Ares takes a drink of his soda and continues on, “Prez’s buddy from the fencing company came by. The gates have been updated along with the new razor wire along the tops. Ol’ boy put an electric wire running through it, so we can have it on anytime we want; also if anyone cuts the fence, we will know that the connection is lost. We added in a few more cameras and Exterminator has been monitoring the feeds. That should put an end to motherfuckers breaching our compound walls. If it happens after this, I’mma build a goddamn moat around this bitch. Anything else?”
I zone out at the rest of his spiel, thinking about seriously joining up with the Nomads. I doubt any of my brothers here would give a shit if I did.
“All right, we good?” Ares asks and I nod, along with the other brothers. With that, he slams the gavel down, officially calling an end to church.
We all shuffle out of the room, Ares asking the Nomads to stick behind for a minute. I’m about halfway through the bar when I see Sadie heading my way. I don’t plan to stick around and talk about shit though, so I haul ass outside, starting my bike up before she has a chance to speak. Without looking at her, I leave the compound. My heart breaks a little, knowing she’s standing on the steps wanting to speak with me, but I just can’t do it right now. I need space, I need time to clear my head and think. Her being around me confuses the shit out of me; she makes me feel things I never thought I would ever feel again.
She looked tired just now. Fuck. I’m such a goddamn bastard, and my mother would agree.
Sadie
I watch as Twist takes off on what I’m assuming is his new motorcycle. It’s not the old blue one Cain was letting him use. This one’s black with a little red, has ape hangers and a small bitch seat on the back.
I wonder if he’s had anyone ride back there already.
He looks so sexy riding it; too bad he’s being such a dick and ignoring me. I wish I knew what I’d done to get him to treat me this way. Last week everything seemed to be perfect until he freaked out and left, but what happened wasn’t even my fault. Before that night, he was smiling and laughing. I was over the moon, thinking I’d found someone who didn’t mind that my brother’s in a not-so-nice motorcycle club and that I’m pregnant. Really I was just stupid, I guess.
On top of that they’re all keeping me pretty clueless about what they’ve been up to. My brother told me that it’s club shit, so it’s not my concern, but it’s annoying. It kind of feels like everyone knows a big secret and they’re keeping it from me. The hushed whispers when I walk into a room are old. I never know if it’s because Twist’s gone and they’re wondering what I did, or if it’s about this ‘club shit’ Silas is adamant about.
I brought it up to Avery and she just said we couldn’t talk about it and if the brothers overheard us discussing it, that it would be an issue, to just drop it. I could tell she wanted to say something, but as soon as she saw London, she was locked up like Ft. Knox. I wish she would open up to me some; it would be nice to at least have a few friends here. London never speaks a word about club stuff or anything against any of their rules; how she accepts it all, is beyond me. As of right now, it’s really lonely without Twist.
I get it that the club’s their own family, but I don’t really feel like I’m a piece of that. Maybe I should put myself out there more, but then at the same time I’m supposed to be in here taking it easy. How can I get close to people if I only see them when I leave the room?
Twist’s long gone so I head back inside, stopping by the bar to treat myself to a Dr. Pepper. After being sad all week that Twist won’t come back or call me, I think I deserve at least one soda to make up for the tears I’ve shed these past few nights.
There’s a handsome guy behind the bar with a prospect cut on that says ‘Snake.’ That means he’s the Prez’s son. I’ve slowly been trying to learn their names and remember their faces. I’ve been picking up bits and pieces of information on them, trying to fit in around here a little better.
“Yes ma’am?” he asks as I place my hands on the bar top.
“Can I please have a Dr. Pepper?”
“Hmm, you know Twist has warned off anyone getting you caffeine?” he beams a friendly smile.
“No, I wasn’t aware, but you can see that Twist is nowhere to be found.”
He nods, his eyes going empathetic. “All right Shorty, I’ll get you a soda, but just one, okay?”
“Thank you,” I say under my breath and eventually get situated on a bar stool that feels way too small for my ass.
The guy with the giant purple Mohawk sits next to me right as Snake places my beverage in front of me. I remember his face and hair, but his name is on the tip of my tongue.
“Sup Say-Say?”
“Say-Dee,” I correct him and he chuckles.
“I could just call you Twist’s?” He grins and my lip wobbles a little. “Oh shit, I’m sorry.” His smile falls.
“Not your fault.” I shrug and Snake places a beer in front of purple Mohawk guy. “What’s your name?” I ask and he leans back, pointing to his name patch on his cut.
It reads ‘SPIN.’ Hmmm.
“I never would have guessed with the hair and all,” I gesture, and he smiles again.
“No worries.” He shrugs, “So you wanna talk about whatever’s got that lip of yours upset?”
“I was just trying to talk to Twist, but he left without speaking to me, I don’t know how to get his attention.”
“Ah, I see. Yeah, when the brother starts thinking a lot, he gets quiet. We’ve spent many hours of me tattooing him in silence. I think he already has a lot going on in his mind so he needs it to concentrate.”
“Has he had you tattoo on him this week?”
“No. You mean it’s been an entire week since he’s spoken to you?”
“A little longer.” I sip my sugary soda to keep from tearing up.
“Damn boo. He needs to get his head out of his ass already. Don’t give up on him though; I know he’s sprung for you.”
“Thanks, but I’m not holding my breath until he actually speaks to me.”
“Understandable.” He takes a strong pull from his longneck and my baby starts kicking. Probably from the shot of caffeine I just drank.
“It was nice talking to you, Spin, but I have to go lie back down.” I point to my belly and he flashes me a roguish grin with bright white teeth and I notice his eyes are different colors. Oh boy. He’s gorgeous.
“Take it easy, Say-deee.” He razzes and I can’t help but give him a small grin in return.
I get to Twist’s room, setting my drink down and my phone beeps with a new text. I turned it back on when Twist left, hoping he’d give in and call. I swipe over the screen to check the new message.
Unknown: 2 Days
Me: What?
Unknown: 2 Days
Me: Ugh. What the fuck ever. If this really is Ghost, leave me the hell alone!
He’s so stupid; he doesn’t even know where I’m at. I’m glad, too, because Silas would probably shoot Ghost if he saw him. I was going to tell Twist about the texts, but I’ll tell Silas instead and see what he thinks.
Chapter 10
A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.
-English Proverb
Twist
Two days later, church again...
Cain called me about twenty minutes ago, letting me know Ares had called church. I literally walked through the club doors as he was hollerin’ for everyone to pile in and that we were getting company.
Ares slams the gavel down quickly and the brothers instantly quiet, waiting to find out what’s happening.
“It came to our attention the other day that Sadie’s been getting messages from unknown numbers.” A few brothers grumble, me included, because I wasn’t aware of these fuckin’ messages prior and it pisses me off. He continues, “She believes they mean nothing, but we’ve kept watch just in case and I’m glad we did. Thankfully, a friend just sent a text to everyone ‘cause the boys down
in Austin just saw a group of Fists riding down I-35, flashing their colors loud and proud. We have company coming brothers, and it ain’t the friendly sort. If they talk, I wanna hear them out. If they shoot, take as many alive as possible, ‘cause I’m gonna chop those fuckers up in pieces, then feed them to the hogs.”
Say it, Daddy.
I cringe at her voice and rap my knuckles on the table, speaking up, “I get to end Ghost when the time comes.”
Ares meets my gaze. “Of course,” he answers and we hear the roar of pipes, everyone jumping to their feet, because it’s damn sure not our friends on their way and it sounds as if they made it through that gate Ares just had fixed.
Sadie
Sniffling, I walk into the bar crying, looking everywhere around the room, wanting Twist or my brother. One of them needs to talk to me. I wish it would be Twist, but at this rate I don’t really care.
A concerned Avery approaches me, taking up one of my hands. “Hey Sadie, are you okay, hon?”
“Umm,” I sniffle, scanning the room again, only finding the prospects and London, not the two men that I’m looking for. “Where’s Twist at?”
“He’s in church, doll. Is there anything I can do?”
“I got a-a text.” I choke out under my breath, trying to push down the rising anxiety in my chest. It’s so bad I feel like I could get sick if this message is actually true. I have no idea how he could have found me.
“Okaaay,” she answers, waiting for me to elaborate.
“I don’t know who it’s from, but it says that Ghost is in town.” I wave my phone in front of her.
“I’m a little lost here, Sadie; I don’t know why someone would tell you ghosts are in town or why you’d be upset about it.” She shrugs and my anger starts to boil; she clearly has no idea what I’m talking about. The guys must not have told her about the text messages when they should have. These club rules are dumb when it comes to everyone’s safety.
I hiccup and wrap my hands protectively over my stomach, remembering when Ghost had hit me before. “I need Twist or my brother,” I demand steadily, certain they’re the only two who can help me.
London stands up; empathetic as she slowly approaches us.
“Sadie, umm ghosts are here in Texas or Ghost is in town?” Cain must have told her, when her eyes meet mine they’re full of understanding and I feel a bit of relief.
I go to open my mouth and explain it to her when there’s a loud boom coming from the club’s main door.
The church door crashes open, making our eyes fly toward it as the guys basically tumble through it angrily.
Twist instantly finds me, rushing to me and wrapping me in his arms. He carts me toward the room before I’m able to get a word in. There’s more loud pounding from the door and Twist walks me faster, practically carrying me. Once we’re inside our room, he locks the door, pushing me toward the bathroom as he takes the gun out of his holster and points it toward the door, waiting.
“Go on into the bathroom, Sunshine.”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Oh just you wait, I’mma talk to your pretty little ass once these fuckers are gone, you can make certain of it.
Ares
(Forsaken Control snippet)
All the anger inside I had tempered down, starts to rapidly surface as I attempt to explain to this Iron Fist that I will fuckin’ kill his ass, him coming to my club all crazy. One of their members is outside with a gun to my prospect’s head who was manning the front gate and this fucker is lucky I don’t shoot them all on site.
“You expect me to be open to any of your fuckin’ demands, you comin’ to my clubhouse, threatenin’ my fuckin’ brothers? Just who the fuck do you think you are?”
“I’m the motherfucking Enforcer of the Iron Fists in California, that’s who the fuck I am. You better believe you will bend to my will or I will demolish your fucking club.”
“All I’m trying to do, is live my motherfuckin’ life and you wanna come into it and stir up a whole bunch of bullshit. Do you know how big of a fuck up that is? You got any idea who the fuck I am?”
I don’t make it a habit of throwing my nickname around, but maybe it will make this fuck head back off some. “I’m the motherfuckin’ Butcher, bitch. You don’t demand shit from me or my goddamn club. I’ll fucking chop you—and your buddies here—up!”
“I don’t give a fuck what your little nickname is. I told you I’m here for two things. The VP patch dissipates and Sadie.”
“You won’t touch my fucking sister, you piece of shit!” 2 Piece explodes and I could throat punch him for admitting it’s his sister. “You the fuckin’ Ghost she mentioned awhile back? You the one who disappeared on her?” he peppers the Iron Fist, heatedly.
The mean-looking fucker chuckles, “Yep, I’m Ghost. Now go get my bitch before I slaughter this fucking club.”
I can’t hold myself back any longer, as I launch my body at his, wrapping my hands around his throat ready to choke the life out of him. His large hands grip my shoulders tightly, bringing me closer as he propels his head off of mine, effectively head-butting and dazing me. Fuck. That hasn’t happened in, I don’t know how long.
Chaos ensues around me, as the brothers hold off any other Iron Fist members from jumping in on mine and Ghost’s fight.
After a swift blow to my ribs from him, I’m able to get my bearings back, launching a hard uppercut to his stomach. The force of my hit makes him stumble back a few paces, “Get the fuck out of my club!” I bellow, about ready to foam at the mouth I’m so goddamn angry.
This guy is strong and he ain’t fuckin’ around when it comes to hitting. He definitely has experience wearing that patch and I don’t want to see anyone experience what I’m sure would be straight fuckin’ horror that he would do to them. He better get the fuck out of here or this will turn into a pile of dead bodies ‘cause I’ll be fucked if I let him get past me and harm the girls. At the same time, I don’t want to kill them because I know a shit storm will rain down, especially killing the Enforcer of such a hard-ass club. I can only imagine what they would stir up.
He starts laughing loudly, a pure sinister sound and backs up a few more paces toward the door. I take a step toward him and he raises his hands up on each side of his body, wearing a large taunting smile. “Okay, Butcher, you get your way today I see you have me outnumbered here. But make no mistake, I’ll be back for what’s owed, and you better hope to fuck that you have a motherfucking army to help your ass. That stupid bitch will be mine. Hell, this whole fucking club,” he spreads his arm wide, indicating the clubhouse, “will all be mine,” he finishes, laughing loudly while stepping out of the door.
I spit in his direction, attempting it to land on him but he’s able to escape it by a few inches.
Panting, I can’t help the burn radiating over my face and neck. I’m so fucking pissed that I scream at the brothers, “For fuck’s sake! Somebody better take care of that goddamn gate, or so help me, I will put someone in the fucking ground myself!”
Snake and Smiles take off outside as the Iron Fists bikes loudly rumble out of the parking lot. Our prospect is thrown to the ground, bleeding from a few hits the dickwads left him with.
I’m thankful for our friends sending us a mass text that they had seen the Iron Fists headed out our way. Luckily there were only three guys with that dick, Ghost. Him being from California tells me that they must have already been on their way for days now.
Twist is definitely going to ask for a fuckin’ Nomad vote now, wanting to chase after them and I’m going to have to do everything in my power to keep him here. Hopefully, Sadie will be able to sway him not to go at it alone. We will back him up; shit, I want justice myself for the grief these ass-clowns are putting my club through, but for Twist and 2 Piece, this just became personal.
I don’t know how long we have until they’ll decide to return, but in the meantime, we will be planning and preparing for them. Twist will want to lead a run to Califo
rnia to chase after Ghost; we just have to wait and see if and when the Prez lets him go, and if he’s able to finish this shit away from home.
I’ll be damned if I let my club not be ready for whatever’s to come. The Prez will be back soon, thankfully, and I can finally fill my role as the Vice President, rather than keep playing President.
Twist
NOW
Motherfuckingsonofabitch! I hear the bikes rev and crack my bedroom door open.
“Clear?” I shout, pointing my weapon out into the hallway, ready just in case they didn’t actually leave.
Cain calls back, “We’re straight, brother!”
I drop my weapon to my side, taking a deep breath and put it back in my holster. I would’ve shot every motherfucker coming my way to protect Sadie and it makes me think. It’s been a real long time since I’ve felt the absolute need to protect someone versus thinking of my own needs. I wanted so badly to get my chance with Ghost, and I will, but it’ll be when I know Sadie and the baby are both completely safe.
Sadie opens the bathroom door, peeking her head into the bedroom, curious.
“I’ll be right back. You stay put ‘til I get back.”
“Are you coming back this time?” she questions and it brings a bad taste to my mouth. This is my fault she feels this way, since I was stupid an’ took off on her, rather than bein’ a man and talking it out. It’s my fault shit got screwed up in the first place.
“I ain’t goin’ nowhere, you just watch,” I grumble, closing the bedroom door behind me.
I’m met with angry stares as I get to the bar. “’Sup?”
Ares scoots a stool away from the bar, taking a seat, “Let’s all have a drink and discuss this shit real quick.” We all follow suit, gathering around as the prospects start handing out a beer to each of us.
“We’re gonna talk about some of this, considerin’ the prospects just witnessed what happened. I know Prez would want them included, due to how much this is probably going to affect all of us. I’m gonna call Prez after our conversation and update him too.” We all nod and Ares fills me in on what just went down in the bar while I was with Sadie.
Oath Keepers MC: The Collection Page 61