“Oh honey chaos is already here. It was here before you three showed up. Shit went down yesterday. Looks like we have a lot to catch up on. Athena is home but I think both Happy and Hawk are here at the clubhouse. We should be clear for a few hours or at least until Doc gets there. I hope you know what you’re doing with this girl,” I said to Madison.
“Let’s go get this shit over with. Just be warned; that little guy knows everything about us. Avery never kept us a secret from him. He still believes he hasn’t seen any of us because of her tour schedule. Please play along for his sake.”
“Can you at least tell me his name so I don’t look like an idiot when he starts up a conversation.”
“His name is Hunter,” Madison said with a loving smile. “Thank you for this Carrin. We need to help her. I want to see my nephew and I can’t do that if she takes off again.”
Without questioning my best friend, I simply nodded. I watched as Madison got back in the car and pulled out of the driveway. The path to our house hasn’t been cleared out enough for a car to pass through yet so she would have to go back out on the road to circle around. I wasted no time getting Tivie and myself loaded. I wanted to make it to the house before they did. If Athena was awake I needed to fill her in on what little I knew. She might not have been born to this family but she was a part of it and this was going to affect all of us.
Avery
I said nothing as Madison wheeled the car out of the club’s driveway. I sat holding a quiet Hunter to my side as she made a left into another gravel road not far from the club’s. It seemed like forever before the huge house came into view. Where the hell was I? I expected to head back into town to Madison’s apartment.
I finally spoke when Madison pulled in front of the four car garage on the side of the house. “Madison, where are we exactly?”
“This is home now Avery. Remember how I told you my apartment was ram sacked, well I moved in with Carrin and a few others.”
“This is Carrin’s house? Who else lives here? I knew you said she had bought this place but it was so run down when I left. This place looks so different now. I figured she was using it as a bed and breakfast again.”
“You probably remember Whit, it’s Happy now by the way, but you haven’t met Athena, Hart or Aiden. They were a part of Brookes’ family. I told you when he passed away he left enough money for this old bed and breakfast. He wanted Carrin and Tivie to have her family with her. So Carrin, the man at the clubhouse Zeus, Athena, Hawk, Happy and myself live here.”
“We can just stay at the hotel out on the interstate. I don’t want to impose on anyone. Carrin didn’t seem too happy to see me anyway,” I told an exhausted Madison.
“Fuck that. Your family and this house isn’t just Carrin’s. It belongs to the family. She’s just as confused as I was with the news. Explain shit to her like you did with me and she’ll be fine. We all will.”
“Momma I really gots to pee,” Hunter interrupted us.
“Ok little buddy. How bout I take you in to meet some more of your family that’s dying to meet you? We’ve missed you little guy,” Madison answered for me. Like the carefree soul my little boy was he jumped over to Madison. With Hunter in hand Madison got out of the car. The two of them helped me get out of the passenger side and into the house. The first room we came to was the kitchen. It was huge with industrial size appliances. There was a cute breakfast nook that sat by a bay window and a long island that separated the two. Carrin sat on a bar stool pulled at the center island while her daughter was in the high chair next to her. Carrin stood from her stool to walk over and pull my aching body in for a hug.
“I want to kick your ass so bad for running away from us. I love you, girl. Don’t you ever forget that,” Carrin whispered in my ear before pulling out of my embrace to kneel before Hunter.
“Hey there little guy. How have you been? Are you hungry? I can make you some pancakes or get you some cereal if you like.”
“You got apple jacks? They’s my favorite Aunt Carrin. Momma lets me have apple jacks as long as I drink all of the orange juice in my cup,” my son answered.
“I’m sure we do. The guys around here love apple jacks too. They think it’s the only cereal made. How about I make you a bowl of cereal and get you some juice while mommy takes a shower? Your grandpa is on his way over here to check mommy’s boo-boos. You don’t want her stinking for grandpa do you?
Hunter started giggling uncontrollably. “You’re funny Aunt Carrin. I don’t want momma stinkin for grandpa and I’m really hungry.”
“Okay kiddo go have a seat at the table while I talk to mommy and Aunt Madison really quick.”
Just like that my son took off towards the table. He stopped to introduce himself to a laughing Tivie in the high chair. Lost in watching the two interact I didn’t hear Carrin when she spoke.
“Earth to Avery,” I heard as I turned to face her. “Damn girl I thought we lost ya for a minute. I was asking how you want me to handle Doc. If he gets here before you two get cleaned up do you want me to hide Hunter in the den or upstairs,” Carrin asked again?
“It might be best to keep him away from Dad until I can talk to him. It might freak dad out a bit to have a little boy calling him grandpa when he doesn’t know about him yet.”
“I figured that. Why don’t you use the downstairs bathroom while Madison runs up to grab you something to wear? I’ll make him some cereal and take him in the den with Tivie and me. They can watch cartoons while he eats his breakfast. You two can look out for him while you two rotate thru the shower. Then he can just use the downstairs bedroom to check you guys over. When Doc is done though, you’re going to explain everything and then we’re coming up with a battle plan to break the news to everyone else,” Carrin said taking charge of the situation.
“I’ll be right back Avery. I’ll run up and grab some sweats for both of us.” With that Madison took off upstairs.
Carrin turned to go back towards the giggling kids in the kitchen. I reached for her arm to stop her long enough to express my gratefulness. “Thank you. You’ll never know how much I appreciate this. I promise I will fill you in as soon as I’ve had time to shower and brush my teeth.”
“You’re welcome, lady. Just don’t go disappearing on me again. I’m sure you’ve had your reasons for all this and I’ll stand by you. Now you really do stink. Go get your sexy ass in the shower, hooker. I’ve got Hunter.”
I took my time in the shower. The hot water felt great on my aching body. I was sure it was nothing more than bruising but I needed to let my dad check me out. With a brave face I dressed in the yoga pants and club tee-shirt Madison left for me along with a new tooth brush on the bed. I quickly brushed my teeth. I needed to relieve Madison from her watch.
No sooner than I opened the door to the bedroom I heard Madison screaming at someone in the next room over. “What the fuck do you mean he was shot Axle? Oh god is he okay? Where the fuck is he?”
Shit! This was so not going to end well. I had two choices. I could hide in this bedroom until the coast was clear or I could check on my friend and confront the man who owned my heart. It was time to pull up my thong and get this shit over with.
I opened the door and made my way to the kitchen. Axle had his sister in his arms checking her over. Reassuring her that Wall was going to be okay but he was more worried about her. He was demanding that she tell him everything. He wanted to know who the fuck he was going to string up for beating on his sister. I chose to make my presence known. I wanted to save her from having to tell haft truths or even lies in order to protect me. This was a conversation that I need to handle.
“Calm the fuck down Braxton and I’ll tell you everything. Tell her where Jacoby is so she can see for herself that he’s okay.” When I spoke I watched his body freeze. Slowly he looked down to his sister as she nodded. It was her way of letting him know indeed it was really me.
When Axle spun around to get a look at who had spoken to him that way he
had the look of a mad man. Oh fuck. He was ready to rip into me. My first thought was to run back to the bedroom and lock the door. Instead I squared my shoulders and moved closer.
Chapter 7
Axle
I had my alarm set for ten o’clock but the loud banging on the door next to mine woke me earlier than what the fuck I wanted. Doc better get his ass up to answer that fucking door or I was going to kill some fucking body. Finally, Doc made his way to the door yelling at the person doing the banging. “What the fuck is so important that your banging on my fucking door before eight am?”
“Uh, I’m sorry Doc but I was asked to come get you and send you over to the house. Got someone you needed to check over,” Zeus said trying to be quiet. Why the fuck was he trying to talk quietly. That fucker is never quiet. I’m sure the asshole doesn’t even know how to whisper.
“What do you mean there’s someone over to the house? If it’s so fucking urgent you should have just brought them over here.”
“I know but trust me when I say it was for the best to have them go over to the house. She’s not ready to see Wall yet. It’s nothing that’s life or death but she still needs looking after,” Zeus tried to explain to Doc again as quiet as possible.
“Alright let me get myself together and I’ll be over. Let Carrin know I should be there within the hour,” Doc relayed to Zeus before shutting the door.
That ‘she’ could only be my sister. I waited for Zeus to move down the hall before I jumped up out of bed. I had my teeth brushed and clothes on in no time. I’d shower and shave when I got back. Something was up and I was going to get to the bottom of it.
I let myself in the house but made sure to announce my presence. With all the crazy shit happening around the club the girls of the house would be packing. I didn’t need to die today because the trigger happy bitches would be shooting first and asking questions later.
“Hey is anybody up around here,” I yelled out in the empty kitchen.
“Hey Axle wait a second and I’ll be right there,” I heard Madison yell from the stairs. She walked straight past me to go into a room off to the side of the living room. I think that’s the bedroom that the commander and Ms. Rose used when they would stay here. I waited in the kitchen for my sister to come out. If she was changing I wasn’t walking in on that. I walked over to the coffee pot to help myself to a cup.
Madison returned in a fresh pair of sweats. She had dark circles under her eyes, her oily hair was scooped up on top her head. She looked like hell. I waited for her to speak first. I can tell by the look in those blue eyes there was a storm brewing.
“Look I’m tired, my head is pounding and I need a shower. I’ll call you after I get Doc to check me out. Whatever you do don’t say a word to Wall. I don’t have time for his shit right now.”
“You won’t have to worry about Wall for a few days. The drugs Doc has him on right now are keeping him in a sleep coma.”
“Why does Doc have Jacoby on drugs? What did that fucker do this time,” She asked in her bitchy voice?
I wasn’t sure what to tell her. I guess Carrin hasn’t filled her in on the events of yesterday. “You tell me what happened to you first and I’ll fill you in on what you missed while you were hanging with the rock stars.”
“I got jumped last night when we came back from the club. I went out with the crew after the show and when I came back there was a scuffle and I got knock in the head. NOW TELL ME WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON WITH WALL!”
For the next ten minutes I filled my sister in on the chaos that happened yesterday. She stood still as I told her how Jacoby went down with two slugs in his shoulder. She remained quiet after I told her about the girls being kidnapped and who was involved. When I told her how Big Head helped rescue the girls and Carrin shooting somebody she still said nothing.
I had to snap her out of it. She looked like a fucking zombie just staring out the window. Shaking her a little I spoke one last time. “Say something woman. Your scaring the fuck out of me. Did you hear a fucking thing I said?’
She looked up at me in silence. I could see the wheels turning before she blew. Her once pale face flushed and her pupils got the size of a fucking dime. “What the fuck do you mean he was shot Axle? Oh god is he okay? Where the fuck is he?” This was serious Jekyll and Hyde bull shit.
“He’s fine Madison. After a couple of days, he’ll be back to his cocky asshole self. What about you, huh? Where did you get hit in the head and why the fuck didn’t you call me last night? I coulda had this shit dealt with. You should have had an escort home if you had people fucking with you. You need to tell me exactly what the fuck happened last night so I can deal with it. Nobody fucks with my family and gets away with it! NOBODY!
“Calm the fuck down Braxton and I’ll tell you everything. Tell her where Jacoby is so she can see for herself that he’s okay.”
I must be dreaming. That voice can’t be in this room. That voice has been haunting my dreams for years. With Madison in my arms I froze in my spot. Thank you lord my girl was home. When I looked in my sisters eyes she gave me a small smile and a nod. It was all the proof I needed to know my girl was really here. My excitement was short lived when I turned to find a bruised Avery standing in the doorway. Who the fuck hit my woman? Rage instantly consumed me. Whoever did this was going to fucking die!
Avery took little steps in my direction. She seemed cautious of where my head was at. Her beautiful face was turning shades of black ‘n’ blue. I could see the scratches on her arms mixed with her tattoo’s. The fucker messed up her perfect skin. My body shook with anger. I needed to hit something or someone but I didn’t want to scare her away. Right now the only logical thought in my head was to kiss her. I needed to claim her lips again.
In a flash I was on her. I wrapped one arm around her waist while the other one cupped the back of her neck. My lips crashed to hers needing ownership. Fuck me I missed this girl. How the fuck have I survived without this woman for the last five years? With my lips on hers and our tongues clashing together I made a silent vow to never be without her again. I’d chase this girl to the ends of the earth if she ever thought about leaving me again.
The sound of the doorbell ringing had us pulling apart from one another. Looking around I saw my sister was nowhere to be found. I looked into Avery’s eyes as I spoke the words I’ve been wanting to tell her again for years. “I love you, baby. God dammit I’ve missed you like crazy.”
Avery jumped back away from me as if I had poured cold water on her head. The doorbell rang again. What the fuck was that for. Before I could ask, she made her way to the door. I was about to ask her what the hell her problem was when her parents came into view. I stood back and watched as the couple wrapped her in one hell of a bear hug. When her father pulled back he looked me in the eye. Both of us were going to get to the bottom of this shit. Two of our girls come home black ‘n’ blue, which meant some body was going to answer for that shit.
I waited for Doc to break away from Avery to come over to me. He left Avery by the door with her mom. Tabby was crying as she was checking Avery over. No doubt worried about what and who caused all that. I drew my attention from the women at the door to focus on the old head who was standing next to me.
“We need to find out what the fuck happened. The last I heard they were finishing out the tour and then coming home. They should be on their way to New York right now instead of this house. Something big went down to send their stubborn asses home man,” I told Doc.
“Yeah, I’ll try to get to the bottom of it. Right now I need to check her over. Where’s Madison? I figured she would be here too,” Doc asked while searching the room.
“I think she went to get a shower. I’m going to head back over to the club house. Make sure those two get looked over. Do not leave this house unless one of the brothers are here to watch them. I don’t want either of them pulling another disappearing act. You feel me, brother?”
“I’m with you Prez. I’ll duct
tape their asses to the chair if they try any dumb shit like that again.”
“Good. I’ll be back later. I expect you in that meeting room at noon. I’ll send a prospect back over to sit with them.” I was done talking. I needed to take a little ride to clear my head before facing the crew. I made it down the steps to my bike stopping as I was putting my helmet on to chance a look at the house. There standing in front the window was my little blonde goddess watching me. I gave her a shit eating grin telling her “Oh honey I will deal with you later” without having to say the words. With my helmet in place I took off for a quick ride before church.
Avery
I watched as Axle pulled out of the drive way. Damn that man was hot. Just with that little smirk my body came alive. I wanted to chase his ass down the driveway and climb him. I was about to in the kitchen when thank god my parents showed up. If that doorbell hadn’t rung, there’s no doubt in my mind we would have ended up a tangled mess on the kitchen floor. God I missed that man.
“Avery, honey let’s get daddy to check you out. I can’t believe some animal did this to you,” my mother said.
“I’m fine mom. It looks worse than it feels,” I lied. My whole fucking body was killing me. It hurt to breath. At first I thought it was just bruising but I think I might have a cracked rib or two. This shit hurt like a mother fucker.
“Come on baby girl let me get you checked out. Your mom can hang here…,” my dad was saying as a little voice interrupted him.
“Momma! Where’d you go momma,” Hunter was yelling from the hallway.
Oh shit. This is not how I wanted my parents to find out. Without looking at my parents I backed out of the kitchen and to the hallway to scoop up my little boy in my arms. “I’m right here baby. I thought you were watching cartoons with Tivie and Aunt Carrin?”
“They fell asleep on da couch. I didn’t want to wake um up momma. I don’t know how to change the channel. It’s different then Uncle Trev’s TV,” my son rambled on as I heard someone walk up beside me.
Coming Home: Dominant Devils Book 2 Page 9
