Page 9 of Keg's Revelation

Chapter Three

Keg

Betrayed, hurt, angry, cheated. Every one of those emotions flooded me as I stood there focused on Raven. When she realized I knew—nothing—not even the moisture that filled her eyes could keep me from raging. If anything, I felt my anger grow.

I had enjoyed talking with Raven earlier. At least after the initial shock passed from seeing her at the club. During the encounter with her and her kids, I briefly wondered how different my life would be if she’d stayed or even kept in touch.

Even as I watched her prepare to drive away, a strange contentment washed over me that I hadn’t felt for a long time. Not since before she’d moved away if I was honest with myself. I’d smiled when I heard the kids through her open window answer her question on picking up food.

Then she waved and started pulling away when Ry’s statement,I thought I was going to turn thirteen before I got to eat lunch,registered. And the next thing I knew, I was jogging toward the gate yelling for Mac to stop them.

How quickly one’s life would change.

“I planned to tell you. I just...” Raven said as she looked at me and a tear slid from the corner of her eye.

I looked toward Ry and saw him with new eyes. The resemblance to my dad, and Sami since she favored Wild Bill, was there if you looked. His face was at the in between stages of youth, where the softness in the area around the cheeks was changing, and the bone structure was becoming more prominent. He had my chin for God’s sake.

“When were you planning to tell me that I had a son? As he went off to college, when he married? Did you have a timeline worked out on sharing the information?” I threw the questions at her, and my voice rose with each one.

“Oh damn,” came from Mac while Raven continued to stare with tears freely rolling down her cheeks then.

I was so deep into my anger that I hadn’t heard the approach of several motorcycles until they reached the entrance to the Haven. With Raven’s vehicle taking up most of the space, the bikes passed single file.

By the time the last bike passed, I was done with Raven’s silence. “Answer me, goddammit! When were you going to tell me about my son!” I screamed and slammed my hands down on the top of the car.

Several things occurred after that move to have my anger dialed down a few notches. Raven jumped and scooted away from the door, whether it just scared her or if she expected me to hit her next. From the backseat, Reagan burst into tears, and the shocked wide-eyed look on Ry’s face as he stared at me was a cold splash of ice water on my temper.

Could I have handled the situation any worse?

I added disgust to my feelings. Appalled at my actions. What type of man exploded at a woman—and frightened two children?

“Son, I think that’s enough for right now.” My dad’s hand clasped down on my shoulder and squeezed. When I turned my head to look at him, I noticed the brothers who rode in with him, stood off to the side.

Nothing like showing your ass with an audience.

I shook my head and dropped my hands from the car roof. After I stepped back, I looked at Mac and jerked my head to the side. He gave a chin lift in acknowledgment and moved to the side, unblocking Raven’s car.

Raven swiped at her cheeks and spoke softly to Reagan, assuring the little girl everything would be okay. Ry had straightened in the passenger seat and stared out the windshield, not saying a word. I’d give anything to know what was running through his head. Then again, after my actions, maybe it was best I didn’t.

I took a deep breath and ran my hand down my face. “We need to talk, Raven, and as much as I want answers, I can’t deal with you right now. You can leave.”

“Reed, I’m so sorry. I wanted...”

I ignored her attempt to apologize. “I’ll be by your grandparents’ place tomorrow afternoon. I expect answers then. Make sure you’re there, too. I don’t want to hunt you down, but I will if you aren’t there.” I turned my back on Raven, dislodging my dad’s hand in the process, and started walking toward the clubhouse.

---