Page 20 of Bone's Destiny

Cobra stood in front of me. “Did they tell you what you wanted to know about your real mom?” The compassion in his steely gray eyes threatened to undo me.

“No. We got into it. I’m a royal dick, y’know?”

“Yeah. I know.” He threw his arm around my shoulders and guided me out. “I’ll take you to Aeros.”

“Why? Spectre is coming back.”

“Because I want to.”

“I’m in no mood for talking.”

“What? But you love to talk.” He snorted as we exited the sliding glass doors and went into the sunshine.

“You’re a nutjob.” I got into his black Suburban.

“And you’re a generous uncle.” He started his cage and drove off.

Great, he’d already spoken to Karma.

“Karma told me what happened. She wants to give you the money back, but I told her no.”

I nearly broke my neck, turning it toward him. “You told her no?”

“Yes. It’s disrespectful and insulting to give a gift back to the giver. I explained that it was Nova’s money and we had no right to take it from her.”

“Well, I’m more than a little shocked.”

“So were we. You don’t have to buy forgiveness, brother. I understand a little of what you must’ve been going through back then. Shit, since middle school.”

“Some would say that’s no excuse.”

“I say until someone walks in your shoes, they better shut up and keep their righteous indignation to themselves. Me included.” He stared at me, and I saw the pain he felt on my behalf. “I’ll help you find your mother if you want. I’ll reach out to Storm to have Grizzly search for her. I just need to know her name and where she’s from.”

“I’ve already done my own searching, but thanks. I appreciate the offer.” I blew out a breath. “I suspect she changed her name. Or maybe something happened to her.”

“Like what? She died?”

“Or was killed.” I wouldn’t have put it past my old man to take Eleanor out if she had gotten in the way or had been difficult. It was how MCs rolled. Sure, Ben Knight was respected by all and revered, but he was no saint like the rest of us. I just needed to hear the truth from his lips or Lady M’s. Until I did, I’d go on believing Eleanor was alive.

“Fuck, brother. Some heavy shit.”

“Tell me about it. I’ve been carrying all this for more than twenty years. I hate it and want it over with, so I can get on with my life.” What I’d do afterward, I had no idea. If Eleanor was alive, I wanted to meet her. If she wasn’t, I would seek retribution. Jesus, I could never kill my own father. But he wasn’t wrong when he’d said I was thirsty for blood. I was and someone would have to pay.

“I cannot imagine. Why didn’t you trust me enough to tell me? We were best friends before you discovered your birth certificate. Things could’ve turned out a lot different.”

“You wouldn’t have missed seven years with your daughter.”

“Exactly.” He furrowed his brow, and his stricken expression hurt me. “Exactly. Don’t you know how much we love you and would’ve stood by your side had you told us?”

“Only you and Buff were old enough to understand at the time. The rest of the kids were too little. I was so messed up and embarrassed. I didn’t want you or anyone else to know I had a different mother.” I rubbed my palms against my eyes. “It’s taken me a long time to get to this place where I don’t care if the whole family knows. I need some fucking peace in my life.”

“I imagine so.” Cobra tapped his thumbs on the steering wheel. “I can have someone else deal with Destiny. You can return to Montana. I’ll figure it out.”

“Nope, I agreed to help.”

“Yeah, but—”

I raised my hand. “Not another word. Any chick named Destiny must be a hottie.” I joked to lighten the mood.

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