Snakes and Angels

by Nikki Pink

  Lucy looked confused and then laughed. “Oh yeah! Call Nicole. She misses you.”

  “She said that?”

  “Yep. She looooooooves you.” Lucy giggled to herself.

  “Why hasn’t she answered any of my calls?”

  Lucy shrugged. “I don’t know. I think that sheriff upset her.”

  Jase frowned. “The sheriff? He’s an asshole. That’s all?”

  Lucy nodded. “Oh and finals. And papers. College stuff. She’s a busy beaver!”

  That makes sense. “So she just said to call her?”

  “Yeah. Don’t call her.”

  Jase grabbed her arm. “Don’t call her?”

  Lucy giggled again. “Why don’t you go and see her instead. She’s all alone in that room. You should surprise her!”

  Jase thought about it for a moment. “You don’t think that’ll make her mad?”

  Lucy laughed. “Of course not! It wouldn’t make me mad. She’ll love it!”

  Lucy turned away back to the young guy sitting next to her. Jase didn’t know his name but he’d seen him around the club a few times. He was a hangaround, if someone ended up vouching for him he might end up becoming a friend of the club, and then a prospect. Maybe even a member one day. But for now he was just another young guy with a penchant for motorcycles, rough living and easy women.

  Jase left Lucy again and made his way to the front door, ignoring a girl waving an unlit cigarette looking for a light. Her face fell as he shook his head at her without speaking, not even offering her a second glance.

  He pushed open the front door and breathed in the cool air. He let the door swing shut behind him and it was like turning the volume down on life. He breathed deeply and then headed over to the row of bikes out front.

  He sat on his bike and walked it backward without starting it. The noisy clubhouse sat before him and he looked at it as if it were the first time. It’s mine now. My responsibility.

  With a shake of his head at the incongruity of being in charge of the club, he started up the motorcycle and headed out into the night.

  ***

  Something wasn’t right.

  After sneaking in behind some students he’d slipped up the stairs, and down the hallway to Nicole’s room. Just before knocking he’d heard something inside that sounded like a sob. He’d pressed his ear against the door and heard whispered voices and sobs.

  A jolt ran through him. He felt like he’d been kicked in the stomach. Who was in there with her? Their voices were too low to make out the words through the closed door but he could tell from the tone it was serious.

  Dare I do it? Do I even want to know?

  Jase gulped. Fuck it. It’s better to find out sooner than later. He silently opened the door and stared at the two figures facing away from him on the sofa. One was Nicole, but the other one, the man, looked strangely familiar.

  When the next whisper came he realized with a shock who it was, and the shock only increased when he heard what he was saying. As he listened to Eag’s tortured confession, rage, which he had thought quenched, boiled inside him again. Jase gritted his teeth and his hand went to his belt where his handgun waited.

  “…I’ve got to go.”

  Jase finally spoke, “You’re not going anywhere.” He entered the room fully and closed the door as the two heads on the sofa whipped around in shock.

  “Oh, fuck,” said Eag and tears rolled down his cheeks. Fucking pathetic.

  Nicole looked at him wide eyed as she stood up. She’d clearly been sleeping until not too long before as she only appeared to be wearing an over-sized t-shirt. His eyes couldn’t help but run up her bare legs to where the bottom of her t-shirt hung. Goddamn she looks amazing. He gave her a tight smile before turning his attention back to Eag.

  His voice was low but harsh. “You’re going to tell me every-fucking-thing. You got that?”

  Eag whimpered and began to speak, explaining the entire mess he and the Doctor had created.

  Jase considered asking Nicole to leave, but she’d heard most of it already. And it was, after all, her room. As Eag was speaking she made her way over to him, and soon she stood beside him, her arm wrapped around his waist, her bare thigh pressed against his jeans. It felt good to have her back.

  As Eag finished outlining his story, Jase turned his head to the ceiling. “Fuck!” He shook his head.

  Like a knee-jerk response a voice immediately came from the hallway. “Yoo-hoo! Nicole!”

  Jase glanced down at her. She raised her eyebrows, rolled her eyes and shook her head in exasperation.

  “Sorry Belinda! I didn’t realize it was so loud. I’ll turn it down!”

  Jase grinned at her.

  “That didn’t sound like tee-vee-ee,” Belinda sing-songed from outside.

  “Well it is. Sorry! Good night Belinda.”

  “Can I come in?”

  “Uh. I’m tired. Good night!”

  The door began to open anyway, slowly swinging towards them.

  “I’m naked!”

  The door slammed shut again. Jase looked down at her and grinned, shaking his head. He whispered into her ear, “Who wouldn’t want to see you naked?”

  Nicole let out a quiet laugh before whispering, “I don’t think she swings that way.”

  Jase spoke to Eag, “We need to speak. Alone.”

  Eag shook his head. “You’ll kill me.”

  Jase pulled out the gun. “I’ll kill you if you don’t talk to me.”

  A tear trickled down Eag’s cheek as he slowly rose to his feet, having no choice in the matter. “Please, Jase. Please. I didn’t have to come here. I could have just gone.”

  “But you didn’t.”

  “Please, I—”

  “Do you want to live?”

  Eag nodded.

  “Then come take a walk with me.”

  Jase looked at Nicole. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls.”

  Jase shook his head. “Look at this mess. You probably shouldn’t answer my calls. Fuck. Look what I’ve gotten you into.”

  She shook her head, then placed both her hands in his shoulders. Jase looked down at her. She rose up on her tiptoes and planted a sweet kiss on to his lips. He smiled down at her. She took his head into her soft hands and pulled it down, placing his ear next to her mouth. “Please, if you have to, do it off campus.”

  He pulled her ear close to his mouth and whispered, “I didn’t lie. I’m not going to kill him. I need his help.”

  She smiled up at him.

  “Goodbye Eag,” she said.

  “Let’s go.”

  Eag exited first with Jase right behind.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Nicole

  When he came back I was lying in bed, my eyes open, thinking about what Eag had told me. It seemed I’d been drawn into the inner workings of the club now, whether I liked it or not, and at a time of crisis at that. I should probably have been afraid, or nervous. But no, instead I was excited. I was waiting for Jase to come back to hear what had happened and how he’d dealt with Eag. And what would he do about the Doctor?

  I sensed rather than heard the door open silently when Jase returned. A whoosh of air passed over me and my eyes flicked over in the dim room to his silhouette. He was a shadow in the darkness and I watched his formless shape as he closed the door again without making a sound; something which Lucy had never mastered.

  He stood over me. I could tell he was looking at me from the vague outline of his posture, but it was too dark to make proper eye contact at that distance.

  “Are you awake?”

  I responded by reaching out from my bed with an arm and wrapping it around his waist, squeezing his firm ass through his jeans with my fingers. I pulled tightly and he came to me, slipping off his jacket and letting it drop to the floor as he reached my bed.

  “Guess so,” he said.

  Why didn’t I answer your calls? Why did I let the sher
iff get to me like that? I ran my hands under his shirt, over the skin of his back. I ran my fingers over the outlines of the large club tattoo on his back, the one that read Sons of Mayhem over a stylized skull with wings.

  I pulled him to me. His warmth, his strength, his power — I wanted it all.

  “I have to go.”

  I still didn’t speak. I’m not letting you go. I ran my hands over his body and slipped a hand down his jeans, under his boxer shorts. I found him there, swelling rapidly as I squeezed with my fingers, feeling him harden at my touch, harden for me.

  He let out a soft moan. “Just—”, another groan, “—a few—”, a gasp, “—minutes…”

  I used my other hand to undo his belt and fly, and in a moment he was pulling them down, freeing himself for me. I pushed him back on the bed, briefly looking at the silhouette he made, before lowering my mouth to him.

  I took him into my mouth greedily, hungrily, sliding my fingers underneath his muscled ass and digging in with my nails. I ran my tongue up and down him, twisting it around and over. I moved my head up and down, up and down, making him moan.

  I slid my hands out from underneath him and rose to my knees. He wrapped two hands around my waist and lifted me, pulling me to him. I lowered my head to meet his and kissed him on the warm soft lips that I’d begun to forget. As I tasted the familiar mint on his breath it all came back to me. How could I have stayed away from this?

  He manipulated me by my waist and then, Oh God, he pulled me down on to him, filling me up and stealing my breath away as I once again became complete.

  He ran his hands over my ass, grabbing and clutching at it as I rocked my hips and ground myself on to him. His hands slid under the baggy t-shirt that had been the entirety of my pajamas that night and he grasped my breasts, with his hot, strong hands. I squealed as he squeezed and panted as he pinched, our bodies moving and rocking in unison. Our mouths were one as he filled me up with his thrusts and our bodies melted into each other as we were consumed by lust.

  When he finished I did too, and I wanted to scream. I wanted to let it all out, to be free, to be the girl I knew I could, I would, one day become. But we were still in the dorm, and I still had a nosy RA who’d be through the door like greased lightning if she thought there was a man in there with me. So I shoved my head into his shoulder and bit him as we finished each other off, and my body pulsed around him, not wanting to let him go, not yet.

  We lay there panting quietly, me resting on top of him.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t call.” I whispered in his ear.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t come over sooner.”

  I laughed softly. “Me too.” What would I have done if he had come over earlier? Would I have been ready?

  I inhaled the scent of his body as he held me tightly to him.

  “I’m sorry Eag came to you. It shouldn’t have happened.”

  “That’s okay,” I whispered in his ear.

  “It’s…” Will he think I’m childish, if I say it? Will he think I’m like a little girl playing with the big, dangerous men? “It’s exciting,” I finally whispered.

  I could sense him shaking his head. Uhoh.

  “You’re something else. Most civilians aren’t like you.”

  Aren’t they? Maybe he’s right. Maybe there’s something wrong with me.

  “I’m weird, right?” I whispered.

  He ran his hand over my ass, squeezing it gently before answering, “I like weird. I like this weird, anyway.”

  I nuzzled against him for a moment. “So what happens now?”

  He sighed. “Now I’ve got some shit to figure out. Fuckin’ Eag. Fuckin’ Doctor. Fuck.”

  I stroked his hair. “It’ll be okay. You’ll make it okay.”

  He sighed again. “I hope so. I’m going to try.”

  “When will I see you again?”

  “Are you sure you want to?”

  Don’t say that. “Of course I want to. I’m sorry about before. The sheriff fucked with my head.”

  “Do you want me to speak to him?”

  I want you to beat the shit out of him. But that probably wouldn’t be the best move to make right now. “No. He’s just crazy — I didn’t realize at first. Now I know. I just need to stay away from him.”

  “I have to go. I have way too fucking much shit to do.”

  I pressed my lips softly against his. “I know. Take care of business. I’ve got shit to do too.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  I laughed softly. “My shit is writing papers and getting ready for finals. Not very dramatic.”

  He laughed softly and gently rolled me off of him. Without his touch I suddenly felt cold. He got out of the bed and began pulling his jeans and underwear up.

  “If Eag or the Doctor show up again, stay away, okay?”

  “Okay. Is Eag…”

  Jase chuckled softly. “He’s fine. He’s going to help me put an end to all this bullshit. Then I’ll cut him loose.”

  “You won’t…”

  He let out a sigh. “I promised I wouldn’t. Unlike those fuckers my word means something. As long as he helps me tonight and tomorrow, that is.”

  I pulled the covers up around my chin. “Be careful, Jase.”

  He leaned over and kissed me on the forehead. “I will. Sleep well, Sweetness.”

  A secret smile spread across my face in the dark as I watched his shadowy form disappear out the door.

  Am I really going to be able to study tomorrow with that memory? And knowing what he has to do? I sighed and closed my eyes, willing sleep to overcome me.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Jase

  “Alright fuckhead, let’s go!” said Jase to Eag.

  “Good luck,” said the Doctor. He wriggled his eyebrows. “And say ‘Hi’ to Yumi for me.”

  Jase laughed. “Okay brother. Good luck with the other thing.”

  “What other thing?” asked Eag.

  “Nothing” said Jase and the Doctor in unison.

  How can you act like that Doc? Are you as batshit insane as I think you are? They stood up to leave the meeting room. The Doctor had called the Koreans and told them Jase and Eag would be there to see them later.

  The sun was slowly rising when they left the compound for the long ride to K-town. Twenty miles out of town they made their first stop when Jase slowed down and guided his bike into a truck-stop.

  The other bike pulled up beside him, and a worried looking Eag dismounted.

  “Don’t fucking talk to me,” said Jase.

  “Why are we stopping?”

  Jase gave him a look of contempt. “What the fuck did I just say?”

  “Sorry.”

  “We’re stopping because I need some fucking coffee. I was up all goddamn night because of you.”

  After Eag’s revelations Jase had had to put together a rapid plan to save both their lives, while ensuring the Doctor wouldn’t get away with what he had done. He’d spent the entire night trying to pull everything together, and hoped to hell that it would work.

  After forcing down the hot drink that tasted almost like the coffee it claimed to be, Jase shook his weary head and got back on his motorcycle, Eag following behind.

  “Aren’t you worried he’ll just run off?” Nicole had asked him after he’d returned to her room the night before. He’d hated to lie to her, but he’d had to. He couldn’t reveal the depravity he’d been forced to threaten Eag with.

  The former lawyer’s two great passions in life were money and women. But there was one woman above all that he cared for. His daughter. It was a cruel threat to make, but he needed Eag around today.

  They powered off through the desert, and as usual Jase managed to lose himself in the ride. It was like a form of meditation for him - the open road, the engine, the roar, the wind, the rush.

  His meditative state was ruined when they hit the LA traffic though. By the time they pulled up at the building Jase could feel a new level of rage boiling inside him. Aft
er turning off the engine he simply sat and took in several deep breaths and slow exhalations. He wanted to be composed.

  After handing over their weapons at the entrance the men were led inside.

  “You got somewhere he can wait?” Jase nodded his head in Eag’s direction. He wasn’t to have the privilege of meeting their business partner.

  One of the entourage of men nodded at Jase and then gestured for Eag to follow him. Jase followed another one of the suited men who seemed perfectly interchangeable. The rode the elevator to the top floor of the building, where Jase met their business partner in a large office.

  His counterpart was a man of indeterminate age, but from his well put-together appearance and the deference everyone showed he was, without doubt, the boss.

  Jase pushed his hand forward. “Mr. Lee? I’m Jase.”

  The man took his hand gently, barely squeezing it at all. “Nice to meet you Mr. Jase. You are the Vice President of your club?”

  Jase nodded. “Yeah. Acting President though.”

  The man looked at him quizzically but didn’t offer comment. “Tea?”

  I wish you’d said coffee. “Sure.”

  The man yelled something to which a loud “Nae!” was offered in response. Mr. Lee then indicated to Jase so sit down, and so a moment later he found himself perched on an over-sized sofa, while Mr. Lee sat back on an identical one across from him.

  A moment later a young lady in Korean traditional dress appeared carrying a tray with a number of cups, bowls and pots.

  “The tea is from Boseong.”

  I have no idea what that means. “Boseong huh? Wow.”

  The boss looked pleased as the girl began to pour the tea. Jase looked at her uncomfortably. He was here to talk business, but it didn’t seem appropriate with her present. Maybe she doesn’t speak English?

  “So, did the Doctor, uh, my associate, tell you what we wanted to discuss?”

  The man frowned. “We will drink tea.”

  Jase nodded. “Of course, sure. After.”

  The man nodded.

  After the girl poured water back and forth between her pots and bowls several times Jase was eventually presented with a small ceramic cup filled with a pale green liquid. I’ve had shots of whisky bigger than this.