by K E Osborn
Our bodies are completely aligned as his fingers on my hips dig in like he’s craving me. He pulls me a little closer, our heads tilting in line so close, I smell the whiskey on his warm breath. It’s intoxicating, alluring as our eyes stay locked with each other. My insides quiver in anticipation, my lips supple, ready to taste him as I lean forward to just a hairsbreadth away.
When suddenly the crunching of footsteps comes rushing out from inside. “Hey, did y’all… oh, shit, sorry,” Cherry calls out making us quickly pull apart, breaking the intoxicating tension between us.
My clit throbs as I try to catch the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Wraith takes an extra-large step back as if I have the plague. His wide eyes shift from me to Cherry. He scrunches up his face like he’s in pain, sighs loudly, then before I say anything, he takes off inside leaving me reeling.
That icy cold sensation floods back into my veins.
I move my hand to my lips, wishing like hell I had the opportunity to taste him one more time.
That was intense.
I have no idea if I’ll be able to have a moment with Wraith like that again after the way he just reacted.
Cherry rushes over, her eyes alight, but still a sadness behind them. “Were you guys about to kiss?” She reaches out, grabbing my hand in hers in excitement.
I shrug. “I’m not sure, I think so.”
“Crap! I’m so sorry. My timing was impeccably terrible.”
“No, it’s fine. Honestly, right now, Wraith and me trying to figure out whatever the fuck we have going on is probably not the best of timings.”
Cherry snorts. “It’s probably the best timing of all because Zero isn’t here to put the kibosh on it. You guys need to figure your shit out. Deal with your issues, and see if what you have is a real thing or not because then you can present it to Zero when… if he gets home. If it’s not, then you don’t have to try and hide figuring it out while Zero’s here. See how this is kinda playing to your advantage? Work with what you’re given, Prinie. Because when you have something, and you didn’t even try…” Her eyes well up. “You have a guy right in front of you, someone you can hold, someone who is right there. Cherish that, Prinie, because when they’re suddenly gone…” she pauses, her eyes glistening as my chest squeezes.
I feel bad for her, but she is actually making sense.
While Zero isn’t here, it is a perfect opportunity for Wraith and me to try and figure things out. “Maybe I do need to see where this can go with Wraith. It’s always been volatile.” That’s because of what happened with us a year ago. “Maybe we need to simply sit down and have a conversation. See why what happened, happened.” Not just the sex, but what happened after. The fallout, which aided in me leaving the club for a year with Koda.
We haven’t talked about that.
All we do is argue or nearly kiss.
We need to find a balance.
“Exactly. You two need to have a civil conversation. Surely, you’re both capable of that?”
I sure hope so, but with shit going the way it is right now, I’m not sure if Wraith will have the time to spend with me.
But one thing is for sure, I need to know if he’s willing.
WRAITH
Sweat trickles down my temple as I grind my teeth together in frustration. I’m furious I let myself get caught up like that with Prinie. I swore to Zero I would steer clear of her, which is exactly what I plan to do. I’m the acting president. I need to focus on the club to keep everything running smoothly and getting Zero out without anything happening to him while he’s in lockup.
So I need to do my fucking job, and not get lost in shit I should be controlling.
Moving to the chapel, I need to make some calls. I know some men in the Harris County judicial system who I can reach out to, who owe me favors and might be able to keep an eye on Zero.
Walking in, I shut the door behind me, then take my seat. I’m not used to being in charge. Sure, Zero’s left me in charge before when he’s been out on a run or some other shit, but that’s different. You know you don’t need to make any fucking judgment calls to do with the club.
Right now, everything is riding on my shoulders.
And I need to do this right.
Pulling out my cell, I go to dial a number when there’s a knock at the door. I lift my head in curiosity. “Yeah?”
The door creeks as it opens, and Cherry pops her head through. “Can I come in?”
I wave my hand, gesturing for her to enter, and she closes the door behind her. “Take a seat, Cherry. What’s on your mind?”
She looks tired, worn out. I think I’ve been so focused on my own shit I’ve been neglecting her.
“I was just chatting with Prinie, and it’s got me thinking…” I scrunch my brows together waiting. “I’m worried about Z-Zero,” her voice cracks on his name as tears begin to stream down her face.
I sit taller, moving closer to her. I know the feeling, though emotional women always make me damn uncomfortable. I reach out to grip her hand. “I know. I’m trying, Cherry. I’m really fucking trying my best. I’m gonna make some calls once we’re done here to make sure he’s protected inside. Believe me, I am gonna do everything in my power to protect him.”
She wipes the fat tears rolling down her face. “I know it’s my job to be strong. I know the first lady is supposed to keep her shit together and build everyone up, but Wraith, I just don’t know what to expect. This is all happening because of me.”
I narrow my eyes on her. “Stop! It’s happening because the club has a beef with the Baron. It’s got nothing to do with you. You were just collateral.”
She sniffles, letting out a small whimper. “I honestly don’t know how to get through this without him. He saved me, Wraith. He swooped in like some fucking white knight on a steely damn horse and rescued me… so we need to rescue him right back.”
That fact hits home so fucking hard.
“He rescued me, too, Cherry. Saved me from my own damn self.” I tighten my hand in hers. “I was a destructive bastard, so don’t worry, we will help him. Somehow, in some way, we will get him out.”
Her bottom lip quivers just slightly. “I hope it’s not in a body bag.”
I stand, pulling her with me into a tight embrace. “That’s not going to happen, you hear me?”
She whimpers against my chest as I hold her tight. “I need you to promise me, Wraith. Promise me you’ll get him out of there safe!”
Shit. There’s no way I can promise that.
“Wraith?” She pulls back, her pleading eyes desperately searching mine.
“I promise!”
Fuck!
Cherry exhales, her tears subsiding as she withdraws from me, collecting herself as only she can. With a quick wipe of her eyes, she sniffles and takes a step away from me. “I’ll never show anything but utter faith in you and the club in public, Wraith. Being the first lady means something to me… you know. I am sorry I fell apart in here, but I was going out of my mind, and I knew if anyone was going to understand, it would be you.”
I dip my chin. “I do. If you need to talk to me again, Cherry, my door is open any-fucking-time… day or night. Understand?”
Cherry nods, clearing her throat while pepping herself up to go back out there. “Appreciate that. And same goes for you. I might be Prinie’s bestie, but I am here if you ever need an ear.”
I grip her shoulder as she turns to head for the exit. “I’ll let you know how I go with my calls.”
With a brief nod, she exits, quietly leaving me to it.
That was intense.
And not what I was expecting.
She showed me her weaknesses, but that woman can only be strong for so fucking long.
How long can I keep up my façade of strength?
I don’t want to find out.
So, I sit back down, pick up my cell, and dial the jail. I need to get this shit dealt with. I have got to get Zero looked after in there, no matter the
cost, especially now I’ve promised Cherry that Zero will be fine, which was a stupid slip.
I’m placed on hold multiple times, hung up on a few more, until finally I’m connected through to a guard on the inside who’s on our payroll. He owes us a few favors, and considering you can’t normally call prisoners, this will obviously wipe his debt clean, but I am going to take it because he’s been able to get me phone time with a guy inside nicknamed Ramit. Got his name because he’ll ram it into anything, but not in the way you would think. We’re talking cars. He’s a demolition derby champion. Unfortunately, though, he takes that shit out onto the streets sometimes, and it gets him in some serious trouble. Road rage can be a bitch, and it’s landed him in the slammer on so many occasions.
We know him through Dan Ferguson and our drag racing team. The drag team has meets here in Houston, and we all head out for a night of fun, fucking around, and a whole pile of drinking. We met Ramit through Dan, and he’s a hothead, a loose cannon, but he’s loyal to a tee. I should be able to count on him. He’s currently in for multiple offenses—ran a red light, knocked over an old lady, taking out her walker, she ended up on life support. Swiped a bunch of parked cars, then drove headfirst into Whataburger because they wouldn’t give him his Whatachick’n Strips.
The line connects. “Yeah?” Ramit almost shouts down the line. The bastard’s got fucking attitude that’s for sure!
“Ramit, how you doin’?” I ask.
“Who the fuck is this! Calling me, interrupting my chow time?”
“It’s Wraith, Houston Defiance.”
“Right. Oh, shit! Sorry, bro… I get calls all the time from reporters wanting to discuss my case, but I don’t want none of that shit. I did what I did. You know how I get. I wanted those fucking chicken strips and those motherfuckers wouldn’t give them to me.”
I try to fight back the humor building inside of me by taking a deep breath. “Why didn’t they give them to you again?”
“Well, it was more of a delay really. They had to cook another batch, there was a three-minute wait, but I was fucking hungry man.” Ramit has some serious anger management issues. “So, what you callin’ for anyway. I'm sure this ain’t no social chit-chat?”
“We’ve always known your loyalty to the club. We’ve treated you well. Always looked out for you—”
“Yeah, yeah, what do you want, Wraith?”
Straight to the point!
“Zero’s coming in. He’s being charged with some trumped-up bullshit. I need protection for him.”
Ramit exhales like he’s mulling it over. “Zero has pull and persuasion in Houston.
Fuckin’ big wigs on his side. Why can’t he get out of this?”
“Because it’s the big wig who put him there.”
Ramit bursts out laughing. “You’re fucking with me, right? The Baron is behind this shit?”
“Yeah, he framed Zero. That’s why we need someone on the inside.”
“Shit, man, I don’t know what kind of protection I can give Zero if the Baron’s set him up. He’s gonna have a target on his back from the second he walks in here. Anyone affiliated with or seen lining themselves up with Zero will get that target too. I’m up for parole in two months. I’m going through anger management courses. I’m trying to do better, man. I’m not sure I’m willing to help. I always do right by the club, but I don’t think I can this time... I’m sorry, brother.”
I get it.
If Ramit is trying to turn his life around, I shouldn’t be angry although I’m raging inside. “I understand. But Ramit?”
“Yeah, man?”
“Do better. Do shit right. Or, we will part ways.”
“I’m tryin’, bro. I’ll see what I’m able to do from the inside. But once the inmates hear the Baron’s involved, they’ll probably step the fuck back like he’s a flaming hot tamale.”
“Right! If you come up with something, let me know.”
“Will do.”
Hanging up from the call, I sense there’s a bigger picture to all this than just having Zero arrested. Maybe the Baron wants to get back at Cherry for killing his son, by having the man she loves taken from her too. Because the way I see it, Zero’s a dead man when he hits those cells. With no one willing to add a protection layer, I have no fucking way to shield Zero from the inevitable.
This is so much worse than I initially thought. Honestly, I’ve been so swept up in the fact Zero’s been arrested, I didn’t stop to think about a bigger plan or the bigger picture.
The Baron wants Zero dead.
What better way to do it than to have him killed in a jail where nothing can be traced back to him.
I need to make more calls. Try to find someone, any-fucking-one who will back him.
So, I do.
I spend the next three hours making call after call to inmates, to other prison guards on our payroll, to fucking anyone who might listen, but they are all giving me the same damn response Ramit gave me. No one is willing to put their shit on the line when the Baron is involved.
Fuck.
Standing, I hastily walk out of the chapel to go in search of the two men I need right now. As I stride out into the main room, Cherry’s sitting with Prinie at table near the stairs. Prinie is as wrecked as I feel. This is hitting her hard, but she’s stronger than she gives herself credit for.
Getting my head back in the game and off the woman who continually plays games with me, I make my way to the bar. Chains and Texas are sitting with Chills as she cuddles baby Kobe. It’s getting late. Shit’s becoming dire, Zero will be heading off to the cells at any time. I don’t know who or what will be waiting for him—all I know is we need to do something.
“Any luck, VP?” Texas grunts as I approach.
“I need to talk to my two Sergeant-at-Arms. You’re both basically the interim VPs while all this fucking crap is going down, so I gotta run some shit by you.”
Chains glances at Chills as she bounces Kobe on her hip. “Go. I’ll put Kobe to bed. Take all the time you need. Club comes first right now, okay?” Chills’ warm expression eases the growing tension inside of me for the briefest of moments. She is what I class as Old Lady goals.
Chains leans in pressing his bearded lips to baby Kobe’s head, then he moves in kissing Chills lightly on the lips. “Don’t wait up for me. Get some rest, woman.”
She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, bossy boots… now go. You’re keeping them waiting.”
Texas slaps Chains on the back as I shift my eyes to Prinie.
Could we ever get to a place like Chains and Chills?
Happy banter between a loved-up family?
Fuck!
No.
I could never play happy families.
Not someone like me, not someone who’s so utterly broken.
“You wanna go to the chapel?” Chains queries.
Turning back to face them, I grunt out a, “Yeah.” Then spin, my heavy boots like lead weights as I keep my eyes firmly off Prinie.
All she does is cause me tension.
Tension I don’t need right now.
The joint SAAs following behind me as I walk through the door. Texas closes it firmly behind him.
“So, I’m guessing from your crappy attitude the call went to shit?” Texas starts as he makes his way to the table.
I slam my ass down a little more forceful than necessary. “I have a theory.”
“I’m guessing it’s not a theory about why we’re always running out of maple syrup even when we haven’t had any hotcakes,” Chains quips.
Texas nods frantically. “You’ve noticed that, too?”
“Where the fuck does it all go?”
“Shut up, dickheads, we have a serious situation on our hands,” I berate them. They sit back in their chairs and pay closer attention. “There’s more to Zero’s arrest than meets the eye.”
Texas sits forward knitting his hands together on the table in front of him. “Go on…”
“The Baron’s
using the arrest as a way to place a hit on Zero.”
“Motherfucker!” Texas slams his fist onto the table making the woodgrain creek with the force.
Chains exhales, taking a calmer approach. “No one’s gonna help Zero in lockup?” Chains asks.
“Everyone’s too chicken-shit. If Zero has a bounty on his head from the Baron, then none of those bastards will align themselves ‘cause it puts a target on their backs, too.”
“So how do we get him out of there before someone shanks him?” Texas asks.
“Maybe we don’t. Maybe we put someone in?” I roll my shoulders.
Texas grimaces. “It won’t work! If one of us is arrested, the Baron’s gonna find out and have them transferred to another facility. Then we’ll have two brothers but in different locations to worry about.”
“Fuck! You’re right. I’m fucked if I know how to play this one, guys. Any suggestions?”
“Zero’s arraignment is soon. After that, we can go visit him. See where he’s at. See who’s in there with him. Try and get someone inside. For now, we just have to hope the guards aren’t on the Baron’s payroll, and they’re not the ones he needs to watch out for.”
“I’m gonna put in a call, see if I can talk to Zero. He hasn’t made his one phone call yet, I’m hoping me calling in doesn’t void it.”
“That’s if they let you talk to him.”
“True. I can only try. So, I guess all we do is wait. Wait for him to be transported. Then we visit as soon as they allow it. In the meantime, we need to keep Cherry, Prinie, and Koda under control and under guard. There’s no telling what any one of them will do the longer this shit goes on.”
“Koda’s starting to grow some balls. And those chicks… both of them are wild cards. Either one of them could do something stupid for the love of Zero,” Texas offers.
“Don’t I know it? Cherry killed a man in cold blood, and Prinie? Fuck, she’s a loose cannon if ever I’ve known one. We need to watch them twenty-four-seven. Make sure they don’t try to hatch some hair-brained scheme or some other fucked-up shit,” I add.
“Agreed. I’ll have Chills keep an eye on them. She’s friendly with them both and will keep ‘em under her thumb. If anyone knows how to keep people under control, it’s Chills,” Chains states.