Recluse Protection

Chapter 6

Standing with my plate, I wash it in the sink, entertaining myself with chores. "We need to talk." I hear Cobra speak to me, making me look over my shoulder at him. Turning back to the dish in my hand I set it in the dish rack walking over to the living room.

"What do you think we need to talk about?" I hate being questioned, especially in my own home. I don't want to be doubting myself or my abilities. Forger turns to look at me, his older withered being bringing a sense of comfort. The man became a grandfather to me. He sat with me when I was first rescued, laughed and told me stories that got me to crack a smile. He was the one that got me to open up. The shell that I had formed from a young age slowly fell away. He's the reason I let these men into my life. Pausing I lift my head towards the urns on the mantel.

Times like now make me miss Gears, I hate having time to fester in my thoughts. "I need to know everything." Cobra interrupts my thoughts making me raise an eyebrow at him, I can tell we are going to butt heads.

"About what?" Rubble sighs, dropping onto the couch next to Forger.

"The identities."

"Hellion, just tell him." Rubble drops his head back onto the back of the couch, staring at the ceiling.

"I don't trust you."

"I'm the President." I shrug, folding my arms over my chest.

"Yeah, for the Archangels. I don't know if you know this, but I'm not a part of the club. I don't give a damn what position you hold." I see a fire of interest spark in the depths of his light green eyes.

"What would it take for you to tell me?"

"I'd need to trust you before I let anything slip." Shrugging at him I see he nods slowly, scratching at his beard.

"How do I get your trust?" I arch a brow, narrowing my eyes. What game is he playing?

"You earn it." He chuckles, like he's enjoying this. I get a small notch of respect for him. Most tend to get unnerved by me at this point.

"Then I'll earn it." I don't respond as I continue to look at him, is this a game to him or something? Rubble speaks up, forcing my attention away from Cobra.

"Hellion, Bear wanted to give you a letter. Said it was important that you get it if he ever kicked the bucket." Rubble glances at Forger, with a raised eyebrow.

"It's in my jacket." His scratchy voice comes out gruff and tired. Pain probably radiating out from his hip at this point. I wonder why he chose to ride his bike out here, he knows the drive is a long haul. Patriot grabs it digging around in the pockets before producing a folded manila envelope. He tosses the packet to me, making me catch it, not really sure what I'm receiving. Flipping it over I read 'Hellion' written neatly, in Bear's bold handwriting.

"Open it! I wanna know what he had to say." Patriot perches himself on the arm of the couch making me roll my eyes at him. Sometimes Patriot acts more like a kid than a tough ex military biker. Opening the packet I peek inside seeing a flash drive, papers that have paper clips separating them. And a white envelope with my real name printed on the front. Keeping the rest in the packet I pull out the envelope, peeling the tape up and pulling out the written letter. Bear was what I called a closet sentimental person.

He believed in showing the ones he cared about, that he did care, with small quiet gestures that seem obscure to most. Seeing the written letter has my throat tightening. Laying the packet on my stomach I slip the envelope back into it before unfolding the page.

'Dear CC,

You have been the daughter I never had, you have given me more than I ever gave to you. You deserved to be more than a secret kept away from society. I'm sorry I made the decision to hide you away, I thought I was making the best decision for you. I thought I knew what you needed; to be hidden away for protection. I robbed you of a normal life, I forced you into the MC without your knowledge or consent. For that I'm sorry, you are paying the price of being secluded.