“Yes.”
“Good.” He gripped the back of her head and kissed her hard. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
****
A couple of days later, Preacher went to Bishop’s apartment. He’d known where the kid was living for some time now. Not only had Bishop gotten a job but he’d been getting on his own two feet, and he was proud.
Lifting his hand, he knocked on the door and waited. He’d gone to the feed and DIY store to discover his son spent a great deal of his time here.
He waited.
Bishop flicked the catch of the lock and opened the door.
“Preacher,” he said.
“Son.”
“What brings you here?”
“You know what brings me here and I think it’s time you and I had a talk.”
He watched his son visibly swallow but stepped back, giving him plenty of room to enter. Glancing around the place, he was surprised to see it was tidy. “You know the women at the club were afraid to clean your room. Lots of dirty dishes and unwashed clothes.”
“Yeah, well, back then I felt I was a fucking king and now I know I’m not. The only person I can rely on is myself.” Bishop closed the door, folding his arms. “What can I do for you?”
“Simple, really, the club has made a decision.” It had been a unanimous decision. Preacher hadn’t even had to persuade any of the men to let his son go. They had all agreed Bishop was owed some slack for all of his time and effort he’d put into the club, at least to right the wrong that had been done to them.
Without Bishop, he would have struggled to find the Slaves to the Beasts’ place of rest. Reaper was good at hiding, and he’d made sure all of his men at the club were just as good.
Bishop nodded his head. “I’m ready. Whatever that might be.” He held his hand up. “Wait. I … yeah, I’m ready.”
“You’re sure?”
“No, I want to get something off my chest first. Before I don’t have a chance or whatever. I hated you. For the longest time, I hated the kind of power you had. All you had to do was click your fingers and people came running. Everyone was always afraid of you.”
“And you didn’t like that.”
“I was only ever going to be your son. Your boy. I hated it, but now I realize I should’ve respected it. Because of you, I did have a good life. Don’t get me wrong, you were a shitty father, but what you were like with me is in no way what you were like with anyone else, Robin included.”
He ran a hand down his face. “I messed up with her, big time. I did and said shit I shouldn’t have done. My biggest failure was not helping her when Reaper came calling. I was a monster and I shouldn’t have done what I did. Not only did I let him take her, but I made sure he knew when you were coming. I always kept him one step ahead. Each time, I hated myself for it, but after a while, I was too afraid to tell you the truth, so I kept it from you. That was wrong of me, and I am sorry. So sorry. I wish I could change what I did, and now, I don’t think I can ever put it right. I hope you and Robin not only have a healthy baby, but I also hope you’re happy. I won’t do anything to hurt you or Robin ever again.”
Bishop nodded his head. “Right, I’ve said what I needed to say. I hope you can believe me.”
“I do believe you,” Preacher said. “The club isn’t going to punish you. You’ll never be allowed to become a member, and you’ll be an outsider. You won’t be privy to ever becoming a prospect or joining. The women are not allowed to sleep with you. You can stay in town, or leave, it’s up to you. You’re a free man without a mark on your head.”
“Wait? What?”
“You’re a free man.”
“No, that’s not possible, not after everything I’ve done.”
“You’ve done nothing wrong. You are free to go.” Preacher stared at his son. “I think it’s safe to say you were never meant for this life, Bishop. You’ve got your own life to lead, your own path to follow, and it doesn’t include me.”
“I’d … I would like to stay. I want to be able to make it up to you and to Robin.”
“You will stay away from Robin unless she wills it. You are not to go near her, do you understand?”