Page 87 of A Love Like Venom

"I have to make sure she's safe," I firmly tell him.

"Understood. What you did tonight-"

"Started a war, I know," I finish for him.

"If you would have let me finish, son I would have said what you did tonight changed things," he scolds me.

I repeat, "Changed things?"

He nods his head in agreement. "I'm not even talking about The Crowned Devils MC. That war was happening whether youthrew the first punch or not. No, what I'm referring to is you, Snake."

"Me?"I echo dumbfounded.

"You actually care about someone more than yourself. And I think it scares you because of how much power this person holds over you. Let me give you a piece of advice, caring for people doesn't make you weak. If she's as strong as I hear she is, then she'll only make you stronger. You hear me, son?"

I nod my head at first too afraid to speak. "I hear you," I finally reply to him.

"Good. We're having Church tomorrow afternoon. I expect you to be there," he orders with a stern eye.

"Of course," I quickly respond.

Then does he finally smile, his stance becoming more relaxed. "Now go make sure she's safe."

Giving him a salute, I don't waste my time in getting out of here and heading back to Hollows Point.

Straddling my bike and feeling the vibrations underneath me, I rev the engine one last time before speeding away.

As I exceed way past the limit down the roads my mind can't help but remember the times before. With my mother's words in my ear now more than ever it brings me back to that horrible day that I lost her. It brings me right back to her funeral.

The skies are grey, bleak. Dark heavy clouds hang over our heads threatening to fall.

Part of me wishes they would. Maybe the downpours of rain will wash everything away. Maybe it will help cleanse the turmoil happening inside of me. Maybe the rain will help fill the place that has now become empty.

As I watch my momma's simple black glossy casket lower in the ground, I feel my heart dropping with her.

Numbly my hand reaches out and drops the single rose that I have been hanging on to tightly. The flower falls, it's bruised petals from my harsh grip spilling over her casket.

The tears hot and heavy press at the back of my eyes but I refuse to let them fall.

Instead, I keep a clenched jaw, my body tense from fighting all the emotions inside and my eyes dead.

If I show no emotion, then no one will come to bother me. No one will try to console me with their empty words.

My eyes stay on my momma's casket as a few people try to come up to me.

It's Caitlin, the girl who is by my side, my girlfriend, that thanks them for coming. She tells them to be there at the wake to celebrate my momma's death. Insisting on each person to show up to offer their condolences.

If Caitlin knew me at all and if she knew my momma the tiniest bit then she would know a wake is not what either of us want.

People begin to disperse and Caitlin's hand leaves mine when almost everyone has left.

There's only one person who remains and she stands on the opposite side of the casket.

Forcing my eyes away from the casket I bring them to her, my very own angel.

Today she's a weeping angel, crying over a woman who only had such a small impact on her life.

Grieving for a woman who meant the world to me.

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