He wasn’t yearning for Sophia or begging for a fight. The beast he kept at bay was resting. The only time he ever felt so calm was in Prue’s arms. Ever since he realized his parents despised him, Zero had always felt some need to take out his aggression whenever he could. Learning how to shoot helped him build his confidence. The fights he got into were always worth the bruises. The pain helped him to feel free all those years ago. That feeling hadn’t changed even now. The club fought him when he needed it.
When Prue told him about the bullies all those years ago, he’d loved the hours he spent training her. She never acted like all of the other girls or women in his life. Prue treated him like a friend. She didn’t blush or stutter in his presence, and she was never afraid to land him on his ass. When had he cut her out of his life? Over the years he’d tried to forget about her, only he found himself at her doorstep when he promised himself he wouldn’t. Nothing had changed inside him. Prue was all grown up now, and they were both having to face their old enemy together.
Swallowing past the lump in his throat, he held her tighter knowing his life would be worse for losing her. She made living possible.
****
What the fuck am I doing here?
Butch sat in his seat at the back of the church. The candles were alight, and no one was around to see him. He looked at the man on the cross without feeling. There was no feeling inside him. Staring at the Bible, he wondered if he missed Cheryl. He asked Lash about her, but there was nothing his brother could say. Lash didn’t remember anything about the other woman besides the fact she did beautiful flower arranging that Angel enjoyed looking at. It was like talking to a fucking brick wall.
“You’re back,” Cheryl said, holding a jacket in front of her. He noticed she had a bag on her shoulder.
Putting the Bible back in place, he stood. Her smile didn’t waver, and neither did her gaze. She knew who he was, yet her gaze didn’t leave his eyes. All of the women he’d been with checked out his cut before settling on him.
“Yeah, I’m back. I don’t know why.”
She smiled. “It doesn’t matter why. Maybe you need some help in your life. Church is always open. I hope you find your answers soon.” Cheryl took a step toward him. “Good night.”
His heart raced as she stepped around him. She didn’t try to rub against him.
“Where are you going?” he asked, not wanting her to leave. The only reason he’d come to church was to see her.
“I’m going home. It’s late, and I only help out at the church when I can.”
“Can I walk you to your car?”
“I don’t own a car.” She hadn’t looked anywhere but at his eyes. This was an entirely new experience for him. Most of the women were after the title of fucking a Skull. Cheryl didn’t look upset or expectant when she stared at him.
“How do you get home?”
“I walk.” Cheryl chuckled and looked down at her feet. “Not all of us need a car or a bike to get us around.”
“Are you teasing me?” he asked.
“Maybe. It’s nice seeing you again, Butch.”
He stood still watching her leave the church.
What the fuck are you doing? Follow her.
Walking out of the church, he shouted her name as he spotted her at the gate.
“You’re acting strangely,” she said, stopping at his call.
He felt like he was insane. Butch didn’t want her to go.
“Can I walk you home?”
“It’s perfectly safe for me to walk on my own.”
“I want to walk you. I don’t like the thought of you being alone.”
She frowned. “I walk alone all the time. Fort Wills is safe.”
“Not anymore, I don’t want you walking alone.” He stood close, and he got a hint of lemon. Was that her shampoo or soap? He knew he was really losing his mind. What was it about Cheryl that kept him wanting to come back to her?
Nothing made any sense to him anymore. The sweet-butts at the clubhouse didn’t hold any appeal.
“How about I walk you home whenever you need it?” he asked. He looked forward to seeing her again.
“You’re going to waste your time walking me home?”
“Why not? I’ve got nothing else to do.”
“You’re a strange man, Butch. I’ve got to stop off at my mother’s,” she said.
“Why?”
“I need to pick up my son.”
Okay, something just hit him in the gut, and he felt the big man upstairs was laughing at him.
****
Prue was once again surrounded by warmth. She loved the heat, and opening her eyes she looked up at the ceiling. The television was playing to itself. Zero felt quite heavy against her. Looking around the room, something caught her eye at the bottom of the bed. Something red was there, facing them. Blood.