Resurrection (Wesson Rebel MC Series Book 3)

by Colt, Shyla

  I lean against the white marble railing and wonder what Prophet is doing. He’d stayed for a couple of days in the hotel room connected with mine, before he got called back home. I didn’t expect him to be up my ass— I know he said he wanted to give me space to make up my own mind— but this felt like too much.

  Was this a ploy to get me to break our ties? Some passive aggressive play at letting me down easy?

  I don’t know and it’s driving me crazy. Speaking of crazy, Ira is bending over backwards to sway me toward staying with him. It’s funny, I always thought he would be happy to see me go. Now, I’m thinking we’ve formed some unhealthy codependence, and I don’t want that. There’s nothing really here for me. Sure, there’s money and respect, if I cared about it, but nothing else. I have no friends, no one I really trust other than Ira, and nothing to do. A person can only shop, watch television, and swim so much. I will the phone on the table to ring. Of course, it doesn’t. It’s like I’m in a weird state of limbo right now. I don’t fit here, but I don’t fit back home, either. How can I choose? Pick the lesser evil?

  I miss Prophet more than I imagined I would. The texts aren’t enough, and we don’t get a chance to FaceTime nearly as much as I’d like. Dallas has him working on something with the club, which means long hours. I think it has to do with making sure they don’t have a leak, but I could be wrong.

  Cora is well. Her Braxton Hicks are a regular occurrence. Rowan and Sampson have moved back in, which cuts down our talk time. I don’t want to put this on her when she’s preparing to bring a new life into the world and reconnecting with her best friend. I know there was a rift while Sampson dried out. It was a struggle, and some people wondered if he’s really off the pain killers for good. I know it’s something Cora still worries about; she’s motherly like that. R.J. and baby number two are lucky to have her.

  Knock, knock.

  I sigh. I know its Ira. I should pretend to be asleep.

  Knock, knock.

  I turn and walk through the bedroom big enough to fit an entire apartment in. I open the door.

  “Hey. You busy?”

  “No.”

  “You want to go do something with me?”

  “Do you actually have the time?”

  He winces. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been busy. I didn’t mean to neglect you.”

  I hold up my hand. “No, don’t apologize to me for doing what you need to do. You’re assuming control, it’s necessary. I was genuinely asking a question.”

  “I’ll always make time for you. You know that.”

  “I do. Maybe it shouldn’t be something you have to do.”

  “What are you talking about? You’re my baby sister. Even when you’re fifty, I’m going to look out for you.”

  “Yes, but not like this.”

  “You want to explain what you’re talking about? You haven’t been yourself, since I left you alone with Prophet. What did he do, brainwash you?”

  “No, he let me grow up. He helped me be the woman I needed to be in the circumstances handed down to me. You treat him like he plotted this. He didn’t even like me at first. There was nothing but animosity and distrust. Then we damn near died together in a car and things changed. I’m not the woman I once was, because I was stuck in the mindset of a child.”

  “You went through a lot.”

  “Yes, and I never addressed any of it. I didn’t even attempt to deal with it. I hid like a child who jumps into bed every night because they’re afraid the monster under their bed will drag them under.”

  “It’s different. We both knew the monsters were real.”

  “It’s an excuse. You love me, but you could never be objective.”

  “So, now you’re mad because I did what I needed to do to take care of you?”

  “No.” I shake my head. “Why are you so defensive?”

  “Because you want to ditch me for that bearded fucker back home.”

  “I’m not choosing one or the other.”

  “Aren’t you? If you go back, what happens?”

  “I live. Finally, I live. I figure out who the hell Vita is. Don’t you understand? I need to do this and I need to do it alone.”

  “And when he breaks your heart and leaves you crumbled into tiny pieces? Then what, huh? You come running back to me and I fix it?” He taps his chest with his balled hand.

  “No, I expect you to be there and support me like a normal sibling would. You’re not my keeper, Ira. You can’t encase me in bubble wrap and keep me from harm.”

  “Just like that…you expect me to just say nothing?”

  “No, I expect you to respect my choices and want what makes me happy.”

  “Even if it’s the worst possible thing for you?”

  “Yes. Can you do that?”

  He shakes his head and glances up. “I can try, but don’t think I’m going to hold my tongue. It’s not in me. I’ve been playing the role of guardian for too long. And I’m telling you right now, this thing with Prophet is bad news.”

  “Why?”

  “Because club life is unpredictable. There’s no stability and very little monogamy. I don’t want to see you hurt and used up. That’s what happens to women.”

  “What about Cora?”

  “You see the hell she went through?”

  “Prophet is not Dallas.”

  “No, he’s not. But that doesn’t mean he’s not the same type of man. We are a similar breed.”

  “Oh, bullshit.”

  “You don’t want to hear the truth—”

  “I don’t want to hear your version of the truth. I don’t know what you have against Prophet. You must like him. You left him with me.”

  “Like I had a choice. He’s the only one who could truly understand you.”

  “Apparently, in more ways than one.”

  He steps back, looking like I slapped him.

  “That’s it, isn’t it?” I continue to sign vigorously at him, “You can’t stand that I have someone else who can understand me.”

  He scoffs.

  I can’t help but notice he won’t meet my eyes. “Ira. You know I’m never going to not need you, right? No matter what else happens in my life, you are always going to be my big brother. The person who pulled me out of hell and kept me safe, against all odds. It’s time for us to both let go and step back. Lorenzo is dead. Our family has been avenged, and we’re not running scared anymore. Maybe you should find out who Ira is. I know you’ll deny it to the bitter end, but I stunted your growth and I’m sorry for that.”

  “Don’t say that, Vita. I love you.”

  “And I love you, but you weren’t ready to be a parent at twenty-one, to a special needs child, no less.”

  “Hey. You don’t talk about yourself like that!” he barks.

  I smile. I love that he never looked at me that way. “Yes, I know. You told me I was different and there was nothing wrong with that.”

  “There isn’t.”

  “I know and believe that now, because of you. You’ve done your job and then some. If I fly or fail now, it’s all on me. I know you think you know Prophet, but believe me when I tell you, you don’t. He’s been through some bad things.”

  “We all have.”

  “Yes, and if you knew his story you’d realize he’s more like us than you could ever imagine.”

  “So, tell me.” Ira’s eyes plead with me.

  “It’s not my story to tell.”

  He growls.

  “Don’t be upset, he might not want me after all. Contact has been minimum.”

  “But you’re still going back.”

  “I think so. Being here, it doesn’t feel right for me. I don’t have anything to do, and everything feels new, but it should feel familiar. It brings up bad memories for me.” I rub my arms to ward off the chill that settles over my skin.

  “I don’t want to do this without you,” he admits.

  “You don’t have to do it all, if you don’t want to.”

/>   “Yeah, I think I do. I can’t walk away until I know this has been made right. That we’re not going to end up stalked and hunted down again. I want to put us back where we were. It’s my gift to Dad.”

  “And what about Wesson?”

  “I’ve been granted an extended leave of absence.”

  I frown. “I’m pretty sure they don’t do that.”

  “Dallas is the President, he does whatever he wants. Besides, I’m a nomad. Things are a little different for me. It’s a given, I’m going to wander.”

  “How long do you plan on being in Philly?” I ask. The thought of leaving him is no more pleasant for me, but we do what we must. We always have.

  “As long as it takes.”

  “Okay.” A sullen mood settles over us. “What did you want to show me?” I ask, changing the topic.

  “I wanted to take you back to our favorite cheesesteak place for lunch. Remember, they had those hand-cut fries?”

  My stomach growls in response. “Yeah, I remember.”

  “You game?”

  “Yeah, let me get my shoes on.” I walk over to the bed and slip my feet into my sandals. I won’t miss this image thing. I long for my T-shirts, tanks, blue-jeans, and tennis shoes. It would’ve been an enjoyable time reminiscing, but I know better. This is more than likely our last meal together alone for a while.

  I’m not sure where I stand with Prophet. The only real way to find out is to see him in person, look into his eyes and ask him. I didn’t catch the conversation between him and Prophet, but I know Ira warned him off. Prophet isn’t the kind to back down, unless he sees some value in it. I can’t help but think Jewel has gotten into his head again. I refuse to let that bitch have him. I claimed him and pulled him from the wreckage she left behind. There will be no backsliding or hiding.

  And if he doesn’t want me? Then I’ll survive. It’s something I’ve found I have a knack for.

  Prophet/Charles

  I toss back a shot and slam it onto the table. “Hit me again,” I tell the blonde.

  She complies.

  “Why you out here drinking yourself to death, man? It’s not like you,” Sampson says.

  “That’s because I usually drown myself in pussy. Can’t do that now.”

  “You want to tell me why?”

  I look at him and find, I actually do. “You know what? Yeah, I do. It’s Vita.”

  “Holy shit, Houdini’s sister?”

  “Yeah,” I slur.

  “And you’re still living because…?” Sampson snickers.

  “Because we came to an understanding, and believe it or not, Vita is a freaking fire cracker. She’d rip him a new asshole.”

  “The quiet girl who looked like a ghost the last time I saw her? The one who can’t speak?”

  “Trust me, dude, she don’t need her voice to get her point across.” I smile, proud of how far she’d come.

  “Look at you all lit up, it’s fucking adorable.”

  “Fuck you, man,” I say, nudging him with my elbow.

  “Seriously, I can tell you’re into her. Whatever happened on that assignment, it’s obvious the emotional exchange was real. Oh— or was it one-sided?”

  “No, that’d make it easy. I’d drown myself in women and booze, preferably at the same time.”

  “So, what’s the problem?”

  “She’s like an heiress, man. I needed to let her make up her mind. If I brought her back here, really got attached to the idea of us, and she bailed?” I shake my head.

  “I see your conundrum.”

  The word made me smile. Kid was far too smart to be wasting away in this club. I guess that’s why he’s in college to help us with the legal side of things.

  “Let me ask you something, though. How did she feel about it?”

  “She said she saw the wisdom in it. This wasn’t for her, it was for Houdini. Part of the deal we made.”

  “I’m guessing she didn’t know this?”

  “Naw.” I shake my head.

  “You gave me some good advice once, so I’m going to return the favor. Go get your girl. If she’s even half as miserable as you, it’ll be clear you belong together.”

  “You think?” I ask, still uncertain. It was easier when we were alone in the cabin with no outside distractions.

  “I know, man. What you’re looking for, you’re not going to find in a bottle. Been there, done that and got the graduation certificate from the program.”

  My jaw drops.

  “What? I can’t joke about it?” Sampson asks.

  I laugh. “You can do whatever you want, brother.”

  “Damn straight, and so can you. You gave her the time Houdini requested, out of respect for her. That’s admirable. You did right by your brother. Now, you need to do right by your woman. They need to know they’re the most important thing and that they’re your girl. She must be skittish and gun-shy. I mean, she was locked away like a freaking fairytale princess, right? Least, that’s how I heard Cora explain it.”

  “Pretty accurate description.”

  “If you want to keep her, you have to step up and let her know that. She’s like…that first girl you fell in love with when you were young and she was young, and neither of you quite knew what you were doing. You remember that time.”

  All too well. The thought of Jewel turns my stomach. “Yeah, that doesn’t work for me, brother. My first old lady was murder on my heart.”

  “Oh, shit. Then she’s your first chance at doing this right! Listen to me, I’ve learned a lot from Irish. When you been together as long as we have, it is impossible not to. The longer you wait, the more damage you’ll cause. She’s waiting for you to fight for her. Are you willing to do that?”

  “Fuck yes, I am.”

  “Then sober up, clean up, and show up…my man.” He pats me on the shoulder. “I want an invitation to the wedding.”

  I smirk. It should scare me that the idea doesn’t repulse me. Instead, I feel truly happy. I stumble off my barstool and head to the kitchen to brew pot of coffee.

  ***

  I’m roused by a knock on the door. Rubbing my eyes, I sit up on the twin-size bed.

  The knock comes again.

  “Yeah, I’m up. What do you want?”

  No answer. Disgusted, I toss the blanket off my body and stumble to the door. “This better be good.” I yank it open and freeze. “Vita,” I whisper.

  “You wouldn’t come to me, so I came to you.”

  “I was giving you time.”

  “I never wanted time. I wanted you with me while I tied up my loose ends.”

  “Why didn’t you say that?”

  “Because you seemed so eager to leave. I thought it was best I allowed you to.” She lowers her head.

  “No, don’t do that.” I lift her chin up. “Don’t disconnect. I was trying to be fair. Give you what you might need. You’d been through a lot.”

  She moves away from me. “And it has nothing to do with my brother?”

  I run a hand through my hair. “Come inside. We don’t need everyone knowing our business.”

  She steps inside and I close the door.

  “So, we do have business, because the way you’ve been recently, I wasn’t sure.”

  “You know I have no control over what Dallas has me doing.”

  “Then you were on the road?”

  “Yes, this is the first real downtime I’ve had in weeks. Your brother asked me to give you space. It was a deal between the two of us. You’d get time to make your own choice, free of any outside interference from the both of us.”

  “I’m not a child.” Her eyes flash with anger and her full lips turn down.

  “I know.” I hold my hands up. “I told him that, but he was insistent and agitated. After everything that went on that day, it was just easier to go along with him and I didn’t want you to have regrets.”

  “You still think I’m like her, don’t you? Even after all we been through.” Her eyes glimmer with unshe
d tears.

  “It’s not about you…it’s about me and my baggage.”

  “How can you say that?”

  “Because the fear doesn’t come from a rational place. You understand that.”

  She looks away.

  I take her face in my hands. “Don’t let my issues ruin this.” I rest my forehead against hers. “I can’t make you stay. I won’t beg. We both know that’s not how I do things. I only ask for the same time you were given.” I kiss her lips gently.

  She relaxes against me.

  Now, I know I have her. It’s a patch, not a fix. Still, for now, it’s enough. She faced down her demons and it brought her peace. I know what I have to do now. “I’m going to make this right. I’m not going to let her control me anymore.” I kiss her crown and inhale her sweet scent. For her, I’ll slay a dragon. To truly be free of the past, you have to leave it behind you. That’s something I can’t do when I’m carrying it around on my back like a cross. If she could face down her killer, how could I do anything less? “You’re here now and I don’t want to linger on this bump, all right?” I pull away.

  “Okay.”

  “How long do I have you?”

  “As long as you want me.” She turns bashful. Her cheeks turn pink and she looks at me from beneath her lowered lashes.

  “Don’t tempt me, V.”

  “I’m not. I’m here to see this out.”

  “Well, you sure as hell aren’t staying at the clubhouse. This is no place for a lady.”

  She smiles. “I want a place of my own…a loft apartment. I’ve been looking online.”

  “Of course you have. Let me get dressed. We’ll get something to eat and see if we can see some places.”

  “Thank you.”

  “There’s not much I wouldn’t do for you, Vita.” This woman pulled me from the darkness I was barely keeping at bay. The happy-go-lucky personality was a front I managed with gratuitous amounts of alcohol and women. Wesson gave me a home, but they couldn’t heal what was broken. She’d shown me her scars. In return, I’d revealed my own and found the courage to admit I was far from being okay.

  But I will be.