Duke (Aces MC Series Book 2)

by Foster, Aimee-Louise

  “And what did he say?” I asked as I placed my hands behind my head, closing my eyes.

  “They increase levels of a group of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters and they can help to improve your mood and emotions.” He paused and I heard him moving around so I opened my eyes. He was now sitting in the chair directly in front of me leaning on my desk. “But they won’t address its causes.” He said looking at me intently.

  Spike the fucking therapist was at it again! I sat there contemplating what he was saying but I didn’t need any fucking medication to make me feel better. I just needed to man up and get on with it. Fucking depression! It was a made up word to make sorry arses like myself feel better.

  I moved my legs off the desk and placed my feet firmly on the floor, still keeping eye contact with Spike. I picked up the small container and tossed it into the bin beside me.

  “I appreciate your concern…”

  “Don’t fucking dismiss me or the pills completely?” He stated firmly as he rose to his feet.

  Fucking hell! Spike had never raised his voice or spoken to me in such a way, that I was taken by surprise. He stalked around the desk and bent down to retrieve the container from the bin. He jiggled it in his hand as he returned to the other side of the desk as I continued to assess him and his own state of mind.

  He placed the container gently on the table before turning around and stalking out of the room without saying another word.

  What the fuck was that all about?

  I leaned forward and picked up the container. I lined up the arrows and pulled off the plastic lid to reveal the small white tablets. I swished them around gently. Was this really the answer?

  I sat looking at the tablets and poured a couple onto the palm of my good hand, when there was a knock on the door.

  “Hold on a minute!” I shouted as I returned the pills to the container and held them firmly under the desk. “Yeah!”

  The door swung open widely, “Woods wants to talk to us about the reconnaissance run.” Bear said standing in the doorway.

  “Yeah, give me a minute and I’ll be out.”

  “Is everything okay?” He asked looking around the room.

  “Everything’s just great.”

  Bear smiled briefly before walking up the corridor.

  I opened the top draw of my desk and threw the container in there. I wouldn’t be needing them!

  Amy

  “Hi Taylor, how you doing?”

  “Not too bad and you?”

  “I’m good but exhausted. I’ve been so busy at the cafe and a member of staff resigned at the women’s refuge, so I’ve been helping out there too.” I was trying to keep the conversation light and not mention Duke as I didn’t want her getting annoyed with me. “What you been up to?”

  “I was ill over the weekend and couldn’t sleep properly but thankfully my sleeping patterns are now back to normal.

  “How ill were you?”

  “I just felt sick and had a headache. It must have been something I ate on the plane.”

  “Are you feeling any better now?” I asked concerned.

  “Much better thanks. Anyway, more importantly I took my nephews to school today. I’ve missed them so much.”

  We continued our conversation about her nephews but I was a little bemused as to why she switched the conversation so quickly, diverting it from herself.

  “How’s Sophia doing?”

  “She’s doing better but she wants her husband.”

  “When’s he back?”

  “He phoned earlier on this afternoon and he’s trying to get back this week.”

  “Does that mean you’ll be coming home?” I asked hopefully.

  Taylor laughed, “I don’t know. I’ll have to see how she’s doing. How are Chanel and the salon? I tried to call there yesterday but there wasn’t any answer, which I thought was strange!”

  Shit! I was no good at lying, she’d probably see straight through me. “There was a problem with the phone lines in the whole street, my phone lines were down too.” I spluttered.

  “That’s simply not good enough. We probably lost business because of that. Are they working now?”

  “They said they’ll be working by tomorrow.”

  “Well let me know if they…oh…Amy I’ve gotta go…I’m feeling…”

  “Taylor! Are you okay?” I could hear a commotion on the other end of the phone and then a horrible retching sound as Taylor was violently sick.

  I listened for a while but there was nothing I could do, so I hung up. I’d give her a call later when she was feeling a little better and able to talk.

  “What’s that face for?” James asked as he folded his newspaper neatly.

  “Taylor was just sick mid conversation. She said she’s been feeling unwell since the weekend.”

  “It’s probably the travelling that’s upset her stomach or…” he started to snigger.

  “Or what?” I asked looking at him confused.

  “Or it’s morning sickness.” He laughed at my shocked expression. “I was only joking Amy.”

  “You may have been joking but it all fits James. She’s been taking antibiotics for an ear infection.”

  “You’ve missed your vocation in life, you should’ve been a detective.” He raised his eyebrows mocking me.

  I reached over and wacked him on the arm, “Sod off.” I screamed as he grabbed me and swung me around so that I was now sitting on his lap. “What if I’m right James.”

  “You’re just clutching at straws but if she’s pregnant, it’s none of your business.”

  I folded my arms across my chest and frowned at him.

  “You know I’m right. If you tell Duke she’s pregnant, he’ll be on the first plane out of here and you may be wrong.”

  Chapter 17

  Duke

  Right this was it. This was the last illegal activity that the Essex charter was going to be involved in. I had been torn with the idea for so long and years of planning had gone into making this possible. There was still a long way to go to bring in the sort of money we were making through crime but it had to be worth it in the long run. We’d lost too many Brothers over the years either through going to prison or being killed and I wasn’t gonna let that happen anymore.

  I sat at my desk holding the photo of Viper and I, taken on the day I became a patched member. I gently stroked my thumb over his face. “I’m gonna do you proud.” I said aloud.

  “You talking to yourself again Duke?” Diesel asked as he and Bear lingered in the corridor by the open door.

  I smiled as I placed the photograph back in its rightful place on my desk.

  “You ready for this?” Bear asked looking at me inquisitively.

  I stood from my chair slowly and stalked towards the door, “Ready as I’ll ever be.” I said with a nod of the head.

  Woods had completed a reconnaissance run yesterday and was pleased with the route he’d put together. We were meeting in Tilbury this time which was closer to where Jace was based which was fine with me. We also didn’t need Rev or the Kent charter involved as Jace was pleased with the merchandise and now trusted the club. This pleased me because after today, I didn’t need to see Rev again unless it was absolutely necessary. I wasn’t going soft but I’d learnt that I needed to play the long game. I was gonna put him under full surveillance the moment we returned so that when he fucked up next, I’d be there to see his downfall.

  “Have we got everyone?” I did a mental check list as I looked down the row of Harleys parked outside the club house. Diesel, Bear, Woods, Rex… “You gotta be fucking kidding me!” I shouted. Everyone turned to look at me as I stood in the middle of the compound with my hands on my hips. “Where the fuck is he?” I asked but not at anyone in particular. The guys looked around not knowing who I was talking about at first but then I saw the realisation slowly gathered momentum through the group.

  “Well?” No one answered as they either didn’t know or didn’t wan
t to say. I stepped forward and kicked the aluminium bins watching them tip over and spill their contents all over the compound. I could see Bear and Diesel glance at each other as they stood their quietly, watching me stamp the shit out of the bins.

  “That’s his fucking lot, his gone.” I stalked over to my motorcycle slightly out of breath.

  “Whoa there Duke! Don’t make any rash decisions man.” Bear said trying to rationalise and calm me down.

  “Fucking rash decisions Bear! He’s been disappearing for weeks. He can’t come and go as he pleases.” I secured my helmet under my chin and turned on my engine. Looking around the group, I saw their bemused looks but no one dared to challenge me.

  “It was his fault that Viper died.” I screamed at the group, totally losing control. “If I hadn’t of gone looking for his sorry arse, I could’ve been there to protect Viper.”

  This was the first time that I’d said this out loud and I couldn’t have chosen a worse time.

  “Well, if you’ve felt like that all of these years, why didn’t you just say so?”

  I turned to see Locke standing by the van looking solemn.

  “I aint got time for this shit. I’ll deal with you when we get back, if you haven’t already disappeared!”

  I rode out of the compound heading in the direction of the M25, knowing that the rest of the guys would eventually catch me up.

  Our mics were linked but no one was talking. It was such an important day and I’d gone and created a fucking atmosphere because of my rant but I wasn’t about to back down. Locke had a lot of explaining to do and he was doing it tonight or he was out of the club for good. Why should we have his back, if he wasn’t prepared to do the same for us?

  We rode in unison down the motorway. In normal circumstances I’d enjoy this road as the tarmac was smooth making for a comfortable ride. I usually loved the feel of the open road with the wind whipping at my skin as I pushed the limits of my motorcycle but today I was full of anger. I couldn’t shake off the argument I’d just had with Locke but I was mindful that I needed to keep it together as there was too much riding on this meet.

  We’d decided to take a break at the services on the A13 to try and clear some of the anxiety that was building between us. Everyone was clearly under as much pressure as I was. We pulled up slowly following Woods around the carpark until he found a suitable position for us all to park up.

  I removed my helmet and got off my motorcycle, stretching to ease some of the tension that had been mounting.

  I could see Diesel and Bear making their way over to me and I rolled my eyes knowing full well of what was coming.

  “Fucking hell Duke, how long have you been carrying that one around with you?” Bear asked standing there with his hands of his hips.

  Diesel folded his arms across his chest as he came to stand by my side. “Is that how you’ve really felt?” He asked sincerely.

  I nodded my head and pulled a tight smile. It had been eating me up for years but how did I tell them that. No wonder I may have become depressed. I hadn’t taken the pills that Spike had given me much to his annoyance, I also didn’t want any fucking counselling. I knew it worked wonders for some people but I wasn’t about to sit on some sofa and pour my heart out to some goddam stranger.

  “Five fucking long year’s man.” I rubbed my forehead trying to disperse the pressure that was mounting. Both guys let out a low whistle as they looked at each other.

  “So what happens now?” Bear asked.

  “We get this run completed and then I need to have it out with Locke.”

  Diesel shuffled uncomfortably. “Have it out with him how exactly?”

  “I don’t know yet. Maybe in the ring, maybe a fucking slanging match, I don’t know but I can’t carry on like this.”

  “Right, everyone’s had a piss break. We need to get moving, they’ll be expecting us.”

  Woods was looking at his watch as he herded us like cattle, eager to stick to his plan.

  We left the services, closely followed by Tyler and Buster in the van and steadily continued our journey down the A13 in the direction of the Docks.

  We turned off the A126 and I glanced in my mirror to make sure everything was okay. The road narrowed so that we had to ride singularly as our motorcycles were too large to double up on the constricted road.

  “How’s everyone doing?” Woods asked from the front.

  “It’s all good Woods. How long before we’re there?” I asked looking around for sign posts that may answer my question.

  “Ten minutes most. Shit, look out!”

  I glanced to my right quickly to see a dark coloured Jeep, veer towards me by swinging the back of the vehicle in my direction. I swerved quickly but it was too late. It clipped my wheel sending me flying through the air.

  Diesel

  “Duke!” I shouted as I ran over to him. I sunk to my knees in the long damp grass as I assessed him quickly. “He’s not fucking moving. Call an ambulance.” I shouted.

  I stuck my two fingers in the crease of his neck trying to find a pulse as I felt my own heart rate accelerate faster at the sheer terror of losing him.

  “Can you find a pulse Diesel?” Bear asked panicked as he slid down beside me.

  I dug around further in his neck crevice, “Yeah, got it.” I said with a sigh of relief. “Has anyone called that fucking ambulance yet?”

  “Yeah, it’s on its way.” Rex stated loudly so that he could be heard whilst marshalling the traffic past the scene.

  I patted Duke lightly on the cheek. “Stay with us man. Don’t you fucking leave me to deal with this shit on my own?” I continued to talk to him until I could hear the faint sound of a siren in the distance.

  “That’s gotta be for him. Start to move the bikes out of the way Bear so they can get through.”

  He nodded and directed Stoney to help him as they moved the Harleys.

  It felt better barking out orders, rather than just sitting here with him. I couldn’t lose him, he was like a fucking brother, he meant the world to me.

  “How long ago did this happen?” The paramedic asked as she quickly ran to Duke’s side with her heavy bag.

  “About ten minutes.” I stood getting out of the way so that she could assess him.

  “What’s his name?”

  “Mitchell. Mitchell Groves.”

  “Hi Mitchell. My name’s Janine. Are you able to talk?” She pulled back his eyelids and shone the torch into his eyes with no response. “Are you able to move back sir so that I can work on him?” She asked forcefully.

  I nodded and stepped back so that I was now standing with Bear and Stoney.

  “Was it Locke that I saw go after the Jeep?” I asked.

  “It looks that way. I’ve tried contacting him with no success.” Bear said with a sigh.

  “And the van?” I asked panicked as the ‘old bill’ had just turned up.

  “The boys continued driving, like they’d discussed with Woods earlier. Everything’s under control apart from him.” We both looked over to see Duke being lifted onto a back board.

  “I hope he fucking pulls through!”

  Chapter 18

  Diesel

  “Has anyone got hold of Locke or Tyler yet?” I asked quietly as we sat in the hospital waiting room.

  It had been two hours since the incident and the police were still sniffing around for information. They were quickly on the scene doing their investigation and to be honest I didn’t like their line of questioning. They were more concerned with us and what we were doing, than trying to find the bastards who had knocked Duke off his motorcycle.

  After the incident, Tyler and Buster continued on their journey to the meet with Jace. I was well aware of Tyler’s capabilities but I was a little concerned as he didn’t have the back up from us, should anything go wrong. Woods had gone after them but I wasn’t sure if he’d made contact.

  I looked around the waiting room, to see the shaking of heads.

  �
��I can’t sit here not doing anything. I’m gonna go look for them.” Bear stood, “Anyone wanna come?” Justice, Rex and Stoney stood. “Is that okay boss?” Bear asked looking at me.

  It took a minute for me to realise he was talking to me. Shit! With Duke unconscious it meant that I was running the show. It was one thing to be VP but to be in charge was a whole different ball game and I wasn’t ready for that responsibility yet.

  I nodded my head as I stood. “That’s fine, just keep me posted.”

  I got a coffee from the machine and looked at its weak colouring. Fuck drinking that shit, it looked like Camel’s piss! I leant forward resting my head on the machine, closing my eyes to try and gain some perspective. What the fuck was I gonna do if he didn’t wake up? For all I knew I could lose Duke, Locke, Tyler and Buster tonight. What the fuck would happen to the club then?

  “Don’t drink that Diesel, it’s disgusting,” I turned to see Amy with two cups of coffee from Starbucks. “I’ve brought you this.” She stated kindly as she passed me the cup.

  I took it from her and threw the other drink into the bin. “Thanks Ames, I can always count on you.”

  “Moping around isn’t gonna help though.”

  I nodded slightly as I removed the lid. It certainly looked a better colour than the coffee from the machine.

  “Come on, he’s conscious. The nurse said we can see him.”

  I hated hospitals. The smell, the gloomy exterior and the memories places like these held. It brought back thoughts of my dad fighting for his life which is something I wasn’t prepared to revisit at this moment in time. Amy reached out and touched my hand gently and I saw the small smile on her face. It was like she could read my thoughts and her gentle touch reassured me. We walked into the private room and I noticed the sounds of the monitors bleeping that sent a shudder down my spine.

  “What did the nurse say to you?” I asked as I sat on the chair positioned next to Duke.

  “Because he was unconscious for thirty minutes and can’t remember the cause of his injuries, they want to keep Duke in for a couple of days to monitor him.”