Neither Black Nor White (Iron Dogz MC, #6)

by René Van Dalen

  I gave him a cold look. “There is also no reason for us to be allies or friends.”

  With that I opened the door, walked out and closed it softly behind me.

  Dizzy stood waiting for me, arms crossed over his chest and shoulders leaning against the wall.

  “What happened?”

  “Everything I expected to happen. Once this little farce is done we will no longer be allies or friends. Sorry Dizz, I really like you but if I have to choose between my family and the Iron Dogz the Dogz are going to lose.”

  He nodded slowly then pushed away from the wall leant forward and kissed my forehead. “I understand but I’d just like to put it out there, so you know. I’m always going to be your friend and anytime you need me, you call and I’ll be there. I give you my word.”

  Nodding slowly I sighed. “Same here, but only for you. No one else.” I squared my shoulders and cleared my throat. “Now, how about you buy me a drink before I try and get some sleep in the slut room?”

  He threw his head back and gave a big belly laugh and right that moment the door of the office a little further down the passage opened and the men came streaming out. There were frowns when they saw us but we both ignored them and made our way to the bar. It was very obvious by the drinking and flirting going on that it was going to get rough and rowdy later.

  My friend Devon was behind the bar and I very quickly had a shot of tequila and a beer set down in front of me.

  “You’re a lifesaver.” I downed the shot then slowly sipped my beer.

  “I’m being summoned. If I can’t get back to you I suggest you don’t hang around here too long.” Dizzy angrily slammed his glass down on the bar and left.

  I felt him before he sat down next to me but I ignored him and sipped my beer. I prayed that he would shut up and not talk to me. Wasted prayer.

  “What the fuck was that in the office?”

  “That was me handling the last piece of business we have with the Iron Dogz MC. Now we are almost done so no need for any further pretence between all of us. If not for the Murchison situation none of us would have ever crossed paths.”

  His big hand grabbed my hand that was still holding the beer and squeezed painfully. I didn’t let him see that he was hurting me. I kept my face and eyes cold and emotionless.

  “This is not how I wanted us to end but it’s for the best.” His voice was low and with the noise in the bar almost too soft but I heard him.

  “This is exactly how it’s supposed to end. With both of us walking away. So, if you’re done breaking every fucking bone in my hand why don’t you piss off and leave me to drink in peace.”

  He couldn’t let go of my hand quick enough and then he was up and suddenly just gone. I drank my beer and sat alone at the bar, drank one more beer then got up and left.

  I strode out, my head held high as whispers followed me out.

  Never in the last five years of my life had I felt as unwelcome as I did in this damned clubhouse.

  The sooner I got out of here the better. And that would be tomorrow because I couldn’t handle one more day in this place.

  I fell onto the bed fully clothed and lay there staring at the ceiling until my eyes closed.

  I didn’t sleep well, waking several times as nightmares plagued me.

  I was tired and irritated when I woke up and planned my escape.

  CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

  Kid

  His gut kept telling him he had fucked up but his head told him he had done the right thing. Was it the right thing when you broke something before it even had a chance to be more?

  In his mind’s eye he once again saw those cold empty pale green eyes and physically flinched. They had looked at him in the exact same way she had looked at Murchison when he had been sitting across the desk from her. Was that how she saw him now? As someone she considered to be an equal to the sickest motherfucker on the damned planet.

  Unfortunately she had seen the way he had treated the submissive at the RW’s clubhouse. And hours later he was giving her the same treatment. She had reason to think he was an asshole.

  He sat at the one of the tables at the back of the clubhouse sipping his beer and trying without success to get his mind in order. It was Sunday and Hawk had taken DC on a ride out to Harties early that morning with Scar and Boots and several of the other brothers taking his back. His prez had ordered him to stay behind, most probably to keep an eye on Noelle. It was late afternoon and they still weren’t back, but then he wasn’t expecting them back for another hour or so. Dizzy and Rock had followed Noelle to the mall earlier and they weren’t back either. They should have been so where the fuck were they?

  He was about to call Dizzy when his phone rang. It was the man himself.

  “Dizz, where the fuck are you?”

  “She gave me the slip. We were at the Mall of Africa shopping, had a late lunch and she went in search of a bathroom and disappeared. By the time I had searched the area and got back to my bike she was long gone. And brother, Rock went with her. I just got a text telling me not to worry they’re on their way back to Cape Town. I’m coming back to the clubhouse now.”

  Kid was pissed but it wasn’t Dizzy’s fault. “Wait, I don’t want you riding alone. We’re riding out to get you now.”

  “There’s no need, Kid. I’ll be careful.”

  Kid shook his head even though Dizz couldn’t see him. “No, you wait. Go back into the mall and have a coffee or something. We’re on our way.”

  Dizzy was unsmiling when they met up and rode back to the clubhouse. All the way back Kid’s eyes never stopped checking for suspicious looking cars or trucks.

  He only relaxed once they were safely back behind their gates and he saw that Hawk was back as well. His gut told him Murchison was planning something but he had no idea what that might be.

  All he did know was that it would somehow involve Noelle and Dom.

  He wanted to discuss his suspicions with Hawk but he wasn’t going to trouble his prez today. Let him relax and spend time with his old lady. They could have a chat tomorrow.

  The common room was filled with his brothers relaxing after an easy Sunday but he didn’t want to hang out with them. His gut was churning and there was no way he could even pretend to be civil today, so he left. Went up to his room, showered, pulled on a ratty pair of sweatpants and lay on his bed. He had his pillows stacked behind his head and was trying to read when his phone pinged with a text.

  Dropping the book he grabbed his phone but it was Ziggy, not the woman he wanted it to be.

  Fuck.

  That damned woman tagged our wall!

  With the text was a photo of her tag on their back wall. How the hell had she done it without anyone seeing her? Unlike the usual spray paint tags it looked like she had used permanent markers. It would have been easy for her to hide those on herself. The tag was a circle with an F over the top of it. In a small way it reminded him of the anarchy sign.

  I’ll have it taken care of tomorrow. He sent back.

  Ziggy answered instantly.

  Hell no! That stays right there as a reminder to be vigilant

  Fine, it meant he didn’t have to shout at a prospect to repaint the damn wall.

  Okay. We should all remember that.

  And again, an immediate response.

  And you should fix your fuck up. Get her back.

  Gritting his teeth he shut his phone down and threw it back on the bedside table. He knew if he left it turned on the fucker would keep pinging him with texts and just pissing him off.

  He had made a decision and he would be sticking to it.

  The club came first.

  Picking his book up again he had hardly started reading when there was a fist hammering on his door.

  “Fuck off!”

  “Not going anywhere until you open the door, brother.” Scar shouted and went back to hammering on his door.

  Throwing the book to the side he was off the bed and had the door unlocked
an open within seconds. Only to stop and frown at the group of men at his door.

  “What do you fuckers want?”

  “Intervention.” Spider smirked as he pushed past him.

  The rest of the bastards followed him in and Kid closed his door with a sigh. What the fuck now?

  Dizzy had some glasses he put down on the desk and Buzz opened the bottle of Whisky he had brought with him and poured about two fingers in each glass. He put the bottle down then passed the glasses around. Kid took the glass but he wasn’t fucking happy.

  His brothers had made themselves comfortable on his bed, in the chairs, he only had two, and Dizzy sat on the floor with his back against the wall.

  “Seeing as I’m the only one here with an old lady I’ve been nominated to start this fucking intervention. And I want to make it clear it was Spider’s idea.” Scar growled as he threw a pissed off glance at a grinning Spider.

  With the glass still in his hand Kid crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the men lounging in his room as if they didn’t have a care in the world.

  “Stop glaring and down that shot. You’re going to need it.” Spider smirked as he drank his shot down and closed his eyes as he savoured the taste and the burn.

  Bloody hell. Looking at the men he uncrossed his arms and threw the shot back. And damn it tasted good. Smokey and smooth.

  Spider patted the bed next to him. “Sit your ass down here, brother. We need to have a chat.”

  Kid knew if he didn’t sit down and listen to the bastards Spider wouldn’t leave it alone.

  “Fine, but the minute you’re done you’re all out of here.” He threatened.

  “Right.” Scar said. “We were with you in Cape Town. We, more than anyone else, know how difficult it has been for you. You’ve got a decision to make and we wanted to let you know we think you should take the job. Not only will you be VP of your chapter, you’ll be in the city where the woman you’ve fallen for lives. Don’t fuck it up, Kid. Fix this shit you pulled with her. People will tell you that another will come along but that’s not a given. And we all know there’s never going to be another woman like her. She’s unique, like DC and the other old ladies. They only come around once as far as I’m concerned.”

  All he could do was nod because he agreed with him.

  Drawing in a deep breath he looked around the room and focused on Dizzy.

  “I have officially accepted the VP’s patch. I’ll be leaving for Cape Town soon. I’ve arranged for you to come with me if you still want to, brother.”

  A wide grin shot over Dizzy’s face and he jumped up and grabbed Kid in a hard hug then stepped back, still grinning.

  “I’m with you, brother. Look out Cape Town here we come.”

  Holding his hand up to stop the others from swarming him he laid it out for them.

  “You, Ice and Hawk are the only ones who know about this. You can’t say anything until prez calls for church to let everyone know.” He warned.

  “What if there are more of us who want to follow you down there?” Spider asked and he was completely serious, no jokes whatsoever.

  For a minute he didn’t know what to say.

  “I’m open to approaches from anyone who is thinking of transferring. But, as always, the final decision is up to our president and the president of my chapter. I can support the transfer but it will be up to the two of them.”

  Spider was very serious as he opened up about how he felt. “I’ve always been sort of the third wheel in my family. Bulldog and Ice have been my heroes for as long as I can remember but they are a fucking hard act to follow. Everything I say or do around here is always compared to what my father and brother would say or do. I know I will never rise higher than where I am right now. I love numbers, always have, and love my job but I have dreams too.” He drew in a deep breath then let it out. “I’m putting in for a transfer. I know the treasurers’ seat is open at your table. If you accept my request, and I fucking hope you do, I will be another trusted brother at your back. Plus I’ll be shooting for the VP’s patch when you step up as Prez. Orca is ready to retire, we all know it and we know you’re going to walk into that position.”

  Stunned silence greeted his words.

  “Fuck, brother. Bulldog and Ice are going to fucking kill me. I don’t think they will let you go.” Kid was totally shocked that Spider felt the way he did.

  “I took a page out of Dizzy’s book and spoke to the most important woman in my life, my mum. She’s got my back.” Spider sighed heavily. “If you don’t take me I’m still transferring. I need to get out from under the long shadows cast by my father and brother. I need to stop being the little brother and be my own man.”

  “And think about it this way, it will mean there’s a Walker at another chapter. That should be enough to convince them to let you go.” Buzz added his opinion to the conversation and the men all nodded in agreement, even Kid.

  Biting the corner of his bottom lip Kid quietly considered Spider’s request. The man was right. Everyone at their chapter treated him like a kid and it must have been pissing him off for years. He was in his early thirties and still living at home. Yes, Kid was aware that it was because it was convenient but if he left he would be out on his own. Only good can come from it.

  But who will step up to fill his seat at the table? Have they even got someone trained to take over his job? And it was as if Spider could read his mind.

  “Did any of you know that Rider is now a qualified accountant? The little fucker has been quietly studying for his degree and not telling anyone. I wouldn’t have found out about it if it wasn’t for a slip Penny had made when I visited them the other day. If Hawk okays my transfer I will train him to take over from me and I can easily oversee everything from Cape Town or wherever I end up.”

  “Jesus. How did we get from doing a fucking intervention with Kid to Dizzy and Spider transferring out of our chapter?” Scar was as shocked as the rest of them.

  No one would ever have suspected that Spider was unhappy. The brother always had a smile on his face and a joke or witty comeback. It was going to fucking gut Bulldog and Ice when they realised they had missed it. Bulldog was so good with all the men Kid didn’t know how he had missed the signs. But by the sound of it Suzy hadn’t.

  “I’d be fucking overjoyed to add you to our chapter, brother. I’ll call Orca and get his take on it. I’m sure he’ll be on board and there won’t be any problems. We have to go to Hawk with your request and we both know he’s immediately going to call in Bulldog and Ice. You need to have your mum ready to talk them all down and take your back.”

  Spider sagged as he released the breath he had been holding. “I swear you’ll never regret putting your trust in me, VP. Along with Dizz I’ll have your back in Cape Town, no worries.”

  Kid reached across and clasped his hand around Spider’s then hugged his brother. Because that’s who he was, his little brother.

  Fuck, Ice was going to fucking kill him for accepting Spider’s request.

  And Hawk wasn’t going to be too happy either because he was taking two very valuable members from the Joburg chapter.

  He soothed himself with the idea that both men were unhappy here. They needed a change and he was in a position to give them that change.

  They sat and drank several more shots and when the men left they were all buzzing nicely.

  Locking his door after the last one left Kid fell onto his bed and was out like a light.

  He slept dreamlessly until his alarm woke him at seven.

  With a groan he rolled over and slapped a hand down over the damned thing to end the endless ringing.

  It was a new day, a day during which he was going to piss off several people.

  Might as well get started early.

  CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

  Dominick

  Thursday

  Tension was a living, breathing beast inside him. Noelle has been back in town for a few days and they both knew it was only a matter
of time before they would be confronted by the inevitable. They both had roles to play that they wish they didn’t have to, but they had no choice in the matter.

  Earlier he had sent Gideon out to check on the men, to ensure everyone was ready when the strike against him came. And it would come, sooner rather than later. He was fairly secure in his office which was why Gideon had left.

  Closing his laptop he pushed it away from him and leant back in his comfy as hell leather chair. He could see the rest of the office through the clear glass wall and frowned when he noticed that his assistant wasn’t at her desk.

  Where the hell was she? She was supposed to be sending emails and making calls. Did she go for a bathroom break? Or had the time come for him to play his part?

  Shoving his chair back he quickly sent a text from his secure phone then dumped it behind the bookcase where no one would think to look. He didn’t bother to pull his jacket on as he walked out of his office and into the reception area.

  And there they were.

  Winifred along with Murchison and several of their so-called assistants.

  He pretended to be confused.

  “What the hell is going on here?”

  “I need you to come quietly, Dominick. If you don’t your employees are going to get hurt. And none of us want that, now do we?” Winifred, the bitch, had no idea what he did and did not want. Little did she know that this right here was exactly what he wanted.

  “Go where?”

  She smirked. “Not far. I have some questions I need you to answer about the company.”

  Bullshit.

  Pointing back at his office he tried to appear relaxed. “Let me get my jacket, then we can go.”

  “There’s no need for a jacket as we won’t be leaving the building.”

  He wanted to smile but didn’t, just nodded and allowed the fuckers to surround him and herd him into the lift. He stood silently as they rode down, going past the lobby and parking garage to the dungeon underneath the building no one was supposed to know about.

  He had been introduced to the vile place as a teenager and had never forgotten it. He had ensured that the men he trusted all knew about it in case he needed to be rescued.