Page 13 of Carver's Obsession

Striker smirked. “Really? Why not?”

“Because it’s against the law.”

Everyone in the room laughed.

“We’re a biker club. Do you really think we’re upstanding citizens?” Feral said.

Erica lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. “You can try, but you’ll have to lock me up somewhere because I’ll keep trying to leave.”

And she would, every chance she got. The less time she spent with her sister, the less she’d miss her when she left.

Chapter Eight

Jana sighed. “I’d like to talk to my sister alone for a moment.”

“You can have the office,” Striker said as he stood. He grabbed Kristina’s hand and walked out.

Jana patted Gunner’s arm. “It’s okay. We’ll be right out.”

Erica crossed her arms over her chest and waited for everyone to leave. Carver stopped at the door and looked at her.

“I’ll be right outside. Call if you need me.”

Erica nodded but stayed silent. She waited for her sister to speak after the door was closed. Jana stood a few feet away and looked like she was barely holding it together.

“Listen, I get that you’re mad at me, and I don’t blame you. I would be resentful if our places were switched. Please believe me when I say how sorry I am. I didn’t know the money I sent home wasn’t enough.”

Erica froze. “Wait, what money?”

Jana looked confused. “You didn’t know about the money I sent home every month?”

Erica shook her head. “No. Mom never told me that.”

“I don’t understand why you had to work full-time?” Jana said.

Erica thought of all the times she found drugs and alcohol in their house. When Erica asked about it, her mom always said a friend brought them to her. Erica never questioned it. Now, other things that didn’t make sense at the time were falling into place.

“Where did all the money go?” Jana asked.

Erica looked down. “I imagine she used it for drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol.”

“When did she start doing drugs?” Jana asked. “I knew she smoked, but she told me she had quit. I didn’t think she’d been much of a drinker either.”

“I think she was trying to self-medicate. She was sick a long time before I found out. She hadn’t wanted to go to the doctor because she knew it was bad. She said she didn’t tell me because she didn’t want me to worry, but now I’m questioning everything she said to me.”

“I am, too. I think she lied to both of us for a long time. She didn’t want me to come home because she thought I’d be able to tell she was sick, so she kept me away.”

“You tried to come home?” Erica asked.

“Yeah, a few times, but she always said the two of you were so busy, you wouldn’t be around. I believed her,” Jana growled.

Erica didn’t know what to make of this new information. She wanted time alone to digest it and figure out her next course of action.

“Well, I’m sorry about my hostility,” Erica said. “I’ve got to get going.”

“You don’t have anywhere to be,” Jana said.

“That doesn’t matter. This is your life. I’m not going to barge in.”

---