Page 41 of Road to Absolution

CHAPTER 10

A Life for a Life

The hospital door flew open. A man—a father, stood there exasperated, searching until he found the one he needed to see. But as soon as he saw her face, he knew all he had just heard was true.

The Kenny vault of lies had finally been opened.

Lilah’s father stumbled in, grabbing his chest, his eyes so full of dread I struggled to not look away.

Slowly, Delilah climbed down from my bed. “Daddy.”

Tucker, with manic eyes that were avoiding Lilah, followed his father into the room. He stood against the wall and to the side, clearly on the verge of losing his sanity.

Diesel, rubbing the back of his neck, and motioning for Scorch to stay in the hallway, shut the door then solemnly moved into the room. He was smart enough to stay clear of the Ward men, and me, but also man enough to face his part in the growing madness.

Barely audible due to pain only a good father can understand, John begged his daughter, “Tell me I didn’t fail you.”

How Lilah could have so many tears to shed could only be explained by all the years she had hidden the truth. “You didn’t fail me.”

John Ward paled so fast, I worried he was internally bleeding, because there was no blood on the floor under him, yet his skin resembled that of a corpse. “So… it’s not true? He didn’t… rape you?”

Of their own accord, my eyes slid shut. There it was. What I had suspected all along.

“Maverick?” my wife weakly begged.

My eyes opened and met hers to reiterate, “You and me. Solid, baby. Crazy love.”

Blowing out a trembling breath, she gave me one nod, confident nothing would change between us, then faced the past she could no longer outrun.

I hadn’t been a part of this family when Kenny was alive—or when he was known to be alive. I had not one memory of what had transpired in the Ward home when they all lived together. Therefore, I had to sit back and be patient, wondering how all this was going to unfold.

Lilah raised her hands to hover in front of her, begging for calm. “Please, let me explain.”

Eyes slamming shut, John cringed. Motherfucking cringed. “No.” His hands closed into tight fists. “I let him in my home.”

Delilah tried, “You were right to help him.”

“I let him in my motherfucking home!” roared her father.

Diesel’s honest attempt at privacy, by shutting the door earlier, was now moot. It was possible the whole hospital heard this father’s rage. Nor could anyone in the room not feel his love as he yanked his daughter into his arms.

Rocking his daughter, he whispered, “I wish he were alive so that I could kill him.”

Staring into nothing, Tucker’s eyes twitched. “Sound the bell for round two.”

Trying hard not to interfere with a past that wasn’t mine didn’t mean I was willing to be overridden in a future I would own. Completely. “That’s my round.”

Head tilting, John’s arms loosened around his daughter. “What does that mean?”

Diesel grumbled, “I guess ‘round two’ is for me to start.” He exhaled then stood tall. “John, you have been one of the best friends I’ve ever had.”

“Had?” asked the man, now releasing his daughter to face Diesel as if he knew everything was about to change.

With apologetic eyes, Diesel gazed at Delilah. “Am I free to speak?” He assured her, “No nurses or anyone else is getting in to overhear anything. But it’s time, sweet girl. This train has left the station. Its destination is now up to us.”

Opening her mouth like a fish out of water, my wife looked to Viola.

Viola left me and rushed to her. She guided her to the couch, sitting down with her, then opened a bottle of water. Woozy, Lilah took a sip, then finally nodded to Diesel.