“Fuck, Wrath, what is it?” Now I’m really starting to worry.
“Raze can’t give Peyton what she wants.” He lowers his voice despite us being the only ones in the room.
“Course, he fuckin’ can. I know he’s busy with the club, but if?—”
“No, Vike, he can’t. They’ve been tryin’ for months; he was gettin’ all paranoid about it not happenin’ and the doc told him what no man ever wants to fuckin’ hear.”
“You mean he’s?—”
“Yeah.” He stops me before I can say it.
“I mean that’s not fuckin’ good, but it ain’t no reason to leave. What’s Peyton sayin’ about all this?”
“Peyton don’t fuckin’ know; he’s been too proud to tell her.” Wrath sighs like he’s suddenly relieved to have it off his chest.
“The fuck?”
“It’s been eatin’ him alive, Vike, and what happened with that kid must have been the final straw for him. Which is why I’m standing here, sayin’ with confidence, that Raze ain’t dead. He’s just too fuckin’ scared to face up to his problems.”
“We gotta find him and bring him back. Peyton ain’t gonna stop lovin’ him because he can’t give her a kid.”
“I told him all this, but he wouldn’t listen. Ain’t you noticed the dead in his eyes lately? Raze has been through hell andsurvived it, but he can’t survive being the person who lets her down.”
“You think you should talk to her, explain…?” I suggest, knowing that Peyton must be outta her mind with worry.
“I was thinkin’ of givin’ him a little more time to come to his senses; hope he comes home and tells her himself. But I don’t know, Vike, last time Raze ran out on a problem, nobody saw him for ten years.” He looks scared as hell.
“Wrath, ya gotta keep it together; right now everyone’s lookin’ at you to be a leader. The club needs you, and your old lady needs you...”
“And I don’t know how to comfort her.” He scrubs his hand over his face.
“Course, ya do; just be real and open, tell her you're scared, too. I’ve learned the hard way that keepin’ your feelin’s to yourself never fuckin’ works.”
“Not a word to anyone. If Raze found out I told you, he’d damn make me infertile too.”
“You got my word, VP,” I assure him. “Now, go be with your girl.” I slap him on the shoulder before I head back out, and when Alicia meets me halfway across the barroom floor, I can see she’s expecting information.
“What's going on, Vike?” she questions me.
“We don’t know, darlin’...” I look back to the office where Wrath stands at the window, still watching, “and that's what fuckin’ scares us,” I admit.
“What do you think? You think something happened to him?” Lettie asks when we’re back at my place, alone. I hate that it’s late and Vike still isn’t back from searching; if something has happened to Raze, there’s every chance Vike could be in danger too.
“I sure hope not. It sucks for Peyton, but I’m hoping he’s just taken some time out. It’s far better than thinking that he’s lying hurt in a ditch somewhere or dead.”
“Well, if he is alive and well, he’s sure gonna have some explaining to do when he gets home. Peyton deserves better than this.” The door opens, and Vike steps inside, looking worn out and completely deflated.
“Any luck?” I ask.
“Nothin’, no one’s seen or heard from him.” Vike kicks off his boots and smiles when he sees Rory sleeping on the couch.
“I saved you some dinner,” I tell him, heading toward the kitchen so I can start heating it up for him.
“I should leave and get this little man to bed.” Lettie heads over to the couch, ready to stir Rory and take him home.
“You shouldn’t be travelling around by yourself at night. Put him in my old room; you two can stay here tonight.” Vike waitsfor her to nod in agreement before lifting my nephew up himself, pressing a kiss on top of his head as he carries him down the hall.
“That man is going to make the most incredible father,” Lettie whispers.
