Hello, Lovelies, 

Thank you so much for reading Faded.  I hope everyone is safe and well.  I am trying to catch up.  I want to thank all of you for your patience.  I truly appreciate it.  I hope you enjoy this chapter.

-XXXX Amanda 

************

July 30, 1983

The band and I sat in Bo's office going over the schedule for the tour that would begin in four days with a concert in L.A. before we traveled throughout the U.S. I was sitting next to Micah taking notes.

"Obviously, security will be in place," Bo said, glancing at Tommy. "I assume Liza is staying with the baby and the boys."

Tommy winced and I knew he hated that he had to leave them behind. "They'll be meeting me once a month. I'll give Megan the dates so she can make the accommodations."

Bo smiled. "She'll make sure that happens."

"What about Cody?" Jax asked, his brows furrowing. "I doubt that money Micah gave him is going to stop him from being an asshole."

"I'm worried about that too." Micah shifted closer to me as if his closeness could protect me from whatever Cody planned to do. "You don't believe that money will stop him."

"No and that's why security will be strict. None of you, including Megan, can go anywhere without a bodyguard." Bo narrowed his eyes. "When Liza and the kids are there, they will also be required to have a bodyguard."

"Understood," Tommy nodded. "I'll make sure she knows and I'll talk to the boys."

"Good. We are all on board with the plan." Bo glanced around the room. "I want you to know, I found out the girl Cody raped is no longer with her parents. They left her as soon as they received Cody's payment. She lives with her grandparents. She wants to meet with you in Seattle."

"I want to do that." I leaned forward. "I want to help her."

Bo frowned. "I want to too. I'm worried if Cody finds out she is no longer controlled by her parents, he'll try to find ways to bully her into silence."

I glanced at Micah. "She's only a couple of years younger than us. We need to help her."

He nodded. "We will."

The rest of the band nodded in agreement. I swallowed over the lump in my throat as I bonded with this girl I had never met. She was like me and Liza...Taken advantage of by someone who seemed more powerful. Liza and I had received our justice when Patrick died. This girl had been paid for her silence and discarded by her parents. I wanted her to know that she had people who would stand up for her. I would stand up for her.

***********

We walked toward the garage in a group. Micah's hand was wrapped around mine as the other members of the band created a circle around me, protecting me from anything that could happen.

I couldn't see beyond them but the moment that a crash reached my ears, I jumped. Micah pulled me closer to him, shielding me with his body as everyone around me stopped.

I trembled as Jax shouted. "What the fuck!"

Micah cradled my head against his chest and I fought to raise my head. "Baby, it's okay."

"Then, let me see," I said as he released me. I stared into his eyes, finding the worry there. Slowly, the men in around me...My brothers moved. My eyes widened as I took in the damage in front of me. Micah's beautiful car was a twisted and broken mess. Glass from the broken windshield surrounded the area. Dents covered its surface.

"My God!" I cried as tears fell down my cheeks.

"That fucker!" Jax shouted stepping toward his motorcycle broken in pieces on the ground.

My gaze moved to the parking spots that held the others cars. Kevin shook his head as he took in the first car he bought in ruins. Dave narrowed his eyes as he took in the mangled remains of his vehicle. Tommy punched the cement block beside him as his gaze moved over his ruined car.

My eyes moved toward Micah's car again, catching on a piece of paper trapped beneath a rock on the hood. I pointed toward it. "What is that?"

Micah refused to leave my side as Tommy stepped forward and picked it up. "I guess he wanted us to know that he did this."

Tommy turned to show the check that Micah had given to Cody. "That fucker!"

He pulled me closer as I glanced around the garage as the squeal of tires moved toward us. My eyes met Cody's behind the wheel of his truck as he continued to speed toward us.

I was pushed hard as Micah's body landed on top of me, his body curved around mine. The sound of Cody's tires screeching away echoed through the garage. Micah raised his head.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his brows furrowing.

I nodded as he moved from me and we glanced around. Everyone appeared dazed as they stood. Blood from glass biting into their skin left marks on their skin.

"That fucker tried to kill us," Dave said, shaking his head.

"No...He was after Megan and Micah. We were just in the way," Tommy said, his eyes moving over us in concern. "He was aiming straight for you."

"You've tried playing nice, Micah," Tommy said, his teeth clenched. "It's time to call the police."

Micah glanced toward me, "Megan?"

"I think he's right," I said, glancing at the carnage around us.

"Let's go talk to Bo," he said, softly.

"You don't have to, Micah," he said, moving forward. None of us had realized he was there but the cuts and the way he was holding his arm told us he had arrived just before Cody had come for us. "I think I'll need an ambulance."

My eyes widened as my eyes landed on his arm again. A bone protruded from the skin, turning my stomach. He took a step toward us and swayed. Tommy moved toward him, catching him before he could fall.

"Megan, you and Micah go upstairs and call the police and make sure they get an ambulance here."

I nodded as I turned with Micah close behind me, hoping the man who had treated me like a daughter would be okay.