by K Harris
“This den is a hangout spot that both women and men can enjoy. Both women and men run in pacts or cliques like wolves anyway. When in a comfortable atmosphere, both tend to get rambunctious while hanging. Hence the huge logo of two wolves howling at the moon with the name in script. I thought that it would give off the vibe of being partial to women and men. No one is excluded from the den besides children.” For some strange reason, no one was surprised by the name that I chose for the sports bar. If anything, they seemed really pleased and open minded – they were however shell-shocked at my quiet demeanor.
“From the sudden stiffness and hush that fell over you, I can only assume that your mystery man has arrived,” Ma-2 commented. As if he were summoned to my section, he was headed in our direction.
“Damn,” I whispered to myself. His signature look consisted of black jeans, black boots with loose laces, a plain black t shirt, and his jacket never looked so good. His confident swagger rendered me speechless. Everything about him screamed danger to my resolve, to my sense of fight or flight – Wolf was going to be one serious opponent.
“You can say that again,” I heard around me.
“Ladies,” he greeted the gathering around me.
“Hey Wolf,” I could have sworn a few of them purred his name. The quick snap in their direction and they were cackling like hens. Before I realized my mistake, the whole room knew that I was perturbed with others flirting with him. Taking a chance, I looked at him to see if he caught it as well. Though his facial expression spoke seriousness, the undertone of humor spoke to me.
“Wolf, is it? How are you this evening? I am Sydni’s mother, Leslie.”
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Leslie, my government name is Tremaine but as you may have heard everyone around calls me Wolf.”
“Very interesting road name indeed, may I ask why they call you Wolf?” Mae asked skeptically. “By the way, I am Sydni’s stepmother Mae.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you and it was given to me by Cage actually. When I was stationed overseas, I was told that I moved stealthily stalking the prey. Always on the lookout and watched over my comrades. He said when I moved to town two years ago, I moved seamlessly and quietly.”
“A military man,” both mothers commented truly impressed. That was a hard feat within itself. Hearing him speak more than a few words regarding himself was refreshing. He was opening up in a major way, definitely more than I have ever witnessed.
“Any family?”
“No ma’am, well besides the Knights. Maybe one day,” he commented, and I didn’t miss the quick glance in my direction.
“Indeed,” the mothers retorted.
While my eyes were glued on Wolf, the others quietly crept away. Distractedly, I didn’t notice until his eyes were on me. His captivating stare shook me down to my heels. As if I were in a trance, I couldn’t look away. This was a dangerous man and the attraction that I felt for him could destroy me if misused.
“Congratulations Syd.”
“Thank you and thanks for coming.”
“Of course, did you doubt that I would come?”
“You aren’t around much so I didn’t know what to expect.”
“The brothers kept me in the loop on your accomplishments and the opening.”
“…” I nodded my head thinking that he was only here under his obligation to the club.
“I would have much rather received a personal invite, but I guess word of mouth will have to do.”
“Nymphomaniacs would probably prefer a continuous nut, but life isn’t always fair.”
“There goes a peak of the Syd that I have grown to know, I was beginning to worry.”
“Why would you worry about little ole me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Asking a question with a question,” I rolled my eyes.
“Just as evasive as you tend to be at times,” he countered with a shrug.
“How is Nashville?”
“It’s the city, once you’ve seen one you have seen them all.”
“I didn’t know that you were once in the military.”
“You never asked.” Wolf nonchalantly stated. “Let’s be real, you’ve never asked me anything and we have done so little talking since you first noticed me.”
“That’s not true,” I tried to deny but deep down I knew he was right.
“Demanding that I release your hands is hardly what I consider as asking me anything. Asking about the whereabouts of Dez definitely doesn’t count.” One thing about Wolf that both intrigued me and unnerved me, he had no problem giving direct eye contact when speaking.
“I guess the same could be said for you.”
“If you had opened your eyes and actually looked at me, you would have seen that I wasn’t the typical dude and I damn sure don’t resemble your normal fuckboys.”
“Damn, a straight shooter I see. I don’t know whether to be insulted or impressed.”
“It wasn’t meant as an insult, just giving you my observation.”
“I guess it’s safe to say that we don’t know each other very well.”
“Agreed.”
“Is there a way to rectify that?” I asked lightly.
“There are plenty of ways to rectify our lack of knowledge where the other is concerned. Whether you are ready to openly accept all that I am and all that I represent, only time will tell.” Wolf stated with ease. “Have a great night, Syd.” With a tip of the head, he simply walked away. It didn’t take long for everyone to swarm the area where I still stood, rooted in that one spot.
Nothing about his approach was rehearsed, this man was all authentic and he was right. Only time will tell whether I am truly ready for a man to enter into my life. Am I capable of accepting such a man that shoots my bullshit down that I will surely cast in his direction? Always being in control of my happiness, how I move and shake, am I prepared to depend on another human being?
That answer is a flat ass no, but I’m willing to figure out why and what to do next. With everything in me, I wanted Tremaine aka Wolf but not before I got my shit together. That was going to be harder to accomplish whether I wanted to admit it or not. Though professions would say that it wasn’t a good idea to attempt a relationship when your damaged goods, my sick craving for his dominance was telling another story. My bark was damn sure putty in the hands of his bite.
~
“Girl, I have been calling you all night. Had me worried out of my mind,” I rushed Dez as soon as she opened the door. “You got Nix ready to scour the town looking for Dudley Dimwhit and her pack of hoes. Her words, not mine.”
“Dudley Dimwhit?” She laughed. It was true Nix came up with some clever sayings and insults when needed. “I can only assume Double D’s told y’all what went down at Earnestine’s.”
“You would assume right. Were you hurt?”
“Girl, no. Them hoes got served an overdue asswhoopin’. I’m so sick of everyone stepping to me about a man that isn’t even mine and other mundane shit. Hell, I had no clue that the merry hoes were evicted from the compound.”
“That was what this shit was about? You have got to be kidding me.” I exclaimed. “It’s not like the bitches are homeless or something.”
“What do you mean?”
“The guys set them up with some apartments and some job leads if they apply themselves. It’s not like Cage exiled them from town or told them they could never come around the compound again. He let it be known that their living on the compound had run its course. If you ask me, their removal was long overdue. Shit, they had become some damn freeloaders. They had no bills to pay, limited duties were given to them – what was their purpose? Other than available cunts, they had nothing to offer the MC.”
“Tell us how you really feel,” Dez giggled.
“I’m just saying they were a waste of the energy it took to raise the utility bill around that place. Now that the bitches call themselves trying to fight, a waste of oxygen as well. I’m surprised C
age is letting them continue to breathe after that.”
“He doesn’t know.”
“What do you mean he doesn’t know? Why not?”
“Arapaho told them to keep their mouths closed because they wanted to press charges. That damn shady ass Grady was on their side.” Dez rolled her eyes at the foolery, I can only imagine. “Anyway, I couldn’t help but agree. Maybe he shouldn’t know, especially with everything that is happening tomorrow. I have a busy day – I don’t need that shit to add to my stress.”
“I feel you but after this is over, you actually think he isn’t going to find out from someone.”
“I’m certain she will go crawling to him as soon as she physically can. Hell, I’m surprised he hasn’t already come beating down my door about this shit.”
“You think he would take up for Candie over you, come on now sis.”
“Though I may have insinuated that he was off-limits, we all know that is so far from the truth.”
“Girl bye, if anything when Cage finds out – he may hit the roof but for reasons yet to be told.”
“And what is that?”
“Wait, don’t think I have forgotten your sudden evasiveness regarding your whereabouts. Why haven’t you been answering your phone?”
“Oh, I wasn’t being evasive. I was with the aunties.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t evasive at all.” I mocked. The look on her face screamed I have a secret, or something is going on that she was afraid to speak out loud. “Oh shit, is Ethan here or something?”
“What?!? No,” she mugged me like I was just talking about her mama or something. “Syd, I have to tell you something but you gotta promise to keep this between us.”
“You know I got you.”
“I’m pregnant,” Dez said and I was rendered speechless. It was clear that she was about to reveal something but this I didn’t expect. “The reason I was missing in action was that the aunties made me go to the emergency room to get checked out. They said that it was evident that I was pregnant. They could see it in my face or something. Whatever that shit means,” she shrugged after rambling for a minute.
“OH MY GOD! I’m gonna be an auntie!” I shrieked.
“That’s one way of putting it,” she giggled.
“How far along are you?”
“Ten weeks.”
“Oh shit, right before the cabin trip.”
“Yes.”
“Cage is going to flip his shit?”
“No shit, but for which reason? The fact that I was fighting some hoes that are under the club’s protection. How about that I am pregnant while fighting? Better yet, that I am pregnant at all? Will he even believe me? Will he want this?”
“Yo, you need to stop stressing. Tomorrow is a big day and you will have enough on your plate for that alone. Don’t worry about Cage or his reaction. Everything will be fine, trust me.” I hugged Dez from the side. “Now I really feel bad about waking you up to explain yourself. How did the ER visit go? Is the baby all right?”
“Yeah, the little bean is fine.” She smiled in awe. “Truthfully, she didn’t get a hit anyway, but it still doesn’t make it any less dangerous. I had a feeling that I was pregnant about a week ago. My period last month was spotty at most. Though I was cranky as shit, that is now chopped up to the influx of hormones and the doctor said the extreme cramps was my uterus prepping itself.”
“Thankfully, I have a capable staff now so whatever you need me to do tomorrow – I got you.”
“Thanks all the girls said that they would be around. I need you all now more than ever just so I don’t overexert myself.”
“Does anyone else know besides me and my mamas?”
“No, no one. I need to tell Cage first.”
“My lips are sealed then.”
“Thanks sis.”
Only if Dez knew what was in store for her, she wouldn’t worry about where Cage’s loyalties lie. One thing was for sure, Candie’s ass had better pray for her soul because when he hears what shenanigans she has been up to, he is going to blow a fuse for sure. True enough no one knows about her pregnancy but the fact that she attempted to jump her period will be enough to land on his shit-list. The after party to celebrate Dez’s grand openings has a guess list that will be strictly enforced, that hoe had better not show up. An additional ass whooping may be dished if she shows her face. No doubt she will bring chaos if she were allowed. Now more than ever, I am convinced that Candie should stay far away from our celebration. As the VP, it was my duty to make sure this happens.
Chapter Six
Wolf
The grand opening for Syd’s Wolf Den was a success indeed. It wasn’t until the steady stream of celebrations popping off that I realized how much I missed seeing my family. From seeing my brothers every day to everyone else that is quickly becoming important in my life – I missed everyone. One person stands out from all the rest no matter how much love I had for them, that was Sydni. That woman could tie me into knots and relieve my stress in one flick of the wrist. From a bought of anger to silly girlish giddiness, I was that adolescent who wanted to act out in order to be noticed.
There was no short of women in Nashville, that was for sure. Many of them were quite forward in their approach, only one has gotten a shot and that was out of desperation. A seriously drunken night after hanging at an after-hours spot at the parlor led to some reckless fucking. This chick was bad, there was no denying that, but she read more into our encounter than I would have liked.
Amber was about five foot ten, butter toffee skin tone, average tits with a fat ass. She flirted nonstop with me the night we first met and in my tipsy state, she reminded me a lot of Syd. Slick tongue holding nothing back regarding her intensions for a night with me. So sick of the weird vibe that I was getting from Syd and the off chance that she was fucking others, I let loose. Amber was a mad freak with a mouth to make any man shout like a porn star, but it was clear that this wasn’t her first rodeo. Not knocking her apparent advancements, the need to be careful was abundantly clear.
Strapping up tight as I could possibly get was only scratching the surface, pulling out when the deed was done finished the deed. The next day, I had no qualms about visiting the clinic for a workup and another return three months later to be sure. There were no chances I was taking in these streets. Some of these hoes were too damn reckless for me. In an off chance that Syd wanted to get her head out of the way to pursue something serious, I wanted to take the necessary precautions.
Later I found out that Amber was the sister of the shop owner that I worked under. That should have explained the reason for her always being around but somehow, I felt that there was more to the story. Her stalkerish tendencies raised major red flags but it was nothing that I couldn’t handle. If anything, I avoided the chick like a plague. The more she would try to corner me, the slicker I became with my disappearing acts. Afterhours hanging quickly became a thing of the past and whenever the urge arose, I made the hour-long trip home instead of staying in town. Though the distance wasn’t the problem, traveling after working long hours in the shop did pose a safety concern.
This time home was a little different as I had to take off an entire week for the festivities and a business trip that I had to take for the club. Luckily, the shop was closed on Sunday and Monday by law, but Friday and Saturday were the busiest. Dale wasn’t pleased with the time that I needed to take off, but he would have to get over it. He valued my expertise and was steadily trying to get me to take up permanent residence in his shop. That was the last thing I wanted to do. Though he was a good mentor, the desire to open my own shop will forever be my end game.
“Brother, how much longer?” Wood asked.
“What’s good Wood? I have another month of this back and forth shit.”
“Cool, then what?”
“Since you already know about my business endeavors, I can only assume you are speaking about our dear Sydni.”
“You already know,” he deadpanned.
“No worries brother, when she is ready, I will be there to claim what is destined to be mine.”
“It won’t be long.”
“You think so,” I zeroed in on the object of my affections.
“I know so,” he smirked and walked away leaving a pat on my shoulder.
“Hey there Wolf, I thought I saw you creeping into the room.” Mae greeted me with a hug.
“Hey, I don’t know if I should call you Miss Mae or auntie Mae.” I joked.
“It doesn’t much matter to me as long as I can call you son in law soon.” She said with a smirk.
“Well damn, I see where Syd gets that quick tongue from.”
“Trust me, I am no better.” Leslie joked approaching us. “Hey there sweetie, how are you tonight?”
“I’m doing pretty good, can’t complain.”
“You were raised by older people, weren’t you?” She laughed.
“Why do you say that?”
“That response is something my mama and granny used to say.”
“Mine too,” Mae cosigned.
“Yes ma’am, my grandmother raised me. She was the reason I joined the service to get away from the foolery that I grew up around.”
“How long has it been?” Mae solemnly asked.
“Almost eight years now,” I answered honestly.
“Was she your only family?”
“The only family I choose to acknowledge, yes ma’am.”
“We all have family members like that,” Mae said.
“Well, you are surrounded by family now.” Leslie added.
“The longer I am around you all the more I see that to be true indeed.”
“So, when do we need to go dress shopping?”
“That depends on Sydni, mother dears.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” Leslie cheesed.
“You young men are coming around just as I suspected you all would.” Mae said just as Candie came flying from the back with the quickness as if she’d seen a ghost.