Chapter Four
Mel smoothed her skirt out, not for the second time either. Everywhere she turned there were bodies. They were not at the clubhouse anymore but near the Hell’s Wolves MC where Pipe ruled. The fights had been going on for so long. They were out in the open for the most part. Every now and again they’d converge on an empty factory to fight. Tonight wasn’t one of those nights, and it was slightly chilly.
Pea had dropped her off and gone to find his boys. Of course, he’d asked her if she was okay.
She was. This wasn’t the first time she’d been to one of these fights, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.
“You’re here.”
Hearing the sound of her sister’s voice, she turned to find Penny making her way over. Like all of the old ladies, they wore the leather cut of their men. The Saints and Sinners MC preferred it that way. Mel loved the leather, and every now and again she loved the yearning she saw on some of the other women.
Out of all of the women and club whores, he’d picked her. To Mel that meant a great deal. Of course, many women over the years had told her the leather cut meant nothing because he still fucked around with every other woman he could get his hands on. They seemed to try to rile her up, which never boded well for them. Mel had never stepped down from a fight, not ever.
When her sister had been in high school, Penny had been bullied by some girl’s older sister. She couldn’t remember the name, but the woman was the same age as Mel. Even when Penny asked her not to, she’d driven to the school, half an hour before she was meant to, and sat on the hood of her car, ankles crossed, waiting. A pair of sunglasses to hide herself, and she’d sat back, watched, and waited. Sure as shit, Penny had come out, followed by the little coward, and then the bullying older sister had come over.
The moment the bitch had pulled Penny’s hair, Mel had been over there. She’d not taken on the younger girl, but she’d smacked the bitch in the face for touching her baby sister, and warned her that from then on, Mel would be picking her sister up, and if she heard anything bad, she’d go out hunting.
She loved Penny so damn much.
“Why wouldn’t I be here?” she asked as Penny stood beside her.
“Oh, I don’t know. In case anything goes wrong. You know, you’re pregnant and all.”
“Keep your damn voice down. Nothing is going to go wrong, because nothing is wrong.” She glanced around the open space to see if anyone they knew had heard.
“You can’t keep this secrecy up.”
Mel wrapped her arms around her sister. “I know you love and care about me. Everything is going to be okay.” She wanted to reassure her. Cupping Penny’s face, she smiled at her. “I’m sorry.”
“What have you done?”
“For years ago, manipulating you. That wasn’t my intention.”
Penny’s face softened. “It’s okay.”
“I guess I thought it was easier for you to think I was sad than caring about Pea.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll ever understand the two of you.”
She shrugged. “Not a lot to understand.” Mel spotted Big Ricky on the edge of the fight. He was watching everything and not joining in.
“This is a really big crowd.”
“It’ll be fine. The clubs can handle something like this.”
Pea was fighting tonight, and whenever he released that kind of aggression he was always horny no matter what the outcome was.
“I don’t know. It has been a long time since I saw it like this.”
Once again, Mel looked toward Big Ricky, who was staring at the crowd.
Was something going down that she didn’t know about?
“Where’s Elena and the others?” Mel asked.
“They’re at home taking care of kids. Elena offered to take Leonardo so that I could come tonight for Rage.”
“Is he fighting?”
“I think so. Either that or he’s the one keeping an eye on everything.” Penny shrugged. “We wanted a night together. It has been a long time since we did.”
She nodded at her sister and looked out onto the main floor. Moving forward, Mel wanted to get closer to watch the action, but something was eating away at her. Glancing back at Big Ricky, she then looked over the crowd. He was watching everything so seriously.
Pea doesn’t want you near him.
Asking questions shouldn’t hurt.
Their relationship had provided them with many different opportunities. Sleeping with certain men had given her an insight into the town, and it helped her to keep the law off Saints and Sinners back. If they were planning a raid on the club, she’d be the first to know, and as soon as she was able, she alerted the club.
“I’ll be right back,” she said.
She was a woman, and in the world of crime, MC, drugs, and shit, women tended to be overlooked, but she often had people talking a hell of a lot. The MC was her family, her home.
“Where are you going?” Penny asked.
“Just to talk to someone. You stay here, okay?” She didn’t want Penny anywhere near someone like Big Ricky.
Mel would kill the bastard with her bare hands if he laid a finger on Penny.
“Sure. I’ll get you an orange juice. Meet you back here in ten minutes?”
“Yeah, sure.”
She waited for Penny to be out of the way before making her way toward Big Ricky. Offering him a friendly smile, she stood right in front of him so he had no choice but to look down at her.
“Imagine seeing you here,” she said, tilting her head to the side.
“It’s a fight, and I like a good one of those.”
“Huh, you struck me as the kind to be in the background, organizing everything. Not in the thick of it with us common folk.”
“You see a lot more than anyone gives you credit for.” There was a smile to his lips. “I doubt the club even realizes that you protect it fiercely.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I’m part of a mafia family. I know you’re not stupid, so after our little chat, I got a couple of people I know to do some digging. You’re an interesting woman.”
“I’m not interesting. Relatively boring, actually.”
“The men you screwed. Some of them had an agenda against the MC. That I find interesting. Your and Pea’s open marriage. Of course, not all of the men, though. Some of them you just enjoyed.”
She rolled her eyes. “Believe it or not, you’re boring me with that. Everyone always thinks the same thing, and they’re usually wrong. You’re not going to be any different. Believe me. Pea and I found a relationship that worked for both of us.”
Big Ricky laughed. “They have no idea that you tried to help them whenever you could. Even when you didn’t need to.”
“Pea is my life. I helped when I could, even if it wasn’t all the time. Again, this is not news to me, or to them. How’s Autumn?”
Instantly the laughter died, and she stared at him.
“It would appear that I’m not the only one that has a few secrets,” she said. “You can try to judge me, but you’re not going to know the entire truth. Only I will, sweetheart.”
Right before her eyes, the easygoing man changed, and she saw the devil himself staring right back at her.
“I suggest you be careful on what you think you’re doing.”
“I’m not doing anything.” She smiled. “At the end of the day, I’m just an old lady.”
With that, she spun on her heel, and made her way back toward her sister. There was something about Autumn. She didn’t know what, but she no longer believed that Big Ricky was just in town for some friendship between the two clubs. No fucking way.
“Are you okay? You’ve gone a little pale.”
“I’m fine. Believe me, more than fine.” She glanced over at Big Ricky, and he was now on his cell phone. “Has Rage said anything to you about the big guy over there?”
“Ricky?” Penny asked. She shook her head. “Like you, he asked me to stay away from him, and I don’t see a reason in not doing that. He’s scary-looking, but he’d make the perfect villain for my next story.”
Mel nodded, happy that Rage was looking out for her sister. The last thing she should do was really doubt him. He loved her sister, and that was why Mel had never caused a problem for them to date.
“You’re acting really weird,” Penny said.
“I’m fine. I can’t wait ’til the fight has started.” She also couldn’t wait until Pea got home because she was desperate for him. Instead of getting bored with her man, she was finding it harder to resist him.
Who knew married life could be so much fun?
****
“There’s a lot riding on this,” Saint said.
“I get it, but I’m not throwing the fight no matter what.”
“It’s not about throwing the fight. This asshole has bet a hundred grand that he could take any biker anywhere. I don’t know who it is, but Pipe said he’s pissed off a lot of his clubs. They were going to teach him a lesson, beat the shit out of him and all that. Decided that taking his money would be the better option.”
“So I’m good to really pound on this guy.”
“Yep.”
Pea nodded, and he saw Zeus, Vanilla, Buzz, and Bean close by.
“Everything okay?” Pea asked.
“Big Ricky’s here. We’ve got the extra support including the Hell’s Wolves to keep everything handled. Natasha decided she wanted to come even though she’s pregnant.”
They were in a small, abandoned building owned by Pipe and his club. It was small, and stank of piss, but it allowed people to get ready. He moved toward the window and looked out. “I tell you, there’s a big crowd out there, Saint. I don’t like it.”
“What’s not to like? More people, more money.”
“Yeah, and with more people comes more trouble. If Big Ricky’s here, something could go down.” And he’d brought Mel with him. He didn’t like that.
“We’ve got our eye on the people,” Rage said. “You just fight to your heart’s content. Penny’s here as well, and you know I’d never risk her life.”
Pea nodded. “Do you have any reason to doubt why he’s here?”
Saint shook his head. “Nope, and I can’t get a look at this woman that Willy’s been talking about either. Innocent, blonde, beautiful, and all that shit.” He shrugged. “We’ll figure it out. We always do.”
The bell rang, and that meant the start of the fights.
Pea slammed his fist against his palm. He was ready, and he wanted to hurt someone.
Leaving the stench behind, he made his way through the maze of people. His club surrounded him, which clearly meant they had a shitload of cash riding on this fight.
He stepped into the center of the makeshift arena that had been set up. This was Pipe and his club’s job to handle this.
Looking out at the crowd, he saw Mel toward the back. She lifted her hand and gave him a wave. He nodded at her, wanting to do a lot more than that, but blowing her a kiss would really give the wrong impression.
But then again, who gave a fuck? He did exactly that, and the bitches in the crowd went wild over it. Mel was laughing, and he liked that. He loved it when she laughed, especially when it was him to make her.
Yeah, when it came to his woman, he was a fucking romantic.
Just yesterday he’d picked up a bouquet of roses, a startling red that reminded of him passion just because they made him think of her.
If the club ever found out, he would never hear the end of it.
Penny was laughing as well. He’d surprised her. His sister-in-law had never liked him, but he really didn’t give a shit about what she felt.
The only person who mattered to him was Mel, and she’d always been happy with him.
He turned around at the commotion behind him, and sure enough, he spotted an asshole heading toward him.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Big Ricky scanning the crowd. What the fuck was going on with that guy?
“Are you guys ready to see me crush this pussy?” the man said.
Pea didn’t even have a clue what he was called, so he was going to nickname him … Asshole.
Yeah, that suited him.
The crowd went wild.
“Kill him.”
“Beat him.”
Asshole turned toward him, and Pea smiled.
“Are you not going to give them a show? They’re paying good money for this?”
“You do realize that this is real, right? We’re going to fight, and when one of us is down, we walk away?” Pea asked.
Asshole smirked. “I can take you.”
Pea had a feeling that the reason this guy thought that was because he’d won a couple of fights between preppy boys or some shit like that. This man was not a fighter.
He wanted some real competition.
This fucker was not going to give him what he wanted.
****
Mel winced as Pea knocked the cocky guy out with one punch. It didn’t look good at all. Of course, it was good for Pea as he won, but the crowd was a little … taken aback. The least the cocky fucker could have done was actually put up a fight. As it was, they had to wait for another guy to take his place.
From where she was standing, she knew that Pea was still up for another fight. He looked really disappointed, which only made her smile.
“I’ll be right back,” Penny said.
She nodded, and watched as her sister headed toward Rage. Shaking her head, Mel sipped at her juice, and turned to watch the fighting. Pea always turned her on when he fought. He was so fearless. Nothing could ever stop him. There was a determination within him. Something that made him keep on going even when he was exhausted. He wouldn’t give up, nor would he give in. When he was loyal to a cause, he was the kind of guy you wanted on your side.
It was one of the things she loved about him.
“He’s amazing, isn’t he?”
Mel turned to her left to see Tara, one of the club whores, standing beside her. Mel wasn’t stupid, and knew Pea had fucked this woman a couple of times. Damn it, she’d even listened to him tell her stuff about this woman. There hadn’t been any jealousy then. If she was honest with herself, she wasn’t jealous now because she knew that Tara wanted her husband.
That same loyalty she’d thought about a second ago meant that she could trust him. He’d not been near Tara since they’d pledged to be faithful to one another.
“He certainly is.”
She stood watching, aware that Tara was glaring at her.
“You know, you’re not fooling anyone. Why don’t you let him go back to fucking us? He wants us, and he doesn’t want your washed-up old pussy.”
Mel burst out laughing, and finally turned to Tara. “You do realize you mean nothing to him. You’re not an old lady. You’re a pussy for the club.”
“I’ve had a pussy that Pea’s been fucking for a long time.”
“Yeah, he’s been with you twice.” Mel held up her hand with her wedding band on before smoothing it down the leather cut. “I’ve got the man, the ring, and the cut. You’re nothing to him, so I suggest you back the fuck off before I stop being nice.”
“He doesn’t want you. You’re fucking boring and a slut. Pea deserves better than you and your fat ass.”
Tara raised her hand, intent on slapping her.
Mel had tried to be a lady. She’d tried to be nice, and let this woman back off. Grabbing Tara’s hand, she slapped her around the face, not caring that the people were turning toward them.
She held onto Tara’s wrist tightly.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Mel asked, shoving Tara away.
“He’s mine!”
It’s official, Tara is fucking crazy.
As Tara rushed her, Mel tensed up as the other woman’s body collided with hers. They both fell to the ground, and she lost focus as she fell hard.
Tara scratched her face, and had her hands around her throat. Reaching up, Mel tugged Tara’s hair before grabbing her wrists and jerking her back.
“Get the fuck off!” Mel jerked hard, turning them so that she was the one straddling Tara.
Pulling her fist back, she was about to hit Tara hard when someone grabbed her from behind, pulling her away.
“He’s mine. Fucking mine!” Tara was ranting, trying to get to her.
“You’ve got to make her stop,” Penny said, coming into sight.
Rage had hold of her, and she was trying to fight him off.
“Let me the fuck go, Rage. I want to teach her a fucking lesson once and for all,” Mel said.
If this bitch thought for a second that she’d won, she had another think coming.
His hands loosened, and she was about to make a run for it.
“Rage, hold onto her.”
He held her tightly. “She really wants at the slut, Penny.”
She fought him hard, about to sink her teeth into his arm.
“She’s pregnant!”
The words silenced everyone, and Mel stopped, looking at Pea, who was suddenly there at her side.
Her fight with Tara had stopped the fight, and now there was a circle around them.
She saw Big Ricky watching. Saint, Willy, Zeus, Rage, all of them. They were staring at her, but she was looking at Pea.
“Is it true?” he asked. “You’re pregnant?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to lie. One look at him, and she knew she couldn’t do it.”
“Yes.”
This was not the way she’d wanted to tell him. Far from it.
****
Later that night Saint was standing in his office with Rage, Fly, and Shorty. While he’d been at the fight with Rage, and many of his other men, Fly and Shorty had been at Big Ricky’s place.
“Anything?” Saint asked.
“There’s a girl there. She was playing her music pretty loudly, and didn’t hear us enter,” Fly said. “Shorty cut the power for a few minutes, but he activated it so if he asks, everyone got a sudden power surge for a couple of minutes.”
Saint nodded. “How did you not alarm the girl?”
“She had headphones on, and was listening to music from one of those device things.”
“Okay. What did you find?” Saint asked.
“Big Ricky has a vault in his office, and on his desk was Autumn’s file.”
Saint frowned. “Okay?”
“I think he’s hiding her here for a reason,” Fly said. “Something didn’t bode well.”
“Why go to the trouble of keeping her safe only to leave her at home alone?” Saint asked.
“She wasn’t alone. There were six different guards at any one point. We got in through a window that had been left open,” Fly said.
“You don’t think that’s strange?”
Short shrugged. “We got in and out undetected. That’s what you wanted us to do. I wasn’t going to come back here with a fail. I don’t like this man in my town. It stinks. All of it does. Something else is going on, and I think we’re being used as cover.”
“Pea’s said similar things.” Saint stood and looked out of his office window. When Big Ricky had first turned up, he’d been fine with it. Of course, he’d been away on his honeymoon, and while he’d been basking in the sunshine with his wife Natasha, it had also helped him to think.
No one suddenly stayed in town to keep relations good.
Whatever this shit was, it had to do with Autumn, and he was going to get to the bottom of it fast.
His wife, his sister, his club, all of their lives depended on him. The last thing he was was a fucking idiot. The warning signs with Big Ricky’s arrival had been going off inside his head, and they wouldn’t go away.
The last thing he wanted was a fucking mafia street war on Sinners’ Corner streets. Big Ricky may think his bosses had all the control. In Sinners’ Corner, Saint owned those fucking streets. This town lived and breathed because he let it, and no one was going to use his turf without him knowing about it.
It was time to find out exactly what Big Ricky and the Lorenzo family were hiding in his town.