Blood of Cupids

by Sophia Kenzie

  Or did I even want her to be any part of this life? Would I rather her be in our kitchen that we shared, just the two of us, far away from it all?

  I hated that it had been five days since I’d last heard from her. I wanted to surprise her and show up at her place, but I was attempting to respect her wishes. Damn, it was hard.

  The cry of motorcycles knocked me out of my daydream. It was time.

  I couldn’t believe the amount of support our allies were showing us. While we were a dangerous organization, the majority of us would rather stay under the radar and not put our clubs in harm’s way. Still, we’re a family, and when one of us needs help, we’ll all be there in any way we can.

  Pops lifted his beer to quiet down the rally. “I want to thank you all for coming here in our moment of need. I’m sure you all know we’ve had some issues with The Walking Shadows in the past, but now we’re just not sure what to expect. Most of you know my son, Ryan, who is the newest Vice President of our club. Ryan?”

  Everyone started clapping. It was my turn to speak. I dreaded this more than the possibility of getting shot tomorrow.

  “Hi. Hi. It’s great to see everyone, and as my Pops said, it means the world to us to have you all here. Now, with all our clubs combined, it comes out to fifty-three bodies. That’s about a third of what our boxing venue holds, so we’ve also invited some regulars to fill the seats closer to the ring. Each club will guard an entrance, and we’ll have a few guys stationed outside. And, of course, we have some fucking serious firearms for everyone.”

  They roared with laughter and applause. I’d gotten their attention. I went over a few possible outcomes, accepting suggestions, comments, and questions, but everyone seemed ready and excited for the next day’s promises. Pops took the floor back from me.

  “Okay, that’s enough business; let’s get to the good stuff. Girls!”

  The usual broads came parading into the clubhouse, wearing brightly colored pin-up girl costumes and carrying pitchers of beer. Everyone cheered and chose their conquest. Pops put his arm around me.

  “Do you see what you did?” He pointed to the crowd.

  “Yeah.”

  “One day, you’re going to make the best president this club has ever seen.”

  “Pops, stop.”

  “I’m serious. You’re smarter than we give you credit for.”

  “Ha. I think I can find the compliment in there.”

  I reached for a beer, needing a distraction from my Pops’ pride. I didn’t want to think about being the president.

  “Oh no, match day tomorrow. No beer and no sex.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “And you’ll be better because I made you go to sleep. Now get out of here.”

  It was a good excuse to escape the festivities. Plus, I’d had all of these girls before, and none of them held a candle to Grace. Two more days, and she’d be back in my arms. Two more days, and she’d be mine once more.

  * * *

  I woke up the next morning still dreaming about her perfect skin. I hadn’t yet lost that image I swore to keep tucked away in my memory, but I just couldn’t wait one more day. I would go and see her tonight before the match. Hell, she asked me if I were free on Friday, so I’d make myself free.

  All day I imagined what I’d do to her when I saw her. I imagined what she’d say. Would she be excited to see me? Would she jump up and straddle her legs around my hips? I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off of her. The thought of her soothed me to sleep every night since I last touched her.

  I checked in with Pops to make sure everyone was set for the match, and made my way out of Southwest Philly, leaving my colors at home. It still wasn’t the right moment to tell her.

  I pulled up to her street and parked my bike around the corner. I rang the doorbell and waited. Nothing. Every inch of me begged to sneak in and wait naked in her bed, but I knew the outcome would turn into a screaming match, so I bit my urge and leaned against the wall.

  Luckily I didn’t have to wait long. Within ten minutes, I saw her deep red hair turn the corner. She was wearing a brown skirt, tall boots and a buttoned up white shirt. She clung her books to her chest, and walked with a faint smile on her face. She pushed her wind-blown hair from her cheek. Then she saw me. Surprise lit up her face and a wide smile spread across her lips, but after three more steps, her lips dropped. Concern flushed her face, and she paled. Her steps quickened as she looked around, and back over her shoulder. I met her halfway down the block.

  “Grace, is everything okay?”

  “Ryan, you have to get out of here.”

  Grace

  I was surprised that I was able to go the whole week without seeing Ryan. Well, I was surprised and really upset about it. I know I refused to give him my number, and told him that school was really busy, but a part of me still expected him to find a way to see me during the week. I really wanted to see him. I couldn’t stop thinking about our two nights together. There was something about him that I just couldn’t let go. And I wanted to let go; I just couldn’t.

  It was Friday. It was the day that something was going to happen at Ryan’s boxing match, and I could not warn him. What if I never saw him again? Had I made the wrong decision? What if that was it for us? Should I have instead asked to see him every day in between just in case they were the last days we would have together?

  I’d just gotten out of class, and I knew my father and a handful of club members would be showing up at my place in a matter of minutes. I rounded the corner and my hair blew across my face. I moved it behind my ear and looked up, toward my destination. There he was. Ryan had come to see me. He was even more exquisite than I remembered. How did he pull that off? I wanted to run to him. I wanted to throw down my books and jump into his arms. And I almost did.

  My heart stopped. My father was on his way. I didn’t know how close he was, but he could be here any second. What if he saw Ryan? What if Ryan saw him? He met me halfway down the block.

  “Grace, is everything okay?”

  “Ryan, you have to get out of here.”

  He threw his head back and ran his hands through his hair.

  “Grace, I’m not an idiot. Would you stop fucking pretending that you don’t have feelings for me?”

  “I’m not. Ryan, I do. Believe me, I do. I just can’t have you here right now.”

  “Oh really?”

  He knocked my books out from against my chest, slid his hands under my arms, and lifted me above his head. Wow, he was strong. He threw me up against the wall and guided my body down the rough bricks as I slid down to meet him. He cradled my head in his hand and attacked my mouth with his. A rush of warmth cascaded over me, and for a moment, I forgot who we were and why we were standing in front of my building. I only knew the feelings I felt for this man. I knew how my body fit with his, and I knew I liked when he refused to listen when I told him things wouldn’t work between us. He was the only person who had ever made me love to be wrong.

  He pulled his lips away, looking into my eyes. I stole a few more kisses, unable to let him go; knowing the second I did, I may never see him again. How could I warn him?

  “What were you saying about me needing to get out of here?” His mouth was so close to mine that I could taste his words.

  I couldn’t stop myself from kissing him in between my breaths. “Please…give me…a few hours…then meet me…back here.”

  His lips moved to my neck and my breathing became labored. My insides tingled, and my body begged for him.

  “I told you…I have a…boxing match tonight…”

  I was having a hard time forming words. “Skip it.”

  He yanked at my shirt, pulling two buttons free, and cupped my breast in his hand. I was completely unaware of anyone walking by and was imploring him to simply take me right there on the street.

  “It’s my fight, baby, I can’t miss it.”

  Baby. Baby. My father called me ‘Baby’. Patrick Brennan was still
coming. I needed to get Ryan out of there.

  “You wouldn’t even skip it for me?” I needed to do something drastic. I took his hand and ran it up my skirt, wanting him to feel my warmth. He bit his lip and hummed, and I felt him grow beneath me. I was totally playing the girl card, which in normal circumstances, I would never do, but I didn’t want him to get hurt. I needed him to stay clear of that match.

  He brought his hand up to my chin and lifted my face to his. There was worry in his eyes. “Grace, I have to be there tonight. Believe me, if I could get out of it, I would. But, I swear to you, I will be here tomorrow morning. I will come for you.” He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight to his body. I could tell by his embrace that he wasn’t completely sure what the night had in store. I wanted to tell him that I knew what was going on, that he could talk to me. I wanted to offer a way out.

  But Ryan was part of a club. He was part of a family. I knew, better than anyone, that you don’t leave your family. I would have to let him go. I returned his squeeze and lowered my feet to the ground. I took his face in my hands and kissed him, trying to hide the tears in my eyes.

  “Grace, what’s wrong?”

  I shook my head. If I tried to say words, the tears would fall.

  “Come here. Did I do something?”

  “No. I just have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Good luck tonight.”

  He gave me a faint smile as I pushed inside the brownstone. I ran up to my apartment, fighting the tears falling down my face. I closed the door behind me and looked out the window. He was staring up at me. I wiped my face and waved goodbye. That’s when I heard their engines. The Walking Shadows were here.

  Ryan

  It was odd to hear that many motorcycles in this part of town, especially when my whole crew was getting ready for the fight.

  Unless.

  Were they early? There would be no way they would stage an attack in broad daylight. That would be pure stupidity.

  I needed to get ahead of them. I raced around the corner, hopped on my motorcycle, and took off toward the clubhouse. Four blocks flew by, and I’d lost the sound of the other bikes. Had they stopped? I wasn’t about to pull over and assess the situation. I needed to get back and warn the other clubs. This was happening tonight.

  I pushed open the door of the clubhouse and was greeted by the usual faces of our hang arounds.

  “Where is everyone?” I demanded.

  “They’re setting up the ring. Where’ve you been?” Said a nameless hang around.

  “Out.”

  I blew past them, making my way out back.

  “Ryan! There you are, Son.”

  “Hey Pops. Listen, I was out riding, and…they’re here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “They stopped in Old City, but there were too many to be anything else but a club.”

  He seemed flustered. “Good work. I’ll let everyone know. Are you sure you want to fight tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  And I did want to fight. It would be the only thing that would take my mind off of what was to come. We were so prepared, and yet, I still had a terrible feeling.

  I helped the guys finish setting up the ring, and ordered them to go eat, relax, do anything other than wait for the inevitable. One of the other club members had been prize fighting for some time, so I had asked him to stand in as my opponent. He was happy to oblige.

  “You ready to see some stars tonight, Cassidy?” He teased me.

  “It would be a nice change; I’m so used to always winning.”

  The normal banter was comforting. It felt like a real match. We patted each other on the backs and took off on our own, to warm up. If everything went according to plan, we wouldn’t get more than a few swings in before the commotion started. If not, we’d need to be prepared for an actual fight, a full fifteen rounds. I’d do a few jumping jacks and push-ups, but what I really needed was a shower.

  I wasn’t expecting Grace to be wearing a skirt, and I definitely wasn’t expecting the girl whose purity I stole only a week ago to slide my hand up her skirt on a busy Philadelphia street in with the sun shining on us like a spotlight. Yes, I needed a shower before I started punching.

  Grace

  “There has to be fifty bikes down there. I’m not going to stand around while they plan an attack on us, Gracie.” My dad said.

  “Fifty?”

  “Yes, fifty.”

  “But, I thought they were a small club.”

  “And apparently they have friends.”

  “Then let them come to you, Dad. Fight them on your own ground.”

  “Last time they came to us, they killed your mother. You expect me to let them take someone else I care about? No. This is ending tonight.”

  “You can’t kill all fifty of them.”

  “I’m not planning on killing anyone.”

  “What?”

  “I’m only sending a warning.”

  “What kind of warning?”

  “Gracie, you know I’d rather keep you out of this.”

  “This is my home now. What happens here is my business.”

  “This filthy city will never be your home, and you’re coming back to us as soon as you finish your degree next year.”

  “And what if I don’t?”

  “Then I’ll make you.”

  I threw up my arms and stormed out. There was no talking to him when he was like this. What was I supposed to do? Just sit around the apartment and wait to hear about something on the news? And I wasn’t too naive to how these things worked—the news didn’t cover the shit that happens on club ground. If the cops here were anything like the cops in Alexandria, they’d just cover things up and get a payday.

  And what about Ryan?

  The way he held me before he took off: it was like he was saying goodbye. Does he think there’s a chance he might not live through this? What are they planning? And what about Dad? If there are fifty bikes down there, they have something big going down. No. I was going down to that clubhouse whether they liked it or not. I was not about to sit around while my family was in danger, while Ryan was in danger.

  I sat in the bar across the street until the sun went down. I thought maybe a few beers would give me the courage to follow my father. A week earlier, I’d sat in the exact same seat, staring into Ryan’s green eyes. How could so much happen in one week? How did I care so much about an enemy?

  I heard the bells from a nearby church. It was six thirty, and it was dark. I watched my father and the fourteen other members of the club leave my apartment. They rounded the corner and disappeared from sight. Then I heard the roar. Three beers in, it might as well have been fifty bikes starting their engines together. Fifty bikes. My family was terribly outnumbered. I stepped onto the curb and lifted my arm. A cab rolled to a stop, and I got in.

  “Where you heading?”

  “Southwest Philly, please.”

  “Where about?”

  I had no idea. Shit. I actually didn’t know where the clubhouse was.

  “Take me just across the river, on the outskirts.”

  “Miss, it might not be so safe for you by yourself.”

  “I’m not paying you to give me safety advice. Now take me to the shadiest part of town.”

  He shut up and took his foot off the brake.

  I didn’t see the bikes, but I asked him to let me out anyway. I knew rolling up in a checkered cab would make me stick out in this neighborhood. But how could I find the bikers?

  I looked down at myself. I looked like a fucking schoolgirl. I rolled my skirt a few times, and undid some buttons on my shirt, tying the bottom under my bra. There, now I looked more like a “mama”. If only my boobs were bigger. There was nothing I could do about that now.

  I pushed into a dark bar and skipped to the counter, eyeing the bartender.

  “Any idea where the fight is tonight?”

  “It’s invite only
tonight, Sweet Cheeks.”

  “Oh, I was invited, I just forgot where it is.”

  “Not enough room for brains and beauty in that little package, huh?”

  I wanted to clock him across the face. How dare he speak to me like that? But I was playing a part, and me punching the dirty bartender wouldn’t get me an address.

  “Did you just call me pretty?”

  He laughed. “Two blocks south, and turn right, by the water. You won’t be able to miss it.”

  “You are so helpful.”

  I pouted my lips, bat my eyelashes, and got the hell out of there. The cabbie was right; I did not feel safe in that neighborhood. I decided to run the two blocks; I ran straight into the swarm of bikes.

  Okay, Gracie, you’re up.

  I heard yelling and music. It wouldn’t be hard to find the match. But where were my guys? I hadn’t seen them. I did a quick spot check. Two patched-in bullies were hiding out in an old truck behind the venue, and one was sitting in a bulldozer. They weren’t that good at being discreet. I noticed another up on the roof. Really?

  I stepped up to the two guys guarding the door.

  “Hiya fellas.”

  “Sorry Mama, this one’s closed tonight.”

  “Oh, no. Ryan invited me.”

  “Ryan invited you?” I saw them exchange confused looks. Please let this work! I gave a big smile, over emphasizing my dimpled cheeks. The bigger guy opened the door and winked at me. “Okay sweetie, you can have a seat up front.”

  “I think I’d rather stay in the back. You know, those fighting guys sweat a lot.”

  “No, Ryan’s orders. Ladies sit in the front.”

  Ryan’s orders; why was Ryan giving orders?

  “Well, okay then. Thanks boys.” I stepped in and looked around. I didn’t see any faces I knew. Where the hell was my father?

  An older man came over the loud speaker. This was a pretty legit venue. “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to tonight’s match. In the blue, all the way from Boston, Massachusetts, we have Danny Sims!”