Page 59 of Bone's Destiny

“We gave you life,” Ben said. “Lady M and I nurtured you and loved you. We are your parents”—he pointed between us—“and don’t you forget it.”

“Believe me, I won’t forget any of this. It sure explains a lot, doesn’t it? I mean, why I’m the way I am. A crazy lunatic like her.” He resumed pacing.

“You are nothing like her.” I desperately wanted to comfort and console his grieving soul and love him through this shit, but I sensed my attempts would blow up in my face.

“Don’t lie to me.” A large tear ran down his face. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d seen him cry. “If what you said is true…” He choked down a sob and ran out of the house.

“Micah!” Destiny rushed out.

My other kids were frozen.

“Go after him,” I told Ben. “He can’t leave upset and devastated.”

“He’s gonna be okay after he processes. This would be a lot for anyone.” He tugged me in his arms.

“We’ve lost him, Ben.”

“No, we haven’t. We should’ve told him the rest of the story.”

“You mean how she tried to kill Abe and me and you?”

“Yes. He needs to know how far she went and how she was stopped. I think he can handle it.” I turned toward Abe. “I believe he can handle it.”

“You old fool, it will destroy him.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Well, I do.”

“I have to disagree, Margaret. He has Destiny. She’ll be there for him and get through to him.”

“I hope you’re right.” I looked at my beautiful children. “I’m so sorry you heard it like this. I guess your brother wanted you to know.”

“He’s our blood.” Cobra took charge. “And we stand by our blood, right?”

Every one of them nodded. They made me so proud.

“I guess we just wait now to hear from Micah.” I turned into Ben’s chest and cried.

My poor baby boy, please don’t do anything destructive. I love you so much.

24

Bone

I was the son of a heinous woman. Christ, was I more like her than my old man?

“Micah?” Destiny’s voice came from behind me. “I’m so sorry.”

Why would she follow me to the barn? She should have run for the hills instead of coming to me.

“I needed to get away from them, all of them. The shame and embarrassment I feel are more than I could handle.”

“I’m here.” She rubbed her hands up and down my arms. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Why not? Weren’t you listening to what kind of mother I have? She raped my father!” My mind whirled with images, and I stumbled to the side.

After what Eleanor had done, I was confident my old man had killed her. She had more than deserved to die. Of course, he and Lady M would never admit it. But I didn’t need them too. I knew how outlaw bikers did shit. We never talked, only sought retribution.

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