CAGE’S RUIN

by Elise , Simone

  JACOB

  I was aiming my gun at the entrance of the cookhouse, waiting for them to come running out. I had already thrown the bars of explosive from the windows. It was going to go up in flames within moments. My job was to kill any one that tried to get out.

  If Cage had asked me a year ago, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.

  Now.

  I was the man they needed at the table.

  A suited figure ran out of the building, and I became to spray bullets at their feet. Them dropping to the ground. Walking towards them, I was ready to pull the trigger and execute them.

  When I paused.

  I saw.

  No.

  It couldn’t be.

  Through the face display. I swear that is. I lowered to my knees, pulling the helmet off. And my gut instinct was confirmed. It was Autumn.

  Dragging her to her feet, knowing that the building was about to go up in flames. I dragged her to the car. Shoving her in.

  I was about to execute my own fucking sister!

  Slamming the door shut. Vod looked in the back seat, as surprised as I am. “Drive.” I growled.

  Vod nodded his head and I turned to look at Autumn. “You’ve got some fucking explaining to do.” I said to her.

  Cage was already ringing me, to confirm the job was done. What the hell had Autumn gotten herself into this time.

  11

  Cage

  She wasn’t fucking listening to me. I was screaming the clubhouse down, at her, and she was just sitting there, fucking drinking whiskey and basically not reacting! I wanted her to yell back, something—anything. Instead she remained silent.

  Finally I gripped her whiskey glass, taking it off her, and throwing it across the room. “What the fuck were you thinking Autumn!” I yelled at her, this time in her personal space.

  “What do you expect?!” She finally began to yell back. “I’m no golden girl. The girl you loved, that innocent girl lost her way—she did a year in a maximum security prison!” She stood up shoving me. “Don’t you get it Cage. The girl you loved died!”

  I step right back in front of her, cupping her face. “That’s not true cause I see her.”

  My jet black eyes locked with her vivid emerald eyes. I saw the panic begin to rise in her eyes, because she was beginning to feel something. That was what I noticed had changed about Autumn, was now she was scared to feel anything.

  “You are seeing what you want to see,” She tried to brush my hands off her. But I just cupped her face stronger.

  “I see a woman of strength. I see the woman I love.” Those two facts didn’t change anything. It didn’t change what I was going to have to do.

  “You don’t mean that.” She blew out.

  I let go of her, stepping back, running my hands through my hair. “Autumn you went behind the clubs back. You lied to me.” I couldn’t hide the hurt I felt in those words.

  The seriousness of this situation was stronger than anything else. She had betrayed the club. She had betrayed me. And that fucking hurt.

  Her phone began to ring.

  “Guessing that’s your boyfriend.” I replied coolly.

  “Business partner.” She replied.

  “That’s fucking worse.”

  Autumn then walked off answering the phone.

  * * *

  I can’t ignore what she has done. I can’t wipe it off.

  “My loyalty is to the bikers.” I hear Autumn say, just out of reach. I wonder now if Autumn is really loyal to us, or the money the Meth would have brought in. Clearly she would have enough money now to take her business in another direction. I began to doubt she really stood with us, the family, the brotherhood.

  Autumn walked back to me. An expression on her face—and it surprised me because since she got out, she had been keeping her expressions to herself. She always walked around with blank looks.

  “Things got out of control Cage.” She muttered. “I needed the money. I had the connections, so I used them.” She then looked me in the eye. “I’m sorry for hurting you.”

  Her lying had hurt me. But what I was about to do now, hurt more. “I’ve gotten protect the club. We can’t trust you.”

  And that was the beginning of the end right there. Autumn’s now realizing that she had betrayed the brotherhood.

  I know she said to her business partner she stood with us. But. I now knew, Autumn was a fantastic liar. So I couldn’t trust her and neither could the club. I loved her. But I had to lead these men, and I couldn’t lead them not knowing if my girlfriend was a friend or foe. I had to put the club first, heart last—which meant. Autumn and I couldn’t have a future. Not now at least.

  AUTUMN

  Consequences. Penalties. They come around. When you least expect them. The club had disowned me. Members didn’t speak to me. I realized within two days of the ice treatment that wasn’t going to lift, that I had to move out. So I packed my belongings into the back of the pickup.

  My eyes scanning the empty room. This wasn’t my home anymore. In some ways I felt like a sixteen-year-old being kicked out of home for the first time.

  I picked up the last box. Jacob wasn’t speaking to me. He just joined the list of members no longer speaking to me. I had betrayed the club. I was lucky not to be dead. But I basically was dead in their eyes.

  I walked down into the lounge, and Cage stepped away from the bar. While everyone wasn’t speaking to me, he still had the odd conversation with me.

  He took the last brown box off me. “I’ll walk you out.”

  I swallowed sharply. So this was it. I scanned the pub and lounge, members looking everywhere but at me.

  I nodded my head and walked out of the clubhouse, the only home I had really known.

  Cage placed the box on the back of the pickup.

  Turning back to look at me. Cage opened the pickup door for me. And I couldn’t help but think, while everyone blocked me out—he still stood by me. Even when I put him in the most difficult situation.

  “Thanks,” I said and let myself stare at the man I nearly had. “For everything Cage. Like always you’ve done above what is expected.”

  He smiled dimly, and locked eyes with me. Those jet black eyes.

  “Love you Autumn. Look after yourself.” He then gave me half a hug and I got into the pickup before the tears dropped.

  Pulling out of the lot, I looked back in the mirror, seeing him, the future I wanted with him, all of it disappearing and the tears dropped down my cheeks.

  I wiped the tears away. I had brought this on myself.

  I only knew one place I could go. And I wasn’t sure how he was going to take it. He was fresh out of rehab and didn’t need my drama. But moving back in with my step dad, was my only option right now.

  12

  Cage

  Welcoming Hawk back was taking a shit load of responsibly off my shoulders. I actually felt like a member again, and not a fucking leader. Being Vice I had put my hand up for, but being President, I hadn’t. But I stepped into voluntarily but I was thankful it was over.

  I had to make calls I wasn’t proud of. Like banning Autumn, as well as business decisions.

  It had been two weeks since I last saw her. And as the room emptied, I hovered back. Wanting a word with Hawk. Lighting up a cigarette, I didn’t ask the question.

  Hawk gave me a look. “I know you want to know about her.” He gruffly said. Then he sighed, seeing that I was barely keeping my shit all tied together. “She’s okay Cage—this is for the best.”

  My eyes dropped to the table. “Just weird her not being around.” I wasn’t going to lie.

  “She’s heading to college. God knows she is smart enough for it.” Hawk rose up and I knew with his words, the conversation was over.

  But what else was over, was my future with Autumn because there was no way, she would even look at me once she walked through the gates of college. She would be around like-minded people. She wouldn’t be attracted to some biker that
was hooked on her.

  Then my mind went back in time. I lost her the moment I agreed to her working those steroids from the gym. And that was my fault for letting it happen.

  AUTUMN

  It wasn’t a fucking option. I was not going to college. I dropped the brochures and flyers in the bin. Hawk was pushing for it but I wasn’t interested. I refused to be bored to death in a classroom.

  I knew I didn’t have many options. I had Ash threatening me through messages and phone calls. Which had the weight of knowing I had pissed the Cartel off. I had the club that had disowned me. I think my lack of options was what got me changed and dressed up. To result in coming here.

  I scanned the local pub that I walked to. I needed a drink. No longer had a club bar to go to.

  Placing my order with the bartender. I zoned out, staring at the bar mat. So this is what life was going to be like now? Getting drunk at the local?

  “You’re in my spot.”

  I nearly jumped by the dark voice. Turning to my side. I wanted to slap myself. Out of all the places to pick to stand. I picked a bikers spot.

  The bartender put the drink down and I grabbed it going to move.

  “You can join us if you want?” he looked me up and down, and then extended a hand. “Logan.”

  I had a feeling the only reason he was introducing himself was because of my low cut dress.

  “Autumn,” I replied, and still went to move down.

  “You allergy to me or the cut?” His intense chocolate eyes looked at me for an answer. A normal citizen wouldn’t know he was talking about his vest.

  “My old man rides for the Vultures.” I replied. That should be enough of a reason for him to stay away from me.

  “You have anything to do with them?” he asked, putting his cigarette out. “Considering it’s a Saturday night and you’re at our local and not theirs.”

  A moment passes and the cold truth hits me hard. “No. I don’t anymore.” That was a hard reality that I no longer was in the Vulture’s world.

  “Well then,” He cracked a smirk. “come party with us for the night.”

  Do I or don’t I?

  * * *

  Walking back from the local pub, which turned out to be a bikers drinking hole. I was still dressed and alone. I didn’t take Logan up on the offer. Just had a few beers with him and swapped numbers.

  I doubted I would see him again. But in saying that, his bar was the only one in walking distance from Hawk’s house.

  Walking up the footpath, high heels in hand. I opened the gate. My eyes widening.

  Seeing Cage—sitting on the step of Hawk’s house.

  13

  Autumn

  Feelings flood my body as I locked eyes with Cage’s. It had been weeks since I saw him, a part of me knew the chances of seeing him again were slim. That fact kept me up at night. Knowing I wouldn’t see him—but yet here he was sitting on Hawk’s porch step.

  He spotted me, throwing his cigarette to the ground, stomping on it as he got up.

  “Hey darling.”

  Those feelings of love and need, flooded my body. The feel of his body over mine. The touch of his cold rings on my cheek, as he cups my face—when he goes to kiss me. Those feelings just kept hitting me, wave after wave.

  We were a nightmare in a painting. One that to the common eye you couldn’t see the beauty in. But if you look closer, you would see the love that was shared between us; and that love, bound us- together, we were a beautiful disaster. As powerful as a hurricane, as passionate as a flaring fire, as emotional as a world spinning tornado and as fluent as a flood. Together we completed each other—till it ended. Like all natural disasters.

  The wreckage that was left, was in my heart. The feeling when I rolled over in bed and his side was empty. The feeling of never having his touch on me again. That was the damage done by the natural disaster that was Cage and I.

  After all. I loved him. He loved me. Yet—that wasn’t enough.

  “What are you doing here Cage?” I said through the wreckage that was our relationship. “Hawk’s not home.”

  “I know,” He walked towards me. “I needed to see you.”

  That feeling of needing him, flooded my body again. Hearing him say he needed to see me, reassured me that maybe there was a slight chance we weren’t over. Yet. I knew. No matter what. Cage and I weren’t meant to be.

  His heart was called to the open road. He couldn’t do commitment. God I watched him struggle with the weight of being president for those few months. He just couldn’t deal with the commitment, the pressure, the responsibly. Like I said his heart was called to the open road—not ties and strings that come with a relationship.

  Cage stepped towards me, his hand going to my cheek. The feeling of his ice-cold rings on my cheek, the feeling of loving him so hard that it hurt—all came rushing back, as I watched his eyes dart to my lips.

  I wanted him to kiss me, like he used to. Like when he kissed me, he kissed and marked my soul. But I knew that couldn’t be any more. How could it be, when we had lost us in the hurricane of emotions and my decisions to lock him out of my life. Which led to his decision of locking me out.

  His lips brushed mine, and it basically sparked the flame that had died for Cage in my heart. Before I knew what I was doing, I was kissing him back. Not sweet. Not gentle. No like the rush of emotions I was feeling I was kissing him back with that amount of pressure.

  He pulled back, resting his forehead against mine. “I need you.” It was clear desperation in his voice.

  My hands were clenching his vest, and while I wanted him, I knew I would never have him. Could I be his booty call? I didn’t know if I had the strength in me to wake up in the morning to him gone.

  His nipped my lips, waiting for me to say something.

  I think that if I had said something, I would have ended it before it began. So my hand ran down his chest, grabbing his hand.

  And I led him inside. Knowing Hawk wouldn’t be back tonight. But also knowing come tomorrow, I would either be broken, or whole again.

  CAGE

  Laying in Autumn’s bed she was asleep curled into my side. It felt so fucking right but so fucking wrong at the same time.

  My mind flashed back to the fight I had with Hawk before I came here. Him telling me clearly to stay away from her. Him telling me to leave her to live a life as a bystander from the club.

  But the more the weeks went on. The more I knew. I didn’t want to be at that charter without Autumn.

  I was torn between stealing her life and putting her back in the lifestyle or letting her free.

  I glanced at her face, my eyes running over her beautiful features. I knew in that moment I would never find someone I loved as much as I loved her.

  But Autumn is cleaning her life up, going straight. I’m ruining that by being here. I should have listened to Hawk but my need for her outweighed what was right.

  I knew that she would never be able to take a back seat in the lifestyle. I knew she would do anything for the club, including more time. I couldn’t have her losing her freedom. No matter how much I tried to protect her. I could always lose her to the lifestyle because Autumn had proved to me, over and over—she wasn’t half in.

  I knew it wasn’t fucking right. But I had to do it. I kissed her forehead, her stirring but rolling over and staying asleep.

  I grabbed my clothes. Looking at her one last time. I wouldn’t make her a mistress to the lifestyle, and I wouldn’t make a victim of it either.

  So I left. And perhaps if I had known just how much damage me coming in and out of her life would do—I would have fucking stayed out of it.

  AUTUMN

  I woke up on my side, a smile on my face. Rolling over my hand goes to his side of the bed. But he isn’t there. I sit up alert now. Scanning the room. His clothes were gone. No evidence of him ever being here.

  I wasn’t stupid I knew he wasn’t getting me breakfast. He was gone.

  I wondere
d how long he waited till he left?

  I scoffed. What does it matter Autumn, he waited till you were asleep, too much of a coward to leave while I was awake.

  I was nothing but a booty call.

  I slipped on a loose tee and walked out towards the bathroom. Opening the door and closing it.

  I was alone, with my own thoughts. And that was truly scary.

  I see the scar on my wrist and for the hundredth time the thought of I wished I hadn’t survived it, surfaced in my head.

  Then I see the razor on the sink—sometimes you have to realize you are losing in an unwinnable situation.

  So, I gripped it.

  CAGE

  Unloading a fucking truck. I wasn’t some darn prospect. Yet here I was doing it. Helping Lit and Vod. Cause fuck knows where the prospects are!

  I was moving one of the barrels when I heard Hawk and Jacob arguing.

  “She’s pulling away.” Jacob said clearly frustrated.

  “Good. Don’t want her in the lifestyle.”

  “She’s not pulling away from that. I mean. Is she even taking her meds?”

  I drop the barrel hearing that and headed towards them. “What’s going on with Autumn?” I asked. Well more like demanded to know.

  “Family business. Not Club business. Vice.” Hawk pointed out trying to pull rank on me.

  “Autumn breathing is my main concern.” I wasn’t going to lie and say I didn’t have feelings for her. I fucking loved her. So I wasn’t standing here, going to back down.

  I knew I wasn’t going to get answers out of them. So I walked away. Pulling the phone out of my pocket and calling Autumn.