by Amo Jones
“Okay, honey, okay, let’s go.” She takes my elbow in hers, looks over my shoulder, nods her head, and directs me behind the party so we don’t have to go through the swarm of people. This night had been a lot of things, but somehow, I have come out of it more broken than I did when I entered.
They say—don’t ask who, I don’t know—the morning of weddings is supposed to be filled with something magical. The air is supposed to be light, love is supposed to surround everyone as we all come together to celebrate the connection of two people in love, but all I want to do is shoot the first person I see. My eyes are fixed on the alarm clock beside the bed, its loud noise slowly coming into earshot as everything from last night comes crashing back to me.
“Jesus, Melissa!” Jada walks into the room and hits the alarm clock. She takes a seat on the bed, it sinking around her weight. She places a mug of what I’m suspecting is coffee—black—down beside my bed and sighs. “Are you okay?”
“Why didn’t you tell me,” I mumble, my eyes remaining fixed on the bright red glow on the numbers of the alarm clock.
“Tell you what?” she asks, her tone genuine.
I roll onto my back, my head throbbing, and I close my eyes to help shut out the pain. “Millie and Hella.”
“What?” she questions before understanding sets in. “Oh, that.”
“Yes,” I bite out. “That.”
She turns her body to face me and I brace for it, the truth. “I thought you already knew that she was the one who had told Hella where to find that guy.”
“What?” My head turns to face her. “What do you mean?”
She rests her hand on the bed. “They’ve been talking about the other guys, and he’s been trying to get her to spill who the other ones were. He eventually gave up and went to Zane’s IT guy. He needed to ask him to run some stuff for him anyway. He found out who they were, but hasn’t acted on it.” She searches my eyes. “Is that what you meant, or did I just get someone into deep shit?”
Realization sinks in that Hella was fucking with me like he always fucks with me, and that hole that’s lodged in my gut shrinks a bit. “Actually, that’s a lot less of a problem than what I thought.”
She pats my bed and points to the dress that’s hanging on the door. “Get changed. We have a wedding to get to.”
I push myself off the bed and take the pastel nude pink bridesmaid dress down. It’s simple and elegant, just like Meadow. I place it onto the bed and make my way to the bathroom for a quick shower. I groan loudly while the hot water cascades off my aching muscles from the hit my body took from all the alcohol consumption last night. Slipping out, I wrap a towel around my body quickly. I’m walking out of the bathroom when Jada calls out from the kitchen, “Melissa! We’re doing makeup and hair down here!”
“Gotcha,” I return headily, slipping back into my room and putting the dress on in record time. I step into the kitchen to find Jada getting her makeup done and Phoebe already finished, refilling the coffee jug.
“I’m almost done,” Jada assures me.
Phoebe groans, her hand going up to her forehead. “No talking.”
I grunt in agreement before joining her, taking a coffee mug and pouring some in. We stand there and sip our coffee in the silence, the only sound breaking through coming from the ticking clock which hangs on the living room wall. I look in there to see Millie dressed and ready on the sofa watching television. I’m not ready to talk with her yet, even though there isn’t anything going on with her and Hella. Figures. There’s still a part of me that feels betrayed that they both went behind my back. And Millie being Millie, I’m a little shocked that she disclosed that sort of information to Hella. I’m hoping she didn’t realize that he would kill Eddy, but I can see how distant she’s been, and I know that we still haven’t gotten to the bottom of her issues with who her priest was, but I’m betting it was just some sick sociopath. A corrupted Catholic church. I’m shocked...
“Hon?” The makeup artist gets my attention. “Can you put this robe around you so I can keep your dress clean while I do your makeup?”
I nod, downing the rest of my coffee and picking up the robe that’s sitting on the table. Phoebe looks at me, her elbows resting on the kitchen counter with each of her fingers massaging her temples. She looks out the kitchen window. “How’re you feeling?”
“About as good as you look.” I turn to face her so no one else can hear our conversation. “When’re Ryder and Ryker getting here?”
“Mmm.” She drinks the rest of her cup before standing. “They’re at the clubhouse already. They thought they would have had to leave earlier because of the paparazzi, but they managed to lose them with a decoy car.”
“Oh. So just an average morning for the Oakley household, then?”
She laughs before wincing, a hiss escaping her. “Yes, something like that.”
“Melissa? You’re up!” The makeup artist says from her spot. I place my mug on the counter and take a seat where Jada once was. The artist begins to work on my face as the hairstylist starts on my hair.
The front door swings open and in walks Meadow and my mom carrying a huge black garment bag with what I’m guessing is Meadow’s wedding dress.
“I know, I know,” she mutters, rushing in. “I’m late. Lucky I’m keeping things simple.”
“Meads, you could have just stayed with us last night!” Phoebe moans.
“I know, I’m sorry. I just don’t like to be away from Beast and, since finding out about the pregnancy, he’s been a little more on-edge with me being away from him.”
My makeup and hair get done fast, as the stylists obviously need to get to Meadow, and I don’t mind one bit. Our makeup is simple with a light shade of smoke, pale pink lips to match our dresses, and our hair is styled in a loose, tousled bun sitting at the nape of our necks. I slipped on the strappy heels and poured another coffee, making it obvious that I’m staying away from Millie.
A little over an hour later, we all pile into the SUVs outside. Meadow’s dress looks perfect. It’s tight around her torso with two thick lace straps which lead to it, dropping around her feet, and a train follows behind her. Her hair is styled the same as ours, but with little white flowers placed in an orderly fashion within her bun.
Once we pull into the clubhouse, all the cars are parked in the front along with the masses of different bikes. I guess when the boss gets married, they make it an event. “Holy shit,” I whisper as the SUV comes to a halt. We all climb out of the cars as elegantly as possible, though my head’s throbbing intensifies with each crunching step on the gravel. I pick up Meadow’s train as we make our way around the side of the clubhouse to the back where there’s a massive white Moroccan tent set up for the reception area. Behind that on top of a little hill sits the altar and seating. We start walking through, stopping just before the little gold runner begins and get into formation. Phoebe is at the front, and then me, followed by Jada. I groan again, my head thumping. “Meadow?” I whisper out again.
“What?” She looks at me, but I keep my eyes fixed to the back of Phoebe’s head.
“Please tell me you don’t have some loud rock song we have to walk down the aisle to because my brain is about to fucking explode.”
“Second that,” Phoebe hollers, holding up deuces.
“No,” Meadow says. “Did Phoebe not tell you?”
“Shit.” Phoebe curses. “It slipped my mind, with all the absinth.” She sighs. “Ryker is playing a song.” Just as she finishes saying that, Joe Satriani’s Always With Me, Always With You begins playing softly.
My head tilts up to the sky before I mutter, “Of-fucking-course you would go full cheese ball. You’re killing me here.”
Phoebe starts walking slowly and I clutch the bouquet of flowers before following a few steps behind her. I keep my eyes locked on the back of Phoebe’s head, praying I don’t trip up or suddenly need to vomit. All heads are turned towards us and I smile at my mom, who’s sitting at the front besi
de Millie.
When I look up to the altar, my breath catches. Meadow has Phoebe, me, and Jada, but Beast only has Hella. I did wonder why he didn’t have all the brothers, but I get it; it’s a personal affair, and he and Hella are about as close as you get. They’re both in their cuts with a white suit shirt underneath rolled up to their elbows. They look good—too good, because now I’m staring too long at Hella.
He catches my glimpse and a grin appears on the corner of his lips, displaying one of his dimples.
I quickly look towards Ryker Oakley who’s sitting at the front in the corner, strumming his guitar as if it’s a piece of cake and he’s not playing a tune from one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Once we’re standing on Meadow’s side, they go through their vows and my ears zone out. I’m a horrible friend, but situations like this make me uncomfortable. Once Beast has done a lot more than kissing his bride, they go off to sign their marriage certificates as everyone stands from their seats and walks toward the tent where the DJ is set up. My hangover is almost finished, but I won’t be touching another drink for at least a week, I presume.
I wrap my arms around my torso and look towards Hella, who also hasn’t moved from where he stood during the procession. His head nudges towards the field behind us and I nod my head. May as well get this shit over with so I can finally move on from this monster of a fuck-up. Following close behind him, he stops and pushes his hands into his pockets, his back turned to me. It’s a hot back.
“You wanted to talk?” I ask, stepping up beside him.
His jaw clenches, his eyes staying locked on the view in front of us, which isn’t much, just trees and grass. “Yeah,” he mumbles before clearing his throat. “I haven’t touched your sister, Melissa.”
“I know,” I answer, taking a seat on the grass because my feet are beat. He looks down at me, the afternoon sun setting behind him. It’s not fair that this amount of asshole is held in this magnificent-looking man.
“Oh, you do?” he asks with a cocked brow before taking a seat beside me and drawing one of his legs up while leaning back on one elbow.
I look at him over my shoulder. “Why’d you say that?”
“‘Cause you’re hot when you’re all jealous, and don’t get me started on when you’re angry,” he answers behind a half grin, the twinkling in his eyes intensified by the sun behind him.
I sigh, turning my attention to the front of us. “I’m sorry.”
He slides closer to me and I tense up. The heat radiating between us is too much. He cups his hand behind his ears. “What was that? It sounded like you said sorry?”
I laugh lightly around the same time his arm wraps around my waist and he pulls me into him. The pounding of my heart is deafening. He kisses my arm softly and looks up to me under his eyelashes. “I’m sorry too, baby.”
“Hit me,” I say, searching his eyes. “Hit me with how many you slept with and I’ll decide whether or not your arm should be around me right now.”
The vibration of his chuckle shakes my arm. He pulls my body on top of his and I push off his chest, looking down at him with my legs straddling his waist. He cocks his head sideways, searching my eyes. His hand runs up my back before gripping around the back of my neck and pulling my lips down to his. He leaves them hovering there, silence hanging in the balance.
“Zero.” Then he pulls my lips down to his, my mouth opening for him and my thighs clenching together. His cock is pressing against me and I fight myself to not start grinding against him. He pauses and runs his finger from my temple down to my jaw. “Why me? Why can’t you choose the good guy? Follow the white rabbit?” he asks softly.
I throw my hands up, letting everything slip out. “Because what if I don’t want to follow the white rabbit, Brax? What if I like the dark rabbit? The rabbit that’s covered in scuff marks and dirt. The rabbit that needs to be wanted more. What if I’m naturally fucked up and want everything that’s bad in this world? What if that’s why I want you?”
He runs his thumb across my bottom lip, swallowing down roughly while searching my eyes. “I can’t promise you that I won’t fuck this up, and I can’t promise you that I won’t kill anyone who looks at you for a second too long, but I can promise you that I’ll fucking love you forever.” That may have just been the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.
“I love you, too,” I whisper, my heart expanding in my chest and my throat suddenly parched.
He smirks, his hands running down my sides.
His fingertips send tingles over my thighs and I close my eyes. “We’re going to be okay, right?”
He nods his head, bringing my hand to his lips. “Always.” He sits up and I swing my leg off him. “There’s something I need to tell you first. I’m not entirely sure how you’re going to take it, but you need to know.”
I nod my head. “Okay.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out an old leather wallet with a pressed emblem on the front. My breath catches and my eyebrows pinch together.
“Where’d you get that?” I ask as he hands it to me.
“When I was living on the streets, pre-The Army, I lived under the Brooklyn Bridge.” He pauses and watches me. I flip open the wallet and a tear escapes me. He continues. “An old guy, Tippy, that was his spot, and everyone knew that that was his spot. He let no one in, the police left him alone, but he took me in. He let me stay under there with him, and although no one knew his story or how he came about that kinda life, the night I got recruited he was about to tell me. He dropped his wallet and I managed to pick it up. Is he who I think he is? Because that’s Tippy in the photo with the two little girls.”
“Yes,” I whisper, wiping the tears off my face, confusion setting up shop inside me. “Yes, that’s my dad.”
Hella
After dropping Melissa off to Jada’s so she can talk with Millie and her mom, I head back to the clubhouse to check in with Beast about the latest developments with this Army shit. To say I’m over their bullshit hanging over my head is an understatement, but I finally have news.
I walk into the clubhouse and then outside where the reception has turned into a full biker party. I nudge my head towards the boardroom and Beast nods his head, standing and coming over to me. We walk into the boardroom, closing the door behind us before taking a seat.
“You’re all wifed up now,” I say, pulling out a tin of cigars and sliding one over to him. He chuckles, clipping it, then rolling it around in his mouth.
“Don’t play the wife card on me, brother. I saw you earlier with Melissa. Looks like you’re not far behind me.” His eyebrows raise in question.
I smile. “Nah, weddings are too cheesy for someone like Melissa.”
He laughs, throwing his head back and lighting his cigar. “They all say that.”
“I got some news from Zane’s tech guy this morning about Kurr.”
“Yeah?” His face turns serious. “What’ve you got?”
“It’s a lot more complicated than we anticipated, that’s for sure.” I put the cigar in the astray. “We’re going to need to ride out and check the facts of this information to see if they’re correct, but if they are, then I’m not sure what the fuck our next move will be.”
“Why?”
“Because he came up blank. He couldn’t find a drop of anything.”
“Fuck.” He pushes back, the loud screeching of his seat scraping across the floor and echoing throughout the room. “That’s made it a little more fucking difficult.”
“Another problem is that when he hacked through the systems he needed to get through, he wasn’t sure whether his traces were covered or not. He said he thinks he covered his tracks, but depending on how good of a hacker they have, if their guy is smart enough, it’s possible they could trace it back to us.”
There’s a knock on the door and Beast walks towards it, swinging it open. “Hey,” Shelby says, looking between the two of us. “I was just wanting to say congratulations, Beast.”
&n
bsp; “What? Right now?” I ask, standing to my feet.
“Yes,” she answers. “I couldn’t find you or get you alone all day. Layla and Asha are outside drunk, so I figured this would be my only chance.” Her eyes look pleadingly yet calmly between the two of us.
I look down to her neck. “You wearing a fucking teddy bear necklace?”
“Yes!” she hisses defensively. “It’s sentimental, not that I think you would ever understand.”
“Alright, well, we’re busy, so you can leave and thanks.” Beast shuts the door on her before turning back to me. “That chick is weird as fuck. Remind me why I gave her the manager position of our strip joint?”
“‘Cause you had your dick lodged in her, that’s why.” I sit back. “What’re we doing here anyway? What are we actually doing with this? What’re our options?”
“I’ll need to think on it. In this second, I don’t see any foreseeable danger.”
Despite what he says, I can’t shake the nagging feeling that something is wrong.
Hella
I walk out of the boardroom, past the bar, and straight to the door as Melissa and Millie come in.
“Hey.” I wrap my arm around Melissa. “What’re you doing back here?”
She looks at me, confused. “I got your text.” Her body relaxes in my brace.
“What text?” I ask, pulling her back. “I didn’t text you.”
“Yes,” she answers. “It was off your phone. You told me and Millie to come here and that you needed to run something by us.” Her eyebrows pinch together and my head starts swinging around the room to search for anyone holding a phone. I reach into my pocket and sure enough, my fucking phone is gone.
“Baby,” I say softly into her ear, “you need to leave. Right now.”
“What?” She steps back. “No, I’m not—“
“Melissa!” I snap.
Her face turns serious. “Wait,” she whispers. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know.” I begin directing them towards the door. “But you need to leave. Go back to our house.”
