“Stating the facts. Oak is a killer. The club he belongs to are also killers. He breaks the law. They break the law. They’re all criminals, Grace, and one day they will all face the consequences for what they’ve done. If you are smart you would take our offer, finally have custody of Connor, and never look back.”
My spine stiffens and it’s taking everything within me not to reach across the counter and yank her overly tight ponytail.
“And what about you?” I ask of her.
Her brows furrow. “What about me?”
“How many times have you fired your gun killing someone?” I question and she remains silent, her lips, a nude pink, set in a firm line. “How many times has your system failed innocent people?” Silence greets me back. “You speak as if you’re better but you’re not. You have the license to kill and the license to judge. Maybe you shouldn’t do both as harshly as you have been.”
“Ms. Vale-”
I interrupt her partner with a scathing look. “If that is all I have nothing more to say.”
Sighing heavily, slightly dropping his head in defeat he produces a business card from the inner pocket of his suit jacket. He slides it across the bar and I make no move to pick it up. He sighs again. “If you change your mind,” he begins and I give him another look, “you can call me.”
I don’t say anything to him because I’ve already said enough.
He turns to leave but Agent Astrid Liu remains.
She stands tall, firm. She’s confident in herself and it’s clear she takes pride in what she does. I can respect her for that, but what I will fault her for is painting Oak and Vipers MC as villains.
“You aren’t protecting good men, Gracie Mae.”
“You don’t even know them to judge them. They’re not who you think they are.”
Her eyes cast down before they meet mine again with what resembles a deep pain. Exposing the vulnerable side in which I’m sure she doesn’t reveal often, if ever. “I thought the same as you, once upon a time. I knew a boy once. He was kind. Gentle. A boy who could have easily been mistaken as a prince. ” Her eyes harden then, closing the curtain that was once opened. “Then I watched him become something else. Gone was the prince and in his place stood the monster. He became just like his father. Even after everything his father had done. After what his father had done to my family and to countless others. The boy I knew left and he never came back. Now he stands in his fathers place in the Triads.”
My heart, my bleeding heart that I have always worn on my sleeve aches for her. It feels compassion towards her despite our circumstances. And I can understand her reasonings behind her own actions. I can understand why she feels the way that she does.
But Vipers MC is drastically different than the Triads.
“I am sorry-”
“I don’t want your sympathy,” she’s quick to tell me and I snap my mouth shut, “I’m telling you that even the best of people can be corrupted from this lifestyle. And you should stop Oak and his MC before they become unrecognizable to themselves in the mirror.”
“This boy you knew,” I ask carefully, “have you ever caught him?”
“No, but one day I will and I’ll make sure of that.”
I nod my head, my tongue feeling heavy in my mouth. Special Agent Astrid Liu is a woman who is set on her path and will not be steered in any other direction. She’ll continue to hunt down Oak and the members of Vipers MC not only because it’s her job but because it’s also her own personal vendetta.
“Vipers MC, they’re nothing like the Triads,” I tell her, defending them once again.
“They’re both organized crime. They both speak violence. And they’re both killers. That’s enough similarities for me to know they aren’t good men.” Her tone is final and I know nothing I say will sway her opinion. “Do the right thing, Ms. Vale.”
And as she leaves I know what the right thing is to do.
It’s just not the right thing she’s asking of me.
Oak
“Does it make me a bad person that sometimes I wish when mom did her heroin that she would get a bad batch and finally leave us in peace?” The question from Connor, a freshly turned twelve year old boy, both startles me and saddens me.
For a boy of such young age he’s suffered more than what a grown man can handle.
Part of me blames Hollows Point for giving this kid the cards he’s been dealt. But it isn’t so much to blame but the rolling and tumbling snowball of tragic events.
His life would be so much worse, much more tragic, if Grace hadn’t planted herself in the path of tragedy. She’s not only her brother’s shield, but she also serves as his sword.
