by KE Osborn
“Well, something’s bugging you. C’mon, spit it out.”
“Yeah, brother, spit it out or Tremor might cry some baby tears.” Vibe bursts out laughing at his own stupid joke.
I leer at Vibe as Zane chuckles along with him but then lets out a heavy sigh. “Okay, fine, but you have to promise not to go all fucking rabid on me.”
My muscles clench as I stand up straight while looking him in the eyes. I don’t like the tone of his voice, so I cross my arms over my chest as I grit my teeth at him. “What does that mean, exactly?”
He turns to face me, rubbing the back of his neck. “This morning when I was over talking to Lala and Sass, when you were working out…”
I tense even further. “Yeah?”
“You know how Renegade was sitting there before I went up to them?”
My muscles tense as I watch his facial expression harden. “Yeah?”
“He was being a fuckhead to Lala. I’m pretty sure he has his eyes on her… if you know what I mean.”
“Oh, shit,” Vibe states quickly while anger burns so hot through me I’m not sure what to do with this information. Throwing my arms to my side, I begin to pace the loading dock.
Tension’s rippling through me as I feel hotter and hotter with rage. The thought of Renegade, of all fucking people, touching Neala has me so far over the edge I want to break his motherfucking neck. Storming past the edge of the truck, I make my way to the brick wall. I don’t hesitate, bringing my fist back, then hurling it straight into the red brickwork. My knuckles crunch, splitting apart at the seams on impact. I can’t contain my rage, pulling back then thrusting my fist into the wall again, dust and debris fly from the wall in my fit of fury as I let out an almighty groan. Smashing into the wall one after the other, I can feel the vein in my neck throbbing with each hit becoming harder and harder as my knuckles drip with blood until I’m suddenly pulled from behind. One man grabbing my arm, the other wrapped around my waist yanking me back from the brickwork. I groan as I struggle in their grip, breaking free from Vibe and Zane as I storm into the middle of the loading dock running my bloodied hand through my hair. “How could you not tell me this until now?” I yell.
Zane lets out a slight huff. “This is why. Because you would do something fucking stupid if I told you at the clubhouse.”
“If he touches her, I swear to God I will fucking end him.” I pace around the dock like a man possessed.
“Brother, listen, you’re a prospect, yes? You want your patch, yes?” Vibe asks rapidly.
I look up at him letting out a heavy sigh. “More than anything.”
“Renegade is an original member. He’s been at this club since its inception. You go yelling at him or punching a hole in his face, you think you’re ever going to earn your road name?” Vibe tells me exactly what I already know.
“Fuuuck!” I yell while grabbing at my hair as I pace some more.
Zane steps up to my side placing his hand on my shoulder.
It doesn’t work.
“Look, you know Lala is never going to give herself up to a guy like Renegade—”
“Exactly, she won’t want it… he’ll just take it!”
Zane and Vibe both look at me. They have a look in their eyes.
It’s solemn.
It’s haunted.
It’s a look telling me I’m one hundred percent right on the money. “Fuck, we have to tell Torque!”
Zane and Vibe both grimace as Vibe steps up gripping my shoulder. “You have to be careful how you play this one, Tremor. Pinning one brother against another is not looked kindly upon.”
“So you don’t think our president would want to know one of his brothers is going to try go after his baby sister?”
Zane rolls his shoulders groaning. “I don’t know, man, ratting isn’t something we do.”
“It’s his sister!”
They both shake their heads as I walk to the cargo box letting out a heavy grunt. “Fine, I won’t say anything. But I’m watching Renegade like a fucking hawk when he’s around her.”
Vibe jumps up into the truck continuing to help with the box.
“For the record, Tremor, I know you’ll look out for her when you can. But it’s when you’re not there I’m worried about.” Zane sends a chill right through me. I can’t be around all the time, and Renegade is crafty. If he wants to find a way to get to Neala, he’ll fucking find a way.
I need to talk to Sensei.
And I need to do it soon.
With the guns safely in the truck back at the clubhouse for tomorrow’s trade with Harry Linn, I’m walking the hall in search of Sensei. It’s been an eventful day so far, so I’m not looking to cause any trouble or make a scene. I want to do this quietly, if possible. So I walk to his door knocking softly.
A giggle from the other side of the door makes me wince as I stand back wondering if I should just walk away, but the door soon opens to Sass, her top sliding down over her tattooed stomach like she’s just finished getting dressed. She peers at me through the half-open door, her demeanor shining bright like nothing could dampen her spirits.
“Hey, slick, I was just leaving. Be gentle with him, he’s a little worn out—”
“Sass!” Sensei scolds as she giggles rushing through the door and then down the hall.
I chuckle as I walk into their room closing the door behind me. Sensei has his top off, his half-side of tattoos are proudly on display. It’s not often he shows them off. He grabs a shirt from the floor sliding it on while I walk to the desk taking a seat in the chair.
“Guess she wasn’t in here training for her contest coming up in Kentucky,” I tease.
He huffs disapprovingly. “You don’t tend to normally visit my room, Tremor. In fact, I don’t think you have ever been here,” he queries as he moves to the edge of his bed, his eyes firmly focused on me. “What’s going on?” he asks completely disregarding my statement.
Exhaling, I think of how best to approach this. I don’t want to raise suspicion, but I need him to do what I want. “So I know you’re well trained in martial arts.”
He purses his lips. “Yes, I’ve trained all my life.”
I sit forward linking my hands together tight as I look at him. “I know I have no claim over Neala. I have no rights to her or what happens to her… but I care about her.”
He chuckles relaxing his posture slightly. “Mm-hmm.”
“So, with this life she’s been brought up in comes… certain dangers.”
He throws his legs up on the bed relaxing back against the headboard, crossing his ankles. “You want me to train her in Jujutsu?”
I shrug. “Not necessarily Jujutsu but teach her how to defend herself… from predators.”
He clears his throat glancing at me with an exhale. “You want to be in on these lessons?”
“I don’t think she’d like that idea.”
“Couples grappling?” he mocks.
I raise my brow with a frown. “You know Sass has made you joke more… I’m not sure I’m on board with this new and improved Sensei.”
He laughs while looking at me. “Okay… I’ll need to run it past the pres, but if he’s okay with it, which I think he will be, then I’m all for it.”
I tense. “Can you not tell Torque this was my idea?”
He exhales. “I was on that same page, too. I’ll just say it was mine if you prefer it that way?”
I bob my head in agreement as he stands from his bed. “Tremor, for what it’s worth, I think this is a good idea. Lala should be able to protect herself in all situations. I’m surprised Torque hasn’t thought of this before you.”
Standing up, I walk over slapping his shoulder in a gesture of thanks. “I appreciate this, brother. I owe you.”
“You owe me nothing. Lala is like my little sister, too. It’s a pleasure to do this for her, for you. I merely have to get her to agree.”
I chuckle. “Yeeeah. Good luck with that.” Turning, I head for his door as he grab
s his cut from the table, shrugging it on over his shirt.
“Tremor,” he calls out making me turn around as I reach his door. Turning the handle, I raise my brow in acknowledgment. “Get that hand seen to. I don’t know what you did to make your knuckles look like that, but you need to, at least, put some antiseptic ointment on it or something.”
Swallowing as I tighten my hand into a fist, my knuckles burn from the cuts on my skin as I simply nod, turn, then exit.
Knowing Sensei will do everything in his power to help Lala protect herself makes me feel like maybe I’m being proactive in this Renegade situation. Hopefully, she will be able to learn in time before he tries something. I just hope like hell he doesn’t try anything at all, because if the fucker does, I won’t be able to hold the fuck back, and then I can kiss my fucking patch goodbye.
NEALA
Two Days Later
After spending the rest of the weekend at home and Monday working on Mia’s mock plans, I figure I should go to the club to talk with Zane to ask for Mia’s number, so I can go show her my ideas. No point working for someone without actually talking to them.
As I pull up inside the clubhouse yard, it seems calm for a Tuesday. Some brothers are washing their rides, some are in the outside gym enjoying the summer sun, and some must be inside probably drinking at the bar seeing as it’s just gone midday.
Business as normal.
As I slide out of my car, I can’t help but subtly look for Tremor. It’s a habit—a bad one I need to try to break myself of if I’m going to keep coming here, and we’re going to keep this distance shit up.
I need to let him go.
It’s so much easier said than done, though, when you’ve spent so much time envisioning your life with a person and thinking you’ll one day be claimed by them when he’s patched in. I had my entire life with him worked out from the moment I met him. Funny how life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to.
Walking up to the giant roller door, I glance over to the gym area seeing Vibe and Lift hard at it on the weights section trying to outdo each other. I chuckle to myself.
“Looking good, boys,” I call out.
Vibe turns to look at me, his weight bar almost dropping to his chest as he does.
Lift bursts out laughing as he continues his reps. I grimace rushing inside the clubhouse which is alive and buzzing. The stereo is thumping to sounds of Led Zeppelin as I see Surge and Mom at the pool table laughing while Mom sinks a small ball. I walk over to the bar taking a stool. Glancing up, I notice Ruby as she wipes the bench in front of me, her dimples caving in with happiness which is beaming from her face.
“Hey, Lala, your brothers are out on a run at the moment, something about helping the Andrettis. I don’t really get told much. All I know is when they get back, I need to have food ready.” She chuckles.
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Those guys always think with their stomachs and their—”
“Hey, Lala!” a chirpy voice calls out. I turn to see Sparx walk in with her twin-seat stroller. I jump down from the stool and rush toward her. She looks tired, but her face is beaming. She’s taken to motherhood so much better than we all thought she would. Her bipolar disorder can make her moods slightly unstable. She’s doing so much better than through her pregnancy. When she was suffering her morning sickness, she was having troubles with feeling ill. Poor thing. But she’s fighting fit now. I think these babies are a natural high for her. It’s amazing to watch.
“Oh, come here you little freaking cuties!” I murmur as I step around the stroller to take a look at Rix and Grace. The twins are two months old now and doing so well. They were both born a little small, but other than that, they are both in perfect health.
Sparx chuckles as I bend over the stroller, sliding a finger down each of their sleeping cheeks. “I don’t know how an ugly mutt like my brother can produce something so adorable as these two. I guess you’re stunning, so that helps.”
Sparx giggles as she takes a seat on a nearby stool.
Ruby leans over the bar, her tits sitting on the woodgrain perfectly. “I know you think Trax is ugly because he’s your brother. You can’t see the attraction. But trust me, girl, your brother is all kinds of gorgeous.”
Sparx giggles. “Thank you, Rubes, I think so, too. Especially that smirk he does, you know the one where his lip is kind of lopsided. Oh, I melt—”
“Oh God, me, too!” Ruby coos along with Sparx.
I curl up my top lip. “Gross, ladies, this is my brother you’re gushing over.”
They both chuckle as I bring my hands out kissing both my pointer fingers, then lightly pressing them to my niece and nephew’s foreheads before taking a seat next to Sparx.
“So, what brings you here, Lala?” Sparx asks.
I glance around the room. “Looking for Zane actually.”
Ruby and Sparx both furrow their brows.
“Isn’t that the wrong prospect?” Sparx chuckles.
Rolling my eyes, I huff. “Funny. I need his sister’s details, I’m doing a job for her.”
Sparx smiles, and I see a sparkle in her eyes. “Oh cool, that’s exciting.”
“Yeah, it’s my first actual job since designing Club Modesty. I mean I’ve had plenty of practice in design school, but this is my first real client.”
“You’ll do awesome, your design skills are amazing, Lala. If Trax and I ever get a house, you’ll be the first person I call for help.”
“Thanks, Sparx. I kinda love having you as a sister-in-law.”
She widens her eyes. “Well, we’re not married, so technically not your sister-in-law, but I’ll take being your sister any day.”
I tilt my head. “Oh, you will be one day, only a matter of time.”
Her excitement shines more than I’ve ever seen. She and Trax are so in love it’s almost sickening. I hope to have that one day. “We need to work on your other brother, too. He and Foxy have been together longer than Trax and me, and they even have a home outside the club. Surely, they’re looking to settle down properly?” Sparx asks.
I purse my lips. “Hmm… not sure on that one. With Torque being married before I don’t know what his idea about marriage is, but he might surprise us all. I hope so. Foxy deserves to be a blushing bride.”
Sparx chuckles. “Sensei might be the one to surprise us all and pop the question to Sass. I can just imagine it, ninja stars and wrenches lining the aisle.” She chuckles as Sensei walks past us furrowing his brow. “What on earth are you ladies talking about?”
We all burst out laughing. “Nothing,” I blurt out with a little too much gusto.
He frowns as he stops right next to me. “Mm-hmm, I don’t believe you for a moment. But, now that you’re here, there’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about,” he affirms looking at me.
I tilt my head. “Me?”
“Yes. I have been discussing with Torque your safety surrounding the brotherhood. The club believes it’s best if you have some formal training.”
I bounce on my toes, my smile enthusiastic. “You’re going to teach me how to shoot properly?”
He chuckles. “Better… to fight with your fists.”
Sparx and Ruby’s lips both turn upward as I slump into my seat with a huff. “You’re going to teach me how to fight?”
He cocks his head. “More like how to defend yourself.”
Sighing, I shrug. “This was Torque’s idea?”
He stiffens. “A joint decision.”
Letting out a long groan, my shoulders slump. “Fine, but I get to do it somewhere private. I don’t want to do it in the gym outside where everyone can watch me make a fool of myself.”
“Okay, we will go to the silos. No one will disrupt us there… it’s far enough away, no one will be able to see us.”
“Oh, yes. The place is creepy as fuck. I love it in there.”
He chuckles. “Plenty of room to move.”
I straighten my shoulders. “Okay, when
are you thinking?”
He looks around the clubhouse then back to me. “Now?”
I relax my shoulders with a sigh. “I don’t have any workout gear with me.”
“I can lend you something,” Ruby chimes.
“Okay, let’s do it!”
“Meet you outside in fifteen.”
“Hai oh, wise Sensei master,” I mock bringing my hands together, bowing to him.
He cocks his brow looking unimpressed. “Don’t do that,” he murmurs then spins around, walking off which makes the three of us giggle at his serious attitude.
“You know Sensei doesn’t train with other people, right?” Ruby marvels in a hushed tone like it’s a big secret.
I turn to her as I let out a long breath. “I wonder why Torque’s having him to do this.”
Sparx shrugs. “I wouldn’t question it. Just learn what you can from him, take it all onboard. I think you’re actually really lucky.”
A rush of excitement flows through me. “Yeah, true. This is going to be fun.”
This isn’t fun.
Sensei is a taskmaster, and while my surroundings are freaking awesome, the sweat I’m building up is not.
“Again,” he demands as I take a deep breath trying to force some much-needed air into my lungs.
I steady myself as he comes at me. I block his forward punch attempting to pull his arm up, yanking it to the side to deflect him, but he simply comes at me with his other hand grabbing my waist. He pulls me to him making me squeal as he looks me in the eyes while I pant for breath.
“Wrong! You left yourself wide open on the side again…” His eyes tell me he’s not pleased. “Lala, you need to keep your guard up on all angles, even when blocking. If someone is attacking you, they won’t wait for you to finish defending one move before they start to make another.” He lets me go as I take a step back dropping my chin to my chest feeling deflated.
I suck at this.
“Sorry. I don’t know how I can be so terrible when my brothers are such good fighters. Hell, I’m sure even Mom can do better than me.”