Page 44 of Road to Absolution

Observing Diesel’s silent command, Scorch blocked him in the hallway.

As Tucker argued with him, Lilah gently faced Diesel. Due to her eerie calmness, I knew she had made a very big decision. And I was prepared to back it up, whatever it was.

“The man who caused me Hell has found Heaven. Isn’t that right?”

Diesel let his head fall forward. “He has. In her.”

Justice. I guess she’s alive.

Still angelic, Lilah said, “He wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for you.” She set her shoulders back, spreading the wings I could see clearly. “Please tell Justice I will not be filing charges—”

As John stepped forward, “Lilah…”

Tuck came fuming back in, “Are you kidding me right now?”

With immense bravery, my strong angel said, “It was my body that was harmed. It is my choice how the crime is handled. Do you understand?”

Tuck blinked, not used to this side of Lilah. I don’t think any of us were.

Whatever had happened while I slept made this woman even stronger. Maybe my coma had been meant to be. She was turning a tragedy… into a triumph.

“Diesel, please tell Justice I will pray for her as she and her husband collect Jenny’s bones. I hope we all become wiser from our scars.”

I didn’t miss Scorch looking at her like the mystical soul she was being.

Lilah added, “Please ask every one of your men to pay respect to a retrieval I hope none of us ever have to experience.”

As if Delilah had earned every ounce of respect he had to offer, Diesel lifted his chin. “Yes, ma’am.”

She inhaled… “Dad? Tuck? I want a promise. Right now. That you will not kill Kenny.”

When they said nothing, my angel’s body locked and she roared, “Now!”

The promises were grudging and mumbled, but enough to be heard.

Lilah finally looked at me to see where I stood. Right by you, baby.

She exhaled relief, then, “Viola.”

Vixen wiped tears as she stepped into her role of this valiant woman’s best friend. “Yep. I’m here.”

“I would like to leave this hospital and go eat some food. I’m hungry.”

Viola gasped. “Oh my God. Uh, okay.” Viola scurried her high heels around, searching, “Where’s my purse? I’ll buy.”

Diesel handed her a hundred as I searched Viola’s eyes. She was in shock. “She hasn’t left here once. S-She actually wants to eat.”

He dimly smiled. “Then you better get her to some food.” He looked to Scorch. “Would you please escort these lovelies?”

After the girls left with a redheaded wall of muscle, and the door shut, three men gravely faced me. Lilah was done talking. They knew it. They also knew who she was leaving to deal with the rest.

Tuck started first. “That fucker can’t just—”

I interrupted, “Gonna break the promise you just made?”

“Bro, I have to do something. He hurt my sister.”

“And someone hurt his. Lilah is stopping a vicious cycle.”