He rips the skin from Rider’s chest like he’s unwrapping a present. Shit. He looks disappointed that he sees ribs. What did he expect? He got in a hurry with it. He walks to the table behind Rider and grabs an electric saw. Rider is breathing so hard, I’m surprised he hasn’t passed out yet. He’s whimpering in pain. I can barely watch myself. I have been witness to a lot of Prez’s fun, but this is a top for me. The fucker is overjoyed more than any other time he’s ever played. I think this could be a hobby for him. Shit. The saw cutting through bone is one hell of a sound. It’s not like wood, or anything else. It’s got a screeching sound to it. Rider passed out as soon as Prez started to saw the bone.
Five minutes later, we see his beating heart inside his body. Jinx’s eyes go wide with a side smile on his face; Prez looks just like every other time he plays—like he’s unwrapping a present he’s been waiting for years for. I’d hate to see what he does to Rufus. These two are more alike than I thought. They both just stare for a moment and smile.
He hands the knife to Jinx. Jinx looks at him like a lost little kid.
“Your idea, Brother. Let’s test the theory of a ghost heart.” Jinx’s eyes flash with excitement. Prez looks like a proud father. Jinx is only twenty-four, slightly younger than Prez. Jinx sets the knife down on the table and grabs the second pair of black rubber gloves; Prez has the first pair on. He strolls over to Rider with a skip in his stride. He gently holds Rider’s heart in his hands. We all watch it beat against his palms. He feels for the arteries that need to be detached so he can remove it from his body. We all slow our breathing and watch as he carefully tears each artery. We all crowd closer and watch the heart beat separate from the body. It slowly stills in Jinx’s hand. We all watch, possessed by it.
“One minute and twenty seconds.” Prez announces, cutting through the silence and concentration. Jinx laughs and sets the dead heart on the table. Prez calls Jester and Ruckus from outside. They walk in.
“Holy fucking hell, Prez.” Ruckus stops dead in his tracks, looking at the heartless body.
“Shit.” Jester says.
“Take Rider to the door step of the Jackals MC. Nail his fucking heart to their fucking door, like a knocker.” Prez says to the two of them while they still have their mouths dropped open.
“Jinx, let’s smoke and compare notes.” He says walking out, obviously still in his role of ‘scientist’—sick bastards. Colt and I shake our heads and share a smirk while we follow them out.
“What now, boss?”
“We hunt.” Prez answers as he straddles his bike. We all follow suit and crank our bikes and follow him back to the motel. I need a beer after that shit.
After getting back to the motel, we all grab a beer and finally calm down after that crazy shit.
We’re held up in some shitty road side motel in Shallow River, outside of the Jackal’s MC. Jester and Ruckus return two hours later and grab a beer.
“Was the other two bodies there?” Prez asks.
“Nah, Prez.” Jester answers while he takes a long drink of his beer, nearly finishing the bottle. I can tell the scene from Rider got to him. But he won’t dare share that feeling. Weakness is one thing Prez won’t tolerate; weakness jeopardizes everything.
“Someone is moving them. Colt and Jack, go watch the place. See who moves Rider and where. Then follow them to where they came from. Be discrete, make no move unless I tell you fuck otherwise.”
“Got it, Prez.” They say in unison and head out to scout.
Prez comes to the table I’m sitting at with Ruckus and Jester. They seem to have seen better days, hell we all have. This one is sure as fuck for the books though. Very eventful.
“How’s Avery and wild man?” Prez asks. Despite his blood lust, he does well with little man. He has yet to meet Avery officially. Club business comes first.
“Wild Man?” I ask, raising my brow.
“Yea, kid’s got an authoritative streak in him—takes risks. I saw him handle Bronx with no hesitation. He’s a strong kid.”
“Yea, he’s doing great. Acts like nothing ever happened to him. He’s a tough kid. Watches Avery like a hawk—he’s very protective of her, and I don’t blame him.”
“And Avery?” How do I put this? She seems to fit in great, happy even. But there is something wrong. I can see it in her eyes. She pooled the wool over everyone’s eyes but mine. I can see it. Like there is an emptiness in her eyes. The nightmares are not helping either. I can hear her scream every night from the infirmary. I can’t bring myself to go and comfort her. I can’t relive with her everything that haunts her. It haunts me too. Being a father and watching your daughter scream and relive every tortuous moment of her life, cuts me wide open, leaving nothing but rage filling the cut. I can’t wait to get a hold of Poodle. Hell, maybe we all have a little scientist in us after all. With all the ways to make him pay, flooding my mind.
“Ah, she’s good.”
“She don’t sound too good with those nightmares every night.” He says arching an eyebrow at me. Of course, if I can hear it, why couldn’t they.
“Yea, Prez, she’s got some demons haunting her. What they did to her, it slices through my soul with every scream.” I sigh.
“I’ll get you and Avery’s revenge, Brother, I swear it. You’ll have Poodle.” He says matter of fact. I know he’ll let me handle him. Then I get an idea.
“Prez, let’s make them suffer together—Rufus and Poodle. Let him watch his own father get gutted in front of him. Then I’ll finish him off.”
“You know, I’m starting to like the idea of bringing you guys in on my play time. First, Jinx surprises the fuck out of me, now you.” He laughs, running his hand through his short hair.
Chapter Nine
Harley
I can’t shake this gut feeling that something bad is about to happen. I try and go on about my business, helping Avery and Caleb adjust to the Hell Hound life as much as myself. I’m worried to death about Ford.
Just weeks ago, I was burying my father with all intentions of going back to my life in Washington—my life has turned completely around. I never would have guessed that I would have my family back or even Ford for that matter. It’s all almost too much. I’m worried I’m not strong enough. But, I know I need to keep it together for my family. I went from being a single dog lady to a mother, grandmother and girlfriend overnight. It’s hard to keep up in my eventful life now. I almost miss my boring life—almost. Then I think of how life would be without any of them and I can’t fathom it. I need out of this place for a while. Lockdown is proving to be suffocating. I’ve been keeping in touch with Lissa through text. Maybe she can come over and meet Avery and Caleb.
Me: Hey, whatcha doing?
Lissa: Hey, Hoe Bag! Missing my lady friend! ;)
This woman makes my days brighter. After I get done with my laughing fit, I text back.
Me: Wanna come over? Lockdown is dragging me down. :(
Lissa: On my way babes!
Fifteen minutes later, Lissa pulls up. I run out and jump into her arms and we both go tumbling against her car. After we get a hold of our laughing fit, she looks at me like I’m crazy. “What?”
“Your different—a good different.” She says.
“A good different?” I ask.
“Yea, babes, I can see you’re glowing. You’re not guarded anymore. It’s a good different.”
Her words sink in. She’s right, I can’t think of the last time I worried about the past. It was dragging me down, eating at me until there would be nothing but an empty shell of the former Harley Brookes. I am glowing, I guess.
“Come on, meet my family.” I say dragging her by the hand. I look back to her and she is smiling like she just won the lottery. Man, I love my best friend.
I find little man outback with Bronx. Watching them play in the yard, running around and laughing, I know I made the right choice giving Bronx to Caleb. We walk over to them and Caleb looks up from his giggling with Bronx.
“Hi.” He says nervously.
“Hey, buddy. Do you like ice cream?” Lissa asks in a soft voice. I know she always wanted to be a mother. It was just never in the cards for her.
“Yes! Grandpa took me to get ice cream before he went to work with Uncle Eli.” Caleb practically jumps with joy toward the club, anxious to have his ice cream. “Come on, Bronx! We get ice cream!”
We walk behind him, smiling and talking about how handsome he is—the light of my life, well, one of three. I don’t know if life could get any better than this.
We sit in the kitchen, eat ice cream and listen to little man talk about all his uncles. Lissa’s face lights up when he talks about Jack. I can see that she is in love and she probably don’t even know it or she is in serious denial. Either, or. It works as long as she is happy. I’m happy for her.
“Lissa, will you keep little man company? I’ll see if Avery would like to join us.” She nods and I walk to the infirmary. She still won’t move to one of the rooms down the hall. Colt went and bought some books and a phone just in case she needed him. That way he would only be a call away. She said Alice, Poodle’s mother, taught her to read and write before she died when she was thirteen of cancer. That’s when things got bad she said. A year later, Caleb was born.
“Hey.” I say softly. She looks up from her phone and smiles.
“Hey.” She says sweetly. You would never have guessed she has demons chasing her. She is just full of innocence. I have no doubt she is still having trouble adjusting. It will take some time. It would for anyone. Her wounds are healing well. The cut on her cheek is almost fully healed. She still has a little trouble moving from her ribs and burns.
“Want to have some ice cream with us?”
“No, I’m fine, thank you.” She says returning to her phone.
Fair enough. I don’t want to push her into life. She has to make this decision on her own. I just hope she sees that we are all behind her and support her. Her eighteenth birthday is two months away And Caleb’s is right after hers. Maybe a nice party will help her come out of her shell and lower her guard with her family. After all, it’s a large family. Each member comes to check on her every day. Colt is always by her side. But, Jack and Jinx make her laugh and Eli and Colt make her feel safe. Jester and Tech are teaching her about the new world, electronics and such. They all have chipped in with her and little man, and for that I’ll be forever grateful. This is a family. My family. Avery’s and little man’s family. Ford’s family. I judged these guys all wrong because of rumors. Although, I have no doubt they can be monstrous when need be. But it all comes from a need to protect what’s theirs—territory and family. I’m proud to be a part of this family. I watch Avery stare at her phone and smile to herself, having no doubt she is talking to Colt. He had to show her how to text and get to contacts to call.
Walking back to the kitchen, I see Tech talking to Caleb about some kind of kid iPad or something.
“Don’t get my boy sucked in the technological world, Tech.”
“Hey, Kid has a knack for it. I’m just helping him along.” He chuckles to himself. Lissa is holding her head down, her body shaking. Clearly, she finds this just as funny as he does.
“Come on, little dude. Let granny have her friend time. Warm milk and bridge is in her future. We’re still young; two bachelors howling at the moon. Want some chocolate milk and play ps3 with Uncle Tech?”
“Hey, I like cold milk and strip poker! I’m not old!” I yell at Tech. He grabs Caleb and sets him on his shoulders, walking off and hollering over his shoulder.
“Whatever you say, granny.”
Lissa busted out laughing. I just glare at her. Am I really that old? Yea, I’m older than half this damn club. But, I’m just a woman. Technically, Coin is the oldest member here. Ha. Old. Granny. What is wrong with these men? I am not old. My health is probably better than theirs, with the way they eat and drink. They just do that to get under my skin. I pull out my phone and text Ford.
Me: Am I old? Like warm milk and bed by seven, old?
Ford: Da Fuck?
Me: Answer me, Ford.
I can practically hear him sighing. I know it’s probably a stupid question. But, oh well.
Ford: You fuck me like your twenty. That’s all that matters.
Me: you’re so helpful. I miss you. :(
Ford: Be home soon, baby, then you can show me how old you’re not. ;)
Ugh, men. I turn to see Lissa staring at me.
“What?”
“Nothing. You’re doing that glowing thing again.” I wave her off and walk to the couch, flipping on the TV. Lissa comes and plops down next to me. We watch some reality show and make fun of how dramatic these people are.
Hours go by, before we know it’s dinner time. Lissa offers to order pizza while I get Caleb in the bath.
“When will grandpa be home?” He asks, standing to get out of the tub. All rooms have their own tubs or showers. Thankfully, Ford’s room has a tub.
“Soon, sweetie.” I stare at his boyish, short dirty-blonde hair, and his sky-blue eyes. He’s so adorable. Then I hear a big crashing sound and pop, pop, pop. “Stay here, Caleb. Don’t move from this spot until I come get you.” I run out in the hall and to Tech’s room. He meets me in the hallway, gun in his hand.
“Get back to the room! Stay there until I get you!” He yells at me. He must be stupid to think I’m not going to get Avery. “I’m going to get Avery!” I run toward the infirmary, As soon as I get to the door, the front door is kicked open. A big, old, dirty guy walks in. I see Tech out of the corner of my eye, kneeling down behind the bar with a 9mm and a shotgun. He nods to me for me to go into the infirmary. But I can’t leave him. I won’t. They have done so much for me and my family and he wants me to hide while he’s in a fire fight. Alone? You got to be shitting me.
I shake my head slowly at him. I can see he isn’t happy that I’m not obeying his orders. I reach behind the door and lock it, slowly closing it behind me. It clicks shut and the nasty looking man looks dead at me.
“Hello, Harley.” How the hell does this asshole know my name? The way he says it turns my stomach. I have to choke down the bile rising in my throat.
“You look just like your pussy-ass father.” He walks over to me and towers over me, his belly against me. Gross. I stand as still as I can and face him with the meanest look I can manage, shooting daggers from my eyes to his.
“I’m Rufus. You have something that doesn’t belong to you. I want it back.” He spits as he speaks down to me. A four hour shower wouldn’t help with how gross I feel right now. But this man, he needs a shower in lime. He reeks of old cigars and whiskey, making my nose burn with each inhale.
“I believe you took what was mine in the first place, I merely took it back.” I spit back at him with as much venom as I could with my words. I didn’t notice the two other men standing behind him. Before I know what happens, he rears back his hand and back hands me across the room. It takes me a minute to get up. Shaking off the sting, I stand.
“You hit like a girl.”
He laughs. The other two join in with him. Catching them off guard, I try and make a run for it. I get to the kitchen and grab a knife and hide it behind my back as they all come barreling in.
“Running, it isn't smart for a girl in your condition.” The tall, young one says to me. I’d say he was handsome if he wasn’t after my family. He’s broad, strong with long hair to his shoulders.
“Easy, Abe. Her condition is going to make her immobile.”
Abe. Nice name, loser. I huff and roll my eyes. I know I’m walking on thin ice, taunting them. But as long as I keep them on me and off Avery and little man, I’m happy to do it time and time again.
“What condition?” I ask. My curiosity gets the best of me because what happens next, I did not expect.
“Well, with that hole, you won’t be able to run anywhere.” Rufus say
s. I cock my brow and then I feel sheer pain radiate from my thigh. Mother fuck—that hurts like hell. Grabbing a dish towel from the counter, I slide down to sit on the floor. I didn’t even hear the gun shot. I look up at Abe and he’s holding a 9mm with a silencer. The knife dropped and slide under the counter while I was wrapping the towel around my leg. The pain is like nothing I’ve ever felt before.
“Search this place. I want the little cunt and kid. Now!” Rufus barks at the two men. No. My heart stops. I can’t let them have her. I won’t. I’ll die first. Wait! Lissa and Tech are here. With Rufus hovering over me, that leaves two. Tech can handle two of them, right? Maybe Lissa can help with the other. She disappeared though. She was on the couch waiting for the pizza. I hope she is okay. My leg is burning, like someone is holding my leg over an open flame.
“Rufus!” I can hear Abe hollering and then screaming. No. It can’t be Avery. Maybe Lissa. I don’t want either of them found. I try and reach for the knife under the counter. My fingertips barely graze the knife. Shit. If I lean down any farther, I’ll get caught. What to do? Think. I’ll fake pass out. I hunch over and lay as still as I can. I can feel Rufus’s eyes on me, studying me. By how much my pants are soaked with blood, it’s believable that I passed out from blood loss. I don’t think they hit an artery or it would be a gusher. I’m fine as long as I keep the towel wrapped as tight as I can get it.
I hear his footsteps leaving the kitchen. I peek out one eye and see that I’m alone on the floor. I reach the knife and muscle my way up the counter, leaning on it. I got to get to them. Lean-walking against the counter and wall, I make my way to the hall. I can hear faint talking. I peek around and still see Tech kneeling behind the bar. He’s on his phone texting. No doubt that he’s letting the guys know that we are being attacked. But they are four hours away. No way that they will make it in time. I need to act. I limp back to the kitchen and grab all the little knives I can hold. I might not be a ninja and these might not be throwing stars, but I’ll try anything. Peeking around the corner from the hall, I see they have Lissa. Thank God, not Avery. They’ll get info from Lissa first. Avery, they would take or kill on the spot. At least them having Lissa buys me some time. I show Tech the knives and he nods to me. I’m hiding my bum leg from him. I don’t need him to vary from my plan. I steady my stance and hold the tip of a blade in my right hand between my fingertips. My left hand still has a splint on it from punching Ford. I aim carefully at the back of Abe. I’ve never thrown a knife or shot a gun. So I have to concentrate. Slowing my breathing, I peek at Tech and he nods again, giving me the okay to throw. I close my eyes, take one deep breath and exhaling slowly. I hear Lissa scream. I try to block it out. I need to save everyone. Concentrate, Harley. I tell myself. I open my eyes and make a throwing move aiming just perfect. It’s a large target so I can’t miss. I take one final breath and hold. I throw with every bit of strength in my arm. It hits him right between the shoulder blades. YES! He howls in pain. I hide behind the wall.
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