Behavior Problem

by James Cox

  “They have his blood at the scene. When he was shot on our getaway, some must have gotten on the street. That’s enough evidence to send Lover to Earth just like Daisy said. With his history of breaking the law...Outlaw...” Whip paused. “There’s no chance he can beat the rap through the system.”

  “Then we break him the fuck out,” Outlaw yelled. He tossed back his drink and slammed it on the table.

  I slid the glass away, refilled it, and then downed one myself.

  “He’s in holding under locked cuffs and two guards. There’s no way to get in there without lots of blood and most of the MC going down. He either rats on us or...or he takes the prison sentence.”

  I poured more whiskey and pushed the glass to Outlaw. He took it and tipped it back until all the amber liquid disappeared into his mouth. “He won’t rat.” I said it. We all knew Lover would never give us up.

  “He can’t go to prison alone,” Outlaw said, his eyes watery. “We have no one there to watch his back if he gets...if he gets fifteen years.” Outlaw stopped talking. He threw the glass across the room. It hit the wall and shattered. “I can’t fucking live without him for fifteen damn years.” A tear slid down Outlaw’s angry face.

  The holograph screen blinked. Whip said, “The status has been updated. Motherfucker.” Then he looked away.

  I grabbed a glass from behind me and filled it to the brim. I read the screen. I knew what hell was about to break loose. “Lover just admitted to helping free the slaves. He took the fucking sentence.”

  Outlaw let out a sound that I’d never heard before. It was this mix of rage and emotion. Part wail, part bellow. He fell to his knees and screamed. His deep tone echoed throughout the room and brought a few members down from the bar.

  I walked to him and handed him the drink.

  He sucked it down and threw that glass too. “I have to talk to him. I have to fucking talk to him.” Outlaw stood, running down the hall a little unsteady on his feet.

  “I got him.” I ran after our president. Instead of our bikes, I drove our hover truck with the garage’s name painted on the side of it. Outlaw was quiet as I drove us from the clubhouse. The whiskey had made my throat burn and even now, I felt that flame at the back of my tongue. We drove through the streets of the city as the sun started to set. The last rays made the windows shine and the shadows looked like dark blobs reaching out for us. I pulled up in front of the peacekeeper building. Before I could even turn off the car, Outlaw rushed out. I followed at a distance. If anyone tried to fuck with him, I’d beat the shit out of them. I didn’t do well with this emotional shit, but I could sure kick ass. I waited in the small lobby that was empty. A short peacekeeper led Outlaw to the holding room. I didn’t hear any screaming or fighting. I guess that was a good sign. I stood with my arms crossed. Several of the guards kept their eyes on me. I guess I had that menacing look about me.

  “Hello.”

  I lifted a blond eyebrow and took a glance at the man who came in the door. He was shorter than I was, but most men were. His black hair looked soft, not a lock out of place. It was a little longer on the top and the sides slightly shorter. “Get fucking lost,” I mumbled. But my gaze strayed to him. He was frowning, his jaw muscular and his eyes a deep blue. “Why are you standing next to me?” I half turned.

  “I...Hello. I’m Tage.”

  “Congratu-fucking-lations.” I crossed my arms over my chest. This Tage guy was wearing a fancy suit. Black, shiny shoes and dark gray slacks. His shirt was white without a fucking wrinkle in the fabric. It pulled over his chest. The tie he wore was gray to match his pants. I stared at him.

  “I must...speak with you,” he stammered on, looking around the office. “May we talk outside?”

  “No.” I was blunt. I didn’t care what this fancy man in his fancy suit wanted. I was in the MC, he probably was looking for a quick lay that wouldn’t get him branded for death. He opened his mouth to speak again then wisely walked away. I turned and watched. Hey, I wasn’t immune to a tight ass. The expensive pants curved over his very fine cheeks. I grunted. Now, I was pissed. Why the fuck was I staring at some rich guy’s ass? I ground my teeth together as the door to the outside closed. A fresh breeze wafted past me as Outlaw came from the back room. I knew some dead guys who looked better than he did. “Outlaw?”

  He shook his head, his lips pulled into a frown. His eyes were watering and he walked past me with shaky breaths.

  I followed him outside. We made our way into the hover truck. I started it and sat there for a second.

  “Just...get us home, Deviant.”

  I nodded then did as my president ordered. We drove back the garage in silence. I don’t think he said one word as we pulled up. The others came out. Outlaw just walked through the garage, the clubhouse, and into church. We all followed and sat down. There was a heavy silence in the air.

  “Liam...Lover, he took the deal. Admitted to helping free the slaves. He’s accepting the sentence of fifteen years with the understanding that he broke the law by himself and not with the club’s permission.”

  Fucking hell. Fifteen years. I spent a few years in prison. I knew how it could tear at a man until there was nothing but bones and rage. “Can’t we still rescue him? Send him to Justice, the Underground MC?”

  Outlaw shook his head, “The pod already left.”

  I sat back in my chair. It protested the movement by creaking loudly.

  “We have no choice. We move on...” Outlaw’s voice cracked. “We move on with our plans. Faster. Take down Wexmen and the government. We want control of Mars and then we can save Lover from Earth. That’s the only way to...” A tear slid down his cheek and Outlaw wiped it away angrily. “We can save him. It’s just going to take time and precision.”

  I put my hand in the middle of the table. “I’ve got your back, Pres, whatever you need.”

  Chaos joined me. “Anything, brother.”

  We all placed a hand on the table. There was no I in this club. Lover may be lost now, but he wouldn’t be forever.

  Outlaw nodded. “Take the rest of the day to work on garage orders, the bar. Whip’s going to contact Justice. We need to move up our plans to take over Mars.” He banged the table with the gavel and shot to his feet. The chair rolled across the room and smashed into the wall then Outlaw stormed out.

  ****

  Things hadn’t improved much when the sun rose on another day. Outlaw was still in a foul fucking mood, but I couldn’t blame him. The man Outlaw loved was on his way to the earth prison. It had to rip at his heart. Another reason I didn’t ever want that. It damn near killed me to lose my sister. To think of going through that again was...

  I shook my head then walked up the stairs to the bar. I had to ask Grim about the engine in that old hover bike. Was the fucking thing even worth salvaging? But my question was lost as the door to the bar closed. Before it, stood that same man, the one in the fancy suit but this time he brought a woman with him. She was wearing a leather outfit that looked a size too big on her with blonde hair curled and hanging over her shoulders. She had a collar on and her brown eyes scanned the room. I growled and marched my way forward. There were two people in the bar, regulars. Prospect was behind the counter. Outlaw and Whip were in one of the dimly lit booths. They both stood as I charged past them. “You got a fucking hearing problem?”

  Tage looked startled. He backed up a step and lifted his chin. “I don’t have any issues with my hearing, thank you. I am here to speak with Knox McMann.” That was Outlaw’s given name.

  I fisted my hands.

  “And you are?” Outlaw was walking toward us slowly. Whip was standing near the booth with his hand on the seat where he could easily reach a hidden weapon.

  “Tage. I must speak with you. Privately.”

  I glanced at the woman on the leash.

  “Talk about what?” Outlaw stayed calm.

  I didn’t do calm. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  Outlaw glanced at m
e. I grunted, and then crossed my arms. The black shirt I wore stretched across my broad chest.

  Tage looked around. “Do you have a room here we can...speak in?”

  Outlaw lifted a dark eyebrow. “You a peacekeeper?”

  “Certainly not,” Tage answered quickly like he was insulted by the notion.

  I didn’t believe him.

  Outlaw pointed to a door off to the side. It was a tiny room that we used for growing our crops. It was like a greenhouse. Everyone needed them or else they had to pay the government for their food. That shit didn’t come cheap. There were fruit on vines and the smell of dirt in the air. I noticed Tage wrinkle his nose. I followed Outlaw. The woman crawled forward and we waited for her to join us. I closed the door. That way, I could beat this guy’s fine ass and free this woman without witnesses. I took a step forward.

  “It’s not what you think,” Tage spoke to me.

  “Is that so?” I muttered.

  Outlaw glanced at me then back to our guest. “Care to explain?”

  I had to grind my teeth to keep from talking. My fists were aching. All I could see was this woman on her knees, staring at the floor. And then she wasn’t. The blonde stood and placed a hand on Tage’s shoulder.

  “I am Serra. We heard about the auction house, your man’s arrest. I am sorry to hear that he is going to Earth. Truly. I believe he did the right thing and we want to help.” She pushed some blonde hair from her shoulders. “There are those of us...women, who want to change the government. We want to start a group, our own MC just for women. A place for runaways, those who fought for their freedom but have nowhere else to go. We can ride with you, help you, be your backup but...I can’t start such a thing by myself. Tage has been helpful, but he’s not...skilled in outlaw ways.” Her eyes went a little wider. “Will you help us?”

  By all the stars in the vast universe, I would never have expected that to come out of her mouth. She was standing tall, taking the dominant stance while Tage faded into the background. Or at least, he tried to. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. And my dick was seriously happy we didn’t have to kick his ass. I frowned. Why the fuck was I getting an erection for this guy anyway?

  Outlaw was silent beside me.

  I glanced at him and then back to Tage. “What’s your fucking part in all this?”

  He looked startled again like he thought everyone had forgotten he was there. “I...I’m a believer in the cause. Women should not be oppressed. Homosexuality should be between two consenting adults and have nothing to do with the government. Dark-skinned men should be free to do what they wish. They should not be shackled and treated with abuse.” His blue eyes seemed darker in the dull light.

  Outlaw stepped forward. “You have to understand, we don’t know if we can trust you.”

  “I’m aware of that,” she said. “That’s why we have something for you. In the hover car outside the bar, there’s a truck full of guns. They’re what we managed to collect over the years. They’re not new, or in great shape but we’re willing to give them to you. You need more people. We want to help. Please. Let us.”

  Outlaw took a deep breath. “You’re extra bodies in a fight. What do you want out of this arrangement?”

  “We need someone to help keep our home safe. Tage has family money. He’s been buying up slaves and taking them in as well as any runaways but he’s not...” She hesitated.

  Tage continued, “I don’t have the presence that your men do. Several neighbors have recently been inquiring about all my female slaves. I can make excuses but if we had a larger, more...menacing man with us.”

  “You need muscle,” I supplied.

  “Yes,” Serra answered. “And you need support. We can recruit women, save them, they can help us take back Mars.” There was anger in her tone.

  I believed her. In that moment, I knew she was telling the truth. The women of Mars had finally gotten together and rose up.

  “We’re going to look into your records, your history, the guns,” Outlaw said. “If it all checks out...Deviant will go.”

  I sputtered random sounds for a moment. “I don’t want to leave the fucking club.” What the hell was going on? I stared at Outlaw.

  “You’re not leaving. Deviant, I have so much shit to plan and Liam’s life is on the fucking line. I love you, brother. But right now we need calm and collected. You know you’re not those.”

  I couldn’t argue his point. He was talking about my fight the other day. I couldn’t control my temper. I nearly beat up Tage before we heard his story. I grumbled out a, “Fine,” then stomped out of the room. “Prospect, watch his ass,” I ordered then went out to get me some guns.

  Chapter Three

  The weapons were just like Serra had said. Old but usable. We sent half of them off to the Underground MC. The other half we sent back with Serra and Tage. Apparently, Outlaw wanted me to teach them how to shoot and ride a hover bike. Did I fucking look like a teacher? I angrily stuffed more of my clothes in a sack. I should be watching the club’s back, taking chances with the rest of them, not fucking babysitting. I closed the sack and threw it over my shoulder then walked out of my room. Now, I would be stuck in a house filled with women. I knew each of their faces would morph into my sisters. This would be a seriously painful process. I practically stomped back into the living room and crossed my arms over my chest.

  “Before you go…” Outlaw looked at me. His eyes were puffed underneath and darker. “We need a vote.”

  I slapped my sack on the counter and trudged into church. When I sat, it was more of a plop. The door closed.

  “We need to take a vote on Beau.”

  I lifted my gaze to stare at Outlaw. Beau was with Chaos. They met in prison and fell in love. Can’t keep their hands off each other. Blah¸ fucking, blah.

  “He’s been with us for months. Been doing real good work. Chaos wants to vote him in. With Lover g...gone, we need him. So¸ it’s a vote on Beau becoming a patch member.” Outlaw nodded. “I say yay.”

  “Yay.” From Whip.

  “Yay.” From Mayhem.

  Grim just nodded.

  “Hell yeah.” From Romeo.

  “Yes.” From Chaos.

  “Yay.” Was my vote.

  “Vote passed. Beau’s now a patch member, Outlaw MC of Mars,” Outlaw said. We all gave a cheer but him. He pulled a new vest out that matched our own. Beau was ushered into the room. He stood there frozen for a moment then took it.

  There was a speech, but I wasn’t really listening. I was thinking about how Chaos could fall in love at a time like this. Outlaw tried it and Lover’s was now off to prison. What kind of life would two gay men have? They had to hide their relationship. Hell, they couldn’t even fucking touch each other outside the club. I shook my head. There was music turning on and I frowned. Would I miss the party too? We all filed out of the room. “When do you need me to leave?” I asked Outlaw before stepping out of the room.

  “Later. Have fun first.” He was quiet, his face expressionless.

  I nodded.

  “I love you, brother. Don’t think for a second I don’t.”

  I sighed. “I know. I know.” I closed the door behind me. I wasn’t exactly in a party mood. I grabbed the sack. The music was getting louder as I walked down the hall. My bike was the last one in the long line. Black, shiny, and smooth. We tried to make them nondescript so they didn’t stand out when we went on a run. We also tried adjusting most of the bikes we fixed to the same all black color. Hover bikes were cheaper than hover cars. I hopped on mine, savoring the feel of it underneath me. It was still vibrating a bit, but Whip had said he went over it already. No bugs, no transmitters. Maybe something loose. I drove through the quiet streets. Tage owned a family home toward the edge of the city with a large yard that faced the uncolonized parts of Mars.

  When I pulled up, it was a surprise to see just how big the house was. Three floors, maybe a basement, with a garden out front and a garage big enough to have an orgy in. I
pulled my bike toward the front door. Dropping the hover technology then swinging off. I used the kickstand and then whistled. Mansion would be more apt for describing this fucking place.

  “You’re here.” Tage opened the door. He stood in his black pants and white shirt. Today his tie was off and the first two buttons open. It displayed a small triangle of flesh.

  “Didn’t think I would fucking come when ordered?” When Tage didn’t respond, I grabbed my sack and walked up the wide stairs three at a time. Anticipation fell over me. It was strange. Like I was excited to see him again. I had to talk my damn dick down. This prodding wouldn’t do. I stood before the dark haired man with deep blue eyes.

  “I’m glad you arrived safely. That’s what I meant.”

  I grunted. “You gonna let me in or am I supposed to sleep, eat, and fuck out here.”

  His cheeks turned a soft blush color and he backed up, opening the door wider. “I’m sorry. Please, come in.”

  I stepped on thick beige carpet with my black boots. A little red mud and grass fell off. The walls were painted a subtle blue color with off white vines from floor to ceiling. There were doors on either side and a huge staircase before me. The railing had images of angels that shone in the bright light from the chandelier above.

  “Welcome to my home,” Tage said.

  “Fancy.” I turned toward him. He was still in the same spot, leaning against the front door with his hands behind him.

  “My parents liked the finer things in life.”

  “Not you though?” I stepped toward him. “I find it fucking hard to believe you’re looking to join us Outlaws.”

  His lips pressed together into a frown. “Well, it’s true.”

  I stayed staring at him. “So, am I the only houseguest?” Just us. That made my dick perk up. I moved the sack off my shoulder so he couldn’t see it poking at my jeans.