Page 38 of Declan's Dove

“Look, I was lied to and manipulated. The Devils used me to get to the club, and in my moment of shame—when I realized I helped them take Maggie from Gabe—I panicked. So, I left.” Thomas shrugs. “I didn’t know what else to do. If the club didn’t kill me for what happened to Maggie, the Devil’s would because they see me as a traitor to them too since I shot back when they came after her. Either way, I thought I was dead. So, I ran. I knew the club, my family, would take care of you both. My mistakes were mine. Gabe would never punish a child for my mistakes.”

“No. Your wife did that. And everyone else in this town who knew what a piece of shit my father is,” Sadie says, her voice cracking just slightly, but she keeps control of her emotions. “Do you know how hard it is growing up in a small town where everyone knows your father is a traitor and your mother is a certified psychopath? She tried to kill me because of you.”

“Sadie, I didn’t know she was sick. She was depressed after you were born, but the doctor said it would go away.”

“But it didn’t, and you got her hooked on your habits. Drugs were keeping her demons at bay. But then you left, and so did her daily supply of pills.” Sadie’s eyes are narrowed, but in this light, I see the glassiness. She’s fighting like hell not to let him see her break. “Why didn’t the Devil’s kill you?” Sadie’s voice is terse. “I mean you fucked everyone over. How the hell did you survive all this time?”

“I can’t tell you that.” Thomas looks at his feet, then back up at Sadie. “I made deals with people who are far worse than the two MCs. I’m still bound to a contract. Even as I sit here, I’m paying my debt.”

Sadie sits up straight, her eyes narrowed, studying Thomas. Whatever she’s thinking has her body shaking enough that I can visibly see it from where I’m standing.

“Sadie?” I call out. “You good girl?”

“I’m … fine.”

The fuck she is.

“My mother is sick. She’s not going to live much longer. She’s been having seizures. They had to induce a coma to stop them. I thought you’d want to know. Not that you ever fucking cared about either of us, but there you have it,” she says, standing and moving toward the cell. Hawk and Mack are moving toward her, but she puts her hand up to stop them. “I’m fine. He won’t hurt me. If he does, Uncle Mack—shoot him.” Thomas’s eyes widen at her command.

Sadie moves closer, gripping Thomas’s wrist through the bars, pulling. The clank of his chest hitting the bars rings throughout the room. Thomas grunts at his discomfort but makes no move to retaliate.

He grips the bars with his other hand to steady himself. Sadie grips the pocket of his t-shirt with her other hand, holding him in place. We all watch on, not sure what’s about to happen, but not wanting to startle her either. Sadie is on the edge. It’s obvious. Her cold demeanor, the darkness and pain in her eyes, is very concerning.

She leans in closer, gritting her teeth, and she says something to Thomas I can’t hear. His eyes widen as her grip on his shirt appears to get tighter. She releases his wrist, then shoves his chest, causing him to stumble back a step. He rubs his wrist, holding it to his chest. They lock eyes for a moment, a single tear finally falling from her eye.

“I’m sorry, baby girl,” Thomas whispers. Sadie turns on her heels and heads for the door. Caleb opens his arms, and Sadie walks straight into his hold, then he leads her out of the room.

“Jesus. The grip on that girl,” Thomas whines.

“You’re lucky that’s all she did,” Hawk says, his tone cold. “She’s been training for years. Girl could kill you if she wanted to before any of us could get to her, not that we would stop her.” He shrugs. “I’m sure Pres would understand if she lost her shit and slit your throat. After all, you did abandon her and leave her to deal with your shit. Your bitch of a wife abusing her. The stigma that comes with having a crazy mom and a fucked up deadbeat dad,” Hawk says through gritted teeth. “Hell, maybe we should let Sapphire get her pound of flesh. It’s the least we could do for all the shit you two put that beautiful girl through.”

“I’ll take whatever she wants to dish out. I deserve it,” Thomas says resigned. “I can’t make up for what’s happened. But believe it or not, I did take care of my daughter. Maybe not the way I should’ve, but I did what I could,” Thomas says, sitting on the mattress, gripping both hands in his hair. When he looks up, his eyes are red-rimmed and glassy. “The best thing I did for that girl was leave. They would’ve come for her if I hadn’t.”

Hawk glares at the idiot behind bars.

“The only reason the Devils have kept their distance is because of the deal I made to keep her fucking safe.” Thomas stands again, pacing the cell.

“What deal? Who’d you sell your soul to that would have that type of leverage?” I ask, my curiosity piqued. Thomas’s eyes snap to mine, but he says nothing, only shakes his head.

More secrets. Fucking great!

Mack holds the pistol to Thomas’s head through the bars. Thomas doesn’t step back. “What you deserve is a cold fucking grave. I’m pretty sure if we gave her the gun, Sadie would pull the fucking trigger. Our girl is a hell of a shot.”

Thomas smirks.

Fucking dumbass.

“Good.” He says, staring straight into Mack’s wild eyes. “I’m glad you all taught her to be strong and how to take care of herself. It’s what I always wanted for her. To be happy, independent, and not have to rely on anyone else for any of those things. It’s what her mother always wanted for her, too.” He sighs. “At least I know my leaving did some good for her. Thank you.”

“Fuck you.” Mack spits at Thomas’s feet, his finger visibly twitching on the trigger. “Your approval means shit,” he grinds out.

“Times up!” I yell to my brothers. I need to get them out of here before shit goes sideways and I have to tell Pres why Hawk and Mack went rogue and killed the fucker after Caleb gave him a speech about why he couldn’t do that very thing.

Mack releases Thomas and storms out of the door, gun still in his hand.

“I need a fucking drink.” I sigh.

“You have to go pick up your girl’s kid,” Hawk says sarcastically. “No beer for you, Daddy Declan.” How he switches from mad as hell to the playful little fuck we all know him to be, I have no fucking clue.

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