Leaning back against the tile, I nodded. “Then here it is.”
For the second time that day, the bathroom became my confessional. I once again purged myself of the terrible secret I had kept hidden for so many years—and from so many of the people I loved. Telling Bishop was just as frightening as I had imagined it would be. When I finished, I felt as if all the muscles, tendons, and bones in my body had been stripped away, and I stood bare to my very soul in front of him. It was both terrifying and liberating.
Meanwhile I cocked my head at Bishop, waiting for his response. Surprise flooded me at the sight of tears in his eyes. He swayed on his feet like he wanted to close the distance between us, but he was unsure of how I might react. “Fuck man, I don’t know what to say.”
With a humorless laugh, I said, “That seems to be the consensus when hearing the story.”
“And you never told Mama?”
I shook my head. “No one but Preacher Man and Breakneck knew.”
“Jesus,” he muttered, as he scrubbed the tears from his eyes. “I just can’t…all those years…” His breath exhaled in a wheeze. “When Preacher Man left, I was just a kid, but I still remember wondering what the fuck could have possibly gone wrong.”
“It was because of me.”
Bishop’s face clouded over, and he jabbed his index finger at me. “Oh hell no it wasn’t. I don’t care what kinda guilt shit you’ve carried around all these years, but I’m not going to fucking stand here and let you blame everything that happened on you. To start with, it was that fucking pervert’s fault. And even though I hate to say it, Preacher Man was to blame too for letting it get the best of him.”
Now it was my turn to fight back the tears. Deep down, I had always feared that if Deacon, or especially Bishop, found out my secret, they would hate me for ruining the family. “Thanks, man. I appreciate you saying that.”
“It’s the truth. I mean every fucking word. I ain’t sugar coating anything.”
I snorted. “You guilty of sugarcoating? Never.”
Bishop grinned. “Damn straight.”
Pushing myself off the wall, I moved closer to him. “One reason I told you my story was because I felt you had a right to finally know. But there’s another reason as well.”
“What’s that?”
“Annabel.”
Bishop’s brows came together in confusion. “What does she have to do with it?”
“Everything. She’s the reason I came out to Texas. At first it seemed like Sarah was the only reason, but after everything that has happened, I understand now. While I might’ve saved Annabel, she did the same for me by allowing me to finally get rid of the secrets.”
“You told her before you told me?” he questioned accusingly.
“Yeah, I did.”
Although he appeared angry, I knew Bishop was hurt more than anything. “But I’m your blood, man. I’m your blood and your MC brother.”
I placed my hand on his shoulder. “I know that. Just like being in the Raiders bonds us with our brothers, the same thing can be said for me and Annabel and the abuse we suffered.”
Bishop rubbed his jaw while eyeing me thoughtfully. “I guess I get what you’re saying. But I gotta be honest and say I don’t really like it.”
“I’m not asking you to like it. I just want you to respect it. And I want you to respect her.”
His blue eyes narrowed. “I ain’t never disrespected her.”
“It’s two different things, brother. You need to respect her feelings. There’s nothing for her to go back home to besides two self-absorbed assholes for parents. While it might not make any sense and it won’t be easy, she should come to Georgia with us if she wants to.”
“You talked to Deacon about this?”
I laughed. “Are you suggesting I need to clear my business by him? Last time I checked I made my own money and owned my row house at the compound.”
“It ain’t just your business. You’re bringing home a former Diablos captive and drug cartel’s favorite piece of ass.”
My fists coiled in rage at my side, and before I could stop myself, I shoved Bishop.
