“I’ll be right down,” I told him and then he headed out.
Petra turned and headed for the bathroom.
“Kiss, Pet. Please, I need it right now,” I said softly. I let a small smile tip up my lips when I heard her feet pause and turn back to me.
Standing at my side, she leaned over and pressed her lips against mine. She lingered but it didn’t get heated.
Then she carried on her way to the bathroom.
I let her get ready and then slipped in to piss and brush my teeth.
When I came back out, she was still wearing my damn shirt with nothing under it. I guess it wasn’t really much shorter than some of the dresses she wore, but that wasn’t the point. Hanging on the end of her outstretched finger, was the bandanna that I’d taken off last night.
“This is why you were meant for me,” I said, placing a light kiss on her lips. I slipped the bandanna from her finger and made quick work of retying it around my head.
The trip down the stairs seemed like the longest ever, my booted steps sounding loud as they landed on each step.
Like a woman made for this, Petra stood at my side as I delivered the blowing news to the entire club.
Emotions ran high after I’d explained what happened. Some were mad. Some were sad. Some were wanting blood though there was none left to give. A few looked to Petra with a deep kind of respect in their eyes. And maybe a little bit of honor.
The crowd scattered after I was done.
Abigail came in a little while later and headed for the kitchen. I went to stop her, but Petra put her hand on my shoulder and shook her head.
“If she wants to, let her. Keeping routine might help her,” she whispered so no one else would hear.
I nodded and wrapped my arm around her shoulders.
We all stayed and ate the breakfast that Abigail had made. I watched from the far table that butted up against the wall, Petra and Mason at my sides. Abigail moved around like she was on autopilot. I was going to keep an eye on her and if she didn’t snap out of it in a few days, I would step in.
I realized that everyone dealt with grief in their own way and that it wasn’t something that could be rushed. To get over it, you had to accept it. And it was clear that Abigail wasn’t there yet. Neither was I, to be honest.
“Laurel,” Bridget said as she leaned forward so she could talk to B-ry’s woman.
“Yeah?” Laurel replied back.
“Let’s go do something and get Abigail out for a while.”
With sad eyes, Laurel nodded.
“Is that okay, Iron?” Bridget asked me, her attention now turned my way.
“I think that’s a good idea. Thanks, darlin’.” I looked over to Abigail. She was standing at the sink, absentmindedly washing dishes. “Take one of the brothers with you.”
There wasn’t a threat against us, but I wanted someone there in case Abigail freaked out or broke down. I was anticipating at least one of those things to happen at some point. And I would do everything in my power to make sure she had all the comfort and support that she would allow.
“I don’t have a shift today, I’ll go,” Charming said as he got to his feet, picking up his plate. Just like most everyone else, it looked like he’d only eaten a few bites. Food was the last thing on our minds.
“Alright,” I said with a nod.
I watched with a hawk’s eye gaze as he walked over to the sink and softly said something to Abigail. When she turned her head to respond, I could see the wet streaks running down her cheeks. She gave a sad nod, her eyes going to the floor. Charm wrapped his arm around her, giving her a brief squeeze, then stepped away and put a noticeable amount of distance between them.
“He’ll look out for her,” Petra said in a low voice, her body slightly leaning into me. There was no tenderness in her tone, it was almost as if she was stating a fact.
“He feels guilty,” I said back, keeping my voice down.
“Why?” she asked and her head tipped to the side as she studied Charming across the room. Her eyes narrowed in on him like a cat stalking its prey as she tried to figure it out for herself.
