Unruly Defender

by Schmidt, Esther E.

Me and her would have happened along the way anyhow because the talk she gave me this morning made me see things clearly. I should take everything I want, and damn well live my life to the fullest or I wouldn’t be alive at all. That’s why I set things in motion with getting my club and my girl.

  But the bottom line stays the same, I fought dirty but I needed to get things done and to keep Gracy safe along with it. I can justify it in every direction but if someone should hint or say something... Gracy would think I used her to get what I want and it won’t matter that my feelings for her are legit. Even if I just met her, she’s the one woman who ignites feelings inside me I never knew I had or wanted. Let’s just hope everything goes smooth and we can move forward.

  “They’re comin’ for you, asshole,” Rush grunts. “What did you do? Break out of jail? Was it worth it? Because you’re going back and I’m here to fucking stay and do with this club as I please. This club is mine. My father assured me everything would be mine one day but he never had the guts to stand up and take it. I have. I’m the new generation setting a new course.”

  “You’re insane, Rush. Your father was my father’s VP, his friend, a founding member. This club was built for brotherhood. Family. Loyalty. Your father like mine had great plans in mind and the both of them had their eye set on the future. None of it involved drugs or a dictatorship. You’re the one fucking up, wanting the money in your hand and the coke up your nose. Everything you do taints your already twisted brain. Our fathers are turning in their graves knowing the shit you did.”

  “You’ve always had your head in the sand, Eddie. My father was using the club to make quick cash exactly the way I’ve been doing. When he died, I took over that side of the family business so to say. And with the whole two birds, one stone...getting your father finally out of the way along with it, I had the chance to step up and expand. That’s what I’ve been doing, expanding business. Evolve. It’s how shit’s done, but my father didn’t understand either. Now, get out of my fucking clubhouse and crawl back to your jail cell where you belong. And don’t think the little cunt beside you will be any help. I know she’s the daughter of Spencer Lightners but let me tell you...that fucker is in bed with me. I’m the one with the right connections. Seeing the cunt’s time is ticking away as we speak, dear old Spencer will finally have it all, and she won’t be an issue anymore either. With Spencer being my partner in crime so to say, that right there gives me privilege over you. I guess that gives me all the right to be the one boning his daughter, don’t you think? Better hand her over too then, pretty boy.”

  I see red and launch myself forward to kill this asshole with my bare hands but I’m being held back by Yates.

  This doesn’t stop Rush from spilling some more words when he leans in and says, “Look at you, isn’t that the story of your life? Being held back by everything while others take what’s there for the taking. Be fucking glad I put you in a jail cell because my own damn sister wanted you to live because she has this stupid crush on you. I gave in because Nikki played out her part and I need her from time to time, but if it was up to me, I’d give you the same treatment I gave your father and mine.”

  “Motherfucker,” I roar and fight my VP because Rush just openly admitted to killing my father as well as his own.

  “Get a hold of yourself, Eddie,” Yates growls in my ear. “The cops just came inside. If you attack him you’re going to jail too. Calm. Down.”

  Gracy plasters herself against me and I instantly wrap my arms around her.

  “Better come here, sugar. Daddy will be more pleased if you’d ride my cock instead of this jailbait,” Rush rumbles.

  Yates’ back is in front of me as he’s facing Rush and jabs his chest before I can so much as blink. “You’re the one with your head in the sand, asshole. Because Spencer Lightners isn’t connected with this woman by blood. But you know who is? Clemente Dimentello. Now that name rings a fucking bell so loud your ears bleed, don’t you think? Yeah, who’s fucked now, huh? You asshole, because Eddie here is the only one with the right connections thanks to the old lady he just claimed.”

  Fuck. Why the hell did Yates have to say that last part? I feel Gracy tense up in my arms and when I glance down and stare into her eyes, they are filled with hurt and confusion. I know everything is about to shatter and I can’t do shit to stop it because the DEA is bursting through the door and starting to yell out demands.

  It takes over an hour for the clubhouse to get back to normal when the DEA finally leaves. Rush is gone and I need to get back into the main clubhouse because all of us were taken apart one by one to get checked over and have our personal information taken and for sure they took their time checking me. When I stalk back into the main room, I glance over every head but don’t see Gracy.

  Rhett steps closer and asks, “What do you need, Pres?”

  “My old lady, did you see where she went?”

  Rhett shakes his head and leans over the bar. “Hudson, did you see if Pres’ old lady left or know where she might be?”

  Hudson stalks over to me. “I didn’t pay attention. Maybe she’s in the bathroom, you know how chicks are.”

  I hear laughter and see it’s Maxton lifting his beer at me. “She left you. Walked right out the door after the DEA left. Bet the bitch served her purpose and is done with your sorry ass.”

  “Out,” I growl. “Leave your cut and get the fuck out of here.”

  Hudson rounds the bar and is standing in front of Maxton before I can say another word. Rhett is beside him and starts to pull at Maxton’s cut.

  “You don’t deserve to wear this,” Rhett sneers. “Finally, I don’t have to look at your ugly face anymore or hear your stupid shit.”

  Maxton rips away from Rhett’s grip and shrugs out of his cut, throwing it on the floor before Hudson’s feet.

  “You’re all dead. Mark my fucking words. Rush will be out later today and we’ll end you fuckers once and for all,” Maxton spits and stomps out of the clubhouse.

  Hudson glances over his shoulder at me. “I’m going to make sure that asshole leaves and then I’m going to reset the code for the gate. Anyone else we need to kick out? Den or Banjo? Those two fuckers are always...wait. Where did they go?”

  “I saw them both leave right after the DEA left,” Rhett quips. “Good riddance. Those four were always setting the rules and took away any options for taking stuff to the table.”

  Yates comes to stand next to me. “Like you mentioned, Hudson, reset the security code and make sure only the four of us know the code. The two of you can take turns keeping an eye on who goes in and out. Needless to say, none of those four fuckers are allowed back in.”

  “You got it, VP,” Hudson states and rushes out the door.

  “Rhett, get a prospect to manage the bar, and another one to round everyone up. I need every member in church within the next ten minutes. Time for a meeting so I can get all of you up to speed about things,” I grunt and Rhett jumps into action. I give my attention to Yates. “I need to know where Gracy is. And fuck, man...you shouldn’t have said that part about me having the right connections by claiming Gracy. You basically said I claimed her because of it.”

  “Shit,” Yates grunts and slides his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t think. I just wanted that asshole to know he didn’t stand a chance against you. She has to be around here somewhere, right?”

  “Maxton said Gracy walked out the door right after the DEA left. And so did Den and Banjo. Maxton just walked out that damn door too. What if they take her, or fuck...what if they already took her? Dammit.” I grab my phone and dial her number.

  It rings four times before she picks up.

  “I don’t want to talk to you,” she snaps.

  “Where are you?” I growl in return.

  “Home. Don’t bother coming over. You’re a real grade A asshole, Eddie. I don’t ever—”

  The line goes dead and I pull the phone away from my ear to call her again but instead I see my phone’
s dead. Dammit, what fucking timing. I don’t even have her damn number because it’s only saved in my phone.

  “Fuck,” I roar in frustration. Though, at least I know she arrived home safely, even if she’s pissed at me.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  — GRACY —

  I can’t believe the asshole hung up on me. “Mothertrucker,” I grumble as I step into the lobby, making Travis’ head swing up.

  “Well, good afternoon to you too.” Travis closes the book he was glancing through and strolls around the desk to stand in front of it. “Do I even dare ask why you’re growling?”

  “Eddie,” I sigh in frustration.

  “Ah, sculpted abs hottie. What did he do? Flash you the goods without letting you touch it?” Travis chuckles but it stops when he sees me narrow my eyes.

  “Oh, he flashed, and I touched alright. Hell, they were even mine for a mere hour or two before I realized he just used me to flash my name and statement at others,” I seethe and realize I’m losing a grip on myself.

  I take a steady breath and try to calm down.

  “I’m sure it was all a mix up or something. Maggie’s son would never be disrespectful,” Travis says and I guess I’m out of my depths here.

  “I only know what I heard and saw when I was pulled into his mess, Travis. But I swear it all made sense. You know what? I’m going to pack a bag and take a few days off. I’m going to talk to Maggie and tell her that I’m going to need a few days off starting now, okay?”

  “Okay, sweetie. You take care of you and if there’s anything I can help with or if you want to talk or just sit and drink wine, call me, okay?”

  I nod absently and stomp to Maggie’s bungalow. I heard the words Yates threw at Rush. I know what Eddie said to me, and how I felt, and how we connected so well together last night. And then we were together, and dammit, why is everything so freaking complicated?

  Rush is an asshole taunting Eddie, and I can’t imagine going through all of the stuff Eddie is dealing with. Not to mention I heard Rush insinuate he killed Eddie’s father. And then the things he said about my father. No, Spencer isn’t even my father.

  I haven’t seen Spencer in nine months. Time is ticking. Spencer will have it all. It’s almost been nine months since my mother’s death. Shit. My mother’s will. When I left right after her funeral, we had an appointment set to go through my mother’s will. What if it has to do with the inheritance? Great, now I have more to add to the long list of things going on in my life.

  Then add Eddie’s crazy mess to it and it’s a full-blown roller coaster ride of insanity. One thing at a time. I need to clear my head and that’s exactly what I’m going to do; a few days of vacation time on my boat.

  But I have to talk to Maggie about it first. I’m sure she’ll be fine with me taking a few days off, though. I use the key to open the door and my gut instantly knows something is wrong. I rush inside and glance around. I don’t see anyone but I hear faint barking coming from the patio.

  Running outside, I notice Finn is jumping his front paw on Maggie’s shoulder who is lying on the ground. It seems as if she fell or, dammit. I grab my phone and call the emergency number while I drop down next to her.

  Frantically I search for her pulse and at first I can’t find it, but when I check again I can feel a very faint heartbeat. When I’m sure help is on the way, I know I have to call Eddie. It doesn’t matter if I’m angry at him, he needs to be here.

  I tap my phone and wait for him to pick up but the call goes straight to voicemail. Shit. With the way our call ended, maybe his phone died, or maybe he’s ignoring me. Either way he still needs to know about Maggie. The sirens draw my attention away from my phone and I stash it back into my jeans. When I’m sure Maggie has the help she needs, I will think of a way to reach Eddie.

  Luckily the ambulance gets here quick, though Maggie still hasn’t regained consciousness and I’m worried if she’s going to make it. I make sure to ask what hospital they are taking her to so I can follow in my car.

  But first I need to have someone take care of Finn for me because I don’t know how long this is going to take. I head for the lobby to ask Travis, though I know how allergic he is, but what other choice do I have? When I step inside, I see there is a couple checking in for a stay. All of their heads swing my way.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but Travis...I know you’re allergic, but Maggie was just taken to the hospital. She was unconscious when I found her at the bungalow. I need to get to the hospital, except Finn needs someone to look after him. And I can’t reach Eddie to tell him about his mother. Please, Travis, can you?”

  “Eddie’s mum? Eddie Barhamer’s mum?” the man checking in asks, an accent tainting his words and if I have to guess, it sounds Australian.

  “Yes,” I tell him but swing my head toward Travis. “I need to go now.”

  The man and the woman share a look and the man grabs his phone from his pocket as the woman holds her hands out to take Finn.

  “We know Eddie. Well, Chance knows him better than I do because I’ve only met him once.” She gives me a sweet smile. “I’m Aubrey, by the way.”

  “Chance and Aubrey. You called Eddie earlier about a reservation. I made the reservation,” I muse while automatically handing Finn over to Aubrey.

  “Eddie’s phone goes straight to voicemail,” Chance says. “You do what you have to do. I’ll keep trying to reach Eddie and we’ll be here watching over Finn. You mentioned Travis here being allergic, come find us at our bungalow when everything is taken care of.”

  I nod warily and get ready to leave but suddenly realize Finn needs his distraction. “Wait,” I gasp. “Finn needs his goat to hump.”

  Chance and Aubrey’s eyes widen and they share a look again. “A goat?” they ask in sync.

  “The three-legged dog here needs to pound away his energy so Gracy here gives him stuffed animals to blow off steam. Here,” Travis says and hands over the stuffed animal, furiously sneezing three times in a row right after.

  “I need to go,” I croak.

  “Wait, take this.” Chance hands me a note with a phone number written on it. “That’s my number in case you need it.”

  I take the note and nod before I rush out and jump in my car. My mind is still pushing me to notify Eddie and with Chance calling him just now and also going straight to voicemail along with the fact our call ended the way it did the last time I talked to him, I’m now sure his phone died.

  He needs to know about his mother. If it were me, I would want someone to get me. I decide to head for the clubhouse since it’s down the road anyway but when I get to the gate it’s all locked and it takes a while before a voice comes through the intercom.

  “I need to speak with Eddie, it’s urgent,” I tell the guy over the intercom.

  “Look, Lady, our Prez just came back, he has other things to do instead of getting his dick wet.”

  If my skull could blow off from all the pumped-up steam due to my anger, it would be shooting through the roof of the car by now. Remembering the way Eddie talked to the woman launching herself at him the second he stepped foot inside the clubhouse, I gather there’s one way to deal with this.

  I lean in close to the intercom and snap, “Open your fucking ears you little biker prick. You’re talking to the president’s old lady and you just disrespected me. Get my damn man here right now or I will drive through this fucking gate to come get you so I can rip your damn balls off, understood?”

  Eddie is already rushing to me when I haven’t even finished my rant and the gate is also opening. I guess the mentioning of me being his old lady was enough. I do feel better letting out the anger, though. And yet the look of relief on Eddie’s face makes sadness burst through me because he thinks I came back to him while I’m only here to get him to the hospital because of his mother.

  I decide to jump into action rather than dump the load of information on him. “I need for you to get in the car, Eddie,” I tell him.

  Yates
jogs up from behind him. “Can it wait? We’re in a meeting.”

  I give the rude idiot a glare. “No, it can’t wait.” I direct my attention at Eddie, knowing I have no other choice but to do it here. “Something happened. Chance and Aubrey are taking care of Finn. I need for you to get in the car so I can drive the both of us to the hospital, I’ll explain later. Come on, get in.”

  “I need to go,” Eddie tells Yates as he gets into my car. “I’ll call later.”

  “Your phone is dead and charging inside, remember?” Yates states.

  “Dude. I have a phone, he’ll call later,” I snap and already have the car in reverse.

  I drive away and head for the hospital. A few minutes pass when Eddie suddenly whispers, “Is she okay? Is she still alive?”

  Maggie is the only family he has left and with me mentioning the mere information, he knows very well this is about his mother.

  I keep my eyes on the road but reach for his hand and give it a squeeze. “She still had a heartbeat when they put her in the ambulance. I don’t know anything else. We’ll be there soon, okay?”

  He doesn’t say anything else but gives my hand a quick squeeze in return before I have to put my hand back on the wheel. Time seems to drag on while we drive over, park the car, and get inside to ask where Maggie was brought to.

  We’re sitting in the waiting room in silence for about twenty minutes until a doctor strolls inside and holds his hand out to Eddie and introduces himself and asks, “You’re Mrs. Barhamer’s son I presume?”

  “Yes,” Eddie says as he takes the doctor’s hand. “How is she doing? What happened?”

  “We’re still waiting on some results to rule out certain conditions and we are monitoring her closely. The results we are waiting on can explain why your mother had a sudden drop of heart rate and blood pressure which caused her to pass out. At this point we are trying to rule out cardiac conditions. We will keep her here overnight and when all the results have come back we will fully brief you about her condition.”

  “Can we see her?” I ask and bite my bottom lip right after. I’m intruding. I’m not even family and I shouldn’t be here.