Page 123 of Healed

A shiver ran through him, and I went to sit up in an attempt to turn the hot tap back on, but he tightened his grip, refusing to let me go.

“Vienna? Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

“I’m just having a bit of difficulty separating things,” he admitted.

“Separating what?”

“You and her,” he said quietly. “I see you in that kid. I saw you in the mother. It’s just… it’s taking a lot to process, Gabby. That’s all.”

“Luke,” I breathed, holding him tighter than before. We let the silence wash over us as the water soothed his aching bones.

After a few minutes, he began to speak again.

“This isn’t the first time this has happened.”

“No?” I said, drawing gentle circles on his chest.

“No. Twice a year, we do this big charity run. Members from all the charters gather here—mainly Easter and Christmas—and we drive through the entire city collecting presents and money, which we then take to the children’s unit at the hospital.”

I knew all this. I had even designed one of Vienna’s costumes way back when. But I left him to talk, sensing he needed to.

“Ever since Dante became president and opened the compound to the public, the fear of us has become even less. We’re no longer the whispered nightmares, but rather people the locals can trust. Apart from with their cars. Tools rips them off every time,” he chuckled.

“Sounds like Tools.”

“There was a woman once being attacked on the compound. Her boyfriend had too much to drink. Dante bit his ear off in front of everyone. That was enough to make people realise we were friendly but still dangerous. Since then, we’ve had a few women come forward, asking for help with their abusive partners. Dante has a fund set aside, which he uses to help them get back on their feet. And of course we deal with the piece of shit hurting them. But we’ve never had a kid before, Gabby. I can’t get her out of my mind.”

“Hey,” I said, sitting up and looking down at him, my hand curving around his cheek. “You helped her. You did what you could for her. You can’t blame yourself that some evil fuck hurt her. At least you know it won’t ever happen again.”

“It shouldn’t have happened to begin with.”

“No,” I agreed. “It shouldn’t have. But we’re not responsible for the actions of others. And you can’t shoulder the blame for it.”

“I know it’s just… she was so tiny,” he sighed sadly.

“I know,” I said, lying back down on him. “But she’s safe now. She’s protected. You did that.”

Vienna squeezed my arm, his own arms tightening around me, and we were silent for long moments.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Hmm?” he replied, sounding exhausted.

“You know that fund of Dante’s?”

“Yes?” he said suspiciously.

“Do you think…” I paused to wet my lips. “Do you think he’d use some for the women of the Riders and—”

“No.”

“But—”

“No, Gabriella,” he replied firmly. “I’m sorry, but that’s the truth. Dante is offering you protection because I love you and that’s how it’s always been. But he won’t extend his protection to the other old ladies there. They made their choice.”

“But not always. They—”

“The old ladies made their choice. I agree with others. The bunnies, for example? They had no choice. And we’ll do what we can there. But Dante is never going to extend his help, his money, and his protection to old ladies of an enemy gang. I’m sorry, but he just won’t. He won’t actively harm them, and if the children need assistance, he’ll do something, but he’s never going to do more than that. And you’d be unreasonable to ask him.”