"Get Switch over here. He was with me last night, maybe something will click for him.... And stay the fuck off this dirt until I tell you." I'm seeing at least four different boot tracks. These fuckers were watching us last night. My mind starts to go insane with the possible reasons why someone would do that.
"He's on his way. Anything else you'd like me to do?"
"Yeah. Check on the vehicles we had towed last night. I want to know where they are exactly."
I begin to dial Kyle. I need to know what he knows, now.
"Kyle. Tell me you have some information for me?"
"I put out the word that we had two men on bikes in the area, hoping to get some details. So far it's cold. I'm still working on it though."
"I'm standing in the field that was just north of where the girls hit the ditch. Someone had a fucking party over here last night. I'm seeing at least four."
"How do you know that was from last night?"
"I just do. Our new club building is coming along very well and the dirt was leveled yesterday. I saw to that personally. I know these tracks were made within the last fifteen hours."
"Ok. I'll see what I can find out." There are a few possibilities running through my mind, but none seem to make sense.
"Trap, get everyone back to the club today. I need a full meeting with the guys tonight." He nods and I continue to study the scene. I look toward the ditch where the girls went down last night. It's a perfect view from here. The fuckers had to have hidden in the shadows of our construction.
"I'm on it. The vehicles are at the yard. Stone was on location when they were delivered."
"Did it piss off the guys that their night was fucked up last night with all this bullshit?"
"Nah. They still had their night of fun." I wouldn't know. I went home to think after I took Tori home. Yesterday was all sorts of fucked up and I needed to sleep.
Piper and Switch were waiting on us when we arrived. Once the girls were safe inside, we got the fuck out of there. I knew I wanted Switch away from my sister before I got caught up in Tori again. That's another conversation I need to have today.
"Switch is calling a mandatory. Make sure you're present. I need everyone at the house tonight."
"You got it, Boss." I light up a cigarette just as the rumble of the bikes get closer. Switch, Beast, and Stone pull up. All three are focused and at my side instantly.
"Looks like a few fuckers want to play. I want all ears and eyes on deck for this. I need to know if my sister is being targeted, or if that just happens to be coincidence.
"I'll get cameras installed here and in prime locations of each of our properties." Stone is always on target with security. He's the brains behind every bit of it we have in place.
"Make sure you add security to the apartment complex. My sister is there and I don't want anything out of place."
"I'm on it."
"Do you think we should have one of the guys with your sister until we know what's going on?" Beast is my logical thinker. He's my planner.
"Fuck. The last thing I want is to drag her any closer to the club, but fuck if this isn't what I'm going to have to do."
"Who do you want with her?" Well, isn't this the question of the mother fucking day. Beast knows my feelings on this. Hell, every one of my guys knows the fucking rule, so I should be able to put any of them on her, but until I know what the fuck is going on, I need my best with her.
"You, but don't let her know you're watching."
"Yeah, because I fit in well with others." This smartass is giant. He isn't the best at being incognito.
"Pull in Shadow. That's his fucking specialty. Tell him to work with Stone on security for the apartment. Beast, see what you can find out from the area chapters. Maybe someone has heard some buzz about what went down. The girls are both set on the fact they were run off the road, purposely. This is a red flag, and I won't fucking ignore it when it hits this close." I turn to walk away from the guys when my phone starts ringing. It's Piper.
"Hey Evan! Do you have a car or something I can use until mine is fixed?"
"What do you need a car for?"
"For work and you know... things like groceries." As much as I'd love to keep her trapped in her apartment, I know that isn't logical. I need to be level headed, but I just want to protect her. That's something I fucked up doing when I was younger. She deserves the best, and it really pisses me off that the best is my family of brothers that I want to keep her away from. Because that's the very last plan I had when I heard she was moving here.
"I'll get you something. How are you both feeling today?"
"Sore. Tori is too, but we'll be alright. You should bring the car yourself. I think someone has a crush on you."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. She's been asking a lot of questions about you. Shit, it makes me realize how much I really don't know you."
"You know me."
"I don't remember all the details. I wish I did, Evan, but I don't. I know you were a great brother and went to battle for me with dad, but other than that, I missed so much of you."
"I missed you growing up too, you know." This is the reason I can't let anything happen to her. She deserves the chance to know she's loved by blood family. I may be the only blood she has, but I can make up for everything she's missed out on.
"I know. We just have to make up for some lost time! So bring me a car today and we'll do some more of that bonding shit."
"Ok. I have a meeting tonight, I'll come by after and we'll go grab some dinner somewhere."
"I'm bringing Tori. She needs out of this apartment as much as I do." My dick twitches at the sound of her name. I'll have to separate myself from her better than I did yesterday. If I'm trying to keep my sister out of this shit, the last thing I should be doing is her fucking roommate.
"It's ten in the morning. How can you already be stir crazy?"
"I hate being trapped. Maybe we should just do lunch."
"I can do that. I'll see you in a few hours. I want to talk to you about a few things anyway, so this works out better."
"See you soon, brother." The sound of that word coming from her mouth, means so much to me. For years, I thought I'd lost her forever. Knowing I have a second chance to get to know her, almost seems too good to be true. Good things don't happen to me like that.
"Don't leave your apartment until I get there." She hangs up on me. I'm guessing she didn't hear me talking at the end, but I wouldn't put it past her if she did. She's a fucking mess who doesn't like to be told what to do. I like being the boss.... so this will be interesting.
Walking back toward the guys, I'm slammed in the gut with a feeling that something is off. Something is very wrong and I'm not an idiot. What happened last night was a message. I just need to decipher it and decide exactly what the message back will be.
I light up another cigarette. This shit is stressing me the fuck out. I'm not used to things being so personal. With virtually zero ties to the club when I started, I didn't have anything to lose when it came to the fatalities of the club. As time has gone by, my responsibilities have grown along with my love for the guys who would lay it all down for me in an instant. I won't do anything to put the club in danger for any reason, but I have to figure out why my sister was targeted last night. I need to take care of this shit, so I can get us back to normal business.
"I'm going to meet my sister and get her lined out. I'll be back to the house before tonight's meeting. Beast, can you have a truck dropped off at my sister's apartment until we can get theirs fixed or replaced?"
"Sure."
Walking past the guys, I can hear their silence. I know they're just trying to process all of this, so I'm going to leave them to it. They know what to do to get the information we need to find out who's decided to start playing games. Mother fuckers are gonna pay for fucking with my family.
Chapter Seven
Blade
I pull up to the perfect little apartment complex that I don't
fit in to, yet my club owns. My goal was to have a place for Piper if I ever had the chance to get her to move here. These apartments are like a little safe haven for anyone we want to take care of. It's almost full, but I'm not in a hurry to fill it. In fact, I'd be fine if it was only my sister living in the entire fucking building.
I can hear Piper hollering through the door as I knock. "Tori, he's here. Make sure your ass is ready." She opens the door, letting it fall closed behind her as she walks away.
"Piper. How the fuck did you know it was me? You didn't even take the time to look."
"Oh cool it. I knew it was you. Who else could get through three security codes to get to my door?"
"Still. I want you watching, especially after last night."
"Yeah. Last night sucked. Did they find out anything yet?"
"Not yet. Do you have any idea who would do something like that to you?"
"No idea. I've never had that kind of shit happen to me. Tori... hurry." I watch Piper put on more lipstick in the mirror just in the hallway.
"Don't you think you have enough of that shit on your face?"
"No. Don't even start with that shit today, Evan. I'm not dealing with the big brother syndrome you love to dish out."
"We're gonna have to learn to compromise on a few things."
"Fine. But my makeup and the way I dress aren't going to be part of those things I'm willing to talk about."
She's standing with her hand on her hip again, giving me her sassy mouth replies and I'm struck with a memory of my mother. Piper reminds me so much of her. It's the way she looks and most of the facial expressions she makes. It's weird how she really never knew her, yet she resembles her so much.
Tori walks in, then back out of the room. Heels so fucking high, they make her legs look never ending and draw my eyes straight up to her ass in that skirt. I turn to look around the apartment and try to get my mind off her gorgeous ass before my dick decides to join me in standing around.
I notice the pictures of the two of them. There's a few with other people who I can only assume are their families, but most of them are the two of them over the years.
"I gave that collage to Tori for her birthday a few months back. It's hard to believe we've been friends for so long." My eyes are drawn to my sister when she was young. She didn't really change until she was a teenager. I'm interrupted before I can really see them all. "Come on, I'm starving. I didn't get to eat last night and we don't have shit in this house to munch on. This girl is fucking hungry." Piper is pulling me by the arm toward the door.
"Ok. Ok. Shit. Did you only call me over to take care of you?"
"Well, that and I'd like to see you without all the guys around. You know you're different when I get you away from all of them."
"What do you mean?"
"You just are. TORI.... We're gonna leave you here. Get your sexy ass in here NOW." I just smile. Piper is a fucking mess. And she's my sister. Fuck, she's gonna be a pain in my ass.
"Alright, I'm coming. I was trying to get a ride lined up for work tonight."
"Beast is bringing you both a vehicle until we can get yours back to you." Tori stops to look at me.
"You don't have to do that. One of the guys from work offered." Fuck no. I'd give her my truck before I let that shit go on.
"Rosie is giving you the next few days off anyway. I made sure of that." She frowns at me and drops her purse onto the counter.
"Quit fucking telling Rosie to send me home. I NEED my job, which is the reason I got the damn thing. How am I supposed to make money if you're constantly making it so that I'm not on shift?"
"I told you I'd take care of the money for the nights you miss."
"That's not the point. I'm not here to free load and I don't want the others thinking I get special treatment."
"Who gives a fuck what they think?"
"I do, so STOP." She pokes me in the chest with her fingernail as she walks by. Her long dark hair is brushing across her back as she walks. "I'll just stay here, so you two can do your thing. Just bring me back something." She keeps walking until she's out of the room.
"Damn Bro. You pissed her off." I look at my sister, confused. How the fuck am I the bad guy here? I'm trying to do everything to make sure these girls get everything they need and shit.... I wish someone would tell me I don't need to work. I'd have a great fucking time doing what the hell I want, instead of dealing with all the business of the club.
"Oh well. She'll have to get the fuck over herself." I take a few steps toward the hall she just went down. I'll find her and deal with this.
"Evan, STOP. Come with me to lunch. We can just bring her something back and let her deal with the shit she's been dealing with."
"What's she dealing with? Do you need me to help with anything?"
"Come on. You can't fix everything. Some things need time. You can't just magically give her that and make it all better." Piper locks the door behind us, and we start to walk away, but my mind is back there in that apartment. What is Piper talking about?
"I can try."
"Have you always tried to fix things for everyone?" Her question strikes me oddly. I think back over my life and realize she's right. It's who I am. I take care of people who need me.
"Yes. What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, big guy. Don't be so offended. You just might have to learn to give a little space when it comes to some of us. Let us learn on our own a little." I cross in front of my truck just as she finishes her ridiculous logic.
She sits in the passenger seat as I step up into the driver's seat and I decide it's best to set this conversation to the side. I'm not sure how to tell her that I'll be any other way than the way I am and I don't see my sister budging either.
"Where am I taking you?"
"There's this one restaurant I'd like to try about three miles down Yale Avenue. You up for something new?" Is this a trick question? No. I'm up for the usual shit I know I love. I look over at her with that look on my face, only to see her smile and bat her eye lashes at me in a teasing manner. Fuck.
"Tell me when we get close." I hope I don't regret this.
"So tell me.... what took you and Tori so long last night? It seems like the two of you hit it off." I hit the button to turn on the music, trying not to be completely obvious that I'm not wanting to talk about it.
"So this is how we're gonna be?" She turns in the seat to stare at me.
"What?"
"Evan... Did you fuck my friend?" Shit. She's so god damned straight forward. How am I supposed to lie?
"Why do you care?"
"Oh, I don't. I just wanted to watch you squirm. She already told me the details." Her laughter fills the truck just before she points to my turn. "Here. This is where it's at. Marilyn K's." I see frilly curtains in the window and a pink awning.
"What the fuck kind of restaurant is this?"
"You're gonna love it, Evan. I think they have quiche and shit." I start the truck, back up and pull back out of the parking lot.
"Fuck your quiche. I'll pick the place."
"What? You're so closed minded. It could be great."
"Or it could be shit. I'll take my chances on this burger place I know."
"Fine, but you owe me a quiche lunch."
"Whatever. Put it on my tab. Do I look like a guy who eats quiche?"
"You never know. You may like it. Brother, you've got to try new things once in awhile."
"I try new things all the time."
"Pussy doesn't count, you know." She smiles at me as she steps out of the truck, slamming the door to make her point.
"I can't help if I like what I fucking like." I open the door to my favorite hamburger joint. The owners know me here and have proven to be great friends of my MC. I've known them for years.
"Mornin' Blade. The usual?" Franny meets us as we find a booth to sit at.
"Yes and my sister here would like to order."
"You never told me you had a sister, Blade. I thou
ght for a second I was getting to meet your girl."
"Nah Franny, I won't be bringing in anyone to meet you for a long time." Piper stares at me. She looks disappointed and I try to recover her playful mood before shit goes south.
"Fran, you remember me telling you about my sister when I was eighteen? How fucking strong she was at the age of six and I wished like hell I could've kept her with me."
"Yes I do, sorry. Ole' Fran would forget her fuckin tits if they weren't attached, Honey. What can I get you today?"
"I'll take what he's having." Fran leaves us in an awkward silence.
"Evan, you know I don't blame you for where I ended up, right?" I drop my head to look at my hands in my lap. I fucking hate this. I hate being reminded of the time I had no control over things I needed to have control of. This is the exact reason I am who I am today.
"Stop. You couldn't stop the system from taking me. Shit, you were a baby yourself. How do you think I would've turned out?"
"I know you're right. I just know that shit will never happen to me again. I'll make sure I'm always in a position to help you and any other family that needs it."
"And that is why I love you." I look up at Piper and see a flash of my mother once again. Fuck, I hate that I keep getting that glimpse of the woman who walked away from us. Piper is so much better than she ever was.
"I want you to stay safe, so I'm assigning someone to you and Tori. I need you make sure you utilize the security team."
"Do you really think that's necessary?"
"After last night, yes. I won't take any chances with you."
"Can you make it one of the hot guys in your MC? How bout Switch?" My eyes dart to hers. Fucking Switch again.
"What's with you and Switch?"
"You'll never know."
"Piper. He's my VP. He can't fuck around with you."
"Yeah. I'm aware of your stupid fucking rules. That doesn't mean he can't keep me safe. I'd guess if he's VP, then he's one of the trust worthy guys."
"I need him to handle business. I'll put one of the other guys on you two."
"Ok. You sure know how to dim a girl's fucking sunshine."
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