by GM Scherbert
Standing up abruptly, again, I am having a hard time not storming out and tracking that piece of shit down. Ember reaches out to me and takes my hand in hers, slowly pulling me back over to the bed and down next to her.
“He came to the apartment after tracking down Sara and forcing her to let him know where I was. You know some of the details of that, from what the old lady next door told me later. Sara didn’t deserve any of that shit, and I was the one that brought that to her door. That was all me.”
As the tears start to fall I go on, “When I opened the door to him that day I thought it was the landlord, was I fucking sadly mistaken, only to find that it was Clutch.”
She was trying again to pull away, but I wrapped my arms tighter around her and encouraged her to go on.
“Just finish the story, Ember. I am here, and nothing will hurt you while I am here.” Knowing that I had made the promises before I grab her chin tightly and draw her face to mine. “Never again, Ember. No one will ever hurt you again Ofiara, and if they manage to get to you, if by some fucking chance they do, I will track them down and they will have the fires of hell to answer to.”
Never breaking eye contact she nods her head and keeps on. “He had me for a few days Vincent, before I was able to get away. I don’t know how many, but he kept himself entertained with me, before mentioning that he was going to bring his brothers in to have their turns with me as well. After that he left me passed out and I escaped when I woke to find no one there.”
Tightening my hold of her, I couldn’t stop myself from asking. “Tell me what he did to you, Ofiara. I have to know, so that I can give it back to him tenfold.”
“Vincent, nothing will come from you knowing all the details of what happened. Just know that I made it through and even though I thought that he had beaten the baby out of me again, I was lucky that Little Vincent was as strong and determined as his poppa.”
“Not good enough, Ofiara. I need to know what caused you to run. Tell me. Now.”
Knowing she would not be able to deny me the truth of what happened, she begins. “He hit me shortly after getting into the house, and would take turns doing that and raping me.” Dropping her eyes, she continued, “He kept talking about how I had disrespected him by being with you, kept telling me that if I had just left he would not have given a fuck, but I was with you and I had to pay for being such a slut. He told me that what he was doing to me would be nothing compared to what he would do to you when he would get his hands on you.”
Looking away she finishes her thought, “After he would rape me, the violence I had known during our relationship was nothing compared to what he had planned for me now. Beating me until I would black out each time. I blacked out multiple times over the days that he had me, and was only waiting to die, thinking the baby was lost. I knew that I had to leave if I could get away, so that he would not take you from me, kill you like he had promised me he would, which I just couldn’t bear to think about, that and how disappointed you would be with me.”
“Disappointed,” I shouted, startling her. “None of that was your fault, Ember. Even what that sick fuck did to Sara, was not your fault. You have to know that.”
“If I would have just left, if we wouldn’t have been together, none of that stuff would have happened to Sara.”
“Stop that shit, Ember. Sara can’t possibly think that way, and you should not either. I am guessing that when she dropped off the radar those years back that she went to you.” Looking at her questioningly, I find my answer without her having to speak. “Just as I thought, she went to you, a woman that blamed you for the disgusting things that Clutch did to you and her in turn, would not have gone to you.”
Looking at her, it’s like I see her again for the first time. I am hit in the gut with my want for her. “Where did you go Ember, when you left me?” Grabbing her shoulders her green eyes hit mine as I ask again, “Where have you been hiding from me all these years?”
“New Orleans.” Is all that she manages to get out, as my mouth crashes down on hers.
Finally knowing what this woman, my woman, had been through during that time had me on fucking edge. If I didn’t claim what was mine, and right fucking now, I would burn something to the ground before I could even find Clutch.
Laying her out on the bed with our mouths still joined, I wasted no fucking time losing myself in her. Making short work of both of our clothing was not difficult, and sinking into her slick heat was like fucking heaven. Hearing her moan out only drove me on, forcing me to fuck her harder and with more force than a woman who had been through so much deserved.
Being able to hold her as she fell asleep was something that I had unknowingly missed in the years that we had been apart. Which was something that I would not let happen again.
Sleeping that night was the most peaceful sleep I have had since she left, that is when if I had any lingering doubts they were put to ground, that I knew she was it for me. She would have my ink and we would work through these issues still between us, but we would fucking do it as one and quick.
Waking the next morning, I went upstairs to check on Little Vincent, Iris, Rose, and Pearl. Hearing the shower, I made my way to the living room, the conversation from the night before playing on repeat in my head. The things that Ember has been through at the hands of Clutch still has me seeing red. I am lost in thought as Pearl rounds the corner, she hollers, “Jesus fucking Christ, Doc. You scared the shit outta me. What are you doing sitting in here?”
“Morning to you too, Pearl. You want me to help you get the girls ready?” Checking my watch, I add, “you seem to be running a little late from what I remember.”
“How did your talk with Ember go last night? Were you able to reach some common ground and…”
“Pearl, I spoke with Prez and Abraham after I spoke to you. Are you sure that you want to keep up with those questions?”
Shaking her head as she walks away, but she throws over her shoulder, “Please get the girls up Doc, we need to leave, the sooner the better,” adding on even quieter, “because if you men don’t stop telling me what to do soon, I will go the fuck off.”
Laughing to myself she hears me say, “Ok, I will let Prez and Abraham know that when I talk to them later.”
Ember is coming upstairs then and helps me to get the girls ready for school. Taking us, Ember more than me, about fifteen minutes to get both of them ready.
“Jeeze Doc, that is impressive. If I would have known you were so good at getting them ready, I would have employed your services the whole time you were babysitting us.”
That is just the time when Ember peeks her head around the corner and laughs loudly. “Not likely Pearl, he wouldn’t know what to do with two little girls, to get them to eat, let alone change and dress them.” Smiling broadly at me and then again to Pearl, she goes on, “Do you take cream in your coffee? I made you some decaf and also an egg sandwich for the road.”
Watching her disappear back around the corner, Pearl looks back at me and I shake my head knowing what is about to transpire. I don’t have to wait long before she begins, “So I take it the talk went well?”
“Pearl, this is none of your business, so stop digging or I will talk to Prez about it. I am going out and loading the girls up in the SUV, then we can get you to work.”
Having a lazy morning with Ember and Little Vincent is something that I could get fucking used to. Talking with Vincent I am put at ease with how much he really does know of me. It seems that Ember has been making sure to keep me in his mind, even though she has kept him out of mine. Little Vincent and I go outside after lunch to play a few games of tag and that is when the day is cut short.
I see a couple of Knights driving around outside of Pearl’s house. I send Trip over to daycare and have him sit on the girls until after Pearl picks them up. Sending a message to Pearl I let her know the situation. Letting her know that I have seen a couple of Knights around the house and that Trip is sitting outside daycare with
the girls. I also tell Pearl that I have talked with Markus and Abraham and they are sending Country back up to Milwaukee to give us an extra set of hands and eyes on the way back to Chicago. They want us on the road as soon as possible after school, so Pearl reaches out to Ember, and we pack up the things that are needed for our journey to Chicago, making sure we are ready as soon as Pearl gets home. I send Country to the school to follow Pearl home, just in case. I don’t want anything fucking happening to her on my watch, Tank and Blaze would have my fucking balls.
As we finish packing up the vehicles, we have only moments before Pearl and Country pull into the alley. As we pack Vincent into the car we head out instantly, Pearl and Ember in the SUV with the kids, with each Country, Trip and myself following behind them.
I need to get the women to the safety of Chicago. Then, I need to find Clutch and make him understand that my woman is no longer his concern, and he would do well to remember that, or he will burn.
~Chapter Twenty-Eight~
~Ember
The day spent with Vincent and Little Vincent passes by smoothly. Having Vincent in our lives is something that Little Vincent and I could easily get used to. I want to finish the talk that we had the night before, and will hopefully be able to do so this afternoon, if Little Vincent takes a nap, which is not likely seeing he is being able to spend this time with his daddy.
Those thoughts are short lived when I hear some bikes outside the house. Vincent and our son come back in from outside quickly, and Trip is in the room with us in a second. Hearing Vincent curse has me knowing my plans to finish our conversation will be put on hold, as he grabs his cell and steps outta the room.
Coming back into the room, he fills me in, letting me know what the plan is, for us to head back to Chicago as soon as possible. I get our stuff packed up, then get word from Pearl and pack her and the girls up as well. Now, we are just waiting on her to get home from work to hit the road. Speaking with Pearl as she gets home with the girls, I know that baby Rebel has been giving her a hard time today and that I will be driving us back to Chicago.
As we get onto the freeway the passenger seat is reclined all the way, but Pearl cannot seem to find a comfortable position. Remembering how uncomfortable those last few months were, I cannot help but feel sorry for her. As she sits the seat back up, she runs a hand over her bump.
Crossing the border into Illinois, I notice a group of motorcycles behind us. I see Trip, Doc, and Country’s vehicles closing in on us as the bikes weave in between them. Looking into the back seat I see that all three of the kids are passed out and strapped tightly into their car seats. Pearl glances at me as she realizes what is happening and panic takes over me when I see the bike out of the corner of my eye cut in front of the SUV. Jerking the wheel to avoid the bike, the SUV spins out on the road and we head straight for the ditch and a huge ass tree.
~Chapter Twenty-Nine~
~Doc
Seeing that SUV hitting the ditch, rolling, and hitting that tree sent a fear through me that I have never before felt. Pulling off to the side of the road, Trip, Country, and I rush out of our vehicles to get to the SUV as soon as possible.
Seeing the driver’s door starting to open, I see Ember crawling out and that is when I hear the cries of the kids coming from the back seat.
Nearing the SUV, I call over my shoulder “Trip, get the kids out of the SUV and away from it quickly. Country, call 911 and tell them we will need an ambulance.”
Ember is rounding the front of the vehicle as I catch up to her and we work together without saying a word to get to Pearl. As we open the door and work to get Pearl out of the vehicle, we find her unconscious with blood coming from not only her head, but from between her legs as well.
Fuck! The baby.
Hearing the ambulance pulling up, I am not sure how much time it has taken us to get Pearl out, but I know that every second counts in a time like this. Hollering up to the paramedics I let them know the situation. That Pearl is almost eight months gone with child, that we have found blood on her head and between her legs, and the she has only had short seconds of consciousness while we have been pulling her out.
The paramedics rush down the ditch with a stretcher and load her on to it, checking her vitals and calling in for a helicopter to fly her to the closest hospital. The helicopter is seven to ten minutes out and the paramedics stay with Pearl until it arrives. As soon as it is taking off, the paramedics turn their attention to Ember and the kids, which have only been attended to by the authorities up until that point.
Only now that Pearl has been taken am I able to breath, and only because Ember and the kids all seem to be well. As the paramedics check them all over, my assumption is found to be true. Ember and the kids are all found to be in good condition and not needing any further treatment.
Instantly, after I have word on Ember and the kids, I make the phone call to Tank. I get out that there was an accident on the drive down to Chicago. Then, the reception cuts out and I am left hearing only bits and pieces of whatever Tank is saying. Questioning where Pearl and the girls are and what is going on.
Moving quickly up the hill, I get better reception and can hear Blaze clear as day as he screams into the phone, “Doc, what the fuck is going on?”
I answer rapidly, “There was an accident Blaze. Pearl was transported to the hospital in Kenosha. You both need to get up there as fast as you can. I think the baby is coming and I am not sure how she or the baby are doing. Ember and I have the girls and they have just been released from the ambulance, but you need to get your asses up to Kenosha. I will text the details over to you and we will meet you guys there.”
Texting Tank and Blaze the hospital info before plugging it into our own GPS, we get the kids situated in the vehicle and head out. Looking at Ember, who is shaken but doing her best, I ask what happened to cause the accident after pulling her across the front bench seat, closer to me.
“Those bikes that were on the freeway, they were Knights, Vincent. I would know those men anywhere, and they are some of Clutch’s most vicious brothers. I would swear my life on it. He fucking found us and did that to Pearl, the kids, and fuck, who knows what is going on with the baby.” As the tears start to stream down her face, she adds quietly, “All because of me, Vincent.”
Turning from me she moves over as much as possible, curling up onto her side, trying to shrink away from me.
Fuck that, if she thinks that I will let her pull away from me now.
Grabbing her roughly, I pull her back along the bench, wrapping my right arm around her as I do. “You will not shrink away from me in this, Ofiara. I told you that we were forever and I fucking meant it now, as much as I did then. I told you then that I would protect you, but I didn’t know what I was up against. Now that I do, the tables have turned and I will light up that stupid fuck to kingdom come for trying to take what is mine from me.”
“Ofiara, I know that leaving the first time was a decision made through a forced hand, thinking you were keeping us safe. I also know that coming back into my life was done through no want of your own, again thinking that you were keeping us safe. Leaving my life again, however, most certainly, will not be your decision. You are mine and will be until we draw our last breath.”
She nods her head in agreement, then we are silent through the rest of our short journey. Curling into me closer is all that changes between us, until we are pulling into the hospital parking lot. Making a rapid exit from the vehicle, we are joined in short order by Trip, Country, and the kid’s as we walk through the doors heading to the main desk.
Trying to get any information from these nurses is not fucking happening. All they keep saying is that helicopter landed, and that the person on it is in surgery, they cannot tell us anymore because we are not family.
FUCK!
The feeling of helplessness takes me over, and I need to do something to get some control back. I need to get payback from the piece of shit that has done this to my family: my br
others, my brothers’ woman and children, my woman and my child as well.
Kissing Ember deeply, I hand her one of my phones and tell her to call Blaze or Tank with any updates she might get and am gone. As I pull out of the parking lot, I call Shadow with an update and he tries to talk me out of dealing with the problem. Then demands that a few of the brothers go with me to take care of the issue, which I give into after only a short time. There was no talking him out of it, so I decided to give in and get some help to make sure all was on the up and up.
Meeting the brothers at the Clubhouse, we go over my plan quickly and are headed out on our bikes within twenty minutes of meeting. I have the only weapons that I will need to take care of the man who has haunted my woman for years: a lighter, my cigar cutter, and two cigars. One for smoking.
He will fucking burn for the transgressions that he has perpetrated on not only Ember, but Pearl as well. As we head towards Clutch’s house, I am not sure where he will be, but hope that his house is where he is at. Knowing that his house will be a hell of a lot easier to get into than the fucking Knights’ Clubhouse. If Clutch is at the Clubhouse, however, celebrating having the woman and children run off the road, we will have more shit to shovel on both our way in and way out.
As we pull up down the road from his home, which is in a suburb of Chicago and is country enough that his nearest neighbor is a quarter of a mile away, one of the brothers suggest that he go first, because Clutch doesn’t know him and it would be easier for him to get the drop on him. We agree and within short moments he gives the signal, flashing of the front light, that he has gained entrance and overtaken Clutch.
Not wanting to waste a second, I run the short distance to the front door and charge through it. Dragging Clutch to the garage and the wide array of tools at my disposal there, I move quickly. Sending the other brothers away, at least outside to keep watch, so that I can take out my aggressions with no audience, something that I have never liked when dealing with an enemy. As the last brother makes his way out the door, I turn to Clutch with a gleam in my eye and a smile on my lips, knowing that I will be the last person he sees in this life.
