Blade's Awakening (Wild Kings MC Book 5)

by Erin Osborne

  One by one, the rest of the men come to the same conclusion that I do. Ma is either trapped somewhere or she didn’t survive one of the explosions. Losing her is going to cripple this club. She’s been the backbone behind every member for as long as anyone can remember. Any time one of us had a problem, she was the one we went to. If someone in town needed anything at all, including the shirt off her back, she was there with no questions and not wanting anything in return. Pops will not survive losing the love of his life either. I honestly don’t know what he’ll do.

  “Pops?” Grim asks. “Pops? Where’s Ma?”

  “In the game room. I tried, I tried with everythin’ in me. She told me to go and make sure the babies were okay and safe. Grim, she wouldn’t let me bring her. Told me to lock the door and not come back for her,” Pops tells us, finally breaking down and not caring who is there as a witness.

  I make my way back out to find Keira and see who else we lost. All around me there’s crying, screaming, shock, and everything else you can imagine. Some of the men are moving all the women to an area of the backyard that will be the safest for them to be in right now. There’s coverage, but nothing will fall on them.

  As soon as I step out the back of what used to be the clubhouse, I can already count at least fifteen bodies lying on the ground. Some are just injured but others didn’t make it. The first guy I see is one of the nomads. His body is at an odd angle and I know without a doubt he did not survive. Glen, the new prospect, is not too far away from him and I know that we’ve lost him too. Before I can make it another twenty feet away, Caydence is lying face down and Irish is at her side. He’s bent over her and I can see the tears streaming down his face. As soon as I saw her in the one explosion I knew she was not going to survive the damage done to her body.

  Keira is in the middle of the women and I can guarantee that they’re trying to make sure she doesn’t leave and go in search of our children herself. Anyone that knows my kitten knows that she’ll fight tooth and nail to protect those she loves and there’s no greater love than what a mother has for her children. Well, from the good moms that is. She finally meets my eyes and I nod my head to let her know that Kenyon and Cory are safe. Her entire body sags in relief. Until she starts looking around at all of the destruction surrounding us.

  Keira

  The day that was supposed to be one of joy and celebration has turned into one of the worst days anyone in the Wild Kings MC has experienced. I know without a doubt that this is my fault and I don’t know how I’m going to look anyone in the eye after this catastrophe. Jason is behind this attack and he’s cost multiple people their lives just to try to get at me.

  The women have surrounded me because they know I’m about to go find my children and not care what happens to me. I can’t relax and I’m trying to figure out how to break away when I see Blade make his way outside again. After taking a glance around to see the casualties and damage, our eyes meet and he lets me know the kids are safe. I can’t help the relief that spreads through my body.

  We’re all standing here waiting to hear some news about what’s going on when I know we’re all thinking about who made it through this and who we’ve lost. I can already see that we’ve lost Caydence. Even though I didn’t know her, the rest of these women I consider my friends and family did. Her man is draping himself over her body and I can see the sobs wracking through his body. The rest of the men are taking stock of who’s just injured and who has not made it. Those that are injured and can be moved are being brought closer to us. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of bodies that are not being moved which doesn’t bode well for anyone.

  I can hear the sirens in the distance coming closer. And I know that they’re going to have to call in more than just the few fire trucks and ambulances that this small town has. Instead of standing here waiting, I want to be helping do something. Anything to get my mind off of what’s going on and what’s going to happen next.

  “I need to go see what I can do to help,” Bailey says, as if she’s reading my mind.

  “We were told to stay put so that they could concentrate on what they had to do instead of worrying about us,” Skylar says, trying to get Bailey see reason.

  “I know. But as someone that’s grown up with this club, I need to do something. My mind is racing and I can’t shut it off,” She tells us, the tears and her control finally slipping.

  “I feel the same way Bailey,” I tell her, letting her know that she’s not alone. “For right now, let’s stay put. The emergency help is almost here and we’re going to need to stay out of their way so people can get the help they need.”

  No one says anything to that, we all just think whatever thoughts we have and one by one sit on the ground. Melody pulls me to her and we take comfort from one another while the rest of the women do the same thing. I can see the doubt, questions, guilt, and a host of other emotions on the faces surrounding me. Guilt is probably the main one on my face right now.

  “This is all my fault,” I say to no one in particular.

  “It’s not,” Bailey says, adamantly.

  “If I had just stayed with Jason, none of this would’ve happened. It’s retaliation for me leaving and not letting him sell me.”

  “You would’ve been found one way or another. Jason and his cronies took it upon themselves to rain terror down on our club and family today. The hell that is about to rain down on them is going to be like nothing they’ve ever seen before.” Bailey says, making sure I’m looking directly at her. “You can’t blame yourself for wanting to survive, wanting to come home to your man and amazing children.”

  The rest of the women surrounding us all nod their heads in agreement. They may not know the situation, but they’re agreeing to what Bailey is trying to make me understand. I just don’t see it though. How can I when I know that Jason is the cocksucker behind this?

  ~~**~~

  It’s been hours and we’re all finally being released from the clubhouse. About the only thing that wasn’t destroyed were the homes that were built across the field from the clubhouse. So, we’re all splitting up who’s left and bringing them home with us. The space is going to be cramped, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. We all need to be here for one another with the list of names we have already that haven’t survived and for the ones that have been rushed to different hospitals surrounding the area. Bailey has been inconsolable at the news that her mother didn’t survive. Grim left with her as soon as they possibly could and Skylar took their son and daughter. Pops left with them and I know that he’s just as distraught as his daughter is. He’s just trying to be strong for the rest of his family right now. He’ll break eventually and we’ll all be there to support him.

  We’ve taken in a few nomads, a few of the guys from the Dander Falls chapter, and Darcy. So, yes, Crash and Trojan are at our house with her. Wood just so happens to be here too. He didn’t want to leave my side knowing that Blade was going to be busy doing what has to be done now. Wood has become a close friend and someone that feels the need to protect me. With the somber mood though, I can guarantee that there’s not going to be any shenanigans between the foursome that seem to make a habit of becoming the entertainment for everyone.

  I’m sitting upstairs in the nursery with Darcy and we’re each holding one of the twins. We’re not saying much and I’m personally in my own head and not finding a way to get back out of it. I haven’t been this bad since being with Jason and I don’t think that Blade or Karen are going to be able to help me this time. The guilt I feel is just becoming all consuming.

  Before too long, the three men in our lives make an appearance. For a minute, I can feel them just standing in the doorway watching us, waiting for us to break. I can’t afford to break though when I have the twins to think about, a houseful of people, and things that need to be done concerning funerals, hospital visits, and just being there for the individuals and families that have lost their loved ones. These are the things I need to focus on right now
.

  “Kitten, Cory’s sleepin’ why don’t you let me put her in the crib?” Blade asks me.

  I look down and see that he’s right. “Yeah, I didn’t realize she passed out already.”

  “It’s okay kitten. You’ve got a lot on your mind right now. We all do.”

  Hearing those words, I break and start crying uncontrollably. Blade pulls me into his arms and tries to comfort me the best that he can as I watch Trojan take Kenyon from Darcy and put him in his crib. The three of them surround us to be there for support even though there are other people downstairs that need support too.

  “What’s goin’ on kitten?” Blade asks, the concern evident in his voice.

  “I’ve been saying it since it happened. This is all my fault. Jason did this because of me. You all lost family and friends because of me.”

  “Jason did do this, I guarantee it. It’s not your fault though. Would it still be your fault if Slim’s club were the ones to get you free and this still happened? No. They chose to do this instead of acceptin’ that you weren’t theirs to sell or do anythin’ else with,” Crash says.

  Everyone is saying this isn’t my fault, but it’s barely breaking through the fog in my brain. It’s like I need to take on everything that happened so there’s someone to blame for it. Jason is to blame, but I’m the one that led him here. Blade isn’t going to stand for this though, I already know he’s going to do everything in his power to prove that I’m not at fault. Including bringing in Karen, Grim, Slim, Gage, and whoever else he has to.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Grim

  It’s been about two weeks since the bombing at the clubhouse during Blade and Keira’s reception. Keira has been blaming herself and we’ve all been trying to tell her that we don’t blame her at all. Jason is the one to blame along with whoever else helped him do this to us.

  If the information we have is correct, then he’s working with the cartel and they were already going to be gunning for us. They’re pissed we released all the girls when Maddie was taken. It was honestly only a matter of time before they got their retaliation and we all know this. Keira may not because she wasn’t here during that time. So, today is the day I educate her.

  Knocking on Blade’s door, I wait for someone to let me in. I don’t want to be away from my wife for too long because she’s not handling the loss of Ma, and everyone else, at all. I don’t think she’s even gotten out of bed since it happened unless I make her take a shower. And I know for a fact she hasn’t been eating. So, Karen is on her way over now to spend some time with her.

  “Grim, what are you doing here?” Keira asks, opening the door. “How’s Bailey?”

  “She’s not takin’ it too well. But, I’m here to see you. We need to have a chat before this gets any further out of control for you. I know you’ve been wearin’ yourself thin tryin’ to be there for everyone and the guilt that you’re feelin’ right now.”

  “Oh. Well, I’m not doing anything that anyone else is doing. I go where I’m needed to do what I can.”

  “Let’s go out back and talk,” I tell her, waiting for her to close the door behind her.

  We make our way out back to the patio and take a seat at the table they set up for cookouts. Keira takes a seat across from me and waits for me to begin talking. She doesn’t look at me and I know she thinks that I’m going to be yelling at her. I’m not though.

  “I know you think this is on you. It’s not,” I begin. “But, we’ve been dealin’ with the people Jason’s workin’ with since long before you made an appearance. We’ve honestly been waitin’ for retaliation and they’re just now makin’ their move.”

  “They wouldn’t have done it to this extreme though if I wasn’t there,” she tells me, honestly believing what she’s saying.

  “Yes, they would have. I’m goin’ to tell you somethin’ no one outside of the members know. Jason is workin’ with a cartel. So, yes, they would’ve done the same thing they did regardless of you bein’ here or not. Now, I’m trustin’ that you’re not goin’ to say anythin’ about this to anyone.”

  Keira sits there in stunned silence for a minute as I watch to make sure she’s going to be okay. Finally, she looks up at me and I can see that I’m getting through to her with the knowledge that this is not her fault.

  “You have to believe that I didn’t know that’s who he was working with. I would’ve told Blade or someone if I had any idea that he was working with a cartel.”

  “We know. He kept you in the dark the same way we keep our old ladies in the dark. His reasons weren’t the same, but he did it none the less. So, go back inside and let the guilt leave you,” I tell her, knowing that she can breathe a little easier now.

  Standing up, I make sure Keira is inside before making my way back over to my house. We all took members into our homes, and I’m glad that I have the extra help right now with the kids since I’ve been trying to be there for Bailey. She’s needed me more than ever and Pops has too. He’s trying to be strong, but we’ve had a few talks and I know this is eating him alive. Ma was his whole reason to live and get through the day. I don’t know how he’s going to handle this. Especially come tomorrow when we go to bury everyone.

  After having church a few days after the bombing, we all decided that we’d bury everyone from here on the same day. Afterwards, we’ll have a memorial service for everyone that lost their lives that day. We managed to lose four people, Gage’s club lost two, Slim’s club lost three, and one nomad didn’t make it. There are two guys that were about to become prospects for our club in the hospital and it doesn’t look good for them. We’ll make sure they’re either taken care of or their family is taken care of depending on what happens to them.

  When I walk in the door, Pops tells me that Karen is in with Bailey so I go see Zander who’s sitting outside by himself. He looks up at me and I can see the unshed tears threatening to spill over. Zander quickly looks away and I know he’s trying to be strong and not cry in front of me. Time for a talk with him. Zander may be young, but he’s smart as hell and knows more than he should.

  “Son, what are you doin’ out here?” I ask, taking a seat and pulling him into my lap.

  “Just wanted to be alone daddy,” he says, snuggling in.

  “You know it’s okay to cry, right buddy?” I ask. “I’ve cried, Pops has cried, and a lot of the other men have cried to. We’ve had somethin’ real bad happen.”

  “I know. But, I’m trying to be strong daddy. You need me.”

  My heart breaks at hearing my young son telling me that I need him to be strong for me. I pull him in and give him a hug, holding him close for far longer than he probably wants me to. But, maybe I need this now and he’s letting me without argument or complaint.

  “Daddy doesn’t need you to be strong little man. I need you to cry if you want to cry. You need to lean on us as much as we’re all leanin’ on one another. Can you do that for me?”

  Zander nods his head and I know that he’s going to break down. So, I continue to hold him close and give him the comfort and strength that he needs right now. It breaks me to know that I’ve been so busy trying to help everyone and figure everything out that I forgot to be there for my son. One of the main people that I should always be there for no matter what.

  Pops

  Tomorrow is the day that I bury the love of my life. I’ve been with Ma so long that I don’t know how I’m going to go on. I can’t believe that Ma wouldn’t let me go back for her and try to save her after making sure that Summer and the children were in the safe room. I tried to leave there, but the kids were not going to let me walk away from them. It was honestly one of the hardest decisions that I’ve ever made in my life. Ma would’ve wanted me to stay with the kids though, that’s just who she was. I just can’t help thinking that it should’ve been me that was about to get buried and not the greatest woman that I’ve ever had the pleasure of being around.

  Every day, Ma is the only thing I can think about.
The only time I’ve even left Grim and Bailey’s house is when Grim called church and we all had to make an appearance. I dream about her smiling face and the memories that we’ve made over the decades we were together. When I’m awake, I go to tell her something only to remember that I’ll never be able to tell her anything again. If it weren’t for our grandchildren and the promise she made me make when Joker and Bailey first started having kids, I would’ve laid down and died right alongside Ma. However, she made me promise that I would live the rest of my life if anything ever happened to her and help guide the next generation to be the kind, loving, respectful people that they need to be. So, I’m going to honor the love of my life and do this for her.

  Tomorrow is going to be hard for everyone and I need to pull my act together and start being there for everyone else. Not just mourning my loss when other people lost loved ones too. Irish lost Caydence and I have no clue how he’s doing at all. He’s now all alone with a small daughter to care for and he lost the only woman he’s ever been with. Even though something was going on with them the last few months or so, Irish loved that woman with every fiber of his being. Maybe I should walk over to Skylar’s and see him before tomorrow

  Bailey

  I’ve been in bed for weeks now and I can’t seem to pull my act together. I know that the other members of the club need me and there’s things I need to do being the President’s old lady and wife. Unfortunately, my grief is so strong for the loss of my mother that I can’t even lift my head to see my own children. Ma was loved by everyone and I know I counted on her more times than not. No matter what happened to me, what kind of trouble I got into, or anything else, I could always pick the phone up and my mom would be right there. She picked up the pieces of my broken heart countless times before Grim and I finally got our shit together. And when I lost Ryan, my mom was the rock that I leaned on when I finally started letting others in to help me.