Fuck no. My daughter will not be a Jackal. I don’t give a flying rat’s ass if I’m cold in the ground. Nope. Not happening. Ever.
“I’m sending some guys to do recon. Jack, Colt, Chevy. Recon is all. See where they keep her. Club or personal home. We need this to be delicate. Not blow our cover for the extermination. Got that?” We all nod, now we are getting somewhere. Fuck yea. Even if it’s ghost. We’re getting somewhere, thank fuck.
“Prez, I got Harley in my room, knocked out. She saw the contract before anyone. She had a breakdown. I gave her a sleeping pill to sleep. She’s got Bronx with her.”
“What the hell is a Bronx?” He asks with a cockeyed look. The table turns to stare at me.
“Her dog, a Doberman.” I shrug off, maybe it’s because I’m used to him. Fuck it.
“Jack, you weren’t shitting were you Brother?” He laughs. “Bunch of pussies scared of a pup. You carry guns for fuck sake. Big bad bikers scared of a mutt. I’ll be damned.” He is still laughing. Apparently this is comical. He slams the gavel, cutting into the laughter.
“Get going. Jackals are four hours away. We need info now. Chevy, I know you got a lot to deal with. Your girl is good here, the mutt too. I’ll personally check on her Brother. Besides, I want to meet the big bad wolf that scares my little red riding hoods away.” He says chuckling, walking out the door. He’s a crazy fuck. Laughs at everything like most of the damn brothers here. Coin is the only serious motherfucker in this joint. God help us.
Chapter Six
Harley
I wake up in a strange room. It smells horrible! Like smoke and dirty laundry. Gross. I instantly feel Bronx at my side. I snuggle more into him for a quick cuddle before sitting up. I stand up and look around the room before I look at the clock on the wall, which says seven p.m. The last I checked it was eleven a.m. when I tore into my wall. Oh no, my wall! The safe! The contract, my baby!
I pull on my shoes, and rush to the door. I swing it open and run right into another thick wall of biker, knocking my ass on the floor.
Is there any soft chubby ones? Honestly, if I’m going to keep bumping into them, at least they can provide a softer impact. He reaches down and helps me to my feet. After my mad spell of all these guys being hard as rocks, I look up to actually pay attention to his face.
He’s angelic. Beautiful. Wow!
I can’t take my eyes off of him.
“I’m Exe, National President of the Hell Hounds MC.” Of course he would be the boss man. Tall, dark, and unbelievably sexy.
“I’m Harley.”
“Ah, Chevy’s girl.” What’s that supposed to mean? Although, I can’t say I hate it. I’d rather not dis his member by saying no. I’ll bite my tongue.
“Hungry?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll send a prospect to get you some food. Anything you need? You holler at me or let a prospect know, he’ll get it.” He says matter-of-factly. I can tell he runs a tight ship.
Aye, Aye, Captain.
I smart off in my head, much better than out loud. This man is freakishly huge—in a good way. Very intimidating. He looks me in the eye and I can’t help but shutter from fear and obvious good looks.
“Don’t worry, I get that reaction a lot.” He says with a wink. I have no doubt about that.
“Come on, I’ll show you around. Where’s the mutt? I don’t normally let pets in here. But, I guess he can stay. Chevy said he’s like your guard or some shit.”
“Yea, you could say that.” Bronx comes to my side. Exe looks back and I can see him widen his eyes, if only for a second when he saw him.
He shows me around to the bar, kitchen, rooms, and bathrooms. We head out back to the backyard and grab a picnic table just as the prospect is bringing our food. Burgers. My stomach is growling I’m so hungry. We sit in silence as we eat. It’s oddly comfortable to eat in peace and still have company. I like this guy.
“What’s with the dog? I’ll admit, he is intimidating, but can he bark the bark? Or is he all cuddles.” He asks, breaking the silence. I look at Bronx and back at him. I smile. I can see the question in his eyes. Am I bluffing?
“He is more than just cuddles.” I say, giving him room for imagination.
“I don’t like uncertain animals, humans or situations. Period. Proof or he’ll go on a chain. Rules sugar, no offense.”
“Okay, Boss Man. What do you want me to prove? His obedience? Protectiveness? What?”
He’s thinking. He turns his head and yells. “Mouse! Get your ass over here, experiment.” I see, scared of dogs. Or maybe if I demonstrated on him it would be bad to have the president backed into a corner by a pet. Understandable. Got to uphold the rep of a bad ass.
Mouse comes walking over. “Yea, Prez.”
“Stand still, look pissed, yell. Hell I don’t know, provoke the damn dog.” He orders Mouse.
“Ah, the dog? Prez? You sure?” Mouse stutters out. He’s nervous. That’s funny. Gun carrying men, scared of my Bronx.
“Fuck yea, did I stutter?” He says in annoyance. I can see the joy in his eyes to make his prospect jump. I decide to butt in before they can get another word out.
“Just stand still, act casual, or like a lunatic. Doesn’t matter. You could be sleeping. Just don’t make any sudden movements after I command him. Understand?”
Mouse nods. He lights a cigarette and relaxes.
“Bronx, smile for the Boss Man.” I say, smiling big. He looks at me confused, as if he is wondering why I am so relaxed commanding Bronx. He listens so well, I don’t need to use a stern voice or repeat myself.
Bronx puts on his act, snarling, drooling, and showing his white fangs. Ready to eliminate whatever I tell him too.
“Prez...” Mouse says. The president watches both of them with amusement. Then a smile, ear to ear crosses his face. He looks to me and nods. I call off my killer pooch.
Pride filled my veins once again for my boy.
“Proof. He’s good. How much cash did that cost you, for him to listen so well?”
“None. I rescued him from the pound as a puppy, then trained him myself.”
“No shit? I’ll keep that in mind.” He says walking away. Okay then. I’m getting tired, so I drag my butt and call for Bronx and head to Ford’s room and crash. I feel like I haven't slept in hours and I’m sore. My hand hurts. Hell, my whole body hurts. I take a pain pill and slide back into Ford’s bed. It smells like him, yummy. I drift back to sleep with Bronx curled into my side.
*******************************************
Ford
Scoping out the Jackals MC is easy. They are secluded, but that's all. No fence, no guards. No security cameras. Jack is to the left, about fifty feet into the woods. Colt is to the back about a hundred yards out. Colt is to the back of the piece of shit club, fifty yards back. I’m to the right, deep in the woods about a hundred yards back, scoping the windows in the front. I see merely shadows and shapes. I need to move closer. I move in and out of the brush in the dense woods. I get fifty yards closer and pull out my binoculars to focus in on the dirty windows. I see the president of the Jackals, Rufus. Old. Scruffy. Bet he hasn't showered yet this year. I itch to barge in and make him suffer for the loss of my brothers. Fighting back the thirst for revenge, I text Jack.
Me: Report
Jack: Nothing, I’m moving closer to the shit hole. The windows are almost as dirty as the pussy in there.
Me: Roger
Next, I text Colt.
Me: Colt, Report
Colt doesn’t answer right away. I instantly think our cover has been blown to high hell.
Waiting for Colt is proving that my patience in less than thin. Seems like forever until he answers me. Only after I text him a few more times.
Colt: Roger, Target located.
I instantly tense up. None of us know what Avery looks like, yet I felt her in there before he even spotted her. Breathing a sigh of relief, I text him back the only thing my mind is thinking.
Me: How does she look?
It takes him another minute or so to answer me—maybe he lost sight of her. I want so badly to move to his position. But I know if I do, I won’t be able to control my fatherly instinct to burst in and take her and slice every throat in that place. I close my eyes and try to control my breathing.
Colt: Alive, meet at the van.
Me: Roger
Jack: Roger
He said she was alive. That’s all I need to know to get my baby back. But was something else wrong other than just alive? Was she hurt? I could tell the tension in his text when he talked about her. His worry for a brother’s daughter was all the same as it was for any of us. Family is family. No matter the time I have found out about her or the time that’s past.
The ride back to the club was slow. I just needed to find Harley. She deserves to be kept in the loop. First I need to find Prez, find a way to get her back without starting a war that we are not yet ready to start. We need this blood shed to count and make its way to all other MC’s across the country that we are not to be fucked with.
The three of us stroll into church as Prez was sitting down. We all nod to him to confirm she is there.
“Alright, we need a plan Brother, less blood the better. Revenge will taste sweeter without Avery in danger.”
“We could make a trade for her.” Coin said.
“We could go ghost, wait until they take a road trip and grab her.” Ruckus suggests.
“If she is gone they will think she is with us no matter what we know about her past.” Colt said. He went on as we listen and nod.
“No matter how we get her, they will know she is with us for revenge or her past linked to us. They won’t take it sitting down. They will strike back. The plan is to be ready for them. Sorry, Prez, but we got to get her now and be ready for them to get her back and make our revenge known.”
Prez nods in agreement. I think they are agreeing on something I’m not in on—probably the plan. I grunt in agreement that we need her here now.
“Let’s start making a plan for her exit and their strike back.” Prez says. After an hour of discussing plans and best way to prepare for them to strike, the gavel smacks down on the table. I walk out of church, lighting a cigarette. Prez grabs me by the shoulder and moves me to the bar and has the prospect drop two beers in front of us. I sigh, taking a long drink of my beer.
“She is strong; she will be fine, Chevy.”
“I know, I just don’t want to lose her for a second time.” I sigh again. Suddenly feeling exhausted.
“I was talking about Avery, Colt filled me in. She’s alive. Focus on that. ” Okay, smart move Prez, not referring to which woman in my life he was speaking about.
“Walked into that one, huh.” I laughed.
“Yea, Brother you did. Get some rest, you’ll need it to keep both of these women in your life.” With that, he gets up and walks back to our meeting room. I finish my beer and wonder to my room. It’s early in the morning and the sun isn't even up yet. Kicking off my boots, I climb into the bed with Harley. She stirs a little. Bronx, of course, sits up from the floor. I nod to him like an equal, he lies back down. I’m a Hell Hound; he’s a hound. Wanting to protect and love the same woman. I got to respect that, right? Even if sometimes I want to kill him. A voice breaks my mental argument about liking or killing the dog.
“Hey.” She sounds more tired than I do.
“Hey baby.” I whisper.
“Ford.” is all I hear before she is back to snoring. I don’t know if angels snore but this one sure as shit does. And it sounds beautiful. I listen to her until my body takes over and my eyes feel heavy.
*******************************************
Harley
I wake up to Bronx nudging me with his nose. I almost forgot where we were. Until I hear a shift beside me. Ford is behind me…in the same bed, here. Now. It’s not a dream. Scared to turn over in case he is awake, I just jump up and walk to the bathroom to get ready for the day and walk Bronx to the backyard. I walk into the kitchen and find some food in the cabinets and fridge. I think I’ll cook breakfast for these knuckle heads. They don’t seem so bad, after all. I should help out for them letting me stay here after my breakdown. They even let my dog crash here as well. To top it off, they are doing everything they can to find Avery. So yea, I owe them big.
An hour later, I had pancakes, eggs and bacon cooked. Placing the food on the table, I sit and give Bronx a pancake—he has always loved my pancakes. Feeling a sense of being home, I sigh in relief for just a second and I let my body and mind relax. I can’t stay here forever, after all I have a job waiting on me—my safe, quiet life in Washington. The door opens, cutting through my thoughts like a knife.
Ford—shirtless and freshly showered. Oh, God. He is bigger than his nineteen-year-old self. I cross my legs to tell my vagina to shut up. He comes and kisses me on my cheek.
“Smells amazing, might want to be careful, keep doing this and the guys won’t let you leave.”
Still feeling the burn on my cheek where his lips just were, I run my hand over the hot spot, trying to cool it down.
“I just wanted to say thank you.” I look at the food on the table.
“Your family, no thank you needed. It’s still appreciated though.” He said, making his plate sitting across from me. I’m thankful for the distance, but my body hated it. My body was acting like I was seventeen again. All the guys start piling in the kitchen and making their plates.
“Man, Sexy Name, this shit smells good.” Jack says. I laugh. Kissing me on my cheek, he sits down next to me. Each of them kiss me on the cheek saying thanks for the food and sitting down at the table to stuff their faces. I would say it’s been a while since they have had a home cooked meal. I’m feeling good about my thank you to them when Exe walks in.
Everyone looks at him, including me. He’s a stunning version of a man. Beautiful. Dark. I feel a nervous ball roll around in my stomach.
“I’m sorry, I thought I could do something nice.” He looks at me, then he lets out a good long laugh before sweeping me out of my chair into a hug. Everyone is looking at us stunned, as if their fearless leader didn’t do this often. It felt good to break down a wall with Boss Man.
“This shit is amazing, you can stay forever, fuck, I’ll make you my old lady if Chevy doesn’t step it up.” He sits me down and kisses my cheek longer than any of the others did. Lingering, he winks at me before moving to make a plate. I sit down, not realizing everyone was watching me closely. I blush and turn to play with my food. I finally look up and see Ford’s hard gaze on his president. I shrug it off to a pissing contest men do to feel big about themselves. I excuse myself and walk outside, needing the fresh air.
I hear my name being called from behind, but I don’t turn around. A man comes up next to me. He’s younger maybe early twenties. He sits next to me on the ground with Bronx. He doesn’t say anything for a moment.
“I’m Colt. Sergeant at Arms, third in command of the club.” He seems too young to be a leader. I just nod, not knowing what to say.
He continues.
“I know you and Chevy have had a rough time, but I need to know you guys are here for Avery. I won’t let you two tear her apart more with the distance and history of you two.”
Turning to look him in the eye, how dare he question that I would put her in more harm in any way. I was outraged. At least until I caught his eye, he wasn’t threatening in a bad way. He truly had Avery’s best interest at heart. How? Did he know more than I did? Has he seen her?
“I won’t hurt her.” was all I could say. He seemed happy with that answer. He got up and walked back to the club. I needed answers now. Someone was going to give them to me. I don’t care who it is. I was thrown back by Colt’s need to protect Avery. With my mind back in place, I jump up to find someone who will give me the answers that I need. First person I see is Jack.
“Where is Avery? Have you found her?” My blood is ri
sing. I was angry to be out of the loop. It’s my daughter! I deserve to know if she is okay.
“Talk to Chevy.” he strolled away just like that—like we were discussing the damn weather. I went stomping through the club, he wasn’t in his room. I search everywhere before I look in the meeting room. I knock and I hear Exe.
“Come in.” I storm through with Bronx hot my heels. I hadn’t noticed he was my shadow until that moment when he ran into my leg.
“Where is he?” I hissed.
“Harley, I know you’re new, so this is a one-time pass of my kindness. Old lady or family, you do not come in here with that attitude and demand shit from me. I am the fucking President, do you think my Brothers get away with the way you are talking to me now? I have killed for a lot fucking less. You will do good to remember that.”
I sighed. I went to wipe my cheek and noticed I was crying. Shit. Now I looked weak. Before I knew it, Exe was beside me. Wrapping me in his arms and I welcomed the warmth. I forgot how it was to have someone comfort me.
“Chevy went to get dog food and groceries for dinner. I was hoping you would cook. We all were. Clean up around here a little bit; pull your own weight kind of thing.”
“I can do that, it’s the least I can do for helping me get her back.” I crumbled in his hold. He was huge. I felt so tiny and fragile in his large arms. He was at least six-seven maybe taller. He had the broadest shoulders I’ve ever seen, the darkest hair that was military cut—jet black with gray eyes that only enhanced his own Adonis, Greek God vibe. He has tattoos from his neck to his wrists. Even with his shirt and cut on, I know they are under there. He has a strong jaw, five o’clock shadow on his face. So gorgeous. I can feel his hard abs as he hugs me.
“Sit down, I’ll catch you up.”
For the next hour, we talked about Avery and getting her back. He had mirrored Colt’s words to me. They were already so protective of her and she’s not even here yet. What would happen when she was here? She would get the love she deserved. The family she deserved. Where do I fit into all of this?
Delayed Love Page 8
