Chapter 17

 

My bike has been missed. I feel like I’ve avoided it for a while now. How rude of me, to be so disrespectful. I caress the handlebars as I ride. Not being able to ride is something I’ve never imagined. Now with a kid and baby on the way, I’m sure I’ll be doing more driving in my truck than anything else. I watch the road in front of us. Not many cars are out at this time of night. Riding in the dark has always been a thrill for me. I see the pull-off and start on my way over. Trick, is right behind me. Seeing the clubhouse I’m visiting, I motion to Trick. I never liked going to anyone else’s clubhouse. It never feels right and gives me a shitty vibe. This one is no different but Dragon’s had this meet set up for a while now. Getting Gatekeepers on our side for the new drug trade has been at the top of Dragon’s list. I know he’s trying to get in some legal business also, but for now, this is what we have to do.

“What do you think?” Cutting the engine, I glance over at Trick.

“I don’t think, I do,” I say. Pulling the helmet off my head, I hang it off the handlebar. Trick follows along behind me. I pull my gloves off, shoving through the front door of the bar. Apparently, this doubles as their clubhouse.

All eyes shoot to us.

“Well, this is goin’ well.” Trick speaks, but I don’t listen to him. In fact, I’d hate to have to shoot his ass for being a prick.

“I’m lookin’ for Sage.” The man in front of me with his beer in his hand, doesn’t look all that thrilled.

“Who the fuck are you?” His eyes travel over me, stopping on my name patch.

“Ghost. VP of Hell’s Fire. Sage knew I was comin’.” I say. I’m not in the mood for this shit. He doesn’t need to lose his shit with me right now.

“That so? He didn’t say shit to me.” Crossing my arms over my chest, this shit might get interesting.

“Maybe, you ain’t anybody to say shit to.” Gritting my teeth, he’s making me pissier by the second.

“Say one more word Ghost, and I’ll snap your neck.” His arms fall to his sides.

Was that a threat? Glancing over my shoulder at Trick, I smile. When I turn back to the bitch in front of me, I test him.

“One more word, motherfucker,” I growl.  His fist collides with my eye. I stumble back slightly before regaining my balance. He must of thought that I would go down easily. The rest of the crew has gathered around when I move in on him.

My knuckles collide with his nose, blood splattering across my skin. We throw some good blows until we’re yanked apart.

“What the hell’s goin’ on!” The man that stands between us is about the size of Dragon, with the look of Devil. Tattoos and piercings are everywhere you look.

“Seems your boys didn’t know about our visit.” Reaching up, I wipe the blood from the corner of my eye.

“And you are?” The man glares down at me like I’m a piece of meat.

“Ghost, Hell’s Fire MC.” His stature changes, his arms falling to his sides.

“Dragon’s VP. Thought you looked familiar.” His hand comes out to me. I grip it in mine, shaking it.

“Sorry about him. Vintage is just that—old son of a bitch has an attitude from Satan himself,” Sage chuckles before motioning me toward the bar.

“Heard that.” Trick and I follow along behind him before dropping down on the stools. The cute little blonde behind the bar leans forward, spilling her breasts onto the counter. Damn, if I wasn’t already taken, I’d fuck that.

“What can I get you?” She says, licking her lips, and smiles at me.

“Vodka, and a beer.” She moves down to Trick next before I turn to Sage.

“I assume you know what I’m doin’ here. Dragon wants to expand.” Sage nods, taking a long pull from his beer.

“That’s what he said. He said me and you can agree on some things.” Nodding, I grab the shot that was set in front of me. Tossing it back, I grab the beer.

“We can work that shit out. Let’s get to it.,” I grunt. 

“How much shit you runnin’, Ghost?” Chuckling, I lean back in my chair. Crossing my legs at the ankle, I take a long pull of my beer.

“A lot. You know Cambridge got hit, right? We took over. You need it–we can get it.” I say. Sage nods, grabbing a new beer.

“That works. How’s drop off work? You wanna run that shit, or should we?” He asks me.  Shrugging, I don’t give a shit either way.

“That’s on you, brother. We got the shit, delivery can be included,” Sage laughs. Leaning forward, he rests his arms on the table in front of him.

“Heard word around town, that there’s a little issue with the Columbians.” He enlightens me.  My eyes jerk to his. My heart hammering in my chest. How the hell is that out there already?

“Somethin’ like that.” I don’t want to get into details with him. I don’t know what he knows, or how far it goes.

“You need backup, say the word, brother. I don’t like those Columbian fucks. Came in here about nine months back, shot up the old clubhouse. That’s why we’re runnin’ from here. Took out some of our ladies, some good soldiers, too. Luckily, the rest of us were out on a run.” My eyes widen, my mouth hanging open.

“You shittin’ me right now?” Sage shakes his head before taking another drink.

“Nope, sure the fuck not. They hit the wrong motherfuckers. They weren’t even after us. What do they have on you, Ghost?” Swallowing hard, I debate telling him. I don’t need anyone else in my business but if we are going to be working together, he’ll find out soon enough anyway.

“Vernon Miles. You know him?” Sage nods once.

“I was with his daughter a few years back. She left me. Came back recently, tellin’ me we had a kid. She took off, leavin’ me a goddamn note, saying that she would be dead, and I needed to get my son.” Sage lets out a low whistle.

“That’s some crazy shit.” Nodding, I lean forward.

“That ain’t even the best of it. One of my boys went in. He knew some of the security over there. Got my kid out but got spotted. We’re about to go to war with Miles. Not sure how that shit is gonna play out.”

Pulling a cigarette free, Sage lights it up.

“You got your boy back though, right?” I nod before drinking what’s left of my beer.

“Yep, got him back.”

“Well, that’s good. The war? Not so much, but if we’re doin’ this business together, you got us as backup. We got another chapter up north. You name the time and place, we got you.” 

***

Standing at the gas station filling my bike, Trick watches me.

“Unless you’re a gay, Trick, stop lookin’ at me like that,” I grunt. His laughter bubbles out of him.

“I ain’t no gay, brother. I was just thinkin’... Once this shit’s over with, we need to have a party.” Is he serious? He’s thinking about a party right now?

“Yeah, about that.”

“I’m serious, brother. I know some girls that work in a strip club a little south of here. Get some new girls in the clubhouse,” He says.  What the hell is wrong with this man?

“Trick, we don’t need any new girls in the club and what the fuck you mean you know some girls? Why the hell are we just now findin’ this shit out?” Trick chuckles like it’s all a joke. Where the hell were these girls when we were partying a while back?

“I didn’t know I could bring them over!” He stands there with his hands up in defeat.

“The fuck is wrong with you, man? Did your mom do drugs when she was pregnant with you?” Trick looks confused for a minute before shaking his head.

“I don’t think so... Maybe, though.” Did he really just answer that? I shake my head before pulling my helmet back on.

“You can ask Dragon about your damn party, brother. As far as your strippers, I ain’t interested.” Trick laughs again just cementing the fact, that there is really something wrong with him. I’ve always wondered. He’s really off sometimes. A good guy? Hell yeah. He can watch your back but common sense? That man’s gone. Throwing my leg over my bike, I rev the engine. I want to get back home to my girl and my son. I want to get to know them both before this war kicks off.

I called Dragon and let him know what Sage had said. Dragon was all for having his club and their sister chapter come in for this shit. He’s pulling out all the stops on this.

In the back of my mind, I feel like shit for all of it. The reality isn’t lost on me. It’s my fault that we’re about to go to war. If I didn’t have Melanie mixed up in the club part of my life, we wouldn’t be here. If I was more careful where I was sticking my uncovered dick—I wouldn’t have had Jordan with her. That reality isn’t one I want, though. I love Jordan. I love knowing that he’s going to call me dad one day. I love knowing that I can teach him to play football, and how to ride his first bike.

I wouldn’t give that shit up for the world.