“It’s just the family wanting us dead for killing grandfather,” I cut her off. “Don’t forget that, Bethie. We can’t let ourselves forget that.”
“So, we’re supposed to live the rest of our lives in hiding? We’re never supposed to have a life? What has all this been for, Katie? Why did we even hire that private detective to find Skull? Why did we go to so much trouble if I’m never supposed to have him? If we’re never going to be a family? He deserves to know Gabby. He deserves to know that I’m alive. I can’t just leave it alone, Katie… I can’t. Not now when my grandfather is gone.”
“You’re going to name her Gabby?” I ask suddenly. I change the subject because I can tell Bethie’s upset and that can’t be good for her.
“Gabriella,” she answers. “It was Skull’s mother’s name. He would want our child to carry her name.”
Something about the way she talks about him and their child makes my throat tighten up. I’ve never had that. Hell, I’ve never seen anyone have a relationship where it felt like they needed the other person to breathe. She makes it seem that way every time she talks of Skull. I have to do everything in my power to make sure she gets back to him…
“Excuse me,” comes a lady’s voice at the door. “There was a package delivered downstairs for a Beth Donahue? It was addressed to a Beth Donahue, patient in the maternity wing. You’re the only Beth we could find. It’s from an Andre Cruz?” She’s a doctor, or a resident… something. She has the coat on. As she walks towards me, I can see blonde hair pushed up under one of those surgical bonnets. Her nameplate reads: T. Torres. “Would that be you? He was a big guy wearing a leather vest.”
“I’m sorry, we don’t know any Andre—” I start to say.
“I do!” Bethie interrupts. “That’s Skull. Is he here? Can I see him, please?”
“I’m sorry honey, he left. He said you would want this.” The woman hands Beth the package. “I better get back to rounds. The admissions office was swamped and I told one of the nurses I’d check with you. I’m glad you and the baby are doing so well.”
When she leaves, I turn to look at my sister because I know this can’t be good.
“Donahue?” I prompt, knowing that dig can only mean one thing.
Bethie doesn’t respond; she’s too busy staring at the big manila envelope like it’s a snake. Her hand trembles as she reaches inside and pulls out three things. The first is a folded note. The second, a picture, then finally a large roll of money. I won’t know how much until I count, but from the hundreds and the size of the roll, I’m going to say it’s easily a hundred thousand. She reads the note, then lets out the saddest cry I’ve ever heard in my life. It sounds as if it was torn from her body. She drops the note as the sobs overtake her. I clumsily wrap one arm around her, then pull her close while using my other hand to grab the note and read it for myself.
Beth,
I’ve known for a while that you were alive. I had hoped you wouldn’t reach out to me. You were fun and I enjoyed what we had, but you’ve been gone a long time. I’ve moved on. I have a new woman now and she gives me just what I want: a warm * without so much fucking drama. She doesn’t have to be trained, either. She knows how to make a man happy.
Something permanent was never in my plans and your ass cost me too much. I could hate you for not warning me about your family. I guess I owe you something. I’ve thrown some money in here for you to disappear. I never want to see you or your child again. As far as I know, the baby is probably Colin’s. I’m not about to let you blame me for it.
Stay away from me and my club. If I even hear you’ve been trying to talk to me again, I’ll make anything Colin would have done to you look like a cakewalk.
Skull
That’s when I see the picture. It’s of a man I can only assume is Skull. He’s kissing on some tramp’s neck, his hand on her naked breast, while she’s obviously taking a selfie of them.
I hold Bethie and let her cry. She trembles in my arms as her dreams come crashing down around her.
My hand trembles too… but mine is with anger.
Almost 2 years later
Meeting with Colin on Paradise Ridge
(mentioned in Craved—Sabre’s story)
“I don’t like this, boss.”
“That’s because it’s been damn good not having to deal with that fucker Colin,” says Skull.
“Well, yeah, that too. But fuck, man. It’s been quiet. What’s making him rear his head now?”
“If I knew, I wouldn’t be here. Jesus, I move two states away to get away from this asshole and the memories, and here I am again. This crap is never going to leave me alone.”
“We could just go, boss.”
“Fuck, no. I’m not running from these motherfuckers.”
“You ready, ese?” asks Diesel. The last couple of years have aged him, too. He’s harder than he used to be.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Skull growls, then walks towards the meeting room. Sabre and I fall in step behind him. Crusher, who is now part of Diesel’s crew, and another guy come up behind us.