What Doesn't Destroy Us (The Devil's Dust #1)(41)

“Nah, I've still gotta get a motor. It’s an older car so it’s harder to find.”

Damn.

“Dani! Dani!” I hear my name being called from the clubhouse.

“I better get.” I start walking past Shadow and he grabs my hand, stopping me.

“See you at five, Firefly.” I just smile at him and walk away. He slaps my ass hard as I pass and I squeal with delight.





I’m sitting in the same chair for the third time today. My fingers pick and scratch at the dips and grooves of the wooden table as I wait for the awkward silence to break. My father is sitting at the head of the table with a bottle of Jack sitting next to him and twirling a shot glass between his thumb and forefinger. On the opposite side of the room, my mother is pacing the floor; her hands on her hips then crossing them in front of her chest. I guess it’s time for family therapy; where’s our shrink when you need her.

“These bitch fights are going to stop; I want you two to make amends now. I won’t have this happening in my club any further.” My dad finally breaks the silence, his voice calm and collected, yet he is staring right at my mother as if he is only speaking to her.

“Your club; that’s all that matters to you, always has been. Some things never change,” my mother rants as she continues to pace the floor, not even glancing in our direction.

“You knew the level of dedication I have for this club when we were together. That’s never changed, Lady.” His voice rises slightly; I can tell he is irritated with her.

My mother stops pacing and leans on the table with her hands. She stares directly at my father. “It's Sadie. How many times do I have to tell you that?” she practically screams at him.

He sighs heavily before twisting the cap off the whiskey and pouring the amber liquid to the brim of the small glass. “I won’t have you putting your hands on my daughter ever again.” His voice and face are a warning to my mother. He tosses back the shot, letting the whiskey jet back into his throat. He doesn’t even flinch.

My mother slapping me isn't the first time; she slapped me a lot when I would go off her path of righteousness. This, however, would be the last.

My mother’s face is red, her nostrils flaring with rage. “I’m leaving today; now!” She looks over at me questioningly, silently asking if I’m going with her. I turn my head away, avoiding her inquisitive look. There’s no way in hell I’m going with her.

“You can’t, we haven’t found that douche-bag ex of yours. It’s not safe,” my father explains, his voice calmer.

“Yeah, well, I’ll take my chances,” she says with disgusted humor in her voice. “I take it you’re not coming?” she finally verbally asks me.

I stare ahead at the wall, avoiding both my father's and my mother’s questioning faces. I don’t know if my father wants me to stay and I don’t want to go with my mother. If my father doesn’t want me here, I would rather live like a homeless person than go back to the puppet my mother wanted me to be; not after having just discovered who I really am. She turns on her foot and throws her arms up as if washing her hands of me.

“When I was pregnant with you I thought nurture would win over nature. I should have seen the signs as you grew older, but here I am being slapped in my face for the decision to keep you as my daughter.” She turns and looks at me, her eyes swelling with tears. I take it she thought about aborting me when she found out she was pregnant; that really doesn’t surprise me.

“I’m staying. I can never be the person you want in a daughter. I never did feel like I fit your mold. After being here, I feel like I know who I am now.” The words slip through my lips almost as a whisper. My father hasn’t objected so far; he must want me to stay.

“You think you know who you are now, but there are only four things you can become in an outlaw club like this: a whore, a junkie, a prisoner or dead. Don’t come running back to me, and don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She glares angrily at me and then at my father. “I already called a taxi. You two enjoy each other. You're both monsters in the same.” She turns on her heel and leaves. She just walks out of my life that easy; like I was a used car she no longer wanted.

I feel wet warmth cross my cheek, stinging the cuts Candy left behind. My fingers rub the tears my eyes unknowingly shed.

“Here, you might need this.” My father slides the small glass, half full of the amber whiskey, across the table. I toss it back and feel it burn all the way down my throat and into my stomach. My body instantly becomes warm and relaxed. My eyes water and it makes me cough at its lingering assault.

“What now?” I ask, unsure if this is what he wants; if he wants me.

“We’ll tie up some loose ends, make sure everything is safe, and get you set up on your feet, Darlin'.” His face and voice are sincere; I can tell he wants nothing more than for me to stay here.

“You're my blood. You're always welcome here and always protected, Dani.” He pats my shoulder. “Besides, I kind of like you.” I look up at a smiling Bull, wrinkles framing his bright green eyes.

I guess this is my home now. With that thought, my pursed lips turn into a smug grin.

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I walk out to the courtyard at the appointed time of 5pm to find Shadow already waiting by his bike. He’s wearing snug blue jeans, a white shirt and his cut. His dark hair is all messy on top, as usual, and he has the laziest grin when he sees me walking toward him. Just the sight of him makes me tremble with arousal. Every day I feel myself falling deeper and deeper into his web.