Page 7 of Dale
I’m also concerned about what kind of man would have a son and not want to be involved in their life. Did Dale know he’s a father? I would have thought he would want to be with his son. He seems to like kids.
“Do you have any questions about the procedure?”
Natalia nods and looks at the paperwork one more time. “What is the recovery time going to look like for him?”
My heart is hammering in my chest.
“He’s going to be sore for a couple of days and needs to take it easy. He can’t do any physical exercises or take care of himself for the most part,” the nurse continues.
My heart is hammering in my chest. About five hours ago, I would have been the one who was supposed to take care of him and now his wife is here.
“Thank you,” Natalia states and turns back to the lobby after signing everything that was needed on the paperwork.
I follow behind her stupidly because I have no idea what else to do. I have no idea if I’m supposed to kill this woman or if I should apologize. How am I supposed to handle something like this? How am I supposed to act after finding this out?
Brielle is waiting for me back in the lobby and she gives me a big hug. “Do you want to get out of here?”
The fact that she was nice to me right here and now, that is when I break down. Tears start flooding my eyes and I know I have to read what is on the piece of paper. I know I’m going to have to know what it says.
I nod my head and continue to walk out of the lobby with Brielle behind me. I hear Chase call me from behind but I don’t stop. It isn’t until I’m out the door do I feel his hand on my shoulder.
“Don’t leave like this,” he mutters. His eyes are filled with something I have never seen in him. Is he afraid of Dale dying?
“I have to get out of here. I’m sorry,” I whisper and run out of his hold.
If he holds me back, I’m going to lose the last shred of dignity I have left.
Chapter Six
Natalia
The amount of tension in this lobby is palpable. I know that none of them could ever understand why I left and the importance of leaving as quickly as I did.
I look at Maverick who is seated in between Mick and some other brother. Maverick is showing them a new video on YouTube about some kid playing with toys. I will never understand why kids are interested in watching other kids play with toys on television instead of playing the toys themselves.
Chase sees me looking at my son and he’s in my face. I knew this was going to happen the minute I came back to this town. I don’t know how I’m supposed to explain any of this to him but the only thing I could do is share my truth.
“Before you start going off on me, can I talk to Dale first?” I ask cautiously.
Chase looks me over and nods. “You better make this right, Natalia. You done fucked up.” He points at Maverick and then looks back at me. “Did you know you were pregnant before leavin’?”
I nod ashamedly. I don’t think he would listen to me even if I were to tell him why I left. I don’t think he would listen to what I have to say.
“You stupid, selfish bitch,” he mutters and shakes his head out of disgust. “You don’t know what you leavin’ did to my brother. You don’t even know. Why’d you have to come back?”
I feel tears well up in my eyes as I listen to him tell me how horrible I am. I don’t need him to tell me how much I messed up by leaving.
Mick gets out of his seat and walks over to me to hug me. Mick is an old-timer who was friends with my dad before my dad went to prison. My dad going to prison really opened my eyes on a lot especially if I wanted to raise a child in this world. Did I really want to bring my baby to prison to see their father?
There is only one way out of the MC life and that’s in a pine box. I shudder to think about how close I was to being in the pine box just by my association with the clubs.
My father’s club was more ruthless than this one. My father’s club didn’t give a fuck about who they hurt and then certainly didn’t care about the women involved in the club. Case in point, my father marrying me off to some stranger when I was only eighteen.
Since I was so young and the only marriage I have ever watched in the flesh was those on television or my dad’s many marriages, I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know what a marriage looked like until I was in one.
“Hey, pretty lady. What have you been up to?”
The minute Mick touches me, I feel something inside I haven’t felt in a long time. I miss the brotherhood of the club. I don’t miss the danger and the frequent incarcerations.
