.” He kisses me before opening the door to the club and leading me inside.

Someone cuts the music and the whole room goes quiet. I don’t know what everyone staring at us is expecting but Peyton eventually breaks the silence by rushing toward me and locking me in her arms.

“Don’t you ever do that to me, again. Are you okay?” She pulls back to check me over.

“Yeah, I’m fine, but your car isn’t.” I grit my teeth awkwardly.

“You think I care about that heap of junk?” She shakes her head and hugs me again.

“Where’s Rocco?” I ask, peering around the room and trying to find him so I can apologize to him too.

“He’s sitting guard on the second floor. We know Cliff’s been caught and Anita’s safe now, but she was really sketchy after you left. I tried talking to her but she wanted to be alone,” Peyton explains.

“Did someone call Grimm?” Aaron asks, sounding concerned.

“Saul called and explained that you had him. He’ll be relieved to know he’s not a threat anymore.” Peyton smoothes her hand over my arm. Hearing the words out loud makes them sound even better.

“And what about Tawk, did the boys bring him back here?” Aaron’s head glances around the barroom. He explained on the way here about the way Tawk reacted to Willow’s death, and it sounds to me like Tawk is in a bad way.

“We heard what happened.” Alicia lowers her head. “I’m sorry, it’s hard to believe that Willow’s not gonna walk through that door again.”

“Tawk was crazy mad, bro. Soon as we got him back here he headed for his bike and he left,” Ruckus informs us, looking equally as worried as Aaron.

“ Fuck .” Aaron shakes his head.

“He probably just wanted to be alone,” Peyton tries to assure everyone.

“No, Pey, you didn’t see him, he went into a real dark place.” Seeing Ruckus look so unnerved makes me grip Aaron’s hand a little tighter. He’s being brave and strong but I know that on the inside he’ll be in that dark place, too. He was so determined to get his sister back, he wanted her to see how different the club was becoming. He wanted the chance to be a good, big brother to her. All that's been taken away from him.

“You wanna head home?” I ask, keeping my voice low.

“No, I wanna be here.” He seems focused as he moves us closer to the bar, and Polly smiles at him sympathetically as she pours him a whiskey.

“We’re all here for you,” she tells him, and he nods gratefully as he knocks it back and drags me closer to him.

“Is he dead?” I turn around when I hear Anita’s voice. She’s standing with Rocco at the door and when she charges toward me, looking scared. I take her hand.

“He’s dead.” I see relief in her eyes, but I also see a sadness in her smile. I don’t know what’ll happen to this woman now, but I’ll make damn sure that she gets the help she needs. Nothing can’t be fixed, not even the damage Cliff Adams, and her fucked-up husband, caused.

Everyone seems to settle back down. If this were any other time the club would be celebrating, but there's a heaviness in the air due to the loss of Willow.

“How will the club retaliate?” I can’t hold off asking any longer. Peyton’s told me about the Reapers, they’re brutal. I’m already worried that what happened to Willow is going to make Aaron, and my brother, even more determined to go to war with them.

“We’ll kill ‘em. We’ll kill ‘em all,” Aaron tells me. Tensing his jaw, and the grip he has on me. “I meant what I said outside, you gotta start listenin’, Eden. Everythin’ I tell ya to do is gonna be for your own safety. Those fuckers killed Willow, their prospects tried to rape Peyton. They’re closin’ in on us and they will wanna hit us where it hurts the most.” I nod my head to assure him. I may have grown stubborn over the years we’ve been apart, but I have to let him protect me.

All eyes turn to the door when Raze steps through it with our father, and they watch as the old man shuffles into the room with Cliff’s blood still on his hands. He eventually makes it to a stool at the end of the bar, and when he notices everyone still watching him, he pauses and places his pipe between his lips.

“What's wrong with y’all, ain’t ya seen an old man with blood on his hands before?” He laughs to himself and looks straight at Polly.

“How ya doin’ ol’ gal?” He smiles, looking genuinely pleased to see her.

“Good to see ya again.” She reaches up for a glass and pours him a drink from the same bottle as she did Aaron’s.

“Yeah, well don’t get too used to it, I’ll be headin’ home before I become a burden.” His words make my heart sink and Aaron must sense it because he comforts me.

“Who’s takin’ care of Cliff?” Aaron lights a cigarette and blows the smoke away from me as Raze steps up beside us.

“Dev and Saint are workin’ on disposal.” He takes the drink Polly hands him and nods her his gratitude, and I wait for her to get talking with my dad again before I grab my brother’s arm.

“Thank you.” I look up at him. “I know this is going to be hard for you.” I glance across at our father. “I appreciate you giving me the chance to get to know him.”

“I’m just hopin’ ya get to know the man he used to be, not the one he’s become.” Raze kisses my cheek before taking his drink and moving over to join Peyton, and despite the mix of emotions that are battling inside me, I rest my head against Aaron’s shoulder and finally feel like I’m home.