Chief

by Debra Kayn

  Margo and Becker walked up to Johanna. She smiled at the older couple. Margo was the one responsible for fixing all the food for the men and running the kitchen, while her husband remained part of Brikken after a road crash took the lower part of his right leg.

  "It's sure good to have Chief back, darling." Becker hobbled on his prosthetic leg beside her and looked out at the others. "I look at him, and I still see the punk kid who dogged Rollo's footsteps. If a fight broke out, I knew who was in the middle of the melee."

  She smiled, gazing out at Chief. "A troublemaker?"

  "No, darling. A leader, like Rollo." Becker sucked on his cigarette. "That boy did his daddy proud, may he rest in peace."

  "Does Chief look like his dad or mom?" She glanced at Becker. "I don't think I've seen a picture of them before."

  "There's a picture of Rollo in the meeting room. You'll have to ask Chief about seeing it. He's the mirror image of his father, the same way Thorn is a picture of his daddy." Becker whistled low. "But, his momma was the beauty in the family. She had more men panting after her during the time she lived on Brikken property than all the women here today."

  She sipped her drink. "Chief's mom lived at the clubhouse?"

  Becker's gaze hardened. "Rollo wouldn't allow it. He had a house on the other side of the creek built for his wife and son."

  Surprised, because she'd never noticed a house on Brikken property, she asked, "Where is it?"

  "Burnt, darling." Becker turned. "Best you ask Chief if you need to know more."

  She gazed after Becker as he hobbled away from her with his wife at his side. Chief kept his past from everyone, including her. It was hard to imagine him having a childhood, parents, and a life before he was...so much bigger and in control of everything around him.

  Wanting to be with Chief, she walked around the circle of people and approached him from behind. His hand reached behind him, and she warmed. Even without seeing her, he stayed aware of her coming to him.

  She slipped her fingers into his hand. He continued listening to the men, and she let her gaze wander. Brikken men were a rough and scary group who stuck together through good times and bad. Her respect for Brikken had grown over the years, and she couldn't be happier to be a part of the family.

  Bringing her gaze back around, she gasped. Skidd stood on the other side of Chief leering at her.

  Chief let go of her and slid his hand under her hair and palmed her neck, bringing her to his side. Her heart raced, and the conversation in the room came to her garbled. She looked around Chief's chest at Skidd wanting to know what he planned when she caught the sight of the silver chain, so familiar to her, hanging around his neck.

  Her gaze lowered, looking for the silver tag and took a quick breath when the chain hung under his T-shirt, hiding what she knew to be Chief's colors on the top side and his information on the back. Her pulse raced. Skidd flaunted her jewelry in front of Chief, challenging him or trying to hurt him.

  Why would he do that?

  Chief would kill Skidd in front of everyone if he knew who had her necklace.

  "Bug?" Chief lowered his head, blocking her view of Skidd, and said, "What's wrong?"

  "I have to tell you something," she whispered.

  "What?"

  She shifted to look at Skidd again, and he'd moved away. Needing to know where he'd gone, she searched the room without any luck.

  "Johanna?" said Chief.

  "Uh..." She leaned into him. "I'm going to step outside and cool off. I'll be back."

  His mouth softened. "You need help catching a breeze?"

  "No. Stay with your men." She kissed him. "I'll be right back."

  Ten feet away, she realized he thought she was making an excuse to go have sex and turned around. He still gazed at her and lifted his brow. Muffling her moan, she hurried out of the room. She couldn't concentrate on sex when Skidd had her necklace.

  All she had to do was get it back, and all conflict surrounding the damn piece of jewelry would go away, and Chief wouldn't end up killing anyone and leaving her again.

  She took her empty glass into the kitchen and then walked outside. She had no idea where Skidd went, but she needed to find him and get the necklace back before Chief spotted him.

  Walking the line of motorcycles, she tried to recall which one belonged to Skidd. Chief had the first spot, Keeffe had the second spot, she counted down the officers and stopped at the tenth bike, looking down the long line of bikes. Oh, my God, they all looked the same.

  "Bug?"

  She whirled around and found Chief walking straight toward her. An imprudent urge to run to him and explain the situation assailed her desire to run away and hide. She held her ground and waited for him to reach her, hoping during those extra five seconds, she'd come up with a way to tell him the truth without him killing anyone.

  Chief stopped in front of her and grabbed her upper arms. "What are you doing by the motorcycles?"

  "Just walking."

  "Johanna..." He tilted his head. "What the hell is going on?"

  "I'm cooling down. It's muggy and stinky in the clubhouse." She wrapped her arms around his waist and gazed up at him. "Are you having a good time?"

  He grunted. Holding on to him, she tried to stop time from moving.

  "I'll be riding out on Monday." He rubbed her back and widened his stance.

  She groaned into his chest. "Already?"

  "I'll be back before the sun comes up on Tuesday."

  "I'll stay awake through the night then, and wait for you." She lifted her head. "Do you mind if I invite Lindsay and Ashley over that evening? They probably won't stay too late, because they both have to work the next day."

  "Yeah, that's fine." He lowered his head and kissed her. "I'm going to talk to Keeffe, and then we can go. Why don't you grab another drink for yourself while you wait."

  "Another margarita sounds good." She slid her hand into his back pocket and walked with him.

  She'd expected him to let loose, but whatever was going on with the club kept all the men holding back. They'd used the time to talk with Chief and obviously, plan the next road trip.

  "Hey, Chief," said a voice that made Johanna stumble.

  Chief's arm tightened around her shoulders and stopped her. She held on to his vest, afraid to look behind them.

  Her decision to avoid the situation ended when Chief turned her around with her at his side, and she faced Skidd, and of all people, Nene. She looked at Skidd's neck. If her necklace was there, his shirt and vest hid it from view.

  "What do you need?" said Chief.

  Skidd reached into his pocket, and when he brought out his hand, her necklace dangled from his finger. She gasped, pressing closer to Chief, knowing if he went after Skidd she wouldn't be able to stop him. But, she'd try.

  Chief took her tag necklace and looked it over. "Where did you find it?"

  Skidd hitched his thumb over his shoulder. "Out in the field. I was talking to Nene, and I don't know if the chain reflected the floodlight on the clubhouse or what, but there it was lying on the ground. Johanna must've lost it when she parked her car out there. I'm surprised it's not ruined for how many cars have driven through that area." Skidd shrugged. "I wanted to get that to you. Chano mentioned you were searching for it and I thought you were leaving and wanted to grab you before you go. I'll let you get on with your night."

  She inhaled swiftly and said, "Thank you."

  "Not a problem. Glad you got it back."

  Skidd looped his arm around Nene's shoulders and pulled her away. "She's obviously not responsible enough to wear the Chief's tag," said Nene, her words carrying in the night.

  Johanna closed her eyes, hurt over the comment. Opening her eyes, she contained the hate she had for Skidd. Giving back what he'd stolen didn't excuse his behavior toward her or make her forgive him for stealing a private gift in such a manner.

  Chief handed his tag to Johanna.

  Looking down at her necklace, she sensed tension
in Chief after Skidd and Nene left. At least that part of her worries was over. All she had to do was stay away from Skidd, and there would be no trouble between him and Chief.

  She held the necklace in her hand, not wanting to wear it after it'd touched Skidd's skin. As soon as she got home, she'd wash it. Glancing up at Chief, she found him frowning at her.

  "Tell me again how long ago you lost it." Chief lifted her chin. "The truth."

  "About four months ago." When he continued studying her, she added, "I'm glad I have it back."

  "How did you lose it?" he asked, his thumb and finger tightening on her chin, forcing her to look at him.

  "I-I told you, I wasn't sure."

  "Bullshit." His mouth hardened. "That piece of jewelry hasn't been outside or laid in the dirt and grass for four months. It's clean, so either you tell me how in the fuck Skidd got your necklace or I'm going to find him and get my answers by removing one of his fingers every fucking time he hesitates."

  "I..." She muffled her indignation.

  Her hesitation sent Chief stalking toward the clubhouse. She ran to catch him, and he shook her off his arm and went through the door.

  She paced outside, knowing she'd only make matters worse if she followed him inside and brought awareness of the real reason Skidd had her necklace in front of the other Brikken members.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  "Skidd," roared Chief.

  The crowd of Brikken members fell silent. Chief stalked forward, scanning the men. "Someone get outside and watch Johanna. Make sure she doesn't leave your sight." He pushed past his men. "Tell me where Skidd is."

  "He went down the hallway about five minutes ago, Chief."

  Without missing a step, he turned the corner, and Nene stood, blocking his path. "Where is he?"

  Nene put her hands on his chest. "I need to talk to you."

  "Not now." He bodily moved her, and she grabbed on to his vest.

  "Please." Her face contorted. "You can't go after him."

  He marched down the hallway toward the back door and found the meeting room open. Glancing behind him, Nene had left. Stepping inside, he scanned the room looking for Skidd, who didn't have access, and his body tensed at the scene before him.

  Broken glass littered the floor. He rushed over to the display case ignoring the shards piercing the soles of his leather boots. The tribute of items collected over the years remained undisturbed.

  Anger filled him. There was only one man to blame.

  Skidd.

  "Chief?" Keeffe slammed to a stop inside the room, took in the situation, and muttered, "Fuck."

  "I'm going to kill the son of a bitch." Chief swung his elbow out, shattering the remaining glass hanging from the metal frame.

  "Skidd rode out. Shore and Cash opened the gate for him, not knowing you were looking for him. Do you want me to send riders out and bring him back?" Keeffe walked slowly through the debris.

  Chief stared at the unprotected picture of the original Brikken founders. Trying to put together what happened, he wondered if the squealer who'd ratted him out and sent him to prison wasn't in Komoon Motorcycle Club, but inside Brikken. A fucking member of his own club.

  "Send a crew of six riders, find Skidd, and bring him back. As for the rest of you, we need to make sure Monday's shipment goes through without any problems."

  "What the fuck set Skidd off?"

  Several reasons came to mind. None of them good enough to save Skidd's life. Chief picked up the framed picture of Rollo and hooked it back on the wall. "Bring Nene to me."

  "Will do." Keeffe walked across the broken glass.

  "Have Johanna come here, too," he added.

  "On it." Keeffe's footsteps faded.

  Alone, he fisted his hand and punched through the broken glass clinging to the frame, over and over, until the protective barrier came down. Heaving for breath, he stood back and looked at everything he'd protected. If he hadn't gone to prison, he would've found the man responsible for snitching him out. He'd had four years to figure out who done the deed, and during that time he'd pinned his arrest on Komoon Motorcycle Club. They had the most to lose, and with the cut out of the pot and men in prison, they were barely surviving.

  He didn't like to be wrong.

  If Skidd was the one trying to bring down Brikken, all hell was going to break loose. He needed to take out the threat before he lost men. He'd make a fucking example of the motherfucker.

  "Chief?" said Johanna behind him.

  He turned away from the vandalism and Johanna gasped, hurrying forward. He strode through the glass on the floor and stopped her before she entered the mess.

  "Stay back," he said.

  "Your hand." She picked up his arm. "Keep it up in the air. I'll grab some towels. I"ll send someone to find Doc. You need stitches."

  "Sit." He reached out and pulled out a chair.

  "We need to stop your hand from bleeding." She stepped back toward the door.

  He caught her wrist and tugged her to the chair. "Sit down."

  "But, your hand—"

  "It's fine." He raised his head when Keeffe and Nene entered the room. Pointing at Nene, he pointed his finger at the table. "You, sit."

  Keeffe left the room. One of the women knew what the fuck was going on.

  "Someone tell me where Skidd is staying?" he asked.

  Nene stared him in the eyes. "As far as I know, the clubhouse."

  He looked at Johanna. She sat on the edge of the chair, working her hands in worry. Her necklace wasn't in the field for four months, and he needed to know why Skidd had the tag.

  "Do you know where he stays?" he asked, directing the question at Johanna.

  She frowned and shook her head. "You're hurt. Can I please get you something to stop the bleeding?"

  Keeffe rushed into the room and tossed him a towel. He wrapped the material around his knuckles and made a fist to keep it in place.

  "How long have you been spending time with Skidd?" He looked at Nene. "Did you know about him fucking up the room?"

  "I didn't see him do it. He left me in the main room. I only came down the hallway to find him and seen the broken glass. I didn't go in the room because I know it's off-limits unless invited." Nene mouth tightened.

  "Are you fucking him?" he asked.

  "No. I see him when he's at the club. That's it."

  He leaned over and planted his hand on the table, inches from Nene, and said, "I expect you to let me know if he contacts you. If I find out you're seeing him or involved in the shitstorm he started today, I will personally make you regret ever having any association with Rollo, me, and half the members in Brikken. Now, get out of my sight."

  Nene jumped from the chair and escaped the room. Johanna remained. The throbbing in his hand shot straight to his chest.

  He turned to Keeffe. "Give us a few minutes and shut the door behind you."

  He inhaled deeply before he turned around and faced Johanna. She needed spanked until she gave him the truth.

  "W-what's going on?" she whispered. "Did you hurt Skidd?"

  "Worried about him?"

  "What?" She exploded out of her chair. "I'm worried about you. You went after Skidd, and I find you bleeding all over the place, glass covering the room, and you're asking Nene questions."

  "Do you know where he is?" he asked.

  "No. I was outside with you, and then Keeffe came and got me." She caught the edge of the towel unraveling around his hand and rewrapped it. "You need to see Doc."

  He'd had enough injuries over his lifetime to know his hand would heal on its own without getting stitched up. "Where's your necklace?"

  She groaned in frustration. "In my pocket. Right now, we're going to get you fixed—"

  "Skidd didn't find the necklace in the yard."

  She kept her neck bent and applied pressure on his hand. "I don't want you to find out how he came to have my necklace because I don't want you to go back to prison," she whispered.

  Betrayal
hardened him. He would not repeat Rollo's mistakes.

  "I'm not going back to prison today. Answer my question." Barely in control of wanting to call everyone together to ride out and find Skidd, his voice came out deep and rough, getting Johanna's attention.

  "Skidd ripped it off my neck." Her watery gaze looked him square in the eyes. "Please, don't go after him until you calm down. I can't lose you again."

  "Did he hurt you?" he said through gritted teeth.

  She shook her head. "He wanted to take me away from you and make me his...bitch."

  "Did he hurt you?" He fisted his hands.

  A shudder rolled through her. "He didn't, though he stole my necklace and scared me. You were in prison, so I made sure I was never alone after that."

  "Jesus Christ," he muttered, pulling her to his chest. "Where were my men who looked after you?"

  She pressed against his chest. "It happened outside the clubhouse at night. It's where I was free to go by myself."

  "Why the fuck didn't you tell someone?"

  "I didn't want what he'd done to get back to you and be the cause of you not getting released, and now you're home, and I don't want you to do something stupid, because of me, and go back to prison." She held on to his injured hand, putting it between her breasts. "Please, please don't do anything that's going to get you arrested. I've got my necklace back."

  He cupped the back of her head with his uninjured hand. "It's more than the necklace, bug. I won't allow anyone to touch what is mine."

  Betrayal, within the club, went back to the beginning of Brikken. It killed his mother and finally took out Rollo. He wouldn't allow anyone to take Johanna away from him.

  Chapter Thirty

  Lindsay and Ashley sat on the couch in Johanna and Chief's living room. Johanna sat cross-legged on the floor facing them. She tried to show interest in the conversation, but her mind kept drifting back to Chief.

  He'd stayed home all day yesterday to take care of business while he sent crews out looking for Skid. Then, he'd left early with the club this morning on business. She wished she had someone to bounce her thoughts off on over Skidd and the destruction he'd caused at the club and his attack on her, but she'd never leaned on her girlfriends when it came to anything that had to do with Brikken.