Pops

by Screaming Mimi

  Before long, the voices calmed and, Gar was back on the phone. “You want me to bring her back? I can tie her to my bike and drag her back with me.” Before I could answer, I heard what sounded like a loud thump on the other end of the line.

  “You tell this.... this lummox to let me go on my way Castor. I’m not your property; I don’t belong to you or your club.”

  “Hey, I was only supposed to follow you doll-face, but you got yourself into trouble. I could have let Mr. Creepy clerk guy have his way with you. Why did you hit me so hard with that thing? Now I have a lump on my head, I think I’m bleeding. Look, yep, I’m bleeding. Here I go and rescue you, and what do you do to your hero, you try to kill him.” I was torn between laughing at the exchange and growling at Beth or Gar, or both of them.

  “Quit being a big baby, I barely touched your precious head. I swear men are such babies. Now back to the issue at hand. Castor, tell your behemoth to let me go on my way.” I choked down my laughter as I tried to convince her to wait for me where she was.

  “Come on Bethy, I’m just trying to keep you safe, you know that. Don’t blame Gargoyle for doing what I asked him to do. Stay there with him and I’ll be there as soon as possible, I don’t want you giving yourself over to these guys.” I knew I needed to tell her about what we found out if I was going to convince her to stay. When I finished, she was silent for several minutes, I thought I was getting through to her that she would stay put.

  “Holy fuckballs, I mean I never.... he’s been a cruel bastard, but I never thought he’d do something like that to me.” She started to sob into the phone, and I heard it drop on the floor, that’s when Gar must have picked it up.

  “Was that really necessary man? She’s scared enough as it is, telling her that sick shit was just over the top, even for you.” I growled into the phone, he had the nerve to question my motives.

  “Believe me I took no pleasure in that, asshole, she’s stubborn. I need her to be scared, so she keeps her ass where it is. Now give me your location so I can come get her, and keep your fucking hands to yourself, got me.”

  “Yeah, I got you; I know she’s off limits asshole. I just hate seeing women cry, it’s like nails on chalkboard for me. We’re at the Victory Inn in Dell. You remember Flo’s Diner with that hot little waitress we hit on a few years ago. What was her name again, oh yeah, Renee? She was one hot little piece of ass. Maybe I’ll go back over there and see if she still works there.” I ground my teeth wishing he’d shut the hell up. I was no saint, but having Bethy listen to any of my exploits made me cringe.

  “Yeah, I remember dickhead, mind shutting the fuck up about shit like that around my girl. Keep her in your sights; she’s a sneaky little thing. I’ll head out shortly, until then sleep with one eye open.” Gar grunted in response before hanging up. He was trying to goad me, as usual; I should know this by now.

  Chapter Six

  BETH

  Gargoyle, the beast, helped me move to my new room, the one that creepy clerk gave him the keys for. He wouldn’t let creeper within five feet of me when he returned to the room with the new keys. Growling in the guy’s face something I couldn’t make out, made creepy clerk guy almost jump over the railing right outside to get away from him.

  Gargoyle refused to tell me his real name, as if it was against some unspoken rule or something. I’d been trying for the past hour to get him to tell me and he kept grunting at me like a damn pig.

  “I bet you don’t want to tell me because it’s such an embarrassing name you might lose street cred. Alright Rumpelstiltskin if I can guess your name, you have to release me.” Shaking his head with a slight smile ghosting his lips, I knew I’d finally gotten through his tough guy exterior.

  “Go right ahead and guess missy, but I’ve been Gargoyle for as long as I can remember. I don’t even think the guys know my real name.” He sat with his back against the headboard of the second bed in the room, still fully dressed in his leathers, looking comfortable. I didn’t think he was as comfortable as he was projecting though.

  “Fine, but if I guess right you have to let me go, so I can finish what I started. Don’t give me that look, even knowing what lies ahead, I need to do what I have to, to keep those I care about most safe. You wouldn’t know what that’s like; you’re just following Castor’s orders to keep me here.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest glaring at me; I mocked him by taking up his exact posture from other side of the room.

  “Pops was right; you are one spitfire of a thing aren’t you. Settle down sweet cheeks, he’ll be here by morning and then I can leave you in his care. Until then try to get some sleep, I’m sure you’ll need your energy when he gets here.” Smirking, he waggled his eyebrows at me. It made me want to beat the living shit out of him for his assumption.

  “Seriously, we fucked one time, it’s not like we’re together. I know the score when it comes to you guys and women. I’m not stupid or naive enough to believe I’m special. Besides I don’t want to be owned by anyone, and that’s exactly what would happen, no thank you.” He sat up scowling at me. Actually I wasn’t sure if that was his normal face or if he was actually scowling. Frankly unless he was smiling all of his looks looked the same to me. Almost like resting bitch face, but for a guy, like resting dickhead face.

  “Are you really that stupid sweet cheeks? Do you think he would have me tailing you if you weren’t special to him? If he was in it just for a fuck, believe me I wouldn’t be here with a knot on the back of my head. Which still hurts by the way! I still don’t know why you hit me over the head.” I tried not to let his words warm my heart with the thought that I was more than just a fuck for Castor. There was no way I was more to him, men like him didn’t work that way.

  “Quit being such a baby, I barely hit you with that lamp. Besides, if you had just given me the phone when I asked for it, I wouldn’t have had to resort to hitting you over the head with the lamp in the first place. Now would I? Exactly, quit bitching and let me take a look, I do have some medical training.” He shook his head at me before darting across the bed to the other side.

  “No way am I letting you near me, last time I got hit. How do I know you won’t try to stab me this time? Besides you touch me and Pops will have my balls in a sling quicker than you can say nutless.” I wanted to laugh at his fear of Pops being pissed that I’d checked out his bump, but instead I was determined to take a look. I was pretty sure it wasn’t anything serious, but I’d feel bad if I’d actually done damage to the poor guy. He was only doing his job, even if that job kept me from my goal. I jumped on his back as he raced to get away from me, wrapping my legs around his middle so I wouldn’t fall, even though he was trying to shrug me off, I started exploring the bump I was responsible for.

  “Hold still while I check, it will take five seconds if you just hold still. Why do men have to be such big babies when it comes to getting hurt? HOLD STILL!” Finally, he decided to give in and plunked back down on the bed with me still attached. I was considerably grateful for his acquiesce, because I was starting to get dizzy from being up so high. The dude felt like he was seven feet tall, even though I knew it was probably closer to six, he was just huge. Damn tree!

  “You need to make this quick, seriously Beth, please go back over to your bed, on your side of the room.” He seemed to be straining to get the words; I noticed his jaw was clenched tight. I probed the knot quickly; it had stopped bleeding, so I scrambled off the bed.

  “There, you big lummox, I’m sorry I hit you.” With that, I slumped onto my bed staring off to the opposite side of the room, with my back turned away from him. Yes, I know I was pouting like a little girl, but I couldn’t help myself.

  “Thank you.” He responded gruffly. I didn’t even glance back at him; I was too pissed off to even give him a reply.

  Silence ensued for a good part of an hour before I heard the television click on. He was flipping through the channels, browsing, when he stopped on one of those home improvement
shows. You know the ones where they swap houses and redesign a room; he seemed really into it. When I glanced over at him he was taking notes, Mr. Too-Big-and-Scary, was taking notes on how to decorate your living room on a budget.

  “I figured you for porn, not decorating. You sir are an enigma, wrapped in a puzzle.” He glanced over at me briefly, grunting, before returning to his note taking.

  “Have you seen Pops’s house? Do you know how many times that man redecorates? Don’t judge me! And I figured I’d steer clear of porn for your delicate sensibilities. I wouldn’t want to offend you.” I almost busted out laughing at his response; he thought he would offend my delicate sensibilities. That was rich considering I knew what awaited me at Michael’s club, and yet, I was still trying to get there.

  “I could show you some porn that would make you blush big man, and I’m not judging. You just didn’t strike me as a guy who liked to decorate. Unruffle your feathers, I didn’t mean anything by it, you caught me off guard that’s all.” We watched television making comments here and there about the design, some things we both liked, others we argued about whether they should even be included in the design. I started to relax a little around my protector, he wasn’t such a bad guy, he was just trying to do what he was asked to do, keep me safe. Really, you couldn’t fault him for that.

  I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew Gargoyle was putting a blanket over me. Jumping slightly at the sight of a man hovering over me he hushed me, telling me I was safe and to go back to sleep. I could have sworn I felt his lips on my forehead like I was a child being put to bed, but shook it off as my imagination and rolling over to sleep.

  POPS

  I wasn’t able to leave as soon as I thought I would, things seemed to come flying at me as soon as I hung up. Bart and Bliss showed up demanding to know what was going on with Bethy, I tried to keep it as much on point as possible, but my kids wouldn’t have any of it. They knew I was keeping shit from them. Both of them were striking similar no nonsense poses, refusing to move until I told them everything.

  “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you there with her, or dragging her back here away from those monsters?” Bliss grabbed me by my cut, crying, and yelling the whole time. Bart pulled her away and she curled up into his side. I was thankful they’d found each other, even after all the bullshit they’d been through.

  “I’m trying to head out, I promise to bring her back, kicking and screaming if I have to. Come on now, sweetheart, I refused to let those sonsabitches have her.” That’s when she looked at me hard, and her eyes lit up like Christmas trees.

  “You love her! Oh my God, you love her. No, don’t deny it; I can see it written all over your face. You only get that look for people you love, and you love her.” I thought she’d be mad, or think I was a crazy old man for even thinking Bethy could be mine, instead she threw her arms around me. “I’m so fucking happy for you Pops, go get your woman!” Looking over her head, I looked to Bart for help; he simply shrugged his shoulder in response.

  “You heard her old man, go get your woman. I’m taking my woman home, where I can comfort her properly.” Shaking my head at both of them, I again started toward my bike, to head out.

  “I do not need to hear that, ever again Bartholomew, ever again you hear me. Love you both; I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I waved behind my head as I walked away from them.

  Before I could make it to my bike however, Jesse ran right into me, causing me to grip her arms to keep from bowling her over. She jumped out of my arms like my hands were hot irons.

  “Sorry Pops, have you seen Matty? He said he had to come here for something, but didn’t say what. I haven’t heard from him in a couple of hours, and I’ve been calling. He’s here right? Please tell me he’s here!” She was shaking almost with what looked like fear in her eyes. I tried to reach out to her to comfort her, but she jerked away from my touch. This little girl was like a damn scared rabbit, and she’d chosen Matt to be her white knight, if that wasn’t the biggest joke there was. That boy never stayed with the same girl for more than one night, but this one had gotten under his skin somehow.

  “He’s here sugar, I have him working on something, but if you want to wait in the clubhouse for him you’re welcome to.” She looked like she was ready to bolt when I mentioned going to wait in the clubhouse, tears practically forming in her eyes.

  “That’s...that’s alright...I’ll just wait at home for him. I was just worried when he didn’t pick up.... I kind of yelled at him before he left. And... well I thought he’d left me.” She was looking at the ground, kicking the rocks around with her toes.

  “Honey, he had work to do here, I’m sure he’ll be home soon.” Spotting Matt walking towards us with a worried look on his face, I shrug my shoulder at him not knowing what else to do.

  “Jesse, what’s wrong? Did they show up at the house? Are you all right? They didn’t touch you did they?” The more he talked the more confused I became; Jesse flung herself in Matt’s arms apologizing into his neck. He began petting her back, while talking in hushed tones calming her down.

  “Is there something we need to know about, Matt? You know we are here to help with anything you got going on.”

  “No, I’m good Pops, if I need help though I know where to turn. I took care of what I needed to be taken care of, if you don’t need me anymore I’m going to take her home.” He was hiding something, but I didn’t have time to figure it all out, I needed to get moving to Bethy. I’d already wasted several hours talking to Bart and Bliss.

  “Take her home, and remember you’re our family, don’t try to bite off more than you can chew. Thank you for taking care of that problem for me. Jesse, honey, it was good seeing you again.” I was briefly aware of Matt telling Jesse she had nothing to apologize for, that he had been an asshole. If she didn’t have him eating out of her hand now, she would soon; maybe we were all wrong about Matt. Bliss wanted Matt to stay away from her friend, but they had bonded somehow, and it didn’t look like it was going to come undone anytime soon.

  It was a quandary for another day though; I needed to focus on my girl and getting to her before she did something stupid. Finally, reaching my bike, I was just about to start it up when Holland came barreling through the gate. He jumped out of his police cruiser running over to my bike.

  “Good, I caught you before you left. I got some information in about that club. It ain’t good Pops; as a matter of fact it’s fucking scary. What’s scarier is what I found out about Beth, you’ll never believe what I found out about her.” I listened intently as Holland gave me information that I was positive even Bethy didn’t know about, because I was sure if she had known she would have told me. There was a little bit of doubt, but I had to think the best of her, she wouldn’t hide something like this from me.

  “Are you sure about this information? There isn’t a possibility that it could be wrong in some way. Shit Holland, thank you.” He shook his head, as I sat there stunned, debating on the sanity of getting involved.

  “No problem, I gotta get back to work, they’ve got us searching for the bastard that destroyed her office space.” I couldn’t hold back my smirk at the thought they would never find him. He didn’t ask, and I didn’t volunteer the information, but by the look in his eyes he knew.

  BETH

  I woke with a start, the hair on my neck standing on end, there was something off, but I couldn’t pinpoint it. The first thing I noticed was the television was off; the quiet seemed to envelope the room. Turning my head, I saw Gargoyle look over at me putting his finger to his mouth to be quiet, and then he pointed for me to get down and behind the bed. I slowly made my way to the other side of the bed before gently lowering myself to the floor, praying it was Castor the whole time.

  Peeking over the mattress, I watched Gargoyle pull his gun from his waistband, before glancing over at my hiding spot. He made a quick motion telling me he wanted me down on the ground; I could hear his released breath wh
en I obeyed him. Everything was quiet, too quiet for a motel bustling with people, even as late as it was. It felt like we were in a sensory deprivation tank, only we could see just fine. Something was definitely off, and by the way Gargoyle was acting, he felt it too.

  I wanted to ask what the hell was going on, but I didn’t want him to lose focus. I almost screamed when he was suddenly crouching in front of me. “I want you to go into the bathroom as quietly as possible and lock the door, and no matter what you hear don’t come out. Nod if you understand sweetness.” I nodded as I began my move toward the bathroom as he made his way toward the window.

  Inching my way toward the bathroom, I kept low to the floor just in case. I’d just made it to the door when all hell seemed to break loose in the room. I don’t look back as I make a run for the last few inches just before I hear glass breaking, Gargoyles roar, and shots being fired. Looking around there was nothing to put against the flimsy door, and I hoped Gargoyle could handle whatever came at him. Briefly, I thought about my gun sitting in my purse beside the bed on the other side of the door. Damn stubborn man, I could have helped him.

  Of course, he would think that because I was a woman he had to protect me. I almost kicked myself for being irritated by him, even though I’d just been praying he’d be able to take care of whoever was out there with him. How much of a walking contradiction could I be? Shaking my head, I looked for something to use as a weapon should the need arise, imagining the surprise on Gargoyle’s face if I succeeded made me giggle a little. Seeing that the shower curtain rod loose, I pulled it from its position; it was awkward in size, but it could work to knock someone out.

  It sounded like a tornado was going on inside the room beyond my door, maybe Gargoyle was the tornado while the assholes he was fighting were Kansas. The walls shake as I hear screaming echo through the door, I’m praying that it’s not Gargoyle being hurt.