has a look of misery plastered on his face. I know him, and I know a part of him wants me to stay, but the part that’s thickly laced in guilt, wants me to leave… quickly. He shakes his head, picks up his clothes, laying them over his arm and walks out the door. “Goodbye, Rogue.” These words of finality, releases the pent-up tears and I sob into my pillow. Not wanting him to hear how this has affected me.
Once the tears dry up and I have nothing left to expel, I begin packing up my belongings. When that task is done, I sit at the desk tucked away in the corner of the room and quickly write letters before I lose my nerve to leave while they are nestled in their beds. One to Rogue and one to Harmony.
There’s no way I can look either one of them in the eyes. Walking with my suitcase and the letters into the living room, I set my bag down and head over to the kitchen table. Kissing each envelope, I place them before their normal seats and leave the house with a heavy heart. One day, I will see you both again whispers its way through my mind. “Until then,” I speak out loud.
As I drive down the driveway, my eyes stay glued to the house that holds my heart within its clutches. Wiping the tears from my cheeks, I allow myself to continue on my path home. As the house is nothing more than a blur in my taillights, I look forward, forcing myself to never, not once, look back.
Chapter Ten
Bella
The years since I left that night, Rogue and I have barely spoken a word to one another. But things have changed, he actually called me, requesting my presence. I’ll never forget the way my heart sank as the anxiety built inside me. Under normal circumstances, his call would’ve elicited the same, only it had me wondering if he’d heard rumors of the secret I’ve held closely to myself for all these years. I’ve waited for this day to possibly come, but as much as I wanted it to, I also held reservations. I know in time I will have no choice but to be upfront and face what I’ve hidden for so long.
My little Outlaw is now a mother herself. And Rogue, he’s the proud, boasting grandfather. I can’t deny his wishes now any more than I could’ve back on that fateful day.
I’ve been back here for some time now, and while I feel that I am mostly accepted by the old ladies of this club, I lay low. Harmony is the exception, of course. She barely batted an eye when I showed up but was eager to greet me with the warmest of hugs. Everyone acknowledges my existence, but seeing as Rogue has yet to officially claim me, I fear they only see me as another one of his toys to be used and eventually tossed aside. And perhaps that’s all this will end up being, although he’s led me to believe otherwise; I only hope that he’s certain this time. So many years ago, we were sure that one night of giving in to our desires would have zero effect on our relationship, but it ruined everything. At least for many years that followed. I can tell he’s grown tired, bitter, and rougher around the edges as he’s aged. He tries to hide that part of himself from me, but aside from Bane and Harlow, I know and notice the smallest of inflections where he is concerned; only I play my part and keep quiet about it.
There’s been meeting after meeting at the clubhouse here lately, allowing little time for him and I. Although that doesn’t seem to stop him from having me detailed. That was my first clue that something was brewing and whatever it is, it isn’t good. Looking out the blinds from the kitchen window, I sip from my mug of coffee as I watch PeeWee chain smoke while laughing at something on his cell phone; occasionally looking around to scan the area. I can feel as my eyes narrow, partly from curiosity and the rest out of frustration. Tying my robe, coffee still in hand, I casually walk outside; alerting PeeWee the moment he hears the door open.
As I approach, he slides his phone into the front pocket of his cut. “Morning, Bella,” he greets me nonchalantly.
“Yes, same to you,” I casually reply,