by London Casey
Ava nodded. Trev turned her around and walked her from the bar to her private room. It was no bigger than a utility closet and did not even enough room for a bed. Ava had been sleeping on an old love seat with cushions that didn’t even match.
She sat down on the couch and let out a long sigh.
Being stuck out in the middle of nowhere was not the life changing trip she had expected to take. This was supposed to be about discovery and escaping her husband’s greedy hold on her. Instead, she was more trapped than she ever thought.
A knock sounded at her door and Ava stood up. “Who is it?”
“Nile.”
“Come in.”
The door opened. “I’m not coming in.” His face was covered in blood. “Just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Just fine,” Ava said. “Living in my dream home.”
Ava opened her hands and smiled.
Nile laughed. “Just so you know, you’d enjoy it. You’d come begging for more. You and me, sweetie, we could be something good. Real good.”
“If that’s what you need to think to sleep better tonight, that’s fine,” Ava said.
“I’m going to think about what could have been,” Nile said.
“Do that then.”
“One of these days Trev ain’t gonna be around to protect your sweet ass. And when that day comes, I’m going to fuck it… and every other hole on your body I can force myself in.”
Nile stuck two of his fingers up his nose and pulled them out, covered in blood. He touched Ava’s door and ran his fingers down a few inches and then stopped. Ava had no idea what the hell that was supposed to do, other than gross her out.
She slammed the door, shut it, and locked it.
Ava plopped back down on the couch. She looked to the mismatched cushion next to her and then to the door. She bit her lip and reached behind the cushion. She flipped it up on its side and opened the zipper. Reaching into the yellow stuffing, she closed her eyes and told herself that the stuffing was always yellow. That it wasn’t from smoke, stain, and age.
When Ava touched the envelope, she opened her eyes and pulled it out of the cushion. She put the envelope on her lap and looked at the door again. Being locked didn’t mean shit. Trev had a key, and if anyone wanted in, they’d just kick the door down.
Ava was just going to have to take the chance.
She opened the envelope and found the picture of Stein. Big round shoulders, hairy as anything, a rough looking face, and mean eyes. Mostly bald but still desperate to keep hair on his head. He looked old and goofy, but the tattoos and devilish look in his eyes made it so nobody questioned anything he did or said. Most of the guys, with the exception of a few scumbags like Nile, kept away from Ava, out of respect to their fallen leader. They believed Ava was Stein’s old lady, which was why she was given the respect and protection of the Lost Men.
But if the truth came out about Ava and Stein, it would be bad. She would be beat, automatically passed around to each and every member, and then possibly even killed for her betrayal. Without hesitation. She hadn’t shown up to the Lost Men by accident. It wasn’t because she wanted to fall in love, get fucked, or become an old lady. In fact, hearing people refer to her as “Stein’s old lady” made her sick. Not because Stein was an ugly man, but because Stein was… her father.
When she discovered where her father was and who he actually was, she prayed that he would help her escape her husband, Todd. There was no way Todd would come near her if he knew she was protected by outlaw bikers who had no respect for the law.
It was a secret between Ava and her father in order to keep her safe. So when one man began questioning their relationship a few weeks ago, Stein killed him, but not before the man pulled his trigger too, ending Ava’s father’s life. The wound was fresh. The grief real. And suddenly Ava’s life became even more complicated.
Ava ran her thumb along the picture with one hand and then along a piece of paper with the other. She couldn’t be here forever. Eventually a guy like Nile would get tired of being turned down and take matters into his own hands. And Trev would eventually decide it was time to move on from Stein’s death, and his first move would be toward Ava. Because other than fighting and shooting at each other, Ava knew the guys around here wanted to fuck. Most of the other women were drunk, high, and looked worn out. Not that Ava was conceited, but she was the youngest and the most virginal.
Someone tried to open her door and her heart skipped a beat. She scrambled to hide everything under the cushion. The last thing she needed was to face punishment for having her door lock.
“Open the fucking door,” Trev bellowed as he knocked harder.
“I’m right here,” Ava said.
She unlocked the door and opened it. Trev put a hand to her chest and pushed back, sending Ava tumbling all the way to the couch. She sat on the cushion that was hiding the pictures and papers that would get her killed if they were discovered.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
“Relaxing,” Ava said.
“Why was the door locked?”
“Nile…”
Trev’s eyes went wide. “What happened?”
“See the blood on the door?”
Trev nodded. “That was him?”
“He stuck his own fingers up his nose and did that to scare me or whatever. I just don’t want to be bothered anymore. Okay?”
“What’s with the get up? I don’t get it.”
“Get what?”
“You try to act so tough around here,” Trev said, sitting down next to Ava. “You try to act like you belong here. Like you want to be here. You don’t even know who the fuck we are.”
“Who are you then?”
Trev shook his head. “We’re the outcasts of all the MC’s. We are the ones who wouldn’t listen because we think all law is worth shit. Stein was a tough man. He managed to keep order around here. Loosely though. He was a smart man. I’m sorry that he’s dead.”
“Me too,” Ava said.
“Look, I just got a call about helping an old friend out.”
“Okay.”
“I used to belong to Back Down Devil MC. Then shit went south and I bounced before I was killed. This is the alternative to death. One rung above hell. But the guys called me and they need bodies in their town. I want you down there with us.”
“Are any other women…”
“No,” Trev said. “It’s dangerous down there, Ava. They’re in a war. But if I leave you here, you won’t make it a day without problems. You need the protection. And you don’t belong here. Maybe you could find something to do down there. Frelen, California is a beautiful little town on the beach. Fuck, you could go down there and strip if you wanted to.” Trev stood and faced Ava. He touched her chin. “If you were smart, you’d get in with one of the guys in Back Down Devil.”
Ava swallowed hard. “Okay. I don’t know what to say right now. I didn’t plan on traveling…”
“Nobody cares about plans,” Trev said. “Just follow the road, Ava. Whatever one that’s in front of you.” Trev smiled. “Any chance you want to suck my dick?”
“Is that a question or command?”
Trev laughed. His thumb grazed her bottom lip. “Trust me, if it was a command, you’d be gagging.” He took his hand away and walked to the door. Trev paused and looked back. “Be ready to leave… ten minutes. You’ll never see this place again. Consider yourself lucky.”
The door shut and Ava let out a shaky breath.
Consider yourself lucky.
Ava wasn’t sure what luck was anymore. But if getting out of there and away from those men was luck, she’d take it. However, there was no way she was going to get involved with another biker in a MC.
four.
Shay laid on his back on the hard bench that stuck out of the wall. The cell ceiling was a dirty white color with yellowish stains all across it. He had one leg bent, the other straight, and his hands folded across his chest. Every now and again there was the e
choing sound of a jail cell closing, the squeak of a door opening, and the murmur of voices. If you focused on them it would drive a man insane in no time. Wondering what was out there. Wondering what was happening. Wondering when it was time to get the hell out.
But Shay was different. He accepted his current fate, knowing damn well the MC would be there soon enough. He appreciated the solitude so he could be alone to think.
To think about his brother.
If Shay had been at the car a minute or two longer, he would have been killed. His goddamn brother would have gotten what he wanted without even meaning to do so. It didn’t make sense for Eight Under to get involved, but then again, Eight Under had seen Back Down Devil with Strokner so they were probably trying to do the same. They think using a suit and tie with power, politics, and money to rattle the enemies was going to give them a leg up. The difference was that Strokner was simply a rich puppet grieving the loss of his daughter.
Shay knew the dangerous potential of his brother, so his decision to allow Eight Under to get involved seemed unnecessary. Shay’s brother could wipe out Eight Under without breaking a sweat and then turn Frelen into a living hell.
Shay shut his eyes and sighed.
He was suddenly taken back to a long distant memory.
Shay and his brother were just kids. They weren’t even ten years old. Standing at the end of a pond, listening to the sounds of nature. Crying birds. Chirping crickets. Croaking frogs.
“Hey, Caius, check this out,” Shay had called to his brother.
Caius walked with his hands in his pockets. Even then, Caius’s eyes were dark and distant.
“What do you want?”
“There’s a frog,” Shay said.
“So what?”
Shay smiled. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a string of firecrackers. “I heard that if you put them in a frog’s mouth, it’ll explode.”
“Nice,” Caius said. “Are you going to do it?”
“Yeah. I’m not afraid.”
“Good.”
Shay licked his lips and reached for the frog. When he touched the frog, it didn’t jump away. He could not believe the frog was so stupid. It was just going sit there and eat some firecrackers.
This is so cool.
Shay reached back into his pocket and pulled out a lighter. He slowly started to pry open the frog’s mouth and put the firecrackers in it. He looked back at Caius, always worried about his approval for some reason. Caius stared down, not blinking.
Shay looked to the frog again and flicked his thumb at the lighter. As he moved the lighter toward the firecrackers, there was an explosion.
That’s how Shay remembered it, even to this day.
It was a fucking explosion.
The thundering boom happened the exact second the frog exploded. There was a wet gush sound and then pieces of the frog splashed all over Shay’s face and clothing. He screamed and fell back to this ass, his body shaking.
“You’re a pussy, Shay,” Caius said.
Shay looked up and saw his brother holding a gun.
A gun!
“Where… did you… get that?”
Caius smiled. “Don’t worry about it. It’s mine now. You don’t need to work so hard to kill something. Just shoot. Make it count. Want to try?”
“No,” Shay said. “I was just messing around, Caius. What is wrong with you?”
Caius pointed the gun at Shay. “You’re such a pussy, Shay. You know, if you don’t get tough, I’m going to have to kill you someday. And I won’t do it by putting firecrackers in your mouth.”
That’s when Caius let out a laugh. He then tucked the gun into the back of his pants and walked away. Shay remembered watching his brother walk away and then looking back to the bloody spot where the frog had been.
Shay just wanted to have a little fun… but Caius wanted to kill…
“Christ,” Shay whispered as he opened his eyes, chasing away the memory of his childhood. He turned his head and saw Blaine standing at the cell, his hands on his hips. Shay sat up. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Wasn’t sure if you were fantasizing or not,” Blaine said. “I didn’t want to interrupt… especially if you were getting ready to…” Blaine made a fist and moved it back and forth. He smiled.
Shay swung his feet to the floor and stood up. He walked to the cell door and wished he could get at Blaine.
“Am I out?” Shay asked.
“Yeah,” Blaine said. “Another minute or so. The good Chief brought in Gaige and Nate separately and questioned them. Their stories matched yours. You didn’t blow up that car, man.”
“I know that,” Shay said. “But we know we did.”
“Chief Jerry doesn’t,” Blaine said with a smile. “And he won’t. He’s going to chase his own damn tail and send his puppies to rush around town.” Blaine grabbed the cell bars. “Man, it’s going to get wild around here when the Lost Men show up.”
“How long?”
“Call has been made. They’re on their way down. The calm in Frelen is about to be shaken up.”
“Shit,” Shay said. “We need to get this all done. And fast.”
“We will, brother. We will.”
Shay heard footsteps on the concrete and saw Nate and Gaige coming down the hallway with Chief Jerry right behind them.
“Letting me out?” Shay asked.
“Want to stay?” the chief asked.
“Maybe. I do love the accommodations here, Chief.”
Chief Jerry opened the door, but when Shay started to leave, Jerry grabbed Shay. “Keep this shit up, and you’ll end up in here for the rest of your life.”
“No,” Shay said. “That won’t happen.”
“Is that so?”
Shay smiled. “I won’t be in a cell for the rest of my life, Chief. I’ll die before I spend my life in here. Got it?”
Chief Jerry curled his lip. “The four of you, fuck off out of here.” He shook his head and then whistled. Shay, Gaige, Nate, and Blaine all stopped walking.
“Oh boys, don’t forget to make sure you and the guys keep your friends under control when they visit. The last thing I’d want is to see your clubhouse raided and members locked up.”
They looked back and Shay was the first one to start laughing. Soon, the four of them were laughing and they continued to walk.
There would be no way in hell Chief Jerry or his officers would be able to stop Back Down Devil or the Lost Men. Especially the Lost Men. They had nothing to live for. They had no care, no respect, no love, nothing. They would sooner take a bullet to the chest or between the eyes before letting someone of authority arrest them.
Outside, Shay looked around and inhaled the air. A night in jail always seemed to make the air smell fresher.
Gaige, Nate, and Blaine walked to their motorcycles. There was no fourth ride.
“Come the fuck on,” he growled.
“What’s wrong?” Nate asked.
Blaine patted the seat behind him. “You can ride bitch with me. Just don’t get hard. And don’t grab my cock.”
“Fuck you,” Shay said. “I’ll walk.”
He wasn’t in the damn mood for any of this shit right now. He started to walk and Gaige yelled for him.
“You think we’d leave you hanging?” Gaige asked.
A second later, the sound of a motorcycle echoed in the distance.
“What is that?” Shay asked. “Is someone…”
“Take it easy,” Blaine said.
Shay listened to the sound of his ride getting louder and then it cut into the back parking lot. Jon, the prospect from behind the bar the other night, stopped the ride and climbed off. He took off a helmet and then pointed to Shay’s helmet on the back.
“All set,” Jon said. “Nothing happened to it.”
“You let him ride my motorcycle?” Shay asked.
“Hey, you have wheels,” Gaige said. “Ride.”
“What the fuck do I do with the prospect?” Sh
ay asked.
“Whatever you want,” Blaine said. “Let him ride bitch. But be careful… he might get hard… might grab your…”
“Shut up, bro,” Shay growled.
Everyone laughed again.
Shay walked to his motorcycle and looked at the prospect. He grabbed his helmet and put it on. He didn’t say a word to the prospect as he climbed on the motorcycle and started it.
“Don’t worry, I’ll walk,” Jon yelled.
“Yeah, you will,” Shay said.
He took off.
No disrespect to the prospect, but there were serious matters at hand.
Shay rode, alone, leaving Jon behind. Gaige, Nate, and Blaine soon caught up. They rode back to the clubhouse, and Shay parked his ride and stepped off. Miller, Jace, Griffin, and Erik all stood up from a table and clapped and whistled.
Miller hugged Shay. “Sorry you had to spend the night there.”
“Not a problem. Slept great,” Shay said.
“You smell like piss,” Griffin said.
“Thanks.”
“Your face looks good,” Erik said.
Shay touched his jaw where Erik had given him a good shot. “I could say the same about your face, Erik, but then you’d want to fight me.”
Miller cut in between the two of them and put his hands out. “Cool it. It’s done. Time to move forward. We have to organize the protection run for Jakey. And we have to find Jonesy. And we have to settle all this shit. We need to start with Eight Under.”
“How’s that plan look?” Shay asked.
Before Miller could respond, the thundering roar of motorcycles came to life. It seemed like it came out of nowhere. There was a total of fifteen motorcycles that piled into the parking lot of the Back Down Devil MC compound.
“That’s what the plan looks like,” Miller said, laughing.
“Good Christ,” Shay said. “It’s going to be a bloody war.”
“What other kind is there?” Erik asked. He punched Shay’s shoulder and walked away.
The Lost Men made their own row to park their motorcycles, back tire in first, front tire out and turned. No matter what they believed, they still had MC blood flowing through their veins.
But that wasn’t what caught Shay’s attention.
A woman climbed off the back of the first bike. When she took her helmet off, she tossed her dark hair left to right and looked around. Her bright blue eyes were striking. Her t-shirt was tight and her jeans grabbed at her hips, flaunting her amazing curves. Shay’s hands curled and uncurled, over and over, as he imagined what it would be like to guide that body all around his bed.
