Satan’s Fury MC - Memphis

by Wilder, L.

  “Nothing to thank me for. That was all her.”

  When we got to the kitchen, I noticed that Samantha was no longer there. “Your mom leave?”

  “Yeah. She had something she needed to take care of, but she’s going to stop back by tomorrow. And if I know her, she’ll keep stopping by until she knows we’re okay.”

  “Can’t blame her there.”

  Harper started opening all the cabinets, sifting through all the different crackers and chips, and an excited look crossed her face when she came across a bag of orange fish-shaped crackers. As she took out the bag, she announced, “Gowd Fish are my fave-wit.”

  “What do you know? They’re my favorite, too.”

  August grabbed a couple of bowls and filled them with crackers, then went over to the fridge to grab a couple of drinks. “Do you guys want to eat outside on the porch or in the living room?”

  “I wanna watch cawtoons,” Harper announced.

  “You got it.”

  We carried the snacks into the living room and turned on the TV. Once Harper had found her favorite show, she curled up on the sofa next to August while I sat down in the recliner next to them. We sat there watching one episode after the next until it was well after dark. When August realized what time it was, she stood up and gasped. “Oh my goodness! It’s almost eight, and I haven’t even gotten dinner started.”

  “No need to go to any trouble … at least not for me. I’d be good with a pizza or Chinese. My treat?”

  “Hmm … Chinese does sound pretty good.”

  “Then, Chinese it is. You got a place that delivers?”

  “I sure do.”

  “Good deal. Order whatever you two might want, and I’ll have the sesame chicken.” I reached into my back pocket for my wallet. “And order a couple of extra egg rolls.”

  “You got it.” August pulled up the restaurant’s number on her phone, then called in our order. As soon as she was done, she looked over to Harper and said, “Okay, peanut. Let’s go get you a bath and into your pajamas before dinner gets here.”

  “Kay,” Harper answered as she followed her mother down the hall.

  Moments later, they were both in the bathroom talking, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying because the tub was running. When the water turned off, I heard August say, “Yeah, I like him too.”

  “Is he gonna wiv wit us?”

  “No, sweetheart. He’s just staying a few days to make sure everything’s okay.”

  “Oh.”

  “What’s wrong, baby?”

  Harper’s voice was low, in almost a whisper, but I could hear the fear in her voice as she answered, “I no wan da bad man to come back.”

  “Well, Cade’s here to make sure that he doesn’t,” she said as the water splashed around. “Now, let’s get you cleaned up before our dinner gets here.”

  A few minutes later, August and Harper returned to the living room. Harper was now in her pajamas, and her hair was still damp from her bath. She rushed over and asked, “Wanna watch a movie?”

  “Sure. What movie do you wanna watch?”

  Harper rushed over to the DVDs, she happily shouted, “Fwozen!”

  “Harper, I doubt Cade wants to watch another cartoon,” August fussed.

  “Are you kidding?” I smiled. “Cartoons are my favorite.”

  “We can find something else.”

  “No, it’s fine. Really.”

  “Okay.” August looked over to Harper and said, “You can put it in.”

  We both watched as Harper slipped the disc into the DVD player. As soon as the movie started playing, Harper went over and crawled up on the sofa with August. The movie hadn’t been playing long when the doorbell rang. I got up and got the food from the delivery man, then carried it into the kitchen. August came over to give me a hand, and once we had our plates made, we took them back in the living room with Harper. We continued watching Harper’s movie as we ate, and when we were done, I brought the plates back into the kitchen and put them in the dishwasher. By the time I returned, Harper was sound asleep in her mother’s arms. “She’s finally played out.”

  “I see that. You want a hand getting her to her room?”

  “Do you mind? She’s got me kind of pinned in.”

  I leaned down and slowly slipped my hands underneath her. Careful not to wake her, I slowly lifted her into my arms. August pulled herself up off the sofa, and I followed her into Harper’s room. Once she’d pulled back the covers, I lowered Harper onto the bed, then quietly took a step back so August could tuck her in. Harper looked like an angel lying in that little bed, and it was hard not to just stand there and watch her sleep. Not realizing what I was doing, I quietly muttered, “Damn, she’s getting to me too.”

  “What?” August asked.

  “Nothing.” Knowing I needed to pull it together, I looked over to August and said, “I’m gonna hit the sack. Let me know if you need anything.”

  When I started for the door, August called out to me. “Cade?”

  “Yeah?” I asked as she came up next to me.

  “I had a really nice time tonight. Thank you.”

  “I did too.” I chuckled. “I may never get that song out of my head, though.”

  She smiled and rolled her eyes. “Try watching it a million times a day every day for months. It’ll try your patience.”

  “I’m sure it can.” I didn’t want things to become awkward, so I said, “I guess I best get to bed. Good night, August.”

  As I walked out of the room, she whispered, “Night, Cade.”

  I went to my room and closed the door, then lay down on the bed. The second I closed my eyes, the lyrics to that crazy song started going through my head, and I knew then it was going to be a long night.

  CHAPTER 8

  August

  I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was standing at the kitchen window watching Cade push Harper on her swing. She was holding onto Floppsie and laughing as he pushed her higher and higher. It just didn’t make sense to me. He was a tough-as-nails biker, and yet he was so unbelievably handsome and sweet at the same time. He’d been so protective of both of us, constantly walking the perimeter of the house, checking windows and locking doors, making sure that we were safe day in and day out. The whole thing seemed crazy to me. I’d seen bikers riding down the road or strutting through bars, but not a one of them looked like Gunner and they certainly didn’t act like him. But then again, who’s to say how they would act.

  I’d never been around a biker and had no idea how they would behave. I was quickly learning that my mother was right—“you can’t judge a book by its cover,” especially where the men of Satan’s Fury were concerned. They’d treated me with nothing but kindness and understanding, and I would forever be indebted to them for helping me get Harper back. I owed even more to Cade. He’d been there to listen to me when I was falling apart. He didn’t judge me or think poorly of me for losing it, instead he was just there, helping me get through—much like he was with Harper. I couldn’t believe how well the two of them got along. It was like they were long lost buddies, and it did my heart good to see that she wasn’t afraid of him, especially after what she’d been through. Hopefully, she and I both could put this horrible experience behind us, and we’d never have to see Polito or his men again. But I had a nagging feeling in my gut that we hadn’t seen the last of them.

  When I noticed Cade and Harper walking towards the back door, I quickly turned my attention back to the lunch I’d been making. The door flew open and Harper came barreling towards me. As she looked down at the plate, she asked, “What’s dat?”

  “Lunch. Are you hungry?”

  “Um-hmm.”

  “What about you, Cade? You want a sandwich?” I asked as I looked over my shoulder.

  “Sure.”

  Harper lifted up on her tiptoes, and her nose crinkled with displeasure when she saw I wasn’t making peanut butter and jelly. “I no wan dat. It wooks icky.”

  “It�
��s ham and cheese, Harper. It’s not icky.”

  I’d barely gotten the words out of my mouth when there was a knock at the door. Seconds later, my mother stepped inside carrying a kids’ meal from Harper’s favorite fast-food restaurant and a handful of balloons. “Hello all.”

  “What’s all that?”

  Before she could respond, Harper rushed over to Mom, wrapping her arms around her waist as she shouted, “Gammy!”

  “Hey there, sweetheart. I brought you some goodies.”

  “Ba-woooons!” Harper squealed as she took a hold of them and started running around the room like a wild Indian. “My ba-woons!”

  “Harper, come over here and eat your lunch,” I scolded. Once she was seated, I looked over to Mom and said, “Are you hungry? I have an extra sandwich.”

  “Sure. I could have a bite.”

  “Well, come on. It’s ready.”

  Cade walked over, and as he picked up a plate, he told me, “I’m gonna take this outside.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Mom fussed. “Come sit with us.”

  She grabbed her plate, then motioned for him to follow us over to the table. Even though Harper was busy tugging at her balloons, she’d managed to eat half of her chicken nuggets. To my surprise, she took one of the strings and offered it to Cade. “You wan one?”

  “I love balloons, but you keep ’em.” He smiled. “I’ll show you a trick later.”

  “What kind a twick-k?”

  “It’s a secret.” He smiled. “I’ll show you tonight before you go to bed.”

  “Pwomise?”

  “Yeah, I promise.”

  “Harper, are you finished with your chicken?”

  “Um-hmm,” she nodded.

  “Then, you can go play.”

  With that, Harper got up and carried her balloons to her bedroom. Once she closed the door, Mom turned to Cade and asked, “How long have you been with the club?”

  “Several years now.” He took a bite of his sandwich, then said, “I started prospecting when I got out of the military.”

  “What about Cyrus and Moose? Are they still with the club?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I think T-Bone might’ve been around back then too.”

  Mom smiled as she nodded. “Yes, I remember T-Bone. I had some really good times hanging out with that crew.”

  “They’re definitely a handful, but they’re really good guys, especially Gus. I’ve never known anyone like him.”

  “Yeah, he’s a one of a kind.” She stopped mid-sentence, and a sad look crossed her face. “You know, I can still remember the night we met … Oh … um … Never mind. That was such a long time ago.”

  When she picked up her plate and carried it over to the sink, I asked, “Is something wrong?”

  “No, nothing’s wrong. I’m just going to check in on Harper for a minute.” As she started towards Harper’s room, she explained, “I can’t stay long. I’m playing bridge at Connie’s this afternoon, and I don’t want to be late.”

  “Okay.” Seconds later, she disappeared into my daughter’s room, leaving me alone with Cade. I turned to him and asked, “What do you think that was about?”

  He shrugged. “No idea.”

  “Well, something is definitely going on.”

  When we finished eating, I cleared off the table while Cade went out to check things around the house for the hundredth time. I’d just started putting the dishes in the sink when Mom came scurrying by. She opened the front door, and as she headed outside, she shouted, “I’m gone. I’ll give you a call later!”

  I was about to go after her, but stopped when I looked out the window and saw that she was already in her car. It was clear something was bothering her, but I would have to wait to see what it was. I finished putting the dishes away, and after I checked in on Harper, I went back into the living room. Cade had returned from outside and was sitting on the sofa watching the news. As I sat down next to him, I remembered something he’d said to Mom. “I didn’t realize you were in the military.”

  “Yeah.” He shrugged. “I probably would’ve stayed in longer, but I got shot and it blew out my shoulder.”

  I cocked my eyebrow and gave him a playful smile. “Is that what you were talking about when you said you had a thing for getting shot?”

  “You remembered that, huh?”

  “Yeah, I remember lots of things about that night.” I giggled. “So, spill it. Is that why you got the nickname?”

  “Let’s just say it didn’t help matters.” He chuckled.

  “What about your family? Do you still see them?”

  “Not as often as I should, but it’s complicated.”

  I could tell by the sound of his voice that it was a touchy subject, which was a feeling I knew all too well. “I understand. Mine is pretty complicated, too. The whole thing with my dad leaving and my grandparents’ dying was tough, but it was complicated long before that.”

  “How so?”

  “It’s hard to explain. My mother didn’t exactly get along with her parents, but she tried to pretend everything was perfectly fine, especially when other people were around.” His leg brushed against mine as I spoke. It was just a simple touch, but it sent a small shiver down my spine, making me wish it would happen again. Before I realized what I was doing, I found myself leaning towards him as I continued, “It was like they were always putting on a show, and I hated it. I think my mother did too.”

  “Your grandfather was the governor at one time, right?”

  “He was, and he reminded us of it all the time. He believed we owed it to him to be on our best behavior at all times, but my grandmother was worse about it, especially with my mom.” He shifted in his seat, casually inching closer. I could smell his cologne, feel his arm against mine, and I was finding it difficult to keep my train of thought. “I’m pretty sure she’s the reason why my parents got together.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “I overheard them talking about it. I didn’t get the whole conversation, but from what I gathered, my grandmother thought their marriage would be good for my grandfather’s campaign … or something like that.” I shrugged. “It was a long time ago. I was just a kid, and I probably heard it wrong.”

  “Sounds like your mom might’ve had a hard go of it.”

  “She did, but when it was just us … when she was away from Dad and her parents, things were different. She could be herself with me. Those were the times I liked best.”

  “My mom and I were always close like that. Never had much of a relationship with my dad.”

  “Oh, really? Why’s that?”

  “He has Asperger’s Syndrome. It’s different for everyone, but for him, communication seems to be the hardest. He’s never been all that great with people … Unfortunately, that included me.” He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. “It wasn’t easy having a father that I couldn’t talk to. I couldn’t get his input on girls or even football. He was only interested in his own stuff. Never mine.”

  It pained me to hear the sorrow in his voice, and I wished there was something I could say to take some of that hurt away. “I’m sorry, Cade. That had to be hard for you.”

  “I learned to deal with it. We all did.” He chuckled, then said, “My sister tended to use his lack of interest in us to her advantage. Hell, the girl got away with murder.”

  “Most daughters do.” Curious, I asked, “Were you two close?”

  “Yeah. I guess you could say we were like most brothers and sisters. We put up with each other when we had to. She knows I’d be there for her if she needed me, and she’d do the same for me.”

  “That’s awesome. I always wished I had a brother or sister.” I sighed as I thought back to my childhood, and all those long afternoons when I was left to play alone. “My dad felt the same way, but my mother was adamant about not having any more children. So, it’s always just been me.”

  We continued to talk for several hours, sharing stories about our childhood and later y
ears. Cade would get up from time to time to check things outside, but we’d pick right back up with our conversation as soon as he returned. I listened intently as he told me about the day he’d met Gus in the bar, and weeks later, when he’d gone to the clubhouse for the first time. It was clear from the way he spoke that he cared a great deal for the men in the club, especially Gus. I got the feeling he’d filled a void for Cade, and that was a big draw for him when it came time to join Satan’s Fury. He also told me about some of the brothers he was closest to, and how their lives had changed when they each met their significant other. I’d met Shadow and Riggs but had yet to meet Blaze, one of the other guys he’d mentioned. It was hard to believe that these men who seemed so fierce, so intense, were the same men in the funny stories he shared. I loved hearing him talk about his life with them and was looking forward to hearing more, but our conversation was cut short when my cell phone started ringing. I got up to answer it and was aggravated to see that it was David.

  “What do you want, David?”

  “I was calling to check on Harper. How’s she doing?”

  “She’s fine, no thanks to you,” I snapped.

  “Has she said anything about … you know … where she was and who had her?”

  “No, David. She’s a very confused little girl who’s just glad to finally be home.”

  “I’m really sorry about that. I wish—”

  “Save it. I don’t want to hear any of your lame apologies,” I huffed. “You’ve gone too far this time … There’s no coming back from this.”

  “You’re wrong, August. I just need a chance to explain.”

  “Explain what? How you got involved with the mob and put our precious daughter in danger? ’Cause I’d love to hear you try to explain that.”

  “I’ve already told you. I’m sorry that they brought Harper into this. That wasn’t supposed to happen. I would never intentionally put Harper in danger!” he shouted.

  “I wish I could believe that, but after all that’s happened, I just can’t. And once I tell everyone what you’ve done, no one else will believe a word you say either.”