by Erin Trejo
That’s when I see it. That’s when I see him. In the darkness that surrounds me, there is one tiny spot of light.
“Drake?”
“Hi dad!”
The end
VIKING
Chapter 1
VIKING
“Fin! Get the fuck over here,” I roar as I stand here holding a box addressed to his sister.
“What’s wrong?” he asks out of breath from hauling ass over to me.
I shake my head and look down at the box once more. “You wanna tell me what the fuck a will-a-dong box is?” I ask holding the brown wrapped box up for him to see.
He shrugs and asks, “How the fuck should I know?”
“It’s addressed to your goddamn sister.”
“He’s right. It is mine. Thank you.”
Speak of the fucking devil. Carnie struts right up to us snatching the box out of my hands with a smirk on her face.
“And since when do you fuckin’ live here? I don’t remember you movin’ in,” I ask her.
Carnie turns on her heel and sticks her tongue out at me. For a twenty-two-year-old she is pretty goddamn hot. Her long black hair hangs to her waist and her brown eyes shimmer in the lights.
If she wasn’t Fin’s sister, I would have fucked her senseless.
“Well, I can’t get it at home. My boyfriend would kill me.” The look in her eyes sets alarms off in my head. Why would he care?
“Why? What the fuck is in the box?” asks Fin. I’m not really sure I want the answer to that question after reading the label.
“Come over here and I’ll show you,” Carnie squeals and moves toward one of the empty tables. She rips open the box. As soon as it’s open Fin regrets asking.
“Jesus Christ I don’t need to see that shit Carn,” Fin snaps.
Carnie ignores him and starts pulling out the items and setting them on the table. This shit holds my interest, so I keep watching her. She pulls out a vibrator, butt plugs in various sizes, and nipple clamps. “I don’t even wanna see this.” I chuckle as Fin says once more and turns to walk away.
“Loser,” she screams at his back.
“Why bother to order it if your man won’t let you play with it?”
Carnie’s eyes come to meet mine. There’s sadness in them that I’m not sure I like seeing. I’ve known her for years. I don’t know much about her, but she comes around every so often.
“A girl has needs Viking. If the man isn’t filling them? Well, something has to.”
I walk closer to her and let my fingers run over one of the butt plugs as I step up behind her. Leaning down near her ear I whisper, “Maybe you just need a new man to show you what it’s like to be fucked until you can’t walk.” Carnie shivers as her body starts trembling in front of me.
“If I didn’t already have a boyfriend, I might actually take you up on that.” Her voice comes out softer than I thought it would. She’s always been so outspoken and loud, but now that I have her cornered she’s shy.
“Don’t give a damn about the boyfriend darlin’. You wanna know what a real fuck is like I’ll gladly show you. No strings attached.” I lay the offer out there for her. In the back of my mind I know that I shouldn’t be doing this since she’s so young and Fin’s sister. That should really put a halt to my actions, but it’s only a little friendly fucking.
“I don’t know. What if Eric finds out?” she whispers.
“Fuck Eric. He obviously isn’t fulfillin’ his manly duties. I didn’t tell you to strip naked right here, but the offer’s there if you want it.”
I press my lips to the spot behind her ear as I dart my tongue out and twirl it around. Carnie’s breath hitches.
“See ya around babe,” I tell her before turning to walk away. I have to adjust this fucking hard on I have before I can do anything work related.
“Hey Ink, you got a run down on those guns yet?” I holler at him.
He grabs his pad of paper and heads toward me before replying, “Yeah. We got a shit ton rollin’ in over the weekend. Tim has been gettin’ a hell of a lot down south. I don’t think sendin’ a
prospect this time around is the best idea though.” I nod my head and blow out a breath.
“I’ll handle it this round. Mason has shit to do and Grady is a fuck head.”
Ink chuckles and passes me the pad of paper. I glance down and smile as I look at the list. This is going to make us some major money.
“You like it?” Ink asks
I look back up at him and nod as I say, “Goddamn right I do. AR’s are gonna pull a shit ton on the streets. We’ve got those gangster ass fuckers lookin’ to buy this round. We’ll bump the price up on those assholes,” I tell him with a chuckle. Ink shakes his head as he blows out a ring of smoke.
“Yeah. They don’t know their heads from their assholes anyway. No one else around here is runnin’ the type of guns we are. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
“No doubt. Let’s get the grill fired up. We need to have a little bit of happiness around this motherfucker.”
Ever since Reaper died we’ve all been a little down. I’m not sure how we’ll pull back from his loss. He was a huge part of this club and he is dearly missed. Fin has his hands full with Reaper’s ex, Molly. She’s gone off the fucking rails since he and her kid died.
“You cookin’?” Mason asks walking up next to us with his arm around Whitley.
“Fuck no. I’m watchin’ the bitches cook while I drink.”
My eyes find Carnie as she moves through the room. I can’t help but notice her in that tiny ass skirt she’s wearing. That girl gives everyone a hard on, but she doesn’t even realize it.
“She movin’ in?” Mason asks nodding his head toward her.
“Fuck if I know, but she’s gettin’ shit shipped here,” I tell him.
“She’s a nice girl,” Whitley adds.
Girl? That word keeps playing through my head. She is just a girl compared to my thirty-six years.
Chapter 2
CARNIE
I love being at the clubhouse. I love the whole family vibe they’ve got going on. Fin has a good place here.
“You okay?” Tink asks pulling me into a side hug.
I love her too.
“Yeah. I’m just tired. Eric was being a dick again. He was mad that I wasn’t home when he got there. I’m sick of his shit. He sits there and snorts that shit all night and then wonders why I don’t want to stay there.”
Tink’s eyes narrow on mine.
“Don’t look at me like that Tink. I don’t care that he uses, but all the time? He’s just like my dad. I hate it,” I admit to her as she hugs me even tighter.
“I know. I didn’t mean to look at you like anything babe. It’s just Molly has been using a shit ton since Reaper and Drake died. She’s pretty much hooked. I hate it for her, so I get what you mean. Why don’t you stay with Fin?”
I cock my head to the side and stare at her before I reply, “I don’t think so. I have enough to deal with in the assholes Eric hangs out with. They all think they’re tough and shit. It annoys me,” I tell her while rolling my eyes.
Tink giggles when her eyes move over my head. I turn to see what she’s looking at and come face to face with Viking. His bright blue eyes burn into me as Tink clears her throat.
“Hey Viking. You okay,” she asks sweetly.
“Yeah. About to fire up the grills. I was just gonna tell Carnie she should stick around and eat,” he looks to Tink and then back to me. The intensity in his eyes is unnerving. I nod my head, suddenly finding my mouth dry.
“I uh...”
Jesus, I can’t even form words as the scent of his cologne mixed with leather burns my nose. I hear someone calling for Tink from behind us, but I can’t move. I’m locked in his presence and unable to respond. What in the hell is with me? I’ve been around him before and have never felt like this. Fucking hormones.
“You forget how to speak darlin’?” I shake my head and glance around
before he reaches toward me. He grabs my chin in his hands. “Stop fidgetin’. Fin’s busy. Now are you gonna stick around and enjoy the fun?”
“That depends on what the fun is,” I tell him as I watch the smile that lights up his face.
“There’s that little smartass I know. Don’t ever change for anyone Carn. You are who you are, and it’s sexy on you. I don’t know what happens at your place, but when you’re here, be you.”
His hand falls away before he walks past me. His shoulder brushes against mine as he goes. I close my eyes and try to catch my breath.
“He’s pretty hot right?”
When I open my eyes I see Whitley standing there smiling at me.
“He’s not bad,” I reply.
“Not bad? Shit he’s hot girl. Don’t even try to deny it. You should go after him,” she encourages me.
“Yeah, I don’t think so. I have a boyfriend Whit.” “He’s a complete douche. You need a real man.” “Like who?” Tink asks as she skips up to us.
“Viking. I told her she should go for it,” Whit tells her.
“He’s too old for her. He’s thirty-six,” Tink says while looking at her nails.
“I wasn’t interested anyway,” I mumble trying to ease the tension that has developed between us suddenly.
“That’s probably for the best. Viking doesn’t stay with one girl too long. Trust me, I should know,” Tink snaps before spinning on her heel and walking away. I watch her go before I blow out a breath. I don’t know what is going on with her today.
“Don’t listen to her. She’s always wanted to be an old lady, but that’s not going to happen. I liked Tink when I first got here, but the more I get to know her the less I like her. She’s a bitch.”
Whitley’s words make me laugh. I can’t help it. Whit laughs right along with me before she suddenly stops.
“That laugh is somethin’ I could get used to around here,” I hear Viking’s deep voice as it vibrates through my body. Whit just grins.
“I agree. I think she should come around more often. Don’t you think Viking?”
Damn it Whitley. Just shut up already.
“Oh, I do agree with you. Now we just have to convince her.”
My panties are nearly dripping with just listening to his voice.
I can’t even imagine what it would be like to actually be with him. “I’m going to go see what Fin’s doing,” I say quickly and walk away from the two of them.
I make my way through the main room and see Fin in the corner with Molly. I head in that direction and see her snort a line before she looks up. A small smile crosses her face when she sees me.
“Hey Carnie,” she waves toward me as if she’s excited to see me.
“Hey Molly. Fin can I talk to you for a minute?”
He nods his head and looks back at Molly to make sure she’s okay first. When he walks away from her, he tosses his arm around my shoulder. “What’s up sis?”
“Nothing. I was just wondering if you would mind if I stayed here tonight?”
“Problems at home? Is Eric fuckin’ up again?” he asks me in a harsh tone.
“He just has these new friends that come over all hours of the night. I just want one good night’s sleep,” I finally admit to him.
Fin sighs and hugs me against him as he says, “I don’t think Viking or Mason will mind. I’m not really sure who all will be here tonight, but I can hang back.”
I shake my head and lean up to press a kiss to his cheek. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll be fine. I’m just going to sleep anyways.”
“You sure? I don’t mind stayin’, but I’ll take you to breakfast in the mornin’, yeah?”
I nod my head and Fin kisses my cheek. “Let’s go party!”
Chapter 3
VIKING
That fucking girl has my dick in a knot tonight. Throughout the entire fucking cookout I couldn’t keep my eyes off her ass. The way she would move and sway to the music with the girls while grinding her ass all over the prospects. I wanted to snap their fucking necks and toss them to the curb. I worked hard as hell to keep myself in check. The more I drink, the more appealing the idea of fucking her becomes.
“You tryin’ to hit that prez?” Mason asks as he passes me a beer, but he doesn’t miss where my gaze is.
“No. I’m just wonderin’ why she’s hangin’ around so much lately.”
That thought has crossed my mind too. Carnie comes around to see Fin which is fine, but she’s been here a lot more lately. She is always a little hesitant when it comes time to leave.
“Maybe the boyfriend isn’t workin’ out so well?” Mason adds.
“Maybe. She could always drop his ass,” I say before taking a long pull from my beer.
“I don’t know about all of that. Last I heard the prick was part of that Rat Boys’ shit that’s been pickin’ up.”
“No shit? The same little fucks we plan on sellin’ to?” I ask hoping he’s wrong. I don’t like the sound of this shit, and I know Fin sure as hell won’t.
“Yeah, that’s them. Eric is supposedly pretty high up in that shit, but he uses a lot of his own product,” Mason grumbles.
We both stand there watching her, but the words that he just said are really throwing me off. I don’t like the idea of her being involved in that shit.
“I’m gonna talk to Fin. See what he has to say,” I mumble as I start to walk away.
“You sure that’s all this is?” Mason asks before I take even two steps.
I glance over my shoulder at him, “What the fuck difference does it make to you?” My tone is cold and honestly I don’t give a shit. What I do in my spare time has nothing to do with him.
I stalk toward Fin as he tries to corral Molly. She’s getting out of hand these days. “Hey Fin? I need a minute.”
He looks over at me and sighs. He almost looks grateful that I called him away from her. Molly giggles and takes off towards the keg. I can’t do much more than just shake my head.
“You sure you know what you’re doing with her?” I have to ask the obvious question.
“Fuck no. Not even on my good days, but I promised Reaper. I can’t back down on that now.”
I understand. I truly do, but this has been just as hard on him as it has been on her.
“I wanted to ask you about Carnie. You know the fuck she’s with is the one we’re sellin’ to?”
Fin runs his hand through his hair and nods, “I know. He’s not quite the leader, but pretty far up there. As far as I know they pose no threat to us. Has that changed?” he asks looking over at me. I shrug.
“Not that I know of either. I was just wonderin’ if he’s doin’ right by her. She’s been hangin’ around a lot lately.” Fin goes to open his mouth, but before he can say anything I speak first, “I’m not sayin’ she can’t be here Fin. You know I don’t give a shit. She’s more than welcome here. There’s just been some talk. That’s all.”
“I appreciate that. I’ve asked her to stay at my place, but she refuses. Speakin’ of, she wants to stay here tonight. I didn’t know who would be around.”
I hadn’t planned on staying, but I sure as fuck do now. I’m not going to tell him that though.
“I’ll be around. She’s welcome anytime Fin. You know that. I just wanted to make sure her man wasn’t an issue is all,” I tell him as I slap a hand on his shoulder. He nods and takes another puff off of his cigarette.
“I’ll talk to her. We’re about to head out.”
I nod my head and turn back toward Mason. The party is slowly winding down. It was fun while it lasted. We did a lot of drinking and reminiscing about the past. It’s kind of what we do. We’re missing our brother, and his kid. You never truly get over the loss of someone that close to you. Reaper showed up a scrawny kid, but he turned into a good man. He was a trusted brother.
“All good?” Mason asks.
“Yeah. I’m headin’ in. I’m stayin’ here tonight. Drank a little more than I should have,
” I chuckle.
Mason grins and nods his head, “See you tomorrow prez.”
I give him a half wave and take my drunken ass back inside. I head straight to the bar and grab a few shots and some cigarettes. As I turn to head down the hallway, I see her. She is sitting on the floor curled into herself. Sobs can be heard down the hall, but when I step up next to her she stops. Her head pops up and she wipes her eyes quickly.
“What’s with the tears?” I ask her trying to sound at least a little comforting.
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
That right there. The nothing, I’m fine bullshit tells me just how young she really is. Not a lot of women will say that shit. Nope, they blurt it the fuck out, whatever it is that’s bothering them and expect you to make it all better.
“I’m goin’ to my room. You wanna drink or talk come on in.”
I walk past her and head into my room. I kick the door closed behind me. I don’t have time to baby her. I’m drunk, horny as fuck, and damn near on the verge of calling Tink. I set my shots on the night stand and pull a joint free from the drawer. I drop onto the bed, light it up, and inhale. It doesn’t take long before the door cracks open and the sexy little tear stained face of Carnie walks in. She stands hesitantly in the doorway looking at the floor.
“You gonna come in or just stand there?” I ask her inhaling once more.
Carnie closes the door slowly before walking toward the bed.
She sits on the edge and starts wringing her hands in her lap.
“You smoke?” I ask her as I hold the joint out to her.
She takes it with a shaky hand. She brings it up to those perfectly plump lips and fuck me; I need to get my head together.
Chapter 4
CARNIE
My head feels fuzzy and my limbs are now numb. I’m not much of a smoker, but damn I feel good.
So much better than I did before. Viking passes me a shot, which I take down quickly.
“You wanna talk about why you were cryin’?” Viking asks as he lies back on the bed and props his arms behind his head. I giggle a little as he smiles lazily up at me.