by M. A. Lee
I had given Jameson time to heal. He was broken when he arrived on my doorstep. And now, he was ready to face what he had done and figure out a way to save the Raven Boys Clubhouse.
Walking out of my apartment hand in hand, we silently got on his motorcycle and drove the short distance to where the infamous clubhouse once stood. Arriving and seeing the shell of the building that once stood with so many memories, almost took my breath away. I could feel Jameson tense up as he parked his bike.
All of his brothers and several of the bikers who frequented the clubhouse were waiting on us to arrive. There was an unspoken brotherhood between them and I was happy that Jameson was surrounded by family, regardless if they were blood or not.
“Hey man. How are you feeling?” Brody asked as he eyed us both.
“Better,” Jameson said sharply.
I knew Brody wouldn’t take offense to Jameson’s attitude. It had been a rough night and we were all healing the best we could.
“Any news from the insurance company?” Jameson asked Drake as he held a folder.
Nodding, Drake looked grim as he began to speak. “Talked with our insurance provider. He stated we have enough to cover the rebuilding of the clubhouse, but we have to prove it wasn’t our fault.”
Jameson’s mouth dropped open and the fire burned deep in his eyes. “Wait a minute,” he said, holding up in hands. “We lose a building that has been in our family for years, and now we have to prove it wasn’t our fault?”
Watching Jameson grow agitated, I could sense his anger building up. We all knew who was responsible for the fire, but without hard proof, there was nothing we could do.
“We are all just as pissed as you are,” Drake said, trying to calm his brother. “But, we have to provide proof. The Fire Chief said it would take a few more days for their report to be finalized.”
“We don’t have a few days,” Jameson said, moving past the crowd around us and toward where the clubhouse once stood. “This building was our childhood. It was our parents and our family. We need to get started now,” he shouted.
His words rang in the air and I felt myself jump from their abrasiveness.
“We will figure this out,” I said, stepping up to help everyone. It was clear, Jameson was far too gone to talk to rationally.
“How?” Brody asked, turning to face me.
“Chuck and his gang of shitheads played dirty, now we play dirty too,” I said, narrowing my eyes where the man I loved stood hurting.
I wanted to cause Chuck as much pain as he was causing Jameson and his brothers. I was sure, those men and women who didn’t feel the same sense of family bond as the men and women here felt, were nestled up on a barstool at Chuck’s bar across town. It was time for us to get our revenge.
“I knew I liked you, Ivy,” Brody said as he threw his arm around me.
Turning back toward us, Jameson shot me an evil look. “Never going to happen, Ivy. You are not going to get involved in anything that has to do with Chuck,” Jameson said as he walked back over to me. From the daggers he was throwing with his eyes to his brother, I knew Brody needed to remove his arm from around my shoulder. Now.
Thankfully, Brody was smart enough to not push his brother, especially during a time like this.
“Jameson, I love you and I want to help. And, I do what I want,” I said, standing my ground.
A few of the men chuckled and I watched as Drake and Brody eyed us carefully. I could tell they weren’t sure if they should be impressed with my brazenness or terrified that Jameson had met his match.
“Ivy…”
Jameson tried to argue with me, but I just wasn’t having it.
“Jameson, my mind is made up. Now, do you want to hear my plan or not?” I asked with my hands firmly planted on my hips. I watched his face carefully knowing I had already won.
I had made a decision and once I set my mind to something--there was no stopping me.
22
Jameson
This was the last thing I had expected to be doing on a Saturday night, but here I was sitting across from Drake at the kitchen table listening to Ivy devise a plan that I had every intention of stopping her from accomplishing.
“I will go into Chuck’s bar, flirt a little, and get him to talk about what he did to your clubhouse. I will have my phone set to record the entire conversation. Then, we can take it to the police and you will have your proof for the insurance company so you can rebuild sooner and we can get Chuck arrested and put away for what he has done,” Ivy said, a bright smile radiating on her face.
As much as I loved that smile, I was going to hate to be the one to remove it.
“First of all, Ivy, I love that you are down to help out, but you are all crazy if you think I’m going to allow Ivy anywhere near Chuck's bar,” I said as I took a swig of my beer.
Everyone stared daggers at me and I knew I was fighting a battle alone.
Holding up her hand, Ivy got that sassy look that made me instantly hard and drove me crazy. “I’m an adult, I don’t need your permission to do anything” she snapped glaring at me.
Man, that look was about to make me throw her over my shoulder and fuck her in the back room. Continuing, she snapped her fingers knowing very well where my filthy mind was headed. “Besides, I’ll have my phone recording and you all will be right outside if I need your help.”
As I sat there impressed and enraged by Ivy’s plan, I knew her and my brothers well enough to know this plan was already set in motion. I was livid, but my heart also filled with so much pride and love that I thought I might shed a tear. Ivy was doing this for me.
Damn, she was a ride and die chick and I was one lucky son of a bitch.
23
Ivy
Zipping up my knee-high black boots, I smirked as I caught Jameson checking out my ass in the mirror. Lacy and I had gone out shopping that morning and selected a short black leather skirt that barely covered my ass, a low-cut dark red halter top, and of course my sexy vixen boots.
I looked nothing like the Ivy that Jameson had first met, and I had to admit; I kind of liked this look.
Of course, I would never wear this anywhere except for this night, but it still felt fun to dress up like someone else. Plus, the way Jameson was drooling over me I knew it was definitely going to work for the bedroom too.
“I see you,” I smiled as I stood to pull my hair back.
“I know you do,” Jameson smiled as he sauntered over to me. Placing his hands around my waist he pulled me against his rock-hard chest. I could feel his heavy breaths burning against the sensitive part of my neck. Chills raced down my body as I trembled under his touch. Leaning down, he began to trail tiny kisses down my neck and over my shoulders.
A moan escaped my lips as Jameson nibbles on my heated flesh.
“I shouldn’t let you leave here tonight,” he said, as he turned me around so that we were facing one another.
I couldn’t help but notice the worry in his beautiful eyes.
“This is for you. I love you and I’m not stopping until we take Chuck down. There’s nothing else to lose,” I declared, praying he didn’t really stop me from going.
This man held a power over me that I just couldn’t explain. It was animalistic and dangerous and pure, raw love. I’d do anything for him.
Taking in a deep breath, Jameson closed his eyes before placing his luscious lips on mine. Sweeping his tongue in my mouth, I tasted his need for me and it was oh so bittersweet.
I swear I felt like if Jameson hadn’t been holding me, my legs would have given out. I was like putty in his hands when he kissed me like that. Maybe this was a trick—his way of stopping me from seeing my plan through?
Parting our lips, Jameson kissed me one more time before releasing me. “You are wrong about one thing. I have everything to lose if this plan goes wrong. If anything happens to you, nothing will stop me from killing every one of those bastards in Chuck’s clubhouse. I know my club runs on the right side of the law, but wit
h you, Ivy, I’ll go down in a blaze of glory to hurt anyone that hurts you. You are my twin flame— my soul mate.”
My breath faltered and I swear my heart stopped beating. This man who vowed to always withhold the promises of the Raven Clubhouse was willing to throw it all away for me. I knew now more than ever that what I was about to do was the best decision I would ever make.
“Jameson, for you I would do anything. You are my heart now.”
Just then a loud knock banged on my bedroom door. “Can you two hurry up? We gotta bar to crash,” Brody yelled from the hallway.
Looking at one another one last time, Jameson grabbed my hand. “Let’s go and show these assholes a true Bonnie and Clyde,” Jameson said as he led me out the door.
24
Jameson
This is so fucked up.
I’m sitting here on my bike watching my girlfriend walk into the sleaziest bar in town and all I can do is sit here with my thumb up my ass.
Well, not literally but you get what I’m saying.
Patting my back, Drake offers a sympathetic smile. He understands my pain; his girl is in there too.
Once Ivy is inside, she is supposed to set her phone on record while Lacy calls Drake so we can hear everything that’s about to go down.
We wait impatiently until Drakes phone finally rings. Answering the call, we are assaulted by the sounds of terrible rock music and loud voices. The night is cool, and I can sense Fall is fast approaching. Maybe a change in seasons could be a good thing.
“Alright, the girls are in,” Drake sighs. I’m not sure what he’s so happy about, the danger has just started.
We listen while Micah and Brody move closer to stand next to our bikes.
“This is a good table, we can see the bar and the door, Lacy speaks into the phone. “I’m going to put my phone down now but Ivy is still recording. Chuck is here at the bar,” she finishes.
We can hear rustling as she lays her phone down, but we can still hear.
I already knew Chuck was here, I spotted his cheap bike in the parking lot when we arrived.
The girls sit and talk about a new reality show for a few minutes and I feel like I’m about to explode. I’m waiting on nothing and everything to happen all at the same time. And, the fucking love of my life is inside the bar and I can’t see her. This is what true fear feels like.
“Dude, calm down. You look like you are about to go crazy,” Brody laughs as he pats my back.
“Don’t tell me to calm down. Ivy is in there. One day you will fall in love and you will understand how much this is torturing me,” I snap.
“Not me. I’m never falling in love,” Brody laughs.
“Yeah. Well, I said that once too,” I mumble.
Drake and I made eye contact as my statement wasn’t lost on him.
As the sun finally settled and the blackness of night blanketed the guy, I was starting to doubt the plan. I had watched a dozen bikers come and go from the bar and as we were about to hit the third hour of waiting, I was more anxious than ever. My pulse had quickened, and I was starting to sweat. Even the cool night breeze couldn’t scorch the raging fire taking over my body.
I was just about to announce that the girls needed to leave when Lacy started to speak up.
“Looks like we finally caught Chuck's attention.”
Suddenly, a gruff voice came through the phone speaker and I felt the urge to vomit.
“I’ve been watching you ladies all night. Haven’t seen your boyfriends anywhere around here.”
Chuck.
I wanted to reach through the phone and strangle him for talking to Ivy, but I had to be patient.
“They don’t have a clubhouse anymore. We need real bikers,” Ivy’s voice filled my ears.
Even though she had already told me what she would say, it still shattered my heart to hear it. Scripted or not, those were harsh words.
“Is that so?” Chuck laughed. “I guess a little fire was all it took to take down the Raven Boys,” he bellowed.
“Yeah, they are nothing without that clubhouse. Whoever did it was smart, those guys were lame anyway. Did you know they don’t even deal in drugs? I mean, that’s where the money is,” Lacy added.
Damn, these girls were good.
“I’ve been after them for years. Those boys are as stubborn as their worthless dad was. Hell, I make a killing off the drug runners I let use this bar. Plus, we get a heavy cut from transporting the bigger loads to buyers.”
A big smile swept over each of our faces as we listened to Chuck incriminate himself on tape.
“Keep listening, but I’m calling the cops now,” Brody stated as he took out his phone.
Micah stood by protectively waiting for our next move.
“That’s brilliant,” Ivy flirted, and I had to force my fists to my sides.
“How about you girls join me in the back-VIP room? I’d love for us to have some fun. I can show you what a real man can do for you,” Chuck stated.
I had enough of listening. I got off my bike and began to walk across the street. I could hear my brothers yelling at me, but nothing was going to stop me now. Chuck was about to cross a line.
“Get your hands off me,” Ivy screamed through the phone.
Without warning, I was sprinting now with my brothers closely behind me.
I was going to kill Chuck.
25
Ivy
“Get your hands off me,” I screamed as I lifted my boot and kicked Chuck right between the legs.
After I left my family and decided to live alone with just Lacy, I had secretly taken self-defense classes. I never had to use my skills until now.
As I pulled my foot back again, Chuck crashed to the ground with a heavy thud that caught the attention of several guys nearby.
“You bitch, I’ll make you pay for that,” Chuck spit as he struggled to get up.
Both Lacy and I took a step back. We were now surrounded by angry faces staring at us and for the first time tonight, I truly felt afraid.
“Oh yeah, just like you made the Raven Boys pay for humiliating you the night you first hit on me?” I asked.
“Damn straight. Anyone who messes with me gets burned. Just like that clubhouse,” Chuck laughed.
He really was a monster.
Suddenly, the front doors burst open and I smiled as Jameson and his brothers came rushing toward us. I knew they would be here, and it was just in time for me to get another confession out of Chuck.
“Don’t you dare touch her,” Jameson raged as he grabbed me and pulled me close to him. He began to inspect me, but I waved him off.
“I’m fine. This asshole just confessed to two crimes. Let’s go,” I said grabbing Jameson by the hand.
I was ready to get out of that sleazy place.
Finally standing, Chuck looked over at a group of guys who had been watching us all carefully. “No one is leaving here,” he said as we became surrounded by some nasty and pissed off bikers.
“It’s over, Chuck. Let us go,” Drake demanded.
Chuck took a step closer to me and Jameson and I felt fear begin to paralyze my body.
“Cops!” Someone yelled from the front door.
Chuck turned around quickly giving Jameson just enough time to punch him in the face. Startled, Chuck had no time to react before he once again fell to the dirty ground below. Men and women began rushing around to get out the back and side doors. Sounds of police sirens and motorcycle engines racing filled the chaotic air.
As the police ran into the room, Brody gained their attention quickly. “Over here,” he called out waving his hands and pointing at Chuck who was now being detained by Drake and Micah.
“Hands where I can see them,” an older officer yelled and we all quickly complied.
Well, everyone except Chuck who began screaming profanities.
We were all escorted out of the building then questioned about the anonymous phone call made about a fight in the bar. It was then tha
t we explained our plan and played the recording back, so the police could hear Chuck's incriminating confessions.
While we were all reprimanded for our dangerous plan, the police ultimately arrested Chuck for placing the fire at the clubhouse and after searching the bar, found enough drugs and evidence to support his admission to drug trafficking.
We all went home that night feeling relieved and yet saddened that it was all over.
The closure from this journey meant ending a chapter of the Ravens Boys Clubhouse for good.
****
The next morning, I awoke alone in bed.
I could hear Jameson’s voice down the hall. Slowly, I climbed out of bed and snuck down the hallway. Standing in front of the living room window was a shirtless Jameson. I could see the muscles in his back flex as he moved his hand through his hair. I couldn’t tell if he was angry or not but I could stand there all day and watch his backside.
“That’s great news. I can’t wait to tell Ivy,” Jameson said before ending the call.
“What’s great news?” I asked eagerly.
Jameson swirled around and then lunges toward me, scooping me up in his arms and kissing me. I laughed and hugged him tightly. I hadn’t ever seen him this excited and I couldn’t wait to hear what he had to tell me.
“That was Drake. He’s been on the phone all morning with the police and our insurance company. Because we have Chuck’s confession, we are fully covered to rebuild. Raven Clubhouse is coming back!”
I couldn’t contain my own excitement as his words sunk in.
My man was about to get his world back and I would be right by his side the entire way.
26
Jameson
In the following weeks, everyone came together to help rebuild the Raven Clubhouse. While it would never be the same again, I was excited about the new memories I would get to share and hopefully pass down to mine and Ivy’s kids.
Yes, I went there. I said kids.
A future wasn’t possible if she wasn’t my wife and the mother of my children. I think I secretly knew the first time I saw her that Ivy was the one for me. She always had been and always would be.