I started going to the gym with him every day to learn self-defense. After I had that down, we started messing around in the ring, boxing—him showing me how to throw a proper punch and how to block. When I was up there, I was able to let everything out; all the anger, all the pain, all my frustrations would melt off of me with my sweat. He also started taking me to the gun range to teach me how to fire a gun and hit a target. Even though I loved boxing and being in the ring, shooting made me feel powerful, like I had all the control. Mack even bought me my own handgun. I was finally starting to feel like myself again and becoming the person I wanted to be.
One day, I asked Mack about getting a tattoo and he insisted that he do it for me. He’s an amazing artist. When he asked what I wanted, I told him I wanted a phoenix on my back, but I didn’t have a picture to work from. I could have drawn something, but at that point, I hadn’t drawn anything for a long time.
He designed the whole thing, and it turned out amazing. Most phoenix tattoos you see are full of color, but mine is black and gray. I wanted to show that when I rose up from the ashes, I was a different person—darker, and with the knowledge that life isn’t always colorful, but full of pain. I couldn’t have designed it better myself. That was the first of many tattoos I would get.
I started going to the Forsaken Sinners’ clubhouse and bartending for them. I was able to meet the rest of the brothers and really start building a relationship with them. They considered me a sister since Mack had pretty much claimed me as his daughter. I loved the way I was around them and they way they filled my heart with love. Not the lovey-dovey type of love you get when you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, but the type you have for family. They make me feel sort of like a princess, their MC Princess.
Louie and Toby became my confidants. They grounded me. When I wasn’t at the shop working or at the gym with Toby, I was hanging out with one or both of them. We’d go for rides on their bikes, shoot the shit at the clubhouse, or they'd teach me how to play pool and darts. While Toby was like a big brother to me, Louie became my best friend.
Around my second year there, I got so bored one day sitting at the reception desk I decided to draw to pass the time. So I started doodling on a blank page in the appointment book.
“You ever think about tattooing?”
Since I didn’t realize Mack had come up behind me, when he spoke I about fell out of my chair. When I calmed down and righted myself, his words hit me. I never really thought about it till he mentioned it, but now that the thought was in my head, I wanted to learn. “Would you teach me?”
And so began my apprenticeship with Mack to become a tattoo artist. It took me a little less than a year to learn the craft, since I already knew how to draw. I worked side by side with Mack and Louie at the shop. I would still man the front when necessary though, which was fine by me.
A year ago, Mack signed ownership for the shop over to me because he wanted to spend more time at the club. Since I loved the shop as much as he did, he said he couldn’t think of anyone better to take over for him—his daughter. He still comes in to help out when he’s bored or we need the help, but mostly it’s me and Louie.
I’ve come to love my new life. I have an amazing career, I bought my own house a few months ago, and I have a new family. I still harbor the pain and anger from what led me here, but I’ve been able to take all of those feelings and put them into my career as a tattoo artist or work them out at the gym or shooting range. Life is good. Except when August fifth rolls around.
***
After my shower, I head into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. What I’d really like is a shot of Jack, but I know that’s a bad idea, at least until after I get back from the shop. Then I plan to drink a full bottle, listen to music, and design myself a new tattoo. My usual on this date.
As I’m walking out of the house, my phone rings. I don’t even check the caller ID because there are only a handful of people with my number.
“Yeah?” I say as I unlock the truck door.
“Dani, where you at?” says Mack. Don’t know why he’s asking, since he should know after four years that I’m either in the shop or at least making my way there by now.
“Heading to the shop, why?” I start the truck and get a thrill when I hear the pipes cackle. Fuck, I love this thing! It was a birthday present from Mack last year, a hunter green 2013 Ford Raptor, extended cab. Did I mention that I love my truck?
Mack interrupts my thoughts. “You got a lot of appointments today?”
I wish. I only have one this morning, and it won’t even take me an hour. Some college chick wants a small butterfly on her stomach—typical. “Nah, only one this morning. What ya got?” If I have to sit on my ass all day doing nothing I’m going to go crazy and probably end up breaking shit. I can’t let my mind wander, not today. It will take me back to that night. I haven’t had any problems the last couple of years forgetting what happened or at least moving on, but for some reason, whenever today rolls around, if I’m not doing something to keep myself busy or drunk and passed out, that’s all I think about. Why that would happen to me, what did I do to deserve it, why Zane wasn’t there, why he was such a dick, etc.
“Got a brother who wants a back piece. Can you work him in?” he asks.
A back piece will take a while, so I’ll do it. “Yup. Who is it?” I love all the brothers, so it doesn't matter to me.
“Blaze. He transferred from another chapter this week.”
That’s news. “Yeah, I could fit him in. My morning appointment is at 11. He can come in any time after noon. Does he know what he wants?” I hope it will be something original that will last a while, hopefully all day.
“I don’t know the specifics, but it’s a big back piece from what he said.”
Nice! That will take me at least six hours. “Does he have it drawn already or do I need to draw it out when he gets here?” That would use up even more time.
“No. He already has a sketch.”
Shit, that sucks. Oh well, at least it’s a big piece; it should still use up most of my day even without drawing it from scratch. Plus, I may have to change some things on it, depending on the quality of the drawing. “All right, tell him to come in around noon.”
“Thanks, darlin’, I'll send him over. Be nice. He’s a good brother, and we’d really like to keep him here.” He knows I am sometimes a bitch to people I don't know, but I would never do anything to jeopardize the club; they are my family.
“Yeah, yeah.” I hang up the phone as I’m pulling up to the shop. Louie isn’t coming in today, so I’ll have to set everything up.
I check the clock and see that I still have at least twenty minutes until my appointment comes in. That’ll be enough time to set up my station, check my email, and grab a soda out of the fridge.
***
I’m just finishing the cleanup on the college girl when I hear the bell ring above the door. I assume it’s Blaze, so I call over my shoulder without lifting my eyes from my work, “Almost done, Blaze. Have a seat, I’ll be out in a minute.”
I hear him mumble “Ah huh,” and walk over to the couch.
“Okay, you’re all done. Keep the covering on until you get home. Here are the directions for the aftercare. If there are any problems, my number’s on the bottom,” I tell my client, and start cleaning up my station. She already paid, so she gets up and walks out to the front.
When I’m almost done with my cleanup I say, “All right, Blaze, come on back.”
As I’m sitting on my chair, I bend over to grab the supplies I’ll need for the tattoo.
“Thanks for fitting me in, Dani. Mack said you were the best around.” At the first word out of his mouth, I drop the bottle of antiseptic and the needle I was pulling out of my drawer—I know that voice. I hear it in my dreams.
I try to catch my breath, but I can’t seem to get enough air. It can’t be…
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him settle into my client ch
air. “You all right?” he asks, reaching out to touch me. I flinch away from him, but I don’t look up. My heart feels like it’s beating so fast and so hard it could break a rib.
It only takes a couple seconds for the shock and hurt to fade, and then there is nothing but anger. But anger is good. I need that to get through what happens next. “What the fuck are you doing here, Zane?”
Chapter 16
When I look up at him, what little breath I had is knocked out of me. Damn, the years have been good to him. Not a lot has changed, but at the same time, everything has. Holy fuck, look at that body! Zane was always buff, but I can tell he’s been working out quite a bit. He has muscle on top of muscle now. I’m surprised that the shirt he is wearing isn’t bursting at the seams. He’s wearing his cut that says Forsaken Sinners and his road name, Blaze, but nothing else on the front to give me an idea where he is ranked in the club. But then again, he did transfer from another chapter, so he may not have rank here yet.
Then there is his face, which still seems to have stayed the same, except maybe he’s even better-looking than before. His hair is still cropped short, but he seems harder, or rougher. Zane always had a look that said “Don’t fuck with me,” but now it’s deadly.
When I reach his eyes, I have to turn away because looking into them brings back too many memories. I remember the first day we met in his back yard and seeing frustration in them. I remember the day we found out about Zeke and seeing the pain and anger sparking like a livewire. And then the look in them the last time I saw him—he was buzzed but had a look of lust mixed with anger when I saw him with that girl. The girl he left me for the night I was raped.
How dare he come here! This is my home. This is where I’ve rebuilt a life for myself after my old life was ripped away from me. He has no right to be here.
“Danielle…?” he whispers like he doesn’t believe I’m really here, then reaches out to touch me.
I stand up so fast that I knock my chair over. I need to put space between us.
“Baby Girl…”
I hold my hand out in front of me, which causes him to recoil like I’ve slapped him. If he only knew how I felt. I want to do more than slap him. “Don’t call me that,” I seethe. I turn around and walk out of the room. I can’t deal with this, not today.
I don’t make it far before he rushes up behind me, grabbing my arm. “Danielle, wa—”
But before he can finish whatever it is he wants to say, I yank my arm out of his grasp, swing around, and punch him right in the face. It's a good shot too, has all my body weight behind it and the momentum from turning around so fast. Toby would be so proud.
“Don’t you dare fucking touch me!”
He’s holding his nose as blood gushes out of it. Serves him right. I hope I broke it. It’s the least he deserves after everything he put me through.
“Get the hell out,” I say with a deadly calm, then go behind the desk to grab my phone. I want to call Mack and ask him what the fuck he was thinking sending Zane here, but then I realize he doesn’t know. I’ll have to explain if I call him now and I'm not sure if that’s something I really want to do.
I look up from my phone and see that Zane hasn’t moved a muscle. “You fuckin’ deaf? I said get the fuck out! Now!” I yell. I can’t deal with this; I don’t want to deal with it. Not now, not ever.
When I left home, I told myself I would never see him again. I did everything I could to make sure that he would never find me. I sold my grandmother’s house and left no trail of where I'd gone. I got rid of my phone and didn’t get another one for almost a year, only using a burner Mack gave me when I needed one. I stopped using the name Danielle and now only answer to Dani. I was fine with the thought of never seeing him again, but looking at him now, I realize I feel more than anger. I feel like a part of me was missing and now its found its way back. I feel the love I felt for him all those years ago. And I feel guilty for leaving. I don’t want to feel those things.
I sit down and whisper, because I don’t have anything left in me, “Just go, Zane…” I don’t look up, but after a couple of seconds, I hear him walk toward the door.
Before he leaves, though, he pauses. “Okay, Baby Girl, I’ll leave…for now. But this ain’t over. We are going to talk, and soon.” With that, he leaves the shop.
I sit there, not moving for an hour. I can’t believe Zane is back. Or should I say Blaze? And he’s a part of the MC—my family. How messed up is that? Destiny doesn’t know when to stop fucking with me. The bitch is still throwing me lemons, after all these years. Haven’t I had enough?
Well, she can go jump off a cliff and hit every rock on the way down. “Thank you for the fucking blast from my past, bitch.” Hope she heard me. I grab my keys and lock up. I hop in my truck to head home, but make one quick stop at the liquor store. Need to grab a bottle of Patron for that nice big lemon I’ve been served.
***
I have the bottle of tequila open before I make it through the door to my house, drinking it straight. I don’t even notice the burn as it slides down my throat. It’s barely five in the afternoon, but I don’t care. I need to drown the thoughts from the past and forget. I don’t want to feel what Zane awakened in me when he stepped back into my life. I hate that I long for him, that I’ve missed him and still love him. A small piece of me is happy he showed up today, but I need to bury that piece right now.
Walking into my bedroom, I strip off my jeans and shirt and head to the bathroom. Starting the bath water, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. “You will not fall apart. You can deal with this. It’s been four fucking years, you’ll be fine. This is nothing. You can handle this.” I look myself in the eye and repeat this mantra, willing myself to believe it.
When the tub is full, I get in and lie back. I bring the bottle to my lips and take another big drink. Why did this have to happen today? If it had been any other day, would I have been able to stay in the same room as him and act like he was someone else?
I hear my phone ring in the bedroom, but I ignore it. It’s probably Mack, asking what the hell happened. Fuck! I shouldn’t have punched Zane, but it felt so good to let some of my anger out. I know deep down that what happened isn’t entirely his fault, but I can’t help but blame him. If he hadn’t left me there, it never would have happened. If he would have helped me unpack like he said he would and not taken me to that stupid party, it never would have happened. If he had never showed up the day after Gram’s funeral and said I should go to school with him, that he’d take care of me, it never would have happened. It is all his fault!
I hear my phone beep a message and then it starts ringing again. They can keep calling, though; I’m not answering. I don’t want to talk to anyone. I don’t want anyone to know that Zane and I have a past. I know it’s not possible to keep it quiet for long; Mack will find out soon enough. Will he make Zane leave? And if he does, will I be able to watch him go again? I’m not sure I could.
The bottle of tequila calls to me, so while I lie back and try to relax in my bath, I continue to take greedy gulps of the burning liquid. I wish I could feel the burn, but unfortunately for me, it’s going down easy. Today it’s a good thing, though I know I will regret it in the morning. But I can’t bring myself to care enough to stop.
After lying in the tub until the hot water turns cold, drinking half the bottle, and ignoring my phone, which goes off every couple of minutes, I finally drag myself out of the bathroom. I throw on my robe and walk slowly into the kitchen. I think it’s time I start drinking out of a glass, though I'm not sure it matters now.
As I’m pulling a glass from the cabinet, someone starts banging on my door. It’s so unexpected that I drop the glass and let out a scream.
“Dani! Dani! What’s going on in there? Let me in!” Toby yells from outside.
“Dani, if you don’t open this door in ten seconds I’m kicking it down!” Louie’s voice booms with authority while Toby continues banging on the door. Shit! What the
hell are they doing here?
I stumble to the door and try to unlock all the latches before I have to buy a new one. “Stand down, assholes, I’m coming!” I say loud enough they can hear me on the other side. I will end up hitting more than Zane if they kick my door in. This is really not the best day to mess with me. I’m the three deadly sins right now: dealing with the anniversary of the worst night of my life, Zane coming back into my life, and well on my way to being drunk. This is not a good time. Trust me, when I get drunk, I get mean. It must have to do with the fact that I have a lot of anger in me. Or it could be the fact that I spend all my time with bikers.
I finally get the last lock undone, but before I can open the door for them, they are pushing it in. Toby is concerned and angry while Louie looks at me with complete and utter chaotic rage. What the fuck crawled up their asses?
“What the hell do you want?” I mumble as I walk back into the kitchen for another glass. Fuck! I have to clean up the broken glass too. I should fucking make them clean it since it’s their fault it broke, but knowing the mood they are in right now, they’d probably end up causing more damage.
Toby starts going through all my rooms. I don’t know what he expects to find, but I hope not finding whatever it is will calm his ass down and help me get him out of here faster. Louie is going to be the hardest.
“What do you want?” I whisper. I just want to be alone with my bottle and my hatred for everything and everyone. Is that too much to ask?
“What the fuck is going on with you?” Louie practically yells. It makes me take a step back. He’s really pissed, like body shaking pissed.
“I’m fine, okay? Having a bad day is all.” I don’t want to get into anything with him right now, but I know he’s going to push. Louie and I have a strange relationship. At first it was like we were best friends, but I know he has feelings for me, feelings I can't return.
Rewriting Destiny (Forsaken Sinners MC #1) Page 15
