My father is more stubborn than my mother, so he insists if I won’t let him help now, I’ll have to give in at some point. So, he told me Jalen already has a few thousand in a college savings account. Honestly, they don’t have to do that . . . but I’m grateful they’re helping me with his education because I’d be able to maybe put fifty bucks a month in one for him.
“I’m okay. Really, I am. Say, where’s Dad?” I know she’s just worried, and I do take small breaks. I’m not always working every bit of the day.
“He’s chatting with Frederick. I’m sure he’ll be on in a few minutes. What else has been going on in your life? I saw on Facebook you said you had a great night the other week. The call somehow dropped last week when I asked you about it.” My mother states with an accusatory tone. Though, she’s right to. I totally ended the call on purpose, wanting to desperately avoid telling her about Dixon until I knew what my own thoughts were on him.
“I went out on a date with someone. We’ve been out on a few dates now, actually.” I tell her, somehow realizing we’ve been out on four. We always start at the diner where Belle works and usually go off and explore. I met him at the beginning of August, and now we’re in the last week. Damn, it’s crazy how time flies.
“Oh? Tell me everything! What’s his name?” My mother’s smile grows bigger than I’ve seen it in quite a long time. I’m sure she’s just so happy I’m putting myself out there again. There was a time after Cornell’s death when I told her I’d never open myself up to get hurt like that again. I’m sure she knew eventually I would, but the aching in my heart . . . oh, I thought it would kill me.
“His name is Dixon, and he’s . . .”
“I don’t even need to know more. Your smile says it all, sweetheart. I have . . . God, how much I’ve missed seeing you smile like this.” Within a metaphorical snap of the fingers my mom has burst out into tears. They’re streaming down her face and I try to soothe her even though we’re hundreds of miles away.
And of course, this has to be the moment where my father walks in. “What in the world happened?! Indra, what did you say to your mother?!” My father barks, coming into view.
I see my mother holding up her hands, waving at him, trying to dismiss him even though she’s still crying. Good Lord. “She’s crying so much. What did you do!?”
“Jesus Dad. I didn’t do anything. I told her I’ve been seeing someone, she asked about him and I smiled . . . and then this,” I point to the screen, where my mother is still going on.
“You’re dating someone? Tell me everything, I’ll have a friend run a background check on this fella.” I tilt my head back and stare at the ceiling, keeping my crap together so I don’t lose it on him.
“Dad, you know I love you, and I love how you think you’re helping . . . but you’re not. I don’t need you to run a background check on Dixon. I know everything I need to about him, and we’re still learning about each other. I can tell you he’s a great guy. He’s incredibly sweet, and he’s a total gentleman.”
My father grimaces, “You never know everything about someone, sweetheart. Just let me make one call to ensure you’re safe.”
Instantly, I laugh. “Dad, trust me when I tell you this. I’m dating a man who has no problem protecting me.”
Okay, I probably should’ve thought that out before I said it. “What do you mean by that?” His eyebrows are raised and worry is evident across his face.
“Dixon is in a biker club,” I start to say, but I’m cut off.
“Your boyfriend is in one of those biker gangs?!” He hollers, looking like he’s about to berate me like I’m still a little girl.
“Dad. It’s not a biker gang. It’s a brotherhood. Relax, though. They’re not affiliated with anything illegal. I’ve been around these people, their wives, girlfriends and kids multiple times. Heck, Dixon takes me to a diner every week. It’s adorable, a complete 1950s style with shakes and burgers. Whenever you guys come down for a visit we’ll all have to go. Anyways, there’s a waitress there named Belle. She’s a young woman struggling, trying to better her life by going to college. Well, two weeks ago we found out she was living in her car. A young woman, living in her car in the summer, in Vegas . . . not exactly the smartest thing. Anyway, Dixon talked to the club and they’re having a fundraiser for her this weekend to get her enough money to rent an apartment.”
“Oh my word, that’s so sweet!” My mother bellows out, placing her hand over her chest. She genuinely thinks they’re kind and oh, how they care.
“My point is, they’ll do anything they can to help others. Dixon is one of them who has the biggest heart. Guys, I really like him.”
“Has he met Jalen yet?” My mother asks.
I shake my head, “No, not yet. The club is having a barbeque this weekend to cut loose a bit. I’m going to take him over to meet Dixon then.” I say, smiling.
“Wow. You must really like this man.” She replies.
“I do, I really do. He’s . . . unlike anyone I’ve ever dated, even Cornell. And before you say anything Dad, I’m not comparing Dixon to Cornell, because they’re two totally different men. But what I’m saying is I’m glad I chose to open up my heart to Dixon, because I’m sure someone else would’ve shattered me.”
“How’d you meet this guy?” My father asks, cocking a brow.
“Two friends of mine set me up with him, actually. It was a blind date. I didn’t even know his name.”
“Wow. That’s rather old fashioned.” My father comments.
I nod, “Yeah, it was. I was afraid to do it, but I can honestly say it was a great experience. I realized I met him before too after the fact. The funny thing is I never even remembered him. One of the friends who set me up with him is actually a client of mine at the jewelry store. He’s actually in the biker club too, and so is his fiancé.”
“So interesting,” My mother says. “Are they like Sons of Anarchy? That was my guilty pleasure show a few years ago.”
Imagining my mother watching Sons of Anarchy somehow doesn’t sit well with me. “No, mom!” I defend the club, covering my laugh.
“Aw,” She pouts, “That might’ve been a little exciting.”
My father sits next to her, shaking his head. “The only exciting part would’ve been me hiring a PI and getting this boy locked up.”
“Oh calm down and just be happy for me. I want you both to meet him when you come to visit, if you’re open to it. Then you can see for yourself how great he is. Heck, if you want to meet everyone at the club you can.” I suggest.
“You know, I’d really love that.” My mother says. She’s always been the more open minded one. My father on the other hand, he’s definitely the more reserved one.
“I’ll have to think about it, Indra.” He turns his watch toward him and stands up. “I’m sorry to cut this short but I need to get going. Do me a favor and be careful with this guy.”
“I will, Dad. Love you guys.”
“Love you,” He says.
“I love you sweetheart!” My mom smiles as I end the call.
Oh boy. They’re supposed to come down here in three weeks. I guess I should prepare Dixon for the fact he’s about to be introduced to my parents. Whoa. I take in a deep breath, shocked at the fact I’m even having him meet them this early on. I thought I’d wait a couple of months, but the man just . . . makes me want to have him meet everyone important to me. I even invited Tia over to the club this weekend for the barbeque.
Chapter Fourteen
If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together
~ Unknown
Dixon
A few minutes ago I got off the phone with Indra. She worked a double today between the jewelry store and the yoga studio. The work ethic my woman has astonishes me every day. She does it all for one person— Jalen. She wants to be able to provide the best life she can for him. Tomorrow she’s supposed to bring him over to the club and he’s gonna meet me. I ain’t ever been more n
ervous about somethin’ in my entire life. But I think that’s how I know she means so much to me, ‘cause I’m shittin’ bricks over here, nervous as can be.
I’m standin’ outside my trailer, nursin’ a bottle of beer since it’s not too hot out tonight. I was over in the clubhouse earlier tonight, but things started gettin’ a bit rowdy between Chaz and a couple of the brothel workers. They’re still not up and runnin’ quite yet, so the girls will come over to the clubhouse to be around people, I guess. Chaz is a hell of a fuckin’ flirt, but it doesn’t matter since he’s just a manwhore. I don’t think the guy will ever settle down. If he does, it’ll shock almost everyone here.
The sound of a storm door slamming against the frame causes me to look up. Damon’s porch light is on and I see him walkin’ over this way. “Everythin’ alright?” I question as he approaches.
He nods, “Yeah, just needed to get outta the house. Kat’s been so sick lately. Fuck, man. They don’t tell you about the shit women go through carrying a child. The worst part is I can’t do shit for her, except bein’ here. Whenever I go by Target, I grab her those ginger lozenge things. They’re the only thing that seems to curb her nausea.”
“Sorry, Prez. If I can do anything to make it a bit easier on ya, let me know.” I say, takin’ a sip of beer.
“Just watch out for her if I’m not around, Dixon. You know how we all roll. We watch out for each other’s women.”
“Yep, we sure as hell do. Speakin’ of women, Indra’s bringing Jalen over tomorrow.”
Damon smirks, “No shit. You ready to meet the most important man in her life?”
“Honestly? I’m nervous. I’m worried the kid won’t like me and Indra will stop givin’ me the time of day.”
“You’re getting yourself all worked up for nothing. Indra really has a thing for you. It’s blatantly obvious whenever she’s here. And seriously dude, you need to chill. Kids flock to you like you’re fuckin’ Santa.” He laughs, causing me to join him.
“Yeah, you’re right. I don’t know what I’m thinkin’.”
“You like her. You’re nervous you’re gonna lose her, and it just shows how much you genuinely like the woman. Brother, any of us here who have an ol’ lady have felt the way you are right now. I can pretty much guarantee that.”
“You know, I don’t think anyone says this to you, but you’re a good fuckin’ friend, Damon.”
Damon doesn’t respond to my comment, though I can tell he’s appreciative. He tilts his head to the side and makes a curious face. If I didn’t have my porch light on right now, I wouldn’t be able to see it for shit.
I turn and look in the direction he’s focused on, seeing a set of headlights coming this way. “We expecting someone?” He asks me.
I shake my head, “Not that I know of, and isn’t that car headed in a little fast?”
“Mhm, something isn’t right.” Damon comments, putting his hand on his gun.
“Shit and I was about to ask you how Amara’s fairing with the change,” I joke, tryin’ to lighten up the mood.
Damon glances at me for a split second, “How about we don’t go there. She’s taking it as well as can be expected.”
“Which translates to awful.” Damon doesn’t reply, but he takes a couple steps forward as the car flies up the dirt lane. Whoever the driver is could be drunk for all I know. They’re weaving to the left and right, but somethin’ sure seems off to me. “This feels jacked to me, Prez.” I comment, tellin’ him what my gut instinct is.
“Yeah, me too.” Damon replies. We had these massive flood lights installed on poles about fifty feet off the ground around parts of the property, including our main lane back to the clubhouse. I can tell the car is some sort of early 2010s sedan. It’s a maroon color and from the distance I’m gonna say it’s a Nissan or Hyundai.
All of a sudden the horn of the car heading toward us begins to start blaring. Not as if someone is pressing it over and over again, but more like someone has their hand shoved against it. This isn’t right. Somethin’ is wrong here. The car veers to the right and it crashes straight into one of the poles that holds a flood light.
Smoke immediately starts coming from the hood of the car upon the collision. “Fuck,” I grumble, tossing my beer on the ground I start to head over. I wasn’t even a half a beer in and someone had to come here and decide to ruin my fuckin’ night.
“Whoa. What the fuck?!” I hear Mouser yell. He must’ve just come out of the house he shares with Sakura.
“Get Sakura and Cheyenne, I don’t know what the fuck we’re dealing with.” Damon hollers back his order. Cheyenne is another nurse practitioner like Sakura is. She’s been here with us since Cobra got shot, but she doesn’t involve herself in club business much. I did hear a rumor she was lookin’ to open up some sort of family medical practice here, but no one has confirmed it yet.
Approaching the car, I put my hand on the door handle and pull. Surprisingly, the door comes open easily. So, I pull it all the way back. The first thing I see is long, wavy black hair. This is obviously a chick because she has a black strapless crop top thing on, and high-waisted jean shorts on below. Her torso is covered with tattoos, and tattoos start mid-way down her left arm. She’s got some sorta awful makeup caked on. It’s blue and purple over her eyes and down her cheekbone. Fuck, why are girls doin’ makeup looks like that these days? I don’t understand these trends they see on the internet. Some of ‘em are dumb as fuck.
“Do you recognize her?” Damon asks.
I look back to him, “No, I don’t. Do you?”
He shakes his head. “All I can say is if she came here, it was for a reason. I think—”
Feet slamming against the ground cause both of us to avert our attention. “What’s going on?” Cheyenne asks, Sakura only a few feet behind her. Cheyenne has some sort of medical bag in her hand.
“Jesus, the fuck?” Widow’s voice bellows out.
“Oh boy, this isn’t good.” Sakura comments.
“We need to get her to the hospital. We’ll need to check for broken bones, a concussion . . . and that’s just a start.” Cheyenne tells Damon, who looks to me. I start to open my mouth but Widow feels the need to butt into the conversation.
“If we call an ambulance for her, they’ll notify the police and there’s no way we can hide all our fuckin’ guns in time. Do you really want the entire club to get locked up for this drunk chick’s actions?”
Damon and I share a look, and he speaks up. “Please do what you two can for her. I hate to say it, but Widow’s right. We need to try and treat her here before we even think about moving her. She came here for a reason, and we need to figure that out first.”
“Motherfuckers. This is why I hate biker clubs,” Cheyenne hisses. “C’mon Sakura, let’s try to help the poor girl.” Cheyenne walks in front of me and gasps.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
Cheyenne looks at me like I’ve lost my fuckin’ mind. “Do you mean to tell me you don’t see her eyes swelling, or the bruising around her face? She’s been horribly beaten you baboon. Fuck. Okay, I need two of you to pick her up very carefully and . . .”
Cheyenne immediately grows quiet. I’m sure she’s trying to figure out where we can put her. “Take her to my and Mouser’s house. Put her in the spare bedroom. We’ll assess her injuries there and hook her up to an IV to start. You and I can take shifts if you’re okay with it.” Sakura suggests.
Cheyenne nods, “That’s fine. God, who did this to her?”
She’s asking the question we’re all wondering. Plus, who is she?
Chapter Fifteen
I love you, even if I don’t always know how to show it
~ Bridgette Devoue
Dixon
I ended up getting to bed around one in the morning. Sakura and Cheyenne seemed to have a handle on whatever was going on with that girl. Before I went back to my house and crawled into bed I checked in on her, but the girls said she was still unconscious. I offered to he
lp them if they needed it, but there wasn’t anything I could do according to Sakura. Cheyenne on the other hand just kept lookin’ at me like she wanted to slit my throat. She still isn’t a big fan of bikers. Considerin’ her brother’s in a club up in Wyoming I’m interested to know why she has such a problem with us. One day I’m sure I’ll get an answer.
It’s just past eleven in the morning and Indra will be over here tonight around six or seven, I think. I’ve already showered, made myself a meal and now I’m walkin’ over to the clubhouse to see if Damon needs me to do anythin’. Hell, I could call up and check on shit with Lucian, see if he can give us any intel about Sakura’s father or whatever. I just need somethin’ to do.
I’m almost to the clubhouse when I spot Sakura walkin’ out of her front door. “Dix,” She hollers, dartin’ up to me. She comes to a stop a foot or so in front of me and sucks in a deep breath. “Dix . . . you need to come with me.”
“Alright. You need my help with somethin’?” I ask, not thinkin’ anything of it.
“Uh,” She immediately closes her mouth. “Dix, the girl . . . she says she knows you. She came here because she knew you were here.”
I blink a couple of times. “That doesn’t make any sense. I got a good look at her and I don’t recognize her Sakura. Just get her all bandaged up and send her on her way. She could’ve been one of those girls I fucked back in the city when we first got here. Everyone knows I was drunk outta my damn mind.” I brush it off, startin’ back for the clubhouse. I get all the way up to the door when Sakura says somethin’ I’m pretty sure I misheard.
Mayhem: A Reapers MC Boxset Page 7
