Diablo

“Fuck that, Diablo!”

Stone has been in a pissy mood since Savy and Ena moved into the Compound. It’s understandable, but he needs to get the fuck over it. We have a lot of shit to deal with and we all need to be on the same page. We already voted to help Savy, there’s no backing out now.

“Did you forget the vote?” I ask. “Stone, that was your chance to voice your opinion. Right now, we are doing what we need to do to protect Savy and Ena.”

“And just fuck Zoie, huh? Leave her to rot in that hell hole?”

“No one said that, brother. You know we will get her back. We all love Zoie, too.”

Zoie is Stone’s kid sister. She is a sweet girl, in college and had a good life ahead of her. Then she got caught up with some Russian prick that got her hooked on drugs. Stone tried to get her to clean up her act, but she was hooked and fought treatment. She went back to her boyfriend, and he persuaded her to go on a trip to Russia with him. That was eight months ago. We haven’t seen her since.

Stone got a letter from her saying she’s all right and not to come looking for her because she’s not coming back to the United States. That alone was a red flag, and we put out feelers to see if we could find out any information on Ivan Pavlov, Zoie’s boyfriend. Turns out, the fucker is into some dangerous shit. He’s the trusted nephew of Igor Pavlov, head of the Russian Mafia.

We sent in our enforcer, Ghost, and he’s reported back some awful shit. We have Ghost working to get Zoie back from the Russians while we are cultivating relationships with them state side. The process is slow, but we are getting closer. I made a personal promise that we will get Zoie out, and I never break my promises.

Stone lowers his head, a sign of weakness he never shows. “I gotta get her back. She’s all I have left.”

“We’ll get her back, brother. I made a promise.”

With a small nod, Stone is back on board. He’s still not happy with the slow progress, but it is progress.

“Speaking of Zoie and the Russians, we are expecting a communication from Ghost soon. He should have an update on the situation there.”

Nods all around.

“Skull, I need you to go on a run for a few days,” I say.

If looks could kill, I’d be dead right now, but I need my VP to deal with the Devils. It seems Ruger didn’t like the way I handled Loco. I got word that Ruger has been talking about breaking off and establishing a club separate from Havoc. The Devils of Sin MC is our support club, and answers to me. I need to make sure he knows who he’s fucking with. If Ruger doesn’t get on board, I’ll take his colors and send him to visit Loco.

“Mack’s on Ena until I get back,” he says.

I nod my head, affirming his request that sounds like a demand. He is frowning at me, but he knows what needs to be done.

Club first.

Always.

We spend more time discussing the various businesses, both legal and illegal that the club has. Our newest addition is The Jungle. Donny hasn’t paid as promised so ownership of the club has transferred to Havoc permanently.

“Savy’s been itching to get back to work. Now that we own the club, I think she can go back.”

I get nods from some brothers, but others remain stone faced. I don’t try to read their thoughts. If they wanted them to be known, they would speak up.

“Ena’s also been asking to see her friends. We can’t let them come to the club right now and it’s not safe for her to be in public, but if she’s at their house with two prospects guarding her, I’d feel comfortable with her going out. What do you think, Skull?”

“I don’t like it.”

“Can’t keep her locked up forever, brother,” Preacher says. “She ain’t Rapunzel trapped in her tower.”

“Fuck off, Preach.”

“I’m just saying,” Preacher replies. Not concerned by Skull’s words. Preacher didn’t even move.

“I need her protected. We all know Joker is the best prospect we have, and he’s on Savy.”

“Aero and Mack will protect Ena.”

“I’m not happy about it, but I’ll do what you say. I trust your judgment.”

The rest of church goes as usual. Since it’s Friday, tonight we party, and then Skull heads out on his run in the morning. Normally I wouldn’t allow Ena to be at a Friday party because they get a little wild, but I know Skull will be raging for a week without seeing her, so I allow it.

Just this once.

* * *

Savy

This is the first time Caleb has allowed Ena to be at a Friday night party. Skull is leaving for a week and despite how much I hate it, he and Ena like each other. Skull has claimed her and made himself her protector. Since he’s leaving, Caleb wants them to spend some time together.

It’s not that I don’t like Skull, hell I do like him, he’s charming and funny, but Ena is my responsibility and I need to make sure she’s safe at all times. Even while inside Havoc.

“I’m soooo excited for this party tonight!” Ena says.

I laugh at her excitement as she riffles through Caleb’s and my closet looking for something to wear tonight. She’s eyeing my old beat up biker boots, and I nod my head as she turns to look at me over her shoulder.

“You can wear them,” I say.

“Thank you, Savy. I’m going to be so hot tonight.”

“Ena,” I say. This girl will be the death of me.

“What?” Innocence written all over her face, but I don’t believe it. She’s plotting something.

“I don’t want you to get too close to Skull. Please wait until you are old enough to make that kind of decision.”

“I’m not going to do anything,” she says. “I promise.”

Her hands are behind her back. I’m sure she’s crossing her fingers, but I don’t want to fight tonight. I want her to spend time with Skull since they are so close, but I don’t want her to spend time with him.

“I know you’re crossing your fingers, but I trust you,” I say.

“How do you do that?” she asks.

“Do what?”

“Know everything.”

I smile at her words. Despite what she thinks, I don’t know everything. If I did, we wouldn’t be hiding out at the Havoc Compound like scared little mice. I would have known what to do about Jon and Paul and I would have saved Hope.

“It’s a gift,” I reply.

We both break out into a fit of laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Caleb asks. He enters the room with a powerful stride.

“Oh, nothing,” Ena and I say at the same time. Then we laugh again.

Caleb walks toward the bed, where I’m sitting, while mumbling, “Crazy women.”

“Hey!” Ena says. “I’m a woman, but I sure ain’t crazy.”

“You are not a woman yet,” Caleb says. “And you sure are crazy.”

“I am. You’ll see soon enough.”

“What is she talking about, babe?” he asks. Leaning down to look at me at eye level.

“I don’t know,” I say. Pecking him on the lips I turn toward Ena and wink.

“I don’t know what you have planned, kid, but it better be age appropriate.”

“Age appropriate?” Ena and I ask.

“Did I stutter?” he asks.

“Nope.”

And we both crumble into another fit of laughter. Caleb stalks out of the room, again mumbling to himself. I love when I get to spend time with Ena like this. We are just sisters hanging out. I don’t have to be the mother figure in her life.

Time is limited, she’ll be eighteen next week and off to college in less than a year. I love the woman she’s becoming, but like Caleb said, she’s no woman, yet. I want her to enjoy the childhood she has left. Because these are the times I will cherish forever, the memories I didn’t get to have with my mother. I hope Ena cherishes the time we get to spend together, too.