Promise - Book 3 (Hope)

The earth shakes with the roar of more than 30 motorcycles coming to life in the dirt parking lot. Slade is the first to move with everyone falling in behind him and I bring up the rear. I make sure to keep space between me and the bike in front of me to make it easier to slip off when it is time. As we reach the city limits I quickly take the second exit and head directly to my parents building. Once parked I ensure my gun is locked and loaded, sliding it into the back of my pants and covering it with my jacket. I walk to the elevator that is thankfully already waiting and press the button for my father’s top floor penthouse. I expected to be tense, nervous even, but as the elevator rises the only feeling I have is peace. I am at peace with what I must do and why. My father is without a doubt a monster. I tried to kill the woman I love simply because he did not want me to tarnish his reputation by being with her. I let out a ragged breath just as the elevator dings. I step out into the hall and feel relieved that the usual 4 man security team is down to a single guard. It is safe to assume that the rest of the team is with Carlos because even my father knows how dangerous Theo is. The guard nods at me and steps away from the door, allowing me to enter without question. I open the wood doors and ensure they are closed and locked behind me. My mother is sitting at the couch in the sitting room reading a book. I make my way to her as quietly as I can.

“Madre, you need to go to your room and lock the doors, now.” she whips her head around and gives me a confused look.

“Marco, what are you doing? You look so upset, come tell me what is bothering you.” I gently take her hand and suck in a sharp breath.

“Madre, please. Go into your room and lock the door.” her body stiffens when she catches me glance over my shoulder at my father’s office before looking back to her.

“Marco, what are you going to do?” her voice is barely a whisper.

“Parde ordered a hit on Hope. She is in the hospital. She almost died. Another girl did die. Madre, please forgive what I must do.” she pulls my hand to her lips and kisses it gently. She rises up from the couch and quickly makes her way to her bedroom. I do not move until I hear the faint sound of the lock click into place. Each step toward my father’s study is weighted as if I am dragging lead weights. I let out a heavy breath as I open the door. My father sits behind his desk with a cocked brow as he watches me walk through the door.

“I was not expecting you. I am busy so get it out, what do you want?” his dismissive tone makes my blood boil. I still my nerves and walk closer, taking a set across from him.

“Are you too busy for your own son?” there is no compassion in his eyes…no love.

“Have you brought home another filthy biker whore?” I rise from the chair, reaching into my pocket and pulling out the picture Shae had given back at the club house. I slam it down on the desk in front of him.

“Why?” I am seething and my rage is quickly threatening to boil over.

“She was not supposed to be there. The order was to eliminate that disgusting thing you were so enamored with. I will not have my reputation stained by your infatuation.” I rach behind me and draw my gun as I watch the surprised look when my father finds himself staring down the barrel.

“Her name was Amara. In case you were wondering, Hope is alive and will make a full recovery, but you…you will not be so lucky.” he lets out a sinister chuckle as he places his elbows on his desk, leans forward and laces his fingers together, staring at me with an evil grin plastered on his face.

“You would not dare kill me. You are too weak.” I close my eyes and suck in a deep breath, hoping for my anger to subside, but I am flooded by the memory of holding Hope in my arms as she bled…thinking I would lose her.

“Fuck you.” as the last word leaves my lips I gently squeeze the trigger and my father’s head falls to his desk with blood quickly pooling on the wood around him. I turn and exit the room, but I pause when I see my mother standing in the center of the sitting room with tears streaming down her face. I quickly run to her and pull her tightly to me.

“Did he do this to Hope?” I can’t believe that this woman knows exactly what I did, but her first reaction is to attempt to justify my actions.

“Yes madre. He ordered the murder of Hope. Another girl died as a result and Hope…she nearly died.” she straightens herself, smoothing her hands over her dress.

“I wish to speak with the men in charge.” I tilt my head in question before she continues. “I wish to apologize to them. I need to ask their forgiveness.” another wave of tears make their way down her cheeks. I will not deny her this. I felt the same way when I found out what that monster had done. I take her by the hand and we make out way out the door where the lone guard stands, gun drawn.

“Tu jefe ha caído. El reinado del monstruo ha terminado.(Your boss has fallen. The monster’s reign is over.)” he slowly lowers his weapon and steps to the side. I knew when I came here that not one of his men would mourn his loss. These men have witnessed his evil first hand and while they feared him, they had no respect or love for the man. This knowledge is the only reason I did not eliminate the guard when I arrived. With my father gone, I have given him his freedom.

“Come Madre.” she nods slightly and allows me to guide her to the elevator. When we reach the parking garage I stop in front of the bike and look to my mother. Shit…we are going to have to take one of my father’s cars.

“What are we waiting for?” I offer a slight smile as I take her other hand in mine.

“Madre, I need to go get Padre’s keys.” She gives me an irritated glare, pulls her hands free and walks to the bike. With a huff she grabs the helmet from the handlebars and pulls it over her head.

“We go now.” I can’t hold back my laughter as the feisty woman glares at me with sheer determination on her face. I climb on the bike and take her hand to help her on. She wraps her arms tightly around me and I set off toward the club house. The ride there gives me time to process things and I realize that I feel no sadness for what I have done. My mother’s desire to ask forgiveness for her husband’s actions tears at me. I did not realize how long my mother had suffered in silence. He was an awful father, but I imagine he was not any better of a husband. As we pull into the dirt driveway I can feel my mother’s body trembling and it breaks my heart. I park in front of the stairs and help my mother to her feet. When we walk through the door I see Shae sitting in the same place as when I left. I take my mother’s hand and lead her to the bar.

“Shae?” she slowly lift her head until she locks eyes with me. “It is done.” her body slumps over and shakes with her violent sobs. “Shae…This is my Madre, Maria. She insisted that I bring her to you immediately.” Shae looks to my mother with pained questioning eyes.

“Miss Shae, No words can comfort the pain that Hector caused you. I know I do not deserve it, but I wish to ask your forgiveness.” Shae looks form my mother to me then back to my mother.

“I will never forgive him.” my mother shakes her head and lower her gaze to the ground.

“I ask forgiveness for myself, not for Hector. I have known he was a monster for years, but I did nothing.” both women are now crying uncontrollably, but it is Shae’s next movement that causes my own tears to fall. She rises from the bar stool and pulls my mother into her arms, embracing her tightly. The side entrance to the club house flies open as Slade and the men walk in.

“Marco? Everything good?” I nod as the two women in front of me separate, taking my mother by her hand as I walk toward the men.

“Hector Gutierez has fallen.” the men shout and cheer loudly, but Slade only looks at my mother, confusion pulling at his features.

“Theo and his men will not be a problem anymore.” his eyes never leave my mother.

“I would like you to meet my mother…” Slade quickly interrupts me as he steps closer to my mother.

“Maria?” I stand completely confused as I look between Slade and my mother as a smile slowly pulls at her lips.

“Hello Slade. You have grown.” I stand in shock.

“Madre, you know this man?” she turns to me and smiles.

“Yes, Marco. Slade was only a boy when I last saw him. I was away when Zane’s men raided…they killed so many.” her look softens as sadness crashes into her. “You are not the only one to fall for one of the Warrior’s.” she smiles at me.

“You were in the MC?” she nods.

“I was. I am the one who pushed your father to agree to working with them.” holy shit.

“Maria!” a woman’s voice shouts from behind the bar. We all look over to see Kay rushing over as she throws her arms around my mother.

“Hello old friend.” my mother is a mess of tears as emotions of happiness, sadness and grief rage through her.

“He let you go?” these words draw my attention to my mother who’s eyes shoot to me.

“Madre?” She eases back from Kay and lets out a shaky breath.

“This is my son, Marco. He set me free.” She puts her arms around me as I realize that she has been protecting me from the truth about my father my whole life.

“Well, this is a beautiful reunion and all, but there is a beautiful young woman who has been asking for Marco all night.” My mother pulls away and smiles warmly at me.

“Go. We will talk later. You shouldn’t keep that sweet girl waiting.” I place a gentle kiss on her forehead before rushing out the door. I take my car and speed the entire way to the hospital, arriving in only 40 minutes. I pause in front of the door to Hope’s room and take a deep breath before entering. Hope is sitting up in her bed and my heart melts at the sight of her.

“Marco?” her voice is just as beautiful as I remember and no longer sounds raspy.

“How are you feeling?” she looks at me with a raised brow.

“Not bad, all things considered. Where have you been?” I see the tears glistening in her eyes and hurry to her side, taking her hand tightly in mine.

“I had something to take care of. I had to make sure you would be safe when you leave here.” a knowing look pulls at her as she closes her eyes and draws in a sharp breath.

“I thought…I was thinking you…” I see her pain as she opens her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks.

“I will not leave you again, Hope. There is nowhere else I would want to be.” I lean in and place a gentle kiss on her beautiful lips. I would move heaven and hell for this woman. She shifts further on the bed and gently pats the space beside her. I climb into the bed without hesitation, wrapping an arm around her as she slowly eases her head onto my chest. As we lay there I feel the warmth and love I have for her pulsing through me with every heartbeat. In this one woman I have found everything I never knew I needed and I will spend the rest of my life loving her.