Saving Dallas Forever
Page 3
“What the fuck, Dallas? I told you I liked him. It doesn’t matter if it works out or not. This is the part where you are supposed to tell me it will work out, whether it eventually does or not. You are a shit advice-giver. And I do know Marty. He has been hanging around the club for years. He has prospected longer than you have been around. I have seen him almost every day of my life since he has been here. You know what, forget I ever said anything.” I watched in shock as Maddie stomped out of the bathroom, leaving me staring at myself in the mirror. This sister shit was harder than I thought. I rubbed my hands over my hair, pulling at the ends of it in a frustrated gesture, and let out a long breath. I needed a drink.
The party was still in full swing when I walked back to the bar and took a seat next to a very drunk, very loud, Brooklyn. I greedily accepted another drink from the girl behind the bar and offered her a small smile of thanks.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Brooklyn barked, nearly causing me to jump out of my seat.
“Nothing, I’m just a little tired. What did I miss?” I asked, forcing on a fake smile that didn’t go unnoticed by the crowd of women that were gathered around.
“Uh-huh. You and Maddie had it out.” A very observant Red confirmed. These bitches paid way too much attention.
“And what makes you say that, Red?” I put my drink up to my mouth, looking at her over the rim of my glass, and watched as she smiled coolly at me.
“Oh, just that she stomped out of the bathroom, and only seconds later, you emerged looking like you had lost your best friend.” Yep. Too observant.
“It’s nothing. Just a minor disagreement.” I dismissed the subject with a wave of my hand, and was rescued from the accusing stares when Punkin came up and announced that the new PROSPECT from Lake Charles was catching hell outside. Red, who I had learned had a very soft spot for the PROSPECTS, almost broke her leg trying to get away from the bar to go and see what was going on. I couldn’t help but laugh at Brooklyn’s attempts to stop her, but soon we were all following Red out the door.
We entered the circle of men that were crowded around, and my heart’s steady rhythm intensified. I don’t know what I had been expecting, but something told me that whoever was in the middle of that circle was being subjected to great harm. My stomach dropped at the thought of Luke using physical force against one of his brothers, or even his potential brothers. I had never seen the side of Luke that Maddie had spoken of earlier. Sure, I had been subject to his wrath, but I couldn’t imagine him ever being mean to one of the guys. I heard Luke’s loud voice carry across the yard, as I stepped between Brooklyn and Red to find a guy cleaning Ronnie’s bike.
“Don’t you ever fucking say you are gonna do something and not follow through. Consider this a lesson. Never offer more than you are willing to give.” Luke wasn’t shouting, but his voice was louder than normal, and did not contain even a hint of playfulness. I watched as the man paid special attention to ensuring that he did not miss a spot in cleaning the bike, as he worked feverishly, shining it and returning it to its original glory. He kept his head down and his mouth shut, as Luke continued to speak, “You want to clean bikes? Well, now you’ve got your chance. There are twenty-three bikes in this yard that are the property of the Devil’s Renegades and every one of them had better be shining like new. Ronnie, what time do y’all plan to leave in the morning?” Luke turned his eyes from the working PROSPECT toward Ronnie, who stood tall, and bow-legged as ever, next to Luke.
“Oh, I figure we will pull out about ten. I want to get home before it gets dark. PROSPECT, if you can’t add, that gives you about eight and a half hours to have our shit looking good.” I watched as the guys around them laughed. I looked over at Red, who didn’t think this was very funny. I could see her mentally calculating the hours in her head. There was no way he would be able to detail twenty-three bikes in eight hours. Even if he could, he would get no sleep, and he was one of those who would be making the four-hour ride home tomorrow.
“If it’s not done, I’ll cut that PROSPECT rocker off and give it to someone who deserves it.” I snapped my head up at Luke, as he stood with his arms crossed, looking down at the poor guy, who seemed to be breaking into a sweat, and he picked up the pace. Luke must have felt my eyes on him. He looked over at me and his menacing stare melted, to be replaced with a wide smile and a wink that had me breathing a sigh of relief. He was only kidding. I felt someone move beside me, and watched as Red walked back into the clubhouse. The unspoken demand for us to follow was heard, and we all trailed in behind her.
“This is fucking stupid,” Red snapped, as soon as the door was closed and we were all inside. “I mean, the poor guy ain’t even gonna get to take a fucking break. Come on, Dallas. Get over here and help me.” I immediately went to her, fearing if I didn’t it would be me she snapped at next.
“Calm down, Red. It’s part of it. I don’t know why you get all bent out of shape about this shit,” Brooklyn snapped, her voice holding a hint of disapproval.
“Well, it just ain’t right,” Red said, busying herself behind the bar, while I just stood there waiting for orders.
“They all went through it. He needs to watch what he says.” It was clear that Red and Brooklyn had had this conversation before. Red had issues with the way the club disciplined the PROSPECTS, while an exasperated Brooklyn seemed to consider it reasonable, and tried to convince Red that it was a normal part of the PROSPECT period.
“If y’all don’t mind me asking, what did he say?” We all turned to the softly spoken voice behind us. I was shocked to find a very sweet-looking girl in her early twenties standing there, and staring at us, wide-eyed. Judging by the ring on her finger, and the worried look in her eye, this had to be the PROSPECT’s wife. I immediately felt pity for her.
“He got cocky and said he would wash his brothers’ bikes. He was talking about Ronnie’s, but he didn’t elaborate. He said ‘brothers’’ and that meant all of them. First of all, they ain’t his brothers. Second, he shouldn’t have offered if he couldn’t perform, and third he needs to learn to keep his mouth shut. The less he says the better.” I almost died at Brooklyn’s harsh comment. She wasn’t cutting this poor girl any slack.
“Oh,” she replied simply. She seemed to accept her husband’s fate, but Red wasn’t going to let it go.
“I thought it was very generous of him to offer. Just because he got a few words mixed up doesn’t mean he should have to stay up all fucking night after being up all day, on top of having to make that long trip tomorrow.” My mind was screaming at me to stay out of it and keep my mouth shut too, but of course I didn’t.
“I really think Luke was just kidding. He winked at me. I think they are just making the guy think he is going to have to do that.” The reaction I got was not one I was expecting. The room erupted in laughter at my words.
“You really do have a lot to learn. Honey, if Luke says it; Luke means it. That poor boy will be washing bikes all night. Now, I can’t say anything because it’s not my place, and I don’t want to be screamed at in front of everyone, but what I can do is help him out. Discreetly,” Red announced more to the wife than to any of us. Brooklyn’s eye-rolling did not go unnoticed, as Red continued with her plan of action. “Katelyn? Is that your name?” The girl nodded her head, and Red went on, “You need to stay out of it. Don’t talk to him. Don’t check on him. Just stay inside and away from him. The last thing you want to do is make him look like a pussy. These guys will use anything as leverage to see if they can break him. I am going to give him an Adderall, make him some sandwiches, and be sure he has all the supplies he needs within reach. Dallas, you are going to help.” I nodded quickly, letting Red know that I was on her side, and would do anything to keep the tears that were welling up in Katelyn’s eyes at bay, as well as make the impossible job for the PROSPECT as easy as I could. “I can’t believe he threatened him with his patch,” Red mumbled, grabbing Red Bulls from the cooler, and shoving them in a bag.
“Will Luke really take his patch?” I asked Red, as we shoved the last few sandwiches in a Ziploc bag. We were standing in Luke’s kitchen, preparing a late-night snack for the PROSPECT.
“If he said he would, he will,” she replied, deadpan. “Luke is a man of his word.” Apparently. I thought about Maddie’s issue, and wondered if I should say something to Red. It seemed they all knew Luke much better than I did.
“Are we having operation ‘Save the PROSPECT?’” Maddie asked, coming into the kitchen, dispelling any thoughts I had of telling Red about her business.
“You know it,” Red said, smiling. “You gonna help?”
“Nah, I’ll let y’all handle this one,” she said, propping her elbows up on the bar.
“Why? Cause it ain’t Marty?” Red asked, and my eyes widened in shock, as I looked at Maddie, who mirrored my reaction. “How many times did you wake me up in the middle of the night for a ‘Save PROSPECT Marty’ operation? Remember that time he had to go get the letter?” I watched in confusion, as Maddie’s features softened, and she relaxed with a laugh.
“Yeah, I remember. It was so funny, Dallas,” she said turning to me, her eyes sparkling, as she retold the story, our dispute from earlier seemingly forgotten for now. “He told Luke he was going to go home. Luke told him he had to do something first. He made Marty ride all the way to Lake Charles to get a letter from Ronnie, and then return it to him. When he got back, Luke told him to open the letter. Know what it said? ‘Now you can go home.’” I stared in horror at Maddie. That would have been an eight-hour round trip. Shit.
“Rule number one. Never tell the President you are leaving as long as you are prospecting. You ask to leave,” Red said, lighting a cigarette, and fanning the smoke away from my face.
“Yeah, I made Red ride with me to Hammond, so we could boost his spirits,” Maddie said beaming. I arched my eyebrow at her.
“And just exactly how did you do that?” I asked. Maddie had said they had never had sex.
“Everyone has secrets, Dallas,” she said, with a wink. Red laughed and I had a feeling I was on the outside of an in-joke. Apparently, Red knew about Marty and Maddie. It was me that Maddie was so worried would spoil the big surprise. I scoffed, feigning shock, but in reality I was fighting some pangs of hurt and jealousy. Of course Red was closer to Maddie. She had always been here. It was me that was the newcomer. It didn’t matter that Maddie and I shared the same father. Maddie and Red had been sisters a lot longer.
“Okay, so this is how this is going to work. Maddie, are you in?” Red asked looking at Maddie, her eyes turning to resemble those of a puppy.
“Yeah. What the hell,” Maddie said, gesturing for Red to continue with the plan of action.
“Good. Dallas, I need you to distract the guys. Mainly Luke, but try to get all their attention. Preferably, get them all in the clubhouse. Maddie, you watch the door and make sure no one comes in or out, and I’ll slip the bag to the PROSPECT.” Oh, for fuck’s sake.
“Red, why don’t we just give him the damn bag?”
“Because, Dallas, how would you feel if your man was offered help from another woman and took it, and then had to be subjected to all the shit the guys threw at him for accepting help from a bitch. We want the guys to think that he did this on his own. The chances of that are slim to none, so we are going to help him out, and the guys will be none the wiser.” I still didn’t quite get it, but if Red thought it was for the best, then I would help. She seemed genuinely concerned about this guy, and if she needed me to help her feel better by helping him, then who was I to say no?
“Okay. How do I get the guys’ attention?” I had thought of a few ways, but none would make Luke very happy.
“Give ‘em a speech about how much you appreciate all their help and all that shit,” Maddie suggested. The thought turned my gut.
“That just feels wrong.”
“No, it’s perfect. Think of it like this, not only are you thanking them, you are also helping out someone in need. Do you really want to go to sleep tonight knowing that you were responsible for a potential brother losing his patch?” Red asked, looking at me with fake pity.
“And what about that sweet girl he has with him? Do you know how devastated she would be?” Maddie chimed in. They were playing me.
“Fine. But my speech will be sincere. And that PROSPECT better get those fucking bikes finished.” Red jumped up, and squealed like a little kid. They ushered me outside and, just like that, the first of what would be many ‘Save the PROSPECT’ operations was launched.
Chapter 3
Dallas
I was standing on the bar, my glass held high in the air, as I concluded my speech that, true to my word, was sincere. I had forgotten all about the PROSPECT, and the reason I was making the speech in the first place. I was sure that Red had delivered the package and all was good, but at this point I couldn’t care less. What mattered to me were the faces that looked at me, most of which I knew, as I laid my feelings bare for all of them. They were an easy crowd. I felt like I could tell them anything, so I did. I told them everything, well, almost everything. I told them how Charlie had taken me and I thought I would never see their faces again. I told them how had I felt when I saw them all standing there, ready to give their lives to save me. I told them about the emotions that had passed through me when their bikes surrounded Luke’s truck and led us off the highway. I thanked them for always being there, not just for me, but for Luke too. I let them all know that if the role was reversed, I would do the same for any of them. As I held my glass, I concluded my speech with the words that I would live by for the rest of my life. “This is to all of you and the sacrifices you have made on my behalf. You have all taught me what family is and for that, I will be forever in your debt. To all of you, and to the motto of the Devil’s Renegades: Love, loyalty and respect.” I closed my eyes and smiled, nodding my head as the chorus rang out from those before me. The brothers, ol’ ladies, PROSPECTS, hang-arounds, barmaids, girlfriends, and wives met my toast, and we shared something more than a shot of alcohol. We shared a moment of truth. A moment in which each and every person in that room knew why they were there. This was a moment when we all understood what it meant to be a Devil’s Renegade. I was lifted from the bar and into Luke’s arms. My hands grasped his muscular shoulders as my legs wrapped around his waist. I felt his hardness through his jeans, as he pulled me to him.
“That was a beautiful speech, babe,” he said smirking at me.
“So beautiful that it made your cock rock hard?” I asked, smiling at him, as he grinded his hips into me.
“Fuck, I love it when you talk dirty like that. I want to take you inside right now, and fuck you until you pass out.” His eyes were heavy and full of lust, as he ran his tongue along my bottom lip, and delivered another delicious thrust that had me wet and wanting.
“Please,” I whispered, taking his tongue into my mouth, and sucking it gently. I felt his grip tighten on my hips, as he let out a groan into my mouth. I knew that groan. It was one that said, ‘I can’t.’
“I will, baby. Soon,” he said, pulling his mouth from mine, and setting me on my feet. I frowned at him, as he adjusted himself, and lifted his head to the girl behind the bar. She placed a beer in front of him, and he shot her a wink, causing my frown to deepen.
“That’s my wink,” I grumbled, wondering what in the hell it would take to get men behind the bar.
“It’s all yours, baby,” Luke responded to my grumbling. He kissed me chastely on the lips, then grabbed my hand, and led me over to a group of loveseats that had been arranged to form a semi-circle. The table in the middle was littered with empty drinking glasses and the sofas wer
e filled with ol’ ladies practically sitting on top of each other. “We are gonna hold a short church, then you can have me all to yourself.” He slapped my ass, and turned to leave before I could say a word.
“Awe, shit. Luke just gave you that ‘I’ll fuck you later promise’ didn’t he?” Fucking Red. Why was she always putting my business out on Front Street?
“You know, you pay just a little too close attention,” I said, squeezing my ass into the non-existent space between Baby and Jen. I looked around at the group of women, who all nodded in agreement, causing Red to shrug her shoulders in response. I could tell that she didn’t give two shits what we all thought of her. Talk between the ladies resumed as more drinks came, including a tray of shots that the lovely Linda presented us with. I felt my cheeks redden, as she winked at me, and I was thankful Red was too busy running her big mouth to notice.
I was introduced to a new group of women from Lake Charles, and was surprised to find that, even though they didn’t see each other often, they seemed to have a good relationship with all the ol’ ladies in our chapter. There were so many that I was afraid I would never remember them all, but Brooklyn reassured me that I would be seeing a lot more of them. She didn’t elaborate, but I could tell there was hidden meaning in her words. I felt, more than heard, the conversation die, as everyone seemed to sense the same thing I did. Brooklyn knew something, and it was a gamble to see if she was going to share. Red must have known what was going on too, and when she took the direction of the conversation in another turn, I knew it for a fact. She was covering something up.
“So, Dallas,” Red said, leaning in close, and lowering her voice. I leaned across Jen to bring my head closer to hers, which prompted everyone to lean in; not an easy task, considering there were so many of us. “I’ll have you know that the PROSPECT is now hydrated, has a large amount of Adderall pumping through his system, and should have those bikes finished in no time.” We all laughed, as we sat back and drank a shot to congratulate Red on her completed mission. I expected Brooklyn to say something smart, but she surprised me.