Page 122 of Marcus: Sins of the Father

“I was more than happy to play the role of bad boy in your fantasy, but now it’s time to end it. It’s not like we love each other.” The lies pour from my mouth, and my heart aches as I say them.

“No,” she says quietly. “Of course, we didn’t.” A single tear rolls down her cheek. It’s nearly my undoing. I almost pull her into my arms and tell her they’re all lies. Of course I love her. But then her anger returns, and I’m able to steel myself. “Well, looks like you did lose me, and guess what, Marcus? It is your fault. Now get out.”

Her words are like a dagger through my chest.

“Brandy—” I start, but then clamp my teeth together. I can’t ease her pain, not if I’m going to keep her away and safe.

“Get out,” she yells.

I turn and move through the door. When I shut it, I hear glass shatter against it. I rest my hand and forehead on the door and breathe the words she’ll never hear. “I’m sorry Brandy. I do love you.”

My hand slips from the knob, and I make my way to my bike.

***

It’s been seven long nights since I broke up with Brandy. I haven’t heard from her, and that’s probably for the best.

I stand behind the bar, sliding beers to brothers and making mix drinks for their ol’ ladies.

“How’s Brandy doing?” Angel asks.

“Okay, I think.” I hand Cole a whiskey.

“You think?” he asks after he takes a sip.

“We, uh, broke up.” I bend to grab two longnecks from the ice chest below the bar.

“You broke up?” Shannon asks from a couple of barstools down. “Why?”

“I, uh, thought she’d be safer.” I don’t make eye contact with any of them.

“You’re a dumbass.” Shannon slams her beer down.

“Shannon,” Crash warns.

“No, he’s a dumbass. Tell me I’m wrong.”

My eyes flick to Crash, and he shrugs.

“That’s right, Marcus. I said it. You’re a dumbass. You think she’ll be safer without you? Because of all the stuff that happened?”

“Yeah.” I look around the bar at the faces staring at me.

Shannon points her finger at Angel. “Angel was in trouble, and Cole rescued her. I was running from my lunatic ex, and Crash saved me. We are all safer because of this club, not the other way around. Is it dangerous? Yes. But these men move mountains for their women.” Then she points her finger at me. “Wouldn’t you do the same? Didn’t you already?”

“Yeah, I guess I did.” I’m starting to wonder if I made a huge mistake.

“She’s right,” Angel chimes in. “This world is dangerous. But Brandy is worse off without a man like you in her life. That’s just a fact.”

I rest my hands on the edge of the bar and look down, my mind racing from all their opinions.

“Do you love her?”

I look up, and my eyes connect with Cole’s. “What?”

“Do. You. Love. Her? I mean, that’s all that really matters, right?”

“She’s all I think about. I feel whole when she’s around. Yeah. I love her.”

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