Page 17 of The Devil's Redemption

After all was said and done, the remaining members of the Skull and the Bastards gathered the captured and deceased members of Death’s Road. The survivors were executed, then they made sure every dead body was inside the clubhouse.

Then they set the place ablaze.

Stone called Turner once the fire was set. Earlier that day, when Turner showed up at our clubhouse, Stone told him that a war was coming, and we would need his help when it does.

Turner called in a favor with the chief in Bonneauville. Death’s Road has nearly run that town to the ground, so the chief was more than happy to assist in the cover-up. As far as anyone is concerned, it was an unfortunate accident that happened as a result of too much drug and alcohol use, and stupidity.

A few members of the other charters came here for medical attention following the fight. Hawk tended to several bullet and knife wounds, stitching them up or wrapping them in gauze to protect the wounds. He reset broken fingers, noses, and dislocated shoulders.

He had to replenish almost his entire stock of supplies the next day.

Yesterday, we got a visit from Ellie. The Boy Scout has been keeping her apprised of Sasha’s progress, but she begged to come in and see her. She’s always looked at the members of the Skull with trepidation. I know she’s never cared for me, and I’ve never felt one way or another toward her either. But as I watched her with Sasha, I could sense her pain.

Captain Turner accompanied Ellie and also brought the news that Michael’s body had been discovered on the bank of the Potomac River. Campers at Fort Frederick in Big Pool found him while fishing. I don’t know if Sasha learned of her brother’s fate while being held captive or not, but I’m already dreading having that conversation with her when she wakes up.

If she ever fucking wakes up.

“Blade,” I hear Iron’s voice behind me.

Since we needed both rooms of the infirmary for the girls, Hawk moved Iron to the ground floor bedroom across the house. Hawk still wants to keep an eye on him, and he has some rehabbing to do, but he’s doing much better than he was.

“You need to eat something,” he insists.

“I’m not hungry.”

“When was the last time you ate?”

I think about it, and I can’t answer. I honestly don’t remember.

“That’s what I thought.”

He places his hand on my shoulder, and while it’s unwelcome, I don’t shrug it off.

“She’s not going anywhere, son. You need to eat,” Iron demands.

“I’ll come and get you right away if she happens to wake up, brother,” Hawk promises.

They’re not going to leave me alone until I fucking eat. I’ll go make a plate, and bring it back in here. I can’t stand being away from her for too long.

Reluctantly, I turn away from Sasha and walk across the house to the dining room. My brothers are sitting around the table, nearly halfway through their meal. I pick up my plate and scoop some pot roast and mashed potatoes onto it. I can feel everyone’s eyes on me as I move, but I don’t acknowledge them.

“Thanks, Bon,” I mutter after grabbing a beer from the fridge on my way back to the infirmary.

Hawk laughs softly and shakes his head at me when I walk back in so soon after leaving.

“Knock it off, man. I don’t like not being around her. I love her, okay?”

I don’t know which of us is more surprised to hear me say what I just said. But the smile doesn’t leave his face.

“I know,” he admits, walking toward me. “And I’m happy for you.”

He claps me on the back as he walks into the other room, where Maggie is.

“Oh, one more thing,” he sticks his head back into Sasha’s room. “You can talk to her. She’ll hear you.”

He nods toward Sasha before the door closes on him, leaving me alone with her. Taking a seat in the chair next to her bed, I take a couple bites of Bon-Bon’s delicious pot roast before I can’t eat anymore. I’m just not that hungry. I stand and place it on the counter across the room before taking my seat again.

Scooting the chair closer to Sasha’s bedside, I cover her hand with mine.

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