by Franca Storm
“Thank you, Neil,” I breathe.
I stare at the message for a moment. And then I do what I know I need to: stop holding on to him. I hit DELETE and stow my phone back into my pocket.
Yeah, I’m gonna be okay. Soon.
***
“He did, huh? Pulled his guys out?” my dad asks as we stuff our faces with the roast chicken dinner he cooked. “Good for him.” He eyes me across the kitchen table. “Good for you, Roxana,” he says pointedly.
I roll my eyes. “Yes, Dad. Good for me.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I’m good. I’m feeling good.”
He smiles.
“You tell him ‘bout the failsafe you had in place in case Trig screwed you over with that deal?”
“No. I’ll never tell anyone.”
“Good girl. Anyone finds out we got paperwork giving you claim to Black Thorns if you ever want it, shit will hit the fan.”
“Believe me; after everything that’s happened lately, that’s the last thing I want. I would never want the club. It’s not a life for me.”
“Good. You got no idea all the shit I had Ralph go to just to hide all traces of that paperwork.”
I nod and we continue eating for a while.
“So…he said the Mavs aren’t gonna be a problem? Do you know anything about that, Dad?”
He picks at his chicken and then puts a piece in his mouth. “Nope,” he says, between chewing.
I know he’s lying, but I also know he won’t tell me what he doesn’t want to. He’s very good at remaining tight-lipped on certain things.
“Well…is he…he’s okay, right? With the Mavs’ situation, I mean?”
He shakes his head. “Roxana, let it go.”
“Just tell me if he’s okay.”
He breathes out a heavy sigh. “He’s good. Taking care of the club. Keeping busy. He’s smart and safe. He’ll be fine.”
My brow furrows. “Taking care of the club?”
“He’s Prez now.”
I drop my cutlery on my plate and shoot to my feet. “What?” I thunder. “No…he can’t…he said he would get out, make a good life for himself.”
My dad puts down his cutlery too. He sits back in his chair and folds his arms across his chest. “Sit down and I’ll explain something to you ‘bout Thorns life.”
I do as he asks, because I want to hear what he’s got to say as right now Neil’s decision is freaking me out, concerning me that he’s not going to be okay at all.
“Shit,” he mutters. “Maybe I made the wrong call not teaching you when you were a kid. Thought I was doing you a favor keeping you outta all that shit. But then you hook up with the VP of my old club. Didn’t see that coming seeing as how much you hated me and all bikers in general cuz of what happened to your mom.”
“Dad, don’t. We’ve moved past all our hatred. Well…mostly. You know I don’t agree with what you’ve done. It sickens me. But that’s the past.”
It had taken us a long time and a lot of trying on my dad’s part for me to even speak to him again, to want to speak to him again. Since his “death”, I’d found out so many gruesome things about him and what he’d done as club President that I was sick at the mere mention of his name. I’d even changed my name back to my mom’s maiden name to avoid the association.
But he’d explained a lot of it and I’m a great judge of a liar. He’d been speaking the truth. A lot of what had happened, what he’d done, had been a result of him being caught up in a really bad situation and having to fight back to survive. It didn’t make it right, but at least he wasn’t the complete psycho I’d always pegged him for.
As we’d spent more time together, we’d managed to find common ground. We’d talked about my childhood, my mom, how he’d had Ralph watch my back, how he’d been looking out for me without me even knowing it. Although, I hate people even thinking that I need protecting generally, it was still really nice to know that my dad had my back. Kind of how I felt about Neil doing it. Besides, with guys like them, it’s ingrained in them. They can’t help it.
Dad’s been staying with me for the last little while and we’ve been working on our reconciliation. He’s claimed a new identity and changed his name and everything as well as putting out word that he’s actually dead—again. He’s gone to great lengths so that there is no danger of people coming after me, because of who he is.
Sweet in a completely messed up way. Then again, that’s his world.
And, sadly, still Neil’s world apparently.
“So?” I press. “Explain away.”
He grins at my ballsy challenge to him. “Ax has been part of Thorns for almost twenty years. Joined when he was a teenager. Even before that, Skinner brought him up around club life. Didn’t keep him outta it like I did with you. It’s all he’s ever known. It’s in his blood, princess.”
I shake my head. “No, he left when Kim was killed and he was going to leave again…with me.”
“I hear that, princess. But he was acting foolish. Reckless. Grieving the first time and too lovesick with you the second time ‘round.”
I move to protest.
He cuts me off, “You know what they did to him when he walked the first time?”
“They cut out his club tattoo. He told me.” Just the thought of it makes me cringe. So brutal.
“He kept a lot from you. Probably didn’t wanna fill your head with it. But I need to make you understand this, so I’m gonna tell you. Four guys who’ve since joined the Mavs, but were Thorns at the time, held him down on a bench in the garage while Broker took it off him with a peeler and a blunt blade. Before that, Trig was so worried he was out on his own away from club supervision right after the tragedy with his mom, knew he had a temper, that he gave the order to Broker and some of the guys to beat him into a coma.”
“Oh my God,” I breathe, trying to absorb what he’s telling me.
“Yeah, that world is brutal, princess. And not easy to walk away from. Ax has many enemies. Some ain’t even his doing—his old man’s. But it falls on Ax cuz they got the father and son connection, no matter how hard Ax tries to distance himself from it. He walks and he’ll no longer have the club at his back, making it real likely that those enemies of his will see their opportunity, you know?”
“So, he’s trapped?”
“Don’t feel so bad ‘bout it. Ax is smart. He’ll make the best outta it. And now, he’s got the power too, as Prez. No more taking shit from Trig. He can live on his own terms now he’s top dog.”
“I never thought of it like that.”
Dad grins. “Well, glad I could enlighten you, princess.”
We both resume eating for a while.
“Dad?” I say eventually. “Speaking of feeling trapped…I’m thinking I’m done with this place.”
“The house?”
“All of it. Brockford. My business here.”
“Too many memories, princess?”
I nod.
“I think you should go.”
“Yeah?”
“Damn straight. Time for a change. Explore. Step outta the dark at long last.”
“Exactly.”
“Where you thinking of?”
I shrug. “I’m looking around. I haven’t decided yet. But, if I do go, how would you feel about taking the reins here?”
His eyes lock with mine and he cocks an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
“It’s definitely up your alley.”
“Much softer, though.”
“Hey! Soft? I’m the toughest ball buster this city’s ever seen.”
He laughs. “Chip off the old block, for sure. But, yeah, I can do softer. I’m retired after all.” He winks at me. “No biker shit. Promise.”
“There better not be, Dad. You know I’ll come back and knock you on your ass.”
He chuckles. “I thought you only went for the artery or kneecap?”
Yeah, he was highly amused when I told him about what I’d done to Skinner. I’d never se
en such pride in his eyes. Pretty disturbing that a father would be proud of his daughter doing that, but I understand it. He had a lot of hatred for the asshole.
I roll my eyes. “Very funny.”
“I’m glad you’re talking ‘bout moving on. There’s a spark with you again now. That tough edge is back and I’m relieved. You’re out of the woods now, princess. All that pain and tragedy is behind you.”
“Yeah, I am. I feel better. I lost myself for a while.”
“Anyone would’ve, no matter how tough they are, princess. It was a lot to take.”
“Yeah. But I feel good now. I’m excited about my next steps.”
He reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. I squeeze back and we both smile happily.
Chapter 40
~Ax~
I turn to Dealer. He’s on his bike beside me. “You ready for this, old man?”
He scoffs. “You’re ‘bout to see just how much of an old man I ain’t.”
I laugh. “Good to know. Gonna be some brutal shit.”
The two of us are on our bikes at the top of a hill overlooking the Devil’s Mavericks’ massive compound located in the middle of butt-fuck nowhere in the hidden countryside below. We’re just outta their line of sight and surveillance. We got the task of dealing with the front and anyone who tries to come through the gates and escape after what we’re gonna do. I got the rest of my boys positioned at three other points. Runner’s commanding a bunch of our boys at the rear. Smiter’s got the west side. Grit’s got the east by their huge-ass shed.
When I was a kid, my old man used to take me into the compound a lot so I know the layout real well and how things work. That’s why Dealer and me are gonna take the front cuz I know it’s Skinner’s escape route. Sounds dumb, but the asshole is smart, cuz no one expects an escape out front. Always the back.
He’s got two cars parked either side of the dirt road just for that purpose; if he’s gotta escape suddenly. We’re gonna kill the bastard. Well I am. I brought Dealer along outta respect. He’s got a lot of unfinished business with him, so I’m gonna let him sort that shit out first.
We’re just waiting on confirmation from two of my boys manning RPGs either side of the compound. Waiting on ‘em to take position. Yeah, we managed to access some sweet military-grade weaponry. High-powered submachine guns and bullet proof vests too. Pissed me off having to do it cuz the club’s supposed to be legit now. But taking out the Mavs’ compound ain’t an easy task. We need all the firepower we can get. They got three times our number of guys in there right now.
They’re having their semi-annual club meeting, including every fucking chapter. Every member is inside those walls. And, for once, so is Skinner. Spends most of his time away from the compound for safety, but he’s here now for this meeting. He always changes the dates, but we got a tip on it so we hauled ass down here. Ain’t gonna pass up an opportunity that only comes twice a year to take the lot of ‘em out.
I glance at my watch. Don’t normally wear one, but today we’re all wearing one for this shit. Need good fucking timing here. Gotta be in sync.
Five minutes left before my RPG guys get in position.
“You doing alright?” Dealer asks me suddenly.
“Yeah.” I turn my head to look at him. “My girl?”
He scowls.
“Fuck you, I’m staying away, but she’ll always be my girl even if we ain’t together.”
“Yeah, all right,” he says.
“So? How’s she doing?”
“Took a big hit, even for someone as tough as her. Losing you and the kid in one shot was a lot. Hit her hard. She’s doing good now, though. Thinks she’s let you go, but I see her still tryin’. Be a while yet.”
Fuck me.
He obviously picks up on my distress as he adds lightly, “She got a tattoo. Her first.”
“Yeah? Over her scar?”
“Nah. Not yet. Cross on her left forearm. For the kid.”
“Christ,” I breathe, tryin’ to keep my shit together.
“It’s good. Her way of moving on, expressing the loss.”
“Yeah,” I murmur.
“Good thing you did pulling your guys outta Brockford.”
“Just wanna make it as easy on her as I can.”
“She knows.”
I cock an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
He smiles. “Yeah. She’s grateful. Came home smiling ‘bout it.”
Hearing that puts a smile on my face. “Good.”
“She’s gonna leave Brockford, Ax.”
My chest tightens. It physically hurts me hearing that she ain’t gonna be nowhere near me. But I know it’s what’s best for her. She needs to go. Gotta put all the shit behind her—put me behind her—and live a better life, a happier life. “Good,” I answer.
Dealer goes to say something, but my earpiece buzzes in my right ear. I hold up my finger and tell him, “Here we go.”
I tap the earpiece. “You in position? Both? Good. Hit it.”
Seconds later, I hear two sharp hisses. Two rockets rip through the air towards the compound. One headed for the far left side of the forty-foot frontage. The other to the right.
The second they hit, the ground shakes beneath our feet as the deafening explosions rip through the area. The concrete monster shakes and collapses on both sides as flaming eruptions assault it.
“Second wave,” I bark into my earpiece.
When the second assault hits, the entire building starts collapsing, folding into itself like it’s being swallowed up from inside. Swallowed into hell is more like it. Where all the Mavs belong.
That’s the signal.
As guys start rushing outta the compound every which way, my boys rush in, their automatics tearing ‘em down. My orders were no prisoners. No one left alive. Can’t risk it.
“Let’s go,” I tell Dealer, cocking my Desert Eagle. I didn’t go automatic. Wanted to keep things personal with Skinner. Take him out close range. Dealer’s got my cover anyway.
He readies his TEC-9 and we rip down the hill side by side.
We skid to a stop when we reach the gates. I take in the bloodied scene in front of me. None of Skinner’s guys are prepared. They’re just running ‘round like fucking chickens with their heads missing. My guys ain’t got no trouble gunning ‘em all down. Good.
As I dismount, I spot Skinner heading for the gates. His Sergeant-at-Arms, Bulldozer, is covering him. They’re too distracted by the chaos around ‘em to notice me and Dealer lying in wait.
I nod to Dealer and he rips into Bulldozer, bullets tearing into his chest. He’s buried in seconds.
I lunge forward, grab Skinner’s shoulders and haul him into the chain-link fence bordering the compound.
I got some serious shit to work outta my system.
“You piece of shit!” I snarl at him.
He throws a punch, but I catch it in my palm and twist sharply to the right, snapping his wrist. He grunts in pain. He’s gonna be screaming soon.
“You killed my kid!” I roar, smashing my fist into his face. I punch him again. “Nearly killed my girl!” I knee him in the gut. “Murdered my mom! Tried to rape my girl! Fucking scarred her! Trapped me in this life! Made my life a living hell with your rep hanging over my head!”
I kick him to his knees.
He looks up at me, a malicious smirk on his face. “I made you what you are,” he spits.
“I ain’t nothing like you!”
He leans forward on his hands, panting for breath. His eyes stray to Dealer. “You had it coming, fucking my wife, Cal.”
Dealer moves beside me and glares down at him. “Fucking her? She was mine first. You took her from me. Hid her for the longest time and by then it was too damn late. You’d seduced her into your world—the fucking Devil’s Mavericks world. You manipulated her. And when she realized the truth, you started beating on her ‘til Ax was old enough and strong enough to knock you on your ass and get you outta their goddamn house!”
“Bitch shoulda fallen in line!” Skinner seethes.
Seeing the look on Dealer’s face, I step back to give him some room.
He pistol whips Skinner across the head. Some brutal shit with a gun as big as that. Skinner curses and falls back.
I kneel down beside him. “Just as I thought, old man. When it counts, you ain’t even man enough to fight back. Always had your expendable muscle for that. Coming back on you now, yeah?”
He don’t say nothing this time. Knows I’m right.
I get to my feet.
It’s time.
I cock my gun.
“Wait!” he yells.
Fuck me, I hesitate. Hearing him beg ain’t what I’d expected at all.
I watch in shock as his expression softens. Ain’t never seen that from him before. He’s always been hard as nails all the time. He groans and pushes himself to his feet, grabbing the chain-link fence to help himself out. Me and Dealer both tense, thinking he’s gonna make a move; one last ditch attempt to escape.
But he don’t make a move.
That confusing soft expression of his remains as he looks my way.
And then he says, “You’re Prez of a club now. So, you need to hear this: Never make a deal or get into a situation that’ll take you down a dark road cuz you’ll never find your way back. Never works out that way. It’ll seep into every fucking pore of you. Blacken your goddamn soul. And that ain’t you, son. You’re better than that. Keep it that way.” He gestures ‘round him. “Don’t end up like me.”
Fucking hell.
“Ax!” Dealer hisses at me, telling me to pull the trigger.
Shit, I been waiting on this moment for so fucking long and now I’m hesitating cuz he’s finally had a goddamn epiphany?
He lifts his chin at me in a sign of respect.
Again, a first.
And then he steels himself and tells me, “Do it, son.”
Yeah, he knows what I do. It’s way too little, too late. He’s too fucking dangerous.
I pull the trigger, putting a bullet between his eyes.
I watch him hit the ground and my whole body breathes a heavy fucking sigh.
It’s finally over.