Page 8 of Blood & Ash

“I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“If you’re worried about your place here, don’t be. This is your home as much as it is mine.”

“It’s not that.” Frown lines appear etched around her lips and in the crinkles of her eyes. Whatever she’s about to say, I’m not going to like it.

“What is it then?” I pull out my smokes and light one up.

“Shelby.” Fidgeting, she twists her fingers together, hesitating to continue past that cunt’s name. I’ve never known Momma Tee to be nervous or to beat around the bush.

“What about her?”

“That wasn’t the first time. I always wanted to tell you, but I loved your father more than he probably deserved. Was always loyal to him.”

Taking a hard drag, I motion for her to get this over with. I’ve got shit to do. A club to lead. I’m not ready for this, but I have no fucking choice. Last thing I want to do is stand here and listen to her recite some bullshit about my old man fucking the same woman as me. “How long?”

“I can’t answer that.”

“I’ve got shit to do. Get to the point.”

“She’s here and wants to talk.”

“Fuck me. You tried to shoot her the other day and now you’re standing here doing her bidding. I don’t want to see her.”

“You need to hear the girl out.”

“The time for her to talk was whenever this bullshit started. Not now.”

“She’s pregnant, Blood.”

Her words hit me straight in the gut, but I can’t do this. Not today. Maybe not ever. “Been there with her before. If this is some sick way to get me to talk to her.” I snuff out my cigarette. This bitch has a death wish. “Can’t believe she’s pulling this shit again.”

“It’s your father’s baby.”

I stop at the doorway. “Jesus. This shit gets deeper and more twisted. That’s just fucking great.” I slap my palm against the wall, trying not to fall to my knees and show any sign of weakness. Shelby and my old man. A baby.

Perfect.

Fucking perfect.

How could she look me in the eye knowing that shit? Any of them. How many knew? How many laughed behind my back that my fucking childhood sweetheart was giving it up to my old man on the regular? How could she lay in my arms and pretend she gave a fuck about me while giving her pussy up to my father? Did he know she was still sleeping with me? Was that why he’d been giving me dirty looks?

“Blood, you may not want to hear it, but she’s messed up. She needs you.”

“Needs me?” I lick my lips. “Only thing she needs is to leave and never look back. There’s nothing here for her or the bastard in her belly.”

“I know you’re angry.”

I turn fast on her, getting in her face. “Fuck yeah, I’m angry. I’m pissed at him. At her. And you. I think you’re the worst of all standing here defending them after all this. Look around, Momma Tee. War is gone. He didn’t give a fuck about you. Me. This club. He died snorting coke off the tits of his son’s whore. And now you want me to feel sorry for that bitch because she was stupid enough to get knocked up? That baby could belong to anyone.”

“He knew. Was planning on telling you. They were going to get married. She was going to be his second chance to do shit right.”

“What did he ever know about right?”

“You turned out okay.”

“Not because of him. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve not been okay for a long time.”

I stomp down the stairs to see Ghost and Rogue out of the mother chapter in Boston sitting at the bar with Smoke and Gunner out of the Pensacola chapter. They all turn to me, giving me a nod.

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