by Arden, Dana
Both men pull out of me allowing me to lay my head on Poison’s thigh. I close my eyes tightly and sigh. The anguish has dissipated and is now a distant memory.
Poison’s fingers brush my hair out of my face. “All better now, Gee.” Poison asks and I nod.
“Yep, all better. Thank you.”
Banshee lies behind me caressing my back and shoulders. “No need to thank us. We’re here for you. It doesn’t matter what.”
“I need to go check on Mitz.” I say as I slowly get to my feet and head to the adjoining bathroom.
“We’ll be here when you come out.” Poison calls to me.
***
Spook
The tension in the main room of the Devils’ clubhouse is thick. Trigger and Rudy haven’t taken their eyes off the hallway. The Devils are on guard. No ones relaxed until Greer, Poison and Banshee exit the hallway.
Greer’s laughing at something Banshee is whispering in her ear as they head to the makeshift bar in the corner of the room.
The Prospect hands them a bottle of bourbon and three glasses. They make their way to the table that’s accompanied by Brute, Red, Rudy, Trigger and me.
Greer’s mood has significantly improved and some of the friction in the room eases. She sits in between Poison and Banshee who are trying to play off being relaxed when anyone paying close attention can tell that’s an act. They’re posture is tight, brows pinched and hands flexing steadily.
Greer fills their glasses and then looks around the table holding up the bottle in invitation. I lift my glass and she fills it along with Rudy’s.
Placing the bottle down, Greer’s attention is strictly on Trigger. “So, Nate, what can I do for you that I couldn’t do for you a few weeks ago?” Blunt and to the point.
“Greer, I can’t apologize enough for that day. We want to get to know you again. We want to have your six like we should’ve done a long time ago. Please, just give us that opportunity.” Trigger pleads.
“An opportunity.” She whispers as she stirs her drink with her finger. She brings her finger to her mouth and sucks off the liquid. She doesn’t realize how sensual that one move is. “You know an opportunity is all it takes to make a presumed happy event turn detrimental.”
Rudy hasn’t taken his eyes off Greer since she walked down the hall. “Just give us time to prove to you that we’re not the monsters you think we are. Shit, baby girl. I looked for you for years until you turned eighteen and I’ve been waiting for you to come back home.”
“So, once I was at an age where I’m considered an adult, you decided your efforts to find me were wasted.” She states angrily and Banshee wraps his hand around the back of her neck and squeezes. She relaxes into his touch. “Even when I turned eighteen I couldn’t get away from Dimitri. He had men following me. I had a tracker on my phone. If I left the house, it was with escorts or the men that paid him for my company.”
Rudy’s chair banging the floor hard brings my focus to him. He’s pacing, hands running viciously through his hair.
“Are you telling me that you were pimp'd out by your mother’s boyfriend?” His watery eyes stare at Greer.
“At first, it was just him taking me to events instead of mom. About six months after the first event, men started coming to the house to visit.” She says the last word with air quotes. “The first man he sold me to was some rich married man who had a fetish for young girls.” There’s no emotion in her eyes.
“Where the fuck was Farrah?” Rudy shouts.
“You mean the woman who was my incubator. The woman manipulated everyone even you. She was there. As long as she got what she wanted, she didn’t give a shit what happened to me. See when you left us for the club, she started drinking and popping pills. When she was out of it, she would blame me for you leaving us. At first, it was all just words, but when that didn’t affect me, she moved on to beating me with a sugar cane.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” Rudy questions.
“Let’s see.” She holds up her fist and starts counting it out on her fingers. “The first time I told you I wanted to go home with you, she told you that I was just pissed at not getting a new bike. You believed her. When you left, she struck me so hard and plenty that I couldn’t go to school because the wound was so tender and probably needed stitches but she wasn’t going to take me to a hospital. The next time you came to visit, I told you I wanted to spend the summer with you, but you told me that I couldn’t because you had too much shit going on with the club. Your wonderful Farrah overheard that conversation too. So, you can probably guess that after getting my ass handed to me every time I went to you to get me away from her and you didn’t, I stopped asking. It wasn’t worth the beating.”
Rudy falls back into his chair resting his elbows on the table with his face in his hands. “Baby girl, I never would’ve thought your momma would have done any of that.” He removes his hands from his face shaking his head. “She was the most generous and caring woman I’d ever met before Queenie. If I’d known, fuck, I damn well know I would’ve taken you out of there and said the hell with her.”
“It doesn’t matter, the time for remorse and redemption is long gone. I extracted myself from that situation, and Brute and the brothers here have helped me immensely.” Greer says looking around at the Devils with adoration.
“I can’t say that I’m pleased with the Devils being your first choice, but I understand now. You have to know that you have the Chaotic’s too. They’ve been by my side as I looked for you. Every year on your birthday, Professor looks you up with no luck.” Rudy defends.
“He wouldn’t have been able to find anything on me even when I came here. I had Brute change my name and Mom and Dimitri didn’t allow me to have anything that could leave a paper trail when I was there.”
“You changed your name to what.”
“I changed my last name to Hale to match aunt Hope’s. Brute gave me a job at Draft’s and I’m finally making my own decisions in my life. I don’t have to constantly wonder what’s going to happen every minute of the day. I’m happy here and I’m finding new ways to fight my demons. It’s nice seeing you both, but I want you to know I don’t need either of you anymore. I fantasized about the day I had my dad and brother back, but they were child’s dreams. I’ve lived a life where dreams never come true, but are a great escape from the monsters under your bed.”
Rudy looks defeated. “I’ve gathered you don’t need us, but I need you. I’ve had this gaping hole in my heart since the day I tried to visit you and the house was empty and I couldn’t find you. You’re my missing puzzle piece.”
Greer stares at Rudy lost in her thoughts. “I need to be me for a while before I go back to pleasing everyone else. The Devils take me as I am with my fucked up issues. I won’t be around people who automatically judge or pity me because I’m the long lost MC President’s daughter.”
“That won’t happen. I swear. I’ll set anyone straight if they do.”
“That’s the problem. You can blow smoke up anyone’s ass, but as soon as your back’s turned they’ll whisper and talk. I’m not an ignorant little girl. You can’t protect me anymore than you did when I was young.” She turns to the rest of the table and slowly rises. “I’m going to go check on Mitz and Ryland. I’ve talked more than I’m comfortable with.”
I watch as she walks down the hall to another room. When she disappears, the table is quite.
Brute breaks the silence. “Rudy, this isn’t an easy fix with words and promises. She has major trust issues. She’ll be fine here with us. She’s family here and she’s respected by the ol’ ladies and club girls.”
“If I leave here some of my men are staying. I won’t be able to survive and not know how she is.” Rudy implies.
“I can allow that for a bit, but not long-term. I’ll give you a few weeks to get to know her and work your shit out, but after that, you have to respect whatever she decides.”
Rudy nods. “Who’s okay with staying?”
Trigger raises his hand. “I’ll stay.”
I know Ryker won’t stay and leave Dani and the kids. Beanie nods his head to affirm and then I decide I’m probably the only one to keep Trigger in line other than Ryker.
“I’ll stay. I don’t have anything pressing in the shop and one of the other brothers can handle the door at Dani’s.”
Rudy stands. “Alright, I feel a little bit better about leaving her here now. I want ya’ll to check in and I don’t give a shit what it’s about. If she pisses, I want to know about it.”
“Whatever you want, Prez.” I give him a chin lift.
As Rudy’s striding to the door with a few brothers at his back, it opens and the epitome of loathing enters the door on the arm of Taz.
Randie’s eyes make contact with mine and halt her movements. Taz puts his hand on her back and gives a little push making her come to her senses. She gives me a hesitant smile and walks to a table on the opposite side. Taz takes a seat and pulls Randie onto his lap.
She looks worn out and haggard. The years definitely have not been good to her. I feel a sense of relief. I always imagined her living this perfect life with her new biker, but she is the persona of misery.
What’s that saying about grass? I can only assume hers was greener for a while and then a drought hit.
Chapter 6
Greer
Waking up the next morning, I’m not feeling overly anxious compared to last night. Being surrounded by so many unknowns at once and conquering, feels empowering.
Climbing out of the bed, showering and making my way to the kitchen is smooth sailing until I round the corner and come face to face with Chaotic’s.
“Good morning, Greer.” Nate says with a smile and a lift of his coffee cup.
“Good morning. I thought you all left last night.”
Spook’s standing next to the coffee pot as I make my way to get my fix. “Nope, Rudy wanted a few of us to stay behind.” He cajoles.
“Fun.” I turn to the fridge and start pulling out bacon, sausage and eggs placing them on the counter. “You boys hungry?” I ask as I move around the kitchen getting pans and setting them on the stove. I grab a bowl, crack some eggs and start whipping them up.
The kitchen is uncomfortably quiet, so I turn around to see not only the three Chaotic’s but Poison, Banshee, Red and Taz having a stare off in the middle of the room.
Taz is a formidable man. He’s not quite as tall as the Chaotic’s standing in front of him, who are well over six foot, but he’s stocky. I can only imagine that back in the day Taz might’ve been a prime example ofhot, get your panties wet biker, not these days though. He may have kept the muscle tone in his arms, but that belly is nice and flabby from where I stand.
Watching this group of bikers posturing like a rooster against another rooster to win over the hen and just the image has me busting out laughing hunched over picturing the brothers with chicken heads.
Catching my breath and wiping the tears from my eyes, I look to the men. All eyes are on mine. All of them have smiles on their faces, except Taz. He doesn’t look too impressed with being laughed at.
I hold up my hands still giggling a little. “Sorry. It feels like you all should be strutting back and forth. You know, walk like an Egyptian.” I, then, proceed to demonstrate the move. “Or maybe you all should just put your dicks away, help with breakfast or get out of the kitchen.”
Spook clears his throat through a chuckle. “What can I help ya with little lady?”
“Let’s see. I can manage the eggs and bacon, so if someone can handle the sausage, toast and setting the table, we should be straight.” I smile up at him as he moves slowly towards the stove.
“I got the sausage. Yo, Trigger! Can you get the toast going and Beanie, see if one of the Devils can help you with the table.” Spook’s words get everyone into action. Taz must think he’s too good to help, so he just leaves. No skin off my back.
Once breakfast is finished, we make our way to the magnificent oak table that seats ten and start digging in. Midway through, I can hear Ryland getting fussy down the hall. I go to get up and get her, but Poison stops me.
“I got her, Gee. By the time I get back with her, you’ll be done.”
I smile at him graciously. “Thanks.”
Moments like these watching the brothers be so attentive to Ryland make me sad that I had the possibility to be cherished the way Ryland is, but never received it. I’m so caught up in my head that I don’t realize the table is quiet of the commotion of silverware hitting plates and the chewing of mouths. I look up to see the Chaotic’s staring questioningly at me.
“What? Do I have something on my face?” I ask as I wipe my mouth furiously.
Nate clears his throat. “Is that your baby?” He asks while tilting his head towards the hallway.
“Well, yes and no.” I answer as their faces become even more confused.
“I don’t understand. Either she’s yours or she isn’t.” Beanie states.
“It’s a lot to explain and understand. I’m not at a place with any of you to get into it. In the eyes of the hospital, she’s Brute and Mitz’s daughter. But she is mine in any other sense.”
Nate’s stare turns to a cold glare. “So I’ve got a niece and Pop has a granddaughter, but only behind the walls of this clubhouse. To the outside world, she isn’t shit to us. Is that what I’m understanding?” He spits hastily.
“Nate, there’s a lot more at play here than your feelings. My main objective is to keep her safe and that’s what has been constructed here.”
“It’s Trigger, not Nate, not Tanner, Trigger. Got it.” He growls.
I bow my head. “Sure, Trigger.” I scoot my chair back and rise from my seat. “Enjoy the rest of your day.” As I turn, I see Poison cooing at Ryland in the doorway to the kitchen. I make my way to them and hold out my arms. “Come on, baby girl. Let’s go get you fed.” I whisper into Ryland’s hair as I take in her baby scent that soothes my frayed nerves.
***
Spook
Leave it to Trigger to make a perfectly good breakfast and turn it into a minor disaster.
“Trigger, you’ve got to settle down or she’ll never let you in.” I quietly growl under my breath to him. “She’s carting around a lot of shit and you’re not making it any better when you jump to conclusions.”
“Fuck, I can’t help it. I’m on edge. I keep imagining everything’s going to fall into place and I’ll magically have my sister back. Now, I have a niece I can’t claim and without a good explanation as to why.”
“Maybe we should have another sit down with Brute, Poison and Banshee. They’ll the closest ones I’ve see to her other than Brute’s ol’ lady.”
He nods. “I need to talk to Pop. It’s better for him to flip his shit in Cumming than the next time he comes here and figures it out.”
“Probably right.” I turn to Beanie. “Let’s get these dishes in the washer and then find out what the hell we’ll be doing while we’re here.”
“Got it.” Beanie grunts.
The rest of the day consisted of Greer avoiding anything and everything to do with Trigger, which in turn made him more anxious. He made me dizzy just watching him pace in circles. I can’t count how many times he’d stop pacing, look at Greer or the baby and stomp outside.
In the last few weeks, Trigger’s gone from the happy, nothing can get you down prankster to a younger version of Rudy, always worrying or trying to figure out the world’s misfortunes.
Dani and Ryker have texted me a few times worried about him. This stewing is out of character for him. He’s had his life figured out since the day he enlisted and now he can’t figure out how to deal with his newly found sister and niece.
Greer’s oblivious to the tension Trigger is facing. She’s only known him as a little boy. Biker Trigger goes with the flow for the most part, but when a fire gets lite under his ass about something that he’s adamant about, all hell breaks loose.
I can see the need in his eyes to hold the baby and comfort Greer, but I can, also, see him finally understanding that she handles things a lot differently than he does.
Greer bottles everything up and waits for it to explode. Trigger’s the complete opposite, if he’s bothered by something he gets it out and resolved before it can affect him completely.
I’m still playing Dr. Phil in my head when the door to the main room slams against the wall. Attention turns to the red faced Rudy charging towards Greer and the baby and Queenie hot on his heels to slow him down.
“I’ve got a grandbaby.” He bellows.
Those four words set the Devils in action. Red and a Prospect stand in front of Greer. Taz and Randie just watch on without a care in the world. Poison and Banshee probably would’ve already been surrounding Greer, but Brute sent them on a food run.
Red holds up his hands to try and calm Rudy. “Rudy, this isn’t the time or place.”
“I have a granddaughter.” Rudy repeats.
Queenie wraps her hand around his arm. “Babe, you need to settle down. You’re not going to get anywhere with this hostility. I sure as fuck wouldn’t let you near my baby with this much aggression.” She speaks drawing his attention to her and away from Greer.
“Fine.” Rudy huffs and falls into the closest place to sit, which is a brown leather loveseat. “Can someone please explain to me how I didn’t know this yesterday? I saw that baby.” He points at Ryland. “I was right here.”
Greer breaks through the two men at her front and steps to Rudy. “Yesterday, you weren’t worried about a baby. You were worried about why I didn’t come to you first and when the butt hurt was over, you were worried about trying to figure out how and why you didn’t know what your Farrah was doing to me. So don’t come in here all high and mighty wanting answers you don’t deserve.” Greer turns a defiant stare to Trigger and points. “You have no clue the shit I’ve been through. What you all have is just a little look through that big ass window that’s my life. You think by calling your daddy and intimidating me, I’ll just collapse and give you all the sordid details. Ya’ll can’t handle it. So, why don’t you do me a favor and back the fuck off.”