Chapter 33
Darcy
“How you feeling, Flash?” Truck nods to Slade, who’s just said his goodbyes to me. I know their intentions are good but keeping me company throughout every day is getting wearing.
I pull myself up in the bed. “Getting easier all the time. I’ll probably be able to go home by the weekend.”
“Hmm.” He looks thoughtful for a moment. “Don’t like the idea of you being on your own. Not with that fucker still walking free. Now don’t take this the wrong way, Flash, but you’re still injured and hurting. What about if I came to stay with you? It’s an offer I’d make for any of the crew.” He adds the last hurriedly.
Truck? Stay with me? The idea of going home alone hadn’t been inviting, especially not with Pete still walking free. Sure, I want to get out of this place, but my confidence has been shaken, and even if I was up to full strength, I’d still question my ability to look out for myself. My nights are plagued with constant nightmares about Pete coming back to finish what he started. As I look at my crewmate, seeing the resolve in his eyes, I don’t take long to decide. “I don’t want to put you out, Truck, but if you don’t mind, I would appreciate the company. Thank you.”
My traitorous mind would prefer it to be Peg watching out for me. However much I try not to think of him, he’s never been far from my mind. Telling him a final goodbye and successfully eradicating him from my head are two separate things. In the dark of the night I’ve been lying awake, wondering whether I was right to put my occupation above the only relationship with a man that ever felt right. He told me I was it for him. What if he was my one too? Have I thrown away my only chance at happiness? Would my job really compensate when I’m a lonely old maid?
He told me he’d leave the club. But how would he cope? Would it be enough? His reputation might follow him. Even if it didn’t, would he come to resent me? Just like I’d begrudge him if he was the reason I lost my job.
I’m not blind. A very big part of Peg is the role he performs for the Satan’s Devils. He lives for his brothers. Would he shrink in front of my eyes if that was taken away? A man whose very purpose for living is to take care of so many, suddenly cast adrift without back up or camaraderie. I worry he wouldn’t survive.
The Satan’s Devils may live outside the law, but they don’t deserve the reputation they have. Maybe I can convince my superiors that being in a relationship with their sergeant-at-arms won’t reflect badly on the service. Maybe there is a way to have my cake and eat it too. Slade didn’t completely shut that door. Maybe I can still push it open.
I want Peg. Tears prick at my eyes as I realise how much I miss him. Perhaps I haven’t tried enough to make our relationship work. I start to smile. There must be a way to have something we both want so much.
“What the fuck?” Truck’s exclamation and incredulous laugh catches my attention.
“What, Truck?”
He’d come in carrying a folded newspaper, and now has it in his hands and is staring at the front page. Without a word he passes it to me, and my so recent optimism disappears in an instant as the headlines shout at me.
SATAN’S DEVILS KIDNAPPED MY MOTHER
Prominent businessman Samuel Jones, 64, who owns a shoe factory in Phoenix, has today told this reporter that the outlaw Satan’s Devils MC in Tucson have kidnapped his mother, Mary Jones, 93, and are holding her against her will.
Mary was forcibly removed from her home, which subsequently burned in the recent Snake Fire. Instead of releasing her into his care, they are forcing her to work in their kitchen. Mary should be in a proper facility to receive the attention she needs. Instead this frail old lady is being used as slave labor at the biker compound.
When contacted, Drummer, President of the Satan’s Devils, assured our reporter she was not being held captive. But Samuel Jones swears he saw her with his own eyes.
“I could see she wanted to leave with me,” says Jones. “She was pleading me with her eyes. But those bikers wouldn’t let her, and physically stopped me from taking her away.”
Jones admits he wasn’t hurt in the altercation, but was given instructions to leave and not to come back.
The matter has now been reported to the police.
The motorcycle gang, which prefers to be known as a club, has made their home in Tucson since the early seventies. Known to the police as criminals for their involvement in drug and gun running, they have a reputation for keeping girls on the compound, but the age of the woman in this case is surprising, and what use she can possibly be to them remains a mystery.
We hope the police can quickly rescue her, and Mary Jones will be returned to her loving son, who only wants to ensure she’s properly cared for in her twilight days.
Samuel Jones’ factory makes shoes which are sold at the Toe and Heel outlet…
As the article becomes an advert for Jones’ business, I stop reading. Stunned, I hand the paper back to Truck and collapse back on the pillows, closing my eyes, hoping to prevent the tell-tale tear escaping. The article made it sound like they were still dealing in the gun and drug trade, and that they regularly kidnapped women.
“What a load of crap.” Truck’s shaking his head. “You see this Mary when you were at the compound?”
One side of my mouth turns up. “I did, Truck. And while I did wonder who she was and what she was doing there, from the little I saw, I can confidently say no one could make that old lady do anything she didn’t want to.”
There’s a knock at my door. It opens before I can call out permission, and Marcia stomps in. She’s waving a paper in her hands, her eyes wide. “Have you freaking seen this, Darcy?” At my nod, she exclaims indignantly, “What a load of garbage. I’ve just had a nurse ask me whether it’s safe to take my babies home.”
Truck stands and offers her his seat. “You ladies like coffee?” When we both agree we do, he makes a strategic retreat.
I hadn’t thought about the article causing trouble for her. “Are you going to have problems?”
She bites her lip. “I hope not, but mud sticks, you know? Hopefully they’ll speak to Ma and find out her son’s speaking out of his ass. I don’t know what he’s trying to get out of it. I’m supposed to be going home in a couple of days, taking Isabel with me. Jacob’s being assessed later as to whether he can come home too.” She tosses back her long hair. “Now, you know? I’m worried they’ll get social services involved. The nurse said they might want to check up on the status at home. As if I’m not a fit mother, just because my old man’s one of the Devils.” I hold out my hand, she clutches it in hers. “I’m sorry to offload on you, Darcy, but I knew you’d understand.”
Only too well. The door which Peg had asked me to keep cracked open slams firmly shut. Even if I decided a man was more important than my job, would I want to be tainted by their reputation? If I had a baby, would I be questioned like Marcia is, threatened with having my home situation inspected, all because I was associated with their club? One thing’s for certain, people have long memories in Tucson, and this article will have renewed their bad feelings. It wouldn’t be an easy life being a biker’s old lady, and I’m not sure I’m strong enough.
“Huh,” Marcia exclaims. “I think they’re worried the club might steal my babies. If only they knew.” She glances at me. “It’s how I met them, when I was a cop. They helped solve who was abducting children from Tucson. They were alongside the police when we rescued them.”
I suck in a breath. Her words have put a completely different slant on things. “Can’t we get that story out? Make people see they’re good guys now?”
“I shouldn’t have told you that, Darcy. But I trust you. And the police don’t want that information released. I had to sign a non-disclosure agreement when I left, and part of that was keeping the details to myself. Heart and Drummer didn’t care, they don’t want recognition for what they did. Or, at the time, they didn’t think they needed it.”
“What will this write-up do to their businesses?” I wonder aloud.
Marcia laughs. “I expect some people will go all righteous and avoid them, but others might want a walk on the wild side.”
At that moment, Truck returns, the aroma of coffee proceeding him.
Marcia gets to her feet, takes a cup he’s holding out to her, and then waves at the door. “Well, I better get back. The twins are due for another feed. I just wanted to talk with someone who understands.”
“Thanks, Marcia.” I’m pleased she choose to come to me. I needed someone else’s assurance that the article was ridiculous. But whether it was or not, the damage has surely been done.
With one look at me, Truck settles down and picks up a magazine. I rest my head back, but my thoughts are reeling. It’s the unfairness that gets to me. Why does Ma’s son want to take her away? She seemed happy enough when I saw her. Part of the article rings true, that Peg’s club had been saved from the fire that destroyed her house. Where had this apparently caring son been? Why has he crawled out of the woodwork now? From what Marcia said and what I’ve seen, Satan’s Devils are trying hard to stay on the straight and narrow, and with a few ill placed words, he’s destroyed all the good work they’ve done.
This article has stirred everything up again, I doubt there’s any chance the service would want one of their firefighters associated with the likes of the club given the way it had been described in the paper. If I want to go back to work, I must stay firm on my resolve not to go back to Peg. If I want Peg, I’ll need to leave my career behind. Am I prepared to do that? I feel myself weaken, just wanting to hear his voice.
“Truck?” My eyes snap open. “Can you pass me my phone. And can you…”
“Give you some privacy? Sure.”
I call up a contact.
“Yo.”
“Peg?”
“Darcy?”
“Yeah. It’s me.” Somehow I manage to reveal this is no happy make-up call by the tone of my voice.
“You’ve heard, I take it?” he snarls.
“Yeah. Why, Peg? What was that report about?”
“Her fuckin’ son thinks her being here with us will affect his business.”
“His shoe business. Yes, I read about that. The article was half advert for him.”
“And he got front page.” I understand Peg’s anger.
“Peg.” I take a breath, and then a leap into the unknown. “I’m sorry I sent you away. I should have talked, should have explained. You deserve that.”
“Babe. I love you. I’m not changin’ my mind. It’s up to you to decide what you want.”
“I’m having a tough time doing that,” I admit, holding the phone tightly in my hand. “I know what I want, Peg. I just don’t see a way it can work.”
“Because of the fuckin’ newspaper?”
I’m silent for a moment, biting my lip. “In part, but it’s more than that. Your club’s had a bad rep for years.”
Rather than pushing me, he changes tack. “How are you feelin’?”
“Better. I’m getting out this weekend. Truck’s offered to come and stay with me.”
There’s silence, then, “Truck’s a good man. But I’d rather you were here with me.”
“I couldn’t, Peg. Even if I thought we could pick up where we left off, it’s too soon.” I still don’t know that I wouldn’t freak out if he tried to touch me. Damn Pete.
He understands immediately. “I know, babe. I wouldn’t rush you. Fuck, I’d wait forever if that’s what it takes.”
His quick answer surprises me. How do I deserve such a man? But I still can’t give him the words that he wants.
“Want me to come in and see you? Must admit, darlin’, it’s difficult stayin’ away.”
If I saw him I’d weaken. “I just need some space, Peg. I’ve got so many things to work through. I can’t see what is best for me to do.”
I hear a deep sigh, then, “I love you, Flash. Can’t switch that off. And I’ll be here when you’re ready.” I hear the sound of footsteps, and then he quietly says, “Meant what I said about leavin’ the club. If that’s what it takes. Not prepared to give up what’s between us.”
But would he still be the same man without his brothers beside him?
“Take care, Peg.” I end the call, knowing I’m no closer to an answer than I was before, not knowing if I’ve gained anything from hearing his voice other than make myself question even more what’s most important to me.