Always

by Sam Crescent

  Luke was the President’s son, and there was no denying he was a badass. He was also a bully. An asshole bully, but he didn’t turn that shit on her, and when she caught him, she stepped right up into his face for it.

  His technique was flawless. He hit hard and took no punishment.

  It was good.

  The guy finally went down and waved his hand in defeat.

  The Dogs roared with victory.

  Luke was embraced with open arms and then Ryan ran onto the pedestal. He was smaller than Luke. Still had plenty of ink, but he was a complete and total dick. There was no getting away with it. He believed his patch was what made him the shit, but it didn’t.

  If anything, it made him even more of an asshole. The guys couldn’t stand him.

  She certainly couldn’t. It was bad enough having to deal with another MC, seeing as they’d been able to avoid it most of their school lives, but now, it made it even more so. Especially since some people considered The Skulls as sellouts or weak. They weren’t. They had just reached their end of horseshit and wanted a break.

  Simple as that.

  Ryan held his fisted hands in the air as if he was already going to be victorious.

  “Can you believe this guy?” Daisy asked.

  “Come on, are you all fucking pussies?” Ryan asked. He pointed out at the crowd. “I dare you. Come and fight me, fuckers!”

  No one took to the pedestal.

  “Are you all pussies? None of you can take me.”

  Tabitha watched as Anthony handed his jacket to Simon and then climbed up onto the pedestal. He wasn’t scheduled to fight but there was no way Ryan could get away with that. Calling on others to fight when there was no real competition.

  “Well, well, well, look what I’ve got here with me. None other than a Skull brat. Someone who needs his ass beaten.”

  Anthony didn’t even bother removing his shirt or raising his fists. He looked bored.

  The bell rang, which meant the fight had been accepted and now it was on.

  Ryan raised his fists, and Anthony kept his by his side.

  Tabitha tensed as Ryan went to charge him, but he went into the ropes that only just kept him in the ring.

  Again, Anthony still hadn’t lifted his hands.

  When Ryan came at him a second time, he clocked him around the face, sending Ryan down with a single punch.

  There were cheers, but the Dogs, they were pissed. She chanced a look over to see Luke watching her.

  Averting her gaze, she saw Ryan get to his feet, shake whatever it was off him, and charge again. This time, Anthony took him. Punch by punch. Ryan got a few in to the stomach, but Anthony blocked most of the face aims.

  She winced a few times at the brutality of it but she was long gone past the days of covering her eyes. The shit she’d seen, the stuff she knew, it didn’t make her weak, it made her strong. She was more prepared now than ever before, and she was ready.

  Anthony threw the final punch, and this time, Ryan stayed down. Their boy had knocked The Dogs boy clean out.

  Miles cheered, whooping in the air. “Suck it, Dogs. That’s how it’s done. That’s our boy.”

  Anthony climbed out of the ring, went over to Mitch, grabbed their money, and that was it. They left the Quad. If Ryan hadn’t been knocked out, there would have been a lot more crap to deal with. The Dogs wouldn’t accept this. Ryan would demand a rematch.

  “You know you fucked up there,” Daisy said.

  Tabitha’s brows rose as Anthony came to a stop.

  All of the guys did as Anthony turned to Daisy.

  “I did?” he asked.

  This was new. Daisy and Anthony were often in each other’s presence but rarely on speaking terms. It wasn’t odd for them. Anthony rarely spoke to anyone.

  “Yeah. They’re going to demand a rematch. You’re going to have to go up against Ryan or Luke, or all of them.”

  “Oh, come on, our boy will take them all on,” Miles said, clapping his hands in excitement.

  “Are you all fucking insane?” Daisy asked. “There’s only so much shit they’re going to take before we have to face the consequences. You were only supposed to watch.”

  “We didn’t say that,” Tabitha said. She knew the moment they entered the Quad that the chances of them fighting would be pretty high. It was impossible for them to go somewhere with fighting and avoid it. It was like telling a fucking bee not to suck pollen. That shit wasn’t going to happen.

  “Were you worried about me?” Anthony asked.

  Daisy stared at him.

  Tonight was turning out to be full of surprises. Tabitha wished she could take her phone out to film this precious moment. At the very least, she could send it to Simon. That would give them something to talk about, and it would win her a bet, that said Daisy and Anthony would end up together. Simon didn’t agree with her.

  “You could have gotten yourself killed. It’s not funny.” She went to turn her back on him, but Anthony grabbed her arm.

  Tabitha waited.

  Silence.

  Nothing.

  Damn, the suspense was killing her.

  “You better get home,” Anthony said.

  Tabitha kept on watching as Anthony let her go, and she was in shock.

  “What the fuck?” she asked, mouthing the words to Anthony, who shrugged and kept on walking with the guys in tow.

  She and Daisy headed back to her place. “What the fuck was that?”

  “Nothing,” Daisy said.

  “Come on, it looked like you guys were eye-fucking each other. That has to mean something.”

  “It doesn’t. You need to stop thinking you see stuff that is clearly not there. He could have gotten himself killed. I don’t know about you, but could you imagine Lash over that? Angel would be dead, and Lash, he’d start a war. We all know how this goes. Then all of a sudden, our lives will change forever. I don’t want that to happen.” Daisy shrugged. “Anthony is part of us. We need to look out for each other, which includes him.”

  “You’re blind, you know that?”

  “Anthony and I are never going to happen.”

  “And why not?” Tabitha asked as they got to Daisy’s home.

  Daisy opened her mouth and closed it.

  “See, you can’t even give me a reason.”

  “Stop it, Tabs. You and I both know I’m not his type.”

  “You don’t even know what his type is.”

  “It’s not me.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “I know enough,” Daisy said. “Come on.”

  “Why don’t we walk in the front door? Your dad’s going to know.”

  “If he hasn’t time to check, I could get away with it.”

  They climbed up the side of the house, going into Daisy’s room. As they came to a stop, Tabitha groaned. Not only was Whizz standing there, arms folded, waiting, so was Tiny, her dad.

  Oops.

  Chapter Four

  “You’re grounded?” Simon asked, laughing.

  “It’s not funny.”

  “You snuck out, went to a fight, and your dad was waiting for you when you got back. I think that’s hilarious.”

  “Ha ha, very funny.” Tabitha sighed. “It gets worse, he’s picking me up from school. Whizz is doing the same for Daisy as well. We’re being treated like kids.”

  “It’s how you punish kids.”

  “You know I’d punch you if you were here.”

  He snorted. “I’m with your dad on this one. You shouldn’t be going out.”

  “Kiss his ass, why don’t you?”

  “No, seriously, how are you?” Simon asked. Daisy had texted him late on the night in question in case he struggled to get in contact with her. He would’ve called Tabby’s mother if she didn’t answer. Her parents knew he loved her so it wasn’t like he was saving any kind of face.

  “How am I? I don’t know. Bored. There’s nothing to do when you’re confined to the house. I’m not even al
lowed to go to the clubhouse so it’s full-on grounding.”

  He leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. “Sing to me.”

  “Not happening. You know I only do that when I’m in the mood and right now I’m not. I wish you were here. Are you still not coming for Halloween?”

  He groaned. “Not this year. I promised Mom I’d help out with the trick or treating. It feels like a hundred kids want to go and beg for candy. I’m sure if she asked, Dad would just buy them what they wanted and I’d be off the hook.”

  “Are you dressing up?”

  “Probably, I think I’ll go as a zombie biker.”

  She chuckled. “A hot zombie though, right?”

  “Totally. You’d have to give me the kiss of death.”

  “I wouldn’t kiss a zombie.”

  “If it was the end of the world and I was bitten, and for whatever reason the way to bring me back would be to kiss me, you wouldn’t?” he asked.

  “It depends. Will you have bad breath?”

  “I’d be dead.”

  “Then you, my love, would have to stay dead.”

  “Charming, and here I thought our love would last a lifetime.”

  “Oh, it will. I’ll keep you locked up and pet you.”

  “Like a dog?”

  “No. A dog won’t eat me. You would.”

  “You’re willing to make me jealous of a dog.”

  “Totally,” she said. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Just this, being you. I don’t feel like I’m going quite so crazy anymore.”

  “I’m always here for you. I don’t know if I’d be able to cope with you being grounded. I’d piss your parents off, climbing into your window.”

  “Hiding under my bed?”

  “Good times.”

  Her laughter came over the line and it warmed him from the inside out.

  “I love this.”

  “Me too, but you haven’t told me what you’re wearing this Halloween.”

  “Daisy and I still need to go and get costumes.”

  “Will they even let you go to the party?”

  “I figured if they don’t let us go out shopping soon, I’ll phone for reinforcements.”

  “Anthony?”

  “You got it. He wanted her to go. I can’t guarantee she’ll see it as a date, and she hates me for it. She’s not one to party, but it’s what he wanted.”

  “I wouldn’t wait around. Call him, get him to agree. They’ll have some prospects go with you, or a couple of their guys. It’s not like it’ll be hard.”

  “I think we scare a couple of the prospects. Daisy hates being followed around. I think her father is sniffing around her again.”

  “Again?” Simon asked.

  “Yep. She’s in that bitchy mood which means she’s keeping secrets. The only one I know, her dad. I don’t know why she doesn’t let Whizz handle it.”

  “You know why,” he said.

  “Yeah, I know but it’s stupid. I’m sorry. I just, I hate it when it’s like this, you know? Daisy shouldn’t have to deal with it, but if he was killed, then she’d blame herself.”

  “Why don’t you get Anthony to pay him a visit?” Simon suggested.

  “Really, did you listen to what I said? Anthony would kill him, without a doubt. No question. He’d be dead.”

  “I’m just throwing it out there.”

  “It’s a bad idea,” she said. “I feel like I’m always talking to Anthony at the minute.”

  “He’s going to take over as club prez,” Simon said. “It makes sense.”

  “Yeah, he’d be a good prez. A strong one. Scary.”

  Simon thought about her twin. “What about Miles?”

  She groaned. “No, he doesn’t have what it takes to be a leader. Besides, he’s screwing everything he can get his hands on. It’s sick.”

  “Sick?”

  “Yep.”

  There was a knock at his door, and seconds later, Lexie poked her head around the door. “Dinner’s in ten.”

  He nodded.

  “You got to go eat?” Tabitha asked.

  “Yep, and I’m starving, but I can eat it cold.”

  “Don’t be stupid. Go and eat. Call me when you’re done.”

  “Will do. Love you,” he said.

  “Love you too.”

  “Bye.”

  He hated hanging up and often didn’t hear her say goodbye. As he climbed off his bed, Lexie had a large laundry basket on her hip, which he took.

  “You don’t need to do that.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Dad would be pissed to know you’re doing everything. You need to relax.”

  “How did I get so lucky with you?” She cupped his cheek with a smile. They headed downstairs. Elizabeth and Josh sat at the kitchen counter. The scents of tomato and garlic were heavy in the air. His mouth watered.

  “Hello, loser,” Elizabeth said.

  “Takes one to know one, Squirt.”

  His sister stuck her tongue out.

  “How’s Tabitha?” Josh asked.

  Simon glanced at his brother. He knew his brother had a bit of a crush on Tabitha, not that he’d admit to it.

  “Fine, grounded.”

  “Of course she is.” Josh went completely red in the face.

  “Maybe next time you can go to Fort Wills and ask her out on a date,” Elizabeth said.

  “Enough,” Lexie said, giving her daughter a pointed look.

  “Oh, come on, this is so lame.”

  “Coming from the girl who has the biggest crush on Drew.”

  Elizabeth’s face turned red. “Loser.”

  “Bitch.”

  “Simon, enough. Please, enough.”

  “What is going on?” Devil asked, entering their home. He had a large bag of groceries in his arms.

  “Ice cream?” Lexie asked.

  “Only the best for my woman.”

  “I love you.” Lexie grabbed Devil’s face and kissed him hard. “So freaking much.”

  “If it was only this easy to get in your good books, woman. I’d give you ice cream every single day.”

  “The kids.”

  “Ignore them, I do.”

  Simon snorted. He started to put away the groceries. They had a big family and it meant weekly shopping.

  “How have you been feeling lately?” Devil asked, touching Lexie’s cheek softly.

  “Fine. Just a little tired. I’ll be fine. You know me.”

  “I do.” He gripped the back of her neck. “Take it easy.”

  “Always. One day at a time. It’s what I do.” Lexie pulled away. “Now, wash up. Dinner, kids.”

  Simon finished putting away the groceries and stopped, looking at his mom as she stirred the sauce into the pasta, adding some cheese as she did.

  “Are you okay, Mom?”

  “Of course, honey.”

  “It’s just Dad never worries unnecessarily.”

  “I know. He is just the kind of guy to worry about everything. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be more than fine. Trust me.”

  He did trust his mother, but … he couldn’t help but feel they were hiding something from him. Lexie was always the kind of woman to do everything. She never wanted a nanny, even though there had been a short time one was in the house, but that was a long time ago.

  “Will you pick up the costumes from Natalie tomorrow? She put some finishing touches to them and I totally forgot to ask her to bring them on by.”

  “I can do it tonight if you want?”

  “Nah, it can wait until tomorrow. We’ve got plenty of time between now and then to get everything ready.”

  “Do you think we need to take them trick or treating? It’s kind of lame.”

  “Lame or not, it’s what I want to do. I love Halloween. I do appreciate you doing this for me. I know you like to sneak off to Tabitha’s.”

  “It’s fine. She’s got something going on at the high school.” He shrugged.

/>   “How is she handling the grounding?”

  “You already spoke to Eva?”

  “Yep. Tiny was waiting for her when she snuck in.”

  Simon laughed. “She’s doing fine. She hates being grounded but who doesn’t?”

  “Simon, I hope you know if I ever catch you sneaking out and back in, you won’t be able to leave the house for thirty-plus years.”

  “Is this because you don’t want to be a grandma?”

  “I want to be a grandma,” she said. “What makes you think otherwise?”

  He raised a brow.

  “Devil,” she said. “Of course. The idea of becoming a grandpa seems to freak him out. Oh, well, just take care. I know we live in a good neighborhood, and the town is somewhat safe, but you know the risks.”

  “I know. I get it. I do, Mom.” He hugged her. “I’ll carry this in for you.”

  He took the food to the table. Elizabeth and Josh were already fighting and Devil merely watched while he put the cutlery down.

  When Lexie came in, everyone was silent as she served up. Extra cheese was passed around to sprinkle on the top.

  Simon took seconds, listened as his parents talked about school, and what some of the teachers had said. For all of Elizabeth’s good-girl routine, she’d gotten into a few fights at school. Of course, he’d been there with a couple of other Chaos kids, but seeing as he was the oldest, he never meddled in their mess.

  His dad had asked him to allow others to fight their own battles, and with him being older, he’d be in more shit if he did.

  He had a couple of friends he’d kept with him who weren’t club members. They were close, not as close as he was to some of The Skulls, but a close second. Dean and Eddie came from rich parents, but they were the kind that had a country club. Both of them were forced to wear polo necks and khaki shorts, and they both hated it. They didn’t completely understand what it meant to be part of club life whereas the guys back in Fort Wills did. He missed them. Tabby the most. He even missed Daisy. There was a time she offered an easy smile but now, she just seemed permanently attached to being a bitch, but again, he didn’t know her. Tabby told him she was going through stuff and it wasn’t his deal, so there was no reason to delve into that kind of drama. This was what made his life different to Tabby and The Skulls. Fellow Chaos Bleeds kids were younger. Even Vincent and Phoebe’s kids were older than him. For the most part, he was alone.