...or something: Ronacks Motorcycle Club

by Debra Kayn

  "You were a child." He sat her up straight. "None of that was your fault. You were raised in the foster care system in Washington. That's not easy."

  She tilted her head. "How did you know I grew up in Washington?"

  "That's where you were when I found you. I assumed—"

  "You're right.About everything. There's nothing I had done as a kid that would warrant someone coming after me. As an adult..." She sighed. "I just don't know. Maybe a customer from when I worked at the diner has something in for me. I think we should call the police. It's not fair to everyone in the club to continue guarding me, and I want the person caught. I'll tell them that none of the Ronacks are involved."

  "Carny-girl..." He framed her face with his hands. "Give me time. I will fix this. Tonight's call is good. We know they're still out there, and that means I can keep you safe. Once it's over, you'll gain your freedom to come and go again."

  "Don't hate me," she whispered, the tears she'd held back flowed freely. "I don't know what I'd do if you kicked me out of here and I lost another home."

  He closed his eyes an extra second and pulled her closer. "Love you, carny-girl. Never going to make you leave. Never would let you leave. Behind all the bullshit that is going on right now, we're family, and you have a club downstairs that will keep you safe and love you, too."

  She kissed him. The salty taste of her tears coiled tight in her stomach. If she knew what brought on someone coming after her, she could go back and change what she'd done to make the person hate her. Change yesterday.

  Even if it meant losing Battery, because she'd never do anything to hurt him or Ronacks Motorcycle Club.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  ~ The Plan ~

  The wind moved the pine trees surrounding the forlorn cabin. Battery inhaled deeply on his cigarette and stubbed the butt in the ashtray, making sure he left no sign of anyone around. Thankfully, the four seasons always wiped his tracks away on the old abandoned logging road, and he made sure he never came more than once a month to let the vegetation grow over the trail.

  He wanted to be in and out, get answers to his questions, drop off supplies, and be off the mountain and back to Bree before she started to worry. For the first time in ever, she'd begged him not to leave, and he had to lie and tell her he had club business to attend to today.

  What he had with the man was personal. The club wasn't involved.

  He opened the door of the truck, grabbed two bags in his left hand and kept his right hand free near the pistol he wore on him. Close to the cabin, he said, "Open the door."

  Even though the man could hear his truck coming at five hundred yards, he usually waited until Battery got close to the door before answering.

  He stepped up to the cabin and knocked. "It's me. Open up."

  Battery turned and looked out into the woods, scanning the trees, the brush, and even the closest mountain peak. High powered hunting rifles could shoot damn far.

  "Hey, open the door." He banged with his fist.

  He waited several minutes knowing if anyone was inside or something had happened since he'd visited last month, he'd walk straight into a mess he might not get out of. He set the bags down on the ground, removed his pistol, and kicked the door.

  The old wood splintered and broke in half. He stepped inside, squinting into the dark interior while his vision adjusted. Everything appeared in place, except the man who occupied the cabin.

  The bed.

  The leftover supplies.

  Even the satellite radio sat on top of the cooler.

  Battery walked around the perimeter of the small room. He was missing something. The man never ventured far and would've heard the truck. He was smart, attentive, and—

  "Fuck," muttered Battery quickly searching the room again.

  The man's boots were gone, and the two rifles—an AR 15 and a shotgun—that Battery had given him when he moved him into the cabin were missing.

  "God damnit." Battery kicked the mattress off the bed. "Don't do this now, Richard. Don't fucking come after Bree."

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Bree sat with her back against the door separating the first level of the house to the stairs leading up to where she lived with Battery. The constant headache aspirin couldn't fight dulled her patience. The members of Ronacks met three hours ago and had yet to finish their business.

  "They all missed dinner." Raelyn paced in front of Bree. "The other women have started leaving me texts asking how long the members will be."

  "I don't know. We'll have to wait, and we're not allowed to go find out how much longer." Bree stood and motioned in front of her. "Let's go upstairs."

  "We were just up there," said Raelyn.

  "I know, but you need to eat and take care of the baby." Bree waved her hands in front of her to get her going in the right direction. "My mind is on the club and what is happening behind the closed door, and I'm a terrible friend not offering to feed you."

  Raelyn climbed the stairs and entered the living room. Bree headed to the right into the open kitchen and opened the fridge. "What does the baby momma feel like eating?"

  "Bree, you don't have to do this. I know you're dealing with so much right now, and there's nothing wrong with me, besides being pregnant." Raelyn stepped toward the kitchen. "How about I fix you something?"

  Bree rolled her eyes. "Get your butt in here. We'll both whip up something good."

  She couldn't eat a bite without her stomach revolting, but she'd fake it for Raelyn's sake. While the stress of being on alert hit everyone in the club, knowing she was somehow responsible for the trouble laid heavy guilt on her shoulders. She hated the thought of how many people were affected.

  Raelyn peered over Bree's shoulder. "What's in the plastic container?"

  "Leftover rice with veggies and chicken," said Bree. "We had it for dinner last night."

  "Oh, you should save it for Battery."

  Bree shook her head. "Battery doesn't eat leftovers. Do you want it? There's enough for both of us."

  "Sure." Raelyn chuckled. "What's with Battery not eating leftovers?"

  Bree shrugged. "Never asked him. It's just the way he is, and I usually take any leftovers that we do have and put them in the fridge downstairs, and the guys eat it when they stop by. I've just been distracted today and forgot."

  She put the container in the microwave, removed two dinner plates from the cabinet, and grabbed them each a fork and a spoon. By the time she had everything on the table, Raelyn was putting the first bite of rice in her mouth, and Bree relaxed a little. At least she was helping someone.

  "Are you going to find out what sex the baby is?" asked Bree, moving the rice around on the plate with her spoon.

  Raelyn nodded. "In two weeks. We both want to know what we're having. Duke is going to take the day off and be with me during the ultrasound. He's like a kid with this pregnancy, and everything is new and exciting. He even talks to my belly. We have so many plans. My mom is buying us a crib and Duke's bought paint—we're going with yellow and white no matter the sex."

  "It's all so exciting for you both." Bree separated her pieces of chicken from the rice.

  Raelyn and Duke had everything to look forward to, and Bree sat upstairs, away from Battery, and wondered if someone would kill her tonight or tomorrow or if she'd even see a baby born into the club. Would she ever have a baby someday? Would she be able to give a child a mother and a father?

  Her head pounded. All she'd wanted growing up was to believe that she had parents. Real parents, not foster parents. Parents that weren't paid by the state to raise her. She used to daydream about living with her biological parents, and they'd be happy when she walked through the door. At dinner, she'd marvel at the way they all looked like her. Maybe her mom had red hair and her dad had a deep, graveling voice, and she could feel secure in knowing that others could hate her and not want her, but her parents would love her unconditionally.

  "Bree?" Raelyn touched her hand. "What's wrong
?"

  She shook her head, scattering her thoughts. "Nothing."

  "You're not eating," said Raelyn.

  "I'm not hungry, and I can eat later with Battery." She pushed the plate across the table. "Here, you can have mine."

  Raelyn laughed and quickly sobered. "You weren't trying to be funny."

  "What could be taking them so long?" She leaned forward and pressed her hand to her forehead. "Forget I asked. Right now, I wish someone was able to tell me what is going on. I hate not knowing or talking about club business with you."

  "You are the president's woman," said Raelyn with a sigh. "I can't even imagine how hard this is on you."

  Bree stood and carried her plate to the kitchen. "I just want Battery."

  "He'll come and get you the second he can, my friend." Raelyn carried her empty plate over to the sink. "Do you want me to load the dishwasher?"

  "No, leave everything. I'll do the dishes later after Battery eats." Bree inhaled deeply. "Let's go back downstairs and wait."

  Raelyn stopped her and threw her arms around Bree's shoulders and hugged her tight. "I know you don't like affection, but you need a hug, and you're going to take it from a pregnant lady who is extra emotional, so don't hit me."

  "Hit you?" Bree pulled back. "What are you talking about?"

  "You." Raelyn's gaze softened. "You only let Battery touch you, but sometimes a person needs a hug and doesn't even know they need one."

  Bree looked away and walked down the stairs. It wasn't that she hated to be touched, she could never understand why someone would want to hug her. Battery never asked, he took, he touched, he never let her make excuses to get out of getting close to him and most importantly, he always let her get as close as she wanted, and she wanted to touch him all the time. The other people in her life, well she kept space between her and everyone else because she'd learned long ago that people never stayed in her life long.

  It was better if she kept her distance. It hurt less when she had to leave.

  The door opened before she could try the handle and Duke stepped inside and came to a sudden stop at the sight of the two women standing at the ready.

  "Meeting's over." Duke's gaze went to his woman first then over to Bree. "The Prez..."

  "What about Battery?" said Bree, stepping forward.

  "He's not in the best mood, Bree." Duke reached out his hand to Raelyn. "He's outside with a few of the brothers, but it'd probably be best if you were down there waiting for him when he comes in."

  She clamped her teeth together to keep from asking him what was going on and why Battery was outside. Club rules forbid any of the members to talk about what happened during a meeting, and only Battery could answer her questions. She hated it at the same time she respected what Ronacks Motorcycle Club stood for.

  Following Duke into the main level of the house, she couldn't help searching the room even though Battery was outside. The last several days had become a trial of patience with Battery pulling further away from her, trying to keep her protected.

  She leaned against the pool table and crossed her arms. Most everyone went outside or left already. Only Mel—who she ignored—sat at the counter on the other side of the room, and Sander who stood at the window looking outside. And of course, Duke and Raelyn.

  "Did—?" She shook her head and remained quiet.

  Without the normal noise from the music playing at a headache inducing level, the house made her unsettled. She rubbed her arms, antsy at the changes in Battery. Scared of what she couldn't control. Overwhelmed that she could be the subject of someone's sick, sick attention.

  Worse, she was petrified that something would happen, not to her, but Battery.

  "I need you," she whispered.

  He'd become everything to her. Guardian, protector, lover, and her whole world.

  "Battery?" she said, her chest tightening.

  He was the one person who never threw her away, pushed her away, gave her away. Even when she deserved to have nothing and all the times she'd yelled, fought, and showed him in every way that she wasn't deserving of a man like him.

  "Battery?" she said louder, looking around the room frantically. "I need Battery. Please. Get Battery. Someone. Please. Battery."

  Raelyn stepped in front of her and got close. "Hush, honey. Duke's getting your Battery. He's here. You're okay."

  "I need him," she said, her voice breaking.

  "I know you do." Raelyn spoke quieter than normal. "He needs you, too."

  The front door banged open.

  "Bree!" said Battery.

  She rushed around Raelyn and ran the length of the room. Throwing her arms around his neck, she was lifted in the air. Her heart raced, and she clung to him.

  "Don't leave me," she whispered against his neck. "I don't want to go away."

  His hand landed on her head, and his arm around her tightened. She hung on through the rocky movements of him carrying her upstairs.

  Her eyes burned, and her chest ached. She wanted her safe world with Battery back. They couldn't live in constant fear and seclusion.

  Battery carried her into the living room, sat on the couch, and turned her to face him while he held her on his lap. She gazed into beaten and tired, dark eyes. The stress since the shooting had taken a toll on him.

  "I will keep you forever, carny-girl," His voice grew rough. "I will never send you away from me, and I will kill anyone who tries to take you away. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

  "You're pulling away from me," she whispered. "The meeting took hours and Duke said you...God, Battery. I'm scared.

  "I know you are, but I won't let anything happen to you. You're going to have to trust me. You will be all right. We will be all right." He lifted her and stood.

  "And, you?" She laid her head back on his shoulder not ready for him to let her go. "Will you be all right?"

  "Yeah, carny-girl. I'll be all right when you're all right," whispered Battery, laying Bree on the bed.

  "Duke said you were upset." She cupped his whiskered jaw. "You weren't with me and..."

  "Sh...." He kissed her lips. "I'm okay."

  "What can I do?" She stroked his face.

  He shook his head. "You don't owe me a thing. I owe you."

  "No." She pushed back his hair.

  "Gonna give you more, carny-girl." His hand dipped underneath the front of her shorts. She cried out, overcome with emotions that even after falling apart, he wanted her. He wanted to touch her, be with her, stay with her.

  "You don't have to," she said, holding his wrist. "It's been a long night. You're probably hungry."

  He kissed her softly. "Don't have to, but want to. Need you more than you know, Bree. You keep me together, keep me strong."

  She let go of his arm and tugged his beard, lowering his face. "I love you."

  "Love you back." He dipped his tongue into her mouth.

  His need to own her brought out a moan as his finger slipped between the lips of her pussy and met wetness. After the tension riddling her body all evening and the fear of being on edge throughout the days and nights, she wanted the pleasure only he brought her.

  Battery broke the kiss and put his mouth on the sensitive curve of her neck. "Take it all, Bree. Feel safe."

  Her body quivered, reaching for the orgasm that hovered inside of her. She tangled her fingers in his hair and held him close. With one hand, he circled, rubbed, and caressed her clit. His free hand went underneath her head, holding her securely, staying with her, refusing to let her go.

  And, she refused to give up.

  Battery's firm hold, his constant touch, brought her back to depending on him. She pressed into his hand, desperate for release. Believing at the end, she'd find safety, security, and live forever with Battery.

  He licked her neck and sucked gently, marking, dominating, owning her. The bundle of nerves he stimulated constricted, sending a wave throughout her. She bucked against the bed, unable to stop.

  "Batt?" She panted. "I
'm coming."

  "Let it go, carny-girl," he mumbled against her ear.

  She clamped her legs together out of reflex, holding his hand prisoner but unable to stop his movements. A spasm coiled, released, and pleasure exuded throughout her.

  He stroked her lightly, slowly, tirelessly pulling every bit of pleasure out of her he'd created for her.

  She needed to ask him about the meeting, about the progress in finding the man threatening her, and when the danger would end. But, she was exhausted, and Battery was here with her. She shut her eyes, holding on to his hair, refusing to let him leave her.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  An unrecognizable sound woke Battery. He blinked into the light coming through the blinds of the bedroom window. The rumbling sound continued, and he rolled over realizing it was one of the cell phones on the nightstand.

  The green button on Bree's phone flashed. Battery jumped out of bed, grabbing the phone, and strode naked out of the room, swiping his finger over the screen to accept a call from an unknown number.

  "Yeah?" he said, looking around the upper floor of the house, unsure of what was happening.

  He'd purposely kept Bree's original phone number to see if the man would call back.

  "I have to commend you, Mr. Thurlow." The thick Russian accent came through loud and clear over the phone. "You've worked tirelessly to protect something so valuable."

  "Leave her alone," he said with a growl.

  "Oh, I would. I would." The caller sighed. "I would love nothing more than to finish the business that was started so long ago and give us all a chance to enjoy what life we do have left. Like you, I am not getting younger. Each day becomes more important, and I'd appreciate spending more time with my loved ones. I'm sure you feel the same about Bree, who has turned into a lovely, lovely woman."

  "She has nothing to do with any of this," said Battery.