by Marie, Kay
There are some hunting knives, like a caping knife, a boning knife, a gut-hook skinner, a bowie-style butcher knife, and a machete. There are multiples of each one, as Ratchet has them all in different sizes too. He finally settles on the eight-inch butcher knife and walks to stand by Ratchet.
“Who are you working for?” Ratchet asks the men. As expected, neither one budge. “Check their tats,” he orders us.
Saint and I move to them. Neither of them have tats on their chests or stomachs. I go around to one guy’s back, take my knife out and cut down the back of his shirt.
“Bingo.” There, on his whole back, is the Iron Lords insignia. “Iron Lords bastards.”
Above his MC’s insignia is his road name. Dragon. The other guy must be Tiny.
“Mother fucker,” Ratchet bites out, then walks out of the barn. My guess is to call Prez. When he comes back in, his expression is blank.
“We need to wait for Ranger to get here. It could be a while, so get cozy,” Ratchet tells us. Ranger, our VP, is probably with his Ol’ Lady, which is the only reason it would take him longer to get here since they live a little further away. We all settle down to wait.
Every once in a while, one of the Iron Lords lets out a groan. Their arms are probably burning right now. They’ve been hanging there for a while. After an hour, we all start getting a little anxious. We’re all ready to beat some information out of these fucks.
Saint starts pacing, Rascal is practicing throwing punches, and I’m plotting ways we can torture information out of these guys. It’s another thirty minutes before Ranger shows up. Now we can really get this party started.
Ratchet and Thor take their positions in front of our Dragon and Tiny, while Saint and I stand close by. Everyone else is close by to watch, except for Ranger. He’s standing where he can see and hear what’s going on, but isn’t too close to the action. He’s here mostly to hear the information we get out of them so he can be the one to relay everything to Prez. Thor walks up to Tiny and punches him in the gut.
“Oomph,” Tiny gasps out. Thor gets right in his face.
“What the fuck were you assholes doing snooping around our warehouse?” he spits out. Tiny spits in Thor’s face. “Wrong move, asshole.” Thor punches him in the nose and blood spurts everywhere. His head falls and his chin hits his chest, blood flowing out of his nose, over his mouth and down his chest.
“Fuck you! We ain’t tellin’ y’all shit!” Dragon yells out.
“That’s fine. Don’t talk. We’ll just have some fun carvin’ y’all up,” Ratchet responds in an eerily calm voice. He lifts his knife up, twirling it around slowly like he’s inspecting it. Even from a distance you can tell it’s sharp as fuck.
I bet it’ll slice his skin pretty easily. Ratchet gets closer to him and slides his knife down Dragon’s chest, making about a three-inch cut. It’s a shallow, but still bleeds. Dragon squeezes his eyes shut. Ratchet keeps going, making cuts all over his chest and abs. He starts clenching his teeth, not wanting to yell out.
This goes on for hours. We all take turns beating on Tiny, then take to carving him up. He eventually passes out from all of the pain, hanging onto his life by a fucking thread. He’ll be meeting the boatman and Hades soon enough. On the other hand, his buddy Dragon has a lot more fight in him. He’s weak, but at least he’s still conscious.
It’s coming up on midnight and we’ve all taken a step back from torturing him. We’re planning out our next move when Dragon starts laughing maniacally. We all turn to look at him.
“You won’t be able to stop us,” he hisses out. “He’s coming for her, and he’ll stop at nothing until she’s back where she belongs.”
“And who the fuck is she?” Ratchet asks, walking closer to the guy, but still keeping his distance. The dip-shit chained up looks me right in the eyes and gives a malicious grin.
“You piece of shit!” I’m about to charge at him but I’m held back. Rascal and Saint are on either side of me, holding me back. I want to rip this fucker limb from limb.
“Minx? Who’s coming for her? Your Prez?” Ratchet asks.
The guy keeps grinning and starts laughing again, not giving away any more information. Ratchet throws a punch to his face and knocks him out. Rascal and Saint let me go. I’m so pissed off right now. I need to hit something or someone. It’s not enough we have to worry about Minx’s ex. Now the Iron Lords have confirmed they’re after her too.
“I’m claiming her. I’ll say it again in Church tomorrow, but she’s mine. I know this club would protect her without me claiming her, but it needed to be said.” With that, I leave. I need to get back to the clubhouse, back to my girl. I need to see for my own eyes that she’s okay. I think my brothers know that, because no one bothers trying to stop me.
I make it back to the clubhouse in record time. I walk inside and Sketch is sitting at the bar alone. Everyone that stayed behind must have gone to bed. I walk up to the bar and stand next to him.
“She went to your room about two hours ago,” he tells me. “How did everything go?”
I shake my head. “Not good. Everyone is still out there. I had to get back here to Minx. We’ll fill you in tomorrow.”
“Well, go get her then.” He lets out a light laugh. I slap him on the shoulder, a gesture to say see ya later. Then take off for my room. I open the door quietly, in case she’s sleeping.
As soon as I see her curled up on my bed, sound asleep, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The TV is on and I chuckle to myself when I see she fell asleep watching one of the Fast and the Furious movies. This girl is something else.
I close the door behind me and move as quietly as I can to the bathroom. There’s no way I’m climbing into bed covered in dirt, sweat, and blood. I turn the water on, undress, and hop in, washing away the sins of my day.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Savannah
I’m back in Arizona, picking up parts we need back at our shop. I’m halfway between my car and the front door of the store when someone comes up and grabs me by my hair. They pull me into the alley next to the store and shove me up against the brick wall. I feel their breath on my ear.
“Did you miss me, Savannah?” Brody. Goosebumps break out all over my body. He grinds himself against my ass. I try to push off the wall and push him off of me. In return, he slams me into the wall. I let out a groan and feel a little dizzy. “I told you I would always find you. You’re mine. If I can’t have you, no one will.”
He slams me into the wall even harder, laughing maniacally and...
I startle awake and the TV is still on. Sweat beads on my forehead and my heart feels like it’s about to beat right out of my chest. That dream, or nightmare, felt so fucking real. I sit up, calming down a bit as I realize I’m in Raze’s room at the clubhouse.
The light from the bathroom is shining underneath the door. Raze is back. I check my phone and it’s close to two in the morning. I set my phone down as the door starts to open. My eyes go wide when I see him. My heart rate picking up again but for an entirely different reason. He’s drying his hair with the towel and doesn’t realize I’m awake.
I grin as I slowly take in the sight of him. He’s shirtless, with grey sweatpants on. The sweats are hanging off his hips, showing off the V that leads down into his pants. By the looks of it, he doesn’t have any underwear on. He tosses the towel onto the bathroom floor and is about to turn off the light when he looks right at me and sees I’m awake. He grins at me and my mouth goes dry. I dart my tongue out, wetting my lips and I hear a low growl. He turns the light off and stalks toward me.
“Hey, Kitty. I didn’t mean to wake you.” He’s kneeling by the bed.
“You didn’t. I, uh, had a bad dream.” I look away from him. He hooks a finger under my chin and turns my face so I’m looking at him.
“A bad dream? Do you want to talk about it?”
I shake my head. “Not really.”
“Do you have them often?” Thanks t
o the light from the TV, I can see the look of concern on his face.
“Not when you’re sleeping next to me.”
“And when I’m not?”
“They’re almost every night.” He drops his head and shakes it. When he looks back up at me he has a serious look on his face.
“We’re gonna take care of him, Kitty. He’s not gonna come near you again.” He sounds so confident, I actually believe him. Of course, it wasn’t hard for him to figure out what the nightmare was about. “Now, move over. Let me in next to you.”
I scoot to the other side of the bed and Raze slides in next to me. Once he’s comfy, I scoot close to him and lay my head on his bare chest. I love how safe he makes me feel. We’re both quiet for a few minutes. I think he fell asleep, but then he proves me wrong.
“Hey, Savannah . . .” He’s never called me by my full name before, but I could definitely get used to it.
“Yeah, Mason?” He growls at me using his name and his arm around me tightens briefly.
“What do you think about bein’ my Ol’ Lady?” I shoot up and look at him.
“You . . . you want me to be . . .?” I stutter out.
“Yes, Savi. I want you to be my Ol’ Lady.” He laughs out. “What do ya say?”
I smile so big my cheeks hurt. “Why, Mason, I would love to be your Ol’ Lady.”
Now he’s smiling too. He reaches his hand up, sliding it into my hair at the back of my neck. He takes a fistful and pulls me down to his face, crashing our lips together. Our tongues tangle together in a deep kiss. When we slow the kiss down, I can feel him smiling against my lips. I giggle and pull back just far enough so we can talk.
“I was going to wait and ask after I had your cut made, but I couldn’t resist.”
“I’m okay waiting for my cut. We can wait to tell everyone if that’s what you want,” I tell him.
“Hell fucking no we’re not waiting. I’m letting the brothers know first thing during church tomorrow. Now, let’s get some sleep. I’m exhausted.”
I cuddle up to him and before I know it, I’m drifting off to sleep again, a smile on my face, no nightmares in sight.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Raze
I wake up before Minx does. She’s curled into my side and fits perfect. I never imagined I’d be this guy again. Holly was a long time ago and she did a number on me. I swore I would never again be with the same girl more than once, let alone let one sleep in my bed and not fuck.
Then I met Minx. Something changed inside me that day I met her at the diner. I loved Holly, but I never really saw a future with her. I have barely known Minx a month now and lying here holding her, I’ve never seen my future so clearly. She’s my end game. I’ll fucking destroy anyone who tries to hurt her. I run my fingers through her hair a few times before she starts to stir. She lets out this cute little groan as she stretches out, moving out of my hold.
“Mmm, what time is it?” she asks as she’s still stretching. I chuckle at her.
“It’s about eight o’clock.”
“Ughhhh!” She rolls onto her stomach and pulls the blanket up over her head. I can’t help but laugh at her. I give her a minute, and then rip the blanket off of her.
“Come on, Kitty. Time to rise and shine.” I hop out of bed, taking the blanket with me so she can’t hide under it again.
“You’re some kind of evil, you know that?”
“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” I shoot her a wink. I grab some clean clothes and head into the bathroom to change and brush my teeth. When I come back out, she’s dressed. She still has my shirt on but she’s tied it in a knot at her hip and she put some shorts on.
“Mind if I use your toothbrush?” There’s a shyness to her tone, and it’s kinda cute.
“Go ahead.” I stop her just before she gets to the bathroom and place a kiss on her forehead. “I’m going to head out to the main room. Church will be starting soon.”
“I might be in here napping when you’re done,” she jokes. I give a light chuckle and shake my head.
“Just stay out of trouble, Kitty.”
“Me? Trouble? Never.” She winks and shuts the bathroom door. It’s possible I have my hands full with that woman. I walk out to the main room and most of the brothers are here. As they should be since most of them practically live at the clubhouse. I head into the kitchen and get a cup of coffee.
“Church! Now!” Prez calls out as I walk out of the kitchen. I follow my brothers into the room. Mouse is standing by the door with the cell phone basket. I drop mine in and walk in, going straight for my seat. As soon as the doors close and everyone is sitting, we get down to business.
“Ranger, go ahead and fill those of us in that weren’t there last night.”
Ranger gets right into it, telling every detail from last night. When he tells Prez that the Iron Lords are after Minx, the room goes tense. Everyone in this room is part of Minx’s family. Enemies can fuck with us all they want, but as soon as they fuck with our ladies, our families, it’s game-fucking-over. Women and kids are off fucking limits, but these fuckers have always played by different rules.
“I want a brother with Minx every fucking second of the day. She doesn’t leave the clubhouse,” Prez tells the room. Of course, I agree with him. Everyone around the table nods their head in agreement. She doesn’t need to leave until we take care of the threat. There’s no way we’re letting these fuckers get a hold of her.
“Tech, any news on that fucker Brody yet?” Prez asks. Tech is at the opposite end of the table from Prez with his laptop. He’s been at it non-stop since Minx told us about her ex. Tech has a defeated look on his face.
“Not yet, Prez. This dude went ghost. Completely off the grid. It’s as if he never existed.” He sounds disappointed. He’s never been unable to find information on a person. This guy must have some serious connections.
“Keep trying. Also, see what you can find out about the Iron Lords’ plan,” Prez tells him. Tech nods and continues tinkering around on his computer. I know some about technology, but nowhere near the amount Tech does. He’s been a tech geek since he was a kid. Never really had friends growing up and taught himself just about everything he knows. I admire the guy. He’s a great asset to the club. “We need to get in touch with the Russians and see about moving those guns to a different warehouse. Thor, I want you to reach out to them today.”
“Do we want to call up Buster and his crew to see if they want in on helping move the goods?” Thor asks.
Prez nods. “Find out how close they are to tying up shit out there. We could use the extra manpower that they provide. Ratchet and Buzz, make sure the pigs get some Iron. Anyone else have anything to add?” Prez asks, looking around the table.
“I do,” I say standing up. “I’m claiming Minx as my Ol’ Lady.”
Prez nods at me before his face breaks out into a grin. The room gets loud with cheers of congrats and clapping. He bangs the gavel on the table, letting us know Church is through.
“Now, get to work you lazy fucks,” Prez laughs out. “Raze, stay behind a minute.”
I sit back down. Ranger is the last to file out and closes the door behind him.
“Since you’re claiming my daughter, I know you’ll be with her most of the time. Take her up to the house to get what she needs. She’s not going to like being on lockdown, especially since Jager is awake now, but we can’t risk something happening to her. She’s to stay in the clubhouse until further notice. If she has anything to say about it, send her my way.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll make sure she stays safe.” He nods then waves me off. I head out into the main room. Most of the brothers have gone to the shop to get some work done. When I don’t see Minx, I head back to my room. I’m sure she’s napping like she said she would be. I open the door and she’s lying on the bed, watching TV. Her face lights up when she sees me.
“Hey, beautiful.” I walk in, closing the door behind me. “I have something to tell you that you�
��re not gonna like.”
“What is it?” I sit on the bed next to her with my back against the headboard.
“Your Pops wants you on lockdown until further notice.”
“Of course he does . . .” She has a sarcastic tone to her voice.
“Kitty, this is serious. We don’t just have your ghost of an ex to deal with. The Iron Lords have threatened you too, and I’ll be damned if any of them get to you.” She gives me a wide-eyed look. It looks like that got through to her. “We can go up to the house to get whatever you’ll need, but Prez wants you staying here. You’re more than welcome to stay in here with me, or we can get you your own room. You’re to have a brother with you at all times. It will be me unless I’m absolutely needed for something else, but that’s doubtful.”
“What about Jager? I can’t even go see him?” she questions.
I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Kitty. No visiting him.”
She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “I don’t want my own room.” I give her a small smile, even though she can’t see it. I grab onto her arms and pull her closer to me. She lays her head on my lap. I rub my fingers up and down her arm.
“What if Brody is working with the Iron Lords?” Minx asks me.
“Did he ever hint that he even knew who they were?”
“No, but the last thing I remember from the beating before I passed out was him calling me a biker whore. Mason, I never once mentioned the club to him.”
“You’re sure that you really heard him say that? Maybe it was your mind playing tricks on you.”
“I guess that’s possible. Something about this whole situation feels off.”
I pull her up and sit her so she’s straddling my lap. “Kitty, don’t think too hard on this. Leave that to us. You’re not alone in this. You have the whole club ready to go to war for you if needed.”
“That’s part of what worries me.” The look on her face is a mix of emotions. Everything is starting to weigh on her and it’s not her weight to carry. I brush a strand of hair behind her ear and cup her face in my hand.
