by Dark Angel
Chapter 22
Zeva
I wake up sore and stiff from the night before.
I haven’t ever been manhandled like that before.
But I have to say I don’t dislike it, and the post-sex soreness just reminds me of all the blissful orgasms I experienced.
Jason is very adept at handling women and lucky for me I’m the only one he has eyes for. I gingerly make my way down to the kitchen so that I can get some sorely needed coffee.
I feel happy about my life, but I'm worried about what’s gone down at the Honeypot. I know the guys didn’t want to tell me anything but I’ve been dying to find out if Tammi’s okay. I call down there and the bouncer answers.
“Hi. It’s me Zeva. I heard about what happened and I just want to make sure everything’s okay. How is everyone?” I ask with baited breath.“Please tell me no one got hurt.”
He tells me Tammi’s in the hospital.
Oh no.
I drop the phone in shock. I have to get to her. Not my Tammi. She’s like a mother to me. I have to get out of here.
I run and grab my stuff and try to avoid Jason. He’ll stop me. I dress in a hurry and remember with remorse that Wade brought me here on his bike.
It's fine. I'll just take one of his other bikes. I pick the least expensive looking one and pull it out of the garage. The gates open and I'm silently thankful that Wade didn't think to lock me in. Normally I may not disobey his request that I stay put, but with Tammi's life on the line, I have to be there.
Minutes feel like hours as I ride in the hot sun, anxious to get to her. I'm worried about her. If I lose her it's like losing family. I'm not prepared for another heartache like that. She's okay. She's okay. She's fine. I repeat these statements in my head as though positive thoughts might fix the situation.
I'm also worried about the guys because I know they’re gonna think retaliation. I feel that sick, familiar feeling of grief. This sounds like another biker war and in the last one, I lost my dad.
What if I lose the guys too?
I think of him out there preparing to do battle.
We’ve just started getting close. They took my virginity. To lose them now would mean to lose it all. I try not to let myself imagine it.
I race down the highway preparing for the worst. The bouncer told me Tammi was not good but he didn’t specify as to the injuries.
I wonder if anyone besides her was hurt.
It seems like we were moments away from experiencing that ourselves. First they shot up my place and then they attacked the Honeypot.
This is the beginning of war and it doesn’t look good. I’m afraid to see what shape Tammi is in.
The hot wind blows past my face and I’m trying to refrain from crying. I feel exposed even riding out here. Maybe it was a stupid move, leaving like this. The Iron legion might be watching Wade’s place but what else was I supposed to do? Tammi’s always been there for me and now it’s time to return the favor. I don’t see how I could not go to her. I think maybe I should’ve left Jason a note.
The fear infiltrates me on so many levels. I’m worried about Tammi. I’m worried about the guys entering into a war. And I hate to admit it, but I’m worried about myself.
I nearly got killed last night. And now with Tammi in the hospital it is evident that this thing is starting and it’s already out of control. Innocent people are getting hurt and I don’t see why Wade and the guys don’t realize this. I know this fear and pain. I experienced it not too long ago when I lost my father. The pain was unbearable and I simply can’t go through that again.
The tears fall hard now and yet the warm sun and wind dries my face upon contact. I feel furious and scared. I drive the bike as quickly as I can to get to the hospital and I just hope to stay out of sight.
Chapter 23
Wade
I arrive home to the compound after a long night trying to fix what happened at the Honeypot.
Fuck. Who the fuck am I kidding?
There's no fixing anything really. The Iron Legion attacked the place as it was full of innocent people. Many dancers are in the hospital and Tammi is in there too.
This is news I haven’t fucking wanted to tell Zeva.
I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I'm pissed off.
There's gonna be a war there's no doubt about it now. It's coming to a head. I can’t fucking deny that The Legion is a problem. They're here to start trouble and there's nothing any of us can do about it except to defend our territory. I
think of Zeva, how much she is against more fighting. I want to protect her from experiencing any more sadness or strife but some things just cannot be helped. I know Jason has been taking care of her and I haven't doubted her safety for a second because Jason is the strongest guy I have in the gang. She's safe with him and I just need to see her.
I dismount from my bike and check the surroundings. I know The Iron Legion likely wants me dead so they can take over this turf. They've been killing the presidents of other gangs and I'm not fucking naive.
I know they’ll come after me soon unless I can get to them first. So I’m always looking over my shoulder.
It all seems clear. I go inside and look for Zeva and Jason.
Jason is just getting out of the shower.
"Hey, how is everyone at the Honeypot?" he asks.
"I'm not gonna lie to you,” I say with a sigh. “It doesn't look good. Too many fucking people got wounded and the place is absolutely fucking destroyed.”
He’s silent and I continue. “I fucking hate that this shit has come to our town. We need to do something, Jason.”
He remains silent.
“We need to do something quick,” I finish. I’ve said my piece.
"Yeah, I heard even Tammi was wounded,” is his only reply.
"She was,” I answer, going along with him. “But you didn't tell Zeva did you?"
"No. I couldn't bear to tell her that piece of bad fucking news on top of everything else,” he replies.
I'm thinking he may have distracted her with a lot of sex and part of me is jealous that I wasn't there to experience it.
"So," I ask. "Did you guys have a good night?"
He smiles mysteriously. Great, I guess I'm left to imagine all the fun they had without me. Maybe I can go to Zeva now and fuck her and make her come a couple times you know just to make sure she doesn't forget about me.
"Where is she?” I ask. “Is she sleeping?"
"I don't know,” he says shaking his head. “I actually didn't see her in bed just now. I thought maybe she was down here, getting coffee or something."
I'm partially worried as I realize she's not down here and Jason doesn't seem to know where she went.
"Fuck Jason. You don't know where she is?" I say, my heartbeat racing.
"She's somewhere. I just saw her before I went into the shower. Just chill out. She's probably on the back patio or something,” he replies with calm.
"She shouldn't even be outside man,” I tell him wondering why I’m even having to. “They're looking for her."
I'm racing now around the house looking in every room for Zeva and Jason is right behind me.
"Zeva?” I yell. “Zeva, come on baby where are you?"
"Zeva!" Jason yells.
We go upstairs and check all the rooms and balconies. She's not anywhere. The place is quiet.
"Well, she couldn't have left Wade because she came here on your bike. She doesn't have a ride. Unless of course, she walked but she wouldn't do something as stupid as that with The Iron legion following her."
As he says the words it starts to dawn on me that Zeva could've taken one of my many assorted bikes in the garage because I usually keep the keys in them.
Fuck me.
"Jason! I think she left man,” I declare. “Follow me."
We run down the stairs and through the house to the back garage. I scan the room and see one bike missing. Dammit.
"She left. Jason,” I realize out loud. “She
took a bike and left. How could you have let this happen? This is your fault."
"Shit. Where do you think she went?" Jason asks, reality dawning on him.
"Probably she found out about Tammi and went to see her. Where else would she be?"
"Maybe we can catch up to her?” he asks.
For the first time, I’m agreeing with him – my worry cooling and my exasperation starting to ebb away. We know what we need to do.
"Yeah, let's go," I say.
We hop on our bikes and speed away from the compound. At this point, I don't care who's watching or scoping us out. I just have to find Zeva before they do. Doesn't she know that they're watching her every move? How could she have done something so reckless? I'd want to spank her bare ass as punishment if I wasn't so goddamn worried.
I’m fucking terrified of what might happen and I have a sinking feeling in my stomach like something bad is about to happen or that it already has.
We ride as fast as we can to town. It's a long way there and the minutes feel like small eternities within each other as my heart is racing and my palms are sweating out of fear. I never feel fear usually because I am out for myself and I don't give a fuck if I get hurt or even if I die. But with Zeva in my life now I suddenly care a little too much about her safety and my own. I know if I died she would be devastated. And I am devastated at the thought of something happening to her. This is love I guess. It's unfamiliar and my emotions are running wild.
Chapter 24
Zeva
At last, I arrive at the hospital. I pull up right on the sidewalk near the entrance. I rush inside and demand to see Tammi. Once they show me to her room one look from her smiling face lets me know that she's okay. At least she appears okay.
"Are you alright? Tammi, I was so worried," I say with downcast eyes. "I'm so sorry that happened to you. What would I’ve done if I lost you?"
I'm crying soft tears and bend and bury my head in her lap when she speaks up. "It's okay darlin'. I'm fine really. Don't you worry."
"You're like a mother to me," I say quietly. "The only mother I have. Without you, I'm an orphan."
"I'm going to be released tomorrow, that means it wasn't so bad,” she replies gruffly.
I look up at her through tear-stained eyes, "You are?"
"Yes,” she says nodding. “Doc said my wounds weren't that deep apparently. All this fuss over nothing."
I breathe out a sigh of relief, "Thank God."
"See, it's okay like I said,” she reassures me.
"Well, what can I do?” I ask.“Do you want me to take you home?"
"No hon. I've decided to leave town for awhile. Things are getting too crazy around here and I'm not prepared to go through another war. My sister's coming to pick me up. I'm gonna stay with her in NYC until this whole thing blows over."
"You're leaving?" I ask, my eyes going wide. I'm sad at the prospect of not having her to confide in but I'm happy that she'll be safe. Hell, if I didn't have the men I'd probably be packing my suitcase myself.
"Zeva, I want you to come with me,” she says. When I don’t answer she continues. “Wouldn't it be fun to stay in the city for awhile? We could go together. Please Zeva, I need you to be safe also."
The idea is appealing, but I know in my heart I can't leave here. I need to stay and make sure everything’s alright.
"Oh Tammi, I want to go with you,” I say and her eyes light up. “I really do. But...I can't leave. I'm in too deep now. Please understand."
She sighs a breath of knowing like she saw this coming. "I figured you'd say that but I had to ask. I hope these guys appreciate you after all.”
"Thank you, Tammi, thank you for your offer. And I promise that they do care for me."
"Okay then. I'll be in touch. I will call you with my sister's phone number."
"I will," I promise. I leave the hospital grateful in my heart that she's okay. I was imagining the worst and I thank God that she made it through seemingly untouched. Her wounds were not as bad as they could have been for sure, just surface stuff from the look of it.
"Thanks, Tammi," I feel bad not accepting her offer but I have to. "But I can't leave. I just can't leave."
"Hmm, so things are turning out to be different with them,” Tammi says with a twinkle in her eye. “Zeva, is it sounding like you might be their old lady."
"Well, we did talk about love,” I admit.
"Sounds pretty real,” she says wryly.
"Yes!” I declare. “I love them, each of them...so much."
"That’s good honey, but you have to be careful. Try to guard your heart a little. You realize that as long as they stay the biker route they’re all gonna die young. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but it's just the truth."
I shake my head. I’ve known this for a while.
"I know," I say sadly. "And Tammi I know that you feel the pain from losing your man. I've talked to them about leaving or becoming legitimate but they consider the whole thing a family legacy. I don't know what to do to change their minds."
"Yeah well, you can't change a man I guess,” she says with a sigh. “They have to learn it on their own."
"I wish I could change them, Tammi, just on this one thing."
Tammi looks at me as I say those words and nods.
"Trust me, so do I,” she says quietly. “I tried to have the same discussion with my man and he saw it like that too, through the lens of family. And he was stubborn as all hell and guess what? I had to watch him die in my arms. For what? An ill-conceived notion about loyalty? I wish he had been as loyal to me as he was to that damn club."
"I know Tammi, I'm so worried. I thought about how I might as well die if something happened to any of them. That's not healthy. And then I think about you and how you've endured. You've really been strong Tammi and I don't want to have to be that way. I don't want to have to be strong. I want to come to it a different way."
"I know babe. I know. That's why my greatest advice is that you come with me. Let this thing blow over and then see about men."
I would be lying if I said that I didn’t even consider what she was saying.
Just leave it all. Get away from all of this madness?
"Well, Tammi,” I sigh again. “I can’t.”
"Alright, well you know where to find me. I hope you're right and that things turn out fine."
"Okay Tammi, thanks,” I say, a tear rolling down my eye. “I'll be in touch."
She looks at me one last time – as if her look will convince me.
"I'll miss you Tammi," I say as I kiss her on her forehead and get up to leave. I better head back to Wade's soon now that I know Tammi's okay.
"Goodbye sweetheart, take care of yourself," she says as she sees me get up.
I leave and take a minute to just consider what she's said. She is alone now because of the exact mess I'm in. Am I willing to go through more grief in exchange for love? I decide I better get back before anyone notices I'm gone.
I’m going to begin my journey back to Wade's place. I wonder if Jason will have noticed that I left. I hope not because I don't want to endure his wrath. But, he would have to understand that I needed to check on Tammi. It's such a good thing she's leaving and I'm sure they will be happy to hear it too.
I feel that familiar rush of emotion at the thought of seeing Jason. I haven't even had a chance to reflect on the fact that he changed my life last night. It was so worth being with him. He was amazing and I will never forget the way he handled me with such furious passion and yet tender care too. My heart flutters at the thought of it happening again. I know that I should probably be leaving town like most people are likely doing, but the thought of leaving these guys to possibly die here is too great a burden. I need them and that need is what makes me stay.
I head outside. Before I get two feet past the door though a hand is over my mouth and someone has my legs.
Fuck. I know it's them. I don't even have to look.
It's The Iron Legion
and they’ve found me.
Chapter 25
Jason
Jason and I get to the hospital and Alex arrives at the same time.
We're all here to check on Zeva. My only solace in this moment is knowing that she's okay. I'm relieved she wasn't a part of last night's shooting, beyond relieved, but I can't help but worry about the future. How can I protect her throughout this ordeal without keeping her on lockdown?
I feel terrible that she escaped on my watch. I know Wade and Alex are fuming at me for letting her out of my sight for even a second.
To my chagrin who's waiting right there in the distance? I could spot his smug face a mile awhile. Wade and I drive our bikes up to Cole.
"What are you doing here?" Wade asks him pointedly.
"I'm here to talk you obviously," he says.
"Shouldn't you be arresting The Iron Legion by now? Seems like you'd have your hands full."
"They are on my radar, trust me. But I'm here to tell you that you and your band need to get out of town and let these guys win."
"Is that so?" Wade says. He’s fuming I can tell. "Is that what our father taught us to do? To run away at the first sign of trouble? I don't think so.”
"He also got fucking killed for it Wade, remember?"
"How could I forget?" Wade hisses into his face. "I'm the one holding up his legacy now. He would despise you if he saw how you turned on his family."
I'm not shocked by his cowardice. Cole has betrayed us by switching sides.
Here he is standing at the door of the hospital where so many people are injured and he’s telling us to run.
What a fucking joke.
"If you and your cop friends are so afraid why don't you be the ones to leave?” I question him. “Because our gang isn’t going anywhere. We don't run Cole. Running is the coward's way out, but don't worry I didn't expect more than that from you."