“As long as you have hope, you have purpose.”
“I agree, then I met Mortician. When I saw him, I knew I was going to die.”
Kaia lifted his brows. “You fucked over the club?”
“I worked for a motherfucker who fucked over the club,” Bishop corrected. “Mortician shot the fuck out of three motherfuckers right in front of my fucking eyes and didn’t flinch. I’d never seen anything like it. When he waved meover with that big ass gun…fuck, bro, I almost shit myself.”
“I would’ve at least pissed myself,” Kaia said, snickering.
Bishop smiled. “I was seventeen. If it was three weeks later, I would’ve been eighteen. I don’t know if he would’ve shot me or if he would’ve looked at me and asked how old I was. He tied me up and searched the house for the stolen drugs and money.”
“Oh goddamn.”
“Exactly. I don’t know what the fuck those motherfuckers were thinking, trying to fuck over the Dwellers. I only wanted to help my mother and my siblings. As the man of the house.”
“You were a kid.”
“I’d gotten involved in very grownup activity against her wishes. Mortician called Val, and he came with Digger, Cash, and Stretch. They cleaned that fucking house like…fuck, they are fucking professionals. Mort marched me to the van and put me right next to those dead bodies. I just knew I was dead, too. I’d survived the shootings at the house…I thought I was in for torture. He brought me to Outlaw, though, and told him the full story. They fucking grilled me. While they were doing that, they did a background check on me and saw the story I told them checked out. Outlaw gave Mort permission to take me under his wing, but only if I wanted it.”
“We know what you chose,” Kaia said, wondering why Bishop was revealing his history.
“Yeah. I never thought I’d get luckier. Until Megan hired me to work in her house.” He nodded to the cookbook. “Allowed me to indulge in my passion. Allowed me to sit at the table like I’m family. They’re all so cool to cook for because they don’t mind experimenting. As long as I also have kid-friendly foods in case Axel and Gunner don’t like what I prepare, she gives me free rein. She spoils my sister’s baby. No, my sisters. My mom…everything I dreamed of her having, a fucking easier life, Meggie is allowing me to provide.”
Kaia understood. She was doing the same thing for his family. He was sure she needed the help. She had a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders. But she went above and beyond simply because she cared about those closest to her and wanted the world to be a better place for them. However, he still didn’t understand why Bishop wanted to know if Kaia had accepted her offer about school.
“Meggie offered to send me to culinary school,” Bishop announced. “All expenses paid by Mortician and she’d give me an allowance. Two grand a fucking month just because…because they want me to have an alternative.”
“That makes sense.” Kaia shifted his weight. “She’s had a really hard time accepting CJ’sdetermination to be anything other than a biker.”
“Yeah, bro. She’s a very logical woman, but the reality slapped her in the face. The danger. The death. The deception.”
“For a third generation of her family,” Kaia said.
“That’s quite the fucking legacy, bro. She has to wonder when will it stop and how will it end for her boys. And her daughters.”
It sounded as if Bishop had more to say, so Kaia prompted, “But?”
“ButI accepted my altered future even before she asked me to work for her. My dream became an abstract idea or a fond memory of a naïve motherfucker. Mortician is handpicking his successors. He wants me to be a top enforcer. He…I love my niece. I’m her father figure.”
“Isn’t she a small baby?”
“It doesn’t matter. A father’s love begins from day one. My sister’s baby daddy is a raging prick. I call home every fucking day and I visit at least twice a week. If I leave, then what?”
“You can do online classes.”
“That takes discipline, Kaia. The type of focus and dedication I no longer have. I’m living my dream every fucking day in Meggie’s kitchen. Then I get to go to the club. Ride my Harley. Be close to my family. Fuck a bunch of willing girls.”
“It sounds like you already have your answer then.”
“Again, areyouaccepting the offer?”
“Does your decision depend on my answer, Bishop. Dude, our situations are completely different. Meggie and Mortician are doing it for you because they want you to realize your dreams. She’s doing it for me…” Kaia shrugged. “Not for the same reason.”
“She wants you away from Rebel because of Fia,” Bishop guessed.
“Yeah.”
Studying Kaia, Bishop’s gaze fell on Kaia’s baldness and he shook his head, folded his arms. “Do you know why I’ve been so fucking pissed with you?”
