Page 45 of Locked Souls

Snake sits down on the couch and lays Charity on his chest. He's a natural, and I haven't heard a peep out of her. She hasn't even needed her pacifier.

“What do you want to know? I'll be honest, being undercover for so long has desensitized me to my past, but I'll try.”

I think for a minute, then smile.

“Tell me about how you met my mom. What was she like back at Holy Cross?”

Looking off at the wall, he's quiet. “She was heaven personified. Her hair shone like gold, and her eyes would take you hostage. She was my best friend, until everything changed.”

“How old were you when you met?”

“I was an orphan and lived at the sister orphanage to the school until I turned twelve, then I was accepted at Holy Cross. My parents died overseas doing missionary work. They were good, honest people. David Madden was my first friend.”

“Levi's dad?”

Snake nods and looks at me. “We were a lot like how Bastian, Ash, and Jacob are. We were a group, a family of sorts. Me, David, and…”

He doesn't need to say his name. I already know he's talking about the man who abused me and raised me, thinking he was my father, and not this kind soul beside me.

“Things got weird once we were initiated and Charity turned out to be our Eve. I always suspected, since she wasn't pure. Not that she messed around, but she and David were in love.”

“Wait, are you saying that David didn't wait until he pledged to lose his virginity? Isn't that against their oaths?”

Snake sighs and shakes his head.

“Back then, things weren't as strict, and we never told anyone, but someone found out about your mom, and made her our Eve. I was thrilled. Polyamory wasn't something people spoke about at the time. I'm happy for you and your men. That you get to love out in the open.”

“I never saw my life being this way, but I wouldn't change a thing. Levi may be my husband by law and according to God, but Bastian, Jonas, and Ash have as much space in my heart as him.”

I look into my daughter's eyes and smile. She's so content, and it makes me wish that this man could have been a true father to me.

“I'm sorry that I was never there. I didn't know. I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but it's the truth.”

He stands, readjusts Charity so that she's resting in the crook of his arm, then offers me his free hand.

“I may not have been around, but I'm here now, and I want a second chance, if you'll have me? I made you something. I've been nervous to show you, but now’s a good time.”

I take his hand and let him guide me to the garage. The boys mentioned that he and Ash were building something, but we didn't know what.

When the door opens, and the automatic lights turn on, I lose my breath.

“Oh, my God,” I gasp, then shuffle closer, releasing his hand. He stays by the door. He seems uncertain.

“This is incredible. Thank you,” I tell him sincerely, as I run my finger along the hand carved baby bassinet. It's so smooth and painted, so there's no chance of splinters.

There is an angel carved into the top, and the detail is amazing, it brings tears to my eyes.

“I wanted you to have something to remember me by. The life I've chosen isn't a good one, and my future is never promised. But you can lay your babies to sleep here and think of me.”

Covering my mouth with my hand, I try to muffle the sobs.

He moves closer and wraps his arm around me. Leather, musk, and motor oil assault my nose, and I breathe it in.

This is my first real hug from my dad, and I don't want it to ever end.

“Thank you. I will cherish this gift forever.”

“I know Eli is too big now, but maybe Charity can still use it, and of course, your future babies,” he mutters and I nod.