Hawk

by Rasey, Patricia A.

  Alexander alighted behind him, but went around back of the truck to retrieve the frame and what else was left of it. Kane and Grayson had beaten them back to the shop, their motorcycles parked in the front lot. Using the keypad, Kaleb punched in a series of numbers, waited for the beep, then swung open the back door and waltzed into the parts room, florescent lights illuminating the room. He heard the laughter, long before he saw the five vampires standing in a semi-circle, no doubt sharing humor over the demise of his chopper. Asses. Every single one of them.

  “Nobody has anything better to do?” Kaleb rounded the corner of a row of silver racks containing parts and accessories. “Now we pay you to stand around and bullshit?”

  “My, aren’t we in a snit.” Grigore flashed him a smile filled with humor. “You don’t pay us enough to begin with, Hawk.”

  “There’s the door, Wolf, if you have a better opportunity.”

  “Fuck you, Hawk. Viper would just hire me right back.”

  “So why not ride your Ironhead chopper back?” Joseph asked, not bothering to contain his humor either. Along with Alexander, he was also one of the quiet ones, never speaking unless he had an opinion on something.

  Comedians, all of them.

  “Maybe you’d like to rebuild it for me, Kinky?”

  “I’ll be glad to detail it out for you, but you know as well as I do, no one would build one to suit your picky ass.”

  “What do we have on the floor in the meantime?” Kaleb would need a ride while he rebuilt his chopper.

  “Ask Xander. He was the last one in the showroom,” Joseph said.

  The back door to the parts room opened and slammed shut, indicating Alexander had brought the frame in. The smell of the burnt parts hung heavy in the room. He needed to take care of this issue with Rosalee. No more fucking around.

  Anton walked over to where Alexander set the charred remains and whistled. “Not much left, Hawk. I would’ve had Xander deposit this shit in the Dumpster out back. Ain’t worth saving, if you ask me.”

  “No one did, Blondy. Xander, we have anything decent out there? Or did you sell the best bike on the floor to whomever was occupying your time when I called?”

  Alexander pulled off the leather gloves and tossed them on one of the stainless steel counters. “Go take your pick. You interrupted a sure sale. We have a showroom full of sweet rides.”

  “We going to get that sale back?”

  He shrugged. “I suppose she might be back.”

  Kaleb’s gaze swung from his chopper’s frame to Alexander. “She?”

  Grigore slapped Alexander on the shoulder and laughed. “Xander’s beautician thinks she needs a sweet ride. Right, GQ?”

  “Go to hell, Wolf.”

  “The lady that gave you that”—Kaleb gestured to Alexander’s newly shorn locks—“now wants to buy a motorcycle?”

  “Yeah.” He scratched his nape. “Said she’d like a Sportster.”

  “It’s a great bike for a girl, right, Gypsy?” Kaleb asked, looking at Grayson who seemed deep in a conversation with Kane.

  “What’s that?”

  “I said Xander’s girlfriend is looking for a girly bike. Why not sell her your custom Forty-Eight Sportster?”

  “Go to hell, Hawk. I like the smaller bike. I don’t need a big piece of machinery between my legs to compensate for a small dick. I don’t have any complaints in that department, unlike you—”

  “I didn’t get any complaints…” Kaleb stopped himself from bringing up Suzi’s name.

  He wasn’t sure it was the right time to broach the subject of what the two were or were not doing. He needed to spend more time with her before he started thinking in the long-term, though part of him knew damn well he was being a stubborn ass because he most certainly did not want a future without her. Regardless, that was a conversation he’d reserve at a later time.

  “So that’s why the little brunette’s been hanging at the house lately? She’s sniffing at that dick of yours?”

  Kaleb crossed the large backroom in very few strides and stuck his finger in Grayson’s chest hard enough to knock him back a few feet. “Suzi Stevens is not up for discussion, Gypsy. Unlike Tamera, whom you’ve found yourself mated to.”

  Grayson growled as three pair of eyes trained on the shorter man. Anton, being the Secretary, was the first to speak up. “You hold a church meeting without us, Gypsy?”

  “Fuck no. “

  “Then what’s this about a mate?”

  “The fucking bitch was high as a kite. Not my fault.”

  Kaleb said, “You call the clubhouse? See how she’s faring?”

  “Why the hell would I care again?”

  “I talked to Cara,” Kane spoke up. “She said she’s doing fine, all things considered.”

  “Someone want to fill the rest of us in on what the hell is going on?” Anton asked. “Or am I the only one in the dark?”

  Kaleb quickly filled the rest of the members of the Sons on what had taken place the night before. Grayson paced the parts room like a caged animal, fidgety and unsettled. Kaleb couldn’t help but feel sorry for him, but it wasn’t like he had gotten saddled with someone like Rosalee. No, Kane had taken that honor. Although to his credit, she wasn’t the crazy bitch she is today until after Kane had scorned her.

  Joseph scratched his ear as he tried to fight the rising smirk. But once Anton started laughing, the others followed suit. Aside from Grayson. No, he wasn’t finding humor in his situation at all.

  He walked over to Anton and smacked him behind the head. “I wouldn’t laugh, Blondy, seeing as how I’m moving in with you.”

  “The hell you are.” His humor shed his face. “Why my house?”

  “Because you live in that big old farmhouse all by yourself. You have plenty of room.”

  “And your mate?”

  Grayson growled low again. “She’s staying at the clubhouse. There’s far too many women there for me these days, let them keep her out of trouble.”

  “You know you’re responsible for her,” Kaleb said. “It’s not my job to make sure she makes it through the change and learns the life.”

  “No, it’s not. But since you’re the pres, you figure it out.” He turned back to Anton. “Which room is mine?”

  “You can have the top floor, bro. I haven’t used it in years.”

  “Good. Now if we’re done here, I’ll go grab my things. Anyone needs me, I’ll be at Blondy’s.”

  Grayson walked through the swinging doors leading to the showroom and out the front of the shop. The bell to the front door sounded, just before the door slammed closed, signifying the vampire had left the building.

  “Damn!” Kaleb broke the silence. “Poor Gypsy.”

  Grigore was the first to laugh again, which started a round of guffaws. Once the humor died away, he said, “I can safely say it couldn’t have happened to a better man. Maybe now the rest of us will get some action and he’ll stop hogging all the women to himself.”

  “Who said he’ll remain faithful to his mate, Wolf?” Alexander asked. “If it were me, I’d sure as hell wouldn’t. Viper never stayed faithful to his.”

  “That’s because Rosalee stopped being my mate when Ion was killed,” Kane said. “I didn’t owe her shit. Cara, on the other hand, has nothing to worry about. I’d never think to break my vow to her.”

  “If there was ever a reason to break that vow, Gypsy certainly has one.” Kaleb grimaced. “I’ll not say a word about what he does with his evenings, and I expect the same from all of you. We’re going to cut Gypsy some slack because he didn’t ask for this.”

  “So who will be responsible for her?” Joseph asked.

  Kane sighed. “Cara will no doubt insist since she’s living under our roof. I suppose that will make Tamera my responsibility as well.”

  Kaleb nodded, satisfied with his twin’s answer. “That settles it. Kane and Cara will finish seeing Tamera through her change and she’ll be their responsibility for now. That is
until we can figure out what to do with this fucked up messed. Now, I have a bone to pick with a primordial bitch … and for that I need a ride.”

  “Go take your pick, boss,” Alexander said. “Just don’t touch the new Seventy-Two Sportster with the Hard Candy Chrome Flake that came in last week.”

  Kaleb raised a brow. “You seriously think I’d be caught dead driving a bike with fucking sparkles, Xander?”

  His cheeks mottled red. “No, I just wanted to make sure it was still here tomorrow.”

  “Don’t worry, GQ … your girlfriend’s bike will still be in the showroom. I doubt any of the Sons would be caught dead on that bike.”

  Chapter 25

  Suzi leaned a shoulder against the doorframe, not daring to step a foot closer, surveying Grayson’s room where her roommate thrashed about on his king-sized bed. Sweat beaded Tamera’s forehead and upper lip as she bared her teeth to pain that only Suzi could imagine. The small, bedside lamp, fitted with a burgundy shade, lent a dim illumination to the room. Suzi was thankful for the low lighting, even if Cara had said it was for Tamera’s benefit. Anything brighter would have been like shards of glass shooting through her roommate’s pupils. Suzi stopped asking questions, thinking she might be better off if she were spared further details of what to expect when going through the change. As it was, Suzi was a fraction away from bolting.

  Deep red satin sheets spilled to the floor, reminding her of spilled blood. How ironic that she’d be reminded by the color of Grayson’s sheets of the very thing that now caused Tamera excruciating agony. She could barely stand to watch as Cara mopped her roommate’s brow, sitting on the edge of the bed and keeping vigil, when it should be Suzi offering Tamera comfort. After all, she had been the one to fail her.

  Hadn’t her warnings to steer clear of the vampire been clear?

  Yet Tamera still fell for Grayson’s deadly charm. Sure, he was probably the most appealing of the Sons when you threw in his carefree personality and insouciant attitude toward life. But in truth, Grayson was the last vampire you wanted to get caught up with. His love of life and women meant that he didn’t know the meaning of the word faithful, even if always having a woman on each arm wasn’t enough of an indicator. And why should he when he had so many women competing for his attention?

  Alexander, on the other hand, with his newly shorn locks could easily be thought of as the more handsome one of the MC. Even Suzi had been surprised by what he successfully hid under all that hair. Being one of the more quiet ones of the bunch, he had a tendency to stay out of the limelight. He’d probably be the most mate-able one of the motley bunch. And yet Suzi had to fall for the one with a stubborn streak a mile wide with a healthy ego to match.

  She wanted to fault Grayson for what she now witnessed, but in all honesty, she couldn’t. He hadn’t supplied Tamera with the X. Draven had. The Sons knew it was far too risky for a human to be high on X when they fed from them. Donors also knew the dangers, and for that reason never touched the stuff if they planned to provide communion. So why the hell had Tamera?

  Suzi had been too preoccupied with her own selfish desires to see what was going on with her roommate right under her nose. As the elder donor, she should’ve made sure Tamera knew and followed the rules. Suzi drew her lower lip between her teeth, knowing she had failed Tamera. If she hadn’t been so occupied by Kaleb and her desire to make him suffer, she might’ve seen the signs that her roommate had been on a course to self-destruction. She’d bet that Grayson hadn’t expected the outcome of his night either, now strapped with a mate he didn’t want.

  Where the hell was he anyway?

  A scream rent the air, bringing her attention back to her roommate. Moisture gathered in her eyes and a shiver passed down her spine. Tamera’s back arched from the bed, her hands fisting the red sheets and whitening her knuckles. Suzi clenched her own teeth in imagined pain. The coward in her wanted to make an excuse, to flee the clubhouse and skip out on the rest of the show. But her loyalty kept her rooted in place. Tamera had pleaded with her to stay, saying it would help knowing Suzi was near.

  Not able to watch a moment longer, Suzi’s gaze drifted about the room, focusing on Grayson’s chosen furnishings. Somehow it didn’t surprise her that Grayson’s bed had been fitted in the soft, silky fabric, topped with a a rich black comforter. Matching black material hung from the corners of the four posters, tied midway by deep red scarves. Suzi didn’t want to guess what those scarves might’ve been used for. Black lacquered furniture finished off the look. Other than the splash of red, the room was devoid of any other color. It fit Grayson. Funny how she could easily imagine him lounging in the center of that big bed with a woman on either side. She supposed if the situation were different, it would be him there with Tamera and not Kane’s mate.

  Mate.

  Cara sat by Tamera’s side … Grayson’s mate, and continued to mop her brow with the cool cloth. She held Tamera’s hand with her free one, even though it looked as though Tamera’s grip might just crush Cara’s smaller hand. But Cara hadn’t so much as flinched. A half hour had passed since retrieving Tamera’s change of clothes and Suzi had yet to enter the room. Truth be told, watching the change and the pain that it inflicted scared the bejesus out of her.

  Becoming Kaleb’s mate was quickly losing its appeal. Not because she didn’t desire to be with him for all eternity, or love him with all her heart, but because there was no way in hell she could endure the kind of agony she had been a witness to.

  Tears leaked from the corners of Tamera’s eyes, eyes that now seemed closer to the obsidian black of the vampire than the bright green of her natural gaze. Tears wet Suzi’s cheeks as she hugged her middle. She couldn’t help her thoughts retuning to Kaleb and how she had wanted this … to be his mate. Now, the coward in her had her wanting to tuck her tail and run. To leave this crazy life behind and opt for a more normal one.

  Suzi feared she wasn’t cut of a strong enough cloth to cross over. Good thing for her, Kaleb had already expressed his desire to remain unmated. He had always been upfront with the women he slept with. Word traveled amongst the donors that he had no desire to date exclusively. No doubt as Suzi grew older, he’d want to replace her with a younger, more energetic donor—if she lasted outside of a year. The thought of Kaleb lying with any another woman gripped her gut and panged her heart. Maybe she’d be better off ending things now before she invested any more of herself. For surely, more time spent in his company would make it that much more painful to walk away.

  “Is she going to be okay?” Suzi asked, drawing Cara’s attention.

  The blonde smiled, her own eyes hovering between the normal vibrant blue and the glass-like obsidian. Great, she’d be the only human left in the room. Not that she wasn’t used to seeing the Sons as their vampire selves, but it was an entire different thing to see her best friends become one of them.

  “She’ll be fine, Suzi. Tamera will get through it.” Cara smiled. “I did.”

  “You had Viper to help you,” Suzi pointed out. “Shouldn’t Gypsy be here?”

  “Normally, yes. The mate helps the woman through their change. He has the ability to make it more bearable.”

  Tamera screamed again, ending on a sob, drawing both their attention. Suzi finally dared to enter the darkened room and cross to the opposite side of the bed. She reached out for Tamera’s hand, but Cara stopped her.

  “She’d crush the small bones of your hand and not even realize she had.”

  Suzi’s gaze went to Cara’s hand still held within Tamera’s grip. “What about yours?”

  “My bones get stronger every day, and the more blood I ingest the more powerful I’ll become. It’s part of the change. Some things take longer.”

  “How long has it been since you had communion?”

  Cara smiled, the light from the lone lamp twinkling in the glassy surface of her gaze. “Why? Are you offering?”

  Suzi’s face heated. “If it would help you.”

  “Tame
ra may need it before this is over. She’ll need to learn to feed. But I’m fine.”

  “How long does this last?” Suzi scratched her nape, wanting to be anywhere but in Grayson’s bedroom.

  “A few days.”

  Suzi looked at Tamera. “I’m so sorry.” More tears slipped down her cheeks.

  “Not. You’re. Fault.” She gritted between her teeth through what looked to be another wave of pain. “But I may just kill the bastard…”

  Tamera tilted her head back and let out an inhuman-like growl. The changes were becoming more in-human. It probably wouldn’t be long before she sprouted fangs.

  “How soon before she needs to feed?”

  “A day or two,” Cara said. “The process is different for each person from what I’m told. I lost track of time, but from what Kane told me, it was three days before I finally fed and completed the change. Do you need to be somewhere?”

  “I feel like a coward.”

  “Suzi, go. I’ve got this. Tamera will be fine in my care.”

  Suzi placed a hand against her trembling lips. “I’m so sorry, Cara. You shouldn’t be the one.”

  “No.” She chuckled. “It should be Gypsy, the rat bastard. But I’m much more equipped to help. Go, take some time. Call me later and let me know you’re okay.”

  Suzi couldn’t utter another word without falling to pieces. So she nodded briefly, then exited the room. Walking to the table by the sofa, she grabbed her set of keys. Just before she opened the door, she gripped the necklace around her neck as an afterthought. Taking it off, she walked over to the bar and laid it on the surface, then turned and left the building.

  * * *

  Kaleb rolled up to the front of clubhouse on his new ride. He had chosen a Harley Davidson new edition Night Rod Special with a black denim paint job and orange striping. It wasn’t his chopper, but it was a sweet ride nonetheless. As he unsnapped his skull cap, he noticed Suzi’s red Neon wasn’t in the parking lot. Hanging the half helmet on the handle grip, he stepped over the seat of the bike, thinking that she possibly hadn’t returned with Tamera’s clothing.