by Jayne Blue
“Why the fuck should I come to get her? She made her choice.”
“No, she didn’t. I saw what you did. I am the witness, not her. She came with me to save your ass, and that’s why she kissed Lynch. She’s trying to stop Lynch from making me snitch on you. You got that? If you don’t get that, you don’t deserve her.”
“Where?”
“You need to come to the club, alone.”
The line went dead. Steel was watching me closely.
“What?”
“It’s nothing, we’re good. I’m not getting back into this shit. She’s a crazy bitch,” I lied through my fucking teeth.
I was going off, alone. If this was a trap, it was my trap. If I was going to get killed, so be it, but I wasn’t dragging Steel and the club into it. I’d check it out. I’d handle it without getting them hurt. My plan was to ditch them and be halfway to Flat Rock before they realized it.
We started the ride home, and I hung at the back of the pack. When they headed South to Grand City, I got on the highway East toward Flat Rock. They would notice. I had no doubt. I would get a phone call.
It came faster than I thought, and I ignored it.
I was going to check this out, alone, and then I’d put it out of my life. If the Hawks were there, waiting to fucking kill me, at least I’d die doing everything I could to save Daniella.
I knew she was in danger. I knew it. She’d gone with Bunchie and Lynch to save me. She’d been unselfish.
This was the woman I knew, the one I fell in love with, and the one I’d let down by believing Lynch. I should have followed them that day in Lansing. I should have known there was more at work than what I saw.
It was a warm night. There was no wind and I drove as fast as my bike would take me. I prayed that I would get to her in time.
“Hang on, baby, hang on.”
My phone buzzed again, I was sure it was Sawyer or Steel, but I knew I couldn’t drag them into this.
Twenty-Two
DANIELLA
“Come on, you need to drink some water.” Bunchie was always trying to help when he could. I was in some back room, where I had been since the ride from Lansing. We’d gotten maybe a mile away from the diner where I’d seen Hammer when I lost it. I think I passed out. Lynch handed me off to Bunchie, and they drove me back to Flat Rock in the van.
I took the medicine the doctor gave me, but it wasn’t helping. My face was hot and I was sick to my stomach. Nothing stayed down. I was sick, sicker than I’d ever been in my entire life.
And the days and nights blurred together.
I could remember light, dark, Lynch coming in and yelling at Bunchie about something. Lynch laughing.
Time didn’t mean anything anymore. If I could just feel better, stronger… it smelled so bad here. My eyes closed, and I passed out, I think, again.
I didn’t know how long I’d been in the same clothes. I think I cried, but maybe I dreamed that I cried. I wished I could see Hammer. I missed Hammer.
Bunchie tried to help me. He begged me to drink some water. I threw it up. And then I slept again.
I wished I hadn’t betrayed Hammer, but I had to. He was out there somewhere, safe. Then I heard his voice.
“I’ve got you, baby, hang on.”
“How did you get here?”
“Shh.” I was lifted up. Was this a dream? Was I dreaming of Hammer again? I cried. I think they were real tears.
I heard him talking to Bunchie.
“Which way?”
“Come on, this way.”
We were in the courtyard of the club. Somehow, I knew that. I opened my eyes.
“Where do you think you’re taking her?”
It was Lynch. He was standing between us and getting out. It was another nightmare. I tried to hold on to Hammer.
“We’re walking out of here. You’re going to get out of the way, or I’m going to kill you.”
“Yeah? You’re good at that, aren’t you? You going to drop that bitch on the ground and then get your piece and then shoot me? What’s the plan here?”
I heard a roar and lights. There were so many lights.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Hammer said.
“What the fuck is this? YOU COME ONTO MY TURF?” Lynch was screaming at Hammer.
“You need to leave me here.”
I knew there was going to be blood. Hammer was going to get killed.
“Not a fucking chance I’m ever letting you go again, ever.”
“What the fuck?” It was Lynch again. I looked over and Bunchie had a gun to Lynch’s head.
“You let them take Daniella. She’s dying. I won’t let you poison her. Kill me if you want.”
I was awake now, as awake as I’d been in days.
“Bunchie, no, it’s okay?” I said, but poisoning? Did he say I was being poisoned? Things were foggy, but some became clear when he said those words.
“Fuck you, Lynch,” Bunchie yelled and then he shot Rex Lynch.
I struggled to see, understand, stay conscious.
Hammer was running with me in his arms and he yelled, “You’re coming with us, Bunchie!” I heard popping noises. I knew it was gunfire. God, I just wanted to sleep, to rest. I felt my stomach turn over again. If I was myself, I might have been embarrassed, but I had nothing anymore. I dry heaved.
“We’ll get you help, don’t worry, we will.”
The lights of the bikes circled around us.
I was in some sort of sidecar. We were moving. Every bump rattled my bones, but we were going away from Lynch and from the Hawks.
I heaved again. God, please let me rest.
“We’d have all three been dead if it wasn’t for the club.” I heard a voice again, a better voice, a voice I loved.
“Steel knew what you were about right away. Don’t try that shit again. We’ve got your back. We all do.” The other voice sounded like Hammer’s, but it seemed a little older.
“I’m sorry for trying it alone. I just didn’t want to put the club at risk.”
“We’re your brothers. You have to stop doubting that. How is she?”
I wasn’t in a cot in the back room. I was in a bed. It smelled clean.
“She’s tough, I know she’s going to be okay.” It was Hammer. I opened my eyes. He was talking to a handsome older biker. It was Sawyer; it had to be.
I reached my hand out and put it on Hammer’s arm. He was so strong, so good.
“Baby, hey, you’re awake.” He stopped talking to Sawyer and was next to me, smoothing my hair.
I tried to talk. Something was tight on my face. I lifted my hand to it.
“You’re bandaged up. You had an infection there, but it’s better. You’re on antibiotics now, fluids. You’re going to be fine.”
“He was poisoning me, I heard that.”
“Yeah, he was. But now you’re better. You’re okay, we just have to get you stronger.”
“I am so sorry.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, except not trusting me.”
“Your club, you-you all got me out of there. Oh my – where’s Bunchie?”
I knew he was the only thing that kept me alive after I started to get sick.
“He’s the newest probie of the Great Wolves Grand City Chapter.”
“Where am I? Are we in Flat Rock?”
“No, we’re at Henry Ford Hospital. They knew how to get you better the fastest.”
“Oh my God. I wanted to sleep, to die even.”
“Shh. No.” Hammer kissed my forehead.
“I’m sorry I kissed him in front of you. He wanted to send you to jail.”
“That’s not going to happen, and I understand. Just get better. Later, we’re getting you some ice cream.”
“I love ice cream,” I murmured then closed my eyes and slept, peacefully, without voices or nightmares.
A week later, I was almost my old self, except weaker, too skinny, and homeless.
“You’re so little!”
&nbs
p; My first stop after the hospital was to Granddad’s.
“I had the flu, better now though.”
“Good, good.”
“Granddad, would you mind looking at this brochure? I found a place near me, near my new place, and I want you close.”
Hammer handed him the brochure for Grand City Havens. Hammer was bringing me to his home – his RV, he warned – but I wasn’t going until I saw Granddad, and had a plan for him.
“If I can play The Feud, Grandy City Havens it is.”
“You can.”
That was settled, and I felt so happy. I was relieved that I would be able to get out of Flat Rock and away from Lynch. They told me Bunchie had shot him the leg and that he was alive, but for now, he was leaving us the fuck alone.
“And your Grandma’s afghan, we have to pack that!”
“Of course.”
Things moved fast after that. Hammer handled getting my granddad moved.
He also got me settled into his place. His RV was no cottage by the lake, but it was cozy, clean, and it was safely on the Great Wolves property. I had dozens of protectors and surprisingly tough looking nurses who rode Harleys.
Hammer took care of me, insisted I eat, insisted I take my medicine, and watched over the cut on my face.
It was a week before I could look at it. It wasn’t pretty.
“You look like a fucking knockout and now like a badass knockout,” Hammer told me.
“Right, it’s terrible. I’m hideous.”
“There’s no scenario in which I think you are or ever could be hideous.” He pulled me on to his lap. He’d been gentle with me, as I got better, stronger.
He hadn’t touched me other than to softly kiss me, or carry me, or hold my hand when we visited Granddad.
“No?”
“No.” Hammer kissed me. I melted into his lips. I was safe in his arms.
“I want you to make love to me, please?” I wanted him now. I wanted us to be together.
“Are you strong enough? Are you sure?” He looked at me with worry.
“I think I am. I think I should ask you the same. I’m feeling wild, you know how I get.” He smiled at me.
“Well, let’s just start slow,” he said and started unbuttoning my blouse. It slid away from me and he gasped.
“Hideous?”
“No, perfect, fine, soft, and mine.” His lips kissed the tops of my breasts and he slid the cups away. He kept me on his lap and slowly used his hands and then his lips to explore my skin. His adoration of my body gave me strength and made me weak at the same time.
His fingers were hot, and he moved them between my panties and my skin. I gasped at how much I’d missed his touch. It had been weeks, but it had felt like a lifetime.
Hammer had me naked like only he could do, on his lap.
“I’m going to keep you right here. If it’s too much, if you’re not okay, say it.”
“I’m more than okay.” I leaned my head back as Hammer feasted on my neck, and then my breasts. I moaned. This was so good, so right. The chemistry of his skin on mine was all the medicine I needed.
“I love you, all of you, every fucking inch of you.”
“I love you too, now fuck every inch of me.”
And he did, twice, and then we got some fucking ice cream.
Epilogue
DOWNTOWN GRAND CITY
“What the hell is this,” Steel held up a small device. I had no idea on earth what it did. Though it was a safe bet, it had something to do with yarn. Everything in this place had something to do with yarn.
“I have no idea, shh.” I nudged his elbow and Sawyer looked at both of us like were about five years old. We stood in the back of the shop because honestly, we’d likely scare away potential students if they saw us at the door.
Steel, Ridge, Ryder, and his old lady, Jules, and me, we’d spent hours in this little corner of Downtown Grand City. My brothers had taken in Daniella like she was their sister. When I didn’t have eyes on her, I knew they did, it was the only thing that kept my worry about The Devil’s Hawks at bay, knowing she was in our pack.
The Great Wolves M.C. owned this building, it was in the commercial district, but no one had an idea on what to do with it. That was until Daniella saw it one day, by chance. The idea of opening a space for her to teach people how to crochet, and other crafts she was proficient in, popped into her head and it stuck.
Ryder’s girl, Jules, was a jewelry designer and the two had been inseparable lately. Daniella told Jules and the two of them were determined to make it a reality. They pitched Sawyer their idea and before I knew it, I was painting, hanging signs, and bringing in boxes of supplies for Daniella and Jules’ new venture, The Craft College.
Daniella would teach people how to sew, crochet, and all the stuff she knew how to do with a needle, Jules taught people how to make jewelry. It was a great idea, I guess. But my main role was to lift the heavy stuff as Daniella’s creative mind came up with new ideas for the space. I saw now why she was so good at sprucing up my little cottage. This was what she did, made things beautiful.
I was so proud of her. So even though the half a dozen bikers in the store looked like fish out of water in this decidedly female-friendly space, the Great Wolves were well represented during her grand opening.
“We’re honored you chose Grand City’s historic downtown for your new and exciting business!” A representative of the Downtown Renaissance Group was shaking Daniella’s hand and they both smiled for a camera. Grandy City’s downtown was undergoing a huge shift and businesses like this were welcomed. Daniella and Jules got gobs of kudos from the movers and shakers. Daniella Moore, mover and shaker, I wasn’t surprised, but she still was, at how much she had accomplished. She was a force of nature.
“It’s a yarn spooler machine.” Daniella’s Grandad whispered to Steel and Steel nodded like that explained it. Bunchie was now tasked with picking up her Granddad three times a week and bringing him to the shop, or to lunch, or wherever.
We’d gotten Bunchie out of from under Rex Lynch. Bunchie was a good person, he just found the wrong club. He was supposed to be with us, and I was glad he thrived as a probie for the GWMC. Bunchie was the only witness, other than Daniella, of what had happened at the cottage. I knew I was safe with both. Bunchie and Daniella would take the secret to the grave. Cops weren’t asking about Dirt, and we’d found out no one had even reported him missing. But I wasn’t naïve, Rex Lynch wasn’t one to forgive or forget.
I kept my eyes on the front of the room, and on Daniella. She was stunning. Her health was back, her real hair color was also. Daniella’s green eyes lit up when she talked about all the people who’d signed up for her crocheting classes.
I was lucky, so lucky, and I loved watching her live out her dream.
The downtown development dude handed her a plaque. They took a few more pictures and that was that. Daniella mingled among the people who’d showed up to check out her new business. The Craft College really did look great. She had hung some of her afghans on the walls, or rather she’d had Steel and me do it, to show what people could learn if they took her classes. She’d made this space her own but welcoming to anyone who entered.
“Oops!” I heard and turned to see Ryder nearly knocking down a card table filled with tiny cupcakes. Jules swatted him on the shoulder and set to work righting the display they’d created. Yep, we were bulls in a china shop, or maybe wolves in a hen house, but we were trying.
After a while Daniella’s Grandad was getting tired, so Bunchie, who was surprisingly in tune to the old man’s needs, helped him say his goodbyes. He hugged Jules, kissed Daniella, and enjoyed the fact that the ladies treated him like a king.
Daniella and Jules finished talking to the stragglers.
Finally, Ryder and Jules made their way back to me.
“Looks like they’re a hit,” Ryder said and kissed Jules on the top of the head.
“Yay!” Jules had an art degree and she said again
and again how talented my Daniella was, with no fancy college diploma, she raised crocheting to an art in Jules’ opinion.
“Let’s hit the road, I’m starving, those cupcakes are tiny, they didn’t make a dent.”
“You ate four,” Jules said and Ryder shrugged.
“Appetizers.”
“Ugh. Tell Daniella I’ll call her. We got a ton of new students today. I think we might need to add classes!” She told Ryder and me.
“Looks like your good idea is taking off,” I said to Jules.
“Daniella’s good idea, I’m just glad she shared it.” Jules was a sweetie, and I was now firmly in the biker who did whatever their old lady said camp. Just like Ryder.
Jules and Ryder took off. Finally, it was just Daniella and me. We were alone. I took a deep breath and remembered what I’d wanted to say to her. And how I wanted to say it.
Daniella was looking out the window and I came up behind her and locked my arms around her waist.
“Looks like it’s you and me and a card table to pack up. What else can I do?”
“Oh Ham,” and I looked to see tears in the corners of her eyes.
“Hey, hey.” I turned her around and lifted her off her feet to get her closer.
“What is it, babe?” I tried not to jump to my usual conclusion, that Rex Lynch had done something to scare her. He lurked in the back of our lives. And I knew, someday, it would be a threat to her that I would need to eliminate. Was that someday now?
“I’m just so happy,” she said. Phew, okay, happy tears.
“Happy tears, I approve of happy tears.” I kissed her soft lips. She still got me near insane with wanting her, every time I kissed her, and we’d been together for months.
“Thank you so much, for all of this, your help getting the space ready, convincing Sawyer to do the business loan for me, introducing me to Jules, helping Granddad, it’s all.” She broke off again and tried to blink away the emotion that was bubbling up.
