Page 60 of Grace's Revelation
“As soon as I’m done, we’ll go see how Mommy’s doing.” He nodded and let go. I leaned over and kissed the top of his head like I saw Grace do. I wasn’t sure if it was for my comfort or his.
Red and YoYo stood up with me.
I motioned for them to follow.
The rest of the Guardians all went on high alert knowing something was about to go down.
I met Razor’s gaze and nodded. I assumed he knew it was Dragons business and to not get involved.
Derrick slouched in the wooden chair with the orange cushion. He straightened up when I approached.
I sat next to him, with one empty chair between us.
Red and YoYo stood on either end of the aisle. A television played reruns in the corner of the room and the fake light did nothing to brighten the place.
Cason watched my every move.
I smiled at him and he smiled back.
“Kid looks like you.” Derrick said.
I nodded. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to know. Part of me wanted to let it go, but the other part of me, couldn’t.
“How’s Gracie?” He asked.
“Broken bones, but she’s going to be good.” I picked at the callus on my hand, afraid to look him in the eye. “How did it go down?”
He leaned over and rested his face in his hands.
He remained quiet for a minute.
“I need to know.” I pleaded; the desperation in my voice was evident.
“Word of what Mattie did to the Vipers son traveled fast. To keep the peace, your dad gave him up.” Derrick rubbed his hands together.
“He told you?”
“No, I overheard it.” He nodded. “I think on purpose. I was driving your father back from Virginia ahead of the crew. He told me to call Mattie and get him to the clubhouse.” His voice cracked. “Mattie was already on the way, your father said I should warn him.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“I wanted to, but I thought I could handle it.” Tears pooled in his eyes. He had the weight of regret on his shoulders. “When we arrived, I dropped Pres off and went to the house to find Mattie. When I came back, they were talking in the courtyard. He told him he was giving him up to save the club." Derrick wiped the tears from his eyes. "Then two guys pulled up. They were going to take Mattie and I couldn't let that happen. I took them both out, but one of them got a shot off and Mattie died in my arms."
I closed my eyes and leaned back.
I heard the chair creak as he laid his head back.
“If I could do it again, I’d have chosen different. I swear on my life, Mase.”
I opened my eyes.
Derrick’s hand shook.
“Your dad told me to get rid of the bodies.” He held his hand out in front of him. “By the time the rest of the crew returned, your dad played his role and grieved for his son and you went on a rampage and got rid of enough of the Vipers the rest would do whatever your father said to stay alive and off your radar.”
“Why did you leave?” I asked.
“I couldn’t follow a man who sacrificed his own sons for the club.” He shook his head. “Both of his sons. It wasn’t right. I couldn’t look you in the eye knowing what I did. When I thought you had killed Grace, I thought you were gone, too.”
