Beginning of the Reckoning

by Vera Quinn

  “Sugar, you need to get on the side of the bed you are claiming because as soon as I get out of the shower I am crawling in there to grab a couple of hours of shut eye.” I look at Hacksaw. Surely, he is joking. I am not sleeping with this man.

  “Bowie brought me to your room and said Devil said for me to stay here. Didn’t he tell you? I’m sorry. I’ll get dressed and go back to the common room and sleep. I’m sure there is some space somewhere,” I tell Hacksaw. I know I am babbling but Hacksaw just took his t-shirt off and his chest and abs are making me silly drunk. It has been a while since I have seen a man this undressed this close and the smirk on Hacksaw’s face tells me he knows exactly what he is doing to my libido. I start to get up but I remember I took off my shorts and bra. They are across the room slung over a chair. I’m not shy about my body by any means but it’s not what it once was. I’ve had two babies in three years. I have stretch marks and my belly isn’t as flat as it once was. I’ve lost my weight and then some since Lucas’s birth, but I’m just not as tight as Hacksaw is used to seeing with the club girls running around the club and his body is a work of art. I lick my lips. My lips and mouth have gone dry. Then Hacksaw does something that pisses me off and the spell is broken. He laughs. Not a small snicker, nope, a full belly laugh and he is looking right at me. “What the hell are you laughing at?”

  “Sugar, you are looking at me like you are a starving woman and I am an all you can eat buffet. See something you like?” Hacksaw is still laughing.

  “Just get in the shower so I can leave. My clothes are on the chair, could you hand them to me?” I point to my shorts and bra hanging on the back of the chair. “Sugar, you want them clothes get up and get them. I don’t bite and you’re not going anywhere. You’re mine.” What did he just say? I jump out of bed and I am to my clothes before Hacksaw can react. I step into my shorts. To hell with the bra. I pull my shorts up and zip and button them and then I turn on him.

  “I belong to no one! I am out of here.” I push my bra into my front pocket. Hacksaw steps in front of the door and blocks the door. “Cool your jets, woman. You are mine to keep my eyes on. Devil wants to make sure everyone has eyes on them and for some reason, you are mine to protect. Devil gave you to me.” Hacksaw is f inding this amusing. Me, not so much. Hacksaw starts walking towards me. Each step he takes I go back until I feel his dresser behind me. “Now for the rest of the story. I like to call it my version of a bedtime story so listen carefully.” Hacksaw looks at me closely to make sure I am listening. I wish I had a way out of here. “You are a single unattached woman. I am a single man that likes a lot of sex, and when I say a lot, I mean as frequently as possible. We are happening. You are going to be my woman. Somehow your sassy smart mouth has gotten under my skin. I am not going to take you on a date but we will be together when we go out. I am not asking you to marry me or even promising you anything past day to day but I want to see where this can go with us. It may last a day or we may have a long run together, regardless, you will always be safe. You don’t bitch at me for leaving the toilet seat up and I won’t yell at you when you are spending too long in the bathroom. I’ll pull my weight and you pull yours. If we are honest with each other and both of us have our eyes wide open going in, then I don’t see why this can’t work. We’re not damn teenagers anymore that don’t know how life works, so what do you say?” My mouth is hanging open. Did this overgrown ox just say all that garbage to me?

  “I’m not your woman now nor do I ever intend to be. What the hell has gotten into you? Have you bumped your head? You don’t even like me! Devil can’t just give me to you. He doesn’t own me.” I am waiting for an explanation of this lunacy.

  “Woman,” Hacksaw starts but I interrupt him.

  “My name is not woman, it is Joy.” Hacksaw grins and he starts shaking his finger at me. “See, usually, that is too much sass out of a woman but from you Joy, I like it. It’s cute as hell.” Hacksaw puts his hand on his hip and leans against the door. “Now as I was saying, two murders in one week this close to home means precautions. You know the routine. You’ve been around the BlackPath MC for how many years?” He waits for an answer but I don’t give it. “Anyway, we are stepping up security on everyone but especially Callie, Hanna, Felix and you. So, like it or not you are stuck with me.” I look at Hacksaw and take in what he has just told me. Why us four?

  “What are you talking about? Why the four o f us? I know Hanna, Felix and Callie. And I knew Sarah. They were around the BlackPath clubhouse when I was there but I barely knew Becky. Why do you think the two deaths are related?” I watch Hacksaw and I wait. He is taking too long to answer. This must have something to do with the club surely. If not he wouldn’t keep me in the dark. Have they already told Callie what is going on? The idea of leaving seems like a better idea more now than ever. Hacksaw finally looks up at me.

  “This is on a need to know basis. Do not share it. Devil will update everyone when the time is right. Do you understand? Not complying is not an option. Are we clear?” I know Hacksaw is waiting on an answer. I finally nod my head. “I need the words sugar.”

  “I understand and I won’t say anything to anyone.” I just hope I can stand by my word. “We don’t want a damn panic.” Hacksaw is still watching my face. I nod. “Alright. The BlackPath MC was hit too. Em and Maizy were targeted.” My heart clinches. My sister. It is hard for me to breathe. “Calm down sugar.” Hacksaw backs me up to his bed and sits me down.

  “Is Em alright? Do I need to go to her?” Hacksaw sits beside me and then takes my hand. “Em is going to be fine and no, no one is leaving.” Hacksaw pulls me in for a hug and it is the best damn hug. I breathe his sent in. It’s a familiar smell of the leather on his skin but different with Hacksaw’s own scent mixed in with it. I calm a little enough to relax but I need to know more.

  “Were her children with her? Are they okay? Do they need me there? I can help watch over Em,” I rattle off. “Breathe Joy ,” Hacksaw tells me, and I do. He pulls away from the hug. “Em and Maizy are good. Two men tried to grab Em and Maizy fought. Em pulled her gun and shot one of the men and the other shot her.” I start to panic. My sister has been shot. “It didn’t hit anything major. It was just a graze like a bad scratch. She’s going to be sore but she will recover. Maizy was banged up but there were three of them. The one driving the van got them out of there but Tazer and Driller received an anonymous text from a burner phone.” I wait for Hacksaw to finish. I can’t get my train of thought on the right path. I don’t know what to ask. “Whoever they are, they know a lot about Callie and her friends and family. They are targeting everyone with the damn four leaf clover tattoo. Chief gave us the information and let us know the fact that you had one too. That is why Devil put me with you. Everyone here that has one now has a shadow, always. I’m yours. We are attracted to each other so why not take the next step? It may only last until this situation is taken care of but if you are mine that gives you the safety you need.” Is this man crazy? I may not be thinking clearly but I am in a better state of mind than this idiot.

  “Are you crazy? I can go home and I will be just fine. I need to be there for Em. I can help Chief keep an eye on her. Em is my little sister and it is my job to make sure she stays safe.” Hacksaw laughs at me. Why the hell is he laughing? This is not funny.

  “This is your home now , Joy. Chief and the BlackPath MC will keep Em safe. The BlackPath members only have one woman to protect that is targeted. Do you not think they can do that? We have four of you here. Where is your self- preservation? Do you not think it would be more dangerous to be running off half-cocked? Do you not think we are being watched? Use your head. Trust us, trust me. Do you not think I can keep you safe?” This man has not figured out I am not worried about me.

  “I don’t know you well enough to trust you. I am worried about Em.” I watch Hacksaw. He is nodding his head yes. “You’re right, we don’t know each other very well but I trusted you to tell you club business. Devil trusted yo
u enough to give you this much. Can’t you meet us half way?” Hacksaw gets up and starts to pace the room. Then a pissed-off look comes over his face.

  “What?” I ask him. “Woman, I just did more explaining than I have done in a lifetime in the la st half hour. Just to get you on board with this, but the thing is, my patience has run out.” Hacksaw stops right in front of me and looks down on me with a menacing look. “Since the first day you showed up at the gym you have been in my thoughts. That by itself pisses me off. You are going to listen to me and keep your ass put. We are happening. I am claiming your ass. That means you are mine so get it through that head of yours. I will protect you with the help of my brothers. You have anything to say about that just save it because I need a fucking drink! Keep your ass in this room until I tell you different and keep your yap shut! It’s for your own good.” Hacksaw is yelling by the time he finishes. He walks to his dresser and pulls out a clean t-shirt and puts it on and then grabs his cut and turns for the door.

  “Hacksaw, I may need to listen to you now but if you come back to this room smelling like one of the club girls then I am out of here,” I tell Hacksaw point blank. I know that there isn’t a member of the Feral Steel MC that would make a woman do anything they weren’t willing to do. If I am going to need to come to terms with what Hacksaw is telling me he needs to know I have rules I live by too. I may have been a club girl at one time but I will no longer share a man with anyone. It may make me a hypocrite but I was once told if you don’t have boundaries in a relationship then there is no respect and I will not be disrespected and I know the rules of an MC club too well. Hacksaw looks at me with a smile on his face and winks at me.

  “Sugar, I wouldn’t push too hard. I might begin to think you like me.” Then he turns and leaves. The only thing I can think is asshole.

  That woman is infuriating. She wants me as much as I want her but for some damn reason she thinks she is going to deny us both. Not happening. As I am walking back to the common room to get a drink I am trying to calm my ass down. I let that woman get to me again. It’s time I let Joy know who the man is in this relationship. She says no but her eyes were saying yes. I saw the look of want when I took my shirt off. I know I went about the situation all wrong. I can’t let her know she gets to me but I will have her. It pissed me off when she said she knew none of the Feral Steel members would force a woman to do anything. Of course, we wouldn’t, but I will make Joy want me so bad she will be begging for my cock in her. It’s time I went about this with a different approach. I just had to get out of there so I could calm down. As I walk out to the common room the place is almost empty. There’s only Tito, Bo, and Crockett at the bar. Bo is serving and the other two are both standing with a beer and it looks like Tito has a bottle he is taking shots out of. This situation could get out of hand. We all need to have our heads together right now. A drunk Tito is not a good situation. The few times I have seen him drunk since he has been in the club have been few and far between. He’s just not the type of brother to not have control of himself and the man is a force to be reckoned with when he is drunk. Hard alcohol turns Tito into one mean son of a bitch. It’s been a hell of a day and Tito has lost someone he cares about.

  “Beer , prospect.” Bo’s head raises from whatever he is looking at behind the bar. He hands me my usual beer. I take a seat on the opposite side of Crockett. I pick up the bottle of whiskey and hand it to Bo. “Put that away.” Tito looks at me.

  “You have a problem brother?” Tito asks me. “Not at all, brother. It has been a fuck ed day but we need to keep some sense about us so no one else gets hurt. You know that you and whiskey are not friends. I know you want retribution but to get that we need to find out who is fucking with us. That takes a level head from you. You and Oz are our best bet to find leads. No mistakes can be made,” I tell Tito as calmly as I can.

  “Don’t you think I know that? Do you think I would let my personal shit interfere with the way I take care of business?” Tito is looking for a fight. I know he needs it to release some of his torment he must be going through.

  “Maybe you wouldn’t but whiskey brain would.” Tito is up and he punches me in the side of the face. It knocks me back but it is nothing I can’t take. I knew it was coming. I let him have that one. Tito takes a step back and waits. I am on my feet and I punch him in his gut, it bends him over but he comes right back with a haymaker to my eye. Damn, that is going to be black. Crockett is up and starts to grab Tito but I shake my head at him and he steps back. I know if Tito doesn’t get this out it is going to destroy him. It’s not like I have ever lost a woman to death but I have lost people I have cared about. Brothers gone way too soon. Both my parents. If you let the dark suck you in then it is hard to find your way back. If I need to take a few punches to help a brother then that is exactly what I will do. I get my balance back from the punch and send an upper cut to Tito’s jaw. I’m not giving it my all, just enough to give back as good as I am getting. Tito acts like I didn’t even hit him. He hits me in my gut and then hits me in the same eye. I swing and I only mean to give a punch to the side of his head but Tito turns and blood spurts from his nose. My eye is swelling but I see Devil come into the room and grab Tito and Crockett has me pushed against the bar. Bo throws Devil a bar rag and he is trying to stop Tito’s nose from bleeding.

  “What the hell are you two doing? We have enemies to fight not each other,” Devil yells at us. “Tito needs to let it out. I’m man enough to step up for a brother.” Crockett has let me go. He knows I am not angry. Devil looks at Tito who has blood all over his shirt and cut.

  “He’s right Devil, it’s my fault . I was hitting the whiskey and Hacksaw was just giving me something else to focus on.” I can barely hear Tito with the rag up to his nose. It looks like the bleeding has slowed down. Devil looks at us both.

  “Where’s Joy?” Devil asks me.

  “My room.” I don’t elaborate on the conversation I shared with Joy. Joy is mine now and it is our business and no one else’s. “I’m claiming Joy.” Devil looks at me. “Does she know that? It’s a shit time to be having trouble inside the club with trouble knocking at our door,” Devil tells me. I look at Crockett and he is smiling. Tito drops the towel on the bar.

  “I told her. I’m not asking permission just letting everyone know. You want to put her with me then this is the way I am handling it. I can’t protect Joy if she doesn’t listen to me. The easiest way for that to happen is to claim her. Joy has been around club life long enough to understand what is expected from an ol’ lady. You put this in my lap then this is how I am handling it.” I know I am not giving my brothers the whole truth but right now, I don’t want to examine the feelings I have for Joy. I don’t understand them myself so I can’t explain them to Devil.

  “You want to tell yourself that then do it but we have all seen the way you have been looking at Joy since she has been around. Joy gets a reaction out of you like no other woman I have ever seen you around. And brother, you and I have known each other for years,” Devil tells me. “We are not going to sit around and talk about relationships like a bunch of women. What is important right now is keeping everyone safe but walk lightly, brother. If you push a woman too far you are likely to find yourself all alone.” Tito gets up from his stool and looks at me.

  “I know what you were trying to do and I appreciate it. Did it help, maybe? A little advice, if you care about Joy even a little, hold on to her. You don’t want what happened to Sarah to happen to Joy because you will be filled with regret.” I look in Tito’s eyes and he has a tortured look in his eyes. “Sarah could be difficult at times. We had been seeing each other since right after she came to live in Oklahoma. She wanted everyone to know about us at first. I wanted to wait and make sure we were solid before we let everyone in on the fact that there was an us. Sarah wasn’t asking for my patch or even a ring, she just wanted to share with our family. We fought about it. All I wanted was just a little more time. Time ran out. No one is pr
omised a tomorrow and I will forever be the asshole who wouldn’t even be honest with our family about us. Sarah was the one for me and how do I live with that now? All she wanted was me. Don’t let it happen to you Hacksaw. If Joy is who you want then take care of her.” Tito walks away. Well, damn.

  “She knew you loved her Tito. She told Callie that she loved you and you loved her.” Tito stops and turns around and looks at Devil. “She had all the faith in the wo rld in us. It was me that didn’t at first and then when I was ready to let everyone know she was already hurt and she was trying to get back at me for hesitating at first. Time ran out for us to make it right,” Tito tells us.

  “We’re here if you need us,” Crockett tells Tito. Tito nods his head in understanding. He turns and walks away. Devil is looking at me. “Tito is right about Joy. I have regrets with Callie when I was being an ass. The re was a block of time that we missed because I was being an ass. I lied to myself as much as I lied to her. It was a life lesson and one I won’t repeat,” Devil tells me.