Knox Brotherhood

by Knox, Elizabeth

  “You have a thing for the girl, don’t you?”

  “I’ve had a thing for the girl, you just don’t pay attention.”

  “Mister ‘I’ll never be in love again’ has a thing for Elena’s baby sister.” Slash laughs, leaning his head backwards. “Shit. I thought your ex fucked you up pretty good.” No one knows how far I really went with my ex, how she left me on our wedding day. They didn’t even know I was going to marry her, the only thing I let anyone know is that we broke up. I didn’t give them the gory details. It’s not like they would care much anyways. There was this fierce determination inside of me to look like the guy who didn’t give a fuck, and I played the part well. I acted like I couldn’t give two shits about her, yet on the inside, I was barely holding it together. Love does that to you, or more specifically, heartbreak does. He’s one nasty mother fucker.

  The door to the bathroom flies open, and I immediately forget that there’s a good chance she could’ve heard everything that Slash and I just said to one another. Deep down, I’m praying that she didn’t hear anything, that her blow dryer drowned out the words we were speaking. When she doesn’t utter a word, I know we’re safe.

  “What’s with you two?” She laughs, putting her hair up in a bun on the very top of her head.

  “Nothing. We were just talking real quick,” Slash tells her, walking over to her and offering his arm to her like some chivalrous bastard – of which we both know he isn’t. “What’s on the plan today?”

  “Not too much. I go on at 7:30 to warm up the crowd for the boys, then after that, I don’t have anything planned except maybe working on a few of my own songs.”

  “You write your own?”

  “Yep. I muster up some really deep stuff for my fans. I’m…,” she pauses for a second, before biting her bottom lip, leaning against Slash. “I’m not the kind of girl who only writes happy go lucky stuff. In the beginning, I tried to be that girl because, in the end, I knew that it would give me the most fans and the most money in the bank. However, I can’t fake it. I just can’t be someone I’m not. Sometimes I don’t know why I went through the things that I did at such an early age, but then I realize that there’s a reason, and that reason is my music. I was always supposed to be this girl, the one who pours her heart out into her songwriting and lyrics. I’m not what everyone expects, but, at the end of the day this is me.”

  “Hm. I dig that. Do you have an EP out now or something?”

  “Yep. There’s six songs on it, and I think it gives everyone a taste for me as a musician.”

  “Can’t wait to hear it.” He steals the words right from my mouth, and I’m just standing here thinking he’s trying to make moves on my girl. We both know that I’ll be damned to let that happen. Shit. Maybe Slash wants his face to be ripped apart.

  The day went by in the flash of an eye. Bellamy was supposed to go on at seven thirty sharp, but due to some technical issues, she didn’t go on until almost an hour later. After that, she ended up staying on stage longer because Jase requested her to sing a couple duets with him. I stood from backstage watching her, how she shined bright like a star when she sang. There was much I didn’t know about the girl, but the longer I was around her the more I began to like what I was seeing.

  Slash escorted her down to a dressing room where she’d change into normal clothes, and in the meantime, I stood in the venue, leaning against a wall when my cell phone vibrated in my jeans pocket. I pull it out, reading Reed’s name across the screen, quickly answering.

  “I didn’t expect to hear from both you and Elena so soon,” I tease. They’re making me feel like a watch dog. If they wanted reports back every twelve hours, or daily, I could’ve done that, but they never said anything to give me the inclination that they did.

  “I’m not calling about Bellamy,” Reed tells me. I can hear the stress in his voice, Slash and I have only been gone a few days, and I can hear that he’s beginning to crack under the pressure. Sure, he has all of us to lean on, but he’s the one who makes all of the big decisions at the end of the day. I can’t imagine how stressful that must be, to not only be responsible for everyone in the club but for the additional girls that he’s purchased as well. Honestly, I can’t believe that Reed is still buying the girls from that Russian dude. We’ve hardly got space for the ones we have, and I overheard him talking to Elena about purchasing more a couple weeks ago.

  “We still haven’t found my father; his shit is here and it’s like he disappeared into thin air. This is shady as fuck, Butch, I know something’s up, and I can’t figure it out. Bones disappeared and then my Dad. This isn’t right. None of this is a coincidence, and I want to find out where they are.”

  Reed and Kyle’s Dad came to the clubhouse a few weeks ago. None of us knew he was coming, he just showed up. I don’t remember too much, but what I do remember is that he sat around telling stories of the good old days, then we all partied together. I drank half my body weight in alcohol and found a bed to crash on, and that was that. The next morning Will Michaels was nowhere to be found. Poof! Gone in thin air. I didn’t know enough about the man to know if it was out of the norm for him, but this guy hadn’t been around the club in years. I believe Reed said it had been nine or ten years since he last stepped foot into his old club. “He hadn’t been around in a long time, Reed. Maybe all the talk of the good old days brought back some memories that he didn’t want to remember, and he scrammed?” I suggest, trying to ease my worry ridden Prez.

  “You don’t think I know that? My dad was never really the stick around and stay kind of type unless it was about the club. He loved the club more than anything, so the fact he just left without saying anything throws up red flags. Even if he didn’t say goodbye to me, he would have to the group of you. He may be a dick, but he is not disrespectful.”

  “Have you tried texting or emailing?” I ask, wondering about the answer I’m going to get.

  “Both. I texted him the first couple of weeks, then I started to call. Now, whenever I call, I get a message that the phone number has been disconnected. None of my emails are being answered either.”

  “Elena. Have you asked-”

  Before I can even finish my question, Reed is answering me.

  “No. I’m not trying to bother her with my shit when she has enough to worry about. I’m going to call Lucien and see what he can find out. He’s better than all of those fuckers at the FBI anyway, and I trust him. The only agent I trust is my wife.” Lucien is a hacker, I’ve seen him around once and have heard about him lots since that time. It seems that Reed has a liking for him, which means that he’ll be doing a lot of business for the club soon.

  “Do you have any updates on the other shit that’s going on?” I ask, wondering what the hell is going on with the Cartel. The fact that they’re showing their faces again is giving me the willies. We’re doing business with the Russian man, Sergei, now. I’m sure that Rafael is not too keen on finding out that information. It makes me wonder, why exactly is he popping up in Tennessee? I know it’s not for Maria. He’s using her, hoping that Reed will use her as a bargaining chip – which he won’t. Maria is a big part of the club. In the beginning, you would’ve never known that. She was always feisty, but never quite the way she is now. She’s found a home with us. She’s part of the Skulls, that’s for damn sure.

  “We’re still trying to figure that one out. There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to Rafael, and I’m trying to figure out the angle he’s playing. Nothing makes sense now.” Reed laughs softly. “Not that it ever has made much sense, but especially now. I’ve hit a dead end, maybe it’s all the shit with my dad playing into it.”

  “Don’t worry about your dad. Worry about what you can, which is why Rafael is around. Focus on what you can change, not what you can’t.” My words plummet out of my mouth, and for once I feel like I’ve just said something wise. Bones would’ve laughed at me for that one, telling me to keep my advice to myself.

  Now it hits m
e. I want to have answers too, but not for Will’s sake but for Bones’.

  CHAPTER 13

  Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we should dance.

  -Unknown

  Butch

  My conversation with Reed was far from over, there is so much more left to be discussed. I was being selfish. When I saw Bellamy, I told Reed that I had to go, and we’d talk about shit later. We both know that I’ll call him back, I may not be his “right hand man,” but our club operates a little differently than others. Reed respects all of our opinions, he’s a man of the people, so to speak. Whenever a problem or situation arises, he comes to us for our opinions. We talk it out like a big family because at the end of the day it’s exactly what we are – family.

  The first problem is the Cartel and what we can find out about their blossoming activity around Tennessee. I, for one, want to know what’s sparked their interest again, and our second problem is finding out what happened to Will Michaels and Bones.

  Both issues will be resolved, it’ll just take a bit of time. Time might not be something we have much of, though. It all depends on what we find out about the Cartel. Who knows, we could be facing war. A war that we could win or lose. No doubt, when Reed and I talk again we need to discuss bringing in reinforcements. I have a feeling that shit is about to go down soon and the best thing for all of us is for us to be prepared for that. We need to call in owed debts and favors soon. I can’t shake the feeling that something big is coming to our doorstep. Immediately, I can think of one club that will come to our aide, the Reapers in Montana. Reed and Fist have a solid relationship. There is no doubt in my mind that he wouldn’t help us.

  To be honest, it’s felt like shit is going to hit the fan for months. Only, I don’t know when. Over the past few weeks things haven’t felt right, and as each day passes I know it’s getting worse and worse.

  “What’s that smug look on your face for?” Bellamy jokes, punching my arm as she comes up next to me. I take one glance at her and realize she is not in her normal attire that I’ve become accustomed to over the past few days, especially for this time of night. I can almost always expect to see her in some sweat pants and a tight-fitting tank top or tee shirt, but she’s in a pair of emerald green heels, a black skirt, and a gold top with sparkles going through it. Right about now she looks like quite the fashionista.

  “Talking business with the boss, Sugar,” I mumble, not able to take my eyes off of her. She’s curled her hair, so it falls in loose waves around her face and down her back. She looks edible, like a big slice of cherry pie that your granny just cut after a long, hot, summer day. Fuck. There is no way in Hell I am going to be a gentleman tonight. Bellamy has no idea what’s about to hit her, but I can guarantee she’s going to fucking love it. “I take it we’re not going back to the hotel right away.”

  Bellamy shakes her head, a devilish smile dragging across her face. “Nope, nothing has gone my way today, so I thought you, me and Slashie, over here, could go out for a drink and some dancing?” She asks it like a question, silly girl – she has no idea how much power she holds over me already. I’d give her almost everything if I could, and she wants to go out, so we’re going out.

  “Slashie is tired and wants to crash,” he tells her. Bellamy pouts her lips as she looks at him quickly before turning back to me.

  “Well, Butch, guess it’s just you and me tonight.” Slash tapping out early because he’s tired doesn’t bother me one bit. It means that I get more one on one time with Bell, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want it. Truth is, I want a lot of fucking alone time with her. If I didn’t get it tonight, I’d make sure I got plenty of it eventually.

  “Where are we headed, Sugar?” I ask as she takes my hand in her own, leading me down the hallway until we reach a doorway with an exit. She simply turns back to me and smiles, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

  “Wherever the night takes us.”

  I look at her, not quite sure I heard her right. Nothing about this girl screams spontaneity, and yet here it is.

  Bellamy laughs softly, shaking her phone in front of me. “Wherever the Uber driver takes us.”

  I shake my head, still holding onto her hand as she leads me towards a black sedan. We slide in the back, and I listen as she greets the driver and then begins to ask her about the local dives that are fun to hit up. It seems Bellamy here enjoys partying, and I can’t wait to party with this wild cat.

  We end up driving further into Pittsburgh until the Uber driver takes us to a small bar, it looks to be the size of a coffee shop. I hear Bellamy giggle quietly before she grabs my hand and yanks my ass outta the car behind her, leading me up to the doorway.

  There’s a bouncer at the front, and I can see the pink and green lights shining from under the doorway. “What’s the pass code?”

  “Cotton candy,” Bellamy says, proudly. He gives her a soft smile and looks to me.

  “What about you, Shorty? What’s the pass code?” I don’t know the fucking pass code, and right now I don’t know if I hate the fact that this jack off just called me Shorty, or if Bellamy didn’t tell me whatever the hell it is that I needed to know.

  “Come on in, Licorice, you like a little sugar, don’t you?” Bellamy purrs, taking a step towards me, sliding her hand up my chest until she’s over my neck, tugging on my beard. “I’ve had a sweet tooth all day long,” she whispers seductively into my ear.

  I don’t know where the fuck she’s taken us, I don’t care about much right now besides what’s going to happen after we get into this bar. The bouncer opens the door, ushering us inside. As soon as the door opens there’s fog, neon lights are flashing in every direction, colors of the rainbow covering the entire space. Techno music bounces through the walls, glowies in hand, candy necklaces, and big gaudy bracelets and I know where Bellamy has taken me.

  A fucking rave.

  “A rave?” I yell over the beat of the music, she nods her head playfully and tugs me along with her like she’s done all night long. Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected Bellamy to bring me to a place like this. I have to admit that I’m pleasantly surprised, I didn’t think she had it in her to cut loose in a place like this.

  It’s funny how people can surprise us, though.

  It’s been years since I’ve been at a rave. Five or six at least. The last time I came to one it didn’t end up to well for the people around me. A combination of alcohol and a stranger pissing me off had me as angry as a Spaniard bull. Ultimately, I ended up leaving shortly thereafter. Reed and Kyle had to yank me out of the doors before I hurt someone too badly.

  Bellamy comes to a halt in the middle of the dance floor, grinding her pert ass against me. A lot of things come to mind at this moment, how I could take her right here in the middle of this hidden gem or lift her off to some place more intimate. I’d be fine with both, the cave man inside me wants to say fuck it and take her the way I want her, and yet the logical side of me knows that there’s no way I could do that without her never speaking to me again. Bellamy is different, she’s not some piece of ass in the club who wouldn’t care. She’s a woman – a lady, even. She deserves respect, and respect is what I will give her.

  I grab her hips, feeling the fabric of her skirt, it’s thin and sways with every movement she makes. Easy accessibility, also easy to tear.

  She throws her hands up in the air, moving them to the beat, slowly wrapping them around my neck, tugging me down. I place my lips on her neck, and the animal inside of me starts to slip out. Playfully, I stick my tongue out wetting her neck, then bite down enough to hear her whimper and fall closer back against me.

  I live for that sound, that soft, whimper of pure pleasure.

  We stay like that for minutes, her hands looped around the back of my neck, my tongue playing tricks on her skin until I decide that it’s enough teasing and give her that soft, playful bite that we both know she wants.

  She’s a minx, hiding in the body o
f an innocent, plain as day girl.

  Lucky me.

  The music changes, and so do we. Song after song we dance, her back to me for ages until she flips around and smashes her chest up against my own. Everything around us dissipates. I don’t care who’s in this damn room, all that matters is her. Only her. Her chest against mine, those ruby lips pressing against my collar bone, I can only think to myself is how I’ve held myself together this long.

  I’ve wanted her since the moment I laid my eyes on her at Bubba’s. The only thing I wanted to do was rip her clothes off and claim her like every deep desire inside of me begged to do. Yet, I didn’t do that. She came back to Bubba’s that night, giving me the perfect opportunity…and what did I do? I teased her in the woods and left her wanting more. I don’t know who I teased more that night: her, or me.

  Here we are, both of us hot and heavy. I can see it in her eyes, her glaze filled lust radiates through me, like a flashing beacon.

  Fuck this. I’ve waited long enough. Shit. She’s waited long enough.

  I slide my hands under her toned thighs and yank her into my embrace, the fog fills the room, but I can see a small doorway leading to somewhere. I don’t care where it leads. There is only one thing on my mind right now, and I know for a fact, it’s on Bellamy’s as well.

  I walk through the crowd paying no mind to the people around us, her eyes are glued to mine. She says nothing as I make step-by-step, going closer and closer to my destination. I see the looks around us from the guys who give me smiles and winks and the girls with their jealous filled glances. They just wish that their own men were doing what I’m about to do. Men could learn a little by taking a note from my book.

  Women want one thing, to be dominated.

  I can’t wait to see how much this one loves it. My little Sugar is going to melt in the palm of my hands.

  I grab the door handle, turn the knob, and push. It doesn’t budge at first, years of wear have it stuck – this I know. Some of the doors at the club are like this. I do what I always do, kicking the foot of the door as I turn the knob and push. Just like magic, the door comes ajar with a nasty creak.