Delphine's Family

Chapter 30- Storytime

Delphine's POV

Waking on Monday morning things were still awkward. Since everyone stayed over the boys would always cautiously look over at me. I assume that one of them told Nolan about my nightmare. I still haven't explained what they are out but thankfully they never asked. 

I went through my usual routine of doing school work, the group coming over for lunch, and then reading outside with my phone on me. But today after dinner we are going to the bar/clubhouse. My dad convinced me to tell some of the higher-ranking members about my situation so they can come up with a plan to protect me. 

We agreed that I would tell them about my run-ins with the Burned Roses and how my mom fits in. Am I ready for this? Hell no. Am I still going to do it? Yes. 

With everyone sitting at the table no one but my dad knows why the turned Roses even know who I am.  I'm sure that they all have an idea about why I was attacked but not one probably knows the real reason. I finished my dinner first and sat in silence while everyone took nervous glances at me. 

When we all finished me and the girls and Nico loaded up in the car while the boys took their bikes. We pulled up in front of the bar only a few bikes were outside. They told me that they closed it for the night and had told a few people to come. 

We walked inside I could see Darren sitting there talking with a man called Blake who was a contact they had with the police. A few other guys at around a few I actually remember from the garage. I had only been to the bar once before and met everyone you can blame me for not remembering everyone's name. 

Sitting down in one of the booths my dad and Nico sat next to me. Mina, Honey, and Cyrus sat in the booth as well. Everyone else was at the tables in front of us. 

"Delphine whenever you're ready." My dad told me as I sat looking at the table in front of me. 

"When I was born my mom thought that she could take care of me on her own. When I was bout 7 she had come home stumbling in the door. This repeated for a while until I realized that she was getting drunk and the one night she came home with her eyes all red and she yelled at me. It was then that I realized that she had started using more than alcohol. She had turned to drugs to get her high. I found out later that she had been fired from her job for not showing up and had been buying from the Burned Roses." I took a breath as my dad grabbed my hand under the table. 

"The Burned Roses was a local gang that ran the streets. Everyone knew that if you wanted drugs you went to them. After a while of my mom using she stopped coming home. One night on my way home I felt someone following me they had cornered me into an alleyway. Where they started to beat me, one of the guys had told me to tell my mom payment is due. When I got home she was actually there's so I her." Honey had set a glass of water on the table for me. 

"When she found out she had run out of the house and I thought that she had gone to solve the problem and came back silent the next moring. I was wrong. It turned out that she had told them they could use me as a personal punching bag for her late payments. At first, it would be once in a while but soon it turned into a weekly thing. When my mom died she had a large debt intact and with me leaving they deemed that as a runner and figured if I was punished severely enough her debt would be paid off." I finish my story to see my dad's other hand gripping the seat tightly. 

"I don't mean to be insensitive but how do you know that it was the Burned Roses your mom owed money to?" One of the guys who I don't remember asked. 

"When they first attacked me the main guy had a tattoo on the side of his neck. It was a rose that had fire surrounding it. And every time they were done they would leave behind a burnt rose. when they determined that the debt was paid they would spread the ashes of the petals around me." I explain to him as I can see almost everyone's jaw and fists clench. 

"How long was this going on?" Darrem asked me not making eye contact.

"She first started using when I was 7, and the first beating I was 8. And the day before she died they paid me a visit." I could see Darren's eyes widen after realizing I have been terrified for almost 10 years by a gang. 

"That's enough for tonight. Nico, Mina I want you to take Delphine home." Honey ordered us as they let me out of the booth she gave me a hug with tears running down her face. 

My dad walked us out Mina and Nico get in the front seat waiting for me. My dad hugs me as I whisper in his ear, "We should get a puppy." 

"Sure."

"Really?"

"No." 

He opens the back for me when I buckle up Nico starts driving.  I could see Mina wiping her eyes as Nico gripped the steering wheel tighter and tighter. We pulled up outside the house Me and Mina walked in first. As soon as we walked in the door Mina launched on me and gave me a hug. 

I could feel her crying more and more, muttering sorry. After she came down I sent her upstairs. I walked to my room dropping face-first on my bed.  

"That probably wasn't great for your ribs." I could hear Nico's voice and turned my head to see him standing in my doorway. 

"What do you want?" I push my head back into my bed. 

"I came in here to check on you."

"K."

"Nigth. Your dad wont be home for a few more hours" 

"I figured. Oh," I stood up and grabbed the hoodie he gave me on Friday night from the desk."Thanks for letting me use it." I hold it out to him. 

"Keep it. Let me know when you need a new one." He smirked and walked out of my room. Watching him leave a small smile on my face as I get ready and put on his hoodie. 

 While wearing his hoodie again I fall asleep.