Baby (Black Rebel Riders' MC)

by Glenna Maynard

  I don't know what makes me feel like I can trust him. Maybe it is his eyes being so soft and sincere, or maybe because he can tell me things about my mother that no one else can. Removing my hand from my purse, I relax slightly and take a seat.

  "So is it true, my mom she was an old lady to Benji. She betrayed him and my dad?"

  "Sorry kid, yeah, she did a lot of things she wasn't proud of but she did them for your sister." Of course, precious Rumor, I should have known.

  "So why did you call on me and not my sister?" I know he didn't ask me here for a family reunion.

  "I need your help. I have been closely watching you and your sister for a few weeks. I knew you were approachable and resourceful. Your old man is Prez and I know you know things. Now don't go popping off on me, I just need to know how things stand."

  "If you wish to know club business I suggest you arrange a meeting with Grim or Romeo. All I see is my father is President and a mean ass son of a bitch and if you are smart you won't solicit me out here again." I am no ones Patsy. Rising from my seat, he smiles sadly and stands to escort me to the door.

  "I hope you won't mention this meeting to anyone Baby. No one knows I am here I would like to keep it that way for now." He grabs my elbow and holds me prisoner in an intense stare I feel as though he is staring straight into my soul and seeing every dirty secret I hold in my heart.

  I smile and nod, I'll keep quiet, for now. Sliding back into the leather seat of Troubles' car I let out the breath I have been holding. Taking the gun from my purse, I tuck it back under my seat where I found it. There is a note with Lucky's number attached to it on the passenger seat. I wad it up and put it in my purse. The Rejects are not supposed to be in this area I know it means danger and that I should tell Grim, but I feel conflicted about it all. He'll tan my hide for coming to a meeting alone with the Rejects. I am not supposed to be involved in any club business, one I am a girl and two I am just a kid in his eyes. I can handle myself, Rebel and Striker fought with me enough that I know how to fight if I have to. I am not as delicate as everyone seems to think I am.

  3

  Rumor

  I don't know why I let Baby get under my skin; I know she doesn't really mean all of those nasty things she says, even though her nasty words are breaking off what pieces of me are left. I am afraid that one day I may disappear all together and the only person who would dare to even care is a man that stands for everything I hate and respect all in one. Rebel Black was born to be a leader, to one-day takeover The Black Rebel Riders' MC, hell he even carries the name of the club.

  I know Baby loves Rebel, I know that everything she says and does is because she wants nothing more than to be with him. I know she loves him, but he professes he loves me more.

  Rebel is so intense, the feelings he says he has for me shock me sometimes. Partly because I am afraid, he really means all of the things he says, and partly because I am frightened to believe him, only to find he is a liar like all men and only out for one thing. I love my sister, I really do, and I don't want to stand in the way of her happiness when, it lies with a man I shouldn't want. However, another part of me is selfish—I crave his friendship, his affections, and his attention.

  As hard as I try I can't seem to stay away from him, let alone stop thinking about him and the brief kiss we once shared. The taste of him against my lips haunts me all the way down to my toes. I know that loving Rebel Black will bring me nothing but heartache...

  Rebel

  “Shit! Baby, you know better than to sneak up on me like that.” She stands a mere inch from my switchblade. Baby presses the tip of the blade with her finger and pushes it to the side as a small amount of blood trickles from her finger.

  “Sorry, Striker sent me. Are you sure you don’t want him to ride with you to the meeting.” Baby presses her finger to my mouth, "Kiss it." For a moment, my mind flashes to Baby asking me to kiss her, and I almost fuck her. I'm not the one who puts a stop to it either it's her. I don't know if it's a dream or if it really happened. I shake my head, Baby's finger pressing against my lips bringing me back to the present.

  “I said I’d go it alone.” She knows good and well Striker didn’t send her. Baby has been trying to earn a place by my side since she was fourteen. What Baby doesn’t realize is she will never be my top bitch. One day one of my brothers might stake a claim on her but not me. I don’t want the club's whore on my arm. Sure, I’ve fucked around with her —we all have. And hell, her daddy would skin us all alive if he knew. Don't get my words twisted, I love Baby, I'd fucking die for her, I just don't want to be with her the way she wants to be with me. There is only one woman, I would command—Rumor. I fucked things up with her though, and she will never receive me. She wants to disappear from Drag Creek and leave everyone in it behind.

  Damn, I sure miss my old man, he has been gone nearly six months and every day that passes, I seem to grieve for him even more. He was like a father to many of the guys I ride with. If he were here, he would tell me to make a good woman out of Rumor—he would tell me to follow my heart.

  My mom is always pushing Baby and me together. I know she wants me to be with her to claim her as my old lady. She has been determined to have Baby as her daughter one way or another. But I don't want to be my parents. Sure Slim and Foxie loved each other, but out of obligation not because they could not breathe without the other. I don't yearn for that type of love. When I think about Rumor, I know I'd ride a million miles just to watch her sleep. She makes this sweet peaceful face when she isn't having nightmares, it makes my cock twitch. I love knowing that I am the one that puts that look there, when she allows me in.

  Striker pokes his head in the door of my room and takes Baby off my hands. I chuckle when he pinches her ass while biting on his lip ring as he says, “this dick ain’t gonna' suck itself.” The expression on her face is priceless; she looks scared that he could be thinking about it. You never know how to interpret Striker; you never know when he is dicking around or when he is being serious.

  “Get the fuck outta' here you two, I can’t be late.” I wish Striker would claim Baby; it would make life for all of us a hell of a lot simpler. However, that shit isn't going to happen. Striker says Baby is too young and wild. But I know he views her in a way I never have been able to. He doesn't realize it yet but he cares for Baby a lot more than he recognizes. I see the way he glimpses at her when he thinks no one is paying attention, and the way he reacts when she pays me mind. He usually interrupts or does something to separate us. He puts on as if he is helping me out, but I think a part of him wishes she would look at him the way she gazes at me. Then there is Aspen—she has been my brother's girl for over a year, he still hasn't claimed her ass. I think it's because he is waiting for Baby to be of age, he just doesn't know it yet.

  I down what is left of my beer and snatch my smokes off the table. I thrust my arms through the sleeves of my leather jacket and light up a smoke as I head downstairs. After my old man passed on, I moved into his room at the clubhouse. Striker took over the garage and he now lives overtop of it. Romeo wants me to eventually takeover the still for him. I get the feeling he wants to pass his VP patch to me one day, which is heavy shit that I am not ready to tackle. I don't want to stand beside of Grim—motherfucker killed my father. But what am I to do, this is my life and the legacy my father wanted to leave my brother and I. Finishing my cigarette before I climb on my hog, tying my wavy blonde hair back so that it is not whipping my face later down the road I get ready to head out on the road.

  The Devils Rejects scattered as soon as word got out that Grim put Hook and Slim in the ground and those that have remained have been getting splattered like road kill. Grim is off on a honeymoon with Sunshine and Romeo is on a trip to Chicago tying up our loose ends there. This leads me to the meeting I have been summoned to with Lucky one of the last Rejects left standing. He says he wants to come to an understanding, we will see about that.

  **

  "I was beginni
ng to think you were going to be a no show." Lucky greets me outside of The Razor's Edge, a dive pool hall located on neutral territory.

  "Got held up, let's cut the pleasantries and get on with it. What is it you want to discuss?" I follow him inside and we accept a table in the back away from all of the noise.

  A sweet little thang comes over and brings us both a beer. Cracking a couple of nuts open I wait for this cocksucker to tell me what it is he requests.

  "Look Rebel, we need to come to an arrangement. There are too many Devils Rejects, you and Grim can't kill us all. You need to realize that while you might control Kentucky, we have other states ready to go to war and shed blood to accomplish what we want."

  "You sure about that Lucky, if I were you I'd be getting the hell out of Kentucky, you are a marked man. You and I both appreciate that any man wearing those colors is marked for death."

  "I am sure Baby feels differently about that." I nearly choke out my beer on hearing her name. Goddamnit if Baby has been fooling around with the Rejects, I will kill her myself.

  "Baby, what the fuck do you know about Baby?"

  "Don't worry; I haven't fucked that tight little virgin pussy of hers yet." My knuckles are white I am gripping the edge of my seat so hard. I am about ten seconds from blowing this motherfucker's head off right here and now in front of everyone in this dinky bar.

  Leaning in real close I speak quietly trying to keep my temper in check, "you stay away from Baby, you don't even think about her you feel me. If I suspect that you even jack off while thinking about her I'll cut your dick off and make you consume it."

  "So you must be her man, climbing up the ladder quickly to get to the top aren't you? And you just exposed your weakness—Baby. Have to say that smart mouth of hers makes my cock jump." Lucky lights up a cigarette looking so full and sure of himself.

  Pulling my switchblade from my pocket I keep the tip to his throat, "Are fucking dumb? You must be dumb, say her name again, I'll slit you from ear to ear right here. Final warning."

  He lays both hands flat on the table in surrender with his cigarette hanging from his mouth. "I see we are at an impasse. We could co-exist peacefully Rebel. We don't deal in your territory and you don't sell your moonshine in ours, it is simple really. Talk it over with your Prez, Baby has my number."

  "I don't handle that cocksucker's business and I'm not his messenger."

  "Ah I get it you want Grim gone, what if I told you I want the same. Think we could reach an agreement then?" He asks with a sly grin.

  "I'll be in touch." I have a lot to think about—sure, I want Grim gone, he killed my father, but I am not an idiot either...Things within our own club are still getting under control after the death of my father and with Grim's new role as Prez. Grim and Sunshine put their honeymoon on hold until things slowed down and it looks like the minute he has left trouble is knocking on our backdoor.

  After getting my thoughts in order I set out for the Roadhouse, Baby should be working tonight. I am going to put an end to her game right fucking now. I don't know what she is playing at but her fucking around with the Rejects ends today.

  **

  I walk into the backdoor of the Roadhouse and Rumor is here too, fuck. I don't need this to go down in front of her.; I know she will get the wrong impression. She looks so good; her strawberry blonde hair is resting on top of her head in a messy bun. She is dressed in a pair of cut-off denim shorts, showing off her tan lean legs. She is wearing a black tank top that hugs her breasts showing just enough cleavage to drive me wild. She throws her head back laughing at something Tread just said through the window where orders are placed in the kitchen. My first thought is to walk over to where she stands and kiss that smile on her face, and rip down her hair so I can rake my fingers through it as she presses her tight body up against mine. Fuck, I scrub my hands over my forehead. Now is not the time to be getting a hard on.

  Baby comes sauntering through the door from the storage room carrying a roll of paper towels. She sees me and a wicked grin spreads across her face. "Rebel," she squeals my name causing Rumor to nearly jump out of her skin. Don't get me wrong Baby is fierce and starting to look like a woman, fuck who am I kidding...Baby has looked developed since she was fifteen, now she is seventeen and has curves in all of the right places. She is dressed to grab attention sporting a pair daisy dukes and a button down shirt exposing her budding breasts, girl is already marked in plenty of ink, and her pierced navel is exposed. But she doesn't give me the feelings I get when I see Rumor, there is something different about her. Hell for all I know it could be the fact that I can't have her that is driving me wild, but I intend to find out after I handle this shit with Baby.

  "Baby, I need to talk to you in private, in my room. Now!"

  She places the roll of paper towels she was holding on the prep table and smiles innocently at Rumor. "I'll be back after I fulfill Rebel's request." She winks at her and I don't miss the tear that is threatening to leak from the corner of Rumor's eye. It kills me to hurt her, but I don't want to say the things I need to say to Baby in front of an audience. I'll just have to hope I can make things right with Rumor later, club business comes first.

  Rumor

  Damn it, I said I wouldn't shed any tears over any man, and here I am crying over Rebel and Baby. If I could save enough to leave here now I would, I get a trust fund from my mom when I turn twenty-one, but that's not for another couple years. Then they could be together and maybe someday I could have a relationship with my sister. But the thought of never seeing Rebel smile at me again the way he does, or feeling his arms wrap around me in a tight embrace is enough to take my breath away, he is my best friend. I steady myself against the counter and take a deep breath.

  Striker comes into the kitchen just as I wipe my tears away. "Hey you okay?" He wraps his thick muscular arms around my shoulders.

  I place my hand on his wrist giving a reassuring squeeze. "Fine, just have been slicing onions, damn things make me tear up every time." I smile weakly at him. He smiles back at me with his pretty boy charm.

  "Say, I am taking Aspen to see one of those chick flicks this weekend, you and Rebel should come with us. I'm not taking no for an answer." He walks through the kitchen and out to the bar before I can say no. By the looks of the way things are progressing between Rebel and Baby, I am sure she will be more than glad to go with them.

  I wish more brothers would come in and place some orders to keep my mind from wandering off to thoughts of Rebel and Baby upstairs alone. I can only imagine what they are doing. No, Rumor stop this insanity you don't want a patched man with a Harley, you want a normal life with a hard working blue-collar man, if you want any man at all. Would Rebel walk away for me? I would never ask him to choose. His rightful place is with Baby and one day they will be running things around here. Hell from the looks of things with Grim and Sunshine on their honeymoon and Romeo in Chicago, they already are.

  Tread pokes his head through the window and asks me to come try to whoop his ass at pool. Might as well do something, there isn't any work to be had in the kitchen. I could use some fun. "I'll play, but I'd hate to humiliate you in front of your brothers."

  "Oh darlin', I can handle anything you throw my way." He winks at me, implying much more.

  Out at the bar the sight around me isn't unusual, the normal club whores are hanging around making themselves useful. I used to turn bright red when I would come out to the bar, but now it is nothing out of the ordinary and no one gives me a rough time. All of the guys are brutal and rugged but they have a sort of sex appeal about them, but the thought of any of them trying to sleep with me brings back my nightmares, Rebel seems to be the only person who can chase them away.

  Tread racks the balls and lets me break. I have gotten pretty good at playing. I lean down and line up my shot. As I am about to shoot I feel a man pressing tight against my backside, causing me to breakout in a cold sweat. Suddenly I am no longer playing pool with Tread; I am that scared little
girl in Alabama again. Squirrel's breath penetrates my senses. I feel faint as I hear him whispering in my ear, 'love you so much Sarah, gonna' make you feel good. I'm going to show you how much you mean to me.'

  "Rumor, hey where did you go?" Tread is holding my head on his lap in the floor. Tears are leaking out of my eyes.

  "I must have fainted. Guess I forgot to eat and the heat got to me. I'm so sorry. I feel like an idiot." I say the first thing that comes to my mind. I don't want to freak him out with my demons.

  "Don't be sorry. Shit I was going to take it easy on ya. You didn't have to pass out to get out of an ass kickin'." I wipe my eyes and try to get up slowly.

  "No rush, I don't mind a pretty face between my legs at the best of times or at the worst." Tread laughs cracking his dimples at me. Most girls would swoon and fall at his feet with the sight of his lickable dimples, but there is only one guy who has registered on my radar.

  4

  Baby

  Making myself comfortable, I kick off my shoes and curl up on Rebel's bed. Looking around the tiny room Slim once shared with Wild Cherry, I notice Rebel has left it almost the same as it was when it was his father's. The unchanged motorcycle magazines are stacked in the corner by the small dresser. The same club pictures hang on the wall, the one hanging to the left of the room makes me sad for what used to be, it is a photo of my father and Slim when they were barely twenty. My father didn't have so many teardrops tattooed on his face, the two of them standing in front of their bikes look so young and carefree. They don't appear like the men I know now, worn down by the life and dead.

  "Whatcha need to talk to me about?" I push my chest forward slightly allowing Rebel a peek between the buttons of my shirt, showing him a hint of my lacey black bra. What can I say old habits die hard, now I only do it to fuck with him. He takes a seat on the bed beside of me propping his arms behind his head against headboard, crossing his ankles.