I sniffled, my face wet from the salty water leaking from my eyes.When did that start?
Why did it take my child to finally hammer those harrowing revelations in? Looking into his tormented eyes, I started to realise how much I had sacrificed.
I had stolen his innocence, taken his blind belief in me and torn it to shreds.
My boy no longer trusted me. I had broken that—me.When did I turn into my father? Without love, without care.
God, I hate myself.
“I’m sorry, son,” I said, my steps backtracking to give him more room, to comply with his request. “I’m sorry.”
I could feel myself sinking deeper into the ether of self-loathing and guilt—the least of what I deserved.
I watched on in anguish as Dylan placed a comforting hand on Eli’s shoulder, providing support and a solid foundation of love.
That should be me.
I shook out of my stupor, the hard truths blasting me with the impact of a full-speed freight train.
“I love you, Eli.” I gulped. “I’m going to do better, I promise.”
I had to pull away. Had to give him space. If I bulldozed through his boundaries, I knew I’d lose him forever.
With my heart in tatters, I turned my back and walked blindly into the night, letting darkness envelop me in its embrace.
“I’ll do better,” I whispered, letting the cold breeze hear and take my vow—the only presence left willing to accept anything from me.
Chapter 22
STELLA
I was eight drinks deep when I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist Daisy’s suggestions—or should I call it bullying? Either way, she had me by the balls.
After a fancy dinner and some strong cocktails, I’d let my best friend drag me to some random town in the middle of bumfuck nowhere. She swore it was some cool underground bar, where the men were drop-dead gorgeous and knew how to fuck.
I had no idea how she gained that knowledge since she had been married for nearly as long as I had.
Music thumped through the walls as we entered the bustling bar, and my intoxicated high quickly dwindled as I processed exactly where Daisy had brought me—a fucking motorcycle club.
I followed her, weaving through gyrating bodies to finally nab a vacant spot in the corner. I clutched my purse to my chest, eyeing the high table that had what looked like a sticky residue on top.
The place was grungy and full of germs, and also looked like it hadn’t had a deep clean since it opened.
“Stop being a snob and fix your face,” Daisy said, pushing me onto a frayed stool.
I narrowed my eyes, telepathically letting her know I was going to kill her. “What face?”
“Your judgy face. You’re not in the courtroom, Stells.”
“Yeah?” I asked, my gaze scanning the crowd.Geez, some of them were wearingcuts, for goodness’ sake.“I could have sworn I’ve seen some of them there... as the opposition.”
Daisy clucked as a blonde-haired biker swaggered over, sporting a cocky grin. “Welcome to Dark Shadows Clubhouse, ladies. The name’s Cannon. What can I get you? A drink, a dance, a good hard fuck?”
My best friend’s drunk ass giggled, and I wanted to throttle her.Don’t engage.But she was already lost in his twinkling, mischievous blue eyes. “A drink will do.”
“How about we come to the bar and watchit being made?” I interrupted. There was no way I was going to let those criminals roofie me. Daisy, on the other hand—well, she was already chasing behind, sniffing after his big dick energy like he was some sex god.
I watched the bartender like a damn hawk, no doubt killing the buzz of the flirtatious duo at my side, when three shot glasses were placed on the counter.
