by Annie Buff
It was a great plan, as long as his sister could pull it off. She couldn’t mess this up because if she did they’d all pay dearly. Slinger wasn’t sure if she could play the part well enough. He knew until Aries was gone Suzy was in danger. Thankfully nobody knew they were related.
Ren had some ideas of his own, so he stood to speak. He did follow protocol waiting for Smoke to give him the floor. “You guys forget I got big Mosh and Aries don’t know him. He’s just the guy at the tire shop and he don’t even have his prospect patch yet. Coalition is taking their sweet fuckin time sending it. So, why not have the big dude hang out around that club Suzy goes to. He can watch as shit happens like her secret security. That way we got eyes on them.”
Smoke gave Red a nod so he knew Mosh was going clubbing. It was a biker establishment, so he would fit in. Now to get the prospect to agree. Mosh was kind of a pain in the ass when it came to being social. The only time he really spoke was to Peyton. To the others he just nodded, or gave one-word answers. Renegade knew why, so did Peyton but his stuttering didn’t faze her in the least. She welcomed him into the fold just as she had everyone. She truly was the Queen of the Devils’.
Ajax was less than thrilled about having Snowman back in the mix. He was almost as unpredictable as the Bastards and that wasn’t good. Knowing Aries was the one who’d raped his woman ate at him, he had to find a way to keep her safe. He wasn’t as worried about Isadora, who had Krispy. Even though he didn’t like how chummy those two had become. Tara said let them be and he really was trying, but the parent in him wanted to beat the kid to a bloody pulp. Izzy was his Daughter and to think of any man with her that way got his blood boiling.
They filed out of the temple room, Ajax had Tara’s hand. He always did. Not because she couldn’t see, but because he loved being that close to her. The other part of it was that if he had her hand, he always knew exactly where she was.
Tara was becoming quite comfortable in her role as an Old Lady, but because of him she had a target on her back. Ajax wished there was a way to restore her sight. But no luck finding anything yet despite a ton of research on her condition. Not that he cared that she couldn’t see him. Just one day, they would have a child and Ajax desperately wanted his woman to see the miracle they would make together.
Pretty Boy stopped to talk with him, leaving his Wife with Tara. “I don’t like this Ajax. Too many variables, and Aries is one mean fucker. You know what he’ll do to that hooker if he finds out she double crossed him. Worse if he finds out who she is. I don’t wanna be around if this goes South. We need to think, he’s hiding close. He wouldn’t go far and that means we gotta search every place we can think of.”
Smoke walked by, overhearing what the two were discussing and stopped. “You know what? I think you’re right, and I got a good fuckin idea where to start looking. That way Suzy don’t get hurt, and my Head of Security don’t wanna slit me from ear to ear. I’ll ask Jace to have his Sheriff friends patrol that stretch of the old highway more regular. If Aries and Snowman are at the old farmhouse someone will see them riding in or out.”
MOLE IN THE HOLE
The local Sheriff’s department stepped up patrol on the old highway, but nobody saw anyone on bikes. That made everyone nervous, especially Ajax. He had way too much to lose now. If Aries started to put things together, it was going to get even uglier than it already was.
Smoke had sent scouts to investigate any old houses and shacks that had been abandoned, to no avail. This was starting to piss him off. The President knew places left empty over the last ten years, and they’d searched all of them. And came up with nothing. Suzy was the only one making any headway. She had been seen with Falcon at the club Hog Heaven, using that to her advantage. She had reported to Aries that there would be a patching ceremony soon and that might be just the opportunity he was looking for. He agreed, stating they would be distracted and probably drunk.
Ajax had let Tara take over the barn, turning it into a makeshift bakery. She had orders to fill and without being able to go into town, they made do. Aside from the trip to Handlebars, they had all been cooped up and Ajax needed some quiet time with his woman; a date. Since going into town would be dangerous he had to improvise. He asked his Daughter for help.
“Izzy, me and Tara need some alone time. Can you help me? I wanna have a date night with her, but there’s too many Brothers around. I want it to be special.”
Isadora just smiled, she knew exactly what needed to be done. “Leave everything to me, I got this Dad. Bring her to the barn tomorrow night at eight. I promise it will be perfect, and no Brothers will be around.”
Ajax left his date in Isadora’s hands and went to find Red. He was hoping someone had news about Aries; something more than what they’d already heard from Slinger’s sister. But no one had any new information. The waiting and wondering was driving Ajax mad. He stood staring into the desert brush trying to figure things out. Back when he did work for the Bastards they had a habit of taking refuge at people’s homes. It was more like a home invasion than being granted asylum. Aries and his VP, Ghost took whatever they wanted without any concerns. They just plain didn’t care.
When Ajax came into the picture it was all about money. He wanted to make the most he could in the least amount of time and disappear down the road. Never did he once think he would have to run for his life. He had run, but that was after Lisa. Never did he think he would put down roots, and along came Poppy and Pretty Boy; then ultimately Tara. Now all he could think about was gutting Aries and making a family with Tara Jo, his Beauty.
The way she accepted him, and all of his ghosts still blew him away. No one in his miserable life had ever just said it’s okay Noah; but she had. She told him he was beautiful and for the first time in his life, Ajax actually felt it. All because of her, the love of a good woman made all the difference in the world. Ajax knew in order to keep her safe and have the life he wanted he had to end Aries.
He took off down the gravel road towards the lake highway. Riding helped him think and he had a shit load of thinking to do. He let the wind in his face relax him and his mind wandered to where Aries could be, and if Snowman was with him or just helping him. He wasn’t gone long before he caught a rider on his six. It wasn’t Aries but he assumed whoever it was wasn’t there to chat.
Ajax twisted the throttle and sped up, reaching inside his cut for the Glock he kept locked and loaded. Using the rear-view mirror, he set the weapon on the opposite shoulder and fired. Three quick shots to let the lone biker know he meant business, but he just kept coming. The next three put the biker down and Ajax screeched to a halt. He waited to see if his victim would get up. He turned around after a few still moments. He had to see who it was. As he neared the rider he started swearing and pulling out his phone.
“Bones I need you. I’m on the old highway to the lake and I shot someone. One of ours. A Stone Sinner, and I had no idea it was him. Man you gotta hurry!” He said. He threw his phone down as he knelt down next to the injured man. He was somewhat conscious but slightly confused on why he was shot.
“Dude! Man oh fuck oh fuck! I didn’t know you were in town! Christ man don’t die! Fuck you Mambo for not telling us!” Ajax screamed as he was trying to put pressure on the holes he had made. There were three of them and he had a bad feeling the Priest was going to need last rights if Bones didn’t hurry up.
Red and Magic arrived first, being as they were closer. Magic just looked at his brother and shook his head. “Mambo man why must you sneak up on people. I’ve said you would get yourself killed doing it and look at you now. If you live, I swear to your God I will beat the shit out of you.” He turned to Ajax and the Cleaner was expecting a bullet to his head. He didn’t get one, but that would have been just for what he’d done.
“Tell me big man what happened here. We must know so I can deal with this properly.” Magic ordered.
So, Ajax explained how he picked up the tail and let off three bullets as a warning.
As those didn’t deter the rider, the next three hit their mark. Once he figured out who the rider was he called Bones immediately.
“He wasn’t flying colors so I had no idea it was him! I thought Aries or Snowman was on my ass again so I shot. Dammit I’m sorry Magic. This wasn’t intentional in any way.”
Magic nodded and Ajax could see the wheels turning. He had no clue what kind of retribution the President would seek, but he guessed there would be blood involved. He and Red spoke amongst themselves until Smoke and Bones arrived. Bones went directly to his patient and Smoke to the other Presidents. They continued quiet talks as Bones and Peyton loaded up the Sinner on a gurney and slid him into the back of the truck.
Magic wandered back to Ajax and the Cleaner knew he had decided his fate. “If he dies I take your eye, if he lives you just won yourself two eyes. That’s my ruling and both Red and Smoke agree on this. As it says in Exodus, an eye for an eye.” He just turned and walked back to his bike and rode off.
Ajax stood there, mouth open in shock at the thought of losing his eye. Tara needed him to see for her so that son of a bitch Mambo had to live.
A BLOODY SINNER
As Bones prepared for another excruciatingly difficult surgery, the Brothers paced outside the new Clubhouse. The three Presidents spoke quietly about the events leading up to the shooting. Red wasn’t happy about the possible punishment Magic wanted to enact on Ajax, and made his opinion known.
“An eye Magic? Couldn’t you just shoot him somewhere it won’t kill him. His woman needs him to see, she can’t. Went blind a few years back and she relies on Ajax and his sight.”
That made the Stone Sinner’s top man stop and think. He was always one for biblical punishment and guns weren’t around when that book was written. It gave him something to ponder. Magic was thinking and Red could see it. That was a good thing, at least a sign that Ajax might keep both his eyes.
Smoke listened as the other two spoke. He thought he should stay out of it, but something in his gut was nagging him. He knew his Wife was in the surgical room doing everything she could to help Bones save the Sinner. But he could hear her in his head as plain as if she was next to him. ‘He needs to hear from Tara. Nero go get Tara and have Magic talk to her.’ Smoke stepped away to do what he knew Peyton would want.
When he returned he had her. “Magic, I don’t think you’ve officially met our favorite bakery Owner. Tara, this is Magic, he’s the Sinner’s Prez.”
She nodded and held out her hand, hoping she was close to the right direction. He took it and politely shook hands.
“Tell me Miss Tara,” Magic asked, “how is it you get around so well without eyesight? I was told your Ajax needs his eyes to help you but you seem to do well on your own.”
She chuffed a laugh. It had taken weeks to memorize where everything was so she didn’t trip and fall flat on her face. The first couple weeks that’s all she did. Ajax said once she learned where everything was they wouldn’t move it. “I’ve had to memorize everything here. I spent the first week covered in bruises from falling over the furniture and steps. Yes I fell down the steps three times before I figured out the depth and width of them. I do okay, but yeah Noah is my lifeline to the sighted world.
“Now I understand you feel the need for some sort of retribution, and I agree you’re owed it. But see, here’s the thing, your man didn’t tell anyone he was here. And as I know you saw; he wasn’t wearing his cut. Now with all the shit going on lately and considering all that; can you really blame Noah for shooting him? I mean your Mambo must be a moron. Someone was shooting at him and he just kept coming. Now I don’t know about you, but if I was getting shot at by a friendly I’d sure show my colors.”
You could see that Magic wasn’t used to that degree of candor, especially coming from a woman. He might respect women but he definitely wasn’t Smoke when it came to sharing his throne so to speak.
“What do you suggest I do with your man then? If I let this go I look weak in front of my club. I will not have that.” Magic replied flatly.
While the top dogs did their thing, the Brothers waited very impatiently next to the porch. Ajax had been watching Tara while she talked to Magic. He wondered what in the hell they could possibly have to discuss, but he trusted her. More importantly he trusted Smoke’s judgment so he let it go. Slinger had brought a couple beers and handed one to Ajax, knowing it could be a while.
“You doing okay man? What a fucked-up situation. Who the fuck keeps riding at someone who’s shooting at them! If you ask me, Mambo had it coming.” Slinger told him matter of factly.
Ajax didn’t agree, but kept his mouth shut. He figured he was in enough trouble. He saw Smoke and the other leaders heading his way with his Beauty. This could either be good or very bad, only time would tell which it was.
Smoke clapped him on the shoulder as to show his support, old Red did the same. Ajax had a bad feeling this had gotten worse in the couple hours they had been standing there waiting for any word from Bones about Mambo.
“Tell me Cleaner,” Magic spoke to him. “how did you know it was Mambo you shot?”
Ajax wasn’t certain but the necklace he wore was a pretty good indication on who it was. He had heard about him over the years but had never met him until today. He desperately wished the circumstances were not what they were. The last thing Ajax ever wanted was to kill one of their own.
“His necklace. The Veve he had on is a voodoo symbol for strength. Plus, the protection ink above his eyebrow, it had to be Mambo. Once I saw them and the cut rolled up on the back of his bike, I pretty much knew. Why the fuck didn’t he show me his colors?” That was what dumbfounded the Cleaner, the lack of colors flying. He knew once you took a patch, riding without your colors was highly frowned upon. It was basically an insult to your club to ride without showing your affiliation.
“That is only a question Mambo can answer.” Magic told him. “Trust me, I plan on asking him and I expect his answer to be in great detail. If he lives, Mambo has a number of things to answer for. He will be lucky if I don’t kill him myself. Now as for your eye…”
This was the part he had been dreading. Ajax knew something was up by the grin his Beauty had been trying to hide as Magic and he spoke.
“Your woman has brought something to my attention, and she makes a good point. We struck a deal that saves your sight. Now I must go and do some thinking.” And once again the Sinner’s President just walked off.
Ajax gave Tara a look of utter disbelief. Somehow she had gotten Magic to change his mind, but at what cost. “Tara…” the way he said it almost sounded like a scolding.
“Noah, stop right there. I didn’t do anything bad. We talked and I just pointed out a few things.” Tara defended herself to her Old Man.
Smoke chuckled, Ajax had found one spunky lady. She stood tall and spoke her mind. That in itself was something Smoke respected.
“So what deal did you strike with him?” Ajax explained, “Magic isn’t known for listening to a woman when it comes to Club business.”
No, she got that part by the sound of his voice. But she did have a valid point, a few of them. Clubs needed revenue so she used money to entice him. “I said you’d give him twenty percent of your share of Handlebars’ profits if Mambo dies. That way he makes money even down one man, and you get to keep your eyes. You can be mad at me if you want but I did what I thought was the best thing to do.”
Ajax pulled her into his embrace, she’d stepped up and saved his ass. There was no way he could be pissed at her. In many ways she was very similar to Peyton and Poppy. Hell she was just like all the other Wives, tough as nails and that made him love her even more.
Six hours later and there was still no word from Bones or Peyton. The longer this took the more likely it was that the Sinner wasn’t going to make it. Smoke had finally given up pacing and sat in his chair, flanked by Renegade and Slinger. Renegade was in his rightful place as the VP of the club. Slinger was the Chief of Security,
so being close to Smoke was the norm. Krispy had come down the trail from his trailer with Isadora. She went straight to her Father to see what she could do.
Although Ajax had other things on his mind at that point, he asked: “What’s going on with you and the kid? You ain’t screwing him, are you?”
The look of shock graced her face. “Dad! Me and Joshua are friends, but even if we were sleeping together, I wouldn’t tell you. I’m an adult, so that’s kinda none of your business.” His Daughter wasn’t happy with his interrogation and he could understand to an extent, but as a parent he just wanted what was best for her.
“Okay fair enough, I’m sorry Baby Girl. It’s just that I want better for you than this fucked up life. You deserve it.”
“Maybe so, Dad. But you have to let me make my own choices and if that turns out to be Joshua, you’ll just have to deal with it.” That he would. He knew he should have listened to his woman when she said leave them be. But he just couldn’t.
Smoke saw the door open but it wasn’t Bones in the doorway, it was Peyton. She ran out towards her Husband. “I need you and I need Red. Run!” They hightailed it through the clubhouse doors and that left everyone wondering even more.
Smoke and Red both sat as Peyton inserted needles into their arms. Mambo needed blood and Bones had gone through what he had on hand. Knowing that the two were O-positive he knew they were the best to start drawing from.
“Sweetness how bad is he?” Smoke asked his Wife.
The Queen just shook her head. She didn’t give her Husband an answer and he knew why. Mambo was probably not going to make it off the table.
Bones was diligently working on his patient, instilling help from not only the Queen but also his own Wife. The bullets had been removed but he was fighting to repair the organ damage. The spleen and liver were the worst of it. He had given up on the intestine and just removed the damaged section, giving the Sinner a better chance on pulling through. His heart had given out twice so far and the Doctor didn’t think he could revive him again if the heart decided to give out. He had finally found all the bleeders and clamped them off so if he could get enough blood back into Mambo, he might have a chance.