by Kay Maree
“Oh, I know all about MC families,” she spits out the words coated in so much disgust it takes me off guard.
“Shit. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to say that,” she rushes out and before I can react, she is out of her chair and heading towards where the ladies’ rooms are located.
“Fuck. What the hell was that?” I run a hand over my beard. “Fuck it,” pushing to my feet I follow her catching up to her in no time. Reaching out I catch her elbow in my hand pulling her to a stop. She freezes in my hold and I watch as she seems to curl in on herself.
What the fuck? Does she think I’m going to hit her? “I ain’t going to hurt you gorgeous,” I promise bringing her into my chest. She is as stiff as a board and fuck if I haven’t ruined this already, but I don’t know how to fix it, so I loosely hold her around the waist and wait to see what she does. She seems to fight a silent war in her head, her hands tentatively rest against the leather of my cut the tips of her nails run over the patches.
“Tell me your name,” she rushes out squeezing her eyes shut, her breaths have picked up speed as sweat begins to bead against her forehead.
Fuck is she having a panic attack?
Looking over her shoulder I notice a spare table against the wall, without warning I swept her up into my arms and begin pushing through the crowd heading towards one of the stools. Taking a seat I rub my hand up and down her back feeling the slight tremble racing through her.
After a few seconds, she seems to gather herself and lock those vacant intoxicating eyes on me. Who the fuck broke this gorgeous creature?
When she speaks again her voice is a little more even. “Please tell me your name?” I look down when I see her hand is covering the patch displaying my road name.
“Nix,” I gruff out my voice thick. I feel the tension leave her body, and she starts to slowly melt against my lap. Taking deep breaths, I’m about to ask if she needs a drink when I hear shouting.
“Get the fuck away from her,” swinging my eyes towards the dancefloor I see Shadow go toe-to-toe with Pete.
“What the hell?” Alexis growls out and fuck if that little bit of fire doesn’t hit me straight in the chest. Pushing from my hold it’s my turn to growl when she marches towards Callie and the rest of the girls.
“Get the fuck away from her!” Holly spits out stepping in front Callie when Shadow goes to grab her hand.
“Easy brother,” I grunt bringing my hand down heavy on his shoulder.
“Pete really?” he spits out eyeing him up and down.
Before I can say anything, Callie speaks up.
“I’m just living up to the name you gave me.” If looks could kill, Shadow would be a dead motherfucker.
“I fucked up,” he runs a hand through his hair. “It’s been a long-ass day and I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that,” he admits straightening his shoulders.
“I don’t even know you, but something about you drew me in. Now I want nothing to do with a piece of shit that screws every woman he meets coming through the clubhouse doors as if they are nothing but another quick ride at your fucked-up carnival.”
“Callie” the girls gasp in unison before cracking up laughing. I raise a brow wondering what the fuck is so funny.
“Well, you heard her fuck-wit. She is one ride you will never get the pleasure of riding so now off you fuck,” Holly says sugary sweet, her hands shooing him away. Raising my brow at Pyro I notice the laughter in his eyes. The fucker crosses his arms over his chest and stands a bit taller.
“Fuck. This shit ain’t over,” Shadow grunts out. His words hanging in the air like a thick fog around us. Spinning around he pins me with a hard look before storming towards the stairs.
“Holy shit, Callie I didn’t know you could swear like that,” Holly holds up her hand for Callie to high five her making everyone laugh.
“Oh, our sweet sexy little Callie Bear is growing up so fast,” Tilly laughs wrapping her arms around Callie’s shoulders and planting a kiss on her cheek.
Women celebrate the weirdest shit.
“I think Shadow just met his match,” I grunt to Pyro as I lean against the wall beside him.
“Fuckin oath,” he grunts not taking his eyes off Holly.
“I think I’m ready to go home,” Callie says to Alexis.
“Okay, come on babe. Let’s grab our stuff, and we can call a cab.” Wrapping an arm around Callie’s shoulders I notice the sad look back on Callie’s face and I guess that little show was just for Shadow’s sake.
“I’m gonna walk the girls out,” I nod towards Alexis.
“We will check on frosty when you get back.”
I chuckle at the nickname he gave fuck face Trevor.
“Yeah, it's about time he got to feel his fingers again, well for a little while,” pushing from the wall I head towards the girls.
“I’ll walk you ladies out,” I wrap a loose arm around Alexis’s waist ignoring the moment her body freezes.
“Oh, we can---”
I cut her off, “Gorgeous it’s the least I could do.” I smile a wide smile that usually gets me what I want and I chuckle knowing it worked as she slowly nods her head.
CHAPTER FIVE
Alexis
Pulling my Ford Laser into the curb out the front of Harlow's place blowing out a deep breath, I release the death grip I have on the steering wheel. I wipe the sweat from my brow. Working out this morning with Marcus my self-defense trainer was probably not the best idea I have ever had but after a shit night of no sleep… well, if you call getting home at 3am night anyways. I had the bright idea at 5am to message him to see if he could fit me in. But going through our routine with next to no sleep and still, possibly a little drunk definitely wasn’t the brightest idea. The bastard seemed to work me harder as if knowing I spent the night drinking even after my shower. I swear I still smell like a bloody brewery. Grabbing my bag and the coffees I picked up on the way I jump out of my car and head for the front door needing to make sure Harlow is okay. I messaged the group chat this morning but nobody has gotten back to me yet, so they are probably still sleeping. Shaking my head, I plaster a bright smile on my face as I knock hearing her moving around inside, blowing out a relieved breath that she’s home.
“Morning, sweet cheeks,” Harlow says swinging the door open making me laugh.
“Morning.” I look towards her bag in her hand then I catch the sight of her work clothes, I give her a puzzled look.
“I need to head into work and see if I can catch Trevor, wanna come?” she answers my silent question and really before I can process anything she really said, I agree with a shrug.
“Why not.”
“Okay, let’s go.” Locking up, she takes the coffee I hand her as we make our way towards her car. Well, shit. What the hell am I thinking of going back to that place? I can’t stop wondering if I will get to see Nix again. Shit, he is part of the reason I couldn’t sleep last night. Him and those green eyes of his were there every time I closed my eyes. I shouldn’t be thinking of him but as Callie said on the way home last night after he walked us to the cab line that maybe it was time to let someone in. But how am I supposed to let someone in when, in fact, is part of the very thing I have been hiding from for the past 4 years. He didn’t show one bit of aggression towards me last night but that could have been all for show. My stomach twists at the thought as that fictitious pain spreads through my mid-section effectively shutting down any thoughts of letting that man into my life.
“Alexis,” Harlow says cutting her eyes to me looking worried.
“Sorry I was in another world,” I offer waving my hand around trying to smile.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m just tired,” I concede. Not a complete lie, but it seems to work as she concentrates back on the road.
“So… um,” she chews her lips looking worried again.
“What’s wrong?” I murmur hearing the alarm in my voice
I try to push it away but the look she has is setting everything off inside me.
“I kind of fucked-up last night.”
“How? Are you okay?” shit, I knew something bad happened. My hand squeezes around my cup in my hand and I hiss out a breath as a splash of the hot liquid hits my fingers.
“I’m okay,” she rushes out but I hear her grumble that she’s not sure about her heart.
“What the hell Harlow just tell me?”
“Well, when I left you girls, I didn’t go home.” I nod telling her we already knew, and she seems to relax realizing she didn’t fool us. Harlow can’t lie for shit.
“Okay well, I went snooping around but after an hour or so I couldn’t find my boss or anything else,” her shoulders deflate a little and my heart squeezes in my chest for her.
“I’m sorry, babe,” I murmur knowing it must be killing her cause the death of Julie has messed with us all.
She nods before speaking, “Well,” she clears her throat. “When I was leaving one of the dicks from the bar attacked me in the parking lot.”
“Shit.”
“Don’t worry I kicked his ass, but,” she leaves it hanging in the air and I want to strangle her.
“But what? Damn it, Harlow,” I grumble.
“One of the biker’s kind of came to help me, I guess,” she shrugs. “But seeing as I already had it under control, he offered me a lift home.”
“Okay, well I’m glad you got home safe and sound,” I murmur out waiting for her to finish her story getting frustrated, it’s like pulling teeth with her.
“Well we kind of ended up in bed together,” she rushes out and my jaw hits my lap before I burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” she grits out coming to a stop out the front of Club Ivy.
“You said it like it was an accident,” I shrug. “Like you tripped and fell on him.”
She laughs shaking her head, “Well I know how you feel about bikers and stuff and I didn’t want you thinking --” she blows out a breath. “Shit, I don’t know, but he was different, you know?” she shrugs. Taking a deep breath, I try to relax as the words slip past my lips. “I know,” I push my glasses up my nose. “I saw it last night that all the bikers seemed to be not what I thought they were. Maybe there is such a thing as nice 1%ers,” I shrug.
“Well Drake is the VP, and no matter what I threw at him last night it only seemed to turn him on.”
“You tested him,” I gasp.
“Well yeah,” she says it like it’s a normal thing to push a biker.
“Um… well, Holly’s no-bullshit way of speaking got her lips shut by that guy Pyro last night.”
“What do you mean?” now she turns to me worry lacing her tone.
“Well, he effectively kissed her into submission, the girls and I couldn’t believe our eyes,” I laugh.
“Okay I’m guessing there is a whole story behind this, and I really want to know but right now let's go see if Trevor is in his office.”
Agreeing we step from the car and head towards the double doors noticing one of them is slightly ajar. Someone must be still here I think as my eyes sweep over the car park across the road, and I notice the bikes lined up and a big black SUV with pitch-black tinted windows.
“Shit,” I tug Harlow's shirt and point over my shoulder towards the bikes. Bringing her finger to her lips she nods and as quietly as possible we make our way into the building. Looking around I take it all in again and the space is just as elegant as last night. Harlow nods towards the staircase and I follow her lead coming to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. I grip the back of Harlow’s shirt as we make our way up on silent feet. We freeze in our tracks when we hear a deep voice boom out around us.
“Piece of shit.”
Looking towards Harlow when I feel a shiver race through her I note the small curl to her lips. This must be the guy that gave her a lift. Her eyes seem to shine under the dim lights. Well shit, she likes him and by the look on her face, I think she has been hit with Callie’s bloody curse of the lightning.
“We are heading to the docks, boys.” That voice booms again and it has us snapping out of our frozen state.
“Shit we need to hide somewhere,” Harlow rushes out. Looking around I spotted the bar and point towards it. A door opens upstairs, and we get our asses back down the stairs and slide behind the bar breathing heavy. I put my hand over my chest, my heart beating out fast and hard on pure adrenaline closing my eyes hoping they didn’t see us. I feel Harlow squeeze my hand looking towards her, I see the same look on her face.
“What a piece of shit.”
I swallow the lump in my throat when I recognize that voice. Nix.
“Bloody oath brother,” another voice says on a chuckle and I’m not sure who that is.
“Fuck Crank, is everything funny to you?” Nix’s voice grunts out the huskiness of his voice washes through me making goosebumps break out. Wrapping my arms around my stomach I try to fight the feeling. Harlow gives me a funny look but I just shake my head and try to smile, so she knows I’m okay.
“Right boys let’s get this shit fucking sorted out. I have a date with my woman,” that deep voice that bellowed earlier comes out closer now.
“Damn,” Harlow whispers wrapping her hands around her chest, raising a brow at her in question she just shakes her head as if she doesn’t know what the hell is happening.
“Woman?” the guy they called Crank asks surprised.
“Brother she ain’t just a woman she is my fucking Sin.”
“Double damn,” Harlow breaths out wistfully.
“Fuck yeah,” Nix grunts out.
“Not you too fucker,” Crank laughs.
“Shut the fuck up,” Nix grits out and if I remember anything from last night his jaw is clenched and those green eyes are pinning the other man to the spot.
Laughing breaks out around us and I can’t stop the smile curling my lips.
“Oh, don’t you worry I meet a really nice bird myself last night”
“When?” Nix asks.
“Well, after Shadow got his balls handed to him last night by the little bunny, he came upstairs and was being a prick more than normal, so I thought fuck it. I needed a break, so I came down for a break and fuck, looking at the monitors in the office was nothing compared to seeing it in all living color,” he laughs again, but I notice their voices getting further away I try to hear more but the door at the front of the building slams shut.
“Well shit, how are we going to get out of here now?” I murmur.
“Come on, there's a back door and I have the key,” Harlow grabs my hand and drags me towards the stockroom.
“We need to hurry,” she rushes out and a sick feeling hits me.
“Oh God, Harlow we can’t follow them.”
“Of course we can, they have Trevor.”
“How do you know?” I question as we raced out the back door, turning she locks it back up.
“I peeked over the bar top and seen him being carried over one of the guy’s shoulders he had a gag in his mouth, so I’m guessing going to the docks means they are gonna do something to him,” her words come out on a rushed breath. I know she needs answers first before anything happens to him I just wish there was another way. I must have been completely lost listening to the guys talking that I never saw Harlow peeking over the bar.
Shit looks like we are heading to the docks.
***
“What the fuck are we doing?” I hiss out as we crouch down behind a bunch of oil drums that line the outskirts of Newcastle docks.
“Shhh,” Harlow whispers as she peeks over the drums. My body freezes as the rumble of bikes surround us. Looking over I watch as they pull into park along the gravel road near a black car with tinted windows.
“Look I told you when I went up to Trevor’s office, I overheard Drake say they were bringing him here,” Harlow hisses. I roll my eyes because I was bloody the
re and heard every damn word she did.
“And tell me again how you know this Drake guy,” I sass back as a smile curls my lips making her groan.
“Shit,” she ducks down and I follow.
“What?” I whisper.
“We are going to have to go in there,” she groans rubbing her hands over her face.
“Um no way jose,” I shake my head vigorously. There is no way in hell I am going in there, it is bad enough that we followed them here. God knows what they would do to us if they catch us.
“You want to go into a big-ass building with guys in suits and a bunch of bikers. Not just any bikers, bloody 1%er’s. Have you lost your damn mind?” I hiss not believing the words as they slip past my lips.
“I have to Alexis, I need to do this, he is the only lead I have to find out who killed Julie,” she pleads as her eyes begin to glass over making my heart squeeze in my chest.
“Shit. Shit. Shit,” I grit out as tears slide down her face.
“Okay,” I blow out a deep breath. “Okay if we take this nice and slow, we may get in there without anybody seeing.” I peek above the drums again quickly scanning the area, dropping back down “There is a fair bit of pallets stacked around and a forklift I think if we go that way,” I point over her shoulder “and we stay behind everything and stay low we should be alright.” Nodding she gives me a quick hug, before she wipes the tears away. Crouching we start to make our way in the direction I pointed to, staying low and hiding behind the pallets when four other guys turn up and make their way inside.
“That was close,” I whisper tugging on Harlow’s shirt. Nodding in agreement we keep making our way towards the forklift that’s near the door we need to enter through.
“Ready?” Harlow breathes out.
“Not really,” I grumble pushing my glasses back up my nose, rubbing my sweaty palms against my pants hoping to Christ I don’t have a bloody panic attack.
“Thank you,” Harlow whispers breaking into my cloudy head.
“Always, now let's do this before I piss myself,” I grit out.
Chuckling she looks around the forklift making sure nobody else is around nodding its all clear. We dash towards the big metal door. A shiver races through me at how dark it is in here, but I try to push the feeling back as we notice a bright light coming through another open door. Harlow pokes her head around the door as I grip the back of her shirt she pulls out of my hold, and before I can even react she’s racing into the room screaming “STOP.” Quickly following my body freezes at the scene in front of me as two guys grab a hold of Harlow, my heart picks up speed my vision goes a little blurry as my past starts to creep back in. Fisting my hands at my sides I try to push it back, but my breaths only pick up speed but before I can get completely lost in the darkness. A hard edge voice splits through the air and I can’t help the gasp that leaves my parted lips with his words.
