Page 158 of Patching Over

“She’d sacrifice everything for Hannah,” Wrecker states.

“She would. But what she wouldn’t do is hurt Amelia and Faye on purpose by taking herself out of the equation. Everything she did while being away, had a purpose and a plan. She hasn’t admitted this to me yet, but someone laid the foundation for her, almost like someone had the foresight to send her out there, giving her the right places to be and when to be there,” Butcher advises.

“Like a vision?” Wrecker probes.

“Exactly like that,” Butcher says.

“The girls,” Wrecker whispers.

“The girls,” Butcher replies, only saying it louder than Wrecker did so the rest of us can hear him.

“So, being freaky is a family trait,” Scythe murmurs.

“Careful, Scythe. There’s something in the water, make sure you don’t drink it, or it may affect you,” Butcher teases, lightening up the atmosphere a bit.

“Bottled water it is then,” Scythe proclaims.

Almost as a unit, we all grab our saddlebags and follow the Cedar Creek brothers into the clubhouse. Right now, as much as I’m ready for church, we all need some downtime that includes a shower, some food, and a few cold beers.

So, we ended up in church first, although Dragon and Butcher made sure we had food and drinks. Tonight, several of the brothers are going in under cover of darkness to do a little bit of reconnaissance based on what Selah, Beast, and Hawg have found. Once we were dismissed, we went to the rooms the Cedar Creek brothers gave us, and I finally got a shower to wash the road grime off.

Now, flipping through the channels on the remote to find something to watch, I’m surprised when my phone rings and I see it’s Brick, my president.

“Hey, Pres, is everything alright?” I ask.

“Yeah, talked with Dragon and Selah earlier, then I conferred with Banshee, and he and I decided you needed to know what you might be up against concerning Moira,” he replies.

“What do you mean?” I question.

“Well, according to Selah, children, specifically females, are to be seen and not heard. They’re to be pretty, and not intelligent. They have no place in society to have an opinion, and if they do, they were punished for speaking their minds.”

I think back to the day we found Moira the first time. Even covered in fresh injuries, blood, and infected wounds, I still saw evidence of older scars, especially when I rolled her over to check her back.

“Those sick motherfuckers!” I bellow, anger and rage simmering higher at what she’s endured.

“One other thing, Brother. Her parents are recruiters for the organization, so she’s been indoctrinated in their beliefs from a very young age,” he advises.

“So, it may be an uphill battle,” I muse.

“Got a plan to hopefully help with that,” he replies. “Got a buddy who has a cabin in the North Georgia mountains. It’s close enough to home but not too close so we can deal with the Lynchburg situation without putting her in harm’s way again. Don’t think she’d survive it a third time.”

I think about the broken bird that Moira was when she left our clubhouse. She’s been living a life of Hell, except, apparently, while she was in college. It’s time for her to stop looking over her shoulder, and I mentally vow to do everything in my power to ensure her life is as trouble-free as possible. Once we rescue her again, anyhow.

“Pres, if you think that’ll help, I’m all for it,” I say. “But if you need me at our house, don’t keep me on the sidelines, Brother. Those fuckers are messing withourway of life, one that your granddad gave all of us who’ve grown up together. Just as vested as you and Ban.”

He chuckles at my words. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get a chance to fuck plenty of shit up while you’re in Texas, Krack. But we won’t leave you hanging here either, because you’re right,wegrew up here and I might be the president now, but it’sourhouse.”

“Yeah,” I growl out, wanting to pound someone’s face in and get retribution on behalf of Moira and all the others who’ve ended up their unwilling prisoners. I think I’d like to start with Moira’s father, who started that shit in her life. His actions and words caused those false beliefs she has to take root and grow like a motherfucking vine that’s wrapped itself around her mental well-being and is strangling her.

“Gonna let you go, Brother. Know from chatting with Dragon that tomorrow’s the day, and you need to get some rest.”

“Thanks, Brick. For everything.”

After hanging up, I turn the television off because there’s nothing I feel like watching. Instead, I settle under the covers and drift off to sleep, one thought prevalent in my mind.

Moira, hold on just a little bit longer, baby. I’m coming for you.

Controlled chaos surrounds me as we get ready to invade the compound. The recon mission was a success; it’s now time to bring Hannah and Moira home.

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