Prospect: Satan’s Fury MC-Memphis

by Wilder, L.

  I sat there a few more minutes, listening to my engine idle and the monotonous tick of my blinker as I questioned my next move: I could head on over to the party, toss back a few beers, and spend some quality time with Janey Thompson, or risk getting my balls handed to me by the very girl who’d starred in every one of my fucking wet dreams since middle school. Before I even realized what I was doing, I’d pulled out onto the road and was headed in Darcy’s direction. When I parked behind her truck, she peeked her head around the hood and watched with a blank expression as I got out and started towards her. “Is everything okay?”

  “Take a look around, Sport.” Her words dripped with sarcasm as she barked, “I’m out here alone in the dark, parked on the side of the road with my flashers on, and my hood up. I’d say those are pretty good signs that things are not okay.”

  Ignoring her sour tone, I continued towards the front of the truck. When I reached her, I asked, “You got any idea what’s wrong with it?”

  “The battery cable’s loose,” she grumbled.

  Even in the dark, I could see that Darcy looked fucking incredible. She was wearing a pair of tight-fitting jeans with a low-cut tank top, showing just a hint of cleavage, and the silver bangles around her wrist jingled when she reached into her back pocket for her cigarettes. After lighting one up, she announced, “My numb-nut brother snatched my tools, and now I don’t have a way to fix the stupid thing.”

  I leaned in to take a closer look, and even though I already knew the answer, I asked, “Would a crescent wrench do the trick?”

  “Yeah, it would.” A hopeful expression crossed her face. “Do you have one?”

  “Hold on, let me see.” I rushed back over to the truck and grabbed my tools. Once I found the wrench, I brought it over to her. “Got it.”

  “Well, how about that.” After tossing her cigarette to the ground, she took the wrench from my hand, then handed me a flashlight. “You mind holding this?”

  “Sure.” I pointed the light at the battery. “This good?”

  “Perfect.”

  She leaned forward with her phenomenal ass perched in the air, and I had to fight the urge to readjust myself as I stood there watching her reconnect the cables. Damn, I’d never seen anything so fucking hot in my entire life, and it took all I had not to reach out and grab her into my arms. Once she’d adjusted the bolt, she walked over to the driver’s side of the truck and got inside. When she turned the ignition and pressed the gas several times, the truck sputtered a bit, then finally roared to life. Darcy turned to me with a smile. “Looks like Sport saves the day again.”

  “Again?”

  “Yeah…that pass you threw to win the game. It was really something.”

  She walked back to the front of her truck and closed the hood. As she handed me my wrench, I asked, “You saw that, huh?”

  “I did.” She gave me a slight smirk. “You made the good folks of Oakland very proud tonight. I’m sure they’ll be talking about it for weeks.”

  “I got lucky.”

  “We both know that play took a lot more than just luck. Besides, I don’t put much value in luck. Either you have it or you don’t. Simple as that.” She walked by me and got inside her truck. “Thanks for giving me a hand tonight. I appreciate it.”

  “Anytime.” It was the most we’d spoken in the last couple of years, and I wasn’t ready for her to go. Trying to play it cool, I told her, “Landon Creasey’s having a party out at his place.”

  “Doesn’t he have a party every Friday night?” she scoffed.

  “He does.” I knew it was a reach, but I had to try. “You should stop by.”

  “Thanks for the invite, Sport, but I don’t think so. High school parties and I just don’t mix.” She closed her door and leaned her head out the window. “So, you working with your dad tomorrow or whatever?”

  Surprised she knew anything about me, my brows furrowed. “Yeah, why?”

  “What time will you get done?”

  “Some time after dark…maybe eight.”

  She studied me for a moment, then said, “You know the old racetrack down by Eastman’s grocery?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Meet me there tomorrow night at nine.”

  I nodded and replied, “I’ll be there.”

  “Good.” A soft smile crossed her face, and the whole world stopped spinning. Damn, I’d always thought that Darcy was beautiful, but when she smiled, she was absolutely stunning. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she shifted the truck into drive. Before pulling away, she waved and said, “See ya tomorrow night.”

  She was already out of earshot when I shouted, “Looking forward to it!”

  I was in a complete daze while I stood there and watched her taillights fade into the night. I couldn’t believe Darcy Harrington had just asked me on a date, or at least, I thought it was a date. At that moment, I didn’t really care; it was enough to put a smile on my face. I headed back to my truck, and when I started the engine, I saw that it was almost midnight. Knowing I had to get up early in the morning, I decided to skip the party and head home. When I got to the house, I wasn’t surprised to find that the lights were out and everyone had already gone to bed. I went into the kitchen and grabbed a quick bite to eat, then started up to my room. Just as I topped the stairs, my mother called out to me. “Caleb?”

  I turned back and found her standing in her doorway with a concerned expression. “Yeah?”

  “You’re home early. Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, everything’s good.”

  “Okay, good.” She smiled as she said, “You played a great game tonight.”

  “We did all right.”

  “You did more than all right, Caleb.” When I didn’t respond, she asked, “You going to set your alarm, or do you want me to wake you?”

  “I’ve got it, Mom,” I assured her. “Go back to bed.”

  “Okay. Good night.”

  “Night.”

  I went on to my room and crawled into bed. As I lay there, a smile crept over my face when my mind drifted back to Darcy. Our brief encounter had made quite an impression on me, and I found myself looking forward to the following night when I’d get the chance to know her even better. I was feeling pretty damn positive about things. My chances to play at UT were looking good, and I had a date with none other than Darcy Harrington. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn’t imagine things being any better. Sadly, the following morning, my life took a drastic turn.

  With one fleeting moment—one stupid, careless mistake, I lost everything. My chance with Darcy. My football scholarship at UT. My friends. My family. Hell, I’d lost my entire life as I knew it, and to make matters worse, I’d done it all to myself.

  Rider

  I was busy working in the garage when I heard Blaze ask, “Everything all right there?”

  I glanced over my shoulder and found him pacing back and forth in his office as he held his cellphone up to his ear. I could tell by the tone in his voice and the expression on his face that he was talking to his ol’ lady, Kenadee. The poor guy had been worried sick about her for days, calling her job every few hours to make sure she was okay, even though he knew one of the prospects was there at the hospital watching over her. I could hear the relief in his voice when he continued, “Good. So, no sign of the Disciples?”

  He paused, giving Kenadee a chance to respond, then told her, “I’m aware I asked you that two hours ago, and I got news for you…I’m gonna ask you again and again until I’m sure those motherfuckers’ll be leaving you alone.”

  Kenadee is a triage nurse at Regional Hospital. If she was working anywhere else, it might not have been so bad, but being an emergency room nurse at one of the biggest hospitals in the city of Memphis was tough. Night after night, she dealt with gunshot wounds, stabbings, overdoses, and God knows what else, but Kenadee loved her job. Blaze, on the other hand, didn’t feel the same way. He believed that it was too dangerous for her to work there, and the other night we all
realized just how right he was. Kenadee was working the graveyard shift when a kid came in with multiple gunshot wounds and was barely hanging on. They did everything they could to save him, but he was simply too far gone. His father immediately lost it, shouting and tossing shit everywhere. When the cops came to escort him out, he threatened Kenadee, warning her that he was going to make her pay for letting his boy die.

  It wasn’t the first time she’d gotten threats, but this time it was different. This time, it was Keshawn Lewis. He was known by the name “Slayer” and was the leader of the Inner Disciples’ gang. When he threatened Kenadee’s life, Blaze was understandably troubled that he’d make good on his promise. Because of that concern, Blaze brought Kenadee and his son, Kevin, to stay at the clubhouse. He knew we’d do everything in our power to ensure her safety.

  Before he ended the call, he told her, “Love you, too, babe. I’ll be there at six when you get off.”

  Blaze shoved his phone in his back pocket, then turned his attention back to the stack of paperwork on his desk. He was in charge of the garage and took his job very seriously, always making sure everything ran smoothly. After several minutes, he stepped out into the main garage and shouted, “Hey, Murph? How much longer on the Chief?”

  “I’ll be done on my end in an hour or so,” he answered from the back of the garage. “I’ve got everything broken down. Just need to finish prepping for paint.”

  “Good. Maybe we can have it all wrapped up by the end of the week.”

  “You know, it’d go a lot faster if we were able to get the painting done here,” Murphy complained.

  “I know. I’m working on it. Hope to know something this afternoon.”

  “What happens this afternoon?”

  “Riggs is doing a background check on that girl T-Bone suggested hiring. If everything checks out, I’m going over to see if she’s interested in taking the position.”

  “We could really use the help around here,” Murphy complained. “Do what you gotta do to get her ass over here.”

  “You know I will.” Blaze assured him. “Just let me know when you’re done, and I’ll get everything across town.”

  “You taking the Honda, too?”

  “I would, but Rider just started on it two days ago. No way he’s done with her yet.”

  “Actually, she’s ready when you are,” I told him.

  “What?” Blaze looked over at me, surprised. “You’re done?”

  “Yep.” I nodded. “Finished everything up last night.”

  “Damn, brother. You didn’t have to go and do that.”

  “I know. I just wanted to do what I could to help out.”

  When I started prospecting for the club, I quickly realized I’d been given a second chance. It wasn’t something I thought I deserved, not after all I’d done, but Gus, the president of Satan’s Fury, didn’t agree. He saw something in me that no one else did. Without even asking anything in return, he and the brothers helped me turn my life around. That in itself was enough to make me forever grateful, so I always tried to do more than what was expected. It was the only way I knew how to show my appreciation. I motioned my hand over to the Ford pickup I’d been working. “A few more minutes, I’ll have Mr. Pruitt’s water pump sorted.”

  “You trying to make the rest of us look bad or something?” T-Bone taunted.

  Before I could answer, Gunner looked over to him and snickered. “Not like you make that too hard for him.”

  “He’s right,” Blaze added. “Hell, we’ve been waiting on you to finish that fucking gas tank for two days.”

  “Hold up. I can’t help it that the damn thing had a fucking leak,” T-Bone complained. “With all this damn humidity, it took forever for the fucking epoxy to cure.”

  Gunner chuckled as he mumbled, “Excuses. Excuses.”

  T-Bone was about to argue further when Blaze cut him off. “Look, we don’t have time to be fucking around here, guys. We have a lot of shit to finish up, and Gus wants us over at the clubhouse at seven for church.”

  “You got any idea why?” I asked. “Is something up?”

  “Got no idea. Guess we’ll all find out together.”

  I nodded, then got back to work installing the water pump on Pruitt’s truck. After I finished, I went over and helped Tank finish with the gas tank and rear fender. By the time we had everything sandblasted and ready for paint, it was almost five and time to close up shop. We had just enough time to grab a hot shower and a bite to eat before we had to meet up with Gus for church. Once we’d locked up the garage, I followed T-Bone and Gunner back to the clubhouse, while Blaze and Murphy took the bike parts over to the paint shop and picked up Kenadee from the hospital. As soon as I got back to the clubhouse, I went to my room and took a shower. Once I threw on some fresh clothes, I headed down the hall to the kitchen to find something to eat. Several of the hang-arounds were busy making lasagna with all the fixings. Gunner, and Shadow, the club’s enforcer, were already sitting at the table eating with our VP, Moose, and his ol’ lady, Louise. I was about to make myself a plate when Jasmine, one of the hang-arounds, came up to me. “Hey there, good lookin’. You want me to make you a plate?”

  I wasn’t one to let others do for me what I could do myself, so I shook my head. “No. I’ll get it, but thanks.”

  “You sure? I don’t mind.”

  “I’m sure.”

  I made my way over to the stove, and after I fixed myself a plate of lasagna and garlic bread, I went over and sat down at the table next to Gunner. Just as I was about to start eating, he looked over to me and said, “You should’ve told me you were going back to the garage to work last night. I would’ve given you a hand.”

  “I know. That’s why I didn’t mention it.” Gunner was a good guy—one of the best. He’d have to be, otherwise Gus would’ve raised all kinds of hell when he found out about Gunner and his daughter, August. After she showed up at the clubhouse looking for help with finding her daughter, Harper, Gus ordered Gunner to watch after her and keep her safe. Gunner did what he could to fight the pull he felt towards her, but from early on, he knew she was the one for him. Once Harper was returned and the issues with August’s ex were resolved, Gunner and August started planning their future together. After all they’d been through, I knew he needed to be spending time with them, not helping me at the garage. “With the move and all, I’m sure August and Harper want you home with them.”

  “Yeah, but they’d understand if you needed me,” he pushed.

  “Maybe so, but it wasn’t a big deal.” Before I took a bite of my lasagna, I added, “Besides, I managed fine on my own.”

  “You know, you’re gonna have to stop doing that at some point.”

  “Doing what?”

  “That thing where you keep trying to prove yourself.” He smacked my shoulder. “You’ve already done that, brother. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be sportin’ that patch.”

  “Not about that,” I started. “I’m just trying to do my part.”

  “We both know it’s more than that.”

  He was right. It was so much more than that, but I found it doubtful that he’d understand. Hell, there were times when I didn’t understand the shit that was going through my head, so there was no sense talking about it. Thankfully, Blaze came over and sat down next to us, drawing Gunner’s attention away from me and over to him. “Kenadee make it okay today?”

  “Yeah. No sign of any trouble.”

  “Good. Maybe this thing with the Disciples will just blow over, and Kenadee can put this shit behind her.”

  “Damn, I hope so, but I got a feeling that ain’t gonna happen.” Before Blaze took a bite of lasagna, he said, “But on a good note, I think we’ve got ourselves a new painter for the garage.”

  “That chick from Thompson’s garage?” Gunner questioned.

  “Yeah. Everything checked out on the background check Riggs did on her. Grew up in Oakland, and since she left there, she keeps pretty much to herself. No boyfriend
or husband to speak of, just a couple of brothers who give her shit from time to time, so I offered her the job.” Blaze was clearly pleased as he said, “She’s agreed to come down to the shop tomorrow and look things over, which is great cause this chick’s got real talent. Since she started working with Thompson, his business has almost doubled. If she takes us up on our offer, Thompson’s gonna be pissed.”

  I didn’t have to ask who they were talking about. I already knew it was Darcy Harrington. I could still remember the day T-Bone suggested that the club offer her the job; I shouldn’t have been surprised that her name came up though. Darcy was extremely talented. In fact, she was one of the best custom painters around, but it didn’t change the fact that I hoped they wouldn’t hire her. It wasn’t her fault that I felt the way I did. She was simply a part of my past, and any time I thought about her, the memories of that morning and the months thereafter would come flooding back. I’d spent the last couple of years trying to forget them, but I was slowly learning that I could no more avoid them than the beating of my own heart.

  Blaze looked over to me as he asked, “You grew up in Oakland, right?”

  “Yeah. I did.”

  “So, did you know her?”

  “I did,” I admitted. “It was a small town. We all knew each other, but that was a long time ago.” Without even realizing it, I’d started rubbing my right arm, trying to ease the dull ache that had started to throb deep within the muscles and old scar tissue. Concerned, Gunner leaned towards me and asked, “You all right, brother?”

  “Yeah,” I lied. “My arm’s just acting up.”

  “You should see if Doc can give you something for it,” Blaze suggested.