When we originally hashed everything out, we were going to take the bodies and bury them in the swamp.
“Got outvoted,” is all he says, and I smirk. Smiling hurts my fucking face.
“You’re really doing this?” I ask him.
“Yeah, and we’re doin’ it the right way. No more dictatorship, no more secrets. A real fuckin’ brotherhood, the way it should’ve always been.”
“And the Wraiths?”
“Think Mickey killed a few more in the fire. Their numbers are low and they’re scramblin’ after we took my father out. We’re keeping the gates locked and stayin’ put for now.”
“Wouldn’t they want to attack while we’re down?”
“They’re also fucked. Between the guys we took out at the stash house, the Dead Palms traitors, your personal kill count, and the clubhouse, they’re not lookin’ so hot,” he sums up.
“We can’t let our guard down,” I tell him.
“If you and Axel wanted to take her and leave, I’d understand,” he says.
I’d roll my eyes, but it would hurt too much.
“Get the fuck over yourself, Tate,” I grind out.
His head jolts up as he looks at me. There isn’t much fire left behind his eyes. He’s exhausted. We all are.
“She never wanted to leave here. She loves the club, and fuck, maybe if you stop feeling so sorry for yourself, you could let her love you, too.”
He scrubs his face with his hand, but says nothing. Not that I expected him to. I know Lily wants him, and after everything we’ve been through since we came here, I already consider him my pack. But it’s their place to sort their shit out, not mine.
The doorknob twists, and this time it’s Lily who walks into my room. Winnie perks up immediately at her presence.
“Tate,” she says his name calmly, like he’s a wounded animal, and he looks up at her. She makes a frustrated noise as she goes to approach him, but he stands up from his chair.
He doesn’t look at her while he speaks. “Do either of you need anything?”
“Tate,” she sighs.
“I’m goin’ to go get some sleep. Let me know if you need me,” he rushes out, not looking at either of us as he leaves my room.
My room is simple and small, but it’s not ideal for our situation or the place I truly want to be. Lily deserves a large comfy house, with a nest and a place for her hobbies. But she agreed with Tate’s decision to house the Omegas in her old home. I don’t think either of them wants to live there—the history cuts too deep.
“Come here,” I tell her softly.
She sighs in frustration over Tate but is careful as she climbs into the bed to lie next to me and pet Winnie.
“He’s under a lot of stress. Give it time,” I tell her.
“I just want to talk to him, but he runs away every time I walk into a room.”
I sigh and lean over to kiss her hair. She smells like her sweet coconut scent, and I take comfort in knowing she’s safe and here with me.
“It’s not my place, but he’s got the club in his hands now. He’s clearly who we’re going to vote for as the next president. And I think he just has a lot of guilt over… everything,” I say.
I worry about saying too much to Lily and causing her more emotional distress, but she doesn’t say anything, instead, she traces my tattoos with her fingertips.
“Can you tell me about this one?” she asks, her finger landing on the lotus tattoo with the name Leilani in small cursive in the middle.
I’m not sure if her interest is vested in jealousy, or just wanting to know more about me. Either way, I knew the conversation was going to happen, eventually.
