The Davenport Christmas Chronicles

by Piper Davenport

  Then it was time for me to show her just how much she meant to me.

  Minus

  “It’s settled, then. Should the Spiders declare war, Los Psychos will provide soldiers and weapons as needed, and in return will receive twenty percent of the profit of the public storage businesses on MLK and Broadway for the next three years. If all remains quiet on the Western Front, and the Spiders stay out of Portland, the Saints agree to pay Los Psychos twenty grand as a sign of goodwill for their willingness to help.”

  El Cacto rose to his feet, refusing the help of the soldier who accompanied him, swatting his hand away before straightening his white suit.

  “The history of our two clubs is no secret,” El Cacto said, addressing the room in a distinguished tone. His thick Mexican accent perfectly accentuated by a thick baritone that sounded every one of its eighty-something years.

  “The Burning Saints and Los Psychos were first bonded by blood. The blood we spilled while at war with one another. Now we have chosen peace and I welcome such change. But I fear Los Arañas, The Spiders, will not feel the same. We will stand alongside you and the others here before me today.”

  I stood and shook El Cacto’s hand, before inviting him to return to his seat.

  “El Cacto is right. The fact that our two clubs have gone from enemies to friends so quickly is a reminder of how fast things can change.”

  “They can just as quickly go the other way, too, though, don’t they?” Clutch said, offhandedly to grumbles around the room.

  “Clutch is right,” I said. “We shouldn’t forget how quickly Wolf went from one of us, to one of them. How he had us all convinced that he was still with us. That shit should embarrass you. I know it sure the fuck burns me up.”

  I knew I was taking a risk by talking so openly with members from two other clubs in the room, but I didn’t give a shit anymore. Besides, it’s not like I was spilling any secrets. Wolf, one of our longest serving Saints, had played me and the club, and everyone in the area knew it. Char had used the chapter President’s patch as bait and Wolf bit right away. Plain and simple.

  “It ain’t just you,” Hatch said. “What Wolf did was fucked up and against the code of every club. That shit can’t stand, no matter what ends up going down with the Spiders.”

  I gave Hatch a nod of gratitude and he responded with a chin lift. I was a bit shocked for such a vocal display of support given how we’d left things at the club dinner. We were now days away from Christmas and I’m not sure we’d seen each other at all since then.

  “I appreciate the support of you and your club. Congratulations, also on your promotion, President Hatch.”

  The room broke into a round of applause and Hatch responded by flipping everyone off.

  This time around, our joint club meeting was held at the Sanctuary and not only had officers from the Dogs and Los Psychos, but also the Primal Howlers out of Monument, Colorado. I didn’t know them well, but the Dogs vouched for them, and they’d had our backs when we stormed the Spiders’ lair. Until now, the Primal Howlers had been men of their word, and would soon prove to be valuable as we geared up for impending doom.

  “In addition, the Burning Saints, Los Psychos, and the Dogs of Fire agree to a three-way split in Hog Heaven. The Saints agree to build, staff and manage the facility, while the Dogs will provide security, with Los Psychos handling the product end of the business, with the help of Dr. Warthog, of course.”

  Warthog sat grinning ear to ear like a kid about to rip into his Christmas presents. Silent nods all around signaled an accord to the motion, so I made it so.

  “Okay, then. If there are no objections, that should conclude the deal and this meeting.” I announced bringing the gavel down on the table.

  Warthog began passing out celebratory pre-rolled joints to everybody in the room to mark the occasion. They were as fat as cigars and I half expected them to contain a band that read “It’s a Boy!” The opening of Hog Heaven had been a goal of his since the recreational use of marijuana first became legal in Oregon. For a man of his age and life-long relationship with the sweet sticky icky, opening his own pot shop was like Charlie getting the keys to the chocolate factory. I don’t think anyone in the club had ever seen Warthog happier and I was glad to see Cutter’s oldest friend smiling again. This was a good business move for all of us, and yet another way to keep peace, but more than anything I wanted Warthog to have something for himself as he approached his third act.

  I noticed Hatch making a beeline for the exit the second the meeting had adjourned, and I raced out, meeting up with him in the hallway, away from the others. I approached Hatch and offered my hand which he reluctantly shook, without smiling.

  “I appreciate you saying what you did during the meeting,” I said.

  “It was nothing, don’t worry about it,” he said, barely making eye contact.

  “Well, thanks anyway.”

  “I meant what I said. Wolf is a bad dog and he needs to be put down.”

  “How ’bout me, Hatch? Am I a bad dog or a good dog?”

  Hatch finally smiled. “What I think of you is really important to you, isn’t it?”

  “The only things that are important to me are this club and your sister,” I replied.

  “If I didn’t believe that already, I wouldn’t even be standing here.”

  “Then what the fuck is your problem with me?”

  Hatch sighed heavily and ran his fingers through his hair, pausing briefly before asking, “When you were in school, did you ever have one of those class pets?”

  “Like a mascot?”

  “No, I’m talking about elementary school. Some teachers would bring in a bunny or a guinea pig to live in the classroom and each of the classmates would take a turn bringing it home over the weekend.”

  “I was a ward of the state that went to Catholic school. When the nuns weren’t busy smacking the shit out of me, occasionally I saw a bird outside a window.”

  “Anyway, when I was in sixth grade, Mrs. Bonnet promised us something special if every student in our classroom passed the upcoming math test. I fuckin’ hate math, but I remember wanting that surprise so bad it burned. I studied every night from Monday through Thursday and come Friday, I had that shit down.”

  It was at this time I became acutely aware that this was already by far the longest Hatch had ever spoken to me, outside of discussing club business. I had no idea what the fuck he was talking about, but it was interesting, nonetheless.

  Hatch continued, “Every test had been marked with a passing grade, including my C+, and Mrs. Bonnet introduced us to Hamlet, our new class hamster. He was the cutest fuckin’ thing I’d ever seen in my life. I volunteered to take care of him in class whenever I could. Food, water, changing the cage, I didn’t care. I loved that little hamster, and I could barely contain myself when Mrs. Bonnet explained that we’d all get a turn to take him home and care for him for the weekend. I could barely sleep with excitement, but Cynthia Chang’s name was drawn first, and I’d have to wait my turn. And so it was, week after agonizing week.”

  “So, this is a story about patience?” I asked with a smirk.

  “You wanna hear this or not?”

  I waved my hand. “Please continue.”

  “So, I watched and waited while each of my fellow classmate’s names was drawn from the hat, until Scott Baker’s name was drawn.”

  “Was he your best friend?”

  “Far fuckin’ from it. Scott Baker was the class bully and my childhood enemy. He was the youngest of five boys who were all hoodlums. He towered over most of the kids in the class, including me. Back then, I was a scrawny little shit, and Scott and his gang of brothers had no problems taking whatever the fuck they wanted from me, be it my lunch money, or the bicycle I got for Christmas.”

  “It’s hard to imagine anyone fucking with you like that.”

  He nodded with a smirk. “These kids were feral. Both of their parents were in jail, and they were raised by their
single grandmother. It’s really tragic as I look back on it now, but at the time, Scott and his brothers were simply my tormentors.”

  “So, what happened when Scott took Hamlet home?” I asked.

  Hatch looked down and paused before continuing, “It was Memorial Day weekend, so we didn’t get back to school until Tuesday. I was jealous that fucker Scott was gonna get an extra day with Hamlet over his turn, but I knew my turn had to be coming up soon. When I got to school, Scott had already arrived with Hamlet’s cage, but I knew the second I saw Mrs. Bonnet’s face that Hamlet was dead.”

  “Aw, shit.”

  “Scott brought him home, set the cage down in his room, then split for the long weekend. He left Hamlet alone in his cage for three days without food or water while he rode dirt bikes up at Moses Lake.”

  I knew Hatch enough to know that he wasn’t sharing this shitty childhood memory with me for nothing.

  “Later that day, during our lunch break, I heard Scott talking with a couple of his friends. He was laughing about what Hamlet’s body looked like when he found him, and my blood began to burn like battery acid in my veins. Then he said something I’ll never forget.”

  I leaned in. “What?”

  “He said, ‘That little rat was lucky it died the way it did, because I was gonna do experiments on it when I got home.’”

  “Holy shit.”

  “I felt a rage inside me like I’d never felt before, and I almost blacked out. I remember feeling disconnected from myself, almost like an observer, and I watched myself run at Scott as fast as I could and tackle him to the ground.”

  “Sounds familiar,” I said, and Hatch looked at me surprised, as if he truly had not made the connection between this childhood event and him sacking me during our club dinner game.

  “I guess that sort of makes my point for me,” Hatch said.

  “What is your point, Hatch?”

  “I’d never been in a fight before that day, let alone started one, but the love I felt for that little creature caused me to smash that kid’s face into a pulp that day. The thought of him neglecting Hamlet was enough, but that he’d willingly inflict pain on something I loved was too much. They had to put a cast on my right hand, as I’d broken it so badly while wailing on Scott’s face. His jaw was wired shut for six weeks and he lost the hearing in his right ear.”

  “Jesus. Where is he now?”

  “He died in prison twelve years ago, but that’s not important. What’s important is Christina, and the lengths that I will go through to keep her safe.”

  “Hatch, you know I—”

  “The only thing I know about you is that you seem to attract trouble, and trouble means my baby sister is in danger.”

  “She’s not a baby and I can protect her now.”

  “Can you? So far, all you’ve done since you’ve met is put her in harm’s way. Look, Minus. I know my sister, and I know she’s all in with you and your club. I also know that there’s nothing I can do about that, and the more I try, the more she’ll dig in.”

  “What the fuck can I do about that, Hatch? We’re in love and we’re going to get married. I may not be the man you’d envisioned for your sister, but I’m the man she’s chosen, and you need to get used to that.”

  “You’re right, and believe it or not, I’m warming up to the idea, and to you frankly. But I told you that story to let you know that day on the school yard was ground zero. I love my sister a hell of a lot more than a hamster, and I’ve learned to hit a lot harder since then. Neglect would be enough of a reason to deserve a beating, but intentionally causing harm is another thing all together. I just wanted to let you know that.”

  “Sounds less like a story and more like a threat,” I said.

  “Violence is never my plan, Minus, but when it comes to protecting my sister from you, I’m keeping my options open.”

  “I appreciate your honesty,” I laughed sarcastically.

  “You should. It’s only because I respect you and understand what you’re up against with your club that I’m giving you this courtesy. And it’s because my sister loves you that I’m hell-bent on seeing in you what she does, but until then, I’m gonna continue to watch you with my suspicious eye.” Hatch paused. “But I’m also gonna offer my hand of support. I hate that Cricket’s with a biker. It’s not at all the life I wanted for her, but it’s the life I raised her around, so I can’t be too pissed. So, for now, I’ve got your back, but cross me or hurt my sister and I’ll burn your shit to the ground.”

  “Merry Christmas to you, Hatch.”

  Hatch smiled. “Cricket’s loved you a long time, Minus. I’m all in with you and her...for the moment. My brothers think you’re a good guy...blood and club, so I’m gonna trust their judgement. Unless I’m shown otherwise. Fair?”

  “Yeah, brother. Fair.”

  “Minus!” Doozer called, walking toward us.

  Hatch reached his hand out and I took it. “Bring that beer your buddy brews to Sunday dinner.”

  Sunday dinner was a sacred Wallace tradition and I was surprised the invitation was coming from Hatch directly. Usually, Cricket had to convince me that I was welcome. Now I knew I officially was.

  I grinned. “I can do that.”

  Hatch gave me a chin lift and walked away just as Doozer reached me. “You got a minute, Prez?”

  “Yeah, sure,” I said, leading Doozer to one of the private offices. “What’s up?”

  “Ah, so, I was wonderin’ if I could ride with the BFK for a week or two.”

  I’d noticed he and Trouble had been all over each other, so this request didn’t come out of the blue. “What does Sweet Pea say?”

  “He said it’s cool with him if I clear it with you. He said it would probably be a good idea for me to keep an eye on the truck anyway, in case it has any issues with the transmission.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, brother. You’re clear. But, let’s wait until after Christmas. Ride out with them after the party.”

  “Thanks, Minus.”

  I squeezed his shoulder. “No problem. Now, let’s get a beer.”

  “Don’t have to ask me twice.”

  Hatch

  I walked into the house, my conversation with Minus still playing in my head. I had to give him props for talking to me so openly, and I’d discovered a new-found respect for my someday-to-be brother-in-law. I got a glimpse of the man my sister fell in love with and I knew he felt just as strongly about her. And, really, that was all I wanted.

  As I stepped into the kitchen, my phone buzzed, and I saw that it was Booker, so I answered it. “Hey, brother.”

  “Hey,” Booker said. “You feel good about the meetin’?”

  “As much as I can. You?”

  “Agreed. I’m gonna watch a few of ’em behind the scenes, though.”

  “Do it carefully,” I warned. “You gotta remember Kitty’s probably doin’ the same.”

  “Yeah, I hear you,” Booker said. “You finally put your shit with Minus behind you?”

  I sighed. “Workin’ on it.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Booker chuckled. “Gonna go fuck my wife now.”

  I chuckled, glancing at Maisie who strolled in and gave me a quick kiss. “I’ll give you at least seven minutes before buggin’ you again.”

  “Make it eight,” he retorted and hung up.

  Maisie shook her head. “Why do you feel the need to share so much with each other?”

  I laughed. “We’re brothers, Sunshine.”

  “Exactly how much do you tell them?”

  “I’m not the sharin’ type, baby, you already know that.”

  “Well, thank God for small favors.”

  I grinned and grabbed a beer. “Since we’ve got a few hours before the boys get home, I’m thinkin’ I need to take a shower, but I’d like to do that and fuck my woman at the same time.”

  She bit her lip and I was instantly hard. “I should get dinner prepped.”

  “We’ll order pizza.”


  Grinning slowly, she closed the distance between us and slid her hand under the waistband of my jeans. “Pizza it is.”

  * * *

  Maisie

  Christmas Eve

  We pulled into the compound parking lot and I let out a little cry of glee. “It looks so pretty.”

  Hatch grinned. “We’ve had recruits on it all day.”

  “It’s so cool,” Flash said.

  “Yeah,” Jamie agreed. “Can we do that to our house, Dad?”

  Hatch chuckled. “Since it’s already Christmas Eve, probably not. But maybe next year.”

  The outside of Big Ernie’s had been transformed to look like a giant gingerbread house, complete with blinking lights in the form of gumdrops, and fake snow on the ground.

  “The kids are going to love it.”

  We had close to fifty kids, along with their families, we’d be feeding and handing gifts out to, and the club had outdone themselves. Hatch pulled my car around the back and we unloaded gifts and food, hauling everything inside with Flash and Jamie’s help.

  Hatch wrapped an arm around me and handed me a glass of wine. “You’re off duty tonight, Sunshine.”

  “I thought tonight was going to be dry.”

  He grinned. “Are the kids here yet?”

  “Well, no,” I said, taking the glass.

  “So, enjoy your glass of wine while we do everything.”

  “Do you know how much I love you?”

  “Pretty sure you showed me this morning.”

  “Okay, you two, get a room,” Poppy ordered, walking into the kitchen.

  I chuckled, pulling her in for a hug. “Hello, Poppet.”

  “Hi, Mummy. You’re supposed to be relaxing.”

  “I’m going.”

  I headed into the great room where Daisy was helping Dani wrap presents, and I sat on the sofa, pulling Daisy onto my lap for a cuddle. “Hello, Daisy girl.”

  “Hi, Auntie Maisie,” she said, wrapping her arms around my neck. I loved that she was still a snuggly girl, even though she was seven.