by Xyla Turner
“Oh fuck, Bronx.” Shay said through deep breaths. “Are we going to do this every other morning? I’m going to need to get up at five.”
I laughed out loud. The woman and her goddamn hair. She took forever in the bathroom, and our first cohabitation argument was about me releasing my bowels while she took an hour doing only God knows what to her hair.
Shay lost her fucking mind.
It was a three-day argument that ended with her using the guest bathroom until I picked her up and all her hair shit and put it back in our bathroom.
Drama queen. Three days of arguing about shit.
It didn't smell that damn bad. It was shit. She said it smelled like somebody died. I told her it did. Whatever animal I consumed; they died.
Idiot move and it didn’t end well.
Razor told me how it went when he met Kylie’s parents, but he said they were cool as shit. Especially the mayor. He basically said, give it to them straight. Only way to deliver it. That was definitely something we shared as brothers. To the point and let's be done with the bullshit.
Shay had on a flirty dress, which she never wore and sandals which she only wore sometimes. Kylie had on jeans, a low cut tee shirt, and flip-flops. Razor and I had in our basic jeans, shirt and cut.
We arrived together and once I crossed the threshold, I saw an older Shay but she looked like she was ten years older instead of her mom.
“You must be Bronx?” She asked as her mouth stretched as if to test out my name.
“Yeah, my given name is Blair, but everyone calls me Bronx.” I informed her.
She nodded her head, displaying a head full of dark, long, hair mixed with some gray. She had on a knee-length full floral dress with medium-sized heels and nylons.
“Well, it’s good to finally meet you.” The woman opened her arms to embrace me.
I reached down and picked her up, and said, “Nice to meet you as well.”
“Oh, my.” She gasped.
Shay and Kylie laughed, while Razor shook his head.
“Kylie, I see you’re back to showing your goodies, huh?” My mom recovered from Bronx’s embrace and honed in the best friend.
“Oh yeah, Mrs. Russell. That was a once a year deal. You never know when it’s going to happen.” She laughed.
Mrs. Russell pulled Kylie into a hug and shook her head. “You do be it all.”
“Razor, good to see you again.”
He also bent down and picked her up, and said, “Mrs. Russell. Always an honor.”
She started to get teary eyes and fanned her face, “Oh, just look at you all. Growing up so fast, about to get married and…”
“Oh, mom.” Shay went in for a hug. “Please don’t cry today. I swear I think it’s rubbing off.”
“Oh, hush.” She wrapped her arms around her daughter and kept her there for a moment longer. “You look good.”
“I am good.” Shays’ eyes moved to me.
Her mom nodded her head knowingly. Then she clapped and said, “Go wash your hands and come on in the dining room when you’re finished. Dinner is ready to be served and we’re hungry.”
When we finished sprinkling water on each other and entered the dining room table, my father was standing at the head looking stern and very serious. Once we all filed in, he laid eyes on Bronx and his eyebrows went up.
He pointed to Bronx and said, “You’re the new owner at RIGOR, right?”
“Yes, sir,” he answered.
“You’re starting that self-defense class for women because your lady was attacked,” he asked, but stopped in mid-sentence.
His eyes roamed from me to Shay and then back to me.
“My baby was attacked?” He asked me.
“Dad,” Shay called.
“Yes, sir,” I answered.
“Why wasn’t I informed of this?” He asked.
“Because I handled it.”
“I’m her father,” he started. “I need to know these things.”
“With all due respect.” I was an idiot. “I’m her man, and I take care of these things now.”
“Holy shit,” Kylie muttered.
Razor continued to stand tall, while Shay’s weight lightened on my left side, where she was planted.
Fuck.
Then, she wrapped her arm around my back and adjusted herself next to me. Internally, I smiled but at the moment, my face remained deadpan.
“Is that so?” Mr. Russell asked me. “How serious is this?”
He would only address me and not his daughter, which showed a sign of respect.
“Serious as a fucking heart attack. I came here to get your blessing to marry her as soon as possible. Shay and I aren’t strangers. We’ve been together before and it went south, but I’m not wasting another four years trying to figure shit out with her. She’s who I want and that’s really the end of the story. I’m going to marry her. We’re going to have kids, preferably little girls that look just like her and she wants a boy. I have a house, but I’ll build another one if she wants. She’s going back to school for nursing if that’s what she wants, but she’s really excited about it. I’ll make sure she sees it through. She’s mine and my responsibility. So, with all due respect, you’ve raised a fine young woman. Independent, sassy as hell and crazier than a loon. But anyone fucks with her fucks with me. So, I handle that my way.”
“Holy shit,” Kylie whispered again.
Shay’s grip tightened around my waist and I could tell she was nervous, but she had my back.
Her father nodded his head and asked, “When’s the wedding?”
“Soon as she confirms a date,” I replied.
His bottom lip poked out a bit as he contemplated the words, then he said, “You got my blessing. Can we eat now?”
The tension left the room, like a cloud of smoke. It seemed like everyone, including me, sighed with relief.
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh my God,” her mom shrieked. “Both of my babies are getting married.”
This time, she lost her shit. Her makeup started to run, and she had to go freshen up all over again. She kept hugging and kissing Shay, touching my arm and rubbing my back. Shay was annoyed but seemed to understand. Mr. Russell just kept shaking his head until he said, “Woman, get yourself together.”
Mrs. Susy Homemaker turned at that moment as she headed to the kitchen. “Paul Russell, I told you about calling me, woman.”
Kylie started laughing, while Shay put her hand on her head. Razor looked to me as if to say, ‘welcome to the family.’
“See where Shay gets it from,” Mr. Russell nodded towards me.
“I heard that,” Mrs. Russell yelled from the kitchen.
The rest of dinner went through without a hitch. Mr. Russell had me sit next to him, and we talked man to man. He told me what he instilled in his daughter, how he raised her and what he hoped for a man in her life. He also confirmed I was that type of man. While I didn’t have a father figure in my life per se, besides some of the older brothers, I realized how much I lacked that model and wished I had it more. It also seemed Razor gleaned from it as well. He also had Kylie’s father, who had the political experience and definitely a man who knew his shit.
It felt good.
He told me to stop by anytime, and I planned to take him up on that. Including the fishing trip, he and his buddies had over at Lake Urbile.
After we all said our goodbyes, Kylie and Razor rode off on his bike and Shay made me drive because she knew there would be leftovers.
“I’m proud of you,” Shay said as I drove off towards her place. “You handled that like the man, I know and love.”
My eyes hit hers.
“Mmm,” I grunted.
“What are my date choices?” She asked.
“Whenever the fuck you want!” I almost stopped the car.
“I want everything, Bronx. The wedding, the reception, the cake, the honeymoon. I want that. I’ve dreamed about that and best of all, I’ve dreamed about it with
you.” The car came to a stop as I put the gear in park on the side of the road. “I want the whole she-bang with you. Okay?”
“Okay. When?”
“Kylie and Razor are set to be married in a couple of months. That’s my girl and she deserves her moment to shine, so how about six months after that, so we can have a fall/winter wedding and enough time to ensure I have everything I want for mine.” She explained.
I nodded. “Fine, in the meantime, you’re moving in with me.”
She stared at me for a bit, then she said, “Deal.”
“This weekend.”
“Bronx, I need to talk to Dessy and see what she wants to do. There is a lease, rent, and she’s a bartender.”
My eyes leveled on hers when I said, “Have you seen her, she makes a lot of money.”
“What?”
“She uses what she got.”
“And what does she have?” Shay snapped at me.
“I wouldn’t know.”
I wasn't that much of an idiot.
“If it’s not enough,” I continued, “She can work at the gym. We always need help and believe me, my membership will increase. Bear will definitely come more often.”
“Oh my God! Stop with the grizzly bear. I cannot believe she is into him.”
“Why? He’s a stand-up guy.” I noted.
“I guess. He just doesn’t seem her type.”
“Why not?” I asked again. “He’s older? I’m older than you. He’s white? You were with Greg and what’s his face a few years ago. He’s a biker? What? He likes his women on their knees? Tied up and asses red. What?”
She shrugged, “Fuck, I don’t know. I mean, I don’t really have an answer. He just comes off as a royal jerk.”
“Hmm. Well, he is that, but he’s a loyal brother. Speaks his mind and it always makes the club better. We respect him and maybe that’s what she sees and likes about him because she lacks it. The ability to be who you are no matter, what company you’re in.”
Shay looked at me and said, “You’re probably right.”
“I am.”
“Back to my wedding. I can’t move out this weekend.”
“Charge her a portion of the rent and I’ll pay the rest. Problem solved.” I answered.
“It’s not that simple. Preparations have to be made. I have to…”
My hand grabbed hers and pulled her to me, effectively stopping her speech.
“Kitten, listen. Four years. I’m not doing all that shit. Not waiting another day, week, month, or goddamn year. This weekend.” I finalized.
“Bronx, you think because you get all alpha on me, I’ll just let you do whatever the hell you want. Let me assure you, that’s not the case.” One eyebrow went up. “I let you win sometimes, but I don’t care what you bikers declare with your deep voices and MC talk. Shay will do what Shay’s going to do.”
“Obliged.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” She snapped.
“Your ass will move in this weekend.”
“I’d like to see you try.” She put her nose up.
I lifted her off my lap but kept her close, then put the car in drive and said, “I’m about to. All night, prove over and over again, that not only will you be moving in this weekend, you’ll be begging me to move you in this weekend.”
Her head turns towards me with one side of her mouth tilted up in a smirk.
“Think you’re slick, huh?”
“No, kitten. I know I am.” I sped up. “Slick, hard, and long-winded. Stamina for miles and enough self-discipline to not give in. Want to have a battle of the wills? With me?” I laughed. “You won’t win. You’re too impulsive.”
“Fuck,” she hissed. “You’re right. I know how to get you, though.”
“How?”
“Don’t worry, just watch your back.”
We stayed at Shay’s house that evening and the more I thought about why, the more I wondered if it would have happened anywhere.
I had just put Shay to sleep by taking her from behind as she leaned over her bathroom sink. She said that was the best way to take off makeup and get ready for bed. My girl was always ready for me and despite all that we missed out on, there was nothing like having her in my life. Nothing could replace that.
Shay was in my arms when I felt another presence in the room. My eyes remained closed as I tried to figure out what was happening and also reach for my gun tucked in the side of the bed.
“Move and you’re dead.” A gruff yet familiar voice hissed.
I opened my eyes and saw the face I had sworn I’d kill if he showed up again and there he stood with a gun pointed at a sleeping Shay. His face tight with malice and eyes set on revenge.
“Get up slowly,” he whispered.
Which meant he wasn’t trying to wake Shay. My legs slowly left the bed as I thought of the best way to get the gun away from him and put an end to his misery. Guys like him needed to be put down. Not left to their own devices with no leash.
As I lifted off the bed, Shay shifted but remained sleep.
“Move over there.” He waved the gun towards his right as he backed up.
I took one step to my left as he continued to wave the gun.
“You thought you won, huh?” He turned the gun on me and hissed. “Thought I forgot, you stupid mother fucker.”
My hands were up as I continued to contemplate how to get him out of the room. The good thing was his gun was on me and not her.
“I’m going to put her down right in front of you, and then I’m going to put you down. I guarantee you’ll regret the day you touched a Viper.” His face was shiny with perspiration, eyes bulged and his greasy hair was matted on the side of his face and around his neck.
His weight kept shifting between both legs as he would step forward and still hissing his comments at me. Then he turned the gun on Shay again.
“Wait,” I finally said.
His head and gun turned towards me, then the bed shifted, and Shay quickly rose, aimed and fired twice. Another shot rang out, and hot pain ran through my leg causing me to fall to the floor.
My vision became hazy, but I saw Shay moving towards me as she called out my name.
“Bronnn…” her voice faded.
Another shot rang out, pulling me back to the present. Shay’s head was turned as I saw Apollo limping towards us and the braided beard guy was no longer moving.
“Are you okay?” Shay asked Apollo.
He grunted then collapsed on the floor.
“DESSY!” She yelled. “DESSYYY!”
Her hands were moving all over me.
“Where are you shot?” She kept feeling on my body. “BRONX!!!” Shay screamed. “DESSYYY!”
13
Protect
Shay:
I couldn’t find the wound.
There was blood everywhere.
Oh my God.
Noooo.
“Shay, wake up.” Kylie’s voice interrupted my nightmare.
We were still in the hospital waiting for the status for Bronx and Apollo. The doctor said that Apollo had been grazed in the neck and suffered a gunshot wound to his left shoulder. When we were leaving, we saw that the glass has been broken and his car door was open. Dessy had to jerk me as I was hysterical and shaking when the paramedics arrived to get them. Two men that I’ve come to know were laid out in my bedroom, and one of those men was the love of my life. The other I hadn’t muttered a word to in the past year, and he saved my life as the man had his gun aimed at me and was ready to shoot as I was tending to Bronx.
“I’m up.” I looked around.
“Bronx’s cousin is here. Trey” She pointed to a tall guy with his head in his hands over on the far corner.
As I looked around the room, I saw a lot of men in and out of Guardian cuts. Clean-shaven, rugged, various professions and all with that look.
It wasn’t one I could easily describe, but it was one that I knew no matter the outcome, they had each other’s back and a
ll that came with that.
Razor was on my right side looking off into space. Kylie was on my left rubbing my back.
“He’s a fighter,” she kept whispering.
Bronx was shot in the chest and apparently on his way down, his head hit my old dresser, and he had a concussion along with the potentially fatal shot. Even though they kept telling me could bounce back from that, as a nurse, I knew what a shot to the chest meant. The percentage that things could take a turn for the worse was extremely high. It made me think of everything Bronx kept saying. He didn’t want to waste another moment. Four years had passed, and he wouldn’t wait. He wanted us to start our lives together without delays or setbacks from anyone else, including me.
It was like he knew. Time was of the essence.
Tears panged my eyes consistently as I thought about our last conversation. He wanted me to move in with him and I was trying to come up with reasons why we shouldn’t rush. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to move in with him, I just didn’t like the impulsive Bronx. I felt we had time.
We didn’t.
Later, the next morning, they said since I was his fiancée, I could see him. His cousin joined me after introducing himself as Corey.
“Heard about you a few years ago,” Trey said as we walked to the back. “Man, I’m glad you guys are together. I thought I ruined that shit.”
I didn’t answer.
“Look, you go first. I’ll wait outside.”
My head nodded to acknowledge he spoke but I was going in regardless.
“Bronx, honey.” I started. “Um, I get it now. I know why you wanted us to start our lives. Get married and have kids right away. I, uh.” My lip began to tremble and my voice became watery. “I, uh, can’t do this without you, honey. It’s always been you. You know that right? Four years ago, I was in love with Blair Wilson. I was just like Lori. Shit, I knew your schedule better than you did. Then, I got hurt. You know. I reacted and was impulsive. I should have talked to you and I’m soo sorry. You could have your girls by now or I could have had my little Bronx. I can’t do that without you. So, uh, you need to get up and come on, right. I’m moving in this weekend.”
The tears were flowing down my face and I could barely see.
