“All I ask is time to prove it.” I lean forward and kiss her forehead. If I don’t come back from this, I’ll carry this moment into the great beyond with me. “I love you, Ali bug.”
Winking, I turn away from her, clamping down the ocean of emotion I can’t afford. Head held high, I leave them behind in safety and comfort and unleash the darkness that lurks in the hearts of all men.
* * *
Queenie
“You have answers.” Alexandria turns to me as I unlock the door with the keys.
“I know a little. It’s a painful topic. Your father doesn’t bring it up often.”
“I bet he doesn’t. Who’d want to date a man who abandons his children?” she scoffs, grabbing the handle of her purple, rolling carry-on.
“I wouldn’t. Good thing he didn’t do that.” I push the door open and wave a hand for her to move inside.
“Is that the story he told you?” Lifting her nose in the air, she walks over the threshold, and I count to ten.
“Your father is an amazing man—”
“You have to think that, he’s your boyfriend.” Her lips curl in disgust at the b-word.
“I think we’re a little old for that term, and believe me, I wasn’t single for two years to date any man who wasn’t worth my time. He’s intelligent, handsome, and best of all, he has a large heart.”
“Then why did he abandon me?” she snaps.
“Blame the lies on your mother.” I rip the band-aid off and lift the blinders placed over her eyes. Gentle isn’t always better, and I’m not about to listen to her disparage a man I know beats himself up enough about the situation.
“Is that what he told you?”
“Yes, and I believe him because he doesn’t lie.” I shut the door harder than I need to and lock it. I snort. “Even when it’d be easier.” After setting the alarm, I turn to face the blonde teenager staring me down. Arms crossed over her chest, her hip cocked, she’s completely closed off. Anger rolls off her in waves. The girl is spoiling for a fight and hurting. No child runs away back to the parent she believed walked away without reason.
“What was his version of the story? Because, as I hear it, he got caught up in his little gang and decided a wife and a child cramped his style. He gave her money to start over and told her not to bother him again.” Her voice dips, and her jaw flexes as she sniffs.
“Your mother got sick of living the life. Being married to a biker is all-consuming, but they both agreed it was what they wanted after your father got out of the Navy. It took a full year to prospect. It’s like a trial run to join. She never expressed any serious concern. As a matter of fact, they had a great time.”
“My mother?” she asks skeptically.
“Yes, Penny.” I hate the sound of her name on my tongue. It’s like whispering the name of a demon and hoping they don’t take notice and come to investigate.
“So, what went wrong?”
“Once they had you, things changed. Your mother wanted to fit in and do the PTA mom route.”
Alexandria made a strangled sound. “Just like she is now.”
My heart aches for her as I continue, “Penny wanted Preacher to be something he wasn’t. With his Harley, cut, and brothers, he could never blend in with the other parents. Your mother’s dream changed, but he’d made a commitment, and he was happy. They fought over it, tried to comprise, and then she dropped it. He thought they’d come to a point where they could meet in the middle.” I eye her warily. “Your mother decided to go a different route after that, she made plans, and when she was ready, she executed them flawlessly.”
“What does that mean?” Alexandria whispers.
I shake my head. “I don’t know the details. I know she gave him an ultimatum; jail, and she betrayed the club, or he stayed out of your life while she built one she deemed worthy of living.”
She gasps. “No, she couldn’t have.”
“I don’t need to tell you that any court would take her side. The Feds are constantly waiting for an in with the clubs. And wife or not, they couldn’t stand by while she incriminated them.”
“Are you—” Alexandria’s face pales. “Do you think they would’ve killed her?”
I shrug. “No.”