Reaper's Wrath (Road to Salvation A Last Rider's Trilogy 2)

“You always expect too much out of yourself. I never doubted your ability to get the jobs done, but each time I tried to take some of the load off, you piled more crap on. You were running yourself ragged, scouting out locations for the new factory, getting investors, keeping Taylor happy, dealing with the brothers … Fuck, that’s only half of the responsibilities you saddled yourself with. The more weight I tried to ease off you, the more you resented me. You had nothing to prove to me. It was you who you wanted to prove yourself to.”

“I was trying to live up to the man—”

Ginny had to hold back a sob as she listened to Gavin’s voice crack just like Viper’s.

“—I loved and respected more than any other, and I lost myself before Slate kidnapped me.”

The embarrassed laughter coming a few seconds later after the silence, Ginny took to mean they had hugged their differences out.

“You want me to come and give you a ride to the club tomorrow?”

“Yes. I won’t be staying, at least for a while. I asked Silas if it was cool if I stayed here until I get my head on straighter.”

“Having visits is better than not having you at all, even though you need to be prepared for them to shove your presents down your throat.”

Gavin’s laughter was music to her ears.

“I remember the last time I heard you laugh. You and Evie were joking around. Do you remember it?”

“No.”

“I do. I missed your laughter, Gavin. The only thing I’ve ever wanted for you was to be able to smile again. Brother, I would have given every dime and everything I possessed to see one from you.”

“Do you know when I realized I couldn’t kill myself?” Gavin’s voice was so muffled that Ginny could barely hear him, and she realized they were hugging again.

“When?”

“When a song come on the radio. Do you know what is was?”

“What?”

“Your favorite Guns N’ Roses song. ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door.’”

Chapter Fifty-Six

Ginny had already placed the jams on Viper’s motorcycle seat and had just lifted another sheet to hang when Viper came walking toward her.

“I’m never going to be able to repay back what your family has done for us.”

“You don’t owe us anything, Viper.” Ginny fastened the clothespin to the sheet, then faced him squarely. “I love him too.”

“I know you do. I saw that when I took him back to the club. For what’s it worth, after he came back, Reaper couldn’t sleep. What little was left of him when he went to Nashville, I think he left here with you.”

“He has it back now, and more and more is coming back each day. Parts of him I’ve never seen before. I can understand how hard it must have been for you all when you thought he was gone forever.”

“He’s hard to forget.”

Ginny started to reach for another sheet, thinking Viper was finished talking, when she saw indecision on his face.

“Is there something else? I’m afraid all four jars of jelly is all I have.”

“No, that wasn’t …” Viper gave her a sympathetic glance. “Taylor showed up at the clubhouse last night. She wants to talk to Reaper. I haven’t told him yet.”

Ginny managed to keep her questioning expression on her face. “Why didn’t you tell him?”

“Gives her time to decide if she wants to change her mind again. If she breaks his heart again, I might not be so nice about it. I’ll call him in the morning if she’s still there and ask him if he wants to see her before I come to pick him up.”

“Hopefully, she won’t change her mind.”

“You’re not upset about him seeing her again?”

“Gavin doesn’t love me, and it will give him a chance to see if his feeling for her are the same. If they are, then I want the same thing you and The Last Riders want, which is to make Gavin happy.”

“Gavin isn’t the only one who deserves to be happy.”

“I am happy.” Ginny’s hand went to her heart. “I don’t care if he never feels anything more than friendship for me. He’s alive. I made a promise to God that if Gavin lived, that would be all I would ask. I plan to keep that promise.”

“Mine was the same. I guess we can’t be picky.”

She gave Viper a smile, changing the subject before she broke into another round of tears. “Tell Winter and Aisha I said hi.”

“I will. I’ll see you tomorrow when I come to pick him up in the morning.”

After Viper left, Ginny did what she always did when her mind was in turmoil. She began to sing, feeling a familiar song that she hadn’t sung in so long come to her lips. Surprised the words came so easily, Ginny released the pain and heartache she was feeling into the beautiful song. Feeling as if Leah was surrounding her with her love, Ginny poured her love into the song. She might never be able to hold Leah again, and Gavin might never return her feelings, but using her voice, she showed them how much they meant to her. One note at a time … she sent her love sailing through the air ….