Stryker releases his grip on the prospect's throat and he drops to the ground, gasping for breath. “Keep your filthy hands off Holly. She’s not a fucking patch whore. Respect her or I will break each finger and then your dick. You feel me?” The prospect nods his head quickly and Stryker punches the wall before stalking out of the room. Holly’s in tears standing in the middle of the floor. Poison approaches her but Holly shrugs her off and heads to her room.
“I’ll give her a few minutes and then go check on her.” Poison tells Kayne. The hurt in her hazel eyes doesn’t go unnoticed. He nods his head and kisses her forehead.
“Everyone out. Party’s over.” Kayne shouts. Grumbles and groans fill the air but the patch whores and guests who’ve trickled in quickly grab their things and leave. When Kayne gives an order, you fucking listen or find yourself in a shallow grave. “What is it with these guys? I’ve never seen Stryker act that way before.”
“He’s in love and doesn’t know how to deal with it.” Poison answers.
“What?” Rooster’s taken aback from what Poison said.
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t you see it? He’s in love with Holly but she’s making him work for it. After he was shot, something changed between the two of them and neither one knows how to deal with it. He’s acting worse than before and she’s been hurt both physically and mentally. Holly needs a gentle hand to help her spread her wings and Stryker isn’t gentle. They’ll figure it out someday.” Poison rests her head on Kayne’s chest. “I’m going to check on Holly then try to get a little sleep. You coming?”
“Yeah, babe. Give me a minute to clean some of this mess up then I’ll be up.” He kisses Poison on her forehead again and she heads off to Holly’s room. I watch as she knocks then enters her room. Once she’s out of sight, Kayne releases a deep breath and rubs his hands down the back of his neck. Stress lines are etched deep in his forehead.
“Things will get better. Thank you for doing this with me.” I say to Kayne.
“We’re all here for each other. This is your time to put the past that’s been haunting you for years to rest. You’ve been there for me, now it’s my time to be here for you.”
“I still need to thank you for never giving up on any of us.”
“I will never give up. You guys are my brothers in more ways than one. I’ll lay my life on the line for you and I know any of you will do the same. You’ve already proven that.”
“Always. No matter what we will have each other’s backs.” We clean up some of the mess left behind. Deep in the bottom of my stomach, there’s a feeling I have that things will get worse before it gets better. A sinking feeling this is the calm before the storm.
Chapter 21
Blayde
I’m jolted awake with an elbow jabbing me in my ribs. “What the fuck?” I blink and take in my surroundings. I’m sitting in a row of three seats, my face pressed against the tiny window. We finally made it to our flight early this morning and I must have dozed after the plane took off. Siren is snuggled against my side, batting her eyelashes at me, trying to look all innocent and shit. Duke is sitting next to Siren near the aisle and he shifts uncomfortably in the small space. These planes aren’t made for men our size and I can feel the claustrophobia kick in.
“We're getting ready to land.” Siren is still looking up at me through her long dark lashes, innocence is written all over her face. My ribs will argue her fucking innocence all right.
“I'd say thanks but my ribs won't. Damn, your elbows are boney as fuck,” I answer bringing my lips next to Siren's.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. We are ready for descent. Please stay seated with your seatbelt on until the light overhead turns off. We have reached LAX in record time today. Enjoy your stay and thank you for flying United Airlines.”
I turn my attention to the small window on my right and the scene below me takes my breath away. The sun is shining brightly onto the Pacific Ocean, casting it in deep blues and greens. The shoreline is white with tiny people swimming or sitting on the sand. The plane dips and takes my stomach right with it. I close my eyes and breathe through my nose. Siren is clutching onto my hand hard enough to turn my fingertips white. Only once the plane touches down the runway and comes to a complete stop does Siren release my hand. I shake it to get the blood flow back.
“Sorry,” she mouths.
People move, pushing and shoving their way past us until Stryker, who’s been sitting in the seat behind us stands up. His massive body takes up the whole aisle and no one can get past him. He nods his head to the rest of us and we all get up, taking our bags out of the overhead compartments. Grumbles and groans fill the plane until Stryker glares behind him and levels the people causing issues with a death stare. The plane becomes quiet, only our breathing is heard as we exit into the terminal. Stryker and Butch, being the assholes they are, slow down their pace on the bridge that connects the airport to the airplane so the bitchers behind us can’t sneak past. Kayne, Poison, Siren, Duke, Talon and I are in front.
Once we reach the terminal, Stryker and Butch can’t hold the bitchers back any longer and they speed walk past us grumbling under their breaths. The bright Los Angeles sunlight filters through the skylights as we pass the food courts and TSA. We didn’t have any luggage stored below the plane so we follow the directions to the passenger pick up. Once we’re down the escalators and out the doors, the sound of horns blaring, buses coming and going, and engines revving filter in. The muggy, dry air hangs on my skin. This will take some time to get used too. Not to mention the time zone difference. It was seven a.m. when we left Detroit, the four-hour flight put us at eleven a.m. our time but it’s only eight a.m. California time.
“We can put our colors on once we get to Krimson’s house,” Kayne shouts over the crowd giving us a wide berth on the concrete. I would too if I came across six burly men with pissed off looks on their faces.
When we got to the Detroit airport and parked our bikes in the secured parking garage, we stowed our cuts in our carry on, so we could get through TSA with no issues. They tend to single out bikers.
“Good cause I’m feeling naked and exposed out here without them. Do we have allies from other Chapters?” Stryker asks.
“The Royal Bastards MC. Steam reached out to them and they know our situation. The only problem is I’m not sure how much we can trust them.” Kayne answers.
I spot Krimson heading our way being flanked by her boyfriend, another man with dark skin and dark hair with blonde highlights. “Kayne, she’s here.” I interrupt.
Kayne shifts his body so he can see Krimson coming. People move out of her way, like Noah parting the sea. Her authority and confidence are stunning. Her blonde hair is tied in a messy bun on the top of her head and her long legs are gracefully pulling her toward us. She has on dark jeans and a black and white tank top. Krimson’s boyfriend, Nolan, is shielding her from anyone stepping up behind her on her right side. His brown hair is cropped close to his head in a military cut. He has on jeans and a blue t-shirt, hugging his muscles underneath. Tattoos snake up and down his tanned arms and his whiskey-colored eyes are watching everyone and everything that gets too close. The other man next to Nolan is wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans. He’s protecting her left side constantly scanning the surrounding area.
Krimson smiles when she reaches us and gives Poison a hug first, then Kayne. “So great to see you again. This is Nolan,” she says smiling at Nolan. “And this is Rush.” Krimson points to the man with dark skin. “Come on, we’re double parked this way and drivers around here are impatient.” Krimson waves to the rest of us and we all follow her to the three cars parked at the end of the passenger pick up. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the City of Angels. Climb aboard and we’ll get you to your destination in top speed.” There’s a glint in her brown eyes when she opens the driver’s side door of her silver Shelby GT 500. Nolan climbs into the driver’s side of a black Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. The o
ther guy, Rush, stands by a dark blue Nissan GTR.
After stowing our bags in the trunks of the cars, Kayne, Poison and Stryker climb into Krimson’s car. Me, Siren and Butch climb into Nolan’s car and Duke and Talon climb into the third car. Apprehension sits in the pit of my stomach when I get in the cramped back seat with Siren.
“Don’t worry, Krimson will look out for you guys,” Nolan states as he fires up the Dodge Challenger and follows Krimson out of the airport. “Noah got you all some bikes to ride while you’re out here. Krimson insisted to help make you feel at home. I know this isn’t a vacation trip, but you should find time to check out the beaches and familiarize yourselves with the area. I recommend staying off the 405 during rush hour. Oh, and lane splitting is legal out here.” Nolan grins but there’s a warning in his eyes.
“Spit it the fuck out,” I grumble from the back seat, keeping my eyes on Nolan.
He narrows his whiskey-colored eyes in the rearview mirror. “If she gets hurt because of you, I will fucking end you. I don’t know you, nor do I trust you. But Krimson does. Remember I have a reach in every corner of the US and if you try to hide, I will find you.” Nolan’s jaw ticks as he speaks. He grips the steering wheel tight and I can hear the leather cover creak under his hands. He shifts the car smoothly and guns the gas, throwing me back in my seat. We’ve got to be going around eighty miles an hour.
“Noted and stored away. I’m not out here to cause Krimson any problems. She helped us when we needed her in Michigan and now she’s helping again. I’d rather not involve her or anyone else in this fucked up shit, but Kayne insisted she know.” I break eye contact with Nolan and look out the window, watching the scenery fly past us.
“Tell me what you’re trying to do. Maybe my guys can help,” Nolan offers, speeding up even more.
“I’d rather not but since you’re here, you should know.” I watch the palm trees and desert speed past us in a green and brown blur. Siren squeezes my hand offering me support and comfort. I squeeze it back. “Four years ago I met this girl named Monica. We were dating on and off for a year. She kept begging me to leave the Club and it caused more fights than I want to remember. I’m loyal to my patch and family. The last night I saw her alive, we had another fight. The next day I went to break things off with her only to find her apartment ransacked and blood everywhere. She disappeared without a word. It’s been haunting me ever since. Rooster found her out here living the high life with some porn star king in Venice Beach. I need answers to why her apartment was coated in blood and why she left before I can move on.”
Nolan downshifts with ease and turns onto a long winding driveway set off the main road. He pulls his car behind Krimson’s and turns it off. He shifts in his seat, looking straight at me like he can see into my soul. “Are the answers you’re looking for that important? Is it worth dragging up and rehashing or should it stay buried in the past?”
It’s like he knows something I don’t. There’s a haunting look in his whiskey eyes that I’m familiar with. “You’ve been in my shoes before.” I state. Nolan nods his head and climbs out of the car. I follow with Butch and Siren close behind. “What did you do?”
Nolan’s jaw tightens before he answers. “I did what you’re doing. Only thing is I didn’t have a choice. You do, Blayde. You have a choice to let it stay in the past or face it head on.”
“I’m facing it. I need answers and if this is where the help stops, I won’t hold anything against you. My hands are stained and my soul is damaged. I’ve killed for less and this bitch will answer for the damage she’s done.”
“Are you sure she’s the one that caused the problems?” Nolan asks.
Everyone is gathered around us, watching and waiting. No one knows what I know and it’s a secret I’ve held close to my chest. It’s what fuels me on to be the asshole I know I am. To do the things I’ve done, the lives I’ve taken. The betrayal she’s caused no one knows about. Not even Kayne. I’ve kept this secret buried inside of me for the past four years. It’s my secret and if I can keep it, I will.
“I’m positive.” I avoid looking at Kayne or Siren and cast my eyes down onto the driveway. He’s going to have tons of questions I don’t want to answer.
“Blayde, what aren’t you telling me?” Kayne asks.
“Nothing.” I answer quickly.
“Fine,” Kayne growls low in his throat. “If whatever you’re not saying causes any deaths, the blood is on your hands, brother.”
“My hands are already stained,” I declare holding them up. “I sink my blade deep into human flesh, cut people to pieces and I enjoy it. If that makes me fucked up, then so be it. Monica has done enough damage and I want to end this. I want to put the past to rest and move on.”
Krimson approaches us and steps between Kayne and me. “Let’s take this inside. My house might be secure but any and all conversations should be within the walls not out here.”
I grab mine and Siren’s bags out of the car and stomp up the driveway onto a back porch. There’s a huge deck looking over the ocean with a pool right in the middle. Pissed off and agitated, I don’t even bother to check out the scenery surrounding me. I follow Krimson inside. She leads me up a set of metal open stairs onto the second floor.
“This is your room.” She twists the doorknob and opens the door. “Don’t worry about bunking with anyone. I have enough rooms here for all of you.”
“Just me and Siren in here will be good. Thanks.” I answer.
“I’ll leave you to it then.” Krimson turns to leave but shifts back around. “For whatever it’s worth, I’ve been in your shoes. Thinking I could protect those around me with my secrets. Turns out it hurt them and myself in the long run. Don’t hide from your past, Blayde. You’re smarter than that.” With those parting words, Krimson leaves the room and my mind is running a million miles an hour. She’s right, I should come clean with the last secret, but now isn’t the time. If it comes down to it, I’ll tell Kayne but not right now. There’s no need for him to know.
Chapter 22
Siren
Blayde’s hiding something again and I don’t know what to do. I watch him as he follows Krimson into the house and disappears without a word to anyone. His shoulders are tense and the scowl on his face is heartbreaking. He hasn’t had it easy and I hope he gets the answers he’s searching for soon. I don’t know how much longer he can take this without snapping.
“He’ll be OK. I promise,” Poison slings her arm around my shoulders and leads me to the back deck. The sun is rising behind us, casting the Pacific Ocean in a beautiful mix of purple and red hues. There’s a chill in the air and a shiver rolls down my spine. I walk to the edge of the deck and lean over the iron railing separating me from the sand and the ocean below. The waves crash against the shoreline drowning out my thoughts. I need to keep a clear head and help Blayde.
I watch as the sand shifts with the waves, changing each grain, never to be the same again. Kind of like my life. Events that happened over the years changed me. With each good or bad thing that happened to me making me the way I am. But with Drex dead, my mom getting the help she needs and my father watching from the shadows, I can breathe easier. I feel like the sand. When the tide drifts away, a new shape takes form. A new start until something tries to pull me under and I vow to myself right here, right now, as I watch the sand take on a new form, I won’t let it pull me under anymore. I will be strong. I will be ready. I will be ruthless.
A movement to my right catches my attention. A young man and a woman are walking together up the beach. They’re laughing as they dodge the water’s edge, her arm wrapped around his. Once they reach the spot I’m at, they wave. My fingers curl around the iron railing, the coolness biting into my skin. I don’t wave back. I watch them as they come around the deck and up the stairs. The woman is talking really fast in Spanish and the guy is laughing at what she’s saying. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on edge as they approach me.
Krimson comes out o
f the house with Nolan hot on her heels, slamming the door behind them. “What are you guys doing here?” She asks.
“We wanted to meet your guests,” the woman says with a thick Spanish accent. “Dios Mios, my God. Do all bikers look like you?” She fans herself as she winks at Stryker and Kayne. Poison is standing next to Kayne curling her fingers into fists at her sides.
“Hotflash, you can’t say stuff like that to strangers. Now control yourself.” Krimson turns her attention to Kayne, Poison and Stryker. “Ignore Hotflash. She doesn’t know a filter. You should have seen her when Nolan and his men first arrived. She planted her ass on the couch for days and refused to leave.”
“Hermana, don’t be spilling my secrets.” Hotflash says with a smile. Her dark curly hair whipping wildly around her face and she tries to calm it but it’s no use. It keeps hitting the guy standing next to her in the face. He has a lip ring and an eyebrow ring. His face has a couple days of stubble making him look handsome with a hard edge. His blonde hair is a stark contrast to his tanned skin. “I’m harmless, really. And by the look on your face,” she points to Poison, “I’d guess you want to rip me apart. It looks like you can do it too with no remorse. No worry, I don’t want your man. I just like to enjoy the views. How can you not, no?”
That has me releasing a deep chuckle and Hotflash spots me, smiling back. “She has a point. I remember the first time I saw these guys. I thought for sure my eyes were going to pop out of my head and my tongue was permanently on the floor. Relax Poison, she’s harmless.” Poison doesn’t say a word, she narrows her hazel eyes at the both of us. If looks could kill, we’d both be six feet under. Kayne wraps his arm around her slender shoulders and whispers something in her ear. Her body relaxes a little and she smirks.
“I’m Redline. It’s good to officially meet you guys.” The guy with blonde hair says. He sticks his hand out to Kayne and Kayne accepts.
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