Page 116 of Bleed Me

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Church Eyes

Once I learned my husband was traveling to his previous hometown, I knew what I had to do. I prepped my bike, bought plane tickets for our children, and asked Elle and Jamie to travel with them and bring them to a location I refused to share for everyone’s safety. I had a rental car waiting for them and a hotel booked under a code name only Saint, Elle, Jamie, and I knew.

Giver is a beautiful soul… but Dick is volatile, at best. The perfect balance, maybe, but just as dangerous as it is inspiring. What the Stallions and Ryders didn’t know was that, for some reason, Dick hated Delilah. My heart sensed that, if Giver were to see her, it would be too much for Dick. I sensed he would itch for the steering wheel of Giver’s life.

I was right.

Facing the evil that was branded to my husband’s soul through unspeakable actions, I was grateful for how much Dick had confided in me. Yes, many secrets were hidden from me to protect his other half, but enough details were shared to keep me on steady ground every time I had to face him.

I whispered, “Dick, please let Giver handle this.”

He sneered. “If he knew how to handle shit, I wouldn’t be here, at this bitch’s house.”

“He kept me safe. Dick, the club let me back away to stay with Grace and Ice.”

“Yeah? Then why are you fucking here, too?” He easily pushed past me, even though I tried to grab his arm, then passed the window to a sliding glass door.

Because there was barely any wall between us for me to hide behind, I froze in place. I covered my mouth when Dick tried the sliding glass door, which was part of the open living room and kitchen area. When he realized it was locked, Dick didn’t try another. It’s like he knew all entries would be locked. Instead, he stood right in front of the glass, staring in a challenging manner, almost daring Delilah to unlock the door.

My heart pounded as I begged God not to let Delilah see him in the dark shadow. That’s why I didn’t rush to yank him back. The less movement, the better. If Dick could go unnoticed, then maybe we could keep Giver a secret. Giver had teased that our diamonds were the club’s best secret… not knowing he was mine. If no one learned his true identity, I could grow old and in love with the soul that perfectly paired with mine.

The music lowered… “Tuck?” called out Delilah, her voice much sultrier than expected.

Dick didn’t move, just stared back at her.

“Daddy?” called out Delilah with a hint of fear.

Motionless, Dick audaciously stared.

Delilah was scared now. “Art?”

No, Delilah. It’s not Art. Please don’t come to this door. Please don’t open the door.

There was no doubt that Giver wouldn’t survive hurting Delilah again. That meant I would have to do whatever needed to restrain him if she opened that door. That meant cops would be involved. I would lose my Giver forever. Fake identity, rape, and stalking, all affiliated with a motorcycle ‘gang’? No judge or jury would let Giver be free again.

Holding my crystal instead of my gun, I prayed. Jenny, your brother needs you.

I waited. Delilah waited…

Slowly, Dick’s hand rose and laid on the glass between him and Delilah.

His sudden sniffle told me what had transpired. Grateful that music was still playing inside the house, I held open my arms and offered an embrace of comfort while whispering, “Kenny, come here, honey.”

Crying, Giver’s youngest personality came to me. His shoulders were caved, his hands wringing with a nervousness he felt often. It’s bewildering to see large, strong hands, knowing the one with the mental health issue was most likely seeing tiny hands because he believed himself to be a little boy. “Why dos she eat cawwots, Ju-Ju?”

Even though Kenny outweighed me and was considerably taller, he melted to me like a child to a mother. Unlike what my husband believed, my mothering instincts hadn’t begun with Grace and Ice.

They began… with him.

Not being sure of what Delilah’s next move would be, I backed away with Kenny as he cried, “Dos she not wuv me anymore?”

Fighting my own tears, I held him tight, letting my love pour from my soul to his. “She loves you very much, Kenny.”

“She weaving me?”

“No, baby boy. Nor will I.” Trying to hide us against the wall, I kissed his head as it rested on my shoulder. “No one will leave you again. You are safe, here, with me, in my heart, and in my arms.”