Keira stepped back, "Everything's fine." She replied in a raised voice before turning on her heels and stomping in the direction of the car park.
"Fuck!" I said under my breath, how did I sort this one out. "Keira!" I called after her but she ignored me. Stubborn bitch! "Keira, life's too short babe. You of all people should know that."
She stopped in her tracks at my words but didn't turn around to face me. I was pleased that she was at least prepared to hear me out and I strolled towards her.
"Don't walk away from me with the hump Keira, if anything was to happen to you and this is how we parted, I'd never forgive myself." She still didn't turn around and I was annoyed that she was still carrying it on. It was a kiss for fucks sake, a very pleasant kiss but a kiss all the same, "Keira, just fucking look at me."
I saw her exhale a large breath before she slowly turned to face me. Her eyes sparkled as they filled with tears, it was my natural instincts to surge forward and wrap her into my arms but Keira held out her hand to stop me. "I'm fine CJ, just a little emotional and tired. I just need to go back to the hotel now and get some rest before Declan and I head home later today."
I clenched my fists, I felt frustrated that she was pushing me away and helpless that I couldn't do anything to change her mind.
"Okay, give me a call or a text when you get back to Brighton."
Keira nodded, "Yeah I'll do that." She turned on her heels and continued down the path that led to the main car park where she'd parked her car.
I let out a loud sigh as I watched her walk away, she wrapped her arms protectively around her tummy as best she could and this simple gesture made me smile. My phone rang pulling me from my thoughts, I took it from my jacket and pressed accept, "Recon, how you doing mate?"
"Yeah not bad."
"You still with Jen?
"Yeah, still got lots to discuss." I couldn't work out his mood although I knew he wasn't overly annoyed or angry.
"You not coming back with me then?" I asked intrigued as to what he'd decided to do.
"Nah, I'll be back later tonight."
Alright mate stay safe."
"And you."
I knew that despite my revelation this afternoon he liked Jen, I just hoped that he didn't get on her case and drive her away before he had time to see if there was anything between them. I sniggered at the thought, I must be going soft in my old age.
Although it was a long way to travel, I was pleased that I was going back on my own as it would give me time to think about the whole Keira situation. I wanted to be a part of hers and the baby's life but I had a feeling that the kiss was now going to make things rather difficult. I sighed as I walked up the path knowing that I'd given Keira enough of a head start, she obviously didn't want to talk to me and I respected her wishes. I wouldn't push the situation, I didn't want to stress her out further as it wouldn't be good for her or the baby.
I took a steady drive back to the Midlands, it was times like these that I was grateful to be warm inside a car rather than riding my motorcycle. The drive itself wasn't bad, the roads were pretty clear and the majority of the traffic was heading in the opposite directions. It was then that I thought of Locke, contemplating what his thought process may have been during these long drives alone over so many years.
I sighed with relief as I threw my bag onto the bed. Maggie had been a diamond and had washed and ironed my clothes for me, she was a sweetheart and Hound was lucky to have found such a woman that had stood by him through thick and thin. That's what a partnership was all about, taking the rough with the smooth and they had certainly had their ups and downs over the years but that's what had made them solid. I briefly wondered if I'd ever find that but then the thought was quickly pushed aside, I wasn't one for sentiments. I had lots to contend with first before I even considered pursuing a bird and the way I was feeling at the moment there was only one woman that was invading my thoughts.
I unfastened my rucksack and removed a pile of clothes, I quickly looked around the room trying to find a surface to place them upon and thought the table close to the window would be best before I packed them away. I fucking hated staying in hotels, the lack of space and home comforts did my head in but I was hoping it would only be until the end of the week if everything went according to plan. As I turned, I knocked some leaflets from the table and rolled my eyes as I bent down to pick them up, there wasn't enough room to swing a bloody cat and I was getting annoyed with the lack of space. As I flicked through the leaflets, I came across a glitzy flyer that looked familiar. I saw the club name and immediately remembered where I'd received it, it was advertising the auction at the Satan's Wraths club. The thought made me sick and I could feel my blood boil knowing how helpless I was to do anything to protect this girl. On closer inspection I realised that the auction was tonight, I glanced at my watch, I had fifteen minutes to get there before the event started. Nothing else entered my head from that moment on, I grabbed my keys from the bed and stalked towards the door, it was morally wrong and I was going to stop it but what I didn't know was how.
I arrived at the club with a couple of minutes to spare, it was heaving and I struggled to find a parking space. In the end I had to park on the main street by bumping up onto the pavement, luckily it was too late and I wouldn't get a ticket but I'd probably piss some of the locals off. As I exited the vehicle, I could hear the music pumping loudly in the distance and the low buzz of conversations taking place outside as the punters stood to have a fag. I'd never seen it so busy and knew that the only reason they were here was to see Charity.
I made my way across the gravel of the car park towards the club with my heart racing inside, I had no plan as yet, I didn't know how I thought I was going to be able to prevent the inevitable but I wanted to make sure that the girl that had already shown loyalty to us was indeed safe.
I weaved through the throngs of people towards the bar and managed to find an unoccupied stool. From here I was able to see the breadth of the club and clocked where the club members were all situated. Onyx stood with his arms folded across his chest assessing everyone, his facial expression didn't give much away but his demeanour did. As always, Hustler was at his side, wittering on as if he was in charge giving out his orders to the lower ranked club members. He was such a cock, I sniggered at the thought of him being a member of the Aces as he wouldn't last a fucking minute.
The music quickly changed and the regular girls left the stage. I heard a microphone being tested and then all eyes turned to a plump man as a spotlight was placed upon him.
"Welcome gentlemen, to what I'm sure is going to be a perfect evening...well for one of you anyway!" The crowd erupted into cheers and laughter as the man smiled obviously pleased with his comment. He watched over the crowd until the cheers quietened down and lifted his right hand to make sure everyone was listening to him.
"Because there has been so much interest in this evening's event, we're going to postpone the proceedings for another fifteen minutes to make sure everyone is here."
There was a loud groan from the crowd but it was quickly drowned out as the DJ turned up the music. I glanced at my watch, I had time to go take a quick leak and hopefully during that time come up with some type of plan. I weaved through the punters and made my way over to the toilets, I just hoped there wasn't a queue otherwise I'd quickly nip into the ladies as I'm sure they wouldn't mind. I pushed on the door and was pleased that a urinal was free. I wasn't aware of my surroundings but I recognised the voices behind me as I unzipped my flies and removed my cock to take a piss.
"So I want you to drive the mini bus to the park entrance on Potters Street as that's where we're gonna meet the girls. Are you okay with that?" It was Slick talking to someone about more girls that they must've been grooming.
"Okay, so these are the new girls we're bringing to the club."
I flicked my cock a couple of times before placing it back into my boxers and fastened myself to conceal my manhood. As I turned to was
h my hands I saw Slick step forward and use his fist to knock on the top of Damian's head.
"Hello, is there anyone in there? Earth to Damian!" Slick stood back and rolled his eyes in frustration. "Are you fucking retarded? I've been through this plan so many times with you that I'm losing patience. Just be at the clubhouse tomorrow at 9.00am and drive the fucking mini bus." Slick was still annoyed and shook his head as he left the bathroom.
Damian glanced at me and smiled as I used a paper towel to dry my hands. "So why did you want him to spell everything out again Damian?" He scrunched his face confused as to what I was asking him, "Don't play coy with me, I know what you're up to."
Damian turned quickly and headed for the door, "Ah no you don't." I surged forward and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and pulled him towards one of the cubicles. The bathroom was empty now as everyone was getting ready for the main event giving me the perfect opportunity to investigate this little cock further. I shoved him in and followed into the tight space before securing the door behind me.
"What you doing man? I'm on your side remember that." Damian held his hands up in front of him worried that I was going to hit him.
"You're a rat and I can't fucking work out at the moment who you are trying to stitch up and who you are working for."
"I don't know what you're talking about?"
Crack!
I punched him clean in the jaw trying to stop the bitch from whining further. He held his chin and I could see that he wanted to cry but I give him his due's he held the tears back. I grabbed the top of his shirt with both hands and pulled, the buttons flung in all directions in the small space and my suspicions were proved correct as I saw the wire.
"Fuck!" I stepped back and rested my back against the cubicle door as my head swirled with an array of emotions.
Damian quickly pulled his shirt together to conceal the wire, "It's not what you think!"
I drew my brows, "What do you mean it's not what I think you fucking cock." I couldn't tolerate his fucking stupidity and stepped forward to punch him in the face again. If I were going down on a long stretch, at least I had a little enjoyment of seeing the pain register on his face. I heard the door to the bathroom swing open and knew that I couldn't continue the assault as the Satan's would ask why I was kicking his arse in the first place.
I stuck my index finger hard into his chest, "I'm fucking annoyed and you're lucky that I've got a young girl to try and save this evening otherwise you wouldn't be getting out of here alive for double crossing me." I whispered but the words were more menacing with the close proximity.
I turned and opened the door wide, to try to get out of the cubicle but it was proving more difficult because of the small space. The bloke at the urinals raised his brows as he saw me exit and Damian sitting on the toilet trying his best to conceal his chest. I glanced back in his direction and sniggered at what the scene must've looked like.
"He's fucking good at sucking cock mate and he's cheap." I gave the man a cheeky wink and saw his embarrassment before I turned and walked from the bathroom. For fucks sake, the simple plan that I had in place was now looking more difficult!
"Okay, let me just go through a few rules with you," I walked into the main bar as the auctioneer glanced to his right and held out his hand to receive a piece of paper that he took from Slick and unfolded it as he returned to the microphone. "Charity will shortly come out and give you a show so you can see what all of the fuss is about. She's a lovely young lady and would love to enjoy the company of one lucky punter for the evening." The crowd went wild and he flapped his arms around trying to get the punters to listen to him. "Come on calm it down boys, the longer you take to listen to the rules the less time you're gonna spend with the beauty so settle down." The crowd quickly became quiet and all that could be heard was the background music pumping through the speakers.
"If you're interested in placing a bet, you simply raise your hand and I will acknowledge you but you better be good for the money because you don't want to answer to these guys." He extended his hand over to the corner of the room where Onyx and the rest of the club members were situated. I heard various sniggers around the room, no one in their right mind would place a bet in here if they weren't good for it but come to think of it, no one in their right mind would bet on this prize anyway. It was wrong on so many levels but I was still trying to rack my brain for what to do as I couldn't allow her to be sold off in this way.
"Okay without further ado, please give a warm welcome to Charity." The crowd was electric as the music was turned up and pumped from the speakers as she opened the curtains and strutted her stuff down the stage into the middle of the room. She was wearing a black corset with a red trim, stockings and heels that I was surprised that she could walk in. Money was thrown onto the stage as Charity grabbed the pole and swung her hips to the music before she took off to complete her routine. She wasn't ugly, in fact she was very pleasant to the eye but she was only a child and this could be easily seen by her shape and demeanour but still the masses went crazy for her. I glanced over to observe the reaction from the club members, they looked at her in ore as she strutted her stuff around the stage. Most joined in chanting and cheering along with the punters but again it was Poet who didn't join in the festivities as he observed from afar. As I scanned the group further, it was Onyx that caught my attention. His arms were folded tightly across his chest and he didn't take his eyes from Charity almost analysing her every move. She'd obviously been coached, her routine almost choreographed so she came across sexy but sweet at the same time as she danced to the music. The crowd became rowdier and a few of the punters chanted for her to take her clothes off completely. Charity glanced at Onyx for reassurance, he simply glared encouraging her to continue which she did until the end of the song although I could tell that she was nervous.
"Well please put your hands together for the beautiful Charity," the punters clapped and cheered as she made her way across the stage to stand in the spotlight beside the DJ booth. "Gentlemen it's nearly that time," the announcer wiped his brow on the back of his hand and leered as Charity stood beside him clearly uncomfortable under the watchful eye of Onyx. "Okay is there anyone that wants to start the bid?"
"£10," an older man shouted from the front.
"£10? You can't even get a wank from the whores on Bridge Street for that." A flutter of sniggers filled the room as the announcer rolled his eyes.
"Who will give me £50?" he glanced to his right, "Thank you young man." He returned his attention back to the crowd, "£100 got it, £150 over there and another bid at £200." Various hands shot up around the club as the punters made their bids. I wracked my brains trying to think of how much I could get my hands on. The only bankcard I had brought with me, had limited funds and there was no way I could compete with the rate the money was going up. I took my phone from my jacket and searched through my contacts until I found Dukes number. I hovered over the screen debating whether to call him.
"£1,000 thank you kind man, anyone else," I heard the auctioneer say.
That was the only encouragement I needed, I pressed dial and waited for him to answer while I ordered myself a drink.
"What's up mate?" he sounded worried but I suppose that was only to be expected.
"How much cash can you get me by tomorrow?"
"I can get my hands easily on £8,000 but why?"
"I'll explain later, I'll text you if I need it transferred or brought up."
"Not a problem."
I ended the call and returned the phone to my pocket.
"£3,500! Going once, going twice..."
"£4,000!" I shouted over the noise of the punters getting excited at the show put on in front of them.
"£4,000 to the newbie at the bar." I lifted my glass making it look like I was enjoying the interaction rather than the fact that I just wanted her safe.
"£4,500!" All eyes turned to a mixed race guy standing near the stage.
"Thank you very m
uch sir, the bid is now with you for the sum of £4,500. Are there any more bidder tonight?" The auctioneer glanced around the room until his eyes locked on mine.
I lifted my arm, "£5,000."
A smile crossed his face, "£5,000 thank you very much. Are there any advances on £5,000?" he swept his eyes across the room but there were no more bidders. I felt my heart rate increase at the thought of winning her but tried to keep all emotion from my face as I felt someone's eyes bore into my skin. At the corner of my eye, I noticed Onyx glare at me from across the club, he should be pleased that I was going to pay £5,000 for his prized possession but he didn't look ecstatic at all.
"Okay then, going once, going twice...sold to the gentleman at the bar." All eyes turned towards me as I took a sip of my drink trying to play it cool. I knew I'd have Onyx over here in a flash and wanted to get my story straight before he caught me unawares.
"Are you coming to get your prize sir?" the auctioneer asked over the microphone.
I shook my head, "Nah send her over." I knocked the rest of my drink back and placed the empty glass onto the bar.
The auctioneer sniggered over the microphone, "I like your style young man, go on Charity go and say high to your companion for the evening." I looked towards the stage but couldn't see her as the crowd were on their feet chanting and heckling as I assumed she weaved through to come join me.
"What do you want with her?" I looked up to see Hustler glare at me.
I drew my brows, "Well ain't that pretty obvious?"
The rest of the guys sniggered at his stupid arse question but stopped abruptly as Onyx joined us.
"You got yourself a good deal with that price." He took a puff on his cigar and blew the smoke in my direction.
I nodded my head slowly, "Yeah I have, it should make for an enjoyable evening." He didn't say anything further but stared at me as if goading me to look away but I wasn't frightened of him. His mere presence sent excited shivers down my spine knowing that he would die by my hands and I couldn't help but smirk. His eyes travelled to my mouth before reaching my eyes again and I could feel his brain in motion as he analysed me in detail unsure of what to make of me.
CJ (Aces MC Series Book 6) Page 8