“Are you okay?”
“I should be asking you that…I did almost murder your…Kade. You married that guy? What the fuck, Nance?”
“It wasn’t a secret. You knew his name. I figured that was one of the reasons you kept your distance.”
I shake my head wildly. “No way. I’m not buying that bullshit story. You knew exactly what you were doing by keeping the truth from me.”
A heavy silence hangs between us, and then she says, “Fine. Okay, maybe I did subtly neglect to mention the Los Diablos part. I should’ve told you a long time ago.”
“Yeah, you damn well should’ve.”
“Will you just come inside so we can talk?”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, when Angel and I have been running from a bunch of Louisiana Los Diablos. How the hell can I keep her safe when Kade over there probably already gave them the heads up that we’re here? How can I be sure he’s not in on it? I could have just walked Angel right into her last day on the planet.”
She glares at me. “He is not, and he won’t.”
“You’re sure about that?”
“Stop looking for another excuse to run, Axe. Get inside. We can all sit down and get this out. I’ll put on a movie for the kids upstairs, and we’ll have a good hour to clear the air.”
“Wait a minute. Who do the kids take after?”
“What the hell do you mean by that?” she grunts out. “You’ve seen them. Who do you think they took after? And why the hell does it matter?”
“Well, you’re a suburbanite. He’s a fight or die MC Prez.”
“You know what? I’m starting to like the quiet, brooding brother I knew all those years ago way better than the one who’s on my doorstep saying ignorant things about my children.”
“I’m not trying to insult you. Jeez. I just want to know…well, I’m curious.”
“They’re my kids and when they grow up they can do whatever they want… except join a motorcycle club. Is that clear enough for you?”
“Yep.”
“Oh, and just so you don’t go apeshit a year from now…” she lowers a hand to her flat stomach, and her face softens. “We’re expecting one more. A boy. I’m five months along… I know, I’m not showing that much. That’s how it was for Annalee, but I don’t know what he’ll be yet, all right?”
“Wow. Okay. Congrats!”
“Thank you.” Nancy raises. “Come on inside.”
“I don’t think so. You and I need a one-on-one. Get in the car.”
She nods and walks around the front, climbing into the passenger side. “Fine. I’m here. Let’s do this.”
“Okay. How about we start with the elephant in the room…or more like the Los Diablos in the kitchen,” I scratch my beard, trying to form the question in a way that doesn’t offend her. “My question for you about that is…what the fuck?”
She shakes her head and gives a faint smile. “Real classy, Alexander. I think you’re asking how I ended up marrying someone in the life. If that’s what you’re asking, I’ll just say, things happen. We met, we got serious, and I married him. I won’t get into the nitty gritty of falling in love and all the chick flick dramatic stuff that makes you men block us out. As for the fact that he’s a Los Diablos, it’s pretty much the same answer. Got any more questions for me?”
“Uh, at least tell me whether he’s been good to you.”
She nods. “Kade’s a good man. He’s great with the kids, he’d die for every one of us, and he’s never uttered a single negative thing about you, Satan’s Saints, or any bikers at all to the kids.”
“Fuck, so you’re saying I’m the bad guy in this lovely story? Because that’s what I’m hearing, Nance. All those years that you were on me about being in the Saints, living like an outlaw, and only consorting with other bikers. What was that? I’ll tell you what it was. It was a fucking double standard. Now, you’re telling me that you can date someone in an MC, marry and have kids with them, but you hound me and judge me for having that life? I’m your own flesh and blood, and you basically disowned me for that. What the hell do you have to say, sis?” By the time I’m done, I’m feeling way worse for saying things that have been burning the back of my throat.
She stretches her hand over and rests it on my shoulder. “I deserve that…every word. I’m sorry. I was wrong for trying to turn you into something you’re not. I didn’t handle things well. I know that now, Axe.”
“Damn right you didn’t. Jesus,” I say, unhappy that my voice sounds like gravel.
“I think you need to apologize too,” she continues, placing her hand back in her lap.
I turn and star at her in disbelief. “Me? Why the hell for? We were all we had, Nance. You turned your back on me.”
“Don’t be melodramatic. I’ve been phoning, trying to see you. We could have hashed this out at my wedding that you didn’t attend, or when the kids were born, or the couple of times you showed up to see the kids while Kade was away, even three years ago when we were supposed to clean out the storage unit with Mom and Dad’s things. The storage locker is still packed to the rafters, you should know. I keep renewing the lease, because I’m not going there without you. What do you have to say about that?”
I swallow past the lump in my throat, chest tightening with the sharp sting of all those years we’ve lost. “Right. The locker. I guess that part was my bad.”
“And not coming to my wedding, and barely getting to know the kids. Your niece and nephew, Axe.”
“That was a dick move on my part,” I admit.”
“I’ll take that as an apology, you little shit,” she says, and genuine warmth finally reaches her smile. Her hand reaches over and skims the back of mine. “Truce?”
A loud crash comes from inside before I can answer. Both our heads turn toward the front door. Angel’s voice echoes through the screen door.
“Aww, fuck.”
“I think your girl is yelling at my husband,” Nancy mutters, opening her door.
I step out onto the curb. “She’s not my girl,” I grind out.
“Like hell she isn’t,” my sister says, snorting out a laugh as she follows me inside.
Angel is in the middle of the kitchen when we get inside, shouting something about Los Diablos killers as Kade just stands there, arms crossed and head tilted, not making a sound.
“What’s going on in here?” Nancy asks from behind me.
“Your brother needs to tell his woman to back off with that fierce tongue of hers.”
I smirk and shrug my shoulders. “Oh, Angel-face? Yeah, sorry. I don’t control her.”
Angel meets my neutral expression and rolls her eyes. “Damn right. I just want to know why these Los Diablos have been trying to kill me.”
“You kids need to take this conversation out in the backyard or something,” Nancy suggests.
Angel cocks her head, seeming to assess the suggestion. “Maybe you’re right. I’m sorry, Nancy. Axe, are you coming?”
I paste on a half-hearted grin and make a motion with my hand. “Hell yeah. I want to see the fireworks. Please, by all means, continue nailing his ass to the wall.”
20
Angel
I take a seat in the wooden Adirondack-styled lean-back chair. My hands press tightly to each of the wide armrests, eyes narrow as I wait for an answer. Kade informed us that his club, the Nevada chapter of Los Diablos MC, has no idea about any hit against me or Axe. He excused himself to speak with Antonio Vasquez, the President of his Arizona chapter, and returns with the same story. I’m not buying it for a second. If this guy thinks he’s getting away with anything, he has another thing coming. I’ve spent too much time being pushed around, grabbed, clawed at, dodging bullets, forced to wear men’s underclothes and no shoes, and too far away from my pets. Someone needs to pay.
I roll my shoulders, ready to press for details.
“Let me get this straight, Kade. You and this Antonio character have the run of Arizona and Neva
da for all the activity going down for the Los Diablos, and neither of you has any idea who’s been terrorizing your brother-in-law and me within the boundaries of your territory? Right in your own backyard?”
“Yeah, Kade. Answer the lady’s question.” Axe leans back against part of the sliding door that opens out into the backyard.
Nancy is in the doorway with her hand resting on his shoulder. They look a lot more like family now. It’s nice to see them all cozy after the initial freeze-out, although I can’t wrap my brain around how Nancy’s husband can be a top guy in his organization, and not know what’s going on under his nose.
Kade shakes his long, jet black, wavy hair and pulls it away from his face. “The Nevada and Arizona chapters are not behind this,” he insists. He reaches into the top pocket of his red polo shirt and pulls out a hair band, which he wraps around his folded, messy bundle of hair.
“Don’t you see how that makes you look? And I’m talking about your credibility, not your man bun,” I say, not even caring that his wife is standing right there.
“I’m not sure why you believe I should know everything about every Los Diablos who crosses into Nevada. Ditto for Antonio in Arizona. People relocate all the time, and there’s Vegas. Who can get a handle on that place? I’m telling you we’re not involved, and what I’ll do is give you my word that no one in my MC will lay a hand on either of you. Let’s get focused on figuring out who may have done this. Other than the Louisiana plates you saw, did you notice anything else about them?”
“They were definitely Los Diablos,” Axe offers.
“Were the ones who attacked you wearing any patches?”
Axe looks out in the distance, trying to think. “No. None of them. I can’t say for sure about the ones in the Camaros or on bikes later on.”
Kade gives Axe a puzzled look. “Wait, Camaros? Are you sure?”
“Of course we’re sure,” I pipe up. “What do you know about them?”
“That Italian son of a bitch. It had to be Giovanni’s guys. The last time we met that thieving piece of shit, two of his guards drove Camaros.”
“Hang on. Who’s this Giovanni person?” I ask.
“Bad news,” Axe answers. “An Italian mob schmuck from the east coast. A greedy, underhanded, and vengeful control freak piece of shit. He fucked with the wrong people, though. Ended up shot by his own boss for trying too damn hard. I just don’t get why he’s that interested in targeting me in particular. I’d understand if he put Silas on his hit list, given that Giovanni blames him for Sabrina leaving his sorry ass.”
“Who knows? If it’s him, we can start talking to some people.”
Axe motions to Kade. “Wasn’t he told not to step foot out west ages ago?”
“He was, but the bastard has still been trying his usual sneaky shit. Were those Camaros decked out in custom chrome finishes?”
“Could be. It was dark out. Hey, we could go find out. My bet is they haven’t fished those cars out from where they crashed last night.” Axe rubs his grizzled chin as he ponders something. “How about it, Kade? Feel like crossing enemy lines and looking into it with your Saints brother-in-law?”
Kade glances over at Nancy, and they exchange some kind of silent husband and wife communication. “Sure, why not. I just have to let my VP know what’s up. Things got a little hairy after Antonio got shot through the neck. You Saints probably didn’t even know about a couple of deserters in his ranks, and the odd ones who wanted to take over for him, showing up from California, Utah and even as far as Kentucky and West Virginia.”
“I’d bet that went over real well,” Axe mutters.
“Antonio almost had a full-scale mutiny on his hands. Tensions were running high while he was recovering, not to mention your sister was less than thrilled about it, figuring I would be next.”
Nancy steps past Axe, and steps over to Kade. She puts an arm around her husband, kissing him on the cheek. “Thank God that whole drama calmed down, honey.”
Kade runs his hand down her back. “For real. After that, Antonio’s Sergeant at Arms, Jasper, went missing. Antonio didn’t think much of it for the first few days. The man was loyal to a fault, so they figured he was just taking a few days off to see relatives or something. A few days later, Antonio got a call from one of Giovanni’s guys, basically admitting he had Jasper and wanted to do an exchange. Jasper’s life for Sabrina.”
“What? Did anyone tell Silas about this?”
“We didn’t need to. Jasper found a way to escape, and Antonio told Giovanni he’d take down every member of Giovanni’s family if he ever tried anything like that again.”
“It sounds to me like he’s still up to his fucked up tricks, maybe with Angel and me this time.”
“Could be. Someone needs to stop that guy for all the bullshit he’s pulled.”
“I’m game if you are,” Axe announces, pulling up his chair and slapping his burner phone on the patio table. “My guys are only a speakerphone call away. Silas would love any excuse to jamb justice down that dickhead’s throat.”
“I’m in,” I say, clapping my hands together. “Let’s brainstorm. Who’s got a notepad or a whiteboard?” I don’t understand why they all give me blank looks, except for Axe, who’s laughing his ass off. “What?”
“Y’all will need to excuse my librarian friend here,” Axe grins.
Nancy stands up again. “Let’s leave these details to them, Angel. It’s less gruesome this way. Actually, excuse my manners, hun. If you want to freshen up, you can use the guest room at the top of the stairs.”
“Thank you. Yes, that would be great.”
“It has its own bathroom too. You won’t have to worry about tripping over action figures or kids running in there while you’re doing your business,” she says with a smirk. “Oh, and I guess there’s a clothing issue.”
“Definitely, yes. I need to get out of these …” I look down my body, wincing. “These aren’t mine, I should mention. Isn’t that right, Axe?”
“We were being cautious,” he reminds me, flashing me a wink. “Actually, you should be thanking me now.”
“Why the hell for?”
I watch as Axe pulls a wad of cash from his pocket. “You get the pleasure of buying brand new stuff…my treat.”
“Damn right you’re paying to replace the stuff you ditched.” I turn back to Nancy. “He ditched my clothes. That guy. And made me wear this.”
“Don’t you worry, hun. It’s nothing a little shopping trip can’t fix. We can take the kids too. Do you want a change of clothes in the meantime?”
I scan Nancy’s ridiculously tiny waist and slim hips, and furrow my brow. “Girl, have you taken a good look at me? I appreciate the hospitality, but your clothes ain’t gonna fit over all this ass. Let’s go spend Axe’s money. Are you sure we’re fine to go out with whoever is trying to get us?”
“I’m positive. We’ll be safe. Kade’s guys are pretty much everywhere in town.”
I get to my feet. “Sounds perfect to me, especially if these men over here can’t appreciate my skills with a flow chart. Thanks for being a dear, Nancy.”
“No problem. Alexander?” Nancy calls out.
“Yes?” he answers with a cringe. It’s clear he’ll never get used to being called by his first name.
“Tomorrow morning first thing, you and I have a date at the old storage locker.”
“I uh, jeez, okay. Storage unit. You, me and all those memories. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Excellent. Thanks.”
“Have fun shopping, girls.”
I watch as Axe turns to go inside.
“Kade, let’s get cracking.”
21
Angel
After a long bath, a few hours of shopping therapy, and some bonding time with Nancy and her kids, I feel more like myself again. Me and Nancy have more in common than I anticipated. We attended the same college, loved some of the same nonfiction authors, adored shoe shopping, and we’re both
into country music. Nancy is easy to talk to, and our time out shopping easily feels like being out with one of the girls.
We’ve been back home for less than an hour when the men return. Axe follows Kade right into his office to get on a conference call with Axe’s friend, Vincent. Apparently he’s got a secure phone, and can get a message to Axe’s Saints President, Silas Corrigan. Kade pops his head out to ask Nancy to order pizza, which is convenient, because Nancy has already ordered enough pizza to feed an army.
Axe does pass by the kitchen on the way to the powder room at one point, catching my gaze long enough to make my core clench. I have no question that we both have it bad for each other, and only wonder whether I have enough resistance to make him work for it next time we have any privacy. Nancy’s house is hardly the time or place, as the kids race around the house and have no issue walking into closed doors at every opportunity.
In time, the men emerge from their meeting. Nancy and Kade excuse themselves to take the kids to bed. I’m sure I hear Nancy set up Axe in the main floor bedroom next to Kade’s office, which is fine with me. The guest room arrangement gives me more room to stretch out and forget about sleeping with one eye open in a cramped, bullet-ridden truck the night before.
Getting up from the kitchen table, I get started on neatening up. I fill up the dishwasher, wipe down the counters, and get the kitchen back to how we met it earlier. I’m sure that Nancy doesn’t need to feel like a bed and breakfast host on top of raising two kids, doting on her husband, getting ready for kid number three, plus this unexpected reunion with Axe, and all the Los Diablos, Satan’s Saints, and Italian mob drama.
I rinse out the last of the plates at the sink before throwing them into the dishwasher, thinking about where Nancy might have a broom around, when Axe steps up behind me. It’s more like I sense him before I feel him. He didn’t made a sound either. That heat radiating off his chest and down the front of his body is what gives him away, drawing me in. I fumble to grip the edge of the sink until I can’t feel my palms. I sway backward just a few inches, and my head makes contact with his solid chest. All I see is Axe put down a half-filled beer bottle on the counter to my right, and then both his hands lace around my waist, pulling the rest of my body in close. I find the dishcloth to dry my hands, and a second later, they reach up and back, burying into Axe’s hair. Whatever I’ve been thinking about a night alone with a bed all to myself, well, that’s no longer what I want. God, I could get used to him roaming all over my skin.
Filthy Savage (Satan's Saints MC Book 3) Page 13