Redemption Road

by Katie Ashley

  Rev’s head shot up at my comment. His intense stare made me regret what I said. He opened his mouth to say something, but the hospital room door burst open and silenced him. Bishop blew in laden with food bags.

  “Finally. What took you so long?” Rev asked. He stood up and started to reach for some of the bags, but Bishop jerked them away.

  “Oh hell no! Don’t you even begin riding my ass about how long it took. Do you know how fucking far we had to go to find a car?” He paused dramatically. “An hour.”

  “I’m sorry—” Rev began, but Bishop shook his shaggy blond head wildly back and forth.

  “Did I mention how during that hour I had to ride bitch with Ghost so that I could drive the car back?”

  The corners of Rev’s lips twitched like he was fighting not to smile. “That sucks, man. I’m sorry. I really am.”

  “You better fucking be,” Bishop muttered. He then sidestepped Rev to come over to the bed. He plopped a McDonald’s bag down in front of me. “The only good thing about driving an hour away was fucking civilization.” His blue eyes narrowed on mine. “I hope you like McDonald’s.”

  I could tell he was just waiting for me to complain. “I love McDonald’s, and I haven’t gotten to have it in forever. Thank you, Bishop,” I said sweetly as I reached for the bag.

  His shocked expression was somewhat comical. “Yeah, well, you’re welcome.”

  As I unwrapped a cheeseburger, my stomach growled noisily. The moment I bit into it, I moaned in delight. “This tastes amazing.”

  Bishop grinned. “Glad you like it.”

  Rev came over to the bed. “You got anything for me?”

  “There’s at least five cheeseburgers in there,” Bishop replied before he went over and plopped down in the chair Rev had been sitting in.

  With a wink, Rev asked, “Mind if I have a cheeseburger, or do you think you’ll devour them all?”

  I laughed. “You can have three. I think two will be my limit.” I glanced over at Bishop. “Unless you want one.”

  He shook his head as he rubbed his stomach. “I ate on the drive back.”

  With Bishop taking the only chair, Rev surveyed the room to figure out where to sit. “You can sit on the bed if you want,” I suggested.

  He contemplated my words for a moment before he finally eased down on the edge. A few minutes went by with just the sounds of rustling wrappers and chewing.

  “So what happens when we get to El Paso?” I asked around a mouthful of cheeseburger. It struck me in that moment that my manners would have appalled my mother.

  “You get on a plane home to Virginia, and we get our asses back to Georgia,” Bishop replied.

  My hand froze as I was bringing the cheeseburger to my mouth for another bite. “Back to Virginia? But what about College Station?”

  Rev started to answer me, but he was interrupted by Bishop snorting contemptuously. “Sorry, sweetie, but there is no College Station for you anymore.”

  Rolling his eyes, Rev said to Bishop, “Did anyone ever tell you that your tact sucks?”

  Bishop shrugged. “Truth is the truth.”

  I swallowed. “But I have an apartment in College Station and a life.”

  “Well, that life is over. As for your apartment, I’m sure we could get some of the Texas Raiders to pack it up for you.”

  Now it was my turn to snort. “You have got to be kidding. A bunch of strange bikers pawing through my things? I don’t think so.”

  “Fine. Since you’re too good for bikers’ help, get some of your daddy’s people to do it. The only sure thing is you’re not staying in Texas on our watch.”

  “Why not?” I challenged.

  He sat up straight in his seat. “You really don’t get it, do you?”

  “Bishop,” Rev growled.

  My gaze flicked between the two brothers before I narrowed my eyes at Bishop. “No, actually, I don’t get it. I guess you could say my view of things is a little skewed after being in captivity for the past two months.” I added, “So why don’t you enlighten me?”

  Bishop stared at me for a moment. Then a grin stretched across his face. “You know, I think I like you.”

  “Lucky me,” I snapped before I could stop myself. I wasn’t sure what had come over me. In the past, I never would have given attitude to someone like Bishop.

  He laughed. “You remind me of my sister-in-law, Alexandra.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Because unlike the club wh—women, she doesn’t take any shit from me.”

  “I like her already.”

  Rev chuckled at my response. “I agree with Bishop that you guys are a lot alike.”

  I put down the rest of my second cheeseburger. “Maybe I should come to Georgia with you two and meet her.”

  Both Rev and Bishop’s mouths dropped open in shock at the same time. “Huh?” Bishop asked.

  “Well, apparently I’m not supposed to stay in Texas, although I don’t know why not. I sure as hell don’t want to go back home, so Georgia sounds good.”

  Rev took a long gulp of his Coke. As he wiped his hands on his napkin, he appeared to be contemplating just how to respond to me. “Texas is Diablos headquarters. You aren’t safe anywhere in the state, but especially not in College Station, where their traffickers do their prospecting.”

  Just the thought of the Diablos sent a chill prickling over my skin and sent my heart racing with the sudden tension. My bite of cheeseburger felt lodged in my throat, and it took two tries to swallow it. The room dipped and swayed a bit as I heard myself asking, “You think Mendoza is still alive?”

  “We haven’t received any intel that has confirmed his death.”

  My stomach twisted into knots at the thought of Mendoza being alive. “Do you think he would come after me?”

  “It’s a possibility, considering your body won’t have been found in the compound.”

  The thought of ever having to see Mendoza again sent me reeling. My hand flew up to cover my mouth since I knew I was going to be sick. I pushed past Rev to race to the toilet. Over and over I heaved as overwhelming fear held me prisoner. Once I finally finished, I felt a hand at the small of my back.

  “I’m sorry, Annabel,” Rev said.

  I eased past him to go to the sink. After rinsing my mouth, I caught his forlorn expression in the mirror.

  “I should have found a better way to tell you that.”

  “It’s okay. I needed the truth.”

  “You needed some nourishment, and it’s my fault you lost that.”

  “Don’t blame yourself.” Turning around to face him, I asked, “So now I live the rest of my life in fear?”

  He shook his head. “No. You don’t. First of all, you’re leaving Texas. Second, your father has the resources to protect you.” With a grimace, Rev added, “Although it’s a horrible prospect, Mendoza will most likely lose interest in you when he rebuilds his camp and another girl catches his eye.”

  My hand flew to my mouth again as I was sickened anew by the thought of another poor girl having to go through what I did. Leaning back against the sink, I shook my head miserably. “I don’t want to go back home.” When Rev started to protest, I held up a hand. “Just not yet. I don’t think I have the strength to face my parents right now.”

  Rev didn’t respond. Instead, he began to pace around the room. Bishop appeared in the doorway. “You okay?” he asked.

  I gave him a weak smile. “As good as I can be.”

  Bishop nodded before turning his attention back to his brother. “What’s his deal?”

  Rev abruptly stopped pacing. He turned around and looked at Bishop. “Change of plans. She comes to Georgia with us.”

  Bishop’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me.”

  “Yes, but I’m not sure you’re hearing yourself. We had a plan, remember? We’ve played the hero card long enough. After tomorrow, she ain’t supposed to be our problem. She has a family to go home to, and it a
in’t ours.”

  Despite myself, I gasped at his harsh words while Rev growled and took a step toward Bishop. “You take that back.”

  “Or what?”

  In a flash, Rev had crossed the room and had Bishop pushed against the wall. “Just because we’re south of the border doesn’t mean I’m not still your president, little brother. I gave you an order.”

  Bishop’s face flooded crimson with anger. With his nostrils flaring and chest heaving, he silently seethed for a few seconds. “Fine. I take it back,” he spat.

  Gripping Bishop’s shirt tighter, Rev said, “Now tell Annabel you’re sorry that you were a selfish prick and you would be happy to have her visit us in Georgia.”

  With his body coiled with rage, Bishop jerked his head in my direction and pinned me with a stare. “I’m sorry I was a selfish prick, and I would be happy to have you visit us in Georgia.”

  Rev glanced over his shoulder at me. “Annabel, do you accept his apology, or does Bishop need to grovel a little more?”

  “I accept it,” I squeaked. My legs trembled, and I had to fight to keep myself from falling. It was alarming to witness the brothers at such odds, but it was even more shocking to see Rev, whom I’d only known as so refined and reserved, lose his temper. Especially since it was about me.

  Once Rev seemed satisfied with my answer, he released Bishop. He then took a few deep breaths as if to calm himself. “Annabel, will you leave us for a moment?”

  “Yes,” I whispered and brushed past Bishop.

  As the door closed behind me, I heard Rev say, “I’m sorry I had to do that, brother.” Although part of me wanted to stand there and eavesdrop, I felt I owed Rev too much for that. Instead, I hurried back to bed and drew the covers over me.

  While I didn’t want to be the thing that came between Rev and Bishop, I couldn’t help being grateful that Rev had taken up for me. I wanted to squeeze him tight to show how thankful I was to not be going home to Virginia. My parents were going to have a conniption fit, but they could get over themselves.

  From here on out, I realized, I could rely only on myself. It was going to be all about me.

  EIGHT

  REV

  After Annabel left and I apologized to Bishop, he and I silently stared each other down for a few minutes. I knew what I needed to say to him—what I had to say. But while the admission seemed to have flowed so effortlessly from my lips just hours earlier, I found myself tongue-tied, with a mouth full of sawdust.

  After clearing my throat several times, I managed to croak, “You want the truth about what happened to me? The truth about what brought me out here?”

  He shot me a surprised glance, and I knew that was the last thing he’d expected me to say. “Of course I do.”

  Leaning back against the tile, I nodded. “Then here it is.”

  For the second time that day, the bathroom became my confessional. I once again purged myself of the terrible secret I had kept hidden for so many years—and from so many of the people I loved. Telling Bishop was just as frightening as I had imagined it would be. When I finished, I felt as if all the muscles, tendons, and bones in my body had been stripped away, and I stood bare to my very soul in front of him. It was both terrifying and liberating.

  Meanwhile I stared Bishop down, waiting for his response. Surprise flooded me at the sight of tears in his eyes. He swayed on his feet, like he wanted to close the distance between us but was unsure of how I might react. “Fuck, man, I don’t know what to say.”

  With a humorless laugh, I said, “That seems to be the consensus when people hear the story.”

  “And you never told Mama?”

  I shook my head. “No one but Preacher Man and Breakneck knew.”

  “Jesus,” he muttered as he scrubbed the tears from his eyes. “I just can’t . . . all those years . . .” His breath escaped in a wheeze. “When Preacher Man left, I was just a kid, but I still remember wondering what the fuck could have possibly gone wrong.”

  “It was because of me.”

  Bishop’s face clouded over, and he jabbed his index finger at me. “Oh hell no, it wasn’t. I don’t care what kinda guilt shit you’ve carried around all these years, but I’m not going to fucking stand here and let you blame everything that happened on you. To start with, it was that fucking pervert’s fault. And even though I hate to say it, Preacher Man was to blame, too, for letting it get the best of him.”

  Now it was my turn to fight back the tears. Deep down, I had always feared that if Deacon, and especially Bishop, found out my secret, they would hate me for ruining the family. “Thanks, man. I appreciate you saying that.”

  “It’s the truth. I mean every fucking word. I ain’t sugarcoating anything.”

  I snorted. “You, guilty of sugarcoating? Never.”

  Bishop grinned. “Damn straight.”

  Pushing myself off the wall, I moved closer to him. “One reason I told you my story was because I felt you had a right to finally know. But there’s another reason as well.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Annabel.”

  Bishop’s brows came together in confusion. “What does she have to do with it?”

  “Everything. She’s the reason I came out to Texas. At first it seemed like Sarah was the only reason, but after everything that has happened, I understand now. While I might’ve saved Annabel, she did the same for me by allowing me to finally get rid of the secrets.”

  “You told her before you told me?” he questioned accusingly.

  “Yeah, I did.”

  Although he appeared angry, I knew Bishop was hurt more than anything. “But I’m your blood, man. I’m your blood and your MC brother.”

  I placed my hand on his shoulder. “I know that. Just like being in the Raiders bonds us with our brothers, the same thing can be said for me and Annabel and the abuse we suffered.”

  Bishop rubbed his jaw while eyeing me thoughtfully. “I guess I get what you’re saying. But I gotta be honest and say I don’t really like it.”

  “I’m not asking you to like it. I just want you to respect it. And I want you to respect her.”

  His blue eyes narrowed. “I ain’t never disrespected her.”

  “It’s two different things, brother. You need to respect her feelings. There’s nothing for her to go back home to besides two self-absorbed assholes for parents. While it might not make any sense and it won’t be easy, she should come to Georgia with us if she wants to.”

  “You talked to Deacon about this?”

  I laughed. “Are you suggesting I need to clear my business by him? Last time I checked, I made my own money and owned my row house at the compound.”

  “It ain’t just your business. You’re bringing home a former Diablos captive and drug cartel’s favorite piece of ass.”

  My fists coiled in rage at my side, and although I would have hated to do it, I could have totally decked Bishop at that moment, but I managed to hold back. “Do not ever refer to Annabel like that again.”

  Bishop slowly shook his head back and forth. “Jesus, man, what has come over you with this girl?”

  I threw my hands up in exasperation. “I already told you—”

  “It’s more than just that.” He eyed me suspiciously. “You’re not ready to let her go, either, are you?”

  “No, I’m not, but it’s not for the reason you think.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “While she’s healing, I’ll do everything within my power to help her. I don’t want Annabel to spend wasted years of her life drowning in useless emotion.” Staring straight into his eyes, I said, “I really would like to have you on my side.”

  Bishop crossed his arms over his chest and grunted. “I should be offended that you even have to question whether I’m on your side.” His expression lightened. “You’re my brother—I’m always on your side. I might not like the shit you’re doing, but I’m with you.”

  I couldn’t contain the smile that spread across my
face. “I’m so glad to hear you say that.”

  “Just remember, though. We never let puss—er, women come between us. Got it?”

  “It’s a deal.”

  The next morning began with a flurry of activity. There was a barrage of paperwork to have Annabel released. More money also exchanged hands to protect both Annabel’s and our identities. There would be no record of any American girl or American bikers ever being in the hospital’s vicinity. It cost a pretty penny to appease the crooked and corrupt police and medical officials, but in the end, it was worth every dime. While Bishop pressed me to ask Annabel’s father for reimbursement, I chose to ignore him. We had plenty of dirty money that had been confiscated at Mendoza’s compound by some of the other guys. What better way to spend it than on Annabel’s freedom?

  While Annabel forced down some of the hospital’s breakfast, I got into the shower to get ready. I had almost finished when Annabel’s bloodcurdling scream had me barreling out the bathroom door, buck naked and ready to take someone out.

  With her eyes widened in fear, Annabel cowered on the bed. Her horror came from the three strange bikers standing in the room. Of course, from where I stood, I could see that the back of their cuts plainly read “Raiders.” “Wait, it’s okay, Annabel. These guys aren’t going to hurt you,” I said. Quickly, I ducked behind Sidewinder so she didn’t have to see me naked.

  “Rev?” she pleaded as if she couldn’t imagine safety among any bikers other than Bishop and me.

  “Yeah. Give me one sec. Okay?”

  “Um, okay.”

  I raced back into the bathroom and threw a towel around my waist. When I came out, Chulo had his hands up as if Annabel was arresting him. I bypassed Snake and Ghost to go to Annabel’s side.

  Chulo put his hands down and smiled. “We’re sorry to have scared you, but we just wanted to stop by and see you before you left.”

  “You did?” Annabel asked.

  He nodded. “I knew you would need something to wear, so I borrowed some things from my girlfriend.” When Snake snickered, Chulo smacked him on the back of the head. “They’re probably going to be a little big on you because I like my women thick.” He then held out the bag to Annabel.