by K. J. Dahlen
Cassie helped Peaches up from the floor and they too made their way to where the others were standing, the crowd parted and Cassie could see the man that got hurt. Blood ran down his arm.
The man everyone called Doc was cleaning his wound. He looked up and announced, “It’s a clean wound. All he needs is a band-aid and a drink. It could have been worse.”
“What happened out there?” Deke demanded.
Cutter glanced up. “I saw some movement in the woods outside the fence. Before I could take stock, I felt the burn of a bullet. I returned fire and some of the other boys joined me. Whoever was out there ran off. I don’t know if he was hit or not.”
Deke ran his fingers through his hair. “We need to stay alert boys. Cutter saw one man but there could be as many as three trying to get in here. Get those lights on. Make it impossible for them to get in. Stay in the shadows and out of the line of fire.” Deke met the gazes of his men. “We’ll go on four and four. Half of you guys rest, the other half on guard duty. Change places every four hours.”
Everyone went to their places. Some of the guys went outside while the rest headed to the rooms down the hall beyond Deke’s bedroom.
Deke walked over to one of his guys sitting in the corner. He was at a small table, scribbling on a piece of paper. “Zipper, have you had any luck?”
Zipper looked up and nodded. “You were right, it’s a log of payments coming in and going out. There are no names listed, only initials but anyone who knows anybody in Boston, might be able to tell you who these people are.” He leaned back in his chair. “This book covers an eight year time span. It has twelve sales listed.”
Deke nodded. “That book is at least eleven years old. Since then, she’s probably sold dozens more.”
“What exactly is she selling?” Zipper asked.
“Do you really want to know?”
Zipper nodded and waited,
“She’s selling kids, very young kids.”
Zipper stared at the other man, then shook his head. “I know we don’t work with the badges but we need to do everything we can to stop this bitch, cuz that’s just wrong. Any way you fucking slice it, selling kids is wrong.”
Deke motioned his head to the notebook. “Is the name Lance Sullivan listed in there under out going payments?”
Zipper shook his head. “Not that I found.”
“Then let’s hope he’s an honest badge. Maybe we can give this information to him and he can bust her ass.”
~* * * *~
A short time later, Cassie looked around the room for Peaches and found her on the sofa sleeping. Some of the men were sitting at the other tables talking quietly. She could see Deke and Gator at one of the other tables. She got to her feet and joined Reva in the kitchen.
She didn’t say anything. She just went to the corner and slid down the wall. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she rested her chin on them. For a long time, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Cassie asked the question, “Why is Deke doing this for me? I’m nobody. Why is he risking his life and everyone else’s for a woman he doesn’t even know? I don’t understand.”
Reva cut through the sandwich she was making, then laid the knife down. Without turning her head, she replied, “Some people look at these guys like they’re shit they just stepped in. Not many people understand who or what these guys are. All they can see is that they’re bikers. Big bad asses that belong to a club.” Picking up her knife again, she continued, “And they are all of that, but so much more. Belonging to a MC club doesn’t mean these guys don’t care. We’re a family. Hell, most of these guys joined the club just to belong somewhere. Some of them are misfits, some of them just like to be bad, but like everybody else, they’re human.”
Cassie listened and thought about the warmth she saw in Deke’s eyes and what she thought about him the first time she saw him. He wasn’t like what she thought at first.
“Being in a club isn’t easy for everyone and not everyone can live this life, but it’s a damn good life for those who can. We all work for a common goal and we all stand together to protect this way of life. We love together and the guys protect what they have. They can be a rowdy bunch but you’ll never find a better group of men.” She hesitated briefly then added, “I don’t know what these guys do for a living, other than the dance club but that’s not my business. That’s club business and we know enough not to ask. That’s one of the rules we all live by.”
Her explanation blew Cassie away. She thought clubs like this one lived dangerously, looking to break the law rather than uphold it. “Is that true for all clubs?”
Reva shook her head. “No baby girl, I’ve seen other clubs and not all of them are like this one. This is one of the better ones.”
Cassie laid her head down on her knees. “I’ve never really belonged to anything good before. Me and Peaches had to make our own way for a long time. We were all each other had.” She sighed. “It must be nice to belong to someone and something like this.”
Reva smiled. “It is…it’s very nice.”
“Is Deke one of the good guys?” Cassie whispered.
“Yes, he is, Oh, don’t get me wrong, he can be a bad ass when he wants to be. He’s a hard man, but he’s fair. I think he’d be good for you.”
Cassie closed her eyes. “I’m so tired of running, always looking over my shoulder, never knowing when trouble is going to find us. There have been a few times when I just wanted to give up. Go somewhere and just curl up and quit. I would have too, if not for Peaches. She needed me. I had to stay strong for her.”
~* * * *~
When she didn’t hear anything for a few minutes, Reva looked over and found Cassie was asleep again. There were shadows under her eyes and her skin almost appeared bruised. Her eyebrows looked tight as if her dreams upset her.
Shaking her head, Reva had to wonder what demons held this child in their grasp. She figured it was bad. Gator came in to refill his coffee cup. She met his eyes and jerked her head to where Cassie was sleeping.
Gator followed her eyes and when he saw her, his fingers curled tighter around his cup.
Reva came closer to her husband and whispered in his ear, “She’s been all the way to hell and back hasn’t she?”
Gator wrapped his big arms around his woman. “Yup, she has.”
Reva met his eyes. “Bad?”
“Worse than you can imagine.”
“Can you guys save her?” Reva asked.
“We have to…Deke won’t let her go and heaven help anyone who tries to take her away from him.” He glanced over at the girl. “Do you think we should move her?”
Reva shook her head. “Let her sleep. At least for now, the demons are leaving her alone.”
Gator kissed his woman, then poured his coffee and went back to the main room.
Reva poured herself a cup and joined him. Things were slow right now and she prayed they would stay that way.
~* * * *~
Cassie slept undisturbed for the next few hours. When she came awake again, her mind was clear and she felt a calm she hadn’t felt in some time. She stretched her arms over her head and slowly got to her feet. Her body felt recharged and she was filled with an energy she knew she would have to explore.
Peeking out into the main room, she could see everyone was quiet, most everyone seemed to be resting. Deke was in a chair leaning against the wall, his eyes closed in slumber. Gator was lying on a mattress someone had hauled into the room and he was holding Reva in his arms. They too, had their eyes closed.
Peaches was curled up on the couch. Behind her was Wiley and his arms held her. Cassie could see other mattresses along the wall. Men were laying on them and she could hear snoring echoing in the quiet.
She suddenly, had the overwhelming urge to paint. So much so, that she could picture exactly what she wanted to draw. She went to the back room and began looking at the cans of paint she’d discovered the other day.
Gathering what she would need,
she carried it out to the main room. The only spot that was open was next to her painting of Rufus. It was a huge area next to the back door. Opening the black paint, she dipped her brush and began to paint. Her lines were bold and everything just came together quickly. So lost in her art, she barely heard the door open nor care as the men changed places.
Some laid down to sleep but there were one or two that laid there and watched her work.
Deke opened his eyes and in the silence, he watched her painting come to life.
The scent of paint brought Gator and Reva back to the land of the living. They too, didn’t move but watched as Cassie worked.
As the sun came up, Peaches opened her eyes and gasped softly. Wiley began to move behind her and she reached behind her to cover his mouth with her hand.
Wiley’s eyes widened as he caught sight of what everyone else could see.
A single beam of light shone on the painting and when Cassie put her brush down—that beam of light seemed to bring her painting to life. As she stood there oblivious to the room around her, she felt arms surrounding her from behind. Her heart began pounding in her chest and she felt a moment of fear. For the span of a heartbeat, she felt her fight or flight response kick in, then she recognized a familiar scent and relaxed. She knew he would never hurt her.
“He’s beautiful,” Deke whispered in her ear. He stared at her painting. The huge cat’s face almost appeared real. He could see the gleam in the lion’s eyes, as if he had just caught sight of his next meal. The cat’s mouth was set in a snarl and Deke could see a dribble of saliva gleaming off the teeth.
“I call him Diablo,” Cassie spoke quietly. She was tired now. Bringing her painting to life had drained her earlier burst of energy.
“He’s beautiful Cass,” Peaches told her friend.
Cassie turned her head and smiled. “I always did like the big cats.”
Peaches smiled gently. “Yeah, you always did.” She stared at the painting again. “I feel as if he’s seconds away from ripping into my body with those teeth.”
The doors opened and several men came in to break the silence of the room. When they saw the new painting, they stopped and stared.
Reva got up from her place on the floor and as she passed Cassie and Deke, she reached out and patted Cassie on the arm.
Cassie bent over and began cleaning up her paint cans. Carrying them to the kitchen, she ran water through the brushes. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee hit her. When she shook out the water from the brushes, she felt Peaches come up behind her. Cassie turned to look at her.
Peaches was smiling at her. “He is so beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Cassie nodded.
“You’re in a good place, aren’t you?” her friend whispered.
“It doesn’t make sense does it?” Cassie pondered.
“For whatever its worth, I think Deke is good for you.”
Cassie paused then said, “His touch excites the hell out of me.”
Peaches cocked her head and asked, “And that bothers you? That would be a good thing, don’t you think?”
“It could be if I didn’t feel he was holding back,” Cassie admitted.
“Holding back?” Peaches frowned.
“Every time we get together, he’s wonderful but I feel like he’s holding the best part from me. He makes me feel things I never thought I would and my body responds to his touch but there is a hint of something bigger and better in his eyes. I don’t know what it is and he has me curious.”
“That could be a good thing too.” Peaches grinned.
“Can I say something?” Reva broke in.
Cassie and Peaches turned to gaze at her.
“You’ve made it very clear to everyone here you can’t stand to be touched. Deke respects that. He knows some of what you’ve been through and he doesn’t want to hurt you. But honey, there’s a good touch and a bad touch. Sharing your body with someone you care about is a good thing. I know some women who only want a gentle touch and they look for men to give it to them. These men aren’t gentle lovers. They prefer their loving hot and heavy. Now, I’ve had gentle loving and I’ve had it hot and heavy and if you ask me, I like it so much more when it’s hot and heavy. I love the feeling Gator gives me when he shares my body but when he gets down and dirty, it’s so much better for both of us.”
“Does Deke like it down and dirty, do you think?” Cassie asked.
Reva snorted. “Deke and Gator are the same kind of men. They both like to live on the edge. They like to work hard and play hard. Big and bad and they like to bend the rules to suit themselves. I think they like loving the same way.”
“So, you think he’s holding back?”
“He might be afraid of breaking you,” Reva admitted. “Deke has never been an easy man but with you, I see something I’ve never seen before. He actually cares about you. Believe me when I tell you, I don’t think the man has ever cared for a woman before. They were here for his pleasure but he never thought about their feelings before.”
“So you know him better than I do,” Cassie said. “How do I get him to show me real loving? I’ve never known that before and before something happens, I want to feel everything I can. I might have to live on those memories for a long time when I leave here.”
Reva patted her hands. “All you have to do is ask him. Let him know what you want, then you hold on and let yourself be unafraid. He isn’t going to hurt you.”
Cassie nodded. Then she had to ask, “What’s going on out there? Why have men been coming and going at all hours?”
“It’s club business and you should ask Deke about that.”
“Do you know?”
Reva hesitated then nodded.
“Can you tell me?”
“I really shouldn’t stick my neck out. It’s Deke’s business.”
“Can you tell me if it has to do with me and Peaches?” Cassie begged.
“Yeah, honey, it does,” Reva finally told her.
“Are we putting these men in danger?”
Reva sighed heavy. “Honey, they are protecting you from some very bad men looking for you. That’s all I know.” She turned away.
“Reva, “Cassie called out. When the other woman turned back she asked, “Has anyone else come looking for us?”
Reva nodded. “Some cop came yesterday.
Cassie turned to Peaches and sweat formed on her brow. She reached her hand out and Peaches grabbed it.
~* * * *~
Deke was staring at the new painting when Wiley came in. “Hey boss.”
Deke turned and glanced at him. “What’s up?”
“We have a visitor.”
“Oh, who might that be?” Deke asked.
“The Boston badge. You want we should let him parlay?”
Deke thought for a moment, then looked toward the kitchen. “Hang on a minute and I’ll let you know.” He headed to the room he knew Cassie and Peaches were in.
When he came through the door, Cassie and Peaches turned to stare at him. They had a slightly panicked look in their eyes.
“Lance Sullivan is here. He’s a Boston badge and he’s been looking for you two for a long time now.” He paused a moment. “Do you want to see him?”
Cassie turned to Peaches. “Are you ready for this?”
“Not really…” Peaches whispered.
“It has to happen at some point,” Cassie reminded her friend.
Deke took a few steps closer. “You and Peaches aren’t alone in this. I’m here to protect you as well as every other man here. You belong to us now and we don’t give up or let go what belongs to us.”
Cassie took a deep breath and exhaled. Her fingers tightened on Peaches’ grip. “You won’t let him take us back to Boston?”
Deke wrapped his hand around the back of Cassie’s neck and pulled her closer. When their lips were almost touching he whispered, “You aren’t going anywhere, but I do think you should tell this badge your story. I think you guys have run long enough,
now it’s time to turn and make your stand.”
“Do you think he’ll listen to what we have to say?” Peaches asked.
Deke turned his head to view her. “I think he wants to.”
Cassie touched her forehead to his briefly. “Let’s do this before I lose my nerve.”
Deke reached down and twined his fingers with hers. He slowly tugged both girls to the door and into the main room.
Wiley watched him carefully. At Deke’s nod, he walked out the door.
Moments later, Wiley ushered another man into the room.
Deke had taken a seat at one of the tables along with Cassie and Peaches. Five of the other bikers, including Gator stood behind Deke and the girls.
Lance paused when he saw all of them, then continued to the table. He met Deke’s eyes then his curious gaze moved on to Cassie and Peaches. “I had to come back today.” He raised his eyes view to the painting on the wall. His eyes widened as he saw the new painting next to the tiger. His mouth opened slightly as he took in the bold lines and swirl of colors. He turned to stare at Cassie. Then, he transferred his gaze to Deke.
Deke invited him to sit with a wave of his hand.
When Lance sat down, he searched the girl’s faces. “I came here to find Josette Rearden and Callie Blake. I wanted to ask them about their story. I’m not here to hurt you and if I don’t like what I hear, I’ll do whatever I have to do to see that you girls are safe. You have my word on that.”
“You’ll forgive me Detective if I don’t trust you altogether.” Cassie sneered. “The people who should have protected us, were either were blind to what was going on right under their noses or they were too busy stuffing their pockets with payoff money to give a shit about the welfare of the unwanted kids in your foster system.”
“Can you tell me?” Lance asked.
“Are you sure you want to hear the details?”
Lance sighed and nodded. “When this case hit my desk eleven years ago, the file read assault with pending charges of attempted murder. Robbie Pierce’s medical records were part of that file and what happened to him was bad, really bad.’ He paused and stared at Cassie. “When I first read the age of the perpetrator I had to stop and read it several times. It listed your age as being ten years old. Is that right?”