Page 76 of Banshee
“No, that’s not who you were.”
“What do you mean?” I asked her, confusion marring my brow.
“Well, you were Irene, the goddess of peace. Now you’re Aspen, the shaking tree. Shake that fucking family tree, babe, and make them listen to you.”
Was Brandy right? Could I stand up for myself and face my father and everything he was responsible for? Could I stop worrying about keeping the peace and shake things up?
I looked down at the dog lying across my lap. He lifted an eyebrow as if he was asking me, ‘Are we doing this?’He had given me strength to overcome so many fears since moving into the clubhouse.
Banshee had done the rest.
There was no question that Banshee would back me up. With them both by my side, what did I have to lose?
I tapped Diesel on the back. “Down, boy.” He jumped to the floor and sat watching me. Waiting to see what I would do. I took three deep breaths before I finally stood.
“You’re right, Brandy. It’s time I took control of my life.”
“Damn right, girl!”
I marched to the door, flipped the lock, and yanked it open. Stepping out into the hallway, I hesitated only a second before walking down the stairs.
Diesel was at my side, and I could hear Brandy’s footsteps behind me. The sound of her shoes on the floor gave me a strength that surprised me. Hearing her words of encouragement bolstered me. Empowered me to continue down the stairs out into the main room.
I looked around the room for any of my father’s men, realizing they were all probably in church. I stepped in front of the doors and paused.
Sam stepped beside me.
“You can do this. Banshee is just on the other side.”
I smiled at her. She always seemed to know more than she let on. She truly was the mother everyone here needed. With one more deep inhale, I shoved the doors open and stepped inside.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Banshee
The doors to church slammed open, and Aspen stepped inside. Brandy winked at me from the opening just before the doors closed behind Aspen.
I rushed to her side. “Are you sure, baby girl?”
“No, but I have to take back my life someday, right?”
“Aspen?” King called.
She closed her eyes tight, took a deep breath, and then turned to her family.
“Irene!” Rhea gasped before pushing through the guard that stood around them. She gathered Aspen into her arms and cried. Pulling back, she cradled Aspen’s face in her hands and said, “Both my girls!”
Rhea turned to King and snarled, “What the fuck, King? You have both my girls, and you don’t fucking call?”
Kronos stared at Aspen. He hadn’t moved other than to stand from his seat. Zeus had shot up right behind his mother and now held Aspen in his arms.
“Shuggy, thank God!”
I watched the men standing by Kronos. Asclepius had moved to stand behind Zeus, happy to see his niece, awaiting his turn to hug her. Apollo smiled; Poseidon stood stone-faced as usual. But Erebus… he looked a little too fucking interested in my girl.
“It was Aspen’s choice not to call you and tell you where she was,” King said.
“Who the fuck is Aspen?” Kronos demanded.
