Arsen looped his bike around and then backed it into his spot at the Blacktop Blades’ clubhouse. He shut the bike down. After a moment, she carefully dismounted. They were in the teeth of the day’s heat and he was hot, sweaty, and road weary.
He blew air out as he stepped into the paradise of the Blades clubhouse. The clubhouse, built twenty years ago, was one of his favorite places to be. Made with walls of pale Adobe and topped with rust colored Spanish tiles, the clubhouse looked more like a resort than a biker clubhouse. The interior was just as welcoming, with its the tile floors, slow spinning fans, bar, and comfortable leather furniture. It was a working clubhouse, providing the headquarters for the Blades to run their empire, but it was also where they could kick back, relax, and enjoy the fellowship of their brothers.
News that something was up had spread; everyone seemed to be waiting to meet Arsen’s guest. Nobody knew what to expect, but this small battered woman wasn’t it.
“What happened to her?” Michelle, Zane’s old lady, asked as she approached.
“Don’t know,” Arsen replied. “She’s in shock or something and won’t talk. The fresh scrapes are from when she jumped off my motorcycle while it was still it was moving.”
“Why’d she’d do that?”
“I’d like to know that myself.” He stopped at the bar and pulled out two waters, handing one to his guest and keeping one for himself. He would pull himself a beer later, but he wanted to hydrate first. He opened his bottle, handed it to her, then took hers and opened it for himself.
“What are we supposed to do with her?” Toni asked as the club began to gather around.
“Take her to one of the guest rooms. See if she’ll let you clean her up, and see if we have anything that will fit her. Doc Holiday will be around in about an hour to check her out.”
“Then what?” Michelle asked.
“Then, we’ll see what Doc recommends.”
Michelle exchanged a look with Toni and Cyra, then held her hand out to the woman. “Come on,” she said. “Let’s get you cleaned up and see what you look like.”
The woman didn’t move. “Come on,” Arsen said, leading her to the back. “They’re not going to hurt you, I promise,” he said softly as he directed her towards one of the four guest suites. “Let them help you get cleaned up, and I’ll wait for you at the bar, okay?” She gripped his hand fiercely tight. He smiled. “Okay. I’ll wait right here.”
She released his hand and he nodded to Michelle. As the women slowly undressed her, he could feel himself grimace in sympathy. She was a petite woman, a foot shorter than himself at perhaps five two or three, and her body was covered in bruises. Some were angry, dark and fresh, others older and turning yellow.
“Sweet Jesus, what happened to her?” Toni murmured as more of her body and more bruises were revealed.
“Someone has been beating the shit out of her,” Michelle murmured, her lips pressed tight in anger.
Arsen felt rage and sickness churning in his stomach. If one of his brothers were to treat their old ladies or club girls like this, they would be out on their ass. Any man who treated a woman like this was no brother of his.
“Let’s get you in the shower,” Michelle said, urging her along. “Toni, you’re closest to her size. Go see if you can find her something to wear.”
The battered woman paused at the doorway to the bathroom and looked back at him. “I’ll be right here when you get out.” The moment he heard the shower door close, he returned to the bar. He needed a drink.
“How is she?” Zane asked as he drew Arsen a beer.
“Somebody has been beating the shit out of her. For a long time. She’s nothing but one big bruise.”
Zane shook his head. “I don’t understand men like that. Michelle and I have had our fights, but I’ve never even thought about hitting her.”
“This is more than hitting her, Zane. This has been going on for a while.” Arsen took a long pull from the mug, trying to settle his jangled nerves. “If I find out who did this, I’m going to give them a taste of their own medicine.” He stared into space for a time, then took another pull from the beer. “I need to get back in there so she won’t freak out when she gets out of the shower.”
“She’s going to have to get over this. You can’t be her babysitter twenty-four seven.”
“I know. But for now…” He shook his head. “It’s only been a few hours, and she did let the women undress her. We’ll see what Doc has to say, then we’ll go from there.” He took another large pull from the beer. “I better go.”
He was standing in the corner as she stepped out of the shower. Dressed in fresh panties and bra, her hair washed and brushed, he could see she was lovely, or would be when she healed. He found himself really seeing her, for the first time. Her long, dark hair, wide eyes, and small, but curvy shape.
“I had to wash her,” Michelle said, pulling at the woman’s wet shirt before it sucked back down to caress every curve of her ample breasts. “Has she said anything?”
“Not a word.”
Michelle shook her head as Toni selected clothing from the pile she’d brought into the room. With a little mix and match, they found her a pair of shorts and a blouse that almost fit her, and they helped her dress.
“You’re safe here,” Arsen said softly, holding his hand out, and she came to him, taking his hand. He looked at the three women and nodded his thanks.
He led her out of the room, back into the main part of the clubhouse, placing her in a large comfortable chair. She sat, but she didn’t relax back into the chair. Instead, she slumped, her hands clasped together between her knees. He brought her an open beer and an opened water, holding them both out. She looked up at him then reached out and took the water. He nodded, then sat down in the chair beside her and put his feet up on the ottoman, waiting with her until Doc Holiday showed up.