Page 57 of Pope's Penance

Of course, she’s pretending she’s not that, too.

But we both know there’s only one woman I’ll ever get on my knees for.

Honestly, I’m a lucky bastard that she even let me have of her what she did, and I know it.

Doesn’t mean I won’t pout about it some more, though.

Fuck.The sex with her was just as hot as it was in the past.The changes to her body, seeing the evidence of where she carried my kids, sent me into spasms of awe.Every tiger stripe just begs for my tongue to trace it.The scar from her c-section needs my kisses.The delicious fucking curves have my palms tingling with the need to grip them tight as I pound into her.I want to watch her thighs jiggle with each thrust, and I want to hold her mom pouch lovingly in my hands.I want to devour every inch of thickness my little mama carries now.

Something about that day finally snapped her out of that fucking haze Frankie’s phone call put her in.I’d like to take the credit for it.I mean, my cock is pretty magical.But that credit is all hers.She’s always been one of the strongest people I know.Birdie just needed someone to strike the match to set her ablaze.

I catch her hand occasionally reaching to her neck and satisfaction fills me when those goddamn pearls aren’t there for her to latch onto.Her fingers will curl into a fist and fear will strike for a second in her eyes before she blows out a breath.Each time she doesn’t have them to hide behind, the more strength she grows.

I don’t fool myself into believing she’s healed.Shit doesn’t work that way.But I’m happy to know that she’s a work in progress.She’s heading in the right direction.

There will be a day when her laughter isn’t as hard to pull out, a day where she’ll give it freely.Until then, I’ll keep trying and live for the ones I’m blessed with.

Each day that she fights away the darkness, I’m battling my own, right alongside her.I’m joking with my brothers more.The members who weren’t here in the past don’t understand the significance, but the ones who were here do.

My light has returned to me.

Birdie lost sight of who she was under Frankie’s thumb.It’s time for her to find herself again.To figure out who she is when she’s not his fucking punching bag.

“Hey, little mama,” I murmur.

I kiss the top of her head and step away, knowing she won’t let me get any closer to her right now.I lean against the counter and watch her as she whips up lunch for herself and the kids.That’s something else that’s changed this week.She doesn’t worry about me.Most men would be upset with that, but after the hell she’s been through, I’m just fucking happy she’s finally taking care of herself.I’m not helpless.If I’m hungry, I know how to make myself something to eat like a big fucking boy.

“Are you ready to talk about shit?”

Her back straightens at my question, but she doesn’t turn to face me.“Nope.”

“Are you ever going to be?”

“Maybe.”Her shoulder lifts in a half shrug.“Maybe not.”

I growl, frustration gnawing at me.How the fuck can we move forward and work through shit if she won’t even fucking talk to me about it?

She quirks the corner of her mouth upward when she peers over her shoulder at me.

Narrowing my eyes, I take in the mirth in her eyes.“You’re being a brat.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

She hums, turning back to the stove.“I don’t know what to tell you.”

Closing the distance between us, I cage her in with my arms.My heart does a little patter when she leans into me, her head resting under my chin.“Tell me you’ll talk to me.Tell me you’ll listen to what happened seven years ago.”

“I don’t owe you anything.”

I almost snap and tell her she owes me every explanation as to why she kept my kids from me for six fucking years.Instead, I take a deep breath and swallow my anger.

“Not over that, no.”Wanting to get out of here before this conversation escalates into something neither of us is ready for, I step away.“I’m going to head to the clubhouse and check in with Cypher.Are you and the kids good?”

“Yep.Are you going to be home for dinner?”she asks.

“Depends on what Cypher has to say.I’ll let you know.”

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