“What’s going on? What’s wrong?”
“Haven’t you heard?” I inquire, my voice sounding robotic. “Teller killed Slasher just to take his place on the throne.”
Judging by the look on his face, I would have to guess I just broke the news to Torch about Teller’s new position. The way he turns around and starts stomping into Buck’s office is another indication that I did as well. I guess I’m not the only one that’s going to be shocked by the news. Every member here is about to have another man capable of dark things as an enemy.
Teller
The same guard that gave me Tate’s note is the same one that walks me to my morning visit with him. Being tugged around and told what to do like I’m a toddler is taking more patience than I thought it would. I guess not being in here for almost six years made me grow uncomfortable with their control. I almost lose it when I am placed at a table with a slot of thick plexiglass between me and Tate. I know for a fact they have visiting rooms that don’t require you to talk through a bunch of tiny fucking holes strategically placed in the material. There is no way in Hell I have made that big of a stink to require this.
“What the hell?” I question once the friendly guard leans in close enough for him to hear me. Robert automatically knows what I am talking about, and looks at the older guard taking post in the corner of the room. He is one of the four in the area to make sure everyone behaves themselves. Immediately, I recognize him as one of the men Buck sometimes helps for a returned favor. I guess he requested I come here so he can eavesdrop on my conversation.
Tate waits for Robert to walk away before leaning close to the glass to begin the discussion he was adamant we have. I decide for now I will also lean forward to keep Buck’s bitch from hearing anything important.
“They say we only have fifteen minutes. I could have sworn that shit was longer the last time I was in here,” Tate tries joking but fails miserably. I don’t bother explaining that I had an incident that nearly took my visiting privileges away. The only thing saving my ass is the fact I did it away from the camera’s view and no one is brave enough to squeal on me. I guess my actions spoke loud and clear.
“Anyway,” he states after a long pause filled with silence. “The men were impressed with you Teller. The ones that never truly wanted to follow Slasher, but had nowhere else to go, are wanting to patch you into our club.”
“Why would I do that?” I ask, interrupting whatever else he was about to say.
“Why wouldn’t you? After everything you did for that club they tossed you aside like yesterdays garbage. Who cares what you did to get to Slasher. The end result should equal out all the other bullshit. You have a club willing to vote you in, Teller. Not as a member. They want you to be their new president, and I agree with them. You proved yourself to us. Now we want to devote our loyalty to you.”
“What if I say no?”
“You won’t,” Tate declares with confidence.
“Why wouldn’t I? Your club has been my enemy for years.”
“Because this is your one sure way to get a hold of every member that had something to do with Saint’s condition, and any man that laid hands on Scarlett.”
I don’t say it out loud, but I don’t think I need to. It’s obvious Tate wouldn’t believe me if I tried to deny that I would enjoy torturing the men that touched the woman I claimed. At the time, the claiming was the only way to get my revenge, but now I realize it was more. How much more? I don’t truly know because there is no way for me to explore the idea that she could actually be someone I trust and want to devote myself to. When I get out, she will be older. That is probably the only good thing that will come out of my prison sentence.
“I choose my VP,” I command, knowing exactly who it will be.
“No problem. I’m not cut out for these leadership roles. Tell me his name and I will find him.”
“It won’t be hard to track him down. I choose my brother. Saint.”
He doesn’t say what is on the tip of his tongue. I know he wants to remind me of my brother’s constant sleeping condition, but decides better of it. Instead, he nods his head in agreeance before verbally speaking the words. Not that his reminder would have changed my position on this. There is no way in Hell I am signing the papers to cut off my brother’s machines when I know I won’t be able to give him a proper burial. There is still a small part of me that wants to believe he could still wake up, and if that miracle does happen I need to know he is on my side.
“Okay, I’ll let the men know. I guess I’ll continue on as the VP until Saint is available.”
“Sounds good to me. When you get back to the clubhouse make me a list of names. I want every member on there that trusted and liked Slasher, even the ones in prison. We meet here every week until my court date. After that we will figure something else out. This club will change with me as the Blacktop Sinners President,” I state the last part loud enough for Buck’s bitch to hear me. I know he will go back and tell my old President everything he heard. He will do exactly what I need him to do. Once the Tarnished Souls members find out what I’ve done, they won’t know what to think. I can be their biggest ally, or their worst enemy.
Two weeks, that is all it took for the judge to sentence me to two years in the Travis County Correctional Complex. At least they have me housed in the “B” unit, one of the more comfortable sections of the prison. This is where the short timers, such as myself, go because we are typically here for less severe crimes. The more dangerous criminals, also like me, are housed on the other side of the complex in units “G” through “K”. Thankfully, the two men on the top of my list that Tate gave me last week are also housed in my unit. As a matter of fact, I was able to pull what little strings I have as the Blacktop Sinners’ new President and had the one that loved to rape Scarlett placed as my roommate.
It’s in the middle of the night. I already paid the guard off to keep his mouth shut about what he may hear or see in my cell tonight. I even gave him extra to make sure the surprise I have for my new money-making asshole doesn’t get spoiled.
“Something wrong, prez?” The stupid fuck asks.
Up to this point he’s still considered as a member of my club, but that shit changes tonight. Ed, also known as Eddie, is not going to be anything more than something I own. He thought he was slick all those years going behind Slasher’s back and paying Carlos money to get his hands on the pretty little redhead. I will never understand how Slasher was obsessed with Scarlett, yet still chose to do business with the man that kept her away from him. I guess he wanted to keep his pockets full and his enemies close.
When I wrap my hands in his shirt, and start tugging his useless body out of bed, Eddie starts to panic. He’s heard the stories everyone around here whispers about me. I guess he thought I would consider him a friend because he’s been kissing my ass since I walked through those doors.
“What the fuck is going on?” Eddie cries out, trying to swat my hands from his shirt but failing miserably.
“You forced your dick in the wrong girl, asshole.”
When I hear the metal door sliding open, I don’t bother turning around to see who it is. I already know the man that will be standing behind me is the man who paid to have first helpings to Eddie’s virgin ass. I figure there are two men in this prison that owe me their life, but why not make them suffer first. The money is just the cherry on top of this fucked up sundae. They tortured Scarlett and countless other women for several years. Lucky for them, I get out of this shit hole in two. Instead of spending thousands of days trying to avoid unwanted touches like Scarlett had to, they will only have to endure being raped seven-hundred and thirty times. Before I leave, I will make one of the men pay extra to force the nonmembers to die choking on their dick.
“Teller, what the hell is going on? I don’t know what you think I did, but I swear, man, I never touched any of those girls. I’m telling you, man, you’re making a big mistake.”
Shoving him hard to
the ground, I take a step back so the horny bastard behind me can claim his prize. The smile on his face would have you believing he just won the lottery. Eddie’s pleas quickly begin to run together when his new friend starts pulling out his already hardened cock.
“I like ’em when they squirm,” he rumbles out.
Within seconds, everyone in the prison can hear what happens when you cross me or anyone I care about. I just hope Mr. Eager leaves enough for the man I have scheduled in next.
Scarlett
A familiar smell assaults my nose when I walk into Saint’s room. It’s a combination of men’s cologne and antiseptic cleaner. At first, I had feared the Tarnished Souls members would abandon Saint, like I feel they have Teller, but to my surprise they still take turns coming up here. Using my keen sense of smell, I would have to guess the last person here was Hammer. The timeline adds up as well. He hasn’t been at the clubhouse all morning. That is why I was forced to ask Taz to bring me in to see Saint today. Out of all the Tarnished Souls men, he has a way of making me feel the most uncomfortable There’s just something about the club’s VP that gives me the willies. Maybe it’s the way he stares at people with his wide eyes and dilated pupils. Thankfully, he is waiting outside with Serenity. They both wanted to come in, but I asked to get a few minutes of privacy with Saint.
“I must confess I am here for selfish reasons,” I murmur as I pull an empty chair closer to the bed. Getting as comfortable as I can in the barely padded metal seat, I place my hands in my lap to keep them from reaching out to a man I have never attempted to touch before.
“The truth is, I miss Teller. More than I can admit to anyone. I thought being close to you may help ease some of the pain. I like to think your brother and I grew close, regardless of what he did. It’s funny really, “I start nervously laughing, “I feel like he broke my heart and saved my life in the same day, but that’s crazy. We were not romantically involved in any way, yet my heart tells me I care more for him than I do my other friends.”
Getting frustrated with the emotions that are threatening to come out of my eyes, I force the heels of my hands to stop any water that may try to leak out. I’ve cried enough in this lifetime, and the countless tears have never done me any good. Right here, right now, I make a vow to never cry again.
“I don’t know if anyone has told you the good news,” I whisper once I’ve got my emotions under control. “Your brother went to the ends of the earth to kill the man responsible for what happened to you. You are lucky to have a man that loyal and dedicated to you, Saint, but surely you already knew that. I just wish the end result were different.”
I can’t get the rest of the words to bubble up past the lump in my throat. They say people in comas can hear what is going on around them. I can’t find it in myself to tell him Teller was stripped of his patches and accepted an offer to become the Blacktop Sinner’s next President. Part of me is still reeling from the events that took place just two weeks ago. The moment Austin’s finest walked Teller and Taz to their cars, Buck kept everyone from diving head first into the panic pool. Then, when Taz came back to the clubhouse, everyone knew a miracle had occurred. The new Austin sheriff was out for biker blood, so him showing up not two hours after being arrested was quite the surprise. Shortly after, everyone learned of Teller’s deal and all the men’s eyes in the club slowly started to shine with regret. I grew up in the MC world, and I know what it means to be a patched in member. Your brother is supposed to come before anyone else, including your old lady, and especially a girl you just happened to save. When Buck asked for Teller’s cut, he placed me above his friend, his soldier, and a member that proved he would still protect his VP. That was the only time I’ve ever seen Buck lock himself away with a bottle of whiskey. That night he dove head first into a pool of misery.
“Sorry,” I mumble. I’m not sure why I am apologizing for getting lost in my own thoughts to a man that would probably prefer I stop talking altogether. No longer able to stop myself from doing so, I reach out with my left hand and gently place the tips of my fingers to the side of his face. Someone must come in here daily to shave his face because the skin touching mine is smooth, without the hint of any hair. I regret being too afraid to reach out and touch Teller like this. Part of me believes he would have liked it while the other half laughs at itself for thinking that way.
“I’m going to miss him,” I declare while closing my eyes to keep myself from breaking the vow I only made a few moments ago. Three deep breaths later and I open my lids in victory. Not a single tear is cascading down my cheek, but there is a whirlwind of emotions that flood me when I see what is waiting for me. Saint, with hazel eyes the color of honey that look like they wanted to change green at the last minute, is staring into my large shocked ones. My chest fills with happiness as my brain starts to register what is going on. I have just witnessed a miracle, and the one person I would love to share it with is not here.
Saint
Two years in the future….
Today is the day my baby brother, Marcus, gets released from prison. I haven’t seen him since the night we burned down that nightclub in Austin. It would seem like me going into a coma wasn’t the worst thing to come out of that fucked up event. Not only is Teller doing time for burning down that shitty club, we are both sporting colors we used to target with our guns. Instead of having a Tarnished Souls emblem on my cut, I now walk around wearing one that reads Blacktop Sinners MC. The skull with the dagger going through the middle of its head, and coming out of its chin isn’t as bad as losing my brother would have been. I was told about the things he did to capture Slasher while I was still in the rehabilitation center. I know of everything and everyone he sacrificed to get revenge for what was done to me.
… It’s been three days since I woke up and still no one will tell me where my brother is. Marcus would not have left me if there was a way to get around it. I’m starting to fear the worst and everyone is too concerned with my wellbeing to tell me. I have no recollection of what happened to cause me to wake up to a scared looking Scarlett and wires sprouting out of ninety percent of my body. The last thing I remember is getting on a motorcycle and Taz and Teller getting on theirs beside me. Then there is nothing but darkness.
“This must be serious,” I joke as Buck and the rest of the officers from our club walk into the room that has become my own personal prison. The beeping of the heart machine is so annoying I sometimes imagine tossing it out the window that does absolutely nothing to brighten up the dreary room.
“We are here to answer any question you have,” Buck announces as he walks around the bed to stand at my left side. He crosses his arms over is chest. This tells me he knows I am going to ask about Teller and the subject is a sore one for him. Taz is the last man to enter the room, shutting the door behind him, he takes a similar stance as Buck to my right side.
“Where is Teller?”
There is no point in beating around the bush. I want to know where my brother is. That is the most important thing to me right now. After being in a coma for months, I know he would have been here by now if he could be. The fact that I haven’t heard from, or seen him worries me.
“Teller is in prison. The new Travis County Sherriff arrested him and he was charged with arson. He was sentenced to two years.”
Leave it to Torch to be a straight shooter. His posture seems a lot more rigid than the rest of the men. When he mentioned Teller, there was a scowl lining his lips which means the two must be having a disagreement. Whatever happened between them was bad, that much is obvious.
“What building did he burn down?”
“Saint,” Taz says my name to get my attention. When I look at him, I see sympathy shining in his eyes. Taking a hold of my shoulder, he gives it a reassuring squeeze before going into detail about a memory I no longer possess. I learn about the club we burned to the ground, then the gunfire that started to ring out before we were able to exit, and of me getting shot. To hear my VP’s voice b
reak as he talks about the doctors explaining I would never wake up makes my chest hurt. Not for the men standing around me, but for my brother that was left broken in my absence. Marcus and I are a team, always have been and always will be.
“How is Teller in jail and you are not?”
Taz looks down at the ground before making eye contact with me again. I prepare myself to hear the bad news I know will follow as he begins to explain. “Your brother made sure they only charged him. He signed a statement after taking a deal that kept me and you out of trouble.”
“Why did you let him do that?”
I can feel my palms start to get clammy from the annoyance slowly building up in my system. Teller is a part of this MC, so why in the world were they willing to let him take the fall? Our colors, our patches, make us family, and the way I see it family takes care of one another. Teller did his part, why did they not do theirs?
“Tell him the whole story,” Irish speaks up from the foot of the bed. I look at my foreign brother and convey with my eyes for him to fill in the missing pieces that just made him speak up.
It doesn’t take long before Irish goes into his own detailed story about all the drama I missed while I was sleeping like Snow White after she ate the poisonous apple. I listen to him talk about Teller finding Ashley. I hold in a shudder just thinking about what that poor girl went through. I can’t imagine what it was like not remembering the last two years of your life just to find out they were taken because some monster forced your mind to shut down. I’m having trouble staying calm after not remembering just a few months. Then, my ears start perking up when I hear Irish start explaining what Teller did to get the man we all wanted dead. It doesn’t surprise me to find out he used Scarlett as bait, but what does surprise me is the way every man in the room scowls when hearing Irish go over this detail. It isn’t until the end of his recollection that the machine beside me alerts everyone to my rising heartrate. As Marcus was being arrested, Buck was asking for his patches. My brother has his faults, anyone with eyes can see that, but to disrespect him in such a way is unacceptable.
Teller (Tarnished Souls MC Book 4) Page 13
