“Ain’t fucked no whores since you’ve been here, Wheels. And that’s the fuckin’ truth. Some of those bitches want to get their claws into a brother and build up their services as being somethin’ it’s not.” I break off, and then add forcefully, “Believe me, darlin’, anythin’ that bitch assumed was all in her fuckin’ mind.”
I know how the club runs is still something she doesn’t completely understand, but she’s been here long enough to know the club whores have to make themselves available to anybody and being bikers, we take advantage. Of course, we do, or I did, until I met Wheels.
But instead of harping on about Chrissy, she’s picked up on something else I said.
Putting her hand on my arm, a touch that this time I welcome, she says, quietly, “Why haven’t you been with them since I arrived?”
I breathe in deeply and tell her the truth, “Because you took my fuckin’ breath away, darlin’. I’ve just been waiting until it was the right time.”
She sucks in air through her teeth, and the light fades out of her eyes. There was something about my reply that she didn’t like. And for the life of me, I don’t fucking understand it. But I don’t get the chance to delve into what it is, as Slick passes by, slaps me on the back of my head and tells me it’s time for church.
Entering the meeting room a couple of minutes later, still wondering what I’d said to cause the unexpected reaction, but have to put it out of my mind for now as I see everyone is already here. One less seat around the table now, of course. And that gives us a problem; Buster used to work at the strip club we own in Tucson, which now means someone else needs to be deployed there. Beef volunteers, we all agree, and Drummer’s gavel bangs down confirming it. Nudges, winks and outright crude comments fly around the table, but to be honest; Beef will probably be able to keep his hands off the strippers better than Buster could.
It’s the usual Friday night meeting. We run through the state of our other businesses, which all seem to be in relatively good health, discuss a run that’s coming up the week after next, and then Drum asks if there’s any other business.
Before I can open my mouth, Peg starts, “Buster broke fuckin’ Wheels’ prosthesis. She’s helpless without it. I want to take her to Utah to my specialist to either get it fixed or preferably to get a new one. I think they can give her a better one than she’s using at present.”
“Lucky he’s already dead,” Slick starts, “What kind of sick fuckin’bastard does somethin’ like that?”
Murmurs of agreement go round the table. “Hope you made him hurt!” Mouse drops in.
I assure him we did.
“She got insurance?” Drummer asks.
Peg and I shake our heads in unison, “I’m proposin’ the club coughs up for it. She was under our protection, after all.” I make my suggestion.
“We shouldn’t have to protect a woman from our own fuckin’ members,” Drummer snarls out, he runs his hand over his beard as he thinks for a moment. That’s our prez, not rushing into a decision. Although if we’re in a tight spot he can call the shots pretty damn fast. It’s not long before he speaks again. “I agree with you, VP. Club should foot the bill.”
“Thought that would be the case. I’ve already made a provisional appointment for Monday. I propose I’ll take her up there Sunday night, and stay over until Wednesday. They’re usually pretty quick there, and have a two-day turnaround.”
My eyes widen, “Wheels said it took months to get her first prosthetic.”
“Prosthesis,” Peg corrects me, “She’s got a prosthetic limb, but the actual artificial leg is called a prosthesis. And that’s the British health system for you! Taking ages and supplying shit, but then, she wouldn’t have had to pay for it.” Peg answers me.
Drum bangs the table, “I don’t want a fuckin’ debate on semantics or on the English National Health. Just do it, Peg. But take someone with you. We can’t forget someone’s very interested in getting’ a hold of her, and I’d be happier if you had back up.”
“I’ll go.” The words came out of my mouth, but I don’t recall making the decision.
Peg and Dart both throw me knowing grins, then jerk their chins at the other brothers around the table. I narrow my eyes, not getting the joke but knowing I’m the butt of it.
Drummer’s looking at me carefully, his brow furrowed, then he smirks, “Ok, VP, she should be safe with you and Peg.” The emphasis suggests he doesn’t think I’m just offering out of the goodness of my heart. But it’s a relatively quiet time for the club, so he doesn’t seem too bothered about losing his VP for a few days. Then, after giving it further thought, he adds, “Take a prospect with you.”
Mouse’s fingers tap on the table and the way he’s shifting in his seat shows he’s got something to say. Prez has noticed. “Spit it out, Mouse.”
After clearing his throat, our computer geek speaks up, “I’ve been monitorin’ the dark web. The contract’s been taken down.”
“Could he have given up?” Dart leans forwards, interested.
But Mouse shakes his head, “Nah, it’s more likely that someone has taken on the job.”
“Can you find out who?” I put in.
Mouse grins, “Have I ever let you down? But it just might take me a bit of time.”
Drum leans back in his chair, his finger moving around indicating all of us, “Right, I’m takin’ it we’re all in agreement that the club coughs up for Wheels’ new fuckin’ leg?”
There’s no dissent. And Heart writes it in the book.
“So recorded. Church fuckin’ over!” Drum bangs the gavel for the final time, and we get up to go and party.
When I get to the clubroom I see the old ladies have disappeared, and the club whores and hang-arounds are out in force, the latter being girls coming up from Tucson for the dubious delights of sharing their bodies with bikers. It always amazes me how that there are so many who treat us like rock stars, always hungry for biker cock.
I’m pleased to see Wheels is nowhere in sight and assume she’s been here long enough to know she doesn’t want to be at a full-on biker party. But I need to make sure she’s safe. I take out my phone and text.
Wraith – You okay? Back in your room?
Wheels – Yes, I’m fine.
Though I’d trust any other brother with my life, the incident with Buster has unnerved me, so I feel relieved. Knowing I’ve no wish to sink my cock into any pussy other than hers, I don’t want to stay and get involved with any of the whores or visiting girls, but I could do with a drink or two.
Wraith – I’ll be in the clubhouse for a while.
Wheels – No problem. Hank’s with me.
Hank’s with her? Inside her room, or does she mean outside? The prospect better not be in her fucking room. Or her bed. Suddenly that drink doesn’t look quite so attractive anymore. Christ! I can trust the fucking prospect, can’t I? He’s not going to be doing anything to upset a brother. Especially his VP. Pull yourself to-fucking-gether!
Slick comes up and shoves a bottle in my hand and, recognising I’d look a pussy to run off right now, I take it, but can’t get rid of the niggling question of just how closely Hank might be watching her for me. He’s a handsome bugger, and not far off Wheel’s age. If he wants his patch he better go nowhere fucking near her. He won’t be getting my vote otherwise.
The beer takes the edge off, but I need more. It’s Friday night and however much I want to personally check that the prospect’s behaving himself, I’ve got to keep up appearances at least for a while. Otherwise, every motherfucker here will know where I’m going and suspect exactly what I’m planning to do. At the bar, I find Peg in his regular place and wave at the bottle of Jack. Marsh fills a shot glass and I down it in one. Then, after rapping twice on the bar, Marsh gives me another.
Peg’s watching me. Easing himself up on a stool, he leans his elbow on the wood. “Be fuckin’ careful with her,” he warns me.
I crease my eyes, not quite understanding.
I settle on another stool. Peg knows what he’s talking about, and it might help to listen. “She thinks seein’ her stump would be a complete turn-off.”
“And she’s right.”
“What?” I didn’t expect him to say that.
He nods, slowly, “For some people it is. I’ve had women who don’t want anythin’ to do with me once they’ve seen it. As if my cock ain’t enough to compensate.”
“Her leg doesn’t bother me.” I might not have seen it yet, but I’ve watched my brother put on his prosthesis before.
“It probably won’t, her pussy will take all your attention. But to her? If you’re going to be the first man other than her doctor to see it, she’ll be worried. If you don’t handle it right, man, you could damage her.”
I huff a laugh, “You reckon I want in her?” Drum hasn’t lifted the restriction he imposed on us all, so I’ve got to take care who I admit my intentions to. Even Peg.
“I’ve seen you around her. I know you do. And otherwise,” he pauses to take a swig of his beer, “Why did you volunteer to come seven hundred miles to fuckin’ Utah? Just step up and own it, brother. I ain’t gonna tell Drum.”
A grin starts to come to my face, there’s no point in denying it, Peg’s known me too long. And then my smile disappears as I see fucking Chrissy coming up behind him.
Her arms try to encircle his large body, and she leans forwards to whisper into ear, but plenty loud enough for me to hear, “You wanna take me back to your room, big fella? Have some fun?”
Peg’s eyes widen, and he glances at me. While a club whore and therefore expected to give her favours to all the brothers, the brothers know she usually focuses her attentions on me. Peg certainly does, and as her hands reach round to his groin and blatantly rub against his cock he tilts his head and throws me a silent question. Realising he hadn’t heard our altercation in the kitchen earlier, I simply lift my chin. If he can get her off my back and keep her away from Wheels, I’ll be quite happy.
“Don’t mind me.” I wave my drink in salute.
The sergeant-at-arms gets off his seat and gathers Chrissy to him. As he leads her off, she throws a pleading look at me over her shoulder, letting me know she was trying to make me jealous. Huh, she’s failed, and now she’s going to have to eat the fruit of her labours. I find I could care less.
One more shot of Jack, and that’s me done for the night
Chapter 14
Sophie
Despite my concerns about being out in public with my jeans flopping around my non-existent leg and visibly having no foot, I’m not the public spectacle I feared I’d be. Crystal, wearing yet another colourful pair of leggings this time with trees and parrot-like birds keeps me entertained telling stories of the men in the club while Carmen, to my delight, gives my hair a much needed trim. Little Amy’s an absolute delight. Once Carmen had finished with me she climbed on my lap and pulls at my now tidier locks, eventually getting bored and dropping off for a nap in my arms.
“So,” I glance up at Carmen, “How did Slick get his name?”
Now with her hairdressing duties done, she’s helping out again, popping the lasagne Crystal’s just prepared into the oven. She turns to me with a smile, “He hit some oil once and laid his bike down. Slid down the road apparently.”
“Ouch.” I’d thought it was something to do with his bald head. These men are cruel not letting him forget something like that.
Amy starts fidgeting and Crystal comes to take her now wide awake daughter from me. The rest of the afternoon passes quickly as we start discussing anything and everything. I realise I’ve never really had this, girlfriends who I could just relax with. Soon we’re involved in a discussion trying to decide which men of the club are the better endowed and I’m having a great time, at times almost bent double with laughter. It’s only spoiled momentarily when the club whore Wraith had chased off comes over with a sneer on her face, but before she can open her mouth, Carmen shoos her away.
Slowly the club room begins to fill up with women, women who didn’t come over to talk to the old ladies. As well as the whores, other scantily clad girls appear, up from Tucson my new friends explain. And later, as I look over and see Chrissy with the other sweet butts waiting for the men to come out of church, I feel a moment’s envy at her long beautiful and fully functional legs, plainly on display under her short and almost indecent skirt. It makes me wonder about Wraith’s firm declaration that he hadn’t been near them since I’d arrived at the compound. I can’t understand it; surely he’d prefer someone who was whole?
Knowing I wouldn’t want to be around when the men came out of church unless I wanted to watch free live porn, after eating a plateful of the delicious pasta and helping where I can with the clearing up, I decide to go back in my room. Crystal’s already left with Amy, and Carmen’s now getting ready to leave.
“I’m off now, Carmen.”
After nodding at me, she beckons to someone outside the kitchen and Hank walks in.
“You ready to go, Wheels?” he asks in his cheery voice.
“You coming with me?”
“VP’s orders, so yeah.”
I admit, although they assure me Buster won’t be bothering me again, I was feeling a bit nervous about going to my room alone, so I’m not going to complain about having him along. Though I soon make it known he doesn’t have to push me, and he takes up his place walking alongside.
Being accompanied by someone I don’t really know is a bit awkward, so to remedy the fact, I decide to break the ice and find out more about him, “So, Hank, what made you want to join the Satan’s Devils?”
He glances down at me, and then gives a small shrug, “Was lookin’ for somewhere to belong, I guess. Grew up in foster homes, never really stayed around anywhere for long. I dunno, the brotherhood seemed to call to me. And I love Harleys, of course. Got myself a real beaut, been restorin’ it for a while now.”
“What’s it like to be a prospect? What do you have to do?”
Another shrug, “Anythin’ the brothers ask me to do.” His mouth snaps shut.
“Like?”
He grins, and laughs down at me, “Ain’t tellin’ you that. Club business.”
“So you’re basically a runaround. Doesn’t that get wearing?”
His smile disappears, “Ain’t gonna say some days are harder than the rest. Didn’t much enjoy today.”
His eyes are no longer on me, so while I can wonder what unpleasant job he’d been called on to do, he won’t be telling me. And anyway, we’ve reached my suite now. Unlocking the door for me, he stands back so I can wheel myself in.
“I’ll be stayin’ out here until someone relieves me.”
“Why not come in and wait, Hank? You’ll be more comfortable inside.”
“Huh! A bit of comfort ain’t worth riskin’ my patch over.”
Tilting my head on one side, I tell him, “Well, if you’re sure, but the offer’s there in case you change your mind.”
“I won’t,” he replies, shortly. And shuts the door firmly behind me as I go in.
Shaking my head, thinking I’ll never understand how it all works here, I cross the small sitting area and go into my bedroom. Moving from my wheelchair to the bed, I get out my book and try to get engrossed in the plot, but quickly find my mind wandering. Easing myself back, I soon give up on the fictional hero, and close my eyes.
Wraith’s a handsome devil of a man, tall, strong. Bulging muscles, and a body I’d love to explore. But have I got the nerve? I shudder, how would I feel seeing his reaction to my ugly stump and the scars on my other leg? What if he turned and ran? I used to be so confident in my own body, knew that all I had to do was flirt a little and my target would be mine for the taking. But now? Am I prepared to take that next step?
Wraith had said he doesn’t mind, that he doesn’t care I’m not a
whole woman anymore. But what if he can’t hide a shiver of revulsion when he sees me? What if actually seeing my injury in the flesh is a real turn off for him? Could I survive that? Or would it destroy me? Simply confirming what I’ve known all along? But what if it’s possible? To have Wraith for just one night? That’s all I want, after all.
It can’t be more than an hour later before voices outside the building break into my thoughts. I hear Wraith, and it sounds like he’s dismissing Hank. I’m surprised, I hadn’t expected to see him this early if at all tonight. Despite that curious statement that he’d been waiting for me, I can’t understand how he could resist the heady selection of girls back in the clubroom. They aren’t damaged like me.
A minute later, and there’s a knock on my door. I pull myself up straight, “Come in.”
Wraith enters. He stands in the doorway, studying me for a moment. “The prospect stay outside?” he growls.
Creasing my eyes perplexed at his lack of greeting and the bizarre question, I give the honest answer. “Yes, I asked if he wanted to come in, but he grunted something like he was okay where he was.”
Wraith’s taut features visibly relax, “Good.”
“I thought you’d be at the party,” I know the guys like to go a bit wild on Friday nights after church.
Now he breaks into a real smile, “The only party I want to go to is right here, with you.”
I look down at my hands, twisting together in my lap, not convinced this is a good idea.
He’s over to me in a moment, sitting beside me, his fingers under my chin turning my head to face him. “Hey, I’ve got some news for you. You’re comin’ to Utah with Peg and me on Sunday―he’s got an appointment for you with the specialist he uses the next day. You’ll get a new prosthesis, and we’ll be back by Thursday.”
My brow creases, and I shake my head picturing the astronomical sum that would cost, “I told you, I can’t afford to go private.”
He smirks, “Club voted, babe. We all agreed we’d pick up the tab for it.”
Now my eyebrows rise, it seems to be too good to be true. “Really?” They’d do that for me? I’d hoped, but even after Peg and Wraith had suggested it, I hadn’t really believed it.
Turning Wheels (Satan's Devils MC #1): A Blood Brothers Spin off Page 17