“Diamond reached out to Ford,” Depay says. “Those mafia fuckers know who is who in their world but also what goes around in the rest of the state. Something about know your enemy or some shit. Anyway, Ford is the one who gave Archer Gattani Beto’s name because when Ford saw the fixer’s photograph, he recognized him as one of Gattani’s. The cartel has been active for years but Gattani recently moved here. Ford also mentioned that if the mayor is involved it has something to do with property or a location he wants. He told us to check what big plans city hall might have and if there are any issues, if so…Gattani has a hand in it.”
“Ganza and Bee are researching but with the scarce intel and the information about Gattani we just obtained, we’re still working overtime to see the big picture.” Archer glances at Baton. “We still weren’t able to locate the girl. I’ve put the Kray twins on watch near the mayor’s house. If they don’t see her at the end of the day, we’ll try with a drone or use special equipment to see if they are hiding people. Talking about a drone, I want one scoping out Gattani’s place. We need to get a read on this fucker and all his activities along with it.”
I hear the door swing open behind me. Glancing over my shoulder I see it bounce against the wall but my woman shoots a hand out to stop it from colliding with her. She starts to sign and it frustrates me I don’t know what the fuck she’s saying. I’ve been learning one or two words a day but it’s too much too fast and when she’s enthusiastic or like now in full panic, it’s hard to follow the gestures.
It seems most around the table don’t have the same issues when curses ring out and Archer bellows, “Weapon up and spread out. Wyatt, stay here in case shit hits the fan.”
“What the fuck is going on?” I growl.
Arrow is standing across the table from me and says, “Hadley saw a limousine approach with two black SUVs. A man in a suit and a long jacket stepped out with what seems bodyguards. She says he looks like someone from a mafia movie but it’s probably someone from the cartel just standing there waiting.”
“That fucking mayor must have told him who we are since we helped rescue his daughter. I bet the cartel has been keeping an eye on us for weeks,” Baton snaps.
Curses flow through the air and I stand to head for Hadley, pulling her close to place a kiss on the top of her head. Archer rushes by us and we step out of church to watch everyone run in a different direction.
Archer comes storming back and signs something at Hadley. She replies with her hands and I’m instantly put on edge because I can feel her body stiffen as if he asked her to do something or told her something she’s not happy about.
“Mind adding some words when you’re talking to my old lady?” I snap.
Hadley watches Archer’s hands still do some talking before she puts a hand on my chest and glances at me.
I’m staring at my woman while Archer says, “Stay close to her but make sure she has a good view of the fucker. I need her to be my ears and voice so Wyatt knows what the fuck is going on and can jump into action when needed.”
Fury rises inside me but I understand what he’s saying. Hadley told me about this, but back then I didn’t realize the possible danger they put her in.
Grinding my teeth, I manage to choke out the words, “How many times have you used her?”
His eyes narrow. “A few times in the past but I’ve never put her at risk.” His eyes go past me. “Baton, you and me, come on.”
He spins on his heel and heads out. I glance up at the monitor, watching what’s going on outside. A handful of brothers are carrying their weapons and are giving Archer cover. I don’t have a view of the roof but I know damn sure Rack is on the roof since he’s one hell of a sniper. Hadley tugs on my hand and we follow some of my brothers outside.
The limo is parked across the street and there’s a bodyguard to the left and right of a fucker dressed in a high-class suit. The black SUVs caging the limo in are also filled with visibly armed men. This isn’t some low-life cartel, these fuckers are organized and act as if they own the world they live in.
This fucker might be standing there as if he’s untouchable, but the men he’s surrounded with show he’s also not taking chances. And neither are we since we have him surrounded with a lot of brothers aiming guns at all their heads.
Eventually it’s Archer and Baton who are risking their lives since they are the ones crossing the street and facing Gattani. Wyatt comes to stand to the side of us, slightly facing Hadley. He’s holding out his phone.
“I’m in place, you guys ready?” he asks, and I hear a reply from Rack and Arrow.
His eyes are focused on Hadley’s hands and everything tells me she helped more than a few times. This seemed too much of a routine for them and it rubs me the wrong way. Yet, there’s nothing to be done about it.
Hadley starts to sign and Wyatt is translating. It’s like I’m watching a movie without sound while someone is simultaneously doing a voiceover. Well, all we’re getting is one side of the conversation.
It’s screwed up but now I do get it, Hadley is a secret weapon; a way to know exactly what’s going on at a distance so they can jump into action. Wyatt is the VP and will handle decisions he deems fit in the heat of the action.
“Archer Lawson, president of Broken Deeds MC, or do you prefer the title lawman or federal agents? Seeing you and your men like to moonlight for the government.”
Wyatt stops talking. I assume it’s because Archer is replying and he has his back to us so Hadley can’t read his lips.
“It doesn’t matter. I would have thought the little warning I gave you was enough to make you back off. But you make me come all the way here to make sure you understand you have no authority over me.”
Again, with the moment of silence.
“The fucker is laughing,” Wyatt says through clenched teeth.
We’re standing close to the gate but hidden enough for those guys not to see us. But if shit does hit the fan we are in the line of fire. There’s simply no other way since Hadley needs to be close enough to read Gattani’s lips.
“You handle your business, I’ll handle mine. The mayor isn’t your concern either.”
The situation is getting tense. Baton is clearly saying something and Archer lets his arm shoot out to hold him back. The two men standing next to Gattani clearly reach for their guns but Gattani waves his hand as if there isn’t a threat hanging in the air.
“I have heard about you. You’re the one who wanted what was never yours.” Wyatt releases a string of curses and it makes my eyes collide with him. “This is going to shit in two seconds flat, Vachs. When that happens, you take Hadley to safety, ya hear?”
I give him a tight nod and he starts to translate again since Hadley didn’t stop signing.
“Arranged marriages are common for us to exchange connections and forge loyalty. Ellory will be my wife soon. And no, you won’t get an invitation to our wedding. This is my world you’re living in. Broken Deeds MC might dance to the government’s tune while creating their own music…but you’ll soon find out I’m the one producing the songs going into this world. My world.”
Gattani steps away from Archer and Baton. One of his guys opens the door of the limo and he almost gets inside when I see his lips move.
A moment later I hear Wyatt’s voice sharing with us what Gattani is telling Archer and Baton. “No need to tell me I took one of yours, I gave the order myself and I mentioned to you it was a warning to back off. And this visit was the last and final warning. Consider it a favor, and just so you know…I won’t be doing you any favors again.”
“Consider this a fucking favor,” Baton bellows loud and clear as he aims his gun and pulls the trigger.
I wrap my arm around Hadley, pulling her behind me as I watch Gattani disappear in the limo. Bullets crack through the air from all sides as my brothers fire their guns in an effort to save Archer and Baton. Tires screech and metal crunches but it’s all behind me as I jump into a run to carry my woman to sa
fety.
I push her against the building and cover her with my body, gripping her face to make sure her eyes are on me and I can see for myself if she’s okay. But I also can’t help but give her the words, “Are you okay?”
Her head slides up and down in my grip. I give her a hard kiss to feel we’re still here. Alive. Breathing.
“That fucking fucker,” Wyatt bellows and I realize the gunfire has stopped.
Glancing around the building I notice the two SUVs are still there, five bodies are scattered over the road but the limo is missing. Archer and Baton are still breathing but they are going head to head in the middle of the street.
“He has her, Archer, you heard the man. He voiced a fucking threat to all of us,” Baton bellows.
“Hey,” Archer snaps back as we walk closer. “I was standing right next to you. If you didn’t shoot the fucker, I would have. Fucking hell, I’m still pissed at myself for not putting a bullet into Gattani’s head because now we have to chase him. And I just know he’s going to create Fort Knox to make sure he’s safe from us at all times. And how the hell are we going to save your woman from him now, huh?”
“Can I just mention how this slick fuck is either arrogant, confidant, or indeed has the mayor and this town in his fucking pocket if he drives right up to our fucking clubhouse and threatens us to our faces and has ordered one of our prospects to death by setting him on fucking fire with a tire wrapped around his torso.” Depay’s voice is getting louder with each word. “I’m telling you…this is war and we’d better get our shit together.”
“Hunt him down, Prez,” Deeds says as he steps out from behind Depay.
Deeds–the former president and Archer’s father–has been taking steps back and looming in the shadows for a reason; to let his son handle everything without having his father looking over his shoulder with every step. But this shit calls for all heads to be put together.
And while the older generation all have old ladies and only Archer and I have one too, it makes us fully aware of what’s at stake. Though every single one of us are willing to give all to live another day.
But I hope to fuck we’re all able to live another day because the bodies and blood covering the streets in front of our clubhouse is a crimson reality how easy shit can backfire.
CHAPTER TEN
– HADLEY –
Vachs’ fingers are wrapped around my upper arm as he guides me to our room. As soon as the door falls shut behind me, he’s cupping my face, his lips move as he gives me the same words he did mere moments ago.
Am I okay? What happened was twisted and if any of the Broken Deeds MC members handled things differently it would have made a huge difference between life or death. Archer has explained it to me the first few times I helped and has always started with the fact Rack would be in place as a sniper. He has a deadly aim and a lightning speed trigger finger.
Listening in on the conversation and seeing the situation unfold allows Archer and Wyatt to save their brothers. And I have seen my share of dead bodies, but growing up in an MC–especially one like Broken Deeds–kinda gives a person a different view on things.
And I’m not saying I can handle everything…I just know I’m not going to crawl into a ball and cry for days because of what I just witnessed. So, I give Vachs a nod and try to give him a reassuring smile.
“Fuck.” I read the word right from his lips and I have to agree with the load of emotions written on his face along with it. “We just started. I can’t lose you, and with everything that just happened…shit only just begun and it’s going to get a lot worse.”
Again, I have to agree with him. There aren’t any words needed to add to his statement so I simply slide my arms around his waist and bury my face against his chest. His scent and strength are comforting.
Vachs suddenly pulls back and Hank–who was trotting around our legs–is rushing to the door, clearly barking with his mouth opening and closing, letting us know someone needs our attention. Vachs stalks over and we find my parents standing in the hallway. Diamond might be my stepmother, but she’s my mom in every way.
My dad starts to simultaneously talk and sign. “We’re needed in church. Diamond will stay with Hadley but all the other old ladies are in the main room. Security has been upped and Archer’s been on the phone with his contact from the government.”
My dad shoots me a wink as he turns to leave. Vachs leans in and gives me a lingering kiss before he too disappears. My mother is cuddling with Hank and I close the door. Walking over to the bed, I plunk down to see Diamond sit down on the floor to keep petting Hank who is now plunked down between her legs.
After a few breaths she starts to sign, though I’m not expecting her question. “Is Vachs good to you? The look you just gave him after he kissed you tells me your heart is fully invested already. But you wouldn’t have accepted his claim unless you knew deep down in your gut you more than liked him.”
“With each thing he does or says I fall a little harder,” I sign and she gives me a brilliant smile in return.
I follow the movement of her hands when she tells me, “If I remember correctly, he’s not very chatty around others.”
The image of feeling him talk during sex–even if I can’t hear him or can read his lips–flows through my head.
“That smile, what were you thinking?” She signs the words and they make me flush.
But it’s something I can tell her without mentioning the exact details. I start to sign and a few words in her eyes already threaten to spill tears of joy.
“He talks to me knowing I can’t hear him but he makes sure I feel the vibrations. He’s never asked any of the annoying questions I’ve had thrown at my feet. He doesn’t question if I’m able to drive or anything: he doesn’t act differently. He doesn’t mind grabbing the phone to explain or lose his patience if I don’t catch his words or whatever. He’s just…sweet…always.”
“Will you finally tell me what happened when you went on the one and only date you ever had?”
My eyes are still focused on her hands and I’m too mortified to look her in the eyes. I don’t want to be reminded of something I’ve managed to keep quiet from everyone. It’s not like it stopped everyone from wondering. And like Diamond said, it was my one and only date so they know something wasn’t right.
“Don’t tell Dad.” Are the first words I sign and I wait for her to agree. “The guy seemed nice. He was cute and that’s why I agreed to go on a date. But when we were in the bar and I walked back to him from the bathroom I saw him talking to his friend. He said…” I swallow hard and close my eyes to sign the words that had me leaving the bar without a second glance. “She’s a cunt with three holes to fill and not a voice on her to complain about my shit. The handwaving is annoying but easy to ignore.”
Opening my eyes, I expect to see pity on Diamond’s face but instead she’s furious. The curses flowing over her lips are easy to read until she tips her head back and takes a moment to catch her breath.
Some of her anger is gone when she connects her gaze with me again and signs, “Some men are complete assholes and I’m happy you didn’t completely lock yourself away from all of them.”
She holds out her arms and I close the distance between us to accept her hug. It might have happened a while ago but the reminder is still very painful. People sometimes ask if I would like to be able to hear, but the truth is…I’ve never known what it’s like to hear, so for me I’m normal and think my life is perfect the way it is.
I guess everyone has bad moments and horrible encounters, molding you to who you are today. And I guess I’m lucky to feel whole in my own skin due to the people who surround me, filling my life with love.
Love. Who knew I would get to this moment where the word love crosses my mind and the first image popping into my head is Vachs. Sharing a life, talking about children and all the things we want in our shared future.
And how hard is the confronting incident we just went through where l
ife was taken as quickly as taking your next breath. It all makes me realize I should be free to feel and want what my heart desires. Not holding back or being afraid to voice my feelings because what is happening now can be lost forever in the blink of an eye.
I pull back and put a smile on my face letting my hands give my mother the words Vachs and I talked about. Her eyes widen and utter joy fills her features and that right there warms my heart.
“Talking about children…planning a future.” Her eyes fill with tears and instead of letting me read her lips, her hands take over. “Your father secretly hoped you would be claimed by a Broken Deeds member. When he saw and heard how Vachs reacted around you he knew you two would be a perfect match. You sharing these details with me now means so much. I’m so happy for you.”
We fall into each other’s arms again and keep hugging until we simultaneously pull back.
“Let’s go into the main room. I’m sure Lynn has called all the woman over to get a few shots of tequila and calm some nerves. Except for Bee, she’s not allowed…being pregnant and all.” Diamond’s mouth stops moving and turns into a smile.
I turn and walk to the door, patting my leg to make Hank come along with me. The men are all in church and most of the women are sitting at the table in the corner. Lynn has a bottle of Tequila in front of her and some of the women have a shot glass in front of them.
Lynn grabs the bottle by the neck and holds it up to me. I shake my head. I don’t need a drink. I’d rather keep my head clear and watch the others indulge in a few drinks. Hank plunks down on top of my feet and I slide my fingers into his thick fur.
Hank might be Vachs’ dog, but he’s always by my side and since we’re together, it’s safe to say Hank is now my dog as well. He’s such a good boy, learning gestures very quickly and obeying both Vachs and myself without any fuss.
My eyes slide to church. I hope whatever they are planning in that room is a way to put all of this behind us and save the mayor’s daughter along with it. Poor Baton, he must be going crazy. He now knows where Ellory is but isn’t able to get to her because she’s supposed to get married to Gattani.
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