by M. L. Beeson
“Babe, I need to know what is going on, so I can take the steps to protect you.” She doesn’t reply, she just stares down at her intertwined fingers.
I put my large hand over the both of hers. “Ginger, I need to know why the former governor of Texas is looking for you and breaking into your shit.” I try to be as calm as I can but not getting answers when I need them is making my temper flare.
Her eyes widen as she looks into my eyes. She starts to fidget and I see panic creep across her face. “Please Blade, I need to leave before he can actually get his hands on me,” she begs as her tears start to spill over again.
Grabbing her face between my big hands. “If you tell me what is going on, I can help you. You don’t need to run anymore.”
Breaking our moment, Ginger’s cell phone rings. Looking for the phone, she gets up and looks around the room, finding her phone on the floor on the side of the bed she had been napping on, she answers it. Giving her some space, I make my way into the closet to get dressed. After throwing on some jeans, a tee shirt and my cut, I walk back into the room to overhear Ginger speaking on the phone.
“Yeah, he found my apartment, but I am staying with a friend. No, I don’t think they will try anything, the friend I am with has the means to offer protection for now. If I need too, I’ll come back. How much do you need for the month? Yeah, yeah, ok. I will send it. Thank you.” She presses the red end button on the phone.
Curious as to who was on the phone and why she is on edge, I watch as Ginger ends the call. Looking up and seeing me standing a couple feet away, she startles, “oh I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.” She spoke but her mind was somewhere else.
“Everything ok?” I inquired.
“As good as it can be,” she mumbles.
“Enough with the shit, Ginger. I am doing my best to stay fucking calm and to help you but if you’re not willing to give me the answers I need, I don’t know how much I can protect your ass,” I hiss out of frustration.
“Fine,” she huffs, “you want to know? Ross was my stepfather who stole something very important to me on my birthday and I have been hiding from him since. He is a dangerous man and I have done everything I can to stay off his radar. I don’t know how he found me, but one thing I know is I would rather die before going back to that house or ever see him again!”
“He will not touch a hair on your head. You will stay here in my room or you can have one of the empty ones if you want. You will work the bar here and you will not leave the compound unless you are with me or have an escort.”
“Ok. Thanks,” is all Ginger can manage to get out. No argument? No fighting me on this? Hmm.
Now that I have a version of the truth, I can put some of my stress to rest and protect Ginger and focus on my club. I need to find out what Draven knows.
“Get dressed, and wear something warm,” I tell her. “Meet me downstairs when you’re ready.” I pull on my boots and head for the door.
GINGER
It feels like gravity it working against me. My feet feel impossible to pick up in order to walk down the stairs, but I finally make it down the flight of stairs and into the bar. Walking up to Riley, I push myself between him and Blade.
“Riley, I apologize for freaking out earlier and grabbing you. I really don’t like that nickname.” I try to apologize as my neck ticks feeling the utter disgust of the name Ginny.
“No problem, doll. We are good. Plus, now I know if I ever need back up, I am calling your feisty little ass,” he jokes, trying to lighten the situation.
Turning towards me, Blade asks, “are you ready?”
“Where are we going?”
“For a ride,” he says, placing his hand on my lower back ushering me out the door. Once we stride up alongside of his beautiful bike, he hands me a helmet. I put it on my head and he helps me fasten and secure it safely to my dome.
Swinging a leg over the bike, Blade takes his seat and holds a hand out to help me keep my balance as I swing my leg over and take my place behind him. As I place my hands on his waist, he grabs me by my thighs and pulls me forward so that I’m sitting firmly against his back, and he pulls my hands around his waist so that they are holding onto his firm stomach. With me in the proper position, Blade fires up the bike, puts it in gear and throttles up easing us out of the parking lot. I have no idea where we are going, but it feels nice to have some fresh air.
We have been cruising down the highway for about twenty minutes when we come around the corner and I see the dam up ahead, it is beautiful. It is lit up and two of the spillways are open, so the water is rushing down creating a beautiful waterfall. We continue up the winding road until we reach a little café with a turn off, Blade takes a left and we head north, following this road until we start to get into the thick trees. I am in awe with how tall the pine trees are. Blade pulls into a little turn out of to the right of the road and kicks down his stand, killing the engine. Slowly getting off the bike, Blade turns to me to help me get off the bike and to unbuckle the helmet I was wearing.
Once he hangs the helmet off the handlebars, Blade reached into the side bag and grabs out a bottle of whiskey and takes off walking towards a cliff’s edge. Finding a big rock, he sits and waits for me to join him. Walking towards Blade, I am in complete amazement because from where he is sitting you can see the entire valley and all of the small flickering lights from the homes and businesses below. My favorite thing about Idaho is that it is not too overcrowded and you are minutes from everything. It didn’t take us very long to get up into the forest to enjoy this beautiful scenery.
Pulling me down to sit next to him, Blade takes a swig of whiskey and offers me the bottle. Not needing anymore alcohol I hold up my hand to pass. Blade twists the cap back onto the bottle and we just sit there in silence and enjoy the cool mountain air that surrounds us.
Blade breaks the silence, “I like to come up here to think sometimes. I figured with everything; you would like to do the same.”
Looking at the beefy man next to me, I lean in and give him a small kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. I needed to get out and get air more than you know.” Not wanting to get emotional again, I reach for the bottle of alcohol, untwist the cap and take a swig.
Blade and I sit there in silence for what seems to be hours. The moon is high in the sky indicating that it is late. I am wearing jeans and a light jacket but the breeze is picking up, causing me to chill to the bone. I cross my arms and start to move my hands up and down them to warm myself up.
Glancing my way, Blade sees that I am cold and without a word he pulls me into his grasp and holds me, allowing his body heat to warm me. It’s a simple and sweet gesture. I lean my head back into his chest and look up at the stars and smile. For such a shitty day, this night is just what I needed.
After a few more minutes of star gazing, Blade starts to slide down the rock we are sitting on, pulling me with him. When our feet hit the ground, he finally speaks, “we should get back, you need rest and I have to work in the morning.” I nod in reply and start walking back towards the bike.
CHAPTER TEN
GINGER
It has been two days since my all around melt down and the relaxing night Blade treated me too. I have felt much better since then. I have been tending the bar at the clubhouse which is pretty damn easy. Most of the members just drink beer or shots, the most work I have to do it mix a couple drinks here and there for the club girls and order food whenever the guys are hungry. I haven’t seen much of Blade lately. My personal shit must have scared him away because the only time I see or hear him is when he comes to bed. I feel guilty taking up space so I plan on asking Dozer today if there is a spare room available.
I am deep in thought and don’t notice the overly-pale bald guy that takes a seat at the bar and is glaring daggers at me. Pulling myself out of my own head I walk over and ask the man what he would like to drink.
“You’re new here. Where the fuck is Blade or Dozer?” he snaps at me making m
e jump at the tone and the grimacing look he is giving me.
“Dozer isn’t here, I am not sure where Blade is. Let me find him for you.” I smile trying not to let him know that he makes me feel uneasy.
Walking out from behind the bar, I move down the hall to Blade’s office and knock. I don’t get a reply but I can hear him talking to someone. Without thinking, I open the door and let myself in because that guy in the bar gave me the creeps. I happen walk in on Blade as Shay the club whore, who is riding his cock in the reverse the cowgirl position as Blade is sitting in his office chair. She smiles when she sees my stunned face, Blade is oblivious to the fact that I am in the room.
Clearing my throat, I force out the words, “Blade, you have a guest demanding you or Dozer, and Dozer is at the strip club.”
Spinning in his chair so that he can see me, he shoves Shay off of his cock and onto the floor.
“Who the fuck is it?”
“I’m not sure. He is bald and talked to me like I am some sort of trash,” I say, trying not to look at his condom covered erection that he is trying to clean up.
Hearing giggles and Shay’s response, “well honey, he isn’t far from the truth. Walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it must be a duck.”
I turn on my heels and stride out of the office and back into the bar, trying to rid my mind of the scene and insults I was just witness too.
As I duck under the bar counter, the bald guy is about five shades redder than before I left.
I don’t know what the hell his deal is, but I don’t feel comfortable around him. The vibe he is giving off is lethal. When he turns to face the hall that Blade is coming down, I notice the swastika on the back of his neck. Fuck. This guy is a white supremacist.
“Draven.” Blade greets the man with a firm handshake. “I apologize for my tardiness, I was indisposed.” He winks at the man, implying that he was getting laid. Gag.
“I see you’re hiring half breeds now…” The man tsks as he blatantly points towards me referring to my dark hair and eyes.
“Well Draven, I seem to think the woman is a fine piece of ass, a good lay too.” Fucking asshole.
“What can I get you boys?” I clap my hands together out of frustration. Draven will not look or speak to me, so Blade orders for him. “Get us a couple beers darlin.”
I set a couple bottles of beer on the bar in front of them not even bothering to take the caps off. “Now that you boys are set to get hydrated, I am taking my much-needed break.” I make sure that the annoyance is clear in my tone.
I walk out of the clubhouse to find Riggs and Leo smoking out by the picnic tables. Plopping my ass down on one of the tabletops, I rest my head in my hands.
“Do you want a hit?” I hear Riggs offer. Looking up, I take the tightly rolled joint out from in between his fingers and take a long drag. Holding the smoke in my lungs for as long as I can, I finally start to slowly exhale the smooth smoke. I keep hold of the joint and take a few more hits off of it before passing it to Leo.
“What has your panties in a twist?” Leo eyes me through hazy eyes.
“Oh, you know. Apparently, I am trash because I am a half-breed,” I snarl as I shield my eyes from the setting sun.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Riggs looks confused.
“Some Nazi loving asshole referred to me as a half breed and wouldn’t look at or speak to me.”
In unison they both say, “Draven’s here.”
Looking at one another, as if on cue, they turn to head towards the clubhouse. Turning back to me, Riggs jogs up and hands me what is left of the joint. “Don’t let that stupid punk get to you, he thinks he is part of the master race,” he says while rolling his eyes and using finger quotations around master race.
Thanking him for the joint, I let him know I will be back at the bar in a bit. I need a few more minutes to myself and to enjoy this delicious joint. The pot isn’t clouding my thoughts, it is giving me more of a body high, and I must say it is nice and relaxing. Laying back on the table I take the last few hits off the small roach, before I sit up and toss it on the ground. Before I can stand to stomp it out. Shay saunters over to me like she is trying to be sly.
“You know, he may have fucked you, but he is a fuck and chuck kind of guy. I am the only one he keeps coming back to. So, if I were you, I would pack your shit and take your pussy somewhere else.”
“Shay, I am here to work. Not interested in anyone. So, you can back the fuck off now.” I walk towards the clubhouse, bumping into her shoulder rather hard making her take a step back. I may be pissed but I am too relaxed to do anything about it right now. My main focus is getting back to work and to get Riggs and Leo a drink especially after they forfeited their joint to me.
As I walk into the clubhouse, I pull out my prepaid cell phone and send off a text to Dozer.
Ginger 8:43 p.m.: Is there a spare room here? I need my own space.
Dozer 8:44 p.m.: Take my room. Third door on the right. Should be unlocked. I have been staying at my house more than not lately.
Ginger 8:44 p.m.: Sweet. Thank you. I owe you.
Putting my phone back in my right back pocket, I walk behind the bar and start slinging drinks to the men, turning a deaf ear to the banter and conversations.
BLADE
I watch Ginger as she serves drinks to the men, the alcohol is definitely flowing. My men are having a good time and getting rowdy. Draven as expected is taking a liking to the free booze and has been making passes at Melanie. Of course, he would, she is a blonde with blue eyes. He takes the whole master race bullshit seriously. I wanted to slit his throat when he called Ginger a half breed and wouldn’t talk to her, but I can’t be mad that he wouldn’t look at her, that punk doesn’t need to be looking at what’s mine.
After Ginger and I took the ride up to the look out on the mountain, I have been trying to get her out of my damn head. I have fucked Shay countless times in the last two days. I am trying to fuck Ginger out of my system because I can’t afford to have any distractions or weaknesses. I have to keep her at arm’s length.
She can work here; she can live here. I will act as her employer and landlord in order to protect her, but I need to stay the fuck away from her. I am addicted, the pull between us is almost too strong. I hated the hurt look on her face when she walked in on Shay riding me in my office, but it needed to happen. Ginger needs to learn that I am not a good guy. I may have saved her from getting raped and we may have had unbelievable sex but that’s just it. It was sex and nothing else.
Taking a long pull from the bottle of beer, I turn my attention back to Draven and my men trying to drown my own thoughts. Draven has Melanie bent over a bar stool and is taking her from behind. Hearing her screams, Draven takes it as his cue to get rougher. He is slapping her so hard on the ass it is leaving blistering red marks. He is pulling hair out of the woman’s head as he continues to fuck her hard. Hearing her screams die down, he must have finally gotten off. Thank fuck. I didn’t need that going on any longer than it needed too in my bar.
Draven is fidgeting, trying to fasten his pants, as Ginger walks by with a tray of empty glasses he knocks into her causing all the glasses to fall and shatter on the ground.
“Watch where you’re walking you little cunt,” he snarls at her in disgust.
Looking towards Rex, our enforcer, our muscle of sorts, I give him the go ahead to take the punk downstairs into the chamber. I have had enough of his bullshit. Rex is a force to be reckoned with, and it gives me nothing but joy to watch him in action, doing what he needs to for his brothers, his club. Watching in amusement, I take a long pull from my beer and watch as Rex walks up to a very drunk Draven. Using his large hand, Rex slams the asshole’s head down, bouncing it off the tabletop so hard that it knocks him out cold. Rex throws the scrawny little shit over his shoulder and walks out the bar doors towards the outer stairwell. Let the fun begin.
“Prospects!” I order, “clean this shit up for Ginger.”
&n
bsp; Acting quickly on my demands, the prospects grab brooms and shit to clean up the glass that Ginger is trying to carefully pickup so that she doesn’t cut herself.
Walking over to Ginger, “are you alright?”
Those big beautiful brown eyes pierce into me as she looks up. “Yes, I’m fine.” The look on her face says otherwise.
Taking it with a grain of salt I start to walk away, then Ginger stops me.
“Blade, I just wanted to let you know, Dozer said I can have his room since he has been staying at his house. I will move my stuff in there tonight.” Feeling like I got gut punched I give Ginger a nod and proceed to head to the chamber.
It has been four hours since Draven was brought down to my favorite room of the chamber. Things are about to get messy. I am sitting in a metal chair in the middle of the cold tile room, waiting.
The room is tiled from the ground up in bright white tile, with florescent lights hanging from the ceiling, the two make the room so bright it is almost blinding. The lingering smell of bleach assaults your sense of smell but after a while you get used to it. The room is pretty bare, for the most part. It has one chair, a stainless-steel table, and an industrial sink with an abundance of long hoses for easy cleanup.
Behind the table is a wall that houses all of our weapons, mostly knives ranging from the small size but remarkably painful parry knife to bone saws, machetes, cleavers and of course everything in between. Along with our assortment of knives, we have a pretty impressive collection of meat tenderizers. If you didn’t know the truth about this place, it could be passed off as an in-house butcher shop.