Chicago Defiance Box Set Part One

by K E Osborn

Taking a breath, I swallow hard. “Are you coming over?”

  “Yes,” his tone is clipped, short and sharp, as I pant for air.

  “Sensei… I—” But I can’t finish my sentence before he ends the call abruptly.

  Sinking down into my bed, I take a deep inhale as I try to calm down.

  Sensei will be on a warpath, and I’m not sure if I will be able to stop him. But I’ll have to try my hardest. Let him know that the judicial system will do its work, and he needs to stay out of it.

  For tonight I need him.

  I just hope he will see that.

  SENSEI

  Rage burns strong inside of me, so intensely hot I’m unsure I can hold it in. That swirling typhoon inside of my stomach is at such a raging force that if I don’t release some tension, I’m going to explode.

  It took everything in me to remain calm on the phone to Sass. As I end the call to keep myself in check, I hastily slide my cell into my pocket and head off down the hall toward the armory. My feet thumping like a raging stampede of elephants, I know exactly where I need to go and what I need to do.

  Trax spots me as I storm past him, and he raises a brow watching me then he turns following me but says nothing. I let him. We walk briskly toward the armory, and I can tell Trax is enjoying my mood swing. Brothers don’t see this side of me often, so I know Trax is getting his kicks out of this.

  We make our way to the stairs, my feet pound them heavily as I step them two at a time in my mad rush to get into my domain. I need to do this quickly so I can get over to Sass and check on her, to make sure she’s okay.

  But I can’t go to her like this.

  I need to let my rage out first.

  Let that dark part of me take over.

  If only for a moment.

  So I push open the heavy door to the Chamber, the dank smell assaults me as the dim lights flicker on, and Trax chuckles slightly following me in, but still says nothing as he closes the door behind us. I move straight over to my cabinet in the darkened corner of the room to grab my Tanto dagger. The handle fitting nicely in my palm as the gold edges feel cold on my hand—it does nothing to cool the burning fire inside of me. The silver blade glistens in the dim light as I storm over to the old tattered boxing bag hanging from the rafters.

  Trax folds his arms over his chest and stands back.

  The blade points outward in my hand as I move in and begin to punch the bag with my knuckles using all the power behind my thrusts, putting my feet in my jujutsu stance as I take on the bag like it’s an unwilling opponent. My knuckles thrust forward as the bag jostles to and fro, the blade still in my hand as I let all my frustrations out with the power of the hits.

  But it isn’t quite hitting the mark.

  So I bring my right leg up in a roundhouse kick and smack the shit out of the bag. It swings heavily creaking with the force as I duck, spinning as if I were being attacked. I slide in with another one-two forward punch and an elbow strike. But still, I’m not releasing enough tension, if anything I’m getting more worked up. So I step back and take a running leap shooting forward with a fly kick straight into the bag. It swings back furiously as Trax chuckles, and anger bubbles inside of me as the bag settles back to its normal position while I pant for breath.

  My anger builds.

  I’m not done.

  Thinking of anyone touching Sass—no, choking her—has me so worked up I can’t hold it in any longer, and I lunge forward, Tanto dagger in hand, and attack the bag with everything I have. The dagger slices through the leather and immediately sand and rags begin falling as I stab one after the other, jab after jab of the Tanto into the boxing bag, wishing it were the man who brought my Sass harm. The bag rips to shreds as I groan and grunt tearing the bag apart with my bare hands and the blade.

  Trax finally steps up to me grabbing my elbow and stopping me mid-stab. I turn and glare at him, breathing harshly out of my nose as I stop to take a breath. He looks at me, his lopsided smile gone, now replaced with a look of concern as he assesses me.

  “Jesus, brother. I’ve never seen you like this. What the hell?” Trax asks.

  I drop the Tanto to the floor.

  The sound of the metal clanging on the concrete as I look at the bag—it’s completely torn apart by my actions—and it sends a cold shudder through me.

  I lost control.

  The typhoon within me won.

  The darkness engulfed me.

  I’ve never let that happen before.

  I always stay focused and in my Zen.

  “Sensei?” Trax asks snapping his fingers in front of my face.

  My eyes focus while I look to him. “I apologize.”

  He shakes his head raising his brow. “Don’t be sorry, brother, something’s got you raging. Me of all people know when something eats you up that you need to let it out. But fuck, I’ve never seen you go off like that. Is something happening we should know about? Is Ishikawa making a move?”

  I shake my head. Hearing his name right now is not fucking helping. “No, it’s Sass.”

  Trax rolls his eyes and sighs. “She dump you or something?”

  My hand reaches up to rub the back of my neck, it’s covered in sweat and I grimace from my actions. “No. A co-worker assaulted her today—”

  “What?” Trax gasps.

  “He… he strangled her—”

  “Shit… is she?”

  Shaking my head, my stomach lurches thinking how I might have reacted if things had turned out differently. “No, she’s okay. But I needed to get this out before I go to her.”

  Trax places his hand on my shoulder and squeezes with a slight nod of his head. “I understand completely, brother. It’s just you’re normally way better at hiding your anger issues than I am.” Trax tilts his head toward the stairs. “Go! Go… be with her. I’ll clean this up.”

  Raising my brow in surprise, I slump slightly at my actions. “Thank you, Trax. But, I need to clean this—”

  “Sensei, she needs you right now. Don’t waste your time here with your clean-freak ways. Trust me, I got this for you, brother.” He turns picking up my dagger and takes it over to the cabinet to put away. Trax turns back to me and chuckles. “Sensei, go! Honestly. I’m not a nice guy normally, so take my generosity and roll with it, will you? Just don’t tell anyone about it, yeah?”

  The typhoon slowly rolls away as I feel more like myself for letting all that rage out now Trax has helped calm me. Which I’m glad about, I needed that before I see Sass.

  “Thank you.”

  “Get out of here, you freak,” Trax jests.

  I smirk and turn heading for the stairs to go and be with my girl.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  SENSEI

  Pulling up to her home, I realize I’m probably going to be faced with meeting her brothers properly for the first time tonight. I’m not sure if I’m prepared for this. All I know is I’m here for Sass, and if that means taking a grilling from two cocky brothers, then I’ll take it on the chin. I’ll do that for her. Because tonight she needs me. I already took a grilling from her father, what’s another couple from her brothers?

  I got this.

  Hopping off my ride, I take a settling breath. Somehow, I have to try to keep my head level tonight. I don’t need her seeing me lose my shit like I did in front of Trax. That would be… unwise.

  So, I take off my helmet and walk to her door knocking on it gently. A few moments later, the door swings open and a broody man answers it. I’ve definitely seen him before, and I’m fairly certain he is Heath. He’s the middle child and the more protective brother of Sass. The one I need to be more assertive with. I dip my head.

  He looks me up and down with a small grunt. “Ayla said you were coming over. She’s in the kitchen helping Bowie with dinner. But before I let you in, I want to get one thing straight…” raising my brow, I nod without saying anything, “… my sister’s been through a lot today, and she means the fucking world to this family. If you hurt her
or bring her any harm … I don’t care what cut you wear… I will hunt you down.”

  I smile cockily, and it throws Heath as his head jolts back in shock at my blasé reaction. “Heath… while I don’t take kindly to threats, in this case, I appreciate your honesty, and welcome it. When it comes to Ayla, all I want is for her to be safe, protected, and cared for. So, if anything happens to her, I will be hunting down the motherfuckers responsible, too. But I can promise you… it won’t be me.”

  Heath reaches out slapping my shoulder while a slow smile draws up on his lips. “Well all right then…” He nods and gestures inside. “Want a beer?” He turns and leads the way, and I walk behind him as I ponder over how easy that was. I thought it might be a little harder, but I guess all he needed to hear was that I would protect her. Just like he would.

  We walk into the sounds and smells of something boiling in the kitchen, and as we round the corner, I notice Bowie wearing some crazy woman-in-a-bikini apron, and Sass in just a pair of boyshorts and a white tank top.

  She looks fucking perfect.

  I smile, placing my helmet on the kitchen counter as she turns to see me while a contented smile forms on her lips. Sass walks toward me, the same time I move toward her, but then I see the red welts and bruising around her neck. I quickly move my hand to her throat and gently glide my fingers over the tender area. She slumps against me as an ache forms in the pit of my stomach.

  I exhale feeling a little helpless I wasn’t there to help her. “Fuck,” is all I can manage as I sniff, and she slides her hands up my arms and looks into my eyes.

  “It looks worse than it feels,” she rasps out.

  I grit my teeth, my eyes glistening with fury as I look at her. “Where’s the fucker who did this?” She tenses looking to her brothers for guidance and a low growl echoes from my chest. “Don’t look to them… tell me, Sass.”

  “Hey, man, ease up. She’s had a rough day,” Bowie defends, and I glance at him as Sass places her hand on my arm placating me.

  I relax slightly and exhale. “What I mean to ask… is simply… will he come after you again? Do I need to put a watch on you at work?”

  She smiles and steps closer seeming to calm her nerves as she shakes her head. “No, I’m fine. He’s in custody being charged. I’ll be okay, but thank you for that, Sensei. I like that you care enough to do that for me.”

  I glance at her brothers who are both watching me and how I’m going to play this. I can’t let it go. Huffing, I grit my teeth puffing out my chest. “Sass, I’m getting someone to stand watch at the garage. I know you think it’ll scare the customers away, but honestly, right now, I don’t care about them. I care about you and your safety. You told me that your co-workers would protect you, that I didn’t need a guard on you because they would keep you safe. I can’t fucking trust that anymore, Sass…” She goes to talk, but I put my hand up stopping her. “There’s nothing you can say to argue a point, you won’t win this one. You will have a fucking guard, but I’ll make sure you can’t see him. He’ll be, in your words, stealthy as fuck.”

  A slow smile creeps on her face as Heath and Bowie chuckle as I lean in, grabbing the back of her head and pull her to me planting a hard kiss on her forehead. She molds into my body while I wrap myself around her needing her comfort as much as she needs mine. “I need to know you’re safe. Hearing some heathen attacked you today…” I trail off as I hold her to me. Her brothers both move off to continue what they were doing in the kitchen.

  “Fine. I concede. But I’m okay. I promise. Heath and Bowie were there to help me.”

  I give a nod in thanks as Heath hands me a beer, and I move away from Sass as she turns back to the stove and stirs what looks like pasta. “Thank you. I appreciate you helping her.”

  They both snort out a laugh. “Like we wouldn’t, we’re her blood, man,” Bowie replies, and I nod.

  “So, are you staying for dinner?” Heath asks.

  I look at Sass for confirmation. She smiles with a slight nod. “It would be my pleasure.”

  “Great, because I need to grill the fuck out of you, starting now. How many drug deals have you done?” Heath asks patting my back and leading me into the living room. I take a long gulp of my beer as Sass opens her eyes wide with a smirk. I tense up knowing I’m in for a long night of carefully answered questions without incriminating myself or my club, and doing it to the best of my ability without lying, but without exactly telling the truth either.

  This should be an interesting night!

  AYLA

  Sitting back watching Sensei interact with my brothers has been riveting. It’s gone from an intense grilling, where Sensei tactfully deflected the answers—even though Heath and Bowie didn’t pick up on the fact he was doing it—to them hanging out and playing video games. I had no idea Sensei would be the type to even try video games, and by the skill level he is showing, he certainly hasn’t played many in his time, but at least he’s making an effort with my douchebag brothers.

  As I lounge back and watch the male bonding unfold, I can’t help but relive moments of today.

  It was scary.

  Having someone you know come at you like that tends to rattle you.

  But knowing I have the support around me like I do makes coming out of the other side a hell of a lot easier.

  Sensei dies on screen as Bowie yells out in celebration. Sensei chuckles as he places his controller down and then turns to look at me, his hand sliding onto my bare leg and gripping my knee for comfort. “How are you? You’re very quiet?” he asks while the game continues in the background.

  I cuddle into his side. “I’m fine, now that you’re here.”

  A loud round of gunfire pummels through the living room as Bowie yells out in victory, standing up and thrusts his hands in the air as Heath throws his controller to the floor in a huff.

  “Ha! Suck it! I win, yet again,” Bowie calls out, and I smirk as Sensei smiles along with me.

  Heath stands up looking down at us letting out an exaggerated yawn. “It’s been a long day. I think you pass the test, Sensei. As long as you stay on our good side, you’re all right by me,” Heath announces slapping Sensei’s shoulder and then turns to walk off. “I’m going to bed. Night fuckers.”

  “Piker!” Bowie calls out and sits down starting up the game again as I glance at Sensei who looks at his watch assessing the time.

  I lean into his side, a tightness developing in my chest at the thought of him leaving. I don’t want to be alone tonight, not after the day I’ve had. I grip onto his hand and look him in the eyes. “Stay with me tonight?” My voice is low. Bowie doesn’t hear over the gunfire, but it’s loud enough for Sensei.

  He brings his hand up cupping my cheek to caress my face in a tender moment. “Sass, there was never any question about me staying the night.”

  Smiling at him, I glance toward the hall then look at Sensei and sigh. “Bed?” I ask.

  He nods and moves to stand up grabbing Bowie’s attention. “Where the hell are you guys going? We have Nazi zombies to kill.”

  “I’m tired, Bowie. It’s late, and we have work in the morning.”

  He scoffs. “So?”

  I chuckle. “So don’t stay up too late, okay?” I scald walking past him as he dodges me to keep his eyes on the screen.

  “Okay, Mom,” he blurts out, and I roll my eyes as I grab Sensei’s hand and walk with him toward my room.

  We step through the door. I close it behind us and stroll over to my bedside lamp and turn it on sending an amber glow around the room. Sensei takes his time looking around my bedroom that was my parents when we were growing up. My queen-size bed sits in the middle, the purple quilt still in a mess from when I got up this morning because I didn’t make it. But other than that the room is pretty well kept. The three doors to my built-in closet at the back of my room are closed, two made with white plasterboard, and the other has a mirror. It takes up the length of my room. Then to the left of that is my bathroom. My c
urtain is pulled over my window closing the nighttime moonlight from entering the room as I glance at Sensei who looks like he’s mentally taking note of where everything is. He’s so methodical in everything he does, and I like that.

  I walk over to my bed and slump down on the soft mattress letting out a long, heavy breath.

  Sensei follows sitting down beside me and shakes his head. “I don’t know what I would have done if the call I got today had a… different outcome.”

  I turn to look at him, his normally ochre colored eyes have taken on a golden and chocolate tone. They are dark, somber, forlorn, and I sink into myself knowing what he’s thinking. If Vince had choked me today, and I didn’t make it, this could be a totally different aftermath right now. I reach out grabbing his hand and thread my fingers with his. “I’m okay.”

  He grits his teeth. “No thanks to me. I hate I wasn’t there to protect you—”

  “It’s not your fault, Sensei. How could you have known? You can’t be with me all the time. You have the club, and I have work. We’re going to be apart sometimes.”

  He nods and exhales. “Yes… but I feel like I failed you today. I should be able to keep you safe.”

  “I was at work. It was a fellow employee, not some mob boss or crime lord… a simple mechanic who got a little crazy. This is not on you, Raiden.”

  Sensei nods, but I can see his mind ticking over. He’s keeping quiet about whatever he’s thinking. Whatever battle he’s waging in his head, it’s eating him up. So I decide to ease his tension.

  “Look, I know you think me being in your life is dangerous, that it puts a target on my back by being with you, but as you can see simply being at my work, I’m in danger. There’s danger in all walks of life. So aren’t I better having you around and being in your protection than you leaving me out to dry if that’s what you’re thinking?”

  His brows crease while he rubs the back of his neck like he’s relieving the tension in his muscles. “Sass, I don’t know how you know what I’m thinking, but you are making sense in this bullshit situation…” He pauses. “I care about you. In this short time, I feel like you know me and have a way of bringing out the best in me. I don’t want to lose this, but I also don’t want you in harm’s way. With what’s to come with the club, I’m unsure of whether you being involved with me is a wise choice—” I go to interrupt, but he keeps talking. “But, I see now your logic is sound. With me and the club on your side, you’ll be far more protected than out on your own.”