by Lane Hart
“Everyone hold your tongues, Jasper will be in here in a minute and we will sit down in the main room and have a family meeting. Until then, if you can’t remember the rules then tape your mouth shut and go have a seat somewhere!” Knuckles shouts, and all of us old ladies walk into the main room of the clubhouse, find a seat and wait for Jasper to finish whatever it is he’s doing. As we wait—semi-patiently, we keep glancing at each other. We’re all at our wit’s end and tired of playing the meek little housewife while not knowing what is happening with our daughters.
A few minutes later, Trent comes running down the hallway and heads out the front door. We hear his bike start up only seconds after his departure and can hear the gravel spray from his wheels and hear them burn rubber as he hauls ass out of the parking lot. Then Jasper walks into the room, and all of our attentions are turned to him.
Jasper
As soon as I finish explaining the agreement we came up with my phone pings and it’s a text from Lorenzo letting me know I have ten minutes to have my prospect in place, and they aren’t going to wait any longer than that before they drop our girls off and leave them with or without our man in place.
Once Trent has left my office, I take a moment to myself before going out and facing the firing squad, in other words, the old ladies. Knowing I can’t put this off any longer, I head out to the main room. Once I get there, I notice everyone is sitting there waiting on me.
“Sorry to keep you all waiting. I had to finalize some things, but I’m hoping you ladies will let me get this out before asking your questions. Don’t shout them out at me either or I won’t even attempt to answer them. Are we understanding each other?”
They all acknowledge my words with a gesture one way or another, to let me know that they’re agreeing with my ultimatum. I would prefer a voiced agreement, but I’ll take what they’re willing to give me.
“Where are the boys?” I ask the room, not wanting them to hear any of what is fixing to be said and talked about in this room.
“We have them settled in the media room with a movie, popcorn and drinks,” Machete informs me.
“Good, they don’t need to be worried about what’s being said. This is adult stuff and they’ve already had to be witnesses to the events and heartache of this morning. I’ve made a deal with Lorenzo,” I begin, cutting right to the chase. We voted and decided to go all in and inform the women of everything that’s taken place in church. “He’s agreed to let us have our girls back tonight, but only with the exception that we agree without any backpedaling to work with them in their skin trade. Which means we’ll be protecting their routes as they transport the women, men and children to their buyers.”
“Oh God! Is the reason our girls were taken was because y’all tried to do the right thing and not get involved?” Miracle asks, with her shaking hand covering her mouth.
“Unfortunately, yes,” I give her a small reluctant smile. “We also went to try and take them out and paralyze their entire operation the night the girls were taken,” I answer honestly.
“The night Knuckles and Dawg were injured,” Morgan whispers, looking at her man with a new-found respect in her eyes.
“And now, you men are forced to work with them so that our children can be returned safely?” Shey asks me.
“Not with them, for them. I’m afraid we’ll be stuck for years to come before we can climb our way out from underneath them. We decided to be upfront and honest with you ladies about this, but only this. Club business is still just that, but we wanted to let you in on this so that when the time comes, things may get bloody and lockdown will forever be changed after this incident. We won’t be as lenient with the kids leaving or with our families staying at home. I don’t give a fuck that they’re fenced in with the compound, you will be here—inside the clubhouse at all times with our children while we’re out fighting this. And heads up, we will be fighting this and shutting them down as soon as we possibly fucking can. I thought that our compound was impenetrable, but we’ve unfortunately been taught a very heartbreaking and valuable lesson that will stick with us for the rest of our years. We aren’t as safe as we think we are...that’s fixing to change. From this day forward, no women or children are to leave here unescorted. You will either have some prospects or patched members with you at all times.”
“Libby is at her house with Gavin, is she safe?” I hear from the back of the room. I look over and see that Jessa is the one who asked.
“Jessa, I promise you she is safe and will be here shortly. But, speaking of prospects, you’ll notice that Stewart and Jason are no longer with us. I will not be speaking about this with any of you, but know that we will be bringing in some hang arounds that we trust to take their spots. Now, if there aren’t any further questions, we need to get vans ready so we can go get our girls and transport them home.”
There’s a bunch of sniffles and crying so I leave them to their men and go up to my old lady. “Love you, beauty. I’m gonna get our girl home and then later tonight, you and I need to talk.” With a gentle touch, I lay my hand on her shoulder and lovingly squeeze it.
“I’ll be here waiting for you, Jasper.” I know she will, this isn’t the first rough patch we’ve ever gone through, but it’s the one that affected us both the most. We have never said such hateful words to each other, something I’m hoping to rectify later this evening. I bend over and give her a kiss. When I come up for air, I whistle letting the guys know we need to get a move on.
As a group, we head out of the door and huddle in front of one of the transport vehicles. “As soon as Trent gives me the text stating that the fuckers have left, we’re leaving immediately. Make sure the vehicles are already started, as soon as you see me pull out make sure to follow as closely as possible. I don’t trust those asses and am not guaranteeing that this isn’t a set-up of some kind. When we’ve reunited our women and girls, we head to the ice house to seek some revenge. Keep your eyes peeled and if something feels funny, or doesn’t look right, trust your gut instincts and give me a heads up.”
With saying everything I felt necessary to address, I head to my vehicle and jump in the driver’s seat. I make sure the temperatures are just right so the girls can be comfortable. My doors begin to open and Knuckles, Reaper, Blaze, Dawg and Malice jump in with me. The rest of the guys split up in the other two. “Want me to drive?” Malice asks me.
“Not this time,” I reply, needing to feel in control. My phone alerts me and I pick it up and read the incoming text. “It’s Trent, you know what that means. It’s showtime, boys,” I say to four of my most trusted friends, putting the car in gear and head out of the parking area. I notice Gavin manning the gate for us which means Libby and her girls are safe and sound inside the clutches of the clubhouse. I give him a salute which he returns as I drive through.
Miracle
I’m looking out the window as the men surround the vans talking. Libby opens the front door and walks in with her girls. They rush into the media room where the other kids are hanging out. “They’ll get them home today I’m told,” she states coming over and standing next to me. I turn and look at her and she smiles at me, it just hit me that my girl will be home soon. I return her smile but immediately place my face back in the window. The other old ladies come around and surround us. We’re all glued to the window and when we notice the vehicles begin to leave the parking lot I get the sense of urgency.
“Do you think this Lorenzo character will uphold his end of the bargain?” I ask to no one in particular.
“If he doesn’t he will feel the wrath of several mother bears. No one fucks with our children and gets away with it scott free. If the men don’t make him pay, I’ll find the most ruthless motherfucker on the planet and set him loose on his ass,” Morgan angrily replies.
“Amen, sister,” Shey responds.
“I’ve got some money saved up,” I add.
“Me too,” Jessa states.
“I wouldn’t mind using my retirement
savings if it means my children are safe from this particular monster,” Sunny announces.
“Then we all agree, we won’t sit back and do nothing if the men can’t get rid of this amoeba on their own?” We all make a pact there and then, that we aren’t going to sit back and do nothing if our families are in danger. I agree with Morgan’s previous statement, I will find the meanest, most badass person on this planet if I must to ensure my family's safety. I may end up regretting this decision if my husband ever finds out what we’ve got planned as a backup, but I can’t let that deter me from putting our childrens’ lives first and his honor second.
Chapter Eleven
Jasper
We pull up to the abandoned warehouse and slowly exit our vehicles. Just because the ride here was easy, doesn’t mean that getting the girls out will be.
“Eyes open,” I order, “just because it was Trent’s cell phone that sent the message, doesn't mean it was him who sent it.” We all pull out our pieces to have them ready in case they’ll become necessary to use. As I hold the grip tight in my hand, I realize that I should have it placed down by my leg because there are kids involved and I don’t want any accidental shootings.
Doing just that I’m getting ready to order my men to do the same when the warehouse door flies open and the sounds of a stampede take over my hearing as all of the kids begin running out simultaneously. They’re tripping each other accidentally and pushing each other out of the way as they come running for their fathers.
I don’t see Milly and begin to panic until I see Trent coming out last holding her in his arms. She’s clinging to him and crying into his shoulder. I hear him saying, “You’re safe now, Milly girl. Open your eyes, there’s your dad,” she lifts her head up and swivels it towards me.
I see her lips trembling as she cries out, “Daddy!” Instead of getting down, she reaches her arms out for me.
“C’mere, beautiful girl,” I stretch my arms out so that Trent can place her in them. She almost falls out of his hands trying to get to me as quickly as her tiny body will allow her to. As soon as I have her nestled against me, I look at Trent and ask him, “Why didn’t she come out on her own? Was she scared or is she injured?” I can’t ask my girl because she’s currently sobbing hysterically. Her face is buried in my neck and I feel her tears travel down inside the neck of my shirt and down my chest. Her hands have my cut clenched in her little fists and I’m not sure she ever plans to let go.
“When all the kids heard y’all pull up, they got excited and started running all at one time to get to y’all. She turned her body wrong and twisted her ankle. She couldn’t get up and was extremely upset about that fact and was crying for you. So I decided to go on ahead and pick her up and bring her out to you.”
“Preciate it,” I say, holding her tighter to me.
“You ready to go home, baby girl? Your mama really misses you and would love to hold you in her arms too,” I tell my sweet angel. God, the saying you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone is running through my head right now. She’s only been gone around twelve hours, but not having her ripped my soul from my body.
“Please,” she whispers, head still buried in my neck.
“Then let’s get you home, your old man can’t be stingy and keep you all to himself,” I say, trying to get her to stop crying. I’d do anything not to see or hear her tears. She’s coming home, safe and sound. That’s all any father can ask for.
She giggles before she replies, “I miss Mama.”
“I know you do, baby girl. Let’s do something about that shall we? C’mon, my mini-princess, let’s get you home so you can rule your kingdom. All of your minions have missed you today.”
“I’ve gotta get home so I can feed them, Daddy.”
“Well, then it’s decided. We must rush you home immediately! We can’t have your people starving now can we?”
“Rush forward, my king,” she demands, wiping her tears on my cut. “We can’t keep the castle waiting.” And there’s that smile I’ve been dying to see.
“Alright, Milly-girl, we’re going, stop being so demanding,” I play along. All of us men have our daughters securely in our arms but we never stop scanning the area around us. Feeling a sense of foreboding I don’t like, I order the men, “let’s roll out!” I don’t have to say it a second time. We are all anxious to reunite our families and get the hell out of dodge. I gallop like a knight, trying to keep her mind on anything but the ordeal she’s just gone through, but keeping a speed that I’m comfortable with.
Miracle
Gavin is acting like a pitbull standing guard at the front entrance and won’t let any of us outside. Which of course has all the ladies wound up and ready to battle him. We want to be out there waiting in case our babies are coming home.
“I think we could steamroll him,” Morgan implies.
“We could totally take him,” I rebuke.
We’ve all been aimlessly pacing like caged animals in the front room. Each one of us ready to wrap our little angels in our arms. God! Why is this taking so long? It’s both aggravating and depressing, not knowing what’s been happening to your offspring. It’s a situation I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy.
I hear a crunching sound outside indicating tires on the asphalt. Rushing to the window once again, I see the vans pulling up then see Trent riding behind the convoy on his Harley. Having that gut instinct that all mothers have, I can feel my daughter's presence. I take a quick second to thank the good Lord for bringing her back to me and then all of the women charge the front door at once, not giving Gavin a chance to hold us off. He loses his balance and falls flat on his ass on the hard surface. I know it had to hurt, but right now all I’m feeling is that it serves him right trying to keep me prisoner inside.
I see Jasper exit the passenger side of the vehicle and notice that Milly is holding onto him for dear life. She looks like a little monkey the way she’s wrapped around him.
“Milly!” I holler out and her head snaps up at the sound of my voice. She turns in my direction and throws her arms out at me.
“Mama!” she screams out as Jasper brings her towards me. We squish her between us, neither one of us wanting to let go of her.
“Love you, my sweet girl,” I say in her ear as I brush my hand down her head. I sniff her memorizing her little girl smell. It may make me sound like a lunatic, but it’s one of the things that I think about when it comes to her. It’s uniquely Milly, no one else carries that powder fresh smell like she does. At least not to me.
“Let’s get our girl inside, Miracle,” Jasper states in a harsh tone that lets me know this is more of a command than a request. I nod my head and he carries her through the door and I hold her hand, not ready to let go of her just yet.
“Sissy! Kobe calls out as he runs into the main room once we make it there.
“Bubby!” She begins wiggling to get down from her father’s arms. They rush to each other and embrace. They are extremely close, they act more like best friends than siblings. I hope they keep that bond throughout their teenage and adult years. I never had the type of relationship they have with my sisters, but wish that I had experienced—at least in my younger years. I was a late in life baby for my parents. The closest sibling to me is ten years older than I am. I was their miracle baby, one they were told would never be born. My mother had many complications with my siblings’ birth before mine. She was told then and throughout her pregnancy with me that carrying me to term would be impossible. Yet, here I am.
Kobe and Milly will need to keep that closeness because one day when their father and I are no longer living, they’ll need one another. And let's face it, with the lifestyle we’ve chosen to live, the inevitability of that happening is highly probable to come true. Especially now that they’ve got a huge battle coming up. One that may change all of our lives forever.
One way or another, I’ll still have my man’s back and love my club. I’ll do everything within my power to keep the kids
safe and secure.
Later that evening we’re all bunkered down in Jasper’s room here at the clubhouse. The kids have finally fallen asleep and my old man is in the shower. I look at my babies sleeping peacefully and lock the door. I head into the attached bathroom and strip out of my clothes. He hasn’t even looked my way since I entered. I can see through the glass enclosure that his head is hung.
I open the sliding door and step in behind him. Steam is enveloping the entire stall and bathroom. I wrap my arms around him and lay my head on his back. “She’s home and safe,” I whisper.
He wraps his hands around mine and squeezes them, before stating, “But how much will this affect her? I don’t want her to be afraid of everything growing up and being scared of her own shadow, that’s no life to live, Miracle.”
“We’ll get her through whatever comes her way, Jasper. You and me together—we can accomplish anything. We’re unbreakable and a team that’s impenetrable. No person, no ghost, no shadows, not a damn one of those things stand a chance coming up against us.
“I’m sorry about what I said to you earlier. I know it’s not your fault she was taken. I was so fucking scared and afraid I’d lose my mind. My weaknesses are and will always be you and our children, Miracle. I can’t stand the thought that my choices have the possibility to hurt the three of you. I’d be a shell of a man if I lost y’all.”
“You won’t, we’ve learned a lesson here that none of us will ever forget. We’ll be more cautious from here on out. I’m not going anywhere, Jasper. You’re my man, I love you more than life itself.” He turns in my arms and places his finger underneath my chin raising it up so that our eyes are looking into each other’s.