by Annie Buff
“Oh hey man, sorry if she’s yours. I didn’t know. But who could blame me, she’s a fine piece of ass.”
Ajax lost it. Had it not been for Red, there would have been one big brawl. “She’s my Daughter, you asshole!” He screamed as the Old Man restrained him. Ajax wanted blood, and he didn’t care who this Havoc was. He was going to murder him on Red’s front lawn.
“Dad!” Isadora yelled trying to get his attention. With all the noise, everyone was out of the buildings to see just what was happening.
Magic stepped in before the fists started flying. “Havoc! Walk! Now!” The Sinners’ top man was furious at how his officer spoke to a fellow Brother and they all knew it. Havoc shot the group quite the look before he stomped off. “I am very sorry for that. Havoc is a great VP, but he has no manners at times. I promise he will be punished for his mouth. Now where were we? Ah yes Aries, I remember.”
Magic was well spoken and Tara, who had been listening to the scuffle from the porch made her way to Ajax and the group. She knew he was educated just by his verbiage. It seemed odd for a biker to be so well versed but Tara just figured it took all kinds. Izzy came and took her hand, whispering in her ear.
“Holy shit, Dad was gonna kill that guy. I’m never gonna have a boyfriend am I?” She was half joking but Tara wondered how true her statement was. Ajax had gotten extremely protective in just a very short time.
“I’ll talk to him, he’s just cranky today. Bones did a small procedure on him and his man parts hurt.” Tara explained. She already had the ice packs ready, Wisha had called her with all the instructions assuming Ajax wouldn’t remember or if he did, not tell her everything.
“Oh my God he did it!” Izzy was instantly excited. “You’re really going to try to have a baby? That means I’ll get a brother or sister. How freaking cool is that?” At least she was excited about the prospect of a sibling, even if there was a twenty-year difference.
Tara knew by Ajax’s attitude his meds had worn off and it was time for ice. “Noah, come in… Please.”
Ajax turned to Tara, her please had got to him. He had a feeling she was turning into his nursemaid. Damn Bones, and his Wife.
Ajax sat for the weekend with an ice pack on his balls, Bones was right about it being bliss. Being shot hurt less than this, add the swelling into the mix and Ajax was one miserable man. Tara was the perfect nurse, keeping him in pain meds and cupcakes. Ajax knew this woman was going to get him fat. Her and those damn cupcakes were killing him. On top of that she wasn’t letting him have any tequila with the pain medication he was on. Ajax tried to sneak a swig and got caught by his Daughter, these two women were going to be the death of him. All he wanted was one little sip but from the looks he was getting, he knew he wasn’t having anything until his meds were finished.
The one thing he could do was take Isadora out back and teach her how to shoot. No child of his was going to be unprotected and he had the perfect gun for her. Ajax gave her a Beretta three-fifty-seven he’d had for years. The grip fit her hand perfectly as he instructed her on how to stand and how to aim.
This particular gun was a revolver, and hammerless. She blew off the five shots and grinned the entire time. “Look! Holy shit Dad, I hit the target! Oh my gawd!”
Ajax meandered out the fifty yards to see how many had hit. “Well I’ll be damned! You hit with every shot Izzy. Ain’t that the shit. Lemme get out of the way and reload it. Fire again and this time aim an inch higher.” He had a picture of Snowman on his target. She had no idea who it was but for him, seeing holes in his head was more than satisfying.
Isadora did exactly what Ajax said to, hitting her mark with all five again. She ran out to see and squealed loudly as she realized she hadn’t missed. This was a proud day for Ajax as a parent. His girl was going to be able to keep herself safe. He had a very small hope the first person to mess with her would be Havoc. He just kept thinking about poetic justice and laughed.
The bike was delivered and he was dying to get on it and ride. He and Tara needed to go and just hit the highway for a while, but Ajax knew that wasn’t feasible with Aries floating around. He kept her close, not knowing where the bastard would strike next. It had been quiet since the attack on the road. That made him nervous. The Bastards had been coming hot and heavy, now nothing for ten days. Something was brewing, he just couldn’t put his finger on it.
Krispy had taken Izzy out to the field with Peyton and spent the week teaching her how to ride. Peyton had a smaller Harley and it was much easier to learn on. She took to riding like a fish to water. Izzy was a natural and Ajax had another proud Dad moment. Now if he could just get his swimmers going in the right direction life would be perfect.
After a week of nothing, Ajax had to do something. He was going stir crazy along with everyone else, so Red suggested a night out for the brothers; including the Devils’ at Handlebars. Old Red said the night was on him, after everything they’d dealt with. Ajax thought he wanted to see that little Bartender. He’d heard from Jace how Red had been ogling her. The Old Man needed to get laid just like the rest of them, and Ajax had to see what had the President so interested.
Red was right, Handlebars was just what everyone needed to decompress and let loose a bit. Ajax finally got his tequila, after pretty much begging the women in his life. He sat at the bar and watched his Daughter play pool with Krispy and Jace. She had his dirty blonde hair, but Izzy had her Mother’s brown eyes. Getting his two-colored eyes was almost impossible. It’s was rare for that gene to pass. Her hair was nicer than his was, she had waves in hers where Ajax had poker straight hair when he let it grow. Beards were all the rage now and he was considering trying one again. It was easy enough to shave it off later.
Magic and Havoc showed up. The Old Man had invited them to partake in the festivities, and even though Ajax wanted to protest he let it go. No need to have any more problems than the one they already had. Aries and the Bastards were a big fucking problem and with them out there, all the Brothers were concerned for their women. Peyton was the only one who wasn’t worried. She said she refused to live in fear. If they showed up she would do what any good Old Lady would do, shoot the S.O.B.’s and protect her children.
Peyton and the women, including Tara were all chatting about kids and men while their other halves played pool, darts and complained about the women. Ajax had to laugh, as much as Smoke and the others complained about their wives these men would be lost without them. He also met Mack, the Bartender that had Red so fascinated. She was lovely, but not Ajax’s type. Mack was way too skinny for his liking. Red liked them small but not Ajax. He liked the curves and his woman had them. Full, perfect breasts, fantastic hips made for hanging on to as he bent her over. He prayed that his sperm count would go up, all they needed was one good swimmer to get pregnant.
Havoc stopped at the bar, and even Red was worried about Ajax losing his cool after what had happened over Isadora. He surprised them all.
“Dude I’m sorry. Sometimes my mouth overrides my brain and I say some damn stupid shit. She’s your Daughter and that means she’s off limits. Trust me, I will respect that.” Havoc reached out a hand, waiting to see if Ajax would accept.
The rest of the men were also waiting to see what happened here. Ajax was fairly certain they all expected him to throw a punch but he knew it wouldn’t help things. He really did want to beat Havoc bloody, but he knew that would only fuel the fire. They had enough to deal with as Aries was still at large, so he decided to pick his battles. This wasn’t one.
Izzy and Krispy played pool most of the night as Ajax watched his Daughter become part of the family. He’d known she would fit in perfectly, but watching as it happened was pretty cool. He wasn’t thrilled with the touching she was doing with the kid, but it was much better than Havoc. At least Krispy was closer to her age and Ajax was almost positive he hadn’t had a girl yet. That alone made him feel better about Isadora hanging out with him. The Devils’ ribbed him the whole time about getting
his cherry popped, so Ajax pretty much knew the kid was innocent.
After seeing them together, and how Izzy smiled and giggled Ajax went to ask his woman what she knew about them. “Hey Beauty I got a question for ya. Anything going on between my Daughter and Krispy? They look way too cozy over there playing pool.”
Tara had overheard them on the phone and some of their conversations at the compound. But Isadora hadn’t told her anything. “Well if I had to guess, those two definitely like each other. But no, she hasn’t said anything to me. He’s a good one though, so let her be, Noah. You’re a good Dad, and I know you just want to protect her. But with this you have to let her do her thing. If she gets hurt, well that’s part of growing up.”
That’s the part he didn’t like. She didn’t need to deal with hurt. Ajax would do whatever it took to keep her from getting hurt.
They were all laughing and drinking, enjoying the night out when the building shook. It was like an earthquake and the men scattered with guns drawn. The women were forced to the floor with the exception of Peyton. She had both guns out, running to the door behind her Husband to see what the hell had happened.
The row of Harley’s that had been so neatly parked outside the bar were burning. Something had caused them to blow up. Smoke, Red and the rest tried to see through the flames but that was a lost cause. They did hear the cackle though, and then heard a voice they all knew was Aries.
“Come out and play Ajax! I’ve been waiting so long to destroy you. Come on! Don’t ya wanna play?” He sounded as evil as he truly was. “I’ll be waiting and watching you. Keep those women of yours hidden. Because if I find them, six pieces definitely won’t be enough. I’ll chop them into bits and I won’t kill them first. They’ll be alive as I cut them up! Watch your back.” And then he was gone. It was like Aries vanished into thin air.
All that they heard was the distant rumble. The Bastards had gotten the jump on them, but that wouldn’t happen again. The two Presidents would make sure of that.
REVENGE IS A DISH
Aries had found the perfect hideaway for himself and his club. An old homestead that had been abandoned for years. The dust and cobwebs told them it was probably twenty years since anyone had been there. He liked it because it was less than ten miles to both compounds and it had two roads in and out. Aside from himself, he’d found one man who hated the clubs almost as much and recruited him. The way he saw it he could have his new friend step in and go after Red, Ajax and the rest of them while they looked for him. Aries was a cold bastard, looking for payback in any way he could get it. Hunting down and recruiting Snowman was a perfect plan.
“I want Pretty Boy to suffer, I don’t much give a shit about Ajax.” Snowman told his new President. “He’s all yours but the other, well he has my kid and I’m gonna bleed him out. I’ll stand over his rotting corpse and piss on him as he takes his last breath. And Poppy, well she always was a good piece of ass, so I think I’ll keep her. After the bikes tonight, I think we need to lay low a few days. Smoke and Red will be on the warpath.”
That Aries knew, he had heard all about Smoke. Even if he wasn’t all that smart, his Wife was brilliant. She would figure things out well before the men did. Once Peyton McAllister was on to them he knew they were in trouble. As ruthless as his club was, it was no match for three MCs plus the rest of the RCs they were friendly with.
Aries needed time to think. Snowman wanted his pound of flesh too and he couldn’t fault him for that. But he needed him to do more than go after just one of them. That was the whole reason he went to recruit him, Snowman was a great distraction. If he could get the Devils’ to chase him, then Aries had a better shot at getting to Ajax.
“I agree we have to lay low, but we can still keep an eye on them and see who’s coming and going. I don’t like surprises Snowman. We need eyes in that clubhouse somehow.” Then it hit him. A woman wouldn’t be suspected. Aries had heard about the single men liking to pick up women at the club and take them home with them. He needed to find a willing participant who was very attractive and would do whatever it took to get the job done.
He left to go looking, and found what he was after. He knew she was a prostitute, and by the look in her eyes she had a habit.
“Well hello darlin, wanna make some very easy cash?” Aries could see he’d peaked her curiosity, so he kept talking. “See, I need a sexy spy. And you my pretty girl, fit the bill. This job is simple and it pays good, a grand for the information I need. Can you do that? Get me what I need?”
She nodded and Aries told her everything he needed her to know. All she had to do was clean herself up and get picked up by one of the Devils’. The man handed her a hundred-dollar bill.
“What’s this for?” The hooker asked him, starring at the cash.
“Down payment. Now don’t fuck this up sweetheart. I’m not a real nice guy when you piss me off.”
That she understood by the scars on his hands and the evil look in his eye. “How do I get the info to you when I got it? Should I call you or just wait?”
Aries hadn’t thought that far ahead. But seeing as how she was out working, he knew this was her area. “I’ll find you, say in a week. Right here on this corner. If it’s good stuff then I’ll hand you another bill. That’s how this is gonna work. Me and my new associate need to know what goes on in that clubhouse.”
“There’s someone else I need to tell this to? I thought it was just you.”
He nodded. She might never meet him but she should know there was another man who wouldn’t take kindly to a screw up. “Yeah there’s another man but he won’t be around here. You only tell me when I come back for your info. He’s in this for revenge about a kid. Nothing you need to concern yourself with. Now run along my little spy, get me what I need.”
As she walked down the street, Suzanne knew just how bad this was. She had to talk to her Brother and warn him, but she had to do it sneaky. This man that had approached her was bad news and she was frightened for her life. Rounding the corner towards her apartment she still felt eyes on her. Somehow he was still watching her and the only way to warn her brother was to make a trip to his job. It was after two in the morning and he would be at home with his Wife and children sleeping. Suzanne would have to drive to the tattoo shop in the morning and explain what happened, and make sure he understood how urgent this was.
THE BEST LAID PLANS
Tara was up at sunrise preparing cinnamon rolls and bear claw pastries for the club. Ajax knew by the scent that woke him from his slumber. He tried to get her to sleep in, but she was so used to being up early that she just couldn’t. He had decided to lay off the goodies. His jeans were fitting a little tighter than normal and he knew it was all the damn baked goods he was eating. If he didn’t get his ass back to the gym, he was going to look like the Goodyear blimp.
The morning flew by as the Brothers filed in for their morning sugar, he watched Tara prepare an order for delivery. The local High School had put in a special order for their prom and Tara wasn’t about to say no. Ajax was just getting ready to load up the old Ford when his phone rang. He saw Smoke’s number on his caller identification.
“Morning Smoke. What can I do you for?” Ajax didn’t have to wait long for the answer.
“We got a problem, a big fucking problem. I’ve called church to deal with it. Bring the women, this involves them too. Be here in an hour.” Ajax hung up knowing somehow this was about Aries. That asshole just wouldn’t go away. It was time to take a ride out to Renegade’s property and dig a hole. Ren wouldn’t mind a little more ‘fertilizer’ in the soil. Aries needed to die, and dammit it needed to happen soon.
The cakes were dropped off on the way to the Devils’ Clubhouse. Ajax kept wondering what Aries had done now to cause Smoke to call church this early in the day. Especially on a Saturday but he knew the President was covering all his bases.
The temple room was overly crowded this particular day. All the wives were there and a woman that nobody r
ecognized was sitting in the corner. Red looked to Ajax with an odd face. He too was trying to figure out what was going on. He mouthed ‘working girl’ to Ajax, who had kinda figured that part out. But why she was there was still a mystery, until the President and Queen came in.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice.” Smoke addressed the group. “Slinger got some information this morning about our friend Aries, and it’s definitely something you all need to know. Ink man the floor is yours.”
Slinger stood so everyone could see and hear him. “This morning when I opened the shop I had a visitor and no, not Aries. The woman in the corner you all see, well that’s my sister Suzy; and yeah she’s a working girl. Anyway, last night she was approached to be a spy and get in our Clubhouse. It was definitely Aries by the description, and he isn’t working alone. Aside from his club. he went and got himself a new ally. Snowman is in town.
“Now we got more fuckin problems with his crazy ass. Smoke and I were talking about sending the women and children up north. The cabin is safe and we would make sure they had proper security, but that’s not my call. You guys gotta think about that. What we do gotta deal with is how we’re going to split the clubs to find them both. Reagan can’t travel so she and Ren will be staying here. Her baby; Doc says she’s too close to delivery, and with Poppy being pregnant again we need this over fast. Ajax is trying his damnedest to get his woman knocked up. This has gotta end. Anyone got questions?”
Peyton stood and smiled, Slinger knew she would be the one to ask. “Okay Nash, here’s the thing. We need to flush him out right? So why don’t we have Suzy give them what they want. She can feed them false information and hang around with Rory to make it seem like she’s doing what they want. Nero can tell her what she needs to tell them. It’s a good plan, and that way we can get a step ahead of these two morons. What do you think?”