by KJ Dahlen
“He didn’t know I was even there,” Nix admitted worriedly. “I was hiding but I know what I saw. I saw his face when he beat him to death.”
No one said a word while what they just heard, sunk in.
Deke began to pace as his mind twirled with the possibilities of what she’d just said. Then he squared his shoulders and looked around the room. There was no way Hell’s Wrath would condone this kind of thing. When he looked at Wiley and Nix he said, “I’ll be right back. Don’t let her go anywhere.” He turned and walked down the hall followed by Sam and Gator.
He entered his office and went over to his desk. Sitting down, he dialed a number and waited for the phone on the other end to be picked up. When it was, he asked for Bam Bam.
“Hello,” the other man greeted him.
“Bam Bam, this is Deke Tory over in Troy.”
The other man grunted over the line. “What the hell do you want Tory? I mean we’ve never spoken before and now out of the blue, you calling me?”
“I’m calling because one of my men was attacked by one of your men last night,” Deke informed him. “I would like to know if this was an ordered hit or did your man go rogue?”
There was a long moment of silence on Bam Bam’s end. Then it was broken when he growled at him, “Are you fucking serious? Why the hell would I order a hit on your MC?”
“I don’t know that’s why I’m asking.”
“Which one of my boys brought it down?” Bam Bam wanted to know.
“Someone named Turnkey?” Deke informed him.
He heard Bam Bam sigh loud and long.
When he was done, Bam Bam told him, “That bastard is not part of this MC and hasn’t been a member for the last four years. He beat a man to death and was stripped of his membership.”
“Then why is he still wearing his colors?” Deke countered.
“Because he and his two buddies disappeared before we could get it from him,” the other man grumbled. “Is your man still alive?”
“Yeah, he’s still alive.” Deke admitted.
“And the witness?” Bam Bam wanted to know. “Is she still in your town?”
“How did you know there was a witness?” Deke asked.
“Because there was a witness four years ago. We heard time and again that Turnkey was hunting her to silence her. So, that may be why he’s there. She’s there in Troy. I’m hoping it’s the same woman it was back then. She left town before we could find her back then but she left us a note claiming what Turnkey did was plain murder. We started looking for her but we could never find her because we didn’t know what she looked like.”
“Yeah, we got her.”
“Good, I need to talk to her about what happen four years ago. Turnkey told us some cock and bull story that the guy came after him because of the cut he was wearing but we never quite believed him. There was something about his story that just didn’t ring true, if you know what I mean. Turnkey always was a bastard and there were some of us that want the truth. One way or the other, we want the truth and I have a feeling this witness’s story won’t match the story we heard four years ago.”
“Well, I know my man and I know he didn’t do anything to warrant the attack,” Deke assured him.”
“Probably not, I know Turnkey and his posse. I’d still like to talk to this witness if I can.” Bam Bam pushed a little. “I also suggest you keep your man and the witness under your eyes, cuz if Turnkey didn’t have time to do the deed, he’ll be hunting the streets for them, and he won’t care who gets in his way. Your streets will be stained by someone’s blood.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Deke growled. “We can protect our own.”
“I still want to come and talk to your witness,” he insisted.
“I’m not sure she’ll talk to you but you can try. I can allow you and one other men in to talk to her.”
“Hell, at this point I’ll take it,” Bam Bam admitted with a sigh. “I need to know just how bad Turnkey really is. The truth needs to come out now.”
Chapter Four
Deke, Sam and Gator shared a drink as Deke contemplated the new situation.
“So what did the man have to say, son?” Sam asked.
“He more or less verified what the girl told us.” Deke nodded. “Except, he told us Turnkey and his buddies have no right to wear the colors. He lost that right four years ago when he lied to protect his own ass. He did murder that guy four years ago and Bam’s coming here to hear the girl’s story.” Deke slammed the rest of his drink down his throat and told them, “He also said to keep eyes on Wiley and his girl. He said if Turnkey finds them, neither one will live long enough to tell anyone what they know.”
“Well fuck a duck,” Sam swore. “Our women aren’t going to like that.”
Deke nodded. “I hear ya old man. But we gotta do what we can to protect our families until this Turnkey is caught and taken out.” He shook his head. “Now we just have to talk Wiley and his girl into staying under wraps until this is over.”
“Good luck with that.” Gator snorted. “I think that girl is going to rabbit as soon as she can. And if she’s gone, I have a feeling Wiley will follow her to try and bring her back here.”
“He just might. I’ve never seen him so protective like he is with her,” Deke agreed.
Gator nodded. “Yeah and I’m glad for him in one way. But...”
Sam and Deked looked over at him.
“...He’s got a scared one there and it’s gonna bring trouble to him before all of it is said and done.”
Deke rolled his eyes. “We all know how that goes...I hope he can hang onto her.”
The men all nodded.
Deke got to his feet and started for the door. “Let’s go give him the bad news and try to find out what we can about our guest.”
When Deke, Sam and Gator joined the others in the main room, he noted Reva was in the kitchen. Deke looked over at Wiley and saw that the girl on his lap was fast asleep. He sat down at the table and the others joined him.
“So who is she?” Deke nodded at Nix.
Wiley shrugged. “Her name is Phoenix but she goes by Nix. She grew up in the Reckless Hellion’s compound but other than that, I really don’t know that much about her. I only met her this morning. Then again... I seem to remember...”
“What?” Sam frowned.
“Do you remember me telling you I heard a scream and something being dragged along the pavement of the parking lot?” Wiley asked.
Deke nodded.
Wiley looked down at the small woman on his lap. “I think that was her. Truing to draw attention to what was going on.” He shrugged. “I don’t know who came out to help her but it scared away my attackers. The next thing I knew I was in the warehouse and she was cleaning my head.”
“Bam Bam wants to talk to her about what happened four years ago when this Turnkey bastard killed a man. He claimed it was self-defense but nobody in the MC believed him. He took off with his two friends before the truth came out.”
Wiley sat there and thought about what she said earlier and he knew he couldn’t let her go. Alone, she wouldn’t have a chance. Looking over at Deke he said, “We have to protect her.” Holding up his hand when he heard the grumbles of the other men he stated, “I know we don’t know her story and we don’t know what kind of trouble she could put us in, but I owe her my life. If I need to leave the compound to do it I will without any hesitation.”
Deke growled and glared at the other man. “You aren’t going anywhere, you damn fool. We stand together or we stand for nothing at all. She’s in trouble and she needs our help. Bam Bam is coming to talk to her and we have to keep her here.” Deke swung his eyes over at the clock and saw it was getting late. “For now, I suggest we all get some sleep. Tomorrow is another day and we have to lockdown the compound. I don’t think we want this bastard Turnkey to get to you or her.”
Nix stirred and sat up. Looking over at Deke she whispered, “Maybe I should just go. If I’m n
ot here, he won’t bother coming after you guys.”
“He needs to get to Wiley and finish what he started,” Deke barked out.
Nix shook her head. “He knows Wiley didn’t see his face. He knows Wiley can’t identify him. It’s me he has to stop. ME and anyone who stands in his way.”
“How does he know who screamed?” Sam asked. “It could have been anyone.”
Nix looked up and shook her head. “He knows exactly who screamed last night. He called out my name before he left. He told me he’d see me in hell.” Shaking her head she said, “I can’t stay.”
Wiley tightened his hold on her. “You aren’t going anywhere sweetheart. I found you and I’m claiming you.”
Nix lifted her eyes to his. “What?” she whispered. “You can’t claim me in front of your brothers. I can’t let you do that.”
“How the hell did Turnkey know who you were last night?” Gator interjected.
“This is the second time he came close to catching me. The first time was right after the murder and he left me for dead. He knew who I was since then.” Her voice cracked and she trembled in Wiley’s arms.
“What happened?” Wiley asked her. “How did he know you saw what he did?”
“When I finally ran away I left my jacket behind. I’d been on my way home from work and my paystub was in my jacket pocket. My paystub told them where I was staying. It also told them where I was working. They showed up the next day at my job. I wasn’t there but my friend called me to tell me. They even went so far to ask for me. Because I wasn’t there they came to my house. I was hiding when they broke into my apartment. They wrecked my place and came almost to where I was hiding on the balcony. I tried to get away but my foot slipped and I went over the edge. I fell two stories and when I hit, I thought I was dead for a moment. My eyes were closed but I could still hear them as they rushed over to me. One of them laid his fingers on my neck then he told the others I had no pulse. I heard them walk away like I didn’t matter and I guess to them I didn’t.”
“How badly were you hurt?” Deke asked.
She shrugged. “I laid there the rest of the day and half the night. When I could finally move, I had to crawl back up to my apartment and collect my things. Then just before dawn the next day, I left town. Three days later, I finally went to the ER in another town. I had a broken collarbone and three fractured ribs. A concussion and bruised shoulder. All they could do was tape my arm to my body to hold it in place. The doctor told me I was lucky to even be alive.”
“No one was there to help you or call the cops or even an ambulance?” Sam grumbled.
“Everyone in that neighborhood minded their own business. It was safer that way.”
Deke narrowed his eyes at the small woman sitting on Wiley’s lap. He hated the fact he couldn’t see her completely. He could see her clothes were old but clean although smudged with dirt from the warehouse and he could see her face but she wore a cap so he couldn’t see all of her. He didn’t know why this bothered him so much but it did. There was something about her that niggled at him...Something familiar. “Take off your cap,” he demanded.
Nix startled and when she looked over at him she asked, “Why?”
Wiley stared at him then down at her.
“Because I want to see who you are, not just some girl in a skull cap.” He stared at her.
Nix seemed to study him for a long moment then reached up to pull off her cap. Her long thick braid tumbled down her back and she stared at him for a long moment. “Happy now?”
Deke stared at her face and hair. He took note of the long dark hair as it curled around her face. The only thing that surprised him was the thick white streak down the side of her head. Her eyes changed to a slightly darker color when her hair was down than they did before but now, they were a soft umber color, the color of dark beer.
He shrugged then nodded at her head. “Where did the streak of white come from?”
She shrugged. “I have no idea. It’s been there as far back as I can remember. My mom told me it was the one thing I got from my dad. She would never tell me his name so I never knew who he was but he did give me this.” She motioned at her white streak.
Deke looked over at Sam and they both knew another person with that same streak in his dark hair too. He knew she looked familiar in some way. It bothered him when he didn’t know all the facts. Especially with all this going on. Wiley was one of his most trusted. He would never allow someone to get at him or any of his other men. They all stood as one. Deke couldn’t help but wonderhow this knowledge about her would play out in the next few days.
“And last night you said he called your name? How did he know it was you who screamed?” Sam asked.
“He paused as he was going to take another swing then he called out my name, Phoenix. I should have kept my mouth shut but I didn’t. I growled at him. That was when JoJo dragged him away. He said he could finish this later. That’s how I know he won’t stop until he’s sure I’m dead this time.”
“He won’t get close to you here,” Wiley stated firmly. “He’ll have to get through me first.”
Deke knew this tone and this feeling Wiley had. He would keep this girl alive at the risk of his own life. Well... that was just the way it was. He knew there would be no changing it. “Let’s all get some sleep for now. We can lock the compound down for tonight. Maybe we’ll all get some answers when Bam Bam gets here in the morning.” Deke shrugged.
Four of the brothers sitting around got up and left the clubhouse. They went out to secure the compound.
When they left, Wiley got up and held out his hand to her.
Nix took it and he led her back down the hall. They got to his bedroom and he opened the door.
Ushering her inside, he closed the door behind them. Wiley leaned back against the door and looked at her for a long moment. Then he said, “Look I know you don’t want to be here. But you need our protection, so Turnkey can’t kill you. You may not want to be here with me either but I can and will protect you. That’s all I’ll do. I’m not going to force you to sleep with me for any reason. But I would like you to stay with me tonight.”
Nix nodded but didn’t say anything. Her fears from the past abated some and she didn’t act as nervous as she did before. “Could I have a shower?”
Wiley nodded and smiled. He motioned toward the only other door in the bedroom. “Have at it. If you need anything just holler.”
Nix blushed. Moving toward the door she quickly scooted in the bathroom and shut the door behind her. She stripped off her clothing and stepped into the shower. Loosening her braid, she groaned in relief. She was so tired she was getting a headache from the strain.
She quickly washed and shampooed her hair then dried off and put her clothes back on. She barely grabbed her t-shirt when she heard a knock on the door. She stopped and grabbed the towel to cover herself. “Can I help you?” she called out.
Wiley opened the door a bit and passed her a clean t-shirt. “I though you might want something to wear to bed tonight.” He hooked the shirt on the handle then shut the door.
Nix stared at the shirt then at the door. Reaching out, she took it in her trembling hand. She pulled it over her head and settled it on her shoulders. Then she pulled the shirt up under her nose and took a deep breath. She could breathe in his scent and her fear abated some. His scent reminded her of the earth and citrus, mixed with the smell of a bike engine. It somehow blended to make a scent that just fit a man like Wiley.
His shirt came down half way to her knees so she was covered enough. Taking a deep breath, she gathered her clothes and went back out to the bedroom.
She thought she was alone in the room until her eyes looked toward the bed. He was laying there in his jeans and no shirt. He was watching her and when she walked toward the bed, he kept his eyes on her the whole way.
She took each step toward the bed as if it would be her last. She wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted from her and that made her nervous. She
held her clothing to her tightly. Her eyes didn’t go anywhere but to his chest.
It was broad and well muscled. Decorated with tattoos and dark chest hair. Then something odd happened to her she felt her mouth water at the inviting sight. His shoulders were broad and his arms rippled with muscles. She finally dragged her eyes to his face and when she saw his smile, she blushed bright red.
“Do you see something you like?”
Nix took a step or two to the end of the bed. She grabbed the footboard and stared at him for a long time before she said anything. Finally, she hung her head and hot tears dripped to the floor. “Yes I did but I don’t know what to do with it.”
Wiley frowned. “What did you say?”
She looked around the room and saw the short sofa. She dropped her clothing on the floor, walked over to the sofa and laid down. She wouldn’t answer his question, instead she turned her back to him and closed her eyes.
Wiley laid there for a moment and realized exactly what she was telling him. He got up off the bed and went over to her. Kneeling down beside the sofa, he gently turned her around to look at him. Her tear soaked eyes hurt his heart.
He leaned toward her and brushed his lips over hers. She kissed him back still sobbing and her tears mixed in with the kiss. “Aww baby, you’re breaking my heart here,” he whispered. He picked her up and slowly made his way back to the bed.
“You probably shouldn’t have done that. Your poor head.”
Wiley went over to shut the lights off and then climbed into bed next to her. Somewhere between the door and the bed he’d shed his jeans. She could feel his legs when he pulled her close to him. “Now suppose you tell me why you liked what you saw but didn’t know what to do about it?” he whispered in her ear.
Nix liked the fact that the room was dark so he couldn’t see her red face. “Are you sure you want to know?” she whispered back.
Wiley nodded. “Yeah. I want to know everything about you.”
Nix laid her head on his broad shoulder. Just the sound of his heart pounding in his chest soothed her. “My mom was the club whore of the Reckless Hellions and I was born in Phoenix, Arizona. She named me for the town I was born in. I always thought it was sweet until she told me why. She never wanted to forget where she made her biggest mistake. I was her mistake at least that’s what she told me when I was six.”
