Chapter 12
Ares
“Yo, brother. The phone?” I mumble as I catch up to Cain in the bar.
“Yeah, Brently answered. It’s the club phone.”
“For fuckin’ business? What kind of dick is this?”
Walking behind the bar, Brently nods toward the old white cordless phone resting on the shelf next to some glasses.
Inhaling deeply, I expel the breath clearing my thoughts, as I bring the receiver to my ear. “Yo?”
A gruff voice barks back angrily, “A gift from the Iron Fists. Your club is next.” The caller hangs up right as an explosion rocks the windows of the clubhouse.
The brothers hit the floor, quickly drawing weapons out of their boots and holsters. A few take them from the backs of their pants.
Cain turns to me gaping, “The fuck was that?”
Spin cocks his gun. “What’s the plan, VP?”
I snatch one of the loaded shotguns from beneath the bar and swiftly hop over the bar top. We keep a few shotguns behind the bar, just for a time such as this.
“Cain, you an’ me check this shit out real quick; Spin and Scratch go to the back door just in case any fucks try to breach club doors. Exterminator and Nightmare, grab the sniper rifles and post up on the windows, give us some cover. The rest of ya, you don’t let a single motherfucker get past this bar room.”
I’m met with nods and multiple yeps, you bets, and okays as brothers get into position, ready to defend the club. I follow Cain to the main door. He opens it slightly doing a quick scan.
“See anything?”
“Shit, bro! It was a fuckin’ car that blew up.”
A car? Turning back to the room, I ask, “Who the fuck was mannin’ the gate?”
Brently speaks up, “The newest prospect.” Right, I can’t even remember that dudes fuckin’ name right now. When I’m done here, I’m gonna be gutting that little twat for letting this shit play out.
“I think we’re good to bounce. I don’t see no one out there, but it doesn’t mean they ain’t hidin’ an’ shit.”
“Right. You take the right side, concentrate on your three o’clock. I’ll take the left and watch the nine o’clock.” I call back, “Night, Ex, watch our twelve.”
Exterminator grunts, “bet.”
Cain and I make our way out of the club doors and down the few steps, carefully approaching the green sedan all blown to shit and still on fire. There are body parts littered around the area, so clearly someone was in the damn vehicle.
The club door crashes open as Brently comes storming out, running down the stairs, screaming, “Seraphina! Oh God, no!”
“Brently, get back inside bro, it’s not fuckin’ clear!” Cain barks angrily, quickly taking in the yard of the compound, hoping the President’s son doesn’t get hurt.
“Noooo, baby, no!” His lip shakes as his knees hit the ground next to the upper half of a mangled body.
“Cain, give us some cover.” I step to Brently’s side.
“Brently, what is it?”
“It’-it’s fucking Seraphina!”
“The girl you were seeing a while back? The one mixed up with the Twisted Snakes?”
He nods as a couple of tears stream over his cheek.
“I thought she wasn’t around after that?”
“I-I sent her away. I wanted her to be safe. Look at her hands, Ares.”
I run my gaze over her scraped arms that have a few bigger chunks missing out of them until I make it to her wrists. They’re tied tightly together with some brown rope.
“She was fucking tied up. They hurt her, Ares,” he mutters, his voice thick with anguish.
“I’m so sorry, prospect. You need to get inside though, till everything’s straight and we can actually talk.”
“Everything’s straight? Look at her,” he yells, “nothing is fucking straight!”
“I get it, Brently, I get it, but you need to get inside and let us take care of it.”
“You don’t get shit! You don’t have a fucking clue what you’re talking about!”
“Listen you spoiled little fucking boy, I understand that you’re hurt. But you ain’t got no fuckin’ idea ‘bout my life, kid. Now as your VP, I’m tellin’ you, for fuck’s sake, get your ass inside that fucking clubhouse, now.”
Angrily he stands, but pauses and brushes his fingertips over her dirty cheek. “Poor, poor sweet Seraphina,” he whispers and walks away, shattered, back inside the club.
Fuck! Just what I need—more damn dead bodies to deal with. Running my hands over my own face, I eventually meet Cain’s concerned stare.
“What now, Ares? Everything seems quiet out here.”
“Call all the fuckin’ brothers that are not here and let them know what just happened. Tell the guys inside to do a perimeter check around the compound. I want to make sure that’s the only thing we gotta deal with. Call Smiles and tell him we need this to disappear before someone else sees this shit. I’ve gotta go check on our guests.”
“No problem,” he answers seriously, already on his phone calling Smiles to get rid of the debris.
Making my way around the back of the clubhouse, I head straight for the beat up shed. My stomach drops as I take in the chain swinging from the handles, the lock lying on the floor.
Bending, I pick up the heavy metal; it’s clear the lock was cut. I already know what to expect when I swing open the door.
Only I had no idea to expect the newest prospect to be strung up in the middle of the shed. He hangs naked, with a symbol burned into his flesh, my small torch lying at his feet. I hope the poor fool didn’t suffer too much. Fuck! I hadn’t even thought to call down to the gate yet. We have to get better security, to keep fuckers out. This is goddamn ridiculous.
As I approach him, my phone begins to vibrate “Yo?” I bark without first checking the ID.
“Brently just called, babbling some bullshit gibberish. My son sounds like he has lost his ever lovin’ fuckin’ mind. What the fuck’s goin’ down over there, VP?”
Christ, just what I need. Little boy blue tattling to his fuckin’ daddy, while I’ve got serious shit I need to get fuckin’ handled. I don’t have time to deal with this bullshit.
“There was a fuckin’ car bomb in the parking lot. Your boy came out screamin’ ‘bout it bein’ that bitch who ran with the Twisted Snakes. I thought we got rid of her along with the rest of them during that whole club raid we pulled on them a while back?”
“Hell no, Brently was head over heels for that snatch. Fuck, no wonder he was carrying on. What’s the plan then?”
“Well, I just got to the shed. Motherfuckers done split. The new prospect is here hanging in front of me with an “I and F” burned into his chest and stomach. We need to retaliate, no more fuckin’ around. This is a direct threat to the club. I’m so sick of seein’ people getting hurt because of these fuckin’ yo-yos.”
“I know that, brother, but you need to call a vote first. I’m gonna head up there as soon as Mona gets out of this chemo treatment, and I’ll help ya. I don’t like it that my club’s in disarray and I’m nowhere near it to help out.”
“No Prez, you stay put with Mona; she needs to be safe and have someone help her.”
“We can send a prospect out to take care of her, the club needs me.”
“You told me to handle this shit, and that’s what I’m gonna do. You take care of your ol’ lady, she needs you the most right now.”
“Fine, but if something else happens, I ain’t sittin’ around being a pussy.”
“You’ve always taken care of this club Prez, let me do my part.”
“All right son, take care and hit me up if you need sumthin’. My vote by proxy is retaliation after you come up with a plan. No irrational thinkin’.”
“Got it.”
“Later.” He finishes and hangs up.
Fuck, I hope he stays with Mona; she needs him way more than we do right now. We can get by with him away, but I’m not so sure she can. I shoot a massive text for everyone to meet in ten minutes for a church vote. I need to get ahold of some more chapters, too. Get them here as backup, ‘cause shit just got real.
Unsnapping my ten-inch blade from my holster, I use it to slit the twine rope that’s wrapped around the prospect’s throat. His body falls to the floor in a heavy heap once he’s free. Slinging him over my shoulder fireman’s style, I make my way to 2 Piece’s truck, to lay him in the bed until someone can run him over to the funeral home. It’s gotta be today though. With the Texas heat, that body will stink and go rancid in no time. Hopefully, the fuckin’ birds stay away from him; brother would be looking like road kill pretty quick.
Opening the back, I lift the bottom seat up and get a brown tarp. Least I can do is cover up the body with it.
“’Sup brother?” Cain startles me, nodding to me spreading the tarp.
“Fuckin’ prospect is toast.”
“Shit.”
Nodding, I finish with the tarp, and then head into the club with Cain following closely.
Once I cross the threshold, I’m instantly bombarded with questions from an anxious Avery, “Air, What was that loud boom? The guys won’t let me near the windows or any of the doors and no one will tell me a damn peep!” She finishes, taking both of my hands in hers. “You said you would be careful. Is 2 Piece okay?” she whispers worriedly, her eyes welling up with tears.
Fuck! I don’t know how to comfort chicks. “Shhh, angel. You need to get back to the room.”
“Back to the room? Ares, tell me what’s going on! I’ve told 2 Piece and I’ll tell you, just cause we’re fucking doesn’t give you the right to boss me.”
“Just ‘cause we’re fuckin’?” I bellow angrily. It sounds like what I said to 2 Piece, and for some reason, hearing it come from her mouth drives me wild with fury. We ain’t just ‘fuckin’. We are way past that, and she knows it. I’ll drive it in deep for her if that’s what she needs.
The brothers all stare at us curiously. “Nah, angel, we ain’t just fuckin’. I laid claim to that fuckin’ sweet pussy, so don’t get that shit twisted. Now if I tell you to get your fine little ass to that room, then you get your ass to that fuckin’ room, ya hear? It’s my job to protect this motherfuckin’ club, and sugar, your ass is a part of this club, and you belong to me.”
I watch, waiting for her smart aleck retort. Her throat moves as she swallows. She nods and gruffly replies, “Well if you claimed it, then kiss me like I’m yours.”
“Like mine? Yeah baby, you’re mine,” I murmur, clasping onto her arms tightly. I lift her small body, carrying her until her back hits the wall. Easily, I let her biceps go, only to wrap my large hand around her dainty throat; I squeeze it lightly as I lean in, owning her lips in front of damn near every brother of this charter.
The room stays silent as their minds race with the fact that I’m claiming her in front of everyone and yet she belongs to my brother, 2 Piece. They don’t get it that they both are mine.
After playing with her tongue for a brief time, I pull back, “Say it, angel.”
“I’m yours, Ares.” She whimpers, thoroughly turned on.
“Louder!” I demand, applying pressure to her throat so she knows I’m completely serious.
She swallows, glancing around the room on each side of my shoulders, “I’m yours, Ares. I belong to you and to 2 Piece,” she retorts loudly and I smile proudly. ’Bout fuckin’ time the brothers know that.
I step back, kiss her chastely on her mouth, then her forehead, and then release her throat. She doesn’t hide her eyes, appearing unsure, when I step away. Instead, she meets every brother’s gaze around the room who dare question her declaration. When no one says anything to her or looks at her wrong, she glances at me before silently heading back down to her and 2 Piece’s room. That’s something else we need to discuss, us living separately. I don’t fuckin’ like it.
2 Piece
Two hours later...
I hang up with Cain. I gave him my proxy vote earlier, and it looks like we’ll get the revenge we crave for this bullshit. My mind still can’t get over that the Iron Fists killed the young prospect and breached the compound without anyone knowing about it. That’s way too close to the people that mean the most to me. We are getting more people to man the entrance, end of story. I will talk out of my ass to make it happen if needed.
The white machines beep as they monitor vitals, echoing around the sterile hospital room as Twist sleeps. Luckily, the brother finally woke up once he was in the ambulance. The medics said they had given him a little oxygen, and after a few minutes he woke, flipping out. They sedated his ass and threatened to throw him in jail or the psych ward if he didn’t calm down. I guess Twist thought that was hilarious and cackled half way to the hospital like a fuckin’ loon, finally passing back out. I don’t know if Twist could handle another stint in jail, and the psych ward won’t help at all. Brother would probably end up getting popped for killing a few other crazies in that place.
Cain’s words replay in my mind about the explosion in the fuckin’ parking lot. I’m sick of this shit. The brothers should have just listened to me when I told them to find the fucks after Avery and London were confronted at the store.
Twist’s fingers tap as he pounds out a silent beat on the bed, no one is ever privy to knowing. Brother always has shit running through his mind; I guess in this case even when he’s sedated. My thoughts brake as the hospital door opens and an older lady in a white coat enters. She carries a clipboard with papers she scans after she checks each machine.
“He all right?” I break the silence, nodding to Twist.
“Yes, Mister…?
“Silas ma’am, please just call me Silas.”
“Okay Silas, your friend here took quite a spill. Do you know what that could have done to his body?”
“Yes ma’am, I was riding alongside him.”
“I see. Perhaps you should think of giving up the motor bikes?”
I glance down over my cut and chuckle. Not being disrespectful, but if she had any idea what all these patches adorning my leather meant, she’d know I’m in for life. Twist, too. That brother eats, breathes, and sleeps the MC.
“Naw ma’am, just hoping my brother is all right.”
“Right. Well, he bruised some bones and cracked a rib, but as long as he keeps it wrapped up tightly, he will be fine.”
“So when’s he gonna wake up?”
“I’d say after the horse tranquilizer wears off,” she replies, winking before she leaves the room.
I think the old lady was just flirting with me. It probably was a damn horse tranq with that crazy fucker. I dial Avery’s number to check how she’s doing with all this madness. I bet my poor girl’s nerves are frazzled to no end with her nosey self.
“Hey, Silas.” Her sweet voice carries over the line.
“Hey, Shorty. How’s shit? You good?”
“Yeah, I’m okay. I’m hanging out in our room until they all figure out what’s going on.”
“That’s real good free bird, glad you’re staying off their backs.”
She huffs, and then whispers, “I miss you. I wish you were here with me through this stuff.”
“I know Avery, so do I.”
Twist starts to stir, grumbling as he begins to finally wake up again.
“I gotta go; I’ll be back to the club as soon as possible.”
“I love you, Silas.”
“You, too,” I reply, hanging up.
“Errrmmmm. Bastards. Fuck you. Bastards.”
“Twist? Brother, you good?”
“Hmmm?” His eyes open, meeting mine.
“You straight?”
“Hmmmpf. Yep, fuckin’ dicks shoved a goddamn needle into my arm.”
Chuckling, I step to his bedside and undo the buckles on the restraints they had holding his wrists in place.
“Seriously? Fuckin’ restraints?”
“From what I got, you scared the little medics, and they thought you was gonna hurt somebody when you woke up again.”
“Fuckin’ right. I told ‘em I ain’t need no damn hospital. I need to get back to Sadie, I know she’s gotta be beat. Bitch is always on her feet.”
“My little sister is fine. She’s pregnant, not incapable. Don’t let her hear you callin’ her a bitch neither brother, you won’t have any nuts left when she’s done with ya.”
He grins, nodding, “I know, crazy ass chick.”
“You good to ride? Doc said you have a broken rib and once you stop being a pussy you’ll be okay.”
“I’m no pussy, motherfucker. You’re just mad ‘cause I’m older and wiser than your pretty boy ass.”
“Whatever man, I catch shit from all y’all whether I’m older or younger, don’t give a fuck. You’re just hatin’ ‘cause you look like you went through a damn meat grinder.”
“Fuck.”
“Yup. Now we bouncin’ from this joint or what?”
“Yeah, yeah, give me a sec.”
I hand him his clothes and he slips the pants on, gritting his teeth as he bends.
“You got anythin’?”
“Naw, man. Cain took the blow that was in your saddle bag.”
“Figured.” He grunts, slipping his feet into his boots. He takes a deep breath, and then rips the IV straight out of his arm.
“Shit, man!” I call and he shrugs.
Grabbing up the gauze and wrap from the small cart next to him, he winds it tightly over the bloody mess on his wrist from the IV. I know that shit had to hurt, but he just goes on like he didn’t really feel it. I hand him his cut as he gets his dirty, torn T-shirt over his head. He slips it on just as the nurse makes it to the room.
“Oh, sir! Please lie down! The doctor needs to come check you over, please!”
“I’m outta this fuckin’ rat hole. Only place you’re takin’ me is to fuckin’ jail if you don’t clear outta my way,” Twist growls, and the poor nurse moves to the side so he can pass.
“Please, sir, let her come go over your injuries.”
“Not fuckin’ happenin’ red, doc already paid me a visit.”
The red headed nurse’s cheeks tint with his nickname and boom, Twist is out the door. I follow quickly. He doesn’t know yet that his bike isn’t here, so this may be interesting.
“Come on, brother, we’re parked over in ‘B.’ The prospect brought you a bike.”
“What are you talkin’ about?”
“Your bike is trash man, I’m sorry.”
“Ah, fuck. Probably about time I start lookin’ for a new one anyhow.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep, gotta get a bitch seat.”
“You need to slow the fuck down with Sadie, brother.”
He huffs and stays quiet. I’m being hella cool about him and my sister, considering I should be slitting his throat for messing with my baby sister.
I mount my bike and he climbs on next to me, riding Cain’s old cruiser. I send him a glare, ‘You know I oughta beat your ass. I will if you fuck with her and that kid.”
“I ain’t doin’ a motherfuckin’ thing, brother, but helpin’ her out when she needs it.”
I nod as I give the throttle a little gas, heading out of the parking lot to the main street. We cruise for a little while, not really rushing since I know Twist has to be sore, even if he won’t admit it.
Some dick decides to pull off the side of the road right in front of us, driving around twenty miles per hour. Fucking assholes. It’s stupid idiots like this that causes wrecks, pulling out really slow in front of people. What ever happened to being respectful? My temper flairs as I get angry and veer around the vehicle. The dick dawgs me as I pass his window, me peering inside.
“Little fuck,” I shout and kick his door.
He rolls his window down and shouts something but I can’t hear him over my pipes. Twist comes up beside me and we rev really loud. The douche nozzle rolls his window up, shaking his head. Fucking pussy, next time don’t act ballsy if your just gonna roll your window back up. Twist kicks the guy’s car and we speed off.
Twist and I arrive at the clubhouse and there must be fifty bikes parked outside. I’m guessing they also voted to pull in some more charters seeing as we’re going up against the Iron Fists.
Twist and I back our bikes into line along the club, scanning the area, you can never be too careful. The burnt car Cain spoke about is missing. It’s so dark out now, you wouldn’t be able to tell there was even a dark spot from the bomb if it weren’t for the bright ass lights shining everywhere. Full security lockdown.. Means a bunch of lights all over everything, cameras monitored twenty-four hours a day, the gate locked, and only opened by approval each time.
“The fuck’s goin’ on, 2 Piece?”
“Car bomb in the fuckin’ compound. Cain went ape shit over the phone, real serious stuff here. I’m guessin’ the other charters are here to help us with retaliation.”
“This shit better not blow back. So fuckin’ tired of women getting’ hurt cause of fucking twats.”
“I feel ya brother, trust me.” I grumble and bang on the club door.
In full lockdown the club doors are locked and only answered after a check in from the gate and even then, the door is still opened with a shotgun pointed in your face.
The heavy door creaks open, with Spin holding a gun through the opening. Once he sees us and looks behind us, he opens the door enough so we can come inside. The bar is packed full of members. Most are from the surrounding charters, but a few really harsh, mean-looking fuckers’ cuts advertise Nomads. Ares called in a few of the big dogs. He must be on a mission, and boy do I feel for the person in his path.
The cuts all advertise fellow Oath Keepers MC members. There are brothers here from Louisiana, Colorado, Arizona and Texas. I’m guessing they all came straight from a rally happening in Austin. We were gonna go, being it’s so damn close but all this shit started poppin’ off. These Iron Fists obviously didn’t realize we’d have backup an hour down the road and not spread further out like usual.
If needed, we can always call our brothers in the Forsaken Liberty MC, too. They are located over near Lufkin, Texas and will help us out anytime we need it, too. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to us calling charters in from all over the U.S. or asking our brothers from other MC clubs to come help out.
“Spin,” I greet him, walking past the shotgun.
“2.” He chin lifts then turns to Twist. “You good, brother?”
“Fuckin’ peaches an’ cream, Spiny.”
Spin rolls his eyes, locks the thick metal door, and heads back to his table. He has the little Asian he favors, resting in the seat next to him.
I’m met with a shrill voice that I can only describe as my sister’s ’you’re gonna die, yell.’
“Twist! My God! What on earth happened to your face?” Sadie gapes, running up to him, like a worried mother.
I should have had someone warn Sadie that Twist has a road burn patch on his arm and his nose is busted to shit. He hasn’t given it any time to heal up yet, splitting from the hospital like he did, so it looks like he has two noses with it being so swollen.
“Ice! God, we need some ice!” Sadie shouts again, and takes off quickly toward the kitchen, her pregnant belly making her waddle as she goes.
London comes up to us, concern written all over her face, “Twizzler! You okay, love?”
“Ah, cupcake, you know I’m good.”
London nods, giving him a small kiss on the cheek. “If you need anything, just ask.”
“Thanks darlin’, I will.”
She smiles briefly, and then makes her way back over to Cain’s lap. Twist turns to me, “Thanks for sittin’ with me.”
“It’s nothin’, brother.”
Sadie enters the room, scanning the crowd like a mad woman, and I duck out before she can rip me a new one. There are only two people I really want to see after all of the shit that went down.