by Jenika Snow
“Where am I going?” Joker asked, coming to take a seat at the bar.
“Do you want to go and catch some people determined to marry Elena off to her Uncle?” Nerd asked, passing the file over to Joker.
Joker cursed. “Striker has finally declared her as his?”
“Yep. Our club is turning into a bunch of pussy whipped men. Our enemies are not going to think we’re that much of a threat at this rate.”
Joker burst out laughing. “You sound a little jealous.”
“Jealous? Fuck off. You’ve got one pussy to satisfy when I can have a variety.” He spun around in his chair so that he was facing the room. “Look what I’ve got. I’ve got a red head, fake blonde, brunette, I mean there’s even a purple haired bitch over there. Each one with a great, unique gift.”
“And each one of those sluts will move onto another brother and forget all about you. They’ll move on, and you’ll be remembered as a fuck, nothing more.”
“A great fuck,” Nerd said.
Joker shook his head. “You know, there was a time I’d have believed you. I thought screwing any number of pussies would make me feel better. It doesn’t. There’s more to life than a random fuck.”
“What about Amy? She’s not exactly been easy to work with.” Nerd knew there was a great deal of history between Joker and Amy, to the point they’d even been step-siblings. Her own father had sexually abused Amy, and if it hadn’t been for Joker taking the man down in a brutal killing, the bastard would still be walking around.
Joker smiled, and in that moment, Nerd felt like he truly was missing out on something. When all the brothers got together for a barbeque or a family party, he sat back and watched the men with their women. He’d even seen Shakes with Daniella; that was fucked up. Nerd never thought a guy would risk death to be with a woman, would give up everything for a piece of ass. For the past ten years, he’d been fucking random women, never giving a shit if they got off, and simply enjoying the feel of sinking his cock inside a sweet tight cunt.
Demon, Joker, Steel, Shakes, and even Zeke who really had nothing much to do with the club had all found love. That word had been damn ugly to him for so long, but how could it be when he’d witnessed love between his brothers and their old ladies.
“Amy wasn’t an easy woman to fall in love with, but I wouldn’t change who she is. Yes, I wish she hadn’t gone through the hell that she has been through. Her nightmares will always torment me. I can’t stand the thought of any harm coming to her. I love her with all my heart. You look at those women and see an easy lay; I see nothing. They’re a warm hole that will keep you warm for ten minutes before they’re jumping in another man’s bed. Amy, she’s going to keep me warm for a lifetime. Her dreams are finally at peace, and we’re going to be having a baby soon.”
“She’s pregnant?”
“We’re pregnant, and I’m going to be a father. I get that you don’t want the hassle of one woman, but there’s something to be said about intertwining your life with another person.” Joker slapped him on the back. “We’ll head out tonight. I’ll just brief Demon on what we’re doing.”
Climbing off his stool, he made his way outside, and moved toward his bike. Joker’s words consumed his thoughts. What would it be like if he had someone to come home to? His brothers who had found old ladies didn’t spend all that much time at the club partying. If they were at the club, their old ladies were at their sides.
Joker came out of the club, and after they had both straddled their bikes, they made their way out of the parking lot. He didn’t know what they were heading toward and that always unnerved him.
He’d memorized the location where Elena lived, and he had to say the girl hadn’t run as far from home as she’d thought. After two hours of riding without hitting any traffic, they pulled into the local diner near Elena’s parents. It was already after ten at night, and there were several couples in the twenty-four seven diner.
“Check that out,” Joker said, pointing toward the door.
There was a picture of Elena with the word missing above it.
“I guess they didn’t think she’d make it,” Joker said.
They walked into the diner and took a seat toward the back. “Striker told me he found Elena working at a diner. Do you think she worked here?”
“From what file you have, no. Her parents taught her at home; they were afraid of the outside evil. They wouldn’t let her work.” Joker smiled up at the waitress who approached.
She was heavily pregnant, and looked like she’d seen better days. There were grease stains all over her uniform, along with ketchup, and her hair was slick from sweat.
“What can I get you guys?”
“Coffee for me,” Nerd said.
“Same here. I was wondering about the girl on the door,” Joker said, nodding toward the door.
“What do you mean?” the waitress asked. Her uniform did not have a nametag.
“The missing girl photo on your window, I was wondering about it. She looks familiar,” Joker said, clearly playing it up. “Don’t you recognize her?” Joker looked straight at him.
“Yep, was wondering about it myself. She didn’t seem all that missing to me though.”
The waitress lowered her notepad, looking around the diner behind her. “Elena has been gone for a couple of months now. Her father, and her supposed fiancé came by, but not at the same time. I overheard the dad talking on a phone, saying shit about Elena. It’s sick. They were going to marry that poor girl off to a man the same age as her father. I even heard talk that they deal in corporal punishment. I’ve seen her mother at the bank, handing out fliers, and the bruises on her couldn’t be hid with makeup.”
Striker was not going to like this. They were going to have to handle Elena’s family before they brought the cops down upon the Soldiers clubhouse.
Joker tsked. “Awful. It couldn’t be the same girl.”
“I hope no one finds her. The last thing Elena needs is to be forced back here.” The waitress left them alone. “To say I was surprised by the shit I heard them saying is an understatement.”
“Sounds fucked up to me.”
“I’m not going to argue with you, brother.”
The club was going to have to handle this problem.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Striker pulled his Harley into the parking lot of the clubhouse, cut the engine, and looked behind him at Elena. She wore a helmet, her eyes wide, and her mouth clamped shut. He couldn’t help but grin despite the shit he’d have to deal with soon enough.
His woman looked scared shitless.
He helped her off the bike, took the helmet off her, and because he couldn’t help himself, Striker leaned in and kissed her. She made a soft sound against his lips, and his dick went hard instantly. When he pulled back, he could see she was more relaxed, and he fucking loved that just a kiss from him could cause that within her.
“Are you sure it’s okay to be here?” she asked, now looking over his shoulder at the clubhouse.
“You’re my old lady. Mine, Elena. You need protection, and I’m not abut to leave you at the apartment alone, not when shit is probably going to get pretty fucking ugly before this ends.” He saw the way her throat worked when she swallowed, and he knew what he was saying scared her, but she needed to know the truth. He hadn’t told her yet that he was going after her family, who had, in fact, been searching for her close to where she’d escaped. She’d need to know that shit sooner or later, but right now he just wanted her in the clubhouse and safe.
He cupped her cheek. “You’re in this now, part of my life. That means I, as well as my club, protect you at all costs.”
She nodded and looked at the club again. “This is just all so fast...”
“Maybe, but it’s right.”
She nodded, smiling softly.
“Besides, there are the other old ladies inside since we brought them all here for protection until shit gets sorted.”
“They’re her
e too for protection?”
He kissed her once more before answering. “When shit goes down, or we know we’re going to have to act on something dangerous, we go on lockdown. We bring all the club’s family inside the protection of the club, and make sure they are in one place for safety.”
She nodded. “Makes sense.” She was still looking at the clubhouse, and he could see she was still nervous.
“Hey, baby,” he waited until she looked at him. “Everything will be all good, okay? I’ll make sure of it.”
She nodded again. “I believe and trust you, but from what I overheard them talking about on occasion my family is crazy. The things they do are wrong, but they feel it’s their right, and that what they do is for the better of everyone, even if that means killing or torturing.”
He smirked, knowing it probably looked scary as hell, but he wanted her to know exactly who and what he was, the type of people that made up the Soldiers of Wrath. “Baby, they’ll have met their match then. We don’t fuck around, especially not when one of our own is threatened.” He cupped her cheek. “And you’re one of us. You’re mine, Elena, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re safe, even if that means killing and torturing. You know that.”
Elena followed Striker into the massive compound-like clubhouse. She was worried what they would say about the fact she’d hardly knew Striker, yet here she was, his old lady, having them protect her. But the truth was this felt right. Being with Striker felt right in every way. She shouldn’t care what others thought, but she did, and she doubted that would ever change.
Her life before escaping had been sheltered, and despite the dark desires she’d entertained while laying in bed at night, wishing that things could be different, that she didn’t have to live that life, there’d always been this sliver of hope that she’d find a way out. She’d also never allowed herself to be sucked down into the lemming type mentality that had surrounded her family and their cult. And that’s exactly what living behind those walls, with those people, had been like.
Striker opened the door, but he walked in first, and she knew it was because he was overprotective of her, even in his own MC. He’d said as much before. Elena couldn’t help but feel that warmth of that fill her.
Right away, first thing she noticed was the women all congregated on one side. One of the women was visibly pregnant, and a few of the other women were smiling and touching her belly. A second later, a massively large man came out from a room in the corner, headed straight for the women, and pulled the pregnant one into an embrace. The women moved away, a few of them moving toward other bikers. She could instantly see the love and protection in their faces as they held the women.
“That’s the prez, Demon, and his old lady Deanna,” Striker said and gestured toward the Hulk of a man and the pregnant woman. “She’s due in a few months.”
She nodded, and wiped her now sweaty palms on her thighs. She was so damn nervous.
“Over there is Joker and his old lady, Amy. They just recently found out she’s pregnant. And there is Steel and his woman, Eloise.”
Just then the door opened and a tattooed beast came in with a dark haired, glasses wearing woman following behind. She was visibly pregnant, too, and the women in the club immediately went toward her.
“That’s Shakes and Daniella. As you can see there’s a lot of baby making going on here,” Striker said in his deep voice.
“He’s a club member, too?” When he didn’t answer, she glanced at Striker. His jaw was set hard, and he shook his head.
“No, he’s no longer a Patch. But that’s a story for another day. Right now, we need to worry about taking care of those fuckers coming after you.”
“Hi,” a soft female voice said behind Elena.
She turned around and saw Deanna standing there, a smile on her face, and her reddish hair up in a messy bun. She had on a formfitting top, her hands on her rounded belly.
“Hi,” Elena managed to say, not used to such friendliness. She’d never had friends where she was from, and although she spoke to the girls at the diner where she worked, they hadn’t been that friendly at first.
“I’m Deanna,” the woman said and held out her hand.
Elena took it, her gaze on the pregnant belly between them.
“Oh,” Deana said and pulled her hand back, placing it on her belly again.
“Are you okay?”
Deanna smiled. “I’m fine. He’s just kicking like crazy today.”
Elena didn’t know what to say. She’d witnessed plenty of births while with her parents. They didn’t believe in going to the hospital, so the children were all delivered right there in the main house. But even though she’d seen and helped babies being born, she was nervous around Deanna, for some reason. She hated feeling like this.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Elena looked up, not realizing she’d been staring at Deanna’s belly like a weirdo. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” Worry was on Deanna’s face. “You like really pale all of the sudden.”
Elena swallowed again, feeling cold sweat line her forehead. She thought about her family looking for her, about the threat of them finding out where she was. She couldn’t help thinking about them taking her back, of hurting her for leaving.
And God, I can’t stop thinking about them going after and hurting all of these people.
She looked around at the faces, at the women and their men. These people were here to help her, were here because her insane family was coming for her.
If they get hurt, or God forbid die, this is all on me.
Her blood rushed in her ears, the room went in and out of focus, and she knew she was going to pass out. She opened her mouth, feeling lightheaded, staring at Deanna. There was even more worry on the woman’s face now.
“Striker, she’s going down.” Deanna said, but the words seemed distant. The woman reached for her, but it was like Elena was being pulled away. It was weird knowing she was going to pass out and not being able to stop it.
“Baby,” the sound of Striker’s voice filled her head, but she couldn’t turn around to look at him.
And then darkness cradled Elena, taking her away.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“I feel so stupid,” Elena said, sitting up. Striker didn’t want her moving, but her cheeks were now flushed, and she looked more embarrassed than anything.
“You’re sure you’re okay?”
“I’m not used to being around people, and you were all looking at me, and I was thinking about everything going on. I guess I just panicked. Rather silly really.”
Striker smirked. “Not really, baby. The MC is not exactly known for hearts and flowers. The way you’re feeling, it makes total sense.”
“I don’t know if I should be relieved or not.”
“You gave Deanna a bit of a scare.”
She held her head. “Ouch, why does my head hurt?”
“I’m afraid none of us caught you in time, and Deanna couldn’t hold you. I wasn’t close enough for when you fell.”
“I fell to the ground.”
“Not too hard.” He reached out giving her head a rub. “You’re okay.”
“Can I see Deanna?” Elena asked.
“She might be lying down right now, but we can go check.”
She bit her lip. “I really want to apologize. It wasn’t how I wanted the first meeting to go. You’ve got to believe me.”
“I do.”
“Good.”
“Come on then, baby, let’s go and find the happy couple.” He held her hands and helped her up. She tugged on his arms as she paused.
“Where are we?”
“This is my room at the clubhouse. No one is allowed here but me.”
“It’s tidy.”
He laughed. “It seems to be a kink of mine. I need things to be clean and in order.” Striker shrugged. His need for clean was one of his vices. “Come on.” Leading the way out of his room, he made his way t
oward the main room of the clubhouse, and saw Deanna and Demon sitting together. Deanna was snuggled up against Demon, rubbing her stomach. The flash of pain crossing her face wasn’t hard to miss. Demon didn’t look too happy about it either.
Several of the couples were around the room, hugging, chatting, and catching up. Shakes was still there, holding Daniella close to him, and the two looked lost within each other.
Striker and Elena didn’t stop until they stood in front of Deanna and Demon.
“Are you okay?” Demon asked, looking at Elena.
“I wanted to apologize. I’m not used to being around large crowds, and with everyone around, and with everything going on, I got so overwhelmed—”
“I get it,” Deanna said, forcing a smile. “The MC is a hard crowd, and they’re all dominating and overbearing. It’s a tough world for an old lady, but someone has to do it, and do it we shall.” Demon’s old lady gave them a smile and then gasped. “I think I need to get some water.” She moved out of Demon’s arms, and that’s when Striker saw the blood.
“Deanna!” He yelled her name as she stood. Deanna screamed, gasping and holding onto her stomach. She suddenly fell to her knees.
There was a lot of blood. It coated Deanna’s thighs and even marked the seat where she’d been curled up against her man. Demon didn’t allow her to hit the floor. He held her in his arms, and she was out cold.
Screams, shouts, and orders were thrown around as Demon picked Deanna up. He marched out of the clubhouse, and Joker followed behind him.
“What’s happening?” Elena asked.
“You’ve got to stay here, okay. I’ve got to go with Demon. He’s going to need his brothers now more than ever.”
“It’s bad, right? The blood. So much blood.”
Cupping her face, he forced Elena to stare at him. “I need you to focus for me right now. You’re my old lady, and I need you to be safe. I can’t be thinking about you and worry about my Prez. You get me.”
“I get you.”
“Stay here. Go to my room. There’s television, movies, and books. There is also a burner cell on the bedside table. Please, don’t leave, and I’ll call you on that cell, and update you on everything soon.”