Bed of Roses (Devil Savages MC)

by Harley McRide

  She stood frozen in place, scared to speak for fear he might explode. When he didn’t, she turned slowly, needing to get some air and detangle the web of emotions and thoughts that cluttered her head. He slapped her on the ass as she walked away, waiting until she was out of earshot before he turned to Raven.

  “You had no right, Raven. What the fuck were you thinking?” he growled. Sandman stood with his arms folded across his chest, his normal silence lingering around him.

  Raven didn’t back down. Instead, she stepped closer, craning her neck to meet his stare. “I had every right. You two dipshits aren’t going to ruin this with your jaded pasts and fears. It’s time for both of you to let go and get on with your lives. You are my damn family and because of that, if pissing you off will get you both on track, then so be it. Don’t think for a minute I won’t kick your asses myself. Now, I suggest both of you go show some damn emotion and reassure that little hottie in there that you are on board before I spread the word she is on the market and looking.” Raven didn’t wait for them to pull some bogus excuse or comment out of their ass and spun on her heel to walk away. She heard them both shuffle in the opposite direction and smiled inwardly. Sometimes being known for her abilities to wield a gun and a blade had its perks.

  *****

  Rose hadn’t thought to ask where the restroom was before she took flight. And found herself wandering down the back halls peeking in random doors. When she reached the fifth door, she noticed that unlike some of the others that were locked, it sat ajar. Please let this be the bathroom. She pulled it open, stepping inside the pitch-black windowless room and felt for the light switch. Halfway down the wall she felt it and flipped it on. Instead of a mirror, stall, and sink, she had stumbled into a huge storage room filled with wooden and metal crates. One of the lids had been slid partway off, so her curiosity got the better of her. Inside amongst the packing paper were huge assault rifles and automatic machine guns of some sort. Rose wasn’t a gun expert but had watched enough action films to know that although she couldn’t identify the weapons, they had to be illegal. She took a step backwards to leave. She shouldn’t be in here.

  “How’d you get in here?” Rose’s heart jumped into her throat, restricting her airway. She slowly turned, coming face to face with a very pissed off looking Sandman.

  “Blake. I…the door was open. I was looking for the bathroom and—”

  “My name is Sandman. Remember that.” He glared at her, suspicion clouding his thoughts. Instead of questioning her more he pointed to the door. “The bathroom is two doors down. Don’t come back in here again.” Rose didn’t speak. She hauled ass out of the room as fast as she could, wishing she had driven her car so she could get the hell out of dodge. But, that’s why she was here. She couldn’t drive without gas, which took money. Something she didn’t have, and the reason she was here to begin with.

  Sandman didn’t want to believe that Rose had broken into the storage room where the recent shipment had been delivered, but the evidence slapped him in the face. She hadn’t been expecting to get caught, and the way she stammered and ran was unnerving. Instead of seeking her out to confess what filled his heart, the world proved to him once more not to trust.

  *****

  Rose managed to pull herself together and made her way through the crowd, delivering drinks and taking bets for the onlookers who screamed and yelled toward the octagon. Two fighters, both bloody and battered, relentlessly fought to step on the brink of death for the prize pot and title. Money was literally shoved at her, tucked in her boots or the front of her vest by perverts of all kinds. She should have been embarrassed or angry at being manhandled so brutally by total strangers, but the knowledge that nothing under a twenty was given made it worthwhile. The night was only a couple hours in, and she had already mentally calculated over three grand in tips. If things kept going like they were, she would have enough to catch all of the bills up with some leftover for the little things they so direly needed.

  “Table twelve needs another round of shots. Watch the one on the end, he has more hands than a damn octopus,” Heaven yelled at her over the loud roar of the crowd as she passed. Rose rolled her eyes and took her tray up to reload at the bar. “Hey, Jake. I need another round of shots for twelve.”

  “Sure thing, sweet cheeks.” Jake, the bartender who she had met this evening and immediately liked, flashed her a grin. He, like all the other patches, took it upon himself to watch over the girls working. She leaned against the cool wood bar, lifting each foot to relieve some of the throbbing in her feet while she waited. Her mini break didn’t last long. Her cell vibrated against her ass, being the only pocket her outfit contained, and she reached to answer. Not many people called, so chances were it was the kids, which meant something was wrong.

  “Hello?” she answered, holding a finger in her other ear so she could hear. Ariel’s voice came through the receiver, sounding pissed and worried all at the same time. “You need to go get Lacey and Alice. I tried to stop them, but they ran out the door. That skank, Rachael, came to pick them up and was ranting on and on about some major wicked party. She looked like she was already half drunk, Rose.” Rose gritted her teeth, hating that the twins missed the common sense gene.

  “Fuck. Do you know where at?”

  “Yeah, it’s down by the old cemetery. There is an abandoned warehouse down the dirt road behind it.”

  “Okay. Are you and the babies okay?”

  “Yeah. Tired, and trying to sleep, but we’re fine. Please tell me you are going to beat the shit out of them for this. I’m so sick of their crap.” Ariel usually minded her manners and for her to cuss meant she had been shoved past her bullshit limit for the day. Rose felt lucky she was responsible, and didn’t fall prey to the example the two older girls gave.

  “Go get some sleep. I’ll be home in the morning. I love you.”

  “Love you too.” Rose heard the sound of the receiver click off and she sighed, hating her mother even more for never being there. She was trying her hardest to raise the kids, but dammit if something didn’t always happen to stop her from succeeding. The bitch should have been there to help.

  Skillz, a new skank she had met tonight, came sauntering up, intentionally leaning where her strip of a blouse gaped open and gave Mick a full view of her tits, nipples and all. “Hey, table twelve is waiting on shots. I have a family emergency I need to deal with and will be back as soon as I can.” Rose handed the tab to her, her temper flaming when Skillz gave her a catty look.

  “Not my problem. I have tables of my own to work.” She grabbed the bottles of beer out of the cooler and turned to walk away. Rose caught her by the arm, whipping her around hard enough she fought to keep the bottles from tumbling to the floor.

  “I said watch my fucking tables, bitch. Don’t fuck with me.” Mick spun around with a bottle of booze in hand, his mouth twisting up into a huge grin. It was no secret that most of the skanks weren’t liked by anyone but the guys and even then, it was only while they sported a raging hard-on. After, they didn’t have a use for them and had no reason to be nice. Rose was in no damn mood for anyone’s shit, especially not now. Both Tonto and Sandman had kept their distance the entire night, watching her every move. She thought about asking them for help retrieving the girls just in case she walked into more than she could handle, but the way they were acting, she didn’t want to give them any reason to doubt her motives any more than they probably already did. She wasn’t in the club for help. Her only other option was Raven, and even then she dreaded asking for another favor after all the woman had done for her. Left with no other options, she found her and asked.

  “Hey, I just got a call and need to leave. Something came up with the kids…can I borrow your car for a little bit? I promise to hurry, and my tables are covered until I get back.” She knew she sounded pathetic, and felt stupid for asking. “I wouldn’t ask…it’s just that I don’t have my car and—”

  Raven knew something was up, and desp
ite the whopping big fat nothing the guys offered when she asked what their deal was, she could feel the desperation radiating off Rose. Rose wasn’t one to ask for help—ever—so whatever was going on, she had no other alternative. “Sure. Don’t worry about it. Just take care of your family and come back when you can.” She handed her the keys, and said a quick goodbye as a crowd of rough looking Hispanic men yelled obscenities for her attention. Rose didn’t want to leave her to fend for herself, but didn’t have time to help her with the assholes.

  On her way out, she stopped and told Bret to keep an eye on Raven and left. As long as the guys knew to look out for her, she knew they wouldn’t let the dickholes get too out of line and her friend would be safe.

  *****

  Raven glared at the table of Diablos, mindfully watching them closely while she served them drinks. She had already told Chief the conversation she had overheard, and the men were conversant to the strategically scattered Diablos who were positioned through out the Pit. All of the guys had jumped, readying for anything that was about to go down. If they were going to get any information out of one of the slime bags and take down their leader, she needed to play it cool. Before she could take her leave, the first shots rang out. She hit the ground, upholstering the pistol that was secured around her thigh concealed under her skirt and pointed at the table. They had already reached for their guns on the signal but were slower than she was. The Diablos had planned an ambush but had been sloppy keeping it on the down low. She had walked past a conversation she wasn’t meant to hear—of three assholes bragging about what was gonna go down. If not for their carelessness, they might have been too late and lost lives. Without hesitating she pulled the trigger consecutively, dropping three of the men and leaving two to stare at her in shock. Chief and Bull rushed to her aid, demobilizing the remaining guys.

  “Damn, Raven. Nice shot.” Bull grinned.

  “That’s my girl.” Chief blew a kiss at her and punched his captive in the face. People began to flood out the doors in panic, creating enough distraction and chaos that the Diablos had a tiny opportunity to fight back and pounced. The distinct bang of weapons unloaded, echoing in the huge room. She heard Bree’s scream and ran to help. When she had fought her way through the trompling crowd she looked down, stepping in a puddle of blood. In the red pool lay Nic, one of the Prospects. A few feet away, Zeus was hammering down on the man responsible for his death, relentlessly pounding him to hamburger. Tonto and the others rounded up the survivors, popping a cap in the ones who attempted retaliation. With five Diablos still alive, they had plenty of leeway to get information.

  Sandman worked at clearing everyone out, sending the boys on a full search for any stowaways who were stupid and hid instead of running. Once the place was cleared, he locked the doors and rounded up the posse.

  *****

  Rose pushed the speed limit, praying she didn’t get a ticket as she wove in and out the back streets to the outskirts of town. When she hit the dirt road that ran behind the cemetery Ariel had spoken about, she was forced to slow to an almost crawl to keep from tearing up the little sports car on the rough, rocky road. When she got out of the city limits, she heard the faint sound of bad music drifting on the breeze and knew she was in the right spot. She let her hate fill with anger, fueling up to project at anyone who got in her way.

  She pulled up to the old warehouse, noticing the broken windows and litter that was strung all around. The parking lot was packed, making it difficult to find a place to park so she could get in and get out without a hassle. She wanted to be close enough to make a fast get away if need be, but didn’t want to put a target on Raven’s car either. If they decided to take out their teenage daddy issues on the little sports car, Rose would have to just give up and pray for death. There was no way in hell she could ever pay off a car like that. She found a spot close, but between nicer vehicles so didn’t stick out like a sore thumb, and hopped out, locking the doors. As she walked to the huge roll up doorway, people grew thicker. Kids having sex…people smoking dope…drug deals…a fight… By the time she made it inside, she had seen more shit than had went down at the Savages’ party. Men came up to her, offering her drinks that no doubt had a little extra somethin’ somethin’ in them to insure they had a one sided good time, all overly touchy for her liking. She turned on her charm switch and flirted her way through the crowd, using it to find her hellion sisters. Instead of dropping the bastards that barged into her personal bubble and grabbed her goods, she swallowed the puke that rose in her throat at the danger that surrounded her and continued her search for her soon to be extremely grounded and possibly bruised sisters. After a good thirty minutes, she finally found one of the girls’ friends she recognized.

  “Jessica, where the fuck are Lacey and Alice?” She didn’t bother pretending to like the girl. She had been the instigator for half of the shit her sisters got into, with Rachael being the cause of the other half. They didn’t seem to have a brain cell between them to think for themselves. When Jessica cocked her hip out and went for the bitch pose, Rose was all over that shit. “Don’t even.” She cocked an eyebrow at the teen, getting her point across.

  “Back there.” She pointed to the far back corner to a hallway. Of course they would be in the darkest most dangerous spot in the damn building. Fuck. She turned back to the scantly dressed kid and pointed her finger. “I want you home before I get in my car. Do you understand?” The girl nodded, getting the seriousness in her voice loud and clear. She waited, narrowing her eyes. “Go!” The girl took off toward the main door. Everywhere she looked, there were underage kids drinking and doing God knows what with men old enough to be their father. Girls hung on them like they were some sort of superhero for giving them attention, and the guys ate it up. She had to fight her motherly instincts not to call the damn cops and have every one of them tossed in jail.

  As she made her way to the back of the room, more and more colors were worn, their colors flying bright from the bandanas of light brown, navy blue, and white to the tats that ran from their necks down to their hands. She squeezed past a group of them; discretely checking out their tats to see who she was up against if something happened and gasped. The party that her unruly heathen sisters picked to go to was ran by the damn Diablos! “Things just got complicated,” she mumbled, too focused on seeking out the girls that she missed two of the Diablos’ penetrating glares. It wasn’t until one blocked her path that she realized she had been noticed.

  “What’s this punta? A Savage, in our house? Someone has a death wish, Holmes.” His Mexican thug accent was thick, making sure his finger scraped painfully over her fresh tattoo, digging into the tender flesh, drawing the attention of several others who crowded around her in a circle, trapping her. She tried to step out, but they would only push her back.

  “I’m not here for trouble…I’m just here to pick up my little sisters. I know having underage children wouldn’t look good on the Diablos overly credible reputation.” She squared her shoulders, showing no fear. Men like this fed off fear. If she stood any chance at getting out of there unharmed, she needed to hold her ground and put on one hell of a show, even if she wasn't feeling too brave. Instead of buying her time, it only bought her a bigger audience. More of the gang began to migrate their way, including the their own group of bitches. She wanted to rip the faces off the cunts that glared at her grinning. A couple of the females who weren’t in a drug-induced stupor, looked at her with pity, knowing better than to step in the way.

  “What do we have here? Aww…it looks like one of the dirty Indians found their way off the reservation. Pity. Be careful, she might have fleas.” A slutty dressed Latino woman snarled at her. For being a minority, the bitch pitched racial slurs without realizing how stupid it only made her sound.

  “Ahh, yeah but maybe she is smart like Trick and came to get a real man up in her. You want some of my burrito, baby?” One of the rather large skumbags slurred, casting the strong stench of alcohol up her nose
. He grabbed her hand, pulling it down over his crotch. She tugged to free herself from his grasp but that only egged him on more.

  The woman she assumed was Trick cackled, raising the hair on the back of her neck. The long legged brunette rubbed up on two of the guys, sloshing around unable to remain upright. Her eyes were gone, hollowed into her face like death had already set in and time was ticking down. Whatever drug she was on wasn’t kind.

  “Stop! I just want to get what I came for and leave. Let me go!” The man had ahold of her by the waist, shoving his hand up her skirt. She fought, panicking as the others laughed and groped at her. Rose faded into survival mode. She threw elbows and fists, hitting anything and anyone she could. They laughed, tugging her in different directions, passing her around the circle from one to the other as they touched, squeezed, and pinched her body. When something cold and metal shoved against her temple, she froze. One of the guys held a gun to her head, laughing.

  “Ooooh, I got your attention now, don’t I, you little bitch. Let’s see how well you can suck cock when your life depends on it.” He grabbed her and threw her to the floor, kicking her a few times with the toe of his boot. She let out a scream, hoping that by some miracle someone would rush in and save her before they killed her. When she fought and refused to do as they said, the beating turned brutal. The one with the gun yanked her off the ground by her hair, pressing the gun in her mouth. “Suck this, you little slut!” He stuck it down her throat, cocking back the hammer. She closed her eyes, awaiting for the inevitable. This is it. This is how I die. There weren’t a million thoughts flashing through her head, nor did she see her life flash before her eyes. Instead, she felt the calmness in the storm, smelling the dirty bodies of her attackers and tasting the acidic metal that caused her to gag. The shouts and verbal attack the group tossed at her seemed to recede, humming faintly in her ears. Time seemed to stop.