Consume Me

by Ryan Michele

  “I’ve got some shit to do today. You stay with Princess and when you’re done, call me. If I can’t come and get you one of the guys will.” My heart fills. I love how protective he is of me and I know it’s not because Pops told him to watch out for me. It’s because he really wants to. I know he cares about me, love no. It’s too soon for love. Right?

  “Sounds good.”

  “But first.” He dips down in a kiss that steals my breath. All too quickly, he ends the kiss, leaving me panting. “We have something to do.” He lays me down and shows me his something. I love every second of it.

  I sit in my dressing room, going through numbers. It’s been four nights since Tug and I had our sex-a-thon at the clubhouse. The memories of that night will never leave me. It’s definitely one for the record books.

  A knock sounds on my door. This happens regularly now and I like that the girls feel they can come to me. I set down the numbers I’m crunching on getting a new pole installed.

  “Come in.” I stopped locking my door a while ago because the girls come in too often and I didn’t want to keep getting up and down.

  I turn to a huge bouquet of perfect white roses carried in a vase by Brittney, one of the dancers. My stomach plummets and my thoughts drift for a split second.

  My body wants to wake up, but my mind does not. If I stay asleep, I don’t have to face the day. I don’t have to lie to my mother and tell her that I fell again or some other excuse. Mom thinks I’m an utter klutz, but she’s been so sick that she wouldn’t pick up on the lie anyway.

  I roll over in my bed, my entire body aches from the rough touch of Santos and Frank last night. Despair fills every crevice of my body.

  My hand encounters something sharp and I pull it back. A small drop of blood falls from my finger and I place it in my mouth, sucking the blood away. Next to me lays a white rose. I pick it up and smell it. Even though it pricked me, I’ve never gotten a flower this gorgeous before. Something good.

  After getting ready for the day and making my breakfast, I sit at the kitchen island thanking God that no one is around. I eat in silence, loving it. I bring the rose to my nose and breathe in its beautiful floral scent.

  A hand grips my shoulder and I jump, turning around. Santos. Oh God. My smile fades and his grows wider. He bends down to my ear and I shiver in disgust. “I see you like your present, little one.” I stiffen.

  I wish I could say that was the last rose they left on my pillow.

  “These are for you,” Brittney says, bubbly, setting them on the table next to me and probably thinking these are the best gift a woman could receive. My stomach rolls at the sight of them. Shit. Shit. Shit. Every drop of blood leaves my face and my stomach takes that opportunity to twist in knots. “Are you okay?” Brittney asks and somehow I put my focus on her.

  “Fine. Go ahead.” I can tell that she knows something’s wrong, but she does leave, turning back several times to watch me. As soon as the door clicks, my attention is back to the roses just waiting for them to do something. What? I have no idea, maybe shoot and kill me. I know it’s not rational but I’m not rational right now.

  A cream-colored envelope catches my eye and as much as I don’t want to, I can’t stop my feet from gliding toward the flowers.

  When I open the card, my breath seizes.

  There is a bomb inside X. If you don’t want it to blow and kill everyone, then bring your sexy little ass outside by 9:45, alone or else.

  Boom! ~S

  The clock says 9:17. Oh. My. God. Oh. My God. Sickness snakes up my throat. A bomb. A fucking bomb. What do I do? There is no way in hell that I am going with him. I won’t. But all these people are here. They have families at home. Shit, Princess is upstairs in her office. I snap into action.

  I text Princess.

  My office now—EMERGENCY

  Then I call Tug. He answers on the second ring. “Hey, sweet lips.” He sounds so happy.

  “Tug. I got flowers from Santos.” I relay the message on the card as best I can. “What do I do?” I scream into the phone, not knowing which way to go. He covers up the phone. It’s muffled but I vaguely hear him retelling someone in the background.

  Princess bursts through the door and I give her the card. She reads it fast and her eyes turn dead cold in an instant.

  “I’m talking to Tug,” I say and she nods, picking up her phone I’m guessing to call Cruz.

  I grow impatient. “Tug!” I say tersely into the phone.

  His hand moves away from the mouthpiece. “Hang on, baby.” Princess is relaying the message on her end to someone and time is ticking fast. A few seconds is like an eternity.

  “This is what I want you to do,” he says calmly. “I want you to get all the people in X by doors and you have to do it fast. All together, you are going to rush out of that place and run as far as you can. You hear me?” I did but am so stunned I can’t talk. “Blaze!” he yells, snapping me out of it.

  “I got it.”

  “Good. We’re on our way but there is no way we’ll make it to you in time. We’re not at the clubhouse. We will be there as soon as possible.” Anger radiates from his voice, but also concern.

  “Okay.” I can’t hide the terror.

  “I’m calling the cops. You, Princess, and the bouncers get everyone out of there now.”

  “Okay.”

  “You can do this,” he says and disconnects. My adrenaline kicks in and I welcome it. I need all the help I can get.

  Princess stands cool and calm, which helps me do the same. “You know the plan?”

  “Yeah. I’ll take the side door, you take the back with Cali. I’ll get Doug to take the other side door and Ace will take the front. I’ll pull the fire alarm by the side door. That’s your cue to go. You tell Doug and Cali got it?”

  “Yes. Let’s do this.” The confidence in Princess’s orders flows over me.

  The next few minutes are pandemonium. We try not to scare anyone, but when the overhead lights go on and you are asked over the loud speaker to find a door and stand by it, it kind of freaks people out. So, there is screaming and tears and I’m trying to keep it all together. Since this is all my fault, the weight of it is heavy.

  Standing at the back door with all the dancers, I try to keep them calm. Ten minutes isn’t that long but it feels like forever, waiting for the alarm to go off. “Everyone,” I yell, getting their attention, “as soon as it blares, you get out this door and you run all the way down to Larry’s Parlor if you can.” Larry’s is a local hangout that serves food round the clock and is about a block from X.

  “Dry your tears and get ready. You hear me?” The women nod.

  That’s when the fire alarm rings loud. The door is thrown open and all the girls run in the direction I told them. I turn to the room before I leave and make sure everyone’s out and they are. With Cali on my heels—which thank goodness I wore flats tonight—we dart through the dark night. Princess’s group is running the same direction as us and I run directly to her.

  “All out?” I ask, chest heaving when we get to Larry’s. Some of the patrons and women are on their cells. Not sure if they are calling the cops or their significant others for rides to get the hell out of here. I can’t blame them.

  “Yep. I’m calling Doug and Ace.” She dials her phone and finds that everyone is out. We turn and watch X. Waiting. Five minutes pass. Ten minutes pass. Police cars and a big truck with bomb squad written on the side of it enter the lot and Princess waves at them. They come to her in a rush and she tells them about the note and getting everyone out. The bomb guys suit up in some heavy shit just as the sound of bikes come roaring down the road.

  Tug, Buzz, Breaker, GT, Cruz, Rhys and Dagger ride up, parking their bikes. Tug comes directly to me, engulfing me in his arms and lifting me up. I reciprocate and squeeze him, never so happy to see anyone in my life. He sets me down on the ground and searches my face.

  “Are you okay?” he asks and I nod. I’m not really okay, not by a lo
ng shot. These assholes want to drown me out. I turn as Buzz, Breaker, GT, Rhys and Dagger take off all around the place, no doubt seeking Santos and Frank, which I’m sure are long, long gone by now.

  He holds me and I breathe him in smelling leather from his rag, which he told me was not a vest but a rag. I call it that now, not making that mistake again.

  The sound of a car moving behind X has us swinging our gazes in that direction. Luna is backing out of the lot, fear etched in her face. Boom. Boom. Luna’s car blows up right before my eyes. Girls scream and my knees weaken. Boom. Boom. One after another, down the lined rows where they are parked. Boom. Boom. Each one going up in a big ball of fire, with debris flying everywhere and the smoke almost reaching us. Boom. Boom. Eight, and then nothing. No more.

  Cries from the girls whose cars blew echo in the night. Weird, my car seems to be the only one that didn’t get blown in that row.

  Boom!

  Before my very eyes, from something much stronger than what was used for the other cars, my Jeep explodes. No it doesn’t explode it detonates to a point that when the smoke clears the only thing left is the frame and wheels. Holy shit. Did that just happen?

  Tug’s grip tightens on me, but I can’t take my eyes away from the explosion. The cops do their thing, but I don’t pay much attention to it. Instead, I stare at my Jeep and the other cars, now, big piles of metal.

  “Luna.” I can’t hide the gigantic lump in my throat. Tug squeezes. A hand touches my arm and I turn to Princess. “Are you okay?” she asks. I nod at her absently, but physically, I am still alive so it’s the best answer I can give. “Luna.” I shake my head unable to form words and try to get my shit together.

  Tug’s phone rings and he answers it. “Yeah.”

  “No shit?”

  “Where?”

  “Gotta get the girls safe.”

  “Got it.”

  He turns to Cruz, doing some sort of mental talking thing that only gets a chin lift exchange. I wish I knew what the hell is going on here. Shit!

  “We are going to have to stay to talk to the cops. Be short and sweet with your answers. If they ask who the flowers were from, tell them you don’t know. The card only had a letter S on it,” Tug commands.

  He has lost his ever-loving mind. “Seriously,” I say, low so no one can hear. “You want me to say that? A woman was killed!” My voice raises, but looking around at the faces turned my way, I tone it down.

  “We are handling this in house, our way,” Tug says and it sends chills down my spine.

  “What does that mean?” I ask stupidly.

  “Club business, babe. But I’ll take care of you,” He vows.

  He wants me to lie? Well, it’s not really a lie. If I tell them the only letter was an S that is not lying. Now, if they ask me if I know someone by that letter that won’t be true, but I think I can swing it. I’ve been lying for a long time, one more won’t hurt. But Luna. Dammit. While I think it’ll be better to let the cops handle it, I trust Tug and go along with him.

  “All right.” Let’s get this over with.

  After hours of questions and watching the cars burn until the fire department comes and investigators show up, I’m beat. The good news is X had no bombs inside the building. Bad news is Luna and the cars. Luckily, the girls all have insurance as do I so that will help in replacing them. But Luna is gone. Tug brought me to the clubhouse, saying he had to meet with the guys and it’s safe for me here.

  I lie down in bed, replaying what happened tonight and realizing that we did a damn good job getting all the people out of there and safe. I turn off the lights and pass out.

  Screaming… Fire… Burning… Luna…

  “Blaze,” is screamed at me and I try to open my eyes but can’t. “Blaze.” There it is again. I will my eyes to open. Tug is in front of me with concern in his eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask, groggy from sleep.

  “You were screaming. Are you okay?” He scans me up and down. I must meet his approval as his eyes return to mine.

  “I was?” I thought it was a dream.

  “Yes. Loud, all the guys jumped.” He turns and all the brothers are standing in the room staring at me and I’m thanking my lucky stars that I put on a damn shirt before lying down. No underwear though. Shit. I scramble for the sheet.

  “Sorry. I’m fine.” I rub the grogginess away as the guys file out of the room. Tug eyes me, not knowing whether to believe me or not. I don’t blame him because truly I’m anything but fine.

  “I’ve gotta go out for a while. Becs and Zeb are staying here with you and Princess while you sleep. You’re safe here.”

  “Where are you going?” I really do not want him to leave. I want him here with me. It’s selfish but right now, I don’t give a shit.

  “I have business and it’s important. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t go, you know that.” He cups my cheek and I lean into his touch, closing my eyes. “I’ll be back soon. Get some sleep.”

  Tug leans in and kisses me soft and sweet, then kisses my forehead. Before I can blink, he’s gone. I lie down and toss and turn this way and that. I can’t get comfortable or the night’s events are prolonging my sleep. A soft knock comes from the door and I sit up.

  “Yeah?”

  The door opens and my pulse picks up. Princess steps through and I relax. “Hey, girl. I can’t sleep and Ma has Cooper so I thought I’d come bug you.” Thank God. I do not want to be alone.

  “Come on in.” Relief washes over me for the company. She falls on the bed in the spot where Tug usually sleeps and turns to her side so she’s facing me.

  “You doing all right?” Princess’s eyes are concerned and soft, nothing like the take-charge hardness she normally exudes.

  “Not really,” I answer honestly. “Everything that happened was my fault. That’s a lot of weight to carry around, losing Luna.”

  “You are not the one doing this. Those assholes are. Don’t carry that shit. You do not put what happened to Luna on your shoulders.”

  I stare at her like she’s grown horns because she obviously has. “How can you say that? I brought them here. They wouldn’t be here if not for me.” My words are soft and a small yawn escapes my lips.

  “I think you were meant to come here,” she says, also quieter now, her eyes beginning to droop.

  “I’m not sure of anything at the moment.” I yawn.

  “Can I ask you something?” Even tired, the question gives me a jolt.

  “Sure.”

  “Why did you come to Sumner in the first place? I know I never asked, but that was because you looked like a scared cat when you showed up.” My eyes widen. I did not. “Don’t look like that. You did. That’s why I didn’t balk.”

  “I… When I left home, I went to my aunt’s. She gave me a card with X on the front and your address on the back. She told me to go there and they would help me. So I did.”

  Princess pops up on an elbow. “Really? What is her name?”

  “Sylvia Downing.”

  Princess sucks in a deep breath and plops back down on the pillow. Her eyes focus on the ceiling. “Holy shit.” I never thought of the connection or reason for my aunt sending me here. I was too messed up in the head to even think about it. Now, I want to know.

  “What? How do you know her?”

  Her head turns to me. “Sylvia is Ma’s best friend, well Sylvie to me.”

  I pop up from the bed and sit cross-legged. “What?” I can’t believe this. There is no way.

  “Yeah. Sylvie lived here and met Ma. They became close then she moved out to North Carolina. My Ma was crushed, but they still keep in contact.”

  Oh my God. Seriously? “I know nothing about her. My mom didn’t talk to her, but when everything went down, she was the only place I thought to go. I had her address from my mom’s address book. Why did she leave?”

  “I don’t know all the details, but Sylvie and her guy Rocko wanted to leave, they packed up and were gone. Ma wasn’t happy,
but she didn’t say anything.” She shrugs.

  “Do you think that’s the reason my mom and her didn’t talk? Because she got hooked up with the club?” I sure as hell hope not.

  “Ma told me once that Sylvie had family but didn’t talk to them because of a falling out. But that’s all she said.” Princess’s eyes droop. “You’ll have to ask her. She’ll shit that you’re Sylvie’s niece.”

  “So, she gave me X’s card because she knew you’d help me, no questions asked?” Princess is way too smart to just ‘help’ anyone.

  “There were questions that I wanted to ask, but didn’t. You were scared, had it written all over your face. I figured in time you’d tell me what was going on. I mean shit, Blaze, I knew you were running. I just didn’t know why.”

  “This is just hard for me to wrap my head around,” I confess, lying back down.

  “Everything happens for a reason. We love you, Blaze. Everyone. We’ll do everything we can to make sure they can’t get you.”

  “How did you find out everything?” I ask curious.

  “Cruz. He told me what he could.” She pauses and gives me the eye. “Don’t you know that you can talk to me about anything?”

  I let out a huge sigh. “I wanted to forget, but when it comes to bite you in the ass, you have no choice but to talk.”

  “Come to me and talk from now on,” she says and I try my best to smile, but it comes out half-assed.

  “What are we going to do about Luna?” Not only was she killed, she was killed on X property. This can’t be good.

  “Don’t know yet. Let’s worry about that tomorrow. I know she has family that will do her justice and all the other shit we’ll just deal with.” I admire Princess so much. Her head is screwed on so well that nothing gets to her, or at least she covers it well.

  I decide to change the subject. “What happened with Stage?”

  “Beat the shit out of her.”

  “You did what?” Surely, I heard her wrong. Right? She didn’t beat up another ol’ lady of the club.

  “She got lippy with me. I punched her. She came after me and I took her down. Simple,” Princess says as if it’s no big deal.