Friction (Oath Keepers MC Book 5)

by Sapphire Knight

  He nods, his nose bumping mine and my brother interrupts, “Twist?” He shouts and glares at him angrily. No doubt because we’re so close, but if Ghost does something to them, I’ll regret this moment forever if I don’t do what I feel is necessary.

  Twist hollers back, “Yeah, comin’.”

  I hear my brother’s bike rev and take off like he’s pissed. Twist mumbles, “I gotta go, sugar,” and I lean up on my tippy-toes, my lips meeting his before he has a chance to back out of it.

  He doesn’t move for a moment, surprised, almost as if he’s unsure what he’s supposed to do. My other hand finds his cheek, and like a switch was flipped, his hand in my hair tightens, drawing my body into his as he kisses me like his life depends on it. The kiss is so commanding, purely demanding my surrender and to give it my all.

  I’d like to think I’ve never been kissed by a real man before this. It reminds me of when Rhett gets fed up and kisses Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the Wind. God, that was epic and clearly this is my Scarlet moment. Every woman deserves to experience this at least once in their lifetime.

  Twist doesn’t just kiss; he consumes. I respond to him as if my life depends on it, my panties getting wet right along with my heart going crazy. Eventually, he pulls away, stepping to his bike and throwing his leg over the seat. I stand, watching, winded and dazed after such promises made by his sinful tongue.

  He revs his engine, then points at me. “We got shit to talk ‘bout when I get back.”

  I just nod like I’m mute, ‘cause fuck if I know how to answer that. His eyes scan over every last inch of me, cataloging it to his memory. Once he seems satisfied, he nods and revs his bike again, then he’s gone in a flash.

  I stand still, hoping he’ll decide to turn around and come back to finish what he just started.

  Coming here, I expected to find strength from my brother. What I discovered instead is a hunter. A fiercely loyal, broken man, and from what I’ve heard whispered by his club brothers, I may have just let him out to look for his next kill.

  The crazy part about it all is that I almost don’t care if he does kill Ghost. It strikes a spot inside, most likely because he’s my baby’s biological father, but Twist is just so… I don’t know how to explain it. He inserts himself into your life and it’s like no one else matters anymore.

  I’ve learned so much about Twist these past weeks since staying with him. For example, he screams a lot when he sleeps. Silas cornered me one day asking how I was able to deal with sleeping in the same room, knowing that Twist would be up screaming later. Silas’ room is next door, and according to him, he can hear Twist through the walls.

  The truth is, I don’t deal with it.

  Usually, I can’t get him to wake up, so I sit and cry quietly until he calms down. It may seem weird to some, but Twist doesn’t just have bad dreams-something horrific happened to him that has rooted itself so deep that he can’t seem to escape from it. He’s haunted, for sure, but I haven’t been able to figure out why just yet.

  The few times I’ve been able to break through and get him awake, he’s so fucked up, he sits and plays his guitar for hours. Twist may be a biker, but he should have been a guitar player in a band. He strums these amazing chords full of feeling and sadness; it’s pure beauty mixed with an abundance of talent.

  I’ve never in my life witnessed someone able to play an instrument the way he does. He doesn’t even look at notes or anything, it’s like he pours his heart in it and a beautiful melody comes out in turn. According to my brother, it’s huge that he’s played in front of me. None of the club brothers have seen him play; they’ve just heard the music.

  I asked him about the dreams the first time they happened and I was able to wake him, but he wouldn’t speak to me. He got up and went straight to the bathroom to throw up several times. That was a pretty strong answer in itself, so I’ve left him alone. I just wish I could take away whatever hurts him.

  Heading back inside, I pass Prez. According to my brother, he’s the President in charge of the entire club.

  “They not let you go with ‘em, sug’?”

  I swear it’s like the man’s a mind reader; he always knows what’s going on. He’s smart, polite, and looks almost like he could be Twist’s biological older brother. I questioned Twist about it, and he confirmed they aren’t really related. He told me he only has his mom, and he won’t introduce us. I asked.

  Huffing, I shake my head.

  “Well, it’s probably for the best, you got to keep takin’ it easy. I doubt Twist nor your brother could deal with something happening to you or that baby.”

  “They’re just stubborn. I could help them probably, and now if either of them gets injured, it’s basically my fault.”

  “How do ya figure?”

  “Because it’s my mess.”

  “Naw, not around here. Someone does you wrong, it’s like they do us wrong. You’re family and we take care of our own.”

  “Thank you,” I whisper, and he nods, kissing my forehead like my brother does. Then he heads off to his office where he basically lives while he’s here.

  I guess it’s time to watch the marathon of Mob Wives I have recorded, because I know just how long that trip will take them, and it’ll be awhile until I hear from them. Watching someone else’s drama unfold will be refreshing, for a change.

  Come on little one, we can check my phone for a decent crib for our new apartment, I think, and then I pat my stomach as I head to Twist’s room.

  California…

  Even being a seasoned rider, my ass hurts along with my back. I should really invest in a cruiser for long fuckin’ trips like this. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to California, and not much has really changed. We pull off into a small town, eventually hitting up Sadie’s house.

  “I’mma go around and hit the breaker switches and give us some lights,” 2 grumbles and I nod, pulling my gloves off and stretching out my stiff legs.

  Hopefully, the sales agent doesn’t stop by with any buyers while we’re here; they’d get a rude surprise if we’re here unannounced. Shit could get complicated, and I don’t want to do any time here. I’ve already been shoved in a Cali cell once—popped on a weapons charge. Probably the real reason why I dislike the state and all.

  Fuckin’ coppers don’t give bikers any leeway whatsoever it seems. They’d let a little thug turn rat though and put him back out on his ass. It’s ‘my type’; they think we’re all hardened criminals. Stupid fuckin’ stereotypes again.

  The house lights up and 2 Piece comes around the side looking a little more optimistic.

  “Everything straight, brother?”

  “Yeah.” He nods, “Come on, man, grab your shit and we can get situated.”

  We each take our belongings making our way into the house. It’s not bad; I could imagine Sadie in this place. The walls are a light tan color, with older furnishings, kind of feminine. She deserves more though.

  “You can take the room to the left. Restroom’s in the middle and the blankets are in the closet next to the bathroom. There won’t be no food, but help yourself to anything you find. I imagine Sadie’s put most everything in storage though.”

  “All right, thanks.”

  I head straight to the shower to scrub the wind and dirt off. I can’t wait to find this motherfucker and use some pent up anger and frustration out on him.

  Once I’m clean again, I make my way to the room 2 gave me, getting some fresh clothes on and do a few small lines of coke to pick me up a little. Another reason why I don’t want the cops to pop me; I’d get busted for narcotics and that’s the last thing I want. We’re supposed to go out hunting tonight and I need to be ready and have some energy. It was a long-ass drive, but we stopped on the way and slept some. Now we need to take care of this guy and hurry back home.

  I have so much to talk about with Sadie upon my return. That kiss was fucking insane and I haven’t stopped thinking of it since. I need to tell her that it can’t
happen. I won’t disrupt and poison her and that kid’s life; I’ve already ruined my own family, and I’m not tryin’ to hurt no other babies. It would be best if we got it cleared up ASAP, even if I can’t stop imagining her and her taste.

  There’s a rap on the door, and that’s my clue that 2 must be ready. Wrapping up my knife pouch tightly, I shove it into my back pocket. I usually use them when torturing someone, and I plan to do my fair share if we’re successful at finding this bitch, Ghost.

  Grabbing my Glock, I check it over to make sure it’s ready to go and shove it in my side holster. I’ll happily kill this dude if he ain’t gonna man up and take care of Sadie baby and their kid. Ha! Their kid; he doesn’t even deserve that title. It’s a goddamn honor to be a father and so many take it for granted. They fuck around and push off what some men would fucking die for. What I would die for.

  Daddy, come pway wif me…

  I can’t right now, baby.

  “Pwease! Do you wike my dolly?

  I love you. Give your momma a kiss for me.

  The conversation plays out in my mind, and like always, I feel as if I may lose it. Beating my palm against my head roughly a few times, I attempt to get her voice to quiet. I love hearing her, but I have to concentrate right now. I have to help Sadie. I can’t break right now, 2 Piece can’t see it, no one can. Fuck, I feel like I could puke and I didn’t bring any type of supplements with me.

  He knocks again, “You good, man?”

  “Yeah,” I call back and hit myself one last time, getting the voice to go away for the time being. Then I join him in the living area, keeping quiet. Hopefully he won’t notice any marks on my face where I hit myself, but even if he does, he’ll mind his own business and keep quiet.

  “You ready?”

  “Yep, what’s the plan?”

  “I’ll hit up one of the local club VP’s that I’m cool with. He used to stop in the hardware store I worked at.”

  “He know anything?”

  “Not sure, brother. Gonna feel him out at the bar.”

  “Good. I could use a cold beer after that ride.”

  “Fuck yeah.” He locks the house up and we hop on the bikes, our pipes roaring loudly down the quiet older neighborhood of Spicy, California.

  I don’t know who came up with that fuckin’ name; the town’s small and boring. The only other thing out here is like five different motorcycle clubs and a whole lot of drugs. I’m surprised that this was even the first biker Sadie got mixed up with. 2 Piece did a good job keepin’ her from turning into a whore for one of the clubs. I’m sure it’s a normal occupation for some of the younger girls out here.

  We pull up to a building that looks to be made out of old boards and ready to fall apart. There’s a bright pink sign posted up, flashing ‘Piggy’s’. I back my bike in next to 2, across the way from the thirty or so other bikes in the lot. This is gonna be fun, walking into another club’s territory while wearin’ our cuts when the stupid fucks have been drinking for just who knows how long.

  Our bikes quiet as we unload and I turn to 2 Piece and gesture to the sign. “The fuck’s this shit?”

  He chuckles, “Just wait, brother.”

  “Oh for fuck’s sake, what’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You’ll be surprised.” He grins and walks up the stairs. I follow behind, already dreading the outcome of this ordeal. I’m all for bigger women, but ‘Piggy’s’? Really?

  We head through the old rickety door to find four raised platforms spread throughout the middle of the bar with some of the sexiest bitches I’ve ever fuckin’ seen, dancing like it’s their last dollar to ever be made. Surprised is a goddamn understatement. Clearly they keep the outside looking like shit because they spend the money on the inside.

  “Our cuts, brother?” I question, as a few of the other clubs’ members turn to watch us. Normally you give a club a heads-up if you’re flying your colors through their territory.

  “Naw, they’re a non-violent organization that welcomes others like them.”

  “No shit?” My eyebrow raises and he nods wearing a smirk. Obviously he thinks it’s entertaining that I’m curious. I couldn’t imagine being in a non-violent club. Sometimes if a brother pisses me off enough, we need to just work shit out, and a fist to the face is the way to go on certain occasions. 2 Piece and I have been to that point many times.

  A new song starts playing and the girls all start dancing together as one on their own poles and mother of God, I’ve been in many strip clubs in my lifetime but have never seen anything like it. The three bartenders climb on top of the bar, pouring water over their bodies and dancing right along with the other girls wearing their leather shorts and corset tops.

  The entire inside of the bar is painted black with chrome everything. The girls dance under their own recessed pink and blue lights, with the platforms made of mirrors.

  You. See. Everything. Everywhere.

  No wonder there’s so many bikes out front; this place should be fucking worshipped. I’m not a dog by any means when it comes to females, but here’s a place where you can appreciate every asset of the female body without it being some seedy, junkie strip joint. I don’t know what’s up with the name, but I’m willing to look past it.

  2 glances back at me, his smirk growing remarkably larger when he notices my expression. Stupid fucker.

  “Yeah, fuck you for not telling me about this sooner,” I holler, and see his shoulders shake from laughing at me.

  As we get closer to a table in the back surrounded by a few big guys, one of the dancers drops to the floor, popping her hips out, giving me a clear view of her pink center and my steps come to a halt. I am a man after all.

  “Fuckin’-a brother,” 2 Piece utters in awe right beside me and smacks my shoulder. “Come on, man.” He catches me off guard as he keeps on walking. Back in the day, he’d be all over that shit, flashing them smiles or whatever to get laid. Glad to see Avery’s got his shit locked down.

  The men stand once we make it to the table and one hugs 2, slapping him on his back and smiling.

  “Ace, this is my brother, Twist.”

  “Nice to meet you, man.” He holds his fist out and I bump it.

  “’Sup.” Not used to someone being that friendly right off the bat, but whatever.

  He gestures to the two men beside him. “2 Piece and Twist, these are my brothers, Buffalo and Kinsley.”

  I nod to them both, then we all take a seat. Their cuts say “Death Chasers MC” but why the name if they’re not violent? It doesn’t make sense, but not my shit to get into.

  “Who else is here?” 2 nods and looks around.

  “You have my brothers from Death Chasers; there are about five from Twisted Grit MC and a few from Cali Sinners MC. Their clubs are friendly and pay dues to use our bar. They won’t give you guys any grief.”

  “You know any Iron Fists?”

  Kinsley sits up a little straighter and Buffalo’s eyebrows shoot up.

  “Depends.” Ace grumbles, the smile disappearing. “What are you hoping to find if I do?”

  “I ain’t here for dope, man. One of the fuckers knocked my baby sister up then thought it’d be acceptable to pop smoke on her.”

  “Fuck,” Buffalo mutters out and I nod.

  “Sadie?” Ace’s mouth gapes and I almost growl. How the fuck does he know her name? Just who the fuck is he to her?

  “Yep. I moved to Texas, and this fuck called Ghost shows up, claimin’ Sadie’s lying about the kid, knocks her around a little. I didn’t bring my club; I didn’t want to ‘cause too much of a rift this close to your territory, so we’re tryin’ to keep it low-key.”

  “Appreciate that.” Ace nods and I rest my glare on him. This may be his territory and all, but why’s this fuck saying Sadie’s name like he’s got feelings and shit?

  “How exactly you know Sunshine?” The words grumble out before I can think twice. 2’s gaze finds mine, a little surprised at hearing me speak.

&nb
sp; Ace swallows and clears his throat. “Well, since 2 Piece is sittin’ right here, I guess there isn’t any sugar coating gonna happen.” 2 chuckles and I instantly hate this ass clown. Ace continues, “I met her at the hardware store she was working at, ran game past her for a little while, never knowing her brother also worked there, watching everything. One night, 2 Piece caught me out and about, broke my nose for talking to his baby sister, and since then we’ve been cool. I respected him for watching out for his family and backed off; he’s turned out to be a good friend and an ally when I’ve needed him.”

  Nodding, my back unclenches from being ready to pounce. I have to get over this insane need to protect her like she’s my own bitch. When I noticed his expression about her though, all I could imagine was repeatedly driving a blade into his throat.

  She ain’t mine, but fuck if it doesn’t feel like she should be after that damn kiss. She stole my fuckin’ breath away, and even Marissa didn’t do that. Stop comparing her; Marissa was everything.

  My fist smashes down onto the table causing the glasses to clatter and the guys to look at me. They don’t say anything though as a scuffle breaks out by the door, and a mob of bikers rush over toward it, pulling the guys apart.

  “VP, you gonna deal with it?” Kinsley probes, standing up.

  “Yeah, I have to until Biggie gets back; this playin’ President shit sucks.”

  2 Piece stands, also glancing down at me. “Come on, Twist, I wanna see what the fuck’s goin’ on.”

  “Bet.”

  I rise and head to the door, not waiting to see if anyone follows. I needed to walk around. Frankly, I’m fuckin’ sick of sitting there imagining killing the fuck in front of me and not being able to actually do it. I could give two shits who’s fighting, but maybe I can spin it and hit Ace once or twice. Some people may think I’m a dick, but well, yeah, I am a dick and don’t care who thinks so.

  We all gather round to discover that it wasn’t a scuffle at all, but some drunken idiot had fallen off his chair and pulled his buddie with him trying to stop his descent.