by Zoey Derrick
“I feel like a fraud,” he says honestly and I look at him.
“You cut your hair, you ditched the contacts, you’re no fraud. If they vote you in, it’s going to be because they can see what you are as Pyro and as Tryke,” I tell him. “Jesus, this shit’s too fucking heavy, I need a fucking drink,” I mutter and Tryke laughs.
“I’m buying,” he laughs.
“Ha!” I say and we walk to the bar.
The prospect sends us two whiskies sliding down the bar and we grab them. I hold mine up. “To whatever happens,” I say and we clink glasses.
“You’re my Veep,” he breathes.
“You as well,” I tell him. “No question.”
“We stick together.”
“Always.”
We shoot our whiskey down and put the glasses on the bar.
We spend the next hour drinking and shooting the shit with the guys before Sticks finally comes out. “Loki, Tryke,” he barks and Tryke and I look at each other.
“Here goes,” Tryke says.
A smiles spreads across my face we walk toward Sticks and the hallway.
“They’re indecisive, but they agree on one thing,” Sticks says after we walk down the hallway, getting away from the common room.
“What’s that?” Tryke asks.
“They want both of you,” he tells us.
“That’s a given,” I reply. “Either way, he’s my Pres or my Veep. So, regardless, they get us both.”
Tryke nods. “It’s only fair that way.”
“Alright, we’ll tell them.” He turns to leave for the room we use for church or private club meetings. “Oh,” Sticks turns toward us. “They’re curious about who you were going to nominate.”
Tryke doesn’t say anything but his eyes roam over to me and Sticks nods. “I’ll tell ‘em,” he says and he disappears into the room.
“I thought this would be easier,” Tryke says. “I figured they’d go straight for you.”
I shrug. “I didn’t think that at all. Once it was out that you’re alive, I knew it would cause them to pause and think a little more. If you hadn’t come out, technically, the club would have passed to me because of Kiwi and they all know that. But, with your return, you’re rightfully Pres by code.” I grab his shoulder, squeezing it. “Honestly, I’d rather you have it,” I tell him.
“Why?” he asks. “I haven’t done anything for six years.”
“But you have, the name on your cut doesn’t change what you’ve done for this club these last six years. Not to mention, I’ve been Sergeant, nothing more than an enforcer. You’ve at least had your hands in the books. That’s got to count for something,” I add.
He only nods.
The door at the end of the hall opens and Sticks comes back out. He says something to the guard on duty, who happens to be Pixie. He nods and goes into the room and Sticks comes down the hall. “They’re voting now.” We nod. “I need a drink.” Sticks smiles.
“That bad in there?” I ask.
“Nah, they have some valid points. Big Daddy convinced them that regardless, they’re going to get both of you. It’s just a matter of who they respect more.” His eyes roam to Tryke. “The club is rightfully yours and if you want it, Big Daddy and I will overturn their vote.”
“I don’t want that. I want them to choose me, or Loki. Who they decide on is the man they respect. I can’t be a Pres if I don’t have their full attention and respect.”
“That’s why he deserves to be Pres,” I say with a smile playing on my lips.
“Agreed,” Sticks says and pushes between us on his way to the common room and that drink he wants.
Tryke and I stand there quietly while we wait for Sticks to return or for someone to come out and tell us something. My phone vibrates against my chest. I pull it from my pocket and my lungs seize when I see Loni’s name across the screen.
“She alright?” I ask.
“She’s fine, still sleeping. They moved her to her room. She’s in four oh three.”
“Thanks, Loni.”
“Anytime. How’s it going over there?” she asks.
“Still waiting.”
She chuckles. “It’s a miracle you guys get anything done over there.”
“Yeah, yeah, keep me posted,” I tell her.
“Will do.”
We hang up. Tryke’s eyes are on me for an update. “They moved her into her room, four oh three.”
“She still out?”
“Yup, they said they’d keep her down for a while. Or until I get back there.”
Tryke nods in understanding but doesn’t say anything else.
It’s another fifteen minutes before Sticks walks back past us. He claps both of us on the shoulder as he passes before disappearing into the room. A few minutes after that, Pixie comes out. He smiles at both of us before taking up his post. “I need another drink,” Tryke says as he turns back toward the common room. I turn to lean against the wall. My mind wanders over to Kiwi and what she’s going through. I hope she comes out the other side of this intact. Then my mind wanders to Piper and what she must be going through. I want to call Emily, but I don’t have her number and that irks me in a way I don’t expect.
I start pacing the hallway, making sure to stay clear of the door. That’s what Pixie is here for- to keep people away who shouldn’t overhear anything. Usually that’s Axel’s job but he’s still in the hospital.
About ten more minutes pass, I’ve managed to calm down. Vowing to rectify the situation with not having Emily’s number as soon as this is over. I want to see Piper and I need to get back to Kiwi.
Tryke comes into the hallway at the same time Big Daddy and Sticks exit the room. They both look satisfied as they walk toward us.
“We have a President,” Big Daddy says, “and from my understanding, we have a Veep?” he raises an eyebrow.
I nod, “regardless of decision.” I tell him. My heart beating faster in my chest. I want it, but I’m not sure I want it if it means taking it from Tryke, he deserves it.
“Good,” Big Daddy says, but he says nothing further.
“Are you gonna be a dick or are you gonna tell us?” Tryke cajoles.
“I’m thinking about it.” Big Daddy smirks. “You two sure you’re gonna be alright with the outcome?”
“Absolutely,” we both say together.
“Now, who?” I ask.
He looks at Tryke and says, “As it should be. Congrats.”
I smile wide as Tryke takes Big Daddy’s arm, “It’s official. You’re it Tryke.”
“Thank God,” I breathe a sigh of relief.
Everyone laughs. “Thanks,” Tryke says.
“Ready to change that patch?” Sticks asks as he hands Tryke a President bar. Then he hands me a VP bar. “Now the two of you need to decide who you want for Treasurer and Sergeant, since you’re vacating those spots.”
Tryke looks to me for my pick. “Cowboy for Treasurer, since these two won’t let me have my first or second choice,” I laugh.
“Who’s that?” Tryke asks.
“You, obviously. All the shit you did with finding this crap, I’m not sure anyone else could be that good,” I tell him. “But they won’t let you do both.”
“Second choice,” Tryke says.
I laugh, “You were my second choice. But your sister was my first.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Why her?”
“Because I don’t trust anyone else. Though Cowboy has proven his loyalty time and time again and I think with you at the head, he’ll be on his game.” I nod.
“Cowboy it is,” Tryke agrees. “And Sergeant?”
“Axel.”
“I agree with that. We can move Viker up to Senior.”
“Sounds good to me, man,” I tell him.
“There’s some other changes you two are going to have to deal with,” Sticks says. He’d brought them up at the hospital. “Loni wants out.”
“I can’t blame her for that. That bar’s
a handful. But who do we hand it over?” Tryke says but looks at me.
I shrug. “That’s your call, but you know she’d take it.”
“Agreed. We’ll give it to Kiwi,” Tryke says.
“Then it’s settled,” Big Daddy says just as the door to church opens and the Vets file out. Each of them congratulate Tryke and myself as they pass into the common room. There are cheers coming from them as they do because they know it’s over and the Roswell Wicked Angels have a new president. A rightful president.
Big Daddy and Sticks make the announcements after talking to Cowboy about his new position. He agreed, without a second thought, and the rest of the clubhouse was made aware of the changes at the top. No one objected and everyone congratulated us both when it was over.
It’s nearly three-thirty by the time the group disburses with plans in place for a party tonight. Though neither Tryke nor I feel like partying, we’ll do it because we have to.
Tryke takes off for the hospital to check on Kiwi and I go to the house.
As soon as I pull park in the driveway, Piper comes outside. “Loki,” she squeals. I’m barely off my bike when she jumps at me. I catch her and lift her up.
“Hi baby girl.” I smile at her.
“Where’s momma?”
I catch Emily standing at the door. “What did Emily tell you?”
“That momma was busy.”
I nod and take Piper in the house. “Everything okay?” Emily whispers.
“It’s fine, she’s fine.”
Relief rushes into Emily’s features and I see now what Tryke was going on about before. Emily really is a beautiful girl and I’m surprised I hadn’t noticed it before. Then again, I was too focused on Kiwi to see anyone else.
I sit down on the couch with Piper in my lap. “Pipes, baby, mommy got into a bad fight last night.” She starts to cry. “Oh, don’t cry, she’s gonna be just fine.”
“You sure?” she says, her chin quivering.
I smile. “I’m sure. She’s gonna be gone for a couple days.”
“I wanna see her,” she cries.
“I know, sweetheart, and you will, just not today, okay?”
“When?”
I look at Emily. “How about in the morning?”
She sniffs. “Okay, daddy.”
My heart explodes in my chest as I look at her. She called me daddy. Not Loki, but daddy. I kiss her temple. “Love you, Pipes.”
She wraps her arms around my neck and she settles her crying. I lean back against the couch, holding her until she’s ready to get up. For being five, she’s an amazing creature, but I have to remind myself that she is only five and sometimes I need to be careful with what I share with her.
She stirs and climbs down from my lap. “Can we go for our ride?”
I smile. “How about I take you in the morning, before we go see mommy together?”
“Okay,” she smiles wide and runs off to her bedroom.
“She’ll be alright,” Emily says.
“She’s a tough kid.”
Emily smiles. “That she is.”
“I need your number,” I tell her.
“Sure,” she says and I pull out my phone, punching it in as she gives it to me.
“I’m going to go up to the hospital.” I shoot her a text that just says ‘Loki’. “And I just texted you my digits. Call if you need anything. I’ll check on her later. If I don’t crash at the hospital, I’ll come back here.”
“Sounds good.”
“You need anything before I go?”
She shakes her head. “No, we’re good.”
I nod and go into Piper’s room to tell her bye. She’s playing with some dolls on the floor. I stand there watching her blonde curls bounce as she moves her dolls around. It makes me realize just how innocent and young she is and for the first time since the transfer of power to Tryke, I feel relieved that he got the job and not me.
I’ve lost five years with her. I’m ready to make them up and so much more.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” I tell Piper.
She looks up at me. “Okay, daddy.”
I smile wide at her and step into her room. I kneel and kiss the top of her head. “Later, Pipes.”
“Bye, daddy.” She says it again and my heart explodes.
Chapter Thirty-Three
KIWI
My eyes flutter open.
Then closed.
Open again.
Closed again.
Jesus, what’s wrong with me?
I open them again and I see someone, someone I haven’t seen in years. “Am I dead?” I breathe.
“Why would you think that?” the voice I hear is my brother’s though it’s raspy and gravelly in a way that makes me think of my dad.
“Because you’re here,” I say.
“I’ve always been here,” he says.
“You look like you,” I say and then I try to move. “Ow, oh my god, ow, ow.”
“Don’t do that. You’ll hurt yourself.”
“What the hell happened?” I ask, a little irritation in my voice.
“You don’t remember?”
I close my eyes. My head is pounding, my face is on fire. My ribs feel like I’ve been railroaded, then the night before flashes through my mind. Rooster, revenge, bed, Loki. No, it wasn’t Loki, it was Gunnar. I shudder. “Ow,” I say again. Then my mind flashes to the room, the guy, I shiver again. “Dammit,” I breathe through the pain. “I remember,” I murmur.
“Good,” Kellen says.
“What did you do to yourself?” I ask him.
“Which part?” he asks.
“You look like you, except that scar.”
“I took out the contacts, cut my hair, and got my cut back,” he says with pride. My eyes roam over his chest, and the air in my lungs freezes.
“President?” I ask.
Kellen smiles wide. “Voted on this afternoon. Rooster is in custody, Gunnar is dead, thanks to you,” he tells me. I smile but my cheeks hurt.
“Loki?” I ask.
“Veep,” he says and I give him a smaller smile that doesn’t hurt.
“Piper?” I say, sadness creeping into my tone.
“At home, safe, with Emily.” I notice a rush of breath escape him when he says Emily’s name. I narrow my eyes at him.
“What about Emily?” I ask.
“Don’t worry about it,” he says with a tone he used to use when I was younger and he wanted me out of his business.
“Nice try, jerk.”
“She’s a fucking hot piece of ass, okay?” He blushes, like, he actually turns red.
“Uh huh, she is,” I tell him. “She’s twenty-three, you know?”
He shrugs. “Since when do I care.”
I laugh. "Ow, oh god, don’t do that,” I grumble.
“You’re the one who laughed, silly girl.”
“I know. But Emily? Really?”
He shrugs again. “I’ve met her once,” he grumbles, but I think there’s more to it than that.
“Uh huh, sure.” If I could and it wouldn’t hurt, I’d shake my head.
“Don’t be like that,” he argues.
“Like what?” I ask.
“All little sister on me.”
“Oh, believe me, you ain’t seen nothing yet. But I will warn you, she’s the best fucking babysitter on the planet, if you fuck her up so much she runs off, I will kill you myself.” I narrow my eyes and my head roars.
“Yeah, yeah,” he mumbles.
“Where’s Loki?” I ask him.
“He was gonna stop by the house, see Piper. She’s really a great kid, Lily.”
“Stop making me smile, it hurts,” I tease him. “She’s an amazing kid,” I tell him. He nods. “She okay?” I ask.
“Perfectly fine. Emily knows what’s up, and I’m assuming Loki is giving an update.”
“I want to see her,” I say.
He takes a deep breath. “That’s not the best idea, bean.” He uses my
old nickname and my heart skips in my chest.
“Why not?” I snap.
“Because your face looks like it’s been used as a punching bag.”
“Oh,” I breathe.
“Give it a day or two, let the swelling subside, then one of us will bring her up,” he tells me.
“Okay,” I say quietly.
My eyelids start to get heavy and I start blinking.
“Go back to sleep,” Kellen says. “Heal up. You’ve got work to do.”
“I do?” I ask sleepily.
“Yup, but we’ll talk about it later.”
“S’oka…” I slip back into sleep.
I don’t know how long it is before I open my eyes again. My hand is sore and yet really warm. I wiggle my fingers trying to figure out why, when there’s a shift on the bed. “Kiwi,” a voice whispers.
I turn toward it and my eyes take a moment to adjust. Loki is staring down at me. “Hi,” I breathe.
He stands and leans over me, gently placing his hand on the pillow beside my head. “Hi,” he breathes. I can see relief in his eyes as he looks down at me. “How are you feeling?” he asks.
“Tired. I hurt like a bitch,” I groan.
He stands up straight, pulling his hand away from me and I pout. “What happened?” he asks.
“Gunnar happened. Him and some other piece of shit,” I grumble.
“His brother,” Loki tells me.
“That’s one sick motherfucker,” I snap.
“He’s dead,” he tells me.
There is a gentle calm, a peace and sweet relief that washes through me as his words register in my mind. “Did I…” I don’t finish.
“Don’t worry about that,” he tells me.
I don’t argue with him. I’m not in the mood for it. “So, what’s wrong with me?” I ask him.
“You have two cracked ribs, one’s broken.” I figured as much. “You have some damage to your wrists and ankles, but I think they’re going to be just fine.”
“I remember he bit me,” I whisper and Loki’s face turns blood red with rage.
“Don’t worry about it. The plastic surgeon said he can fix it.” I nod slightly. “Did he do anything else to you?” his voice is strained.
I lift my right hand, the one that doesn’t hurt as much and I see the bandage around my wrist, no doubt from the cable ties, and I press my palm to his cheek. “I won’t give you details, because you don’t need that in your head,” I tell him softly. “But no. I took him out before he got the chance.”