Page 42 of The Devil's Redemption

With another deep breath, I think about the letter that Blade showed me yesterday. I want to tell Maggie about it, but I don’t want to stress her out. I try to think of how to breech the subject without bringing it up outright.

Just have a normal conversation with her. You remember how to do that, right?

“So where do you live?” I ask her.

There is silence as I watch her lips twist and turn with indecision.

“Gettysburg, I guess. Although the last time I spoke with my father, I told him I was leaving. I don‘t know… I may not live anywhere any longer.”

Again, I notice Hawk slowing his movements on the other side of the room.

“Oh…”

Oh? That’s all you can say?

“Um… If you don’t mind my asking… How did you…?” Suddenly I can’t seem to put words together any longer. “Well…Why…?”

Shit.

Before I’m able to try again, Maggie interrupts me.

“You want to know how I ended up in that cellar,” she states.

“Y—yes. I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me if you can’t or don’t want to.”

She’s quiet for a few minutes as I continue lightly brushing her hair.

“I ran away. Trusted the wrong people.”

What do I say to that?

“What happened?”

I take a seat on her bed. Now sitting face-to-face, I’m able to see the pain in her eyes.

“My father… He’s the president of the Gettysburg chapter of the Royal Bastards.”

She says this as though I know what she’s talking about. She must notice my questioning stare because she explains.

“It’s another MC. Like the Devil’s Skull but larger.”

“Oh…” I drift off. “I’m… Very new to the whole MC thing. I’ve only known Blade and these guys for about a month or so. I knewofthem before then, but…”

I nervously cast a glance at Hawk. I don’t want to say anymore with him in the room. The last thing I need is to get myself into any trouble.

As though he can hear my thoughts, he turns around, clearing his throat.

“I have some things I need to take care of. If you need anything, buzz me, and I’ll come back as soon as possible.”

Maggie regards him carefully before answering.

“Okay.”

The two of us watch as Hawk leaves the room, shutting the door behind him. A breath I didn’t realize I was holding rushes from my lungs, and Maggie speaks again.

“I’ve been around MC men my whole life, and trust me when I say they’re a hell of a lot more intimidating than these guys.”

I don’t mean for my discomfort to show, but the Skull is the only experience I have with an MC. Well, besides…

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