We all stare at him, taken aback by his outburst. I’m pretty proud of him right now; he did exactly what the Enforcer should do when there is an issue like this. He thought of what’s best for the club at the moment, not about who he would end up pissing off. Clearing my throat, I nod and give my attention to Prez.
Prez takes a swallow of his bottled water and leans forward to spill his story. “It’s complicated and it’s my fuckin’ business, not y’alls’, but I’ll tell ya, just to nip this shit in the ass right away. This dates back to before any of you were here, well except Smiles,” he glances briefly at Smiles. Not angrily, but in defeat.
“I may have made a few mistakes back then, but I was a man and had to deal with shit the way I saw fit.” He looks between Cain and me, “Ares, Cain, the reason why I showed you where I kept important documents and told you to protect them is because they contain some proof on a crime I committed many years ago.”
Taking a calming breath, he focuses back on all of the brothers. “This club used to be about three of us really—myself, Smiles, and another brother, Max. We were all close, growing up together and eventually getting into motorcycles. Hell, we did everything with each other. They were my best friends, my brothers, and I trusted them completely. We were into a bunch of shit, running a bunch of drugs, partying with different one percenter clubs, shit was different back then. We were different ourselves, I think we were all sampling way too many drugs and shit wasn’t so cut-and-dried, like now.” Smiles nods, a far-off look on his face as he remembers.
The room is eerily silent as we all impatiently wait to hear the rest. No one’s smoking, drinking, or taking their eyes from Prez and Smiles. We want to hear all of it.
“Most of y’all ain’t real familiar with my Mona. Boy she was the fuckin’ cat’s meow back then.” His eyes glaze a little and a small grin tilts the corner of his mouth as he thinks of her. “Long, straight platinum blonde hair brushing the top of her plump ass, rich chocolate brown eyes with a set of tits that would make you fuckin’ cream your pants, and she was all mine. Smiles was with her sister, Veronica, and Max was with one of their girlfriends named Rachel.” Prez shakes his head as Smiles appears heartbroken when he hears Veronica’s name being mentioned.
”Y’all know how club life is; none of us had any idea about the ride we were in for. Max had an older brother that was in a ruthless one percenter club, called the Iron Fists.”
A few small inhales are heard as brothers draw in deep breaths at the name of one of the most notorious motorcycle clubs known in the United States. They were full of ruthless men, feared by bikers everywhere for a time. They aren’t quite as known now, after keeping their heads down. Many court appearances and federal cases got them to do their dirty work on the down low versus wide out in the open like they used to.
“Well we started hanging around them, thinkin’ ‘bout prospectin’ for ‘em and ended up partyin’ a little too hard. Regular drug use got us all pretty strung out. None of us were expecting to have the women flocking to us, wanting to be associated with the club. Being around them, their ways started rubbing off on us.”
Prez runs his hands over his face, looking stressed. “Max started beating his Ol’ Lady, Rachel, and I started fuckin’ random club snatch. Fuck knows why, Mona was fucking perfect compared to all of ‘em. We were just fuckin’ dumb I ‘spose. We weren’t worrying about the consequences, about treating our women like shit and getting fucked up all the time. Mona got sick of me runnin’ around on her and started to eat up the attention Max was givin’ her. Max and Mona were always good friends, had been since we were all in high school together, so I didn’t think much of it at the time.” I light a cigarette, inhaling deeply, because fuck if I don’t know where this is headed.
“Smiles started working on getting us clean, volunteering our small group to go on long runs with the guys. They all still partied and had women on the runs, but it was extremely low-key compared to what went down at the clubhouse. I started to see what was happening the cleaner I got, and I helped Smiles try to get us all off of the drugs and away from the club.”
He takes a long drink from his bottled water. “By the time I realized what was going on with Mona, it was too late. I was completely sober when I caught her and Max. She had gotten tired of waiting, of loving me while I did whatever the fuck I wanted with whomever I saw fit. She eventually succumbed to Max and had a fling with him. I caught them and threatened Max to back off or I’d kill ‘im. We grew apart, and Mona and I were having major fights. Once we got completely away from the club, Max tried getting his brother’s club to follow us to cause problems. I don’t know what had changed in him, in our friendship, but he was too deep in to their ways of life and enjoyed living like that. Smiles and I got involved in this club, the Oath Keepers. Eventually, Max spouted some shit about how he’d changed and we let him in. He used to be our friend after all, and I tried desperately to forgive him.”
Prez stops talking, drinking some more water, and I put my cigarette out. Cain is going to be all over my ass about me smokin’ again.
Smiles leans in, “Tell ‘em the rest,” he grumbles, gesturing to us waiting patiently.
Prez clears his throat, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. “I threatened Max again and told him he better stay away from my Ol’ lady this time. Shit was rocky as fuck, Mona found out she was pregnant and I always wondered if it was even my baby. One day I caught him kissing her, and I couldn’t handle it anymore. She was pregnant, swearin’ it was my fuckin’ kid she was carryin’, which y’all can tell lookin’ at Brently, that boy is definitely mine. Hell, both my kids look just like me an’ Mona. Anyhow, I had enough of Max’s shit and put him the fuck down. Smiles never forgave me for killin’ him, and then Max’s piece of shit brother told me that Max should have been President in the Oath Keepers instead of me, along with a bunch of other bullshit. In the end, he threatened that if I ever got another VP, that they would kill my VP. He said that this club could never have another VP until I died and my debt would then be forgotten. It’s been so long though, I didn’t think that they were keeping tabs any longer and we all know that Ares deserves that spot. Smiles won’t take it. After me killin’ Max, Mona couldn’t move past it. We had Princess and then she left me. I didn’t fight her, ‘cause it was all my fuckin’ fault in the first place, and I couldn’t exactly blame her for wantin’ to get our kids away. Her sister, Veronica, Smiles’ Ol’ Lady, took off with her. ” He rubs his hands over his stressed out face, eventually coming back to focus on all of us. “Now you wanna tell me what all this shit’s about-about what’s been goin’ on?”
Nodding, I peer at him with newfound respect for overcoming the shit he went through and making his life better. It sounds like he’s completely different now, than what he used to be. “Yo, that brother of Max’s you mentioned?” I ask, and he looks at me curiously. “He uh, he came to fuckin’ collect.”
Prez pales at my words, his eyes growing wide in disbelief, “You have to be fuckin’ kidding. That shit was like twenty fuckin’ years ago! I didn’t think any of them even knew where our new clubhouse was. Fuck!”
Smiles grunts. “Ain’t no good. That’s gonna stir up some shit real quick. You better fix it, ain’t gonna stay around this time while you drag us through your shit. I already lost Veronica cause you and Mona couldn’t work through it all, ain’t gonna lose nothin’ else.” Prez nods at Smiles.
“Ares, how do you know he came? Did he contact you?”
“That’s who cornered the girls, then left the note on the gate and then got to Avery this morning breaking in. Didn’t you get my texts?”
“Yeah, I saw them, but Mona’s having a real bad time today. She’s been sick with a bad fever,” he shares worriedly, appearing tired.
Smiles perks up, “Wait! What about Mona? What’s wrong with her?”
Instead of answering Smiles, he shares with the whole table. “Brothers, I know I’ve been absent a lot recently and I’m s
orry ‘bout it. I haven’t been around because my old Ol’ Lady, Mona, got diagnosed with cancer. It’s pretty fuckin’ bad accordin’ to the docs. My son hasn’t been informed. Mona’s afraid after all the shit Brently has had to deal with in the past that he won’t take it well. Keep it quiet. I fucked up with her enough in the past; I’m not about to now, when she needs me the most. I hate to leave this shit storm on your shoulders, Ares. I know this is my fault, but you will have to do what you see fit as of now.”
“We’ll figure it out. You worry about takin’ care of Mona and gettin’ her well,” I mumble, hoping to ease some of the stress he’s been carrying.
“What about Princess?” Smiles asks curiously, while Twist taps a near silent beat on the table with his fingers. The brother is always antsy with shit floating in his head.
“Same, still wants fuck all to do wit’ me. I wish she would just come chill here some and see I’m not the fucking barbarian she has me painted out to be.” He shakes his head, peering down at the table. The man looks so worn out, like he may just fall the fuck out.
Cain speaks for the second time. “Prez, you need to go get a few hours’ sleep and some food. Your own body won’t hold up if you ain’t takin’ care of yourself.” Prez chuckles at Cain’s random health advice.
“You’ve always been the one on us about making the right decisions.” He grins, “Christ Cain, you’d think you were the momma instead of London.”
Chuckles ring out through the room as everyone relaxes for the first time since we discovered the VP news.
Cain grunts, rolling his eyes, “Well fuck, somebody’s gotta take care of you fucking pansy asses or you’d all be feelin’ like shit all the time.”
“Naw, brother, I think you had one too many lemons with the whiskey you drink,” Twist ribs, and we chuckle again.
“All right, all right. Everyone straight now?” Prez inquires, and we nod. “Ares is in charge in my absence. He is, after all, your VP. Treat him with the respect he deserves; he won’t lead you astray.”
A chorus of ‘aye’s’ ring out and church comes to an end.
Chapter 10
Avery
The next day...
I’m still confused about what’s going on between the three of us. I know I love Ares and Silas dearly, but I can’t help the worrying thoughts creeping in about if we can have a real relationship. Everything is couples based, but we seem to fit better as three, not two.
I didn’t realize 2 Piece’ feelings ran so deeply for Ares. I had no freaking idea they were even being intimate; I had the suspicion from before but nothing definite. I would have been irate in any other case, but I love them both, and to find out that they both love me, makes everything seem okay.
Ares can give 2 Piece something that I can’t, just like Ares can give me the kinkier side that I crave, whereas 2 Piece can’t. At the same time, 2 Piece can give me the stronger emotional connection that I need sometimes, but Ares is more distant. We all fit in this circle that completes the others. That has to count for something, right?
That’s another concern I have. Ares has been through so much in his life. I’ve heard the stories, the whispered things said about him. Will he even be able to have a real relationship with us? We have to talk about it all and set boundaries and what not about everything.
I climb into Cain’s car ‘Loretta,’ closing the door and fastening my seatbelt, as London revs the engine. The car thunders around me, as the 702 horsepower Hellcat begs to be put to use. London stole the damn car again, but this time it’s because she wants to ride out to Prez’s ex’s house and see if we can help out. I don’t know the lady, but the guys informed us she’s really sick with cancer. Surely she could use someone, even just to tidy her house up or something.
London cranks the radio up, blaring ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ by Five Finger Death Punch. She and Cain both are hooked on that band. The clubhouse door swings out, opening as Cain and a few brothers storm out. London lowers the window, giving a little finger wave and romping on the gas.
My ass sinks back into the leather seat as the speedometer climbs higher. I’ve gotten used to London driving like a damn crazed maniac. Usually we’re in her little slow ass Civic though, this is a whole new ball park and she seems to be eating it up.
“Shit!” She suddenly shouts, drawing my attention after we’ve been driving for a few minutes.
“What’s wrong?”
London huffs, “They’re behind us.”
“Wait, who’s behind us?”
She squints, staring into the side mirror for a few beats. “Well shit. I thought it was the guys from the club but I don’t know who’s on the bikes behind us. I don’t recognize any of the bikes, and I can’t make out their faces—they’re covered in bandannas.” She rolls her window back up quickly, encasing us in darkness from the tint.
Turning in my seat, I attempt to see if I can make them out any better, but the windows are nearly black and I can’t see them. “Should I roll down my window even more to see if I can get a better look out of my mirror?”
“No, I don’t think they saw me. For all they know, we’re Cain. I don’t want anyone to know it’s us, just in case. Roll up your window.” She orders loudly, turning down the music.
London hits a button on the car in the center of the dash and ringing sounds over the speakers.
“Yeah?” Cain answers loudly. We can hear the rumble of the bike, he must be using his headset.
“Some bikes are behind us. You wouldn’t happen to be behind me, would you?” London asks sweetly.
“Nope, but bet your fuckin’ ass I’m behind those motherfuckers. Floor it, baby, and lose these fucks, so I can take care of it. Be careful.”
“Okay, babe, love you.”
“Love you.”
The car goes silent as the call clicks off, then returns to the low beat of music. London turns my way, takes a deep breath, and exhaling with a sigh, “Ready, bitch?”
“Let’s do it.” I nod, grabbing the ‘oh shit’ handle. She gives the powerful black beast some gas and the car feels like it freaking flies. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the tires actually came off the pavement.
London grips the wheel at ten and two, leaning forward, focusing on the road just like the last time she was driving erratically. We speed down the old highway, the exhaust rumbles loudly, almost as if we’re in a race. If only that really were the cause; I’m getting tired of these damn chases. First some guy chased 2 Piece and me on the motorcycle which resulted in me getting shot, then London and I race away from the grocery store like our asses were on fire, and now this. I hope London doesn’t lose her lunch this time.
“The turnoff is coming up here soon, so take that farm road out to Mona’s house.”
“We’ve been driving for thirty minutes already?” I gape at her.
“Hell no, we’ve been driving way faster than the speed limit, so it’s not going to take thirty minutes. I think the bikes are far enough back now they won’t see us turning off, but just to be safe I’m going to turn quickly and haul ass again, so be prepared. I hope we don’t spin or anything crazy.”
“Why on earth would we spin?” I inquire nervously.
“Because that road is dirt just like the back road to the club.”
“Shit-fuck, okay I’ll say a prayer for us, while you keep watching that road.”
Right as I get the words out, she slams on the brakes causing the car to skid and fishtail as she takes a corner at God-knows-what speed.
“Ohhhh shiiittttt!” I groan, and my tummy starts flipping inside. The car makes the turn but the back tires spin over the gravel, swinging the rear end from left to right, before finally getting a good grip and propelling us forward.
“You better not puke!” she calls loudly, and I groan again.
“Don’t even say that word, London,” I mumble, holding my stomach. I start to take a few deep breaths, attempting to calm down my nerves.
After about ten
minutes of straight bumpy, dirt road, we take a turn around a bend full of trees and bushes. An older, light blue ranch-style house comes into view. It has an unattached garage next to it and a chain link fence surrounding the entire piece of land it rests on. Out front an old grey 1979 Chevy pickup sits, appearing forgotten, next to a newer dark blue, Chevy Malibu sedan and Prez’ bike. I’m going to guess someone is a Chevy person here and my bet’s on Prez.
“Oh thank God!” I huff out, excited to be able to get out of Cain’s muscle car. I like the Challengers, but geez, his should be in a class alone.
“Hush your mouth, hooker; I did just fine getting us here safely.”
“Um, yeah, you got us here, and it’s a freaking miracle Cain’s dash isn’t wearing my stomach contents right now!”
She laughs, putting the car in park. Prez is on the small front porch with a shot gun before London even gets the car turned off. He’s in wrinkly clothes appearing as if he slept in them and then wore them an extra two days. His long blond hair hangs to his shoulders, a greasy mess.
“Fuck, the old man looks tired. Don’t say anything about the bikes following us just now, okay?” London observes quietly.
“Sounds like a plan, and quit giving him shit about his age. He’s not close to being old, he’s just stressed out.”
I open the door, clambering out after being sucked into my seat for so long.
“Well heya’ Shug’, what are you girls doin’ out here?” He looks at me, surprised but pleased and props the shot gun against the house.
“Hi Prez, London and I wanted to come check on you, and see if we could maybe help out around here some?”
“Aww, honey, that’s sweet of you girls, but I doubt Mona would want any company right now; she’s not feelin’ too well.” He gazes at the ground sadly.
London walks up to him giving him a giant hug, holding him tight and responding quietly, “We know, Prez; that’s why we’re here. We want to make sure the house is picked up, y’all have some clean clothes, and there’s food already prepped to eat. My best friend’s granny fought with cancer. Emily’s granddaddy always told us about how hard it was during that time. Avery and I want to make sure you have all the tools you need to help Mona get through it and get back to feeling well.”
Oath Keepers MC: The Collection Page 45
