"Or pity me. I can’t handle pity, Nova," he says honestly.
"I'll never judge you, and I don't pity you. I'm sorry that you experienced that, and I'm honoured that you trust me enough to tell me your secret."
"There’s more," he says, cutting me off.
I get up from the swing and step in front of him, my hands grabbing at the chain on the swing. "You don't have to tell me."
"I want to." He looks up at me, then shame fills his face, and he drops his gaze to the floor.
I reach down and tip his chin toward me. "Please don't hide. I'm listening."
He gives me a sad smile. "The abuse only stopped because my grandmother, my mum’s mum, took me in." He looks back up at me. "Jack caught a cold three weeks before, I did everything I could to take care of him, but I was eleven and I didn't know how serious it was. We lived in a dark, cold, filthy house, he didn't stand a chance. He caught pneumonia. I came home from school one evening and found him dead in his crib.
“Mum was strung out, on the bed, her dealer sleeping next to her. I lost it, screaming at them both to wake up. She was too out of it to understand what was happening, but her dealer shot off the bed and pinned me against the wall by my neck. I could feel myself starting to black out. I didn't know what else to do, so I spat in his face. He dropped me to the floor, kicking me in my stomach and back. He told me that if I said anything to him ever again or spat on him again, he would cut my tongue out."
I watch as he furrows his brow at me. "I trust you," he tells me, and I give him a smile, but before I have a chance to respond, he states, "I was fifteen when I saw him again. He was beating up some girl outside a club for owing him money. I snapped, and by the time I pulled him off her, she was already unconscious. He was dead less than twenty minutes later, and minus a tongue." He's so matter of fact when he tells me that it takes a second for me to register it.
"Oh." He watches me, waiting for me to respond. But as I stand there, watching him, all I can think is I'm surprised I'm not more freaked out by his admission.
"Nova?" he asks, nervous. "Say something.
"You should have made him suffer for longer," I say.
His eyebrows shoot up, surprised. "Erm…"
"He deserved what he got, Tongue. I'm only sad that he didn't feel it for longer. I won't share your secret. But know that I'm here if you ever want to talk. And know that I will never judge you or pity you." I lean down and place a quick kiss on the side of his cheek. "Thank you."
Chapter Fifty-Three
They've been gone for nearly forty minutes. And while it's been good to get info from Andrea, I wish I knew where they were or if she was okay.
"Andrea, do you know Tommy Larson?" Nitro asks her.
"I do. He's a two-bit gangster, who thinks he rules the upper east side. He and Arthur have had a number of run-ins over the years. When I asked Arthur if he would keep an eye on the kids and see if he could find out what was going on, I had to tell him that Roger was working with Tommy Larson. I didn't know much about him at the time but soon learned that he was trying to make a name for himself." She looks around at the door, then turns back to us. "Do you think Nova is okay?" Concern laces her tone.
Nitro nods. "I do. I think she's getting the air she needs, and she's with someone who can relate to what she has been through.” Both Wrath and I turn to face him, we're both as surprised as each other to hear Nitro say that. Tongue has never told anyone his story, and I didn't think Nitro knew anything. Andrea doesn't seem to react much, she just nods at him as if she understands.
"I think we should break here. You should spend some time with Nova and Mason tonight. We're having a big party tomorrow, to celebrate the merge with another club. Are you okay in big crowds, most of which will be men?" he asks her.
"I am, but I'd rather the kids were not around that. I do know some of the things that can happen at the parties in a clubhouse," she states.
"There will be alcohol, but no drugs. And the men have been briefed that any and all sexual activity must be done in private rooms. I've arranged for there to be other family members here for the party, that way Mason will have a couple of kids around his age and Nova will have other females here who are not club whores. You're welcome to talk to Nova about neither of them being here but it's her choice. And while I appreciate that you technically are the legal guardian of them both, when it comes to Mason, she has the final say for now. Am I clear?" I’m surprised by his statement, but I am grateful that he's made it clear that the choice is Nova's for her and Mason.
"As long as you keep things private then I have no objection. I have failed those kids, Nitro, I will not allow myself to fail them anymore that I already have." She stands from her chair and turns to me. "Ice, is it?"
I nod but don't say anything. "Could you walk me out?" she asks. I turn to Nitro who gives me a nod, and I get up and walk her back into the main room.
As we step up to the bar, she turns to me. "I know I have no right interfering in their lives, I've missed so much, and I should have been there for them. You and her seem very close, andwhile I like that you seem to care for her a lot, I'm going to tell you that I don't care who you are, or who your brothers are, if you hurt her in any way, I will ensure that it's the last thing you do. Understood?"
I should be pissed. Hell, Iwantto be pissed. But this woman just went up in my estimations of her. I smile. "Understood. And so you know, I have no intention of hurting her. I will do whatever it takes to protect them both.” I need her to understand that they are both my priority. They are a package deal.
I knock on the bar, grabbing the Prospect’s attention. "Sargeant?" he questions when he steps up to us.
"Get Andrea a drink, please, and can you bring another round into Church." He nods then takes a step back to wait for Andrea to tell him what she wants. I dip my head at her and then turn to walk away just as the door opens and in walks my woman, followed by Tongue.
As he closes the door behind them, I realise just how fucking tired he looks. His past may not have anything to do with us, but I hope one day he feels like he can confide in us. We want to be there for him just as much as he is for others.
I stride over to them and grab her, pulling her into my arms and crashing my lips to hers. I expect her to pull away from me, I expect her to push me away, but she doesn't. I'm relieved that she reciprocates the kiss. My hands cup her face, my thumbs resting on her cheeks as I deepen the kiss. She leans into me, her hands gripping at my T-shirt. I groan as I hear wolf whistles around us and she slows the kiss, her hands letting go of my T-shirt. I break the kiss, my eyes taking in the beauty of her face. I can't believe how stunning she is. Even more so with the flush that's creeping up her neck and cheeks.
