Slay (Storm MC 4)

Fuck.

Not in front of my mother.

Turning back to look at the biker, I muttered, “Put the fucking gun away, get your fucking president off my property, and fuck off.”

I stepped away from him and waited for him to do as I’d said.

They dragged Marcus out of the yard. He’d regained consciousness and spat blood at my feet as he passed me. “I always knew you were worthless,” he sneered.

His words no longer had the power to wound.

This was what freedom felt like.

I ignored him and went to my mother.

“Go inside, I’ll be there in a minute,” I murmured. I wanted her as far away from him as I could get her.

She nodded and left.

After she was safely inside, I watched as Marcus left. They’d put him on the back of one of their bikes and left his here. Someone would collect it. I could care less.

Pulling my phone out, I dialled a number.

“Hello,” he answered.

“I’m out.”

“What the fuck?”

“I can’t wait any longer. It’s time to deal with Marcus now.”

“Fuck! That fucks the whole plan, Blade. Scott’s not ready yet.”

“I don’t give a shit anymore. Storm can deal. I need him gone now.”

“Motherfucker,” he swore, and hung up.

I put my phone away as a sense of peace settled over me.

Finally.

***

I cleaned the blood from my body and found some old clothes of mine in the cupboard of Mum’s spare bedroom to change into. Once I was clean, I met her in the kitchen. Still shaken from earlier, she looked at me with anguish.

“I hate I’ve done this to us,” she whispered.

I caught her cheek in my hand. “Marcus did this to us.”

“Yes, but I let him.” She collapsed against my chest and broke down again.

I ran my hand over her hair and placed a kiss to her head. I held her for a long time, letting her get her tears out. When she finally lifted her head to look at me, I said, “There comes a point where we have to forgive ourselves, forgive the mistakes we’ve made, and make the decision to move forward. You’ll be consumed by hate and regret if you don’t. I don’t want that for you. You’ve already been through so much shit. I just want you to be happy now.”

She stared silently at me before asking, “How do I forgive myself for the pain I’ve caused in your life?”

“You accept you’re not perfect, Mum. We’re all flawed and capable of making bad decisions. We start now and move forward from this point in time. Everything in the past stays there.”

“I won’t take him back, Donovan. I promise you that. And I told him that today.”