Deceived

by Camilla Isles

  “Quick, get her to the back office so Alice can see what’s going on.”

  By that time, Lexi had entered the Tavern as Dog lifted Rose into his arms and carried her towards the back office.

  “What happened?” Lexi asked Eli.

  “Not sure. Hopefully she can tell us once she comes around.”

  “I’m going to see if Alice needs some help,” Lexi said.

  Dog had laid Rose on a cot in one of the back rooms. Alice commenced cleaning the blood from Rose’s face with a cool cloth. The blood was sticky as it coagulated. Alice cleaned the wounds carefully. Facial skin is thin and Rose would likely need stitches. When Rose came to, she’d be in a lot of pain.

  Lexi met Dog as he was exiting the room.

  “Who would have done this?” Lexi asked.

  “It’s pretty cowardly, whoever did it. But someone’s sending a message, that’s for sure.”

  Dog headed back up front as Lexi entered the room.

  “Lexi, take this key and open the drawer to the desk,” Alice said as she removed a key from her pocket. “It’s the upper drawer on the left hand side.”

  Lexi did as she was told. The drawer contained pill bottles, syringes encased in plastic, and small bottles filled with liquid medicine. Grab one of those syringes and a small bottle labeled Methadone. Lexi handed her the items and watched as Alice filled the syringe with the liquid and then injected it into Rose’s arm.

  “She’s going to be in a world of hurt when she wakes up. I thought it better to go ahead and give her a painkiller now before she does,” Alice said.

  “Good idea,” Lexi answered. “What can I do to help?”

  “Grab me some more clean cloths. I need to get this blood off her face so I can see what we’re dealing with. It’s coagulated, which is good, but it’s very sticky and trying to remove it is difficult without causing the wounds to bleed again. Lexi hold her head still while I clean her wounds.”

  Lexi pulled a chair around so she could sit at one end of the cot to hold Rose’s head in place. Alice continued to clean her face, and as she did so the wounds became clearer.

  “Shit. We better get Eli in here,” Alice said.

  Lexi looked on in disbelief at Rose’s face. She slowly rose from her chair to find Eli.

  When Eli saw Lexi’s face as she entered the bar he knew the news wasn’t good.

  “You need to come with me,” she said.

  When Eli entered the back office he knew instantly what had turned Lexi’s face white.

  Alice had cleaned almost all the blood from Rose’s face. A few bits remained where the blood had dried. Alice didn’t want to force it off until she had stitched the wounds. Underneath the blood was the carving on Rose’s cheeks.

  A giant H had been carved on each cheek. HH or Hell Hounds, the club’s usual MO.

  “I’m going to have to stitch her up. The skin’s too thin,” Alice said to Eli. “I gave her some Methadone for the pain.”

  “Will it leave scars?” Eli asked, already knowing the answer.

  “Oh yes.” Alice answered.

  Lexi’s eyes filled with tears. She and Rose hadn’t gotten off on the right foot, but she felt no animosity towards the girl. The ladies in the club had filled her in on Rose’s rough childhood and upbringing. The hard exterior Rose showed to the world was a result of that and Lexi wasn’t about to goad her on. Rose’s looks were her crown and glory and now this. How in the world would she come back from this? Bastards! What a cowardly thing to do Lexi thought. If you have a beef with the club, then handle it with them, not a young girl who only frequents the place.

  Lexi felt a rage build within her that she’d never felt before. Sure, she’d gotten angry, but not like this. A fire was burning and it wasn’t going to be extinguished anytime soon. She decided she would stay with Rose until she woke up.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Eli called a church meeting. He informed the rest of the club on Rose’s condition and the etchings carved on her face.

  “What the fuck man!” Blaze exclaimed. “Why would they fuck with Rose?”

  “Because they’re fucking cowards, that’s why.” Laser answered.

  “It has to do with their missing men, I’m sure.” Eli said.

  “They don’t know we had anything to do with that.” Laser said.

  “I know, but just like we assumed they killed Krank, they’re doing the same thing with their missing men.”

  “You didn’t assume the Hounds killed Krank,” Blaze said.

  “No, but mainly because they didn’t leave their signature. This time they did, right on Rose’s face.”

  “Shit.” Journey said. “So now what? We can’t just let them think they can get away with this crap.”

  Eli’s head hurt. Ever since Krank’s death, his entire world was spinning out of control. Lexi was his only anchor in this fucked up carnival of chaos.

  “First we’re going to hold a vote on patching in Dog and Hawk. We’ve lost several members and we need to patch in a couple of the prospects. Dog and Hawk have been with us the longest. I say we hold a vote.”

  Eli led the members in a vote and then let the prospects know they were now part of the KOBMC. Patches were handed out and the ceremony didn’t last long. There was no time for festivities, as the club had to determine their next move.

  “If we retaliate, it’s going to be a never ending cycle,” Blaze said. “I know what happened to Rose is despicable, but the Hounds have lost three of their men, and it was due to our club. I don’t believe Zane knows this for sure, but he has to be thinking it. So this was his way of saying back off.”

  “How do you figure?” Laser asked.

  “He didn’t hit a club member or an old lady. He knows Rose and that no one’s claimed her. But, he knew he could send a message via her and get it across without digging too deep a wound.” Blaze replied.

  “I don’t think he wants an all out war either. He knows we can call in more chapters if needed and he’s all on his own. But he can’t seem weak in front of his men either. He’s taking the middle road and I say we hang back.”

  “But that’s what we’ve been doing since Krank was killed,” Laser exclaimed.

  “No, I told the club to lay low but DD had to take things into his own hands. So really no, the club hasn’t been hanging back,” Eli said. “This time I want the club to do as I say, or I’ll be the one burning the KOB tattoo off your back!”

  Eli pounded his gavel on the table to adjourn the meeting. He hoped this time the club listened to him.

  ****

  Eli looked in on Rose after the church meeting. Alice and Lexi remained at her side, sitting in chairs and waiting for her to wake up.

  “How’s she doing?” he asked Alice as he stood with his hand on Lexi’s shoulder.

  “I got her stitched up and chock full of antibacterial solution under the bandages to fight any infection. I think as far as that goes she’ll be okay. Mentally however…,” Alice just shook her head.

  Eli looked down at Lexi and said, “Would you come outside for a sec.”

  “What’s going on?” Lexi said when she met him in the hall.

  “We know the Hounds did this to Rose, but we’re not retaliating, mainly because of the three men they lost due to DD going loco. We’re probably lucky if this is all they do.”

  “This is being lucky? That poor girl won’t ever be the same,” Lexi said.

  “You don’t understand Lexi. It’s tit for tat with clubs. The thing is they don’t know their three men are dead. They can speculate--hell that seems to be what we all have been doing for the last few weeks. But Zane had to send a message. I just should have seen it coming.”

  “You just buried your father, how could you see it coming?”

  “I blame myself. What happened to Rose is on the club and me. We’ll take care of her. Whatever she needs.”

  At that moment, they heard sounds coming from inside the office. Rose was coming around and touchin
g the bandages taped to her face.

  “Rose, don’t pull at the bandages now,” Alice said. “You’ve go to leave them be.”

  “What happened to me?” Rose asked still in a daze.

  “It’s okay baby. I got you all fixed up, but you have to keep the bandages on or it will get infected,” Alice said as she tried to pull Rose’s hands away from her face.

  “But I have to see.” Rose exclaimed.

  Eli walked into the room and stooped down to Rose’s level on the cot. He took a hold of her hands gently. “Rose, what happened? Do you remember anything?”

  “Somebody grabbed me as soon as I got out of my car in the parking lot. Then everything went black,” Rose said. Her eyes glistened with tears.

  “I kind of remember being pushed out of a car here in the parking lot and feeling like my face was wet. I made it to the front door of the Tavern and then I think I blacked out again. What’s wrong with me? Why do I have bandages on my face? Why does my face hurt?” She asked Eli, pleading for answers.

  “You’re going to be alright Rose. The club is going to take care of you okay. Don’t worry baby. Just lie back and try to get some sleep. Will you do that for me?”

  Rose couldn’t deny Eli. She nodded her head yes and let it sink back onto the pillow.

  “Would it be okay to give her something to make her sleep Alice?” Eli asked.

  “I gave her Methadone for the pain a few hours ago. I’ll give her a sleeping pill and that should get her through the night.”

  “Okay, sounds good,” Eli replied.

  He turned to Lexi. “Let’s go home. We can’t do anything else tonight.”

  She looked to Alice. “Go ahead hon. I know you have work tomorrow. I’ll stay with Rose tonight.”

  “I’ll have the boys bring another cot in for you Alice.” Eli said.

  “That’ll be great. Now get on out of here.”

  As they headed out the door of the Tavern Lexi said to Eli, “Why don’t you spend the night at my place? I have an early morning tomorrow at the restaurant and it might be good for you to take a break from your father’s house.”

  “Yeah, I think I’ll take you up on that offer,” he said with a smile and a kiss.

  Chapter Fifteen

  After another round of lovemaking, Lexi stared at the ceiling. She listened to Eli’s slow breathing as he slept. He hadn’t slept well the last few nights and she was glad he was able to drift off tonight. Lexi however, was restless. Not just because of what happened to Rose, that was part of it. But also her meeting with Carl Richards tomorrow. She had neglected her work the last week and was running behind in her reports. She knew Richards would hold that against her. That she didn’t care about. What did worry her was his taste for revenge. She saw how he had treated others when she worked with him and she didn’t want to be in the way of his wrath. But when he started rubbing up against her breasts and slapping her on the bottom, she’d had enough and asked for the transfer. Evidently, Carl Richards wanted to let her know that she was still within his grasp.

  ****

  Alice was startled awake that morning by an ear-splitting scream. Rose had awakened, slipped out of the cot, and taken off her bandages to look at her wounds. She stood in front of the circle mirror that hung within the office. Alice jumped from the cot and grabbed Rose’s arms from behind.

  “Rose honey, you weren’t supposed to take off those bandages yet. I need to clean your wounds.”

  Rose started to cry. “Look what they did to me. Oh my God, I look like a freak!”

  “Calm down Rose. This isn’t doing you any good getting upset like this. It will look better after its had time to heal.”

  “I don’t believe you,” Rose sobbed.

  Alice guided her back to the cot to sit down. Rose put up little resistance. She was still a bit groggy from the pill and painkiller, but coherent enough to know she had suffered a devastating injury.

  “Why would they do that to me?”

  “It’s a payback of sort’s hon. I don’t know why the Hounds picked you---it could have been any of us I think. But you happened to be the one there when they needed someone to nab. Let me clean your face and we’ll bandage it back up. It will heal better if you don’t get it infected.”

  Rose sat looking down at her lap. She couldn’t understand how this happened. The night was all planned out and she was looking forward to it for once. Dog seemed interested and finally things were going to fall in place for her. But again, the rug was pulled out from under her. It would never work out for her she decided. Ever since she was born, the universe had worked against her. She turned and lied down on the cot and let Alice clean her face and bandage it. I just want to sleep she said when Alice was done.

  “Okay baby,” Alice said and left the room.

  Rose turned on her side and looked at the wall. Unfortunately, sleep wouldn’t come.

  ****

  Lexi sat down at her kitchen table with a mug of strong coffee. Eli remained sleeping and she didn’t want to wake him until she had to. She was nervous about today, seeing Carl Richards again. But she was different from the last time they crossed paths. She felt stronger; in fact, she had felt that way ever since she left the corporate office. She wondered how she would react when seeing him again however. Would the old Lexi return, or would the new and improved one stand her ground?

  Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Eli, naked, standing in the doorway. His magnificent physique made her heart flutter.

  “You were deep in thought,” he said groggily.

  “Oh just going over what I need to accomplish today,” Lexi said with a smile. “Join me in the shower?”

  “Now that’s an offer worth waking up to,” Eli replied as he chased her to the bathroom.

  ****

  Rose sat in the chair in the office where she’d spent the night. Alice wanted her to come home with her and Blaze, but she declined, preferring to stay close to the club. She didn’t want Alice mothering or suffocating her right now. She had a lot on her mind and she just needed time to think.

  The door opened and Dog Breath walked in with a tray. It contained a steaming mug of coffee and some pastries from the bakery downtown. Dog knew Rose had a sweet tooth and she needed to eat something. He sat the tray down on the desk in front of her.

  “Hey babe, how you doing,” he asked.

  “Okay,” Rose answered while touching one bandaged cheek.

  “Are you still in pain?”

  “No too bad---just when I smile.”

  That brought a chuckle from Dog, as he knew Rose wasn’t the smiling type. His snigger did bring a smile to Rose’s face and she let out an “Ouch.”

  “See I told you so,” she said.

  Dog smiled at her and then sat down in a chair facing her.

  “Try to eat something. I brought your favorite pastries, an éclair and crème horns.”

  “Thanks, I’m just not hungry. I will drink the coffee though,” she said while taking a sip.

  “Did you know I got patched into the club?” He felt funny about giving good news about himself when she was dealing with such a treacherous blow, but he wanted to get her mind off it, if possible.

  “That’s awesome Dog. I’m happy for you.” Rose said, trying to bring back that smile, but try as she might, tears glistened in her eyes. She remembered the evening that seemed so long ago, when she planned on having a great night with Dog and envisioning him being patched in and she becoming his old lady. It all seemed like a dream now.

  Dog reached over and grabbed her hand. “Rose, you don’t have to worry about anything, okay. The club will take care of you I promise.”

  “That’s what Eli said too.”

  “See it’s true then. Eli never goes back on his word.”

  “Can he give me back my face? Can the club take away these scars? I don’t think so.” Rose said bitterly. “That’s all I had going for me was my beauty, and now it’s gone too.”

  “Rose, you
have so much more going for you. Don’t let this consume you.”

  “Get out Dog!” Rose exclaimed. “I don’t need any lecturing about what I need to do or not do. Just leave me be!”

  “Okay. Alright, I’m going.” Dog said as he walked out of the office.

  Tears flowed from Rose’s eyes. How will I ever walk out in public again she thought.

  And the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

  ****

  Making love in the shower took Lexi’s mind off what the day would bring. She was thankful for that and how empowered and sexy Eli made her feel. Eli had left right after, wanting to check on Rose and then picking up items from a new supplier. Lexi didn’t ask questions. That was still part of the club life she turned a blind eye too. Not too much all at once, she thought.

  She arrived at The Copper Door early, wanting to get at least some of her workload done before Carl Richards arrived. So she was startled when she walked through her office door and found him sitting at her desk.