Cupid's Arrow (Devils Rejects MC 4)

He nods. “This will be entered into evidence, but she left you a note. We can make you a copy.” He hands me a clear evidence bag that allows me to read most of what her final words were.” I stare at her handwriting and want to be angry with her for lying to me about the baby but she’s more than paid the price. Zo Zo will pay for this. He made her feel trapped and I tipped her over the edge.

“Walk me through everything. Were you present when she pulled the trigger?”

I shake my head. “I was getting out of my car when I heard what sounded like a firework being set off. I thought it sounded as if it came from my house, so I ran in and saw her and pulled out my phone. Then you arrived and here we are.”

“When was the last time you washed your hands?”

“I don’t know. Maybe two hours ago after I used the bathroom.”

“Normally I would take you in and test for gun powder residue on your hands, but I believe your story. Everything matches up. I don’t expect that we will need anything more from you. The house will be cleared for you to return home later today. I’m terribly sorry for your loss.”

I nod. “Thank you.” He shakes my hand and I get back in MaryAnn’s car and drive back to the clubhouse in shock.

——–

Two weeks later

MaryAnn is refusing to see me still. I can’t say that I blame her, and Hades won’t let Boogeyman or myself at Zo Zo until he is certain there isn’t any evidence hidden in his house that could be used against us. Everything is completely fucked. I pull up behind Bob’s work truck and grab the flowers and the blue teddy bear I brought for Mandy’s grave from my saddlebag. They buried her on top a small hill that overlooks the farm with a clear view of the horses. I hadn’t planned on coming but her mother called and asked me to come.

She steps out on the porch and meets me at the top of the steps. “I’d invite you in…but…well Bob isn’t taking things so well.”

“I don’t want to impose. I brought daisies. Her favorite. The bear is for the baby. Mandy told me she was having a boy.”

My ex-mother-in-law offers me a weak smile. “I wanted you to know that we—that I don’t blame you for Mandy. I don’t think she ever told you and I know I never did because that was how Mandy wanted it, but she was bipolar. I wanted to check her into a hospital when she left you, but Bob said no. He never could accept that our daughter was different. Didn’t make her take her medications or follow through with her therapy appointments. She had tried before. Overdosed on sleeping pills.”

“I had no idea. I’m so sorry, Candace. Had I known…” I shake my head and rub my jaw.

“I know, Ryan. You don’t owe me anything. I just wanted you to know about her history and didn’t want you going around blaming yourself. I know you two had your differences, but I had always hoped. Well that doesn’t matter now. If you want to go up and visit with her I won’t keep you.”

“I won’t be long.”

“Take your time.”

I wait until she’s back in the house. I can see Bob watching me from the window and can’t help but wonder if he’s got his gun and thinking of blowing my head off my shoulders. I couldn’t rightly blame him if he did. Lifting my chin, I nod my head in his direction and his silhouette disappears.

I walk up the grassy knoll where one lone tree stands providing shade to Mandy’s grave. She doesn’t have a headstone yet, but there is a stone bench and fresh flowers. I lay the flowers and the bear on the grave and take a seat on the bench.

“Mandy. All I can say is wherever you are, I hope you found the peace you didn’t get in this life. I’m sorry for any part I ever played in your unhappiness. If I had known about your mental health maybe I would have

thought twice in how I reacted to certain situations or maybe I could have loved you better or let you go sooner than I had. I don’t know. I don’t have all the answers. MaryAnn refuses to see me. Can’t blame her being I was a royal prick to her. I wish I could take it all back. Maybe you’d still be here, and she’d still love me. Maybe you’d be getting together with your friends to have a baby shower instead. It wasn’t all bad between us and you were right. Deep inside there’s a part of me who loved you and still does. Maybe I always will. You taught me a lot even if I didn’t know it at the time. You showed me the kinda man I don’t want to be. I hope that you’ll be looking down on me and maybe give me a warning before I do something stupid again.” I let out a soft laugh.

As I am getting back on my bike my cell phone rings. It’s Hades.

“What’s up, Prez?”

“It’s time. He’s all yours.”

“On my way.”

I tuck my phone inside my cut and ride out. I’ve been waiting for this moment. Zo Zo will pay greatly. I arrive at the clubhouse and MaryAnn is coming down the stairs with a bag on her shoulder. She goes to turn back up the stairs to avoid me, but I’ve had enough.

“MaryAnn. We need to talk.”

“We have nothing to talk about. Though I was sorry to hear about Mandy and your baby.”

I lick my bottom lip. “About that. Turns out she lied about the kid being mine. It was in her note.”

“Well still, she was your wife and…”