"The twins are also okay thanks to you." I wiped my tears again trying to keep it together but the anger was building again twisting my stomach in knots. My emotions were all over the place, one minute I was feeling sad the next angry and I wanted to fight the world but that wouldn't help anyone at this moment in time. "Spike and Angel wanted to thank you but they're not allowed in." I sniggered, "See even in death you're pissing people off, now everyone's upset that they won't be able to see you for a couple of days."
There was another knock on the door and the nurse poked her head in again, I nodded my head before turning back to Locke. I stood and leaned over to place a kiss on his forehead. "Now that Keira's awake, she'll hopefully be able to tell us what exactly happened. If there's anything suspicious I give you my word that I will sort it and as you know I never break a promise." I turned and walked towards the door noticing the nurse look a little uncomfortable. I'd given her shit earlier when she'd informed me that I couldn't sit with Locke until I proved I was his next of kin, it wasn't her fault she was only doing her job but I wasn't thinking logically a couple of hours ago.
I made my way to the ward that Keira was on. Stoney had been with her since she was brought in much to Declan's disgust. He'd had several diva fits and nearly had to be sedated in order to calm him down. It turns out that the last thing Locke had said to Stoney was to look after Keira and he was taking it literally as he hadn't left her side since arriving at the hospital. A nurse even had to patch his arm up as he sat by her bedside.
I nodded in Stoney's direction as I walked onto the ward, he immediately stood and made his way over so that he could give me a hug. I held on tightly trying to keep it together but broke down in his arms as he held me while I sobbed. It's not every day you see a grown man brought to his knees in pain but it's not every day that you lose someone so close in such horrific circumstances.
Once I'd composed myself, I let go of Stoney and wiped my eyes, "Sorry mate."
"Fucking hell CJ you don't have to apologise to me, we've know each other long enough to not be embarrassed in front of each other." He smiled tightly and placed his arm around my shoulders to guide me into the corridor.
"Keira's sleeping, it's best we leave her to rest." I nodded my head knowing that she needed to build her strength and hoped that she didn't have any long lasting injuries.
"Is she talking?"
Stoney nodded his head and sighed, "She said that two men came into the flat asking questions about Locke. The main bloke who called himself Onyx said that Locke had taken something precious from him and therefore he was after revenge."
Fucking hell this was worse than I thought, these men were prepared to murder an innocent woman and two young kids to seek retribution. I needed to find out who they were and fast before they hurt anyone else.
"Did she give you anything else?"
"No not much. They broke in, tied her to a chair and set the place alight."
"What did they look like?"
"One was in his mid to late forties with greying hair pulled back into a ponytail, the other was in his thirties but of a larger build."
I let out a sigh, "Not much to go on." Stoney shook his head and moved so that he could lean against the wall. "How's she doing anyway?" I asked concerned.
"I haven't told her." I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead, contemplating what he'd just said. "I couldn't do it CJ, it will break her fucking heart and I'm not being accountable for that."
"Has she been asking questions?"
"Yeah but I said I was waiting for an update."
"What, all fucking night?"
"Well she was in and out of consciousness so it bought me some time."
"Fuck! I'm gonna have to do it then." I continued to rub my forehead as I tried to think of the words I may use to explain.
"How's she doing?" I turned to see Angel.
"She hasn't been told yet." Stoney blurted out, Angel covered her mouth and I saw her eyes glisten, "I couldn't do it Angel, I couldn't tell her."
She nodded her head understanding our predicament. "I'll do it," she stated quietly. "I'll try and do it as sensitively as I can." Stoney and I stared at Angel as she removed her coat and slung it over her arm. She took a deep breath and walked onto the ward leaving Stoney and I waiting for the aftermath, I didn't envy being in her situation but I was grateful as I would probably mess the whole thing up and this is something that would stay with Keira forever.
"Nooooooo!" Came the wails from the ward before the uncontrollable sobs started. It took everything in my power to not go in there and scoop her up but I knew she was in safe hands with Angel and Declan.
I'd be better put to use in trying to hunt down the mother fuckers that had murdered my best mate, and when I did eventually catch up with them I'd cut their fucking throats.
Chapter 18
CJ
"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Duke stood with his hands on his hips assessing me. The club had been watching me like a hawk the past two days and it was slowly getting on my nerves. I wasn't about to do anything stupid, it was as if they'd had me on suicide watch and I was pissed as they should've known me better than that.
"Yeah I wanna be here because he was my fucking best mate." I said sharply before I unlocked the door to his bedsit. Duke had felt the whip of my tongue on more than one occasion and he'd scowled every time, if it hadn't have been in these circumstances I would've got a clump for my troubles but I wasn't sure how long he'd let me get away with it and quite frankly I didn't give a shit.
I stalked into the small living room, I'd only been here a few times before and it never looked lived in due to the amount of time he spent between here and his other family.
Duke, Diesel and Recon joined me as each of us glanced around the small living space shocked by the lack of possessions.
"So what are we looking for?" Recon asked as he moved further into the room.
"Anything that will give us more intel on Locke's double life," Duke stated harshly. "I need to know where he's been going and who he's been with."
I knew that Duke was pissed off with me but I didn't care, we all had secrets. I didn't expect Duke to tell me the ins and outs of Diesel's life so he shouldn't have expected me to tell him everything about Locke, not that I knew too much. Yes I was his closest friend but he even kept secrets from me, wanting to protect me from whatever he was up to.
I walked through the living room and entered his bedroom. I wanted some time alone among his things and knew that I'd feel close to him in here. I closed the door behind me and rested my back against the wooden frame not able to take my hands from the door handle. I probably shouldn't have come here today, it was too soon to be riffling through his property but I thought it would help me be closer to him, I still wasn't ready to accept that he was gone forever.
His bedroom wasn't much better than his living room, sparse with not too many furnishings or accessories. He lived a minimalist life making it easier for him to not get attached but also to make an easy get away.
The only time I got him to open up was when he had alcohol in his system and there'd been a number of times when Locke would put the world to rights and start to explain his life but he would always give me half a story. I only wished that I would've stayed with him the night of Hounds and Maggie's anniversary, I think he was ready to share some information and maybe just maybe it wouldn't have ended like this.
I sighed loudly at the thought of him being a very complex man but on the flip side one of the kindest. He'd do anything to protect the one's he loved and I'm only blessed that I was able to experience his close friendship.
I pushed from the door and walked over to his bedside cabinet. I noticed the frame containing a photo of what looked to be of Locke as a teenager with his family. He didn't talk about them much but I knew that they were all killed in a house fire which was one of the reasons for him wanting to become a lock smith. Apparently there'd been complications with the locks on the doors and
a fire exit was blocked which had resulted in their deaths. I ran my thumb over the photo and was surprised when water splashed onto the glass, I wasn't aware that I was even crying but it was at the thought of Locke dying in exactly the same circumstances.
A light knock on the door startled me and I quickly placed the photo frame back onto the cabinet before wiping my eyes.
"Yeah, come in," I stated. As I turned my head to look towards the door I stood amazed by what was displayed on the wall.
Duke saw the widening of my eyes as he entered the room and stepped in further so that he could see what I was staring at.
Before me, on the wall was an array of different photographs of patched members and associates of the Satan's Wrath. It was a detailed investigation into their businesses, movements and dealings.
"Did you know?" Duke asked as he stepped closer to take a better look at the information.
I swallowed hard before I answered, "No." I stood and made my way over towards the wall as Diesel and Recon came into the room.
Letting out a low whistle, Diesel stood with his hands on his hips. "Well I'll be damned, that son of a bitch kept this information from us all this time."
"Was he a Satan?" Recon asked looking confused as he took in the photographs.
"He was working undercover," Duke responded as he flicked through his diary as he sat in a chair positioned in the corner of the room.
Recon stepped closer to the wall, "I still don't understand, undercover for who?"
Duke passed the diary to Diesel, "For himself, the Satan's murdered his family so he was seeking revenge."
My phone rang interrupting our conversation but I needed to answer as it was Stoney and he may have an update on Keira's condition.
"Stoney...oh for fucks sake...well you better find her and fast." I hung up and glanced around the room to see everyone staring at me.
"That was Stoney. He left Keira's room to take a slash and when he returned she'd gone."
"Of her free will or taken?" Diesel asked looking concerned that the Satan's may have taken her.
"Not sure, he's gonna look at the CCTV, then call me back."
The guys nodded their heads understanding. It may have been that Keira just needed to get away from it all as she'd lost everything, her home, her business and the man that she was hoping to build a future with, all taken in just one evening.
"How the hell did he manage to conceal all of this from us?" Diesel asked running his hands through his hair.
"I don't know but we have to finish what he started." I stated calmly as I turned to address them all.
"Hold on a minute CJ, we need to discuss this before you start a one man war on another club. I know that you want revenge for what's happened but if you go in all guns blazing you're gonna end up dead."
I shrugged my shoulders, "As long as I kill the mother fuckers who killed Locke, I don't give a shit.
"You may not care but I do," Duke stood and made his way towards me. "We've lost Jimmy and Locke within such a short period of time, I'm not prepared to put anyone else in danger. If we do this, we do it properly and we have a plan."
"And what do you suggest? I'm not sitting around for weeks Duke discussing what we should or shouldn't do. We need to act quickly."
Duke waved his hand towards the wall, "Locke has completed all of the ground work for us. We know who's involved, where they are and what they will be doing in the near future. We need to use this information to help us come up with a plan to then kill the fuckers involved."
I nodded my head, this is what I wanted to hear. Duke was a good leader and he was prepared to take us into battle to seek justice for my friend. I knew that they weren't close, Duke even blamed Locke for the death of his uncle but I was pleased that he was seeing reason. "Whatever happens I want to be involved."
Diesel glanced at Duke before returning his gaze to me, "I don't think that's wise CJ, you're far too close to not let your emotions take hold."
I sniggered, "I don't give a shit and to be honest Diesel, you ain't stopping me. I will get the revenge that Locke never achieved and I can do it with or without your support." I turned on my heels and left the bedroom, stomping towards the front door. I wasn't having anyone telling me what I could and couldn't do and they could take my patch because of it. There was only one thing now on my mind, retribution.
Epilogue
Keira
Let me know if you need anything. Stoney x
"Was that him again?" Declan asked as we sat in the hospital waiting room.
I let out a loud sigh as I turned off my mobile and quickly placed it back into my handbag. I glanced in Declan's direction, "Yes it was. Have you got a problem with that?"
"You know I have!"
"Shhh! Keep your noise down, I don't want the whole waiting room knowing my business," I berated him.
Declan rolled his eyes and crossed his legs dramatically before he leaned closer, "Locke was taken from you four months ago, you'd think that Stoney would've got bored with you by now."
"And what are you implying?" I asked as I folded my arms across my chest.
"That you're boring!" Now it was my time to roll my eyes. Declan placed his hand on mine, "He's made contact with you every single day since Locke's death. Don't you think that's a little strange?"
I moved my hand from his, "He's just looking out for me, that's all. I haven't told him where I am but he just wants to stay in contact, something about Locke's last words." And that's all it was. I hadn't met with Stoney, I didn't even know who he was until the night of the fire but since that day he'd made it his duty to look out for me and the feelings that it had provoked were good. It was as if Locke knew that he was going to die and had made sure that someone was around to look after me although he couldn't.
Declan looked at me sceptically, "He's a man Keira, and the only thing we think about is sex."
I sniggered, "Declan no offence but your more feminine than me so I don't think you're able to speak honestly on this."
Declan pretended to flick his hair from his shoulders, "I don't know what you mean?" We giggled which was nice as the last couple of months had been really tough. I'd discharged myself from hospital two days after the fire. The guys from the club were smothering me and I couldn't handle the constant reminder, I needed to find a way to grieve and couldn't do it publicly.
I continued to giggle and placed my hand on my growing stomach, "Stop making me laugh or I'm gonna piss myself." I was waiting to have my twenty week scan and was excited at the prospect of finding out the sex of the baby.
I turned to the sound of the door opening, "Miss Keira O'Flaherty." The lady called as she stepped into the waiting room.
I took a deep breath and glanced at Declan before I stood. This was a momentous time in the pregnancy and I was upset that Locke couldn't be here to be involved in such a joyous occasion.
Declan saw my discomfort and reached out to hold my hand, squeezing it reassuringly as he guided me towards the room. I was nervous, I wanted to know that everything was going to be okay and put my mind at rest because of the pains that I'd been having recently.
"Hello Miss O'Flaherty, please make yourself comfortable and slip your trousers down so that we can get to your tummy." I pulled my joggers down under my stomach and made my way onto the bed. "Dad, if you want to sit down on that chair you can also see the monitor." The nurse said looking at Declan.
I laughed hard as Declan kept his composure and sat on the chair crossing his legs, "Do I look like I have the ability to produce children." He winked at the lady and I swatted his arm playfully.
"I'm sorry, I should've introduced you to my extravert brother Declan."
The lady blushed, "I'm so sorry I shouldn't have presumed that you were an item." She busied herself getting her equipment ready while Declan gave me a sly wink.
"Prepare yourself this will be cold," the lady squeezed the cold jelly onto my stomach sending shivers through my body.
I gl
anced at Declan and gave him a small smile as nervous tension filled my body and the lady moved the ultra sound around my tummy until she saw the little heart beat on the screen.
"Oh Declan," I raised my hand towards my face to wipe the tears that had started to stream down my cheeks.
"Come here," I leaned into Declan's embrace as he wrapped his arms around me tightly. "I know it's overwhelming and certainly not the same as it would be if Locke was around but I promise to look after you babe."
I smiled, "And I'll love you always for that."
I knew that it would be difficult bringing up a baby on my own but that was the sacrifice I was prepared to make.
"Do you want to know the sex of the baby?" the Nurse asked. I moved from Declan's embrace and nodded as the nurse continued to prod my tummy.
"Hold on nearly there," she said concentrating. "It's a boy," The nurse said before the trickle of tears I already had turned to full sobs. Declan scooped me up into his arms again and allowed me to cry. I was sick of trying to be brave putting on a mask to hide my true emotions. I needed this, I needed to let everything out and I couldn't think of a better person to hang onto for support.
Declan wanted me to move back to Ireland so that I had the support from my family but I wouldn't be able to look at my father's disapproving face of being an unmarried mother but on the flip side Epping held too many painful memories so I couldn't stay there either.
For the past four months we'd been renting a house in Southampton but I'd decided to use the money from the insurance company to start a new life for me and the baby far away from the memories. I vowed that I would tell my son every day that his daddy was the kindest, most thoughtful person that I'd ever known and that he did everything within his power to make sure that the two of us were saved.
Amy - Aces MC Series Book 3.5
Please enjoy a preview of Book 3.5 from the Aces MC Series, available on February 28th, 2016.
Locke (Aces MC Series Book 4) Page 22