The sound of a slap cut Sassy short. She was lucky that was all she received. Trick sounded really pissed, and I knew that his violence toward women could surpass slapping.
“Fucking bitch!” Trick snarled. He took a last drag off his cigarette before tossing it to the ground. The door opened, and another man joined them. “Your bitch seems to think she can wrap me around her finger like she has you,” Trick said to the newcomer. “Put her in her fucking place, or I will.” He turned and went back inside.
“He’s a weak, pathetic leader,” Sassy hissed with hate in her voice.
“You don’t disrespect my brother like that.” Trick and Mud were blood brothers, which is the only reason Mud was VP.
“He’s just angry that you had the balls to go after Mad Dogs when he didn’t.” Sassy cooed, changing her tune. “You hit their president right where it hurts. His bar, his people. You crippled them, baby.” She sounded so proud, yet I detected the insincerity that laced her tone.
Sassy had fucking lost it. Mad Dogs was hardly crippled.
“Come on, baby. Let’s go to the bar and make sure your brothers are treating those Mad Dogs’ bitches like they deserve.”
Finally, what I’d been waiting for. “Let’s get to the bar.” I turned back the way we’d come with my brother’s right behind me. Wordlessly, we mounted our bikes and took off in the direction of their bar. Later, we could come back and take care of the Slayers. Trick may not have ordered the attack, but as president he was responsible for the actions of his brothers.
I radioed Corky. “Just found out the girls were taken to the bar, pull back and wait for us to get there.”
“Okay, Prez.”
Half an hour later we parked our bikes against a building in the next lot over, hiding them from view of anyone that was coming out of the bar. In the dark it would be difficult for them to identify us until we were right up on them. As we made our way toward the entrance, the door burst open and Ruby was pushed outside. Three men followed her, pushing her back and forth between them. She was crying, pleading with them to leave her alone. Even in the dark I could see that she was naked.
“Just gonna have a little fun with ya, bitch,” I heard one of the men laugh.
The door opened again, the light from the inside giving me a good view of what was going on. Lori was pinned down on a pool table, struggling against the hands that were holding her, screaming as they pulled a train on her. I didn’t stop to think. In a fit of rage I drew my gun and fired at the men playing with Ruby. I hit one right between the eyes. My brothers also pulled their weapons and the other two men fell to the ground.
“Jerry, get Ruby back to the club.” I didn’t wait for him to respond as I rushed toward the door. It opened before we reached it and we opened fire on whoever came through it.
Chaos erupted after that. We forced ourselves inside, gun fire erupting from both sides. The man rutting between Lori’s thighs was the next to go while the others in line behind him ran for cover. “Roland, take care of Lori!” I shouted, looking around for Beth. The bar was full, but most of the cuts that I saw were Slayers members. There were a couple of truckers who quickly scrambled out of the way. Screaming women ran toward the back.
“Find Beth!” I shouted, heading down a short hallway. The first door I kicked in was a filthy, stinking bathroom, the second an empty office. I headed back the way I had come, entering the main room to see that Becker had found her and she was in his arms, crying hysterically. He headed toward the exit, gunfire all around him. Once I made sure that they were safely outside, I ordered, “Torch the fucking place!”
Hotrod and Corky remained behind to carry out the order while the rest of us made our way outside. I didn’t really give a fuck about the Slayers or anyone else who’d remained behind, but I’d stated our intentions loud enough for everyone inside to hear. I wouldn’t prevent any of the women from escaping, but if a Slayer showed his face he was dead, one way or another.
The old wooden building was engulfed in flames by the time we sped out of the parking lot next door. As I led the way people began piling out of the building, and at that point I didn’t give a fuck. I wanted to get the girls home and looked over by the doc. I radioed Dobie, telling him, Bug, and Shooter to meet us back at the club.
Shit was over for now.
But it was only going to get worse.
Chapter 20
Iris
“Thank you.”
I glanced up as Penny stepped outside onto the back deck. Our gazes met, and the gratitude that she felt was evident on her smiling face. She was glad that Jay was home. She made her way to the chair next to me, careful of the steaming cup of coffee in her hand. As she sank down into the lounge, a deep sigh escaped her.
“Having Jay home means so much to us. I could tell as soon as Dickie saw him that he was glad he was back, too.”
“He should be home, sis. Family comes first, always. I’m just glad that you aren’t mad at me for calling him.”
Penny shook her head. “Never. I’m so busy making sure that Dickie gets everything that he wants that I’m forgetting about what I need. I need our son home.” She sipped her coffee cautiously. “He’s going to stay until, um, after.” She didn’t need to explain.
I nodded, looking out at the tree line beyond the house. “Dickie seemed to be his old normal self last night.”
“Yeah.”
Neither of us mentioned the comment he’d made about Jay the night before.
“Did he eat breakfast this morning?”
Penny chuckled, setting her coffee down. “He and Jay sat and ate together. I heard them laughing once. It was a nice sound.” She glanced at me. “What have you got planned for today? Is VD coming over?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t heard from him since before we came home last night.” I tried not to let it bother me. When Odie had brought Dickie home and I’d asked what was going on, all he could tell me was that it was club business. “I guess I’ll see him when I see him.”
“Do you think everything turned out okay last night?” Penny asked, as if reading my mind.
“I hope so. Hey, since Jay is home why don’t we go into town and have lunch somewhere? We could get pedicures or something. It would do you good to get away for a little bit.” Penny had always taken care of her looks, but I’d noticed that her hair was a little longer then she usually wore it, and had a little more gray in it. “You could use a cut, too.”
Her hand went up and she began to finger the loose strands that had escaped the ponytail she’d pulled it back into. “That’s for sure,” she agreed. “Can’t recall the last time I had enough hair to pull back into a ponytail. Lilly could give me a cut while Dolly does my feet.” She was joking, but I could tell that she was considering it.
“Then let’s go.” I was practically begging her. “We’ll only be gone for a few short hours.”
After a few silent minutes in which she stared out toward the trees, she finally said, “Let me go tell Jay, and I’ll be right back down.”
I was so glad that she’d decided to go with me. Town was forty minutes away, and we stopped at a little mom and pop diner for their famous chili. It was thick and spicy and loaded with chunks of steak, onions, beans, and tomatoes. It was the first time since Dickie had gotten sick that it was just the two of us, and I realized that I’d missed spending time with my sister.
After that we hit the one and only salon in town. They offered everything. I just wanted a manicure and pedicure, but Penny opted to spend the extra time needed in order to get her hair colored, cut, and styled. As I sat waiting for her to finish up, I found myself reading over the menu of services they offered, my interest captured by one thing in particular.
They apparently offered bikini waxing. I grinned as my eyes kept going back to it. I’d never shaved my pussy, much less considered waxing it. Would Vince like it? I thought about the kind of women he was used to, and how skimpily they dressed, revealing a lot of skin in their
nether regions. They must do something to eliminate the hair from sticking out. I looked over at Penny, trying to gage how much longer she’d be, and then back at the sign.
Should I?
One of the girls working at the salon noticed me and came over. “Are you interested in something else?”
I felt myself blushing, feeling as though she could read my mind. The young woman smiled back and raised her hand to point toward the offered item I’d been staring at. I blushed more. I knew, because I felt hot as a furnace. Slowly I nodded, confirming that she was right.
“Your first time?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“It’s a little painful, but it doesn’t take long.”
“Do men really like that?” I asked, figuring that she knew that I was talking about a shaved pubic area.
Her smile grew bigger. “They love a smooth, clean pussy,” she said in a tone that was lowered so that no one else could hear. “Drives them crazy.”
It felt strange talking to another woman about a clean pussy, but I told her I’d give it a try anyway. If I didn’t like it I could always let it grow back. She ushered me into a private room in the back and asked me to strip my shorts and underwear off. After I lay back I just stared up at the ceiling, pretending that I was in a doctor’s office. The girl worked fast and efficiently and it was really no big deal until she pulled the first wax strip off.
She’d warned me that it would hurt like hell, but nothing could have prepared me for the pain the first time she grabbed the edge and gave it a yank. I swear it felt like she was stripping my flesh off with the hair. I hoped the room was sound proof because I was certain that my scream could be heard outside. I was so glad when she was finished and handed me a cool cream to spread over my abused mound. The relief was instant, and I could only hope that it lasted.
Penny was waiting for me when I emerged from the back. “Have you been crying?” she asked, instant concern in her tone the second she saw me.
I frowned. “No, why, does it look like I’ve been crying?”
“Well, your face is all red.”
“Well, I haven’t been.”
“Why are you walking so funny?”
Was I walking funny? I stopped to give her a look. “I wasn’t aware that I was.” She just blinked, staring at me with confusion. “Come on, we should get home. By the way, your hair looks fantastic.”
When we stepped outside of the salon the first thing I noticed was the two bikers parked behind Penny’s car, obviously waiting for us. I wasn’t alarmed because their cuts identified them as Mad Dogs, and I recognized them. They were just leaning back on their bikes, talking and smoking until they saw us approaching. All of a sudden they straightened up and looked all business-like.
“Hi,” Penny and I said simultaneously, reaching the car.
“Ladies,” Demon acknowledged, while Shooter just nodded at us.
“What are you boys doing here?” I asked, returning their smiles. I didn’t bother asking about the events of the night before, because I knew what their response would be.
“We’re just gonna make sure you and Penny get home safe.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“Just doin’ what the boss ordered.” I opened my mouth, but he cut me off before I could get a word out. “You want answers, you’ll need to get them from VD.”
Oh.
Penny and I just looked at each other.
“You done for the day?” Shooter inquired.
We nodded and opened the car doors. “Well, I feel special. I’ve never had an escort before.”
I could hear the unease in Penny’s voice, and I gave Demon a hard look. He just winked, and then the two men kick-started their bikes. Smiling, I climbed inside and started the car.
“Why do you think we need protection?” She buckled up.
“I don’t know, sis. I’m sure if we asked them we’d get the standard ‘club business’ response.”
“Do you think it has something to do with last night?” I shrugged. “When Dickie got home he wasn’t in his right mind. He still thought Jay was five, so he couldn’t answer any of my questions.”
“I know, honey.” I reached over and squeezed Penny’s hand.
I wondered how far Demon and Shooter were going to follow us, thinking that they might turn off and go different ways once we turned onto the long drive leading to the house. But they stayed right behind us, even stopping when we did. It was then that I noticed Marvin’s truck.
“It must be Dickie!” Penny said in a panicked tone when she noticed Marvin’s vehicle. “Something happened!”
“No, Penny.” I grabbed her by the hand and forced her to look at me. “Don’t jump to conclusions. Besides--” Movement on the front porch drew my attention. “Jay’s sitting on the porch. He wouldn’t be there if something had happened to Dickie.”
She swung her head toward the porch and I could feel the tension leave her body when she spotted Jay. “Oh, God,” she said quietly, breathing out a long sigh. She tossed me a quivering smile before opening the door and slipping from the car.
I hung back with Demon and Shooter, who by now had dismounted their bikes. “I know you’re not going to tell me what’s going on.” I crossed my arms.
“Not allowed to, honey. That’s the way Dickie always wanted it.”
“Well, I’m not Penny. I don’t like being kept in the dark.” They crossed their arms and remained silent. A quick glance revealed that there were no other bikes around. “Where is Vince?”
“Since his bar was burned to the ground last night he’s probably at the clubhouse.”
I was surprised they’d admitted that much, but then news of his bar burning down hadn’t exactly been a secret. “Do you think he’d mind my showing up there to talk to him?” Penny may have liked being kept in the dark, and that was her choice, but I wanted to know what was going on and how it could affect us.
“Probably not a good idea just showing up there,” Shooter said with a kind of smirk that I didn’t appreciate. It led me to believe that I might see something that I shouldn’t, or wouldn’t, want to.
Demon shot Shooter a look of disgust that clearly said he needed to watch what he said. “Honey, he’s most likely tied up with insurance and shit concerning his business. Not exactly in a good mood.”
I could understand that, and wouldn’t push for now. “Would you please let him know that I’d like to see him?”
Demon nodded. “Sure, honey.”
He didn’t make any move to leave. “Are you staying?”
Again Demon nodded. “Just a precaution. Until we go on lockdown all of the club families are under watch.”
“Especially the ex-president and his women,” Shooter added. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
I turned to head inside, noticing that Jay and Penny were no longer on the porch. I decided that they must have gone inside to check on Dickie. Marvin was walking down the stairs when I walked into the house. We made eye contact, but it wasn’t for long. I usually looked away first, too uncomfortably aware that he was interested in me, in spite of what he’d said the first day I’d arrived, but today I gave him a pissed-off glare.
Marvin hadn’t come around since, which I’d thought was strange, considering that his brother and only sibling was dying. “Nice of you to finally visit Dickie.” I didn’t even try to hold back the sarcasm.
His brows rose high on his forehead, his expression turning to shock. “I’m here now, aren’t I? And I have a business to run.” He stopped when he reached me. “What, did you miss me?”
I managed not to roll my eyes. I decided not to point out the fact that he owned his own business and could take off any time that he wanted. “Miss you? Maybe you need to see a doctor.” I stepped around him to go upstairs.
He grabbed my arm. Our eyes met. “When are you going to give me a chance?”
He had to be kidding. Did he think that I didn’t know about the moves he’d made on Penny
all those years ago, after she and Dickie were married? It was a little secret between the three of us that no one ever talked about because Penny hadn’t wanted to cause trouble between the brothers. It hadn’t mattered to me that he’d been drunk at the time. Penny had convinced me not to say anything, and I’d grudgingly relented, against my better judgment.
I’d always sensed what kind of man Marvin was. I’d always thought that Penny’s guard had been down because she’d considered Marvin family and above doing something so inappropriate. “Never,” I said firmly, pulling my arm away. I wanted to tell him that once Dickie was gone he’d no longer be welcomed, but that wasn’t my call.
His humorless chuckle followed me as I made my way up to Dickie’s room. As I came to a stop in the doorway my smile disappeared and my heart stopped. Penny and Jay were both on their knees, holding Dickie’s hand as he lay there gasping for breath. Their shoulders were trembling, their light sniffles telling me that they were crying. Dickie was unconscious, but the low murmur of their voices caused his expression to change. Sometimes it appeared that he was trying to talk, his mouth opening, but nothing coming out. I swallowed hard, tears coming to my eyes as intuition warned me that this was it. Dickie was dying right before our eyes.
How could this be? I didn’t understand it. The night before he’d been full of zest, happy to be back at his club. But then I remembered those times when his mind hadn’t been right, the times his weakened body barely allowed him to sit upright in bed. He’d have a good day, followed by a bad one. It had been during those good days that it had been easy to believe that he was going to beat the odds, that the doctors had been wrong.
I quickly stepped back out of sight and leaned against the wall, biting my bottom lip for control. The tears came anyway, and when I heard Penny wail as if she were in the most horrible pain I knew that Dickie was gone. I put my closed hand against my mouth to stifle my own sound of grief, and thanked God that Jay was in there with her. He was grieving, too, and being together would help them get through it.
The front door opened and Demon rushed in. He must have heard Penny cry out. He glanced up, and our eyes locked. It didn’t take him long to determine what the situation was. With a curse, he swung around and went back outside, I assumed to call Vince. I don’t know how long I remained against the wall, listening to Penny and Jay’s sounds of grief. I knew that I should go in and comfort them, I’d been prepared for Dickie’s passing, yet I couldn’t make my feet move. This was Penny and Jay’s time.
Carnal Hunger Page 18
