Page 168 of Golden Atonement

“No. I’m so sorry. The fact is, Julie was pronounced brain-dead the day she delivered her daughter. We only resuscitated her at her husband’s insistence. We thought he just needed some time to come to terms with her death, but now I fear it’s more than that. He’s holding onto hope, and hope will not heal his wife.”

“What do you need us to do?” I asked, rubbing the back of my neck when we all heard an alarm going off.

Running back into the room, we all stopped dead in our tracks. Slaughter sat on the bed, holding Julie in his arms, tears flowing down his face as he rocked his wife close, singing Garth Brooks’, ‘To Make You Feel My Love’.

“There ain’t nothing that I wouldn’t do. Go to the ends of the earth for you, to make you feel my love. I love you, baby. I’mgonna miss you somethin’ fierce. Wait for me at the gate, baby. I’ll see you soon.”

Fuck. I hated this for Slaughter.

Turning away, I wiped my own tears as my brothers all sniffed, looking everywhere but at the couple on the bed. Slaughter had been in love with Julie since high school. Sweethearts, they married right after graduation and never looked back. I didn’t know how he was ever going to get over Julie’s loss, but I knew all of us would be there for him.

Slaughter laid his wife to rest three days later on a misty, smoky Tennessee morning with her entire Tennessee family around her. Family flew in from all around for the funeral, even Ghost and Ari, who insisted on being there for everyone. It was a solemn occasion, but beautiful. The only one missing was Ace, but he sent a beautiful flower arrangement of white lilies. Julie’s favorite.

Laid next to Roxy and Moonshine, Julie was in good company, and I, for one, knew they were there to welcome her home.

“It’s been a week now,” Savage said. “He’s getting worse.”

“As much as I hate it, Savage is right,” Digger spoke up, rubbing the back of his neck. “God, Stella is going to kill me. She loves that baby, but maybe getting away for a bit will help him.”

“The problem is getting him to leave,” Chipper stated. “I don’t see him going willingly.”

“He won’t,” Ravage piped up. “I know Slaughter. Brother was born and raised in these mountains. His wife is buried out back. He ain’t going anywhere.”

“Well, we have to do something.” Trout sighed. “Because he’s barely sleeping, he doesn’t eat. Hell, he won’t even hold his daughter.”

“He just lost his wife,” Bullseye muttered, silencing the room. Phantom reached over, taking her husband’s hand while he continued, “I know what he’s feeling. It will never go away. He’s going to have to learn to live with the pain. It will get easier in time, but right now, if you all know what’s good for you. You will leave him alone. Let him grieve in his own way.”

“Bullseye’s right.” I sighed. “I hate this for him, but I will not force Slaughter to do anything he doesn’t want to. Give the man some space. In the meantime, I’ve got something that might take his mind off everything for a while. King contacted me yesterday. It seems the Russian Bratva is heading to Rosewood, and he’s asked that we give him some backup.”

“You think that’s a good idea, brother?” Savage sat up. “I mean, he’s barely functioning.”

“He’s still a patched brother in this club. Not leaving him hanging alone. Besides, the Sons of Hell are still in his mountains. If it’s too much for him, he can be back here within an hour. Bullseye, I’m gonna need you, Phantom, and Ravage to head home. I’m sure Massacre has everything under control, but I don’t want to push my luck.”

Savage chuckled. “I’d be more worried about Player putting a cap in his ass.”

I grinned at that.

“Ghost, any word on Thena?”

“Not yet, but I have a few leads.”

“Good.”

“Uh.” Bullseye frowned, sitting up. “Please tell me the cut Ghost is wearing is the real deal. Cause if it is, I’m moving back here.”

Rolling my eyes, I groaned, “Yes. Ghost is back for good, but you are still the VP until he can get his family packed and moved back to California, and what the hell do you mean, you’re moving back here? I still need you at the main chapter.”

“You’ve got Ravage.” Bullseye grinned. “He’s not as good as me, but he will do in a pinch.”

Ravage flipped Bullseye the one finger bird.

“I’m serious, Dylan. I need you there.”

“No, you need my wife there. Look, Reaper, I only took the chair because Sandman would kill everyone and not think twice. Got love for you, brother, but you are fucking exhausting. My wife can do her shit at the cabin here. This is my home, Max. It always has been. Please don’t make me choose between home and the club, because I will choose home every time.”

Taking a deep breath, I nodded.

What could I say? Bullseye had given so much for the club already. I couldn’t deny his one request.

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