by K. L. Ramsey
Savage saw Dallas’ beautiful face flash through his mind, followed by Bowie’s and his sweet girls’ faces. Was this the way it was all going to end? They had just barely begun and now he was going to lose them. His only solace was knowing that Bowie would take care of Dallas and his girls. They were a family now and even if he was out of the equation, they’d find a way forward, together. Bowie would protect Dallas and the girls with his life and that was enough for Savage. He closed his eyes and let the darkness take him as Dante landed another blow to his battered jaw.
BOWIE
Bowie stood back in the shadows of the bar. He wasn’t sure if Savage knew he was there or not, but he wouldn’t take any chances by trying to get his attention. Joker stood in front of where Savage was tied to the chair, his knuckles red from Savage’s blood. Bowie wanted to rush in there before the asshole got the chance to land another blow, but that would mean going in without back-up and he had a feeling that would end badly for both him and Savage. He just hoped like hell his guy could hold on for a few more minutes until Ryder and the other guys got there.
Bowie checked his watch and sent up a silent prayer that Dallas was able to reach Ryder and give him their location. He was pretty sure they were at the Dragon’s clubhouse, but he couldn’t be certain. Hell, he was just hoping their woman got the text he sent with all the details and Bowie realized that the calvary might not actually be showing up like he needed. There were a lot of unknown factors involved and he couldn’t just stand by and let Savage get the shit beat out of him much longer. His guy looked pretty bad and Bowie wasn’t sure just how much more he’d be able to take.
When he saw Savage sneak down to the bar after reading the girls their bedtime story, he knew his guy was up to no good. Savage usually came straight to bed after tucking the girls in for the night, so that the three of them could have their time together. Tonight, he had made some excuse about having to finish up an order for the bar and Bowie and Dallas knew better than to believe him. Savage had been acting squirrelly since Stinger’s body showed up at Bowie’s house in Texas. He couldn’t shake the thought that Savage was going to go off and do something that might get him killed. Bowie hated that he was right, but none of that mattered right now. Savage was in bad shape and if he didn’t figure something out fast, his guy wasn’t going to make it.
Bowie followed Savage and when the two assholes dragged him in through the back door of the building, Bowie snuck in through a side door, hoping to escape any unwanted attention. The last thing either of them needed was for him to get caught trying to mount a one-man rescue attempt. He hadn’t thought things through very well and now, all he could do was watch and wait—praying that Dallas got his text and was able to reach Ryder and Repo. They’d know what to do, even if he had no clue.
Bowie watched as Joker landed one punishing blow after another. Savage wavered in and out of consciousness and just when he thought his guy wouldn’t be able to stand another hit, he’d wake up and mumble another slight that had Joker pissed and punching the shit out of Savage. Bowie wanted to tell him to shut the fuck up and stay down; hoping that would end his torment. Dante whispered something to Joker and left the bar. All but two guys and Joker left with him. Bowie liked the odds a little better now, but he couldn’t be sure that there weren’t more guys outside the bar.
“This can all end here and now,” Joker growled. “Just tell us where to find my girl and we’ll let you go.”
Savage’s smile was mean. “Go fuck yourself,” he offered. Bowie braced himself, knowing that Savage’s defiance was going to earn him more of a beating.
“Shit,” Bowie said under his breath. Joker pulled his arm back and threw another punch, landing it square on Savage’s already bloody jaw.
“That all you got?” Savage taunted. Bowie wanted to tell him to shut the fuck up, but that wasn’t who Savage was. He was going to give the big goon as much shit as possible.
“I just want my girl back, asshole. You can’t just decide to be a part of her life again and take her back.” Joker grumbled.
“I can and I did. She was never yours, Joker,” Savage slurred. “She’s always been mine. You two went on what, one date?” he taunted.
“We had a connection,” Joker screamed. This lunatic believed that Dallas wanted to be with him and that Savage was standing in his way. Joker was unstable and Bowie worried Savage’s taunts weren’t helping matters.
The two guys who had helped Savage into the bar appeared from the back room. Bowie assumed there was a kitchen back there, but he couldn’t see past the back wall of the bar. The smaller of the two guys walked up to Joker and handed him a set of keys. “We found these on his bike. They might be keys to his house and we’re betting she’s staying with him,” he said, handing them to Joker. Bowie knew the keys would get Joker and his guys into their house. He just prayed that Dallas had gotten his message and they wouldn’t find her there.
“You stay the fuck away from her,” Savage spat. Joker smiled back at the two other guys.
“I think we just got our answer,” he said. “Round up the guys and tell them we ride in ten minutes. The sooner we get there, the sooner I can claim my sweet Dallas.” He looked back down at Savage and laughed. “How does it feel, knowing that I’m going to take my woman back from you and make her mine? This time, I won’t let her tell me no.” The thought of that asshole laying one finger on Dallas made Bowie sick. Judging by the angry scowl on Savage’s face, he felt the exact same way.
“You touch Dallas and I’ll tear you apart,” Savage warned. The three guys laughed at him and turned to go back into the room behind the bar. “Come back here,” Savage yelled. “Don’t you fucking touch her.” The back door slammed and Bowie didn’t make a move towards where Savage sat bound to a chair. He worried that it was a trap and that one of the guys would be back in. Would they really just leave Savage tied to a chair while they went to find Dallas?
“Fuck,” Savage swore.
Bowie heard the sound of engines revving in the parking lot, just outside, and he held his breath hoping that they had just gotten lucky. He waited, listening for the sound of motorcycles roaring down the street to fade into complete silence.
“Savage,” Bowie whispered. Savage’s head dipped as if he had nodded off. He was pretty beat up and seemed to be having trouble staying awake. “Savage,” he said again.
“Bowie?” Savage questioned. “Are you really here?”
“Yeah, man,” Bowie said. “I had to be sure they’re gone. I think we’re in the clear.”
“Untie me,” Savage demanded. “We have to get to Dallas before they do.”
“We need to call the cops,” Bowie said. “I know you said you don’t want the cops involved in this mess, but we have no choice now.” He worked Savage’s hands loose from their bindings and Savage pulled them free, rubbing the feeling back into them.
“Thanks, man,” he said. “I did say that, but we have no choice. We can’t let them get to Dallas and the girls. They already killed one of their own guys, I won’t let them hurt anyone else. I won’t take that risk. We have enough evidence to put most of them away. Make the call.” Bowie nodded and pulled out his cell. He called 911 and told them where they’d be able to find the Dragons. He hated that this shit storm was going to go down at their home, but he really had no other choice. When he ended the call, he found Savage slumped against the wall. “I think I have a concussion, man,” he slurred. “Call Ryder and give him a heads-up about what’s about to go down. I want as many of our guys out at the house protecting Dallas and the girls as possible.” Bowie smiled. His guy was bossy even with being beaten within an inch of his life. He wrapped an arm around Savage’s waist and helped him back to the chair.
“Sit,” he ordered. “I’ll call Ryder and make sure our girls are safe.” He took Savage’s phone and found Ryder’s contact information, calling his cell. Bowie quickly told Ryder what was going on watching as Savage nodded in and out of consciousness. Bowie ne
eded to get him to the hospital and have him checked out.
“We don’t have many guys still here at Savage Hell,” Ryder said. “By the time I call everyone back, the Dragons will be here.”
“Shit,” Bowie cursed. He had to think fast otherwise Dallas and the girls were going to be right in the middle of a shit storm. He couldn’t let that happen. “Get them out of there. I don’t want them tied to the Dragons and the last thing we need is a showdown at Savage Hell. Move everyone over to Repo’s house, including Dallas and the girls. Don’t let them out of your sight until I get there,” Bowie ordered and ended his call.
“We have to get you to a hospital,” Bowie said. Savage tried to protest, but Bowie wasn’t having it. He helped Savage up from his chair and they had almost found their way out the back of the bar when the front door flew open. Bowie turned in time to find one of the little guys who he believed to be Joker’s right-hand man, walking in as if he was on a mission. The poor guy looked a little confused, not finding Savage just where Joker had left him, tied to the chair.
“What the fuck,” he barked. Bowie pulled his gun from his shoulder holster, pointing it at the guy. He reached for his piece, and Bowie shouted at him to stop.
“Don’t even think about it, fucker.” The guy looked as if he was weighing his options and Bowie chuckled. “Seriously, I can tell you’re thinking about it. Doesn’t he look like he’s thinking about reaching for his gun, Savage?” Savage weakly nodded and made a humming noise.
“He does,” Savage agreed. “He’s a dumb fucker, though. He probably isn’t smart enough to know that you are military trained and can blow his fucking head off before he even gets his gun out of his waistband.” Bowie tightened his arm around Savage’s waist. He wasn’t sure if he’d be able to keep a hold on his guy and take down this asshole at the same time, but he was going to give it one hell of a try.
“He’s right,” Bowie agreed. “How about you try to use some of those brain cells and make the right decision here, dude. I’d hate to have to waste a bullet on you.” The asshole stuck his hands in the air as if he was going to surrender, but Bowie could see it in his eyes—he had no plans on doing any such thing.
“Shit,” Bowie growled. The guy reached behind him, pulling the gun from his waistband and Bowie pulled the trigger, putting a bullet between his eyes.
“Bullseye,” Savage whispered. “Just like I said. You good, man?” he questioned. Bowie leaned Savage against the wall and crossed the bar to make sure the guy was dead, kicking his weapon away from his hand, just in case.
“I had no choice,” he defended.
“No,” Savage agreed. “You didn’t.” Bowie shoved his gun back into its holster and pulled out his cell.
“What are you doing?” Savage asked.
“I’m calling this in,” he said. Savage stood a little straighter and Bowie could tell he was going to give him a fight.
“No,” Savage said. “You aren’t here. No one will ever know that you were here. I’ll tell them that I was the one who shot him. I took your gun from home and when he came into the bar to kill me, I got loose from my bindings and shot him.” Savage weakly crossed the bar and took the gun from Bowie. “One in the chest,” he said, firing the gun at the dead guy’s chest and once in the head.” Savage put the gun in his own waistband.
“No,” Bowie protested.
“It’s the only way. They beat the shit out of me and wanted me dead. It was self-defense. This asshole came in to kill me in cold blood and I just beat him to the punch,” Savage smiled and winced at the pain it must have caused. “The cops won’t dig too deep on this one, Babe. It’ll be considered a turf war and I’ll be fine. Give me my cell so I can call this in. You get back to our woman and keep our family safe. The cops should be headed to our house already from your earlier call. Go be with Dallas and help her through all this. I’ll be fine,” Savage lied.
Bowie nodded, not quite sure he believed a word Savage was saying. It felt like they were in the center of a shitstorm and he worried they wouldn’t be able to find their way clear. Especially not now with a dead Dragon on their hands.
________
Bowie couldn’t drive his damn pick-up truck fast enough back to their house. He called Dallas as soon as he left Savage, to tell her what was going on. Hearing the panic and fear in her voice nearly did him in. He couldn’t get home to her fast enough. She said that the cops had shown up at the same time as the Dragons. Dallas stayed on the phone with him while they waited to see if Joker and his guys were going to stand down. Bowie felt as though he was holding his fucking breath, waiting for Dallas to tell him that she was safe.
“They gave up,” Dallas’ voice broke and Ryder must have taken the phone from her.
“Hey, man,” he said.” Joker surrendered and the cops are cuffing him and his crew now. You and Savage good?” Ryder asked. That was the million-dollar question. Bowie wasn’t sure they were and it took all his willpower not to break down on the phone with Ryder.
“I don’t know, man,” Bowie said. “Savage is waiting for the cops to show up at Dante’s. A guy’s dead and I just left him.”
“I know,” Ryder said,” Savage called me and gave me the details. He’s going to be taken in and checked over. They seem to have bought the whole self-defense story.”
“I need to be with him,” Bowie said.
“No,” Ryder insisted. “You need to do what Savage ordered you to do and get your ass back here. Dallas and the girls are shook up and you need to take care of your woman.” Bowie quietly nodded, knowing Ryder couldn’t see him. He was right, it was what Savage had told him to do. His responsibility was to Dallas and the girls. He’d get them settled and then he’d make sure his guy was alright.
“I’ll be back home in five minutes,” Bowie agreed. “Just keep them safe until then,” he ordered.
“Will do,” Ryder agreed. “Be safe, man.”
“Always,” Bowie breathed.
________
It had been two weeks of Savage being called down to the local police station for questioning. Each time he left, Dallas ended up in Bowie’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably with worry. He had to admit, he was beginning to worry that this whole mess would never end. Dante had disappeared, with most of his club in tow. Savage had heard a rumor that they had crossed the border into Mexico, but he had a hard time believing that they would just leave all their interest unprotected and disappear. Dante was a major player in most of the town’s seedier businesses. There were rumors he had a decent sized human trafficking ring going and it was a well-known fact that he ran drugs and prostitutes through Huntsville on a regular basis. He had a lucrative business and Savage said there would be no way he’d walk away from it to hide down in Mexico. Bowie trusted Savage’s gut, but a part of him hoped his guy was wrong about all of it.
Savage walked into the kitchen and threw his keys down on the table. “I’m done,” he almost whispered.
“Come again,” Bowie asked.
“I’m done,” he repeated. “They are finished questioning me and I’m free and clear.” Dallas crossed the kitchen and threw her arms around Savage’s neck.
“Really?” she questioned. “We are free?”
“Yep,” he said, flexing his big hands into her curvy ass. “We’re free.” Bowie smiled and framed Dallas’ back, wrapping his arms around the both of them. He felt a little less relieved than the other two seemed to feel about the whole situation. He wasn’t sure they would ever be free, as long as Dante and his club were still out there. He had heard Dante tell Savage that night at his bar, that he wouldn’t rest until every last member of Savage Hell was either a Dragon or dead. Now, that would include him and Bowie knew that sooner or later he’d have to tell Dallas and Savage his news.
“You don’t seem as happy about all this, Babe,” Savage chided.
“Well, I’ve been waiting to tell you guys my news and I’m not sure how you will both take it,” Bowie said, changing the subject.
“What news?” Dallas questioned.
“Shit,” Savage growled. “Tell me the murmurs I’ve heard around my club aren’t fucking true, Bowie,” Savage ordered. Bowie knew that news of him prospecting for Savage Hell would eventually get back to Savage. He was the club’s president and nothing got past him. Ryder had agreed to let Bowie be the one to break the news to him, even though that went against club rules. The sponsor was the one who usually introduced the prospect to the club’s president, but in this case, Savage and Bowie knew each other quite well.
“Yeah,” Bowie said. “I’m prospecting and Ryder is my sponsor.”
“Fuck,” Savage barked. “Why am I not hearing this from Ryder?” he questioned.
“Ryder agreed to let me be the one to tell you,” Bowie said.
“That’s not how this is done, Babe,” Savage countered.
“Well, I’m sure it’s not, but I’m also pretty sure that the president isn’t usually fucking his club’s prospect either,” Bowie countered.
“Shit,” Savage grumbled.
“I know that this is fucked up, man, but I want to do this. You and Dallas are my lives now and I want to be a part of them in every way. I love your club, Savage and I want to be a part of that family. They’ve accepted the three of us together and I don’t know, it just feels like the next logical step.” Savage seemed to be thinking it all over and Dallas turned to face him.
“Well, I for one, think it’s a great idea,” she said. “I’m not sure what to say here—congratulations? Go get ‘em?” Dallas giggled and Bowie kissed her.
“Thanks, Baby,” he said. “How about it, man? Do I get to prospect?” Bowie knew that as club president, Savage would have the final say. He just hoped like hell he’d give him a chance because Bowie wanted nothing more than to be a part of the Savage Hell family.
Savage sighed, “Yeah,” he grumbled.
“Thanks, Savage,” Bowie said. He kissed him, squeezing Dallas between the two of them and Bowie wasn’t sure how he’d gotten so lucky. Just months earlier, he was following the sexy, brooding Savage around base, trying to figure out a way to get the guy to notice him. Now, he was in love with not one, but two people he was sure he’d never find.
