The Ties That Bind Us

by Annie Buff

  Ren kept firing as Krispy dug through the cabinets looking for gauze or anything to slow the bleeding. He had a first aide kit but that was in the bag of his bike. There was no probable way to get back to it at this point. He heard laughing and that was a bad sign. They knew the Bastards had them cornered and the only way out was the way they came in. Renegade knew it too. That’s when he smelled smoke. One way to get them out in the open was to burn them out. Krispy smelled it too, knowing they had one of two options and neither was all that good.

  “OK kid, we’re going down those stairs, gotta get on solid ground and make a run for the bikes. Can you move kid?” Krispy nodded, he would have to. They were armed enough but the thing he wasn’t sure of was if he could ride. His right shoulder had taken the bullet and the arm was going numb. Gripping the gun was becoming more and more difficult.

  They made it to the first floor, peering out the windows but still seeing nothing but still smelling smoke. Ren shook his head, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Whoever said silence was golden had never taken on the Brazen Bastards. “Stay low, I’m gonna test the waters.” He whispered as he snuck from window to window looking for the enemy. The only movement came from a small bunny just looking for a nibble. Then the echo of gunfire started and Renegade hit the floor next to Krispy. What was odd was that no windows were shattering. The firing was coming from behind the house. Jace and Falcon had to be the ones shooting.

  “Back door kid, let’s move!” Renegade had him by the arm, dragging him. The back door had a nine pane window that exploded as they reached it, sending glass shards in every direction. Some imbedded in Ren, some in Krispy but at that point the adrenaline was pumping; neither felt a thing. They just kept going and barely made it out before the house was engulfed in flames. The explosion threw them into the brush, someone had to have opened a gas line. It was the only explanation for the explosion. Had it been an RPG they would have heard it coming. Those had a distinct whistle and it was one they were familiar with.

  Seeing Falcon taking out the Bastards from the bushes, Krispy gave a heavy sigh. They would live to fight another day. What he didn’t see was Jester. The son of a bitch had retreated like the coward Krispy knew he was.

  Renegade had to get in on some of the action, pulling his Kukri and finding a mark. A very fat Bastard trying his best to reload. Ren snuck up behind him, the fat man never knew what hit him as the knife slid across his throat. The arterial spray covered Renegade but he didn’t care. This is what he lived for.

  By the time the last man had fallen Krispy was feeling the blood loss. He wouldn’t be riding single going home. He’d be lucky if he didn’t fall off the back of his bike. At this point the entire right side of his body had gone numb but the good news was his bullet hole had started to clot so the bleeding was at a minimum. Renegade started giving orders.

  “Falcon, you need to ride the kids bike and take him. Jace man, can you stick around and get whatever you can. I gotta go check in with Smoke then I’ll be back to deal with the bodies. I just need a signal to call in.” Falcon grinned and dug through his saddlebag, pulling out a strange looking phone.

  “ Sat phone. Smoke liked the idea of never being out of touch. I already called in so they’re on the way. Smoke and Bones are coming. I didn’t know we’d have need for the doc but Smoke said he was coming too. Kinda glad he is, damn Krispy you look like shit. Your woman is gonna kick your ass six ways to Sunday.” He said laughing. Falcon just continued to grin, knowing how much trouble Krispy was in.

  Krispy sat slumped against his bike, the adrenaline had slowed down and the pain was setting in. There was a joint in his wallet, probably smashed at this point but he needed something.

  The joint was slightly flat but still smoke worthy so he lit it up and closed his eyes, letting the herb do it’s thing. Falcon was right, Isadora was going to kick his ass. He promised to be careful and here he was getting shot. Yep, his woman was going to blow a gasket.

  A WOMAN SCORNED Isadora was pacing waiting for any word on her man. Smoke had been on the phone when she overheard there had been a firefight and both Krispy and Renegade had been injured. She did her best to talk the president into taking her along but he vehemently denied her, stating not only could the situation still be hot but if anything happened to her; Krispy would lose his mind. Izzy needed something to do until the men returned. She was contemplating what to do when she heard her name being called.

  “Isadora, I could use a hand.” The voice belonged to Peyton. Izzy trotted over to see what she needed help with.

  “Whatcha need Peyton? I need to do something, anything to keep me busy. Do you know how bad they’re hurt?”

  “ All Zeke said was prepare for surgery. I wish I had more to tell you. Here’s how to set up and a list of what we need. Set up that side and I’ll get this one.” She nodded and followed the Queens instructions, setting up and making sure there was plenty of everything. Isadora had been around the bikers long enough to know injuries happened frequently. She just hadn’t been privy to major injuries. That was Peyton and she was very used to it. Isadora had no idea how Peyton stayed so calm, her hands were shaking just laying out the surgical instruments.

  “I think I need to sit down. I’m feeling a little woozy.” The light headiness was more than likely from nerves and low blood sugar. Izzy was carrying twins and hadn’t eaten for hours. Peyton must have known exactly what the problem was, bringing her a glass of orange juice.

  Bones and Smoke arrived with their injured brothers, greeted by the queen and Izzy. She saw Krispy and knew he was the one who had been shot. “Jesus Joshua! What happened out there? “ Krispy just smiled at her, she didn’t need to know and he was good at smiling through the pain.

  “I’m ok baby, come here.” He held out his left arm, knowing she needed some comfort. This life definitely wasn’t for the faint at heart.

  Bones let him have his moment before ushering Krispy into his office. Isadora was right behind them even with Bones protesting. “Look I’m part of this now and I can handle blood so you’re not getting rid of me.” She told them. It was as much for Krispy as it was for Bones. Isadora wasn’t going anywhere, she would stay with her man and help if she could.

  Between Renegade and Krispy, Peyton had her work cut out for her. It took her hours to remove all the glass from them. Some were just tiny splinters and those became the hardest to dig out. Reagan came for Ren after he was cleaned up. She just shook her head and laughed, this was the norm for her husband and she was quite used to his injuries.

  When Bones finished with Krispy he checked on Isadora, the queen had mentioned her dizzy spell. “You’re not eating enough for a pregnant women. You should be taking in two thousand calories easy a day. Those babies are taking everything you’re eating and you aren’t getting enough nourishment. Izzy don’t make me force feed you.” She smiled and nodded, knowing Bones was right. With everything going in she just hadn’t thought about food. But now that Bones mentioned it, Isadora was craving wings and a big, fat cheeseburger. Knowing her dad had gone up to check on the bar she sent a text asking for food.

  They met Smoke by the fire pit in his usual spot, bourbon in hand and looking extremely pissed off. Krispy sat on the wooden log he always sat on, making room for Isadora to sit next to him. Falcon was there too along with Jace who had finished up at the farm.

  “They knew! Somehow those fuckers knew and it wasn’t Jake. Peyton had him moving furniture around and when I took the call from Ren I was in the garage. How are these assholes getting information about us.” Nobody had the answers the president wanted.

  “ We decided to take the state route right before we left the cantina, wasn’t anyone around us when I called.” Falcon mentioned as he took a swig from the Bourbon Smoke kept at his feet. Bones had come to sit and have a drink, listening to the club chatter. He too had nothing to offer. The answer came from an unlikely source, Isadora.

  “They bugged your bikes, at least one of them.
I’d bet anything that’s how those assholes keep finding you.” Smoke stood and headed to where they parked, looking over his shoulder.

  “Tear em apart. Down to the frames! I want this fuckin’ shit done! I’m God damned pissed off and this shit willend! My family has taken enough from the Bastards!” They started on Renegades bike, disassembling it piece by piece and examining everything they took off for tampering. Once each piece had been thoroughly checked it was reassembled and the next bike was started on.

  Six hours later they got to Krispy’s bike. The bug was found in his throttle bell. A throttle bell on a bike was to keep the road gremlins away, and as long as it was on the bike; nobody ever checked it. That’s why it was the perfect spot to hide the GPS detection. When Smoke saw it he went ballistic, throwing parts and yelling. Krispy knew this had to end. One way or another, the Bastards had to be extinguished.

  Isadora was thinking the same thing but she just had to figure out how. When Jake came to help, the idea hit. Izzy hated not being honest with Krispy but this had to be done. They needed to be rid of Jester and the Bastards once and for all.

  Isadora waited, watching for the right time. When Krispy went for more beers she made her move. “Jake hey, I need your help. But this has to stay between us. Not even Joshua can know. You game?” Jake looked at her with utter confusion but whatever she wanted he would do. From the sounds of it she was about to go off half cocked against the Bastards and there was no way he could allow that. His brother would kill him if Izzy got hurt.

  “Yep just need to know the where and when. And maybe what your planning, that would help.” She smiled and nodded before walking away to meet her man at the clubhouse door. Whatever she was cooking up was going to get her hurt. He promised he wouldn’t tell his brother but he didn’t say anything about not telling Smoke, and that’s just what he did.

  Smoke sat trying to wrap his head around what he’d just been told. Isadora wanted Jake to help her go after Jester. He could see why she wanted to do it but that damn girl was going to get herself killed. Jester was more than crazy and with Izzy starting to get a tiny baby bump, they would know and use it.

  “Alright do what she asks but I need to know when she plans on doing this. Get me as much information as you can so we can keep that girl and those babies safe. I can’t have another death on my conscience.” Jake wondered who kept Smoke up at night but decided asking wasn’t the best idea he ever had, so he let it go. The president offered him a swallow out of the bottle and Jake graciously accepted. All he really wanted was to go home but that wasn’t going to happen now so the Devils would be the next best thing.

  Over the next few weeks Isadora did some research on Alan Harrison. What she found out made her sick. More than likely he had pulled the strings on Neva Harrison’s disappearance, presumably dead. Thinking of poor Krispy losing both his mother and his brother pulled at her heart strings. At least he had his brother back and hopefully Jester didn’t figure out Smoke had faked Jake’s death. That would open up a while new can of worms, one no one was prepared for.

  The day came for Isadora to meet Jester and deal with him once and for all. She had been using the Challenger her father had bought to go back and forth to work, Ajax wouldn’t allow her back on a bike until the babies were born. She asked Jake to meet her on Mill road and follow her to the Rack. Today the bakery would be closed, Izzy hung a sign on the door, stating a family emergency before taking off for the old Mill road. It kinda was an emergency, her family would forever be in danger if Jester continued to breathe.

  She passed Jake who fell in behind her as she drove. Isadora wiped her hands on her jeans a few times, relieving them of the sweat that was accumulating. Scared was an understatement but it had to be done. Jester would expect Smoke or even Krispy to come at him, but not her. He was the kind if man who thought women were a toy, to do with as he pleased. Well he was about to find out this woman was just the opposite. Isadora didn’t sit idly by and let her family become victims, she was about to kick ass and take names.

  Pulling into the Rack she took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. She stopped the green Dodge about twenty yards from the front door and checked her guns. Hopefully the extra clips were enough for the job. Jake had stopped two buildings over, he needed to be her backup.

  Laying on the horn, she knew it would get the attention of whoever was inside. When the door flew open she came face to face with the monster. He looked just like Krispy but a much older, weathered version.

  “Well ,well, well. Look who didn’t die.” He cackled, sending a shiver up Izzy’s spine. This might be harder than she first thought. As long as Jake had her back she could get through this.

  “ Looks like you sucked at trying to kill me. Now it’s my turn to kill you.” Isadora said pointing the Colt directly at Jester. He looked at her and started laughing.

  “”You gotta be fucking kidding me!” He choked out still laughing. “Does anyone take you serious girlie, I mean yeah you got a gun but so do I and I have six aimed right at you.” Izzy started to panic and she knew Jester saw it on her face.

  “You didn’t think I would really come out here unarmed and unprotected did you?” She kinda shrugged her shoulders hoping he had dine just that. From the sounds of it he knew something was up and had made sure he had ample security.

  “She’s not alone!” Came a male voice from behind the dumpster. Jake was out of sight but he had a feeling his voice would be recognized anyway and he was right.

  “Now there’s my chicken shit son. Wondered when you’d show up. Show yourself Snake.” Jake walked out with guns in each hand. He looked like a gunslinger from old. Jester noticed right away, his cut was over his shoulder, not worn. Jake dropped the leather on the cement in front of him. Holstering one weapon he proceeded to urinate on the vest, knowing just how mad Jester was about to get.

  “I never belonged in this world! Now that you’ve dragged me in, I’m gonna be where I can trust the man who has my back. I’m a Devil now, me and Josh both.” He told his father as he aimed at Jester’s head. Jake watched every move, waiting for the Bastard to signal his men. It was subtle, but the head moved an inch. That’s when Jake screamed at Isadora.

  “Down!” As he hit the pavement and started firing. Izzy did the same, ducking behind the open door of the Challenger and returning fire. She couldn’t lay flat, her belly had grown more than she realized so she crouched as low as she could.

  Bullets flew past her head at an unreadable rate, she fired back but her semi auto was no match for whatever was shooting at her. She dropped the empty clip and slammed a new one in, continuing to shoot. “This asshole isn’t bulletproof! Why won’t he go down!” She knew nobody heard her, the gunfire was too loud. She barely heard herself over the shattering of glass and bullets hitting metal.

  Isadora kept her head low and reached over the car door to shoot, hoping she would hit her mark. She heard boots coming towards her and she assumed it was Jake. When she glanced over her shoulder she saw her salvation; Krispy. “Baby what were you thinking?” Isadora was just about to answer him when she felt the burn. It was a bullet tearing through her abdomen. Krispy saw blood on Izzy and lost his mind.

  Standing and shooting he made his way towards Jester without saying a word. He knew Smoke and company were in the trees, taking care of the Bastards; this one was his. Krispy unloaded his clip into his father, but he didn’t kill him. He knew where the vital organs were and intentionally missed them all. He wanted dear old dad to see death coming, just the same way he knew his mother did. Krispy knew the fear she must have felt and it was time to return the favor. Jester lay on the pavement struggling to breath, his lung was filling with blood. Kneeling over his father the barrage of emotions hit him hard. Jake came up on his side.

  “Brother, you don’t have to do this. I can handle it if you wanna go be with your girl.” Krispy shook his head, wiping his eyes. He would take care of business and be there for his woman.

  “You ha
ve ruined so many lives.” Krispy told Jester as he put his gun to Jester’s forehead. “For the sake of my babies and for Jake I can’t let you live.” He cocked the hammer back, looking straight into the eyes of a madman.

  “You ain’t got the stones kid. You’re weak, always were. Just like your mother, she was…” The boom echoed between the buildings. Jester wouldn’t finish that sentence, he was gone and the world just became a better place for everyone. Krispy wiped the blood from his face and stood tall, running back to Isadora who had been loaded up on Bones gurney. She was crying and clutching her stomach, knowing how bad it was.

  MOVING ON It had been six months since that fateful day in the Rack parking lot. Jake had taken a Devils Prospect cut, sponsored by his brother. He had even made an impression on the queen, who had remodeled the clubhouse bedroom for him. Jake was fitting in exactly how it should be. At the moment he was in a hotel room overlooking the beach in San Diego getting ready for a wedding.

  Isadora was in the adjoining room with all the women, doting over her as she got ready to marry the love of her life. “I look huge.” She told them as she looked at herself in the mirror. She had a spaghetti strapped dress, cream colored and flowing just passed her knees.

  Peyton hugged her, “you look fabulous Izzy. Come on girl, you’re about to pop with twins. I was just as big and I only had one.” Isadora smiled and looked again, she didn’t look bad now that the queen put it that way.

  Krispy paced the boardwalk as Smoke chuckled, the kid was a nervous wreck. Ajax saw Krispy and his internal chaos, walking over and putting a hand on his shoulder. “She loves you, much to my dismay; my daughter loves you. You take care of her and those babies, I’ll be watching you.” Krispy nodded, looking up towards the hotel window. He knew she was in there and would be coming down any minute. It was time.

  Renegade stood barefoot in the surf waiting for Izzy. Krispy had his jeans rolled up the same as Ren, the tides rolling over his feet. “Don’t be nervous kid. If anyone deserves this it’s you two. Oh look, there she is.” Izzy walked with Ajax on one side and Jake on the other. Her hair had been tied back and she had yellow daisies in her hair. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. The glow from her pregnancy made her even more incredible. As she got close Ajax let her go and held his hand out to Krispy. “Congratulations son.”