Knox Brotherhood

by Knox, Elizabeth

  “Angie C from PA would love to know what gave you the inspiration to write your own songs versus collaborating with others as most musicians do.”

  “Every artist works differently, and while I enjoy collaborating with others, I prefer to work alone. I feel that it makes my music more authentic to myself, which is extremely important for me to do.”

  “Okay, well, I’m going to follow up with Cynthia’s question from KY next. She wants to know who you would die to collaborate with, given the opportunity, and if you’ve already collaborated with anyone yet.”

  I sit a little taller in my chair, feeling so much more comfortable with the way this interview is going. It doesn’t seem that she’s plotting my demise. She’s being a reporter, she’s asking me questions that are relevant and not gossip related. “I have collaborated with someone, of whom you all know. Jase from The Stones co-wrote a song with me that will be debuting on my upcoming album, Relentless, in just a few weeks. As far as who I’d love to collaborate with, there are so many to count. I’d need hours upon hours to give you that answer.”

  Summer smiles at my response. “It was a shock to everyone when your ex, Zac Depp appeared on stage at your concert a couple weeks ago. What do you have to say about that?”

  “I was pretty freaking shocked too. Never did I think that would ever happen, but I wasn’t going to let a desperate ex-boyfriend ruin my performance. I think I gave the audience a good show that night.” In moments like this, I have to laugh. It’s funny, everyone thinks that they have an inside scoop on my life because I’m a “celebrity”. What they don’t realize is that they haven’t even scratched the surface. My music tells a story, only it isn’t always my own.

  “I’m also giving Bellamy the opportunity to ask me a question. The same rules as my interview with her as been, no off-limits questions.”

  It doesn’t take me long to think about the one thing I’ve been dying to know. Ever since she displayed me for everyone else to see, I’ve had to know. “Why did you feel the need to blast my nudes out for everyone to see? As a woman, how could you be okay with doing that?”

  Summer breathes, and I watch her swallow. She didn’t anticipate me asking her this question. That’s good. I caught her off guard. “I will be the first to admit that what I did that day was completely classless. I’m not apologizing because we’re on a live feed and I feel like it will help me with my viewers. I want to apologize to you because at that point in my life I was immature, my career was more important than the person who the story was about. I didn’t view you as a person, I viewed you as a story which would boost my following. I’m sorry for that.”

  Out of everything that has happened in this interview I never expected to get an apology from Summer Poole. Her hand was stirring the pot that destroyed my reputation, that has taken me such a long time to build back up. I can only be thankful now that my reputation is beginning to be repaired, even if Zac is threatening it again with a video.

  I finished the interview with Summer, much more relaxed than I thought that I was going to be afterwards. Rocky, Slash, and I all went out to dinner at a nearby sports bar. I needed a beer and some ribs after that. I was going to grub out one way or another. Shoot, I deserved any food I wanted after surviving that interview without killing her!

  After dinner Slash and I decided to go drive into New York City on the back of his bike. It was late, and we were allowed to check into the hotel by this point. It just made more sense to drive into the city so we could both relax. Butch not being here had me on edge anyway. All I wanted to do was get to the hotel, take a bubble bath, and go to sleep.

  Slash and I made it to the hotel but were told our room wasn’t ready yet and to come back in an hour. We made our way to the bar across the street and enjoyed a few drinks, both letting loose a little bit. He didn’t look as freaked out as he did earlier in the day. Who knew, maybe he was just sick or something.

  After a total count of six beers and two Moscow Mules, we both checked out, paying the tab and started to walk across the street.

  “Well, Slash. Haven’t seen you around these parts in a long ass time.” I turn behind me and see a man not too far away. He has a cut on just like Slash does, only his reads “Iron Vex”.

  “Chuckles,” Slash stoically says. He looks to me quickly, his words coming out as quick as they possibly can “Run. Get out of here Bell-!” but it’s no use; before he even finishes saying my name, I’ve hit the ground.

  Everything goes black.

  CHAPTER 24

  She is both, hellfire and holy water. And the flavor you taste depends on how you treat her. -Sneha Pal

  Butch

  I just left her there in Camden, knowing that she was having one of the most nerve wracking interviews of her life. Fuck. I am such a dick.

  I didn’t make it past Philly when I decided it was best to turn back. I didn’t hear her out at all, I let my anger get the best of me and simply reacted. Something my Ma told me I inherited from my dear ol’ dad.

  I stopped at an exit and pulled a cigarette out from my back pocket. I don’t smoke often, I’d probably say that I’m a recreational smoker or a stress smoker. Maybe a tad bit of both. Some people drink a few beers or go grab a cheeseburger, I just light up a Marlboro.

  As time passed I couldn’t think of what to do, if I should go back to Camden or maybe just ride up to New York and meet her there. Did she even want to see me after how I just walked out? I wouldn’t want to see me. That’s for sure.

  My phone began to buzz in my pocket, when I pull it out I see Seamus’ name drawn on the screen. “Hey.”

  “Hey. How’s it going with your Sugar?”

  “I’m the only one who gets to call her that,” I warn.

  “Point taken. How are things?”

  “Fine. We had a little spiff this morning so I’m currently at a rest area outside of Philly. I’ll be turning back in a bit and heading up to New York to meet them, though.”

  “Spiff? You mean she finally came to her senses and kicked your ass to the curb.” Seamus laughs, deep down I wonder if that’s going to happen. I wouldn’t be shocked if it did. Like I told her earlier today, she is far better than I am. Neither of us are dumb, we both know she is.

  “No, nothing like that. What’s going on?” I know something is up. Seamus isn’t the casual phone type, so for him to call means that something happened and it’s not personal news. This is club business. I’m just wondering what kind.

  “Elena said something today that reminded me Bellamy’s last show is in New York. You remember what’s in New York?” I think long and hard, not coming up with anything besides Cheesecake. I’d kill for a fucking slice of cheesecake right now.

  “Iron Vex.”

  Fuuuuck.

  “Shit. Shit. Fuck.” I mutter quickly, not able to focus on the level of stupidity that I obviously have today. How could I forget about them? Reed and their Prez are not friends, and Slasher has some pretty fucked history with that MC. “We should’ve told her to cancel. Fuck. Who knows that we’re with her?”

  “Well, seeing as you two idiots have been photographed with her I’d say most people do.”

  Fuck. Shit. Mother fucker.

  Iron Vex does not have a good back history with Slash. I don’t know the details since he hasn’t told us much, but Reed knows and that’s the important thing here. If it was too bad, Reed wouldn’t have him at the club. He wouldn’t be allowed there, so we have to trust Reed’s better judgement.

  “Anything else before I tear it up and haul ass to get to New York?”

  Seamus quickly tells me that there haven’t been any good updates about Will Michaels’ whereabouts. They pinged his phone’s last location and discovered that the GPS was last recorded in a park a little bit away from the club. The same park that Jenna was attacked in not too long ago. Reed has decided to keep the security up, especially for the women. This just shows us all that Jenna’s attack and possibly Will Michaels’ disappearance
are connected. The only thing that we have to do now is figuring out exactly why and how they’re connected. Obviously, this means that we have a bigger problem than just the Cartel. Someone out there is coming after Skulls Renegade MC members.

  I make it back to New York in record time, flying up the highway as quickly as I can. I was lucky enough to know the hotel that Bellamy was supposed to be staying at. After a short chat with the concierge, I discover there was an issue with the room because of a broken curtain and they had to wait to have it repaired before they could enter. Neither Bell or Slash came back to check in after that.

  This is throwing my red flags up in so many different directions.

  CHAPTER 25

  If they fuck you over once, they’ll fuck you over again. -TheGoodVibe.Co

  Bellamy

  “How’s your momma doin’, Chucks?” Slash asks, a sly looking grin dragging across his face. I don’t know what it is about the circumstances that we’re in, but I just can’t process anything right now. The fact that this man just grabbed us, flat out saying he’s planning to kill us. I can’t freaking do this right now!

  “You really wanna be asking me that right now?” The man with the cut marked “Chuckles” mutters, taking a step closer to me. I jolt in the chair as he does what his name represents, chuckling at me. He leans his face down next to mine, sticking his tongue out and running it across my face. “You’re so sweet and innocent, being tied up to this guy? He your ol’man sweetheart? Don’t lie to me. I’ll know.”

  My eyes quickly look over to Slash, begging him to help me somehow. “Tell him the truth.”

  I listen closely to Slash, and I do. I tell him the truth. “No. Slash is just my friend.”

  “You should really reconsider who your friends are, sweetie. He’s the reason you’re going to die today.” The tears prickle behind my eyes, and I throw my head back, trying not to let the lowlife bastard see what he’s done.

  “Let her go, Chuckles. She’s just a girl. There is nothing important about her. Just let her run along back home to whoever’s dick she was sucking,” Slash grumbles.

  “Now isn’t that a load of shit if I’ve ever heard it. I know for a fact that this girl is anything but unimportant. I’m looking at the rising star, the one and only, Bellamy Mason!” He sounds like a radio announcer speaking the last bit. “You still gonna sit there and tell me this girl isn’t important?”

  I watch Slash’s face as he’s thinking, I stay silent and let him take the lead. After all, he’s had much more experience being kidnapped and dealing with rogue bikers than I do. “Fine. You’re right. She’s important to a lot of people, which is exactly why you should let her go. The real beef here is between you and me. She doesn’t have to take any part in our shit. Just let her go.”

  “The more and more you ask me to let her go makes me believe she’s more important to you then you’re letting on. Who is she to you, hmm? She seems to be a bit more than just a friend.”

  “Let her go!” Slash roars, trying to jolt forward in his chair. It’s no use, the binds are too tight and he can’t break free. Whether we like it or not, both of us are stuck here.

  Chuckles grabs the back of my hair right at the root and tugs hard, making me yelp in agony. “Who are you to the Skulls and why is this bastard trying to protect you so much? Who are you, the Prez’s side piece?”

  “No!” I yelp as he tugs once more, holding his firm grip on my hair. I can feel the strands being ripped from the root.

  “Who the fuck are you to them?” he screams, spit flying from his mouth onto my face. I want to coil at my disgust, but any movement is sure to make my pain grow.

  “Elena is my sister!” I whimper, tears now rolling down my cheeks in full force.

  He releases my hair, popping his tongue from the roof of his mouth to the bottom in that annoying clucking sound. “Well. Well. Well…what a prize I’ve got today. Wouldn’t you say?”

  “Let her go,” Slash growls, annoyance evident in his salty tone. The kind of tone that is going to get us both killed if you ask me. “She has nothing to do with this!”

  “You’re right. She doesn’t, but I’m feeling a bit poetic here today. You killed Veronica, she was my girl, who was Piston’s sister. You remember Piston? Don’t you Slash?”

  I wasn’t able to figure out why we were taken, but as Chuckles speaks more and more I can finally put the puzzle pieces together. Slasher was to blame for a girl getting killed, but not any girl, Chuckles’ girl. “Yes. She was Cujo’s wife.”

  “You murdered my girl in cold fuckin’ blood, she was my Prez’s sister in law. She was Piston’s sister. It’s a bit ironic, isn’t it? I feel like an eye for an eye is the only way to fix this.” Chuckles comes at me with his fist bundled up, he knocks it right into my face and my head rocks back with the impact of the hit. Immediately my head is pounding and I’m groaning. Never did I sign up for this. This is the reason I knew Butch and I would never work because this kind of danger is constantly surrounding him. In the end, though, did it really matter? Did it in fact matter that I let him slip away, no…that I let him walk away? It didn’t because this will always be part of our lives. It doesn’t matter if we’re together or not. My affiliation with the club alone brings this kind of danger to my doorstep.

  “Stop it you sick bastard! She’s just a fucking innocent girl!” I hear Slash’s voice going in and out, the pounding in my head gets worse and worse over time. A hand is under my chin, and I feel my face being tugged up, the swelling is starting now. No matter what, I don’t want to look up at the man who is standing before me, because if I do – it might be the last memory I ever have. I think of anything that I can, of everything that I can, and the only person who comes straight to my mind is the one who I let leave. The one I should have fought for.

  “There is nothing innocent about any woman in a club. What kind of shit are you on?” Chuckles laughs at Slash.

  He grabs my throat forcefully, clenching so tight that I can barely get a breath in. “Stop that shit! Do whatever you want to me, but don’t fucking hurt the girl!”

  That does it. Immediately Chuckles releases my throat and turns to Slash. “Are you giving me permission, Slasher?”

  “You don’t fucking touch her.” Slash was bargaining with a psychopath; there was no way that either of us could count on Chuckles keeping his word. If everything that happened until this point wasn’t proof enough that he couldn’t be trusted, I don’t know what would be.

  “I’ll do whatever I damn well please, first things first. I’m gonna give everyone a reason to call you Slasher. You think those cute little scars give you a reason to be called that? Oh no. I’ve got some nice shit planned for you.” I can hear the coldness laced through his voice. I don’t have all of the information with what happened in their past, but I can tell that there is a lot of animosity left. Whatever is about to unfold isn’t going to be good.

  Chuckles pulls a knife from his pocket, removing the sleeve slowly, he then presses the blade against the concrete floor of the barn that he’s dragged us to. I glance around, looking for any sort of out that I can, but come up disappointed when the only bit of outside light I can see is coming in from a cracked door above us. It looks to be where they store hay. The three of us can hear the metal dragging against it, the way that it screeches. It’s then that I see Chuckles move up his hand quickly and drag it against the left side of Slash’s face. I shut my eyes the second I hear him groan, that was no light cut. That was deep.

  “I want you to suffer the way she did, you hear me?”

  “She didn’t suffer,” Slash groans. “You never fucking listened, you old ass!”

  I open my eyes, regretting the decision to do so when I watch bit by bit as I see Chuckles press the blade into Slash’s skin again and again. His face is slowly becoming unrecognizable between the blood and the cuts. I can’t tell where the wounds are at this point. My stomach churns, disgust coiling deep inside of me.

  �
�Stop. Please, stop,” I beg, pleading with the monstrosity that stands before me.

  “What? You want me to start on you already?” Fear ripples through me, inch by inch my blood goes still at his comment and the bastard starts to laugh. He picks up his blade and slices Slasher’s face, again and again, even going as far as to cut a long gash of skin off. No, carved is more accurate. He carved his skin off like he was an apple.

  I don’t take my eyes off Slash’s, someway, somehow, we are going to get out of here. I don’t know how, but I’ll figure it out.

  I watch the scene before me unfold endlessly, at this rate I can’t keep track of the time. The only thing I can see is blood. Blood is everywhere. All over Slash, it covers the untouched side of his face, down his whole body and is pooling below him on the floor. He hasn’t moved for a few minutes. Is he dead? No. He can’t be dead!

  “Seems like this one’s out. You’re up next, buttercup.” Chuckles laughs, stomping his big feet with every step he takes towards me.

  Out of nowhere the doors to the barn open. I want to shield my eyes from the light, but I can’t because of the binds around my hands and legs.

  “What the fuck is going on in here?” A woman roars, she’s about five feet two, maybe my age or younger. When her eyes land on me I see nothing but fire, instantly she is enraged, and she doesn’t do anything to hide this fact. I thought she was pissed when she noticed me, but when her eyes went to Slasher she turned into something else entirely.

  “None of your business, Boss.”

  “Come again? Who gave you the right to speak to me that way, old man? Kneel.” Chuckles doesn’t move as the woman barks out orders. “I said KNEEL.”