Page 62 of Falcon

“Shut the fuck up,” Axel stated.

Ace rolled his eyes. “No damn respect,” he complained.

In my opinion, Rage MC was made up of lunatics. Penny grabbed my chair and wheeled me away while Artemis caused a commotion and Ace and Falcon handled her.

“So, girl, you’ve had it rough.”

“Wow, straight for the jugular then,” I replied, on edge and unsure of myself.

“Myka, I’m seventy-five years old, paralysed in one leg and ain’t got much longer. I ain’t gonna waste what’s left I have fannying around.”

“Fair enough.”

“Now tell me everything so I can wind Artemis the hell up,” Axel boomed, and I grinned. As frightening as his size and loudness made him, I liked Axel. That must mean I was crazy too.

Axel listened and asked questions. His eyes held a touching, genuine sadness.

“Ain’t no woman who should suffer that shit. And your daddy? He needs an ass-kicking. Does he visit you often?”

“No. Dad rarely comes around unless he wants money. Dawson never used to give him any, and Dad would take it out on me. Apparently, that’s what the men in my life do.”

“Falcon told you his story?” Axel asked.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Ace and Artemis found one another again after Artemis suffered horribly. She came through it, but was changed. I see glimpses of Artemis in you. The strength, the determination to protect her kids, and the ability to strive for better. None of us would call you weak. And if anyone judged you, tell them to take a hike. You did what you needed to survive, and guess what, you did.”

“Jayes is so quiet. He’s coming out of his shell more, but he’s still very reserved. Dawson may have damaged him permanently,” I admitted.

“No. With this bunch of lunatics, he’ll be fine. Jayes will bloom with Falcon, sweet girl. He might always be a bit more responsible than kids his age, but he’ll settle down soon enough.”

“You speak from experience?” I asked.

“Definitely. Seen it all too often, and in some of my family members too,” Axel said. His eyes turned sad, and then he forced a smile.

“Never stop fighting. Don’t listen to assholes who wanna drag you down because you’re better than them. Be yourself and be strong. Trust yourself; if you can do that, then everything else will fall into place.”

I nodded. Axel made sense.

“My grandson deserves the best. That’s you. Give him a chance.”

“He wants to date me.”

“That’s an issue?”

“I’m damaged.”

Axel laughed. “Myka, we all are! Ain’t nobody perfect living around here.”

I smiled.

“Finished?” Artemis demanded, sitting next to us. She smirked, but there was a rabid curiosity in her eyes. Resigned, I leaned back in the wheelchair and sighed.

“Go on, fire away.”

Artemis grinned and began asking questions.

Falcon