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I squeeze his hand. “Gauge, please.”
He shuts his eyes, grimacing. When he looks back at me, he says, “Strangulation.”
It’s worse than I thought. Yes, anyone could’ve killed my mom, but Levi had a kink for choking, and I can’t shake the feeling she died by his hand. I may be too empathic for my own good, but my mom didn’t deserve this. The fear she must have felt in her last moments… I don’t want to imagine.
“And the feds think you did it? Why?”
“Someone planted one of my disposable coffee cups at the scene. The DNA linked it back to me. Time of death is the only reason I’m not in cuffs. I could prove I was in Colorado Springs at the time of the murder. Still, it’s not enough to shake Agent Dickwad Grayson from getting another warrant to come on the grounds to find you.”
Agent Grayson.
My eyes shut as my grief transforms into something else. There’s no way a disposable coffee cup from a local café in Fort Collins belonging to my fiancé could accidentally wind up inside my mother’s apartment in Utah. Gauge is right—it was planted. There’s only one person who knows my whereabouts outside of the club. Only one person would have a vendetta against Gauge and want my mother out of the way.
Levi has terrorized me since I was a teenager. But he has crossed a line by taking a life and trying to sabotage another.
All this time, I’ve remained silent, allowing Levi to control me even when I’m no longer in his presence. I’ve been manipulated, beaten, molested, and threatened. I’ve endured more than anyone should have to. But it will be a cold day in hell before I allow my fears to obstruct Gauge’s innocence. I trust Gauge. I trust this family. The time for silence has ended. It’s time to speak my truth.
My voice cracks. “Gauge?”
“What is it?”
“It—it—it’s...”
Gauge gives me a pained expression. He takes my hand in his, squeezing. “It’s him?”
Punk’s head swivels between us, questions in his eyes. “Him who? What are you guys talking about?”
“It’s him,” I say, a little louder, braver than before. “The man who hurt me—FBI Special Agent Levi Grayson.”
CHAPTERSIXTY-ONE
OPAL
Exhausted, I lay in one of Atlas and Jo’s guest rooms. The comfy bed and calming blue walls help to relax me, but nothing settles my nerves completely. Hades is curled against my back with Runt tucked into my front. The fur babies seem to understand and want to provide comfort.
The crew has congregated at Atlas’s house for an emergency church meeting. Church is club business, meaning I’ll get to say my peace and vote.
Unlike most MCs, where old ladies are considered property and not part of the club, Mercy Ravens is different. Old ladies are equals, welcomed to sit in and offer suggestions as active members within the MC so long as it’s related to the club and not confidential security assignments.
Where Jo likes to weigh in on club business, I prefer to stay out of it. It’s too much for my anxiety, and the discussion tonight is well outside my comfort zone.
But this isn’t an issue I can avoid any longer. Gauge promised to get me after everyone had weighed in, allowing me to have the last word before the club votes on how to handle Levi.
I didn’t want to hear the death threats from all the members, seething about the abuse Levi put me through. It’s hard enough talking with Brandon about my turbulent past during my sessions. I don’t need to be bombarded with questions regarding Levi, too. Hence, why I lie here waiting.
Gauge’s brothers are ready to go to war after Levi tried to set him up for murder, and I don’t want any part in it. I know the MC does most things by the books, but I’m not an idiot. They’re willing to bend the rules, going vigilante for the greater good. The club is already in enough hot water because of me.
Will my opinion be enough to sway them?
I have no clue.
Hades jumps to all fours, his hackles rising as he stares at the closed door. Runt yawns, unaffected by Hades’ defense stance, before rolling over. Gauge doesn’t bother knocking before entering. He sees Hades baring his teeth and raises his hands in the air.
“Easy, big boy. I won’t hurt Opal.”
Hades snorts, annoyed to be woken from his slumber, before laying back down.
Gauge holds out his hand for me. “Come on, Gorgeous. It’s your turn.”
