Page 61 of Grace's Revelation

We sat in silence for a long while.

“My father knew why you left?” I asked. “Why was he still calling on you to do shit?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I guess because I didn’t question him after what happened. He thought he could trust me. He had me do some pick-ups. Check on some people over the years. Not much, but when he called me to keep an eye on you, I thought it was my chance.”

“Chance for what?”

“To make it up to you, I guess.” He sat back. “I knew Gracie was okay. I was relieved Mattie's death hadn’t turned you into a monster. The man I grew up with couldn't kill the woman he loved.”

Loved. The word barely described the level of feeling I possessed for Grace.

“When did you find out about Gracie?”

“A year after I left. I moved to New York. Got lost in the city. I saw her riding in a charity event down Broadway…” He looked up. “She looked happy. I followed her and saw her with Cason. I never let her know. I checked in on her every couple of months ever since.”

I looked over at Cason. He kept checking on me.

The kid didn’t understand what was going on. I pray he never would, but one thing he never had to worry about was me going anywhere. I’d never leave him.

“What happens now?” Derrick asked.

“Dragons are done.” I shrugged. “I’m burning every cut I see whether the biker is in it or not.” I looked over at YoYo and back at Red.

“I appreciate you coming to help when I needed it," I said.

I stood up.

Derrick stood, too.

“But, I need some time. To figure this shit out.” I grinned at Cason.

He grinned back.

“Hey man.” Derrick looked down at the ground. “Take all the time you need.”

I nodded and turned away from him. I made my way down the aisle.

Red followed.

“Hey Derrick.” I turned back. “Look into where he went and …”

“Already on it, man.”

I nodded and gave him a little salute. He did the same and left the hospital.

I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see him again, but I did feel better knowing he would be out there watching my back.