Two Worlds Colliding

“So, you’re saying you didn't know about the accident at the time?”

“No. I had no idea. At the time I was busy with a label takeover—I couldn’t risk my career trying to find out what happened. The scandal would have killed my business and my wife. She had bowel cancer and something like that wouldn’t have been good for her.” He blinked a few times, trying to regain his composure before continuing. “By the time I decided to look for you a few months later, you were no longer with the band. It was all hushed. Nobody would talk to me.” He fell silent, shrugging his shoulders. “I didn't know you were in juvenile prison. I'm sorry.” He choked on the last words, his eyes glittering with tears.

“So you just gave up?” My mouth was dry.

“My wife really needed me. Our daughter was taking her illness badly, so I had to help her, too. I had so much on my plate, and I figured Maria

I nearly felt sorry for the bastard. “So what changed? Why find me now?” I took a deep slug of my beer, and wiped the froth from my mouth.

“Maria

“You said that was only months ago. And she’s dead now?” I was shaking. My eye twitched below the scar. If William noticed, he didn't let on.

“I went to see Maria

“Fuck. I’m sorry.”

“Yes, she fought the cancer, but in the end it took her. As for your mo—Maria

“What did she say? Could she remember what happened?” I held my breath.

“She remembered everything as if it were yesterday. Yet she had no concept of time. She thought you were still little boys. She made me promise to find you and Max, and to bring you to her. She was so excited to move to the new house, to start a new life. She didn't want to understand that years had passed, that her little boys were grown men. It was painful to watch.”

I swallowed hard. All these years, I’d hated Maria

My thoughts went to Jade. She had been right all along. I am worthy of being loved. My mother didn't leave me because she didn't love me. She had no choice in the matter. A fucking accident had taken that from her.

Sorrow built in me—a deep ache in my soul that couldn’t be soothed. Sorrow that I’d believed the worst of Maria

All those wasted years, feeling resentment and anger swirl in my belly. Pushing Jade away because I was afraid to lose her too. I was a fucking idiot.

With clarity born from a light-bulb moment, I knew I had to fight for Jade, now more than ever. I wanted what she offered. Unconditional love. Learning the truth of what had happened to Maria

“You spoke about your daughter. If I . . .if you . . . really are my father, then that means I have a sister?” Fuck, Max and I weren’t alone after all.

“A half-sister.” His eyes were hooded, and he looked even sadder—if that was possible.

“Bill?”

“She wants nothing to do with me. Came to the funeral and wouldn’t speak to me. Eva thinks it’s my fault that her mother died unhappily.”

“Eva. That’s a pretty name.” It was bizarre finding out about a sister I didn’t know existed.

Bill nodded. “She looks a lot like you. Same penetrating eyes. Dark hair. And . . . she’s stubborn. Smart too.” For a moment a smile flashed across his face. There was no mistaking how much Bill loved his daughter.

Silence fell between us for a few moments before Bill continued. “The guilt about you chewed at me, and I told Vivian everything, about my affair with Maria

I coughed and shifted uncomfortably in my chair. I didn’t know what the hell to say to that. We all had our fucking burdens to carry. In spite of being a music mogul, and with more wealth than he probably knew what to do with, William Ryder hadn’t had an easy life, either.

Jade’s words that night in her bedroom came into my mind: “We don’t always understand other people’s pain, Ryder. Just because we can't see it, doesn’t mean they aren’t hurting.” Her words were so true. I'd always imagined that the rich and famous didn't have the same problems that throwaway kids like me had. A wry smile twisted my lips. Fucking Princess. She was wiser than I ever gave her credit for.

“After Maria

My brow knitted. Whoa. This was crazy talk. Did the man know who I was? VP of a biker club? Wanted by the cops? Criminal and killer?

There was no redemption for Ryder Knox. It was too late.

Besides, I'd make all the same choices again.

“Bill, your story is touching. But I don’t give a fuck. I grew up with the only family I ever knew. The Scorpio Stinger MC is my family. They saved my life. Not you and a half-sister I never laid eyes on. Go back to your glamorous lifestyle. I'm sure some pussy will take up the slack soon and bring you happiness.”

I got up to leave.

“I’m surprised you didn’t change your name. If you hated Maria

“Because I am who I am. Changing my fucking name wasn’t going to change my fucking life. I don’t apologize for who I am.”

Shaken by learning that I hadn’t actually killed my own father as a kid, I had to reassess my whole outlook on life. The biggest burden I'd carried subconsciously for more than twenty years, was that I was spermed by a man such as Tiny—a brutal monster who could lay into an i

Thinking back, I was under the impression that even Tiny believed that he’d fathered me; we’d never bonded, and I'd never felt a co