As we step through the tree line holding hands, my stomach drops when I see Nova leaning against the wall of the club with a cigarette in her hand glaring at us.Pulling Charlie to a stop and slightly behind me, I watch the woman closely.
“Oh, don’t play shy now, Ice,” Nova singsongs.“We’ve done so much together I know exactly what that look on your face means.”
Charlie steps out from behind me.“Nova, what is going on?”
Her laugh is so hollow that it gives me chills.“You cannot be that fucking stupid, can you?”
“Let's pretend I am that fucking stupid,” Charlie deadpans.“Why would you tell Ivy about what happened with the Knights?”
Nova stands from the wall.“Why wouldn’t I?This entire thing is your and Six’s fault.If you two would have just gotten on fucking board with the sex trafficking, he might still be alive.”
Each word lands like a physical blow to my Sparrow's soul.
“You don’t know anything.You were just a child when all of that went down,” Charlie finally answers.
Nova spins in circles with her arms spread wide.“That’s the thing about being a child in an MC like ours, Charlie Bell.They will say anything, not caring about what you overhear.You also learn at a very early age how to get exactly what you want and need.”
Charlie starts to step away from me, but I wrap an arm around her waist, keeping her close to me.“Stay close.We don’t know what state she is in and what kind of damage she can do.”
Charlie just nods.“Nova, honey, are you high?”
“Well, yeah, I don’t know that I've been sober for a day since I was like fourteen,” she laughs, stopping her spinning.
“You’re here now.We can help you get clean.These men will even help you get on your feet.You can start over and be anything you want to be.If you will just let them,” Charlie begs.
Nova’s eyes go sharp and deadly.“At what cost?Nothing in life is free, Ice, and you fucking know it.Now, for the real reason we’re having this conversation.Daddy NOS says it’s time to come home.So, you're going to take my hand, and we’re going to walk out the gate.”
My heart stops in my chest, and my grip tightens around Charlie’s waist.
“I can’t just leave,” Charlie shakes her head.“My life is here with my family.”
Nova screams, “See, you are a fucking liar.Always fucking lying.You told NOS you wanted to go home, and here I am to help you do that, and you're fucking telling me you don’t want to go!”
“Nova, how did you know I talked to NOS?You had nothing on you but a Knights shirt when you got here.”I’m so fucking proud of this woman for trying to get answers for us.
Twelve
Charlie
“Nova, how did you know I talked to NOS?You had nothing on you but a Knights shirt when you got here.”I watch the woman in front of me spiral, trying to figure out how I could have been so wrong about her.
“Ah, ah, ah.I can’t tell you all my secrets and ways.Now I’m done talking and ready to get home.So, let's go, Ice.”
Squaring my shoulders, I say, “Nova, I’ve already told you I’m not leaving.The call to NOS was a bluff.”
Nova walks in short, tight lines, muttering to herself.“Ice, you have to come back.If you come back, they’ll let me go.Wart promised to make me his Ol’ Lady and said I wouldn’t have to pay my dues anymore.”
I want more than anything to pull this woman into my arms.She is so sad and broken, just wanting someone to tell her she's okay and is enough.Looking at her, I see who I was when Six pulled me out of hell and then NOS tried to put me back.I squeeze Blitz’s hand reassuringly before stepping away from him.
Nova is so lost in her muttering and pacing that she has no idea I’m approaching her.I reach out just as she makes another pass, touching her arm.She stops, looking at me, and without thinking, I pull her to me, holding her as she breaks.Her hot tears run down my shoulder as we sink to the ground.Movement around us causes her to stiffen in my hold.
She sits back, a look of icy determination written on her face.“I’m sorry, Ice.I have no choice.They have Bella May.I have to get her back, and this is how I will.”
I search her face, trying to understand.“Nova, you’re not making any sense.Who is Bella May?”
Nova wraps her bony fingers around my throat.“You’re not allowed to say her name.You get to decide right here, right now.You come with me and no one gets hurt in your precious little club.Or, I fucking start killing people.”
“Help me understand,” I start to shake as fear settles over me.
