Shake Down

by Jade Chandler

  * * *

  Brie and I spent two solid days wrapping up the paperwork from the Logan case. The grind of paperwork all day long had almost driven me crazy. I had become a police officer to protect and serve not to be buried in bureaucracy. But one came with the other. Brie and I had the weekend off. She headed to the lake while I spent a quiet weekend at home except for the family dinner on Saturday. With four children in police work, family dinners were last-minute affairs that often got interrupted by our jobs. My mom had become an ace at juggling family dinners to gather most of us together on a semi-regular basis.

  At home, I slid the homemade cheesecake into the oven. I enjoyed cooking but rarely bothered for just me. I survived on Mom’s home-cooked meals and takeout. Tonight we were celebrating Mom’s birthday and she shouldn’t have to make her own dessert, so I’d volunteered.

  While it baked I surfed the web at my kitchen table. I was looking for prints for my walls. I’d moved into this place about a year ago but hadn’t found time to buy new art or decorate much. It was something Mom harassed me about every time she came over. While I had downtime, I wanted to check this to-do off my list. I liked Impressionist paintings, all soft and fuzzy, but that didn’t really fit my furniture—it was more modern. I should redecorate from top to bottom but that was too much work.

  The timer beeped before I found anything I liked. Saved by the bell. I removed the cheesecake to cool and went up to my bedroom to change out of my scruffy weekend clothes.

  An hour later, I knocked on the door to the house where I’d grown up. I opened the door shouting, “I’m here,” then came inside. My parents’ living room was an explosion of warm colors that welcomed me. I wished I had a house like this but that took work. One day, I’d find the time to create a home like I’d planned to do after Jensen and I married. We’d stayed traditional, not living together even though we were engaged.

  After he died, I’d had to change things, starting with a new place and hand-me-down furniture from my brothers. My house and furniture had memories worn into them and that had been too painful, too lonely. I had no idea a chair could cause me to cry until Jensen died. Then every time I looked at it, I remembered how I’d sat on his lap when he’d asked me to marry him, kissing him and saying yes. We’d done lots more on that chair. It was the first thing I got rid of.

  Setting the cheesecake in the fridge, I headed outside to the deck. Noise filtered through the screen door. Already two brothers were in the back with my parents. Mom was holding her first grandbaby and Dad was grilling. Happiness settled inside me. I could count on my family—they were always right there for me. Being the youngest, and only girl, my brothers were a little too protective, but I’d learned to work them.

  “Baby girl, glad you made it,” Dad boomed from the yard where he and my brother were arguing over grilling technique.

  I kissed Mom’s cheek. “Happy birthday.”

  “Thanks, sweetie, go distract your dad before he and your brother come to blows.” She winked at me. “He wants to hear all about your big case.”

  I headed down the steps past my sisters-in-law and to the grill, a brick affair Dad had built by hand.

  “Hey, Pops, you burning the chicken?” We all liked to give him crap about his habit of cooking chicken until black.

  “Yeah,” said John Jr., the oldest. “He doesn’t understand the art of grilling.”

  “Johnny, you’re such an ass.” I kissed his cheek.

  “What Charlotte said,” Dad growled.

  “She said you’re burning the chicken.” Johnny laughed. “So now you’re a big league detective.” He glanced up and down. “Still look like a runt to me.”

  I was barely five four and all the men in my family topped six foot. “And this runt brought down the bad guys.”

  “That’s my girl. The first detective in the family and now a superstar. Everyone’s talking about you and Brie.” Dad had spent his years in the command structure, finishing up as a patrol captain. He went to coffee every week with his cronies and all they did was gossip.

  “I heard it was some biker who broke the case. You rode in after the hard work was done.” Johnny always knew what to say to irritate the hell out of me.

  “You heard wrong,” I groused.

  He laughed, knowing he’d gotten under my skin.

  “I heard you rode on his bike on the first chase. Are you a biker babe now?”

  I blushed and hated it. “Shut up.” I punched his arm.

  “Stop tormenting your sister.” Dad smacked Johnny in the head. “Go bother your wife.”

  Johnny stuck out his tongue as he walked away. Some things never changed.

  “So how was your first big takedown?”

  “Exciting. But when I had the wife in the box that was awesome. I used her vanity against her and she told me exactly what we needed.” My body tingled with the remembered feeling of adrenaline. It had been a glorious day. “The mob guy is in it now. We have him tied up tight.” Satisfaction shot through me. This was why I’d become a detective. I wanted to make a difference on the big cases.

  My two oldest brothers served on the front line for the Highway Patrol, following Dad’s career path. It was too early to say where my youngest brother would end up, but for now, he was a motorcycle cop in the patrol division.

  “You be careful, cops have ended up dead when the mob is involved.” Dad frowned at me. “These guys hold grudges.”

  I dismissed his concerns. The mob was in Vegas, which was a long way from here. “I will be fine.”

  Dad nodded. “You and this biker...?”

  What was he asking? “He was a royal pain in the ass. I’d have liked to arrest him for obstruction but he has ties to Danvers.”

  And he kissed me senseless. Not a thought to have while talking to Dad.

  “So you’re not involved? I’d heard—”

  “Stop. You know most of what cops say is bullshit. There’s nothing between us. Like I’d date someone like him.” I doubted he dated, but I’d like another taste.

  Stop it, now, I chided myself. Maybe it was time to date again if one kiss made me this crazy.

  “Good. You know you can’t reclaim your reputation once it’s gone.”

  I nodded. Dad had sat me down and told me the harsh truth about cops when I’d announced my decision to join the force. The blue line might protect its women members but the double standard was huge. Things male cops were praised for—being aggressive, promiscuous or reckless—were not for women. Once you crossed that line, people treated you different. Put you on the outside. I never wanted to end up there.

  Spending time with my family always recharged me and I went home more relaxed than I’d been in weeks. Now if I could scrub the random thoughts of Marcone out of my head, life would be perfect.

  Chapter Ten

  JoJo

  Delta and I sat outside the Brotherhood clubhouse, enjoying the scenic view—a half dozen of our club girls washed cars and bikes, although the girls were more soaked than the vehicles. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a lazy June day. Tomorrow two of our prospects would earn their cuts when they took their oaths in front of the members—a good damn day.

  “Another month and I’m in the clear. Our prospects will be full members and one of them can become the babysitter.” I sipped the specialty beer Delta gave me. It didn’t taste bad, but I didn’t understand the hype.

  “You’re fucking delusional. No way Rebel will let you off training duty, especially after you told the recruits he gets off whipping them when they screw up.” Delta smirked my way.

  Smug bastard. “I’ll do worse if I have to keep babysitting biker wannabes. You know I sent more packing than we kept.”

  “Another reason the job is yours.” Delta finished his beer. “You’re a damn fine drill sergeant.”

  “It’s your
turn,” I grumbled.

  The normally broody bastard belted out a laugh. Rare for him. “They’d all run away then, or get killed.” The dark look returned.

  “Neither of us caused that to happen.” I handed him another beer. “It sucks we lived, but we didn’t kill them.”

  Delta nodded. “You didn’t kill them. I was the one leading the mission.”

  Losing two guys during our last year of service bothered us both, but Delta still carried those dead men on his back. To make matters worse, we never solved that case because we’d been reassigned to another base before we’d found the culprit. It was the last time I’d seen him lead.

  “Which one you taking inside?” I nodded to the girls in front of us. Delta always had a way with the ladies and that hadn’t changed.

  He grinned and winked at me. “Why would I stop at one?”

  True enough. “That’s a good damn idea.” I needed laid but Charlie’s blue eyes haunted me. She wanted no part of me, but I still wanted her. The abundant pussy offered at the club didn’t appeal to me. I needed to get over myself, soon.

  “Bullshit,” Delta barked. “You only got a hard-on for one and she don’t want you.” He snorted. “You’re a damn moron.”

  The asshole never pulled a punch. “I’m fixing to fuck her out of my system, today.” I spoke with a determination I didn’t feel.

  “Right.” He shook his head and stood up. “Then let’s go.”

  I shifted in my seat. “In a bit, you go on.”

  He gave me a look that said he’d called me on my bullshit already and strode away. The damnedest part of having a best friend was that he knew me better than I knew myself. I should just go pick one of the wet blondes and take her to bed. Charlie was history, I had no reason to see her again, and she’d made her dislike all too clear. What did I expect?

  The boss man walked over.

  “Need a word.” Rebel smacked my shoulder then sat beside me. “That guy you tagged with Archer.” Rebel frowned, a serious look on his face. “It’s Mighty Mickey, an enforcer with the Franco group in Vegas.”

  “Fuck.” Franco was known for his brutal retaliation. I’d protected some of his enemies when I’d worked for our security business. “You need to keep Delta outta Vegas.”

  “Yeah, good idea.” He ran a hand through his hair. “But I’m more worried about you and West.”

  People who were on the wrong side of Franco ended up dead. He was a bloodthirsty bastard. “You need to protect the kid.” West had next to no survival skills. He hadn’t had Uncle Sam teach him how to survive in hostile territory like Delta and I had.

  “I’m putting West with Ringer for protection and training.”

  “Have you heard anything specific?”

  Rebel nodded. “Word is there will be retaliation. Our contact reached out to see if we’d cause trouble.”

  “What? I can get amnesia or kill anyone stupid enough to challenge me.” This wasn’t my problem, and I wasn’t putting my ass on the line because of some gangster.

  “What about Danvers and the detectives?” Rebel eyed me. “Delta says you—”

  “Delta talks too much.” Of course he’d told Rebel about Charlie. The man liked ribbing me and giving others ammo to do the same. I hadn’t thought about Charlie or Danvers being in danger. Charlie was living on borrowed time. I stood. “I gotta jet.”

  “Sit your ass down,” Rebel growled.

  I sat, my knee bouncing.

  “You ain’t going anywhere until the kids get their cuts.”

  Shit. Shit. Shit. I needed to get to Charlie, protect her even if she didn’t want my protection. “I won’t let the bastards hurt her. Danvers shouldn’t be a target since he wasn’t there.” Charlie wasn’t prepared for the no-rules way the mob would come for her. Her brain didn’t work that way.

  “Why do you care? She’s a cop.” Rebel stared at me. “You go half-cocked into this thing and you drag the club along with you.”

  “She isn’t getting hurt—the end.” I spoke through clenched teeth, barely keeping myself in check. I wanted to punch someone and if Rebel pushed anymore, I’d take him down.

  “So it’s like that?” He grinned at me.

  What did he mean?

  “I will protect her.”

  “Yeah, I figured. And we’ll back you and your woman.”

  “She’s not...” But I was talking to air. Rebel had already walked back inside.

  I dialed Danvers but he didn’t answer, so I texted him, short and to the point. Put extra backup on the backup for Brie and Charlie. The mob will hit soon. I waited but he didn’t reply.

  I had no choice but to wait to leave until after the ceremony tomorrow. Likely she’d be safe for one more day. Franco liked to plan and if he was just now contacting us, we had some time. I didn’t like it, at all. How could I keep her safe?

  I couldn’t kill Mickey for a lot of reasons and it wouldn’t stop Franco from retaliating. I’d have to keep her alive long enough for Franco to decide he needed to take out Mickey. Then she should be safe. Maybe. Nothing was certain with that bastard.

  My insides were tied in knots and I needed a much better plan. Charlie wouldn’t welcome me into her world. Could I convince her to accept my protection? I’d have to talk it out with Danvers. He knew her better than I did.

  Just as I stood to head to my bike for a nighttime ride, West approached.

  “Hey, kid, you need something?”

  His hair flopped over his eye when he nodded. “Unless you’re busy.”

  I didn’t want to sit here another minute, but I had responsibilities. And West was one of them. “Got lots of time. Grab us a beer before you sit.” It was probably one of the last commands I’d give him. Tomorrow he’d be a full brother and a damn fine addition to our club.

  He tossed me a Bud then sat down but he didn’t speak.

  I drank my beer and waited. He’d get around to what bothered him.

  “Tomorrow, I might be picked...probably not.”

  I knew he would but I’d never let him know that. “And?” I resisted the urge to bust his balls. Something weighed on his mind.

  “What if I fuck it up?”

  “Fuck what up?”

  “Everything...the ceremony...being a brother. I’m not ready.” He stared at the grass between his feet.

  “If we say you’re ready, you’ll be fucking ready. Understand me?”

  He gulped with a nod. “Got it. But what if I forget the oath?”

  “You won’t. And don’t fucking smile. This shit is important.” I remembered earning my own cut. When I received the cut, I gained a family. And unlike my own blood, my brothers were loyal. “You get picked or not, it’s not a concern because it’s right. When the time is right you’ll be part of us.”

  He nodded.

  “We don’t make mistakes, so there’s nothing to worry about.” That was complete bullshit but maybe it’d make him feel better. “This is new for us, having more prospects than we patch in at any one ceremony. So it adds some unease...but nothing for you to worry about. I got your back.”

  The kid looked at me for the first time. “Yeah?”

  “Fuck yeah. You need a reminder, just look my way tomorrow.”

  “I’m going for a ride.” He stood up. “Thanks.” He walked into the night, shoulders hunched like he carried the world on them.

  Once he’d left, I decided to ride too. I needed to clear my mind. I didn’t pull my bike into my driveway until late that night. Delta’s bike wasn’t here so he’d probably stayed at the club with his girls. I’d talk to him tomorrow before I headed north.

  I lay in bed thinking about Charlie. She’d be pissed when I told her I’d be her new roomie until she was clear of this shit storm. Eventually, I drifted to sleep.

  The heavy beat of Five Finger Death Pu
nch woke me up. My phone alarm read ten, time to get up and get to church, our weekly meeting of the Brotherhood. Today would be special since we were bringing new members into our fold. Bets were running wild as to who the first six would be.

  I showered way too long, but then I’d made it a habit ever since I left the military. I’d hated the way Uncle Sam had wanted to dictate every part of my life—three-minute showers in basic training had sucked, and I’d thrown out every one of those uptight rules as soon as I could. My skill with weapons and hand-to-hand combat, now those I’d embraced and honed to an even sharper edge.

  I stepped on my bike and kick-started my black sportster and roared away from Ardmore. I held the throttle open and let the speed chase away my demons for the moment. Right now, I needed to slap a smile on my face and get ready to celebrate my baby bikers transition to the big leagues. I hoped West liked his new name. I’d thought long and hard for it, not that you’d know it since it was so damn obvious. But as long as West got it, then I’d be good. Rebel had named Lyle, so I’d only had to burn brain cells for one name. Of course Rebel wouldn’t do it the easy way. Romeo, the idiot who used to run the protection business, had made each of us name ourselves, which was somehow against Brotherhood tradition. A lot I knew. But then Romeo had gone rogue in a lot of ways—ones that mattered and hurt our club. I’d put the fucker in the ground if I came across him again.

  I pulled into the club and glanced down at my watch. Sixteen minutes from Ardmore to here, my personal best, and one that would get me thrown into jail for going so far over the legal limit. But they had to catch me first.

  The gravel lot was filled with bikes, we had a great turnout today—of course we didn’t welcome new brothers every day. The women already had tables set up and I smelled roasting hog in the air. Today would be one helluva party.

  Inside the clubhouse Delta nodded to me and an open seat at his table. I greeted brothers as I moved through the room. Each table in the place was a reject from somewhere, just like us, yet together they gave the cement building character. Just like the bikers in the club. Delta scooted the chair back with his boots. I sat across from him. “You have too much fun to come home?”