Origin

by Ana Jolene

  I laughed. “You can stay but don’t just sit there. Make yourself useful. Pass me the chopped vegetables.”

  Lucky did as I asked while wearing a smile. And because I couldn’t help it, I smiled back. After that, we fell into an easy rhythm. While Kitt was an excellent kitchen helper, Lucky was proving to be even better. “Do we have any onion soup mix?”

  I scanned the shelves quickly. “Yeah. Why?”

  “Throw that in there too. Trust me,” he said when I continued to stare at him.

  “I wouldn’t have expected that of you.”

  “Expect what? That I know how to cook?”

  “Well, you haven’t before.” I grabbed the soup mix and tore the package open, pouring the contents inside the pot.

  “There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me,” Lucky drawled.

  “Please, give me a little more credit. Living with you has made me learn a lot of things about you that I never, ever wanted to know.”

  “Like what?”

  “You wear size eleven boots,” I said, as I ticked them off my fingers. “You’re an early riser. Your favorite color is forest green. You always have an odd expression on your face when you look at yourself in the mirror as if you’re unsure if you like what you see. You also hate it when I roll your clean socks up in a ball, which is why I continue to do it.”

  His large shoulders shook as he laughed. “I fucking hate it when you do that.”

  I smiled brightly. “See?”

  Lucky’s smile built to a full-on grin. “But my favorite color isn’t forest green.”

  “It isn’t?”

  “Nope. I prefer army green or khaki.”

  “Is there a difference?”

  “Yes. There is.”

  “You like army green, but you don’t like to wear camo. How does that work?”

  “I don’t like them paired together.”

  “But you just said—”

  He sighed heavily. “Seven, are we really going to get in a fight over this?”

  A reluctant smile spread over my lips. Guess he had a point. Without realizing it, I found myself actually enjoying my time with Lucky. Usually we were arguing over pointless things. A little at the end there, we may have fallen into our typical way of conversing but for a while, I didn’t completely find Lucky annoying. He was actually quite nice when he wasn’t teasing me constantly.

  Maybe Indy was right. Maybe it was worth asking Lucky about why he left Glory MC. I cleared my throat before speaking. “Where did you go when you left for two months? Glory MC couldn’t find you anywhere.”

  My question clearly made him uncomfortable because the smile vanished from Lucky’s face and was replaced by a stern line that I couldn’t decipher. He didn’t immediately answer and we were left in that awkward moment where I wasn’t sure if he was going to answer at all.

  “I went to see my sister,” he finally said.

  “Your sister? I didn’t know you had a sister.”

  The corner of his lip tipped up as he smirked. “Maybe you don’t know everything about me.”

  “How old is she?”

  “She’s sixteen.”

  “Does she know you’re a member of a motorcycle club?”

  “Yeah, she knows.”

  I frowned. If she knew, then she must have been aware of his responsibility to the club. To be gone for so long from it was hard enough on the biker. What had happened that had made him take such a long leave of absence? “Is she okay?” I asked, realizing that must be the only other explanation to his prolonged absence. Lucky was fully devoted to the club. I doubted he would leave it for anything else. “Did something happen to her?”

  The smirk Lucky had on his face steadily built to a grin as the questions spewed from my mouth. It was nosy of me but I couldn’t take them back now. “I bet you’ve been dying to ask me those questions since I came back.”

  “I have, so stop avoiding the questions.”

  His shoulders lifted as he shook his head. “I don’t know actually. She claims that she’s okay, but there’s really no way for me to tell if she really is. And that’s what really kills me about it all, knowing that I can’t help her.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “She OD’d on crack.”

  I gasped. Jesus. I hadn’t expected that. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Lucky trundled on as if I hadn’t spoken. “It’s a battle for her. One I’m not a part of. But I can’t help it. I want to help her and be her protector. No matter how old she gets, she’s my baby sister.” The bleak look in his eyes told me that the hurt ran bone-deep. Lucky hopped up onto the countertop and tipped his head back. He leaned against the tiled wall behind him, exposing his true exhaustion. “I see her and I remember the little girl I used to take care of,” he mused absently. “But I don’t think that’s who she is anymore. And what she’s turning into? Fuck, I don’t think I like that either.”

  I slid closer towards him, sensing his troubled thoughts. I figured the load he carried on his shoulders was beginning to take a toll on him and the recent excursion to Ward Three had only added to it. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  His smile was forced and unattractive. “No, there isn’t. This is something that she needs to decide on her own.” I nodded, understanding his refusal. “I’m not trying to be a dick here,” he added hastily. “But I don’t like talking about it. I just—”

  I smiled. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me anything you’re not comfortable with.” One conversation and a little bit of flirting wasn’t enough to entirely change a relationship, especially one so strained as ours. Although Lucky wasn’t ready to put words to his feelings, I felt that we had made some progress. Our conversation tonight proved that we could exist without wanting to strangle each other. If anything, we could become friends after this.

  “The stew is done,” I told him, moving to pull out bowls that I could serve it in. Lucky hopped off the counter, demeanor shifting to his normal, easy-going self. I wondered if there was more to Lucky than what most people thought. He really was as charming and charismatic as his reputation entailed, but he also put on a good show. Whatever was bothering him was hidden away behind a curtain until he could open it up again and deal with it at a better time. Although Lucky may act like everything was okay, the truth of the matter was he was hurting, and I wanted to know why.

  Lucky

  Two things occurred to me too late. The first was that I should’ve told the others that I would gladly have the girl stay with me for however long it took her to heal and recover. No one had used Neptune’s as a dorm since it had undergone construction. And I also didn’t feel comfortable letting her stay at the dive bar alone, unguarded at night. I would have to remember to offer that when I saw Kitt or Beck again.

  And two, I realized Seven wasn’t a complete bitch all the time.

  Whatever it was that had happened in the kitchen between us took me by surprise. When she had run off without an explanation and didn’t return after a few minutes, I worried that something had happened to her. Following the path in which she went, I found her hard at work in the kitchen, chopping up vegetables like a pro.

  For a moment, I simply watched her, admiring her skills with the knife and the quick way she multi-tasked, switching easily between the bread and the stew. I believed the earlier rumors about her then, of the fact that she had an opportunity to become a professional chef. Seven had a lot of talent and she was displaying it now, where no one could see it but me. Her position at Giovanni’s as manager was a wasted effort. This was clearly what Seven was born to do.

  I hadn’t expected her to cook for all of us. The unexpected kindness was a shock to my system after having seen so much horror in the past few days. Coming from Seven, I don’t know why it surprised me so much. She was always quick to make friends and people always enjoyed her company. It was possible that I’d chosen to ignore that whenever I was with her because it was easier to hate her that
way.

  When Seven came out from the kitchen, serving the steaming hot bowls of soup to my brothers, it didn’t matter that it was hotter than a broiler outside. One would’ve thought that it was below freezing with how the men handled the bowls in their meaty hands and dipped the freshly baked bread into the soup, practically inhaling the entire thing in seconds.

  Seven handed me a bowl and I accepted it graciously, careful not to burn my fingers on it. Like a mother hen, she watched over us as we ate, smiling as if seeing us fill our bellies with food she made gave her satisfaction. It was clear in her expression that she cared about Glory MC, possibly as much as I did.

  “Where’d you get all that?” Hanna asked as she saw everyone chowing down.

  “Seven made it,” Angel explained over a mouthful of food. “And it’s delicious!” He popped a soggy piece of bread, still steaming between his fingers, into his mouth.

  Hanna’s surprise was cut short by Seven’s modesty. “It’s no big deal,” she said. “I just wanted to help. You all should get some sleep after this.”

  There were several shouts of praise and thanks from the hungry crowd. Hastie called out, “Not until I get a second serving!” As everyone laughed, my eyes landed on Seven who started to blush under all the attention.

  With her blonde hair tied back into a high ponytail, all her model features were on display. She looked absolutely stunning as she smiled down at the club chowing down on the dishes she had prepared. In the face of all the ugliness we’d seen the past few days, Seven’s kindness did more than just fill our hungry bellies; it welcomed us home.

  In a nervous gesture, Seven tucked her blonde hair behind one ear and crossed her arms over her chest. She looked so innocent standing there amongst a sea of bikers. Yet she was one of us, wasn’t she? Seven had somehow won over the exclusive biker gang and found her niche in our little family. Now that I had caught a glimpse of it, it became everything I saw.

  “You did good,” I said when many members of Glory MC had finished eating. Her eyes lifted to mine, crinkling as she smiled brilliantly. “But there is one thing that’s missing . . .”

  She blinked. “What’s that?”

  “You forgot dessert.”

  The towel she held came flying at me and I ducked, laughing.

  SEVENTEEN

  Burned

  Seven

  The sun might as well have been a biohazard sign in the sky with its bright color and cautionary danger. Between my breasts, I felt sweat gather as I unlocked my bike from its secure place in Giovanni’s parking lot. I was just putting on my protective anti-radiation gear when Trey found me. “Dammit,” I muttered. I’d been avoiding him for most of the day so when his arm slid around me, I stiffened.

  “You shouldn’t be riding that bike in this weather.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “Let me give you a lift home. I’ll pop your bike in the back.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t want you to go through all that trouble.” I actually just want you to leave me alone.

  His bright eyes sparkled. “I insist.”

  “I’m really okay, Trey.” Please leave me alone.

  “Come on. Don’t be stupid.” He turned towards the parking lot without waiting for an answer.

  To say I was tempted was an understatement. The sun was brutal today, taking no prisoners as it did its best to incinerate us to ashes. I felt haggard after a long day at work and just didn’t want to brave the heat. “You coming or what?” Trey called out from beside his pickup truck.

  It was now or never, Seven. I inhaled a breath of courage. “Trey, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  “Get in the car first. You can tell me on the way home.”

  “No, you don’t understand. I don’t think you’ll want me around you after you hear what I have to say.”

  The boyish features of his face transformed into one of confusion. “Is something wrong?”

  “I made a mistake the other night. I’m sorry.”

  His eyes examined me, seeing the regret in my eyes. “With me, you mean?”

  I nodded.

  “Why would you say that?”

  “I was drinking and other things were on my mind at the time.”

  Trey moved closer. “Was it something I did?” His expression turned into horror. “Christ, Seven, did I hurt you? I’m so sorry if I did.”

  “No, no. You didn’t hurt me.” I couldn’t bear to think that he believed that he’d done something wrong when in actuality it was I who had failed to stop things when they should have been stopped. All of this was my fault.

  “But you’re upset.” His hand came up to touch my face. “Tell me what’s bothering you.”

  That would have been simple if not for the fact that it involved telling him about Lucky. Although I knew Trey was a gentleman, I wasn’t stupid to think that he wouldn’t be offended if I said that someone else had been on my mind while his hands and mouth were on me. “I should’ve told you sooner, but I was afraid. I didn’t want to hurt you. But—”

  Toni emerged through the doors then, coming to a stop when she saw the two of us. “Hey, guys!” she said cheerily, unaware of the serious conversation she’d just interrupted. “What are you two still doing here?”

  How to answer that? Oh, I’m just ending my two-date relationship with Trey in the parking lot. No biggie. Drive safely!

  Thankfully, Trey answered for me. “I’m trying to convince Seven to let me drive her home.”

  Toni’s gaze landed on me. “When a man like that offers a ride, woman, you’d be a fool not to take it.” Was she trying to tell me that I was making a mistake here? Would ending things with Trey put me on a road that would leave me forever alone?

  “You coming or what?” Trey asked. Toni shot me a “go on” look.

  “Oh, all right.” This was hardly the place for this conversation anyway. Without a word, Trey hauled my bike into his truck, telling me to “get in” when I tried to say thanks. This car ride would no doubt be awkward as hell now. I sat in silence as Trey drove me back to Ward Four, gazing out the window at the uneven terrain.

  When the silence got too much, I slid a look at him. He had a firm hold on the steering wheel, jaw locked tight, gaze firmly on the road before him. I checked the speedometer. Normally, going seventy miles per hour wouldn’t be a cause for alarm, but with the roads so uneven, it was making for a really rough ride. Thank goodness I had my seat belt on. Just then, my phone rang and I pulled it from my purse. “Hello?”

  “Where the hell are you?” Hanna cried on the other end of the line.

  “I’m on my way home. Why?”

  “Why aren’t you here yet?”

  “I didn’t know I was supposed to be there.” I could feel Trey’s eyes on me as he listened. “Why? What’s going on?”

  “Shit. My bad. I might’ve forgotten to tell you the other night. Glory’s throwing a party for Lucky’s sister.”

  Wait, what? “Lucky’s sister?”

  “Yeah, didn’t you hear? She’s coming here for a visit.” Lucky’s sister was coming here? Why was I just hearing about this now? “Hurry up, we’ll wait for you!” Hanna hung up before I could ask any more questions.

  “Gotta be somewhere?” Trey asked when I put my phone away.

  “Uh, yeah. Glory MC wants me to head over to Neptune’s.”

  “I’ll drive you.”

  “No. It’s okay. I can just ride there on my bike.”

  “Seven.” His hand came over to squeeze mine. “I’ll drive you.”

  Surprised by the gesture, I couldn’t do anything more than shake my head. “Trey, I’m really sorry.”

  He waved it off and turned towards Neptune’s in silence. In less than fifteen minutes, we were pulling up to the dive bar. Despite the heavy awkwardness in the truck, Trey came around the back and unloaded Shelby. “Thanks. Look, Trey. I really am sorry.”

  “I know you are. I’m trying really hard not to . . .”


  “Trying not to what?” I asked when he didn’t finish his sentence.

  “To kiss you.”

  Whoa. I wasn’t expecting him to say that. How could he still be so sweet when I was being such a bitch? Before I could form a proper response, a loud popping noise startled us both. “What the hell was that?” It had sounded a lot like gunshots.

  “It’s coming from inside.” I jumped towards the doors, pushing my way through the crowd.

  Inside, a brawl was in full swing. Men were throwing punches and whirling insults. Hanna, red-faced from anger, pushed her way through the crowd, holding a pistol in her hand. “Break it up, break it up!” She landed her own jabs and bonks on the head with her fist. “Don’t think I won’t shoot you in the ass!”

  “Jesus,” Trey breathed from behind me as his eyes took in the twelve men brawl.

  I moved into action, trying to break them apart. It was either that or watch the place be wrecked. Since many of them were drunk off their asses, they didn’t put up much of a fight. Hanna managed to simmer the other boys down with threats until they quieted. “What the fuck was that all about?” I gasped.

  “Bunch of fuckers.” Hanna tucked the pistol into her apron. “Nearly took down the wall. Remind me to tell Angel to fix that hole I made in the ceiling.”

  I looked up to see a small bullet hole in the wooden rafters and laughed. Meanwhile, Trey was glued to my side, glaring at anyone who looked at me for too long. Hanna’s eyebrow arched in silent question and I shrugged in answer. “So what’s this thing about Lucky’s sister?”

  “She’s coming to visit him. It’s her first time here so we’re throwing a little celebration for the occasion.”

  “Why didn’t Lucky tell me she was coming?”

  Hanna shrugged before going to pour another draft. “A lot has been going on. Maybe he forgot.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “He’s gone to pick her up. The rest of the guys are in the back, trying to convince the girl to eat something. Poor thing hasn’t touched anything we’ve offered her.” After suffering the abuse she had for so long, I wasn’t expecting her to fall back into normal society so quickly. She would need time to adjust. A lot of time given the bleak look in her eyes when Kitt and Beck had carried her inside the first time I saw her.