Page 184 of Maddox
I can’t change Peter’s prejudice against MC’s but maybe knowing the truth will temper his anger toward the wrong person which is why I whisper, “Mom? If you’re really trying, you can’t hide from what happened.”
Of course, she shakes her head, and I let it go because this isn’t my battle, although I wish she would try a little fucking harder to fight her own.
When Maddox meets my gaze, I mouth,I’m sorry.
Shaking his head, he winks and says, “Princess, nothing and no one could keep me from you.”
“You don’t understand,” I mumble, touching the pulse speeding away in my neck.
“Oh, I understand,” Maddox says, “but I don’t care. I will walk through fire for you, Delaney and the sooner this fuckhead gets it, the sooner we can get to exploring.”
His mouth tilts into an adorable smile and I tip my head, acknowledging his message. We’re in this together, no matter who or what is against us.
A new warmth invades my chest, and I smile, so very grateful for this man, and the fight he’s not willing to lose…for me.
“This is real sweet and all,” Peter sneers. “But I’m not here for this shit.”
“Stop. Just stop it,” Mom barks and Peter pounds his head against the wall.
Thankfully, Joker has backed off, but Peter still looks ready to pounce at any moment.
Meanwhile, I spy Jersey lurking behind him and when our eyes meet, I shake my head.
Now, I know I’m in hell because the broody, serial killer looking MC brother just winked at me.
As though sensing my defeat or maybe finally seeing what her choices have brought, Mom says, “Stop.”
She spins in a circle, meeting the eyes of the Saints men before she stops beside my stepdad and says, “Peter, look at me!”
His brows flicker but he refuses to turn. Undeterred, she says, “Stop this. You’re punishing her for something she didn’t do. You’re punishing them. It’s not their fault, Peter.”
“Yeah?” he drawls. “Then whose is it?”
“Mine,” she says, and he closes his eyes. “I lied because I was scared and then that lie became a bigger lie until I couldn’t see the truth any longer.”
My skin prickles at her whispered words but I don’t know what the answer to all of this is.
Her lips tremble when she touches her mouth and I brace myself for the fallout as she turns to Joker, and says, “I didn’t leave because I couldn’t live the life.”
His blue eyes flicker but he doesn’t move until she says, “I was ashamed. Ice, he raped me…”
There it is the confirmation I was dreading, and I inch away from Maddox in anticipation of his rage, but he hauls me back into his side as she says, “I was pregnant, and I didn’t know…”
She clears her throat and from the corner of my eyes I see Joker bow his head.
“At the time,” she continues, “I thought it was a blessing when I miscarried.”
Wait? What?
“I’m sorry, little songbird,” she says. “I lied to you. I know who your father is.”
Licking my numb lips, I prepare for the truth to drop into this room like a bomb but I’m both surprised and confused when she says, “It’s Diablo.”
Chapter 43
Maddox
What now? Whipping around, I stare at Delaney, and she raises her luminous eyes to mine. More gray than blue in her distress, I see the resemblance that had never occurred to me before.
