Mayhem: A Reapers MC Boxset

by Elizabeth Knox

  “What hasn’t happened?!” I growl, growing frustrated. I’m not trying to lose my temper, but damn women have to make everything so fuckin’ difficult all the time.

  “This conversation, where you just shot me down and said you love me as a fucking friend. Dios Mio, Grim! Get with the program. Why would you think I want to stick around and be close with you to watch another woman getting cozy in your arms, when I was there before her, and thought I’d be there long after.” Rosa brings her hand up and covers her face. “Fuck, I’m such an idiot.”

  “Rosa,” I say her name calmly, hoping it’ll help, but I think we both know the damage is done at this point.

  The car pulls up about fifteen feet away from us and I see a familiar woman with hair the color of a crow’s feather get out of her car. It’s Natalie, from Herold’s office. She has a bag filled with stuff and walks over toward Rosa and I.

  “Java, what’re you doing here?” I ask, never setting up a home visit or any of that shit.

  “Java?” Rosa spits out the nickname I’ve given Natalie, rolls her eyes and stomps off toward the Vixens’ house.

  “Um . . . sorry if I interrupted something. You left your stuff at Herold’s and he was incredibly adamant about the fact I needed to run this out to you.” Natalie says, with a striking accent. I still can’t figure out where she’s from.

  “No, you didn’t. What did I leave there?” I ask, knowin’ the only thing I had on me was my keys and wallet.

  Natalie opens up the brown paper bag and pulls out a series of stuff. “This is Biofreeze. It’s a pain-relieving cream. If your pain starts keeping you up at night or aggravating you during the day just rub it on the area, but please make sure you don’t do it after getting out of the shower or put ice on it. Lord, I did it once by mistake and I thought my neck was going to burn off. This is a TENS unit. It’s also used to help with pain relief, but it pushes electromagnetic currents through the muscle to help alleviate your issues. Obviously, make sure you’re not wet at all when you’re using this.”

  “What’s that other thing?” I ask, peeking in the bag.

  “Your back brace. Herold wants you to wear it for a few hours every day to start. If you can, try to sleep with it on.”

  I grimace at the thought of it. “I’m not some old man who has back problems.”

  “No, you’re a man who just went through an incredibly horrid accident and came out of it with barely a scrape. You’re lucky, Grim Braxton and I’ll stand here and tell you first-hand that it could’ve been so much worse. We treat patients who have to go through years’ worth of physical therapy and chiropractic services. Yet, here you stand, acting like you’re not even feeling a bit of the pain . . . though I can see in those eyes of yours you aren’t comfortable in the least bit. Now, do you want me to show you how to put this on, or do you need to go fix whatever just happened with your . . . girlfriend.”

  “Rosa isn’t my girlfriend. She’s just a friend.” I correct Natalie.

  She shoots me a look, giving me the impression she thinks I’m one of those guys who fuck with multiple women. “Right,” She mutters, sounding rather disappointed.

  “Java, I’m not lyin’ to you. I have no reason to, and I’ll shoot it straight right now. That woman you saw is my best friend, Rosa, who I just found out has feelings for me . . . but I don’t feel that way toward her. I’ve barked up that tree before and it ended up badly for me, so even though her and I get along, I’m not gonna walk the same path and expect different results. Obviously, Rosa’s a bit upset with me at the moment, but I make no apologies for doing what’s best for me, and for her.”

  “It’s none of my business, so you didn’t have to tell me any of that.”

  “Yeah, it might not be your business, but I’m not gonna lie to you. I want you to know that.”

  Natalie blinks a couple of times. “Why does it matter?”

  “‘Cause you and I have a date on Thursday that you already seemed to have forgotten about.” I tease, smirkin’ a bit.

  She lets out a laugh, “I don’t know if it’s such a good idea.”

  “Why? What’s holdin’ you back?”

  “I’m a single mum, with a lot of baggage. I work long hours, and I’m grumpy a lot of the time. You wouldn’t want to date a woman like me.”

  “Shit. You’re so certain. First things first, I love kids, always have and always will. I have my own fuckin’ baggage, so I’m sure I got you beat there and the long hours aren’t an issue. Hopefully I can help with the sour attitude of yours, though.”

  “Oh my word. You’re a bit abrasive, don’t you think?”

  “I don’t have to think. I know I am.” I smirk playfully, getting a smile in response. “You know, I do have a question though. Where are you from? I can’t figure out your accent.”

  “Scotland, moved here almost a year ago.”

  “You lived in Scotland and you moved to Billings, Montana?” Now she’s piqued my interest.

  Natalie nods, “Yep, it’s a long story, but we’re all fond of it here. Now, if you want me to show you how to do this I can, but I have to get back to the kids. My neighbor watches the girls after school and I really should be going.”

  “If you gotta go, go get your kids. You can show me another time.”

  “It’ll take me a minute,” She says, and I get the feelin’ she wants to show me so I can start usin’ this.

  “Alright. Do your thing.”

  She unboxes the back brace which looks like it holds you together with Velcro straps. How in the hell is this supposed to help anyone? “So, the point of this is to help alleviate pressure on your lower back. Hopefully, it’ll take away some of the pain you’ve had since the accident.”

  Natalie walks around me and puts her hand along my spine, wrapping the material around to my front and pulls it forward with the straps until I feel snug as a bug in a rug. “Is this what a corset feels like for women?”

  Natalie giggles. “Wouldn’t know. I’m not the corset wearing type.”

  Fuck. I’d love to change that.

  “Thanks for showing me. All I need to do is what you did just now?”

  She nods. “Yep, it’s easy, and if you need me to help just let me know. I can explain how to use the TENS unit on Thursday if you like.” Natalie hands me the bag and I take it, placing it down on the ground beside me.

  “Sweetheart, I don’t know what you’re thinkin’ and all that, but Thursday you and I have a date. We don’t talk shop. Got it?”

  “I haven’t been on a date in years, Grim.”

  “Lucky me, I’ll probably have an advantage then.” I snicker, getting another laugh from her.

  “Fine. I’ll . . . see you on Thursday.” Natalie turns around and heads back to her car. I watch as she gets in and buckles up her seat belt.

  “Drive safe,” I say from where I stand and wave, watching as she drives up the lane until she’s out of my sight.

  Shit, I’m excited to learn more about this woman . . . but I know I’m gonna be dealin’ with one hell of a storm when it comes to the Vixens. They always have the back of their own, and I’m sure Rosa is over there upset as can be.

  The ironic part is I’m more afraid of a group of women than I ever was with the man who held a blade to my face.

  Chapter Nine

  Everything has changed, and yet I’m more me than I’ve ever been

  ~ Iain Thomas

  Natalie

  A few days have passed by and I keep thinking about that night I went over to drop things off to Grim. He explained the situation with that woman, Rosa, though it doesn’t make me feel any better. Honestly, I feel bad for her . . . loving a man who doesn’t want her in that way. I do however appreciate the fact he wanted to tell me the truth instead of hiding it from me.

  “Mum, Davina’s hogging the bathroom again!” Aggie complains, shouting from the girls’ bedroom.

  “We don’t have time for this today girls! Aggie, go in my bathroom and get your
self sorted.” I say, running down the hallway to their bedroom. I thank my lucky stars every morning Sorcha wakes up at the crack of dawn like I do. I go ahead and get her right as rain before her sisters even wake up.

  Aggie rushes by me and goes to the only other bathroom we have in the trailer. It’s right beside my bedroom.

  A knock comes to the door, causing me to draw my brows together and go see who it is. Unfortunately, we don’t have an eye peeper and I’m stuck with opening the door wide. While I’m opening it, I’m struck with the fear of God thinking it could be my husband, though the reality of who’s come to visit could arguably be worse.

  “Mum! Dad! What a surprise.” I say, faking a smile. It’s Thursday and they know I work. Highly unlike them to just come rummaging about without even phoning me first.

  “Oh, we were up in the area driving around and figured we’d stop by.” My mum says, walking inside.

  My father rolls his eyes, hating when she does this. Even back in Scotland she had a habit of saying she was in the area when in reality they’d be making a special trip out to see someone. “We grabbed a hotel room until Sunday. Wanted to come see the girls before we head out on holiday.”

  “Shite. Is it that time already?” My parents go on holiday every year to the Mediterranean Sea during the second week of November.

  “Yes, thank goodness. I need to get out of the cold and feel the sun. I’m so pale I could blend into these horrid walls.” My dad quips, laughing at the last bit. The sad part is I think the color is muted just a bit because I haven’t dusted in a couple weeks.

  “There’re my little ones!” Mum hollers in a jovial tone. I turn back to see Davina running up to her for a massive hug. Aggie comes tearing herself out of the other bathroom and rushes up to her as well. I swear, Aggie and Mum look more alike than she and I do. They have the same naturally red hair and deep emerald eyes. I take after my father, with his dark hair and eye combination.

  “Girls, we have to get you over to school.” I gently remind them, ahead of schedule for once in my life.

  “Why don’t we take them? It’ll give you a chance to grab some breakfast.” Dad suggests, and honestly, I won’t say no to the help.

  “Perfect. C’mon Sorcha, let’s get you over to Mrs. Donovan’s.”

  “Yay!” Sorcha comes running out from her bedroom with her doll she’s had since we left Scotland. Now, my little Sorcha is the spitting image of me. She has the same dark hair and eyes as my dad and I do.

  My dad takes my forearm and hands me something. I glance down to see he’s given me a wad of cash. I start to hand it back and he gives me the same stern look he did when I was a child. “Don’t you dare. You need it, and don’t bother to tell me you don’t. Your mum and I have had a long chat, love. You’re our only child and you’ve been given one hell of a hand. There’s no shame in accepting help from those who love you.”

  Something isn’t adding up. “How did you know?” I ask.

  He pulls me into his arms and gives me a hug. “Your landlord, love. I co-signed the lease with you. I’ve already paid him six months in advance for you and the girls, plus the couple months you were behind.”

  “Dad,” I start to cry, beyond grateful I have a father like him who’s able to help me when I need it. Though, I’ve never wanted to be in this position. It’s shameful to be in a situation like this, to be in your thirties and relying on your parents to help dig you out of the ditch you’ve put yourself in.

  “Shh, none of that now. Take that to the bank and get ahead on a couple bills. We should have you out early enough today to grab breakfast together. We’ll meet you at the coffee shop next to where you work. Alright?”

  I nod against him, pulling away. “Thank you so much.”

  “Oh, my dear child. There are no thanks needed. Your mum and I are only grateful you got out when you did.”

  Sorcha comes up to me and takes my hand, already having her jacket and shoes on. I take my purse from the counter in the kitchen and we walk out the door. She runs over to Mrs. Donovan’s and before I know it, I’m on my way to the bank. They haven’t opened yet so I fill out the night deposit form and a deposit slip, knowing they’ll have it deposited as soon as they open.

  I leave and park behind Herold’s like usual, walking around the back and turn the corner to the coffee shop. I enter, seeing Chastity behind the counter serving someone rather familiar in a black leather vest.

  Oh my God.

  It’s Thursday.

  I totally forgot. Shite!

  My parents are going to be here in a few minutes and I start turning red in the face. I shuffle my way up to Grim and take ahold of his forearm to get him to shift in my direction. “I’m afraid I made a bit of an arse of myself.”

  He smiles, which I don’t quite get, but whatever. “I forgot about our date and my parents might’ve surprised me this morning by showing up unexpectedly. They’re going to be here in a couple minutes and I—”

  The bell on the door rings and Grim’s smile grows wider. Oh Jesus. “Natalie, who’s your friend here?” My mum is so quick to ask, and I know for a fact she knows I can pick up on the curious tone she has.

  Turning I face them, “So, this is my—”

  Grim cuts me off, releasing me and goes to shake both of my parents’ hands. “I’m Grim Braxton, a new friend of your daughter’s. I do have to commend you, she’s one of the most hard-working, genuine people I’ve met in a long time.”

  My mother smiles until Grim shifts his face just a bit and she can see the scar crossing the left side of his face. She grimaces for a second and quickly recovers. Meanwhile, my father pays it no mind. “Thank you. She really is a great woman.”

  “How long have you two been . . . uh . . . friends?” My mother asks, plastering a fake smile on.

  “Not very long. Truth is I was in an accident and before my appointment with Herold last week, I bumped into Natalie here. We’ve run into each other a few times since and I may have asked her on a coffee date.” Grim chuckles, and here I am again finding him being truthful. It’s weird, to hardly know someone and yet the one thing you notice the most is how he doesn’t hide anything from anyone. It’s refreshing to say in the least bit.

  “Oh, how funny.” My mum comments.

  “I don’t want to interrupt on your time together, so we’ll do a rain check?” Grim looks down to me.

  I begin to nod when my dad interrupts me. “Nonsense. You sit your arse down at one of these tables with us. We’ll all get to know one another.”

  “Dad, Grim’s a very busy man, he has to—”

  “Go to an appointment at nine, which is about forty-five minutes away. I’d love to sit down and eat breakfast with y’all. Thank you for the offer.” Grim says, putting a hand around my hip, he holds me close to him. I don’t know why, though I figured at first I’d be so scared of his touch . . . but I’m not.

  It’s comforting, and I’m hoping this won’t be a complete disaster.

  Chapter Ten

  Always trust your gut. Your brain can be fooled and your heart is an idiot, but your gut doesn’t know how to lie.

  ~ Rebel Circus

  Grim

  Breakfast didn’t go half bad. Both of Natalie’s parents are as sweet as pie. The group of us actually got along better than I thought we would. I had an appointment with Herold after, where he made me do a series of stretches that hurt like hell. I won’t even sugar coat it. He told me to do these stretches a couple times a day if I want. Now, why in the fuck would I wanna do stretches that hurt? He’s gone and lost his damn mind.

  I got a text shortly after my appointment to head back over to the club. Zane was callin’ an impromptu meeting of church . . . but on the way outta town I saw someone I didn’t expect to, someone who Zane needs to know is out and about.

  Once I’m back at the club I walk in through the double doors that lead inside and spot Rosa sitting on the sectional with Zorro beside her. He’s glaring at me from afar, smirkin�
� at Rosa any chance he can get.

  I don’t get this guy’s problem. We were sharing Shiloh and got along fine, but once that all fuckin’ went to shit, everything else did too.

  I contemplate heading straight into where we have church, but I can’t. I can’t just idly sit by and let him keep playin’ these mind games. So, I turn and head right to where they’re sitting. “What the fuck are you up to, brother?” I hiss in his direction, lookin’ at him and not Rosa. She and I still haven’t talked since last night, but one conversation won’t fix everything between us. It’ll take some time, and a few long conversations where we both get our feelings out the way we need them to.

  “What the hell?” Rosa quips, not hiding the fact she’s pissed.

  Zorro leans back, wrapping his arm around Rosa and smiles like the cat that caught the canary. “Someone piss in your cereal this morning?” Zorro questions.

  “Yeah, you.” I take a step closer and Zorro rises from his seat. He and I are chest-to-chest, nostrils flaring.

  “Jesus, this again?” Bull grumbles, coming in between the two of us.

  “I’ll knock that smirk off your fuckin’ face,” I threaten.

  “Yeah, go ahead and try.” Zorro retorts.

  “What in the fuck is with you two!?” Zane roars from the entryway of where we hold church. “Get your asses in here before I rip your patches right off your cuts.”

  I tear myself away from the situation and turn my back to Zorro, Rosa, and Bull. Once I’m inside the room, I take a seat in my chair and wait for Dracus to sit on my right, while Tex sits to my left.

  In a matter of minutes the room fills with everyone, from our Prez, VP, every officer position, and prospect . . . although, I notice a new woman amongst the bunch. She has on a Reapers cut and she feels oddly familiar. Though, I can’t place her. She takes it upon herself to shut the door and stands in front of it.