by K. J. Dahlen
“Sweetheart,” he began. “Twelve years ago when we came here, this club was a mess. I never brought you around it, because you wouldn’t have been safe. The leader was an absolute bastard who treated women like whores. No one deserved that.”
Reva stared at him then at Deke. “But you guys changed all that, didn’t you? I mean you took over and made this club into something you could be proud of.”
“But that took more than we wanted to give,” Deke replied. “We were ready to walk away from this place and get back on the road until we found what we wanted.”
“What happened?” she asked softly.
“I couldn’t let their leader rape a young girl.” Deke’s softly spoken words shattered the quiet. “I stood up to the bastard and it cost her, her life.”
“The bastard killed her with a knife to the back. That was after he beat her and almost raped her,” Gator grumbled.
Reva raised her hands to her mouth in shock as she looked from one to the other of them. Finally, after a few minutes she whispered, “What happened then?”
“One of his own men shot him right between the eyes.” Gator growled. “But at least he saw it coming. He didn’t get it in the back like a coward.”
“What happened to him?” Reva asked.
“I told his men to drag his sorry ass out to the woods and let him rot,” Deke stated.
“Good for you,” Reva snapped. “I hope the wolves and rats ate really good that week.”
Gator chuckled softly. “You are so bloodthirsty, woman.”
“Damn right.” Reva nodded. “Bastards like that deserve what they get.” She glared at Deke. “What happened to the girl?”
Deke glanced over at the pond. “We gave her something she didn’t have before. Peace and a final resting place that would never be disturbed, I just wished we could have stopped it from happening altogether.”
Reva shook her head. “It played out the way it was meant too. Fate played out her hand and this girl got caught in the aftermath. We can’t always prevent tragedy but we can take care of the results.” She glanced around the area. “You buried her here, didn’t you? That’s why this place is so peaceful.”
Gator nodded. “Yeah baby, we did. All we ever knew about this girl was her first name but we gave her peace.”
“What was her name?” Reva asked.
“Gillian.”
Reva leaned against her man’s shoulder and clasped her hand in his. “Thank you baby, for taking care of her. You and Deke are good men.” She paused for a moment then asked, “Is that when you guys took over the club?”
Deke nodded.
“I think you guys have done a great job here,” she stated. “You turned this club around and made it something to be proud of. I wasn’t sure about this club when we first got here but you didn’t take the easy way out and you and the guys are working hard to make it on your own.”
Deke smiled. “We’re trying.”
“I know the women are happy now.”
“What do you mean?” Gator frowned.
“Some of the women who were around before you took over,” Reva explained. “They hated Bear and never came here for parties or such. They never trusted him and did their best to stay out of his way. You’re right about Bear being a bastard. He took what he wanted and didn’t care about the consequences. He was a user. He dragged their husbands and boyfriends so far down, they were afraid they couldn’t come back from the hell he was making here. But things turned around when you guys took over and now, they are proud of the way things are. You may not know it but you gave these men their pride back and gained their respect. For most men, that means the world to them. You have a good club now. You and Gator did that.”
“It’s a work in progress sweetheart,” Gator whispered. “We have so much more work to do.”
“Yeah, but you now have more people to help you do it,” she proclaimed.
“I just think there’s so much more we could be doing,” Deke commented as he shrugged. “I just feel like I’m waiting for something to happen. I can almost feel the anticipation building at times.”
“Then fate will deal her hand when the time is right.” Reva assured him. “Maybe it’s not the right time yet. You have to have patience and wait until she decides to reveal whatever it might be.”
“You believe in fate?” Deke was stunned.
“I really do.” Reva nodded. “I truly believe that fate put Gator there when I needed him. He saved my life and he keeps me safe. As long as we’re together, I’m not afraid. He gives me the courage to get out of bed and face the day every single morning.”
Deke glanced at her then over to Gator. “You are a lucky man my friend. Don’t ever let this woman go.”
“I have no plans to. She’s mine today and every day for the rest of my life,” Gator assured him.
“Don’t worry Deke,” Reva said. “Your woman is out there and she’s waiting for you to find her.”
“How do you know that?” he asked.
“Every man, woman and child has a fated mate out there somewhere. Most of us find them at some point. You just have to be patient and wait for her. Fate will bring the two of you together then the rest is up to you.”
Deke didn’t say anything for a long time then he nodded. Maybe that was true, if so it would give him something to look forward to.
He didn’t realize fate was waiting for the right time to introduce Deke to his future. She was just moving her into position for them to meet.
Three Months Later…
At the big oak door of Deke’s office, the man paused briefly and knocked. When Deke called out, he opened the door and came inside. The office was neat and tidy. The large oak desk in front of him was littered with papers and a laptop but he paid them no mind. As his eyes met the man’s behind the desk, Wiley swallowed hard.
Deke was a big man, six foot six inches, and at least three hundred fifty pounds of raw muscle. His short black hair was brushed back away from his face and his eyes were the color of ice. His hands were just as big as the rest of him and could easily break a man in half. “What’s up, Wiley?”
“We have someone sniffing around, asking questions about one of the dancers.”
Deke sat back in his chair. His fingers steepled while his steely gaze met his Sergeant at Arms. “Now who would be foolish enough to do that?”
Wiley shrugged. “It was a young woman. She first asked Hal about her but when Hal wouldn’t give her any answers, she went into the ladies room after Candy. I don’t think Candy would talk, but you never know what chicks are gonna say.”
“Bring Candy in here,” Deke ordered as he got up and moved from behind his desk.
A few minutes later, Wiley escorted Candy into the office.
She took one look at the big man’s face and began to tremble.
“I understand we had someone asking about Peaches.”
Candy groaned. “She asked but I didn’t answer.”
“What did she want to know?”
“She said she was a friend and just wanted to know if Peaches was okay,” Candy answered truthfully. “She told me to have Peaches call her.”
“Call her where?”
“She’s at the Star Bright, room 104. I swear boss that’s all she said.”
Deke stared at the woman for a moment then nodded. “It’s okay, you aren’t in trouble, but the next time someone asks anything, you better be the one to bring it to my attention, not Hal or Wiley. I run a good place here and give you girls the protection you need to feel safe. I need you to look out for each other as well.”
Candy almost wilted in relief. “I understand boss. I’m sorry I didn’t come to you first thing.”
Deke watched as she turned and left. Then he looked over at Wiley. “Maybe you and a couple of the boys should go find this woman and bring her to me. I need to know what she wants with Peaches.”
“Sure thing Prez.” Wiley g
rinned as he turned to leave.
“Don’t hurt her man,” Deke called out, “Just bring her in.”
Wiley nodded at two other men and they all made their way to the parking lot. Mounting their bikes, they roared off.
A few minutes later, they parked near the Star Bright Motel, just down a few spots from the Jeep he’d seen the woman drive away in. Wiley glanced around the parking lot. No one else was around and he didn’t want trouble.
Dismounting their rides, they all made their way to the door of room 104. He knocked and waited for an answer. When it didn’t come right away, he pounded on the door.
A moment later, it was thrown open and a young girl stood there. “What the hell do you want?” she growled.
Wiley took a moment to look at her.
Dressed in a white motel robe she was a small woman, her long, red, wet hair fell to her waist in tiny ringlets. Her green eyes snapped with impatience.
Wiley was both impressed and puzzled with the fact that she didn’t seem to fear them. “The boss wants to see you.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot. “Well maybe, I don’t want to see your boss. Did you ever think about that?”
Wiley’s brow rose as he stared at her in astonishment. “When Deke says come lady, you come.” He reached out to grab her.
She backed a step away. “I’m warning you, I don’t like to be touched. And this Deke joker can go fuck himself. Who the hell does he think he is?”
Wiley growled and stepped forward to grab hold of her. “He’s the fucking President of the Satan’s Spawn MC, that’s who the fuck he is!”
“I told you I don’t like to be touched.” She seethed as she took another step back.
“I don’t really give a shit what you like or don’t like. You’re coming with us.”
As soon as he grabbed her arm, she went postal. Her knee met his groin and before he even fell, she roundhoused his jaw and laid him out on the floor.
The other two men with him were stunned for a moment then charged at her.
She kicked one of them in the stomach and grabbed the other by his balls. Squeezing them viciously, she dropped him to the floor while giving the first one a hit to the eye.
He dropped beside Wiley and all three men laid there while they groaned.
She stepped away and headed for the bathroom. Closing the door, she got dressed and a couple of minutes later, rejoined the three men.
They were just starting to pick themselves up from the floor.
“I warned you not to touch me.” She moved over to the bed, picked up her purse, and stood at the door. “Let’s go see this boss man of yours. I have some questions I need answers to and since he’s THE PRESIDENT,” she emphasized the words with sarcasm in her voice. “He should have all the answers I need.”
Wiley ran his hand along his jaw and felt the bruise she’d given him. His eyes sparkled with fury. “You’re riding with one of us.”
“Like hell I am,” she snapped as she made her way out the door. “I have my own vehicle and I’ll meet you there.” She walked over to her jeep and got inside.
Wiley and the others got on their bikes and revved the engines. When they tore out of the parking lot, she followed them back to the club. They were waiting for her to get out of her jeep and then they followed her inside.
Hal, the bartender gaped at them.
Wiley and Jared had bruises on their faces and Jack was holding his belly. Jack and Jared made their limping, groaning way to the bar while Wiley motioned for her to go down the hall to the back of the club. Two other men fell in behind her but they were far enough behind her to not bother her much it seemed.
Wiley knocked on the door and when Deke called out, Wiley opened it and motioned for her to go inside.
Deke glanced up at his man and looked stunned to see the bruises on his face. “What the fuck happened to you?”
Wiley raised his eyebrow and motioned toward the woman standing next to him.
Deke turned and appeared to be surprised to see her glaring back at him.
“You know, if you want someone’s attention, it behooves you to be polite about it. Instead of ordering your muscle men to fetch me, you could have asked nicely.”
Deke was shocked. He couldn’t for the life of him find the words he wanted to blast her with. His men looked just as stunned as they gasped at her statement. “Do you have any idea who I am?” he finally growled.
She shrugged her shoulders. “Of course, I know who you are. Do you think I’m stupid? You’re the great big boss man of the Satan’s Spawn, Deke Tory.”
Jack and Jared joined them and Deke could see both men were in pain. Jared was holding his stomach while Jack was holding an ice bag to his balls. He glanced over at the little slip of a girl and noted she didn’t seem to have any bruises on her at all.
Standing proud with her shoulders back and at all of five feet nothing, her red hair flowed down her back and her bright green eyes observed him carefully. Her arms were crossed over her ample chest and she couldn’t weigh more than a hundred and 10 soaking wet.
“Who the hell are you anyway?” he finally asked.
She shook her head. “My name isn’t important, my mission here is.”
“And what would that mission be?” Deke asked.
“I’m here looking for a dancer named Peaches. All I want to know is if she’s okay. I’m not looking for trouble of any kind I just want to find her.” She paused and stared at the big man behind the desk. “Why is that so difficult for you jackasses to figure out?”
Deke felt a streak of rage go through him. “This jackass protects his dancers and when someone he doesn’t know starts asking questions, he wants to know why.”
She dropped her arms and took a few steps toward his desk. Placing her fingers on the wooden surface, she leaned toward him. “Do you know Peaches?’ she asked him softly. She gazed unto his eyes.
“Yes, I know Peaches,” Deke finally told her.
“Is she okay?”
He frowned at her question. “Yes, she’s okay. Why would you ask me that?”
She stood away from the desk. “I just wanted to find her and talk to her. I didn’t mean any trouble. Will you have her call me? I need to speak to her.”
“What the hell did you do to my men?” Deke asked softly.
His men shifted nervously. They knew when he spoke in that tone of voice he was in a fine rage. They knew to steer clear of him at that point. They almost felt sorry for her, almost. And Wiley thought she would soon see his temper, he grinned.
“I warned them that I don’t like to be touched. They didn’t listen.” She shrugged. “Maybe now, they will.”
Deke stood to his impressive height and she could finally see just how big a guy he really was. Dark hair, wide shoulders and muscles to spare. He could snap her back like she was a toothpick and Cassie felt a second of fear but nothing showed on her face.
Walking around the side of his desk, he came close to where she stood. “So you don’t like to be touched huh?” He steel colored eyes burned at her.
Cassie narrowed her eyes and took a step back. When he took a step forward, she could feel the power building up inside her. She matched his temper but she knew she couldn’t match his brawn. Her mind zipped through defensive moves she’d used in the past. “No I don’t,” she whispered. “I don’t want to hurt you but I will if you force this.”
Deke barked a laugh. “I don’t think you could touch me but I could definitely hurt you.”
“No man will ever hurt me again.” She sneered. “I don’t care how big, brawny or fucking stupid they happen to be.”
Wiley gasped and paled. He watched with fear on his face waiting to see what Deke would do. No one, certainly not a woman had ever called this man stupid and lived.
But Deke surprised everyone by throwing his head back and laughing. When he stopped laughing, he looked her in the eye and sa
id, “Lady you have balls, I’ll give you that. Just don’t ever call me stupid again, or I will hurt you.”
“You could try,” she vowed under her breath. “Then don’t act it and we’ll get along fine,” she said louder than before.
“I still need a name.” Deke seemed calm and cool as he went back to his chair and sat down. Opening his desk drawer, he brought out a bottle of Black Velvet whiskey. Grabbing a couple of glasses, he poured out two shots and put one in front of her.
Cassie shook her head. “I don’t drink, sorry.”
Deke nodded. “What’s your name?” he asked her for the third time.
“Cassie.”
“Just Cassie?” he asked.
“Just Cassie. Kinda like just Cher or Madonna.”
Deke glanced over at Wiley. “Why don’t you find Peaches and bring her here.”
Wiley nodded and left the room.
Deke motioned for Cassie to sit while she waited for her friend. “Is there something other than whiskey you would like to drink?”
“Black coffee works for me.” Cassie sat down. “If you don’t have that, water is good.”
Deke looked over at Jack and nodded.
Jack got up and left the room.
“So, tell me about you and Peaches?” he asked as he poured another shot.
“We grew up together in the same hell hole until I got big enough to take care of the both of us. We’ve been together since we were five years old.”
“How did you lose track of her then?” Deke looked curious.
“Some jackass snatched her off the street when she was coming home from work about three months ago.” She glared at him. “I’ve been looking for her ever since.”
Deke frowned. “She came here looking for work. I had nothing to do with how she got here. That ain’t how we roll.”
“I didn’t say you were the jackass but somebody is and when I find them I intend to kill them,” Cassie vowed.
Wiley entered the boarding house and went to Peaches’ room.
When he knocked on the door, she called out with a sleepy, “Come in.”