Page 81 of Pope's Penance

I know Gavel would love nothing more than to be in the afterlife with his love, but he’d leave a lot of devastated people behind.Including the two grandkids who already adore him.

Once we knew Gavel made it through, most of us left the hospital.I told Pope he could stay with Gavel, but Pope said that the hospital would let us know when he’s awake.Cyanide, Devious, and Blackjack chose to stay behind to guard Gavel’s room.

Pope didn’t think the other club would be stupid enough to try to hit again and especially at the hospital, but he’s not taking any chances.

The twins fell asleep on their dad last night while we were waiting for updates.Valkyrie offered to take them home, but Pope directed her to the clubhouse.

Better protection, he said.

Pope took us straight to the clubhouse to reunite with our kids, both of us needing to be in their presence right now.

The kids and I have been cooped up in Pope’s room in the clubhouse ever since.Lovelyn and Legend have been quiet, huddled together on the couch, watching mind-numbing cartoons.They flinch at any loud noise, and their sleep was filled with nightmares of what happened at the diner.

This was never the life I wanted for my kids.

Not all of this violence.

They’ve seen so much of that already.

How do I justify keeping them in another home where violence is part of everyday life?

How could this be a good life for them?

“Mama, I’m hungry,” Lovelyn says.

“How about the three of us go down to the kitchen and see if we can find something?”

They nod solemnly and climb to their feet.I stand between them and hold out my hands.They place theirs in mine and together we take our first trip out of the room.

I’m concerned with what I’ll find when we make it to the bottom of the stairs.In the past, the club was not shy about having sex out in the open.The only time they didn’t was when there were club events going on where all the kids and families would be present.It’s what I’m expecting to have to shield the twins’ eyes from, but I’m pleasantly surprised to find the clubhouse filled with people.

A lot of them, and they’re all dressed.

Heads turn our way when we step into the common room.Conversations die down as eyes watch us with curiosity.We’re on display, and it’s an extremely unsettling feeling.

To battle how uncomfortable I am with all eyes on us, I lift the corners of my mouth in a small smile.

“Sorry to interrupt.We’re just going to grab something from the kitchen.”

Scorch and Coco climb to their feet, hurrying over to us.Their eyes bounce between the three of us, taking in the familiar features of our kids.

“Legend, Lovelyn, I’d like you to meet Scorch and Coco.Their husbands are Monster and Munch.”

The women squat so they’re eye-level with the kids and smile, holding out their hands.

“It’s very nice to meet you both,” Coco says.

“Why is your husband called Monster?”Lovelyn asks.“Does he hide in closets to scare little kids or something?”

“Never kids, pretty girl,” Coco replies.

Lovelyn audibly sighs and nods, releasing my hand to wrap her arms around Coco.It takes Coco a second to realize what’s happening, and then she hugs her back.

Knowing that my girl still has so much love for people after everything she’s witnessed fills my heart with joy.I never want them to hate the world and the people in it without reason.

Lovelyn moves to Scorch next.“Why is your husband called Munch?”

I cough to cover the laugh that tries to escape when Scorch’s face turns scarlet.

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