My heart sinks.
She’s not wrong. I’m so different now, and I realise in her young innocent eyes, the change in me isn’t necessarily good.
“I know I am,” I admit, gripping her shoulders as I hold her far enough away that she can see my whole face. “I’ve had to change to adapt to the situations I’ve been in. I know I’m not as… nice. But I am stronger. And right now, that’s who I need to be. Someone strong. Who keeps fighting. Who won’t give up until the bad people pay for what they did to me. To us.”
Tahli bobs her head, her eyes dropping to my chest as her lip wobbles again.
“I know I shouldn’t… but I miss Dad.”
Jesus. My heart splinters open.
Does she know I was the one who gave him the gun?
“Tahli, it’s perfectly normal to miss Dad. Despite his flaws, he was our father, and we will always love him in our own ways.”
Those tear-filled eyes dart back up to mine. “He was weak. Why was he so weak? Why did he let Mum treat him like that?”
Sighing, I pull my little sister back to my chest in another hug. “I can’t answer that. I really don’t know other than that’s just who he was. Mum probably picked him because she could control him. Bitches like that don’t like to be told what to do.”
“Except by our grandfather.”
A chill ripples up my spine at Tahli’s words. “Yeah. Except by him.”
We hug each other for a few long beats before Tahli pulls back and swipes at her tears, her attention shifting to the window, and the men down below congregated outside the barn.
“Do you think I could have a motorbike one day?”
My brows shoot up at her words, and I dart my eyes to her as she stares in awe.
“Uhhh. No. Absolutely not,” I snap, and she rolls her eyes at me.
“I don’t think it’s fair that you get to use knives and guns and ride on the back of Ringo’s motorbike, yet I can’t have one of my own.”
“I’m older than you. And I didn’t choose to use those things, Chook. I’ve had to learn how to use them to protect myself, and you.”
She shrugs like that’s not the point, her eyes shifting to a couple of the younger club brothers who are clearly flirting with Alana as she carries out a tray of muffins for them.
“If I can’t have my own motorcycle, then I guess I’ll just have to marry a biker so I can ride on the back like you do.”
A strangled gasp falls from my open mouth as I balk at my little sister.
“Absolutely not, Tahli May Delany!”
She scoffs. “Don’t be such a hypocrite.”
I glare at my sister. “Who are you right now?”
“I’m the good sister, remember?”
A laugh bursts from my lips. “Good, but cheeky.”
She shrugs. “My thirteenth birthday is in a few months. Guess what I want for it?”
“I think I’ll regret this, but what?” I ask, and her smile tugs wide.
“When school opens back up…” Her eyes flick to me, bright and full of mischief. “I want Brody to take me to school on the back of his motorcycle so I can make Alice and Fiona jealous. And then also pick me up after school. For the whole term.”
“You are… evil.” I shake my head in disbelief.
