Page 32 of Pope's Penance

I run a critical eye over myself, grimacing when I take in my bare, bruised face and the unkempt clothes that don’t belong to me.

Straightening my shoulders and lifting my chin, I accept that I’m the best I can get until I can get my clothes and makeup from the car.

A car that Pope had one of the brothers take to the clubhouse.

With a sigh, I finally leave the bathroom.

Pope is resting a hip against the banister of the porch, watching the twins in the play area he and the brothers fixed up over the last few days.There are a couple other kids out there with them that I’ve learned from eavesdropping belong to a few of the club brothers.Manic’s son is easy to pick out because he looks just like him.

Poor Valkyrie.

A pang of guilt hits me when I think about her and Manic.

If she hadn’t of left with me, would that be their son?Would they have more?

She always promises that she doesn’t regret leaving.Swears they were never anything more than friends, and the way he had a woman all over him seven years ago would heavily prove that.Except, sometimes, I’d find her lost in thought with hurt and sadness all over her face and I’d wonder if it was deeper than friendship.

“You good, little mama?”

Pope’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I turn my attention to him.“Yes.I’m fine, thanks.The kids look like they’re having fun.”

“They are.Seems they enjoy having other kids to play with.”

I ignore the hint of anger in his voice as he says this.“Thank you for helping to get them enrolled in school.I’ve failed at that, but my primary concern was getting them somewhere safe.”

“They’re safe here.”

“Yes, I know.That’s why I had Kyrie bring us back here.I knew you could keep Lovelyn safe from what Frankie has planned for her.”

Silent accusations from both of us hang heavy in the air, but we refuse to speak them out loud.

“Cyanide wants to see you and visit his niece and nephew.”

My body tightens, and I wrap my fingers around the pearls, squeezing them tightly.“He may visit them, but I have no wish to speak to him.”

“Stop it.Stop talking like that,” Pope bursts out, straightening his posture and glaring at me.

I flinch.“I’m sorry.I don’t mean to make you angry.I’ll keep quiet.”

“Goddammit, little mama.That’s not what I want.Fuck.”He runs his fingers through his hair, sending it swinging along his shoulders.“I’m the one who’s sorry.I shouldn’t have raised my voice like that.”

“It’s okay.It was my fault.”

Pope lets out a growl and swings away from me to jog down the stairs.I watch him with the kids for a few minutes before moving back inside.While they’re out there playing, I dig through the pantry as I come up with a plan for dinner.

The way the room swells with his chaotic energy has the hair on my arms lifting.It’s a familiar feeling and one I’d rather not be experiencing again.So, instead of turning to him like I would have in the past, I continue to set things on the counter.

Once everything I need is lined up neatly next to the stove and my thoughts are straight, I turn to face him.“I was wondering if it would be a bother to ask you to get my clothes and makeup from the car.”

“What’s wrong with what you have on?”he asks, folding his arms over his chest.

“A lady must always be presentable,” I state, smoothing a hand over my head to ensure my hair is secured in place.

Pope’s eyes search mine for the longest time.

If I didn’t have the experience of standing for such long periods for Frankie, I’d be fidgeting under his scrutiny.

It’s not until he swivels on his booted feet and marches out of the room that my shoulders sag.

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