Page 15 of Grace's Redemption

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I rolledonto Grace’s side. I grabbed her face and ran my thump over her swollen lips. I kissed her gently.

She blinked a few times and drifted off to sleep.

I watched her for a while. She was beautiful, sweet, kind, and smart. She would make a great girlfriend, wife, and mother. She would thrive in her life; find the balance between the club and the real world.

I couldn’t and I had to go.

I kissed her again. First on the lips and on her cheek. I slid out of the bed and got dressed.

I grabbed a few things from my safe, my 9mm and the envelope of cash. I put it in a duffle I already packed.

My cut lay at the end of the bed. I grabbed it and laid it on her.

I watched her for another minute. I hoped she’d remember this night and how much it meant. The memory of her giving herself to me, wanting me the way she did, would sustain me when I was at my lowest.

I caressed her cheek one last time, stood up and left.

I had never been more conflicted about leaving behind everything I’ve ever known then I was now, but a deep-seated need to break free from this life prevailed. I skipped down the back stairs and exited the club.

The music and chaos had ratcheted up. It was a good thing. No one would notice as I secured my pack, mounted my bike and revved the engine. I pushed the kickstand back and backed the bike up.

I watched my brothers for a minute; happy they were celebrating as if nothing was going to change.

For them, it wouldn't, it shouldn't. They took orders from who was in command. That’s what the club taught us.

Life would go on.

How, it didn’t matter. All that matters was that it would.