“Can I help you?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, you can.” He smirks. “You might not remember me, but I was there that night.”
“Huh?” My breath starts to quicken as well as my pulse.
“We all pay for our choices, Nicole Lyle. You made the choice to kill my brother. You will pay for it, but all in due time. Until then, have a good day.” He smirks and walks away.
I remember him. I also see clear as day the cut on his jacket. Hades’ Disciples. Fuck. .
I slam the door shut and try to call Jase but he’s not picking up.
“Fucking hell, Jase!” I curse out loud and run upstairs to get dressed. I call Gabe and Aleck, but none of them are answering their phone. “Fucking chapel meeting.” I groan and rush down the stairs. I grab my bag and the note and get in my car. I keep a look out for anyone potentially following me as I drive to the compound. This is not how I had planned my day to go, for fuck’s sake. I wanted one nice, quiet day but that’s too much to fucking ask for I guess. I sigh resignedly as I park badly, might I add, at the compound, nearly running over the guys’ bikes.
I don’t bother closing my car door as I run inside. A few of the guys try to stop me, but I barge into the chapel and I'm met with glares by every member.
“Nicole, what the fuck are you doing here? You know you’re not allowed in here.” Ant bellows.
“Yeah, yeah, hello to you too Big Ant.”
“What do you want that couldn’t wait, Sis?” Gabe asks me in concern. He knows I would never disturb them if it wasn’t important.
“Humm.” I now realize the extent of my mistake, I should have thought this through. I now have to tell them the full story and I’m not sure how that’s going to go down.
“Nic, speak up, we were in the middle of something,” Ant says, clearly annoyed and losing patience.
“It has to do with the Disciples.” I see everyone sit up straighter. Well that got everyone’s attention. They’re all looking at me as if they want to kill me, except Jason, as they wait for me to talk.
“Go on.” One of the guys I don’t know tells me.
“A couple of years ago, I made a mistake and now it’s coming back to bite me in the ass.” I sigh and put the note on the table.
“Where did you get this?” Ant looks up at me. “And what makes you think it’s Disciples?”
“I found it in one of my text books. I don’t know how long it’s been there, but I didn’t see it yesterday when I was studying.” Jase jumps out of his seat and holds it open for me. I sit down and nod at him. Aleck and Gabe glare at him.
“Did you go inside and leave your books outside at any point yesterday?” Ant asks.
“Yeah, nature called a couple of times.” I shrug, making a couple of the guys snicker. A quick glare from Ant shuts them all up.
“So someone came by to drop this note off. First, how do you know it’s Disciples and second, what the fuck, Nic?” Ant scolds me as if I were a five year old and that’s exactly how I feel.
I sigh. “The guy’s brother came by this morning to threaten me. He told me I’d pay for my choices and that I’ll pay for them soon. When he walked back to his bike, I saw the Disciples cut.”
“Motherfucker.” Gabe and Aleck bellow at the same time.
“The resemblance is uncanny.” I snicker and a couple of the guys chuckle.
“What have you done?” Gabe asks, trying to regain his composure.
“Do you remember that guy that got killed at college?”
“When I wanted you to come home but you were so fucking stubborn and wanted to stay there?” He glares at me.
“Yes.”
“Yeah. What abo…fucking hell, Nicole Louise Lyle what have you fucking done?” I’m in deep shit, he just full named me.
“It wasn’t my fault. Well, not entirely. I was dating this guy, Rob, and I found out he was into some sketchy stuff. I wanted to break it off, but he wouldn’t have any of it. One of his friends warned me that he was hanging out with bad people and gave me a gun to protect myself. I told him it wouldn’t be needed, that I’d get the campus security involved and have him arrested or something, I can’t remember. He insisted on me keeping it and I’m glad he did.
“Everyone from my dorm was at a party, but you know I wasn’t into that kind of thing so I stayed behind and spent the night watching horror movies. You know me, I got a little paranoid when all the lights suddenly turned off. I didn’t think much of it at first and thought it was just a normal power cut, but when I heard some noises coming from downstairs and seeing how early it was, I knew it couldn’t be any of the people living in the building. I grabbed a flashlight and the gun and I went downstairs. That was my first mistake.
“I had the gun hidden behind my back just in case it was security, I didn’t want to be expelled because I got the chills. I was scared shitless, but I kept going, long story short, Rob tried to attack me. I should have locked myself in a room, but I ran outside. I tried to reason with him, but he wouldn’t have any of it. He was holding up a knife and threatening me with it. When he started to come too close for comfort, I grabbed the gun and shot him.” I sigh.
“Fucking hell, Nic. Why haven’t you told any of us?” Gabe sighs.
“Because I didn’t want to worry you. I don’t know. I maybe should have told you, but it wouldn’t have changed anything.”
“Did you shoot him just once?” One of the guys asks.
“Umm.” I nibble my lip looking down at my hands.
“Nicole…” I can feel Gabe’s stare on me.
“I emptied the clip into him.” I sigh.
“Atta girl.” I don’t know who says it, but it makes most of them laugh.
“At least you were taught well.” He sighs. “How come you didn’t get into trouble?” They all look at me in confusion.
“Because I was the one assigned to her case.” Jase says, surprising everyone.
“I knew you two already fucking knew each other.” Gabe growls. “You and I need to have a few words after this.”
“As you wish.” Jase and Gabe stare at each other.
“How did you manage to get her out of trouble? She emptied a fucking clip into him!” Ant asks, wanting to know the truth, just like everybody else.
Jase sighs and starts talking. “I was called in after a few gunshots were heard on campus, but didn’t expect to see what I saw. He was lying on the ground with a fucking clip emptied into him and there she was, sitting not far away, in shock and shaking. I knew she couldn’t have done it on purpose, anyone killing someone and in their right mind never would stay next to the person they just killed. I could either bring her in for questioning which would mean she’d have a record, or I could come up with a way so that she wouldn’t get into any trouble. I chose the latter.”
“Why?” Gabe asks.
“She told me what happened and I believed her as we had already received a complaint from her about the guy. I decided to help her out and hoped she wasn’t playing me for a fool. I took the gun and created the case. I created the story that she had heard people shouting outside and came down to see if someone needed help. When she got there, she saw a guy who was dealing drugs on campus. The two guys fought when the drug deal went wrong and he shot the guy,” he says matter-of-factly.
“I can’t believe it,” Aleck says looking between Jase and I.
“There were no witnesses so it made it easier to make that story up.” Jase shrugs.
“But there was someone. His brother saw me but I didn’t know until today.” I sigh feeling defeated.
“It’s going to be okay, Nic. We’ll protect you,” Ant says rubbing my back.
“Yeah. I just hate that I’m the one they are coming here for and you guys are the ones who are going to get the brunt of it.”
“We’ll be okay, don’t worry.” The guy who I don’t know tells me.
“How can you be so sure?” I question him.
“No one can be sure of any
thing, especially with what we do, and that’s how I know we’ll be okay. If we go into this battle with the mindset that we’re going to lose, then we will. It’s shit that you’re their target and the reason they’re coming here to fuck with us, but you’re family and that means you are protected even if we don’t personally know you. No one will touch one hair on your head, you can be sure of that.” He smiles and he doesn’t look as creepy anymore.
“Thanks.” I half smile and rub my face.
“This is why you should never lie to me.” Gabe glares at me.
“Alright, I get it. I just wanted to live a normal life.” I shrug.
“I know. I can’t believe the guys I had watching over you didn’t bother checking out who the fuck he was.” He groans.
“Yeah, would have been useful.”
“You gonna be okay?” Aleck asks me, concerned.
“Yeah, just sucks. Didn’t expect my day turn to shit like that.” I shrug.
“Sounds like someone had a good night.” Ant smirks just to rile Aleck and Gabe up.
“Who are you seeing, Nic? And don’t you dare lie to me, I’ll find out.” Gabe groans, not pleased that I’ve been hiding things from him. If only he knew.
I’m about to speak up when Jase beats me to it.
“Me.”
All eyes are on him. Most of them are amused except for Gabe and Aleck. I want to laugh at the situation. Imagine ten bikers all snickering like schoolgirls at the realization that I, the sister of two MC members, am dating a ‘cop’. It’s fucking hilarious.
CHAPTER 14
Jason
“Please, tell me this is a joke.” Gabe looks at Nicole, he looks like he’s going to explode.
“No, it’s not.” she answers calmly.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, Nicole. You can’t be fucking a motherfucking cop!” Gabe bellows.
“I am. Like it or not, I don’t care. You hurt him, I’ll fucking ruin your life.”
“What are you going to do?” He raises his eyebrow at her, defying her.
“I don’t know, get Viv to stop fucking you when you get home, get her a shit load of cats, scratch your Thunderbird. I’ll get creative.” She shrugs.
“Bitch.”
“Love you too, Big Bro.” She grins innocently.
I stand behind her, resting my hands on her shoulders. “I haven’t been honest with you guys,” I say seriously.
“No shit.” Aleck scoffs.
“Please tell me you didn’t cover up for her because you had fucked her.” Gabe shudders saying it, making all of us laugh.
“No, but as sick as it sounds, first time I saw her I wanted her.”
“It is sick, you were married,” Gabe retorts.
“I know. Neither of us planned it, it just happened. Anyway, that’s not what I meant when I said that I haven’t been honest with you guys.
“Go on. We are all ears. This should be interesting,” Ric says.
“I’m not a cop.” That alone makes them all laugh.
“Good one,” Ric says.
“I’m not. It’s a long story, but I work for Sergei Varushkin.” That shuts everyone up so I continue and tell them the story of my life. I hadn’t planned on sharing it, I hadn’t planned on any of today’s events, but I have to, Nicole’s confession has given me the courage. I can’t lie to them any longer.
“Mad respect to you, Brother,” Ant says, looking at me. I know he means it.
“Why tell us now?” Gabe looks at me, he seems unsure of how to feel or what to think of me.
“Tired of the lies. It was hard fucking lying to you, pretending I was a cop but having to lie to you when we grew past the ‘business’ type of relationship. I never had a real family, this here is the closest thing I’ve had to one and I’d rather have you know what I did and hear it from me than find out through someone else.” I shrug.
“Anyone know at the station?” Ant asks.
“Yes, Lewis.”
“Good woman. Is she keeping her mouth shut about it?” Gabe asks.
“Yes, she’s on our, well, your side.”
“You and Nicole, out. We need to discuss some things in private,” Ant tells Nic and I. We nod and start to walk out.
“Stay around. I wanna talk to you Nic.” Gabe looks at her intently.
“Alright.” She sighs as we walk out.
“That was interesting.” I chuckle and hug her.
“You could say that.” She looks up at me, worried.
“What’s wrong?”
“Either they are going to use us being together to get something or they are plotting your death.” She face plants my chest.
“We’ll be okay. I’m still alive. Gabe didn’t immediately jump me and kick my ass. It seemed to go down better after I told them the truth. No matter what, they won’t break us apart. Don’t worry.” I kiss her softly and hear a few surprised reactions around us. “Totally forgot where we were.” I chuckle.
“It’s alright guys.” she tells them, smiling her killer smile. The same one that made my knees weak the first time we met.
We walk outside to the picnic tables that are right outside of the compound and sit down.
“Aren’t you worried about your cover being completely blown now that they know?” she asks.
“It did cross my mind. Nothing I can do now and to be honest, I’ll be happy when I can stop pretending I’m a cop. It was a means to an end in the beginning but it’s getting tiring now. I hate it, always did except for the day we met.”
“What will happen when your cover’s blown?” she asks looking worried.
“Depends. I could just resign and they wouldn’t, or at least shouldn’t, find out as long as I don’t stay here. They could arrest me and lock me up for impersonating being a cop or Sergei could have me killed for treason.”
“Great.” She sighs.
“It’s going to be alright, don’t worry.” I kiss her head.
“Lips off of my sister, Sanders.” Gabe bellows making Nicole groan.
“Cock blocker!” she yells at him.
“Damn straight.” Gabe smirks at her.
“Ant wants to see you, Jason.” Aleck tells me. I’m not sure if it’s a good or a bad thing.
“Okay.” Not thinking about it, I lean over and kiss Nicole before heading back inside. I feel bad for a second for leaving her outside alone with her brothers, but considering the profanities and promises of ruining their sex lives I hear her shouting at them, she’ll be fine.
I walk back into the chapel and sit down after Ant motions for me to do so.
“Well, you’re full of surprises. First Nicole, then working for the Russian mafia and not being a cop. We never knew what to make of you, why you had such good intel and good connections, well now we know. We’re keeping you around for the time being, we’ll keep our mouths shut about what we know as long as you don’t cross us again. Don’t lie to us or go behind our backs again. We won’t tolerate another stunt like this. If you have anything else you need to say to us, speak now.” He means business, which is understandable, but I can’t lie and say it doesn’t hurt.
“They might not be here just for Nicole.” I sigh and show him Slider’s letter.
“Who is he?”
“Disciples’ Prez.”
“To you?”
“Old enemy.”
“Look, I’m offering you a chance to speak up and make amends for what you’ve done to us. You broke our trust. You need to earn it back.
“I took his parents, tortured them and killed them. Happy?” I glare at him.
“Fuck and now he wants revenge. I don’t get why us though. It makes no sense.”
“He’s dead set on killing me and hurting everybody around me. Obviously, they have something against Nicole too. I don’t know why they’d want you guys dead besides revenge for the Kings but from the phone call I got, he didn’t sound too keen on the Kings.” I say defeated.
“We’ll figure it out. We need
to keep our women safe, that’s our top priority.”
“They seem to be wanting to frame the Russians so the target and focus would be off their backs. They placed old guns they had from deals they made with the Russians years ago in an old Kings hangar. The guns are at the station at the moment.”
“Motherfuckers are getting crafty.” He shakes his head and we hear the loud rumble of a badly fixed bike.
We walk out to see who it is and to our surprise, it’s one of the Disciples’ prospects. Either he’s fucking stupid or they promised him gold if he rode onto the Hangman territory.
“Who the fuck are you and what do you want?” Ant asks him, not in a kind way.
“The Disciples have a message for Jason and Nicole.” He looks uneasy, that’s good, he’s scared of us and he fucking should be.
“Go on then.” I tell him.
“T-they wanted you to know that you won’t escape the judgement that was planned for you all along. You won’t get away with your sins.” He goes to start back his bike and leave but a couple of the Hangman and Bastards stop him from going anywhere.
“I want you to deliver a message for me to your Prez, boy. Tell him to come out of hiding and come play with us. We took the Kings once, we won’t hesitate to take you down again. No matter the consequences. Just know that we won’t be as nice as we were the first time.” Ant smirks at him and the kid rides off almost slipping on his way out of the compound.
“What now?” Gabe asks Ant and they look at each other as if they have an understanding that no one is aware of.
“Now? We get ready for war,” I say, earning me a couple of glares.
CHAPTER 15
Nicole
Today can go suck a big fat one.
I didn’t expect to have to confess to everyone what I did, and I was expecting a much bigger reaction but they all seemed proud of me that I stood up for myself. The one I’m worried about is Jase. Gabe and Aleck asked him to stay so they could talk and sent me home. Callum was kind enough to drive me back and he’s now sitting in the living room drinking a cold beer while I heat up some leftover lasagna. I’m a nervous wreck, not from being alone with him, but because I know he’s going to grill me about what happened and also because of Jase being alone with my brothers.
Trusting Nicole Page 12
