by K E Osborn
“Death is only silence,” Jigsaw says and I shake my head at him
That little piece of enlightenment didn’t help at all.
A squirt of blood splashes from Tyrell’s chest as Jigsaw pulls Wesley out and hands it to me.
“We better get out of here,” I huff and wipe the blade on my jeans and place it back in its holder. Behemoth bends down picking up Lookout, and Jigsaw snatches up Tyrell, and we all walk out to the bikes and van. The thump of Lookout and Tyrell’s bodies resonates through me, so I check around to make sure no one is watching as they’re placed in the rear of the van to go back with Techie. Behemoth pushes Lookout’s bike up and into the back of the van also.
“Techie when you get back to the club make sure to leave traces sayin’ Tyrell has fucked off somewhere because of the embarrassment he brought upon himself, and that he’s left everythin’ to his wife and child as repentance. Make it sound legit. I don’t care what you do just do somethin’” I say and he nods and leaps into the van.
Picking up my phone, I message Ryder about cleanup duties and give him the address. “You guys better go in case those cops circle back. I’ll stay here until the cleaners come. Jigsaw make a puzzle, and put the pieces in acid and get Ryder to take the present to the usual spot. Make sure the cleaners run a Luminol test over the area. Otherwise, the blame might shift to his wife for the disappearance of this dickwad.”
He nods. Behemoth, Jigsaw and Techie all leave, with Lookout and Tyrell in the back of the van leaving me covered in blood in a bloodstained house with cops circling.
This is bad.
Very bad.
How did it go so wrong?
Now a kid is fatherless.
Not just any kid—Jackson.
But then again, I guess he’s better off without an arsehole like Tyrell in his life.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The pungent smell of bleach is burning my senses as the cleanup crew are doing their thing in the dining room of Tyrell’s house. I know them, they work for us. They’ll do their job and there will be no evidence of anything left in this room after testing is done.
“Steel, you should go. Leave this to us,” Miranda tells me and I nod.
The thing about the cleanup crew is they’re so clean cut, you’d never suspect them to be working for bikers. So if anyone walked in on them cleaning up, you’d think they’re typical cleaners going about routine tasks. That’s why we hire them. Plus, they keep their traps shut.
“Okay, thanks, Miranda. Let Techie know when you’re done and he’ll turn the security cameras back on.”
She nods and I exhale and turn walking out of the house and back down the road toward my bike. Looking down at my blood stained clothes, I probably should have given my shirt to Techie to take in the van, but riding without a shirt would cause more suspicion than riding with one. Plus, if I hunch slightly passersby probably won’t see the blood. I’ll have to take my chances, I have no other choice.
Putting on my lid and hopping onto my Hog, I start the engine and hammer down. I need to feel the breeze over my body and the energy between my legs. I let loose and accelerate down the street making it out onto the highway at lightning velocity. The vibration of the motor brings a smile as the wind flicks against my face, almost stinging I’m riding so fast.
The expanse of the clubhouse pulls into view, and I take in a relaxing breath knowing I’ve made it back without being pulled over. Although, if the heat tried to tail me I would have made a run for it anyway. Gatekeeper pulls open the massive corrugated iron and mesh gate, it squeals and moans as I pull through and ride up to my spot.
Turning off my engine and parking my bike, I run my hand through my hair as I pull off my lid. I want to make sure Jigsaw is taking care of our little problem, and that it’s without Dad’s knowledge. I know he was heading out today, so I’m pretty sure he won’t be here, which makes life a hell of a lot fucking easier.
Cassius greets me in his usual happy manner wagging his tail. “Hey boy, I missed you too.” Leaning down, I pet him as I amble toward the clubhouse door. He cuddles into my leg as I walk, and it’s nice to have a bit of normality in this crazy fucked up day. My thoughts turn to Willow and what she’d think of what went down. She wouldn’t like this one bit. The fact that I killed a man today? I know that wouldn’t sit well with her. It would probably scare her to death, even though it was a complete accident.
I can’t tell her, no matter what.
Pulling back the weighty black door, I wander inside the clubhouse. It’s sparse with minimal people inside. Knucklehead is at the bar and he looks me up and down as I walk past him.
“Rough day?” he asks with a slight chuckle.
I scoff. “You have no idea! D’ya know where Jigsaw is?”
He nods toward the basement and smirks. “In the Chop Shop.”
My feet feel heavy as I drag them down toward the basement. Shuffling down the stairs, I can hear the machinery in action. I hate the thought of what I’m about to walk into, but it’s how shit goes down at this club and it’s how Jigsaw works—I need to respect that. Jigsaw comes into view with one foot on the bench, and he’s running the Jigsaw power tool through the middle of it. I cringe as he cuts through the body part, then drops the two halves into the vat of acid below.
Jigsaw switches off the power tool and I relax knowing I won’t have to witness any more of that fucked up shit today. I don’t think I could stomach it, honestly. “You all done in here then?” I ask.
He looks up at me smiling, his face is covered with a plastic shield which is splattered with God knows what. He lifts it up and nods.
“Ja… the final cut brings with it ease.”
I raise my eyebrow wondering what the hell he’s on about and he smiles widely and pulls off the shield and throws it on the bench. He wipes his thick black gloves on his butcher’s apron and then pulls them off as I turn around and climb up the stairs. All I needed to know was if everything is going to plan. It is. I certainly don’t need to see the rest of the final gift wrapping.
What I do need is a beer or something to take this edge off. I need to relax and then have a shower. Making it back out into the clubhouse, I tramp over to the bar and sit down on a stool. Resting my elbows on the bar, I tap it and Knucklehead nods and starts pouring. A faint echo of hushed voices reverberates across from the other side of the room. I turn to see FIM and Doug seemingly in a heated discussion. Furrowing my eyebrows, I turn back to Knucklehead and tilt my head in their direction.
“What’s up with the wonder twins?”
He shakes his head pursing his lips. “I have no idea. They’ve been arguing for like half an hour.”
I turn back to them and bring my fingers to my lips and whistle loudly. They both turn to look at me and open their eyes wide like they didn’t even know I’d come in.
“Oi, you two. What the fuck’s wrong?” They look at me and then down to my shirt and cut where the blood stains mark them. They stare and walk over, then sit down one either side of me and shake their heads.
“No, nothing. Looks like you’ve had a rough day?” FIM says.
I look down to the douche’s blood all over me and shrug. “All in a day’s work.”
“Anything you wanna share? Like, get off your chest?” Doug asks and FIM groans. I have a feeling this is what they were arguing about.
“No, I’m good. I’m not really one for sharin’ my feelin’s and shit. Thanks, though, girlfriend,” I tease and FIM chuckles.
“See, I told you.”
Doug sticks his finger up at his brother and huffs like an errant child.
Shaking my head, I frown at them. “What’s goin’ on?”
“Oh, Doug here thinks now we’ve been here a few days, we should know what’s happening in the club. What everyone’s doing? I told him we’re prospects and we have to earn that right,” FIM says. I look at Doug, who’s now folding in on himself cowering like a little fucking girl.
“Why do you th
ink you’ve earned the right to know what’s goin’ on when you’ve been here fuckin’ minutes? Knucklehead over there, has been here nearly a year and he knows jack shit about nothin’?” I yell trying to put Doug in his place.
“I’m sorry. I’m just getting used to how all this works. I like to be in the loop—”
“Well, you’re goin’ the wrong way about it. Don’t be a nosey snatch! Stickin’ your beak in will more than likely end up with it bein’ cut off.”
He tenses and nods emphatically.
“Just pull your head in, or the Prez will toss you out on your arse. If not him, then I sure as shit will.”
“He won’t fuck up again will you Doug?” FIM says defending his brother like a good brother should.
“No,” he says firmly.
I nod. “Good.”
Bringing my beer glass up to my mouth, I drink down the remnants of the refreshing amber liquid. The cold fluid flowing with ease down my throat relieving my tension as it descends further down. I honestly need to shower and get this cunt’s blood off me, so I stand and walk off leaving them to mull over what’s been said. Making my way down the hall toward my room, I feel heavy. I’m pissed that I killed Jackson’s father. Not because he didn’t deserve to die, he did, but now Jackson will grow up without a dad. I did that to him. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’m not proud of myself that’s for sure. He’s definitely better off without him, but what will he think happened to his father? Of that, I have no idea, and I just hope that it doesn’t affect him too much growing up. Hopefully, he’s too young to be traumatised by his father leaving him at such a young age.
Making my way into my room, I close the door behind me and strip off as quickly as possible on my way to the shower. The cool temperature of the tiles beneath my feet as they hit the bathroom floor makes me take in a deep breath as I stand adjusting the hot water. The rivulets of water flow down the drain, and as I step in they turn red washing away the blood of Tyrell Jones. The man I just killed. My forehead hurts as I bang it against the wall leaving it there and letting the water flow over my body. I never like killing. Tyrell is not my first, probably not my last, but it still affects me every single time I take a life. Even if the guy is a scumbag. I need to ease some of this tension. I wish I could see Willow, but she’d know straight away something was wrong, and if she asked I’m not sure I could lie to her tonight. So I’m going to head to Strapless, have some beer, a burger, watch Lunar and get bevvied up and shitfaced!
***
As I was walking out of the clubhouse to go to Strapless, Ryder had the box in his hand. I knew it was Tyrell, and it relieved me to know he was finally being taken off-site. The quicker, the better. I don’t want Dad finding out about our little side action. Especially with how it turned out. So having Tyrell off club premises now, is a good thing all round.
I’m now at Strapless sitting in a booth waiting for my burger. Vinnie fries up the best burgers in town. I’m in front of Lunar’s stage as always. I like to keep an eye on her, some of the patrons can be scum and if I need to step in to protect her then I will.
I’m feeling slightly more relaxed as I sit in the booth leaning back into the seat drinking my beer as a guy walks into the club. He’s tall, obviously drunk from the way he’s stumbling, but his arms are decked out in black and grey tattoos that go all the way up his neck. He kind of looks familiar, but I’m not sure where I’ve seen him before. He staggers up to Lunar’s stage and starts whistling and throwing random bills at her. Scrunching my eyebrows together, I sit up taller watching him. Lunar laughs as she bends down picking up his cash. The guy seems like a complete dick to me, but Lunar’s making googly eyes at him and seems to be enjoying his ogling.
“You’re beautiful,” he calls out in an American accent and she giggles which surprises me as she bends down and grinds her arse cheeks in his face. He grins from ear to ear and then suddenly falls over flat on his back. I stand up in the booth as Lunar jumps up and looks at me. I rush over to the guy who’s laying on the floor and laughing at himself.
Shaking my head, I bend down and offer him my hand. “Here dude, grab my hand.”
He looks at me and his eyes roll around in his head, but then focus on me. Grabbing my hand, I pull him up and he stumbles slightly but I steady him against myself.
“You okay, mate?” I ask and he exhales and shakes his head.
“Think I’ve drunk a bit too much,” he says and then hiccups.
I huff and look over to Vinnie, who’s watching me with this guy, and I tilt my head toward the coffee pot.
“Coffee, Vin. Black and strong.”
Vin nods as I pull the guy over to the booth to sit us both down.
“You look familiar. Do I know you?”
The drunken guy laughs and throws his hands in the air. “I’m a rock star! Or I was when I played on tour with Staked and Slayed.”
I open my eyes wide. “You played with Colter fuckin’ Slade?”
“Yeah, yeah, Colter fucking Slade. Fuck my chest hurts.”
I furrow my brows as he falls into the seat clutching at his chest and clenching his eyes shut while breathing harshly.
“Fuck man, are you all right?”
“She broke my fucking heart!” he yells at the top of his lungs and everyone turns looking at us.
I slide into the booth and wince. Poor guy, he’s in a bad way.
“Girl troubles, hey?” He opens his eyes and his head bobs up and down as he tries to focus on me.
“I love her, man. Fucking love her. I gave up my life for her. Moved to England. I even wanted to marry her. I was a player, you know? A downright fucking bastard to women and she changed me, she fucking changed me, and then she broke me. The fucking whore!” he says and then rests his head in his hands.
I tense up looking around the room wondering what the fuck to do. “Well man, maybe you’re better off?”
His head flies up and he glares at me. “Better off? Better off! She’s off and in love with Chad fucking Everly, and I’m in Australia with no band and a fucking broken heart. She’s a fucking bitch. No, she’s a fucking whore… She’s the fucking love of my life, man. And I lost her to the fuckwit, Chad!”
“Well, if you want my advice—”
“Yes, please help me!”
I chuckle slightly. “You need to let her go, mate. Get back on the horse. You’re obviously American by the accent, Aussie chicks will dig that. Get balls deep in some Aussie pussy and forget all about… what’s her name?”
“Ella.”
“Forget all about this Ella! And as for your band… What’s it called? And what happened to it?”
“Maybe you’re right. I came to Australia to get away from England. I went back to America for a while, but I just needed to travel. Get as far away from her as possible. That’s why the band is broken. Because I’m in Oz and they’re in the States. We’re called Recoil, and my name’s Danger by the way.”
I open my mouth a little, I do know him! “Oh, shit dude! I do know you. I’ve heard a couple of your songs on the alternative stations. You guys are fuckin’ good. Why don’t you get your band mates to come Down Under, and you guys can gig in our clubs?”
He opens his eyes wide and smiles. “Our clubs?” he asks.
“Yeah! The name’s Steel. VP of the Satan’s Savages MC. We have patched members who own a few clubs and bars around town and we can get you guys playin’ in them if you want?”
He takes in a deep breath and nods his head. “Well, shit, dude, I don’t know what to say.”
I smile and nod. “Talk it over with your band mates. See if they want to come over to Oz. And if they do here’s my card, we can hook you guys up to play the club scene here in this state. Maybe get you goin’ interstate too, with our other clubs. Techie is in tune with the music biz, he might know a few people in the Australian music industry. I’m sure he can help you guys.”
He runs his fingers through his dark hair and shakes his head. “Fuck,
man. You’re like a biker guardian fucken angel.”
I smirk and hand him my card with my number. This guy seems cool, and with a name like Danger he’s already in my good books.
***
I’ve spent the last few hours with Danger, getting to know him and hearing all about the love triangle between him, Ella, and Chad. To me, the warning signs were there all along, and I think he knew it too. He’s better off letting her be happy with her man. He needs to fuck a few chicks and get over the bitch. I noticed Lunar watching us all night as he sobered up. She seemed to take a liking to him, which is strange. I’ve never seen her like anyone, besides me. I’m not jealous, not at all, just a little shocked. She sat down with us at the end of her shift and they spoke for a little while and seemed to hit it off, but I wasn’t paying a whole lot of attention. My mind is still on Willow and how disappointed she’d be with how everything went down with Tyrell today.
Eventually, Danger left to go back to his hotel, and Lunar rode on the back of my bike to the clubhouse. As we walk toward the clubhouse doors after parking my bike, Lunar seems awfully upbeat.
“So have you ever met a rock star before?” she asks looping her arm with mine.
I chuckle and shake my head. “No, not really. But he’s not really an established rock star, is he?”
She scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Still, he’s played with Slayed. That’s gotta count for something.”
Pulling back the black door, I lead her inside and nod. “Yeah, s’pose it does.”
“So you wanna good fucking tonight?” she asks leaning in and kissing my neck.
I tense up and flare my nostrils. Normally after a day like today, a stress relief like a good hard fuck would be everything I’d need. But I made a promise to Willow, and I’m gonna keep it.
“Not tonight, darlin’.”
Lunar looks at me and raises an eyebrow. “Is this because of your Flame?”
I can’t help but notice the slight lift in her voice, and higher pitch in her throat that tells me she’s slightly jealous. I don’t want to lie to Lunar, there’d be no point in that, so I tell her the truth. “Yeah, we kinda made a pact that while we’re datin’, we wouldn’t sleep with anyone else.”