by Forgy, M. N.
He trips, falling to his knees. Crawling out of the underground he coughs with blood all over him.
Widening my stance, I aim my gun at him, my hand shaky as I’m about to kill the boogie man himself. Mothers will sleep better at nights, kids won’t be taken from the street anymore, and I can live knowing my demon is laid to rest.
The sound of motorcycles roar in the distance and my heart skips a beat knowing Machete came for me.
Cross rolls over onto his back and looks up at the sky. He’s weak and in pain, his fight little to none. The gun gripped tightly in my hand I head over to him. Blood drips from his eyes, the internal bleeding killing him slowly. Good.
“This is for every kid you’ve hurt, but most of all… this is for Gatz,” I whisper, remembering the pain on Machete’s face when he lost his friend. I wanted so badly to take that pain from him, to make it right. And I am, now.
“Raven don’t!” Zeek orders from behind me. Looking his way, I find all of the Outlaws looking at me with serious looks, all of them standing next to their motorcycles. Machete included. Lost in my own world I didn’t even hear them park.
I close my eyes, my hand shaking as I want to pull the trigger so bad. I can’t let him live, what if he gets away and comes for me again?
“We need him alive!” Mac informs with a begging tone.
I shake my head. “I can’t do that. He has to die, it’s the only way.” Tears fill my eyes as the warmth of the reaper breathes down my neck. Encouraging me to give him this soul, to gift him a sinner’s life that was meant to end long ago.
I look at the little boy who looks at me with innocence, sucking on his cute little fingers.
“Peek-a—”
He closes his eyes with a smile and I look down at cross.
“Boom,” I whisper, pulling the trigger and taking his fucking soul. A bullet strikes right into his skull. Instantly a cool rush of air wafts around me, dust kicking up around my feet as the burden of my past is lifted from my shoulders.
I’m free.
Machete
Blood and skull spray all over Raven. Painting her in a masterpiece of madness. It’s sexy.
The tightness in my chest easing, she didn’t betray me. She came to do exactly what she said she was. To kill Cross.
My nostrils flare at the smell of blood and a smile plays across my face as I watch her slay her past. That’s my girl. Strong and stubborn. Zeek and the boys groan in anger that she killed Cross, but I didn’t want to deliver him alive anyway. He killed Gatz.
Raven drops the gun to the ground as the wind suddenly kicks up out of nowhere. It wafts around her blowing her hair around. Slowly she turns, her stoic face looks to be in a daze as she bends down, picking up a kid. I noticed him before but didn’t give him much thought as I was worried about Cross reaching up and grabbing Raven.
A gun goes off in the distance and we all duck.
“Motherfucker!” Felix fires his gun, and a man falls to the ground right behind the shed.
Raven stands straight and heads right toward me now that the threat is gone, so I force my feet to move and go to her as Zeek and Felix head to Cross’s body.
Reaching Raven, her face is covered in soot and blood, her eyes filled with tears as she looks down at the kid with love in her eyes. It takes me aback.
He has red hair and green eyes. He’s cute, but does she know him?
Her eyes peer up under thick lashes.
“Machete, meet your son,” she whispers and my stomach knots so hard I can’t breathe. My eyes fall upon the little boy and I see… me.
“H-how?” I ask in disbelief, my hands run through my hair as I think about how this could be possible.
“Your wife dropped him off before she killed herself and Cross took him,” she explains.
My eyes flick to hers, remembering how Liviana told me she wasn’t keeping the kid, it gutted me. I never saw a baby bump though, but then again she never wanted to see me, she said I was fucked up. She hid from me whenever she could. I rub my chin, thinking back to the last time I saw her. She had on a large hoody and sweatpants. I thought it was because it was cool outside, but maybe she was hiding something more. Fuck.
Rubbing my chin, I take a step back, looking him over.
“Holy fuck,” Felix mutters from behind me, eyeing the kid.
The little boy reaches for me like he knows me without even knowing me. Putting my weapon in my waistband, I take him from Raven.
“Oh fuck,” I say to myself, and Mac slaps me upside the head.
“You can’t say fuck in front of him, dumb ass,” he shakes his head, and Felix laughs.
He has my eyes, my hair, damn… he’s a mini-me.
I’m a father? How the hell did God let me create another me?
The scared look in his eyes reminds me of Raven and tugs at my chest.
I pull him close, and he nuzzles into me.
“I got you,” I whisper, emotion thick in my voice. I can’t believe Liviana lied to me. That bitch!
“What do we do with Raven?” Mac asks, his hands in his pockets as he looks her over. My brows narrow, and my jaw clenches.
“She’s mine!” I bark, pushing her behind me in a protective manner. My chest constricts knowing I’m putting her before my club, but I can’t let her go. She’s mine.
“She chose Cross, we all saw it,” Felix shrugs.
“She wouldn’t have killed Cross and brought me my child if she was the enemy,” I defend.
“I went with him because I was the only way. You guys never would have gotten close to him, admit it. You guys have been after him for how long now?” she informs over my shoulder.
“She didn’t leave us, she was saving our fucking club,” I state.
Zeek looks at her with hooded eyes, rubbing his chin as fire explodes from below, shaking the ground. “All right,” he mumbles, looking her over closely.
“You claiming her as your ol’ lady?” Zeek asks, testing my devotion. His eyes setting on me. He’s asking me the ultimate question, do I trust her enough to lay my cut on the line for her.
I look over my shoulder at her, dark round eyes looking back at me. Glancing down my … son looks at me with a similar look. The club is all I have and without it, I’d be lost. Riding into the wind without a cause, but I truly feel that Raven made me see that I don’t have to be alone in all of this either.
“Yes, this is my family,” I mutter, the word ‘family’ hard to say.
“Alessandra is not going to like this,” Felix laughs, scratching his head with the barrel of his gun.
“She’ll get over it,” Zeek shakes his head.
Chapter 14
Raven
Sitting on a wooden crate in The Sin City Outlaws warehouse, I hold Machete’s son close to my chest. He’s asleep and so warm. He has the cutest chubby cheeks and red hair with matching eyebrows. He’s covered in dirt, and it’s driving me crazy. I want to wash him, to rinse his past from him. Glancing up, I notice women and men all staring at me with curious eyes. It makes me uneasy, and I want a gun.
I may have killed my past tonight, but the warrior in me will never die.
A woman in black leather boots and long legs struts up to me. She’s wearing jean shorts that are frayed, and a red tight shirt that is torn across her belly. Her hair is black like mine, but she has this look about her that makes her look like a toy doll; a slutty one.
“You shouldn’t be here,” she scowls, placing her hand on her hip. I ignore her, looking down at the baby. “Did you hear me, bitch? You haven’t paid your dues and have a lot of eyes on you. Do you think you can just walk in here and take a place you have no place taking?”
She’s going to wake the baby, goddamn it. Rage burns in my chest and I slowly raise my eyes. My eyes peering up under my black hair.
“Get the fuck away from me or I will rip your fucking spine from your body,” I growl. Her eyes go wide, her mouth dropping open in disbelief.
My eyes catch sigh
t of Alessandra through the crowd, her arms crossed as she heads my way. Her hair is down and she’s wearing a sports top with yoga pants. I’m sure I look a hot fucking mess covered in ash and blood.
She glances at the slutty chick, a hateful look passing her face.
“Beat it, Dolly,” she orders, her pretty eyes turning a shade darker.
“I’d say she’s more fucked up than any of you,” Dolly insults me, before strutting away. I roll my eyes, that bitch better stay clear of me or she’ll see just how fucked up I can get.
“He’s cute,” Alessandra tries to make small talk. Two girls in leather clothes whisper to each other, eyeing me as they walk past. I can tell I’m not everyone’s favorite.
“Don’t mind everyone they’re just trying to understand if you’re the bad guy or the good guy,” she informs casually. She tilts her head to the side. “So which is it, are you the good guy or the bad guy?”
I think about that, the term good guy is a loose word and holds no meaning. Nobody is good, we are all bad.
“I’ve never been a good person,” I mutter.
She scoffs. “Me neither, but you’re not going to try and hurt my family, are you.”
My head whips up, holding the boy close. To hear her call the Outlaws her family, it pangs a twinge of jealousy in my chest.
“No,” I reply. “I’d never hurt Machete or this little boy,” I mutter looking down at him.
“I heard Machete claimed you.” She sits next to me, and the scent of her smells good.
I shrug, not really sure what to say to that or what it means.
“Look, I know you hate me, and we have a rough past, but you did right by taking Cross out and saving Machete’s kid.”
I look to her, hearing I actually did something right makes me light up inside more than I’d like to admit.
“Yeah, well being held captive in a dark room gives you a lot of time to think about your life,” I state, and she nods.
“We have a lot in common and once we get past this weirdness, I think we will make a good team.” She tucks a few pieces of hair behind her ear, and I glance at her. “It will take time to get used to people liking you, but you’ll come around.”
I roll my eyes and look back at the boy. I’m not used to people. Period.
“He’s covered in mud and really needs a diaper,” she laughs.
“It’s driving me nuts, it reminds me of us when we were in those damn dirt cages,” I cringe, trying to rub some dirt off his thigh.
“Let’s go wash him up, get him used to be a spoiled brat like Jillian’s kids,” she mutters.
Standing up I make sure not to wake the child and head to the bunker I was held prisoner in.
Going down the stairs, I hit the main room, and the smell of the old bunker oddly comforts me. I wish Machete were here, but he said he had to go do some club business and would be back. Not to let his boy out of my sight.
I grab an old shirt of Machete’s off the floor and head into the shower area. Turning it on, I wait until the water warms up, and dab some apple shampoo on the shirt.
Gently I caress it across his cheeks and chubby legs and he slowly wakes up.
“Hi,” I smile, and he coos, grabbing at the water.
“You were right, you know,” Alessandra whispers from the doorway behind me.
“About what?” I amuse her.
“I would be right where you were if I didn’t have my family to take the memories away. If it counts for anything, I wish they didn’t make me forget.” The honesty in her voice makes me stop my movements and look over my shoulder at her. She stares back, a silent understanding passing between us.
“Do you love him?” She is referring to Machete I assume.
I look back down at the child and dwell on what is inside my chest. The way I felt when I saw Machete come after me tonight. How I wanted to make his kid’s pain disappear.
“Yes,” I confess, and it hurts to admit it because that means I’m at his mercy. He broke me and I love him. My master.
“You two are good for each other,” she nods approvingly.
“How so?”
“You’re both fucking nuts,” she laughs. I smirk because I know Machete isn’t one shade of normal, but neither am I. That’s why we work. We don’t work on what is expected of us or what is normal. We’re just… us.
Cleaning the boy up as much as I can, I turn away from the shower and dry him off with a towel I’ve used many times.
“Can I hold him?” she asks with sparkly eyes.
I pull him close, protective instincts not wanting to let him out of my hold. Sensing my unease, she holds her hands up.
“Another time,” she raises her brows. I instantly feel like shit. He’s not even my kid, I just… I feel a connection with him and feel like he’s been through hell already. I want to keep him safe.
“Sorry, I just—”
“No, I get it. I just have baby fever, I think Felix and I are going to try,” she confesses.
“Anyone down here?” a female voice hollers out, breaking into our conversation.
“Yeah,” Alessandra informs as if she knows who is calling out.
Down the steps, a blond haired beauty enters the bunker. Jillian to be exact. She’s carrying a diaper bag and a bright smile. She’s a bad ass sheriff and one tough fighter. I’ve looked her up, she is the queen of the MC. Zeek’s pride and joy, she is the one that tamed the main beast.
“Is this him?” she asks looking Machete’s boy over, her mouth gaped open. I furrow my brows, doesn’t she hate me like everyone else?
Her eyes drift upward to mine, and she smirks.
“So, you’re the bad ass Raven I’ve heard so much about.” She tilts her head to the side.
I swallow, not sure what she’s heard. It’s all bad I’m sure.
“Don’t worry about it, we’re all damaged goods looking for a second chance, babe. You killing Cross and saving Machete’s child. I think you’re ahead of us all down here,” she laughs, handing me the blue diaper bag.
Hesitantly I take it, I am not used to all this help and communication from others.
“There are some clothes that might fit him, some diapers too. They might be a little tight as he’s a little bigger than my own, but there should be something in there. Oh, and some juice,” she points to the bag. I pull a bottle of apple juice out and look a green sippy cup over. I have no idea what I’m doing. Do I just put it in the cup or do I dilute the juice with water?
Holding back my own tears, I stumble to find a seat on the couch. This is all too much, too fast. I went from wanting freedom to taking care of a baby! From being scared of everything and everyone, to being strong.
“You okay?” Jillian asks, her soft hand cupping my arm.
I hang my head, my chest pounding like a drum.
“I’m not used to so many people around me and being nice, at that. It feels awkward,” I admit.
“I think this is a lot for her,” Alessandra whispers to Jillian. Glancing up through glossy eyes I push my ego to the side, and look up at the two girls that should hate me. That should be hanging me by my toes and outing me for the things that I have done.
“Thank you,” I push through thick emotion and try for a serious tone but I fail.
“Machete said you’re his, so you’re ours. You fuck up, we’ll kick your ass back into place,” Jillian shrugs. I kind of hate that she’s so nice.
“I kinda hope you fuck up, I owe you an ass kicking,” Alessandra says with a serious tone.
I laugh, brushing a tear off my cheek.
“Welcome to the club, bitch,” Alessandra winks.
“Is Machete back yet?” I ask, straightening my spine. I want to see him so bad, to have him close to me and hear his arrogant voice. He makes me feel safe, and right now with all these people I’m freaking out.
“Settling shit with the mafia, they were supposed to deliver Cross alive so you killing him might have fucked some things up,” Jillian inf
orms.
“Shit.” I bite my bottom lip, guilt panging in my chest. What if the mafia tries to kill them?
“Should we go find them? Help them out?” I ask seriously. I will cut anyone that tries to come at Machete. Alessandra’s eyes widen at my dedication.
“They can handle themselves, trust me, and don’t beat yourself up. I agree with what you did to Cross,” Jillian states. “I wanted to kill him, you just got to him first,” she tells with a heated tone.
“Me too. Blood for blood,” Alessandra backs up.
I look up through wet lashes. Repeating what Alessandra just said in my head. Blood for blood. Consequences for actions.
“Blood for blood,” I repeat as I slowly sink into the life of an Outlaw.
Machete
Sitting in the main office in the casino all I can think about is my son and Raven. I want to be with them, not here trying to settle a fucking score with the mafia. My heart sunk when Raven left with Cross. I wanted to jerk the chain that wasn’t on her ankle and demand she stays by my side. I swore to myself I would never allow myself this pain again. But when I saw her kill Cross without giving a damn, and she saved my estranged child. I knew right then I was not letting her out of my sight… I would, in fact, chain her up and never let her see daylight again as long as she was mine forever.
Finally Georgeno steps into the office, the same men from last time right behind him. He’s wearing a red suit with a black tie, the smell of aftershave too fucking strong for me. It’s like they bathe in the shit.
“Tell me you have him,” Georgeno assumes with arrogance as he stuffs his large belly behind the desk.
“We do, but there was a mishap,” Zeek informs with a grim tone. He scoots to the edge of his seat, leaning his elbow on the desk.
Georgeno lifts a dark brow, clicking his tongue against his teeth with an irritated look on his face.
“I don’t like mishaps. Mishaps are a big fucking deal breaker,” he bites each word around a cigar. “Don’t tell me I just pushed a broad with double D tits off my dick for you to tell me you failed?” he shouts, and I get a mental image immediately. I close my eyes, not wanting to see his tiny dick in my mind.