Page 115 of Roses and Skulls

Billie Rose

As I walk down the hill towards the forest, I shake off any unease I have. When I get to the clearing, several of the club members are leaning against trees. Their eyes widen as my boots crunch over the dead leaves of the forest floor.

My dad nods to me as well as my uncles. Jackson falls in step with me. “You’ve got this, Rosie. You’re a Skull through and through.”

Elijah has his back to me as he crouches down in front of Draven, no doubt trying to intimidate him. He’s wearing a leather cut with the Skulls logo on it. I turn my head to my father. He shrugs. Elijah senses my presence and stands, slowly spinning to face me.

He grabs a sucker out of his pocket and shoves it in his mouth with a smirk, looking me up and down. I walk past him to stand in front of Draven. His shocked face stares up at me as Elijah presses his chest to my back. We both stare down our noses at the asshole.

“Dan was kind enough to bring you a present, Rosie,” Elijah says, rubbing his hands over my stomach lightly.

“Little dove,” Draven croaks. His throat dry, his lips cracked and bleeding. Looks like someone has already gotten in a few punches.

I don’t even get two words out when hushed whispers breakout behind me.

When I spin around, giving Draven my back, a prospect comes running through the trees. He slides in front of my dad, catching himself before falling on the ground. “Shit, Prez.” He’s breathing hard. He takes a deep breath before continuing. “It’s your ole lady. She’s back and she’s dragging some red headed bitch by the hair.”

My dad glances over at me. And then I hear a woman screaming. “Owe, stop, Jesse! Let me explain!”

I recognize the voice and my blood runs cold.

I glance back at Draven, his face turning white. I’m sure he never expected to hear his mother’s voice either.

Everyone stares down the path as my mom’s form comes into view, and she is indeed dragging the red headed woman through the dirt.

Our eyes lock when she gets to the clearing. Her black hair is down. She hasn’t even broken a sweat. She continues to make her way towards me, ignoring the older woman’s cries. She tosses her roughly to the ground beside Draven, kicking her once in the chest with her boot, making the woman topple over onto her back.

It’s quiet for several long moments. Draven starts laughing manically, breaking the silence.

My crow flies over their heads, squawking loudly before settling on a branch nearby.

Draven glances back at it, his burst of merriment fading. “Do you remember her?” I ask.

He turns back to me, his face slowly falling. Both of us know the end is near.

My dad speaks up. “Why is she here, Jesse?”

“Bumped into her at the airport. She was trying to buy a one-way ticket out of the country. When she saw me, she freaked,” my mom says, looking down at her nails. “Made me a little suspicious. Isn’t that right, Renee?”

“Jesse, I can explain. We’re family, let’s talk about this reasonably.”

My mom rolls her eyes.

Family? I’m so confused. Does mom consider her family since grandpa got her pregnant? She’s just some whore who worked at Bell’s.

“You won’t let them hurt me. I’m your aunt. I took you in when no one else would. Where was Bill then, huh?” The woman sneers up at my mom.

Hold the fuck up. She’s my mom’s aunt? The one who neglected her?

“You are bound by blood to protect me.” Renee glances at me nervously. “You won’t let her hurt me will you, Jesse?”

I cock an eyebrow and the lady cowers. Me? Is she afraid of me?

“Protect you? Like you did for me when you let your boyfriend and his club rape me,” my mom says deathly calm.

The woman, my mom’s fucking aunt, snaps her mouth shut.

“Well, what a wonderful family reunion,” I announce, holding my hands out. “Seems we have a lot to unpack. Where should we start?”

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