by Vera Quinn
“Our man is on the move. He just left the school.” I don’t even think and turn my head to look at Bandy. Oh shit, they are onto Angus.
“Prissy, where is the vial?” Krill asks in a deep growl of a voice.
“I hid it. I just put it where no one would think to look for it. I’m sorry.” What is this bitch going on about?
“Answer the fucking question and quit stalling!” Dra yells at Prissy. I hear Prissy sniffing as if she is crying harder.
“It’s in Krill’s room, between the mattress and the box springs. I knew no one would search his room. I promise that is the only reason it was there.” Dra and Krill both look at each other. Dra gets up and leaves the room. There’s a knock at the door. Krill gets up and opens the door. It’s Doc and he hands a paper to Krill.
“This is Dra’s toxicology report. You said it was important, so I brought it as soon as it hit my desk,” Doc tells Krill.
“Dra is bringing a vial with some drug I need tested. It’s what they gave Dra.” Krill points towards me and Prissy. Prissy stiffens as Krill said we. Maybe now she will get the danger that we are both in. Dra is back in no time and hands the vial to Doc who is still standing in the open door.
“I will put a rush on it, but the paper I gave you probably has the same thing on it. If I was a betting man, then I’d say one of the date rape drugs were involved also.” Doc looks at me and then Prissy. “It’s a damn shame.” Doc finishes shaking his head and then turns and leaves, shutting the door after him. Dra stands behind Krill, leaning against the wall. Krill looks at Prissy.
“Do you know if anyone else is involved?” Krill is direct and to the point.
“I don’t know of anyone else involved but Sunshine kept texting on that burner phone.” Prissy is still crying. It’s too late to cry now, bitch. “I’m really sorry, Krill.” Krill drops the nice guy act.
“Prissy, do you expect me to believe that you put those drugs in my room just so no one would find them? I’m not stupid, Prissy. You put that vial in my room so you could get the chance to use the shit on me, and then what Prissy? What did you expect in that head of yours? Did you expect me to fuck you and knock you up? Get information for our enemies? Are you working with the people pushing drugs through the school and our town?” Krill is livid. Prissy’s body is shaking. I know she is crying. She deserves whatever she gets for ratting me out. If Krill doesn’t end her, Angus or our partners will.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I have told you everything that I know. I just wanted to love you…I do love you, Krill.” Krill starts to laugh.
“Men don’t love whores that spread their legs for every brother that comes through this clubhouse. When are you bitches going to get it?” Krill is almost laughing at Prissy and then he goes serious. “Every club girl here is treated with a kindness because you each serve your purpose. The Troubled Fathoms MC has never mistreated any woman. We give you a place to stay, food to eat, and put money in your pocket. If you have medical needs, we take care of them. If you want an education we even help with that and in return every one of you agree to spread your legs or any other hole a brother wants. The bottom line is every one of you have the choice to say no or leave at any time. Why all the damn games? Have we not treated you the exact way we said we would? You have our damn protection.”
“I just love you Krill. I don’t want anyone else. Why can’t we be together? Sunshine was with Dra.” Prissy brought the attention right back to me.
“I cut Sunshine loose and she was never a club girl. Sunshine was a hang around and that was my choice, but it is over. She fucked other brothers before me and what she does now is none of my concern. Maddie is my wife and my ol’ lady. Sunshine will never be in my life again and no amount of conniving and manipulation will change that.” Dra is yelling at Prissy. He can say it all he wants but I know that since Micah received those pictures that he is grasping at straws. Micah would have showed them to Maddie and she would leave. I don’t doubt it for a second. Not only is Maddie gone but she has all the evidence that she needs to prove Dra’s infidelity and keep that brat of his far away from him. If nothing else that makes me feel a little retribution and I only hope that Angus can do the rest.
“You have anything else to say, Prissy? If you know anything else now is your time to let us know. Do you know anything about the suicides or drugs in town?” Krill presses Prissy.
“I would never do anything against the club. I am loyal. I don’t know anything about any drugs in town.” Krill looks at Dra and then Bandy.
“Dra take her and lock her back in her room. It’s Sunshine’s turn again.” Dra grabs Prissy by the arm and pulls her out of the chair and then opens the door and they walk out. Raven and Whistler pull my chair back in front of Krill’s desk. “Take the gag out.” Raven does.
“Help! Someone help me!” I scream at the top of my lungs hoping maybe someone hears me. Krill laughs. Whistler shakes his head.
“You really disappoint me, Sunshine. I thought you had more fight in you than what you have shown so far. You have no brains whatsoever, so who is helping you? Someone else must have come up with this idea. You’re not capable,” Raven taunts me. I want to put this asshole in his place so bad.
“Cut her loose,” Krill says as Dra is walking back in the door. Raven takes his knife and cuts the pull ties. I rub my wrist as he gets one leg cut too. I don’t wait. I kick Raven right in the face.
“How stupid was that, asshole?” I spit out at him. Raven turns on me and he wraps his hands around my neck so fast it knocks the breath from me. I am gasping for air.
“Let her go, Raven. She can’t talk with no air getting in,” Krill says. I slant my eyes at Dra and he is showing no reaction. I thought I meant more to Dra then for him to let a man put his hands on me. I overestimated my worth to Dra. Raven loosens his hold and then pushes me back and my chair topples over. My one leg is still pull tied to the chair. I try to kick free, but it does no good. Whistler helps Raven sit me back up. Raven gets in my face.
“I am going to enjoy getting answers out of you. It is going to be slow and painful, very painful but I will enjoy every second of it.” Raven looks at Krill. “Can I take her to the cellar?” Troubled Fathoms MC doesn’t torture women. Do they? I’ve never heard anything of it but then again, I never thought they would let Raven put his hands on me. I thought if I was taken out it would be a quick bullet to the head or something fast.
“Sunshine, you have your choice, either tell us what we want to know or you, Raven and Whistler are going to the cellar and only two of you are coming out. This is not a threat, but a promise and Raven is in complete control when you leave this room.” I look at Krill and then Dra. Neither are smiling. I look at Whistler and then Raven. Whistler has no expression, but Raven has an evil grin on his face. “Is what Prissy said true?” I look straight at Dra.
“Yes, it is all true. My only regret is I didn’t kill Dra instead of slipping him a roofie,” I grit out between my teeth. “You will never get Maddie and that brat of yours back now.” Dra starts towards me but Raven stands between us.
“Do not take away my fun,” Raven says.
“Did Dra do any of this voluntarily?” Krill asks.
“No!” I yell. “Dra just used me, and he doesn’t deserve happiness.” I can’t control what is coming out of my mouth. I see Krill smirk and raise his phone to his ear.
“Did you get all of that Deb? Yeah, we have it covered.” Krill puts his phone away. “I see you have it figured out, Sunshine, or at least part of it. Maddie’s Aunt Deb heard everything that happened, and she will let Maddie know.” No! Everything I did was for nothing. I can’t let this happen. I can’t let the Troubled Fathoms MC win again. I can’t let them use me to get to Angus. I look around and all I see is the shit-eating smirks on all the men’s faces. I know what I need to do. If I am alive I would hope I could take the torture that Raven would do to me and not open my mouth. I can’t be sure. Angus and our friend
need time to work. I may have been a complication in life, but I know of a way I will be a pain in the Troubled Fathoms MC’s ass forever. I look at Raven and he is watching me. Whistler not so much. I take my free leg and push off the desk and fall towards Whistler. I surprise them all. I grab for Whistler’s gun and before they can stop me I do the only thing left to do and then it fades to black.
Chapter 27
Maddie
I am back home but my heart isn’t here. My head is full of why and what ifs. B is happy and busy running everywhere with her Aunt Micah. They are out feeding the horses in the barn. Most of our horses run in the pasture closest to our house but we take extra care of the horses close to foaling and the older horses that need some extra attention. Then there is B’s pony. B is so happy to have her own pony, but she doesn’t realize that it will be some time before she is able to ride it. B is happy, and Micah is over the moon every time that B smiles.
Aunt Deb hasn’t said much since I have been here. That is not normal for my Aunt Deb. I don’t know what to think about it. I know she is going to have her say and I expect it. I just hate waiting for it because I know the longer I must wait the worse it is going to be. If Aunt Deb is taking her time before she says something, it means it is going to be a long talk. I am sitting here on the porch swing contemplating what she might be thinking. This is my favorite spot and if Aunt Deb wants me she knows where to find me.
Micah was not playing about me thinking she is crazy either. When she told me her latest hobby, I was speechless and then when she took me to the club where she dances last night, just to look around, I still do not know what to say. My sister the pole dancer. Micah’s reasoning is it empowers her. Nope, not believing it, and I am determined that this is one thing that she is not talking me into. I would die of embarrassment. Aunt Deb even knows about it, and she thinks it is fine. Aunt Deb’s words were, “It’s legal and it pays damn good money. Do it while you are young and free.” Once again, I am speechless. I said no way I would do it, but I did agree to go with Micah this afternoon, so she can practice her routine. Aunt Deb is taking B for an afternoon of shopping and a movie. Something I am not used to is a night away from B. I’m not sure I like it. I think I might just get me a drink and relax and try to unwind from the turmoil in my life and try not to think of Dra.
My attorney has said we have a great case against Dra for infidelity. I have been fighting myself in my head. Dra and B deserve a relationship together. I don’t care that Dra doesn’t want me. He loves B, and it is what is best for B. She needs her family in Colorado just like she needs her family here and she needs her cousins and aunt in Oklahoma. Micah isn’t going to like it. She was ready to go after Dra with her gun or cut his balls off. Her words. I am going to do what is best for B and Micah can live with it. It’s my decision. Dra and I will learn how to co-parent. We’re both adults, we can do this, and I will not accept anything less. I will do my best to make it work.
“Maddie, can I talk to you in my office?” I didn’t even hear my aunt come out on the porch.
“I have been waiting for this.” Aunt Deb smiles at me.
“My girls know me so well.” We walk into the house and down the hall to her office. I open the door and walk in and Aunt Deb follows and shuts the door. I sit in the over-stuffed chair by the wall and Aunt Deb sits on the love seat. She takes her phone out of her pocket and puts it on the table. “To start with I want to tell you how happy I am to have you and B home. I also want you to know this ranch will always be yours, B’s and Micah’s home. That being said, I will not let you run back here and hide from life.” I look at Aunt Deb and this is not what I expected. “Do you love Dra, Maddie? I mean really love Dra? When you think about Dra does your heart rate pick up and when he looked at you did you feel like you were beautiful? Can you imagine any other man touching you the way that Dra does? Think Maddie, this is the most important question you will ever answer to yourself and to me.”
“Me loving Dra has never been the issue, Aunt Deb. I gave that man my heart a long time ago. He doesn’t want me. He married me and had sex with another woman and threw our marriage vows out the window in less than a week. I am not going to beg any man. He hurt me. He did things that he can’t take back.” It’s almost like my heart is breaking all over again.
“I agree what you think happened, is beyond being forgiven, but answer the questions and then we will discuss the rest.” I don’t know what Aunt Deb is getting at.
“I have loved Dra since before we had our night together when B was conceived. He fascinated me from the first time I met him. I have never had such a connection and attraction to any man. I don’t think any man will ever be to me what Dra is to me. The thought of another man holds no appeal to me even when I am mad at Dra. I am doomed to be alone for the rest of my life.” Aunt Deb is watching me close. I know I am being dramatic, but it is my honest feelings.
“Alright then, I want you to listen to this.” Aunt Deb hands me her phone and some earbuds and what I hear shocks me, but it has me crying. Tears for what I have lost. Tears for the destroyed dreams. Tears from hearing Dra’s voice again and longing for him. I knew that Sunshine was an evil woman but what does that say about Dra? He brought her into his life. A woman that can tear a family apart without a conscience. I have no words for what I have heard. In one way, I am happy to know that Dra did not cheat on me willingly but I am sad that it did indeed happen. Of course, it happened. I have those photos etched in my brain. I close my eyes at night and that is all I see. Dra with Sunshine, that way. So intimate and the look of satisfaction on Sunshine’s face. I hand the earbuds and phone back to Aunt Deb.
“What am I supposed to do with that? It only proves that it happened.” Aunt Deb shakes her head at me.
“You were not raised to hide your head in the dirt, Maddie. Dra didn’t betray you by choice. He was drugged.” Aunt Deb pushes the issue.
“Dra was drugged but he still had sex with that woman. He’s just like every other man in the Bass women’s lives. I think every woman in this family is cursed. I just pray that B skips this family curse.” Aunt Deb is looking at me and then she grabs my hand.
“You listen to me young lady, not a damned one of us is cursed. We are damned hard-headed and a lot stubborn, but I am not letting you make that mistake. You seem to be under the wrong impression of mine and your mom’s life.” Aunt Deb has my attention and she lets go of my hand. “Your mom loved Diamondback and didn’t trust him to protect you and Micah. He was in a very bad motorcycle club. It is not like the club that Dra is in. They didn’t respect women and all they did was party, fight and screw women. Not one woman, many women. I think Diamondback loved your mom in his own way just like I have told you girls, but I can tell you right now if your mom had taken off with you and Micah like you did with B, Diamondback would not have tried to track her down and damn sure wouldn’t have married her after he found her.” Aunt Deb stops for a minute and then goes on. “The man I married wanted this ranch any way he could get it and that included marrying me. He thought I would choose him instead of your mom. That was not happening. Family is who we must depend on in this life. I had already caught him skirting around with the bar tramps in town. I would never cheat your mom out of her part of this ranch. Our blood, sweat, and tears were in this land and just because your mom decided to see what else was out there in the world was not a reason to kick her to the curb. I wish I had been brave enough to do what your mom did. I admired her for her adventurous side and I lived with her through her stories.” Aunt Deb not only lost her sister when Mom died but her best friend too. Aunt Deb looks at the picture above the fireplace. It’s a family portrait of her and Mom when they were young. “I could not open myself up to another man after what he did, but my life has been full. Lonely sometimes, but you girls have kept me busy. I don’t want this kind of life for you and I can see that is exactly what you are setting yourself up for. You are shutting down and building up walls. I think Dra loves you and
if you can keep your eyes and heart open, you two can make the family that all three of you deserve.” I know what I am going to say will change her mind.
“The brief time I was with Dra, I was so happy. He seemed loving and watching Dra and B together filled my heart with so much love. I thought we would make it too. The only thing about that is, he married me in the same chapel he married Callie in Vegas. We stayed in the same hotel and he used almost the same vows. I cherished his words and then when I found out that he used the same words with Callie, then that is all they became is words and it made me hurt all the way to my soul. I don’t want to be Dra’s second choice because he can’t get Callie.” I feel the tears sliding down my face. Aunt Deb pulls me to her and hugs me.
“My sweet, sweet Maddie. I am saying this out of love, and it is the only time I am going to say it, but you knew when you went after Dra he had been in love with your sister, Callie. You went after him anyway. Everyone has a past, but it does not define or set our destiny. We make choices that set our paths. Have a talk with Dra and hear his side before you decide and if you decide it is something that you can’t deal with then don’t build those walls up so no one else can get in. You’ll regret it.” Aunt Deb gets up and then looks back at me. “What would you do if Dra died tomorrow and you could never talk to him just one more time? Don’t be weighed down with regret.” Aunt Deb walks around her desk and sits down. “I am closing this damn computer down and I am going to find B and we are going out on the town. Shopping, movies and dinner. We will probably be gone until late this afternoon or early evening. You’ll have plenty of time to think.” I laugh.
“Nope, Micah is taking me with her, so I can see her practice her pole routine. She thinks she is going to get me up there and it is not happening.” Aunt Deb looks at me closely.
“Maddie, your sister is a lot like your mom. She grabs life by the horns and makes it hers, but there is part of her that she keeps bottled up. She is in love with Sarge and she is too stubborn to admit it. Did Micah tell you why she has the sudden fascination with stripping and pole dancing?” I try to remember what she told me, and Micah has only said it makes her feel empowered. I shake my head no.