by K. J. Dahlen
Cassie stared at the open door of the clubhouse. “Do you think he’ll come back?”
Deke chuckled. “I don’t think he’ll want to miss anymore of your life. He’s already missed eighteen years. He’ll be back.”
“I sure hope so,” Cassie replied. “I want to hear all about my Mom. I don’t really remember her all that well anymore, although I can still hear her voice sometimes when I dream.”
CHAPTER TWO
Deacon rode through the countryside like the demons of hell were following him. The wind wanted to suck the air from his lungs and the burn was almost welcome. The rage that he felt as he listened to Deke inform him of what Cassie’s life had been like as she survived the hell her father put her in was like none other he’d ever felt before.
He saw the road signs for Albany before he slowed down. He hadn’t realized he’d been riding for almost an hour. He slowed his bike, made a u turn, then headed back for Troy and the clubhouse. He knew Cassie would be there waiting for him.
When he’d first seen the tiger painting on the wall, he’d been stunned beyond belief. He looked just like Jemmia had described him all those years ago. It had been a revelation to him to finally see the Rufus she’d told him about. She had described him in detail. As he sat there staring at the beast, Deacon wondered about all the secrets the drawing alluded to. What really blew his mind was the fact that Jemmia hadn’t drawn him but her daughter had.
When he hadn’t been able to find his sister’s little girl or Flynn all these years, his heart had been broken. It left a hole in his soul that time hadn’t been able to fill. Now she was back, despite everything she’d been through she was still alive and had come back into his life. This time, he would step up and take care of her, like he didn’t have the opportunity to do before.
He frowned as he thought of what had brought her back into his life. Deke had told him of how she’d come looking for her friend and he’d noticed that she had come out of his President bedroom. The first thing Deacon was going to do was ask what her position in the club was.
It might not be any of his business but he wasn’t going to allow his boss to take advantage of his niece. He was the only family she had left.
When Deacon got back to the clubhouse, he noted that Deke and Gator’s bikes were not in the slots they were in when he’d left.
Beside and behind the clubhouse was a row of three bedroom cabins. The guys and their families lived there. Deke lived right inside the clubhouse but had the keys to a cabin as well. Deacon’s cabin was the second one. He was neighbors with Gator on one side and Wiley on the other. He went to his cabin to change his clothes and shower. Being gone on club business for three weeks, he didn’t know when he’d showered last.
He just hoped Cassie was still there. If he needed to go looking for her, he would but he was tired. He just wanted to know she was safe.
When he entered the clubhouse after cleaning up, he heard a laugh he hadn’t heard in eighteen years. He turned and headed for the kitchen. There he found Cassie and Reva laughing together. Deacon paused just inside the door. He couldn’t take his eyes off Cassie. Finally, he broke the silence, “You have your mother’s laugh. Did you know that? You sounded for a moment—just like her.”
Cassie’s eyes widened. She took a step toward him and paused. “Really?”
Deacon nodded. “In fact, you have a lot of your mother in you. It seems you only inherited the color of your dad’s hair. Everything else is straight from Jemmia.”
Cassie hesitated a little then asked, “Can you tell me about her? I don’t remember much about her. I was very young when she died.”
Deacon smiled. “At least I had seventeen years with her.” He held out his hand and waited until she took it. He pulled her into the main room and then he began to tell her stories of growing up with Jemmia.
~* * * *~
Some of the stories made her laugh while some made her cry but as the hours passed, she got to know her mother again. She also got to know her uncle.
By late afternoon, Deacon had fallen asleep, using her lap as a pillow. They were both sitting on one of the sofas. Cassie sat there while he slept, running her fingers through his hair.
Reva had come out a little while ago to check on them and found Deacon sleeping.
Cassie had put a finger to her lips and shook her head.
Reva smiled and went back to the kitchen.
Soon, Cassie heard the sounds of returning motorcycles, so she knew Deke and Gator along with the other brothers would be here soon. She always felt excitement at the thought of seeing Deke. But Deacon would wake up shortly and that made her sad. This was the first time she’d ever gotten the chance to catch up with her past and she wasn’t ready to let go of that just yet.
When Deke and Gator came in they were both talking about the day’s events. When Deke looked around and found her and Deacon, he stopped and grinned. Then he came over to the sofa and knelt down in front of her. “Is everything okay now? I mean between you and him?”
Cassie shrugged. “I hope so. He told me all about my mom today. With his stories, she came alive for me again. I remembered the little things I’d forgotten about her.” Tears welled in her eyes. “He told me he looked for me after Mom died.” She began crying. “I never knew he did that. I thought all this time there was nobody out there who gave a damn what happened to me.”
“Well, you were wrong then weren’t you?” Deacon growled from her lap. His bloodshot eyes opened and for a moment, he glared at Deke before he turned his head and looked at Cassie. He sat up and swung his legs over the front of the sofa. Staring at Deke, he said, “You and me gotta talk.” He got up and walked to Deke’s office without saying a word.
Deke raised his eyebrows and gazed at Cassie then turned to stare at Gator. He then stood up and headed for his office. When he heard Gator following him, he held up his hand to stop his Vice President.
Gator stopped and watched as he went through the door and closed it behind him. He turned his head to glance at Cassie then found his wife standing nearby.
Reva shrugged and came over to him.
Gator wrapped his arm around her and sighed. “Let’s hope Deke survives,” he whispered in her ear.
Reva chuckled. “Oh, I think he can hold his own.”
Gator grunted. “You don’t know men staking out boundaries.”
“What does that mean?” Reva whispered.
“Deacon is gonna ream him a new one. You wait and see.”
Cassie put her feet one the floor and groaned as she stood. “I think I need a moment.” She made her way to Deke’s bedroom.
~* * * *~
Deke closed the door behind him and watched as Deacon paced back and forth in front of his desk. He had an idea that he knew what was about to be said and he didn’t like the feeling coming over him. He didn’t have to answer to anyone about his personal business and he wasn’t starting now. “What did you want to see me about?”
Deacon swung around to his club President and scowled. “I think you should know that I’m not happy with the situation between you and Cassie.”
“And why is that?” Deke asked. He was trying to keep his calm but wasn’t very good at it. No one had questioned him since he became President of the club and he wasn’t going to let it happen now.
Deacon scowled. “I know it’s not my business and maybe I’m way out of line, but she’s the only family I got.”
“You’re right,” Deke growled. “It is none of your damn business.”
Deacon stood tall. “She’s kin man. I’m all she’s got and she’s all I got.”
“And that’s the reason I’m not taking you out at the knees.” Deke glared at him. “She’s my woman whether you like it or not. I’m not letting her go, not for you or anybody else.”
Deacon looked tired and disgusted as he hung his head. “I know you told me about what she went through when she was younger. I don’t want her to go through anything like that again.”<
br />
“Son, I told you only a little of what she went through when she was younger,” Deke explained. “I didn’t tell you everything. I don’t know everything myself. There is more to her story I do know that. I hope one day, she’ll feel like she can trust me enough to tell me but I know there are things she went through, nobody knows yet.”
“There’s more to her story?”
Deke gave him a nod. “I didn’t have time this morning to tell you everything. I only hit the highlights. That poor girl has been to hell and back. I guess I wanted to clue you into a small part of what her life was like, so you would understand a little bit about her.” Deke ran his fingers through his hair. “You saw how she was when you grabbed her?”
Deacon nodded.
“She really doesn’t like to be touched unless she initializes it. Several of my men made the same mistake and they paid the price for their stupidity.” Deke chuckled. “She gives fair warning I have to admit that. There is a reason for her fears and it’s a good one. I’m hoping with the right kind of touch, she’ll lose her fear one day, but that day isn’t here yet.” Deke went to his chair and sat down. He reached into his drawer for the bottle he had there and poured a couple of shots. “I understand where you’re coming from but you have to understand something too. She’s with me because I want her and she wants me back. I can’t say that love is part of that yet, but I won’t say that it isn’t either. For right now, I’m asking that you just let it be. You are family and to her, that means something. I know it means something to you too. Get to know her, learn what her secrets are.” Deke gulped the shot down and stared at Deacon. “I won’t give her up. If that makes me selfish, then I’m guilty. All you need to know right now is that I’m keeping her.”
Deacon nodded. “All of that may be true, but Deke, I’ll tell you something…If you hurt her I will kill you man. Don’t ever doubt that. She’s had enough pain in her life for three lifetimes. I will protect her from this day forward, even if it’s from you.”
Deke nodded and poured them both another shot. “I understand and would expect no less.”
They both slammed their shots down and Deke got to his feet. “Let’s get something to eat. I don’t know about you but I’m starving.”
~* * * *~
Cassie paced the length of Deke’s room several times. Her mind was racing with thoughts she knew she shouldn’t let in but she also knew she couldn’t stop them. She was happy with the way things were right now between her and Deke and she hoped Deacon would just leave them alone. For the first time in her life, she was happy and she would fight tooth and nail to keep that.
But she had family now too. That connection to another human being had been missing all these years. She’d forgotten about him and the fact he’d searched Boston all this time for her did mean a great deal to her. She couldn’t help but wonder how close they had come to finding each other before today. If he had found her, would it have altered her life?
Cassie shook her head. She went over to the bed and sat down. Ideas running through her mind were giving her a headache. All the could haves, would haves and should haves pushed her almost to the breaking point.
Flopping back on the bed, she closed her eyes and began rubbing her temples. Cassie sat up quickly and for a moment, her head spun. Groaning, she put her fingers to her temples again. She looked up and saw Deke standing there.
He walked over to the bed. “You’re safe here baby girl. No one is going to hurt you, least of all me,” he whispered as he wrapped his arms around her.
“I know…and I know deep down, you wouldn’t hurt me but I’ve been watching for pain all my life. It’s a little hard to just shut that switch off and I’ve had a hell of a day.”
Deke smiled. “I think someone else has had a hard day too. You gave him a hell of a shock.”
Cassie nodded, then whispered, “I have an uncle, and he’s been looking for me all my life.”
Deke’s arms tightened when he felt her begin to tremble. “Baby, it’s gonna be all right.”
Cassie smiled and turned her head into his chest. Wrapping her arms around him, she gave him a squeeze. “I have a family. That’s something I’ve wanted most of my life. Peaches became a sister because of a need both of us had. Neither one of us thought we had anyone out there who could love us as much as we loved each other. Peaches and me, we went through hell together and got through it. We weren’t alone anymore and that brought us together in a special kind of way.”
Deke patted her back as he listened.
“I’m so happy for her, she has a dad and a granddad who will kill to protect her now. I had to let her go, and that almost killed me, but I know she’s in good hands. It hurt so damn much to know she had family and I didn’t. I thought I was alone again. Then he came into my life. I have someone who shares the same blood as I do. Someone who knew my mother, someone who could make her come alive for me through his stories of growing up with her.” She shook her head. “I’ve been listening to people bitch about their families for years. But what they don’t know is how lucky they are to have someone who cares enough about them to interfere with their lives.”
Deke chuckled. “I never really thought about it before but you’re right. I’m glad you found him and that he found you.” Letting out a deep breath he suggested, “How about we go eat something? Reva has supper ready and if we don’t get there soon, Gator is gonna eat it all. He’s a pig that way.”
Cassie laughed out loud just as he intended her to do. A few minutes later, they went to the main room and found everyone eating. Deke ushered her to a table Gator, Reva and Deacon were sitting at.
Reva got up and went into the kitchen, when she came back, she had two plates in her hand.
Deke sat down next to Cassie and smiled when Reva set the plates down. “Gator, you have a fine woman there. You’d better treat her right.”
Gator looked up at him and grinned with his mouth full of food. “You got that right boss.”
They spent the next few minutes finishing their meal. Finally, Deacon motioned to the paintings and asked, “If this one is Rufus does the lion have a name as well?”
Cassie nodded as she stared at the lion’s face. “I call him Diablo.”
“The Devil,” Deacon asked surprised. “Why do you call him that?”
Cassie didn’t answer him for a long time. All she could do was stare at the painting. Then she turned to look at Deke. “His was the face in my nightmares, the one that scared the crap out of me. He would always find me there every time I went to the place that scared me the most. At first, I thought he’d come to finally end my pain but after a while I noticed something about him. Even though he was right beside me, snarling at me, with his teeth dripping blood, he never hurt me. It was as if he was protecting me from all the other bad things I could imagine. He was keeping the fears away. In a way, he became my only protection in a world I never wanted to be in.”
Deke wanted to crush her to him but he couldn’t.
Deacon turned in his chair and grabbed her up. Dragging her to him, he just held her close.
Cassie laid her head on his chest and sobbed.
“You don’t ever have to be afraid again. I’ll never let anyone hurt you,” he whispered in her ear.
Cassie sat down next to Deke again. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she reached out for Deke’s hand. “I know and I’m so very glad I found you again.” She nodded at the painting. “He watched over me in my dark place, now I have you and Deke. I don’t think I need him anymore.”
“So tell me about this Peaches?” Deacon asked. “Is she okay too?”
Cassie grinned. “She’s better than okay. She found her dad and granddad and they both promised to take good care of her.”
Deke tightened his grip on her hand and leaned forward. “Yeah, the Vincinti’s won’t lose her again.”
“Calderone and Leon Vincinti?” Deacon asked. He looked stunned by the connection.
“Yup, they are Peach
es’ family.” Cassie nodded.
“I didn’t know you moved in those kind of circles.” Deacon sat back in his chair and studied his niece.
“I didn’t know either.” Cassie chuckled. “I met Peaches when we were both five. She had been in an accident and had a nasty bump on her head. She couldn’t remember anything about her life and when she came to Mrs. Pierce’s house we kind of bonded together. I never had a friend before.”
“I know you said you came looking for a dancer, that’s how you met Deke but who was the dancer?” Deacon asked.
Cassie sighed hard and explained, “About five months ago Peaches was on her way to work in Albany when she was kidnapped off the streets. I couldn’t find her for months, then I heard about a dancer with her name working in Troy and I came looking for her. I found her working for Deke at the Dirty Dancing club.”
Deke raised his hands in his own defense. “No, I did not kidnap Peaches. Another low life named Big Jimmy took her. He got her hooked on dope and then put her to work in his stable of whores.”
“Yeah, I heard a rumor that Big Jimmy had a terrible accident.” Cassie snorted.
“Funny…” Deke stared at her for a moment. “…We heard the same rumor that was just about the time you got to the club.”
“I needed to make sure Peaches was okay,” Cassie muttered.
“I have a feeling I’m missing something here,” Deacon spoke up.
“Yeah well anyway, our first meeting didn’t go very well and Deke brought me back here.” Cassie shrugged. “Things just blossomed from there.”
“So what’s going on with the bitch that took you in?” Deacon asked.
“When the whole story came out, the Vincinti’s assured me they would take care of Mrs. Pierce. And the man that fathered me.”
Deacon sat up in his chair. “They got Flynn?”
“Yes, they do. Flynn got clean and took on a new name then went to work for the Vincinti family way back. When he saw me the other night, he tried to bully me into not revealing his identity. It didn’t work and when they found out he was the one that carried Peaches off, they told me they would take care of his sorry ass.”