“You need to remember, baby.I always loved you when you were messy as fuck.”Before she can respond, I release her gently enough that she doesn’t lose her balance.“You really want me to get your stuff?”
Birdie clears her throat.“Yes, please.I would like my clothes and makeup.”
My lips curl into a smirk.“As you wish, little mama,” I murmur before walking out the door.
After ensuring there are a few prospects on her, I ride out.
The trip to the clubhouse is a quick in-and-out job.I strap the duffel bag that has Birdie’s shit in it to the back of my bike and check in with Malice really quick.There’s nothing major that needs my attention right now, so I head back to the house, not completely comfortable leaving my family for long periods of time yet.
Instead of walking through the front door when I get back, I unstrap the duffel and carry it over to the firepit area.My anger mounts as I dig through the bag and see all the bullshit stuff he had her wearing.Nothing, absolutely nothing, in this bag resembles the woman who left this place seven years ago.The only thing left in the bag after I dump the rest in the firepit is her makeup, some jewelry, and the goddamn ol’ lady t-shirt I had made for her declaring her mine.The thing is so worn out that there’s a few holes in it and my heart speeds up with the realization that she’s worn it a lot since she’s been gone.
Even after the shit I pulled to make her leave.
I brush a finger over the words ‘Property of Pope’ before closing the bag back up.
Legend comes running over to me, his eyes falling to his mom’s bag and the clothes I’m about to set on fire.Curiosity lights his eyes for a second before that protective shell settles over him.
“What are you doing with Mama’s clothes?”
“You’ll see.Go get your mom.”He still appears unsure, so I give it to him straight.“This isn’t who your mom is.This is who he made her be.I know the real her, and I want you all to have the chance to fall in love with the same version I did.So, do me a favor, little warrior.Go grab your ma for me and bring her out here.”
“You won’t hurt her?”
“Never, bud.Not intentionally.”
“Okay,” he replies before running up to the house.
That one word holds a wealth of trust.
While he’s getting her, I grab the lighter fluid and box of matches from the weatherproof lockbox under one of the outdoor tables.It’s only minutes later that Legend drags Birdie behind him as he marches back to me.I clench my jaw when I notice she’s put her hair back up.
Birdie wraps her arms around herself, eyeing me and the lighter fluid in my hand warily.“What are you doing, Pope?”
“Giving you a choice.”I squirt the fluid over the pile, soaking the clothes a good amount before setting the bottle away from where the flame will be.“These aren’t you.Not any longer.Either I light this match and throw it on these clothes, or you do it, but these clotheswillgo up in flames.What’s it gonna be, little mama?Are you gonna toss the match on this version of you, or am I?”
She stands there staring at the pile of clothes for so long that I’m about to fucking do it myself.Before I do, she pulls her eyes away from them and looks down at the little boy standing so quietly next to her.Birdie lifts a hand and cups his cheek as she gazes at him.After a few seconds, she finds Lovelyn still playing in the yard with Scorch and Munch’s two girls.Finally, her eyes land back on me.They roam over my face, across her name still tattooed on my neck, then down my kutte before coming to a rest on the matches in my hand.
With a deep breath, she drops her hand from Legend’s face and holds it out.“I am.”
She’s quick to strike the match head against the side of the box, bringing the flame to life.I swear I see a small smile on her face as she tosses it onto the pile of clothes, but when I peer closer, her face is as blank as it has been since she showed up here.
There’s a quiet whoosh as the fabric catches fire.
I scoot closer to Birdie and Legend as we watchEleanoradisappear deep into the flames.Lovelyn eventually makes her way over to us, burrowing into her mama’s side as Legend soon rests his weight against mine.
As a family, we watch her old life burn.
It’s time for Birdie to rise from the ashes and claim her goddamn throne.
Chapter Fifteen
Theclubhousedoorsslamopen and a red-headed tornado comes flying through the door.Her face shows trouble as she aims for me.
Manic follows behind her, and when I lift a brow, he just stares at me, refusing to give anything away.
Shit.It’s not like I don’t already know I’ve been a selfish prick.I’ve kept Birdie locked up at the house and to myself.I use the excuse that it was better to keep them separate until we learn where Birdie’s husband is and what the hell he’s got planned.
That’s the reason I’ve spent all day today at the club.We’ve got church set up for this evening once all the council members are off work.
