Rome/Kane
I am pacing outside in the hall waiting for the nurse to be finished with Tara. I have texted Devil and he is on his way in his SUV. That is going to be the most comfortable way for Tara to get back to the clubhouse. Callie is coming to the hospital with Devil so the ride to the clubhouse won’t be uncomfortable for Tara. Callie and Tara seemed alright with each other when Callie visited before. I hadn’t thought about Tara being released from the hospital so soon or I would have just borrowed Devil’s cage when I left this morning. No man rides my bike but me, so me riding with Tara won’t be happening. She’ll be fine with Devil and Callie. I am waiting for a call back from Oz. I have a surprise for Tara and I am hoping it still works out. I thought we would have more time to set it up but Oz works miracles so I know he will get the kinks worked out. I see Devil and Callie walking up the hall.
“Why are you out in the hall?” Devil asks me.
“The nurse is taking Tara’s IV out and helping her dress.” Devil laughs. “What?”
“Isn’t undressing and dressing Tara your job now?” I don’t respond. My phone is vibrating. I take it out of my pocket and it is a text from Oz. We are good to go on the surprise. I knew Oz would work it out.
“Leave your brother alone. It’s nice of Kane to give Tara some privacy.” Callie says nice. I say self-preservation. Having to get on my bike with a hard cock is not comfortable.
“Whatever. I get a chance to see my woman with no clothes, I am taking it.” Devil pulls Callie to him and swats her ass. “I need a word with you anyway. I sent the prospects home. They needed some sleep. Creole is outside waiting by the SUV.” Devil stops then looks at me again. “What would you think about Tara working at the clubhouse until we have the apartments ready? That way she would be where you can keep an eye on her but she still makes a paycheck. Callie said when she talked to Tara it was important to her to make her own way. We need someone to work the bar. It’s not hard. She can do our orders we need done and work the hours she’s able. We’re going to be short some prospects until we get new recruits. Tara gets a paycheck and we get the help we need. Win-win situation. It’s not like she needs to mix drinks just stock the coolers with beer and set up shots.” Devil looks for my reaction but I am still thinking it over. “When the apartments are ready, if she wants the manager job, it comes with an apartment for the two of you. I just wanted to talk to you before speaking with Tara.” I know my next words are not going to be what Devil thinks he is going to hear but I need to speak my piece.
“Devil, I appreciate that but any job prospects need to be run by Tara first.” Devil starts to say something but I keep going. “I see how your and Callie’s relationship works, and I understand the dynamics of a relationship in the club, but Tara’s and my relationship will be a bit different.” Devil laughs and I think I heard a small laugh out of Callie. “I will discuss with Tara that she must respect the clubhouse and the members. I will also explain that I cannot share everything that goes on in the club with her. Club business is no one else’s business. The relationship between Tara and I is also no one else’s business. I will expect respect from Tara but I will give respect back to Tara. It is very important to Tara to pay her own way and get her education. That’s something to respect. I claimed Tara and that means she is mine and I will care for her and protect her but her employment decisions are made by her. If this relationship is going to work, then this is the way it needs to be and I don’t have a problem with that.”
“Well damn, Rome, that is the most I have heard out of you at one time since I have known you. I was just going to say that it is a good idea. You have thought this relationship out and that is a good thing.” Devil looks impressed.
“Rome, your relationship is going to go a lot easier than ours was in the first year. It took Kylar nearly two years to get his head out of his butt and sometimes I still need to give him a good kick.” This time Callie does laugh.
“I just don’t think that Tara should be the only one to compromise. I’m sure we’ll have some bumps along the way but I am trying to keep an open mind.” I want this to work. I am not going to put hard demands on Tara and not expect to need to change along with her.
“I hope you are ready for all the brothers to ride your ass, because they will be.” Devil jokes with me.
“I’m man enough to take it and if it pisses me off then I will take the issue up with whoever is ragging on me. Payback is a bitch.” The door to Tara’s room opens and the nurse walks out and gives me a smile.
“I just need to get her prescriptions and Ms. Blount is ready.” The nurse is a little too friendly until Callie walks closer to me.
“Can you get those prescriptions, now?” Callie isn’t impressed by the way the nurse is eyeing Devil. “Right now, or do I need to get someone else to get them?”
“I wouldn’t mess with my woman when she has that tone. She’s fixing to flip her shit.” Devil tells the nurse. The woman flips her hair over her shoulder and stomps off. I push open the door and Tara is sitting on the edge of her bed. I see she has stacked everything of hers in the bag I brought in.
“Do you have your phone in your pocket?” Tara smiles at me. I love it when she smiles.
“Right here.” Tara answers. “I can’t shower without a shower cap for a few days. Don’t let me forget. The nurse gave me a couple to take home, I mean, to the clubhouse.”
“You had it right the first time. It’s home now.” I tell Tara. “You are riding in Devil’s SUV but I will be right behind you on my bike.”
“I can ride with you.” Tara argues.
“No. Remember, you’re supposed to take it easy.” I see Tara deflate.
“Alright, you’re right.” Tara agrees with me. Callie giggles. Yes. Giggles.
“What in the hell? She’s your woman less that forty-eight hours and she does what she is told. Maybe I need to try this compromise thing. Callie never listens to me.” Devil is only half serious.
“Maybe you should.” Callie is laughing until the door opens. The nurse sullenly walks to Tara and hands her the prescriptions.
“Ms. Blount, you are ready to go.” She turns and leaves.
“Think it was something I said?” Callie says it with a serious face but she busts out laughing when she is finished.
“Let’s get out of here before Callie gets security called on us.” I pick up Tara’s bag and we start out the door and a woman comes in with a wheelchair.
“Ms. Blount, it’s hospital policy that you get to ride out of here.” Tara sits in the chair and we make our way to the elevator. The ride down is quiet and Devil runs ahead of us when we get on the bottom floor so he can bring the SUV around. Devil is sitting there when we get to the front door. I help Callie in and then I turn to Tara and help her in. I put her bag in the back seat beside her and give her a quick kiss.
“I will be right behind you. I have a surprise for you when we get to the clubhouse.” Tara smiles again.
“You are spoiling me. You don’t need to keep giving me gifts.” Tara doesn’t know how sweet she looks.
“I didn’t buy you anything. I have another kind of surprise for you.” I shut the door before she can ask anything. I’m not sure I wouldn’t tell her. I run the best I can to my bike. Creole is sitting beside mine on his own bike.
“Good to see you smile, brother. It’s been a long time coming.” Am I smiling? I nod my head at Creole and mount my bike.
I see Devil is waiting for us. I motion Creole to take the lead, Devil pulls out and then I follow. This is one ride that can’t go fast enough. The twenty- minute ride goes by fast and I scan the club parking lot as Cowboy opens the gate. It’s close to empty this time of day. Everyone is working somewhere for the club. I see Rix and Cricket are still here along with Tito and Oz.
I also see Slick’s bike and Gertie’s truck but the one car I didn’t want to see is here also. It means Terrance and Honey Girl are here. I just hope she keeps her distance. I park my bike close to Devil’s SUV. I dismount my bike and get to Tara’s door just as she is opening it.
“I’ve got this.” I reach over her and pick up the bag and give Tara my other hand to help her out. “Easy.” I let her step down and I have the urge to pick her up and carry her but I fight it. I lead her into the clubhouse with Callie and Devil, Creole behind us. As soon as we are inside Oz is there.
“Little Bit, how are you feeling?” Oz asks Tara. I need to ask Tara about the name Oz is calling her. No one calls my woman something I don’t know about. Oz looks at me. “Devil let me set up in his office.” Tara looks at me.
“It’s my surprise. Just follow Oz.” Tara does. I follow behind. When Tara gets into the room she sees Oz has his laptop set up. Oz goes to the laptop and does his thing.
“Hey, Sgt. Blount. Look at you all clean cut. Tara is here and she is wanting to speak to her little brother.” I look at Tara to see what her reaction is. There are tears in her eyes. I didn’t mean to make her cry.
Oz gets up from the chair and motions Tara over to sit. Tara goes and sits and a radiant smile crosses her face. I want to give her space to have this conversation with her brother but the tears rolling down her face are gutting me. I decide to sit on the edge of the desk so she knows I am near. I try not to eaves drop but Oz and I both hear the conversation.
“Little Bit, you look like shit. Are you doing alright? Oz let me know a little about what is going on. If you need some money I can send it. I am too busy to spend much of what I have made with all my classes and training. If it had been a week later I would have been deployed. I leave in three days.” Joey tells Tara. Tara tries to control her tears.
“Well, thanks for the huge compliment.” Tara tells her brother while trying to control the tears.
“Do you need me to try and get some emergency leave? I’m not sure if I can but I’ll try.” When Tara hears that, she sits up straight and wipes the tears a way.
“No, Joey. You are right where you belong and doing exactly what you have always wanted to do. I’ll make it. I don’t need or want your money, either. Save it. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow.” Tara sounds a lot older than her years.
“I sent an email. I didn’t get a response and I was getting worried and then Oz reached out.” Joey tells Tara.
“When I get back to school I’ll get it. Will we be able to email or will you give me an address to write to again?” Tara asks her brother. “It seems like so long since I have seen your face. I have missed you. You’re my only sane family.”
“I may be able to get an email or two out but I am going overseas, so if you get a chance, send me a box occasionally, with the supplies like last time. Once I get there I will know more about what is hard to get my hands on and I will send a list and my address. It’s a year deployment. Don’t run yourself short on money, only what you can afford and I will reimburse you when I get home. Oz gave me your phone number so I will try to call, too. He said the number might change but he’ll get me the number if it does.” Joey treats Tara differently than her mom and sister.
“I can afford to mail my baby brother a box every month while he serves our country. No reimbursement necessary. I love and miss you, Joey.” Tara is fighting tears again.
“Little Bit, don’t cry. I should be taking better care of you. It didn’t even occur to me to get you a phone and why didn’t you tell me how bad the situation with mom and Sheila had gotten? I could have tried to talk to them, not that it would do any good but I would have tried. I don’t even know how we are related to them two. Now, tell me about this man in your life. Does he treat you right? Don’t put up with no shit.” Joey is the concerned brother, as he should be. I understand it. “Oz told me he is one of his club brothers. I bet mom loved that.”
“I’m an adult, Joey. I am the only one responsible for me. Mom does not like the idea of me being with Rome but after the stunts she has pulled, her opinion does not matter to me. After everything Liam did she still tried me to get out of the hospital and to go and see him so he could supposedly apologize.” Tara realizes what she said and she looks concerned.
“Oz explained what happened. Liam needs taken care of and don’t you go anywhere with Mom or Sheila. You take care of you. Mom has no room to talk. Our dad is a biker.” Tara looks shocked.
“You know who our dad is? I have never heard mom say one word about our dad. Who is he and how long have you known?” Joey looks like he doesn’t want to answer. “I have a right to know who my dad is.”
“Mom has shoe box full of pictures in her bedroom closet back behind all them damn shoes. I was playing in there one day and found it. I didn’t think anything of it. One night when you were working and Sheila was out, I came home and mom was drunk and on the couch looking at the pictures. I asked her who the man was she was sitting on the bike with. She told me it was the damn asshole that kept knocking her up and then running back to Texas. That’s when I started getting into bikes and mom hated it. She never even remembered telling me. I looked him up, his name is Bourbon Black.” As soon as that name is out of Joey’s mouth I walk over so he can see me.
“Did you say Bourbon Black?” Joey sits up a little straighter.
“Who are you?” Joey asks.
“Joey, this is Rome. Uh he is my…” Tara doesn’t know what to say.
“I’m Tara’s man. Did you say Bourbon Black?” Joey relaxes a little but not much.
“Does it matter? It’s family business.” Joey doesn’t want to give it up.
“Then I will contact Bourbon and ask him.” That shocks both Joey and Tara. Joey seems to think it over. I look at Oz and he is texting and I know it is Devil he is texting.
“Mom said that Bourbon and she had an eight year on again, off again relationship. Mom lived in Texas when it started and she stayed there through her pregnancy with Sheila. She even stayed there until she was pregnant with you. They had a falling out over his club, the BlackPath MC, and she moved to Oklahoma. He still came for visits until she got pregnant with me. That’s all she told me. She passed out. I carried her to bed and put the box where she kept it hidden. I googled him and there was only his record and other court records. I decided if he was still alive I would look him up when I get out of the service. No need to start something I can’t follow through with. I was going to tell you when I came home and give you the choice of whether to meet him or not. His last known address is in Oklahoma not far from where you live. I always wondered if mom knew where he is and didn’t tell us.” Joey looks at his watch. “Little Bit, I hate to cut this short but I have to be in formation soon. I love you, sis.”
“I love you too, Joey, and thank you. I won’t forget your care packages. Now, go before you’re late.” The screen goes blank and Oz moves in and takes the laptop.
“You know Bourbon Black? Do you know where he lives? I’d like to find out if he is my dad, if he is willing.” I don’t know exactly how to handle this.
“Oz, will you get Devil and Callie?” I look at Oz and he has shut down his computer.
“Yeah, Devil was waiting until they finished.” Oz opens the door and leaves. I look at Tara.
“Tara, this involves Callie, so we need to wait for her and Devil.” Tara looks confused but she doesn’t question me. I take her hand and pull her out of the chair and hug her tight. “It’ll be alright. Let’s sit on the sofa.”
I take Tara’s hand and lead her to the sofa and we sit. The door opens and Devil and Callie walk in and I can see by Callie’s expression Devil has told her. Devil sits in his chair and pulls Callie down on his lap. I look at Devil and he gives me a nod to proceed. “Tara, Bourbon lives about a hundred miles from here. He’s Callie’s uncle.” Tara looks at Callie and Callie is smiling. Tara starts to smile but stops.
“Do you think he would be willing to take a DNA test? I don’t want anything from him. I’d just like to know who my dad is. I don’t trust anything my mom would say about a man but I don’t know why she would lie when she is drunk, and doesn’t even remember.”
It looks like Tara is going to cry. I thought she would be happy. The next thing she says breaks my heart and I know I will do anything in my lifetime to change her mind. “I just want the chance to meet the man that didn’t want me anymore than my mom did. I must have been an unlovable child.” I think Tara even shocks herself. She tries to smile through it. “I mean if he knew about my sister, brother, and me, and he only lives a hundred miles away, why wouldn’t he come see us? Even if he hated my mom. I just don’t understand how parents can be that way.” I hug Tara to me. I see the little girl in Tara that just wants to be loved. Callie gets up and walks over by us and sits down next to Tara.
“Tara, I am not going to make excuses for Bourbon but I can tell you that the BlackPath MC was a different kind of motorcycle club back then. They were an outlaw club and broke every law imaginable. Uncle Bourbon and Rye are good men but they are rough around the edges and they can be intimidating. I can’t tell you what Uncle Bourbon will do or won’t do but I texted him and he knew your mom. He will be here later this week to meet you. Uncle Bourbon and Rye are my dad’s uncles.” Callie tries to be calming to Tara but it isn’t working.
“You and I may be blood related. You would be my cousin.” Tara looks hopeful.
“Well, we would be cousins but not blood related. I am adopted but I have three brothers and a sister. My older brother, Ty has a baby, too. They would all be your cousins. I have two sons, Kellan and Killian and soon this one will be here.” Callie rubs her hand over her baby bump. “Not soon enough.”
“I don’t want to get my hopes up. I think I need to nap for a little while, if that is alright. I’m tired and I will need to take my medicine soon.” Devil and Callie both look worried. I am worried, too.
“Sure, babe.” I pick up her bag. “I’ll get you settled and then I’ll run to the pharmacy to get your prescriptions filled.” I stand up and pull Tara up gently. We move toward the door. Callie moves over by Devil.
“We’ll get this figured out for you, Tara. You’re Feral Steel now and we take care of our own.” Devil tries to reassure Tara.
“Thank you, but I am just tired. I think I have overdone it. A nap will make it all better.” I look at Tara as she says it and I see the shine in her eyes is gone. I should have left things alone. I only hurt Tara.
I open the door for her and then smile at Callie as I leave. Callie tried to help. I just don’t know if Tara can face another disappointment in life. I take Tara through the common area and we are almost to the hall that goes to the private rooms and Honey Girl steps in front of us. Not now.
“Who’s your friend?” I know I need to nip this in the bud even if I sound like an asshole.
“This is my woman, so move.” I tell the woman who is wearing on my last nerve.
“Is she going to be one of us now?” Honey Girl tries to reach for my arm. I look at her and pull back. Honey Girl can’t be over twenty years old if that but she is used up.
“Honey Girl, you don’t learn very fast. Tara is my ol’ lady. I have told you to not touch me and to stay away from me. You are not part of us. You are a used-up club girl. Tara is Feral Steel. Now move.” Tara looks mortified. This is not good. Honey Girl moves. I press my hand on Tara’s back so she will walk forward. I move around Tara when we get close to my door and unlock it.
“That girl likes you.” Tara says as we move inside my room. I look at my room and it must look bare to Tara. I should have thought of this.
“Do you remember how I told you your sister comes here to party sometimes?” I look at Tara to see if she too upset. I set her bag on my dresser. “Honey Girl is here for the brothers to fuck. I don’t want to lie to you, so this is the only way I know to tell you. She has been trying to get me to fuck her ever since she first came here. I don’t fuck club girls. Every brother here has fucked her except Devil, Slick, and myself. Devil does not cheat on Callie and Slick does not cheat on Gertie, as far as I know. You’ll meet Gertie when you are feeling better. She’s the only other ol’ lady besides you and Callie. I need to be rude to Honey Girl because even that doesn’t stop her.”
“How many club girls are there?” Tara asks me.
“Right now, two. Right before I joined the club there was a bit of trouble and one of the club girls was after Devil and she got some help from a couple others. They caused Callie to go into premature labor with Killian. They were dealt with and the only one left was Terrance and she is a nice enough girl. She knows her place and she doesn’t step over any lines and follows the rules. Honey Girl has been trouble since she arrived but the single brothers like her.” I give it to Tara straight.
“What do the club girls get out of this deal?” I grin at Tara.
“All the cock they can handle and our protection. They can live here if they want but there are new rules to that since the shit went down with Callie. They don’t follow the rules they are out, permanently. Devil has given Honey Girl time to adjust but if she doesn’t learn to follow the rules she will be out. There are also hang arounds that come in during parties. They only get what they come for, a good time. All consensual, like Sheila.” Tara sits down on my bed.
“What is expected of me as an ol’ lady again? For the record, I am not really happy with that title.” Tara does give me a small smile.
“You are mine so I am responsible for you in every way. Respect the brothers of the club and try not to bring trouble to the clubhouse. Loyalty to me and the club. We are a family. Do not talk about club business with outsiders or where anyone can hear it. I will never cheat on you. I swear to you, but if you see a brother cheat on their spouse or ol’ lady you cannot speak of it. We mind our own business and anything that happens in this clubhouse is club business. You do not ride on the back of any other man’s bike. Only with me. The exceptions to this rule is your blood family or if I give my permission or in case of an emergency. Saying that also means I will have no other woman on the back of my bike. I will get you a leather vest with property of Rome on it. It is the sign that you belong to me and no man is to fuck with you. It’ll also have the Feral Steel MC on it and your name. I heard your brother and Oz call you Little Bit. I like it and would like that name on there instead of Tara. Callie’s has Baby Girl, her nickname. Gertie has Gert on it. It’s my choice but I would like to give you the choice, instead. I don’t want a name on there you hate.” I pause a minute and look at Tara. She looks a little overwhelmed, again. “You also need to get a tattoo with property of Rome on it but you can have any picture you want with it. I would like it here on your shoulder so I can see it when you wear a tank top or summer shirt. There’s more but this is all that is important right now. It’s a lot to take in. One more thing, do not argue with me in front of the club. You can scream and yell at me in private but in front of the club, never.”
“That is a lot to remember but I will try. I have a few questions. Can I lay down and then ask?” I pull her up by her hands and she comes with ease. I pull my blanket back and she sits down. I walk over to my dresser and take out one of my t-shirts. I go back over to Tara and pull her back up.
“Lift your arms.” Tara has started breathing harder and she is looking me in the eye, as I am her. She lifts her arms. I pull the t-shirt off over her head, being gentle not to hit her staples. I look in her eyes again and then down to her breasts. I want to taste her nipples so badly. My cock is at full attention. I reach around behind Tara and unfasten her bra and pull it off. I let it hit the floor with the t-shirt. Her nipples are hard and I can almost taste them in my mouth. I put the t-shirt in my hand on her and give Tara a kiss full of promise of things to come when she is not so tired. “Get into bed, Tara.” She does. I start to cover her up but she stops me.
“Will you lay with me while we talk?” This woman is trying to kill me.
“I’m not sure that is a good idea.” I see the disappointment in her eyes. I don’t want her to misunderstand. “Tara, right now my cock is so hard it is painful and I don’t trust myself to let you rest.” Tara smiles.
“What if I don’t want to rest?” I smile at Tara. She doesn’t know what she does to me.
“It is my job to protect you even from me. You are supposed to be resting and I think you have had enough excitement for one day. I’ll compromise. Cover up.” Tara does it. I lie down next to her but on top of the covers. I pull her into my arms, being careful of her head. I am home. I feel it. It feels so damn good. I hear Tara sigh. She feels it, too.
“This feels great. I feel so relaxed.” She kisses my chest. My cock is pulsing. I try to calm myself down before I turn Tara over and fuck her until we are both sated. Tara finally starts talking. Thank goodness.
“The name Little Bit is the name Joey gave me when he grew taller than me which was when he was ten years old. I like it okay, so if you like it, then it is alright with me. The tattoo, I would like to look around to find the right picture or design to go with it. I never thought I would have a tattoo so I want to make sure I like it. It is permanent. The rest I can do. I don’t like the cheating part but I have seen it since I was old enough to know what it means. Mom and Sheila’s boyfriends have just as much chance being married as not. I know how to keep my mouth shut. I’ve had to most of my life. If the club means as much to you as family, then I will follow your lead. I’ll learn to care for them, too. I will respect you as you respect me and I will not embarrass you in front of your family, ever.” Tara tells me in a hushed voice.
“Are you alright about the Bourbon thing? I was only trying to connect you with your brother. I didn’t know life changing secrets were going to come out. I thought you might feel better if you could see Joey’s face since you had the falling out with your Mom and Sheila.” I was only trying to help.
“Of course, I wanted to see Joey, and thank you so much. I forgot my manners and to tell you. Thank you, so much. I have missed Joey something fierce. I think it is about time that I meet my dad, don’t you?” Tara kisses my chest again. “If Bourbon is my dad, so be it. I can’t pay for the DNA test. I don’t have the funds so you might as well call him and cancel.”
“Do you want to meet Bourbon?” I ask Tara. “Do you want to know?” Tara hesitates only a minute.
“I would like to know.” I can tell Tara is fighting her sleep. She’s yawning.
“We’ll make it happen. I am going to get your medicine. Go to sleep.” I feel her nod yes. I get up and kiss her head. She is in the middle of my bed curled up around my pillow. I don’t want to leave but I know I need to. I lock the door as I go out the door. Tara and I can make this work.