Chapter Thirty-Five
The following morningthe warehouse fire made it on page three of theAlina Post.Photographs of flames licking the brickwork and smoke billowing into the sky were in full color and plastered on the bottom of the page.
“The warehouse burned to the ground,” Fallon said as she stirred hazelnut creamer into her coffee.
“That must’ve been the reason for all that haze last night.” Diablo took a bite out of his buttered toast.
Fallon glanced up and met Diablo’s dark stare, then nodded and continued reading the paper. Of course, they would never speak about what happened at the warehouse to anyone outside of the brotherhood. Fallon knew she couldn’t share what had happened to her with Raven or Breanna, even though they suspected something. The women knew their men’s secrets were theirs as well.
“You doing okay? You went through a lot yesterday.” Diablo reached out for her hand.
“I’m not sure yet. I don’t think it’s all sunk in.”
“Breanna told me that you should see a grief counselor because you’ve had so much shit dumped on you in such a short time. She gave me a couple of names, said they’re very good.”
“I think I’ll give it a try. I have a lot I need to sort out with my past. I know if I act like it’s no big deal, it’ll clobber me over the head. Are you doing okay?” She placed her hand over his.
“Yeah, fine. I’m just worried about you. I’m glad you’re gonna talk to someone. Of course, some things have to be left unspoken.”
“For sure. I know the score. I was just wondering how you’re doing with Taya’s death.”
He shrugged. “The sister I knew when we were young died when our mom quit being a mom. That was a long time ago, and I’ve already mourned.”
“But she was still your sister. I was blown away when I found out.”
“I knew she was up to no good when I bumped into her, but I never figured it involved you. I didn’t fuckin’ see that. The time she split my head open and robbed me was when my trust died, and it never came back. I tried to help her as best I could, but she was lost before our family even broke up. It’s the way it goes sometimes. At least she’s free from her demons. I hope she finally has some peace. She never did in her short life.”
“I wish I could’ve known her under different circumstances. I’d like to think we would’ve really been friends.”
“Not likely. Her only friend was crack. You never mentioned me to her?”
“Not by name. I didn’t tell her I had a biker boyfriend, but that creepy Tae knew because he tailed me. He told me your sister bumped into you in town and made the connection that I was your girlfriend. When she drugged me she knew you were my boyfriend. I can’t believe she did that to me… toyou.”
“I can. She stopped being my sister a long time ago. Her heart was ice. When I think of how it was when we were all kids, I never would’ve thought she’d have grown into a woman without a soul. I guess I have my mom to thank for that.”
“Don’t you think she deserves a proper burial?” she whispered.
He nodded, his jaw jutted out. “The brothers took her over to Sagebrush. We know a guy who owns a mortuary there. He’s got her body. I’m gonna ask him to cremate her then I’ll spread her ashes in Chaco Canyon.”
“I’ll be at your side.” Fallon grasped his hand while she shook her head. “What a crazy thing this all was, and just for money.”
“People do a lot of shit for money. And as far as the money goes, sweet pea, it’s all yours. I’m your man and I’ll take care of you, so if you need a car, clothes, whatever, I’ll take care of it. You should think about taking the lawyer’s advice and investing it, but I’m not gonna tell you what to do with it.”
Warmth spread through her as she leaned over and kissed him. “I love you. You’re the sweetest man.”
He tweaked her nose and smiled. “Now I know you love this apartment. It’s cute, and you and Raven did a good job painting the walls and decorating. It pissed Muerto way the fuck off what you did to his walls, and watching all that was funny as hell. But it’s too small for us. We need to find a bigger place. There’re some new developments I’ve been reading about and I think we should take a look this weekend.”
“Isn’t the bike rally this weekend?”
“Yeah, but we don’t have to go both days.”
“I’d love to find a beautiful home with a gourmet kitchen. I love to bake and having a double oven would be like a dream come true.”
“Then I’ll buy you whatever you want. Hell, I’ll buy you a bakery if you want.”
Fallon giggled. “I’ll be happy with the double oven.”
Diablo held her hands, staring intently into her eyes. “All kinds of crazy thoughts went through my mind when I realized you were gone. Just the possibility of losing you twisted me up from the inside out. All I could see was your face, hear your voice, and feel your touch. I never want you out of my life.”
