Speed

by Carson Mackenzie

  “Was Bailey working this morning at the bakery?” I fixed the coffee pot and turned it on.

  “Uh huh. She looked tired, Sami. I wish there was more we could do for her.” Bailey Tolson had dropped out of college to come home when her mom, Claire, had been diagnosed with lung cancer.

  “Only thing we can do is be her friend and listen. Help when we can. Bailey will get through it, she’s strong.” I’d been seven years old when my mother died from breast cancer, it was a loss I wouldn’t wish on anyone. My dad was devastated but he never failed to show me love even in his pain. We’d become closer through it all; even with the demand of the club, he never wavered in spending time with me. As I grew older and ventured more on my own or with friends, we’d schedule time to spend together: movie night or even just the simplest thing as taking a walk through the woods behind the club. He helped me with homework, my hair when I was still too young to do it myself, even the boy talk, though I have to admit it was more of a ‘boys are evil, they only want one thing, and I have no problem killing one if he hurts you’ discussion. Which could be the reason when I announced being pregnant, I wouldn’t tell him who the father was.

  “Yeah, I remember when your mom died, we were young, you and I. And your brother, Reed, was a teenager then. Do you remember when we’d sit on each side of her on the bed and read to her? My own mother stayed so stoned, that most days she’d forget I was even there. I’d pretend sometimes that we were real sisters and your mom was mine too.” I walked to the table and sat the coffee mugs down and hugged my best friend.

  “Yes, and how she’d laugh when we’d make up words to replace the ones we didn’t know.” We both chuckled.

  “Reading romance books at seven.”

  “Mom would stop us, take the book, and tell us she was tired and needed to nap. You know it was because we were going to hit a racy piece in the book,” I shook my head, “I think I was like fourteen when I thought about that one day when I came across one of those books in the back of a closet and took it to my room to read. Between what we witnessed on occasion in the club and the books, it was like having a visual sex ed class.” As we reminisced about my mom, Carly opened the box of donuts and we dug in. Laughing at some of the good times we had, frowning at some of the bad. But at the end of the day, the club was family, no matter what went on. And there was plenty.

  “Not like we would have known then what most of the words meant. We were still young enough that the men and women sheltered us from it. The day your dad caught us reading when he’d come to check on your mom and she was asleep but we were still reading the book out loud, I thought he was mad at us because his face was puckered up and he was biting his lip when he took the book from us, but no, you’d just read “his hand held her breast” before he’d walked in. Then you asked him if the man was holding the lady’s boobies so she could put on her bra.” Carly lifted her cup to her mouth and smiled before taking a drink.

  “Uh huh, and then he burst out laughing when you said it was nice of men to do that,” I laughed, remembering.

  “Yeah, but he stopped laughing when I said I was going to have a boyfriend that like to do that too.” I watched Carly’s smile turn into frown as she looked down to the table. When she raised her head back up to look at me, she smiled but it looked as if she had to fight to keep the smile.

  “What?”

  “Just thinking how Wallace liked to help a lot of women put their bras on. And my mom slept with anyone who’d give her a toke. What a pair, exactly alike, no wonder they couldn’t get along for more than five minutes. You know, his hands probably touched more breasts than a worker’s at one of Tyson’s chicken plants.”

  “That was a bad affinity,” I brought my hands to my face and muffled the laughter. Carly’s dad had always been a piece of work.

  “Please. It’s the truth, the man was a dog and he should be put out of his misery.” I stopped laughing and looked at her.

  “Are you ever going to tell me why you hate the man so much?” Her eyes met mine and she shook her head.

  “He’s not worth the breath. I hope wherever he is, it’s hot, it will prepare him for when he dies and spends eternity in hell.” Carly pushed her chair back and stepped to the coffee pot for a refill. Her way of letting me know that she was done with the subject. We’d been friends a long time; she’d tell me when she was ready. We each held secrets—hers about Stone—mine about Ally’s dad. It’d been three days since I saw him. I knew I wouldn’t be lucky enough for that to last, our town wasn’t tiny, but it wasn’t the big city either. Eventually my luck would run out. I just needed to figure out if/or how I was going to tell him. And wondered if he’d care he had a daughter. Then my dad, that was going to be fun. Which reminded me.

  “Hey, Dad’s coming week after next for his usual visit.”

  “Wild Bill coming by himself this time or is one of the others riding with him? He shouldn’t be riding by himself, Sami.”

  “Reed’s riding in with him this time.” Carly sneered at this information. “Stop it. Get over it, it’s been a few years.”

  “Does there have to be something wrong? Him breathing, pisses me off. He picked on us day and night growing up. He too could be used against your dad. But oh no, he is a man. He’s an Enforcer for your dad. Boo hoo hoo, I mean really, when does he find the time to stop looking at himself in the mirror long enough to take care of a club?” I was too late to stop Carly when the footsteps coming down the hall registered. “Self-centered asshole is what he is.”

  “That’s a bad word, Aunt Carly.” My daughter entered the kitchen, rubbing her eyes as she took a chair at the table.

  “Yeah, yeah, shortstop.” Ally giggled while Carly sat back down.

  “Want to go to the park with Aunt Carly today?” I knew that question would wake my daughter up, she loved the park.

  “Yay! Can we go now?” Ally lowered her hands all but vibrating in her seat and looked at Carly.

  “First some breakfast.” I opened the cabinet and pulled out the pancake mix and syrup. “Then clothes.” I may have rolled out of bed tired, but as I looked at my daughter and her excitement, tired had no place to exist when I had the time to spend with her.

  “Well, look. Church must be in service at Soft Tails.” I looked out the passenger side window and realized immediately what Carly was talking about. The parking lot was full of bikes.

  “Must have something special going on. That’s the only time they use the club when it’s closed.” Soft tails closed down on Sundays and Mondays, it had been one of the changes I had requested from Black Hawk when I was hired. Sundays and Mondays were slow days; Sunday was spent with family for most people and, Monday, most were getting back into their workweek. They hadn’t fought me on it. Actually to think back, I’d gotten most of what I wanted. Well, except for hiring my own people to work with. Oh I got to hire them, held interviews and everything—I just happened to hire the guys from the club who applied for the positions. The leadership thought they pulled one over, that I didn’t know. I knew, went with it and didn’t say a word. I felt the smile spread across my face as I thought back on it.

  “That has you smiling? I don’t know how you work for them. Arrogant pric—” I cut her off, little ears catch all.

  “Don’t forget who is in the back seat. Carly, they aren’t bad, I don’t know why you are so against all that is MC, we were raised in one. And besides, you own a bike for God’s sake. Do you think that would have come about if you were raised in an everyday household: Mom, Dad, siblings, and a mini-van?” We’d had this conversation more than once over the years living here.

  “Easy for you to say. You were the club princess and even here, the Black Hawks treat you good. Sami, we might have been raised in Haven MC, but it wasn’t a haven for me like it was for you. You’re the president’s daughter, I’m the daughter of a dead club whore who took up with a p.r.i.c.k.,” Carly spelled and it made me smile, “then she used her pregnancy to make her his ol’
lady, neither of them took that serious considering they never stopped sleeping with others.” I watched her hands tighten and clench on the steering wheel.

  “Carly, so your parents weren’t perfect. Still doesn’t explain why you are bitter toward the MCs. Help me understand.” The change in her happened shortly after we moved here but she never would confess what took place. She’d had lousy parents but my dad and my mom, when she was still living, treated her good just like they did me. And considering the drugs and criminal activities that I figured they were involved in when I grew old enough to understand what exactly was happening around me, it could have gone the other way. But even with that, the members and the few ol’ ladies around treated us good.

  “I grew up, got a clue.” She was evading. Her M.O. to everything she didn’t want to discuss. “And it’s got nothing to do with my bike. I like the freedom it offers. They’re fun to ride. I tried to get you to learn when I did.” Yes, she had. And the reason I didn’t was dumb and I would never admit it out loud, but if I closed my eyes I could still see my mother’s smile for my dad when she’d get on his bike with him and hold on tight as they pulled away. Only bike I’d ever sat on was my dad’s when he would take me for a ride.

  “I want a bike like Aunt Carly’s.” See? Little ears pick up all.

  “You do, huh? Maybe when you get a little older your mom will get one for you. Whatcha think, shortstack?” Ally and I laughed, Carly had been calling her different short-whatever since Ally was born.

  “I don’t know about that, Ally. Don’t listen to Aunt Carly.” I wasn’t sure my daughter needed to be on a motorcycle, she was a big enough daredevil.

  “That’s ‘k, my daddy will buy me a bike.” I whipped my head around to look at her. Days had passed and nothing after the initial daddy announcement she made. I’d so hoped she had forgotten and moved on. No such luck. I was going to let it pass so not to get her started on the whole business once again but Carly was no help.

  “Shorty poo, how is a daddy going to buy you a bike? Girls don’t need a guy to get her one, she can buy one herself.” My mouth opened to speak but Ally’s next words had me shutting it.

  “My daddy is going to ride a bike just like my papa does?”

  I turned back as if to look out the side window again but it was more so Carly or my daughter didn’t see the tears that rose in my eyes. Her words made me realize I couldn’t keep them apart, no matter what the outcome. One thing I knew for sure, he could forget me all he wanted, but if he hurt my daughter, he’d never forget me again—he’d remember every time he went to pee and his balls weren’t there.

  “Sami?” I looked over to Carly as she glanced between me and the road. “You got quiet, what’s goin’ on in your head, bikes and daddies?” The last part said low enough only I heard it.

  My dad wasn’t the only one I didn’t tell who was Ally’s father and I wasn’t ready to tell now. “Sure, I’ll tell you everything as soon as you tell me why your attitude changed on MCs.” I opened the door as soon as she stopped the car in the driveway to my house.

  When I opened the back door to help Ally out, Carly was out and looked over the top of the car, “My issue.”

  “Yes, just like me, you hold secrets.” I walked toward the door, Carly and Ally following. “You staying for lunch?”

  “Yeah, if you make pizza.”

  “God, you act five.” I shook my head and walked in the house.

  “That’s why me and shortcake are besties.”

  And just like that, everything was back to normal. At least for a little while.

  Chapter Eight

  Speed

  “Sorry it took me a few days to work my way here. You should have been the first stop I made when I reached town.” I looked down, wasn’t expecting an answer, and moved closer until I stood directly in front of the headstone. I ran my hand over the cold granite and took a deep breath, inhaling the morning air.

  “Things have changed since I been gone. The club’s changing. I’m sure you’ve chuckled a few times over it going legit. Never thought I’d see the day, at least not until me and the others took over.

  “Got Church in a bit, guess I’ll get caught up on it all. They’re holding it at Soft Tails because the whole club is attending today. After Church, we’ll celebrating me coming home for good. You probably know they did it for the others when they got back too but this one I expect will be a little wilder since we’re all home now. Won’t be the same though without you standing to the side watching and listening to everything going on around you.

  “Fuck, if the guys heard me talking with you… I just can’t seem to let you go yet. I know you are saying it’s been long enough but you being out by yourself, no one knowing why—that’s what keeps me from letting you rest. Letting myself rest.

  “I’ll figure it out, you taught me well. Probably should be going so I’m not late and the Prez kicks my ass. Miss you, Dad. Hope you’re getting to ride often and the road’s paved and open.” My fist hit the granite and I turned and walked backed to my bike.

  When I pulled in the lot at Soft Tails the only bikes in the lot where the dads’ and the guys’. I backed my bike up at the end of the line, dismounted, and headed in.

  “How’s it going, Speed. Went by your house to see if you wanted to ride in with us and you were gone,” Crusher yelled when I walked in.

  “Went to the cemetery.” He nodded and walked to the table where Stroker was sitting with Preacher, Romeo, Flyboy, and Cruz. The table was set so the officers could face the rest of the members while they sat in chairs facing the main table. That’s where Devil, Flirt, Coast, and Jag sat. Crusher and I joined on the front row.

  “Wanted to talk with you before the rest of the members got here, Speed and the rest of you too. First, the club will slowly turn over to you when we feel each of you are ready to take the position you will hold. Before you go gettin’ your backs up, it’s because we are legit and I mean, a hundred percent.” Even though the guys had pretty much filled me in, hearing it from the leadership was kind of a shock. Only response from us were nods.

  “We will go over the specifics when Church officially starts. Now, Speed, your spot is vacant. We held it that way after Cutter died so when you came back it would be waiting. When you showed up this week, we talked and you will be the first to take over your position.” The others stood and started slapping me on the back.

  “Sit down, boys. I wasn’t done. Speed, we know our friend and brother taught you well, you’ll be an asset to us as an Enforcer. We may be legal now but we have to keep our presence known and show no weakness just as before. We’ll support our brothers from other clubs we have good relations with. We may follow the laws as business goes but that doesn’t mean we’ll let another club move into our territory, nor will we show any weakness in taking care of the club if that were to occur.

  “That being said, we’re going to give you time to acclimate back into the club. You will work as Enforcer on an interim basis. Once we feel you are ready, the position is totally yours and you will represent this club in the full capacity of the position.”

  “So I need to prove worthy of the position, is that what you are saying, Prez?” I felt like I was being put through a test.

  “Yes, but it is nothing the others won’t be put through, they will just have more time to learn. Your spot is open, waiting for you to fill it.” I nodded, to a point I understood them not wanting to throw me into the spot, but in another, it felt as if they knew something and were waiting for me to figure it out. My gut had never failed me and I was sure it wasn’t failing me now.

  Cruz, Coast’s dad stood and walked toward me. “We’ll walk through things when you’re ready. Ask questions, whatever you need from me, Speed, I’m here.” I stood and we did the man hug thing just as the door opened and a few of the members walked in.

  “Brothers, Church in fifteen.” Stroker and the rest stood and started talking to a few of the men who came in. It didn’t ta
ke long for the place to fill and the meeting to get underway.

  I sat and listened to get caught up on everything I’d missed out on since the last time I was home. After Stroker called order to the meeting, the officers did a run through on all businesses the Black Hawks owned. Profits, which showed the club’s earnings were strong and gains salient. How the club had increased its membership over the last few years, it was more balanced with numbers between older members and the younger ones.

  Soft Tails had showed a nice increase of business with the chick as manager; profits up, which meant losses were down. A big part of that was evidently due to the decrease of fighting in the strip club, no extra cost replacing broken tables and chairs.

  For a moment, the mention of the petite little woman crossed my mind. I’d caught myself the last couple of days thinking about the brief encounter with her and Coast’s words of me fucking her. Her tight ass in the black jeans as she walked away was a pic too that entered my mind several times. Even fully clothed she was the whole package, I could imagine unwrapping that package and finding soft skin under the touch of my fingers and lips. The way she’d wither and squirm as I teased her with my mouth, pulling back just as I felt the start of her body quaking toward orgasm, and then bringing her right back up to the breaking point and starting it all over again until my own need for release pressed hard against me, then I’d take her hard, driving my cock deep until there was no space between us. Until my name came from her lips like a prayer. And fuck, for all I remember about her, I could have already done it all.

  Christ, I shook my head and glanced around. Yeah, that thought needed to get the fuck out of my mind because sitting in a room with forty plus bikers and no woman in attendance to play off the fact you were sporting a hard-on that could bust concrete if you let it out of its confines, was in no way a good thing. I needed to sink mindlessly into a pussy. Not for lack of some of the hang-arounds from Saturday’s party.