by Erin Trejo
“I’m working the liquor store for a few hours a day. I thought Cher might want to work with me.” Tank shakes his head before taking another drink. What the hell is he saying no for?
“I don’t want her workin’. I want her with Griff. No reason for her to work while I’m around.” Jada stiffens in my grip as I glance down at her.
“What the hell is wrong now?” I ask her. Jada lets out a huff before she pokes Tank in the chest.
“You, are way to caveman. If she wants to come hang out with me she can Tank. You’re not the boss.” Jada slips out of my reach before walking past Tank. My eyes dart to his and hold there. Amusement dances across his face.
“Look what you did.” Nodding toward Jada, I don’t smile.
“I didn’t do shit. My woman ain’t workin’ Creed. My son needs his momma.” I watch him take another drink before he looks at me.
“Shit, brother. I’ve tried talkin’ Jada into stayin’ home too. That shit didn’t work out well.” Tank chuckles before he slaps his hand on my shoulder.
“Take charge brother. Be a man. Tell her she ain’t workin’. Hell, I just told Cher she wasn’t workin’ and she was givin’ me another baby.” Shaking my head, I lose it. I wonder how well that went over.
Cher has a mind of her own, always has. I never understood how these two stay together. They are some of the most hard headed people that I know.
“You didn’t win that shit Tank. I know that girl.” Walking toward the door, he follows.
“What the fuck you mean; I didn’t win?” I can hear the annoyance in his voice, but I know how she is.
“What the fuck I mean is, you didn’t win. She ain’t one to roll over for no man. Hell, brother. That girl has had a mind of her own for as long as I can remember. Ain’t shit changin’ that.” Reaching for my helmet, Tank laughs.
“You don’t know the skills I got. I told her what she’s doin’ and she agreed.” Shaking my head, I pull my helmet on.
“You remember that’s the same girl that gave you shit not so long ago about gettin’ on a motorcycle yeah? The same girl that didn’t like the idea of sleepin’ in the woods.” Adjusting the strap on my helmet, he glares at me.
“She’s also the same girl that I fucked senseless the day we got back to this clubhouse. The same girl that I fucked until she carried my son in her. Yeah, I got that girl.” Tank slides his helmet on before climbing on his bike. He’s going to have his hands full with Cher.
Chapter 6
Tank
The smell of stale grease hits my nose as soon as I walk into the old abandoned shop. This place was left the way it is, a long time ago. The old man that owned it passed away, and no one else has messed with it since.
In fact, the bank nearly laughed when we went in there and said we wanted it. They said no one has put an offer on it in over ten years. I must say, that I’m damn glad we did.
I walk around the garage and look at the rusted out tools, and old motors that still litter the room. This is like a second home to me. I love being in the garage. Knowing that I’m fixing something and being useful for a fucking change, just hits me in all the right spots.
“Jesus Christ, brother. This place is a shit hole.” Torch walks over kicking some old pieces causing them to clink across the garage floor.
“This ain’t a shit hole. This is beauty. Raw, untouched beauty.” Torch chuckles before pulling out a cigarette, and passing one to me. We both stand there glancing around as we light them up.
“You know, it wouldn’t take much to put some shelves and shit up there. Get some new tools in here and we’re good. This is like fuckin’ heaven brother.” Turning to look at Torch, he blows out a puff of smoke.
“Heaven or hell? Either way, it’s all the same to me.” Shrugging, he walks toward the little office as I follow. Torch sits at the desk flipping through some dusty papers.
“Look at this shit.” The way he jolts into the upright position has my attention.
“What’s that?” Reaching over, I grab the picture out of his hand. My heart nearly falls out of my chest as my eyes come to rest on our old president.
“I’ll be goddamned. He did business with old man Winter.” What a hell of a way to come into this place. I had no idea that Sharp ever dealt with old man Winter. As far as I knew, he always used the club shop. Guess that was all a load of shit like everything else that came from him.
“Seems he had quite the side business.” Dropping the photo onto the table, I take the paper that he holds out to me. Scanning it quickly, I shake my head. This is some crazy shit.
“See what else you get. I want Creed to see this shit.” Dropping the paper back onto the table, Torch nods and fumbles through more.
I take that moment to walk around the small office, just looking at things.
Nothing else jumps out at me as I try to plan this shit out in my mind. I have a visual of what I want this shop to look like. I want this to work out for the club.
Stepping back out into the main garage, I take a puff of my cigarette and look around the empty space.
Creed brought the idea of opening up a garage to my attention. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea but the more we dug into it, the better it sounded.
We own it flat out. We paid for it, and now it’s ours. The way things looked and mapped out we will be the only shop within a twenty-mile radius, and the only one within an hour that specializes in Harley’s. That’s a big fucking plus on our end. We can pull in some of the other chapters, and the other clubs that we don’t have issues with too.
“You like the layout brother?” Torch comes to stand next to me as I look around again.
“Yeah. We can make this work. I’ve worked with less. What do you think?” Glancing over at him I see the smile on his face. He is all in on this shit too.
“Fuck yeah. This place has potential. Bein’ the only shop around, we are bound to get some good business. Plus, the location is hot.” Nodding, I have to agree. This is a prime location.
“What are you thinkin’ about Angel’s?” Walking back out into the parking lot, I look over at Torch as he shakes his head.
“Who the fuck don’t like liquor? I’m just worried about rivals Tank. That shit ain’t exactly in a friendly area. I don’t like the idea of any of the girls workin’ there either.” At least we agree on one thing. I also don’t like the thought of them working there.
“I heard that. I told Cher hell no. Jada still wants to though. I think we need to have a nice talk with Creed about that shit.” Torch nods as we make our way back to the bikes.
“I think we can make this shit work brother. Me and you got the skills, anyway. I don’t know about the other end of shit but on the shop front, we’re good.” Nodding my agreement, I climb on my bike.
This is going to be our new beginning.
Chapter 7
Creed
Standing in the liquor store, I look around at what we have to work with. This is a good move for the club. It’s a legit business, that will bring in legit money. Our future needs to be secured for the sake of this club, and the kids in it. Not all blood money is bad money, but the legit money, is a shit ton better.
“What are you thinkin’ brother?” Looking over at Piper, he smiles. He’s in his element here.
“I think this shit is goin’ to be good for the club. I like it Creed. You did great on this.” Nodding at the old timer, that means a lot to me. Hearing it from him, is special. Piper is one of the last of the older guys aside from Bobby, and he’s out of commission.
“We did great. Piper, what would you think of runnin’ shit here?” His eyes light up as he looks over at me. I’ve never seen the look he has right now.
“I’d love it. It’d give me great pride Creed.” Pulling me into a hug, I slap my hand on his shoulder. Piper has been a life saver in many situations. To not let him have a place in this would be immoral and wrong. He was a founder here. He built this club from scratch.
&nb
sp; I wander around the store before I realize just how lucky we are to have this place. It’s in fairly good shape for not being open in a long time. We shouldn’t have too much work to put into it before it opens.
Pulling my phone out, I call Jada.
“Hey baby.” That voice of hers melts me inside.
“Hey darlin’. The store’s lookin’ nice. Shouldn’t take much to get it up and runnin’. I don’t know if I like the layout enough for you to be here though.” I hear her sigh into the other end of the phone. I know I’m in for it when she speaks though. I know her.
“I don’t give a shit if you don’t like the layout, Creed. Put a goddamn lock and alarm in. I told you this is my choice. I can’t sit around and play housewife.” What the hell does that mean? Is she regretting her role in the club? Her role with me?
“Housewife huh? What the hell does that mean, Jada?” Feeling myself getting a little more pissed by the second, I need to diffuse this.
“I walk around that clubhouse cleaning up after grown men, Creed. This isn’t my life forever.” Holy shit! I’m in no mood for an argument tonight but she is really grating on my last nerve.
“You fuckin’ walk around there as my old lady, Jada! You knew that shit when you got back with me. I don’t know what the hell is goin’ on in that head of yours, but you better get it straightened out before I get back!” Shoving the phone back in my pocket I shake my head.
Walking back into the back room I take in the area. If she’s going to be here, I want to make sure I can at least put some kind of security in place.
“Fuckin’ hell.” Blowing out a breath I run my hand through my hair.
With both of the new businesses and now Jada, I will lose my damn mind.
“Lady troubles?” I spin around to see Piper grinning at me. He knows he loves this shit.
“I don’t know what the hell is wrong with her brother. She has an attitude from hell. She doesn’t listen to any of the shit I have to say to her. She said she is tired of bein’ a housewife.” Pulling out a cigarette, I light one up. Life was just starting to get back to normal, and now this.
“She’s young Creed. She gets restless. I know she has her family now, but she needs some kind of freedom. I’ll keep my eye on her when she’s here.” I’m glad that Piper will be around when Jada’s here, I just don’t like the attitude I’m getting from her.
“You know I appreciate that. We need to get some new locks on back here. I don’t want any way in this shit, other than the front door.” Piper walks around taking in the back room before he looks back over at me.
“I know I tell you this a lot Creed. I’m proud of you. You took this club back to its roots. We weren’t always this fucked up you know. We once ran legit. We once had heart. This club was the way it should be until Sharp. Shit changed. Bonds were broken. We lost our way for a long time. I’m just glad that you see the potential that these boys have. You can put it back together, repair the bonds. Shit comes at us from all angles that will never stop either, but the way you handle it, that’s something you can change.” I watch the old man in front of me as I let that sink in. I’ve always known that this club needed to go in a different direction than it was. I was never in the position to change anything though.
“You’re right. I want this to change. I want this club to be better than it was.”
Chapter 8
Ryker
The days go on like usual. My heart sinks a little further with each one that passes. Some days I feel like the walls are closing in on me, I can’t breathe.
I don’t know what part hurts the most. The part that yearns for the old me, or the part that hurts to know that I’m losing Bella. I know it’s wrong of me to hide this from everyone, but I made her a promise. I can’t break that.
“What are you doing out here?” Speak of the devil and she appears.
“Hidin’.” Pulling out a cigarette, I light it up before Bella passes me a beer.
“The demons follow us you know. It doesn’t matter where you try to hide.” Glancing over at Bella, my heart breaks further.
“Yeah, I get that. Those motherfuckers are everywhere.” Chuckling, I take a drink from my beer. She’s too young to know about demons, yet she’s lived with them her whole life.
“When I was little, I would think I could hide from them. Even when I got older, I still tried. Growing up in this life taught me some valuable lessons.” Bella drops down in the grass before lying down in it.
“What’s it taught you?” Sitting next to her, I stretch my legs out in front of me.
“That life is valuable. That you need your family, your friends. I learned a lot being bounced around. I know when someone is rethinking their life, kind of like you are right now.” Bella giggles before sitting up, laying her head on my shoulder. I didn’t realize just how much she pays attention to everything around here.
“I just feel lost, Bella. I’m used to bein’ a wanderer. Sittin’ still wasn’t a part of my life before I came here. Every single day I would be some place new. I don’t know what I’m doin’ most days.” Bella looks up at me with such a sure look.
“I can see you. I know you are lost, but at the same time you have your family. You have your life here. You make it work because that’s how life works. You win some, and you lose some, but that girl and that baby you have in there are all that matters. Trust me Ryker; you don’t want that baby to grow up without her daddy.” Turning my head, I kiss Bella’s forehead before I speak.
“Wise words for such a young girl. That little girl in there will only know love. I know what I have in those two. I know what I have in you too.” Bella smiles up at me before I hear someone coming.
Jersey drops on the ground next to me before Bella moves to stand. I grab her around the shoulders pulling her back into me.
“Thanks Bella. You know what you mean to me, yeah?” Giggling slightly she kisses my cheek before standing and running toward the door.
“Where’s my baby?” Grabbing Jersey, I pull her into my lap. God, I love this woman more than life itself.
“Sleeping. Jada’s listening for her.” Kissing her neck, she squirms under my touch. Her skin is so soft and supple. She’s mine, always will be.
“I heard what you said, Ryker. I know I wasn’t part of your plans, neither was she. I love you more than anything in the world.” Sighing against her, I hate that she heard that part but I know she heard what came after too.
“Then you heard what else I said. Findin’ you that day in that place Jersey. Fuck! My stomach was in knots for days afterwards. I didn’t know which way was up. All I could think about was you. Your eyes, your heart. I needed you Jersey. I need you. You make me complete. We may not have planned this shit out right, but I have you, I have Ansley. It’s all I ever wanted in this world.” Her lips crush mine. The air is sucked from my lungs. She is my air.
“I never thought I’d want to settle down after the way I was traded out. You changed everything in me. I don’t want you to feel like you’re stuck, Ryker. It would kill me.” The things that come from her surprise me. She always surprises me.
“I’m not stuck Jersey. I’m livin’. I could walk away at any second, yeah? I don’t, because you are more to me than my own life. I love you.” Kissing her gently I’m taken back to the first time my lips touched hers. So innocent and lost.
Pulling back, I look at my wife. No longer the little girl I found. No, now she’s strong, a force in this world.
“Bella’s right. There are demons everywhere. If we let them, they will pull us under. I won’t let them. I won’t let them pull me under Jersey.” With another kiss I pull her head against my chest.
Holding Jersey against me makes me feel alive. It reassures me that something in my life is real and right. No matter how hard things are going to get for all of us, I have her, and I know she can be the rock I need.
Chapter 9
Tank
Stocking tools in the garage is like a dream come
true. I’ve loved being able to work on bikes. It calms the storm inside of me.
“Knock knock.” A strange voice pulls my attention. Turning around I go straight for my gun, but I’m slower than this guy considering, I didn’t expect company.
A gun is trained on me as I smile. Looking at the cut he has on, I know who he is.
“You walk into my shop with that piece, you better be willin’ to use it.” Setting my wrench on the counter behind me, I lean against it crossing my arms over my chest. Fucking little prick doesn’t know who he’s fucking with.
Out of the corner of my eye I see Joey and the prospect with guns pointed at him. See, I knew they were useful for something.
“Well now, look at that. We seem to have us a little situation, yeah?” Nodding toward the guys that stand off to my left, I smirk.
“I didn’t come here for that.” I can’t contain the chuckle that escapes me as he slides his gun back into his holster. Yeah, I didn’t think he wanted it to go down that way.
“What did you come here for?” My eyes never leave his as he lights up a cigarette.
“A peace offerin’. I took over Dusts’. I know there’s a history there, and I don’t want any part of it.” Watching the smoke ring that flows from his lips, I scrub my hand over my head.
“Well, now that isn’t goin’ to be as easy as you walkin’ in here offerin’ it. We have unfinished business with some of your guys.” The man steps closer to me as I read his name patch. Rit. I’ve heard of him.
“I came to offer a peace offerin’ VP. I don’t care what the motherfuckers did in the past. We agree to this and it’s over.” Shaking my head, I smile over at Joey and Bo. Who the hell does he think he is?
Pushing myself up I stand at full height. Who the hell does he think he’s intimidating?
“I don’t think that’s your choice to make Pres. You might be in charge now, but that shit storm blew in long before you did. We don’t let shit slide. You might want to run along with that little peace offerin’.” Watching the look in his eyes, he isn’t letting this go. For his own sake, he needs to.
