BRICK (Lords of Carnage MC)

by Daphne Loveling

  I don’t want to be owned anymore. I’ve been taking care of myself practically my whole life. I’m used to going it alone. It’s why I came to Tanner Springs. And I’m not going to feel guilty for keeping some of my secrets to myself.

  Except, I kind of still do.

  Just after the morning rush, the shop bell rings. I look up to see Gavin striding in. He flashes me a rare smile and I can’t help but grin back at him.

  “Hey there,” he rumbles.

  “Hey yourself,” I answer, biting my lip at the memory of last night. “You don’t have your to-go cup.”

  “Not here for a coffee today.”

  “Oh? What are you here for?” I smirk.

  “You.” He leans in close, his lips grazing my ear. “And you better stop biting that lip, or I’ll have to take you in the back and bite it for you.”

  A little shiver of excitement runs down my spine.

  “I think the customers would get a little suspicious,” I reply huskily.

  “Let ‘em,” he growls.

  Is it getting warm in here, or is it just me?

  I glance nervously around at the shop. Over at her customary table, Beverly is looking at us, a curious expression on her face.

  “Uh,” I stammer, clearing my throat. “Customers. Customers are looking at us.”

  He takes a step back and rolls his eyes. “Killjoy.”

  I can’t help but laugh at that. “So, did you really just come to pay me a visit? You sure you aren’t angling for a free muffin?”

  “Well, I wouldn’t turn it down,” he says, eyes twinkling. “But I came to tell you I’m coming to pick you up later. On the bike.”

  “You came to tell me,” I repeat pointedly. “Not ask me.”

  “Damn straight,” he grins. “So be ready.”

  I roll my eyes. “You need a serious lesson in manners, you know that?”

  He shrugs. “It’s been tried. Didn’t take.”

  With a wink, he turns and saunters out of the shop. I’m left standing there, grinning like an idiot out of a mixture of amusement and exasperation. I don’t know how he manages not to be completely infuriating.

  “Is that the man who came to install your fire extinguisher?”

  I’m jolted out of my thoughts by Beverly, who has come up to the counter while I’ve been daydreaming.

  “Oh! Uh, yes, that’s him.” I’m hoping my voice doesn’t sound as shaky as I think it does.

  She eyes me speculatively. “That’s a very capable-looking handyman you’ve got there,” she says, raising a thinly-penciled brow above her tortoise-shell frames.

  I try an innocent laugh. “He’s not actually a handyman. He just knew my old extinguisher didn’t work, and got me a new one.”

  “He’s a member of that motorcycle gang, isn’t he? The Lords of Carnage?”

  I can’t quite read the look in Beverly’s face, but I have to guess it’s disapproval. “Yes,” I say, trying not to sound defensive. “He’s a regular customer here in the shop, if you can believe that.”

  “Hm.” She nods, and stares at me evenly. “You know, the paper says that gang is behind all this recent crime in town,” she observes. “Some of the letters to the editor do, anyway.”

  I draw back for a moment in genuine surprise. “I can’t imagine that’s true, Beverly,” I say honestly. “No matter what the paper says. Not from what I’ve seen of Gavin, anyway. He’s installed security cameras around here for me, all of his own accord. He seems more worried about the crimes than I do.”

  “I see.” She looks up and around, and notices the camera Brick has installed above the front door. “That was very nice of him, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes,” I admit. “It was. Though at the time, I wasn’t very gracious about it.”

  “Am I correct in assuming there’s something going on between the two of you?” she asks with a curious gleam in her eye.

  I open my mouth to deny it, but instead I hesitate. Because for some reason, I kind of want to tell someone about Gavin and me. Even though I have no idea what we’re really doing together, I can’t help but wish I could talk about it like we’re a normal couple.

  The realization that I actually want this to be a relationship, or something, hits me like a bolt from the blue.

  Shit. This isn’t good.

  “I, uh… That is, yes, there is something going on between us. It’s nothing serious,” I add quickly.

  “Are you sure?” She gives me a slight smile. “Because from the way he looks at you, I’m not entirely convinced.”

  “I think he’s just…” Horny? Down to fuck? “A little possessive.”

  “Well. As long as he treats you well. He is quite attractive, isn’t he, even with all the tattoos?”

  My mind flashes to last night, and the ripple of his muscles as he stroked his hard length. My face flushes hot. “Yes, he certainly is,” I agree.

  “You may be right about what’s being said in the paper,” she says, nodding thoughtfully. “It’s always been sort of a rag, after all. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re barking up the wrong tree. All the same, though, Sydney, you will be careful, won’t you?”

  “Don’t worry,” I assure her. “I’m probably safer with Gavin around than I’ve ever been.”

  While we’ve been talking, the door to the shop opens again. It’s kolache guy. I instinctively glance over to the table where he usually meets his friends, but they haven’t come in yet this morning. Instead, as I watch in surprise, he sets a small hardcover book and his glasses case down on Beverly’s table. She gives him a quick wave as he comes up to the counter.

  “I hope you’re not out of kolaches yet,” he greets me in a jovial tone. “Beverly,” he murmurs, turning to her.

  “Hello, Bradley,” she smiles back at him. The two of them look at me expectantly. I’m momentarily discombobulated, and I’m not sure if it’s from learning that Kolache Guy actually has a name, or that the two of them seem to be on some sort of… date?

  “Oh! Kolaches. I’ve made the poppyseed ones today,” I say hastily, and move toward the case. “You’ll have to tell me what you think.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be delicious,” Beverly assures me. “We’ll take two. And I’d like a refill on my latte.”

  “A plain coffee for me,” Bradley adds. “And I’ll take the bill.”

  Beverly smiles demurely, thanks him, and moves off to their table. I ring them up and tell him the total — and almost fall over in surprise when he puts the quarter he gets back in change in the tip jar.

  “Well, son of a bitch,” I murmur to myself as he goes to join Beverly.

  The rest of the day passes without anything as surprising as Beverly and Bradley’s book reading date. Business is brisk, but not enough to keep my mind from wandering to unbidden thoughts of last night and Gavin. By the time Hailey shows up for her shift, I’ve probably looked at the clock three dozen times.

  “How did closing go last night?” I ask her.

  “Good,” she informs me. “Except that there was a big rush at the end of the night. I didn’t get out of here until almost ten.”

  I frown. “That’s not good. At least it wasn’t a school night.” Today’s Saturday, though, and if last night was any indication, she might get slammed again tonight.

  “It wasn’t that big of a deal,” Hailey says amiably. “More hours equals more money.”

  “True. But I don’t love the idea of you being here alone so late.” I think all Gavin’s paranoid warnings about safety and security are getting to me. Maybe it’s time for me to get serious about hiring some more help.

  Hailey and I go over some details, and I’m reminding her she can always call me if she has any problems when I get a text from him.

  Got held up a little. Be there in an hour or so.

  I frown. I’d rather not wait around here for another hour. And besides, I realize the delay would give me time to take a shower if I run home.

  Can you pick me up at m
y place instead?

  You trying to seduce me?

  I laugh.

  I promise I won’t even let you in the house. I’m waiting for that ride on your motorcycle.

  My heart speeds up as I read his final text:

  See you soon babe

  I shove my phone back into my pocket, feeling happy and excited. After saying a quick goodbye to Hailey, I slip out the back and drive home to get ready.

  24

  Brick

  The address that Oz gives Rock to meet up with him and some of the other Death Devils turns out to be a run-down bar at the northwestern edge of their territory.

  It’s early afternoon on a hot, dusty day, and we look to be the only customers here. I’m not sure whether that’s by design or not, but when we show up, a grizzled-looking bartender wordlessly shows us to a back room, where Oz and his men are already waiting.

  Just like we agreed on in church, Rock has brought Angel, Ghost, and me with him. In a sign of good faith to Oz, we don’t bring any backup for security.

  Oz has two of his men posted at the entrance to the room for security. One of them is about my size. The other one is almost as big as our brother Beast, who’s six foot seven and built like a brick shit house. The big one motions to a table just inside the door and tells us to leave our pieces there. Rock looks at us and nods. Reluctantly, I pull my Glock out of the waistband of my jeans and set it on the table with the others.

  Oz is sitting silently at a wide table in the center of the room. Two men are flanking him. We approach and Rock offers his hand. The two men shake, and we sit.

  “I’ve looked further into the situation with the Iron Spiders,” Oz begins without preamble. “My connections tell me they have formed a business partnership with a club to your north. The Outlaw Sons.”

  “What kind of partnership?” Rock grunts.

  “Shipments between them. What kind of product they’re moving is unclear,” Oz replies, lifting a hand to stroke a long, dark beard flecked with gray. “What they do know is that your territory lies directly between theirs. So any shipments that pass between them currently would have to be routed around Lords of Carnage territory, to the east or west.”

  “There’s no easy path going west,” I remark. “Better roads to the east.”

  “Yes,” Oz agrees glancing at me. “Which would put them through Death Devils territory.”

  “If it were me,” Angel speaks up, “I’d be inclined to take the long view. That the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.”

  Oz nods once. “As would I.”

  We sit in silence for a moment, contemplating this. Suddenly, it’s starting to look pretty likely that all the shit going down in Tanner Springs is an attempt to take down our club by fucking with our town and hoping the crimes will get pinned on us.

  “Goddamn cowards,” Angel seethes. “They wanna take us on, why don’t they grow some fucking balls and do it face to face?”

  “This calls for all out war,” Ghost rasps, looking at Rock. “The Spiders almost killed Hawk’s old lady, and now this. They’re not going to stop until either their club or ours is destroyed. It’s time to cut off the head to kill the body. Black has to die.”

  The rest of us nod. There’s no way we can let this stand. The Spiders’ president will have to pay for this with his life. It’s the only way to stop this for good.

  “Oz. It looks like we have a common interest in protecting both our territories,” Rock says, his jaw tensing. “What can we expect from your club?”

  For a moment, Oz is perfectly still. Then he forms his hands into a steeple.

  “It is true, neither of us benefits from seeing the Iron Spiders get stronger,” he says. “We will protect our territory at all costs. And protecting our territory includes maintaining close ties with the Lords of Carnage.” He meets Rock’s eyes. “You will have men when you need them. As long as our goals remain the same.”

  Oz pushes back his chair. His men stand in unison.

  “Gentlemen,” he says.

  The four of us get to our feet.

  “I’ll be in touch, Oz,” Rock grunts.

  We turn and recover our guns, then walk out of the deserted bar back to our bikes.

  No one talks as we start up our engines and head back toward Tanner Springs. We’re all thinking about the same thing.

  As of now, there’s no going back. There will be no rest for the Lords or Carnage until the Spiders are done.

  It’s us or them. The choice is clear.

  When we reach the clubhouse, Rock calls an emergency meeting. He tells all the brothers what we’ve learned. Everyone is in grim agreement about what needs to be done.

  Rock tells Tweak to use his tech skills and contacts to locate the Iron Spiders clubhouse. Like many MCs, their club location is a closely guarded secret. But Tweak has never let us down before. Once he’s figured out where their spider nest is, we’ll send some of our men out there to surveil and place cameras so we can see their comings and goings. Especially to see if there are any patterns to Black’s movements.

  And when he’s likely to be alone, and vulnerable.

  At the end of church, Rock bangs the gavel, and we all file out in silence. Some of the men go home to their families, to prepare their old ladies. We’ll figure out our strategy in the upcoming days. Right now, it’s the calm before the storm.

  As for me, I can only think of one thing.

  Seeing Sydney.

  When I texted Sydney before we went into church, she asked me to meet her at her place instead of the coffee shop since I was going to be late. When I get to her address, she fairly flies out of her front door before I’ve even had a chance to park the bike.

  “See!” she says with a grin, running up to me. “I locked the door behind me. I promised you I wouldn’t let you in.”

  There’s something about the way she looks at me, eyes shining, her hair streaming loose behind her, that makes me feel so damn happy that before I know it, my eyes start to sting and I have to stop myself from talking for a second until I can get hold of myself.

  “You’re looking damn good, babe,” I finally manage to choke out, hoping she doesn’t notice the unsteadiness in my voice.

  “I had good incentive,” she murmurs as I pull her into my arms. I kiss her, deeply, and when she draws away she gives me a dazzling smile that almost makes me choke up again.

  “So,” I say, clearing my throat and releasing her. “You ever been on one of these things?”

  “Nope.” She shrugs. “About damn time I do, though, don’t you think?”

  “I do,” I nod. I straddle the bike and nod behind me. “Get on and get comfortable. Feet on the pegs. Arms around me.”

  She does as she’s told, wrapping her arms tight around my waist and leaning into me. It feels good. Damn good.

  “Where are we going?” she asks.

  “You’ll see,” I tell her. The question sobers me, but I start the engine and pull away from the curb.

  I need to talk to Sydney about some things, and what I need to say is probably better said once I’ve introduced her to some people. This isn’t the way I was hoping things would go today, but I don’t have a choice.

  Riding back to Tanner Springs after meeting with Oz, I had some time to think about what’s going on between Sydney and me. As much as I’ve tried to resist it — resist her — she’s gotten inside my head. Inside my skin. She’s mouthy, and prickly, and feisty as hell. She’s as stubborn as they come, and she’s fucking beautiful, and unlike any other woman I’ve ever met in my life.

  As we ride through the streets and I steer us toward our destination, I realize I’m weirdly nervous. It’s not a feeling I’m used to. Then it dawns on me what it is.

  Hope.

  I’m actually hoping for a future. With Sydney.

  It’s so fucking ridiculous I start to laugh. It takes a goddamn club war and the possible end to the Lords for me to believe in anything other than the actu
al moment I’m living in.

  I’m heading into something that I might not survive. I’ve done that plenty of times in my life. I’ve never been scared of death.

  Except this time it’s different. This time, there’s something on the other side that I’d do anything to keep. Someone on the other side I’d do anything to protect.

  For the first time, I think I might understand how Ghost feels when he looks at Jenna and his kids. Or Hawk when he looks at Sam.

  Behind me, Sydney snuggles closer. I can feel the steady rise and fall of her breathing.

  It’s time for her to know more about my life than just that I wear a leather cut. It’s time for her to understand what it means to be a Lord of Carnage. For her to understand what this life means. At least enough to decide whether she wants to stick around, or whether she wants me to leave her the fuck alone. I don’t know everything about her life, but I know she’s gone through a lot to get where she is. I don’t want to fuck that up for her.

  To be honest, I’m scared she’ll walk away.

  Hell, that might be the best thing for both of us.

  If she does, I tell myself I’ll be fine.

  But I think I might be full of shit.

  25

  Sydney

  We pull up to a nondescript two-story building with a flat roof and a large gravel parking lot in the front. At first, I have no idea where Gavin has brought me, but when I see the row of motorcycles parked off to one side, something clicks.

  “Is this where your club meets?” I ask him after he’s cut the bike.

  “Yeah. This is the clubhouse,” he rumbles.

  It’s not marked in any way, which I suppose is on purpose. Gavin waits as I climb down from the seat, then stands up himself.

  “I figured it was time you meet some of my people,” he says, and catches my hand in his. We walk up to the front door, holding hands, and I’m not sure what to make of any of this. We’ve never had any sort of conversation about what’s been happening between us. And now, he’s holding my hands and taking me to meet his friends.