“I’m gonna find out who did it, Mama. Swear to Christ.”
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Can you promise me something, Crew?”
“Anything.”
Meeting my eyes again, she stroked my cheek. “Don’t let that hate and need for vengeance destroy your joy. You were always so happy as a kid, and when we lost your sister, I know you and Otis did everything in your power to try and keep it, but I see it fading. It will destroy you faster and worse than any bullet or cancer ever could, and I can’t bear to lose you too.”
My sister, Carina, had died four years ago from a rare form of brain cancer. It had nearly destroyed all of us, but she’d made us promise to figure out a way to find some kind of happy. And if we didn’t, she’d haunt us in the worst possible way. She never let an opportunity to remind us she was our older and wiser sister slide.
We’d done it. Somehow, the three of us found a way to be happy. Or at least, found a way to survive without much bitterness.
Tango, on the other hand, not so much.
I couldn’t really blame him. He was ready to marry my sister. They were solid. Deeper in love than anyone I’d ever known, and she was taken from him. Don’t know that I could find happiness after that either.
“I brought you some groceries,” I said, avoiding more of the uncomfortable conversation.
“Thanks, baby. You just missed Ridge.”
I did my best to hide my shock as I stood and made my way to the bag of groceries.
“How often does Tango come around, Ma?” I asked as I put things away.
“Couple times a week. He cooks for me, and we hang out for a few hours. Watch TV or play cards.” She cocked her head. “Don’t be angry with him, son.”
“I’m not angry, Mom, I’m surprised. Figured his obligation was done.”
“I still consider him a part of this family, and I tell him as much every time I see him,” she said. “And if you tell him otherwise, young man, I will box your ears.”
I sighed. “Mama, he’s part of my club. We’re brothers. As close as blood. I will always consider him family.”
“Does that go for Wrath, too?”
“No. That fucker’s dead to me.”
“He didn’t kill Otis, honey.”
“Might as well have.”
She slammed her hand down on the table and I turned to face her. “I’ve had enough.”
I leaned against the counter and crossed my arms as she rose to her feet.
“I knew what I was letting you get into when Thorne came to me and asked for my permission to let you and Otis prospect—”
“Hewhat?” I snapped.
“Baby boy, you don’t think if I’d said no way in hell my boys were gonna be part of his club that Sundance wouldn’t have pulled the plug on that right quick? Morgan was my best friend, and, no I had no interest in being in the life, but you needed a man or two to guide you, and quite frankly, I’ve never met better than Sundance and Rocky, so I allowed it. It was either that or your asses would have been in juvie.”
“Fuck me,” I breathed out. “That was a long time to keep that little nugget secret.”
I knew Mom was tight with the club, but I had no idea Sundance had okayed our prospecting with her.
“Jekyll and Wrath are not the reason your brother is dead. Neither are you. The bastard who killed him is. You cannot, and I mean,cannotturn on your brothers, honey. Especially Wrath. He was Otis’s best friend. He is as deeply wounded by this as you are.”
“Bullshit,” I hissed.
She settled her hand over my heart. “Blood doesn’t always mean best, baby boy.”