Then as the song ends, he turns me to face him again. His hands run up and down my back, then go down and squeeze my arse. With one hand on his shoulder to balance myself, I move the other down and reciprocate his touch. As he pushes against me, I can feel his hard cock pressing into my stomach.
I hear his voice as he whispers into my ear, “I need you. Wanna blow this joint?”
I thought he needed to be around as he’s the VP and there're so many visitors. “Shouldn’t you be here?”
“Yeah, but my patch looks good on you. Been dreaming of you wearing that and nothing else since I gave it to you this morning.”
Hmm, the thought of just the leather vest caressing my skin while Wraith fondles other parts of me sends a tingle down my spine. But just as I’m about to agree, we’re interrupted as the music’s abruptly turned off.
“VP! We’ve got problems!”
At Drum’s voice, Wraith spins around. After making sure I’ve got my balance, he leads me to a picnic bench outside where Sandy and Carmen are sitting. He goes off fast to see what’s going down.
“What d‘you reckon that’s all about?” Sandy’s noticed him go, her eyes creased with worry.
Carmen and I both look at each other and say at the same time, “Club business!” We both laugh. It’s hard for an independent person like myself, but over the weeks I’ve realised that sometimes I just have to curb my curiosity, as there are many things the men don’t want us to know.
But it seems like this time we’re going to get involved, as members of the Tucson chapter rush over to us, telling us to go inside. Men are pulling out guns and the party atmosphere has completely disappeared. Shots are being fired from the direction of the front gate, then a silence descends over the compound. Then, only shortly afterwards, we hear the roar of bikes going away from the club.
Sombre men flood back in, and not just a few of them cast a glance in my direction. So many that I feel my cheeks going red, not happy being the centre of attention. I start to stand, wanting to find Wraith and see exactly what’s going on, but before I can move, Wraith, Drummer, Peg, and Blade come back together, talking animatedly. I don’t have a clue what they’re saying, but nods are being thrown in my direction.
The group breaks up, and the next thing I know is that the music stops and Peg steps forward, climbing on a table. As he hollers for silence, gradually all other voices die down.
Cupping his hands to his mouth, he yells out, “All patched members to the clubroom now. Prospects, ol’ ladies, and kids to go outside.”
As the men start moving in the direction he’s ordered them, I exchange looks again with Carmen. But before I can speak, Wraith comes over and puts his hand on my shoulder.
“Drum thinks you need to be here for this, Soph.”
Even though the day is warm, I feel myself going cold. The looks thrown my way left me in little doubt the shots fired had something to do with me. “Has anyone been hurt, Wraith?”
“Nah,” he reassures me quickly, “we just fired a few in the air to get a message across.”
He takes my arm. “Here, let’s get you up. They’ll be waiting for us.” He patiently waits for me to get my balance and then holds my arm as I walk across the clubroom floor.
Going into the bar area isn’t something that generally worries me now that I’ve got used to all of Wraith’s brothers, but it’s a bit different today when I’m entering as the only woman among a hundred leather-clad bikers, many of whom turn and give me strange looks as I walk in. Wraith puts his arm around me. I move closer to his side and keep my head down. He leads me to the bar, which for once isn’t manned by Marsh or Spider, and where the other officers from Tucson are waiting.
A chin jerk to Wraith, acknowledging our arrival, then without further delay Drum jumps nimbly up onto the bar. Seeing the president of the mother chapter ready to speak, gradually the sound of men’s voice recedes, and the room goes quiet.
“Thank y’all for giving me your attention. You might have noticed we had some visitors just now, and while I’ve got y’all here, I’m gonna fill you in on what’s been going down in the mother chapter. I’m gonna let our VP, Wraith here,” he indicates Wraith, who jumps up on the bar beside him, “will give you the deets, but I’ll just tell you our fuckin’ uninvited guests were the fuckin’ Rock Demons out of Phoenix.”
As Drum jumps down a roar goes around the room, and I take it the other MC is not a friend to any of the Devils, whichever chapter they come from. With the amount of sound, it’s hard to make out individual words, but ‘pieces of shit’ and ‘motherfuckers’ come distinctly to my ears.
Wraith whistles loudly, getting everyone’s attention. Again, silence gradually descends as he begins to speak. “This is Hank’s day, and I’ve no wish to spoil it. We’ll go outside and raise a glass to him in a few, but Drum and I agreed while his untimely death has brought us together today, we should take advantage of it.”
I’m impressed at how he’s so good at public speaking. He pauses until the nods and cries of assent die down.
“As you know, the Rock Demons put Hank in the ground, but the person they are after is my ol’ lady here, Sophie.” He waves his hand down toward me. Now I’m five-foot-two in a room full of tall, imposing men, so it’s hardly likely they’ll be able to see me. But they crane their necks just in case. “Now don’t worry Soph, I’m not gonna ask you to come up and join me.”
Thank goodness for that, I’d never be able to get up there. But Peg does the next best thing, wrapping his arms around my waist, he hoists me up into the air. Now comments of ‘you lucky fucker’ and the like are thrown around, and I feel my cheeks burning red.
“That’s enough, Peg,” Wraith growls, and I’m grateful when my feet are back on the ground. Drum, showing his thoughtfulness, shoves a bar stool my way and I sit myself down, pleased to take the weight off my feet.
“Now, Sophie here came to us for protection. There’s a man hungry to get hold of her and he’s no ordinary man. He’s put out a fuckin’ bounty on her, a contract to get hold of her.” Another pause before carrying on. “Just so’s you know, he’s had a hold of her before. Sophie lost half of one leg, and the other was badly fuckin’ damaged. You see her on her feet today due to sheer fuckin’ determination. When she first came to us, she was in a wheelchair.”
Another rumble of voices goes around the room. Peg takes the opportunity to lean over and speak into my ear. “And my fuckin’ bullying. He could have mentioned that.”
Wraith starts again, “To cut a long story short, she’s become my ol’ lady, and this chapter has vowed to keep her safe. The contract out on her was taken up by the Rock Demons, and they’ve just come to cut us a deal. If we hand her over to them, they’ll kindly split the bounty with us, fifty-fifty.”
“What’s the fuckin’ amount on her head?” someone shouts out.
“If it’s gonna make any difference to you, two million dollars,” Wraith replies.
What. The. Fuck? I gaze up at him, askance. Surely, they’ll want to take that offer. No more killing and the club a million dollars richer? My face falls as I accept my fate.
I turn to Peg, who’s still standing next to me. “You’re going to hand me over, aren’t you?”
Suddenly, it’s Drummer’s voice thundering in my ear. “No we’re fuckin’ not.”
“But be sensible, Drum.” I try to forget the fact it’s my life we’re talking about here. “It’s the only way to avoid bloodshed.”
An evil looking grin comes over his face. “It’s going to be the fuckin’ Rock Demons’ blood that will be shed, sweetheart. Now listen up and don’t make me regret inviting you to our meeting.”
Faced with the full blaze of his steely eyes, I shut up.
Wraith’s grinning down at me. “Now we aren’t inclined to take their very generous offer. But I’m willing to listen to other views, so I’ll ask. Does anyone here think we should take a million dollars and throw my ol’ lady to the fuckin’ wolves?
To be tortured and killed? If you do, speak up now.”
Not one hand is raised, not one word of dissent. Then a voice shouts out, “Devils protect our fuckin’ women.”
General snarls of agreement support his words. I start to get a warm feeling inside yet can’t help thinking it’s not a very sensible decision.
“Now, Soph here has concerns about whether we’ll be able to take the Rock Demons on.” When the next blast of shouting dies down, he continues again, “She’d rather give herself up then see any of our members get killed.”
The men standing closest to me throw me looks of respect but shake their heads. One man I don’t know puts his hand on my knee. “You won’t be doing that, sweetheart,” he murmurs.
Wraith glares down, his eyes flashing with anger. “Hooper, will you kindly take your hand off my woman?”
A burst of laughter rings out, breaking the tension, and the man who apparently answers to Hooper steps briskly away. Drum uses the opportunity to jump back up on the bar.
“I wanted Sophie here ‘cos I know she’s been feeling uneasy about the support she’s getting’ from the club. But now I think she’s convinced of our commitment, our protection. I don’t believe she needs to hear any more. Sophie, can you join the girls outside now? And remember, guys, she’s wobbly on her feet so please, can we clear a path for her to go through?”
Cheeks burning, worried I’m going to fall flat on my face, I slide off the stool and start making my way out of the room. When I stumble, an arm comes to support me. I turn quickly; it’s Wraith.
He’s grinning at me. “Just seeing you safely outside, darlin’.”
It takes us a while to go across the clubroom, as we’re stopped every few steps with men I’ve never met before in my life swearing they’ll keep me safe.
Before I make it all the way out, a hand comes out and rests on my shoulder. As I swing around, I hear Wraith growl, “You and I gonna have a problem?”
Glancing up I see a bearded, rugged giant. A stunningly attractive man, although I don’t usually go for redheads. His hair, a deep ginger colour is shoulder length, half pushed tidily behind his ear, and half is flopping over his freckled face. His green eyes sparkle at Wraith, who, despite his tone, is grinning.
“Just wanted to tell your girl that she’s got our support.”
Slowly the smile drops from Wraith’s face and he grows serious. “Thanks, Brother, that’s good to hear.” Quickly he turns to me and explains, “Sophie, this is Red, President of the Vegas Chapter of the Satan’s Devils.”
Red inclines his head toward me; he has to leave down a long way. “When your problems are sorted, sweetheart, get your man to bring you to see us. We’ll show you a good time.” His voice is a sexy growl, which does something to my insides, making me feel guilty as I’m hanging off the hand of my man.
Although I’m starting to feel claustrophobic in the midst of so many large and imposing men, I take the time to spare him a quick smile, hoping he’ll put down the blood that’s rushed to my cheeks to the heat of the room, and simply tell him I appreciate the offer.
Then, at last, Wraith gets me to the door.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Wraith…
I have to admit I wasn’t totally on board with Drum’s suggestion that Sophie be dragged into our meeting, knowing it would be overwhelming to be the only woman in the midst of a hundred rowdy men. But she handled herself well, and the fact that she was an attractive and tiny little thing had helped sway the others to our side. I was as proud as punch walking her out through the room. Seeing my name on the back of her cut hasn’t grown old yet, and I suspect, won’t for some time, or even ever.
I take her over to the picnic table, noticing she’s favouring her right leg, suggesting that her prosthesis must be making her stump sore. She’s been on it for a long time today. I help her sit down and hear her quiet sigh of relief. Nodding to Carmen and Sandy, I know they’ll take care of my girl. After bending to give her a deep kiss and leaving my hand on her shoulder for a moment before lifting it, I return and make my way back to my prez’s side.
As I re-enter the clubroom, I have to push my way through the exodus of the rank and file—just as we agreed earlier, all members would hear the background to what’s going on, but strategy would be determined by officers only.
Now much emptier, presidents, VPs, sergeant-at-arms, enforcers, treasurers, and secretaries have pulled up seats or are sitting on the tables. Drum’s called the prospects in and they busy themselves making sure everyone has drinks before they’re dismissed once again.
Once only the most experienced officers are left, Drum calls the meeting to order.
“Grateful for your support, brothers.” His gaze slowly goes around the assembled crowd, a nod for each of the presidents. “Now let’s thrash around some thoughts on how to get these bastards out of our hair once and for fuckin’ all.”
In the end, it all hinges on how much we can find out about the Rock Demons, and Mouse’s plans to get eyes on them goes down well. After an hour or so kicking around ideas, Drum and I get what we were aiming for. Support by way of manpower if we need it once we know the kind of numbers we’re up against, and agreement that they’ll lock down other chapters of the Demons when it’s time for us to go in. We do come away with the useful information that not all chapters of the Demons are involved in trafficking, and that retaliation for taking out the Phoenix chapter might not be as bad as we fear, though obviously we wouldn’t be making friends. But we couldn’t give a fuck about that.
We shoot the shit, drink some more, then the meeting breaks up. Some wander back outside to the party and some stay to catch up with brothers they haven’t seen for a while. Although the reason for coming together today is a sombre one, a chance for the chapters to meet up is always welcomed.
Taking Drum’s arm, I clasp my hand around his forearm, an action that’s reciprocated, and with a chin lift I thank him for his part today. We don’t need words as he gives a sharp nod in return, and then once more I’m heading outside.
As I come up behind her, those words, ‘Property of Wraith’, stitched onto the back of her cut have me hardening in my pants, and while it looks like she’s enjoying herself, I know it won’t be long before I’m dragging her back to my room to have a party of our own. But making my way through the throngs of people I haven’t seen for some time, especially since they all want to offer support to help me keep my old lady riding behind me, takes time. I’m getting impatient to get back to her when a beefy hand lands on my back, almost making me fall. I swing around, fast.
“Red, you fucker.”
He grins lopsidedly. “Never thought I’d see a bitch on the back of your bike, Wraith.”
My face creases. Red and I prospected together, then he went off to Vegas while I stayed here. It’s the kind of bond that never dies. “How d‘you like being prez?” He only got the position last year when the previous president of the Las Vegas chapter succumbed pretty darn fast to cancer. Mind you, he’d smoked like a chimney for years.
Red’s grin fades. “It was easier being VP.”
I know where he’s coming from—there’s no way I covet the responsibility of Drum’s position.
“But getting back to your girl, you gonna introduce me properly?”
My face shutters as my suspicions start to grow. “What exactly are you asking, Red?”
He opens his hands in a gesture of innocence, but there’s a glint in his eye. “She’s a beautiful woman, and you’re one lucky motherfucker. Shame about what that bastard did to her though. How’s she coping with just one leg?”
I sigh, waving over to a spot behind the grills where no one seems to be making out, and it looks a good place to have a word without being overheard. Soph looks up as I walk past, so I hold up five fingers, and she smiles and gives a little wave of her hand to show she’s okay with waiting for a few minutes.
There’s a convenient log, so as Red sits down I rest my leg on it,
leaning over with my hands on my knee. “When she first came here, she was in a wheelchair,” I start to answer his question. “Horse suspected she was suicidal.”
“Shit!” He wipes his hand over his chin and adds sadly, “Gets to some like that.”
“Yeah, that’s what Peg said. Anyway, Peg has been helping her―huh, he bullied her and came on strong so she couldn’t turn him down. But he got her exercising and now she’s walking again. She’s just about getting there as you can see.” I jerk my head backwards, and his eyes follow and look at my girl.
“Peg would be the right man to help.” He knows our sergeant-at-arms.
“Yeah, didn’t help that one of our members tried to fuckin’ rape her. Threw her prosthesis against the wall and fuckin’ broke it.”
“What?” Red gets to his feet and slams his fist into his palm. He flexes his muscles and looks around, narrowing his eyes. “He still fuckin’ breathing?”
“No.”
“Thank fuck for that.”
I drag my hand down my beard. Truth is, I’ve known Red a very long time, was really close to him at one point, and still regard him as one of my best friends. So I tell him the rest of it. “Bastard put some fuckin’ bad thoughts in her head—that no one would want her as she wasn’t a proper woman.”
He huffs a laugh. “Bit twisted seeing as he obviously did.”
“Yeah, but it was only what she’d been thinking all along, so that’s why I acted when I did. I’d been wanting her for weeks but putting it off until it was the right time. Red, she’s got to me. Haven’t wanted anyone else since I saw her.”
“You’re a lucky devil you did see her first.” He claps his hand on my shoulder, then pushes me slightly so I turn to face him. “Want any help convincing her she’s a fuckin’ stunner?”
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