MC: LaPonte

by L. Ann Marie

  Kate touches my arm. "Thank you. You kept us safe today. I'm not sure what to say but I want you to know I'm glad you were there when we needed you. I'm sorry your hurt but Doc said you'll be able to move around in a couple of days." she kisses my head.

  "Fuck, thought you'd be pissed." I tell her I can hear the pain medicine in my voice.

  "Steve said you saved quite a few people today and you kept the bastards from running with the kids. Can't be pissed about you keeping us safe." She stands up. "I'm going to let you sleep. Patches is dying to get with the kids. Steve has a guy in the bonus room. All is well here, relax and sleep for a while." I nod closing my eye.

  Chapter Thirty Six

  Sunday Church…

  Tylenol helps my face from pounding but my fuckin back still seizes up if I move wrong. Doc says it will ease up in a few days. It's been five fuckin days already. Walking into the Clubhouse I get chin from the Brothers hanging in the common room. Luke yells, "Good to see you up Brother." I give him a nod and turn toward the meeting room. All but Ben and Steve are here. I return the 'Brother's' and sit gently.

  "Surprised to see you here Danny. I told you it'd be a couple of days longer." Doc says. I shrug causing a hitch in my breath. Fuck, no shrugging.

  Tiny looks at me, "How's your arm?"

  "It’s good." I tell him, Doc laughs.

  Steve and Ben walk in. Ben looks at me. "Why didn't you tell us Axe was your sponsor?"

  "Does it matter?" What the fuck is this about?

  "Tiny told us. Geek hunted down the old books. You were High Security when you first got your cut. You sat right behind Axe." He says like its news to me.

  "Yeah." I don't know what he's looking for here.

  "You didn't think it mattered?" He asks like I'm slow.

  "I didn’t keep it a secret if that’s what you’re thinking. No one seemed to care what I did. It could be the pain or I'm just fuckin slow, but no, I didn't think it mattered. What's with the trip down memory lane Pres?"

  Tiny laughs. Ben smiles, “Sorry Brother. You took out more than half the bikes that ran through our backyard. We were looking for where you were trained. Steve thought it was military but you never went into the military. Tiny said you trained with Axe. We looked it up. You won the shooting in Laconia beating Axe. That's not something anyone else on the whole fuckin east coast can say. Axe won that fuckin patch for seventeen years until you."

  I look around, I still don't know why all this matters. "I rode up with him. I remember shooting. I don't get why were still on this trip down memory lane."

  Tiny cracks up. "I told you. VP told him to clear the way so he took the order and cleared the fuckin way. He was just doing what he was told."

  I nod not sure what the fuck I'm supposed to say. Everyone is just looking at me. I look at Steve. "You did say clear the way?"

  He laughs, "I did."

  Ok. "I didn't fuck anything up right?"

  Ben laughs. "No Brother you didn't. We're just learning that you're a fuckin Badass Biker."

  "I knew it all along." Fuckin Tiny says. They all laugh.

  "Next time there's trouble you run High Security with my team. Fuckin Casper couldn't keep up with you. Says somethin Brother." Steve says. Fuck that feels good.

  "Ok VP. I don't care where you put me. You just need to tell me what to do. I've always been all in." He nods.

  "Sorry Brother. We didn't look to see what has been staring at us for fuckin years." Ben says.

  "Pres, it was Danny that took out the one percenters at the shipyard last year, every fuckin one of them. Dave said he rode right through the middle of the fuckin club that gave us trouble a couple years ago. He climbed in a fuckin tractor trailer not being able to see the whole fuckin right side without a fuckin complaint. He's been here doing what's needed. No one ever notices or gives him credit."

  "Can we get off this and start fucking church already?" I've had enough of this already.

  "That's why no one noticed. You’re like VP, you do what needs to be done and move the fuck on." Tiny says.

  "So can we move the fuck on?" I ask them.

  Ben nods. Thank Fuck! "Alright Brothers. We have six injured and no casualties. Jess has a list of needs for the six. You know the drill. Danny if you need anything let one of us know. We have assurances there will not be backlash from the other Chapters. VP doesn't believe it, so we'll keep Security in place until we see or hear differently. The electric company is paying us a fuckin shit ton of money for the solar energy were producing. Once the panels are paid for we're setting up a program for low income families to benefit from twenty percent of the money we receive. Do I have a nay on this?" No one speaks up. Ben keeps moving through the information. Then he tells about the Little Brothers and how they came up with the plan. Tiny is going to talk to Petey and Patches about getting them a patch for their cuts.

  Finally the Brothers come in. Church passes quickly. I sit at the bar and have a drink. I need one after all that shit. Steve slides in on the side of me. Fuck not more bullshit. I nod to him. "Jessie had a safe room that you built. Used it to keep the kids safe." He looks at me. I nod so he goes on. "Safe to say Little Ben has one too?" I nod again. "Any other safe rooms?" He asks.

  I smile, "Quite a few actually. I worked on just about every Club or Brother’s building in this town. There's times when we may need them. I made sure we have that option."

  He smiles at me. "Don't let your gun empty and always have a way out. Axe was my sponsor too."

  I hold my face and laugh. Fuck it hurts. I throw back my drink and stand. "Got a whole crew of kids waiting for me to get home. Promised them we'd go to the circus in Providence this afternoon."

  He nods. "All of us goin. Need to keep together, Security details are runnin thin." I nod. He stands and walks out with me. I throw chin to the Brothers we pass and slap Luke's back on the way out.

  Chapter Thirty Seven

  One month…

  Steve's on his phone. "On our way, stay on the phone with Ben." He hands his phone to Ben. "One percenters took out Security, they're followin. Need to get up 95." I nod. "Need my gear, grab what you have and meet me at Security." He looks at Tiny, "Have them text the Military that's on to meet me at the on ramp to 95 in fifteen." He looks at me. "Do you need anything from Security?"

  "No." I make my way to the garage keying in the code and putting my thumb on the panel. Rob follows me out. "Let Patches know I had to leave." The wall slides. "I go to the gun safe and pull a holster and two guns. I pull my sneakers and pants off and slide into some cargos filling the pockets with clips. I pull my boots, a long sleeved t-shirt, my vest, and the holster clipping the gun in. Pulling the tarp off the Ducati I grab my jacket. Rob pushes the bike to the front of the garage. I put my jacket and helmet on. I hit the panel and climb on. I nod to Rob and start the bike up. Tiny pokes his head out giving me a thumbs up. I make it to Security before Steve. Taking the steps two at a time I push through the door running to the surveillance room.

  "Anything yet Digs?" I ask pulling off my helmet. He looks twice.

  "They're doing ok. Got four bikes following. You got Bluetooth?"

  "Yeah. Hook me up with you and Steve." I tell him walking out. I hear Steve coming down the road. I make it out as he's pulling in. Security bikes are coming from the back of the building. I throw my leg over and pull my helmet on. Digs is telling Steve I'm hooked into them. I nod and follow him out. He's a fuckin maniac on the bike. We're doing 85 going down Main Road. Four bikes are waiting at the ramp, that's six with us. We fly by them. "Talk to me Digs." Steve says.

  "Casper just got in; I was telling him what's happening." Digs tells him.

  "I'm on Knight. You got twenty miles to make. The old ladies are doing fine. Bikes are just following right now. If they move it will be to force an exit, they have nowhere to go right now. You need to make that twenty fast." Casper says. Steve lays it out. I stay to his left doing 125.

  "We got a state trooper up ahead. Di
gs is calling in." Fuck. We slow to 110. "Go Knight." We push it back up to 125. "Security was just picked up. They're heading to Doc." Thank fuck, they're alive. We ride for what seems like forever. "Take the next exit and follow it around to the on ramp." Casper tells us.

  I see Jess' suv and the bikers up ahead traveling toward us. We exit and loop around. Fuckin Steve whips around against the light and almost gets hit. "Ain't no fuckin use to them dead Brother." I tell him.

  "Give them thirty seconds Knight. You need to be behind them. I unzip my jacket and roll with the light. When I hit the ramp I pull my gun and pull up so Steve's on my right. Jess passes us Steve keeps steady.

  As soon as the one percenters pass he speeds up. "Security is behind us, have Jess speed up to 70." He tells Casper. The suv speeds up. "Security, slow it down."

  "They got it Knight. You're coming to a curve, no view from behind." Casper says. "Trucks pulling up behind you."

  "Give us room. They ain't pullin this shit ever-a-fuckin-gain." Steve tells him.

  I smile. "Fuckin A".

  "Fuck!" Casper says. "Pres they're takin them down."

  "Shut the fuck up Casper." He looks behind us. "Don't want them forgettin this Danny. Let them slide then we'll put them down." He looks at me, I nod. "Tell Jess to speed up now!"

  The fuckin morons just notice they're alone on the fuckin highway. One moves to the left with a gun aimed at the suv. I hit his back tire and he slides left laying it down on himself. Steve laughs. He hits a tire on the right. "Fuck, hit the other side of the fuckin tire!"

  He fuckin laughs. "Just keepin you on your toes Brother." I swerve around the screaming one percenter.

  "Fuckin VP."

  "Not use to a partner Brother." He hits the right when I hit the left. They fall to the sides sliding. "Like splittin butter with a hot knife." He says. I laugh.

  "If you’re done fuckin playing around, the truck's got the first two. Pushed the bikes down the hill. They're fuckin pissed, there's blood every-fuckin-where!"

  "Won't be doing this again will they?" Steve says. "Tell Jess to slow down." She does. I put my gun back in the holster and zip up my jacket. "As soon as the trucks movin again get security out of there."

  "It's taking a minute because the fuckin guys slid doing seventy." Casper says. He's pissed.

  "Four fuckin bikers take down two of your fuckin Brothers then surround and follow your fuckin old lady and kid, you tell me to ask them to please pull over. That's how I'll fuckin handle it. When it's my old lady, I'm makin sure before they breathe their last they feel the worst fuckin pain I can give them from the back of a fuckin bike. I don't clear my actions through you. Your job is to relay information and clear my fuckin path." Fuck he's pissed.

  "You're right, sorry VP." Casper says.

  "Brother, your woman is fine, calm and appreciating you for clearing her a safe path." Ben sounds worried.

  "Pres, it's good for the first fuckin time, I didn't go red. Been clear the whole fuckin time. Did what we needed to and are traveling the speed limit back. Took all of seven fuckin minutes. I hear another fuckin word about blood I'm goin red. Clean up is in a fuckin truck. Tell them to hose it the fuck down. They can't hack it, got two more that are waitin for the fuckin chance to hose down blood."

  Ben is fuckin laughing. "What the fuck happened with fuckin blood Brother?" He's still laughing.

  "Play the audio back." Steve tells him.

  I sit back and enjoy the ride. I can't see my girl and kids but I know they're safe in the suv I'm following.

  "Nice ride, when'd you get that?"

  "Had it a couple years now. Keep it hidden in the safe room. Nice change from the low rider." I tell him.

  "You order the pizza?" He asks me.

  I crack up. "No VP, I got sidetracked before I placed the order. Maybe Tiny or Rob ordered for us." I'm still chuckling.

  "Digs you on?" He asks. I crack up again. Apparently he's hungry.

  "I'm here Brother."

  "Find out if Tiny ordered the pizzas." He tells him.

  "My fuckin face is killing me from laughing." I tell him.

  "Stop fuckin laughin."

  "Fuck! Bikes going under the overpass at the next on ramp. We're not done." Dig’s says.

  "Digs get Pres back on." Steve says.

  "Brother. I see seven just making the turn. Security, split then slow down. VP I'm slowing Jess down to exit. Move closer before she turns, then go through them once she's on the exit." Ben tells us.

  "Yeah Pres tell her no lights. Have two follow her down and wait for us." He says.

  "She's got it. They're all on the ramp."

  "Now Brother." We speed up. The last two bikes take aim. I rapid fire and turn back to the road.

  "I'm dropping back so I can get on your left." I tell him he nods. "They got a fuckin chain. Seriously?" I shoot the two holding chain. VP laughs. "That's just fuckin wrong. I'm over this VP." We swerve around the chain.

  "Start on the tires." He tells me. Slowing down I hit the tire and watch him slide. VP hits the last two. "Didn't take long." We slow and turn around going back to the exit Jess got off on. "Security let it go. Clean up, pass them the fuck by."

  Jess is in a parking lot of a pizza place. I put my hand under the helmet but I can't hold my eye from there. I'm trying not to laugh.

  "Tell her to follow me, I'm in blue today." Steve says pulling out. I follow with security on my right I nod to him. A Security bike is on Jess' left. "We'll stay back roads. Keep it clear Digs."

  "Brother, I don't think you're done. Nothing's showing but it doesn't feel right." Ben says.

  "Same thoughts here Pres." Steve says as shots are fired from behind us.

  "Fuck, on a fuckin busy road?" I say forgetting the Bluetooth. Return fire and a crash behind sends a fuckin chill up my spine.

  "Security cleared your back LaPonte." Pres tells me. I hear the bikes coming from the right. "On your right, they're coming fast. Security, block the intersection so she can pass through." Bikes move in front of us stopping traffic. I shoot going through the intersection.

  Horns and yelling don't stop Jess, she barrels on. "Good girl sis." I'm proud of my little sister.

  "Bikes are behind closing in, you got four." Dig’s tells me. Fuck.

  "Security move with the suv. VP, get her clear." I slow and turn heading back. I'm aimed and ready when a bike comes at me from the side.

  VP takes him out I hit the one in front of me. "Fuckin crazy ass motherfuckers. Innocents all over the fuckin place." I hit the guy on the left. He hits a car going in the other direction. Fuck!

  "Get her back on the highway Security." VP says, his voice sounding flat. Fuck no more playing around. I follow him turning and race back to Jess around the corner.

  A fuckin truck is stopped in the road. I shoot around Jess on the left. Security is already on it. Two go down. Fuckin guy stands in the bed with a rifle on Jess. We both hit him, his shot goes wide. "Thank Fuck!"

  "You're clear from behind two Security are following at a half a mile back. Brothers are on their way, the first will be at the ramp in three minutes." It’s going to be a long fuckin three minutes.

  "Roger that." VP says. He's lost in the commando mode I've heard about. "Brother only two left turns until the ramp, stay with her. Security, clear a path.” The bikes race to the intersections one at each stopping traffic so we can pass.

  We pass and they take the ramp. Two Brothers are waiting. Thank fuck. "Brothers are at the last two ramps waiting VP." Ben says.

  Luke and Brad pull in behind us. I hear the screech of tires and a crash behind me. Jess speeds up. Me and VP follow. "Brothers down. Security, clear that fuckin truck. Brothers are coming from behind. They have no communication." Brothers move up with us. Jess is doing 85. "Fuckin shots at the next exit. She's going to blow by it. Brothers got you covered." Holy Fuck he's right it's like the fuckin OK Corral on the ramp.

  "Something on the overpass?" I ask VP.

  "Fuck,
slow her the fuck down!" He yells. I sign for them to slow behind me. She slows causing Brothers to swerve.

  Steve speeds up and aims. I follow, I'm aimed waiting. "Now Brother." We shoot but not soon enough. He gets a shot off. I slow and turn back to the suv seeing it go out of control. She hits the guardrail hard enough that the suv's back tires lift off the ground. "FUCK!" Everyone yells. We race back. Brothers are pulling doors open.

  "They're ok." Pres tells us. I jump off and take a crying Ally from Jared. "You're surrounded by Security and Brothers. I need you on in case of more trouble."

  "Got it Pres. I say hitting the button on helmet so the lens lifts." I walk to Kate. She's pulling Devan out. Tiny's got Alex. "Where's Elizabeth?"

  "Got her Brother." VP says.

  "Dave is on his way with a vehicle. Kids are up at the club. The kids good Brothers?"

  "Yeah." We say together.

  "Thank Christ. I didn't hear any crying." I can hear relief in his voice.

  Ally looks at me, "Daddy you came." The Brothers laugh.

  "I did beautiful. Always take care of my girls." I tell her hugging Kate and touching my boys head.

  I look for Alex and trade with Tiny. "I knew you'd come." He says with that thick throaty sound he has.

  I touch his head. "Always." Jess comes around the truck VP has Elizabeth. I hug Jess and touch Elizabeth's head. "Glad you're all safe."

  "Brothers suburban’s coming up on you." I freeze looking at VP. We pull our guns and spin around to look. "It's ours. Have the brothers move seats so we can get them out of here fast." I take a deep breath and put the gun in my holster then tell Tiny while VP is bitching at Pres for giving him a heart attack. Tiny gets the seats out and has the Brothers waiting. Security lets the truck through. Everyone is packed in, Dave is driving, "salvage is two minutes out, they got the Brothers bikes and they’ll pick up the suv." I nod throwing my leg over and flipping the lens down. I change clips and check my spare. I wonder where the fuckin the cops are. We should have seen something by now. Something's not right.

  VP checks his guns and nods to me. We follow Dave with Security pulling in front of us. Brothers are behind. The three miles to the exit goes quick. Coming off the ramp Security in front of us is fuckin shooting again. I'm aiming before I even get to the bottom of the fuckin ramp.