Chapter 7

 

The jet skis were insane. It’s been a long time since I’ve just hung out and rode. It was a much-needed escape from reality.

“You’re a fuckin’ show off.” Devil stomps his ass through the sand mouthing at me. It’s a little funny to watch him get so pissed.

“Always, the jealous one.” Chuckling, he gives me a nasty look over his shoulder. I can’t stop the laughter that erupts out of me. We’ve been out all day on the water. We didn’t even come in for lunch. This day has been great. I’ve really enjoyed spending some down time with the guys.

“What’s up with tonight?” Grabbing my towel, I dry my hair.

“Couple bands playin’ out on the pier. Might be fun.” Dragon shrugs, not looking at all happy. I wonder if this has anything to do with the Flame’s.

“What is it? Somethin’ goin’ on I need to know about?” Running his hand through his hair, he sighs. Here it comes.

“Flame’s haven’t officially said shit to me, but word is they want half our turf back home.” No way in hell are they getting it. They want a war; I’ll give them a war.

Our turf has been just that for a long time now. We haven’t had a war in years over what or who comes through there. It won’t start now.

“I see the look. Let’s just get this fuckin’ weekend over with. Once we get home, we’ll have church, get this shit straightened out.” Wrapping the towel around my neck, I nod.

“Shit pops off, I can’t make no promises, Prez.” He knows that. I didn’t need to tell him, it was more of a fair warning.

“Heard, that. Let’s eat.” Backhanding me in the chest, I follow along behind him toward the fire. I miss these nights back at home. We used to have them all the time but lately, we’ve been slacking.

“Look who joined us.” Flipping Ghost off, he laughs before passing me a plate of food.

“You cook? Thanks, bitch.” Ghost doesn’t laugh, but I do.  Grabbing a beer, I take a seat next to the fire while I eat. Good food, good friends. This is perfect. If life ended right now, I’d be one happy son of a bitch. With my stomach full, my cut back on, and my legs kicked out in front of me, I’m at peace right now. That’s always short lived, though. Just like I thought, my phone rings. I slide it out, noting the number isn’t one I have saved.

“What the fuck?” Grinning at Devil, he shakes his head.

“Roc?” I don’t recognize the voice on the other end of the line.

“Who is this?” Sitting up a little straighter, I hear the tear-filled voice.

“Roc, it’s Aria.” Why the hell is she crying?

“What happened? What’s wrong?” Here sniffles fill the line before I hear commotion in the background.

“Come on, sweetheart. We ain’t waitin’ all night.” That’s no one from my club.

“Roc–help me–please.”

“Where are you?” Leaping out of the chair, I stand there running my hand through my hair.

“Near the back of the hotel.” The line goes dead before I turn and run. Running through sand is harder than I thought it would be. This isn’t my usual stomping grounds. I make it to the hotel but as soon as I start to round the corner, I slam into someone.

“Shit, watch out!” Hollering louder than I needed to, I start to shove the person out of the way.

“Roc?” Looking down, I see her teary face.

“Aria, what happened?” Before she can speak, someone rounds the corner.

“There’s our slut.” My eyes lock on one of the Flame’s. My stomach cramps as my chest tightens. My hands clench at my sides as I look the asshole in the eye.

“What did you call her?” Taking a step closer, I want to rip his spine out.

“She was all over us, man. She ain’t wearin’ no cut.” He knows he fucked up. I can see it all over his face, but he will try to keep his cool.

“That means shit, and you know it. I’d suggest you take a walk.” His eyes widen but he won’t back down. I know his type. They think they're hot shit, when they are really just a bunch of punks.

“I’ll walk, when you give me the tease.” Aria’s hands clamp onto the back of my shorts in a death grip. I want to grab her and hold her, but I can’t, not right now.

“Tease? I heard the girl screamin’. She doesn’t want you, brother. You need go back to your boys before you start a war you can’t handle.” My fists clench and unclench, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. My cell phone screams in my pocket, but there is no way I’m answering that right now.

“A war? Seems we’re already gettin’ one of those.” That’s it. He’s pressed the last button I have.  My fist collides with his face. Blood splatters from his mouth across my face. I don’t stop either.

“When a woman says stop–you stop.” Another slam of my fist, and we’re on the ground. Our worlds collide at that moment. Our fists are fighting for the hardest punch. Someone grabs a hold of my shoulders, yanking me away from the punk.

“Get off me!” Snapping, I’m ready to swing at whoever’s behind me. That is, until I see it’s Dragon.

“What the hell is this?” Looking between me and the asshole climbing off the ground, I shrug.

“Nothin’ much.” Aria’s hands go back to being clamped around my shorts. Dragon looks from her, back to me, but I don’t say shit.

“You might wanna take a walk, now.” Pointing back to where the asshole came from, he pulls himself up.

“This ain’t over.” Pointing at me, I smile.

“Didn’t expect it to be.” Dragon grabs the front of my cut, shifting me so I’m in front of him.

“What part of wait, didn’t you get, Roc? I don’t need a Goddamn war out here!” I’m about to respond when Aria steps out from behind me.

“It was my fault. He was helping me.” Aria stands there with as much boldness as I’ve ever seen in one person, holding her bikini top together. I didn’t notice the bruises or red marks that now mark her pale skin. Grabbing her arm, I yank her in front of me.

“He do this?” She doesn’t answer me. She doesn’t have time. Dragon shoves her to the side, getting in my face.

“For a piece of ass? You are gonna get a war started over some pussy?” He’s pissed. Well, that would be an understatement.

“I’m sorry.” Aria starts to walk away but I don’t let her. I drag her back next to me before looking at Dragon.

“They were comin’ anyway. He stood here and said it. He got what he deserved.” Dragon scrubs his hand over his face before looking around.

“He said it?” Nodding once, he looks down before he speaks.

“Get her cleaned up. If you need me, I’ll be out by the fire.” As quickly as he appeared, he’s gone.

“I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.” The laughter that erupts out of me is crazy. I sound like a lunatic.

“Let’s not get that fucked up. I’m not in trouble, sweetheart.”