GRACE

4 years later …

“Where’s Stick?” My ears perked up as I heard my nickname. It was part of my new identity. No one in Jersey City called me Grace. If they did, Dana would cut them. Most of the crew in Jersey, didn’t know who I was or how I actually became a Lady Guardian Prospect. Dana told everyone I was a cousin from California. They called me Stick because I was always playing with knives. I’d yet to actually stick anyone, I thought that was quite an accomplishment.

I played with knives because it was the one thing I allowed myself to remember about my old life. Mase taught me how to handle a knife. The weapon in my hand calmed me down when I got worked up about how it all played out.

I hardly thought about him.

My phone rang and my little boy’s face popped up on the screen. Yep, hardly thought about Mase at all. God’s little joke when my son came out and grew up looking more and more like his daddy every day.

Cason smiled more. He got that from me, not his brooding serious assed father.

I tapped the phone and held it to my ear.

“Hey little bit.” I called him. My dad called me that, too.

“Mommy.” He whined.

“I told him calling you only make it worse.” I heard Josey in the background.

Josey was Dana's grandmother.

I moved in with her when Dana and James brought me to New Jersey. When they got married two years ago, they moved back to Jersey from Pennsylvania

James had moved up in the hierarchy in two years and now was the President of a Legions of Guardian Chapter here in Jersey City. Dana was the tail gunner, but of the Jersey City affiliate of the Lady Guardians called The Pixie Samurais.

The name made me smile and our logo was badass. Bikes and knifes, what wasn't to love?

Josey took care of Cason while I attended Rutgers University during the day and worked at night.

I graduated a couple of months ago, both from school and from prospect status. My real education came from Dana and Anna, the Pixie’s President.

Everything Mase had taught me, they expanded on. I had an affinity for weapons and could handle anything.

They also taught me how to ride. I left my beautiful Softtail behind, but I replaced it with a new one. The bags of money I was able to flee with contained over a hundred thousand dollars and part of it went to buying myself a bike.

Not practical for a new mother, but it was a rule with the club. I needed the club.

I kept my real identity a secret mainly because of the beef between the Vipers and everyone else, had shifted. Now the Vipers and the Dragons had an alliance.

I didn’t want to be associated with the enemy. The Dragons turned on the Guardians and some people got hurt. One of the Legion of Guardians members died, and members from all sides went to jail.

Even though it had nothing to do with me, I felt responsible. I owed the Guardians so much, saving mine and my son’s life was at the top of the list.

“Mommy.” Cason said again. "I want to --"

“You two work it out. I’ve got work to do.” I interrupted him in a calm tone. I loved my little guy, but motherhood at nineteen was hard, at twenty-two, it was still a struggle. I had my ladies behind me one hundred percent and I had nothing to complain about, life was good.

“Stick.”

I walked out to the main garage. I held a finger up.

“I love you baby, but you and Josey work it out. Remember what I told you,” I switched ears ”negotiate.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Why you teach a little boy that concept is beyond …” Josey’s voice trailed off.

“Bye Mommy.”

I hung up and looked at the prospect in front of me bouncing on her feet and looking behind her.

I grabbed my cut, slung it over my shoulder and stood waiting for her to continue.

“Madam President wants to see you.”

“Okay.” I narrowed my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” she leaned in. “But, Anna is pissed. I mean …”

I waved her off.

A prospect should not refer to the president by her first name, but I let it slide. We all respected Anna. She never steered us wrong, but she usually carried herself with confidence and composure, I couldn’t imagine what could have upset her.

I slid my jacket on and headed toward the clubhouse.

I walked down a long hallway into the main room. The garage was connected to the clubhouse through a covered walkway.

I spotted Anna sitting on the edge of a table. Her legs crossed, her serious boss bitch face on.

She saw me and waved me up.

I climbed the steps. The voices all lowered as I approached.

“Stick.” She said. She patted the table next to her. I sat and let my legs dangle.

“We might have a problem.” She said.

“Might?” I looked from her to Olive (Olivia) and Patrina and back.

”Your old friends might be crashing the party.”

I stood up.

Anna touched my arm.

I leaned back.

“Some of the new Dragons clubs, the guys in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Justice called and told me.”

Anna was referring the Bikefest. It was an opportunity for the clubs to get together and ride together. We celebrated and partied our asses off. It wasn’t the Dragons style.

“I think you should stay here. Stay out of sight.” Anna stood and walked to the railing that looked down onto the main room of the clubhouse.

“Anna,” I whispered before I cleared my throat. “Those guys don’t know me. And, I doubt if Mase and his father would ride down to Maryland to party or participate in something like this. They’re too busy killing kittens or something.”

Anna shook her head.

Patrina giggled.

“Yeah, but if just one of them puts it together,” she put her hand on my shoulder. “They will come after you and Cason.”

“If they do, I’m ready for them.”

It was Olive’s turn to laugh. We called her Olive because she was stick thin. A strong wind could blow her over, but she also could get out of slippery situations like no other.

I glared at her.

She held up her hands.

“Listen Stick, I have no doubt you can handle yourself, but we are not stupid,” Olive stood up and gestured at herself. “We are Ladies.” She grinned and I smirked. Olive was always talking to the ladies about being bad asses, but with class and style.

“I’m a member of this club, too” I turned to Anna. “I shouldn’t have to miss out because my ex family is bat-shit crazy. Besides, no one would recognize me. I’m not the sweet innocent little girl I was when I left.”

“Girl. Sweet, yes, innocent.” Anna shook her head. “Not so much.”

“I’ll stay in the shadows.” I shrugged my shoulders as I ran my thumb over the knife handle on my hip.

“Don’t go sticking someone for giggles.” Anna pointed at me as she headed back to her private office. “You ladies get ready. Willa called and said they were an hour away. Justice wants us there to show our numbers.”

I was excited to see Justice. She'd been voted as President of Lady Guardians National a couple years ago.

“Yes ma’am.” We all said.

I showered and changed at the clubhouse.

Olive hated when I rode in a skirt, but it was my signature. Plus, it hid my knife. I needed it tonight of all nights. The skirt covered my assets, for the most part.

I paired it with a white tank and slid into my cut.

I admired my colors in the mirror. I did look different.

I heard the rumble of bikes outside.

Willa and the Misty Belles, a Lady Guardians affiliate from upstate New York had arrived, we were all riding down together.

I liked Willa, she was tall, like freakishly tall, but she owned it. She ran her own security firm. I planned to spend some time with her and learn about her business.

Anna encouraged it and wanted me to bring what I learned back to Jersey City. We had tons of potential clients with the Guardians’ other associations both in Jersey and New York. With our skill set and the fact we were unassuming women, threw shady types off their game. Gave us the advantage.

The Lady Guardians didn’t work for people, we owned businesses. Any job where I got to occasionally stick someone, I was all for it.

It was so different than what I grew up in.

I did one last check in the mirror. I fluffed up my curls.

Back then, I spent hours getting my hair pressed bone straight. My natural hair pattern was a loose curl. It was so much easier and made me look playful and innocent. I rolled my eyes. I gathered it in a bun on top of my head. I tied a pink bandanna around my head to keep my edges down.

I headed out to check on the bikes before the ride.

Dana had beaten me to it. Even with a six-month protruding belly, the woman did what she could at the clubhouse.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I hugged her and patted her belly.

“James threatened me with no dick if I showed up tonight, so I thought I’d see my girls off.”

“What kind of threat is that?” I grimaced.

“I know.” She pushed her hair back off her shoulders and fanned herself. It was fifty degrees outside. “He’ll give in long before me.”

“Yeah, but watch out for the third trimester.” I patted her belly again. “I was going for long bike rides just to get something to vibrate between my legs.”

Dana held her stomach and giggled.

“I could have easily found you a Guardian to rub up against if you needed it.”

”Too weird.” I nodded. “What man would want to stick his thing in a pregnant woman and the baby isn’t even his.”

“Girl,” She shook her head. “It’s a thing. A fetish.”

“What?”

“Men who fuck pregnant woman, it doesn’t matter whose baby it is. Look it up.”

“No thanks.” I laughed. “You stay away from that stuff, too. You have a real life man to fulfill your needs.”

I groaned the word man.

“Now we just need to get you one.” Dana said.

I pushed my helmet on my head.

I shook my head and pointed.

“You know you heard me, wench.” Dana said and grabbed her belly again.

The other ladies came out of the clubhouse.

Anna and Olive and Willa were last.

They all took great care in putting weaves, braids and in the case of Patrina an Afro into our helmets properly so when we removed them, we’d look like the stunning bitches we were.

“Let’s ride out ladies.” Anna said before she secured her helmet.

Engines revved.

One by one, we pulled out onto the street behind her. In two by two formation, me at the rear watching the ladies’ back. I would act as tail gunner for the trip since Dana was in no position to ride. I knew enough about bikes to help if needed.

Joining the Lady Guardians had been a matter of survival, but it turned into so much more. They were my family and they would do anything for me.

I hoped I wouldn’t have to make them prove it.

As soon as we hit the city limits, bikes were everywhere.

Clubs from all over the United States ascended on the beach town every year for Bikefest. It got rowdy and sometime violent, but bikers had a lot of disposable income and they weren’t afraid to throw it around.

The plan was to wander around, but we had a birthday party for one of the other Lady’s later that night. We’d rented out a bar and it would be nothing but Legions and Ladies and our friends in attendance. I was looking forward to seeing some of the ladies from other chapters. I hadn’t seen some of them since I earned my cut.

“You ladies stay in groups, okay?” Anna yelled as me Coco and Mini, two ladies from my chapter headed over toward the action.

“She means, keep an eye on me.” I held my hand up and nodded.

“Stick.” Anna grunted my name in a high-pitched tone. It made the hairs on the back of my neck jump.

She stood with her hands on her hips. Didn’t motion, or beckon me over. She stood and stared.

I walked over with my head down.

“I’m sorry.” I said. I swear my mother wasn’t as strict on me. Might be the reason why my life has been a rollercoaster of calm and chaos.

“Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay.” She softened and put her arm on my shoulders.

I leaned and hugged her.

“I promise.”

“I kind of like having you around, you little shit.” She slapped my ass.

“Ow.” I rubbed my ass.

“Besides, no one should get killed more than twice in their lifetime. So don’t.”

I backed away from her, saluted and turned towards the other girls.

“What was that about?” Coco asked.

“Nothing.” I grabbed her arm. “Listen, I am childless for two days and I’m going to get crazy. You with me?”

“Hell yeah.” Coco said.

“Mini?” I turned to her.

“Okay, but first hot biker I find, y’all are on your own.” She giggled.

I gasped.

“You’d abandoned the sisterhood for dick?” I shook my head.

“Absofuckinglutely.” She said as she ran her hand through her braids.

“I kind of would, too.” Coco raised her hand.

“Hefers.” I rolled my eyes.

Coco stuck her tongue out.

We erupted in a fit of laughter as we headed towards a display with some slick ass Japanese bike.

We stuck together for the most part.

Coco disappeared while we were at one booth and twenty minutes later found us at a few booths down talking to some guy designed biker ware.

She had a just fucked look on her face, but she wasn’t talking.

Slut.

My head was a bit on a swivel. Olive was right, we weren’t stupid. I needed to be cautious. I had not seen a Dragon, but it wasn’t time to let my guard down.

I had fun. We recounted all the stuff we wanted to show Anna and Olive as we headed towards the party. It was close by and there was nowhere to park anyway, so we left our bikes in the convention parking lot.

We walked into the establishment and headed straight for the bar.

Doc looked like she was on her fifth birthday shot. They were stacked up behind her.

“Stick.” She yelled and motioned for me to join her.

“Happy birthday, Doc.” I whispered in her ear and hugged her.

She handed me a shot. We clinked glasses and drank.

It burned going down.

The other ladies joined in on the next one, I ducked out of the circle and found an empty seat near the back of the bar.

A bottle of beer appeared on the table next to me.

“Hey Stick.” Justin pointed to the chair next to him.

I nodded.

Justin was a member of the Guardians, on James’ crew. He was a sweet guy, but Dana told me he had an angry side to him.

Didn’t we all.

I clinked bottlenecks with him and took a sip. It was cool and crisp.

I moaned and leaned back.

“That good?” He gave me a sexy wink and took a sip himself.

I giggled and turned back towards the door.

He nudged my arm and leaned in.

“Why you scoping out the entrance?” He touched my leg.

I looked down at it.

He removed it.

“Just want to see who’s coming and going.” I shrugged.

“You expecting someone in particular?” he asked.

“Not really.”

“When are you going to stop avoiding us and go out with me?” he asked. “You’ve graduated, you have some free time, let’s hang out.”

His hand returned to my leg, he was lucky with his placement. An inch further south and I wouldn’t stop with a knife to his throat. I'd shove it into his gut.

I sat my hand on his.

“Justin, you know I think you’re great. But, I don’t see you like that.” I removed his hand and sat it on his own leg.

I stood, but he gripped my arm and pulled me back down.

He laid his hand on the back of the chair.

I didn’t want to embarrass him in front of his brothers, but if he didn’t take his hands off me in a few minutes, fuck embarrassing him, I was going to gut him.

I spotted James over his shoulder and gave him a silent plea for help.

He hopped up from the bar.

“Stick.” He yelled as he approached. “I need to talk to you about something.”

“Fuck, Prez.” Justin turned toward him. “You got a woman, stop blocking.”

As James got closer, he grinned.

He stopped on the other side of Justin.

“I’m not blocking you.” James put his arm around Justin. “I’m saving you from getting your balls cut off in the middle of this lovely establishment. You know how blood makes you squeamish.

I flipped up my skirt at the hip to show him my pride and joy.

“See.” James motioned toward me.

Justin’s eyes grew wide as his gaze followed the blade down my leg. It wasn’t long, but I knew how to use it to cause some damage.

“Believe me man, she knows how to use it.”

Justin pushed off of his President walked away with his hands up. “You Lady Guardians are crazy as shit.”

I was two seconds away from cracking up before I saw him.

The air departed my lungs in a whoosh.

“Gracie.” James's eyes grew wide. “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head and covered his mouth with my hand.

I turned his head in the direction of the door.

Mase stood in the doorway, his father in front of him.

Their backs were turned toward me, but there was no mistaking him and his broad shoulders.

He rubbed the back of his neck and nodded at something his father said.

I didn’t feel the air return, nor did I notice James grabbing me around the waist and hoisting me up and out the back of the room.

He sat me down and leaned me back against the wall while he pulled his phone out of his pocket.

“Did you see who just walked in?” James said into his phone. He paused for a minute and studied me.

I wasn’t sure what the expression on my face held. I couldn’t think. All I saw were his hands. I remembered how they felt when he touched me. It’s been almost five years and a bullet wound on my side. Yet I still wanted him.

I looked down at my hands.

“She’s with me.” He put the phone on speaker.

“Stick.” Razor, the National President’s deep gruff voice filled the hallway “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I said. I didn’t recognize my own voice.

“Grace.” Anna’s voice rang through the phone, “Stay out of sight.”

The phone knocked against something and I heard muffled sounds and Papa Scott’s voice.

“Razor.” Papa Scott said. “It’s good to see you.”

“This is a Guardians party Eugene, what are you doing here?” Razor asked.

“Just popping in to say hello.” He nodded. “Thought we would have a chat, oh, and you too Justice.”

My stomach turned. He said Justice’s name as an afterthought. He hadn’t changed a bit in four years.

“We’re celebrating tonight.”

The phone went dead.

“Stick.”

I jumped at the sound of my name from the end of the hall.

Anna appeared.

The distress in her voice worried me.

“Theirs an office down the hall, wait for us in there.” She pointed. “We’ll meet you there in a minute.”

James led me through the back labyrinth of the bar and up a few steps and down a hallway to a door.

I took it as a good sign, the feeling returned in my limbs.

As we reached the door an opening into the wall from the main room was to the right. I looked behind me, but the party blocked my view as we darted across the opening and up the stairs to the office.

“What the fuck're they doing here?” James whispered as he pulled me in the room and released my hand.

I flexed my fingers.

I paced the room. A knock on the door startled me.

James opened it and ushered in part of the brain trust of Guardians. It was Razor and Justice, Cut (the national chapter’s VP), Willa, Anna and Jason.

All eyes were on me.

“Where are they?” I asked.

“He’s gone.” Razor said. “Said I’d meet him tomorrow.”

“We need to get her out of here and now.” Anna said. “If he finds her here, we are all in deep shit.”

“No.” I whispered.

They all continued to talk around me and about me.

“No.” I said louder and all eyes turned toward me.

“Justice Anna, I’m sorry, but I don’t want to run away from them, I want to fuck up their shit.”

“Gracie.” Justice said with concern in her voice I hadn’t heard. She was the queen of the bad asses, why was she not on my side. I’d never have another chance to take him out. He was right here and better yet, we’d know where he would be tomorrow.

“I’m not going to war with the SouthEast Dragons because you don’t like him.” Razor said.

“He tried to kill me.” I yelled.

Anna gave me a pointed look.

I lowered my head.

“We understand that, but that’s not what we are Gracie. It’s not what we do.” Razor said.

“If he hurt me physically, you’d fuck him up.” I sat down in the nearest chair. “Why is this any different?”

“First of all, watch your language, young lady.” Anna said.

“I’m sorry.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“And, second, you’re right. If he hurt anyone in my family, I’d fuck him up myself.” Razor said.

I grinned at Razor. He winked at me.

“I know he hurt you,” Anna knelt next to me. “But now is not the time.”

“What about Mase?” I asked.

“You declare war on him, too?” Justice asked.

“No. Of course not.”

“Wait. Isn’t he the one who actually shot you?” Razor asked.

“He’s also Cason’s father.” Justice said.

Razor leaned back on the desk and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Y’all been holding out on me.” He pointed at Justice.

“I’m sorry. I asked her to. .” I said. “James and Dana are the only other ones who know.”

“Okay. So, you need to get the hell out of here.” Razor said.

I opened my mouth.

“Now.” Justice reiterated.

I stood up.

“Not out of the country, but out of Virginia.” Anna said. “Go home.”

“Go check on Dana.” James said. “You stay there until we get back tomorrow. I’ll make sure they head back west.”

“It’s settled.” Razor clapped his hands together.

I opened my mouth, but shut it when Justice gave me the stare.

“We just need some time, Gracie. To figure out how to play this.” Razor said. When I didn’t answer, they all turned to me. “Okay, Gracie.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good, now get out of here.”

I nodded.

“Ride safe. Call us when you get home.” Anna hugged me. Justice hugged me and pushed me toward the door.

“I want to know every word he says, okay.” I pointed at Razor.

He puffed up and scowled.

I smiled and scooted out of the door and out of the party.