Page 132 of A Love Like Venom

But for now, for now all I want to do is hold her. Cherish her in my arms and hope that she finds peace in them.

She's asleep now.

After Caitlin had left my angel cried out to the point of exhaustion. She fell asleep in my arms before asking me to take her away with me.

I carried her to the car with the utmost care. Afraid that if I walked too fast or held her too tight that I would disturb her. Once I placed her securely in the car I hurried back in the trailer and took everything in that drawer and transferred it in a trash bag. Not with the intention of throwing it out but for taking it with us to store in the trunk.

The bag was lightweight and it pained me again to know this was how she was living. With enough garments to recycle through a week, at best two.

It took everything in me to get in the car and drive back to The Vipers MC compound and not hunt down her mother and sister.

But I did. I did it for her. One look her way and it quelled the restless demons inside.

There will be vengeance.

Just not today.

As we arrive back at the compound she's still sound asleep in the car. Not wanting to wake her because she needs her rest I carry her from the car to the entrance.

Tipping my head up towards the camera the steel door opens automatically.

Making my way inside with her cradled against my chest I notice that hardly no one is here.

It's only until I reach the middle of the compound that I find Slater and Rosa behind the bar. They both are conversing with one another, but their conversation doesn't appear to be heavy.

When they hear me approach both of their heads snap up and look with concern at Alice in my arms. Instinctively I hold her tighter. She nestles her head against my chest still in a deep sleep.

"Is she alright?" Slater asks with worry.

Although I find his concern touching I lie and just tell him, "She's just tired." My eyes then jerk over to Rosa and she can tell by the look on my face that Alice isn't just tired.

By the look on Slater's face I can tell that he doesn't quite believe me. The boy is perceptive. A good thing to be in this world and even better when you belong to a MC.

He doesn't question me. He only nods his head and offers a smile. "We all have those days," he says with a knowing glint in his eyes. "I'll make sure no one disturbs the both of you if that's what you wish."

He's only a prospect but boy is he proving himself that he can be a member. I might have wanted to snap his neck for openly flirting with her earlier but he has proven his loyalty.

Slater has a deep respect for each member of this club and it shows. So does his love for this club.

"Thank you," I reply meaning it. "Is Oak here? I need to have a word with him."

The question is directed at the both of them. In which Slater answers. "He's in the gym. Has been for the past two hours. I thought about getting him out of there-"

"Don't. You're doing the right thing by letting him be."

"Are you sure because-"

"Trust me, when he's like this you don't want to be near him. I'll talk to him but the best thing you can do is give him space," I warn him and it's in his best interest.

What Oak is dealing with right now I have seen countless times before. Every time that he has I have been there for him to wrestle out his demons. For him to find a release and try to go back to sleep without waking up in a cold sweat.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is no joke and it is certainly not fake. I hate people who assume the disorder is not real. That traumatic events can't alter a persons life and change who they are and affect how they live.

Oak came home from war medically discharged for his physical injuries.

Those injuries healed with time.

But the war continues in his mind. Mentally he has wounds that are still bleeding.

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