by Oakes, Tara
“Is that how this works?” I ask coyly. He wants me to accept the way of things? The rules of Kingsmen majority when it comes to our relationship? Then he’s gonna share in it. “OK. Well, I might as well get in on the spirit of things, eh? If you’re gonna let your brothers decide whether or not I wear your patch, then I’m gonna let my new sisters vote on how long I cut you off for it.”
******
The weather is perfect for a ride like this. The foam ear buds that Lil’s gave me to wear under my helmet help to cut out the engine noise. The ride is long, but it’s calming. Vince and Jean lead the group, with Jay riding solo next to us in the front. Lil’s is in one of the cars bringing up the rear, not riding due to the pregnancy. As the club enforcer, Clink has earned his spot at the apex of this group of bikers.
Almost every bike behind us has a woman holding onto the rider. Only a few of them ride alone. Blue, T.J., and the prospects make up that group. All together, there must be about sixty bikes representing the Chisolm chapter of the club. I never did the math. I had no idea their numbers were that swollen. And now, I’m one of them.
Clink shifts in his seat, his shoulders rolling to relieve some bike-induced cramping. I move my one arm from around his waist to his shoulder, rubbing away some of the tension. His neck stretches itself.
The signs for the campgrounds have been passing roadside every mile or so, alerting us all to the upcoming turn. It’s been hours since our last bathroom pit-stop, and Clink can’t be the only rider needing to take a stretch.
Vince steers the group as we leave the highway, and pass bike by bike under the wooden arched sign of the Shady Acres Campgrounds. What I see next, halts my breath. If I thought our turnout was already impressive, the dozens and dozens of bikes lined up along either side of the road are overwhelming. I knew there would be about three or so other chapters joining us, but the amount of Kingsmen in one single space is insane.
A large, sanded lot is left empty, offset to the main entrance and we begin to pile in, parking close, to fit everyone. It’s chaos. Absolute chaos. The cars have started to unload, with kids swarming around, checking out the bikes and seeking out their parents. And that’s before the other charters join our swarm, welcoming us, catching up with their brothers.
I dismount so that Clink has the room to hop off the bike, but I stay close to it, hanging back as man after man comes up to him to slap him on the back, punch him in the arm, or spew some good-natured curse words at him.
A cloudy-eyed, older man with a bandana folded around his fluffy white hair, and a good-sized beer belly, leaves Clink when he’s finished with him, and makes his way to me.
“How you doing, darlin’?” He hugs me hard, lifting my feet from the ground. “The name’s Bear.” He sets me down and holds me at length, inspecting me.
I smile awkwardly, “Hi, um, Bear. I’m Charlie, nice to meet ya.”
He chuckles, deep, “Ah! I know who ya are, Sugar. Clink’s like a son to me. Told him myself to rag you up.”
My eyes widen at the burley, happy-go-lucky man who has an advantage over me. Clink breaks free of the small cluster of Kingsmen surrounding him, joining us.
“So this is her, Bear,” he switches to a joking voice. “The woman who tamed me.”
Bear laughs hard, slapping my other half hard on the back. Clink sees me burning him with my eyes, and he makes a conciliatory gesture to kiss my lips and then smack my ass. Bear watches me, sizing up my reaction. This is a opportunity. I’m not a pushover and I don’t want to get a reputation as a doormat of an ol’lady. What would Jean do at a time like this?
I smile sweetly, lock eyes with my ol’man, and then reach out to grab his dick, closing my hand around his bulge. His eyes bounce, and he straightens.
“Damn right you’re tamed,” I blow a little kiss at him.
I don’t squeeze or twist, although I’m tempted to. Clink starts to laugh hard at my bravado, and so I let go.
“You’re gonna fit right in here, kiddo,” Bear rests his hand on my shoulder, squeezing lightly before walking off, laughing.
Clink grins broadly, “I knew you wouldn’t be able to leave my dick alone, Sugar.”
I shake my head, “Oh, don’t get me wrong. You’re still cut off for now.”
I wink, and turn to head off to find the girls.
CHAPTER SIX
CLINK
The tents have all been staked down and cabins all claimed. My rank entitles Sugar and me to a small wooden cabin, so I have our stuff stashed inside and then leave her with a bunch of the women to attend church.
Vince heads up the table with Bear, Stitch, and Hawg sitting side by side, presidents representing the four local club chapters. There aren’t enough chairs so the rest of us stand. The meeting won’t last long, that’s not why we’ve all come here. We’re here to have fun, relax, have a reunion of sorts.
But, there’s always some amount of club business to smoothe over first. Standard stuff, at first, a roll call, a breakdown of all new brothers, transfers, and a moment of silence for those gone or locked up and unable to be here with us.
Next, the rules are laid out. No drugs, since it’s a family shindig, and no carrying weapons. Each chapter is responsible to lock up all guns and knives. The last thing we need is for some drunk brother with a grudge against another, or a pair of beer-balls to go reaching for his piece to prove a point. With so many kids running around, we don’t need anything ending up in their hands as a toy, either.
As enforcer, it falls to me to lock our chapter’s shit up. Any brother caught carrying is subject to punishment, so as soon as the meeting is adjourned, I set out to make the rounds. I have Cage log everything that’s turned in, and we lock it all up in the trunk of Jean’s truck. Before we leave to go home tomorrow night, we’ll hand everything back.
When you’re used to carrying a piece for as long as all these guys have, it’s not an easy feeling to deal with when it’s gone. The whole ordeal has eaten up a good amount of my day, too, tracking down each shit-head to collect their pieces was no easy task.
I know the grills have been lit and the food is starting to cook, but Charlie is nowhere to be found. I start to search for her, first with the women and then back at our cabin. The wooden shutters are open, with the metal mesh screens giving no protection to hide the voice inside.
“Mom, I’m not going to be home. We’re so shorthanded, I’m definitely gonna get stuck working another double shift tonight.”
Shit. Really? She’s still pulling this shit with her ma?
“No…it’s fine. I need the money right now. It’ll be an easy night, and then when I get home, I’ll just crash. So…I probably won’t be able to answer my phone till late Monday night.”
I open the screen door, letting it slam shut behind me. The cabin is very small. Sugar sits on the bed to take her call. She freezes when I enter the room.
“Uh- mom, I gotta go. I’ve gotta go clock in. I’ll see you Tuesday. Sure, two o’clock, at Tempura’s. Got it. OK. Yup. Love you, too. Uh huh. Bye.”
She tosses her phone aside. I don’t say anything, I wait for her too. She squirms, uncomfortably. I wait some more, crossed arms over my chest. Charlie is just a little too comfortable lying to her mom. She’s convincing enough, like she’s had plenty of practice. I stare her down.
I can see her wheels spinning, trying to some up with something. “It’s just easier to tell her what she wants to hear,” she offers.
“Stop,” I hold up my hand. “No bullshit. If you don’t want me to bullshit you, then don’t do it to me, Sugar.”
She exhales. “Fine. My mom’s just…a lot to handle. If you meet her, I know she’s gonna scare you off.”
I gauge her truthfulness. I’m not sold.
“It’s gonna happen eventually, babe. The longer you put it off, the worse it’s gonna be. Those letters on your back mean something. Moms and all.”
“I don’t see you bringing your mom over for dinner,” she comes ba
ck at me.
I laugh, “She’s coming into town next month, Sugar. Stayin’in the guest room. Next…”
She bites her lip. “She doesn’t like bikers. She’s got this…thing against them.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I got a truck then. Next.”
She’s getting nervous. “She hates tats.”
“I’ll wear long sleeves. Next.”
Now she’s getting flustered. “She doesn’t like long hair. Thinks it’s trashy.”
I run my hand through my overgrown hair. “I’m about due for a trim. Next.”
She moves to speak, but can’t find words. “But…I- I….”
I pull her up from her seat on the bed, latching one arm around her, the other holding her chin still as I tell her how it’s gonna be. “You’re gonna tell her about me on Tuesday. Then, we’ll deal with her hangups.”
She tries to free her chin, but I straighten it, my eyes widening, silently demanding her understanding.
“Fine. Fine. I’ll tell her on Tuesday,” she gives in.
I nod my head, agreeing with her. “Good. Now that that’s settled. Let’s go grab some grub, have a few drinks, and then let me convince you to end your strike and give me some.”
******
CHARLIE
Ah, fuck. I need to come up with a plan for Clink meeting my mom. Hiring an actress to play my mom is not out of the realm of possibility at this point. Damn, I need to figure this shit out before things get more out of hand.
And even more important right now… Clink’s mom is coming to town? Like I don’t have enough on my plate. I need a drink.
The night is getting a little cool, so I change into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve, fitted flannel and my Uggs. Clink left a couple of minutes earlier, and I leave the cabin behind to catch up.
“Whoa, chica!” I turn to see Sunny and Lil’s walking behind me. “Where’s your rag?”
I look around, confused. “Crap! I forgot it back at the cabin,” I explain. “Should I go back and get it?”
Lil’s and Sunny look at each other, and nod simultaneously. “Hell yeah! You don’t want to be walking around these parts tonight without your letters. Some of these boys get frisky when you pump‘em full of booze.”
I nod, believing it 100%. “Mmm…kay. I’ll catch up with you two later.”
It’s a short distance to the cabin, but the setting sun slows me down as I tread carefully on the bare ground. The snapping sound cracks through the silence and I freeze. I spin around and squint to pierce the darkening night and see a form approaching.
“Uh…who’s there?” I call out.
I fumble in my pocket, reaching for my phone.
“Depends who you want me to be, little girl,” a very slurred speech replies.
The little hairs on the back of my neck stand tall, alert. I don’t like the sound of his voice.
“My man is waiting for me, I’m just heading to meet him.” I hope that sounds as believable as I need it to.
“Is that so?”
I step backwards, walking away from him as he nears, his pace quickens. My foot stumbles on a round object nearby. It must be a rock. If I move quick, I can reach down and use it against him, if I have to.
I bend down, reaching out to find the rock when he takes advantage of my position and pounces, crashing me down to the dirt. He reeks of booze and his grip is strong, but the movements are sloppy. He’s trashed. His lips slide over my skin, searching for mine, but my head thrashes from side to side to avoid them.
“Get off of me, you asshole!” I manage to get out even though he is crushing my lungs. He doesn’t listen, not that I really expected him to.
I jab my knee up fast and hard, crushing his dick. He coughs and gasps from the trauma to his privates. His limp weight is still covering me. I move fast, biting his ear, and push him off of me as he screams. My feet move on their own, getting me to safety.
I reach the cabin and lock myself in. There’s no electricity, and the room is dark. I move the lone chair in the room over to block the door, and crawl over to the corner, huddling in on myself and rocking. My body trembles uncontrollably, and my breathing is shaky at best.
Holy fuck, what just happened? I swallow hard, clenching my eyes tight. I try anything I can, to think of anything other than what that guy smelled like, how heavy his weight was on top of me. After some time, I’m able to force myself to stop feeling his bulged erection through his clothes, poking into me.
“Sugar?” I hear from outside the wooden walls. “Charlie, you in there?”
I know that voice. Thank God! I crawl on my knees to get close to the chair blocking the door.
“Here! I’m in here!” I grab a hold of the chair leg, and hear the locked door handle jingle.
The chair is strewn across the room from the impact of the door as it’s smashed open. I can’t see the person, but I know who it is. I run into his arms and hold tight.
“I found her! She’s in here!” He yells as he holds me hard, shushing me, soothing me.
Heavy footsteps move into the cabin, thudding on the wooden plank floors.
“She OK?” “What the fuck happened?” and “Why was she hiding?” are spoken from the new members gathered in the room.
I rest my forehead into Clink’s chest and gather myself. I don’t need all this fuss and attention right now, I just need to forget about it and stay in his arms.
His hand rubs over my shoulders. “Babe, what happened? Why ya holed up in here, in the dark?”
I shake my head. “Nothing,” I whisper. “It’s fine, please…just leave it alone.”
Clink kisses my forehead. “Shhh. It’s OK now, baby.”
He turns to the men standing on the doorway, “Give us a while, guys, but stay close.”
They leave and Clink pulls my hands in front of his, rubbing them as they shiver.
“I need you to tell me what happened. You’ve been missing for over an hour,” he speaks softly.
I close my eyes, “Please, don’t….”
He raises my hands to his lips. “Sugar, I know you don’t want to tell me. But, you have to, and there’s very little time here.”
“It’s nothing, really. I don’t know why I’m so shaken up. It was just some drunk-ass trying to…,” my voice trails off.
I feel his body harden. “Did he hurt you?”
I swallow, “I fell, he tried…,” my voice jumps.
“Who was he?” he demands.
I shake my head. “I don’t know. It was dark. I don’t think I know him.”
His head moves over his shoulder. “Get in here!” he calls outside the cabin.
All of the men have their cell phones out, the blue-hued illumination lets me see their faces. Tiny, Jay, and Trojan are watching us, waiting for Clink to speak.
“Gather everyone. I want them weeded out. Anyone who’s piss drunk and hasn’t been seen in the last hour, I want them grouped together.”
“Wait!” I call out. “He…his ear. I bit it.”
Clink’s breathing becomes deep, angered. “You bit his ear?” He kisses my lips.
“Find him,” he commands his guys.
They file out, not questioning the directive.
“Baby, you’re gonna stay here. Lil’s and Sunny will be stay with you until I come back. You keep that door locked and you don’t leave under any circumstances. Nod if you understand me.”
I nod. He kisses me softly, lingering before leaving my lips.
Lil’s and Sunny cautiously walk in, joining us. Clink turns to them.
“You two take care of her.”
They move in, flanking either side of me, helping me to my feet and to the bed, where they lay me out and sit near. I feel better, I feel safe. Lil’s holds my hand, patting it. I wrap my fingers around hers, thankful for it. I’m not alone anymore.
CHAPTER SEVEN
CLINK
“This him?”
Blue nods.
“Who’s crew you in
, Prospect?” I ask. It takes every ounce of control I have in me not to smash his head into a tree.
The bonfire is dying down, but brothers are gathering around, watching the developments. Word has spread. Almost everyone knows what’s happened. Women and children have been sent away. He’s drunker than drunk, but the seriousness of his predicament is sobering him up. His teeth chatter as he attempts to speak.
“Wh…Whi…White Riddddge.” I think he just pissed his pants. He smells like it.
I laugh. He’s in Hawg’s crew. “Go get his prez,” I order to no one in particular.
I control my breathing, using every fucking fiber in my being not to tear his throat out with my bare hands. I see the dried blood on his cheek, his temple, from the top of his ear. Pride surges in me as I look at it. My girl did that to him, fought back. She earned those patches ten times over tonight.
The amber haze from the campfire flickers around us, the occasional popping of firewood is the only noise being made. Each pair of eyes is on the asshole being held up. He’s as good as dead right now, but, he’s not in my charter. I need a pass from his prez.
“What the hell is going on?!” Hawg barks as the crowd parts for him.
He can tell that I’m the focus of the men, so he walks over to me.
“What’s going on is your prospect attacked my woman,” I clue him in.
He shoots his gaze to the shit-head, and his skin turns bright red. It’s a direct reflection on him and his leadership if one of his men gets in shit. Even if it’s just a prospect. The fact that the shit happens to be with the ol’lady of another charter member is even worse.
“You do this, kid?” he asks the prospect.
The kid attempts to stand straight. “No…sir, I mean, I-“
“You callin’my lady a liar, dumbass?” I step closer to him.
He nervously shakes his head. “No, sir. I just meant…I thought she wanted it.”
I look to his prez, before turning fast and clocking the prospect in the jaw. He falls to the ground. Nobody helps him up, even though his prez steps in and keeps me from kicking him.
