Page 28 of Dylan's Dad
Leaving the room, I ascend the stairs of the cave, the weight of what I've done weighing heavily on my conscience. As I emerge into the dimly lit club, I see Stallion and Jimmy waiting for me. "It's done." I state matter of factly. "Or it will be soon enough. He should bleed out completely shortly."
"You alright?" Stallion asks concern evident in his tone.
I give Stallion a stoic nod, though deep down I am far from alright. The darkness that has consumed my soul feels like an impossibly heavy burden, one that will never be lifted. "I'm fine," I mutter, the words feeling like sandpaper against my tongue. "Just relieved it's finally over."
Stallion's hand lands on my shoulder in a comforting gesture, his voice laced with empathy. "Listen, brother, we all know what he did to Lola. He deserved what he got."
"I know. I don't feel bad for killing him." I state, but even as the words leave my lips, I can feel the weight of them sinking into my chest. The truth behind those words is unsettling, and a tinge of guilt creeps its way into my conscience. I don’t feel guilty for killing Dylan but rather for the fact that killing my own flesh and blood was so easy.
Now all I can think about is returning to Lola but I can't return to her like this, covered in the blood of her abuser and my son. I turn away from Stallion and Jimmy, making my way towards the bedrooms that the club provides for members. Despite spending 5 years in prison, I still remember that the last door on the left is assigned to me, even though I rarely used it before my arrest.
Once I entered my room, I stripped off the blood-soaked clothes, the memories of Dylan's screaming, and the scent ofiron that clung to my skin. I approached the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the chilling water wash away every trace of violence that had defined my night. Standing between the cold, hard tiles, I felt my heart and mind emptying with every drop of water that melted into my soul, trying to eradicate the demon inside me that I had just unleashed.
As I stepped out of the shower, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. The man staring back at me was a stranger, one who had surrendered his soul to darkness. I never claimed to be a saint. I've always been a man capable of monstrous things but this felt different, darker. Killing Dylan felt like crossing a line. He was a monster worse than even me and deserved a fate so much worse than what he got, but he was also my son. I reached out my hand and felt a numbness, a distance between the person I once was and the monster I had become. I knew then that in order to reclaim the life I once had, I had to make a choice – one that would either bring about a new beginning or the end of everything I had ever known.
With a final glance at the man in the mirror, I stepped out of the bathroom and grabbed a fresh pair of clothes out of the dresser. I dressed quickly and exited the room, I need Lola right now. I head straight for the clubs main doors and step out into the cool night air. Walking toward my bike I see stallion sitting on a bench nearby. Seeing my approach he rose from his seat, “Are you okay, Brother?”
“I’m fine.” I stated flatly. The look on his face was a mix of concern and like he knew I was lying. “I just need to see Lola.”
He nodded solemnly. “I get that but you know I am here for you, always.”
I brought him into a tight embrace. “I know you are. I love you, brother.” I release him and climb onto my bike. The engine roared to life as I revved it, the vibrations reverberating through my body. Stallion stood there, watching me with a mixture ofworry and understanding in his eyes. I could tell he wanted to say something more, to convince me to stay, but he knew better than to try. The bond between us was unbreakable, forged through the fires of brotherhood and loyalty but Lola was the only one who could settle the rising darkness within.
With a nod, I kicked the bike into gear and tore off into the night, my heart pounding with a cocktail of emotions. The wind whipped against my face, blowing away the fragments of doubt that had been lingering in my mind. There was only one place that could offer solace and clarity in moments like these—Lola. As I sped through the secluded country roads toward the cabin, memories of Lola flooded my mind. The way her laughter echoed through the trees, the warmth of her touch against my skin, and the way her eyes sparkled like starlight on a moonless night. She was my anchor in this chaotic world, the calm within the storm.
The cabin came into view, nestled amongst towering pines, its windows glowing with a soft golden light. I parked my bike in front and took a deep breath, savoring the scent of pine needles and earth that filled the air. It was as if nature itself welcomed me back into its embrace.
I approached the cabin door and hesitated but before I could even open the door Lola burst through it with a smile that could melt even the coldest heart. Her emerald eyes glistened with love as she leapt into my arms, her arms encircling me like a protective shield.
"I've been waiting for you," she whispered against my ear, her voice like a soothing melody. I held her tightly, feeling the weight of the world slowly lift off my shoulders. Lola had a way of making everything feel right again, even in the darkest of times. Her presence alone was enough to calm the storm within me.
"I needed you," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper as my lips grazed her temple. "I love you so much, Little Flower."
She pulled away slightly, her gaze locked with mine. "And I love you, always and forever." Her words were filled with a conviction that mirrored my own. There was an unspoken understanding between us, a connection that transcended the chaos of the world outside. Together, we were an unstoppable force, a sanctuary in each other's arms. "Why don't you put me down and we can go inside."
I wasn't ready to put her down so I strode forward with her wrapped around me like a spider monkey. The guys were all still hanging out in the living room except Sin who had followed her to the door acting as her protector and I couldn't love him more knowing he'd protect her with his life. "I'm grateful to all of you for looking after my girl but I need you all to leave now."
The room fell silent as my words hung in the air, the weight of my request sinking in. The guys exchanged glances, understanding the urgency in my voice. Without hesitation, one by one, they nodded and quietly exited the cabin, leaving Lola and me alone.
As the door closed behind them, Lola untangled herself from around me and took a step back, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "What's going on, Reaper?" she asked softly, her hand reaching out to touch my face.
I took her hand in mine and brought it to my lips, savoring the warmth that radiated from her touch. "Dylan's been dealt with," I began, my voice steady but filled with an undercurrent of vulnerability.
Lola's emerald eyes searched mine, a flicker of worry dancing within their depths.
I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to convey the weight of what had transpired. "He won't be a problem anymore."
Her grip tightened on mine, her expression shifting from concern to relief. "You did what you had to do, didn't you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, my heart heavy with the knowledge of what I had done. "I couldn't let him hurt you again, Lola. I couldn't let him take away our peace."
Understanding washed over her features, and she pulled me into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry," she whispered against my chest. "He was your son. I'm sorry you had to do that."
I held her close, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Little Flower," I murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "You are my everything, and I would do anything to protect you."
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at me, her voice filled with gratitude. "I love you so much, Reaper. Thank you for keeping me safe."
"Always, Lola," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "I will always keep you safe." With another firm kiss to her wild curls, I stepped back from her grabbing her hand. I led her into the living room and sat her down on the couch. "Please tell me you didn't rip your stitches."
