"Is it your aunt?" he asked sincerely.
When I joined the club, I let them believe that I was abandoned as a baby and raised by foster careers, that way if anything did go wrong they wouldn't be looking for family members to hurt. I'd made up a story about one of my foster careers that I'd kept in touch with over the years but that she was now in a nursing home with dementia. This gave me an excuse from time to time so that I could go back home to Essex without too many questions being asked.
"Yeah, she's in a bad way. I may need to go and see her for a couple of days."
"Go and see who?" Onyx joined us at the bar and Wes gave him a drink without being asked.
"My aunt has had another wobble, I may need to go and see her."
Onyx knocked back his drink, "Like I said before Saviour, I totally understand. If you need to take off for a couple of days then do it but keep me posted."
I patted him on the back, "thank you." I smiled before I turned and walked from the clubhouse. The way I was feeling at the moment I couldn't be around him through fear of beating the shit out of him with my bear hands but then where would that get me, it would still leave Polar. His slick backed hair and stench from the cigars he smoked chocked me, and his close proximity and kind words of reassurance about family made my stomach twist and only fuelled the hatred inside.
I left the clubhouse and rode home, thinking that a break would do me good so that I could get my thoughts together and plan my next move but before I decided what to do I needed to sleep on it as things always looked clearer in the morning.
I was woken early the next morning as my phone rang. I reached over to the coffee table and fumbled around to get hold of my mobile, knocking my lamp over in the process. "Shit!"
I sat up and looked at the screen, why was Onyx calling at 6.00am?
"Onyx, it's a little early man." I stated rubbing the sleet from my eyes.
"Clubhouse now!"
I pulled the phone away from my ear and looked at the screen, he'd obviously hung up and I knew then that they'd found Priest, that could be the only reason for such an early phone call.
I swung my legs from the bed and sat on the edge as I contemplated my next move. If they were suspicious that I had something to do with it then I needed to be tooled up, if I was going down then I was going down fighting and I would hopefully be able to take a few along with me.
I entered the clubhouse and was instantly taken aback when I saw the girl from last night at the pub bound and gagged kneeling in the middle of the clubhouse. Beth's tear stained face caught my attention as she looked at me with pleading eyes.
"What's up?" I asked looking at the group that had congregated around her.
Polar turned towards me, "Is this the slut that was with Priest last night?"
I now knew where this was going and that they were looking for a scapegoat. "I can't be sure, if it is she was looking much hotter than that last night." I glanced over at her as if she were a mere object that had been placed on the floor.
Hustler threw me her phone, I caught it and glanced around the group still faking confusion. Hustler nodded at the phone and I began to scroll through her photos although I knew full well that this was the girl from last night. I'd spent the best part of three hours trying to get rid of her.
As I continued to flick through the photos on her phone I came across one of Beth and Priest taken last night and knew that they were already aware that it was Beth but this was probably another test to see if I would confirm.
"Yeah that's her." I threw the phone back to Hustler before turning my attention to Onyx. "What's going on man? Surely you haven't brought her here for giving him a good time last night." I sniggered looking around the room but didn't get a reaction. "So where's Priest? Is he in the sharing mood?" I asked gyrating my hips.
"Someone robbed him and stabbed him up." Hustler stated through gritted teeth.
"Is he alright?" I could've won an Oscar for my performance.
"He's fucking dead!" Polar screamed as he surged forward and kicked Beth in the chest. She whimpered as she fell hitting the ground hard. "I couldn't get hold of him all night and it's not like him to ignore my calls even if he's getting pussy, so I went looking for him and found him in the field by the pub this morning."
"What? You're not thinking that she did it are you?" I asked trying to take the heat off Beth. I didn't owe her shit but I didn't want an innocent involved.
"That's exactly what I'm thinking." Onyx roared as he grabbed Beth roughly by her arm.
Beth glanced at me with pleading eyes but there was nothing I could do, her fate had already been sealed. Beth wriggled around trying to get free although she was bound and gagged, she looked like a rag doll being tossed around in Onyx's grip as he dragged her through the bar and towards the back room closely followed by Polar and Hustler.
"Polar, please have mercy on her, you can stop this before it goes too far." He stopped in his tracks, April's face lit up hoping that her words had registered with him. Polar turned on his heels and made his way across the bar towards her with an unreadable expression. "Let me talk to her, one woman to another. I'm sure she'll tell me what exactly happened."
Polar stood tall and ran his fingers across April's cheek assessing her before he swung his arm back and slapped her across the face.
April fell to the floor and I did everything within my power not to run to her aid.
Polar pointed at her, "Don't you ever fucking tell me what to do again you cunt." He spat before he turned and stomped in the direction of Beth's screams.
Once Polar had disappeared from sight, I jogged over to her side but April swatted me away, "Don't Saviour, just don't." April's hand went to her cheek and she moved her jaw slowly making sure everything was still intact. Pushing up from the floor, April stood and made her way over to the bar and sat on the stool.
Wes passed her the first aid kit and she tended to her face by putting a cool pack on it to sooth the area where she'd been struck.
A piercing scream came from the back room and I noticed April physically shudder, "This is fucking bullshit and you lot know it."
"Come on April, what do you expect us to do?" Wes asked with a confused expression.
She placed the ice pack on the bar and sparked up a fag, "Maybe a change of leadership is needed." April stood and patted me on the back before she sauntered from the clubhouse.
I shook my head, the girl had balls I'd give her that. I glanced around at the small group that had congregated around the bar to see that they were staring at me.
"What?" I asked confused as to why they were looking at me.
Wes smiled, "Maybe she's right."
Chapter 6
Saviour
Three years earlier
"Are you ready?" Polar glanced around the rear of the vehicle from the front seat making sure that everyone was prepared. We had all been given specific roles for this operation but I wasn't happy with the plan. Although I was now in the inner circle of the group and privy to the day to day dealings of the club this robbery had 'Police come and catch me' written all over it. The bloke who owned the gaff wouldn't just allow us to rock up and take what we wanted. He must have better security than they thought and if he didn't he was a mug.
I purposely made sure that I wasn't carrying this evening, if it did go tits up which I'm sure it would, at least I wouldn't be charged for possession as well as robbery. I would be looking at a minimum fifteen year stretch if we got caught and that was only if no serious injury was caused to anyone.
I had an uneasy feeling about this and wanted to cry off but they needed to use my locksmith skills so they could get into the premises and then open the safe. I'd initially trained as a locksmith for the greater good but being involved in the MC over the years my skills had become notorious and I'd freelanced for associates and even rival gangs which was very lucrative.
A combination of head nodding and thumbs up came from the group huddled in the back on the va
n as we in turn covered our faces over with the balaclavas. Poet slid the side door open and we filed out one by one making our way down the bridle path on the other side of the perimeter fence of the building merchants. We jogged to an area in the fence that had already been cut open and huddled around waiting for the go ahead.
We'd been made aware of several surveillance cameras situated around the yard but no matter how hard we tried to avoid them we would still be caught by two because of their positions, that's why it was crucial to wear our balaclavas to not be identified.
"If any of you pussies want to pull out then do so now," Hustler quickly glanced around the group and nodded his head seeming satisfied with the lack of response. "We go on three," he held up his fingers, one, two, three. We filed through the gap and kept low as we scurried through the yard towards the main building where they held the money. Slick and Poet were already at the front door when I arrived, I removed my rucksack from my back and threw it to the ground. Opening the zip I quickly rummaged around to locate my screw driver and the metal tools needed to break the lock.
"How long mate?" Hustler asked eagerly glancing around the yard.
"We'll be inside in thirty seconds, just get the fucking alarm code ready to input." I placed the tool over the lock and pushed it back and forth vigorously to break the lock and remove the cylinder, in quick secession I removed the tool and used a screwdriver to push the other parts of the lock through to the other side before using another specialist tool to turn the lock. When complete I pulled down the handle with a satisfied grin and opened the door as the guys followed me in leaving Poet to clean up my tools.
Hustler tapped away at the key pad offsetting the alarm, the code had been given to us by a disgruntled employee that would receive a bonus if it ran smoothly this evening.
Slick led the way through the building and into an office where the safe was kept. "Do you know what safe it is?" I asked as this would determine what tools I would use and how long it would take.
"A safe's a fucking safe!" Slick stated agitated as he opened the cupboard door to reveal it.
In fact a safe wasn't just a safe but luckily I would just need a crow bar, chisel and hammer for this one. Slick threw the second rucksack onto the floor, I grabbed it and quickly removed the hammer and chisel and used the tools to prise open part of the door. Using the crowbar I wedged it into the hole I'd just created and used brute force to yank the crowbar back and forth to try and rip it open. My job was made more difficult because of the restrictions in space inside the cupboard but it was slowly coming open.
I heard footsteps behind me and glanced over my shoulder, "How long before it's open?" Hustler asked as he threw an empty holdall at my feet.
"I'm gonna need another minute." I stated turning around and continuing with the task at hand.
"You've got thirty seconds."
I could hear the concern in his voice and rightly so, he'd already done a long stint inside and I'm sure he was worried about being caught and being sent down again.
I heard shouting in the distance and increased my tempo knowing that I didn't have long.
"Shit!" Hustler moved towards the corridor and glanced in the direction of the main entrance. "Hurry up man or I'm leaving you."
The door popped open and a sense of relief washed over my body as I dived onto the floor to take the substantial amount of money from the safe and stuffed it into the holdall. Hustler made his way around the furniture and crouched besides me to help me contain the money. I saw a flicker of torch light illuminating the corridor, encouraging us to quicken our pace and stuff the last of the money into the bag before leaving through a side entrance that led to another foyer in the building.
"Shit, which way out?"
"Down here." Hustler whispered as he rushed through the foyer and down the corridor which lead to the rear of the building. The door was ajar indicating that some of the other guys had probably used it to escape.
Hustler stuck his head out into the yard and looked around before beckoning me over to follow him. We stuck to the shadows and jogged down the side of the building making our way over to where the perimeter fence had been cut. "Shit!" I dropped the bag on the floor and some of the contents fell out, Hustler came back to help me scoop it up but I shooed him away. "Go on, if you get caught you'll get longer because of your previous."
I could see that he was in two minds of what to do because of his hesitation before he stuck a thumb up and jogged towards the fence.
I turned my attention back to the money lying on the ground when a series of bangs alerted me to the window. One of the guys was still inside but I couldn't see who because of the balaclava he was wearing.
He pointed to the door further along the building, I squatted and rummaged around inside the rucksack for something that I could use. Poet had taken my tools for that type of door earlier which left me with the screwdriver, chisel and crow bar. I wedged the crowbar into the gap at the side of the door and forcefully yanked it back and forth to give it some momentum.
I heard a noise behind me and turned to see one of the guys, "I couldn't leave you." Hustler stated and I felt a rush at his loyalty towards me. This is why it had taken me so long to achieve my ultimate goal because despite my hatred towards Onyx and Polar, I'd actually made some close bonds with some of the other guys.
"Here, let me have a go." I stood aside take the crowbar. He was double my size and was able to prize the door open with relative ease.
"Cheer guys," an appreciative Polar said stepping out into the yard.
I let out a sigh, if I'd had known it was him I may have just left him to be caught by security.
The three of us made our way towards the opening in the fence to the sound of sirens in the distance. It wasn't over yet but I sighed with relief at the thought of us getting out of the building in one piece at least.
Stepping into the alley we saw a set of brake lights further in the distance and bolted in that direction.
"What took you so long?" Sketch asked as he pulled away down the country road in the opposite direction to the sirens.
"Fucking smart arse!" I stated to the roar of laughter from the guys in the back of the van, feeling the camaraderie between the group. I caught myself smiling at the situation but knew that I needed to get a grip. For all its faults I still enjoyed spending time with some of the guys and would miss them when I was gone but even some good things needed to come to an end and my time at the club would hopefully soon be over.
Chapter 7
Saviour
Two years earlier
"Why the fuck are we sitting around in a circle Onyx?" I asked swinging on my chair.
"It's like being back at school." Poet mumbled under his breath.
I looked up and noticed Onyx and Polar stalk around the circle and knew something was wrong from the glint in Polar's eyes. I placed my hand inside my cut and slowly unfastened the pocket in which I concealed my blade. When we attended Church, our weapons and phones were placed into a box as the meeting usually got heated, and this was prevention to blood being spilt but I wasn't taking any chances at being unarmed around these guys.
"Someone has double crossed us!"
I slowly glanced around the room at the faces of the other members to see if I could see a reaction off one of them but there was nothing. Polar and Onyx weren't giving anything away, I was sure that I hadn't given them anything to become suspicious of my actions but it didn't stop me from worrying that they may have discovered who I was. It was too early, I hadn't completed my task yet but if they had found out my intentions I wasn't going down without a fight.
Polar stopped pacing and leaned on the back of my chair, "Now we can do it the easy way or the hard way." The room fell eerily quiet and now all eyes were on me. "I suggest that one of you starts talking and talk very fast."
From my position I couldn't see what was going on behind me but I heard the door open and a scuffle take place, I wasn't going to sit there and allow
them to come up behind me so I stood from my chair and spun around.
Hustler had Joe in a head lock and was dragging him into the room, he screeched and instinctively fought for survival as he tried to hold onto the doorframe clearly knowing what his fate was.
Joe continued to whimper as he was brought into the room and the shocked faces around me must have matched mine.
"Put him there." Onyx ordered pointing to the chair I'd just vacated.
I moved further into the room away from the carnage and positioned myself behind Poet so I could lean on the back of his chair.
"Does someone want to tell me what's going on?" Slick asked, "I'm his sponsor so shouldn't I be told if there's an issue and I can deal with it?"
"That's what usually happens Slick but this goes way beyond that and not even you can save him." Slick furrowed his brows and looked at Joe squirming in the chair as Hustler tied him down.
"What have you done?" Slick stood and made his way over to stand in front of the boy.
"Go on, explain how you've let your sponsor down." Onyx pulled out a cigar and casually lit it, taking a long drag before exhaling it in Joe's direction. "Explain how I can now justify your death."
"Erm...I...I didn't..."
Crack! Joe let out a high pitched scream as Slick's fist made contact with his chin, "Stop snivelling you little fucker and tell me what you did."
Joe moved his jaw from side to side checking for any damage. I shook my head in disbelief, a broken jaw would be the least of his worries.
"I was a bit short on rent the other month so I borrowed some of the delivery, it wasn't much well not enough that it would be missed. I...erm...I sold it and made a profit and managed to pay my rent in time."
"This is all fucking lovely Joe but I want to know what you did next. I'm hoping you're going to tell me that you gave the value of the drugs you stole back to the club."
Joe swallowed hard before he continued, "I...was meaning to but it felt good to have some spare cash so I borrowed some more."
Crack! Slick punched Joe again but this time in the face. I could see the kid wheeze and when he turned his head I saw that his nose had clearly been broken. Joe whaled in agony as he sat in the chair not able to protect himself as his hands were secured tightly behind his back.
Locke (Aces MC Series Book 4) Page 6