LYRIC (Aces MC Series Book 6.5)

by Aimee-Louise Foster

  She nodded, "Is he doing well?" There was a slight quiver of her bottom lip as she asked.

  "All good." I didn't want to give too much away, I wasn't sure whether she was a friend or foe.

  "Next time you see him, tell him I said Hi." She whispered.

  "And how do you know him?" I asked intrigued.

  "An old friend."

  I was about to ask her more questions but Tyreese returned with his arm draped around a young girl.

  "What's with the amount of kids, it's like a pre-school." I knew why but I wanted to hear his explanation.

  Tyreese smiled. "Younger's don't get prosecuted, feds turn a blind eye. Broken homes, abused kids, living below the breadline, you name it we take it in and give them some cash for running or intel."

  "Don't their parents question where they get their money from and why they ain't at school?"

  He laughed, "Most of them are crack heads and grateful that their kids aren't hanging around under their feet."

  "So you're doing them all a favour." I acted ignorant.

  "Exactly."

  "And who's this?" Katie asked looking at the young girl Tyreese had firmly by his side.

  "This is Sasha, she's got her initiation."

  Katie's eyes widened as she let out a sigh. I saw that she was clearly pissed off, probably because she wasn't consulted. She did seem to run things when it came to the children.

  "What's the initiation involve?" I asked naively.

  "When a young kid wants this life and earn the money and respect that comes with being a member of the Dyers, it obviously comes with a price."

  I nodded, understanding what he was saying. Being a Prospect didn't come without its challenges.

  "Okay so what's the initiation?"

  Tyreese smiled causing Katie to turn on her heels and stomp towards the exit.

  "Katie, hold up." He shouted after her.

  "You know I don't agree with this shit." She flung open the door and exited without saying another word.

  I drew my brows and Tyreese saw my confusion. He let go of the young girl beside him, "Go through that door there, I'll be in shortly."

  Tasha smiled and walked slowly towards the door.

  "Bring your drink through to the other room, you can meet some more of the group."

  I nodded, this is what I wanted. I needed to know exactly how things were run. I followed Tyreese through the door at the back of the room. Glancing around, I noticed a variety of different seating.

  "Take a seat."

  As I sat, other members of the Dyers joined us. Tasha stood with her back against the wall. I saw her concern now that the room was filling up with people.

  I recognised a few of the members, TJ and Lawrence were here but I couldn't see Fazer. I perched on the edge of the cushion not getting too comfortable because I wasn't sure what was about to kick off and whether I wanted to stay.

  "Explain yourself girl!" TJ shouted.

  Tasha seemed nervous and rubbed her hands together. I was confused because I thought this was an initiation not an interrogation.

  "I'm waiting." TJ moved to the centre of the room.

  "He took the rucksack and ran. I couldn't keep up with him." Tasha sobbed.

  "So you came back empty handed. No packages and no money." His tone had changed, he was more menacing and the realisation had just hit Tasha.

  "I tried, I really did." She realised that tears weren't going to help her. She used her sleeve to wipe her eyes.

  "The only thing you try is my patience," TJ indicated for her to step closer.

  She hesitated and Lawrence grabbed her tightly by the forearm and dragged her to the centre of the room directly in front of TJ.

  Well you owe the club big time. You're gonna have to work off this debt."

  She nodded, "I will, I promise."

  "You can start by removing your clothes."

  I couldn't believe what he had just asked.

  Tasha looked up through her fringe with horror on her face. "No, I didn't mean like that."

  TJ laughed, "Aww you're speaking like you have a choice." The rest of the group joined in. I glanced around seeing the amusement on their faces. Even Tyreese was in the moment. He caught my eye and winked but I looked away.

  This wasn't for me, I knew where this was heading and I wasn't taking part but I felt weak, I wouldn't be able to help this poor girl and I struggled with that decision.

  "Like I said, remove your clothes."

  Her tears started to fall and her panic-stricken face haunted me. Lawrence pulled on her top and Tasha grabbed it, trying to hold it down. I stood. No one seemed to notice as they were more concerned with the events going on in the centre of the room. I quietly stepped backwards making my way slowly out of the room and turned when I was clear of the doorway.

  I placed my mug onto the table and grabbed my helmet. I needed to get out of here, I had seen enough.

  I was going to ask Duke if we could do business with the Dyers to give him the opportunity but I knew that he'd say no. I was then going to have to lie to Tyreese in order to keep the charade going to get more information regarding my sister or enough information to send them all down.

  As I walked from the building, I noticed Katie leaning on the wall near my motorcycle. I wanted to question her over the initiation.

  "You left early." She seemed surprised.

  "Not really my scene if I'm honest."

  She let out a sigh, "Nor mine."

  "So what happens after?" She drew her brows not understanding my question. "I mean, what will happen to the girl?"

  "She will now be forever in their debt. If she's lucky she will manage to have a relationship with a higher ranked member of the Dyers and although still held accountable she won't suffer so much, if she's not so lucky she'll be running drugs or prostituted."

  "Is that what happened to you?" I knew it was a bold question and expected to get a slap.

  "You'll never understand the half of it." She looked down at the ground as she spoke.

  "We can always go and grab a drink and you can explain further." I was feeling brave but also didn't fancy going home just yet.

  She looked up and smiled, "If you want to continue using that to piss and fuck, I suggest you don't ask again." Katie pointed to my groin.

  I laughed, "I thought Fazer had a wife and kid."

  "He does." She answered bluntly.

  I drew my browse. "Okay so what are you then?"

  "It's complicated."

  "How complicated?"

  "Very!" Katie pushed from the wall, "Shouldn't you be going?"

  "Probably! Shouldn't you have left years ago Katie?" I was on a roll but she wasn't telling me to fuck off yet so I continued to push.

  "Probably!" Katie strolled through the yard heading for the derelict pub with a smile.

  "Could you please call me Kate though, I fucking hate Katie."

  I nodded, "Hopefully I'll see you again soon Kate."

  She held up her hand and waved without saying anything further.

  I smiled, Kate certainly had spunk that was for sure. I didn't know her story and how she got here but after her comment I assumed that she got here the same way as Tasha.

  Fazer was top dog and was currently having his cake and eating it with a wife and a bit on the side but what concerned me more was that she hadn't walked away. There must've been a reason why she had stayed and hopefully I would get to find out why.

  I placed my helmet onto my head and fastened it under my chin. I needed to get back to the clubhouse and broach the possibility of us working with the Dyers.

  Duke

  "Do you want a cup of tea?" I glanced over my newspaper but couldn't see where the voice was coming from. Intrigued, I folded it and placed it onto the desk. Poppy stood the other side of my desk with a bright smile.

  "Is it a real drink or pretend?" I asked watching Poppy look at her little pink cup and saucer.

  "I'm only four, I can't make a real
cup of tea silly."

  Her cute expression instantly warmed my heart. I had purposely distanced myself from this situation, hoping that it would sort itself out. I had allowed Poppy and the au pair to stay here at the clubhouse as long as they didn't become an issue. We had many different operating businesses from these premises so I didn't want them interfering and at the moment everything was running smoothly apart from Victoria being O'Neil's daughter.

  It didn't sit right to hold any parties of an adult nature with the young girl here but should that happen, I had arranged for her to stay overnight at Amy's.

  "Well okay then, I'll just have to make do with a pretend cup of tea. Thank you." Poppy smiled and placed the cup and saucer onto my desk.

  "What about an apple or a slice of cheese?" Poppy pushed her trolley around the desk for me to see.

  "Hmmm I'd prefer cheese to an apple but have you got any bread to make it into a sandwich?"

  "I'm so sorry Duke, I told her to sit still while I went to the toilet." I watched amused as Victoria rushed into my office to collect Poppy.

  "No harm done, I've got a slice of cheese and a cup of tea." I raised my brows watching her squirm with embarrassment.

  "Come on Poppy, we need to tidy up before Mrs Green arrives."

  Poppy huffed and pushed her trolley from my office. "Bye Duke."

  I smirked as she left clearly displaying her annoyance at her play time being cut short.

  "Oh sorry am I interrupting?" Diesel asked as he stood in the corridor allowing Victoria and Poppy time to leave.

  "Not at all mate, come in." I gestured for him to take a seat.

  "I see you've already had lunch." Diesel pointed towards the plastic toys placed on my desk.

  I smiled, "Yeah Poppy made it for me."

  "Yummy," he sniggered sitting on the sofa.

  "Hi, can I come in? I need a quick chat." Lyric bounded into the room before I had time to answer.

  "Not a problem, you okay?" He seemed a little on edge, more bouncy than usual.

  "Yeah grand, I just need to pick your brains." He sat himself down in the chair beside my desk.

  "I'm all ears." Lyric didn't usually want to chat so I encouraged him to speak.

  "I've had chat with Tyreese."

  "As in Tyreese from the Dyers, who pulled a gun on Tyler." I still owed him a kicking for pulling that stunt.

  He nodded, "He's Poppy's dad."

  Diesel let out a whistle, "How is she so cute with a dad like that?"

  I smiled, "Anyway, it looks like he's set Adie up. Planted drugs in her car because she planned to leave him and take Poppy."

  "Dirty bastard." Diesel stated.

  "Exactly. Anyway, he wanted me to to speak to you about a business proposition."

  I was surprised that Lyric wasn't showing signs of anger for what he had done to his sister.

  "And that is?"

  "He would like us to run drugs for him. We've got the vehicles, he's got the gear it's a win win."

  "Is that you saying this or him?" Lyric was talking but he wouldn't usually waste my time with such nonsense.

  "Him, he really wants this to work."

  I bet he did! "And what do you get out of it if I agree?"

  Lyric fidgeted. "He reckons he's got information that will lighten Adie's sentence."

  I sat forward to lean on the table, "So he's bribing you. Either we run drugs for him or your sister goes down for a really long time." I heard Diesel mumble something but I was more interested in what Lyric had to say.

  "That's about the crutch of it." Lyric was clearly uncomfortable asking me but I understood is loyalties for his family.

  I took my time answering him. His world was about to fall apart a little quicker. "I've worked too hard making this club clean to go back into drugs so I don't even need to call Church, the answer is no."

  "I thought as much," he nodded slowly as he stood in front of me.

  "I'm sorry it can't be any different Lyric." And I truly was.

  "No I totally understand but I thought that I'd ask the question anyway." Lyric looked dejected. He turned on his heels before glancing quickly over his shoulder.

  "I forgot to say, I bumped into a woman called Katie although she prefers Kate. She asked how you're doing and to say hi."

  I drew my brows, "Kate?" I glanced at Diesel then back at Lyric. "I don't know any Kate's."

  "Well she knew your full name and seemed to know the patch." He pulled at the collar of his cut.

  "And she's a member of the Dyers?" I asked as I racked my brains.

  "Yeah, organises the kids."

  "Runners?"

  Lyric nodded, "Yeah."

  "I wouldn't be associated with anyone like that." We had distributed drugs in the past but I would never involve kids.

  "Well I said I'd pass on the message and I have."

  "Thanks Lyric, I'll catch up with you soon." I stated as he left the room.

  I turned my attention to Diesel and rolled my eyes. "As if I'd consider that."

  "As I thought but I'm more intrigued about Kate. You don't think it's her do you?" Diesel pointed to a family photograph on the wall.

  I shook my head, "Not likely. That would mean she's 20 miles down the road and hasn't been in touch for all of these years."

  "Because she's with the Dyers." Diesel's wide eyes stared at me. His words were thought provoking but Katie would never have done that to our family.

  "No way! There's no way she would've left her family to go and join the Dyers. She knew the importance of family."

  "Then why did she leave?"

  I had mulled over this question so many times over the years and I still hadn't been able to answer it. "The only reasonable explanation is that she was taken against her will but until I find her, I'll never know."

  "Are you going to do some more digging?" Diesel knew me all too well.

  "If I was in Lyric's situation, I wouldn't rush to tell Tyreese that we didn't want to work with him. Therefore, I know Lyric will go back to the Dyers hangout at some stage. It may be that Justice could possibly go with him. He knows Kate and he could tell me either way."

  Diesel laughed, "You're a sneaky fucker."

  "Just keeping my options open." I couldn't just let this possible lead run dry. I needed to investigate it further.

  "I know mate, this can't be easy."

  "I exhausted my resources in trying to find her. There were no clues to her disappearance which led me to believe she was taken but I could possibly be wrong."

  Chapter 11

  Lyric

  The meeting with the social worker yesterday had been another success. Mrs Green was pleased with the progress Poppy was making and how she had settled in. After her visit, I had gone to work and stayed late to take my frustrations out on a bag. I had returned to the gym this afternoon also to get in a good workout. I had a fight coming up but recently I had lost focus due to Poppy being around. The words sounded harsh but it was true. I had never imagined having children. I was happy living my life, shagging whatever, whenever. I didn't want any commitments or anything holding me back and that is how it seemed at the moment. It wasn't her fault. She was a four year old child that hadn't been asked to be brought into this world but all the same she was here and my responsibility. She had consumed every thought over the past couple of weeks. Victoria was great with her and that offered me some light relief but it wasn't enough. I knew that I would start to resent her and I couldn't allow myself to do that. Poppy would end up in care and I would never forgive myself. I spoke to Victoria and Amy about the situation and they suggested that I have an evening to myself, to let off steam.

  I started with a three hour session at the gym. Jayden had worked me hard , too hard in fact because I was still hurting all over. I needed to get my stamina up but most importantly, I needed to get focussed. Even in the ring where I should have been thinking about routines and tactics, my thoughts returned to Poppy and my sister.

  I didn't
know how much longer Adie could cope inside. I was worried about her mental health. The meeting with her solicitor last week didn't go to well and she was looking at seven years if she didn't start snitching.

  Poppy would be eleven by the time she came out and that's if she behaved herself inside. Adie was already finding things difficult. Her association with Tyreese, gave her a high profile and with that, women inside wanted to do her harm. I was beyond frustrated and my stress levels were through the roof because there was no way that I was able to protect her. On the flip side with her possibly serving seven years, that meant that my life would be put on hold so I could care for Poppy. I didn't know whether I was capable or evening willing to do that at this stage. Everyone kept on telling me how noble and selfless I was but they didn't hear the thoughts ringing in my head. They didn't know that I wanted to ride my Harley far from here and not come back to face up to my responsibilities. I was only young, I hadn't signed up to this life but I knew that it was my duty. I only hoped that Victoria would stick around long enough to help me.

  She was shaping up to be a great addition to the club. Victoria had fitted in well and I was all too grateful of her help and support over recent weeks. She had Poppy in a routine with her meals, playtime, bath time and sleep. Sometimes I felt guilty that I was leaving her to deal with the majority of her care but then again, it was what I was paying her for. The guys now seemed to like her. Even Recon had come around ever so slightly. Unfortunately Victoria couldn't change her dad's mind regarding the way he felt about the club but since her arrival, O'Neil had backed off a little, even leaving Spike alone which was a surprise.

  I let out a loud sigh as I hung my basher on the handlebars of my motorcycle and strolled in the direction of the loud music. This evening I didn't wear my colours. Today I was a civilian going for a drink and hopefully I would get laid before the evening was over.

  I received a few nods from some of the Dyers sitting outside the Royal Oak. They weren't friends, they weren't even acquaintances. They just knew of me because of the ACES and that I was in talks with Tyreese so that meant I wasn't to be touched. If it wasn't the case, I wouldn't be entering the snake pit as I didn't fancy getting a kick in.