Page 41 of Bishop

April jerks my arm slightly so I have to look at her, "You deserve happiness too. You know that, right? Maybe with Bishop?"

"Nah, it's not like that. We're both scarred from all this shit. I don't think it'll ever really go anywhere with us. He's only still sniffing around me because he feels guilty."

"Guilty? Why would he feel guilty? I thought you said Shade and the rest of them forced him to do all those things to you?"

"They did. I don't blame him one bit for what happened while we were there, but I'm sure he blames himself. That's just the kind of man Bishop is. Selfless, always looking after other people. Once he gets over his guilt, I'm sure he'll move on with his life."

Almost as if he knew we were talking about him, I hear the back door to the clubhouse open, and out comes Bishop. His shoulders are tense and his eyes are squinted. When his gaze lands on April and me, I wave and watch as all the tension drains from his body. He gives a smile and a slight wave back before he turns and goes back into the clubhouse.

"I know I'm only eighteen and I have a lot of living left to do, but I hope you hear me out. I've only seen people look at you the way Bishop does in movies. That's not guilt, Gabrielle, that man is in love with you. Don't let this pass you by just because you don't think you're worthy of it. You deserve this. Let him be what you need and do the same for him."

I turn back to the now closed door. The man has been telling me with every action and word that he's in love with me, but I've never taken it to heart. I always figured when the circumstances changed, so would he. But Bishop is staying true. He's not changing, and the longer I'm in his presence, the more I can feel my heart melding with his. I do love him. It's a bond so strong, not only because of the depth of my feelings but also because of our joint experiences. If he feels the same way I do, then April's right. Life's too short to pretend this isn't happening. I'd rather take my chances on love than live a long life with regrets over what might have been.

Twenty-Two

Bishop

One by one, they will all crumble.

I grit my teeth together as I sit back in the chair, watching all my patch brothers celebrate.

"... the DA has reported there has never been a case as complete and more disturbing than the one they have against a majority of the Raincliff police department..." The TV drones on and on about the massive bust. The FBI and other judicial authorities are cracking down on the list of people who once associated themselves with the Faceless. I continue to watch the screen and see Clean and Wire dressed in suits coming out of the courthouse. Clean looks like he could be a model for a fitness magazine, while Wire looks like someone forced him to put that suit jacket on. Probably Keeley.

It's a big win for sure, and Wyatt and the rest of the boys have all reasons to celebrate it. The only problem is it's still not enough for me. The police are only going after corrupt officials and low-level players. They're not going after the ones who put this mess into play in the first place.

Cody comes up behind me and squeezes my shoulder, and I have to lock my muscles down so I don't turn around and swing.

"Can you fucking believe it, man? More than three dozen of those fuckers are about to rot behind bars. This shit is fucking awesome." He whoops before clapping me on the back again and walking off to get a drink at the bar.

Everyone is laughing. Everyone but Wyatt, who is staring at me. He ticks his head in the direction of the back, and I get out of my seat to follow him.

He herds me into a room and closes the door behind us so we can have some privacy. "What's the problem, Bishop? Isn't this what you wanted? The Faceless to get what is coming to them?"

"Of course it's what I want, but you guys are out there celebrating like it's over. You have to go for the leaders, or it'll never end. They'll just recruit new people, and the same shit will happen all over again. I'm not going to let that happen."

"Let me guess, you're going to play judge, jury, and executioner?" He sneers at me.

"Yes, I am. I already told you that I'm not going to let this slide. Both Shade and Liam are going to be in the ground soon enough."

He cringes again, and I watch him flex his hands open and closed into fists.

"Did you think this small victory was going to get me to not hunt your little brother, that I'd just let him live?" I chuckle without any humor in my voice.

"I'm not going to lie to you, Bishop. Just hearing you talk about killing him makes me want to fucking throttle you. He's my brother! I changed his fucking diapers. Of course, I don't want you to kill him. I know he's not right. I know he needs to be punished, but there's got to be a different way."

"No! There's no different way. You need to realize what I'm telling you. I'd hate for you to lose both him and me over this."

Wyatt shakes his head and takes a step back from me. I can see the disappointment and defeat all over his face. In the olden days, before I was caught up in all this mess, I'd never have thought to go against my president's word. Not only because I respect him and the patch but because I always trusted him to do what was best for everyone involved. I still trust he's doing the best he can for everyone, but right now, I'm not worried about everyone. I'm thinking about myself, Gabrielle, April, and the ones we lost in that place.

"I guess that's just the way it's going to have to be then. You're on your own, brother." Wyatt turns and walks out of the door, and a part of me feels abandoned, but it's not enough to deter me from what I know I need to do.

With a new fire in my belly, I walk out of the room and pass the still-celebrating members of my club into my room to pull up the computer.

In the background, as my screensaver, is a photo of all the boys of Djinn. I know what will happen to us if I go through with killing Liam.

I may not be blood-related to the majority of the club members, but I've always felt like family, and they've always treated me like I was. Killing Liam will put a nearly impossible strain on that relationship. I could always ask for a transfer. Maybe Wire wants more nomads in his club. It could be a good change of scenery for me. My thoughts instantly jump to Gabrielle. I don't think I'd be able to ask her to give up her life. Right now, she needs stability. I'll give her whatever she asks for if I know it'll help get her better.

Pushing those thoughts to the side, I do some more digging into the lounge where I was taken as bait and find out who the owner of the club is. A man named Vince. I remember him from the photo on the website.