Page 15 of Rooster's Redemption

Kayne slams his gavel on the scarred table, making me jump. “Alyssa, Poison tells me you have information our club needs.” I nod my head. My throat is dry from nerves. “Let’s hear it then.”

I open my mouth and quickly close it, composing myself. “I met Phoebe Gates, who I learned later is Rooster’s ex-girlfriend, several years ago by accident. Rage was doing what Rage does when he threw Phoebe in my room and left us there for days.”

“She was eight months pregnant when he tossed her aside for someone who wasn’t. She was scared and alone and I did all I could to help her during those days. It wasn’t until she went into labor that the fear struck. I had no idea what I was doing and Rage refused to get her medical help. I had to deliver her baby on my own and in the process, because Phoebe was so weak, she died the moment she held her little girl.” I wipe away a stray tear falling down my cheek.

“The moment Phoebe died was the moment I swore I would protect this innocent little girl. She didn’t deserve this type of life and through the years I did that. Rage left me alone with the little girl as long as I kept her quiet and out of his hair. My mother was no help either. She was so strung out that she didn’t even know what day it was. Until one day, Rage came storming into my room and yanked my little girl out of my arms. When Ifought back, Rage beat me until I couldn’t move and I stopped fighting to get my little girl back. He left scars on my body that will never heal. This was two months before you guys rescued me. He took my little girl and said if I didn’t do what he wanted, he would sell her to the worst kind of man on earth. The things he said he’d do to her had me complying in a heartbeat.

“Rage wasn’t supposed to die in the warehouse that night. You guys were. Now that he’s dead, I don’t know where my daughter is, I only know Kingston has her somewhere and is trying to use her to get me to betray the Club. His goons cornered me the night of Stryker and Holly’s party, threatening me with vile things they’d do to her if I didn’t follow through. Now her life is in danger and I can’t help her unless you guys help me.” I sob, collapsing on the floor. My mental state isn’t the greatest relieving those horrible years with Rage.

Strong arms wrap around my shoulders, pulling me into a broad chest. I hold on for life as Rooster lifts me and carries me away. His soothing words helped ease my heartbreak from letting my little girl down. “It’s ok, Alyssa. We will find her.”

“I don’t think we will,” I say through a hiccup.

“Trust me, I’m the best at what I do. Now that I have a lead, I know where to start.” Rooster opens a door but it’s not to his bedroom like I thought. It’s to his communications room. He sits down in a chair and keeps me on his lap. “Can I ask you a question?”

I pull my face away from his strong chest and look into his dark eyes just like my daughters. “I wish you would.”

“What’s her name?”

That question surprises me, it’s not what I thought he’d ask. “Elsa Gabriela. It’s Hebrew for God’s promise and God is my strength. Which is what we needed and still need.”

“That’s a beautiful name.” Rooster hesitates. “Did Phoebe…” He trails off before asking the question I know he’s been dying to ask. “Did Phoebe say why she left me?”

A tear rolls down my cheek. What I’m going to tell him will break him more than Phoebe did when she left. “She did.” I nod my head and wipe away a tear. “I don’t want to tell you and break your heart, Rooster.”

“When Phoebe left, she did break my heart.” I duck my head afraid to hear what Rooster says next, but he doesn’t let me hide. He lifts my chin with his fingers, making me look at him. “I was an asshole for years, using women when it fit my whim. My heart hardened and I stopped feeling things for anyone except my brothers. But that all changed the moment I laid my eyes on you. You, Alyssa made me feel again. So, whatever you tell me about Phoebe, I can handle it. She’s in my past and you are my present, hopefully, my future.”

Tears roll down my cheeks from Rooster’s confession. It’s not a declaration of love but I’ll take it. I press my cheek to Rooster’s chest, his heart is beating hard against my ear. “Phoebe met Rage at the bar she worked at. After a few months of flirting, he convinced her to leave her boyfriend Lucas and go with him. He promised her a world full of anything she’d ever want. He charmed her right out from under her boyfriend’s nose. She told me he was a tech expert for some prestigious law office and never had time for her.”

Rooster’s grip on my waist tightens but he doesn’t say a word, letting me finish. “When Rage tossed her into my room, she told me everything. She told me she wished she weren’t persuaded by that monster. That once he had her, he chained her up in the basement with several other women. They’d come down into the basement every couple of days and take the women. Sometimes those women came back, other times they wouldn’t. Rage and his minions would rape them repeatedly andPhoebe was no exception even though she was pregnant. Some of those guys got off raping a pregnant woman and sometimes she was sold to the perverts who had a pregnancy fetish to use for the night, a day, even a week at a time. She feared they’d hurt her baby, but never did. Just broke Phoebe’s mind and spirit.

“She was so weak and broken when they brought her to me, I knew she wasn’t going to make it through childbirth. I begged and pleaded with Rage to get her a doctor but every time he refused. I even offered my body in return for a doctor for her. He took my body but still wouldn’t get Phoebe a doctor. The day she went into labor, all hell broke loose. I delivered a beautiful baby girl with curly blonde hair and eyes as dark as coal. Once the baby cried and I laid her on Phoebe’s chest, Phoebe made me promise to take care of the baby no matter what. To protect her the way she couldn’t. Then she told me, if I ever escaped then find Lucas Johnson, which is you, and tell you what happened. That she did love you at one point and she was sorry she ever hurt you. Then she kissed the baby on the head and died.”

Wetness lands in my hair and I shift my head up to see Rooster crying. I reach my hand up and wipe away his tears. “I’m so sorry, Rooster.”

Rooster looks down at me and offers me a small smile full of pain. “It’s not your fault. I don’t even know why I’m sad. Maybe it’s because Phoebe is dead and I have a daughter I didn’t know about. I moved on with my life when she left me and started a brotherhood here with Savage Saints. If she didn’t leave me for Rage, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

“What are we going to do now?” I ask.

“Now, I am going to start tracking Kingston down and get my daughter back, with your help.” Rooster kisses me gently on the lips then rests his forehead against mine. “Thank you for telling me the truth, Alyssa. It means a lot.”

I cup his cheeks, his beard rough against my palms. “I hope it helps all of us heal. I do have one question for you though.”

“Ask away.”

“When we get Elsa back, will you allow me to be her mom? I’m all she’s ever known growing up.”

“I would love to raise our little girl together with you.” A genuine smile graces Rooster's lips.

“Thank you, Rooster.” I bring my lips to his and he kisses me like I’ve never been kissed before. It's rough but gentle. Firm but soft.

Knowing I’ve bared all my secrets to Rooster and the Club, a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I hope we get my little girl back safe and sound and in one piece. Then Rooster and I can move on with our lives together.

Chapter

Nine

ROOSTER

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