Chapter Three

 

“Do we even know this guy?” Devil asked.

Natalie took a bite of the steak, and felt so many different gazes on her. Chewing on her meat, she glanced up, catching Slash’s eyes. Immediately she looked away as she saw the hurt within them. She didn’t want to hurt anyone.

This thing going on between Slash and Butler scared her, and she wanted no part of it. She’d heard Paris talk about the Chaos Bleeds brotherhood as well as Lola, and that was something she refused to come between.

“He’s a guy that used to work at the ranch.”

“How come I don’t know about him?” Devil wouldn’t back down. “I know every single man working that ranch right this second, Natalie.”

“He’s one of the men that used to take the summer job. A few years older than me, and we’d hang out when he was around the ranch. He’s a good guy.” She saw the tight grip Slash had on his knife, and once again she was swamped by guilt.

You refuse to come between them.

“We’re going out on Friday night to see a movie. It’s nothing bad or anything.” Why was she giving excuses or reasons? Devil wasn’t her dad. No, you don’t have one of those anymore. “I need some ketchup.”

She got up from her seat and entered the kitchen, grabbing hold of the edge of the counter in an attempt to find whatever sanity she had left. This wasn’t supposed to be hard or difficult.

Her life couldn’t get any more complicated. It was going to be a simple date. That was all.

“You okay?” Slash asked.

She closed her eyes, counted to ten quickly, and spun around to see him staring at her. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She reached into the fridge to grab the ketchup.

“Devil worries.”

“He’s not my dad.”

“But your father asked him to take care of you. In all of the years I’ve known him, Devil doesn’t do anything by half measures.”

She’d come to see that. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me. He’ll be an ass for some time. Probably put your date through the wringer.” Slash shrugged.

Holding onto the ketchup, she couldn’t bring herself to look away from Slash. She’d always found him to be a really handsome guy, and licking her lips, she was drawn to the firm line of his.

Can’t happen.

“I wanted to apologize to you,” he said.

“What about?”

“You wanted to sell the ranch for a long time. It was never your dream, and instead of listening to you, I ignored you, and I shouldn’t have done that. I wanted to apologize for that.”

“Oh, well, that is fine. Honestly.”

“It’s not. I knew you were unhappy, but losing something you’ve had all of your life, it’s not easy. I should have understood that you’ve only ever done what your father wanted you to do.”

“Thank you.” She’d always felt a little guilty because he’d told her to wait, and she’d gone against him, selling it. Cutting herself free from the chains of her past. “Have you ever lost anything?”

“No.”

“You never talk about your life before the club.”

“I don’t need to talk about my life before it, babe. It’s simple. I didn’t have one before I joined Chaos Bleeds. No family, no hope, nothing.”

She rubbed at her temple. “The Nomads never want to settle down.”

“For the longest time we were Nomads. We all moved from place to place. Partying, causing shit.” His smile had her pressing her thighs together, alarming her.

Slash was a sexy guy. If it wasn’t his smile or the wicked glint in his eyes, it was his body. He was so hard, muscular. She’d caught him working out many times, and it had thrilled her each time to see it. The way his arms bulged as he lifted weights. One of the best sights in the world as far as she was concerned.

“Then you came here.”

“Then we came here, and those of us that were finding it a little tiring decided to settle down.” He spread his arms wide. “Piston County became our home, and the rest is history.”

“You wanted to settle down?”

“I wanted to find a place to call home. I guess moving around has its place, but at the heart of everything, you want a place to call your own. This is our home.”

Silence fell between them, and Natalie was becoming all too aware once again that she was a woman. She’d always been able to ignore the changes inside her because they didn’t mean anything. Boys in high school never appealed, and her nights and weekends were often at the ranch hauling hay, cleaning out horse stalls, and doing all kinds of different jobs at the ranch.

Now that had changed.

She was living her dream, designing clothes, having more time for her art, and just enjoying her life. Still, something was missing.

Her stomach decided to growl, and Slash reached out, taking her hand. The moment he touched her, she got a little zip of electricity from him. Every single time Slash touched her she got a buzz of something.

Entering the garden, she pulled her hand away because of all the curious eyes and took her seat. Once again, Devil began to ask questions about the man she’d agreed to go on a date with.

“Why haven’t I seen him?”

“His name’s John, you don’t have to keep calling him date guy.”

“Fine. Why have I never seen John if he’s worked at the ranch?”

“I told you before I went for ketchup. He used to work during the summer. A couple of years ago he went away to college only he dropped out, and he’s been traveling across Europe before getting back home.”

“And now that he’s home he wants to take you on a date.”

“He’s been gone long enough that he was surprised an MC club owned my father’s ranch. I think he felt guilty for asking, seeing as my parents are both gone. He was a nice guy when I knew him, and I don’t see what the fuss is about. Can we not talk about this right now, please?” she asked.

From the brief conversation with Slash, her emotions were all over the place, and she couldn’t figure out why, and that scared her. She didn’t want to feel anything for him. It was one of the reasons why she stopped watching him work out. It was easier than her body coming to life at the sight of him.

It never has for Butler.

He was safe, and she was sure the only reason he was near her was because she was safe to him. Not once when they’d been together had he tried anything. They were friends. Pushing those thoughts aside, she finished her meal. While the guys gathered around to have a smoke, and just generally talk, she helped Lexie do the dishes.

“I’m sorry about Devil giving you the third degree,” she said.

“It’s fine. Really, I’m getting used to it.”

Lexie laughed. “Taking care of you is something serious to him, and he doesn’t want you to be hurt.”

She nodded, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. “I don’t mind, not really. I know he means well.”

Lexie moved up toward her, and cupped her face. “Are you happy to be going on this date?” Lexie was always very motherly. She was always there for everyone, taking care, being the old lady that Devil needed.

Natalie appreciated her strength. She was a fighter.

“It was a little unexpected because I’ve never been asked out before, and I didn’t know what to say or do, but yeah, I’m happy.”

“I know you don’t want to come between the club.”

“I won’t, Lexie.”

“Don’t do something you’ll regret, okay? I know it may seem easy to move on, but when the heart wants what it does, there’s no getting away from that, and no one will blame you afterward.”

“You’re a wonderful woman,” she said.

“You’re not so bad yourself.”

They finished doing the dishes, and after she helped Lexie get the kids ready for bed, she went to her room and began to sketch once again.

She was halfway through a second design when there was a knock at the door. “Come in.”

Natalie looked up to see Devil entering her room. He was still in his jeans and shirt from earlier. His leather cut was gone, though.

She sat up, and he shook his head. “You don’t need to get up.” He closed her door, and took a seat at one of her chairs, which he spun around so that his arms rested across the back.

“What’s up?”

“Your father put his trust in me to take care of you. I’ve got a couple of girls I take care of. I’m not trying to make your life difficult. I’m taking care of you the way I imagine your father would any other girl that was entrusted to him.”

This made her smile. “You’re right. He wouldn’t let them out of his sight without giving the third degree.”

He pointed at her. “I know you’re a grown woman, and can make your own decisions. I even respect that, but I’ll still continue to take care of you even when you don’t want it. I gave a man my word. My word means fucking law around here, and you can hate it, but I’m not going to change.”

“So, I’ve got to learn to like it?”

“Yeah, you do, because I’m not changing.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“You’ve got my numbers, and the club’s. If at any point during your date you feel scared or threatened, you call me. Go to the toilet. Pretend to have the shits for all I care. You’ll be collected and safe, Natalie.”

“You’re an amazing man, Devil.”

“Thank you, I do try.” He gave a little bow as he went toward the door.

“I won’t break up your club,” she said.

He turned back to her.

“Between Butler and Slash, I won’t have them fighting.”

Devil sighed. “I think you and I both know who the real winner would be, honey.”

He left her alone, and she sat back.

For the first time since moving in, she felt … whole.

****

“Could you be any more of a pain in the ass?” Snake asked.

“Fuck you,” Slash said. He glanced at the clock and saw it was only a little after eight.

Natalie had already gone on her date. Devil had texted him to let him know she was gone, and it pissed him off.

“If it was going to bother you this much, why didn’t you tail her?” Ripper asked, coming to take a seat at the bar. It was rare for Ripper to be without his woman, Judi, but they were all just finishing their work. Each of them took turns between the nightclub with the girls, the shop that Lexie managed, and several of their other projects. This week Ripper had the ranch, along with several brothers.

All of their income now came from legitimate businesses. There was a time they ran drugs, guns, all kinds of shit. They once ran anything that Ned Walker needed from them. Since settling down, and having one hell after another happen, none of them were interested in stepping on the wrong side of the wall.

In a way, it created a larger divide between the club and the Nomad Chapter. The brothers that stayed in Piston County could no longer have any vices like drink or drugs. Devil made a decision to get the entire club clean, especially as there had been a constant threat that could separate the club.

None of them were stupid enough to go against Devil. United they fight, divided they fall.

Slash had tasted drugs, but they’d never really done anything for him. The high had been great, but afterward, coming down with a mighty thud wasn’t what he wanted to experience again. Life was too fucking challenging without adding drugs to the mix.

“Shouldn’t you be home?” he asked, looking at Ripper.

“My woman is spending time with Lexie. You know, her mother. So I’m waiting until she calls me to collect her.”

Even though they all still had their bikes, several of the club brothers had to invest in a family car, Devil especially.

“You still didn’t answer my question,” Ripper said.

“I’m not tailing her.”

“I thought you said you liked this woman,” Snake said.

“You think if I like her I have to tail her? Watch her with her date?”

“It’s what any sane man would do,” Dick said, jumping up onto a stool and deciding to join in the conversation. “I wouldn’t let Martha out of my sight, or for that matter, allow another club brother to think they can have her.”

“Shut the fuck up,” he said.

“Come on. We all know that Butler is just trying to create a shit storm. He’s not really interested in Natalie. She’s … safe to him,” Dick said.

“Now a certain cleaner, that is a whole other thing all together.” Spider joined in the conversation, and Slash wasn’t finding it the least fun when they all seemed to be finding his annoyance … fun.

He knew that Butler wanted the cleaner, Mandy. At least he’d thought that, then of course, Mandy hadn’t turned up for a few weeks because of personal problems, and now he had to deal with putting a spanner in the works with his own feelings for Natalie. He’d seen the way she looked at him in the kitchen the other day. The way her gaze had traveled down his body, and he’d even seen her pressing her thighs together. All telltale signs of a woman aroused, and instead of pulling her into his arms, he’d just left it.

Sucker!

“What I think needs to happen is you grow some balls,” Dick said. “Once you got them, you’ll be able to take Butler, and you’ll both live happily ever after.”

“Please, Slash can’t take me,” Butler said, finally arriving.

Slash stared at his friend and club brother. He’d die protecting every single man in the club, Butler included. Right now, he wanted to bury the man six feet under.

“Now that Butler is here, the real fun can begin.”

“Want to play a game?” Butler asked, holding up his pool cue.

Slash grabbed one and began to prepare the tip as Butler lined up the balls on the table.

“You can break,” Butler said.

Leaning forward, he aligned the shot and took it.

There was a round of cheers.

“So tell me, Butler,” Dick said. “Heard from Mandy yet?”

The moment Dick asked his question, the aim that Butler had went off to the side, and he missed his shot. “Mandy who?”

“Nice try, hotshot. You had that in the bag until he mentioned her name.” Slash leaned forward, and took aim.

“I took Natalie out for ice cream.”

He jerked, and the ball hit the side of the table, bouncing several of the balls.

Glaring at the smirk on Butler’s face, Slash stepped away. Devil had told them both he didn’t want any fucking fights between them. If either of them came to blows, and something was damaged, Devil would demand they pay for everything.

He didn’t mind paying the money, it was the fucking cleanup, and punishment that Devil would make them both do. Being part of the club put Devil in charge, and he didn’t get his name lightly.

No one danced with the Devil or tested him without coming out burned, or even worse. “She dropped something on the floor and bent forward. The shirts she wears cover those curves, but damn, if they don’t half gape. Her tits looked so fucking precious.”

Slash squeezed the pool cue, as he wanted to shove the stick right up Butler’s ass.

“Mandy’s not half bad either. When she bends over, her ass sticks up in the air, and I swear it’s begging to be slapped,” Dime said, joining the conversation. “I’ve watched her clean a couple of times, and wondered just how good she’d feel wrapped around my cock. She’s got a fire inside her, you know. The kind that heads to the bedroom where you burn up the sheets.”

Butler charged toward Dime, but this time Slash stepped in.

“Fucking don’t,” Slash said.

“What the fuck are you saying?” Butler got up into his face.

“If this is what another brother does to you simply talking about Mandy, giving you little suggestions of exactly what he’d like to do to her, then why the fuck are you trying to take what belongs to me?” Slash stepped up close to Butler.

“What’s the matter, Slash, afraid of a little competition?”

“No, I’m not. Unlike you, I fucking care about Natalie. You know what, let’s cut this bullshit right now. I don’t just care about her, I fucking love her, and you’re playing with her feelings, you piece of shit. The moment Mandy comes back and looks your way, or she’s not a fucking cleaner anymore, you’ll drop Natalie like she’s got a fucking disease to chase after someone else.” He got right up in Butler’s face. “That’s what I don’t like. I’m not afraid of you, Butler. Never have been, never will be. You hurt the woman I love. You break her heart if she chooses you, then you better run, cause brother or not, there’ll be a special plot with your name on it six feet fucking under, even if I lose my patch to kill you.”

Silence rang through the club.

Not only would taking Butler out take Slash’s patch, there would also be a vote on what to do with him. Let him go as a civilian, marking him so everyone knew he was a traitor, or killing him.

It was a serious offense to kill one of their own, unless sufficient reason was given.

Snake’s cell phone rang, cutting through the tension. Slash didn’t back down, and neither did Butler.

His threat had surprised Butler though.

“Shit, are you sure?” Snake asked. “Fuck, we’ll get there right away.”

Snake closed his cell phone.

“That was Jessica. Natalie and her date have just been brought in. Natalie’s in a coma right now. They’ve both been beaten up pretty badly.”

Slash was gone. Climbing onto his bike outside of the clubhouse, he gunned the engine and drove toward the hospital. On the way there, he hated himself for letting her go alone, for not being there.

All kinds of scenarios entered his head. Natalie in a coma. Her dying.

No, this couldn’t be happening.

He broke every single speed limit to get to the hospital. Jessica was waiting for him as he climbed off his bike.

“How is she?”

“She’s stable right now, but in critical condition.”

Jessica didn’t try to stop him as he entered the hospital, and showed him where Natalie was.

Slash paused outside Natalie’s door and stared at the woman who lay hooked up to machines.

“Not all the swelling has come down, or the bruises. She has several broken ribs, and took several blows to the—”

“Jessica, tell Devil, not me. I can’t … not right now.” He entered Natalie’s room and took a seat.

He’d not been there, and someone had hurt her.

He hadn’t fucking been there!

His anger began to build as he stared at his woman. She shouldn’t have been on a date with anyone else.

Natalie belonged to him, and he was done playing with this bullshit.

****

Devil had seen Natalie. He hadn’t gone into the room, and he didn’t disturb Slash either. The club was in the main reception, including the old ladies. They were all worried about Natalie. Even though the young woman didn’t talk all that much, or involve herself, she was part of them.

Lexie cared about her, and often talked about her to him, and her father had begged him to keep an eye on her.

Right now, he needed fucking answers, and he stared at the fucker who had just woken up.

Butler was in the room, along with Snake. Jessica was keeping an eye outside. The man before him was beaten up pretty badly, but he wasn’t in a coma with swelling on the brain, or the risk that he might not wake up.

If Natalie died, he fucking failed. If that happened … he couldn’t bring himself to think of what to do if that happened. Whenever he gave his word, he kept it. Natalie dying, his word wouldn’t be kept, and he couldn’t have that.

“How is she?” John asked, his voice rough and hoarse.

“She’s in a coma,” Devil said. “Doctors don’t know if she’ll wake up, or if that’s how she’s going to be for the rest of her life.” Jessica had told them before seeing her that if she didn’t wake up or show any sign of brain activity, then they’d ask him to turn off her machines. Right now, it hadn’t come to that, but he’d demanded Jessica give him the worst-case scenario.

He was paying for her treatment, and he would decide if she died or not.

It hadn’t come to that.

“I don’t know you, and right now, I don’t like you. You see, Natalie doesn’t belong to you. She never had, but she wanted to go on this date, and being the nice guy that I am, I let her. But here is my problem, John, you’ve not brought her back in one piece. That’s all I asked.” Devil stepped forward. “I’m not a very nice person when I don’t get what I want.”

“I didn’t hurt her. We were watching a movie. We decided to go to one of those, erm, those movie places where you sit in the car?”

“A drive-in. I know what one is.”

“We were minding our own business, just watching an old black and white film, and some guys came around. They started asking for money and stuff. I told them to fuck off, and they pushed Natalie to the ground and started kicking her. I paid them everything I had, and tried to get them to stop, but I couldn’t.” John looked ready to burst into tears.

“They started on you.”

“Yeah, they did.”

“Did they rape her?” Snake asked.

Devil jerked as he’d not even considered that, his anger fueling him.

“No. Before I passed out, I know someone came to us. They put a stop to it. I’m sorry.”

He stepped up close and stared at the broken man. “You stay away from Natalie. She’s not yours, but until I find the men responsible for this, you’re now club property, and you will have a brother at your side until you identify them.”

John nodded.

Leaving the room, Devil didn’t stop as he made his way out for some fresh air. He had to take some deep breaths, because murdering John right now wouldn’t answer his questions.

Lexie came out to him. She rubbed his back, and her touch alone was enough to calm the beast raging inside.

“You okay, baby?” she asked.

“No, I’m not.” He pulled her into his arms, kissing her head and breathing her in. Her scent allowed him to relax.

“Do I need to start worrying?”

“I’m not going to start killing people in the town.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“It’s not another threat.”

“You’re sure.”

He nodded. “Yeah. This is just a group of kids that don’t even realize they messed with the wrong girl.”

“Do you think she’ll pull through?”

“I don’t know, baby. I don’t know.”

“How’s Slash?”

“Just watching her. I’m not going to pull him out. Right now, Slash is where he needs to be.”

There was no way he’d pull Slash away from Natalie’s side. He needed him watching her, taking care of her. Making sure she was okay.

“Don’t feel guilty about this.”

“You’re always worrying about me.”

“I’ll worry about you for the rest of my life, Devil.” She kissed his lips. “That’s the point of marrying the love of your life.”

He held her close.

He would find the people responsible and they better hope they were kids, because otherwise, they were about to meet their maker.