“Don't be stupid,” her mother replied.
“Fine.At least you didn't risk killing anyone, but you could have called.I fixed lasagna for dinner.I thought we could celebrate your birthday.”
“Why would I want to celebrate that with you?”she sneered.“Fucking Dax McNeill.He had to go and ruin my life by saddling me with such an ungrateful little brat.I should have dumped you on his doorstep and been done with you,” she mumbled as she stumbled past her daughter.
Sophia stared at her mother's retreating back.This was the first time she'd ever heard her father's name.Determined to finally get some answers, she stalked down the hallway after her mother.
“Mom!You've run from this long enough.I deserve some answers!Who is Dax McNeill?”
“Who do you think he is?I never should have poked holes in his condoms.Then I wouldn't have to deal withyou,” she hissed.“I didn't even know until after the divorce.”Her voice was barely a whisper.
“What did I ever do to you to make you hate me so much?”
She waited for an answer that didn't come because her mother had passed out.
Sophia went to her bedroom and curled up in bed as thoughts churned in her mind.
“I'm going to Connecticut, to find my father,” Sophia said a few days later while eating dinner.
“No you arenot,” her mother replied.
“I'm eighteen.You can't stop me.”
“I'm warning you, Sophia.If you leave, I'm cutting you off.When he closes the door in your face, don't come crawling back to me because you won't be welcome.”
Sophia looked at the woman who'd given birth to her.Her mother had become a lawyer, she made good money, and she'd given Sophia her own credit card when she was younger.
She shrugged.“I figured as much.I've already gotten a cash advance for the full amount that was available, and I closed my checking account, so I'll be fine for a while.”She'd been working part time while finishing school, which was how she'd paid for her own car, even if it was a bit rough, and now she was glad she had.
With that said, she carried her plate to the sink, rinsed it off, set it in the dishwasher, and headed to her room.Since she was leaving in the morning, it would be her last night in that bed.
After days of traveling, she'd finally arrived.Since she knew her mother was from Cornwall, Connecticut, that was most likely where her parents had met, and hopefully, where Dax McNeill still lived.If not, well, she'd have to hope someone knew where he'd gone.
After checking in at the Rosewood Bed and Breakfast, she headed to the restaurant that had been recommended; The Painted Hound.
After ordering her meal, she stopped her server before the woman could walk away.
“Hey, I have a question for you.You wouldn't happen to know where I could find Dax McNeill, would you?”She was hoping that, with Cornwall being such a small town, everyone would know everyone.
“No, I sure don't.Sorry.”
“Damn.Thanks anyway.”
She was just taking a drink of her soda when she heard a gruff voice behind her.
“I heard you're looking for Sinner.”
Sophia turned and had to look up at the guy who stood there.“Sinner?”
“Dax McNeill.We call him Sinner.He's our Prez.How do you know him?”
“I don't.Not yet.My mom knows him.It's a story I'd rather tell him.Do you know where I can find him?”She wasn't quite sure what he meant by Prez, but she had more pressing matters to focus on.Like finding her father.
“This time of evening, the clubhouse.”
“Clubhouse?”
“Yeah.The Merciless Few clubhouse.We're a motorcycle club,” the guy told her.
