CHAPTER EIGHT
CHERRY
I head to Golds Trailer Park and find Piper outside playing on the poor excuse for a playground. I pull over and park the car. She is so beautiful, and every time I see her I want to tell her I’m her mother and I love her, but I can’t. It hurts, words I can’t speak eating me from the inside out. I hope one day Eric feels this uncontrollable ache that dwells in my chest. That the judge feels the wrath of karma, and when he steps in the sight of the Devil it shows him no mercy. That’s all I have at this point, hope that karma and the scales of justice will punish Eric and Judge Calhoun.
I step out and head toward her. It’s Saturday, so her father won’t be home till late.
“Hey, Cherry, wanna see me climb to the top?” Piper asks. Her hair is pulled into two messy piggy tails, and she’s wearing an outfit I bought her a few weeks ago. It’s neon orange and green. It’s summery, and perfect with her vibrant hair.
“Yeah, let’s see it,” I reply. I can’t help but smile when I see her. She climbs all the way to the top of the dome and stands up.
“Did you see how fast I went?” She laughs. Just as I’m about to answer, one of the rusted bars breaks and her foot slips. I run to her and catch her before she hits the dirt.
“Are you okay?” I ask, looking her over anxiously.
“Yeah, I’m o-okay,” she stammers, still scared.
I set her on her feet and look up at the broken bar. I’ve tried to coax one of the MC brothers over here to fix it, but they know this side of town is dangerous, and I shouldn’t be over here anyway. Lip would freak if he knew I was here. This is a really bad part of town. Half this trailer park is ex-convicts and drug dealers. They won’t bother Piper, though, because she’s one of their own. It’s outsiders who bring the problems to the trailer park.
“Stay off this piece of shit,” I demand, grabbing the bar and wiggling it.
“But it’s the only outside toy I have,” Piper whines before crossing her arms.
I look down at her and sigh.
“Just stay near the bottom of it until I can get it fixed. I’ll bring some more tape with me next time I come by.”
“Okay, I can do that.” She smiles, climbing on the bottom bars. “You know, my daddy doesn’t care if I climb on it, and he knows it’s broken,” she continues.
I furrow my brows. “Your daddy is a dumbass, Piper.” I close my eyes and chastise myself, trying to backtrack. “Just, maybe your daddy isn’t thinking when he says it’s okay.”
Piper’s eyes are wide, and she’s covering her mouth.
“What?”
“You said a bad word,” Piper whispers.
“I did?” I tilt my head to the side, trying to think.
Piper shakes her head, smiling.
“What was it?” I can’t remember cussing at all.
“You said,” Piper looks around and cups her mouth with her hands, “dumbass.” I throw my head back and laugh.
“Oh, yeah, I did say that,” I remember. I forget that ass is a bad word since I use so many other ugly ones.
“Mommies are allowed to say bad words,” I point at her, “but not you.”
“You have kids?”
“Do what?” I question, still giggling about her cussing.
“You said mommies are allowed to say bad words,” she explains. My body tenses and my mouth parts.
“Shit,” I whisper.
“You said another bad word.” Piper laughs and points at me, nearly jumping with excitement where she stands. My state of alarm dissipates.
“You must be a bad influence.” I smile. A raindrop splashes my arm. I glance up and notice a big, dark cloud starting to mask the hot sun. Fuck, Eric will be pulled off the construction site if he hasn’t been already.
“I gotta go, baby,” I mutter. Her face saddens, and she glances back at the jungle gym.
“Remember to stay near the bottom,” I remind her. She nods and starts climbing it. I step behind her and pull the back of her head toward me, kissing it.
“I’ll see you around.”
“Will you come by tomorrow?” she asks.
Tomorrow is Sunday, and Eric usually works till noon on Sundays.
“I’ll try, but no promises.”
LIP
Kane strides out of one of the rooms with a blonde chick wrapped around his side. He’s Native American and is always with a different girl every night. He’s a prospect, but not for long. Last week, twins got in a cat fight over him. It was pretty awesome to watch.
“Fuck, man, what happened?” he questions, looking at the blood around the chair.
“You didn’t hear?” The blonde looks up and questions Kane. “Dolly said some Ghost Rider member was duct-taped to the chair and had teeth hammered into his skull.”
I pull my brows together and pin Kane with a glare. Dolly must have been the bitch who screamed this morning.
“Um, I’m sure Dolly is just making shit up. Why don’t you head on home,” Kane suggests. The blonde trails her eyes to me before turning and lifting up on her tiptoes.
“Will you call me later?” she tries to whisper. Kane tilts his head, twisting his lips with an unsure gesture.
“Probably not, babe. I told you before I brought you to my room not to expect anything more than a fuck,” Kane explains. I smirk and turn around to give them privacy. The blonde stomps past me in a fit of anger.
“Fuck, that ass was tight,” Kane whispers, adjusting himself as he watches the girl leave the club.
“Why you telling her to fuck off then?” I ask. Kane smiles a big-ass, toothy grin.
“Her ass is fine but not the rest of her, brother. Little coyote ugly right there.” He points at her, his fingers covered in skull rings.
“She didn’t look too bad to me.” I laugh, crossing my arms. She was actually pretty skanky-looking. Her makeup was caked on, and her clothes were two sizes too small. I have yet to find a woman in zebra print sexy, either.
“Yeah, well she looked a hell of a lot better when I was shit-faced.” He gives me a pat on the back and looks back at the chair. “I’ll get this cleaned up before anyone starts asking questions.”
“Thanks, brother.”
Kane and Tom Cat get the chair and blood all cleaned up, teeth included.
“You know you’re one fucked-up individual, right?” Tom Cat states, coming back into the club. I lean against the bar and shrug.
“Teeth, brother?” Kane chuckles, standing next to Tom.
“He fucking bit my property till she bled. He had more than enough warning, let alone not abiding by the rules of my club,” I explain, my tone stern.
“I agree. I would have snapped, too, if I cared about someone enough to get jealous over,” Kane states, sitting on a barstool.
“THE COPS ARE HERE!” Dolly screams, running through the club.
“Fuck,” I mutter, standing up straight. Bull throws open the kitchen doors, Shadow right behind him. Bobby runs into the main area from the hallway.
“Everything clean?” Bull asks.
“I’ll do a sweep,” Kane replies, walking away.
It’s not unusual that we get a random search warrant, but it kind of sucks when we get one after a party.
“Fucking get out!” Kane yells from down the hall. I step away from the bar and see Kane escorting two girls out the back door of the club.
“You’re an ass!” one sneers.
Kane shakes his head and slams the door in their faces.
“Couple girls who are wanted, apparently,” Kane informs. I give a slight nod and turn to Bull.
“Probably prostitution,” Bull explains.
“We’re clean.”
Two men with blue windbreakers and loaded shotguns walk in and step to the side. Then Stevin walks in. My face falls and my heart slams against my chest in a slow, tortuous rhythm. These aren’t cops, they’re FBI.
“What. The. Fuck?” Bull growls and I swallow. Today might be the last day I breathe air. I thought Stevin was bluffing when he said he’d come after the club himself, but I guess not.
“Well, well, well. The Devil’s Dust. Long time, no see, huh?” Stevin smiles that fucking Cheshire grin of his.
“Oh, wait. Except for you, Lip. We’ve spoken fairly recently, haven’t we?” Stevin chuckles, swiping his hands through his hair. My nostrils flare with anger. He knows what he’s doing—he’s stamping my death certificate.
All the brothers turn their head toward me with concerning looks. Fuck.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Shadow growls. I tilt my head back and thumb my fingers in my belt loops.
“Oh, Lip here has been a real sport. Very cooperative with the FBI,” Stevin lies. I step forward and one of Stevin’s men jumps in front of him.
“You’re a fucking liar, and a coward,” I snarl, pointing at his face with vengeance. Kane grabs me by the shoulder and pulls backward.
“Easy, brother,” he whispers.
Stevin twirls his finger in the air. “Clean it. I want any dirt you can find,” Stevin demands, his tone serious. “If there’s a fucking Lysol can being used unlawfully, I wanna know!”
I trail my gaze from Stevin to Bull. His eyes are a shade darker and squinted with anger. Shadow’s hands are balled in fists, and Bobby has his arms crossed across his chest. They’re pissed. I don’t blame them. As many rats as we’ve had in the club over the years, I bet I look guilty as sin.
“What the hell is he talking about, man?” Kane whispers. The agents pull everyone from the rooms, and what women they were with, whether they were dressed or not. The Ghost Riders do not look pleased.
My feet are suddenly kicked apart, and my arms are yanked out. I pull from the agents’ grip, turning to push them off me. Without warning, two agents walk up behind me and slam me face-first onto the bar, while another checks me.
“Everyone’s clean!” the agent behind me yells.
“Perimeter is clean,” one of Stevin’s men announces, walking through the kitchen doors.
Stevin shakes his head, an evil smirk fitting his face.
“Ah, you Devil’s Dust are tricky-tricky.” He pins me with a serious glare before trailing it to Shadow. “I’ll be back. You can count on that.”
Stevin sneers, stepping toe-to-toe with me.
“If you’re done here, get the fuck out,” I demand, my jaw clenched. Kane clamps his hand down on my shoulder. It’s a good thing it’s there; it’s grounding me, reminding me to keep calm. Stevin turns his head, his eyes finding mine.
“Let’s go, boys!” Stevin hollers.
As soon as they exit, Shadow stomps toward me and slams his fist in my gut. I fall to my knees, coughing and gasping for air. “You fucking traitor!” Shadow roars.
“It’s not what you think,” I wheeze. Shadow doesn’t hear it, though; he rears his foot back ready to drive into my chest, but I dodge it. I grab his boot and twist it, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the floor.
I stumble to my feet and grab Shadow by the neck, pulling him back up. Growling with a fury so deep my throat bleeds, I ram my shoulder into his body, slamming him against the club wall. Frames and shit fall to the floor. I pound my fist into his mouth then drive my other hand into his gut.
Shadow clocks me in the side of the head hard, and I stumble back.
Bull steps between us and raises a hand to both of us, stopping our brawl. Huffing and puffing, I point at Shadow who’s bending over at the waist, his lip busted open from where I hit him.
“Fuck,” I pant, trying to catch my breath. My head splices with a sudden pain. I touch my forehead next to my eyebrow, finding blood.
“Did you talk to him about anything dealing with the club?” Bull questions.
“No,” I seethe.
“Then what the fuck is that prick talking about?” Bull asks. I thumb the blood dripping from my brow and look off.
“He came to me, telling me he could get me a plea deal, get me immunity, protection if I gave the club up. I didn’t tell him a damn thing. I was then cornered one night in my cell by the guards. I got the shit beat out of me, all at the hands of Stevin. I got out before he was done trying to pry me for information, so he’s been stalking me around town, threatening the club and Cherry.”
Bull nods, rubbing his chin with his thumb and index finger.
“You were locked up when it happened, but that fucker there,” Bull points at the door Stevin left out of, “He was the FBI agent who came knocking on our door, managed to even infiltrate our club. He’s dirty, and he’ll be back.”
I shake my head, angry that I didn’t know more when I was in prison. All I was told was we had law enforcement infiltrate our club. Dani’s mother hated Bull and got together with some agent to take the club down under Dani and Bull’s nose. The boys said it was taken care of, so I didn’t ask any more questions. Seems I should have.
I glance up at Shadow who has a softer look on his face. It’s one thing to fuck with the club, but when you bring family in, that’s a whole other level.
“Get Doc here, get that eye stitched up,” Bull orders.
“Nah, I’ll be fine,” I insist. Bull raises his brow in warning. “Fine, I’ll get it looked at,” I growl.
Bobby turns and dials Doc.
***
Thirty minutes later, Doc shows up, her blonde hair bouncing off her shoulders and bright green scrubs hugging her figure.
“All right, who shot who?” she teases.
“Lip got his ass kicked,” Bobby states, taking a big bite of a sandwich.
“Fuck you, Bobby, I didn’t get my ass kicked.” I flip him off, and he just smiles around a mouthful.
Doc sits on the coffee table right in front of me, her little black bag sitting on the floor next to her feet. She cups my chin and turns my head.
“There is quite a bit of blood,” she whispers.
“I’m fine, really,” I insist. Her eyes fall to mine and a sympathetic smile crosses her face.
“I’m sure you are, but I’m going to clean it and at least put a butterfly on it.”
“A what?”
She pulls out this little white strip. “It pulls the skin together,” she informs.
“Ah.” I nod.
She cleans my cut and puts the butterfly bandage thing on within seconds.
“I’m glad we cleared that up, Stunt,” Bull’s voice sounds. I slowly tilt my head up and find Bull and Stunt leaving the chapel.
“Yeah. I’ll see what I can do.” Stunt shakes Bull’s hand.
“Let’s ride, boys,” Stunt instructs his men. “Where’s Boonie?” Stunt questions.
“We dunno. His bike isn’t here,” one of the Ghost Riders informs him.
“Fuck, who knows where he is. He probably went out while drunk last night. Let’s go,” Stunt continues, clearly annoyed with Boonie. “He’ll find his way home.”
“All done,” Doc states, standing.
“Thanks, babe.” I sit up and give her a nod.
“No problem.” She smiles then struts over to Bobby and kisses him. “See ya for dinner?”
“Damn straight. These fuckers can’t cook for shit.” Bobby smirks.
“You all right, son?” Bull asks, sitting down next to me.
“Fine,” I reply.
“You good?” Bull asks, pointing at Shadow, who looks at me then back to Bull.
“Peachy,” Shadow mumbles.
“This Stevin guy needs to eat a damn bullet,” I state, irritated that he’s trying so hard to get me killed.
“Agreed!” Bull and Shadow say in unison.
“Want me to take him out?” Shadow questions, his words sounding way too eager. Bull’s face goes hard as he stares off.
“No, not yet.” Bull flicks his gaze to Shadow. “That is one soul I personally want to deliver to the reaper.”
CHERRY
I roll the windows down in my car and let the warm breeze sweep my strawberry-blonde hair off my neck. Traffic is backed up from a car accident and it’s taking forever to get to Piper today. She probably thinks I forgot. Resting my elbow on the car door, I rub my temples. I’m so confused on so many things. There was blood and teeth on the club floor yesterday; I never thought Lip had that in him. I know he takes a spot in the most notorious outlawed club in LA, but the Lip I know is not the kind of guy who shows no mercy. He’s goofy, a horny bastard, and sweet.
I blow out a frustrated breath and pull into the drive of Golds Trailer Park. I turn the engine off, throw my sunglasses on the dashboard and slump in my seat. If I didn’t know Lip was capable of doing such a thing, to not know Lip might be darker than he portrays… what else do I not know about him?
Looking out my window, I see Piper on the dome jungle gym, of course all the way at the top.
“Damn it,” I mutter. She knows it’s not safe to be up there.
I throw my hair out of my face, pieces of it sticking to my cherry-glossed lips, and head over to her.
“I thought I told you not to climb up there?” I snap, my hands on my hips.
“It’s okay, as long as you stay away from that side,” she assures me. She swings down from one of the bars and beams a gorgeous smile.
“This pile of shit is a death trap,” I mumble under my breath. The bar that Piper is hanging on to suddenly snaps and she tumbles to the ground.
“Shit!” Rushing to her side, I pull her to her feet. She is so small and weighs nearly nothing.
“Are you okay?” I question, looking her over. She pulls her palm up and hisses, a good-sized cut slicing right through it.
I gently take her hand in mine and look it over.
“Well, you won’t need stitches, but you should go clean it up,” I recommend. “Does it hurt?”
She shoots her gray eyes from her palm to me, her nose dusted with little freckles.
“Some,” she mutters.
“Go get it cleaned up. I’ll see if I have anything in the car to fix the bar. But please, stay off the top. You could have broken your leg or something,” I state in frustration. She nods slowly and takes off toward her house.
“Piece of shit,” I mumble, kicking the jungle gym. I make my way to my car and lift the back hatch for something to cover the jagged edges of the broken bar, but all I find is duct tape.
“Guess it will do.” I grab it and pull a big piece with my teeth and fingers. A loud zip sound vibrates my teeth and fingers as I pull it as far as my hand will stretch.
I eye the silver bar, the end of it rusted and sharp as hell. Shit, she might need a tetanus shot. I wonder if Doc would come over and look at Piper’s hand without telling anyone. I bite my inner cheek at the thought; I don’t want to get anyone else involved with my secrets. Grabbing the bar, I start wrapping the end of it. I need to tell Lip today. It’s only getting worse the more I keep Piper a secret.
Something tangles in my hair—a hand. My body stiffens, and my mouth parts in fear. My head is suddenly yanked back and my skull slams into the jungle gym. My head rings, and my vision goes black, my body feeling ten times heavier than before as I free-fall to the ground. The side of my face slams into the dirt. I blink rapidly, trying to break the blurriness claiming my vision. I see someone step beside me, but I can’t make out who it is. Blackness envelops me.
***
“Wake up, bitch!” My body is kicked over, and I cough into the dirt. My head pounds with anguish, making me wince. I push myself up with my hands and remember someone attacked me. I turn quickly and a small cry leaves my lips.
“Eric,” I whimper.
“Tell me I’m seeing a fucking ghost. Your ass is supposed to be dead.” He points at me, his face beet red from the sun. He’s thicker than the last time I saw him, more muscular, his blond hair grown out and pulled into a ponytail. He has on torn blue jeans and a red flannel shirt that’s open and showing off his tanned skin. I take a step back and eye him.
“Fuck you!” I push through gritted teeth.
“How long you been around my daughter?” he questions, his upper lip curling.
“You mean our daughter? Long enough to know you suck at raising a little girl,” I fire back.
His body puffs out and his teeth grit together.
“Run. You better run,” he threatens, his tone deep and monstrous.
“You don’t scare me.” I stand up and straighten my white tank top and glare at him.
“I’m not going away that easy, not this time. I know people now, people who will have you eating your fucking fingers by the time they’re done with you,” I threaten.
“Yeah. We’ll see about that.” He juts his chin upward. “I’m going to get my gun. If you’re here when I get back, I’ll kill your white-trash ass.” He turns on the heel of his boot and takes off toward his house. My bravado flees my body, and I begin to breathe heavily. My heart feels like it’s slamming against my chest so hard it may combust. I grab my chest and try to calm my rapid breathing but it’s no good. I’m panicking. I turn, looking the trailer park over. People are standing on their porches watching, not doing a damn thing about what just transpired. I pick up my pace and jog to my car. As soon as my ass hits the seat, I notice Eric stomping down his porch steps, rifle in hand. I start the car and peel out of the graveled parking, dust and smoke the only thing I see in my rearview mirror.
I glance at the clock on my dash: 1:30pm. I lost track of time, lost in my thoughts about Lip. Eric gets off at noon on Sundays. I walked myself right into my coffin. Eric will hire out, will find someone to kill me. I have to tell Lip. I have to tell the club.
My hands begin to tremble, my chest wracking with emotion. I jerk the wheel to the side and pull over. I can’t help it; I let the tears that have been stinging my eyes fall. Throwing my head into my hands, I cry. I cry because the man I love is someone I don’t know, because I may never see Piper again. I tilt my head back and take a slow breath. Pulling down the sun visor, I look at myself in the mirror. The corner of my eyebrow is split open, dried blood sticking to the side of my face.
“Shit,” I mumble under my breath. I lick my finger and try and rub at it, but more blood just escapes the wound.
I call defeat and slam the sun visor closed. I’m going to need stitches.
CHERRY: Hey. I need a favor.
DOC: What’s up?
CHERRY: I have a cut I need you to look at, but don’t tell Lip.
I need to be the one to tell Lip, not her. Seconds feel like minutes as I wait for her text.
DOC: Head over to the hospital. I’ll let the front desk know you’re coming.
I sigh with relief and pull back onto the highway.
***
“So, what happened?” Doc asks. Her cold hands take my chin and turn my head, getting a better look at my cut.
“I can’t,” I pause, and inhale a large breath.
“I get it, and you don’t have to tell me. But you do need stitches,” she informs. Doc is dating Bobby at the club, and is gorgeous. She ran to the club when she was in the worst kind of Hell with her husband, and they took her in right away in exchange for her doctor duties. If anything, she should be an inspiration for me. She is the prime example that someone can escape an ex and everything turning out okay.
She flips her blonde hair over her shoulder and grabs wipes to clean my face.
“This is going to hurt,” she warns, her blue eyes promising me it’s going to hurt like a bitch. I close my eyes and nod.
Ten minutes later, I can’t feel the right side of my face, and I have little beady black stitches snaking in and out of my eyebrow.
“I won’t tell Lip you were here, but something tells me he’s going to notice,” Doc states, a smile on her face.
“Probably,” I mutter, pushing myself off the hospital bed. “I’m going to tell him, I just… I need to find the right words, ya know?” I look up at her and find her sympathetic eyes gleaming at me.
“I get it. Sooner is better than later, though.” I sigh, knowing six years ago would have been a better time. “They can come out in two weeks,” she instructs. “Keep them clean and dry.”
“Got it,” I reply.
I take the discharge papers from the front desk and head out to my car. Digging in my pocket to text Lip to find out if he’s coming home tonight, I notice I forgot my phone in the hospital room.
“Damn it.” I turn on my heel and head back to the hospital when a large explosion sounds behind me. Unbearable pressure and heat throw me forward like a stick. The palms of my hands eat the asphalt and the skin on my knees tear. I cough and look up, finding my little red bug in a cloud of black smoke, red and orange flames licking in and out of it.
A bunch of nurses and doctors come rushing out of the hospital doors.
“Cherry!” Doc screams, running to my side.
“I’m okay,” I croak.
Doc looks at my car and then to me, her expression taking on one of worry.
“I don’t know what you’re not wanting to tell Lip exactly, but I’m thinking you better tell him now.” I pull my gaze from her back to my car.
“The club will protect you, Cherry; you just have to be strong enough to ask for help.”
LIP
My phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I notice it’s Cherry.
“Yeah?” I answer.
“Lip?” My body goes cold with the sound of her voice. I don’t recognize it. It sounds scared—terrified, even.
“Cherry, are you okay?”
“I need you to come get me. I’m at the hospital.” The line goes dead.
“Cherry?!” I yell into the phone, but she’s hung up. My body turns cold, as if someone just poured fucking ice over me.
“You all right, man?” Shadow asks, lifting a brow.
“Something’s not right. Cherry is at the hospital. I gotta go,” I say, already standing.
“The hospital? Is Doc okay?” Bobby questions.
“I don’t know anything except Cherry is at the hospital and something is wrong,” I reply.
“Let’s go!” Bull hollers, striding out of the club doors.
Pulling up to the hospital, there is a fire truck sitting in the parking lot next to three cop cars. My hands clench, and my pulse quickens.
As soon as I park my bike, I find Cherry leaning against the building, a cop with a notebook standing in front of her.
“Cherry!” I yell, running to her. She pushes herself off the wall and rushes to me.
She slams her body into me and my arms wrap around her like a shield, protecting her from whatever might have her scared.
“I think we got what we need here,” the cop states, walking away.
I tuck Cherry’s head under my chin and notice Bobby soothing Doc near the hospital doors.
I glance over toward her car; you can’t even recognize it anymore.
I pull back and take her chin in my hand, lifting her face to look at me.
“What happened, Cherry?” Really looking at her, I notice the stitches in her face. Did she get them from the car?
“I loved that fucking car,” she grits, anger pouring with each word.
“What happened to your face?” I interrogate. She pushes her palms against my chest and looks over her shoulder at Doc. I lift a brow in suspicion and look at Doc, who gives her a curt nod. Cherry nods back, like some secret code shit girls do. Cherry squares her shoulders and lifts her head.
“I need the club’s protection.”
***
“You all right, darling?” Bull questions from the head of the table. Cherry shrugs. I’ve never seen her so defeated before; it’s like she’s a whole other person. The boys notice it, too—I can tell by the look of concern written on their faces.
“You mean besides someone trying to kill me and blowing up my fucking car?” Cherry shakes her head in anger, but her tone is laced with sorrow.
“Why don’t you just tell us from the beginning what’s going on exactly,” I instruct.
Cherry sits up in her chair and rubs her arms.
“I got this ex, and he’s after me,” she mutters. “Actually, he’s not even an ex, since a one-night stand doesn’t make someone an ex.” She half-laughs. The hairs on my arm stand and I shoot Bull a look, his eyes meeting mine knowingly.
“What do you mean? I need more than that,” Bull pushes, his soft tone gone.
“I mean, I’ve been hanging around the trailer park I shouldn’t be around. I know you guys said there were rivals there, that I needed to stay away, but I just,” she closes her eyes and clenches her jaw, “I just couldn’t.”
“What the fuck, Cherry!” Bull roars. She shoots him a look, her expression of sadness replaced once again with anger.
“I couldn’t. You don’t understand.” Cherry pushes the words out through gritted teeth, tears filling her eyes.
“Why don’t you clarify it for us then?” I state, getting tired of these back-and-forth games.
Cherry shoots her beautiful gray eyes to me. They hold a sadness, like a person telling someone they love goodbye. As if they were going away to war and you may never see them again.
“My little girl lives in that trailer park,” she mutters, tears falling from her eyes. I wouldn’t have even heard her if I wasn’t watching her lips. I stand from my chair, my heart pounding dangerously.
“What the fuck do you mean your little girl?” I seethe.
“Just that, my little girl. Eric took her from me, did it just to hurt me. To prove a point. After I lost her in court, I went to talk to the judge. I walked in on Eric and his lawyer paying the judge and my lawyer off so I would lose the case. I told them I was taking them down and getting my girl back. They tried to kill me, I ran and haven’t heard anything since,” she rambles, her eyes flicking between mine and Bull’s.
I throw my chair back, anger filling my chest.
I turn and glare at her. “Who the fuck are you? How can you keep something like that from me?” I curl my lip in disgust.
“Me? Who the fuck am I? Who the fuck are you, Lip?” Cherry shouts.
“I think this charade has played its course, Lip. I think it’s time we tell her.” Bull sighs, and my head whips in his direction. The anger that was filling my chest turns into dread.
“What?” I mumble.
“Tell me what?” Cherry shrugs.
“Just know, I ordered this. Me, and I did it to protect you.” Bull pulls a cigarette from his pack and lights it. Shadow sits back in his seat and exhales a long breath. A vein pops out of my neck with the sudden amount of blood racing through my body. I feared this day would come. I never knew what I would do when it did come though, because I know I let things go too far with Cherry. But it’s here, and now she’ll hate me. She’ll loathe me.
“Just fucking tell me already,” Cherry demands, her brows furrowed.
“The judge to your case, he came and saw me. Asked me to take care of you. To kill you in short. He’s dirty, if you haven’t learned that already. He’s on our payroll, as we’re in his. When he told me his predicament, I told him no. I wasn’t getting involved in his dirt. Judge Calhoun threw the cash on my table and told me I had twenty-four hours to reconsider my offer or he was tearing my club down and he’d have another club off you. Next day, the local PD ambushed our club. I got my arm broke and my nose busted. Let’s just say I took that reconsideration he offered. I told him I would take care of you, and he’d better have my back with any cases turned his way,” Bull explains.
The words Bull is about to spew have my pulse throbbing in my ears.
“He handed me your folder after I accepted the order. It contained the usual. Photos, birth certificate, where you lived, what you drove, everything. When I saw your photo, I thought you looked familiar, but I didn’t know how familiar ‘til I looked closely at your birth certificate. I knew your father. We went way back, but he got on that juice and he was never the same after that. You – I only barely recognized you because you were barely knee-high to a grasshopper when I last saw you.” Bull’s face pulls together with sorrow. “Your father was an angry drunk, Cherry. I busted his jaw when I saw him get rough with you one time. That was the end of our friendship, and I never saw him again.” This is all news to me. I didn’t know any of this, didn’t know anything, in fact. I was given my orders, and where to find her. That was it. I’ve tried to get him to give me more over the years, but he just told me what I needed to know was what I knew.
“How did you take care of me? ‘Cause you didn’t kill me? I’m confused.” Cherry frowns, tears streaking her rosy cheeks. I have to curl my fists to curb the urge to wipe them away. To care for her. Old habit. Bull slowly takes his eyes from Cherry to me.
“What?” Cherry follows his gaze. Her eyes widen and her chest rises when she realizes I was sent to hush her. “No,” her bottom lip trembles. I stare back, not wavering.
“I’m afraid so. I couldn’t order the hit on you, Cherry. When I saw you, all I saw was a little girl who started life with an unfair advantage. So, I sent Lip for you. Told him to keep you away from the trailer park, to keep you safe and make you happy. To do whatever was necessary to make you feel at home,” Bull continues. Cherry’s eyes fill with tears again, her face angry as she pins me with a look of betrayal. My mouth goes dry, and I swallow the hard lump forming in my throat.
“I was a job,” she whispers. “I WAS A FUCKING JOB!” she shouts. She turns her head, tears spilling from her eyes. I feel like a fucking tool; nothing in my life has compared to the hurt that’s driving through my chest at this moment. I caused those tears on her face. I’m causing her hurt. Me.
“Try to relax, Cherry. It was for your own good, darlin’,” Bull tries to reason with her, but he obviously doesn’t know Cherry. She glares at him, her expression telling him to fuck off. I’m surprised she isn’t throwing a chair at him—or me, for that matter.
“So, he knew about Piper this whole time?”
“No, we didn’t tell him about Piper. In fact, we told him nothing. He was a prospect at the time. I had Shadow track you, and I told Lip where to find you,” Bull responds.
She shakes her head; her eyes clenched shut. “Why didn’t you just tell me all of this, why make –” She chokes on her words.
“I had my selfish reasons, Cherry,” Bull rasps. “This lifestyle isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, if you haven’t noticed. Everyone has been tested in one way or another in earning a place here.”
“Explain. I deserve to know why you couldn’t just tell me what was going on over the last six years!” she shouts.
Bull’s face hardens. “You were blackmail if that fucker ever broke our agreement,” he spits, his tone not sugarcoating a fucking thing. Cherry winces and closes her eyes again. “It was a win-win for everyone. You were alive and safe, and I had my insurance.” I glare at Bull’s insensitive tone.
“Cherry, I—”
“Don’t,” Cherry interrupts me. She rolls her lips on top of each other and exhales a long, tired breath. I look at Bull, his eyes giving an apologetic look.
“We aren’t even real, Lip. What I feel for you is not even real, is it?” She wipes her eyes and sighs loudly. “We are so done,” she cries.
Hearing her say those words, my heart jumpstarts with panic and my eyes sting. I grit my teeth, angry my emotions are getting the best of me.
“I thought fate sent you to protect me, to care for me, but it was all a lie. The only thing that sent you was the fucking Devil himself.” She points at Bull, and he sighs heavily.
“Cherry, just stop and listen to me,” I demand, my tone harsh.
“We’ll give you kids a minute,” Bull states, he and Shadow pushing away from the table.
As soon as they leave, I pull a chair up next to her and reach for her hand. She pulls away from me and levels me with a look that has my balls shrinking into themselves.
“Cherry,” I coax. She holds a hand up and closes her eyes, turning her head away from me.
I look down at my boots and fumble with my hands. “I’m sorry, babe,” I mutter. I feel like shit. I never wanted to hurt her; I was just following orders. This club is my family, my life. I did what I had to, even if I didn’t like it.
“Don’t call me that,” she snaps through gritted teeth. I slowly lift my head to find her tear-filled eyes solely on me. I’ve seen Cherry cry maybe twice the whole time we’ve been together. To see her beautiful eyes fill with sorrow, it hurts.
“I was a job. A fucking job to you. I fell in love with you, Lip.” She tilts her head to the side, a tear falling from her beautiful eye. “The way you cared for me, showed me affection, did you mean any of it? Or was that part of the job, too? Was any of it real, or did Bull tell you to be that way?”
I draw in a tight breath and run my hand over my head. It’s complicated. I tried not to love Cherry, and I’m still not sure if I am in love with her 100%. Over the years, seeing only her visit me in jail, her face lighting up when she saw me come home, falling into pure ecstasy when I fucked her—she grew on me. But when I told Cherry I loved her, it was because Bull had told me to, and not because I loved her. I know I care about Cherry on some level but I can’t identify my feelings for her. Are they because Bull told me to portray them, or are they real? I’m fucking confused.
“Yes, he told me to care for you, to be a gentleman.”
A whimper escapes her lips. She lifts her hand, resting her fingers against her mouth, as if trying to keep from showing me she’s so affected.
“That explains everything. The way you were before, and the way you are now. Your lies were catching up to you. Your mask of lies were SLIPPING!” She swipes a glass off the table, causing it to smash against the wall. “Six years. It was all a lie… for six fucking years. That day Bull showed up with my patch, that was him, wasn’t it?” she mumbles. I look down and nod.
“You fucking prick!” She shoves me hard, and anger flares in my chest. “You were the Devil in a mask of a saint.” I furrow my brows. Is she throwing Bible verses at me?
“You weren’t exactly truthful with me either, Cherry,” I sneer, sitting back in my seat and resting my hands behind my neck. Her head whips in my direction, her cheeks flushing with anger.
“I wasn’t exactly in the position to tell you I had a little girl,” she snaps.
I scoff. “Right. Six years wasn’t enough time, huh?”
“Fuck you!” She stands from her chair, tears streaming down her face. “I gave more than my heart to you, Lip. I gave my fucking soul.” She clutches her chest, and my worthless heart feels as if she just grabbed mine and squeezed. “I may not have been on the right path when we met, but at least I had my soul. I loved you and I loved this club; I thought you all were my family. I’ll do anything for family. When an ol’ lady wanted vengeance, I was there drawing blood by her side. This club and you blackened my spirit and for what?” She throws her hands out, hostile. “For it all to be for nothing!” she screams, her face turning near purple. “I don’t even recognize myself anymore.”
I stand and grab her by the shirt, pulling her chest flush with mine. “You’re right. You are different. You found who you are and fell into place,” I seethe, my patience wearing thin. She acts like she’s some fucking angel and I ruined her life. “I was a goddamn prospect; I was following orders, Cherry. You don’t think I wanted to tell you?” I jerk her toward me, and she whimpers. “It was just as hard for me as it was for you. Now. Calm. The. Fuck. Down.”
“No! You don’t get to tell me to calm down. In fact, you don’t get to tell me anything anymore. We are done.” She shoves me away from her, her eyes holding the look of hatred. “You’re a fucking liar,” she hisses.
“You’re such a fucking hypocrite. Your lie isn’t any less than mine. We both lied, both went into this withholding truths from one another.”
“You couldn’t even look me in the eye since you’ve been out of prison, Lip. So I guess you can count your blessings that we’re done.”
I grab her by the face and pull her toward me, my patience with her gone.
“Did it ever occur to you that I couldn’t look you in the face because I was living a fucking lie that burned me every time I laid eyes on you? I was falling for you, Cherry, but I didn’t know if that was because I was told to or because I really was. You don’t even know me; who I am deep down may not be the man you want to love.”
She tears her face from my hold, and her eyes furrow. “I guess we’ll never know. Huh? ‘Cause the man I’m in love with isn’t real.” She seethes the last part and shoves against my chest hard.
I take a step back and rub at my chin. The idea she has a little girl, a little girl she’s been seeing for years and has never told me about, pisses me off more than anything. She’s a mother, a role I never thought Cherry would take.
“Yeah, I can say the same about you,” I mutter, placing both my hands on the back of my neck. She throws her hair over her shoulder and wipes the tears from her cheeks.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m done. We’re done. I’m getting the fuck out of here and away from-”
“Not so fast, darlin’,” Bull states, stepping back into the room, Shadow following closely behind. Shadow gives a sympathetic look; he clearly knows I’m not in the best of situations right now.
“Excuse me?” Cherry huffs.
“It’s too dangerous out there, and besides, seeing how I didn’t keep my word to the judge, he may come after my club. I don’t need him picking you up and trying to use you as leverage or some shit. That wouldn’t be good for anyone involved.” Bull sits in his chair and kicks his boots up, not seeming nearly as agitated as I am.
“So, what’s that supposed to mean?” Cherry questions.
“Lockdown,” Shadow replies.
Cherry scoffs and rolls her eyes. From what I heard when I was in prison, when the club went on lockdown, Cherry would go MIA. She’s not one to follow orders. It’s one of the many reasons why I’m attracted to her.
“You better keep your pretty little ass right here in this club, damn it!” Bull orders. He lowers his head, his dark hair shining against the lights. “If I have to lock you in a room to keep your stubborn ass safe, I will,” he threatens.
“FINE!” Cherry shouts, her hands outstretched on either side.
“I’ll send Lip to get you some things. The club will be tight with everyone here, so you’ll be sharing a room with him.” Shadow smirks, knowing the position he’s putting me in. Fucker.
“Oh that’ll be-” Cherry nods sarcastically and bites her lip. “That’s just perfect,” she continues.
“Shadow, tomorrow find this ex-boyfriend; I want his every move. Report back as soon as you can and then we’ll make our move. We will get this figured out, Cherry.” She purses her lips and nods. “You can go now,” Bull directs.
Cherry shoves past me and leaves the room in a fit of anger. I sigh heavily and fall into the chair. My chest fucking hurts with an ache I’ve never experienced before.
“You all right, son?” Bull questions, and I nod.
“You love her?” Shadow questions. I shove my hands into my pockets, thinking about that question, not sure how to answer it, when my hands hit my gremlin bell. I pull it out, and look it over. The chrome of it is tarnished, but it still dings all the time. It fucking annoys me.
“You got thirty minutes, inmate,” the prison guard yelled before slamming the door. Cherry was wearing a white dress that went to her thighs, with white high heels. My dick instantly went rock-hard. I fucking wanted her, and badly. It’d been too long since my dick felt the wetness her pussy had to offer. I stepped up to her and grabbed her under the thighs, lifting her in the air. The smell of cherries and flowers wafted around me. I inhaled deeply. The smell was a scent of freedom, a scent that reminded me of my lies and sins to a woman who wanted nothing but my cold fucking heart. Why is she sticking around? Why does she care so much about me? I grit my teeth. Because I made her believe I was something I’m not. I close my eyes, and set her back down on her feet. Pulling my fingers away and distancing myself from her is almost as painful as looking her in the eye every day. She laughed, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“I got you something,” she whispered. My brows pulled together.
“You got me something?” I questioned. Her face lit up with a flush of pink as she pulled her fist out and opened it. It looked like some sorta bell in the shape of a skull.
“It’s a gremlin bell,” she informed.
I grabbed it, and it chimed.
“How did you get this in here?” I asked, looking it over.
“I have my ways.” She smiled, shrugged then smiled harder. “I used my puppy eyes and insured them you couldn’t kill anyone with it.” She laughed. “I saw it at the biker shop. It said it helps keeps evil spirits or gremlins from messing with your bike, and makes your travels safer.”
I trailed my eyes from the bell to her. Those gray eyes cutting me, slicing through my walls of shame and guilt. No matter how much of a piece of shit I feel, I just can’t seem to spit the words out that she’s a job.
“Nobody has ever given me anything before,” I muttered. Her face went still, and her lips parted.
“I love you, Lip,” she whispers. My balls sunk into the pit of my stomach and my chest constricted with an unfamiliar emotion. I grabbed her by the back of the head and pulled her into me, the smell of her flower shampoo strong. I closed my eyes and inhaled it, and kissed her forehead. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to tell her, because that will be the day she stops looking at me like I’m her world, her fucking man.
“LIP!” I tear my eyes from the bell to see Bull and Shadow both eyeballing me.
“What?” I mutter.
“Do you love her?” Shadow repeats. The question strikes my chest like lightning.
“I don’t know. Before, I would say no, but now I’m not sure.” I look back at the bell and rub the pad of my finger over it. “She’s grown on me,” I mumble.
“Lip, I think it’s in everyone’s best interest if you just back off. Leave her be. Just let her go, man,” Shadow suggests. My chest lifts with every fury-infused breath I take. My brows pull together and my jaw clenches.
“Let her be?” I question. Shadow gives me an off look before glancing at Bull, unsure. “You gave her to me, you put her in my fucking hands, and you fucking patched her in as MY property. That means she’s fucking mine.” I slam my fist on the table. “Mine! I will choose what I do with her. You won’t tell me to stay away from her.” I stand from the table, and knock my knuckles on the wood. “She’s my goddamn property,” I reaffirm, my voice deep and rough.
“It wasn’t my intention for you to go and fall in love with her, Lip,” Bull rasps, swiping his hands through his hair. My brows furrow, then widen. Realization that I may in fact love Cherry sends pain through my chest. Scowling, I point at Bull and Shadow. “Just…” I shake my head, thoughts of love and hate swirling through my fucking head. “Just stay out of it,” I mutter before leaving.