by K. T Fisher
“Dad.” Travis complains, looking at him mum going into the back of the ambulance.
“I need you to watch over your brother and sister, can you do that for me?” He asks his oldest son and without thinking, Travis nods in return.
Spliff crushes Travis against his chest and I have to look away. It’s their private moment. I follow Spliff and Travis into the house as he says bye to Carl and Lorena, but again I stay back enough that they have their own privacy.
On his way out, he quickly stops beside me and gives me a small smile. It’s sad look, but I appreciate it for what it is. He’s just thankful we’re here to help him in his terrible time. I still can’t believe what’s happened.
After the ambulance has gone, Devlin tells us to take the kids in my car and Scrappy and Baby will follow and help us out until him and Grim return. As I get into the car with Carl and Lorena, Lauren returns with Travis. He had helped pack a few things for them all, just in case.
The drive is silent as expected, even Lauren and I don’t talk. What is there to say?
When we get to the house, Lorena seems pretty attached to Lauren, so she’s carries her in while Travis and Carl trail behind. Lauren shows them around, but they’re not very talkative, hardly surprising. Lorena decides that she wants to watch a film in the front room so Lauren sees to her. I look to Travis and Carl, “What do you wanna do guys? Chill?”
“Yeah, I’m gonna go and sit in the front room with Lorena.” Travis smiles and joins Lauren and Lorena.
“What about you?” I ask Carl and he shrugs his shoulders. “You want something to eat?”
“No.” He frowns.
“How about some fresh air?” I suggest and his eyes widen.
“I don’t feel like going outside.” Oh shit, how insensitive am I?
“I’m sorry.” God I feel like crap, why can’t I just care for the boy?
“Where’s mummy?” I hear Lorena from the front room.
Carl looks down at the floor. I can’t imagine what’s going through his little head. Carl then looks back up to me and the expression on his face has a sob catching in my throat. “Why did those men do that?”
How can I possibly answer any of his questions? I take Carl’s hand and lead him into the kitchen. I sit him at the table and make him a hot chocolate. Baby walks in and joins us.
“Hey Carl.” He stands next to him. “You doing ok?”
I cringe at his question. Carl just nods and Baby walks to me, shaking his head and looking frustrated.
“Why did I fucking ask him that?” He growls.
“Don’t blame yourself, it’s a tough situation.” I pour the hot water into a hot mug and mix the coco powder.
“That a hot chocolate?” He asks.
“Yes, I’m guessing you want one?” I smile and Baby grins wides at me. “Fine.”
I get him a cup out and myself and before I continue I ask Lauren as well, thankfully she says no and so do Lorena and Travis. Baby watches me while I make them like an excited child.
“It’s terrible.” I whisper to him and he nods looking over to Carl.
“I know, I’m just glad we got there when we did.” Baby rakes a hand through his hair. It’s lighter than Devlin’s and just a little bit longer.
“Were there a lot?” I ask, stopping what I’m doing.
Baby looks me over, thinking about what to tell me. “Yeah, about twenty guys. The funny thing is, half of them weren’t even doing anything. It was like they were waiting for us to come and Strike wasn’t even there.”
I frown as I apply marshmallows into the cups. “That’s odd.”
Deciding not to talk about it anymore, I take Carls cup over to him with mine and sit beside him. He looks to the cup, but doesn’t look interested at all. I just don’t know what to do for him. I feel so helpless.
Out of nowhere, as Baby and I carefully sip on out hot cups of chocolate, Carl begins to tell me quietly what he saw. It’s almost as if he doesn’t want to talk, but knows that he needs to. Carl’s young but Marie always said he was a smart kid.
From what he tells me they were all having breakfast when the shots started. They began to sneak outside because they thought they were only in the front. Spliff tried his best to fight them off while Travis rang Franky. Trying to help his dad, fifteen year old Travis helped while Carl and Lorena ran outside with Marie, but they were met with men who had snuck to the back garden. Marie quickly turned around, guiding the children back inside. When they reached the door Carl explained that his Mums body was covered in blood, even her mouth was dripping with it and instead of coming back into the house, she grabbed one of Spliff’s gun and ran towards The Devils, shooting them as they did her.
As horrible as it is, when he’s older Carl will recognise what a strong woman his mother was. That was an amazing thing to do for your children. Carl begins to cry and I have to hold back my tears as hold him tightly. No twelve year old should have to experience that. This shit has to end now! I won’t let anyone else get hurt by these men, no more families will be destroyed.
I hold Carl close and look over at Baby, he too has tears in his eyes as he looks at the boy in my arms. He eventually drinks his hot chocolate and we decided to join the others in the front room. Lorena had picked a Disney movie, but it looks as if she’s falling to sleep in Lauren’s lap. Travis is sat in the chair, looking tense. I bet if anyone walked through the front door, he would be up and ready to protect his younger siblings.
Carl sits beside me when I sit on the sofa beside Lauren. She grabs my hand and squeezes. I’m glad I have her with me.
“Where’s Scrap?” Baby asks.
“Checking outside.” Is all Lauren says.
“You wanna check out the house with me Travis?” Baby asks and straight away Travis stands.
“Yeah sure.” I’ll bet he will do just about anything right now if he thinks it will protect his family.
Carl is silent and I look down to see him sleeping. Poor little guy. I dread to think what he will dream about.
The sound of running feet bounding down the stairs makes me tense. I look down to check if Carl has woken from the noise, but he’s still fast asleep and so is Lorena. Poor guys are wiped out from all their tears. Baby and Travis come into the living room, their eyes full of panic.
“Go and fetch Scrappy.” Baby orders Travis.
“Baby?” I ask.
He gets out his phone, giving me a sympathetic look. Whatever has happened while they were upstairs, he has to report to Grim first and I guess I will have to listen in. Really, he should be calling Franky, but I suppose because this looks like it has to do with Lauren, he thinks telling Grim first is the right way to go.
“Grim, you need to get your ass home now.” Baby talks quickly, the urgency in his voice very clear. “We’ve found something in your bedroom and Natasha’s.”
Baby takes a deep breath as he looks down at his phone, I’m guessing Grim hung up and is racing over here. I hope Devlin is coming with him because after hearing that I need him. Baby then calls his dad, to let him know. He gives the same information as he did with Grim but a little more because Franky doesn’t hang up.
“Someone has obviously been in their rooms but the rest of the house is untouched. I’m guessing Strike arranged the shooting at Spliffs’ to drive us out of here, knowing the girls would stay at the house. Luckily for us, they didn’t listen to what Grim had to say and followed us.” Baby doesn’t have to say anything else, if we stayed at the house then Strike would have gotten to us and we wouldn’t be here right now. We would be kept prisoner somewhere away from our family.
As Baby talks with Franky, Scrappy returned and bounded straight upstairs. Travis had obviously told him outside. He soon returns and stands right by me and Lauren, he kisses both of our heads before calling around to make sure Drew and especially Elise, have men around to protect them.
So Baby had guessed right when we spoke in the kitchen. Strike had arranged the shooting that ki
lled a friend of mine, all so he could drive as many Kings men to the house so he could get to Lauren and me. I look across to Lauren and know that after she heard Baby say those words to Franky, she’s probably thinking the same thing.
Thanks to Strike, Marie is now dead and Carl, Lorena and Travis have no mother. A heavy feeling of guilt pulls at me because as well as feeling at fault for Strike hurting our friends to get to us, I keep thinking that I’m so thankful for not listening to the guys and deciding to follow them.
Very soon, we hear the loud rumble of bikes and Devlin and Grim come pounding through door. Lauren and I carefully move from under the kids so as not to wake them because seeing Devlin, I just want him to hold me.
When I check that Carl is still sleeping, I turn around so I can run towards Devlin but I see that there’s no need. Devlin is right in front of me, his large arms surrounding me and pulling me in close. I melt against him, loving his soothing heat and I’m not surprised when I begin to cry.
“What’s in my bedroom?” I dare to ask him in a whisper.
“I don’t know.” His voice vibrates against me.
I go to sit back down with Carl and Lorena as Devlin and Grim go upstairs with some of the others to check out what exactly Baby found in the bedrooms. I hear a lot of noise and shouting about fifty seconds after they’re out of sight. Whatever it is, they’re not happy about it and when Devlin come running down and grabs me again, I know he’s as scared as I am.
“What was up there?” I ask again.
“Letters.” Is all he says.
“I want to see.” I release myself from his arms but Devlin grabs onto my wrist to stop me.
“I don’t think you should babe.” He insists and by the look on his face, I know he’s only looking out for me.
“I have to.” I cry, tears dripping down my cheeks.
“Then I’m coming with you.” He holds onto my hand as we climb the stairs and I slowly walk into my room.
There on the bed I spot the letter that is hand written. There’s no confirmation that Strike actually had written this by his hand, but there’s no doubt that the words written down are from his mouth. I can hear him speaking them into my ear as I read.
My dear little Silver. Why have you run from me? My hands are itching to slice into your sweet skin again. I need you Silver, you’re the only one who can take my lashes. Nobody compares to you. I will get you again because you deserve to be sliced and diced for running away from me!
Be prepared for me Silver, because I will get you back and when I do, you will bleed and I will love every fucking second of it.
My hands shake as I read the last words and I drop it. I don’t even want to touch the paper where his words lie. His promises are real, there’s no question about that and that’s why I’m terrified.
“From now on, you’re always with me.” Devlin orders.
I don’t even bother to argue, I don’t care. I agree with Devlin, I should stay by him because it’s the safest I’ll ever be.
Lauren appears at the door, her face is pale white with tears streaming down and in her hands is a piece of paper. Lauren spots the paper on my floor and frowns down at it. I hold out my arm to her and she runs towards me. We hold each other for a little while.
“He said that he needs me back Tash.” She shows me her letter and reads mine as I do hers.
Lauren’s letter is much nicer than mine, Strike does demand she come back to him so he can fuck her while making her back bleed. He’s not romantic and loving, but by Strike’s standards, he adores Lauren. If he got his hands on her, he would treat her badly of course, but he would treat me worse. He loves giving me pain and making me bleed, hell he actually left me for dead once when he gave me the scar on the back of neck.
He can’t get us again, he can’t win and I won’t let him get to us. Especially Lauren! I won’t let him live his sick fantasy and have Lauren to himself. In his letter to Lauren, he promises to not let her be locked in a room again. She would have to live by the rules and live a miserable life, but the way he makes it sound as if it’s an amazing deal for her. I can’t let him get his hands on Lauren.
When Lauren reads my letter, she’s cries out and holds me tight. The men around us look at us as if we’ve just been handed our death sentence and we pretty much have.
“Come on, we’re going on lockdown.” Grim demands.
“You asked dad about that?” Baby asks.
“I don’t need to, I’m VP and if I think it’s the safest for everyone in this club and their families then lockdown is what we’re fucking doing.” He gets out his phone, telling Franky exactly what they think they should do as Lauren and I pack some things. We don’t know how long we will be kept in the clubhouse for.
Devlin becomes impatient as he watches over me, but I just ignore him because he’s just as scared as I am.
When we get to the clubhouse, it’s pretty much already packed full of families. Looks like Franky agreed with Grim. I don’t even have time to take my bag to Devlin’s room before Elise and Drew rush towards Lauren and I. They are both crying and I try to calm them but it’s no use. I’m as scared as they are.
Elise pulls back, her face has no make-up whatsoever on and her hair is pulled into a messy ponytail. Elise is a girl who takes a lot of pride of how she looks, so I know she’s too upset and panicked to bother with her appearance today. Scrappy rushes over to her, looking her over and holding her tight. He’s going to be just as worried, his baby sister was taken by the Devils and thanks to her, and Lauren and I were rescued.
“You didn’t have anything did you?” Scrappy asks her.
“What do you mean?” She asks, looking at all of us.
So they don’t know that we got letters from Strike? We tell them everything that has happened and their faces show their horror.
“No.” Elise shakes her head. “I didn’t have anything.”
“Thank god.” I sigh.
If Elise also had something from Strike I don’t know how I’d react. She’s too young and delicate to have to be connected to that man. Scrappy holds her again, kissing her on her head and hiding his tears from us all.
Nelly and Maci turn up, looking as sad as everyone else. Nelly’s in bits, she was the closest to Marie and I feel so awful for her. I look over to Lauren and I imagine her in Marie’s place and my heart shatters so much that my hand unconsciously covers my heart. God I feel so sick! I can’t even handle looking at Nelly anymore, Marie was killed as a diversion to get to me and Lauren.
The old ladies rush over and fuss over Carl and Lorena. This is when the tightness of club family life is so amazing. At hard times like this, everyone comes together. I decide now is the perfect opportunity to hide away in Devlin’s room.
“Where are you going?” Devlin soon approaches me.
“Going to put my bag away.” And to have some alone time I silently add inside my head. The way that Devlin looks at me makes me feel as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking.
“Let’s go and take a minute.” He takes my bag from me and leads me to his room and on the way we pass the room I stayed in with Lauren when we first arrived. Smiling sadly I carry on and when we make it to the privacy of Devlin’s room I literally breathe a massive sigh of relief. I didn’t realise how many eyes were looking at me out there.
Devlin throws my bag onto the floor and walks towards me, hooking his thumbs into my jeans. “My wish has come true.” He grins.
“What wish?”
“The one where I wanted you to move into my stylish room with me.” He wiggles his eyebrows and I laugh. It’s feels good to laugh.
Devlin rids me of my jacket and shoes, lying me on the bed and I watch him and he takes off his leather cut and boots. When he lies beside me I stroke the tattoos on his arms and my heartbeat slows. Devlin strokes my hair and it’s not long until my eyes become heavy and I welcome sleep.
As soon as Natasha falls asleep I know. Her body relaxes and her breathing gets heav
y and slow. I continue to hold her, taking advantage of looking at her gorgeous face while she sleeps. If she knew I did this, fuck she would make fun of me.
I knew she wanted some space I could see it in her eyes, she looked so tired. Everything caught up with her and I wanted to take care of her.
I’m so fucking glad she didn’t listen to me, I’m relieved that she wasn’t in that house. Thinking about what could have happened to her makes me hold her that little bit tighter. I feel so bad for Spliff, he’s a good man and Strike’s gone and murdered his wife. I smile from the memories that spring to mind of Marie, she was one of kind.
Unfortunately, Marie wasn’t the only casualty. We’re down two prospects because Strike decided to put a knife to their throats when he found them watching him. One of our brothers, Big John was also put down by the Devil scum but on the plus side, Messy lived. Don’t get me wrong, he’s in bad shape, much worse than when we found West outside his home. Messy was so bad that my dad thought he was dead, so did College, the clubs doctor because he was so messed up.
I’m so angry that Strike very nearly got to Natasha. I’m supposed to look after and protect her. She’s my old lady for fuck sake and I nearly handed her over like a gift to the mother fucker! My phone vibrates in my pocket. I manage to slide it out my back pocket without disturbing Natasha.
GRIM: Where you at?
ME: My room, Tash wanted space. What’s up?
GRIM: Spliff is here. You stay with Natasha, I’m taking Lauren to bed now that he’s back anyway. Catch you in the morning.
ME: Ok.
GRIM: Dads calling church in the morning. Need to talk over all these deaths.
ME: I’ll be there
***
In the morning Natasha only looks slightly better.
“Good morning beautiful.” She cocks her head to the slide and laughs.
“Stop lying, nobody looks beautiful in the morning.” She gathers all her hair together and brings it in front of her left shoulder. The right side of her neck is bare and I have the urge to lick it.