Page 120 of Praying for Thunder

I wanted to be a Dio…

That’s why I told Tabi, “No, I don’t have to kiss you, but if we’re doing this, I want it to be right.”

Her smile was laced with pain, but she was trying to move past her feelings of guilt. “You are an amazing young man.”

Thank you for teaching me to be a fighter, Ani.

One of the hardest nights, having to say goodbye to Rya, is also the night I experienced a dear person. Her name was Tabitha. Over time, I nicknamed her Marshmallow, ‘cause that’s what she tasted like, but also because she made me smile. Even on the first day I met her when she gave me that delightful treat. Yeah, she robbed the cradle, and taught me a thing or two, but damn, there are not many women out there willing to sacrifice it all—their body and pieces of their soul—for the sake of children who aren’t their own.

Tabi… I will forever be grateful.

⚡⚡⚡

4 months later

Dad burst into uncontrollable—and choking on breakfast—laughter. So proud of his off-kilter son, he celebrated, “You crazy sonofabitch!”

At the table, my shoulder still bleeding, I laughed with bloody eggs in my mouth. “Breakfast at Hellion’s! Who’s next?”

“Not Murd,” chuckled Weatherman.

I was still a Prospect because Piercer always voted no when the rest wanted me in. I was beyond frustrated. At least I was given a gun, and I was back in Dad’s good graces for now. He was like an unnamed storm that no one could predict. But the crazier I behaved, the more he celebrated me.

If only I could find the girls.

Not even Chubs knew where the new shipment was.

I won’t give up. I’ll never give up.

TWENTY

GROWING AND FADING LOYALTIES

2 years later...

Have you ever felt like you’re running from a dark cloud or shadow? That’s what the next two years felt like. Just, running… but getting nowhere. I could’ve been living with my choice of considerate clubs, but I was with the Titans, drowning…

The woods were dark and lonely, but I had to escape the lurking shadows behind me. So I ran until I saw a glimmer of light. The faster I ran, the brighter it got.

Rya!

Breaking into a clearing, I saw her on Sable, bareback, galloping toward me. “Are ya ready?” she asked with such excitement as she stopped her horse. “I want ta show ya what I’ve been doin’ since you’ve been gone.”

All I wanted was to touch her. “I’ve missed you.”

Smiling, she curled her legs underneath her body to stand. “I know that. Now watch so ya can see it’s all been worth it.”

The sun was bright, the air fresh. I sat in the tall grass, watching this beautiful girl.

“See, Thunder?” Rya’s toes were bare as she stood on Sable’s back. “All I have to do is tell her what to do, with my toes and heels.” It was beyond impressive how this horse reacted to such light-weighted demands, but there it was. In a field of flowers, Rya, still a child, her arms wide, on Sable, them both moving as if one.

Spooked by something, Sable reared up, forcing Rya to grab her mane and sit back down. “Who are you?” she asked someone I couldn’t see in front of her.

I was already on my feet, prowling through the tall grass, ready to kill any threat.

A growl rumbled from my chest when I saw Onus, smiling at her. He asked, “Where is he?”

“Thunder?” my sweet girl asked him in return.