Chapter 2
2 Piece
Called into Church again…
I’m guessing Prez and Cain must’ve discovered some shit, since Prez called us into church again. It’s not our usual meeting time or day.
I take my seat three spaces down from Prez. It goes in pecking order, and while I’m slowly making my way up, there are still a few people ahead of me. It’s a good thing, though. I don’t want to oversee all the club shit—too much of a hassle.
Prez slams the gavel three times. Everyone shuts up and gives him their full attention.
“Listen up,” he grumbles.
I take in his scruffy, tired face. He’s stressed about something that’s for sure. Every time he gets worked up he doesn’t sleep.
He rubs his left hand over his face in irritation and sighs loudly. “We got word from the Russians. They know about the fucking Snakes but aren’t supplying them with anything. It looks as if they get their shit from Mexico. Who has any contacts with the Mexican cartels?”
He glances around the table and we all remain quiet. “Fuck, nobody? This day just keeps getting better.” He shakes his head and stares down at the table in front of him for a second.
He glances back up, frustration clearly written across his face. “Well, boys, then I have no choice. I’m gonna’ have to call Tate back and let him send up his man that he offered.”
Chaos breaks out with the brothers. Many start complaining and Twist hits the table with his fist angrily. With all of us in here, it tends to get a little crowded. With several griping comments such as ‘bullshit’ amongst other protests, the noise lever raises rapidly.
“The fuck’s this about?” Smiles jumps in.
Prez shoots his chilling glare at him and snarls. Nobody yells at the table except Prez. It’s the only time he demands we show him the respect of his patch.
Prez leans over the table and slams his palm down, directly in front of Smiles. There’s an audible growl, but I’m not sure who it comes from. They stare each other down for at least a minute, if not longer. It’s like watching two savage animals about to rip each other apart.
Prez blinks then shakes his head and sits back in his chair. There’s always been a rift between the two of them. I heard Smiles was keen on Prez’s ex ol’ lady.
I’m surprised the fucker’s alive still, if that really was the case. “Just calm the fuck down, everybody. Tate offered to send up his right-hand man, Niko. They want this problem to disappear as much as we do. Trust me when I say we don’t want the cartels into our shit. I’m going to tell Brently to stick close to the club till we have this figured out. Right now, it’s just a Snake problem. I want it to stay that way so we can take care of it.”
Twist shakes his head appearing disgusted; his lip piercing glints off the sunlight shining through the window as he does. He taps his fingers quickly in a beat, almost compulsively. An evil smirk comes over his face. “Just send me to check ‘em out, Prez. I can be an exterminator if needed.”
Prez shakes his head and shoots Twist a look that says, ‘shut the fuck up, you’re trying my patience,’ then glances at each of us around the large table. “We don’t act this way; we get pissed, but we think about shit. Now I know y’all don’t want any kind of help around here. If it comes to them saving your lives though, I’m doing what’s best for my brothers. You put me here to take care of the Oath Keepers MC and its members. That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
He takes a drink of his bottled water and clears his throat. “Now in the interest of this club’s survival and protecting my family from a possible threat, we will have a visitor. No bullshitting and no fucking around. Y’all treat him with respect while he’s here and always. They’ve been nothing but helpful to us. Understood?”
The table spits out, “Yes, Prez,” in a chorus of irritated voices. We sound like a bunch of petulant teenagers who just got grounded to their rooms for the summer.
“Anything else we need to be discussing?”
I blink, sit up and nod to acknowledge I want to speak when he looks at me. “Uh, yeah, I was thinking about asking my sister, Sadie, if she wants to come for a visit. If we’re going to catch a lot of heat for this Twisted Snakes shit, then I’ll hold off.”
Prez shifts in his seat and runs his hand through his shoulder-length blond hair. “Nah, brother, family is always welcome. Things aren’t too bad yet, so definitely ask her. I’m sure the brothers would enjoy some fresh meat round here,” he chuckles.
I glower at him. “Fuck no! None of you fuckers even talk to my sister if she visits.” I warn, good-naturedly and everyone chuckles.
That’s one of the first things that drew me to the club life: the sense of loyalty and devotion that the brothers show toward their family members and each other. Here at the club, I never feel like I’m struggling or fighting alone, like I did growing up. When I was younger, I was in a constant state of feeling as if I was drowning and wasn’t going to be saved.
The club stepped in and threw me that life preserver I so desperately craved. I’m completely grateful that I always have someone near to help me out with anything if need be. I got a little taste of the generosity and loyalty of the club the very first time I rode to Texas, many years ago.
I’d just crossed into west Texas near Abilene and my bike began making crazy noises. I wasn’t a real mechanic or anything and had no idea what to do. I tinkered with shit and half-assed fixed stuff my whole life, but I was at a loss. I had to pull over; I didn’t want it to completely break or I knew I’d never be able to repair it.
An hour or so later, Prez and some of his members rode up. I about shit my pants, being confronted by a group of mean looking fuckers. At the time, I was a lot younger and smaller in size.
I thought they were going to rob me and possibly kill me. I had no clue just how ignorant I really was. I guess now though, I see many others are just as unfamiliar to our ways.
Imagine my surprise when the brothers gave me a bottle of water, helped me fix my bike, and let me ride with them to a truck stop down the road for a burger. They wanted to make sure my bike didn’t fuck up again after they took off. They turned out to be a decent bunch of rough guys.
The Prez was kind and easygoing towards me immediately and I got a sample of the life I could have. I was hooked from then on, but still leery for a bit about the commitment they’d devoted to the club. Over time, they grew into the family I never really had, minus my sister.
I’ve always wanted Sadie to come down and be a part of things here. She deserves to have a family supporting her and be surrounded by people who’d care about her. I think she’d end up enjoying it as much as I do. I’ve always loved club life and dedicated a lot of my time to it.
“All right, on that note, this shit’s done.” Prez states and the gavel’s slammed once to signify the ending of church.
We all slide our chairs back and head to the bar. I know there will be a lot of bitching and moaning over Nikoli coming up. I personally don’t mind Niko. I get a good vibe from him. He seems like he’s dedicated to Tate and taking care of shit. I can usually tell if a fucker’s shady.
The hall’s dark as I make my way towards the bar. On the walls, there’s a banner with our club crest and a few pictures scattered about of the clubhouse being built. We celebrated the club’s resurrection with a large barbecue outside all day and drank plentifully into the night. That was before we had club issues to deal with and we were just a group of guys riding.
The club’s been around a lot longer than I’ve been in it. The compound however, is only about five years old. We’re a cluster of wanderers who are all native-by-choice Texans. We love our state, never met a group of more proud people. I love traveling around the US, but there’s something about southern air that just pulls me more towards it.
Grabbing the first clean glass I find, I head over to Cain and Ares’ booth. These two have been getting cozy with each other, but I’m still close with them both regardless of their own budding friendship.
“‘Sup, brother.” I meet Ares’ gaze. He’s a big man; the type you’d believe could bench-press his bike for shits and giggles.
I throw a chin nod at Cain and Ares gestures for me to sit.
“Brother.” Cain gives me a two-finger salute as I pull up a chair, plopping my glass on the table.
It lands with a loud thunk and he smirks, “That serious, huh?” Ares grin’s teasing.
I had to go on a few runs with him when I was newer to the club. Our Prez likes for the Enforcer to sort of break people in. He took me to shake some fools down. It got a little bloody but I handled it.
Since then, we’ve been cool with each other. I wouldn’t ever want to go again though. I don’t have a strong stomach for some of that shit and try to save it for the times it’s really called for.
“I’m good man, hook a brutha’ up,” I answer with a smirk, sliding my glass forward with my finger.
Cain tries to hand me a lemon as well, wearing a cheesy smile. His dimples out on display.
“I don’t want this shit!” I huff, chuckling and throw the lemon wedge at him. He and Ares both laugh.
Badass MC Enforcers and they fuck around like a couple of kids. I take a long pull of the aged whiskey from my glass and smack my lips in approval.
Exactly what I needed.
“Now that’s some good shit. So, you two going to share what the plan is with Nikoli?” I glance at them.
They exchange a look and Ares shuffles his glass, trading it from one hand to the other. He meets my curious stare as his fingers play with the scruff on his chin. “Well, looks like Prez is calling Tate to give him the okay. From my understanding, Niko’s going to head up here so he can speak directly to Tate whenever needed. If we require reinforcements or anything, then he can just call for backup. Granted, Tennessee’s far away, but they’d be able to make it here in half a day if shit hit the fan. Niko will stay at a hotel in town, but can chill out at the club too. Tate’s going to see if he can get ahold of anybody with the cartel to get the gun situation handled on their part. Right now, we’re mostly worried about getting Brently close enough to the club so he stops getting harassed.” He takes a sip of his drink, and then continues. “I guess the crazy fucks keep leaving dead cats on his apartment doorstep. Not just dead, but slain, with their guts in full view. Those pussies are threatening to gut him. I wouldn’t mind having some fun with them myself.”
I nod. What a bunch of stupid asses, messing with an MC’s President’s kid. They should know better, belonging to a club themselves. I guess they’ll just have to learn the hard way.
Cain grunts and rolls his eyes. “Why doesn’t he just send you, Twist, and me to go teach them a lesson? That’ll get shit fixed real quick.”
Ares shakes his head, shooting him a chastising look. I think if Cain could solve everything that pisses him off with a fist fight, then he would.
“I already told you, brother; it’ll stir up more shit. Listen to Prez’s orders. Just chill and wait for them to make their next move. Trust in him, he knows what he’s talking about. Quit being an impatient fucker. You don’t want to end up dead, when you have London and your kid.” Ares appears more like a giant ogre, but the dude is hella’ smart.
Cain huffs, crossing his arms, and sits back to basically pout.
Jesus, this is going to turn into a giant shit show. I gesture to Cain to grabbing his attention. “I agree. I’d like to fuck them up, too. I got two pieces in my holster with the Twisted Snake’s name on them. I just don’t want this shit to come to the compound. How far away does Brently live, anyhow? A couple of hours, right?”
Cain shrugs and takes a long pull of his beer, but Ares nods. “Yeah, brother. I don’t think it’ll get out of hand enough to come to the clubhouse.”
“Good, we’ll just make sure to keep it contained. If Sadie comes down, I know she’ll be fine.” I nod and scoot my chair back. It’s time for me to get the fuck out of here. “Well I’m out, y’all enjoy,” I mutter as I stand up. Time for me to hit it, then quit it.
They watch me, and Cain stands up. “Later, brother,” he fist bumps me. I nod to him and then to Ares.
Avery
I step over to the kitchen table and set Niko’s coffee down in front of him. He eagerly reaches for it and beams at the warm refreshment. He has a fondness for my coffee and relishes in the fact that I make it for him exclusively when he comes around.
He has on a plain white T-shirt and jeans today and it catches me a bit off guard. It’s strange seeing him appear so casual when he’s supposed to be working. I shoot him a befuddled look.
I guess Tate doesn’t really care what Niko wears. However, he’s always dressed to look professional. Well, unless we have plans to swim or something. He was just explaining to me that Tate wants him to go out of town to handle an issue for a while. I’m assuming that’s the reason for the impromptu visit and lack of style in his wardrobe today.
“So, what do you mean you have to go out of town? Is that why you look so plain today?” I gesture towards his chest.
Emily’s busy with Tate, London moved to Texas, and now, Niko is taking off too. I seriously don’t know why I stay here. Well, besides school. Oh yeah, because I’m too poor to take my ass anywhere else. Duh.
“It is exactly as I said. Tate needs me to go check out a few things, so I will be in Texas for a while. Leave my shirt alone, you are still in pajamas.”
Wait a minute…did he just mention that he’d be in Texas for a while? Texas = 2 Piece. I want to visit Texas, and if Niko’s going, then maybe I can tag along.
He’s getting so much better with his accent. I can understand nearly everything he says the first time around. In the beginning, he had to repeat nearly everything he’d say at least a few times so we could understand it. Tate hides his accent well, but with Niko it’s like a shining beacon.
I wish I had an accent. If I did, I’d never shut up.
I wonder if my parents would lend me some money to take with me. I’ll have to call them. I don’t normally request to borrow any money or ask for much, so hopefully they won’t mind. My dad is constantly enquiring if I need anything, but I’m determined to make it on my own. I know if I accept stuff, then my mom will continuously remind me about it and take the liberty of inserting her nose more into my business.
She was a psycho when I first got my Facebook account and she found me on there. She literally commented on every single post I made. Then she went and friended each person on my friends list. That’s pretty much stage one clinger status at that point.
My parents don’t have much money, but they have some. It’s not like they ever do anything to spend it. I’m sure right now they’re busy bumming it at the beach. It must be nice. I work my ass off all the time at jobs and at school, while they just float along through life, not giving a shit. I grew up in Florida and when I was still there they practically lived in the sand and sun.
I love it there, just wasn’t too impressed with the colleges. UT had so many cool things to offer someone looking for a new life. Here, I get to branch out on my own and not worry about my parents butting into everything. My mom and dad are the hippy, free-spirit types but also super nosey when it comes to their daughter. You can only tell a person to stay out of your stuff so many times, until you up and move to another state.
I grew up closer to my father. My pops has short, brown hair and he’s going bald. However if you mention it, he’ll tell you that he just had a haircut.
He’s always wearing a smile and it’s one of my favorite things about him. Dad’s a very intelligent man and has a passive personality. He just goes with the flow and follows Mom around like a devoted puppy, nodding at whatever she says. Personally, I think she drove him crazy a long time ago and gave in, submitting to her dominant persona.
My mother leans more towards the bitchy side. We butted heads a lot while I was growing up. I’m stubborn and she’s tenacious, and it doesn’t mix well.
She wanted me to be a doctor or something vital like that. I finally got her to back off with me being in accounting. I guess she believes those kinds of jobs are important.
I believe the jobs that help animals and keep people safe are much more significant. Like the shelter volunteers at animal clinics or the soldiers fighting in the war. Of course, being a doctor is important, but just not my kind of important—not my calling. She probably wishes she had a different kid, and I don’t blame her. I’ll most likely do a whole lot of nothing with my life and I’ll live with it, not her.
I’m normally a happy, outgoing person, but I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately. I don’t know why I’m sad or where these emotions have come from. I think it’s probably because I’m at a crossroads in my life and I’m not exactly where I want to be right now. I should’ve gone to school for something I’d enjoy and be happy doing
I’d love to travel the country and help in different situations. Maybe assist when there’s some sort of a disaster and they need volunteers or something. That sounds like it’d be a fulfilling job to have.
I know it’d make me appreciate more of what little I do already have. I can’t imagine the devastation some people experience, dealing with the different tragedies. Or even the animals, I’d love to help and work with animals.
The world is full of selfish people, just sitting around doing nothing. It’d be a much better place if more people helped out and were kind to one another. That’s one good attribute my parents have; they volunteer a lot. When I go home, I volunteer at the oceanography labs and love it. When my parents visit here, they usually have a Habitat for Humanity project or something related to volunteer for.
With me being a poor student living on my barista’s wages, if they visit, they have to stay in a hotel. They’ll stop over for a short period of time which keeps the visit nice and not too overwhelming. I go back to Florida around once a year for Christmas, the one time they do send me money.
Don’t get me wrong, I had a great childhood growing up. I was very fortunate to have them. My parents are just control freaks when it comes to me, probably because I’m their only child and they were so crazy when they were younger. I think that’s one reason why I’m so free-spirited now; it backfired on them. My mother tells me to do something, and I automatically venture in the opposite direction.
“Shit!” Niko curses loudly in Russian, making me jump. Turning quickly, I scan over his body to check for what could possibly be wrong but he just looks angry. The coffee cup is on the table and he has a hand grasping each of his thighs.
“What? What happened?” I ask, concerned. His pale Russian face is flushed and he’s taking deep breaths. He sends me an irritated look.
“This is so hot, why must you make it burn my tongue? Every time, you make great coffee you make it scorching hot. It smells great, I love the flavor, yet you burn my tongue. Every time. Why?” He sticks his tongue out and fans it.
I giggle. He gets so worked up. I’m surprised he even spoke that in English. Normally it would have flown out in Russian.
“Come on, Niko, you know I have to help keep things interesting for you.” He shakes his head at me and grunts.
He goes to the sink and fills a glass with cold water then drinks it all in three big gulps. Geez, no wonder he eats burgers so fast. Do you even taste anything at that point though? I probably shouldn’t point out that he looks like an angry tomato right now.
“We are friends, yet I can still spank you,” he grumbles seriously and points at me.
I bust out laughing. Right, that man has never spanked me no matter how many times we fucked. He’s a gentle lover, yet a beast when someone upsets him enough.
“You, my friend, have been around Tate too much. I’m seventy-five percent sure I’m kinkier than your ass and would be the one to spank you first,” I admit and wear my cocky smirk proudly.
He grins then chuckles lowly. “So, he rubs off,” he shrug, replying sheepishly.
It makes me laugh even more. “Ah no, pretty sure Emily rubs him off now,” I sputter.
Niko rolls his eyes and chuckles louder. “Yeah, man, that’s what she said!”
It’s my turn to roll my eyes at him. He always ends sentences with ‘That’s what she said.’ “Real cute, Niko. All you’re missing is a pony shirt.”
“No, I have pony shirt,” he mutters seriously, and I start rolling in giggles again. I love him. He has no idea how much fun he is. I swear I’m going to pee if he doesn’t stop.
“Okay, okay, okay,” I take a deep breath then exhale to calm down a bit. “No more giggle fest ninety-nine.” I inhale another breath and prepare to talk as fast as possible before Niko can interrupt me. “SoIreallywanttogotoTexaswithyoureallyreallybad,” I mumble and gaze at him with my puppy dog eyes.
“What was that just now? You sound like jumbled kitten.”
I grin and repeat myself slowly, “I want to go with you to Texas, please. I want to go really, really badly. And, I’ll stay out of your way, I promise.”
He sighs a bit disgruntled, “No way, José, I’m working. I don’t want anything to happen to you if it goes bad,” he shakes his head and places his hands on his hips.
“Please, Niko, Please! I’ll stay out of your way. Hey, I could maybe even help out a tiny bit, if you needed me to. You never know, you could require my assistance,” I nod in an exaggerated say yes motion, and then clasp my hands in front of me, begging dramatically.
“Oh my God,” he groans and rubs his hand over the back of his neck. He sits back at the table, leaning forward he rests his elbows on his muscular thighs with his fingers rubbing his temples.
I jump in quickly to keep working on persuading him. He’s getting weaker; only a little more and he will give in.
“Yes, that’s it. I can totally help you with anything. And I swear to stay out of your way. Please?” I whine.
It’s not my finest moment, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I’ll flat out beg if need be. This could be my mini vacation I desperately have to have but can’t afford to go on alone. Not only that, but I will get to see London and 2 Piece.
He shakes his head, chewing on the inside of his lip for a second. “Fine, you can tag along. Only if you stay out of my business though, no poking nose in Niko’s stuff. I will be helping Cain’s motorcycle club with a problem. You can see London.”
I squeal and jump into his lap to hug him. He just made my whole day—hell, my whole week. “Awesome, Thank you! So, um, when exactly do we leave?” I squeeze his neck and the stand back up.
He glances at his silver-colored watch then looks back at me, not in the slightest rush. “In forty-two minutes.”
I blink a few times and process what he said.
“Shit…forty minutes. Okay, I’m packing right now then. I need to bring basically everything. Call the shop for me, please Niko. Tell Dillan I’m flying home to Florida for an emergency and I’m sorry. I’ll be back as soon as possible,” I call out, already jogging for my closet and begin yanking random clothes off hangers.
I throw a handful of shirts and a hoodie on the bed then go through my flimsy plastic drawers to grab shorts, panties, and a few pairs of socks. I turn to pack it all up and some black material catches my eye.
I pivot back slowly and pull the material out to hold it in front of me. Yep, this dress needs to come too. If we go out anywhere, I’m totally wearing this shit. It’s a short, fitted dress with a flowy bottom that lands mid-thigh on me. It has a hot pink, satin ribbon that runs down one side of it, and it’s my favorite dress in the world.
Grabbing my bag up, I dump my school books n the middle of my bedroom floor. Then head for my bathroom, stuffing all of my toiletries into my now empty purple backpack. Oh, new pink and blue nail polishes? Yep, need them too. Never know when you might want to paint your toenails.
I zip the bag up and throw it over my shoulder. Next, I snatch my weekender bag from my bed and stuff my clothes in quickly. Once I’m loaded down, I head back to Niko, determined not to make him late.
He smiles and nods when he sees me. “Not bad, Bean, but are you going in your pajamas?”
My confident gaze flicks downward, over my attire. .
Fuck! I’m still wearing pajamas.
A sheepish grin overtakes my mouth and I hold up one finger. I twist around and take off running to change, hearing him laugh loudly behind me.
Crazy man has called me Bean after coffee beans since I made him his first cup of coffee.
I pull on my daisy duke jean shorts then a black, fitted V-neck style-shirt and make my way to the front door. Niko chuckles, amused and high fives me on my way out. This isn’t the first time he’s waited on me to change and I get faster with each pass.
“Let’s get this road trip started!” I cheer and I climb into his blue Silverado.
I routinely plug my phone in and turn on my playlist. I’m the automatic DJ each time I ride with him. He learned not to touch the radio because I will not hesitate to smack his hand out of the way or titty twist him.
I select “The Rockafeller Skank” by Fatboy Slim and crank the volume up, then buckle my seat belt. Turning to Niko I’m wearing an excited grin on my face and am met with his beaming smile. He starts bopping his head to the beat, happy to not be stuck on this trip alone any more. Only sixteen hours to go until Texas.