Page 101 of Praying for Thunder

“Ah.” He put the cigarette out on the bottom of his boot. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” Sticking the butt in his pocket, he asked me, “Would you like to have a choice?”

Unfamiliar emotions bubbled inside me like a shook Coke. “Yes.”

“I get that.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “And… you think I’m here to take yours away.”

My eye twitched. “Yep. You’re going to give me some speech about how you just found me and don’t want to lose me.”

The asshole actually laughed. “The fuck? Do Titans sit around watching Lifetime or some shit?”

Caught off guard, and even more confused, I mumbled, “No.”

“Pup, just because I’m the President of a club—that you’re not patchin’ for by the way—and my blood runs through your veins, don’t give me no right to disrespect your decisions.”

My posture eased. “Oh.”

“I’d sure love to know what you’re thinkin’ though.”

I watched as Dio was let up from the ground. “I’m thinking I hate him in pain.”

“That’s what dads do. They hurt for their boys.”

I looked back to the man I was starting to not hate.

He nodded. “Yeah. And just like you want a choice, he does, too.”

In shock, I looked back at Dio. “I took that from you when I decided to go back.”

Dio fought tears. “It’s okay, Little Man.”

I tried to explain, “My heart says I have to go back.”

He blew out an exhale that was so weighted I almost hit my knees. But he said, “I know.”

With a bit of a glare, I looked back to the President of—

I looked away.

He sighed. “The name of my club is hitting you hard.” He pulled a silver necklace from his front pocket. “I’m guessin’ because of this.”

My eyes closed. My heart ached. No one in this tent had ever met my mother, but he had. I think, deep down, I was jealous.

“I’m sorry she died.”

I shook my head. I just couldn’t handle this right now.

“She was one of the most beautiful souls I had ever met.”

My eyes opened.

“And when she spoke of God?”

My eyes lifted. Rya…

“Something I don’t even believe in?”

My mouth fell open.

He whispered in agony, “I saw wings.”