Page 98 of Bullet
“I won’t. I’m not a child anymore like you claim. I’m an adult, and I make my own decisions.”
“As long as you are under my roof, you will obey me.”
I snort “Then I don’t live under your roof anymore. I won’t even come back for my things. You are being unreasonable.”
I see a flash of pain in his eyes before they harden. He stares straight at me as he says the words that break my heart.
“I want him banished.”
“I want him banished.”
They were the words I knew were coming, but they still hurt. Especially seeing the devastation on Harlee’s face.
I want to go to her. To hold her and protect her from this, but it would only make everything worse.
Honk is fresh out of rehab. He shouldn’t be stressed. Anything that could send him back into the tailspin of alcohol and avoidance isn’t good for him.
“We won’t decide this standing outside of the clubhouse like the latest episode ofJerry Springer. Church. Now,” Reaper calls out.
I shoot Harlee a soft look.
I love you, Angel.
I hope she knows how much because I’m afraid of what might happen today. I might have to leave her even though it will kill me.
Wrath grabs my shoulder, walking inside with me.
“Keep your cool. We’ve got your back,” he whispers.
It helps ease some of my tension. At least it won’t be unanimous like it usually would be in a situation like this.
It takes everyone a moment to filter in. The entire council is there, making me wonder if the bat signal didn’t go out when Reaper found out we were fighting at the clubhouse. I lean against the wall, not bothering to take a seat. There isn’t enough, and I’m the newest member. Hawk gives up his seat for Honk, standing on the wall opposite mine.
“We are going to talk about this like adults. Honk, you have every right to feel how you do, but before any decisions are made, we will hear from all sides like we always do. Understood?” Reaper asks.
Honk nods his head.
“We already know your stance on it, but I will give you an opportunity to speak after Bullet does. Bullet, the floor is yours.”
“Honk hasn’t been here for longer than him going to rehab. I’ve single-handedly taken care of their family since Eleanor’s death.” I don’t miss the sound Honk makes at her name as I continue. “I didn’t go into it thinking I was going to fall for Harlee. She was drowning as much as Honk was. I only meantto offer a life preserver to save her. Then I got to know her more, and she’s one hell of a woman. I am head over heels in love with her. I would do anything for her, which means if Honk insists on my banishment, I will leave, but only because I know she needs her father and I would never want to take that from her. I can’t guarantee what it would do for his relationship with her, though. She was a child when he mentally checked out, but she went through trauma too. She’s no longer the same girl he left behind. I only urge him to get to know the woman she is now and accept her as she is because she is something special.”
“Does anyone want to add anything on behalf of Bullet before we open up opposition?” Reaper asks.
“I haven’t seen Harlee smile the way she does with Bullet. It had been two long years of her sadness and pain. He’s brought back the light in her. It’s good to see,” Wrath says.
“Not to mention the fact that she graduated high school because Bullet drove her to school and made her do her homework. He kept her on track, and sure, she graduated a year late, but she has that diploma,” Colt adds.
“He’s always arranging someone to be with her so she is never alone. Instead of forcing her to live here where things can be chaotic, he gave her what she needed by letting her stay in the home Honk and Eleanor built for her. He also got her into therapy,” Trigger speaks up.
I listen as one by one, everyone except Honk speaks up about something I have done for Harlee. I didn’t even realize they all knew what was going on with us. Even if I end up banished, I know I will take this memory with me. The brothers who stood up for me, making me feel like I was part of them.
“Honk, would you like to say anything?” Reaper asks.
Honk grimaces. “Seems like everyone has made their decision. To hell with our rules, right? Family is never supposed to be touched without permission, but he gets a pass because,what? I was away at rehab? I was getting the help you begged me to get?”
“We haven’t voted yet, Honk. We want to hear what you have to say,” Colt says solemnly.
“I lost the love of my life. My heart feels like it has been ripped from my chest. I don’t know how to move on from that. Now you want me to give permission to this man to take my little girl too? I never wanted this life for her. She was on her way to better. I made a demand when I left for rehab. No one was to touch her. He did, and he deserves to be punished for it. I request banishment.”
