Page 9 of Reign
On his warning, I let my now stiff body relax and lower myself back into my seat. To ground myself further for whatever he is about to tell me, I hold Banjo's hand.
“I picked her up from the airport and noticed she was wearing more shit than usual on her face. Asked her about it and she fed me bullshit about hitting puffy eyes from crying. Considering the shit on her face is covering more than just under her eyes, I call bullshit. On the drive over she was nervous which is understandable but when I reached out to comfort her, she flinched. Fucking flinched like she thought I was going to hit her.”
The anger and rage vibrates through my entire being. Someone hurt her. My girl.
Fuck I have not thought of her as my girl in years but that is what the sexy hurricane that is Raven is for me. I soak up the information he’s given me and form a plan in my mind.
“Okay, let’s keep an eye on her. You are right, we won’t burden Tyres with this while they are dealing with Banjo’s health. We can’t keep this from him. It is his sister.”
With that said, the door opens and Tyres enters the room, hand in hand with Raven. The second I lay eyes on her, my heart stutters in my chest. It has been a few years since I last saw but fuck, she has gotten more beautiful. I can now see what Mischief means. It’s clear she is covering bruises up, no matter how good of a job she’s done trying to hide them.
As I take more of her face in, I notice a cut on the top of her cheek and when our eyes meet, hers takes my breath away and not in a good way. Fear, pain and also strength meet me. Someone has hurt her and I’m going to find out who. When I do, I am going to make them pay greatly for causing her this.
“We will give you some privacy,” I say, giving Banjo’s hand a final squeeze and then leaving the room. Not before stopping in front of Raven and placing a kiss on her forehead. No words are exchanged.
I join the rest of the club in the waiting room. Over the last 24 hours or so, we have each taken it in turns to sit with Banjo and say our goodbyes. He’s holding on but the decision was made once we had Raven here and she said her goodbyes, they would stop treatment and let him pass in pace with dignity. Every person deserves that.
We all sit, lost in our own memories of Banjo. No one wants to say anything out loud. Guess that would make all this real then. Not that we think he is suddenly going to jump out of bed and be better. But talking like he’s gone, makes him actually gone.
It is a few hours later that Tyres comes into the room. He doesn’t need to say a word, it’s on his face.
“He’s gone” his voice showing his emotions.
He walks straight over to Debs who is sobbing in the corner, picks her up and sits down in the chair with her curled in his lap. Burying his face in her hair as they hold each other. I nod to Mischief and slip out the door.
I find Raven in the room with Dad. She is still holding his hand but her face is dry. Her eyes never move from his face. He looks peaceful as if he's asleep. I sit in the chair next to Raven who doesn’t acknowledge my presence. Vacant eyes remain on her dad. I take her other hand in mine, so she at least knows she’s not alone.
“He’s gone?” It sounds like a question, but it is more of a fact.
“Yeah, sweet girl, he’s at peace now” not really knowing what to say to make this easier for her.
“Do you think he’s with Mom now?”
I smile at the fact she thinks of this. The relationship her folks had, the love and a strong bond are what we all crave in our lives. Everyone, even outlaw bikers deserve to be loved.
“Definitely, a love like they had. No way they wouldn’t find each other in heaven”
This idea that they are together seems to calm her. Not totally at peace with her dad’s passing but is able to find something in that sadness to see the light again. The hope he has now been reunited with the love of his life.
“Not sure I can leave him all alone Reign” she admits in a whisper.
“He won't be alone, precious. A couple of brothers will stay with him and he will get an escort to the funeral home. He might not have been a patched member but he was part of the club. He will get a full biker funeral.”
“He would get a kick out of that. Loved the sight of you all riding together in formation,” she says with a smile.
“Come on Precious, let’s get you home. After that long flight, you’ll be wanting to get clean and sleep” I say as I guide her out of the seat.
“I don’t want to be alone, Reign” she whispers, breaking my heart with just a few words.
“You never have to be alone. We can stop at your place and grab some things then you can stay at the clubhouse” I promise kissing her head.
“I would like that, thank you,” her voice sounds so small
Leaning over she kisses her dad's head before pressing her forehead to his.
“I love you Daddy” she whispers, causing me to look away to hide the emotion swirling around in me. I promise at that moment to protect her at all costs.
Wrapping my arm around her I guided her from the room. Country and Eagle were standing guard on either side of the door. Both gave Raven big hugs.
