Beginning of the Reckoning (Feral Steel MC Book 3) by Vera Quinn, Darlene Tallman (2)

 

“Then we can put off having a service until this is figured out.” Devil’s eyes meet mine.

“What are you getting at?” Devil asks me . I hear the door open and Rome comes in and takes his seat. I thought he was on perimeter duty since he wasn’t here when we began. Devil looks at Rome. “Did you get our guest settled?” Rome nods his head yes.

“They are set up at the safe house.” I guess I am not the only one who has been working things out.

 

“Hacksaw, go on. I’ll bring everyone up to speed on this other situation when you are finished,” Devil tells me. All eyes are on Devil.

“It’s just I don’t think we should be doing any big services anytime soon. Since Sarah is being cremated it won’t matter if we wait.” Tito looks like he wants to say something but he doesn’t so I go on. I don’t want to make this any harder on him. “The distance between here and Texas isn’t that far but it would make us perfect targets. The service would be the perfect place to have us all in one place at once. If we don’t react in the way we would normally they can’t ambush us or set a trap unless we have a rat. I don’t see that being the case but we need to make them react to our actions not the other way around.” I look at the eyes that are on me and some of the brothers are hard to read.

“I don’t know if this is where you want my two cents but I agree. Just like whoever is doing this knows a lot about how this club operates,” Bo says.

“I didn’t want you letting Callie and her friends make arrangements and then need to go back and change them. That’s only going to upset them more,” I add. Devil is nodding his head.

“We could have a small, informal gathering here to say our goodbyes and then go to Texas when all this is taken care of and give Sarah the memorial she deserves,” Devil says but waits for Tito’s input.

“I think if that is what we need to do to keep everyone safe then Sarah would not only understand it but would want it done that way. Sarah loved her best friends and her nephews and niece.” I know Tito is talking about Devil and Callie’s children when he says nephews and niece. “I don’t want Sarah’s parents included in any of it. They wouldn’t even take her calls and she put on a tough front but I know it crushed her.”

“Good call Hacksaw. I don’t want to take any unnecessary chances,” Devil says.

“I also don’t think we should be going to Texas or have Chief’s club come here. It puts too many targets in one spot.” If my gut feeling is right, this is exactly what the people watching us want.

“I agree. It’s something that has happened many times over the last five years,” Bowie says. I’m glad I am not the only one thinking it.

“I thought of that one. Rye and Bourbon and some of their men are at the safehouse. We can’t stay in the clubhouse indefinitely and as soon as we speak with them I am sending Hanna and Felix back to their house along with Joy, Tara, and Rome. I am also taking my family home. My mom will be there with us along with Bourbon.” Devil is talking like he is thinking it out as he says it. “We are going to need to open our businesses back up.”

“Joy will be staying with me,” I tell Devil and I hear the laughs from the other brothers. Devil raises his eyebrow at me.

“Is Joy aware of that because that is not how I was reading the situation? I know I said you were her protection but she can stay at the other house and you keep check on her. Rome and Felix will be there.” Devil is still looking at me.

“Nope. I am claiming Joy. She’s mine, as in, hands off to ev eryone and she will be in my bed with me and not somewhere else.” Devil smiles. I look around the table at my brothers. “Anyone else have something to say?”

“Hacksaw, I’ve never known you to be a one -woman man but if you want Joy then don’t dick around. If you do then your head is going to be full of regrets. That’s a hell all its own. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about it, just do it even if she doesn’t agree,” Tito tells me and I know he is talking from experience.

“But don’t fuck her around either. She’s family,” Rome speaks up.

“And she always will be ,” Devil finishes. Rome and Devil might not have known they are blood brothers for very long but they think more alike than Stone and Devil ever did.

“I’ve got it,” is all I give them.

 

“Any prospect leads, might as well get this over with while we are here?” Devil asks.

 

“Trance and Ranse both want to prospect. I’ll sponsor both.” Trance and Ranse are Bowie’s twin nephews and Crockett’s cousins.

 

“I will too,” Crockett speaks up. We have already let Crockett’s nephew, Possum, prospect.

“Joey arrived with Bourbon and Rye and said he is ready to prospect too. I’ll sponsor him,” Rome adds. Joey is Tara’s brother. He was released from the military six months ago but he had family issues to work out first before he would commit to prospecting.

“Anyone have a problem with these three prospecting? I know we need a full vote, but right now that isn’t an option.” Devil knows we could use the manpower.

“We don’t know much about Joey except that he is Tara’s brother,” Slick looks at Rome while he is saying it. “Trance and Ranse have been around the club and they know what we are about. Are you sure Joey is the right fit for our club?”

“I have met and talked to Joey and I will sponsor him also. He has the milit ary background and he has his shit straight. I would bet he is a perfect fit. What he doesn’t know right now he can learn. That is what prospecting is about. Making sure he is a fit and showing his loyalty to the club,” Devil says with a determination. He and Rome have wanted to bring Joey in since they first met him. Joey just wasn’t ready yet.

“That’s good enough for me,” I tell the table of men.

 

“Me too,” Slick relents but I can see he still has reservations.

“Remember stay vigilant about safety. I am going to be with Callie and her friends today while they make the arrangements. Oz, you get anything, you let me know. Hacksaw, I need you to reach out to our man in the PD. I want any leads they might have gotten. Slick, I want you to make schedules for the front gate and perimeter walks. Rome, you and Bowie need to make sure the businesses are covered with management. Make sure Sal is going to help at the gym. Crockett, you make sure the strip club and bar are covered, including security walks to their cars at closing and bank deposits. I want all these coordinated so everyone gets some sleep. I will need proxy from any brother who can’t be at the next church for the vote on the new prospects.” Devil bangs his gavel letting us know this meeting is done. Most of the brothers get up and move out the door but I wait back to have a word with Devil. Rome must be doing the same thing because he stands beside Devil. I get up and make my way over to them. Devil looks at us both.

“I am going to need both of your ol’ ladies to help Callie out for the next little bit. She’s not taking this very well. None of them are,” Devil tells us.

“Tara was wanting to ask if she could help with anything. I told her to wait or she would have been knocking on your door first thing when we woke up.” Rome has a smile on his face. Rome very seldom smiles, more since he has been with Tara but before then it wasn’t something we saw much of. “Tara’s pregnant. She’s going to need to see a doctor in the next week or so to be positive.”

“Tara do a home test?” Devil asks.
“Yeah, she did. We just need the positive from a doctor,” Rome tells us.

“Congratulations. Why didn’t you mention it and let everyone know?” I ask Rome.

“Tara is worried about jinxing it by telling everyone too early. I don’t kn ow much about baby stuff. Tara said after the first trimester is when most people let everyone know but I wanted to tell everyone.” Rome still has a smile on his face. I don’t think it is going away anytime soon. I am happy for him.

“Don’t worry about it R ome, but brace yourself brother. The shit is just beginning. They have books that fill women’s heads with so much shit when it comes to having kids and then their hormones kick in and it being the first one it is going to get worse. The second trimester is the one you will enjoy. Callie was insatiable. I thought she was going to break my dick with Killian.” Devil laughs. “Happy for you man. Get Tara to set up an appointment and we will make sure she gets there safe.” Devil assures Rome.

“I’ll tell Joy. She’ s worried about her sister Em so it is going to be hard to keep her here but I’ll tell her Callie needs her help so maybe it will distract her.” I will tie her ass up if I need to do it to keep her safe.

“I need to be there for Callie this morning but she is not going to be happy about not being able to go to Texas for the memorial now. She hates postponing it. She thinks she owes that to Sarah. I’ll tell her what is going to happen and why. She’ll get on board with it and I know Felix and Hanna will too. Rome, talk to Joey to be sure Rye and Bourbon were right about his decision to prospect. I think he will be a big asset to us.” Devil’s phone goes off. He looks at it. “You two go on. I need to take this call, it’s Chief.” Rome and I get up and walk out together. We close the door leaving Devil to deal with his father-in-law.

I wake up in Hacksaw’s bed alone. I feel deliciously sore and my mind wanders back to last night. I had sworn off bikers but that lasted about as long as it took for Hacksaw to get my panties wet. The things we said, the pleasure that Hacksaw gave me, the feel of Hacksaw’s hard body under my hands, under my body, on top of my body, behind me, who am I kidding - in any position! Hacksaw played my body and had me screaming his name. I would and did agree to a lot of things in the heat of the moment, hours. I know that we will never work and that is probably why I am waking up in a bed by myself. I know the drill. How many times have I done this with the brothers at the BlackPath MC? I never agreed to belong to a man before but I am sure when Hacksaw woke up this morning he came to his senses and ran from the room to get some distance. Well, I am not one to stay where I am not wanted. I need to get up and shower and be prepared for when Hacksaw gets back. If he has been told he is my protection then I can see that this thing between us may go on for a little while until this lockdown is over. Then again, Hacksaw may be a one and done kind of man. He doesn’t need to worry about me trying to get attached to him. I will never be a patch whore. I don’t know if I can keep this up for very long without taking a hit to my heart when our time is up. It would be much better on me if we both just admit that we came to our senses in the light of day and walk away. One and done that is what this needs to be. I keep fighting with myself in my head, but I can’t lie to myself that a part of me wishes the things that Hacksaw said to me last night could be true. I don’t know what is wrong with me. I want out of the biker lifestyle or maybe I just want something for me. I have been so lost the last few years. I just know last night was the first night in a long time that I haven’t had a dream about babies that aren’t mine. My last thought in my head was not Adeline and Lucas and they weren’t the first thing that was on my mind this morning. That must mean I am doing something right. I just know if I let my guard down that Hacksaw will obliterate whatever sanity I have left if it doesn’t work out. I don’t know if I can take that chance. Then my mind remembers the events from earlier last night and I instantly feel guilt. Guilt for the pleasure I had felt and that Sarah will never have that again. I need to find out how I can help. I am sure there are so many things to be taken care of. I get out of bed and walk over to Hacksaw’s dresser and get a pair of his boxers and a t-shirt. I need a shower and I am not going to put dirty panties back on. While I am pushing his clothes around in the drawer I grab a pair of shorts with a drawstring. I know the shirt is going to hang to my knees and I’ll need to tighten the drawstring on the shorts all the way in but this will have to do until someone gets me some clothes. Hopefully the drawstring on the shorts will help keep the boxers up. Commando is not my thing. I’m not a shy person about my body but there will be children in the clubhouse today and I don’t want to run around looking like a damn club girl in just a t-shirt. I laugh at myself, so I’ll look like someone who can’t dress themselves, right. Maybe I can borrow something from Callie or Tara later. I head to the bathroom and get my shower out of the way. The hot water feels good on my soreness. I don’t stay in very long, not nearly long enough. I dig around in one of the drawers and find a brush and a new toothbrush. I already used the man’s razor on my legs, just a once over for good measure, and went through his drawers for clothes so what is using a couple more things going to hurt. I walk out of the hot bathroom and sit on the end of the bed to brush out my hair. Just as I am finishing I hear a tapping on the door. It can’t be one of the brothers knocking, it’s a light tap not a booming knock. I walk over to the door and open it up and Tara and Callie are standing there. I open the door wider and step back so they can come in. Tara looks like she hasn’t slept much but Callie’s eyes are swollen and red from crying. I notice Tara is carrying some clothes. She hands them over to me and I take them. I wish I knew what to say to Callie but my mind is blank.

“I’m so sorry Callie. I don’t know what to say,” I tell Callie. She smiles at me, a little anyway. I sit on the bed and Callie and Tara sit with me.

“Me too. There’s really nothing to say. I noticed when you came in last night that you only had your purse. I thought you might could use some clothes.” Callie looks like she could cry at any time.

“ Thank you for the clothes, Tara. I didn’t have time to grab a bag when the prospect got there. Is there anything that I can do to help with arrangements or anything at all?” I offer.
“That’s why we are here,” Tara speaks up.

“We are only having a small memorial here at the clubhouse and then we are going to have a family meal. Could you help keep an eye on the food? We are having it catered but Devil said no outsiders in the clubhouse to help with serving and making sure the food stays full until we are done. We are doing buffet but if you see anything that needs filling could you help with that?” Callie asks me.

“Of course. Is she being buried in Texas or here in Oklahoma?” I don’t say anything else but wait for Callie to go on.

“What has Hacksaw told you?” I look closely at Callie. I don’t know if I should s ay anything. I know Devil shares with Callie but this time I don’t know how much. I guess Callie recognizes my struggle with the question. “Sarah is being cremated and, for now, we are only having a small memorial here. When the brothers find whoever did this and deal with them then we are going to have a memorial ceremony in Texas.” Callie looks at me closer. “I meant about the tattoo.”

“That whoever tried to grab Em sent a message about everyone that had the fourleaf clover tattoo. I’m on lockdown with Hacksaw until whoever is responsible is caught,” I answer the question but give nothing else away.

“I heard you have been claimed. That last s longer than a lockdown. I know I am new to this biker style of life, but I learned that lesson fast,” Tara informs me. I don’t want to hear this so I change the subject.

“How are Felix and Hanna?” I know they are taking this hard.

“ Fe is blaming himself for not keeping better tabs on Sarah, as if that was even possible. Hanna is keeping everything to herself and sleeping. Her pregnancy hormones are kicking in. I am going to get her up in a little while and make her eat. Sometime today we are supposed to be able to go home,” Callie tells me.

“Does that mean everyone can go home because I need to get to my apartment? After everything that happened to Em in Texas and here, I just need familiar surroundings to feel grounded.” Then something dawns on me. “Callie, um, this might not be the time to bring this up but have you thought about Felix and Hanna going back to the house they shared with Sarah? Is Hanna’s baby daddy going to be here for her?”

“Fe and Hanna are coming home with me. Devil said Tara and Rome and then you and Hacksaw are staying at the other house so we can clear some room up here in the clubhouse. I think Joey and Rye are staying there also.” Callie hesitates but then goes on. “After the memorial then Fe and I can box the stuff up. Hanna isn’t saying who the father of her baby is so no baby daddy making an appearance.”

“Why don’t you let me do that for you? If you can get some boxes there I will box the bedroom up and label everything and then when you are ready you can go through it.” I see Callie is thinking about it.

“I will help,” Tara speaks up.

“Yeah, I think that will be a big help. I don’t think I am up to putting Sarah’s things away yet. I know it needs to be done sometime but it just seems way too fast but I also know that Hanna will fall apart if she walks in that house and Sarah’s room is still the same.” I see tears rolling down Callie’s cheeks and I am sorry for even bringing it up.

“Callie, if it is too soon then you should wait. Only the three of you can make that decision. The four of you were so close,” Tara tells Callie. Callie wipes the tears away.

“No, it needs to be done. Sarah was like a sister to me just like Hanna but I refuse to let the asshole who is doing this win. That would be an injustice to Sarah’s memory.” I am a little shocked by what Callie has said. I thought she would be lost in her pain of losing Sarah. “I’m not sure this is the right thing to do but I will do whatever I can to help Fe and Hanna to be able to go home when they can. I have been fighting myself over it. I have so many things going through my head and there is so much to be done. We will never forget Sarah and I don’t want to just lock her belongings away but I don’t want them to cause anyone more pain. Times like these I don’t think there is a right answer.” Callie stops and looks like she is trying to gather herself. My heart goes out to Callie. Sarah was so young and loved by her friends. The things Callie has been saying are a little scattered, so I look closely at her and she looks so tired and wrung out. I know I need to step up and help Callie as much as I can. Callie is family, maybe extended but still family. Em would want me to and I want to. I move closer to Callie and pull her in for a hug, trying to give her comfort.

“You don’t have to decide now. If the boxes are at the house then I will do it, if they aren’t there, then I know you decided against it. Lean on me, Callie. Whatever you need,” I tell Callie and for a minute Callie relaxes and lets me give her this little bit of comfort but then she stands up.

“Thank you and I will but right now there are things to be taken care of. It’ll just be us for the memorial.” The way Callie says it I know she is not happy about this fact because she has said it more than once. I have never seen this side of Callie. She is usually so strong but she seems almost fragile right now.

“Hacksaw said none of the BlackPath MC are coming in. Do you know why?” I ask Callie.

“Not really. I am going to call my dad later this afternoon. I wanted to give him time to deal with Em’s matter before I called and I wanted to get everything done here first. We talked for a minute but it was too fast. Dad is close to all my friends so I know this is hitting too close to home and I know he’ll want to talk to me more for a little bit just so he knows I am alright. Devil told me to take care of Hanna and Fe and not worry about anything else so right now that is what I am doing. When you’re ready come on out to the common room. Gertie has a late lunch in the kitchen if you are hungry. Just soup and sandwiches but we will start dinner soon,” Callie tells me.

“Kat is here helping too,” Tara adds.

 

“I’m worried about Em but I know Chief will take care of her and their family,” I tell the ladies. I’m hoping he does.

“ You are right, dad will protect his family to his last breath. I need to get back out to my children before Kat and Gertie spoil them rotten.” Callie’s hand is on the door but it opens and I think the three of us jump from the surprise.

“Hey ladies. Callie, Devil is looking for you ,” Hacksaw says coming into the small room. I see he has my suitcase in his hand. “Sugar, I went by your apartment and brought you some things.” Callie takes her phone out of her back pocket.

“I forgot to turn my phone on.” Callie is messing with her phone. “We were just leaving.” I hand the clothes back to Tara.

“Thanks for the clothes but looks like mine have arrived. I will be out in just a little bit to help with getting dinner and whatever is needed,” I tell Callie. Hacksaw has moved around to the bed and laid my suitcase down.

“Okay. Later,” Tara says and she shuts the door as they go out. I turn and look at Hacksaw.

“Sugar, my clothes have never looked so good ,” Hacksaw winks at me as he says it. “We have a few things to get straight between us and then I am going to fuck you because I have things to get done.” I raise my eyebrow at Hacksaw and cock my hip out and put my hand on it. This man did not just say these things to me.

“Oh, we definitely have some things to get straight, sugar,” I say as sarcastically as I can. This man is pissing me off.

“Joy, in case you forgot , you are mine and sometimes your sassy attitude is cute sugar, but right now, I don’t have time for cute. I only have time for direct. So, I am going to talk and you are going to listen. Are we on the same page here?” Hacksaw acts like he is dealing with a child and that just makes me throw more attitude.

“Hell no, we are not on the same page. We’re not even in the same damn book. You’re over there skimming through a damn caveman for dummies and I am over here in reality, but this is where I jump over to another bookshelf. Do you get me biker boy?” Hacksaw laughs at me.

I am laughing my ass off at Joy and I can almost see the steam coming out of her ears. I don’t t know what the hell is wrong with her but I know I need to handle this better if I am going to keep this woman. “Sugar, I don’t know where you come up with this shit but I don’t have time for it today. We went over this last night, you are mine and I am going to be taking care of some club security for the next few days and I will not be around as much. I went and picked up some of your things but don’t unpack here. Later I will be back and take you over to Devil’s old house. I thought this would make you happy having some of your own clothes.”

“Why should I be happy that you went through my things and who said you could go in my apartment?” Joy is getting louder as she talks.

“It was either me or one of the prospects and I don’t think you would want Bo or Possum finding the toys in your nightstand.” That stops Joy from saying anything for a minute.

“Do you not know about boundaries? What is in my nightstand is my business. Single woman here who is not looking to hook up with anyone but still has needs,” Joy says a little bit calmer this time.

“I didn’t say there was anything wrong with your toys. I am glad you are not looking to hook up because sugar, you are hooked up with me and if you use those toys it will be with me.” Joy’s back goes straight and I know she is going to fight me on this.

“Last night was a mistake. It was two lonely people looking for comfort after a horrible couple of days and losing someone who is close to us. We had an itch to scratch and we used each other mutually. No harm, no foul.” I start to say something and she raises her hand to silence me and I stop so Joy can have her say. “I know you need to keep me safe until this is over and I appreciate that but when this is done then we both know we will be over.” I make sure Joy has it all out.

“No.” That simple. This woman is not hearing what I am saying.
“What do you mean, no?” Joy asks.

“I mean no, it was not a mistake. No, we will not be over. Someday, maybe, but if so, that is a conversation we will have then. You are my ol’ lady and that is just the way it is. I am a healthy red-blooded man, and I love to fuck, and I told you last night you were it for me so that means I will be fucking you, a lot.” It’s simple to me. Joy wants fidelity then this is how she gets it.

“You are not going to be with any of the club girls or any other gash hanging around the clubhouse?” I see Joy is considering what I said.

“That’s exactly what I am saying and you will be with no other man.” I walk over to her and pull her to me. “This may not last but I want to try for now. I will not touch another woman before I let you know we are done.”

“What if I decide it is not working for me?” Joy is close to agreeing. “All I am saying is to try. I’m not into being with unwilling women. I don’t need to force anyone,” I tell Joy. She brings her arms up and puts them around my neck.

“I’m going to take you at your word Hacksaw bu t I promise you if I find you with your dick in another woman I will cut it off and shove it up your ass.” She moves in and kisses my cheek and then moves back and looks at me. “I think this is going to blow up in our faces but I can’t ignore our physical attraction and there is something about you that draws me to you. Devil is not going to let me leave and I am tired of arguing until I am blue in the face with you. If nothing else we have physical chemistry.”

“I knew you couldn’t resist me. Sugar, we are going to figure this out,” I tell Joy trying to reassure her.

 

“More likely we are going to blow up and hate each other. I don’t need that negativity in my life,” Joy comes back.

“Sugar, we are going to blow up from sexual combustion. Now give me that mouth so I can shut you up.” Joy smiles at me and I take her mouth like a man starved for my last meal.

“I feel guilty for feeling this way when people around us are in mourning and the devastation that they are feeling.” I can hear the conflict of emotions in Joy’s voice.

“There is nothing wrong with finding comfort in each other Joy. Tito is full of regret when it comes to Sarah and that will never be me or at least I don’t want it to be. I take what I want and that way there is no room for regret. I don’t have the flowery words to express this in a way to comfort you sugar but what’s happening between us is a good thing so let’s enjoy it.” I am a man that says what I mean but I have never had to worry how anyone takes it. I am trying but it does not come easy for me. I wouldn’t be me if I tried it any other way and I am too old to be changing now.

“If we do this I need you to give me your word that you will have a conversation with me when you are done.” I give Joy a look to let her know I don’t want to have this conversation again before I must leave her. “Just listen to me one more time so I know we are both clear on this. When you are ready to end whatever this is, just give me a few minutes to tell me so we can have closure. I will give you my word that I will do the same. Then we can relax and just enjoy this while we have it. If we agree to that one thing then I will let it go.”

“Sugar, I can do that but I’m not relaxing until we have these assholes that have put a target on your back.” I pull Joy closer to me. “I don’t make promises but I will give you my word that we will have a conversation when it comes time for us to part ways so you can have peace of mind. I’m letting you know that I don’t think that will be anytime soon. I also don’t know how you think two people who have never been in a serious relationship can find a way to make us work if you have one foot out the door all the time. Just enjoy this. You were screaming my name last night.” I kiss the top of her head. “I have to hit the shower and meet with Devil and the brothers. Either Rome or I will be here later to take you over to the house. Stay in the house and do what you are told. That’s the only way we can keep you safe.”

“I feel guilty for this still.” I look at Joy.

 

“Why? We deserve some good and we have already been over this and I don’t like repeating myself so just go with it for now,” I tell Joy.

“Not because we are together but there is so much pain in the clubhouse and we are trying to start something new. I mean Sarah and Becky are gone and I feel the loss but when you kiss me my brain shuts off and I just feel guilty for it,” Joy says, and I get it, but I don’t agree.

“You are my woman and I am your man and when that door is closed whatever happens in here is us. We close the rest of the world out and just maybe when we leave this room we will have clearer heads to help everyone. Did you ever think of that?” Joy looks up at me and I look down at her and I kiss her lightly and I cut it off way too soon for my likings but I am needed somewhere else. “I’ve got to shower.”

“I could join you.” I smile at Joy.

“Not happening or it’ll be another hour before I get out of here and aren’t you supposed to be helping with dinner?” I would like nothing better than another round after last night but I never want to hurry with Joy.

“You’re right.” I get off the bed and walk to my dresser and grab some boxers and a t-shirt. Then I walk to my closet and grab a pair of jeans.

“I’ll be fifteen minutes and then you can have the shower. I’ll bring a bag o f clothes with me when I come to the house later.” I shut the closet door and head to the shower without looking back at Joy. I don’t want to tempt myself to climb back in that bed with her. Joy may think that we are short term and that may be so but I’m going to enjoy the hell out of her in the meantime.

One week later…

 

I walk into the common room and it is full of brothers with Gertie sitting beside Slick and the club girls back in the corner table. I see Rye at the bar with a beer in his hand at nine in the morning. A few weeks ago, that would have been me. Most everyone here has a solemn look on their faces. The service that they had for Sarah took its toll. It doesn’t help that we have had very few leads. There has been no word from whoever did the murders. No nothing and this fact is driving me crazy. We have gone over every piece of evidence that the PD has. Every crime scene picture. The threats that the BlackPath MC received after Em was attacked were from a burner phone with no way to trace it. It was probably dumped after its use. Our security has been tight but we can’t do this for a long period of time. Our businesses are suffering and something needs to break soon for us not to lose some of our financial stability. We have worked hard to get where we are today and no one is taking that from us so we are going to need to make something happen. I make my way to the bar and motion for Joey, one of our new prospects, to bring me some coffee. We voted in Joey, Ranse and Trance as prospects right after the memorial. Soon we will be taking a vote on giving Possum and Bo their cuts, but we have shelved that subject until this is over.

“Possum and Trance , take the club girls in the game room and keep them there until I say so. They don’t get out to even take a piss. Gertie, can you go to my office and stay until someone knocks on the door,” Devil directs everyone. “Since it is going to be more than just us we are doing this meeting right here.” I move over by the bar and sit beside Thrasher but look at Devil. Our President is looking tired. I feel a hand run up my back and turn to see who it is and Indigo is standing there. I haven’t been around the clubhouse a lot in the last week but I know Indigo knows I have an ol’ lady.

“Hacksaw, Teal and I have missed you being around. We heard you have an ol’ lady until this lockdown is over but we thought that after the meeting since she isn’t here that we could have some fun. If she is temporary then surely it won’t matter if we still have a little fun.” I turn completely around and look at Indigo.

“That won’t be happening anytime soon. You go on with the others into the game room. Devil is not going to have patience with anyone not following orders today.” I see the disappointment in Indigo’s face but there is something else there that I can’t figure out. “I’m sure Thrasher or Bowie will be glad to have your company when they have a spare minute.” Indigo pokes her lip out and puts her hand on her hips and pokes it out.

“I swear that all the brothers have become boy scouts the last week. None of you are ever around and I did not sign up to be someone’s maid. All we do anymore is clean and cook. I might as well be married,” Indigo spits out. This woman is throwing attitude. I stare her down. I stand up and look down at her.

“You can leave anytime, just don’t bother coming back.” I am intimidating this woman but it needs to be done. Teal walks up behind Indigo.

 

“You two get your shit and get out. You’ve been whining all week and if you want gone so bad hit rocks,” Devil yells. He looks over at Possum.

 

“Take these two back to get their stuff and get them gone. Don’t come back.” Possum walks up to the two women. Devil is barely holding on to his temper. “We didn’t say we wanted to leave. We’re just horny,” Teal says.

“Too late! Out! I swear we need to start screening the damn whores around here better. Take them both out the back door.” Devil has lost what he had left of his patience. We wait until the room has cleared of everyone and Devil makes his way to the front of the room away from the bar so he has everyone’s attention. Tito and Oz come in from the hall that leads to their office. Oz is carrying his laptop. He stops at the closest table and sits down and sets his laptop up. Bourbon walks through the front door and makes his way in. It is eerily quiet. No one is saying anything to each other. The lockdown is taking its toll on everyone. “Let’s get this started. Oz, you have the floor.”

“I have been reaching out to anyone who might have heard anything. There’s no talking going on. By now it would seem like someone would have heard something but it is a deadend road. Tito and I started from the beginning with Becky’s killing. Tito is going through everything we have from it and I am taking Sarah’s crime scene. We’ve come up with something, but we are not sure it is anything,” Oz informs us. Oz looks to Tito and Tito nods his head yes, so Oz will go on. “Lisa, Becky’s partner, was not where she said she was on a shoot. We checked it out. She was in Canada at one time for work but not exactly when she said. She had flown back to the States three days before Becky’s death. The company that she worked for has her back in the States three days earlier in their work log but when we called to ask they gave us the same information that they gave the PD. Someone is covering her ass.” Oz waits for us to take that in and then goes on. “I also got into Lisa’s work emails and found another email address for Lisa and things weren’t as happy between Lisa and Becky as Lisa let on. It seems that Lisa was cheating on Becky. This may not have any relevance at all but it is something that Lisa was not willing to share. If she was hiding this what else can she be hiding? Lisa also has left Florida. She left a few hours after the funeral but she hasn’t showed back up here and she has taken bereavement time at work.”

“Being a cheater does not make you a killer and taking time off seems normal to me,” I speak up.

“Maybe not a killer but it is the first thing we have found out of the normal and it seems like she would need to come home to take care of things here before she takes off somewhere,” Tito says. Tito is looking rough. I don’t think he has been sleeping and he still has the same clothes on he wore yesterday.

“I don’t think that a woman could do the things that were done to those two bodies. Besides that, wasn’t Lisa in Florida when things went down with Sarah and Em?” Devil asks.

“She was on her w ay to Florida when we found Sarah, that has been established but there is no way all this was done by one person.” Oz looks at Tito before he says the next part. “When Sarah was tortured, Em was being hit in Texas so we already knew that this was a group of people. I’m not saying Lisa is guilty. I’m just saying the woman has some things she is hiding. Right now, we have nothing so it at least gives us a place to look. It may just be a cheating bitch but we are leaving no information that looks suspicious unanswered.”

“Did you do another background check on Lisa?” I ask.

 

“We have but she has some sealed documents and we are trying to get into them without being detected,” Tito answers

 

“Have the BlackPath MC come up with anything?” Slick asks.

“They have had no more problems and are coming up wit h dead ends. Chief called me a little while ago and Micah is missing,” Bourbon tells us. Micah is one of Callie’s twin half-sisters and this is not good.

“Where is Maddie?” Devil asks about the other twin.

“Chief has her and her daughter at t he BlackPath clubhouse. He has them locked down tight but Maddie is climbing the walls with worry over her sister.” Bourbon has more to say but when he looks at Rye there is something that stops him. Everyone can see it.

“If you two have more to say now is the time or you can get the hell out!” Tito is close to losing it.

“We think this goes deeper than some cheating woman that has no connections to either of the clubs involved. We had a look at those crime scene photos and this is personal. If this had anything to do with cut and dry business, then whoever is doing the murders would still leave a damn dead body and it may be bloodier than hell, but both murders are brutal, and they reek of retaliation for some payback.” Rye says slowly like he is thinking it through in his head. “Never put these heinous acts past a woman. A woman scorned or fighting for her family can do a hell of a lot of damage.” Everyone is quiet for a minute.

“When you are digging you need to look at someone who has ties to both clubs. Someone who would want to hurt both clubs,” Bourbon says looking at Devil straight in the eye. “Any way you cut it, the one target they are going for is Callie. She is the bond and every person that has that damn tattoo is tied to Callie in some way. The way we see it, they are going to try and take out the people Callie cares about first so it will destroy her and then they will come after her.” Bourbon laughs at that. “We don’t intend to let any of that happen.”

“If you got it all figured out then why can’t you figure out who is doing it, so we can kill the fuckers,” Tito spits out.

“Maybe Callie is the bond but so is Devil ,” I say as I am thinking it through. “I mean, it is because the two are together that the two clubs are linked. Maybe it is someone in Devil’s past. With the way Bourbon is setting it up then Callie watches her friends and family get hurt and then they come after her but look at it from the angle of Devil. He is made to watch his woman suffer while still trying to keep her and their children safe. He’s also become friends with all the ones with the tattoo. I would bet Devil has made more enemies in his lifetime than his ol’ lady.” Devil wipes his hand down in his face like he does when he is fixing to lose his last grip of being a reasonable man.

“I think both scenarios could take some considering but I wouldn’t give up on the background on that Lisa woman either,” Slick reminds us to keep an open mind.

“I’ll look into any people in Devil and Callie’s background. I can’ t keep on seeing the murder scene photos and reading over the investigation reports without losing my shit,” Tito speaks up.

“Oz, you stay on the background check and stay on that angle. We need to talk about the loss of profits from some of the businesses we have open. The bar and the restaurant we opened are both in the red this week. We can’t afford to keep the doors open until this is handled. We live in small town Oklahoma and the people of this town have decided we have something to do with these two murders. The gym revenues have slowed down but it isn’t in the red yet.” Devil gives us the financial news. This is Tito’s area as our treasurer but I guess Devil has been handling it.

“The strip club, garage, and apartment complex are still thriving,” Tito speaks up.

“Since we just bought the race strip and it is not operating on a set schedule yet that has put our finances in a strain already,” Devil puts in. “We are stretched in the manpower to keep things operating and I will not leave anyone unprotected at this point so we are going to need to make adjustments that may leave our money tight for a while until the people of this town realize we had nothing to do with the murders.”

“Don’t we still have money in our improvement and expansion account?” Bowie asks.

“What’s your point brother? That money was set aside to improve the properties we own and if we use it to keep us afloat we defeat the purpose of keeping everything separate,” Devil tells Bowie.

“Not what I meant at all. Just hear me out ,” Bowie goes on. “The building that the bar is in is fairly new and it has plenty of room with it being a two-story. We have always used the upper floor for storage and an office space. The bar has a fully updated kitchen. Why don’t we take this time to make the bar into a dinner club? The bar has a basement we could use for storage and we could set up tables on the second floor. I have been thinking about it for a while.”

“Why would we do that? We need a place to drink besides the clubhouse,” Thrasher says. Bowie looks him like he is crazy.

“ Thrasher we still have the strip club. The restaurant has only been making marginal income.” Bowie looks at Tito for confirmation and Tito nods his head yes. “There’s the diner that Bud runs for people to grab a quick lunch or dinner but there are no nice places for men to take their women to eat and dance. It’s something this small town has been needing.”

“You take a lot of women out to dinner and then dancing Bowie?” Creole asks laughing. Bowie stares him down.

“No, I don’t asshole but some of the men in town might like to and it may be somewhere that the women drag their men to.” Bowie has a point. “I even have some floor plans that I drew up that I was going to bring to the table but the time was never right. Now is not the right time but if the two places are making us lose money it’s time to try something new. There’s no place like this in town. The people of this town are going other places instead of ours when there are options with this place. There would be no other options unless they drive an extra forty-five minutes to the next town.”

“If the two places are closed then what do we do with the restaurant property?” Slick asks.

“It’s in the perfect spot for a laundromat. Close to the middle of town for access and there is only one in town and it is always full. It takes only a few employees and we can contract out the maintenance. We’d just need to do security patrols,” Thrasher speaks up. We all look at the brother who very seldom shares an idea. “What? I’m always hearing the hang arounds complaining about the time it takes in the laundromat.”

“ Alright, Tito you delve into the people in Callie’s and my past for any leads. Bowie get me some numbers and Thrasher do the same. I don’t want to start any new business endeavors right now but if we lose more money we will vote on shutting the doors on the restaurant and bar. Oz, you keep on the Lisa thing and follow the case. Bourbon, what can we do to help find Micah?” Devil gives directions.

“Sarge and Chief are running down leads. Her truck with her tr ailer loaded with her horse was found at a truck stop abandoned. Anyone that knows that woman knows she would not leave her horse standing in a trailer for hours. Sarge and Trigger are headed to Utah where the trailer was found.” Bourbon looks at Rye.

“There wa s blood found by the door of the trailer according to the police report. Micah had gone in the truck stop and bought food and water. The security cameras did not have a shot on the other side of the trailer. It did show an old white van approach the trailer and leave minutes later. The van had no tags on it. Chief should be getting in touch as soon as he knows anything for sure. He doesn’t want to upset Callie until he knows something more definite. He’s not sure that Maddie won’t call or Em won’t call Joy,” Rye finishes. I notice that Rye and Bourbon are only commenting on the things that pertain to the murders. They are old school and know that the two of them being able to be present during a Feral Steel meeting is not normal procedure and they are respecting the special situation. I also notice that Devil is not giving out any pertinent details on our everyday procedures and steered the conversation away from new plans. Devil trusts the two men but will not bring them into our inner circle.

“I think we need to shut down anything that is not necessary right now so our manpower can be utilized to find these fuckers. Right now, we are so stretched, that we have no extra eyes to help Oz and Tito sift through all the evidence from the PD, security feeds and now going back through old contacts,” Bowie points out what we have all known for the last few days.

“I think that may be what needs to happen. Let’s vote. I have Tex, Rome, Cowboy and Crockett’s proxy votes. Somebody take it to the floor for a vote.” Crockett and Tex have the protection detail on Callie, the children, Hanna and Felix, and Rome and a prospect are with Joy and Tara. Cowboy is on gate duty.

“I say we close the bar and restaurant ,” Edge speaks up.
“I second it,” Ridge says. Devil waits for me.
“I vote yes,” I speak up.
“Yes,” Slick votes.
“Yes,” Creole agrees.
“Yes,” Thrasher says.

“Since all the other votes have been yes then so is mine and the proxies I have. Vote carries. Hacksaw make sure everyone is notified and everything gets closed. If you need help pull someone away.” Devil brings the vote to an end. “I know everyone is tired but I cannot express enough how we need to be more vigilant than ever in security. No one is to be alone. We don’t want to give these assholes a way to get a shot at one of us.”

“Tara has a doctor appointment tomorrow and Joy will be going with her. Rome and a prospect are riding along but I think we may need at least one more. I know Rome said he can handle it, but we need a man in the parking area, one in the front of the office and then Rome will be with the women.” I want Joy safe and with Tara being pregnant, we don’t need to take chances.

“Tell Rome to take Gully, Jay, and Joey. I don’t want to take any chances. When Rome gets back he is going to be helping Oz. Tara and Joy will need to be at my house or the clubhouse for the day. I need Joey and Jay at the garage and Gully will be at the gym with Sal. I’m going to get Chief on the phone for an update on Micah. I think Chief was right when he said it would keep these assholes off balance if we keep our schedules varied. Oz, if you or Tito get anything on your searches then send out a text so we can all be kept up to date. Meeting adjourned.” Devil starts to walk to the bar but Tito stands up.

“Devil, can I have a word with you and Hacksaw in your office?” Tito asks. He looks from Devil to me.

“Sure thing ,” Devil answers. I get up and follow Devil and Tito into Devil’s office. Gertie is sitting on Devil’s sofa looking at a magazine. “Thanks Gertie for waiting in here.” Gertie gets up and walks over by us. Devil sits in his chair behind his desk. Tito moves over in front of the desk and sits in the chair.

“Anytime,” Gertie says as she leaves. Devil gets right to it.

 

“What couldn’t you say in front of everyone?” Devil’s phone beeps. He looks at it and ignores it.

 

“A couple of things,” Tito says but then stops.

“You ready to share or are we just going to shoot the shit here?” I know I am being an ass but it seems that is the only thing that gets through to Tito right now. Tito glares at me.

“I think that once we find whoever this is that I need to leave for a while. I don’t think I can stay here and be any good to anyone,” Tito says, and I can see the toll this has taken on him and how this is weighing on his mind.

“Tito, what are you saying? You want out of the club or do you just need some time?” Devil has a concerned look on his face.

“I have been thinking on this idea and it is not anything we have ever discussed but it is the one thing that is keeping me from going off the deep end. I know myself and I cannot stay here and go about my life like Sarah and I didn’t exist and just pick up where I left off before we happened.” Tito is now pacing back and forth in front of Devil’s desk. “We have a working relationship between us and a few other clubs. Sarge and Chief’s clubs in Texas, the Oklahoma BlackPath club, and Krill of Dra’s club in Colorado, what if we formed a nomad group that traveled between the clubs? A couple of members from each club to form a nomad club that has ties to all the clubs. Devil, you have been talking about branching out and starting another chapter so we could find the perfect place while we are traveling.” I wasn’t expecting that and by the look on Devil’s face, he wasn’t either. Devil sits back in his chair and is studying Tito’s face.

“There’s a few thoughts I have on that matter.” Devil is almost hesitant in the way he talks. “First, I’ve never even heard of such a thing, nomads of different clubs banding together and I don’t know if it would work or even the logistics to make it work. What concerns me the most is that this is too quick for such a life changing decision for you. You are mourning Sarah’s death and you should not be making life changing decisions right now.” Tito looks at Devil for more than a few minutes and then sits in the chair next to me. He looks defeated but determined.

“I have thought this out and I will be the first one to say that there will need to be open lines of communication between the clubs for this to work and there will be a time of adjustment but I think it can work beneficially for everyone involved if the members are all chosen the right way.” Tito goes quiet for a minute. “I’m not sleeping but a couple of hours and this idea came to me.”

“An idea that came to you from sleep deprivation and mourning is not one I would put much confidence in,” I tell Tito and I am halfway joking to lighten the mood. Tito looks at me.

“Hacksaw, you are the one that inspired the damn idea. You kept saying you wanted more time on the road and that we were getting too domesticated. Too much time in regular jobs and family barbeques and not enough time on our bikes.” Tito is right that I was feeling this way. I still am, but Joy helps and I would be lying if I said that I didn’t miss the open road on my bike. “I could take time off but I wouldn’t be helping anyone and I don’t think this is something that will go away in a few months.”

“This is not something that we can call church for and just vote. We will need to take it to the other clubs and they will need to do their own vote and then we would need to iron out all the particulars and right now, we just have too much on our plates trying to keep our family safe.” Devil isn’t giving Tito a flat-out no. “I need your focus on the job at hand. The rest we will address when this is over. I know I keep saying that about most issues these day but I want these assholes to pay for what they have done.” Tito looks at me.

“I had you in mind to go with me Hacksaw. We’ll need a leader and you want road time,” Tito tells me and before I had Joy, if we could work it out the logistics I would jump at the idea. Now, I can’t imagine leaving Joy but how long will this last? I can’t imagine not wanting her close but is that even realistic?

“You said a couple of things what else did you need to discuss?” Devil asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“I have a gut feeling about this Lisa woman . I can’t kick it but as far as I have found she does not have one single connection to you or Callie, but Rye and Bourbon are right about the overkill being personal. I feel it. I need you to dig deep in your thoughts about everyone you have crossed that could also have it against Callie too.” Tito has known Devil every bit as long as I have and he knows the list of people Devil has gone up against is a long one. “You also need to have Callie do the same thing. Callie has good perception so maybe she can remember something that stands out that we missed. I know you don’t like including her in anything but in this she may can help and that’s the reason I wanted a private word so if it is a no-go you won’t have to worry about anyone else taking it upon themselves to question her.” Tito looks at me when he says the last part. Yes. He knows I would be the first one to do it. I know Devil’s woman is not a piece of glass that will break. The club comes first.

“I appreciate that Tito but I already had plans to talk to Callie.” Devil looks at me. “I will talk to her, not you Hacksaw.”

“I should have news on those sealed records by tomorrow at the latest.” Tito stands. “I just ask you to keep an open mind about the nomad issue. I’m getting back to work.” Tito gets up and walks out the door. Devil relaxes in his chair.

“I think once Tito has time to deal with his grief and this is over he’ll come to his senses.” I know Devil is not going to like what I need to say.

“I t hink it could work and it would be beneficial to all the clubs concerned if the right members are chosen or volunteered. Two members from each of the five clubs that ride between the clubs where needed. We could give each of the volunteers a specified time to be a nomad. The club they are helping, those members would be in charge when handling their business.” Devil looks surprised.

“Do you think it is even possible to work out?” I see the gears working in Devil’s brain trying to grasp the idea.

“I think it is possible.” Devil shakes his head as his phone goes off again. “I need to take Chief’s call.” I get up and head to the door.

“I think Tito is right about the other too, it’s personal.” I open the door and leave Devil to his call.

 

I try to open my eyes but they are so heavy. I am cold, and my skin feels clammy. My mouth and throat are dry and it feels like I haven’t brushed my teeth for a few days. I can barely swallow. I hear voices but they sound a long distance away. I try to remember where I am or what might have happened. The last thing that I can remember feels like a dream because it is not clear. I remember I was on the rodeo circuit for months. I came further up north because rodeo season starts earlier here than in Texas. I’ve been sleeping in my trailer’s sleep compartment. Did I fall and hurt myself? No, I stopped at a truck stop to grab some quick snacks so I could keep driving to my next event. I paid for my stuff and decided to give my Blaze some apple flavored water to keep her well-hydrated. I open the trailer door and that is the last thing I can remember. I try to open my eyes but they just won’t open and then I feel the discomfort in my body. It feels like my hands are tied together. I move my hands around but there is something around my hands. The voices are getting to where I can understand them.

“She should be waking up soon. Do you want her to wake up or not? If not, then I need to give her another injection?” I hear a male ask.

“It doesn’t matter if she wakes up and sees us it’s not like she’ll be walking out of here alive to tell anyone.” A different male voice. His words send a chill up my spine. I am in trouble and no one knows where I am except Aunt Deb and she doesn’t even know exactly where I am only where my next event is at. I try to stay as still as I can and keep my breathing evened out so they won’t know I am awake.

“The boss said to keep her knocked out and that is what we are going to do,” the first voice says.

“Well she’s not awake yet. We don’t want her dying before the other two women get here. The boss said his partner is coming here to deal with the three women together. I sure hope his partner lets us have some fun with this one before he kills her, she is one hot bitch.” I realize I am in more trouble than I thought. I am cold because I have no clothes on. The realization almost makes me jump but I try to stay calm. Who are the other two women that these idiots are talking about? I hear footsteps approach where I am lying. I feel a finger run over my nipple. I am so close to screaming but I hold it in and the touch is gone as I hear a scuffle.

“The boss said not to touch her until he gets here with the others and you are going to listen. I don’t want the boss to shoot me because you can’t keep your dick in your pants. We are getting paid to keep her knocked out and tied up and that is exactly what we are going to do,” the first voice says.

“I don’t know why you are so damn ed determined to follow directions now. We have been trying to get our cuts for two years and the assholes haven’t voted us in yet. What makes you think they will now? I bet this one could be a tiger in the sack,” the second voice says. Cut means they must be in a motorcycle club.

“Because I am not going to let you screw this up in any way. Every time we get close to getting voted in you fuck it to hell with some shit you pull. Not happening this time if I have to shoot you myself,” the first voice says.

“I just know I am tired of doing all the shit jobs and never getting paid. I’ll get paid this time if it is only in ass from this pretty thing,” the second voice says. “I’m not going to kill this one by shooting her up with too much dope. When she starts coming around then I will give her more.”

“Then let’s go in the other room before I need to shoot your dick off. You will not screw this up for me this time.” I hear steps walking away from me and then a door open and close. I try to open my eyes again and my eyelids feel like they weigh a ton. I keep trying to flick them open and finally I see a bit of light. Then I try again. My eyes open but it is hard to focus and see anything. I open and close them one more time. Then I see I am in a small room on a half bed and my hands are tied in front of me. My hands are tied loosely in front but my feet are free. I’m not completely naked, I have my panties and bra on. My socks are on my feet but my boots are gone. I look around the room the best I can. The light seemed bright at first but now that my eyes are more focused it isn’t bright in here at all. The only light is a small lamp on a nightstand beside the bed. I look around the room and there are three doors in the small room. I know one goes out and I am guessing one is a closet since this looks like a small bedroom. There’s a window and it looks like it is dark outside. I pull on the ropes again and they aren’t tied tight at all. I keep wiggling my hands but no way are my hands coming out without a little help. I look at the nightstand and there is only the lamp, an empty chip bag, a half empty bottle of water and I think a small tube of something. It looks like maybe lip balm or chap stick. None of that can be useful to me. I keep moving my hands around. I turn on my side to look closer at the nightstand. I see a cigarette lighter too. I stop and listen to make sure there is still no one coming back. Maybe if I can move my body around and get the lighter I can do something with that. I think about it for a minute to make sure what I am trying to do. My mind still is not real clear. I move my hands around again. If my hands could move just a little bit more. It’s useless. Then I think about the situation. One-night Mason and I had been in a hotel and he handcuffed me. He had been trying to keep me from leaving but I got out of those handcuffs and I can get out of this rope. My body hurts and it feels like it weighs a ton but I roll off the bed catching myself before I hit the floor with a loud thud. I stand up and my legs feel like they are made of jelly. I try to shake them to get circulation back into them. I think about burning the ropes off with the lighter but another thought comes to me. I look down at the ropes and try to pull my hands out. Just a little more. I bend down and pick up the chap stick with my mouth. I pull the lid off with my hand and mouth. I bring my hands up to my mouth. I swipe the slick chap stick in as many spots as I can on my skin. I pull my hands from my mouth and try to slip my hands out. They move a little further. I bring my hands back up and apply more chap stick on my hands. This time when I try wiggling my hands out it works. Hell yeah! I know this is just the beginning if I am going to get away. I look for something to put up against the door but there is nothing and I am afraid to try and move the bed. If I make a noise it may bring the two men back in the room. I go to one of the other doors and open it slowly. It is a closet. I look in it and there is nothing but some hangers. I start to close the closet door but then reopen it. I stand on tiptoes and pull the bar down that is holding the hangers. I feel weak as a kitten but it finally gives way and I carefully pull it down. I know there is no way this will stop two men but it may slow them down. I walk over to the door I think the sound of the boots walking away went to. I open it as quiet as I can and I see the hall so I close it back and angle the rod under the door knob. At least this should give me a few seconds of knowing they are in here.

I walk to the last door and crack it open and it is a bathroom. Thank goodness, I need to pee. I take care of my business but don’t flush. I think how gross but I freaked out when I peed and it made a noise so I am not taking chances with flushing. I look around in the bathroom and realize this is a much older house like a farm house or something. The wall paper is old, and I see the window is a little bigger in here than the bedroom. What the hell sense does that make? I look in the medicine cabinet and it is empty. I pull the shower curtain back and nothing there. I stand on the side of the bathtub and look out the window. I am on the second floor but there is a big tree with limbs on it. With the lack of clothes, I have on it is going to hurt but being the tomboy, I have always been, it will not be that difficult. Now if I can just get this window open and pull myself up. I pry the window open with some difficulty but it is open. I look outside to see where we are and nothing looks familiar and I don’t see a road just some woods behind the house. There is a barn before I get to the woods. It looks like I am at the back of the house and I see an old van. I wish I knew how to hotwire a vehicle but that is something a girl just doesn’t learn growing up on a horse ranch in small town Texas. I go back in the bedroom and look around. I remember the hangers in the closet and I go and get a couple out. I start to go back to the window but I stop. If these two guys are alone I would have a good chance of getting down the tree and away before they would even know anything was up but what if they aren’t alone? I have the lighter and I could start a fire but that may alert them. I try to think. The only vehicle I see is the van and it is quiet downstairs and dark outside. I can do this without a diversion. I climb on the side of the tub and I start to go out head first but rethink the situation and then rethink it again. I put my head through sitting on the ledge backwards and slide back on the windowsill. Balance do not fail me now. I see the tree is close, so close I can almost touch it. I am going to need to jump and hope like hell I don’t fall. I stretch the wire hangers and put them around my neck so they don’t drop before I do. I know I am being reckless but I don’t have much of a choice and reckless is what I have always done best. Maddie is the safe twin and I am the one living on the edge. I just never thought I would be on the edge of a windowsill. Before I can think about it too long I just go for it and my body feels it when I am scratched up by the tree bark but at least when I took the small jump I didn’t miss and break my face or anything else. I move as slow as I dare to get down the tree and when I jump the last little ways, it hurts my ankle but I shake it out. I am not going to be running for a long distance, but I can still walk, fast. I duck down and get on the far side of the van away from the windows. I know not to open the doors because the interior lights may come on. I crouch down by the front tire and take one of the hangers off my neck and bend the wire top out so it is straight and poke it in the valve stem to let the air out. I move to the back one and do the same. I know the next part is all luck I still don’t trust my ankle so I walk as fast as I can, stealing glances at the back of the house as I go. I get inside the door of the barn and shut it and I bend down and catch my breath. It is dark in here. I flick the lighter on and try to find my way. My stomach is starting to burn where I scraped it against the tree. I’ve had worse and if this is the worst thing I get out of this situation then I consider myself lucky. I need to find a way to get to the highway or a road and find some help. Those two assholes were talking about two women being brought to this house and they are going to need help and it is up to me to find it. I flick the lighter again and I see a door and I walk to it. By the time I get to it the lighter is hot and I release it and the fire goes out. I blow on it and light it again and push the door open letting the lighter go out again so it will cool. I shut the door and let my eyes adjust to the dark. There is a wooden work table of sorts and I make my way over to it and there are hand tools there. I see a sickle like my aunt Deb keeps in the shed at home but this one is smaller. There are also some wire cutters and a machete. There are some other tools that I have no idea what they are used for. The sickle and machete are old and rusted but maybe I can use them. I flick my lighter again and I see a lantern hanging on a hook on the wall. I make my way over and shake it. It’s empty. At least I found some weapons. I pick up the machete and the sickle and make my way to the back of the barn and flick my light again and find a door that goes out the backside. I see the trees and the fields. I am going for the trees and hope like hell I can remember some of the things my aunt Deb taught Maddie and me about being stranded in the woods at night. I can do this. I will not let these assholes win.

I wake up alone and feel Hacksaw’s side of the bed and it is cool so I know he has been gone for a while. I am looking forward to getting out of this damn house today. I know staying is a priority right now but being on lockdown is getting old. I get up and look at the alarm clock and see it was time for me to be up anyway. I pick my clothes up off the chair I left them on last night. Yes, I was that excited last night about getting out today that I already have my clothes set out. I walk in the bathroom and open the shower door and start the shower. I put some towels on the towel rack hanging on the shower door so I can grab them when I get out. I take my tank and sleep shorts off and step into the shower. The hot water feels good on my skin. It so relaxing and it gives me time to think. I barely remember Hacksaw coming in last night. It was a couple of hours after I had fallen to sleep when I heard the shower come on and then a little later I felt Hacksaw crawling in bed next to me. I waited for him to reach out for me for sex, but he pulled me into his arms and it was just a few minutes later his breathing evened out and I knew he was asleep and I was asleep right after that. I thought he would wake me up before he left this morning but apparently, the long hours are taking a toll on him. Rome still wasn’t in when I came to bed either but when I saw him at lunch yesterday I noticed his slight limp was more noticeable and I know that happens when he is tired. I just hope this is over soon. I feel guilty for going stir crazy in this house when the Feral Steel brothers are barely getting a chance to sleep just trying to keep us safe. I know Hacksaw’s worry has increased in the last few days. He doesn’t even want me outside at all. He wasn’t happy about Tara asking me to go to the doctor with her today. We argued about it but I had to stand my ground. Tara and I have become close and this is her first child and she is scared. Her mom is not around and would be no good for her anyway since she stays in the bottom of a bottle. I’ve given birth twice and I hope I can help Tara with my knowledge. Tara says I do. I’m all she has right now and I won’t shirk my friend duty. I can see how unsure of things that Tara is and if I can calm her that is the least I can do.

This is the first time I have thought about Lucas and Adeline in a few days. I don’t know how I feel about that. They used to be the first and last thing I thought about every day and so many times in between. Since I have been with Hacksaw it has changed. I know in my brain this is the way things should be. I need to go on with my life but my heart is still in transition. Adeline and Lucas will always be important in my life but just maybe I can still have a life and be happy. Maybe one day even have children of my own. I know Hacksaw and I are not promising each other forever but we have ignited a spark between us. I’m not naïve enough to dream about white picket fences, a big back yard, and a house full of children. Right now, all I want is peace of mind and Hacksaw gives that to me. I believe Hacksaw is a man of his word so that means when he is gone these long hours, I believe he is working for the club and not screwing every woman that will bend over and spread their legs for him. I am happy and content. I haven’t had that a lot in my life and I like it. With this new peace of mind, I finish my shower and take care of my morning routine. I apply some moisturizer and lip gloss and dry my hair and put it in a messy bun. I am not the woman that spends an hour applying makeup and doing my hair anymore. I used to be that woman but not anymore. I leave the bathroom and find my favorite pair of flip flops to go with my outfit of capris and nice tshirt. It’s a t-shirt but it has my favorite band on it so it makes it one of my favorites. This is me now, the new Joy that dresses for comfort and not to impress anyone or try to get attention on me and away from any other woman in the room. I stop at the dresser and pick up my favorite perfume and spray just a light spray and I am out the bedroom door and looking for my first hot cup of coffee so I can wake up. This is going to be a good day.

I walk into the kitchen and I see that Hacksaw and Rome are sitting at the table. Since our sheets were cool I thought Hacksaw would be gone by now or I would have been in the kitchen sooner. I see the grim look on both of their faces and I know more bad news is coming. I walk over by the coffeemaker and reach up in the cabinet and get me a cup. No one has said anything and I don’t want to fill the silence with unnecessary chatter so I keep quiet and pour my coffee. I turn and see that Hacksaw is staring at me. “Would you two like me to fix you some breakfast? I’ll try not to burn the eggs,” I say with a smile.

“I’m going to see what is keeping Tara but thanks.” Rome gets up and walks out of the room. I’m used to Rome’s brooding nature by now but this is new for Hacksaw.

“How about you?” I ask again.

“I alread y ate at the clubhouse. Gertie had breakfast fixed earlier,” Hacksaw tells me. I knew he had been up early. “Joy, today I need you to listen to Rome and the prospects. I don’t want anything happening to you and the only way to keep you safe is if you listen to everything you’re told.” I look at Hacksaw and I see the worry lines and fatigue.

“I’ll be safe and listen,” I assure him.

“I’m not being an asshole this time , it is important,” Hacksaw tells me, and I can see there is something he is trying to get me to understand without saying the words. That can only mean club business and I know better than to ask. I just nod at him. Hacksaw moves and takes me in his arms and there is a gentleness about Hacksaw that I haven’t experienced before and it scares the hell out of me. The rough biker I can take. I know how to handle that but the gentle might crush me. “I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you sugar.” I look up at Hacksaw and he looks down at me and our eyes connect. We stare at each other for a minute or it could have been more, then Hacksaw’s mouth is on mine and I swear my heart stands still and then starts to beat out of my chest. Hacksaw consumes me. I feel myself being lifted and I wrap my legs around Hacksaw’s hips. My panties are drenched and my sex clenches with desire. I want Hacksaw and I feel how much he wants me with the bulge in his jeans. I grind down on him and then I hear a throat clear. I don’t pull away but the second time someone fake coughs Hacksaw turns us towards the noise and Devil is standing there with a grin on his face. Hacksaw slaps my ass and I drop my legs to the floor. Rome walks back in the room. I step away from Hacksaw just a little and press my rumpled clothes down with my hands. I’m still a little breathless. “Is it time?” Hacksaw asks Devil.

“Yeah, we need to get back to the clubhouse. Oz and Tito have an update and I just talked to Chief, so we need to get a move on,” Devil tells Hacksaw. “Rome, see you back at the clubhouse after. Be careful. The prospects are outside waiting.” I see Tara walk up behind Rome.

“Will do brother,” Rome tells Devil and then he looks at me. “Joy, can we use your truck? Kat is using our SUV today to do a grocery run for the clubhouse.” “Sure.” I throw my keys to him.

 

“Where is Bourbon gone to today in your ride?” Rome asks Devil, but Devil just looks at Rome without giving him an answer.

“Their club business or ours?” Rome asks.
“Both.” The way Devil says it we can all tell the subject is closed.

“Just drop the women o ff at my house when you get back. Rye will be there with a couple of his men. The rest are with Bourbon. We need you at the clubhouse as soon as possible.” Devil gives Rome a look that says a lot without saying a word. I have an uneasy feeling. At times like these I wish I was stupid to the workings of club life. Sometimes not knowing saves peace of mind. Tara doesn’t look concerned at all. Hacksaw steps back up to me and kisses me again, much too short for my liking but I know he has things that need to be done. Hacksaw steps back from me and gives me a wink. I smile at him and then he and Devil walk out the door. I drink my coffee as Tara makes some toast.

“I’m going to have a word with the prospects. When you two are ready just come on out. We need to leave in the next fifteen minutes,” Rome tells us and then he slaps Tara on the ass and walks out.

“He’s so sweet,” Tara says in a sarcastic tone, but she has a big smile on her face showing just how much she loves Rome.

“But he’s all yours.” Tara is finished doctoring her toast up with butter and jelly. She puts the things back in the fridge and pours a small glass of juice to wash the food down. She turns around and stands at the cabinet to eat.

“Yes, he is, and I am one lucky woman,” Tara says as she starts to eat. I finish drinking my coffee and rinse my cup and place it in the dishwasher.

“You’re both lucky. I’m going to grab my purse and then I will be ready ,” I tell Tara and then make my way back to the room that Hacksaw and I have been staying in. I grab my purse and get my phone and check the battery, full charge. I straighten the bed and turn to leave and my eyes catch sight of the door across the hall. It was Sarah’s room. The door is closed and no one has been in it. We have been staying in Hanna’s room and Rome and Tara have been staying in Felix’s. Sarah’s room stays untouched. I have been waiting on Callie to send boxes over, but I haven’t heard anything about it and I figure since I volunteered, and Tara said she would help if the three friends were ready for it to be packed up, they would let us know or Devil would and nothing. I know if it was Em’s room and she was gone…no, I can’t even think it. It makes my heart hurt just thinking about it. I walk back to the kitchen and Tara has finished eating and is waiting on me. We walk out the door and Tara locks the door. I see the three prospects talking with Rome so we go to my truck and get in and wait. My truck is a single cab truck, so Tara is sitting in the middle and I am riding shotgun. Tara’s brother Joey is one of the prospects and when he looks our way Tara gives him a little wave and he gives one of those man nods.

“Are you excited to hear the heart beat?” I ask Tara trying to fill the silence and hoping to ease some of Tara’s nerves.

 

“I am but I think Rome is more excited than I am,” Tara tells me with a smile on her face.

“I know this is none of my business but that’s not going to stop me from asking.” I stop and look at Tara’s face to see if I am about to stick my foot in my mouth. “Why do you call Rome by his road name? I mean a lot of ol’ ladies call their men by their given names.” Tara laughs.

“No one has ever asked me that before but to tell you the truth I’ve never even thought about it. When we were introduced he had just gotten his road name so I met him as Rome. It’s natural to call him Rome but when we are alone I call him Kane. I don’t think a person’s name defines them so Rome is good for me. You do the same thing with Hacksaw.” Tara is right. I’ve never called Hacksaw anything but Hacksaw. I know his name is Heath but I guess that is a conversation we need to have so I’ll know his preference. It just shows how little we know each other.

“Good point. Have you heard anything from Callie about us doing Sarah’s room? I don’t want to push the issue.” I see concern on Tara’s face.

“I haven’t talked much with Callie and it never comes up but I am like you, I don’t want to push. We volunteered so I think we just need to wait and let them come to us.” Tara and I agree on that. I see Rome walking our way. He gets in the truck and we are on our way. Rome reaches over and takes Tara’s hand and puts it on his thigh. I smile to myself. I love the way the two of them are together. We drive up the drive and past the clubhouse. Creole opens the gate for us so we can leave the club property. The Feral Steel take their security seriously. Gully is in the lead then us in my truck and Jay and Joey are following behind us. It’s not a long ride to the doctor’s office but for some reason my nerves have me on edge. I haven’t been out in over a week and I like getting out but I am beginning to feel boxed in. I breathe through it when we finally enter the city limits. The country highway was too quiet for me. I see Gully stop at the four-way stop at the intersection and then he goes, and we stop. Just as I think we are going to drive through I see a man that is a car back at the stop sign to our right step out of his car and he has a weapon in his hand and he is shooting at us. I hear the shots hit my truck. I see as he turns the gun on Gully and he goes down.

“Get on the floor!” I hear Rome yell. I push Tara down in the floorboard of my truck. There isn’t room for both of us so I try to cover Tara’s body with mine without smothering her. I feel the truck moving and Rome has his phone in his hand and hands it to me. I call Hacksaw, but it goes to voicemail, so I call the clubhouse. It rings. I hear more gunshots and I feel a sharp burning pain in my leg.

“Yep!” I hear someone answer.

 

“We’re getting shot at! We just came into town!” I don’t know who I am talking to until his voice calms me.

 

“Sugar, calm down. You’re yelling, and I can’t make out what you are saying,” Hacksaw says so I lower my voice and repeat.

“We are at the four -way intersection and we are getting shot at.” The line goes dead. I look at Rome and he has his gun out and is trying to shoot behind us and drive too. I put the phone in Tara’s hand.

“Call someone else the phone went dead so I think help is on the way.” I tell Tara. She is crying but takes the phone. I am afraid that Rome will wreck the truck while trying to shoot so I get in the seat.

“Give me the gun.” Rome looks at me for only a second and then hands it to me. I turn myself backwards and open my sliding glass window. I don’t see Joey or Jay. I see a black SUV behind us with a man reaching out the front passenger side window shooting at us. Rome is zigging and zagging. It’s hard to get my balance but I get a shot off. I’ve shot a gun before and when I am standing still and shooting at a target I am an okay shot but in these conditions, I am just happy I hit the SUV. It doesn’t deter the man from shooting back. I shoot again and hit their windshield. I am just about to shoot again, and something hits my side of the truck hard and I fall back, hitting my head on the dash of the truck. My head is dizzy but when the airbag goes off and I am thrown back against the cab everything goes black.

I hear the panic in Joy’s voice as soon as she starts shouting. Her voice is too loud for me to make out the words she is saying. “Sugar, calm down. You’re yelling and I can’t make out what you are saying.” I never expected her next words. We have been so careful with security.

“We are at the four-way intersection and we are getting shot at.” I don’t think about it. I just hang the phone up.

“Roll out! Rome and the women are under fire at the intersection going into town. Bo call Devil and tell him Rome needs backup and stay here,” I yell. Every brother there runs to their bikes and I am the first one out of the gate. My mind goes to every scenario. My woman is in trouble but Rome is there with three prospects. I know Joy and Tara have protection but my mind is playing out too many scenarios in my head. It’s a fifteen-minute drive any other day but we make it in ten. We see Jay’s bike down and it looks like he is pinned under it in the middle of the road. I know from the way Jay’s body is lying he is either out cold or dead. I drive by knowing one of my brothers will stop. I am on a mission to find my woman. I hear sirens in the distance so I know help is on the way. I pass Gully right after Jay but he is waving me on. He is hunkered down behind his bike using it for cover. I see Joy’s truck up ahead and Joey at the passenger side door. I see Joey’s bike is down in the opposite side of the road. I also see that the passenger side door is dented in but I don’t see either woman. I pull right up next to Joey and I see that he is trying to get Tara out of the floorboard. “Where’s Joy?” I ask the prospect. He looks at me with a crazed look in his eyes.

“They took her.” I grab him by the shirt and I see blood dripping from his arm from a shot and then notice he is bleeding from his leg also where I am guessing he has been shot but I don’t care.

“Let me the fuck go!” Joey yells. “I tried to stop them but they had me pinned down. Tara is bleeding and I need to get her out.” I am furious and sick with worry but I can see the blood in the truck floor. I look on the other side and see Rome is passed out and he is bleeding from his head. I push Joey out of the way and try to see if Tara is awake.

“Tara if you are conscious close your eyes. I need to pop this air bag but the chemicals inside will burn your eyes if they are open.” I look but I can’t see Tara’s face so I pull my knife out. I see Bowie is over on the other side trying to get Rome out and then I hear the ambulance is there. “Bowie just pop the airbag and let the paramedics do this. We could hurt them worse if we do it wrong.” Bowie and I both shield our faces and pop the air bags. A paramedic steps over by Bowie to look at Rome and the other comes to our side. I move back and get Joey to sit down before he falls.

“Gentlemen, step away so we can do our job.” I go over by Joey to get information. I see Devil approaching.

 

“What the hell happened?” I look at our newest prospect. Devil is standing behind me now.

“Gully stopped at the stop sign and proceeded to pull through the intersection and Rome was stopped in the truck. A man jumped out of a car and start firing on Gully and he went down. Rome drove through the stop sign and we were hit from behind by some men in an SUV and they were firing on us. I drew my gun and killed the man from the car but by that time Jay had been hit. They took out my tire and I managed to lay my bike down and get out from under it. I took cover and was firing at them. The SUV was closing in on Rome. They were trading gunfire but the SUV hit the truck hard from behind and another car came in from the side and hit the passenger door and Joy’s truck just stopped. I couldn’t get a shot on the far side of the truck so whoever it was got the door open and took Joy. Then the SUV backed up and swerved out and left. I kept firing my gun and I think I got the driver but he was still alive and driving. I hobbled over here and was trying to get Tara out. There is blood in the floorboard where Tara is, but she wasn’t saying anything.” We let Joey get it all out. I take out my phone and call Oz. He picks up on the first ring.

“Track Joy’s phone and let me know where it goes.” I see Joey is fading fast. I take my cut off and pull my t-shirt over my head and then put my cut back on. I tear my shirt in half. I lift Joey’s leg and put one half of my shirt around the leg right above where he is shot and tie it up. I then take the other half and put it on his arm where he is bleeding. I see that his jeans are shredded where his bike went down. He is going to have one hell of a case of road rash. I look back at the truck and I see they have Rome out and he not only has a cut on his head but I hear the paramedic say something about a gunshot to the side. They are trying to get Tara out and they finally do but I can see that she is covered in blood. I see red. I will kill the motherfuckers that dared to hurt our women and take my woman. Devil is talking to the paramedics when my phone rings. I see it is Oz and answer.

“They’ve stopped at an abandoned business in town. It’s the old game room.” I stand up and look at Devil. He walks my way.

“Joy’s phone has been track ed to the old game room in town,” I say only loud enough for Devil to hear. I see another ambulance and the sheriff car stop close to us. I am not waiting to talk to Sheriff Taylor.

“Take Bowie, Crockett, and Cowboy. I’ll stall the sheriff and be at the hospital. I’ll text Bo and Thrasher to meet you,” Devil says and steps away from me, so he can head the sheriff off. I motion for Bowie and he gets Crockett. I grab Cowboy’s attention and we are on our bikes and gone before the sheriff has a chance to stop us. I have only one thing on my mind, getting Joy back and then showing the assholes who did this some club justice. The ride to the old game room seems like it takes forever, but in actuality, could only be minutes. We find a place down the street to stay out of sight. I send Crockett in one direction to get a closer look to see if there is anything he can tell us. Bowie goes around the opposite direction. I want to go but I know if I get my eyes on Joy or hear anything that I am not going to wait until we are set. On the ride here, I have thought about the way that Joy and I came together and we have had nothing but chaos around us since the first day we met but she has gotten under my skin and into my heart. I can’t imagine not having her in my life, I won’t let someone take her from me. She is my woman and that is the way it is going to stay. I feel my phone vibrate and see that it is a text from Devil.

Devil: Jay was D.O.A. No other word yet. They found Micah. Rye headed your way. I don’t respond. There is nothing to say. Crockett comes back. “I don’t see any security cameras but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. We are going in blind. No way out over there. I only see the one way in, everything else is boarded up,” Crockett tells all of us. Bowie comes running back.

“The Black SUV and gray car are in the back alley. I cut all the tires. I didn’t see any security cameras but doesn’t Oz have one of those signal scramblers? Everything is boarded up and no way out over there.” Bowie is right. I text Oz and get an immediate response that Tito is already on the way with toys. That is code for heavy fire power. We just need to wait for him to arrive. I hear a bike approaching but it isn’t Tito. I know the sound of all my brother’s bikes. It must be Rye.

“Bo, go show Rye where we have our bikes so he doesn’t give these assholes a heads up. Wait for Tito too,” I tell the prospect. I want to run over to the building and bust in the doors but I can’t take the chance of getting my woman hurt. It seems like we have been waiting forever. No one has gone in or out of the building. I look up at the second floor and there’s not even a window without a board over it. Whoever picked this building is not a very smart person from what I can see. If there are no more doors out and no windows then that means there is only one way in and out. A feeling of fear sneaks its way into me. The only reason that a person would chose a place like this is if they aren’t looking for a way out. What if they have it booby-trapped to blow when we enter? There are too many variables and too many ways for them to go wrong. What if I get my woman killed and some of my brothers too? I’m going to need to go with my gut. I just hope whatever Tito is bringing will work.

I’m pacing back and forth in the same damn waiting room that I have been in too many times before. Another person dead for following my orders. How many have there been now? I thought when we pulled away from the outlaw side of a motorcycle club lifestyle that the violence that threatened our family would lessen in severity but our family members are still dying and still suffering. Rome has still been shot for trying to take his woman to the doctor to hear their child’s heartbeat for the first time. A child Rome and Tara will never know because the innocent life was taken away from them before it ever had a chance to live. Rome is having a bullet taken out of his body and has no idea the sorrow that will be waiting for him when he wakes up. Tara hasn’t woken up yet but I can only imagine the anguish she will face. Joey and Gully are both being looked at now. I know Joey is shot but I am still not sure the extent of Gully’s injuries. I should be with Hacksaw and the other brothers helping to find Joy but someone needs to be here too. I am walking the floor like a caged animal when I see Bourbon and Slick walk in. I know Bourbon is going to want an update on Tara but the nurse hasn’t come back in and given me an update yet to let me know what room she is being moved to yet. Bourbon walks up to me. “Where’s my girl?”

“She’s not in a room yet. They are still watching her and waiting for a room to open on the floor. She lost the baby, has a concussion, and her collarbone is broke. Rome is in surgery to remove the bullet that entered his side. They think he has a concussion also. Joey was shot twice but they were through and through. He also has some serious road rash and they still have him in the emergency room and same with Gully. I’m not sure what Gully’s injuries are but he was awake and talking to them. Did you get Maddie here alright?” I give them the update and make sure that Bourbon had no problems on his trip. Only Bourbon, Rye, Chief and Hacksaw knew that Bourbon was making the trip to pick up Maddie and her daughter. Maddie needed to be close to Callie with Micah missing. I knew I couldn’t keep the fact that Micah was missing from Callie and once Callie knew she reached out to Maddie but it was Rye’s idea to have the girls together. If we don’t come up with some leads soon we may need to reach out to more clubs for manpower.

“Has Tara woke up yet? Does she know that she lost the baby?” Bourbon asks.

“She’s still out. It may be because of the concussion or her body’s way of protecting her but the doctors are hoping she wakes up soon. I just hope Rome is out of surgery by then,” I tell Bourbon.

“Blade, Rizer, and Gator are at your house. Stump is in the parking lot here keeping an eye out for trouble. Bear and Gage rode with Rye,” Bourbon updates me on his brothers.

“Ridge is doing a sweep of the hospital.” I wasn’t fool enough to come alone. “Possum and Edge have the clubhouse secured,” Slick adds.

“Did Chief give you more information about Micah? All I got was a text she was found. How is she?” Bourbon smiles.

“Chief said that Micah got away from whoever was holding her and went through the woods. That one is more like our Callie than Maddie.” Bourbon’s fondness for Callie shows through his words but still doesn’t explain much. I wait for him to continue. “Someone jumped her and drugged her when she came out of that truck stop. She’d stopped to grab something to eat and to water her horse. When she came out someone hit her from behind. She told Trigger that she heard two men talking where she was being held but that was all. They said something about getting a cut so they are some club’s prospects. Micah didn’t let them know the drugs had worn off. When they left her alone she got out of the ropes she was tied with and shimmied down a damn tree and flattened their tires and then took off in the woods. She got to a farm market road and got picked up and she phoned her aunt Deb who called Sarge. Trigger and Sarge picked her up. The damn woman had cuts and scrapes all over her but she is going to be fine.” Bourbon laughs. “The only clothes she had on was a damn bra, panties, and socks. Yeah, that girl is ol’ lady material.”

“How are Maddie and Rebie?” I ask about my other sister-inlaw. “I thought if Micah was found that she would wait for her at Chief’s.”

“Micah is coming to Oklahoma. The sisters want to be together. Trigger will be hanging around for a while.” I don’t have a problem with Trigger being around. The man is quiet and stays to himself. He was a lawman at one time so his contacts may come in handy.

“What have you heard from Hacksaw? They have eyes on Joy yet?” Slick asks. I look around to make sure there are no unexpected ears.

“They are at the abandoned game room and waiting on Rye and Tito. Hacksaw is on the edge and he is not a patient man so I am hoping they can get Joy out of there alive. If not Hacksaw may burn the whole damn town down.” I don’t blame Hacksaw at all. If that was my woman I would be the same way. My phone vibrates and I take it out and see it is Oz. I hope like hell he has something. I open the text and I read it and then reread it. I see red. Blood is what I see. “Slick stay here and keep me updated. Bourbon let’s roll. Text your men at my house and tell them no one gets in or out of my house without my okay. Oz has news and he is going to meet us at the game room.” I see Bourbon and Slick both want to question me but I am not waiting. Bourbon can either follow me or not but it is time to end this or least face my demons from the past.

I wake up and I am in a storage room or a closet. All I know is it small, dark, and it has a bad smell. My head hurts and my body aches. I try to remember how I got here or what happened. The last thing I remember I was riding with Rome and Tara to Tara’s doctor’s appointment. Then it comes rushing back. The gunfire and Tara was in the floorboard of my truck and I was shooting at an SUV and then we were hit. My leg starts throbbing and I see the blood. I’ve been shot in my leg. How long have I been here? Where are Tara and Rome? I remember the prospect in front of us going down. I don’t know what I should do. Should I yell out for help or stay quiet? I start to beat on the door but then I remember what Hacksaw told me about staying safe and the things that happened to Sarah. I stop and go still. My leg is bleeding and throbbing. I look around in the small room and try to find anything to try and stop the bleeding. I stand up and see there are shelves against the other wall. I see a box and lean over to get it and drag it to me. I look inside and I put my hand inside it to see what I can find. I see a small piece of fabric sticking up under some empty smaller boxes. I grab at it and pull it. I don’t know what it is but it isn’t much bigger than a dish towel. It’s not a lot but I will take it. I take it and push it up against my bleeding leg. It hurts like the dickens but I apply as much pressure as I can. I know Hacksaw is looking for me by now. I just need to hold on until he gets here. I know I need to stay awake but I am so groggy. I lean back against the wall. I am going to rest just for a few minutes. It’s hard to keep my eyes open. I’ll shut them for just a second. My eyes are burning from trying to keep them open. I’ll shut them just for a second…

I have been sitting here and nothing has changed around the building. No one in and no one out. The brothers have it surrounded but every time we start to rush the place I get a text. Tito is here and brought some smoke bombs and masks. Then Rye wants us to wait until we have word that Bourbon has made it to the hospital. Then Devil said he and Oz are on the way. We have been here close to three hours and I know Joy is in that building and I want her out and with me. I don’t know if she is hurt or what they have done to her. The waiting is a hell all on its own. I see Devil approaching me and I can see by the look on his face he is here to handle shit. I see Oz coming up behind him and I am hoping it means that he finally has something new to help us. Bourbon is the last one to make it to us. I thought he would be at the hospital with Tara but maybe this means we are finally going in. “Tell me that we can go in now.” I look at Devil and wait for an answer. Devil waits until Oz and Bourbon join us. Bowie, Tito and Bo join the group too.

“Oz bring us up to speed,” Devil says but I can see the way he is clamping his jaw together.

“I got the sealed records report. That Lisa woman is adopted and her mother’s maiden name is Linden.” We all wait for him to say more. “Her family is from Oklahoma. She is the blood sister to Bri and Kizzy Linden. Bri and Kizzy’s last name was Linden but I am digging for Lisa’s father’s name. Their mom gave her up for adoption. We all know how the two sisters met their end and it all goes back to Devil and Callie. That was a little bit too much of a coincidence for me so I put that with Lisa lying about being away with work longer than she told the cops.” Kizzy was Stone’s ol’ lady. Devil’s blood brother and the man that betrayed the Feral Steel MC. Stone was a cold-blooded killer who used anyone he ever met. He was jealous of Devil because he was given more responsibility in the club. That jealousy consumed him and then overtook his life when he turned to using drugs and decided if he couldn’t control the Feral Steel MC he would destroy it. Bri was Devil’s ol’ lady and the whole reason that Devil first married Callie. Devil was led to believe that Bri was kidnapped by Diamondback and was being held against her will until Devil married Callie and got her pregnant. Diamondback was Callie’s biological father but she was raised and adopted by Chief. Diamondback was the President of an outlaw biker club. Callie didn’t know anything about Diamondback but she did know she was adopted and the piece of shit that her mom, Karen was. Callie never knew who her father was. It was a big mess orchestrated by none other than Callie’s mom, Karen, with the help of Kizzy and Bri. During the chaos of the whole situation Devil fell in love with Callie but it has cost us all.

“How would Lisa have anything to do with a motorcycle club? Nothing came up in her background check,” Tito asks.

“Lisa in her life that she lived with Becky, no ,” Oz says and hesitates. “But Kizzy and Bri were cousins to Duke and King. Duke was killed by Sarge just like Kizzy, Bri and Karen, but King wasn’t. King took over as President of the Possessed Blood Souls MC in Sedalia. Chief sold them that piece of land right outside of the BlackPath MC territory. If Kizzy and Bri were his cousins then so is Lisa. I don’t have any connections to get any information on the club but I called Brain in Texas and he is on it.” Brain is Chief’s tech guy and he is the BlackPath MC’s go-to guy.

“Trigger may be able to get some information. He’s at Devil’s house. He was a US Marshall. He should have contacts if the BlackPath’s don’t have anything already,” Bourbon says. Devil has his phone out and sends a text. I can’t wait any longer.

“I’m going in. We can’t just keep sitting here with our thumbs up our asses talking while my woman is in there. We’ve waited long enough.” I look at Devil for support but he is shaking his head.

“We need to watch some more to make sure we are not walking into a trap ,” Devil says, and I know that is the logical thing to do but I know Joy needs me. I feel it. Somehow that woman has gotten to a part of me I didn’t even know existed and I am not letting her slip through my fingers. I don’t care if that makes me sound like a pussy.

“No. I am not waiting and you can either go with me or stay the fuck out of my way. Your ol’ lady is sitting at home with your children safe and if this wasn’t for the shit you and Callie have pulled over the last few years then it wouldn’t be happening so deal with it.” I know I am stepping over a line but right now I am running on instinct. That’s the reason I did not see what happened next coming. Devil rounds on me with his fist a flying and knocks me on my ass. I jump back to my feet but Devil grabs me by the front of my shirt and pulls me to him. I am inches away from his face.

“Listen motherfucker I am your President and you will not disrespect me or I will end your shit right here.” Devil pushes me back and I catch myself before I fall. “Don’t you see, this is what the asshole who is orchestrating this wants for us to turn on each other and don’t you ever disrespect my ol’ lady again. I am the reason this is happening.” Devil turns away from me. I immediately regret my words. I know this is not Callie’s fault no more than it is Devil’s.

“You both need to take a step back and get a hold of yourselves. Neither one of you are any good to anyone as tightly strung as you are,” Bourbon tells us. “Old man, don’t tell me how to run my club or you can leave,” Devil tells Bourbon. Bourbon laughs. We all look at him.

“I got your old man , boy,” Bourbon says, glaring at Devil. “This isn’t helping matters. We have a woman across the street who needs our help. We can sort the rest of this out later. Let’s go get Hacksaw’s woman.” Devil looks at me.

“I get that you are pissed about Joy and I understand it. We have been doing everything that we can to get her back safely. We have been friends since school and brothers since we prospected together but you ever disrespect me again I will have your patch. Everything I did about Bri was voted on by the Feral Steel MC. There were a few things that I kept to myself but they wouldn’t have changed anything. Callie was an innocent in all the shit that went down. You of all people should know that. You also should know that I did not nor did any Feral Steel MC member order a hit on Bri or Kizzy. Sarge did that himself and we don’t even know for sure that this has anything to do with any of that matter. Subject is closed until we have concrete proof. Are we clear on that Hacksaw or anyone else who has something to say about it?” Devil is seething mad and I get it but it doesn’t matter. Joy still needs our help and we are still not doing anything.

“I’m still going in to get my woman,” I tell Devil. Devil looks at me and then to Tito.

 

“How many gas masks do you have and how many cannisters of tear gas?” Devil asks Tito.

 

“Ten gas masks and three cannisters of tear gas.” Tito has the gas masks at his feet and is holding the tear gas cannisters in his hands.

 

“Are there any windows or doors that aren’t boarded up besides the front?” Devil asks.

 

“None. Everything is boarded up,” Bowie answers.

“Text Crockett to make sure their vehicles are inoperable. Oz, you and Bo stay with our bikes and be ready for anything coming your way. Oz get a cage here in case we need it for Joy.” Devil looks at Bowie to send the text and then looks at Oz and Bo to get their directions. “Bowie tell Crockett to position himself to be our backup when we go in. Everyone remember that tear gas is flammable and a fire may start so be ready to get in and get out. Our main objective is to get Joy out. We need to get information from anyone that is in there so if you can, take them alive.” Devil looks straight at me and Tito. “I know that you two want retribution. We all do but we can’t put a stop to it all if we cannot find who is responsible and stop them.”

“I want blood. They didn’t give Sarah a chance to live. I need this,” Tito speaks up.

“Tito if you cannot do this we understand but we need answers. You will get your chance,” Devil tells Tito. Tito nods his head yes. “We are going to hit that front door hard. Hacksaw, Tito, Bourbon and I will go in first. Rye, you position yourself with Bowie and Crockett to be the second wave in. Everyone else stays outside. I want the rest back a little. Bowie and Rye have five minutes to get to Crockett and then we are hitting that door.” Tito hands them their gas masks. Bowie and Rye take off. “Hacksaw you and I are hitting the door. Tito, you throw in the gas. Make sure it’s not all in one spot. Bourbon you are Tito’s cover and we will be right behind you. Hacksaw you roll right and I’ll go left. Anyone moving try to put down but not kill. Whoever finds Joy get her out of there. If the PD shows up and we are jailed then keep your mouths shut and ask for a lawyer. Callie has bail money so she is your one phone call. She’ll call the suits.” Devil is looking at his watch. “Let’s do this.” Tito hands everyone their gas masks. We make our way over to the building watching as we go. When we get to the front door, I try to twist the door knob and it doesn’t turn. We put on our gas masks and Bourbon has his gun out. Devil gives me a head shake and he and I hit the door with a run and give it everything we have and the door busts open under our weight with a loud crack. I go right and take out my gun and I hear shots ring out. Tito is through and he throws a canister of tear gas to the back of the room and it goes off. I see Devil went left and he is firing his gun. I see a man running at me and I shoot him in the leg but he is still coming so I shoot again. I don’t know where I hit him but he goes down. I hear a scream on the other side of the room but I don’t take time to look. I see another man jump from behind Devil and I shoot at him and he goes down. Just as soon as the shooting began it is over. I look around but it is hard to see with the gas and these damn gas masks aren’t the easiest thing to see through. I walk back through the room. I don’t see anything anywhere. I hear a crash and I see Devil is kicking the plywood off a window. I see Bourbon and he is motioning he is going upstairs and I watch him. Devil finally gets some more light in the room and I hear one man making a noise like he is choking and I know that is the reaction to the gas. I look around the room and there were only four men down and none of them are ours. I hear a crash and look over to the stairs and Bourbon is backing away. Devil is pointing towards the front door and we all walk outside. We take our gas masks off.

“No one could go up those stairs. They’re rotte n. There is a door that goes under the stairs. I put some old papers under it. I didn’t want to jerk it open in case Joy is in there and she would get the tear gas in her eyes. That shit burns,” Bourbon says. I want to run back in there but we can give it a minute to clear. To hell with it. I’ll give her my gas mask. I turn to go back in but Tito is carrying her out. I can tell by the way he is carrying her that something is wrong with her and then I see the blood. I run to Tito and take her. I hear the cage pull up behind me and I turn, and Devil has the back door open. I hand Joy to him and get in and then he puts her in my lap.

“Tell the hospital the truth about how she got hurt. We’ll clean this up before the PD arrives.” Then Devil shuts the door. I see Bo is driving and I know this is going to be the longest ride of my life. I put my lips to the side of Joy’s head and kiss her and then I whisper in her ear. “Sugar, hang on. We are going to get you help and then I am going to love the shit out of you for the rest of your life. Do you hear me sugar? I don’t know when or how it happened sugar but I love you. Hang on for me.” I pull her to me and I know this is my woman. That scares the hell out of me but not having her in my life is not an option.

I wake up and just from the smell I know I am in the hospital. When I open my eyes, I see I am right. It is bright in the room I am in which makes it hard to keep my eyes open. My head is pounding and my body feels weak. The center of my back hurts and I am having cramp-like feelings in my stomach and then the memories hit me. We were trying to get away from someone shooting at us and I was in the floorboard of Joy’s truck. My hand goes to my stomach and I am scared. Is my baby alright? I start feeling around on the bed for a nurse call button when the door opens and a nurse walks in. I am wondering where Rome is but that is not what comes out of my mouth. “Is my baby alright? My stomach has small twinges in it.” It’s not bad like my period cramps but still it is there.

“I will get your doctor Ms. Blount in just a few minutes so he can answer your questions. How are you feeling? Any back pain or a headache?” The nurse asks me, but she won’t look me in the eye.

“I feel like I have been hit by a truck. My back i s hurting and my head. Can I have something to drink? My mouth is dry and my throat is sore. Where is Rome?” I answer her questions and then give her questions of my own.

“I’ll get you some water as soon as the doctor sees you. You came in the emergency room with a few people but they must be down the hall or on the second floor. After the doctor comes in I will see if I can find out for you. I’ll be right back.” The nurse goes back out the door she came in. My head is still foggy but I run my hand down to my stomach again and I know my baby is gone. I feel empty. I feel the tears start to fall. No, it can’t be true. This is a nightmare. I’ll wake up in a minute and Rome will pull me in his arms and hug me to him and kiss all my fears away. Please, please let this be a horrible, horrible nightmare. IT CAN’T BE TRUE! I try to sit up but I feel dizzy. I can’t breathe. I am gulping for air…

“Mr. Steel, can you open your eyes for me?” I hear the voice but it seems far away. “Mr. Steel can you hear my voice?” I will my eyes to open. “Do you understand me, Mr. Steel?” My throat is dry and I try to swallow. It burns but I do it again, which is hard since my mouth is dry.

“Yes,” I croak out.

“Good, good Mr. Steel ,” the man says. “Can you tell me your name?” I think about it and I start to say Rome but I know I am in a hospital so I know they mean my birth name. I’ve been through this drill many times.

“Kane Steel ,” I say. At least this time I can understand my own self. “Very good Mr. Steel. Can you tell me what year this is?” the man asks. “2017,” I answer.

“Very good. Mr. Steel, I am Dr. Walker and I am the surgeon that removed a bullet from you. The good news is you are going to recover and the bullet did not hit anything major and the damage was minimal. You did lose a bit of blood and you have a concussion from the bump to your head and your ribs are bruised from airbag impact. You are a very lucky man.” I listen to the doctor go on. Then I remember Tara. Oh shit, she was in the floorboard and Joy, she hit her head hard when that other vehicle hit us in the side.

“How is my woman, Tara? She was in the truck with me and Joy, the other woman.” Dr. Walker’s face changes. I see the look of pity in his eyes. I don’t know why he would look that way but I am taking the time to ask. I try to raise up but I feel a bit nauseous but that is not stopping me. I try to sit myself up. I am finding my woman.

“Mr. Steel, you need to lie back down before you bust open your staples.” The doctor hits the call button and he tries to push me gently back down but it is not working. I need to find my woman and make sure she and our child are alright. No one is going to keep me from getting to them. I push the doctor back and then I hear the nurse from the call intercom.

“Can I help you?” The nurse’s voice comes through.

“Can y ou get Dr. Wray in here to talk to Mr. Steel about Ms. Blount.” I relax a little but I still am not happy with this situation. Tara needs me or she would be here. “Mr. Steel if you would just relax for a few minutes. Dr. Wray has been waiting to talk to you and Ms. Blount.”

“Is Tara hurt? Is she in the hospital?” I ask. I need some damn answers.

“Mr. Steel, I was not Ms. Blount’s attending so I do not know if or what her injuries are, but I do know she was admitted to the hospital and I am only telling you this because just like she is your emergency contact, Dr. Wray said you are Ms. Blount’s. There are certain rules and confidentiality procedures in a hospital.” I am done listening to this man. I start to get out of the bed and Tara’s doctor, Dr. Wray, walks in. Dr. Walker walks out the door as Dr. Wray approaches my bed.

“It’s good to see you awake Rome ,” Dr. Wray tells me.
“Where’s Tara and, how is she?” I cut to the chase. I don’t have time to waste.

“Tara is right up the hall.” Since there are only two floors to this hospital that makes sense.

 

“How are she and the baby?” Dr. Wray looks me in the eye.

“Tara is going to be fine but she miscarried. I’m sorry Rome. I know how much you both wanted the child.” I know what the doctor said but it can’t be. We were going to hear the baby’s heartbeat today. We were only ten minutes away from the doctor’s office. “Tara is in a bad way Rome. I had to sedate her. She is going to need you to be strong for her. You are both young and you still have plenty of time to have children.” How can a doctor spew this shit?

“I want this child! This cannot be happening. Where is Tara? I need to see my woman.” I see Dr. Walker walk back in and walk to the side of my bed. He is doing something with my IV. I start to get up.

“Mr. Steel you are not going to do anyone any good if you rip those staples out,” Dr. Walker says.

“Dr. Walker is right, Rome. Tara needs your strength. She’s resting now but when she wakes up she is going to need you so you need to get better so you can be there for her.” Dr. Wray tries to convince me. I am not waiting. I am going to get to my woman. I try to pull myself up by the handle on the side of the bed but my head feels dizzy and my head is groggy. I try again and it is no use. Dr. Walker walks to the other side of the bed and puts my legs back straight in the bed.

“The sedative I gave you will let you rest a few more hours , Mr. Steel. Don’t fight it.” I can’t fight it. What kind of man lets his woman get hurt and lets his child die? I can’t think anymore. I just lie back and let the dark take me under.

The van picked up the only man that was left living when everything settled. He was wearing a cut from the Possessed Blood Souls. The name on his cut was Diz but he doesn’t hold an officers position. There were four other bodies but only two were wearing cuts. Bowie and Thrasher took Diz back to the clubhouse. Rye and Bourbon left to go to the hospital to check on everyone there. The PD that showed up was on our payroll but he alerted us to the fact that no calls went out during all the gunfire. It’s not like this is a busy part of our small town but there should have been a call from some busybody. Gunshots in town, no they should have gotten a call. That tells me that someone or more than one in the sheriff’s office is either being paid off or in on what is going on. Either way it works to our advantage this once. Tito has blocked all the street cameras. It was easy since we had access because we are the ones that helped having them installed. Our deal with Hempcan got street cameras for all the main streets in our small town. I know we are going to torch this place and we need to do it fast, but I have been looking for anything that could help find out if anyone else has been here. This place is disgustingly filthy and I can’t see anyone setting up shop in here for any amount of time. The guys that were here were stupid and careless. Who brings someone they kidnap to a place inside the city limits and only has one way out and why did they not do anything more to Joy the way they did to Sarah and Becky? None of this is making much sense. I have texted Trigger more than once to make sure the house is secured, and I have been in touch with Tex at the clubhouse and nothing. I texted Chief earlier and made sure he was updated but this is leaving me with more questions than answers. I know there are no questions I am going to get answered here. “Torch it!” I yell at Ridge and Edge. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and take it out and look at it. It’s text from ZMan.

ZMan: BlackPath clubhouse hit. We were ready. Tazer and Driller took lead and at hospital. Sending details to Oz. I think about it and know we were probably just a distraction and they hit the BlackPath MC clubhouse with more force. It’s time to get back to the clubhouse and get some damn answers.

I’m lying here in Callie’s den and trying to fall asleep. It’s not easy when so many things have been running through my mind. I bend down and kiss the top of Betsy’s head. This little girl is the thing that has kept me from going crazy for close to two years. I rub my chin on top of her little head and run my fingers through her soft baby hair. She’s my little B. She’s everything good in my world. I don’t understand the danger that we are in or how we got here. My life has never been dangerous. The biggest danger that I ever encountered before I met my older sister Callie is I forgot to watch where I was walking and walked into a horse shit pile one of horses left in our yard on the ranch. Yes, I have lived a sheltered ranch life in the small Lake Cypress community. Where everyone has known everyone their whole lives. I’m not an adventurous person like my twin sister Micah. Where she likes the rodeo circuit and riding barrels and then hitting the bars afterwards. I am more the stay at home type and snuggle up in a chair and get lost in a hot romance e-book on my kindle. Where Micah has had many real boyfriends, I prefer the book boyfriend. They never lie to me or let me down. That I can deal with. I should get up and go in the kitchen so I don’t wake my daughter but I can’t bring myself to let her go. Ever since Chief’s man picked us up on the front steps of our home it has been crazy. I am so worried about Micah. When I arrived here Callie didn’t even know everything that has been happening. I hate to be a fly on the bedroom wall when Devil gets home. My sister, Callie, doesn’t get pissed very often like Micah but when she does Callie is a force to be reckoned with and she does not like being kept out of the loop of her family. Any of her family. I envy Callie and Micah’s way of letting their feelings be known. The way they just let it out is something I could never do. I don’t want to upset anyone or make them mad. I have my moments when I can be hard to handle but it is when my family is threatened. My aunt said I need to learn to take up for myself and voice my likes and dislikes the same way I do when it comes to my family but I have never been able to do that.

A definite example of that is me not confronting B’s father with her existence. I know I need to grow a backbone and make that call or make a trip to let him know but with the way he treated me I just cannot do that. Dra said what happened between us was a mistake and that it should have never happened. He was more worried about how Callie would react to the situation than he was about how he was making me feel like a piece of crap. I gave him my virginity and he threw it back at me with contempt. I know he couldn’t physically throw it back but the way he handled the whole thing shattered any confidence I had. I come from a long line of strong women. Micah’s and my mom, Sylvia, sowed her wild oats when she was young. She left the ranch she was raised on and went to find the bright lights of the city. She ran straight into a hard-drinking partying biker. She went to his clubhouse and became one of their biker bitches. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around that the woman I knew as mom was a woman that spread her legs for all the bikers at the Rebellions 4 Blood clubhouse. That’s not the way she raised us or the type of life she led when I was growing up. Not that she shied away from telling us the truth about it once it came to light. No, my mom was a proud woman and owned her life no matter what she did. Aunt Deb, my mom’s sister, and the woman that helped raised us is the same way. Her husband cheated on her and then left when my mom returned home pregnant with no man in tow. Aunt Deb gave him a divorce and told him not to let the door hit him in the ass on the way out. I heard that story many times too. My grandpa Harold and grandma Lauren raised two strong women and I am proud to call them family. I know Betsy is only fifteen months old but I hope she has more of those ladies in her than me.

Andrew “Dra” Draven is a chapter of my life that I wish I could delete but I wouldn’t do that because if I did I wouldn’t have Betsy. Dra is older than me and once he was the man my sister Callie loved. I can’t I understand the dynamic between the two of them. They loved each other and were married but Dra chose his club over my sister by faking his death. He tried to explain he was protecting the Troubled Fathoms MC but that didn’t stop the pain he caused my sister when she was already vulnerable. I don’t know how Callie got through all the things she has had to deal with in her life. The way Dra treated Callie even though he confessed his undying love for her should have been a big red flag to me and it was, but like a fool I ignored it. Dra has this silent brooding thing going on and you mix that with the bad boy tattoo thing he has going on and I was mesmerized by the all too gorgeous biker. When he whispered the dirty things in my ears I was a hot mess. I’d like to say I made Dra work for it but I would flat out be lying. I begged Dra to be with me. Lesson learned. I am not enough for any man. Not a man like Dra and I am woman enough to admit that he is it for me. I won’t settle for anyone else but I don’t have the backbone to fight for the man I want. I don’t even have the nerve to tell him about Betsy. I’m afraid he will think I was trying to trap him and I am not. I just hope when he finds out that he doesn’t hate me but then again it may be what I need to move on with my life. I just don’t want Betsy to be the one getting hurt because that baby owns me and I would kill anyone who threatens her happiness. I look at the wall and it is getting late. I need to try to sleep. It’s not like the thoughts in my head are going to change. I go around and around these thoughts all the time. I always come up with the same conclusion. One day at a time. That’s all I can do, take one day at a time.

I wake up and I am cold. I ’m so cold that my teeth are chattering and my head feels worse than any hangover I have ever had. It feels like I have been hit with a sledgehammer. I see Hacksaw sitting in a chair beside my bed and he has his head laid on the bed. He can’t be comfortable. I look around the room and it is dark outside. I don’t know what happened. My head is hazy and I am trying to remember and then I remember I was in a closet or a storage room. I was bleeding and then I feel my leg does hurt but it’s kind of a fuzzy pain. I look and see I have an IV in my hand and that must be why I feel the pain but it’s not like it was when I was in the closet or wherever. I try to concentrate but it is hard. I remember shooting at someone following us but it wasn’t Hacksaw I was with it was Rome. Rome was driving my truck, yes, I am sure of it but why was Rome driving my truck and why was I shooting at someone? Then it comes to me. We were taking Tara to the doctor. I remember pushing Tara into the floorboard of my truck and I was shooting out my sliding glass window and then something hit us, and everything went black. The next thing I remember I was in the small dark room. I was bleeding and I found something to put on my leg but things went black after that. I look down at Hacksaw and I know I need to let him know I am awake but I just need a minute to breathe. My mouth is dry and I need another blanket. I reach for Hacksaw’s head but it is too far away. I try to move my leg to get his attention and he raises his head up and when he sees my eyes are open he smiles.

“Sugar, you’re awake. Let me get the nurse.” Hacksaw stan ds up and he takes a step closer to me and bends down and kisses my head. I try not to move but even his slight touch hurts but his words make it all worth it. “Don’t ever scare the hell out of me like that again. I thought I had lost you without telling you that I love you.” Hacksaw pulls his head back and looks at me and I see the emotion in his eyes. “I love you, Joy, and I am never letting you go.”

“I love you, too,” I try to get it out, but I’m not sure he can understand me through my chattering teeth.

 

“Why are you talking like that? You said you loved me, right?” I see the concern and then he kisses my head again.

 

“Yes, I do,” I answer Hacksaw.

 

“I’ve got to get the nurse, you are burning up.” Hacksaw steps away from me and goes to my door and starts yelling.

“Somebody get the hell in here! This woman is burning up!” I want to tell Hacksaw not to yell so loud but I can’t get it out. I see a man and a woman walk in and then the dark is back and I can’t hear or see anything.

They pushed me out of J oy’s room and they have been in there for over half an hour and I am at my wits end. I knew something was wrong the way her skin felt so hot and her teeth were chattering but I didn’t know it could be serious. I am pacing and someone better come out here soon or I am going to tear this place apart.

“Hacksaw, is everything alright?” Bourbon walks up behind me. I didn’t even hear him approach me.

“Joy was talking to me and she went out. I think she had a fever , but they pushed me out of there and they haven’t come out to tell me anything,” I tell him. “How are the others? I haven’t left to check on anyone and I haven’t gotten an update.”

“Tara lost the baby and when she woke up they had to give her a sedative to put her back out. Rome woke up from surgery and he should be out of here in a couple of days but when Tara’s doctor told him that she miscarried he lost his shit and they gave him a sedative too. Joey is being released now and Gully is still being looked at, something about his back. They are waiting for a specialist to come in and look at him. I think it is more of a precaution.” I am glad everyone is out of the woods medically, but I can’t even begin to understand the pain that Rome and Tara must be going through. “There was only one Possessed Blood Souls left alive. Devil is questioning him back at the clubhouse. They torched the building.” Bourbon is looking around to make sure no one is listening. He lowers his voice even more. “Chief’s clubhouse was hit but they were ready. I haven’t gotten another update on that situation yet.” I nod my head in understanding. I see a man walking out of the elevator and walk to the nurse’s station. The man is tall and the only word to describe it is huge, but he looks like a man with a purpose and he puts all my senses on alert. I watch him. I am pacing the hall but my eyes stay on the man. Bourbon notices me watching the man and stiffens. I don’t know what I am expecting out of the man but when he talks to the nurse she points to us. I know something is up and so does Bourbon. The man approaches me and Bourbon but stops a little way from us.

“I have some information on the shootings this morning. At least I think I do. The nurse said you were some of the people that came in.” I don’t like this man already.

“Who are you and what do you have?” I don’t have the time to be patient. I want to know what is going on with my woman. The man starts to put his hands in his pockets.

“You need to keep those hands where I can see them and not make any sudden moves or I will end you right here.” The man stiffens as I say it. “I don’t know you and our family has been attacked today so I don’t have a lot of trust right now and I am not taking any chances. I’m sure you can understand.” The man drops his hands but smiles.

“I ca n understand that,” he tells me, but he sticks his hand out to me to shake but I just look at him, so he takes his hand back. Bourbon moves on the other side of the man. “Look. I am not here to cause any problems. I am trying to help. Let me start over. My name is Gentry Wilde and I am from Florida. I’ve rode a long way to get here.” Florida is where that Lisa woman and Becky were from.

“Just tell what you’re here for,” Bourbon says.

“Lisa Becker was my foster sister. I’ve known her since she was two years old and Crystal and Tim took me in from the streets. That girl has been causing havoc since she was young, and my search has led me here,” Gentry tells us. Now he has my attention.

“Why do you think Lisa has caused us any trouble?” I keep my eyes trained on this man to see if he is lying.

“I was south of the border on a case when Crystal contacted me about Becky’s death. I couldn’t drop what I was doing because it was time sensitive, so it took me a while to get back to the States. By the time I was back in Florida, Lisa had already bilked her parents out of over a hundred thousand dollars. She got another thirty thousand from Patricia and Dave Flowers, Becky’s parents and Becky had left her a twenty- thousand-dollar life insurance policy. Lisa is nothing but a user and she will milk whoever she can, for every dime she can. Crystal contacted me yesterday that Lisa was flying out of the country tonight.” I am trying to understand everything this man is saying.

“Why should we believe anything you say? Why would you want to help us?” Bourbon asks the questions running through my mind.

“ I am not trying to help you. I am helping Crystal and Tim. They are good people whose only sin is having hearts too big. They love Lisa beyond reason. They took children in when they found out that Crystal couldn’t have children. Some of the children like me were fostered and some they just took in from the streets and found homes for them. Lisa, they adopted, and she has been a handful,” Gentry tells us.

“If she is such a handful then why doesn’t she have a record? We searched and nothing.” I question the man.

“Maybe you are looking under the wrong name. Can we sit down? This is going to take a few minutes to explain.” I look back at Joy’s door and no one has come out. I point to the room across from us. We walk in and I sit so I can keep an eye on Joy’s door. Bourbon doesn’t sit, he stands by the doorway. Gentry sits across from me. We have the room to ourselves but he keeps his voice low.

“Go on,” I say.

“Lisa Becker used to be Lisa Black.” I look at Bourbon and he looks at me. “Crystal and Tim did not adopt Lisa until she was a teenager. They wanted to let her have the decisions if they adopted her or not. They loved her even if she decided to not let them adopt her. When she agreed, they changed her last name from Black and had all her records sealed. Her name had already changed once from Linden. I don’t know the particulars of that case. Crystal and Tim did not want to share and I haven’t been able to get the answers. They paid a mint for that but they were going to give her the life she deserved and they gave her chance after chance.” How could this woman fly under the radar like this? “Look, believe me or not. I am here to follow the leads to Lisa and try to help Becky’s parents get their daughter’s things.”

“What’s your connection to Becky and which Black? You two have something going on?” Bourbon asks him. Gentry laughs.

“No, Becky was a good girl and innocent in all this. She and her parents are hardworking people that Lisa used, and I like them. I just want to see justice for whatever happened to Becky. I think there might be more to it than what the cops and Lisa are saying. Trent Black was the name I was given, and he is in Texas, which is where I am going from here if I don’t get any leads here.” Gentry has a look of concern in his eyes and if he is lying, he is damn good at it. If I am right, Trent is Driller, but I am not asking Bourbon right now.

“You said that Lisa’s mom contacted you yesterday that Lisa was leaving the country. Where is she going?” I ask Gentry.

“Crystal said she and a male companion were flying into Canada for business and they were borrowing a private jet from one of Tim’s colleagues. That’s why Lisa called was to get Crystal to get the okay to use the jet.” I raise my eyebrow at Gentry. I know doctors make money but to own their own jet seems extreme.

“Is the doctor doing more than healing people?” I know Gentry gets my meaning. Insurance scams and doctors writing fake prescriptions is a million dollar a year scam, if not more.

“Crystal and Tim are both independently wealthy and have been all their lives . They come from old money on both sides of their families. They both went into the medical profession to make a difference in the world. I told you they are good people and that is the reason why Lisa can use them.” Gentry hesitates and then goes on. “But even Crystal couldn’t ignore Lisa’s odd behavior after Becky’s death. She went back to Florida for the funeral and started working Crystal and Tim for money which is normal, but the money she got from Becky’s parents was probably their life savings. None of them could understand how Becky could afford an insurance policy even though it wasn’t much or how Lisa got the insurance company to pay out before the case was closed on Becky’s death. That’s not normal procedure.” He’s right.

“How do you know so much and what led you here?” I ask.

“I’ve been following Lisa’s money trail. I’m a private investigator by profession and Lisa is leaving a trail a child could follow. She has book smarts but when it comes to common sense, not so much. I also got a call about an hour ago from Tom Denton that his jet left the airport with Lisa and three men. The flight manifest says they are landing in Quebec. Do you have any idea who she is traveling with?” Gentry is trying to get information. I don’t have any, or none I am sharing anyway.

“How long are you going to be in town?” I ask and then go on. “I have a couple of people who may need to talk to you.” I know Devil will be paying him a visit, but I don’t need to give that information away just yet. “How did you know that we were who you needed to talk to?”

“I stopped by Lisa and Becky’s apartment. I am boxing Becky’s personal belongings up. I have a moving company coming day after tomorrow to ship her things to Patricia and Dave’s in Florida. They gave me Becky’s keys, so I could get in and take care of everything. There was this guy named Sarge there looking around. He told me I could contact some of the Feral Steel MC here because you had some trouble and I figured that Lisa had to be involved since this guy was searching Lisa’s apartment.” I didn’t know Sarge was here. I wonder if Devil does. Gentry is turning out to be more help than I thought. I see the doctor walk out of Joy’s room.

“Don’t leave town,” I tell Gentry and then look at Bourbon. “I need to go. Can you take care of this?” Then I walk up to the doctor without waiting for an answer.

“Ms. Davidson is resting quietly now. Her fever spiked and caused her to have a seizure. There’s some infection around the gunshot wound on her leg so we are giving her intravenous antibiotics. She will need to be here while those are administered. The hematoma on the back of her head is massive and is swelling so we are watching that. She is going to have one heck of a headache for a while. We are watching for nausea, maybe blurred vision, or dizziness. She needs to only get up with help. We don’t want her injuring herself further. Ms. Davidson is going to be watched carefully.” The doctor is waiting for my reaction. I understand what he has said but I am waiting for him to tell me that my woman is going to be alright.

“Is Joy going to be alright?” The doctor smiles at me and then responds.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure her prognosis is positive but only time will tell. You can go back in as soon as the nurses give you the go ahead. Any other questions?” the doctor asks.

“Do you know how long she is going to be here?” I ask the one question he didn’t touch on.

“The antibiotic treatment is three days and if she has had no more episodes or seizures and the hematoma goes down then maybe four days. I don’t want to send her home and have Ms. Davidson need to return for further treatment. It’s better to be on the safe side. Does that make sense?” The doctor starts to leave but I stop him.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done,” I tell him. He smiles at me and walks away. I walk back over to where Bourbon is standing and I see that Gentry has left. “What do you think his angle is?” I ask Bourbon.

“I don’t know but I texted Devil and Chief with what he told us. We need to get our hands on those adoption papers that Gentry was talking about because if it is true then Driller has a daughter and this situation just took a turn for the worse,” Bourbon tells me. “I’m going back to Tara’s room and I will check in on Rome. Slick has been waiting for him to wake up.” Bourbon turns and walks away and I am still watching Joy’s door and it finally opens and two nurses come out. I walk over and go back in through the door they just came out of. I see Joy in the bed sleeping and she looks almost as pale as the white sheets. I walk over and pull a chair next to her bed and sit down. I pick up her hand and bring it to my lips and kiss it. Her skin is cool now. Not burning hot like before. I should put her hand back but I can’t. I need to touch her. I need Joy to know even in her sleep that I am here and I am not going to be going anywhere. Where Joy is, is exactly where I am going to be. I love this woman and I am not letting her get away from me. Now I am just waiting for her to open her eyes and tell me she loves me again. I need it like I need my next breath.

Five days later

 

I am sitting in Hacksaw’s room waiting for him to get out of church so we can go home. I was released from the hospital earlier today and I have never been so glad to be away from anywhere so much in my life. Okay, maybe that little dark room I was held in. I have been poked and prodded and x-rayed to name a few and if the doctor had not released me, I was ready to call Em and plan an escape. Hacksaw kept telling me to be patient and let myself heal. Eat the green jello and chicken broth like they say. I am not a fan of hospital food or green jello and don’t get me started on their sticky oatmeal and runny egg substitutes. I must say that Hacksaw has had the patience of a saint with me through my whining and I feel guilty about the whining, but it didn’t stop me. I know the doctors and nurses were doing everything to get me out of there. I know that not only Hacksaw’s club brothers came to visit me but so did Callie and Gertie even though they have not caught everyone that is involved with the murders and kidnappings. Em called to make sure I was alright. We will be going to Texas to have another memorial for Sarah as soon as the logistics are handled so we can all do it safely. Hacksaw told me that Tara lost her and Rome’s child and my heart broke for the couple. I wanted to go and visit with Tara as soon as she woke up in the hospital but the only people she would see were Rome, Bourbon and Joey. Hacksaw told me not to take it personally because Tara wouldn’t even see Callie, her sister-in-law, and I try not to. I know everyone needs to respect their privacy. Some people just want and need privacy at times like these but I texted Tara and she said we would see each other soon. I don’t know exactly how Tara feels but I understand the way a woman can just feel empty inside.

Speaking of that, Laura called me to check on me and it was a good conversation. When we hung up the phone I didn’t feel the despair I once did. I’m not saying I am ever going to feel a complete disconnect from Adeline and Lucas but I didn’t go into a deep depression. That’s progress in the right direction. I loved hearing about the two children and the pictures she sent me on my cell phone but I can breathe. I can breathe because I have a focus. I’m not saying that Hacksaw has taken their place. I am saying Hacksaw has showed me I have my own life to live and I want to live it. I want to love, I want to be loved and I want a future to dream about and Hacksaw has shown me that. I love that man and I hear my biological clock ticking loud but if all the ticks, tick away, and children are not in my future then I can accept that. Hacksaw has been loving and strict about my care. He treats me like I am precious to him but doesn’t mind putting me in my place if I try to push myself. He holds me every night when I sleep and his sexy as hell body is driving me crazy but he won’t let me get carried away the way I want to. I’ll bide my time because when it happens it will be explosive in all the right ways. I’m the happiest I have ever been in my life even though I know that the danger isn’t completely gone but I trust my man to keep me safe.

I walk into the meeting and look around the table at my brothers. Everyone has grim looks on their faces. Our club is divided about the fork in the road we have come to. Rome is the brother I am most concerned for right now. He has always been the quiet one with a level head but losing his child has driven him to a breaking point and he wants blood. I can’t say I blame him. I have my own need for revenge and I will get it. We both will. Today we decide how we are going to proceed with getting retribution for the loss of one of ours and the pain to our family. Bourbon and Rye are not included in today’s church. Today are members only. Bowie and Crockett are in their usual places. Devil is at the head of the table and Rome is half way down the table on the right. His head is down so I can’t read his face. Everyone leaves their guns and phones and takes a seat at the table. I take my place to the right of Devil. Devil stands and bangs his gavel. Everyone goes quiet and waits for what he says.

“Oz bring everyone up to date on what we have learned,” Devil says. Oz stands and tells everyone what he told Devil and myself last night.

“I finally received the confirmation on Lisa Becker. She was legally born Lisa Linden to Alice Linden. There were some complications during the birth and this woman had to stay a few extra days in the hospital and Lisa’s birth certificate hadn’t been recorded yet so she decided to list Trent Black as the father and change Lisa’s last name. The father had to sign the birth certificate so that could happen and someone did but it is not Trent Black’s signature. Nowhere close. The day Alice left the hospital she took the baby to a fire department and dropped her off. The man that was on duty should have followed procedure and turned the baby over to social services but he didn’t. He called the mayor of the town. The mayor’s last name was Becker. An uncle to Tim Becker. That’s how the Becker family in Florida became involved. It took them a while to find Alice Linden and she agreed to sign over adoption papers if the Beckers didn’t try to contact the father listed on the birth certificate. They agreed.” I can’t wait. I need to ask.

“If the Becker’s have such a load of money then why do they need to do a back - alley adoption? Seems like their money could buy their way into any adoption agency,” I ask Oz.

“I don’t have that answer yet, but when I was doing the background on Lisa again, I did a little digging into Crystal and Tim. Their family money may be old family money but it is old family business money. Crystal’s family has ties to one of the biggest crime families in Florida and Tim had some sealed records of his own. He spent some time in a mental institution,” Oz answers my question. I nod my head yes. “Lisa and the three men that were with her landed in Quebec. Then they rented an SUV and there’s been no sign of them since. The SUV was abandoned in Montreal. I hacked into security camera footage and identified King. I have pictures of the other two but not a one of them was wearing their colors and I don’t know who they are. I need everyone to look at the pictures to see if anyone can identify any one of them. That’s all I have.” Oz sits down.

“Chief hit the Possessed Blood Souls clubhouse last night as we agreed on. The re was only the SAA Kong and two prospects there. They have the three men at the BlackPath clubhouse and burned the club to the ground which wasn’t much to begin with. Chief said it looked like the place had been abandoned for a while. Holes in the damn walls and there was no electricity, no alcohol, no food and the rooms were bare. Kong didn’t even fight them. Chief said Kong is eaten up with cancer and is nothing but skin and bones and he had nowhere to go so the two prospects stayed with him. Chief doesn’t think he is going to get much out of any of them. Diz hasn’t been very forthcoming either. He did say that their club was divided and that King had started using drugs just like his brother Duke had and spending all the club’s money to supply his addiction so they lost a lot of their members. Any member that questioned King’s action either disappeared or was found dead and King was blaming the BlackPath MC for it. We should have taken the whole damn club out when Duke was dealt with,” Devil finishes.

“Are we still on lockdown and when can we get our businesses back to running complete schedules?” Slick asks.

 

“I want to go after them,” Rome speaks up. Devil sits down.

“I think we are going to be cautious but we don’t need everyone living at the clubhouse. I still think we need to travel in groups and we need prospects on our families and we need to resume full work weeks except for Oz, Tito and Rome. I want you three on tracking and getting information. Trigger is going to be here to help. Bourbon and Rye are sticking around too. They’ll be gone for the holidays but will be back to help. Brain is working on things for Chief and Sarge and Shield are on it. Micah is on her way here to pick up Maddie and Hanna will be staying in Texas when we go for the memorial for Sarah. She’s staying with family since she is pregnant. That will free up some prospects for work.” Devil turns his attention to Rome. “Rome, I can’t imagine what you and Tara are going through and you will get your payback, but we need to do this smart. That child Tara was carrying was Feral Steel blood and we all want club justice and we will get it. Just give us a little time to do it the safe way. We also lost Jay and I don’t want any more of our blood spilled.” I don’t think that helped Rome but he isn’t protesting. “If you go after these men who is going to be here to help Tara? Just give us a little time.” Rome sinks back in his chair not agreeing or disagreeing.

“You are Feral Steel now , Rome. You can’t go off chasing these people by yourself. When a Feral Steel family member bleeds we all bleed. When you hurt, we all hurt. Do you think I don’t want my hands around these assholes’ necks for what they did to Joy? We’ll get them. They won’t lie low for long, they’ll come at us again, but we are going to be ready this time. We will all get club justice as a family,” I tell Rome. Rome is quiet as is his norm, but I think he gets it now.

“Jay’s family had him cremated and are having a memorial in two weeks. They’ve been waiting for our go-ahead and it is time. They are having a small service at the First Baptist in town and then a gathering at their home. Callie and Gertie are helping with the food. I expect everyone to be present except the ones left at the clubhouse for security purposes. They’ve asked me to say a few words,” Devil updates us. “Possum has more tests to have done for his back injury but they are releasing him from the hospital for outpatient testing. He’ll be at his parent’s house until they make sure how they are going to proceed with care. I want his medical bills covered and money for whatever he needs. Joey has been released but it will be another two weeks before he can go back to light duties at the earliest.” Devil looks at Rome. “And brother, I have not forgotten you are supposed to have rest for the next few weeks so only computer duty for you and no long hours. It will do us no good to run everyone into the ground. Take the time to recover so we will be ready when these assholes come out of hiding.” Devil looks at Tito. “Do we have anything else? We need to find out who these people have working in the PD or if they just paid someone off for a one-time thing. Follow the money trail. I know this is not the time to bring this up but Tito approached me with an idea for nomads and we are not going to vote on it now but I want him to bring it to the club so he can talk to each of you outside the meeting. I have discussed it with Chief and he is open to a discussion about it but that’s as far as the discussion went. Tito, floor is yours.” Tito stands up and looks around at everyone and then starts talking.

“I told Devil that after what happened to Sarah that I need some space to ride freely out on the highways just to clear my head. I know everyone here is family but like Hacksaw pointed out to us one day, the club is settling down or some of us are. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I need the wide-open road and some of you have expressed the same. I suggested to Devil that we organize some nomads. I know since Devil has been President and the shit Stone pulled we are building our numbers and recruiting prospects so we cannot afford to let loose of very many members. We have worked closely with the BlackPath MC here in Oklahoma and Texas. We’ve also worked with the Rebellions 4 Blood MC in Texas and the Troubled Fathoms MC in Colorado. What if each club chose a member or two and let the nomads travel between the clubs where needed. That would give any of the clubs ten extra men when needed. We can make contacts on the road and Devil has talked about branching out with another chapter of the Feral Steel MC so we could find the perfect place. The logistics would need to be worked out between the clubs about who would be in charge and colors or even if it is possible. I think if we could iron out the logistics it could be beneficial to all the clubs.” The brothers don’t have much of a reaction.

“Chief’s club might work but we don’t know much about the Troubled Fathoms MC and the BlackPath MC in Oklahoma and the Rebellions 4 Blood MC are outlaw. How would that work with us staying on the right side of the law?” Crockett asks.

“That’s something else we would need to work out,” Tito answers. Devil stands back up.

“I wanted Tito to bring it to the table but it is a new idea and nothing we need to vote on now.” Devil looks at Tito. “I want you to work out the logistics and then bring it back to the table for us to discuss further. I want the money situation, legalities, who will be in charge and how many members from each club we are talking about. Then and only then will we bring it to the other three clubs.”

“Gentry Wilde wants to work with us to find Lisa but he hasn’t given us an answer about why Becky didn’t know Lisa came from money and why Lisa didn’t live like she was rich. He must know why or it seems he would since they were family of sorts and he kept in touch with the family. I don’t trust him. Have we gotten his background search in yet?” I remind Devil. Devil looks at Oz.

“Wilde’s criminal record is clean but his b usiness as a private eye is very lucrative for him. He is worth over seven figures just in the States. He has offshore accounts also and his client list is questionable. He has ties to the Mexican mafia families,” Oz tells us.

“Don’t we have enough trouble right now without getting involved with the Mexican mafia families?” Bowie asks. He has a good point.

“I agree ,” Ridge speaks up.
“Me too,” Thrasher adds.

“Anything else from anyone?” Devil asks and looks around. No reply. “Let’s vote on Wilde. Raise of hands is all we need. Everyone for severing ties with Wilde raise them hands.” Everyone’s hands go up. “Well that was easy. Hacksaw, talk to him one more time and see if he has any more information and then cut him loose. Is everyone in agreement with taking care of Jay’s memorial, taking care of Possum’s medical bills and his caretaking or do we need a vote?”

“Does anyone disagree?” I look around and no one speaks up. “We’re good Prez.” “Alright then, we vote on what happens to Diz. Floor’s open.” Devil gives the club the choice. I know what my vote is.

 

“I motion for club justice and giving Rome, Tito and Hacksaw their chance at this asshole,” Tex speaks first.

“I second the motion ,” Cowboys says.
“Club justice,” comes from Bowie.
“Club justice,” Crockett agrees.

“Club Justice,” Edge, Ridge, Thrasher, Creole, and Slick all say in turn. All eyes go to Rome and myself.

“Club justice ,” Rome says in a strained voice.
“Club justice,” Tito says with hate in his eyes.
“Club justice,” I agree.
“Club justice,” Oz hits the table as he says it.

“Club justice ,” Devil says and bangs his gavel. “Motion approved. Diz will be dealt with after we get a drink. In our next church I think it is about time we vote on Bo. He has shown he is an asset to the Feral Steel and it time to make him a brother or not.” Bo will make a good brother. “We go back to a full work schedule on Monday.” Devil bangs his gavel one last time to let everyone know it is time to get our drink. I am going to sneak in and check on my woman and then rain some hurt down on one of the men responsible for hurting Joy. I have wanted this all week and now it is time.

I can finally take B home. Micah is on her way but it will be a while before she gets here. I need to see my twin, ever since she was kidnapped and held against her will, she has sounded different on the phone. I just wish that we could have our boring ranch lives back. I love our sister Callie and her family but the dangerous lifestyle they lead is not something I am accustomed to. I know it is not their faults and I am not putting any of this at their feet but murders, kidnapping and drugs are not my small town normal. I just want B safe. I wonder if this is the kind of things that happens in B’s dad life. He is the vice president of the Troubled Fathoms MC in Colorado. He and his brother Krill lost their dad and grandmother a few years ago in a house explosion due to club business. None of this is what I would want for B, but then again, I may walk across the street tomorrow and get hit by a bus. No one is guaranteed an uneventful life. I have gone over these things a million times since B has been born. The only thing is I cannot imagine my life without is that little girl. She is my life. I am watching Kellan and Killian play with B. They love their cousin and she loves them. I must admit, I am a little sad to be going home too. B doesn’t have anyone to play with at home. She just has Micah, aunt Deb and me to play with.

“Are you alright Maddie? You look a million miles away,” Kat says to me. Kat is Callie’s mother-in-law and she is here visiting with Bourbon. Sometimes I think the two of them are in love but other times they act like they can’t stand to be in the same room with each other. I don’t know what their complete story is, but they have been this way for a couple of years. It’s none of my business so I don’t ask.

“Just thinking about the long ride home.” It’s not the complete truth but I don’t want to explain the everyday dilemma I go over in my head about telling Dra about B. Callie is under the assumption that I told Dra. I didn’t lie and say it, but I didn’t deny it either. I just don’t want to argue about it. I am protecting my little girl.

“Have you ever thought about staying? There’s always a place for you here,” Callie says coming in with another basket of clothes to fold. Callie sits the basket in the middle of the coffee table and Kat and I both go over to help fold the neverending laundry. The three children are busy playing with their blocks. The boys build them up and B pushes them over and then they all laugh.

“I think Devil has his hands full of people to take care of right now and I would miss home anyway. I’m a homebody. I was raised on a ranch and I miss it when I am gone.” Everything I am saying is true.

“I just wish you lived closer, so our children could grow up close, and I miss you when you are not here,” Callie tells me.

“It isn’t that long of a trip and you can bring the children to visit any time you like. They would love the animals and the wideopen space to play.” I have invited Callie many times to visit the ranch and so has Micah, but she isn’t going to leave Devil long enough to come visit. They are so in love and I guess I can understand that. The doorbell rings and we all look at each other. We know we are safe because there’s a prospect right outside. Callie gets up to go open the door, but right as she is going Killian starts crying and she turns to her son. Kellan and Killian are fighting over one block. I see B thinks it is funny. Kat picks up B and snuggles her to keep her away from the little argument between brothers and the doorbell goes off again. “I’ll get it.” I stop at the front window and look out to make sure the prospect is still there. Bo is standing by his bike but he is watching whoever is ringing the doorbell. I can’t see who it is from here so I go to the door and open it. I can’t believe my eyes and I can see the man is just as surprised to see me opening the door. Callie has Killian on her hip as she comes up behind me.

“What are you doing here Dra?” That’s when I notice the woman that steps around Dra so she can be seen. I need to go. I can’t breathe. This is my worst nightmare.

“Is that any way to welcome an old friend?” Dra says with his eyes going between me and Callie. This is not good. Dra needs to leave. “I was here to talk to Devil, but he is busy right now, so I thought I would bring Sunshine to meet everyone.” Kellan walks into the room. Callie looks at her boys.

“Kellan take your brother to your room and play in there. Can you do that for mama?” Kellan walks up to Callie and she sets Killian down beside Kellan.

“Is that little man? He is getting so big ,” Dra says looking at Kellan. Dra is one of Kellan’s godfathers. I guess they haven’t seen each other in a while. Devil doesn’t like Dra around Callie very often. It’s a long sad story. Kat walks in with B and my heart stands still.

“I’ll take them up ,” Kat says. Dra is staring at me and B, so is Sunshine. Callie doesn’t let it go the way I have been praying for her to. She just doesn’t realize the can of worms she is going to open.

“Cat got your tongue Dra?” Callie asks in a hateful tone. It’s like Dra has been slapped.

 

“What the hell bitch? Do not talk to my man like that!” Sunshine says and Callie laughs. It looks like Dra has not filled Ms. Sunshine in on my sister’s temper.

“Dra get your house mouse out of my house and while you are at it, go with her!” Callie is seething and I know this is my fault but I don’t know how to stop it without Dra finding out about B.

“I’m not his house mouse, bitch. I’m his ol’ lady.” I look at Sunshine and my heart breaks again. Of course, she is his ol’ lady. She is beautiful just like Dra. Sunshine is everything I am not. She’s tall and has long tan legs that go on forever and has the shiniest dark hair I have ever seen. It is cut short and shaved on one side. Her hips are slender like mine will never be again since being pregnant. She is showing plenty of cleavage and her flat toned stomach is on full display in her short crop top. Yes, Sunshine fits Dra’s life.

“She’s mine?” Dra asks quietly. I have tears running down my cheeks. Callie looks at me and I see when understanding seeps in. Something flickers in her eyes, but it is gone as fast as it appeared.

“You have my man’s daughter and didn’t tell him? What a cunt!” Sunshine yells at me.

 

“Is she mine?” Dra yells. B starts to cry. I try to sooth B, but I look at Dra. I can’t find my voice to speak.

 

“Yes.” I can barely hear my own answer. Sunshine grabs for me but Callie steps in my way and Bo steps up behind Dra.

“Bo get these two out of here ,” Callie says and pushes Sunshine back. Sunshine turns on Callie and that is when my sister pushes her out the door. I don’t know what is happening because my eyes are on B and then Dra. I feel someone come up behind me.

“Get your woman and get gone before I put you all to ground and you can bet that Devil will be dealing with your ass,” Bourbon says. My eyes go to Callie and she is on top of Sunshine. She’s not hitting her but she has her arms pinned so she can’t move.

“I’ll go , but Maddie, I will be back for answers. You damn well better be ready to answer them and you damn well better be here! I’m contacting a lawyer,” Dra yells at me. Bo helps Callie up and grabs Sunshine.

“Are you going to let these people treat me this way Dra?” Sunshine asks him . “Shut it woman!” Dra looks to her and then back at me. “What is her name?” “Betsy but I call her B,” I tell Dra.

“You named my daughter after Grams?” I knew Dra loved his Gram so I used her name so at least B would have part of her dad. Dra has tears in his eyes. “Be ready Maddie and be ready for me to take my daughter.”

“Is that a threat?” Bourbon asks.

“Take it any fucking way you want old man,” Dra fires back at Bourbon and then he looks at Sunshine. “Bike now.” Sunshine doesn’t hesitate. Then Dra looks at Callie. “I never knew the real you, did I?” Dra doesn’t wait for an answer. He walks to his bike and mounts it. Sunshine pulls herself closer to Dra on the bike and they are gone. Callie walks in the house. Bo looks at me.

“Never a dull minute around here ,” I hear Bourbon laugh. He walks over by Callie and I shut the front door. I look at Callie and I can see the disappointment in her eyes.

“He’ll be back. You better be ready,” Bourbon says.

 

“I’m going to take B and let her nap for a while.” I just need some time to think.

 

Five weeks later

 

The last few weeks have been long days working to get our businesses back on track and trying to get a lead on King and Lisa. It’s like the two of them and whoever the other two men were just disappeared. I know it is just a matter of time before they rear their ugly heads but the Feral Steel have become stronger now. We are not relaxed with our heads in the clouds. We know we have more than one enemy out there and we are ready to meet them head on. We are keeping our family safe and prospering. I am worried about my brother, Tito. He keeps his days busy on his computer looking for anything that will get us a lead and he is making progress. He found Lisa’s bank account. There wasn’t a lot left there but Tito transferred what was left to the Flowers family. He was also able to see some of the places she has used her plastic and we know she is making her way back south so we are ready. Rome and Tara are still grieving but each day they seem somewhat better. Joy told me that as soon as the doctor gives them the green light they are going to try again for a baby. I’m not sure I could be that strong but I am watching to see how it turns out. I still miss the open road and I have the yearning to hit the highway. I’ve talked to Tito some more about the nomad situation and I think we could make it work between four of the clubs but I am not sure about the Colorado club. Things have been strained between the clubs since Maddie and B took off in the middle of the night with Kat’s help. We will need to watch that situation. I talked with Joy about going nomad and she is ready to get on the back of my bike and hit the road. That’s my woman. I know one day, Joy is going to want that family but being nomad is not a life commitment, just until we have a reason to stay in one spot and put down roots.

Speaking of my woman, I have been laying here in our bed in our apartment. Yes, we did all get to go home and this apartment gives us more privacy and I like having Joy to myself more than I thought I could any woman. Thoughts of Joy consume me during the day when we are away from each other and the thought of any other man touching what is mine sends me into a blind rage so by the time we return to the apartment I am ready to ravish and taste Joy until the early morning hours. To bring both of us pleasure until we have no energy left and we fall into blissful sleep in each other’s arms but I don’t let Joy know how she owns me. I need to keep her on her toes but if she doesn’t bring her ass out of that bathroom I am going to kick the door in. I look up as I see the door open and there stands my woman as naked as the day she was born. I know Joy’s mind has been in the same place mine has. She leans on the door jamb and cocks her hip out and I can’t get enough. “Come here sugar, you look good enough I need to taste you.” That makes Joy smile.

“You think I am a sure thing, do you? What if I have a headache tonight?” Joy never turns down a chance to have my cock but I’ll play along.

“I’d say I have a tongue depressor with some Tylenol on the end of it. Open up and I’ll make you all better.” Joy prisses her way over to me swinging her ass around as she comes to the bed. When she is in arm’s reach I grab her and pull her over my body so her back hits the mattress. I devour her mouth, pushing my tongue into her mouth and mouth fuck her until she is breathless and she is trying to reach for me but I don’t let her hands reach my cock. That would make this way too fast. I want to taste my woman. I am addicted to her sweet nectar. I move down her body kissing my way and dragging my tongue between her juicy tits. I know she wants me to take her nipples in my mouth but I keep moving south down her belly. I position myself between her legs and widen her legs so I can see the lips of her sex. I widen her more and take my hands and move her lips apart. I run my nose from her glistening pussy to her hardened nub. I flatten my tongue and run it over her clit slowly. I put two fingers in her pussy and feel how wet Joy has become. I move my fingers easily in out of her from her juices. I flick my tongue faster and then slowly suck her clit into my mouth with just enough pressure and then flicking my tongue over the swollen nerves. Joy is writhing and grabbing the sheets in her hand. I feel her muscles flutter but this is not how this is going to end. It’s just the beginning. I will have my cock buried in Joy when she comes. I see Joy has her eyes closed and she has a slight sheen of sweat covering her tits. I move up fast and push my cock inside Joy before she knows what I am doing. I hear her surprise. Joy’s pussy is milking my cock with every stroke. Joy brings her legs up around my waist and squeezes and I think she is going to make me cum just from the tightening around the head of my cock. I pull almost all the way out and thrust back in her so hard I think I can feel her womb.

“Damn sugar, you feel good,” I moan in a deep voice I don’t even recognize.

“Harder, fuck, I need more,” Joy moans. I give my girl what she needs and I feel when she ignites around me. I almost can’t stop. I stop pushing in and put my hand between us and rub on her clit until Joy comes down from her orgasm. When her muscles have stopped clenching so tight, I move again. I begin with long slow strokes. I see Joy has opened her eyes.

“You didn’t scream my name sugar.” Joy smiles and she rolls me over and I let her.

“My time to ride.” Joy sits up straight and starts to grind on me and then lifts herself up and slams back down. Joy brings her hands up to her tits and starts pinching her nipples between her fingers as she grinds down on me and then back up.

“That’s right sugar, play with my beautiful tits.” Joy’ s hands are running over her tits. I can see her hands are sliding easier from the sweat on her body. I arch my back off the bed to meet Joy’s body making the penetration deeper. “Shit, oh yeah like that.” Joy’s hands trail down her body and her middle finger is playing with her clit. I buck up and then back down. I feel the tingle crawl up my back and my balls start to draw up. Then Joy rotates around cowgirl style so her ass is in my face. Joy has picked up her pace and I know I am not going to last much longer. She is a woman on a mission. “Damn!” Joy is sliding her body where only my head is left in her drenched pussy and then slams down hard. I see she is playing with her clit and I feel her pussy muscles begin to clench again. I lick my finger in my mouth and work the tip into her ass. Joy goes wild and when she goes down to grind on me I push my finger deeper in her ass and I feel her ignite and I follow her in my own release.

“Heath, oh god it is so damn good!” I remove my finger and pull her hips down on me and she swivels her hips and I feel my seed release into Joy. I wish I could sleep with my cock in this woman. I roll her over and get up and go to the bathroom and get a damp towel in the laundry basket and throw it on the cabinet and then wash my hands. I turn and go back in the bedroom and crawl back in the bed. Joy is still in the same position. I reach over and turn her around and she is smiling. “Damn Heath, you broke me and I refuse to move.” She sounds so sleepy. I give her the towel and she wipes herself and hands it back to me and I throw it at the basket in the corner.

“I do believe you were the one doing all the moving the last time. Now come here woman and give me those lips so your man can get some sleep. We both have work early.” Joy rolls closer to me and I bring her into my arms and Joy lies her head on my chest where she will sleep until I start to snore too loud. Yes, my woman even loves me when I snore.

“Are we going to grow old together Heath?” Joy asks me and I look at her and pull her chin up to me and kiss her softly on the lips.

“Su gar, we went through the beginning of the reckoning together and you didn’t run for the hills. I love you with all my heart but no one is promised tomorrow. I will be with you until my days are over or until you run my ass off. Now give me those lips and let’s get some sleep.” That’s all I can say on it. I feel like we did go through hell to get where we are now and I still lie to the woman I love. I wouldn’t leave even if she did try to run from me.

The end for now…

Things to come:

Beginning of the Reckoning brought back ghosts from Devil and Callie’s past but there is more to come of the Feral Steel MC series. I have at least two more books in the Feral Steel series to write. I have no timeline for release dates since life always seems to get in the way of my schedule. All I can say is they are in my schedule for 2018/2019.

Beginning of the Wrath will be book four in the series and it will be Bo’s story. Beginning of Eternity will be a return to Rome and Tara’s storyline and Joey’s story.

For my Demented Revengers MC: Quitman Chapter series some things are changing. Surviving Until the End is the next book but it is the entire Demented Revengers MC all chapters and after that I will go back to the Quitman Chapter for

Surviving the Chaos of Life which you will get an update of Rebel and Gracie but the storyline will be on Brody.

There’s not enough hours for me to write all the books I have planned in a year. I also have some collaborations I want to concentrate on this year with Darlene Tallman and Liberty Parker. Darlene Tallman and I were together at an event in Tampa this year and while I was signing books we outlined a book together. You just never know when an idea will hit you. Darlene is a fireball and she is very creative and can run with an idea. I loved it. Liberty Parker and I collaborated for a novella in the When Clubs Collide Anthology. I have gotten many requests, as she has, to finish it and hopefully our schedules will come together to do that. After that I have an MMA standalone I have been working on for two years and a contemporary romance series I have started and want to give it some attention. Like I said not enough hours in the day.

I do not have a newsletter set up yet. To tell you the truth until I have enough requests for it I am not going to attempt it. I love to write and all the social media pulls me away from my writing time. Not saying I will never do one but right now I have not had enough requests. When I get the requests, then it will happen.

I don’t have a website. It is on my to do list after the first of the year. Again, it takes away from my writing time. If anyone wants a signed copy of one of my books then PM me. They are all ten dollars plus shipping except for the anthologies. I keep them on hand for signings and will get them mailed out to you. I don’t mind PMs but I am not on Facebook very much so it might be a few days before I see it but I will get it.

The last thing is signings for the first half of 2018: Kansas City Author Event- Mar 10^th Wanderlust in San Antonio-May 5^th

Hard Rock Author Event in Tulsa, Oklahoma-July 14^th

 

I hope to see you at one of the signings. I have a couple more later in the year but these are through the summer.

 

EXTRA:

Now I have a couple of bonus reads for you. It’s for the ones who h ave not read my BlackPath MC series and do not know the first part of Devil and Callie’s relationship. I have put in Never Forever and Catching Forever for backstory. One of my favorite parts of a story is its backstory. Be sure to read the novella in the back to get more backstory on Callie’s childhood before Chief adopted her. Backstory, backstory, backstory.

EXTRA #2:

 

I am giving you a sneak peek into Maddie and Dra’s book. Just the first couple of chapters. Some changes may take place before the final edits.

 

Severed Ties That Bind

Ways to follow me:

Author page Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veraquinnauthor Vera’s Teasers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1083552724996 Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/veraquinn