I took my phone from my pocket and dialled Ramsey's number, "I need you to do me a favour...Angel and the kids are at mine tonight, I want you to keep an eye on the place for me...That's none of your fucking business just do as you're told, how long before you're here?...Yeah see you in ten."
Fucking prick questioning me! While I waited for Ramsey to arrive I quietly went around the apartment making sure I took all of the clocks from the walls and mantels and stuffed them in the airing cupboard out of the way. Amy had informed me that after Angel had left her apartment she found her clocks in a kitchen cupboard. At this stage I didn't know the relevance but I was hoping that she'd be able to tell me eventually.
I gathered my clothes and valuables, and made sure that I packed anything that may be deemed as incriminating along with my glock and my hunting knife, I didn't want one of the kids getting hold of them. I trusted her but I wasn't fucking stupid either and knew that I couldn't risk jeopardising the club in any way.
I looked around the apartment making sure I had packed everything before walking over to Angel. I bent down and placed a light kiss on her forehead. She stirred slightly, getting comfortable on the sofa, "Umm Spike!" she mumbled in her sleep.
Fucking hell, what I wouldn't give to be inside her head at this moment in time to see exactly what she was dreaming about. My cock twitched again and I knew that I needed to go before I did something stupid.
I took the spare key from my key ring and placed it with the note, and left the apartment making sure that the door was secure.
"Ramsey," I said with a nod of the head. "Thanks for coming over so quickly." He smiled and got off his motorcycle to walk over to me. "I want you to stay out of sight and if you see this man, call me and make sure he doesn't go anywhere near Angel." I used the name I had given her so that he understood my intentions.
Ramsey nodded his head indicating that he understood what I was saying and the implications as I passed him the photograph I had of Angel's husband. What shocked me when I first saw his photograph was how average he was. He was of an average height and equally same build. Another photo that CJ had included was a family photo which was taken from his facebook page. To the untrained eye they looked like the average happy family but on closer inspection you could see that Angel's smile never met her eyes and the children looked almost solemn with dark circles around their eyes. I scrunched the photo in my hand out of anger and stuffed into my pocket.
Ignoring Ramsey's glances, I eagerly got on to my motorcycle and drove off at speed, I needed to calm down before I did myself an injury but I had to put some distance between myself and Angel before I claimed her and forced myself into her life, to make sure I could keep her safe.
I returned to Waltham Abbey later that evening but went to the shop rather than going back home. I needed some space and had a sofa bed in the back room of the shop for such reasons as this. I set up the bed, taking some blankets out of the cupboard so that I wouldn't be cold and changed out of my clothes. The quietness gave me time to think, I knew she wanted me and I'm sure her kids liked me but I just needed to bide my time and let her come to that decision by herself. The one thing I wanted was for her to realise that she wanted me, not because I could protect her although that came with any relationship but because she wanted me, she cared enough to drop her barriers and trust me to be part of their lives. I lay quietly and closed my eyes considering my next move when sleep took hold of me.
Vera wasn't in, I banged as hard as I could on the wooden door but she didn't answer. Cautiously I made my way back down the street making sure that I stayed in the shadows so that I couldn't be seen. I was unsure of what to do, I needed to get help for Helen but there was no one around, I just hoped that mum and dad would come home soon.
As I got closer to the house I noticed that the front door was open and listened carefully to see if I could hear the men. I waited for what seemed like forever but I needed to be sure or the bad men may hurt me as well.
I was getting cold, the wetness of my pyjama bottoms wasn't helping and I started to shiver. I turned to look at the open door again and plucked up the courage to quietly walk up the steps to the house feeling the coldness below my feet. I peeked into the hallway and noticed that the house had been ransacked with furniture and papers scattered everywhere. I stepped over the debris that littered the floor trying to not make a sound as I tried to find Helen.
On entering the living room I heard an unfamiliar sound coming from where the table had been over turned. I gasped as I saw Helen covered in blood, holding her neck with her right hand trying to apply pressure to the wound. The gurgling sound indicated that she didn't have long and I rushed to her side to see if I could do anything to help, although knowing deep down that it would be futile. Helen lifted her left hand to touch the side of my face and gently caressed my cheek wiping a tear that had unknowingly fallen from my eye. I quickly leaned into her embrace feeling comfort once more from the only person that made me feel safe and then it was gone. I opened my eyes to see Helen's arm drop to the floor as the life had left her body.
I don't know how long I sat there, staring at her lifeless body willing for her to wake but knew deep down that she had passed and had gone to a better place. It was getting cold so I quickly got one of the curtains that were on the floor having been torn down during the burglary, and placed it over myself and Helen as I snuggled against her body. She was cold and getting colder but I wanted to be close, I needed to be close to her to still feel that connection.
"Spike, wake up!"
"No I'm staying, you can't make me leave her!"
"Shhh Spike, it's Ink you're having a bad dream."
"No it's your fault you weren't here to protect us, you're never here to protect us!"
I felt an arm wrap around my body and the instant soothing of my head as I came around from my dream and opened my eyes.
Ink's confused expression but caring eyes instantly made me feel better as my heart rate returned to its natural rhythm as I took in my familiar surroundings.
Ink continued to sooth my head holding me close to reassure me as she laid on the bed, "It's okay Spike," Ink said quietly.
I sighed as I pulled away and propped myself up on my elbows, "Sorry babe."
"You don't have to apologise to me Spike, you've seen me at my worse," she said with small smile. "Do you want to talk about it? I'm assuming you were dreaming about Helen."
I laid back down resting an arm over my face, "Not really but I probably should. I fucking moaned at Duke the other day for bottling things up, now look at me."
Ink tried to get comfortable on the bed, which was made difficult because of her cast but she manoeuvred and eventually settled down.
"It wasn't your fault Spike. You were a child, you couldn't have protected her against two men."
I nodded my head as I'd only recently come to terms with this but it was the desire to protect that was eating me up. I knew that my childhood and those chains of events shaped me into the man I am today and I was proud of how I'd turned out all things considered. That was partly down to Diesel's parents for taking me in and the determination I had to not repeat history by turning into my father.
"I know that but the dreams have been more frequent since your ordeal and I'm now dealing with some shit regarding Angel and it's messing with my head." Ink raised her eyebrows surprised by the name I'd given Louise but kept quiet encouraging me to continue. "I just want her to tell me how she feels. I've given her space, I've played the long game and I've been a total gentleman but now I want to know if I'm wasting my time."
"She's been through a lot."
"And I know that believe me but it's difficult Ink. Look how Diesel acted with you," she sniggered. "He met you, he fell hard for you and he claimed you, that's how we roll. If you don't act quickly someone will come along and snap your bird up from under your nose before you've even realised."
"Oooh, I love alpha Spike," she sniggered taking the piss. I shot her
a look narrowing my eyes. "She likes you Spike we can all see it but she's trying to protect her kids from any more heartache. That's her priority and once she realises the threat from her husband has gone, she will start lowering that barrier and snap you up."
"I hope so Ink!"
"Trust me with this beautiful face, how could she possibly resist!" She giggled whilst grabbing my cheek and shaking it vigorously.
"What the fuck!" Diesel asked standing in the doorway.
"Oh get over yourself, I'm having a midlife crises." I stated as I sat up.
Diesel walked over to Ink to help her off the bed as she was struggling because of her arm.
"You're twenty-eight!" he stated as Ink tried to stifle her laughter.
"Leave him alone, he's in love."
"So why are you here alone looking miserable?" Diesel asked as he raised his eyebrows.
He had a good point and I shrugged at his comment.
"Do you need a lesson in love?" Diesel looked at me with a grin, "You go alpha, you throw your woman over your shoulder like this," he bent down and grabbed Ink around her waist and put her on his shoulder mindful of her arm. "And then you take her into your cave to show her a good time." He winked at me as Ink's giggles and shrieks filled the room as he headed to the bathroom slamming the door behind him.
I threw a pillow at the door, "I don't want to listen to you two doing it!" I quickly got out of bed and took my clothes off the chair to get dressed in the shop, I really didn't want to hear them shagging, I wanted to hear Angel making the noises that were already coming from beyond the bathroom door.
Louise
"But what do you mean you don't think this place is suitable for us, we have nowhere else to go!" I sobbed as Nancy explained that they had made other arrangements for me.
Some of the women and the security guard from last night had complained that a member of a local motorcycle gang had been hanging around, referring to Spike. The manager was also angry that I had stayed out last night but I tried to explain the situation to no avail, she wasn't interested and stated that I was taking up valuable space that could possibly go to another women.
That statement hurt me to the core. In the eight years that I was in a relationship with Liam, I had never once asked for help and here I was on my knee's begging for support and it felt like I was being tossed aside for building a friendship with someone who didn't fit their perfect mould.
"We've found you a two bedroom furnished apartment which is a ten minute walk from Epping high street, you can move into it on Monday. It's run by a housing association but the rent will be covered by your benefits while you sort yourself out and look for a job."
I wiped my nose on the hanky Spike had given me and breathed in his scent as I nodded my head understanding what she had just told me. She was right, I had no business bringing Spike around here and making the other women feel uncomfortable, I just didn't think it would be a problem if he was only dropping us off outside but I wasn't aware of the hostility against the club and therefore its members.
Nancy slowly stood and made her way gingerly around the table to perch herself on the chair in front of me, "You'll still have the support of the refuge and you are welcome to continue to use our facilities, you just need to make sure that man doesn't come near the building again."
Her statement annoyed me, Spike was one of the kindest most caring people I had ever met. I stood abruptly, I didn't want to lose my temper in front of them but I was annoyed, "Can I stay here until Monday or do you need me to leave now?" I asked in a harsh tone.
She smiled but looked a little uneasy, "We are happy for you and the children to stay until Monday but..."
"I get it, but you don't want Spike anywhere near the place."
She nodded her head and placed her hands on her lap, "I hope you understand."
I stood and opened the door to the office as two sets of blue eyes looked at me, "Is everything okay mummy?" Devon asked getting up from the chair to give me a hug.
"I'm fine baby why do you ask?"
"We heard you shout at the lady." Tommy said looking sad.
I rested my hands on their shoulders as I directed them out of the building and across the road in the direction of the park, "It wasn't shouting Tommy it was excitement because we've got a new home," I looked between them trying to express as much excitement as I could possibly muster considering the circumstances. "From Monday we don't have to stay in the hotel anymore because we'll have our own home, just me and you and you." I said pointing to them.
"No daddy?" Tommy asked with watery eyes.
I bent down to give him a hug, "No daddy, I promise."
"But what about Spike, is Spike moving in with us?" Devon asked excitedly.
"Spike has his own place Devon," she was relentless at times.
"But could he stay at ours sometimes?" she asked looking at me hopefully.
"Why don't you go and play on the apparatus, so I can tell Amy and Spike the good news."
Devon nodded dramatically as she grabbed for Tommy's hand to direct him to the climbing frame.
I sat on the bench and pulled out my phone.
Thanks for last night. I'm sorry that you felt you had to leave. You could've stayed.
I was surprised to wake this morning to find that Spike had left. He'd explained in his note that he had to be at work early but I had a nagging feeling that it was for a different reason. It didn't take him long to respond.
Wouldn't have trusted myself ;-) What you up to?
I sniggered at his response. I wanted him, I really did and I was about to tell him how I felt last night when we were interrupted by Devon which was probably for the best.
I've just been told that I have to leave the refuge on Monday. Apparently my boyfriend is scaring the women! They've arranged a two bed apartment for me in Epping.
Do I have competition? lol
P.S. Are you happy?
I liked the fact that we could have banter, this is something that I could never do with Liam even when he was in a good mood. I thought about my response and decided to be a little cheeky.
I think you'd like him. He's considerate and trustworthy. He enjoys spending time with the children and I think he cares for me. He wants to take things slow and he is prepared to give me the space I need :P
P.S. Happy? I'll get there eventually.
Getting away from Liam was the first step in order for me to be happy, somewhere safe for my children to live was second on the list. I had a few more steps but I was moving in the right direction.
He sounds just perfect. Is he really hot?
P.S. I'm sure he could make you really happy
My heart swelled in my chest at his last comment.
I think so...I'm yet to really find out!
P.S. I really hope he can
As much as I would love to carry on talking to you about your perfect boyfriend, Diesel and Ink are sitting here thinking I'm a lunatic as I'm smiling at my phone! lol Can I take you and the kids on a picnic this Sunday?
P.S You're really hot boyfriend wants to make you happy in and out of the bedroom!
"Why are you smiling to yourself mum?" Devon shouted as she came down the slide.
"I'm just happy baby."
"Well maybe I can make you even happier by taking you out for that drink?"
A chill ran down my spine as I turned to see a familiar man leaning on the railings that enclosed the park. I must have looked at him confused.
"I'm hurt," he placed his hands over his heart mockingly at my confusion to be able to place him. "Don't you remember me sweetness?" he asked as I shook my head, looking around to see if there was anyone close by. "I saved your piece of paper from blowing down the street outside the council offices the other day."
"Oh sorry, I don't have a very good memory." I said with a small smile to try and hide my fear.
I was now standing and although I had the metal barrier between us, I was like a lioness standing between the m
an and my children.
"Mum are we going soon, I'm hungry?" Devon asked as she came to stand beside me.
"Hello sweetheart, you're a pretty little thing just like your mother." He smiled at Devon which unnerved me.
"Go over there and play with your brother." I stated quietly but with enough force to let her know I wanted her to go immediately.
"So about that drink, are you free now? We can take the kids, I have a car parked on the high street." He gestured with his thumb in the direction of the woods where a path ran through towards the high street.
I glanced over his shoulder and saw Amy getting out of her car, "Amy!" I shouted and waved beckoning her over as the man turned around to glance at her.
"Sorry we're going out with my friend this afternoon." I said as he narrowed his eyes which unnerved me.
"Well maybe another time then Louise." He smirked before strolling in the direction of the woods.
My heart was racing at an accelerated state but I quickly took out my phone and took a few photos of the man as he sauntered down the path.
"Who was that?" Amy asked entering the gate to come into the playground.
"I don't know but I'm so glad you're here," I was physically shaking and Amy looked concerned as she directed me towards the bench and pulled out her phone to text someone quickly. "He called me Louise, he fucking knew my name," I started to sob. I didn't usually swear but I couldn't control my emotions.
"Mummy!" Tommy shouted from the top of the apparatus.
"It's fine kids, just stay up there a minute. I'm looking after mummy." Amy said as she wrapped her arms around me to hold me tight.
I composed myself and pulled away to wipe my tears, "I saw him last week outside the council offices, he made me feel a little uneasy then but this time...I don't know, he scared me Amy."
We sat in silence as Amy cradled me in her arms. I needed to get it together, it felt like I was taking two steps forward and one step back which meant I would eventually get there but it would take a lot longer than expected to become stronger.
Spike (Aces MC Series Book 3) Page 16
