Axel leans back against the couch cushion. “Yesnia sleeps easy because she knows nothing in your world or mine will touch her. On my word, and on my cut, she knows this shit. If you want to talk business in front of her, that’s your call. She understands my world now, and she knows I share what I can, but when I can’t, she knows that’s a fact of life too.”
My parents nod their understanding.
“I want you both to know Sanchez is no longer a threat. We have an agreement in place.”
Axel surprisingly doesn’t ask questions. Part of me wants to know, but in the end, I know information is deadly in his world.
My father’s eyes meet mine as if he’s searching, then he looks to Axel. “You know Medina is gone, you took care of that yourself.”
I don’t need the reminder of Axel shooting Medina. It doesn’t haunt me like I thought it would. I don’t lose sleep over the man or the situation.
I did at first.
It’s been hard. Laura and I have talked and she struggles, but again we both feel safe here with the Hellions. Axel did what he had to do for me. He isn’t some serial killer who gets off on murder.
There was a reason for it and that reason was keeping me alive.
Family is everything.
When it comes to the people who matter nothing will stop him from protecting them … I find it to be an admirable trait. Maybe in the lives of an accountant with a stay at home mom this situation would be absurd. In my life, I’ve seen enough blood shed to know it’s not easy, but sometimes it’s necessary.
I know the man Axel is to his core. I know he will do whatever it takes to keep me safe. I respect it.
I also know with Axel there are no games. There are things he won’t be able to tell me, but that’s part of his world. He once came into mine and took things as they were. I have agreed to be in his world and I take it all exactly like this.
Because this is Axel.
This is love.
This is life with a Hellion.
And I won’t ever let it go.
15
Axel
Three Months Later
Never in my wildest dreams did I see this for my future. But you won’t find me complaining.
Never in my wildest dreams did I see my life like this.
Yesnia and I are in bed with her draped over me, naked and sated.
I live on a fucking cul-de-sac never thought I would be that kind of guy. Honestly, I’ll do it for the rest of my days if that’s what she wants.
Whatever she wants from me, whatever she needs, I’ll do everything in my power to give it to her.
Inwardly, I laugh to myself as we sleep on teal bed sheets. My bedding has been shades of black, red, and gray for as far back as I can remember.
Yesnia brings color to my life.
Sliding from under her sleeping body, I get up and make my way to the kitchen. Getting out the ingredients, I prepare to make my woman breakfast.
My phone rings and it’s him so I answer.
“Double.”
“Word on the street is you’re givin’ us a marker,” Trapper states and honestly, I’m shocked to hear from him.
Yes, we put the word out that we were giving the Devil’s Due a marker because damn, without the phone call we would have relied on Javier’s information and what he chose to send over. Except we didn’t put that shit on the street, we contacted Collector who leads their club. If Trapper hadn’t called I don’t know that things would have turned out the same. Well, that’s not true, I would have lost my shit and called the Jacoby brothers either way, but Trapper made shit go a fuck of a lot faster.
“Your word on the street hasn’t been wrong yet, so I’m gonna say that is true.” I give him his play with the street because it’s irrelevant how he knows the shit. I owe him more than a marker.
He laughs. “You’re a good kid,” he says to which I cut him off.
“I’m twenty-seven-years-old. I’m not a fuckin’ kid, man.”
“Like I said, you’re a good kid. No marker. The information I gave you was because my club, we have a history with Almanza. It’s not, well, should we say, roses and fuckin’ sunshine. The girl, she’s with you, I hear. That’s good. We did the shit for her and Almanza, even if he’s a fucker.”
“Mitchell Gates, road name Trapper, married to Avery and Meaghan, you are a unique individual.” I decide not to address his opinion on Javier Almanza. What I think of the guy or anyone else doesn’t matter, he’s Yesnia’s father and she loves him. “Given your bold reputation, I’m gonna be honest and say why be so nice to my woman?”
I shouldn’t care and I really shouldn’t ask, but I want to know why help Yesnia?
“Almanza had my brother Rowdy’s old lady in his care for a time. He was not as ruthless to her as he could have been. For this reason, my brothers and I wanted to extend the opportunity for his daughter to not be harmed in the many ways we know these things can go.”
Interesting information. It certainly made me want to know more details about the members of the Devil’s Due MC. The only thing I have been told is they are Nomads. They have no clubhouse and while Collector is their unspoken President, they don’t have the same structure of a traditional motorcycle club. That said they don’t live life following laws. In fact, they are bandits of sorts seeking justice for unsolved crimes wherever they go. It’s respected, but far from common. Again, I simply don’t care why they do what they do, I’m just grateful to them because I have Yesnia safe with me.
“Are we good, Hellion?” Trapper asks. “No marker, I mean it.”
“Can’t help but feel the scales are not level, Trapper.”
“Alright, next time we ride to Catawba, drinks are on you? After all, I have two spouses to keep happy.” He laughs. “Liquor makes my cock grow bigger.” He says it in such a way I take pause.
“Well, okay then, drinks are on me.” My reply is less than stellar, but really, how does anyone have a serious conversation with this man? And the only cock I want to think about or talk about is my own.
“See you soon then, Hellion.”
“Lookin’ forward to it, Devil.” With that I end the call with a smile.
Well, that was unexpected.
No marker to the Devil’s Due.
We will always take the Jacoby brother’s backs because of Karma, but they did not request a marker or accept a payment for their part in bringing Yesnia home safely. They ever roll into Catawba their drinks will be on me too.
Medina is dead.
There are no known associates of his left breathing.
Javier has called a truce with Sanchez for the moment. Mari told Yesnia her father is even considering retirement and handing the business operations over to Aurelio, only once he knows he can do so leaving them all in the clear. I know he still has guilt over the security guards he lost as well as the thoughts of what could have happened to Yesnia.
I don’t give a fuck if he stays in the game or gets out. None of that shit matters. No matter the threat posed, I protect what’s mine. Until my very last breath, I will always keep her safe.
I take my attention back to the pancakes I’m making for Yesnia. They may not be Shooter level deliciousness, but they’ll be edible.
After she eats, if I’m lucky, I’ll be the one to eat … her that is.
Leaving the pancakes in the oven to stay warm, I go back upstairs to our room. Yesnia is asleep, and I take the opportunity, to slide up the sheets and go between her legs.
Rubbing her thighs, she relaxes as I begin to lap her pussy. She writhes under me as I fuck her with my tongue. She arches her back as her body shakes under me. I slide two fingers inside her scissoring them as I suck on her clit sending her straight over the edge.
“Axel,” she cries out my name and I swear that sound never gets old.
Only when she rides through it do I break away and kiss up her belly.
“Axel Crews, you’re a good man.”
Her words made me think back to when
I picked her up that day to go to Chicago. “You’ve told me that before.”
She smiles, and you told me, “Underneath it all, you should know, all men have the ability to be both good and bad. A bad man can do good for the right woman. A good man can, in turn, do bad things for the right woman.”
“Good or bad, baby, you’re the right fuckin’ woman for me. I told you then and I’ll say it again and again … I will keep you safe.”
Yes, life is fucking fabulous.
“The way they tell the story,” I tell Yesnia sitting on my bike with her arms wrapped around me with nothing but a two lane road in the mountains in front of us.
“Doll wanted to ride The Tail of the Dragon. This was back when the club was led by her dad, Roundman. He was one of of the four originals. Roundman broke it down and he said it best.”
“What did he say?” She asks curiously.
I smile. “Roundman told her, ‘Doll, The Tail is a ride of many things. It’s a ride of focus, where a man is forced to clear his mind. It’s a ride where a man is forced to accept, own, and become one with his bike, or become one with the pavement beneath him. The Tail has claimed a number of bikes to its gravel top and lives to its curves and drops. Year after year, people don’t heed the warnings. If you don’t know what you’re doing, then the mountain asphalt will own your shit. The curves of The Tail are like the curves of your woman; you hug that shit tight, hold it close, and caress it gently, but with a firm hand. It’s a ride to take boys and make them men. It’s a ride to solidify your trust in your new brother as you ride two by two, with only feet separating your handlebars, as you slide through each mile of mountain. It’s a ride where your ol’ lady holds on tight, giving over every part of her trust, body, and heart as she’s leaning into the curves with you. Doll, it’s the ride for you to take when the right man comes along and earns that level of trust from you.’ So, Yesnia, do I have your trust?”
I’ve waiting for so long to have her here on my favorite road about to take the best ride of both our lives. Roundman said it best, this is the ride for everything.
“Do you remember telling me about The Tail of the Dragon when I was healing? I was in pain. I was frustrated. I needed to rest, but couldn’t still my mind. You said for me to imagine this. You told me to close my eyes and you would take me there.”
I do remember all of this. I nod. “Well, is reality what you imagined it would be?”
“It’s even better,” she kisses my cheek and leans in. “Baby, I’m ready to ride.”
Fall in the mountains of North Carolina is one of the best seasons. It’s not scorching hot with humidity that makes your nuts sweat. It’s not so cold you have to layer so many clothes that getting naked feels like a workout.
The leaves are changing colors and the pine trees still have their needles and the pollen is tolerable leaving just the smell of the pine in the air. Just like the annual ride I take with the Hellions, I’m once again ready to tackle the dragon. To start our eleven-mile journey over into Tennessee, we are at Fugitive Bridge.
There is a crisp cool breeze blowing that hits my face making me feel more alive than I have in my entire life. She settles against me as I twist the throttle. We roll out onto the highway. I hug the right side of the road. I check my mirrors because I want to keep this ride slow for her to enjoy. There are pull-offs so I can let people go around us if necessary, but it’s quiet this early morning.
We pass the first turn known as Beginner’s End, I twist the throttle going a little faster as the tires warm up under us. The pavement moves under us and I relish the thrill of each curve. Riding the Tail of the Dragon isn’t about seeing the sites of the mountain tops but about appreciating the asphalt under us.
Yesnia squeals in delight behind me holding on tighter.
In this moment, I can only think about the day she sees all the Hellions take this ride with us. The rumble against the mountains and the unity we have as a family.
Ride for life.
The ride we take in life is for love, loyalty, and respect. This is how I ride because I am the legacy. Ride until I motherfucking die.
Epilogue
Axel
Six Months Later
In this ride for life, I have it all
Love
Loyalty
Family
Pulling up to the clubhouse in Haywood’s Landing, I’m buzzing with excitement. Today Yesnia gets to see what the Hellions are all about. Tripp keeps the annual tradition going of the Hellions barbecue. Every club, charter, affiliate, and their families all come out from all over the Carolinas. Over two hundred bikers show up with their families for the festivities.
While this would intimidate most, Yesnia has been around for close to a year, and she knows where the patch is involved, we are family—thicker than blood. She has settled in as my ol’ lady and finds pride in her place.
Times like this are for family. Business is off the table. We made the ride from Catawba to the Coast to hang out in Haywood’s Landing where it all began so long ago. Bikes, trikes, and cars fill the thirty-acre compound as we pull up. The Hellions Insignia flag flaps in the breeze alongside the American flag and POW/MIA flag that stand tall in front of the clubhouse. This event, everyone comes, wives, children, and all with a smile. Barflies and hang-around whores aren’t welcome here. For the single guys that might make this less fun, but for me, I’m happy to walk around with my gorgeous woman by my side.
We park and I make my way around saying hello to everyone. Hawk is here, and Laura came with him. She is settled in with us like family. The boutique Yesnia and Laura started is taking off too which is good for both of them.
When I get the text that I’m needed in the cave for a special circumstance sermon, I’m grateful Laura will be able to keep Yesnia company.
“Be back, babe,” I tell her with a nod to Shooter that I’m on my way.
My mom comes and leads Yesnia into the kitchen so she can meet some of the other women of the club. Hawk wasn’t called for the sermon. Therefore, he’s going to remain near Yesnia simply because Laura finds comfort with him and he’s not needed in the cave.
They have a weird dynamic. He won’t kiss her. They aren’t dating. But night in and out, they don’t sleep apart. Whatever works for them, it’s not my business. Who am I to judge; I let my woman tell me to leave and I wasted months pining over her instead of claiming what I knew was meant to be.
Anyway, I make my way to the cave in Haywood’s Landing. Inside the space, I find Tripp, Tank, BW, who is Tripp’s son, and Red, who is Tank’s oldest son of four boys. Shooter and Rex fall in behind me.
“Had a sermon yesterday.” Tripp explains before looking to Tank. “Got a situation with Crunch.”
Red’s brother, Crunch, has lately found himself in some trouble.
“Gotta strip his patch,” Tank announces, and I see the pain in his eyes. “Don’t want to, but can’t have him representing our club in the shape he’s in. You weren’t here, but he gave Red some shit. Told him we were stripping his cut, he agreed to rehab so we gave him a second chance. Shit’s not good, so we gotta face that.”
The sadness in Tank’s eyes is something it kills me to see. Knowing how close I am with my dad and my step-dad I can’t imagine how Tank is pushing through whatever is going on with Crunch that cost him his cut.
“We brought you in here because we are making each charter aware individually, but only bringing in officers first.” Tripp explains. “Once it’s done we’ll make the announcement so everyone is in the loop.”
“I’d appreciate your discretion in how the word gets out,” Tank says, and we all nod.
I look around still focusing on Tripp’s words because I’m not an officer so I should not be here. I want to say something, but again it’s not my place to question the men in this room.
“See the look on your face. My boy’s quick witted,” my dad says proudly. “Time’s come, son. Tripp’s here to give you what you’ve earned.”
Both Rex and Shooter roll their shoulders back beaming with pride. Tripp gives me a smirk before going to the safe and pulling out a set of patches.
“We also called you boys in here because this morning all the charter Presidents had a sermon. It was time to appoint some new officers.” Tank explains looking at Red. “You’re in here because you’re the next generation to lead this club.”
Tripp hands me the patch. “Double, you’ve been a man who has walked the line. You will make the Sergeant-at-Arms position one for people to look up to in how to carry themselves with that patch. You know our laws, bylaws, and unspoken rules. It takes a man with integrity to hold this position and you have that.” With a handshake, the patch is mine. I stand there in awe. “We all know you will be the best fit as the Catawba Sergeant so there it is, Double.”
Tripp goes on to appoint BW the Secretary of the Haywood’s Landing Charter and Red as the treasurer. For a moment, I wondered if Red would be the Sergeant-at-Arms for Haywood’s Landing. That is the only position other than a president that can strip a patch from a brother. I wouldn’t want to see him have to do that to Crunch.
“Congrats, fellas. Just so you know, Crunch is not here today. He knows what’s coming, and out of respect for Danza being an original, we are going to handle his expiration privately.”
We all nod, and I can’t help but feel the pain and imagine the anger from Tank and Red that their own family is being taken out of the club. Danza is Red and Crunch’s grandfather and one of the founding members of the club. I imagine this is hard on their families as a whole.
It’s not my business, and I have to trust that Tripp is doing what is right for the club. We are dismissed after Shooter sews on my officer patch. Going straight to Yesnia I don’t even care about my mom or Lux trying to congratulate me. There is only one person I want to celebrate with—her. Finding Yesnia, I spin her around and press my lips to hers.
Bleed for It: Hellions Motorcycle Club (Hellions Ride On Book 3) Page 13
