Page 73 of Ruthless Souls

Agnes’ voice was gentle as she greeted Jagger, and I immediately got back up to walk over to them.

Jagger stepped aside when he heard me coming, and I was faced with Agnes’ sad eyes. She was holding Myra in her arms and a duffle bag was on the floor next to her.

I swallowed as emotions bubbled up inside of me, and I looked at Jagger with a pleading gaze to please let her in.

He turned to face her again. “Are you alone?”

“Yes. He’s back at the house,” she told him, then her eyes met mine again. “I would just like to talk.”

Jagger nodded and took a step aside, letting her in. I smiled as Myra reached out to me, and I lifted her from Agnes’ arms to hold her in mine.

I kissed her cheek, then buried my face in her neck, breathing in that sweet baby scent. I missed her so much and I was scared of what Agnes was here to talk about. If she decided to leave, I didn’t know how I’d handle it.

I looked at Agnes and hugged her, careful not to hurt Myra. “I missed you,” I whispered.

She rubbed my back and smiled gently. “Missed you too, sweetie. Let’s sit down.”

We went to sit on the couch and I kept holding Myra in my arms. I didn’t want to lose her but I had a bad feeling that I wasn’t going to see her again after their visit was over.

“Water?” Jagger asked as he set the duffle bag down next to the front door.

“Yes, please.”

I looked at Agnes and waited for her to speak. All the calmness I felt just earlier this morning turned into anxiety.

Jagger brought the glass of water, then he looked at me. “Want me to stay?”

I shrugged. It didn’t matter. He would find out what Agnes said anyway.

“Stay. I want you to hear this too,” Agnes said.

Jagger nodded and sat down next to me, then Agnes took a deep breath, closing her eyes to collect herself.

I knew exactly what was coming, and I tried my best not to lose it.

“I know I shouldn’t be the one apologizing to you for what Woodrow has done but I am so sorry for the hurt he’s caused. I’m just as hurt as you are, and I wish he would’ve been honest about it. That he would’ve had the strength and courage to speak up instead of hiding this all from the club.” Her voice was shaky and tears stung her eyes. This was difficult for her. I gave her an encouraging look, and after taking another deep breath, she continued. “Fender talked to me and he is letting me decide what I want to do. If I want follow Woodrow or stay here. As difficult as this decision would’ve been for others, I didn’t have to think about it. I made a vow to him when I married him. To be loyal no matter what. I love him, and I’m so thankful that he’s still alive. I know it was you, Remedy, who begged Fender not to kill him because you knew it would destroy me. I’m so incredibly grateful for that. I have to go with him. I devoted myself to him when I gave him my heart, and I will stand by him forever. I hope you understand and can eventually forgive me for leaving.”

Tears rolled down my face as I let her words sink in. I wasn’t mad at her and I understood the importance of a wife standing by her husband, no matter how dark the shit he pulled was. That’s something she had to live and deal with. Woodrow betraying the club had nothing to do with their marriage, and I knew one day they’d leave it all behind and start over again.

It pained me to let them go, but she made a decision, and I couldn’t change her mind.

I looked at Myra and rested my forehead against hers, wishing I could’ve gotten more time with her. To see her grow up and be the best big cousin on earth. And while I would miss her, I knew any life besides the one lived in an MC would be better for her.

Jagger rubbed my back to comfort me, and I looked back up at Agnes with a gentle smile. “I understand. And I would never be angry at you for doing what’s best for you.”

She nodded, wiping away her own tears. “Fender won’t like this but I will keep in contact with you as much as I can. For Myra’s sake. When she’s old enough, she’ll want to know her cousin. You’re family too.”

That made me sob harder. I would miss so many milestones in her life. I hugged her closer to me and kissed her head, then let Agnes take her from me once she got up.

“I wish I could stay longer but I promised Woodrow to be back before noon. We’re still packing. I brought you some clothes. They’re in the duffle bag.”

I looked to the bag and nodded, then followed her to the front door. “Do you know where you’re going?” I asked, needing to know that they’d be fine.

“Utah. I have family there. They’ll let us stay in their basement until we find a place to live.”

“So you’re leaving Remedy the house?” Jagger asked.

Agnes smiled gently and looked at me. “It’s her home. She’s been the one mostly living in it for the past two years anyway. I know she’ll take good care of it.”

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