Their first and most stringent rule was that they didn’t go after innocents, period. They only went after the worst of the worst, on U.S. ground. Other clubs that did the bad—girls, guns, drugs, you name it, and the RBMC was doing its best to stop them. No one ever saw them coming, everyone believed the front they put out there. Most times they were still working for the agencies, getting paid bank to put others away. The biggest difference was that they followed their own rules, and no one could force them to do shit, unlike the time they served in the Armed Forces. This time, they had a choice, could steer and command their own lives. Whiskey wanted to right wrongs on his own terms. He never wanted to be at the mercy of some fucked-up asshole’s endgame, again.
Living the MC lifestyle meant wild parties, hot sex, and a different woman every fucking night. But, it also meant fidelity and loyalty to the MC, and the MC alone. It wasn’t much different from life in the military. You had a chain of command and followed it. The biggest difference was his chain of command now allowed him and every other Brother a choice. If any of them didn’t like a mission or task, they could ask questions or bow out. They were a fucked-up family of men that would live and die for each. Whiskey wouldn’t have it any other way.
The other major difference was that if a Brother needed a breather, to feel the wind in his face, he could take off for a while and not worry about the consequences. All of them understood the need to be free didn’t make them any less loyal. There were always jobs to do, places to go, and things to see; all you had to do was ask.
Whiskey had gone on runs that could last a couple of weeks or a couple of months. Runs were technically assignments, you got on you bike and went where you were needed. Most times it was hooking up with other MC’s, watching and learning their operations. Getting the scope on what other MCs were up to, and which ones were dealing drugs, guns or women. The RBMC was different, they worked with law officials. but only on their terms. If a club needed to be taken down, they did it; if the dudes in the club needed to spend some time behind bars, the RBMC made it happen. They also took on other jobs, search and rescue and the like. One of the reasons they all had to serve in the military was training was essential to them; it also kept them alive. The RBMC worked with other Chapters across the country. It felt good to know he wasn’t tied down by anything other than the Club. Then again, maybe that was his problem, he wanted to be tied down by something. Maybe it was time to put down true roots. Wasn’t that one of the reason’s he had come back to Defiance?
Getting on is bike, Whiskey made quick time of the fifteen miles from the diner to the Clubhouse. The wind on his face revived him, and he craved a longer run; he needed to get his head straight. Right now, though, he had things to do, mainly going to Church. It was where they decided and voted on everything from Prospects joining to the missions they went out on. What a funny word that was, Church; civilians heard it, and he often wondered what they thought. Some of the more jaded probably thought it was a place they did satanic rituals and sacrificed virgins.
It was also a place that Brothers could air grievances and decisions were made. Just last week, they had decided to get into the medical marijuana business. A couple of the Brother’s wanted to look into getting a grower’s license up north, and the Club had voted the idea in, the potential profits fit well with Whiskey’s future, so he was all for it. Sometimes the items discussed were more mundane, like setting up a schedule to clean the johns. That item for discussion didn’t go over as well.
The RBMC Defiance Chapter had thirteen fully patched members, four Prospects and four Puppets. Most of them lived on premises, the only exception right now being Crank, the Road Captain who lived with his Old Lady Cathy not too far away. Cathy was also the only Old Lady the Defiance Chapter had. She didn’t spend a lot of time at the Clubhouse, but Whiskey had a lot of respect for the woman. Cathy was hard working and accepted their lifestyle without question. She was also a badass in her own respect, training service and defense dogs.
The Clubhouse came into view; it always surprised and took him back a little. The place was an old Planation House, well, a better word for it would be mansion. It was beyond huge and stately. One of the things Whiskey liked was it was a place no one would ever think belonged to a Motorcycle Club. To the untrained observer or passerby, the place just looked like a house or a museum.
The outside was typical of the Plantation style, three stories, big white columns, and wide porches. It rested on over fifty acres and butted up to another hundred and fifty acres of reserve. On the other side was the Sinclair farm, Whiskey’s old haunt. They pretty much had the run of the area and no way in hell were they ever going to get a noise complaint or draw attention to themselves. The place was a perfect picture of an upstanding southern gentlemen, at least until you stepped inside, then it turned into something entirely different.
The Clubhouse was where they all let loose, it didn’t matter what time of day it was; if you walked through those doors, you were sure to get a show of some kind. None of the Brothers cared who was watching or who could see what they did or were doing, some even preferred to have an audience. Two guys could be taking one of the Puppets on a couch in the corner and another could be getting his dick sucked right at the bar. The Ruthless Bastards didn’t need an excuse to party, if they weren’t on a mission or a run, then their lives were a party all the time.
Whiskey wasn’t a shrinking violet, in the past he had partaken in all that the Club offered and to some extent, still did. However, he preferred his sex dirty, kinky even, but also behind closed doors. As he got older, he also wasn’t a fan of sloppy seconds. He loved to watch, but if the chick offered him a taste after the show, there wasn’t a chance in hell he would take her up on the offer. Maybe it was a part of getting older or maybe it was just preference, Whiskey didn’t know and didn’t care. He chose the way he lived his life, and everyone else could just fuck off if they didn’t like it.
Chapter 3
Addison Sinclair was rushing around the building on Main Street and ran smack dab into someone. It took her a second to gain her balance and the balance of the poor person she had just run into; looking up she was thankful it was just Cathy.
“Shit girl, I’m sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going, are you okay?”
Cathy was a lovely woman with long blond hair and a killer body. She was older than Addy, but the two had formed a quick and lasting friendship over their mutual love of animals. Cathy had served in the military and now worked as a dog trainer. She was also an Old Lady to Crank in the RBMC, the very people Addy was trying desperately to avoid right now.
“I'm all right, Chica, where are you running off to in such a hurry? Or are you running away from something?” Cathy asked, her raised eyebrow saying Addy wasn’t fooling her and that kind of pissed her off.
“I’m not running, Cath, just have a ton of shit on my mind and wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. Sorry.”
“Okay, we can play it that way, if you want, but one of these days, Addy, you will have to face Whiskey and deal with all the shit that between the two of you. This sneaking around, running from the past stuff will have to end, eventually. You know they say the past always comes back to haunt you, maybe if you two sat down and had it out, then you could let it all go.”
“Shit, Cath, you know what? I wish you and every other person in this town would just let that past stay where it needs to stay, in the past. I’m not running or hiding from Aiden.”
“Whiskey.”
“Okay, Whiskey, whatever, I’m not running and hiding from him. It’s like everyone in this damn town is waiting for me to implode or explode on him, and that won’t happen. You and the rest of these people need to get the hell over it. That stuff went down ten years ago, we were children. I’ve moved on, and he was over it the minute he walked out of here all those years ago. It’s time the rest of you to let it go, I'm sick of hearing about it.”
Cathy was just standing there like sh
e was thinking really hard and staring at Addy it was unnerving.
“What?”
“I was just wondering if your ass was getting jealous of all the shit your mouth is spewing. I mean, that was the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard. Are you over it? Honey, you haven’t even started to move on from it. When was the last time you dated someone or hell when’s the last time you got laid or had a little fun? I’ve been watching you, and ever since the Frost brothers came back to town, you are constantly hiding around corners and avoiding the Club. Shit, honey, you have been avoiding the whole town. I get that the farm takes a lot of your time, but I’m starting to think if you could have food and feed for the animals delivered, you wouldn’t ever leave the place.”
“Cathy, listen, it’s not what you think. I am avoiding Whiskey, but not just him, all the RBMC. I called Tuck earlier with a proposal, and I don’t want any of the guys to get a hold of me before he looks it over and makes a decision.”
“What kind of proposal?”
“I’m leaving Defiance. Carri has been after me to move down to Lexington, and I’ve decided to take her up on it. I offered Tuck and the Club the farm. It’s time for me to move on. I have spent my entire life here in Defiance fighting for a dream that isn’t even mine because of Pop, but I can’t do that anymore. I want more, and I’m not going to get it here.”
“Honey, I didn’t know it was that bad. Why sell the farm? Why don’t you go ahead hang out with Carri for a while and see if you like it first? This all seems kind of drastic and sudden. Why not just take a little time to think about it some more?”
“Cathy, I have been thinking about this for years. The farm has taken everything from me, my blood, sweat, and tears, and the people I love most in this world. I’m just done, Cathy. It’s time for a change, and I’m finally going to do it. As my friend, I don’t expect you to understand, but I do expect your support. I love you, Cath, but you have to know this is the right move for me. I’m stuck here, it’s time to move on from all of it.
“Damn, okay Honey, I will give you all the support you need, but please just think about this, once it’s done can't be undone. There won’t be any changing your mind and coming back. You are a country girl through and through, Carri’s world isn’t yours. What are you going to do for work? You might not see it now, but that farm is as much a part of you as the air you breathe. Giving it away will hurt.”
“You don’t think I know that? It already does, but I can’t stay here, it hurts too much. I need a fresh start and moving is the only way I’ll get that. Shoot, you and everyone else in this town keep on watching me, waiting for something to happen, and it’s freaking me out. How can I move on when I am constantly reminded of my one major fuck-up for the rest of my life? I need to go somewhere where no one knows me, so I can finally move on. Don’t you get that?”
“Yeah, I get it, and I’m sorry for putting all that crap on you. But, honey, don’t you think if you really are trying to make a fresh start, you need to put the past behind you and have it out with Whiskey? I mean there is so much unsaid between the two of you, maybe if you had it out once and for all you could honestly move on without having to do something so drastic like selling the farm that has been in your family for generations. The MC is good babe; but they aren’t farmers. Damn, hon, you have worked so hard to make something of the farm, are you really willing to let it all go without looking back?”
“No turning back now, Cath, the deal is already in the works. I can’t look back now, this needs to be done. I want this. Please understand.”
Addy was surprised she could say those words without crying or at the very least choking. She didn't want to give up the farm, she just didn't think she had any other choice. Addy wasn’t telling Cathy everything, and she felt guilty about that. Cathy was a friend, but there was more to her move then just getting on with her life. Someone was messing with her; it started out simple at first with vandalism, but now it had turned into downright threats, and Addy couldn’t deal with it.
Someone wanted the farm and wanted it bad. The only way she could think to get out of it was to turn the farm over to the RBMC. They could protect it; she couldn’t. When the vandalism turned into dead animals and injured ranch hands, Addy knew she was in over her head, and she didn't want to put anyone else in danger. If she took herself out of the equation, it would be better for everyone involved, at least that was what she tried to convince herself. Maybe she was just naïve or worse than that, downright stupid.
She could have gone to the Cops or did any number of things, but this was the route she chose, and now she was stuck. She hadn't questioned her motives; now listening to herself she didn't feel right about any of this.
Seeing Aiden, shit no, Whiskey after all these years only added the topper to her shit sundae. It hurt every time she caught a glimpse of him. No one in her life had hurt her as much as he had, she would never let anyone ever have that power again. “Hey, Cath can you do me a favor? I was going to call you later anyways.”
“Sure, Honey as long as you agree to think about all I have said, I want what is best for you girl. I…”
“It’s okay, Cathy. Listen you’re right about some things, but I can’t do what you want. I'm sorry I just can't. Would you mind coming out to the farm and taking care of the animals until the MC takes over? There’s also an envelope on the kitchen table for Whiskey. I might not be able to confront him as you want, but I do want to put everything right. He might not give a shit, but I don’t want the decisions either of us made back then to come back and haunt us. Could you get it to him after I’m gone? It will make me feel better knowing there won’t be any secrets left between us once I’m gone.”
Addy could feel the tears burning in her eyes, but she wouldn’t let them fall. This had been one of the hardest decisions she had ever had to make, but it was for the best, and she was determined to follow it through. Addy wasn’t lying when she told Cathy that she offered the farm to the RBMC. She had, but Tuck had put her off much like Cathy was doing, encouraging her to deal with the past and move forward, but none of them knew what all was going on, and that was her fault. She didn’t plan on giving Tuck a choice, she had the papers in her truck. Addy would turn the farm over to the RBMC whether they wanted it or not, she just needed to deliver them.
Addy was scared and running like a coward, leaving her mess right in the MC’s lap, but she knew it was the right decision or at least she thought it was until a few seconds ago. Hearing the words had only she thought out loud was making her question everything. In her gut, she knew the people threatening her were after the MC, not her specifically; maybe by forcing their hand everyone would be better off. She had to hope that that was the truth.
Cathy wrapped Addy in her arms giving her a hug she so sorely needed, and the warmth felt good. It had been a long time since Addy had felt warm, the fear and indecisions she had been dealing with were overwhelming. It was taking everything thing she had just to keep her emotions in check and get through the next couple of minutes.
“Shit, honey, I’m sorry. Of course, I’ll take care of those things for you, but please promise to call me before you leave town.”
“I will, Cathy,” Addy said wiping her eyes. “I need to get going, there’s a ton of shit I need to get done before that can happen. I know you don’t understand, but please, believe me, this is for the best. I’ll keep in touch, and maybe after everything is settled, you can meet up with Carri and me. We can have a girl’s night sometime soon. Lexington isn’t that far away, and Crank can do without you for one night. Carri would love it and so would I. I know you think I am running from everyone and everything here in Defiance, but I don’t want to lose our friendship. I love you, Cathy.”
“I love you, too, now get going before we both turn into blubbering messes.”
Addy walked away from her friend, a heaviness in her heart. Cathy had a heart of gold, and Addy valued her friendship; if it was this hard to walk away from her, Addy
had to wonder how hard it was going to be to walk away from the farm and everything else. Life sucked.
Chapter 4
Walking into the clubhouse, his demons still haunted him. Maybe if he could get one person he had wronged to forgive him, he could start to forgive himself and move the fuck on with his life. He doubted it, but he knew it was time to do something. The booze, parties, and women his new lifestyle provided weren’t cutting it any longer. Addison was a good place to start. She’d said she loved him once, maybe because of that she could forgive him. He knew the love was long gone, but maybe she could like him enough to give him a little peace and forgive him for dragging her down to his level back then.
Whisk shook his head trying to dislodge the thoughts that seemed to be plaguing him he needed to get into the game and on club business. Looking around the clubhouse Whisk noticed the place was in need of a serious cleaning. The Puppets and the Prospects weren’t doing their jobs. The Club provided them with room and board with the understanding they were to keep the place clean and tight.
The Puppets had other duties, mainly keeping the Brothers happy and stress free, which included copious amounts of no holds bar sex. They always had the choice to either do as they were told or leave, no one was ever forced to do anything they didn’t want to do. Most of the men in the RBMC didn’t have old ladies, so the Puppets took care of business on their backs or any other way the Brothers wanted them, but it was always their choice, and they knew where the door was if it all got to be too much.
Whiskey: Ruthless Bastards (RBMC Book 1) Page 3
