by KJ Dahlen
“The thing is we can even see that you are his daughter. You share his coloring,” Falcon assured her.
“That doesn’t mean shit,” she argued.
“It might not to you, but it might mean a great deal to Archie,” Talon pointed out.
“Having his blood means nothing to me.” Ricki huffed.
“It might mean something to Archie,” Condor insisted.
She shook her head. “But I don’t even know him.”
Talon walked out of the room.
Ricki furrowed her brow and looked over at Condor. “I just can’t for the fucking life of me figure out why you brought them into this mess. I was just gonna rest, then leave.”
Condor shook his head. “Again, not the way we roll.”
Talon was gone for some time. When he returned, he nodded at Condor. “I put a call into Archie and he’s very interested in learning that Slasher knew what he’d written in his will, twenty five years ago. He was surprised that he had a copy of it too. Then he said when he thought about it, maybe it wasn’t much of a surprise.” He turned to look at Ricki. “He wants to see you.”
“Tough shit, I don’t want to see him.” Ricki growled. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at them. “You can’t make me and don’t I think it’s a good idea.” She sat up a little in the bed. “In fact, all of this might not be such a good idea at all.”
“All of what?” Condor wanted to know.
“Having so many people here,” she explained. “If they go back and check to see if I’m dead or not, they’ll find me missing and come looking for me. I don’t want anyone dying on my behalf, nor do I want a war started because of me.” She looked from man to man. “You have to let me go. I’ll take my chances getting out of here on my own.”
“Sweetheart, you can’t even stand on your two feet, how the fuck are you going to run?” Condor growled.
Ricki snapped her head over to him. “Told you several times, motherfucker, I ain’t your sweetheart. I ain’t nothing to you but a headache.”
Talon simply stared hard at her rant.
Rogue chuckled. “She’s got you on that one, brother.”
“Fuck off.” Condor growled as he glared at the woman on his bed.
Chapter Five
The brothers had gone back to the club and it was just the two of them again.
Condor made some soup, figuring she needed all the food she could get. He made sure he gave her a tall glass of OJ too.
After she ate in silence this time, Ricki fell asleep again.
She never said a word to him. It didn’t bother him much, but her attitude did. Though, what could someone expect after how she’d been literally kicked around her whole life?
After he made sure she was sleeping, Condor sat in his security room watching the cameras and something caught his eye. Someone loomed just out of the range of the cameras and whoever it was, was coming closer to the house. It wasn’t quite dark outside yet, so the shadows were just getting started.
He flipped a switch and the house went dark. He still had lights but the windows turned dark and wouldn’t allow anyone outside to see in. Or even be able to tell the lights were on inside. Just one of this house’s secrets.
He heard her small footsteps coming down the hall but he couldn’t look away from the screen. He was still waiting to see the face of whoever was coming to the house.
The footsteps stopped at the door and Ricki asked softly, “What’s going on?”
“What are you doing out of bed?” he asked.
“I had to use the little girl’s room, mister nosey pants.”
Condor snorted. “Well, we got visitors and I’m not sure if they’re friend or foe. Just being careful,” he replied, not looking away from the monitors.
“Oh shit, I’m sorry,” Ricki whispered as she leaned against the doorjamb. Her eyes were drawn to the screen as she watched what was going on outside over his shoulder.
Then someone moved into the camera angle and they could see his face clearly. His face looked pale but as he watched the house, they could see every angle and plane of his features.
“Do you know him?” Condor asked softly.
“He was one of the three the other day at the cemetery,” she told him shakily. “The one who grabbed me.”
“Fuck, I thought it would take them a little longer to find us.” He swore as he reached for his phone. “We got Dogs on our territory,” he told Talon when he picked up the phone call. “Just the one, as far as I know. Found him sneaking up on the house. Don’t know if he’s looking for her or what.” He ended the call and laid the phone down then turned to look at her. “We’ll have backup here in a few minutes. The new clubhouse isn’t that far away.”
“He can’t get in here, can he?” she had to ask.
“No, he can’t get in. Hell, he can’t even see the lights,” Condor assured her. “Don’t worry, I got you. This house has secrets and protections already in place.”
“Slasher isn’t going to stop is he?” She had come closer and sighed. “I’ll be looking over my shoulder until the day he finally catches me, then it will be over. For me at least.” She took a deep breath and whispered, “What the fucking hell did I ever do to him? I’ve never even laid eyes on the bastard.”
“You stand between him and all that green,” Condor told her.
“Well, I never asked to be born,” she stated bitterly. “My mom always blamed me too. She always told me it was my fault that he threw her out of a good gig.”
“Thought you told me she thought you would be her way to first lady?”
“Yeah, that’s what she told me too, then she blamed me when he turned on her.” Ricki shook her head. “She blamed me for everything but it was her own actions that brought her down.” She glanced away while biting her bottom lip. “She should have stayed away from this fucking town. She might still be alive if she had.”
“Do you know why she came here?” Condor wanted to know.
“Yeah, I know why, and she should have stayed away. Slasher got his hands on her and he murdered her for her greed.” Ricki then turned and walked away, slowly she made her way back to the bedroom.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and laid back. Her whole body hurt but her heart hurt worse. Being unwanted was something she was used too, her mom never wanted her, and she knew her dad never did either. She should have taken her own advice and stayed away from this city. Now, she might not ever get out.
Her eyes teared up but she wouldn’t let them fall. They wouldn’t do her any good anyway and she had cried enough tears for her situation. Her grandmother told her years ago to buck up and put the past behind her. She was the one good thing in her young life. Grandma Sylvia had taken care of her from the day she was born. Her mother hadn’t been around much back then.
When her mother never came back from her trip, Sylvia cried but Ricki didn’t. She wouldn’t shed tears for the mother she hadn’t known. She did however shed tears when Sylvia passed away. She knew the old woman welcomed death but she didn’t. Then she went into foster care and tried to make it, she really had, but when her dad’s man found her that day, she thought she would die alone in that alley. When she didn’t, she knew she couldn’t put anyone else in harm’s way. That was why she left the system at fourteen but she never told anyone why or at least, no one ever asked her before.
Now these men were giving her their protection and she didn’t know if she could stay here or not. They were her dad’s mortal enemies and she knew if her dad knew she was with them, he wouldn’t have any problem coming in and wiping them out.
She couldn’t let that happen. But she knew she had to get stronger first. Damn it, she had to be able to defend herself if she wanted to live and right now, she was so weak she couldn’t break free of a wet paper sack, even if her life depended on it.
The bed dipped and she opened her eyes to find Condor looking at her with concern in his eyes.
“Are you all right?” he as
ked softly.
“No I don’t think so,” she whispered back. “But I will be. I have to be don’t I? I made the same mistake my mother did in coming back here, but I’m going to get out of here alive and then that bastard can go fuck himself. I’ll never come back. There’s nothing here I want.”
“Not even your grandfather?”
Shaking her head, she replied, “A man I don’t even know. My mother made the mistake of coming here to meet him and Slasher ripped her heart out of her chest while she was still alive. That’s just the kind of man he is.”
“You have to know your grandfather was unaware you were even born right?” Condor suggested.
She shrugged. “That’s on him then, isn’t it? I’m twenty four years old. You tell me he didn’t know about me. Well, guess what? I didn’t know about him either. I only found out when I saw his will. And I thought he was dead already. How or why my mother had it, I don’t want to know, but she did. That’s why she came back here. She was hoping to get to the old man before Slasher found her. She wanted the money, but she never wanted me. I don’t want or need anything from the old man, not even to know him. But don’t you worry, I won’t drag you or your brothers into this, this is my fight. I’ll just find a way to get out of this city and I’ll never be back.”
Condor snorted. “You aren’t dragging us into anything. This is our territory, not Slasher’s. We defend these streets because this is our home. We aren’t afraid of Slasher or his men.”
“That’s great for you then, isn’t it?” she countered. “But I’m not one of you and I can’t expect you to stand up for me. I just need to get the hell out of here and soon.”
Condor shook his head. “We aren’t going to turn you loose, just yet. You aren’t strong enough to make it on your own.”
“But I don’t want any blood shed on my behalf, don’t you see that, you stubborn ass?” She growled.
Condor leaned over her.
Staring up at him, she gulped.
“And I don’t want to see you lose any more of your blood either, sweetheart.” He growled as he eyed her mouth just below his own.
“Still not your sweetheart, you ass,” she whispered as she tried not to close the distance between them and feel his lips on hers.
Condor growled and got up off the bed quickly. He turned and marched out of the bedroom.
Ricki swallowed hard.
Damn, that was close. She didn’t know what had just happened but she’d wanted to feel his kiss. Her heart was still pounding in her chest. What the hell was wrong with her? She hardly knew the man. Yes, he did help her but she’d never felt so attracted to a guy so fast.
She was still out of her head...Yes that was it. Had to be.
Chapter Six
Condor went back to his security room and glared at the cameras. His phone pinged just as he caught sight of the intruder. He was still where he was before and he was still watching the house.
His call was Talon and he wanted to know where the intruder was.
Condor typed in a location and then sat back to watch the takedown.
His brothers found the man and there was a slight struggle but the three brothers didn’t seem to have much trouble bringing him down quickly and quietly. The princes were trained for hard combat. They trained in the gym, in a ring, with and without weapons. He knew they would be able to grab him up without much trouble.
Condor wished he were one of the three to confront this bastard. He wanted to give him what he’d given Ricki, hit for hit.
Talon looked directly into the camera and gave him a thumb’s up.
Condor knew the bastard would be taken back to the cells and held until this situation was over. Then his phone pinged again. He looked down at the message and when he read it, he frowned. He typed a message back and then got up and walked back to the bedroom again. He knew this wouldn’t go over well but he had to at least warn her about what was coming.
He paused at the door and looked at her.
She was laying on the bed, just staring at the ceiling at nothing at all.
“Sweetheart...” he began.
She turned her head and glared at him. “How many times I do gotta say it? I’m not your sweetheart.”
Condor shook his head. “I need to tell you something and I don’t want you to freak out.”
“Then just tell me, don’t try and sugarcoat it.” She stared at him.
“Your grandfather is on his way over here to meet you,” Condor just came out with it.
Ricki stiffened and her gaze turned into a raging blue. “Oh no, he is not. Tell him not to come here, I won’t see him. In fact, I might just put a cap in his dumb ass.”
“Ricki... don’t say that.” Condor shook his head as he walked to the bed and sat down beside her. He gathered her into his arms and held her tight while she fought to free herself. Then when her strength left her, he held her while she sobbed.
“Damn it,” he whispered. “I’m sorry but Talon couldn’t stop him. Once he found out about you, he said he was coming to see you.”
“But why?” she hiccupped. “Why would he want to see me when his own son has been trying to kill me my whole damn life?”
“You’ll have to ask him that when he gets here.”
She looked up at him. “I’m not sure I want to see him. He’s bringing his life into Slasher’s eyes again and Slasher wouldn’t hesitate to kill him over this.”
“He knows the risks.” Condor nodded. “Talon was careful to tell him everything. He wanted to come anyway. He is also trying to find out about how his will got out and how you ended up with it.”
She frowned. “My mom had it and that’s all I know about it. I won’t be of much help. Still...” Ricki tried to sit up.
He only let her go so far. “Still, what?”
Shrugging, she lowered her gaze to her hands. “I remember there was another man at the cemetery that day. He stood back while the others beat on me. When they had me down on the ground and were kicking me, I remember seeing a pair of shiny black shoes with silver tips on them. I couldn’t help but think of how odd those silver tips were. I mean what are the chances of man with shiny black shoes with silver tips was at a cemetery with a bikers? It was just odd.”
“Do you want my opinion?” he asked her.
She paused and raised a brow at him.
“Cause you don’t seem to like it when one of us offers one.” He cracked a smile.
She shrugged and looked away. “Depends on what the opinion is. I’ll listen but it won’t make any difference in the long run. I still don’t want him to come here. I got nothing to say to the man.”
“I think you should see him. At least, meet with the man. You don’t know what kind of man Archie Kyler really is. If after you meet him, you don’t like him, then that’s something else isn’t it? But before you make that assumption you should at least meet him.”
He waited as she thought it over.
Ricki thought for a moment and then sighed in defeat. “Ok, I’ll meet the man but I don’t like it.”
Condor nodded. “Good girl. You don’t know a man till you look him in the eyes and he sees you. Judging by what you’ve seen in life, I can’t say I blame your distrust. But you gotta give yourself a chance here. Give him a chance too. Family...” he paused and looked away for a few seconds before he added, “Can make all the difference in the world.”
Ricki stared at him for a minute. “Ok, ok....I suppose if I’m going to meet the man, I should wash up a bit huh? I’m a hot mess at the moment.” She hung her head and then asked, “How did they know who I was? I mean I’ve never even been here before but they knew who I was right off the bat.”
Condor lifted a strand of her hair. “You have Slasher’s coloring, as in your hair and eye color, they match his. He may not run the city but enough people know him and they fear him for what he does. He runs the San Mateo area but we know he runs his shit around our city and sometimes, ships it out through one of the docks
. Some twenty years ago, he killed several of our members to get a quicker route through the city.”
Condor paused as he thought about something she’d said earlier. “You said his men were at a grave just down from your mom?”
“My mom is buried down on the other side of the willow tree. The men were down further and over one row. I didn’t see the marker they were at but I did see a flag, not our stars and stripes flag, but it was a flag of some sort.”
“What was your mother’s name?” he wanted to know.
“Reniki Jamison. When she was with the club, she called herself Jasmine.” Wiping a tear from her face, she added, “Apparently, when she died, no one knew her real name, or they just didn’t want to put it or her birthday on the headstone. All they did put there was her club name and the day she died.” She shook her head. “I’m glad my grandma never saw her headstone. It would have broken her heart. She may not have been a very good mother but she was her daughter and no matter what she did, Grandma Sylvia loved her. Someone even went so far as to scratch the word whore on the top of her stone. While she did live on the edge, she didn’t deserve that. She may have done a lot of messed up things in her life but she was still a person, and she deserved so much more than what she got.”
Condor agreed with her. To deface a headstone just wasn’t right and he’d be pissed if someone had done that to Julia’s.
They both heard someone pounding on the front door. He looked down at her face. “That will be Talon along with Archie Kyler.”
“Still not sure I want to meet this guy but I’m stuck between a rock and hard place right now. I’m too weak to run and I’m just plain tired.” She got off his lap and stumbled carefully over to the bathroom. Shutting the door, he heard the water running.
Chapter Seven
Condor got up off the bed and made his way to the front door.
Unlocking it, he glared at his president and the others with him.
