“I don’t know what came over me, but I couldn’t stop myself.” I respond.
“I know but you have to Blayde. You’re my VP. I need you to remain calm and collected no matter what anyone says or does. Stryker is hurting and the only way he knows, besides inflicting pain on someone is with his words. You have to remember there are two sides to every story. Get all the information before you condemn someone.” Kayne’s voice is strong but gentle, handing me my ass. That’s what makes him a great president. He sees everything, even if you don’t want him too.
Back a few years ago, Steam, the President of Savage Saints Detroit, saw that Kayne was struggling and relapsed. He finally gave him a shot at his own club up here in the middle of the mitten and we’ve been thriving ever since. It was tough at first, trying to establish our authority but Kayne pulled us through. Now we’re a club you don’t fuck with and if you do, you’ll find yourself in a shallow grave with no one to mourn your body.
The brothers all file in, taking their respective seats. Ace, our secretary/tracker, Axel our Sergeant at Arms, Texas our Road Captain, Maddox our Treasurer, Talon our Chaplin, Rooster our tech guy, Knuckles, Tatt, Butch and our prospect turned member Duke. Two seats are empty. Poison and Stryker’s. I stare at Stryker’s empty seat, wishing I could take back what I did, but knowing I can’t. We wait a few more minutes for Stryker. He finally comes in and takes his seat across from me, keeping his head down.
Kayne slams the gavel down onto the scarred oak table drawing the attention of all brothers, Stryker included. “Let’s get this underway. We have a lot to discuss.” He pins Stryker with a deadly blue stare. “First, whatever the fuck happened this morning, Stryker, needs to be tabled. Figure your shit out on your own, in your own time.”
“Aye, Prez.” Stryker nods his head then rubs his jaw where I hit him. His dark blue eyes are full of misery and now I feel like shit for punching him.
“That makes for you too, Blayde. We all need to be capable of leaning on each other when we need it.” Kayne says.
“Aye, Prez. Won’t happen again.” I acknowledge, peering at Stryker. He nods his head and leans back in his seat.
“There’s something that has come to my attention. Blayde, the floor is yours.” Kayne leans forward, resting his hands on the scarred table with our club logo on it. A skull wearing a bandana and tilted crown with a set of wrenches as crossbones attached to chrome motorcycle handlebars and Savage Saints written in Old English below.
I draw a heavy breath steadying my thumping heart. “As you all know we still have our illegal shit to do and we can’t do it with the cops sniffing around after the fire at the warehouse. Cahal has his business to run, just like we do. So I’ve come up with a quick fix.” All eyes are on me. I watch the tick in Kayne’s jaw, the only tell he's struggling to rein in his rage. The rest of the brothers are waiting. The tension is so thick, I’m having a hard time breathing. “I found someone to run the guns and drugs for us until the heat dies down.”
“Who?” This comes from Ace. His whiskey-stained eyes are pinning me to my seat.
“Dean Kingston. He’s agreed to run what we have for Cahal.” Murmurs fly across the room. Dean Kingston thinks he owns the town. He thinks his shit don’t stink. When we first came here, we not only had to clean up the mess Clutch, the previous president put it in, we also had to put Kingston in his place and keep his fucking grubby hands off our territory. He might be a rich motherfucker and have his hands in a lot of shit, but he could never get into ours until I let him in with this deal. Kingston and Kayne have bad blood between them. That happens when you let another man’s wife deep throat your dick. Kayne sent a message to Kingston when he allowed her. Don’t fuck with Savage Saints and keep your wife off her knees. It wasn’t Kayne’s best moment, but it got Kingston to back the fuck off.
“Prez, you’re OK with this?” Stryker growls.
“Not at first. But Blayde is right. Just because Cahal is Poison’s uncle that doesn’t mean his business stops because ours does. He’s given us time and that time is up. This is the best solution to a bad situation.”
“What’s it going to cost us? The asshole is known for bleeding you dry before blowing your brains out.” Maddox asks. As our Treasurer, he needs to know who gets what cut and how much.
“Twelve percent,” I grin. Laughter rings out across the table.
“How the fuck did you manage that?” Ace asks, knocking his knuckles on the table. “I figured it would be at least thirty.”
“Because I’m the fucking bomb. He tried for thirty, but I talked him down with my smooth tongue.”
“Bout time you use it for other than sucking ass.” Rooster grumbles with a grin.
“Fuck off cock. I know your sister loved my tongue last night.” I tease. Laughter rings out, relieving the tension in the room. Rooster flips me off with a smirk.
“Settle down.” Kayne shouts, settling everyone down. “Let’s get back to it. Tonight, Blayde and I will be meeting Kingston for the first handoff.”
“Not alone.” Stryker growls. “You two are not going without me. I never trusted that twisted fucker and I’ll be damn if I wait around to hear if he decided to put you six feet under or worse, locked up.” How is being in jail worse than being six feet under is a mystery to me, but it’s the way Stryker’s mind works.
“Fine. Stryker, Blayde and I will go on the initial meet. Ace, Rooster and Maddox, you three work the bar and watch for any blowback. Butch, Duke and Talon you’re watching the body shop. The rest of you, along with Poison, will stay here and guard the clubhouse.” Kayne finishes. He then gives us shit to do today. During the winter months, we utilize the body shop for repairs and rebuilds. That’s where I’m heading today. Kayne slams the gavel down onto the table, adjourning the meeting.
All the brothers filed out except for Kayne, Stryker and me. Stryker is sitting in his seat with his head bowed.
“I owe you an apology,” Stryker grumbles under his breath. “I never should have said what I said. I really thought Holly and I were past this point, but obviously not. I don’t know what to do and why she keeps pushing me away and it’s irritating the fuck out of me.”
“Have you asked her without growling and demanding?” I ask.
“I’ve tried. She’s condemned me for my past actions and I can’t change that. I’m done. I can’t keep doing this to her or myself. I’ve lost my focus on this club and starting now, that’s changing. I’m numb and I need to feel something, anything.” He clenches and unclenches his fists.
“I’m sorry I hit you. I never should have. I guess we’re all a little fucked up. Come on, let’s head to the body shop and you can take your aggression out on this rebuild we have to get done.” I offer.
Stryker and I stand up, putting what happened behind us. Kayne is still sitting at the head of the table, lost in thought. “Kayne, you all right brother?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Just going to stay here for a little bit.” Kayne answers.
“OK, I’ll see you tonight.” Stryker and I walk out of Church. I head to my bedroom to let Siren know what’s going on and Stryker heads off to the kitchen.
I find it ironic how years ago when Monica and I were together, I never reported to her or filled her in on what was happening, but with Siren, it’s what I want to do. I feel a pull toward her I can’t explain. I want her to know every aspect of my life and what I’m doing. I don’t want her to worry about me and where I am. I want her to know everything and I want to know everything about her.
Chapter 4
Blayde
Night has fallen, the sun slipped away into the horizon a long time ago, casting shadows across the vacated building that Kayne, Stryker and I are waiting for Kingston at. He’s late as usual and I’m getting more agitated from the fucker thinking he can come and go whenever he sees fit. Winter is turning into Spring but the nights are still cold as fuck. My breath is coming out in short little puffs and my hands are numb from the cold. I pace back and forth acro
ss the frozen asphalt in front of Kayne’s dark red Dodge Ram we drove tonight for the drop.
We worked out the details with Cahal and he knows Kingston is making the drops for us but he’s delivering only Kingston’s cut and will drop the rest off to us at the Clubhouse at the end of the week. I don’t trust Kingston to walk away with more than his cut. Doing it this way protects us from his thieving, dirty hands.
Headlights pierce the blackness heading our way. Kayne and Stryker step out of Kayne’s pickup and wait by the tailgate where the guns are. Each of us are watching our surroundings, waiting for an attack. High beams sweep across the parking lot landing right on me, blinding me. I raise my hand to shield my eyes. That’s another strike motherfucker. I’m keeping a running total on how many times my blade will sink into this dickhead’s skin, splitting it open and watching his blood flow. So far he’s up to four. One wrong move and I won’t hesitate to end him.
The sleek black car Kingston is traveling in stays running. The driver finally has the courtesy to kick off the high beams not blinding me anymore. Three doors open and shut. Kingston appears in front of the headlights wearing a suit and tie made especially for his build hugging his muscles. He might look like a pretty boy with his polished dress shoes and stylish brown hair but underneath his cool exterior, he’s a narcissistic asshole who throws a fit like a little baby when he doesn’t get his own way.
“Blayde, great you made it.” Kingston’s teeth chatter from the cold. Two men step up to the side of the car, hands at their hips resting on their guns. I raise my hands so they can see my own .40 caliber Smith and Wesson under my cut but not reaching for it. They don’t know about my switchblade resting in the inside pocket of my cut which I can get to with a flick of my wrist.
“It’s about fucking time you showed up. I don’t appreciate waiting, Kingston.” I motion with my head to the back of Kayne’s pickup. “Merchandise is back here.” Two of Kingston’s thugs follow me as we walk to the back. Kingston stays behind near the car, ready for a quick escape if things go sideways.
Kayne drops the tailgate pulling out several duffle bags and drops each one onto the ground. Kingston’s thugs carry each bag and drop them in the trunk of the car. We follow close behind. Kayne steps up close to Kingston. Their faces are inches apart. “Everything for this drop is here. McKenna knows what’s going down so don’t try to pull anything over on him or I’ll hear about it. If you fuck us over, I’ll kill you.” The fury and hate behind his voice would make just about anyone quiver in fear.
“Like you fucked my wife?” Kingston growls. He’s still pissed about that shit.
Kayne sneers, his deadly blue eyes narrow into slits. “How is she anyway? Last I heard I wasn’t the only one she deep throated like a patch whore. Are her knees still red and raw?”
Kingston expands his lungs with a growl. He steps away from Kayne and climbs into the passenger seat of the running car. His thugs follow suit and they drive away. I stand there side by side with Kayne and Stryker until the car’s headlights disappear.
“Let’s load up and head to the bar. I need a drink.” I suggest turning around and walking to the pickup. Kayne and Stryker follow. We all climb into the pickup and Kayne fires it up. His cell phone rings, piercing the quietness inside the cab.
“Yeah,” he answers it. As he listens to the caller, his fingers grip the steering wheel tight. He clenches his jaw so hard his teeth grind. “On our way.” He ends the call, throws the pickup in first and takes off at breakneck speed out of the parking lot.
“Who was that?” I ask hanging onto the oh shit bar above my head when Kayne takes a turn without slowing down.
“Ace. There’s been a development in the warehouse fire. He needs us at the clubhouse.” Kayne replies. He grips the steering wheel tighter while sliding around another turn and we speed away into the night.
Twenty minutes later Kayne pulls into the clubhouse driveway. There’s an unmarked car sitting in the entrance. Detective Vince Owens and his female partner Detective Tara Kendrick climb out when we draw closer. Owens is tall and scrawny, built like an MMA fighter, with spiked black hair and dark eyes. He’s a no bullshit cop with a bit of snarky attitude but always looks out for us. His partner is a knockout with long brown hair pulled up into a tight bun, her brown eyes assess everything and she has a full set of tits, screaming for someone to suck and nip on. Before Siren, I’d be trying to hit that.
Kayne parks the pickup and turns off the engine. “Whatever they say, keep your mouths shut. Don’t tip our hand to what we know. Let’s see what they tell us and how much they actually figured out.” Kayne demands before stepping out of his Dodge.
Stryker and I follow and stand shoulder to shoulder in front of the detectives. Kendrick watches me and licks her plump red lips. If Siren sees this, she will flip her shit. It might be interesting to watch.
Owens steps forward, extending his hand. “Kayne, thanks for meeting us this late.” Kayne shakes his hand and Owens steps back next to his partner. “We’ve come across a development earlier and this is the first time I could break away without being noticed. It appears whoever set fire to your warehouse is also responsible for the Deadly Sins slaughter. We found an accelerant and a trail line that matches. It can be found in any hardware or retail store, so narrowing down who bought it will be almost impossible. Both fires are being labeled as an arson.”
Kendrick steps closer to us, playing with a piece of hair that fell from her bun. She bats her eyelashes watching each of us. “If there’s anything you guys know, it would be appreciated if we’d get the same courtesy that we’re extending to you.” Her tone is provocative, trying to be flirtatious. Owens shifts uncomfortably behind her.
The door to the clubhouse slams shut. I turn my head that way and see Poison in her cut and skin-tight jeans heading down the front porch. There’s a fire in her eyes as she pins Kendrick with a deadly stare. Siren is right behind her. Her long black hair whipping around in the cold breeze that picked up.
Poison stands next to Kayne glaring at Kendrick. “Do we have a problem detective?”
Siren stands next to me, wrapping her arm around my waist. I put my arm around her shoulders, pulling her against me to stay warm. “This is going to be good.” Siren whispers.
“No problem. Just updating Kayne on the warehouse fire.” Owens interjects before Kendrick can say anything.
Poison stares at Owens. She’s trying to rein in her anger. “I wasn’t talking to you, Detective Owens. I was talking to her.” She turns her deadly glare back to Kendrick. Kendrick takes a small step back and Poison smirks. “Well?” she asks stepping into Kendrick’s space.
“No, we don’t.” Kendrick stands tall acting unintimidated but I notice a slight tremble in her hands when she puts them in her pockets.
Poison sees it too and smirks. She’s right in Kendrick’s face. “If you ever try to use your fake boobs to sway my man again, you’ll be missing them.”
“Is that a threat? Threatening a police officer will land you in jail.” Kendrick fires back.
“What threat? I’m simply giving you a warning. This club is off limits to a woman like you. Whatever you have running through that little brain of yours better be about solving this case and not which member you can spread your legs for.” Poison steps back next to Kayne. He whispers something in her ear and she giggles.
Owens is in shock, his mouth is hanging open in awe. He’s never officially met Poison before now. She’s a spitfire that’s for sure. Kendrick’s face is beet red but no rebuttal comes from her lips.
“Kayne, I think we’re done here.” Owens says when he finally finds his voice.
“Thanks for the update, Owens. Does this mean we can have our warehouse back to rebuild? I need to get that back up for storage.” Kayne asks.
“Yes. It will be cleared out by the end of the week. Just remember what I told you. Things could get hairy if the connection is true. Watch your backs.”
“We will. Thank
s.” They shake hands and Owens climbs into the driver’s seat of their car. Kendrick turns to walk away before Poison stops her.
“Oh, Detective Kendrick?”
She turns, glaring at Poison. “Yes?”
“Next time you attempt to flirt with someone, make sure their woman isn’t around. Next time you try to flirt with my man, remember your partner. I’m sure he doesn’t appreciate you using your sex appeal towards another man when he just got done fucking you before you got here.”
Kendrick doesn’t say a word. She spins on her heels and stomps to the car, climbing in the passenger seat, slamming the door once she’s in. Poison laughs before she pulls Kayne’s face down to hers and kisses him passionately. Owens drives away, leaving us standing in the dark.
“Woman, what am I going to do with you?” Kayne growls, nipping at her neck.
“I can think of a few things. Did everything go OK with Kingston?” She’s studying Kayne with concern. Kayne had told her everything that happened between them in the past.
“Yes. He’s on his way to meet Cahal’s men. Cahal will be here at the end of the week with our cut.”
“Good. When he gets here, we’re going to see my mom.”
“Good. C’mon let’s get you inside and out of these clothes. You turned me the fuck on.” Kayne picks Poison up and throws her over his shoulder. She squeals when he slaps her ass. “Hold down the fort boys. I’m going to be busy for a while.”
“You got it, Prez.” Stryker laughs when they disappear.
I figured Siren would disappear too, but she’s still here. Still holding onto my waist. “Can we talk?” Siren asks me.
“And that’s my cue. I’ll see you on the flip side brother.” Stryker slaps my shoulder and heads into the house.
I look down at Siren. She’s peering up at me through her dark lashes, her eyes are etched with deep worry. “What’s wrong?”
She licks her lips and releases a deep sigh. “That night you came into Deadly Sins Strip Club, I never did thank you for helping me.” Surprised, I’m wracking my brain trying to think of something to say. That’s the last thing I thought she’d tell me. “You don’t need to say anything. I wanted you to know I appreciated it. That man wouldn’t leave me alone and Drex thought it was funny when I went to him for help. I thought, after everything I’ve been through, the club would have stepped in but they wouldn’t.”
Blaydes Betrayal (Savage Saints MC Book 2) Page 3
