Page 19 of Pope's Penance

“You can come.I’ll lead the way, and you’ll follow in the car with Birdie and the twins.There will be another brother riding at the rear.”

Lovelyn and Legend carefully climb away from their mom to stand next to their aunt so I can help Birdie up.Instead of letting her struggle to her feet, I squat at her side and shove one arm under knees and the other behind her back.

The whimper that passes her lips when I lift her has me pulling her closer to my chest.

Birdie holds her body so tight, I know it’s causing her unnecessary pain.

“Relax, little mama,” I murmur.“You’re going to hurt yourself more.”

“I’d prefer to walk, please,” Birdie says stiffly.

Valkyrie guides the twins out, leaving me to follow behind them.Instead of giving Birdie’s request a response, I hum a tune as I stroll down the stairs and into the common room.

A strangled sound comes from Birdie’s throat.“Are you ...are you humming The Rolling Stones?”

“We don’t always get what we want, little mama.”I lean down and peck her nose with my lips gently.“But we might get what we need.”

Club members watch me with wide eyes as I move through them while whistling.Malice waits for us by the door, so I stop in front of him to give him his instructions for the night.

“Taking them to my place.Won’t be back tonight.”Birdie’s body tightens again at my words, but I act like I don’t notice.“Anyone needs anything, you deal.Don’t bother me unless it’s life or death.”

“Ten-four.”

Valkyrie, Lovelyn, and Legend stand beside the car, waiting for us.Legend has his little arms folded against his chest while he stares at me with a mutinous expression.Lovelyn watches us with sad eyes, twirling one of her copper-colored curls around her finger.

“Mind opening the door for me, little warrior?”I ask Legend.

He nods once sharply, opening the back door before hurrying to the other side.“I’ll help from here.”

“Thank you.”

It’s a tight fit trying to squeeze my big ass shoulders through the frame with Birdie in my arms.A little maneuvering and I’m able to get her situated carefully enough that I didn’t jar any of her injuries.Legend guides his little hands under his mom’s arms to help slowly slide her in place.Once she’s comfortable, Legend brushes hair from her face.

“Do you need anything else, Ma?”he asks quietly.

Birdie’s hand trembles as she feathers her fingers over our son’s face.“I’m okay,a stór.”

Dammit.She calls him her treasure.

“You sit in the back with ma.I’ll sit up front with Aunt Kyrie.Cosnóimid mama, Lovey,” Legend orders.

My throat tightens hearing him speak the language Birdie and I grew up listening to and using.As much as I want to tell him we’ll protect their mama together, he spoke in Gaeilge because he needs that.He needs to believe I don’t understand what he says because he doesn’t trust me.

Anger chokes me at how far I have to go to reach my son, but I grit my teeth and shove it away.

Lovelyn slides around in front of me, and I help her climb in at her mom’s feet.She places Birdie’s legs on top of hers, then nods at me.“We’re ready.”

I tap her nose.“That you are, my little love.”

Closing the door, I turn to Valkyrie.“We’re only going a few minutes down the road behind the clubhouse.”

Valkyrie only gives me a nod before climbing behind the wheel of that piece of shit car.She’s so focused on her anger at me that she doesn’t realize the brother riding the rear is Manic.I’m sure she’d have something to say about that too.

The black metallic paint on the tank of my bike sparkles under the sunlight as I march toward it.My fingers trail over the black matte birds that fly along it before I toss my leg over and settle onto my seat.Turning the key and flicking my wrist, the bike rumbles to life below me.

I walk it backward and then wait for Valkyrie to line up behind me before taking off.

Chapter Nine

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