“Not until tonight, thank fuck. Hey, you just don’t want to face her today, do you?”
Yes and no. Yes, because my evil side wants to make her uncomfortable with knowing looks and winks, maybe a comment about the stiff way she’s walking. No, because the sooner she’s out of sight, she’ll be out of mind. But of course, I don’t make that admission. “Don’t give a damn one way or another, Ground Pounder.”
“Bet you do, you fuckin’ Leatherneck.”
Mace was in the United States Army, I’m an ex-Marine. We often trade insults. Well, he invites it as he still wears his hair military short, mine I’ve allowed to grow out. We continue verbally sniping at each other and exchanging playful punches while waiting for the elevator to arrive.
“Christ, this is a fuckin’ fancy hotel. Should have known it was too good for rabble like you two.”
“Hey, VP.” I move aside to make way for Steph, Beef’s blind wife, to step inside the elevator that’s just arrived, her guide dog Max competently leading her into it. “How you doing today?”
“I’m tired,” Steph says, turning toward me. If it wasn’t for my knowledge of her and that she’s not quite looking high enough to meet my eyes, you’d never know she couldn’t see out of them.
“Yeah,” the VP takes over, “some asshole in the room next to ours kept us awake until the early hours. Fuckin’ headboard knocking against the fuckin’ wall. And screams, of ‘fuck yeah, just like that, right there,’” he mimics in a falsetto.
Mace chokes back a laugh.
Seeing Beef’s arched brow, I know he knows fucking well, he wasn’t in the room next to mine.
“Asshole,” I tell him.
Mace slaps my back. “Probably had a knock-on effect through the rooms.” He pauses and considers his words. “Knock-on effect. Literally.” He cracks up.
I try to glare but can’t keep the stern expression on my face. Fucking assholes, the lot of them, these brothers that I profess to love. By the time we exit the hotel, I’m chuckling myself as I do up the zip of my jacket right to the neck, pull on my winter riding gloves and place a beanie on my head, then take out my bandana. Before I wrap it around my mouth and nose, I nod to Beef’s bike.
“Those heated grips work?”
“Yeah. Keep my palms warm, anyway,” Beef replies as he waits for Steph to steady herself and put her arms around him. I notice him watching the prospect he must have summoned as Karl opens the door of the truck and Max hops inside. That’s our VP, making sure everyone’s accounted for, whether canine or human.
As Steph rests her head against his back, I wonder what it’s like to have a bitch up behind you. I wouldn’t know, I’ve never taken anyone on my bike before, never wanted to, which is why I only have a single seat on mine. But their closeness, their love is almost palpable. Just for one teeny second, I’m jealous. The alien sensation proves the thought I had yesterday is right. Weddings really do fuck with your mind.
But hey, there’s a cure for that. By now all the sweet butts will have returned to the compound, and I can take my choice. Unless they’re in high demand, which they might well be. It wouldn’t surprise me if everyone was like me, and Pyro and Mel’s nuptials will have made them horny.
The ride to the compound is a chilly one, but the roads have been gritted and cleared, just needing a little extra care to be taken, and one eye kept out for black ice. As the weather determines how often we can ride now, I enjoy the cold air rushing past, relishing in the freedom of the road. The VP’s in front as he should be, Mace and I ride alongside each other.
This is the life. Whatever the elements throw at us.
Nevertheless, I rub my hands together briskly then blow on them once I enter the warmth inside the clubhouse.
“Need someone to warm you up, Ink?” a voice full of seduction murmurs into my ear. It’s easily recognisable as Sheila.
Now that would definitely melt the cold that seems to have seeped into my bones. “Sure, doll. Why not?”
Detouring only to grab a bottle of beer from the bar, I head on up to my room, confident the sweet butt will be following.
Maybe I overworked my cock last night, I muse sometime later when Sheila’s left to move on to the next brother who wants his needs seen to. Oh, it perked up and did its job, but the release didn’t feel the same. Not as satisfying. Strange.
The rest of the day passes like any other Sunday, drinking and playing pool or cards with anyone who wanted a game. For once I go to bed fairly early. Well, last night I didn’t get much sleep.
I’ve been a member of the Satan’s Devils MC for four years. I’d joined the Marines when I was eighteen, did a few tours, saw shit no man should ever see, and left after eight years feeling I’ve given enough to my country. Before I joined up, I used to see the Satan’s Devils riding around my hometown of Pueblo, knew of their reputation, or enough to steer clear. But my view of them changed when I’d bumped into Mace in a bar while home on leave, got talking to him, and made a connection. After that, I sought him out after every tour, and from our chats, began to revise my opinion of the bike-loving Devils.
When I received my discharge papers, I became a prospect. Hellfire patched me in after a year. I quickly found my place working alongside Pyro and Mace in the auto-shop, which is where I spend the working week. As it’s now Monday morning, that’s where I can be found.
“Got a job for you, Ink.”
I stand and wait for Pyro’s instruction. He’s the manager here and I look to him to allocate work.
He hands some paperwork to me. “Man wants Marilyn Monroe air brushed onto the tank of his bike.”
“Yeah?” I glance down at the iconic photo. No wonder he’s given this to me. As well as being a mechanic, I’ve found I’m quite a good artist too. “No problem. I’ll start immediately.”
“Why does he get all the cushy jobs?” grumbles Mace.
Pyro mock punches his arm. “’Cause you can’t paint for shit,” he replies.
“You not taking a honeymoon, Ro?” I ask, finding it strange he’s back to work so soon after getting hitched.
“Nah. Got too many expenses with the new house.”
“Then you’ll have to save up for shit for the kid.” Money, the root of everything.
The reminder that his wife is pregnant makes Pyro beam. Then his face falls. “Early days, Brothers. We won’t be getting shit together for months yet.”
Mace and I exchange glances. We’re all convinced Mel miscarried last time due to the stress caused by Skull. But there’s always a chance it had nothing to do with that, and her body could have just rejected the baby. Christ, it’s understandable they must be worried.
I slap his back. “You need anything to stop her getting stressed, you ask, Brother. If it’s money you need, I’ve got some saved, which is yours if you want.” I have too, a few grand, not a huge amount, but I’d not hesitate about giving it up to help a brother.
Pyro nods. “Appreciate that, Ink.”
“Count me in, Bro. If you ever need to cut back your hours to be there for her, I’ll pick up the slack.” Mace isn’t going to be left out.
It didn’t really need to be said. We’re family, we step up to support each other. Whatever it takes. Once a brother takes an old lady, she becomes one of ours as well.
I settle down to work, and the next couple of days pass like any other. I do my job, go back to the compound, drink, eat and fuck. Wash, rinse and repeat. A routine, but not one that leaves me bored.
On Wednesday, I take my seat in church alongside my brothers.
Buzzard runs through the finances. Pyro raises his chin toward me when the reports from the auto-shop are favourable. Much of it down to the publicity we’ve had going out for our set-price winter checks on cars, for supplying chains and snow tyres, and keeping a good stock of new batteries for when the old ones just don’t cope with the cold. It makes up for the lack of servicing and custom jobs on bikes which tend to drop off this time of year. Weekend warrior
s tend to avoid winter riding.
Devil’s Ink, the tattoo parlour which is Lizard’s baby, is also doing well, and Vi, Demon’s wife, has completed her apprenticeship and become an artist herself now. Piercings, it seems, are proving a roaring trade, and of course, there’s repartee when Sparky asks Lizard exactly how many cocks he’s held in his hands.
Once Prez brings the meeting back to order, we learn takings are also up at the bowling alley, and Rusty grins, adding the explanation himself.
“People tend to look for indoor activities in the winter,” he explains. “And Steph’s idea about promoting children’s and adults’ birthday parties has taken off. Almost more bookings than we can cater for.”
“Sparky, how’s Tits Up?” Demon asks.
Sparky’s a mechanic, but brothers have been rotating the management of our strip club since Taser betrayed us and was put down.
“Good. Held auditions for a new dancer. Settled on one. She’s got some great moves. I think the customers will like her.”
Demon nods. It looks like he thinks Sparky’s doing a good job. My thought confirmed by his next words. “You want to take the management on permanently?”
Sparky grimaces. Unlike our other businesses, Tits Up opens late and stays open until the small hours. A manager’s free time is curtailed.
“I’ve got an idea,” Beef puts in. “Why not have two managers? Week on, week off. Day on, day off, or however they work that shit. That way the burden is shared.”
Wills raises his hand. “I know I’m still green, but I don’t mind stepping up if Sparky shows me the ropes.”
“Hey, boy, you old enough to know tits from ass?” Bomber slaps his palm down on the table chuckling loudly at his own humour.
“Yeah, will you be able to stop shooting your load when you see the dancers wrapped round that pole?” Rusty adds.
“He’ll wish they were wrapped around his pole.” Thunder chortles with the rest.
Wills, twenty-three if I remember right and quite old enough to work in an adult club, lets the witticisms flood over him, and with only a slight twitch to his lips replies in a serious tone, “I’ll have to try now, won’t I?”
Wills has only sat around the table for a year, but he’s got a sensible enough head for the job. I raise my hand in support when Demon asks.
“Any objections?”
There are none. Wills has a new job. Sparky looks relieved he’ll be getting more time off.
“Pal? Cad? How’s the security business?”
That too, it would appear, is coming along fine.
It’s a routine meeting, nothing out of the ordinary until other business comes around. Demon suddenly frowns. At this point in the meeting it’s unusual, and I’m not the only one to sit forward.
“Got something we need to keep a look out for. Had word from both the Wretched Soulz and the Silvestri.” As he mentions the dominant MC and the local Mafia, everyone sits up straighter. “There are drugs coming into town, and it’s not them controlling it.”
We don’t allow dealing on or near our premises. We like Devil’s Ink, Devil’s Pins, and Tits Up to have a good reputation, and have an agreement with both organisations that they deal in other parts of town.
“I haven’t seen anything,” says Sparky, frowning. “I’ll start keeping an eye out.” He raises his chin toward Wills, who gives him a sharp nod.
Prez continues, “That’s what I’m asking everyone to do. We don’t know who the asshole is. RIP thinks it could be organised crime stepping on everyone’s toes.” If RIP, the prez of the Wretched Soulz sees fit to issue a warning, it’s something we should heed.
“What do you want us to do if we catch someone dealing?”
“Bring them in, if you can. We’ll question them ourselves, then pass what’s left off onto the dominant. RIP would be grateful.”
Doing a favour for the prez of the Wretched Soulz would gain us some bonus points.
That agreed, the gavel comes down.
Chapter Five
Beth
I beam when I see Mel walking into the office on Monday morning. She’s smiling and looking relaxed and happy. Well, she tied the knot with Pyro two days ago, and discovered she was having his baby. Certainly, a lot to be happy about.
Although it’s silly after such a short time, and she was living with him already, I can’t help the inane enquiry spilling out of my mouth, “What does it feel like to be married?” There’s a glow on her face which suggests she and Pyro have continued their celebrations all weekend.
She could just have answered briefly, but to my surprise, she pulls up a chair. “Skull did a number on me,” she starts. She doesn’t need to tell me that, I already know. “When he walked out and never came back, it was hard, but I could accept he was dead. When I found he was alive, well, that broke me. It proved I wasn’t woman enough to keep him.”
“He was already married,” I point out, gutted Mel thought she wasn’t good enough for the bastard.
“I know, but still. It shook me, you know? It affected my relationship with Pyro.”
“You didn’t expect he’d do the same thing and disappear, did you?” I hadn’t considered that. Anyone could see leaving Mel was the last thing Pyro would voluntarily do. He was devoted to her, even when he thought she’d never be his. Had Mel not seen that?
“Stupid, I know. He proves how much he loves me every day. But yes, I’d lost all confidence in myself. But being married to him? Again, it doesn’t make sense, marriages fail all the time, but it shows a commitment in the eyes of the world. So, to answer your question, marriage has made me more sure of myself.”
I smile broadly at her. “Being pregnant probably helps too. Jeez, Mel, Pyro was possessive even when the child you were carrying wasn’t his. He must be over the moon with your news.”
“We both are.” But there’s a hesitancy in her voice.
“You’re worried something will happen?”
Her head bobs up and down. “If I had a reason for why I miscarried last time, if I could be certain it was stress that had caused it, then I’d feel more relaxed. But I don’t. Yes, I’m worried.”
“If I can do anything to help…” I don’t know what I could do, but Mel’s my friend and I want to support her. “Anything,” I stress, genuinely wishing I could ease some of her burden.
She waves her hand dismissively. “Enough about me. Now I want the dirt on you and Ink. I saw you going off with him.” She winks. “Did you get the biker-loving you wanted, or did you chicken out?”
I’ve been thinking about that night all weekend. “I can’t deny it, can I, Mel?” My mouth curves up, then down. “Turns out you were right. He was only after a good time. But,” I say fast, “I’m totally alright with that.”
Her lips press together as though it was what she’d expected, and indeed, how she’d warned me, but still she asks, “Did you make any plans to see him again?”
I shake my head. “No, he made it clear from the start it was only going to be one night.”
She narrows her eyes as she looks at me. “Are you sure you’re okay with how it turned out?”
She’d call me out if I try to lie. I sigh. “Mel, you’ve known me for years. Ink caught my eye, and you did your part introducing me. But all Ink wanted was sex, he was quite clear on that. I accepted his terms. Maybe I did have thoughts I might change his mind, but he left me in no doubt there was no chance. If we did get together again, it would only be a repeat, no emotions involved.” Well, not on Ink’s part at least. “It is what it is, Mel. Ink is a once only man. He’s been there, done that. I can’t complain, the experience was worth it. He left me satisfied, and I’ve got memories to use when, well…”
Mel lightly slaps at my arm and I don’t need to complete the sentence.
Then she gives me a long calculating look. “It’s harder for women not to think with their hearts.”
My shoulders rise and fall. “What can I say? We see the whole package, they don’t.
Ink only slept with me as I told him he could with no demands, to push for more now would only prove me a liar.”
“You know,” she says after a moment, “I was surprised you went through with it. After I took you over to him, I expected to find you hot on my heels demanding to know why I just left you.”
“You know me too well,” I grin. “Let’s just say tequila had a lot to do with it.”
“You weren’t drunk,” she says, sharply. “I’d never have…”
“No,” I touch her arm lightly. “We’d been steadily drinking all day, but eating too, so I was buzzed, but not falling on my face out of it. I was sober enough to make decisions.”
Mel looks relieved. “A confidence boost?” She doesn’t need my nod to confirm it. “People get you all wrong, don’t they, Beth?”
My lips press together. Even when I was a kid I was ridiculed; Christ knows how cruel children can be to someone who’s different. Boys didn’t like me towering over them, girls thought I was odd. Kids pick on the weakest, and though I was big, I was far from strong, and my rapid growth caused problems with my health. Grown folks expected me to be the adult in the room, even when I was with kids my own age. I’ve always felt a misfit, never rush to try and fit in, instead biding my time finding out who to trust. Approaching a stranger is so far out of my comfort zone, I’m not surprised Mel thought it strange.
Mel stands. “I suppose I better get back to my own desk and start work. Oh, by the way, it’s Demon’s birthday next weekend. Vi’s throwing a surprise party for him. She’s asked me to bake a cake and other goodies. Why don’t you come along?”
Her invitation surprises me, so much so I narrow my eyes. “You’ve always kept me away from the compound before.”
She exhales air loudly. “Only because I know what they’re like. Pyro’s brothers are set in their bachelor ways. I knew if you offered, they’d take. I didn’t want you to be hurt. But now, after Ink, you understand that and know what they’re like. And in at least one case, intimately.” She waggles her eyebrows, making me giggle. “So, keeping you from them is a lost cause. You never know, Ink might see what he’s missing.”
Satan’s Devils MC -Colorado Box Set: Books 4-6 Page 41