Chapter 27

27

Sniper – One Week Later

I smile a little, my eyes on Pitbull, who is completely oblivious to what's about to happen as he focuses on Snake as he explains what went down last week in more detail, including making sure to mention how a clubwhore, yet again, got too fucking big for her breeches. Everyone is here, all the brothers. We have much to go through, and this meeting requires the brotherhood for a full house vote.

There are nearly twenty-five of us in here, so it's tight, but it's time to make some changes around here.

"Luckily, we managed to get to the apartment before Axe could rape Aurora. Unfortunately, we didn't get to her in time to save both babies. She lost one, a little girl," Snake rasps with pain for his blood niece, and the brothers all flinch at his words, some looking my way. I ignore them, keeping my face stoic as I make eye contact with my dad. He tilts his head to ask if I'm good, and I send him a small smile, making him frown.

I know it doesn't reach my eyes, but lately, I haven't had reason for it to. Things are fucking hard, and I'm trying my darnedest to keep my family together, to keep myself together.

My woman hasn't spoken to anyone, including Emily, since waking after she passed out at the hospital.

Fuck, I haven't even seen her interact with Autumn much, either.

She barely eats unless made to, doesn't make eye contact with anyone, and always has to have a prospect on her.

She's grieving and is full of guilt.

She blames herself for why our little girl didn't survive. She thinks karma came and bit her in the ass because she tried to terminate the pregnancy.

It doesn't matter how often I, my mother, the old ladies, and the brothers have told her it doesn't work that way, she won't listen.

I can feel her slipping through my fingers, and I can't breathe. I didn't fucking lie to her, get her to marry me, and impregnate her just to lose her now.

A part of me hopes she's taking this time to get her head right, icing everyone out for her mental health, but the other part is petrified she's going to do something to herself out of guilt.

"Alright, brothers, that's the update on what went down. Steel, Acid, and Tats have destroyed the body, and no evidence was left behind. In Aurora's hospital notes, she fell down some concrete stairs." All the brothers nod as Snake's eyes come my way, his serious and full of fury on my behalf as he states, "We have two points agendas today. One doesn't require the whole brotherhood," he looks around the room, "but I believe you should be in here for what we need to discuss. The second one requires a full vote."

Snake nods to me, and I sigh, standing. Everyone looks my way as I rasp, "Yet another clubwhore who wanted a patched brother harmed an old lady." The brothers all nod, even the first-year patches, anger thrumming around me. I continue, "Because of that clubwhore, my woman was taken, my daughter was killed, and this isn't the first time a clubwhore or club employee has gone after an old lady, and not just an old lady of a counsel brother but also one of you…."

I make eye contact with Cannonball, a patched brother who decided to go nomad last year after a clubwhore attacked his new girl, jealous she didn't get his patch.

Honey was shot dead right as the knife pierced his new girl's heart. Layla, his woman, didn't stand a chance.

"We lost a good brother who went nomad after we failed to see the crazy that Honey was. She killed his woman." Everyone nods, then I continue, "Juicy, Honey, Snatch, Cherrie, Jewels, Suzy, Jingles, heck, even Prue," I run a hand through my hair, "so many fucking clubwhores and employees thinking they know what's best, believing they own us." I slam my hand down on the table with frustration, and snap, "They come here knowing nothing will ever happen relationship-wise, that they'll never get a patched brother, yet they get all fucking possessive when a brother finds their one." Every brother nods, sitting straighter. "Our women get hurt, our loves hurt, and why? Because the bitches turn nasty and vile, thinking they have a claim on us."

I turn and kick my chair over, but no one moves as I shout, "I lost my fucking daughter because of these bitches!" I breathe deeply, then shake my head and rasp, "My wife has lost the fucking will to live, guilty for not protecting our daughter, because of a clubwhore I used to fuck…. We've already agreed that no brother is to fuck an employee, but it's not enough…."

The brothers look down in sorrow, and I take a deep breath.

"I motion the clubwhores who are only after a patched brother be removed from the premises." Every brother looks at me in shock, but I stand straight and continue, "A clubwhore who only wants a patched brother is dangerous to us, and to our women and children. I will not be involved with a club that allows them to stay, I fucking can't."

Snake nods, and then looks around the room, every brother looking at me. He says, "All in favor of removing the clubwhores who only want patches, say aye."

"Aye," Smokey starts, followed by Breaker, then Doc, and one by one, every single brother in this room repeats, standing by me, including the first years, and I nod with respect and fucking gratitude.

When the final brother agrees, Snake bangs the gavel and states, "Fucking aye! It's about time we cleaned this place up." He looks around the room. "This week, we all need to vet each clubwhore. You all know a patch chaser when you see one," the brothers nod in agreement and he states, "the clubwhores who are here because they are trying to better themselves, like Crystal, then they can stay, but if they want to fuck a brother, it'll be on the weekly party night we will hold on Fridays for the single brothers."

Every brother stomps their feet in agreement, and I sigh in relief, and Snake nods back to me again.

I smile at him and clear my throat. "I also motion for Pitbull to take over as Secretary for the club."

Every eye comes my way in shock, Pitbull's mouth hanging open, making me smirk.

Snake barks, "I second the motion," causing Pitbull's head to snap his way.

"I third the motion," Smokey states loudly, shocking him even more.

Snake bangs the gavel and commands, "All in favor," and everyone in the room shouts, "Aye!"

This causes Pitbull to stumble back a little, and I grin, nodding as we make eye contact.

"That's settled, then. Welcome to the council, Pitbull." Snake looks around the room and adds, "Sniper will stay as our Road Captain," easing the brother's worry that was clear as day on their faces as they look at me. They all cheer, and Snake grins, "Well, I do believe it's Friday, so get out of here. We'll meet again in a week to discuss which clubwhores can stay."

They cheer louder and chant ‘party' as they exit church, making me chuckle a little.

Everyone leaves, but instead of following, I sit, needing a minute, putting my elbows on the table, my head in my hands.

I want to go home to my girls, but I'm fucking terrified of what I'm going home to. It's been a week, a fucking week, and she hasn't brought herself back. She's ignored me, the family. She's completely enveloped in her grief— our grief.

I don't know how to help her.

"Brother?" Snake rasps, and I look at him and see him still in his seat. I let him see my vulnerability, and his eyes soften, "She'll be okay, Theodore, she just needs time."

I nod. "I know, but we don't have time, Hunter. I have a three-year-old confused about why her momma won't smile or cook her favorite nuggies." I run a hand through my shaggy hair and grunt. "Our son will be here in a few months, and I don't even fucking know how she's going to deal with that. Fuck, she has to give birth, knowing our daughter won't be coming."

He tilts his head. "Have you mourned, brother, and I mean properly mourned?"

I shake my head. "I can't; I need to be strong for my family."

"You also need to mourn, Theo; otherwise, it'll eat you alive," he replies, and I nod, knowing he's right.

I admit, "I will, brother, when I know I won't lose my woman."

He sighs, knowing it's pointless to argue with me over this, and rasps, "I'm here when you do crumble, brother."

I smile at him. "I appreciate it, big brother."

He grins as Doc walks in, causing us to look his way as he states, "She's here, brother."

I physically relax in my seat.

"Fucking Tech is amazing," I whisper, and both agree as I stand and head out of church with them behind me.

I look around the common room and find the person I've been looking for, a person I fucking hope will help my wife.

She's my last resort.

Her brown hair is in a low bun, and a man a little taller than her stands beside her protectively, and I walk over to them.

Her brown eyes tear up when she sees me, and I smile at her, saying, "Thank you for coming, I appreciate it."

She nods. "I'll always come when she needs me."

I give her another smile and look at her man, his blue eyes assessing me, and I state, "My bike is out front. You can follow behind."

He nods, and I walk to the exit, brothers patting my back in support as I go.

Fuck, I hope this doesn't backfire….

Five minutes later, I pull outside my home and climb off my bike, heading for the door. I nod for the couple to follow me inside while Timmy, the prospect stationed at the door, leaves. I tell them to make themselves comfortable, but the woman decides to look at all the photos of Aurora and Autumn, and I leave her to it, heading upstairs, knowing it's bedtime for Autumn.

I hear murmured voices coming from Autumn's room.

I open the door a little, and my heart fucking soars seeing Aurora lying in Autumn's princess bed, the fairy lights shining above them as Autumn kisses her baby brother resting in his mother's belly.

Such a soft look overcomes my woman's bruised face, a softness I haven't seen all week.

"Are you still sad, Momma?" Autumn whispers.

Aurora's eyes water, and she rasps, "A little, baby, but I'll be okay…."

Autumn looks at her momma with such innocence that only a small child can have, and asks, "Because of me and daddy?"

Aurora smiles and replies, running a hand through our daughter's curly hair, "Yes, baby. You and your daddy are my greatest loves; you get me through anything."

My eyes tear up at her confession as Autumn lays her head back on my woman's belly, and I just stand here, leaning against the doorframe, watching them.

This, right here, is what I fought so hard for.

I don't take my eyes off them as Autumn falls asleep. Aurora slowly lays her down, and then strokes her face.

I don't say a word; I watch her and wait to see what she does. I know she knows I'm here. Our bodies are in tune with one another.

"I didn't mean for her to see my sadness; I thought I was protecting her from it," she rasps after a few minutes, and my heart breaks.

Rubbing a hand over my mouth, I murmur, "You're her momma, Firecracker. She knows when you're hurting."

She nods before gently kissing our girl's head, then slowly stands. She winces, and I push off the doorframe in a panic. She gives me a small smile and whispers, "I'm okay," but I don't nod; I focus on her movement. It's only when she makes her way to me without wincing that I slightly relax.

The tension completely disappears when she walks straight into my body, her head on my chest, her arms around my waist.

Instantly, I wrap my arms around her, placing my nose to the top of her head, breathing her in.

"I love you, Theo," she whispers, and I hold her a little tighter and reply, "I love you, too, Rory."

She sniffles, and I pull back, cupping her bruised face, my thumbs wiping away her tears.

I beg, "Talk to me, Firecracker…"

She shakes her head. "I just feel so guilty, and I know I'm blocking you out, but I don't mean to. After Hannah helped me escape back then, I was so alone, and I returned to my shell after everything; it was the only way I knew how to survive."

I nod, then gently kiss her lips, tasting her salty tears, and I whisper, "I have someone downstairs who wants to speak to you." She opens her mouth to protest, but I kiss her gently again and rasp, "This is the most you've spoken in a week, Rory. Please come down and talk, if not for me or our daughter, then for yourself and our son…"

Her eyes race between mine before nodding, and I sigh in relief, and gently guide her out of our daughter's room. My arm is tightly wrapped around her waist, and I close the door behind us with the other.

Slowly, we go down the stairs, and I hold my breath as we get to the bottom, and I gently turn my girl toward the people in our home.

Aurora sucks in a breath before gasping with a cry, "Hannah…."