Page 53 of Sniper

I had found the pills in the trash, but I wasn't 100% sure until I saw his reaction. Jackass.

Brook's mouth drops open before she blabbers, “A brother, I mean, which one would, I mean….” She pauses for a moment, then blurts, “Sniper!”

I nod, and state, “But I know him as Theodore or Theo. He never wore his cut or spoke of the MC. When I saw his devil tattoo over his left pec, he said he thought it was cool at the time.”

She scoffs, “I would have never thought he could do something like that.”

I snort, and ask, “What about kidnapping someone and locking them up in his house, only allowing them out when a brother is watching them.”

She freezes in shock, and I nod, rearranging Alexander into the crook of my elbow as he sleeps contently against me.

“How are you even sane right now?” she asks in shock.

I shrug. “I have my daughter to think of, you know. And now this baby that I’m not even sure I should have.” Guilt hits me hard at my words. “God, when we met, it was so innocent you know, and my heart fluttered; he was my one, and despite my pain, my trauma, I gave him a chance, I gave him my heart, but he lied, then lied some more, and when I decided I couldn’t stay with someone who broke my trust, he threw me over his shoulder and dragged me back here while one of his brothers took my willing child, following us.”

Brook drops her chin and mutters, “For God’s sake, Sniper.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, and to make it worse, right now, Phil, who I thought was a friend after we met at Olivia’s bakery, has his eyes on me.”

She looks around the room and her eyes find Phil, who is holding April, his daughter, while his eyes are on me. She huffs, “Who knew a man could multitask?”

We both laugh before she looks at me with a furrowed brow. “What happened?”

I look at her with confusion. She smiles and adds, “For you to hate brothers, because, honestly, the ones I’ve met are absolutely amazing, and you also fell for Sniper, so…. What happened to you?”

Axe slamming me into the wall, his front to my back as he rips my top down, grabbing my nipple hard…. I blink, willing the image to leave as bile rises.

I whisper, “If I tell you, then I need to tell Theo, and I’m not ready for that; I’m mad at him, yes, I told him I want a divorce when really, I don’t. But I’m not ready for him to know, and I’m not ready to forgive him….”

She nods in understanding, and whispers, “I’m here for you when you’re ready, Aurora.”

My heart melts at her support, and I reply, “Thank you. Now, enough about me. How are you doing, my badass boss?”

She laughs but shrugs. “I’m having nightmares. Emily, Tats’ momma, will start seeing me for counseling sessions, so I hope that will help.”

I instantly relaxed and confirm, “Counselling is good. You get everything off your chest without having to look at your loved ones, who look back at you with pity or concern.”

She smiles. “You sound like you know.”

I half smile back and admit, “More than you’d think.”

She hums and continues, “Being a momma is amazing, but I feel disconnected because I can’t do anything. I’m-I’m worried he won’t love me enough, that we won’t get that bond….”

I know that feeling. Slowly, I gently rub along Alexander's head. “You do have the bond, Brook. As soon as he’s with you, he’s settled….” She gives me a small smile, not believing my words, and I sigh. “Have you spoken to Tech about how you're feeling?”

She shakes her head. “In the hospital, we promised to leave the past in the past, but every time I see him spacing out when he looks at me, or looks at our son, I see guilt. He feels guilty about sleeping with someone else, even though I left him. He feels responsible for Nina and what she put me and Alexander through, and then my guilt builds because he feels guilty, and I don’t understand why he does….”

My eyes soften before a voice says, "Because I love you, Brook,” making us both gasp and jump, our heads turning toward the newcomer. He’s standing beside Theo.

The new guy has scruffy, blonde hair, and blue eyes looks at Brook like she’s his universe, and again, for the hundredth time since being at the club, I’m wondering if these men are different from the Huntsmen. But then, I remember this is how the Huntsmen were, yet one of them raped me, held me captive.

Did they know?

Did he hide his true self from everyone?

I blink and look at the man who is with Theo, they’re both smiling, but I turn my body toward Brook, ignoring my husband. He sighs before stating firmly, “Firecracker, let’s give them a minute, yeah?”

Did he seriously just speak down to me?

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