by Kara Hart
Holding hands, my wife, Jackie, and I walked into my club, to a large applause. The bass was pounding, the whisky was flowing, and the boys were a shit show, already unable to stand up from all the drugs and alcohol they had put into their ageing bodies. I thought to myself, God bless ‘em. They have no idea what is going on between the two gangs.
Jackie pointed to a group of maybe 50 men or so in the corner. “There’s some of my guys.” she said. They nodded in our direction and I nodded back, walking towards them, hand on my holster. Just in case.
“Evenin’” I muttered.
They men uncrossed their arms and gave their best smile. “Congrats, Jackie.” The more Alpha one said to her.
“Thank you, Randy. It means a lot that you came here tonight.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” he said. “I, uh, am sorry about Lane. He was everything to us. But we know you’ll be as good a leader as any.” he said.
“You have my back?” she asked. “I wasn’t sure any of my crew did. Seems as if most of you would rather run things into the ground.” From afar, I could see Bruce eying us, making sure things were going smoothly.
“Don’s doing his best to cause an upset. But we don’t think that’s such a hot idea. We came in solidarity. We don’t need any more war in this land. There’s been too much of it over the years.” he said, shaking his head.
“You’re young.” she said. “But you’re already a hundred times smarter than the captains of our gang. It’s a new era, as you can see. And I’ll make sure that you’re taken care of once this is all sorted out.” Well, she was an honorable leader. I’ll give her that much.
The young man held his shot glass up high in the air and shouted, “So tonight, let’s celebrate!”
“Cheers.” I said, downing the shot and throwing the glass behind me. One of the great things about owning a bar was doing whatever the hell you wanted to do, without any fuss. A man behind me cleaned up the glass as quick as he could.
We walked over to Bruce, to talk more business. So far, everything had been going according to plan. But we had to make sure things were smooth with our crew as well.
“Well if it ain’t the two lovers! Congratulations, you crazy sons of bitches!” He slammed back his drink and sighed as the liquor made its way down his esophagus. “God damn, they got some strong drinks tonight!”
“Everything seems to be in order, boss.” I said.
“Yeah. So far so good, I s’ppose. We’ll see how the night plays out though. Gotta make sure everyone’s on the same page.”
“How’s Johnny doin’?” I asked him, feeling that sudden weight pile up inside me, that lingering guilt that felt like a knife stabbing into my abdomen.
“Well, I'm gonna be straight with you, boy. He's not doin’ too hot. But I told them doctors that he was a fighter. And if the good Lord sees it fit, he’ll pull through. All we can do now is sit and wait for more news.” He sighed. “I can smoke in here, right?” He held out a cigarette as if it were a magic wand.
“You can do whatever the hell you want. It's practically your club, Bruce.” I laughed, grabbing one myself. I had forgot that this was one of the only times he had stepped foot in my club. At least the first time when people had filled it to capacity.
“Well you've made a fine business investment. I'm proud of you, Rust. Now, let's see how well you handle this situation. Maybe a promotion is in order.”
And with those words, I jumped on a table and announced, “I’ve got a toast!” The room suddenly got very quiet. The music shut off and all that could be heard was the whispering words of the bikers around me. “I'd like to introduce my wife.” I triumphantly declared. “Honey, get on up here!”
Cheers erupted all around us as Jackie got onto the table with me. “Now, I know times have been tough for all of us. For Courage, we could be losing a good friend and brother. Johnny. You all know him. You all love him. Let's keep him in our thoughts, alright? He will live another day!” I bent my head forward in a moment of silence, closing my eyes and praying to whoever was out there, that Johnny would live through this.
Suddenly, to my surprise, Jackie started talking. “And all the Hell’s Wheels out there. We lost a leader yesterday. A damn good leader at that. And I lost a father. He was the best father I could've asked for. Listen, I don’t want your sympathy. I don't need your condolences. What I do want is for you to respect my father, Lane’s, legacy. Together, we can mend these wounds. Together, we can bring back the glory days of both our crews! Because I don't want to see the Darkhorse gang rise up and take away all that is good. Let's restore our past glory!”
The crowd went fucking wild. And I mean wild. I looked over at Jackie in confusion and she just smiled and shrugged. Who was this woman? I hated even admitting this to myself, but she was a real leader.
We got swept away together in the drink-fueled crowd. The boys sang songs and told stories of Johnny and others who didn’t have as much luck. At one point in the night, a hand slapped my back and I heard the familiar voice of the rogue dealer, Jorge. He was a bastard of a man and yet, he was a good ally to those invested in Courage, mostly because he knew we were the path to the money. He said, “Hey, I just want you to know. Word on the street is people really like you two. You’re bringing people together and shit. It’s good for business. If you need anything, just let me know. But I gotta warn you, homes. Watch your back. There are rogue groups plannin’ on taking you down when you least expect it.”
“Don…” I muttered, clenching my fist.
“Yeah, maybe. I just wanted to let you know. There’s darkness lurking out there.” He nodded his head at me and shook my hand.
“Thanks, Jorge. You’ve always been there for Bruce, and made sure the streets were good for business. It’s respectable.”
“Word.” he simply said, turning around and walking away.
“What was that about?” Jackie asked me.
“Just another ally.” I said. “Looks like we got a lot of them now.” I said, nearly falling over from how many shots I had taken.
I made my way into the corner of the club and sat down. It had been a long fuckin’ night and I was exhausted. Jackie walked to my left and bent over the table, ass out and back arched. “So.” she said.
“So.” I laughed.
“We did it. I can’t believe we pulled it off. You have some insane ideas, Rust. But I have to admit, this was one of the better ones.
“I knew it’d come through. People eat this love shit up. As for me, I’m out to collect Don’s head. That bastard has gotta go.”
“You have a lot of determination.” she said, running her tongue against her teeth. And in an instant, I could tell what she wanted. Man, was she was a crazy broad.
“You like that?” I asked, leaning back in my chair. “Come here.”
“It’s sexy.” she said, placing her ass on my lap. “It turns me on to think I’m married to a big, strong alpha like you.”
I could feel my cock inching against her thick, round ass. I ran my hand up her waist, stopping at her firm tits. With my other hand, I wrapped it around her neck. I placed my mouth against her ear and whispered, “You like it when a man is determined to win, don’t you?”
She nodded, eyes closed and trembling against me.
“It gets you wet to think I’ll bring justice to your family’s name. Doesn’t it, baby?”
“Oh, fuck.” she moaned, practically begging me to fuck her right then and there.
“You feel how hard I am right now?”
“Yes, I need it inside me, Rust. I want you to pound me harder than you’ve ever pounded me before.”
“I’m going to slam you into the wall, pull your fucking hair, and teach you what it is to be a boss.” I said, smiling. Truth was, I needed it just as bad as her.
“More. I want you to be as rough as you can with me. I need to learn. I need you to teach me. Show me what it’s like to be a boss.”
I could feel he
r wetness come through the back of her panties, as I reached my hand inside her jeans. I rubbed, moving my hand side to side, as I inserted two fingers. She gently placed her hand on my cock, lightly rubbing. I slid a third finger inside.
“Damn, baby. You’re gonna make me cum just by doing this!” I exclaimed. It was true. I was so worked up and excited that I felt like I was going to explode at any moment.
“Me too.” she purred, leaning her head back. I kissed and ran my tongue against her neck, devouring her. I wanted to fucking consume her, to make her mine. I don’t know what it was, but I needed her now. Like a primal desire, I was attached. Shit. I was attached.
But right as we both were about to cum, gunshots rang out. Then more, an explosion. My ears rang and my vision slowed down. The fire sprinklers went off as an alarm rang throughout the building. “What the fuck?” I said, nearly throwing Jackie off of me, in an attempt to shield her from harm. “Stay down!” I yelled out, grabbing my gun.
Smoke was everywhere. Bodies. There were bodies in the front of the room. People from my crew. People from her’s. I tried to cover her eyes, but it was too late. “Oh, God.” She cried. “Rust, what’re we going to do?”
“Come on. We gotta move.” I said, picking her up and running to the downstairs emergency safe room.
Whoever did this, whoever was responsible, would fucking pay. That much I knew.
Jackie
It was chaos. Pure and total chaos. I held onto Rust as he ran through the smoke and rubble. Screaming was everywhere. Death surrounded us. And the imminent threat of violence followed us wherever we went. He burst through the back doors, running down a set of stairs. At the bottom, he hurriedly punched in a code and slammed the door open. The exchange of terrifying gun fire could be heard upstairs.
Gang war. Everything we had thought would happen had backfired right in front of us. At our own wedding celebration.
“Rust.” I moaned, still in shock. “What's happening?”
“Sit tight and stay quiet. I'll be back.” And with those words, he left me in the safe room alone.
“Rust!” I yelled. Nothing. No response.
I tried opening the door, but it was locked. All I could do was hope and pray. I grabbed my pistol and held it close to my heart.
Upstairs I could hear shouting and screaming. Rust’s shouts, then screaming. Then gunfire. Silence. More shouting.
And then I heard the footsteps coming closer.
Closer.
Closer.
The knob of the door turned. I held my gun out in front of me, shaking against the wall. “Who's there?” I called out. There was no response. The door clicked open.
“What the hell? Put that damn gun down!” That deep, smokey voice yelled.
“Rust!” I yelled, dropping my gun. “Oh, God!” I fell to the floor, exhausted and wrecked.
“Get up. We gotta get out of here.” he said, extending his hand.
“Bruce. Is he okay?” I asked him, eyes filled with tears. Everything had gone so wrong so quickly. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. Was this the start of a major war? It sure seemed like it.
“He's fine. He saved a lot of our men.” he said. “Come on, I'll explain on the way.” His arm was covered in blood. He had been shot, but it wasn't bad.
He saw me looking at the wound. “Don't worry. It's just a scratch. Nothing I can't take. I'm just glad you're okay.” He held me close as we quickly walked to his bike.
We got on the bike and sped off in haste. There were plans to be made, lines to be drawn, men to be briefed and armed. It was time to escalate things. Fuck.
When we arrived at Courage’s headquarters, Rust let me in on all the details. “Our plan worked, okay? I don't want you thinking that it was all in vain. What I didn't anticipate was the small backlash it would create between both crews. They decimated my club and killed over 15 of our men. And that's from both sides. Bruce is ready to launch an all out war. And he sure as shit doesn't want to see your face no more. But don't worry, you're not leaving my side. He's going to have to realize, we’re in this together.”
I sat on his bike still, stunned by the news. 15 of our men? I couldn't even believe it. “Who did it? Don? Tell me, Rust. I need to know!”
“It's bigger than that. People from our gang and yours. Don, of course, is behind a lot of it. But the Darkhorse gang heard about the whole thing and have taken advantage of the situation. They're claiming the attack as solely their own, but it’s everyone, Jackie. We’re going to have to take on a faceless enemy.”
“Who can we trust?” I cried. “Who?! Bruce? Fuck, Rust. This isn't good. This isn't good at all. I’m sorry, but I don't know if we should have gotten married.” I sat on the bike, hands against my forehead.
“Snap out of it and be the leader I saw tonight. I saved your life back there and I'll save it again if I have to. But don't you dare talk about giving up on this.” I looked up at him, tears in my eyes. I looked like shit. But there he was, talking about keeping this thing going. As crazy as it sounded, I didn't want to give up on this either. So I put on a pair of my big girl panties, wiped those tears from my eyes, and wrapped my arms around him.
“What the--” he exclaimed, startled by my reaction.
“I'm with you. Let's do this.” I kissed his cheek, feeling his 5 o’clock shadow against my lips.
“Don't get carried away now. I was just sayin’ you gotta buck up.” He blushed, letting me know he was on the same page as me. I let go of him and smiled, walking through the doors. Rust ran after me.
Inside sat Bruce and his captains, arms crossed. They looked like battle-hardened soldiers, covered in soot and dust, and they did not look pleased with me. “What the fuck is she doing here, Rust?” Bruce asked, knowing full well that whatever answer he gave them wouldn't be enough.
“Back off, Bruce. She's with me.” he said, lifting his shirt slightly, to let everyone know he was armed. It was a ballsy move, that's for sure, and I couldn't help but feel a certain warmth from his display of strength.
“Put your shirt down. Don’t embarrass yourself. We’re all armed. It ain’t a thing.” one of the captains said.
“It’s not Jackie’s fault. This wasn’t her plan. It was mine. So if anyone has to take the blame, it’s going to be me.” Rust said, grabbing a chair and sitting down. “But if you really want to figure this out, then let’s figure it out. Right here and now, as men.”
“As women.” I said, sitting beside Rust. The men couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
“Alright.” Bruce muttered. “We’ll hear what you have to say.”
Rust toyed with a piece of sawdust on the table and thought about the situation long and hard. It was a tough one, one without many answers. But we had to act fast. If the Darkhorse gang was really with Don now, they sure as hell were thinking of another plan of attack. We needed to be the next ones to strike.
And that’s when it hit me. “The drugs!” I exclaimed.
“The what?” Bruce asked, confused. “What do drugs gotta do with this?” Rust joined him in his confusion.
“The drugs.” I repeated. “That’s what this is all about. We gave you the high quality supplier in exchange for more access to buyers, like sellin’ in Rust’s club.”
“What’re you sayin’, woman? Spit it out.” A captain angrily muttered.
I gave him an annoyed look and continued. “We contact my manufacturer. Before they do. They’re going to need more money if they want to defeat us. The product is what brings in that money. More money equals more guns. More drugs, more guns, more power.”
Bruce’s eyes lit up. “So you’re sayin’ we control the land with the best drugs in town?”
“No.” I smiled. “I’m saying we tell the manufacturer to work with them.”
Bruce nearly fell back in his chair when heard me say that one. “What the hell? Give them the product? Why the fuck would we do that? Are you crazy? Rust, get this woman out of my sight!”
> I stood up to defend myself. “Hear me out! They’re going to go to my guy anyway. And they’re going to threaten him with a bullet in his head.”
“So what? We’ll do the same, god dammit! We’re Courage. He won’t say no. He can’t.” Bruce yelled. “Shit, get this woman out of my sight.” His captains got up and grabbed my arms. I fought back.
“Sure, Bruce. You’re right. I’m not saying you’re not. But we can win this if you just listen to me!”
“Alright. Fine. I’m listening.” he said, waving away his captains. He was an angry leader, but an old leader as well. He was tired of fighting, tired of making these rash decisions. He wanted peace in a peaceless world. I actually respected the man quite a bit.
“Get the manufacturer to taint the product. Poison it, dilute it. Do whatever you have to do. Ruin the reputation of the Darkhorse gang. Obliterate the competition. Make the buyers come to us and win the war. Without weapons. Without death. Think about Johnny, Bruce.” That hit him hard. And I mean real hard.
Bruce stood up and walked up to me, staring at me right in the eyes. It was as if he was staring at my soul. He simply nodded. “It’s a good plan.” he said. “Solid. You know, I can’t believe I’m saying this shit to a woman, let alone some broad that’s married to Rust. But, you’re a leader. A natural leader. I respect that, I really do.”
I smiled wide. “Thank you, Bruce. We’ll win this one. I promise you that.” Rust looked like he was in shock. Did his boss just really call me a leader? Hell yes he did.
“Yeah, yeah. Just go and do the job. Report back to me when it’s finished. I’m counting on you, soldiers.” He gave us a salute and smiled, grabbing at a cigarette from his pack on the table.
