by K E Osborn
“What?” Zero and Wraith both yell, making everyone turn our way.
“What the fuck?” Zero grunts.
Wraith runs his hands through his hair. “Damir’s gonna come for Prinie. She’s practically eight months pregnant… I can’t... fuck!” Wraith picks up the pool cue slamming it down on the table and it splinters into multiple pieces, as more of our brothers start making their way over.
Zero sends a whistle through the main room. Everyone’s on edge. “Brothers, church. Now.”
Prinie begins rushing over, and Zero raises his hand to stop her approach as Wraith storms off into the chapel. Cherry moves in beside Prinie. It’s hard for the old ladies sometimes not to know what’s happening.
But they will.
Soon enough.
We enter the chapel, all taking our seats. The weight of the club hangs heavy on all our shoulders as Zero slumps down at the head of the table. I can’t help but sense the confusion on all the other guys’ faces as they look around.
Zero slams his gavel on the table, a little harder than normal, then throws it down on the table in his frustration. “I don’t know how many of you have heard, but we have a fuckin’ tsunami headin’ our way. With two slimy ass sharks heading the surge.”
Fox sits forward, narrowing his eyes on Zero. “You’re gonna need to be a little more specific, pres.”
Zero’s lip curls up, disgust clearly heaving through him. “Baron and Damir… Kevlar, take over, I’m too fuckin’ worked up.”
Everyone’s eyes shift to me, and I place my fists on the table. “Got a call from Ethan, he wasn’t supposed to tell us, but someone on the inside helped the Baron and Damir escape.”
Clear anger shows on every one of my brothers’ faces.
“You telling me this was a guard or some shit?” Slick asks.
“Yeah, maybe. Someone in the system let them walk. I don’t know everything. Ethan can tell us more when he gets here. I told him to come in because, honestly, he has a large target on his back. The Baron only came after me to get to Ethan to take him down because Ethan is the one who technically put him behind bars.”
Zero scrubs at his face, letting out a small groan. Then, his eyes shift to Neon. “The whole club needs to go into lockdown, everyone important must come in.”
Everyone knows this means Neon’s sister and Zero’s ex-fiancé, Anna, is coming in. It’s always interesting when Anna comes to the club, especially now Zero and Cherry are in such a serious relationship. Let’s fucking hope there’s no drama like last time Anna came in for lockdown.
“While you’re at it, Neon, send out a message to the other Defiance clubs, let them know we have trouble headed our way. Tell them I’ll reach out to them personally with further details. But for now, just give them a heads-up.”
“What can we do for Prinie?” Wraith asks.
Zero’s eyes shift to me. “Kevlar, I understand Blake is kind of the go-to babysitter ‘round here, but for now, I need to put him on security. I want him following Prinie around like a hawk. Wraith, if you want two men on her, we’ll get Phantom to step up, too.”
Wraith widens his eyes like he’s appalled by that idea. “Blake will be fine.”
“Ethan and Lou will be here anyway, so they can help with the kids. You’re all good, and anyway, Prinie is important right now. You need Blake? You take him.”
“Bub and I can always step in with the kids. You know we love spending time with our grandbabies,” Fox states.
Zero bangs the gavel on the table. “Good! One more thing, Savanah… we’ve all had a chance to look at her background check?”
We all nod.
My stomach twists at what I’ve read. “Does she know?” I ask.
Neon sits forward, his hands on the table, and he simply shakes his head. “From what I could dig up, she’s completely in the dark.”
“So, this means she’s a damn liability. We need to be extremely careful with her… understood?”
A general “aye” sounds throughout the room.
Zero exhales. “She doesn’t know who she is, and this could come in handy… but for now, we’re all done. Call everyone you need to. Get them in here as soon as possible. I can’t fathom what the Baron and Damir are planning, but those fuckers will be planning something, so we must be ready for the inevitable war that’s coming.”
I stand, then walk back out into the main room. Cherry and Prinie are standing with Jovie and Savanah. Gritting my teeth, I head their way. They all spot me at the same time.
Prinie is the first to launch at me. “Is it true? Has Damir escaped?”
“And the Baron, too?” Cherry follows immediately.
Taking a breath, I raise my hands to try and calm them. Cherry and Prinie have both had trouble with these men in the past, or at least men associated with them.
Cherry was married to the Baron’s son, Chuck—a physically abusive ex-cop who tried to have her killed. Cherry ended up killing Chuck in front of the Baron, and we unleashed a smear campaign to get the Baron arrested. Prinie was kidnapped by Damir’s brother, Sava, and their father, Vlatko, because they wanted to seek vengeance for Wraith putting Damir and Sava’s mother into a coma from which she later died.
It turns out Vlatko is also Wraith’s biological father, which in turn leaves Sava and Damir as Wraith’s blood brothers. Damir is still in the dark about this fact as far as we know. With Sava and Vlatko being killed in the crossfire and the initial issue of the mother still lingering, Damir is sure to be out for some serious revenge on Wraith.
So, I understand both old ladies being anxious right now.
“Yes, it’s true. They’re both out of prison, and apparently, they’re working together. I’m sorry to be the one to have to tell you. I know this is stressful, but Prinie, you’re heavily pregnant. You need to try and not get too worked up. You have to think of your baby.”
Prinie’s eyes well when she begins to pace. “I am thinking of my baby. If Damir comes here, if he sees me pregnant like this… he’s gonna kill our baby. Not me. Not Wraith. He’s going to make us suffer.”
Cherry pulls her in for a tight embrace as my eyes shift to Jovie. Her hands are physically shaking. I need to talk to her.
Wraith and Zero edge over toward us. I need to let them take over from here. They have to calm their women, and I need to calm mine because right now, this is Jovie’s first lockdown, and she must be terrified, especially after our discussion before.
I reach out, grabbing Jovie’s quivering hands, pulling her with me. She doesn’t fight me. She doesn’t say anything, just walks with me as I lead her through to the kitchen. No one’s in here right now, so it will give us space to talk. I lean her back against the island, placing my hands on either side of her on the bench enclosing her in. I see the trembling in her lip as I lean my forehead against hers and close my eyes, just needing to be near her. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
She sniffles, threading her arms up around my neck, pulling me into an embrace. “I don’t know how to react to this. I want to be stronger than how I feel right now.”
I pull back, looking into her gorgeous eyes. “Lockdown is scary. I’m not gonna lie… but if an attack happens, you stay with the other girls. Keep your focus on the kids. Keep them safe. Your instincts will kick in. I’ll teach you how to use a gun if it helps.”
She glares at me. “This is Texas, Kevlar… I know how to use a gun.”
“I’m not sure if I should be worried by that or turned on.”
“Oh, you should definitely be turned on.”
I lean in, pressing my lips to hers briefly, then pull back. “I’m serious, though. If you want me to teach you anything… hand-to-hand combat, target practice, anything. Just let me know.”
She lets out a long exhale. “I want you to teach me how not to be scared.”
“I can’t teach you that. The second you’re not scared in this situation is the second shit gets dangerous. If you’re not constantly watching your six, an
d keeping an eye out for your brothers and everything else, that’s the second you become a liability.”
She relaxes a little more in my hold. “Okay.”
“There is a difference between being scared shitless and being brave enough to push through, though.”
She tilts her head assessing my words. “What do you mean?”
“You have to decide if you’re the type of person who’s going to hide in the corner while those around you are dying or the type to pick up the gun beside you and shoot the asshole gunning your family down.”
I see it.
The fire lights in her eyes the second I finish talking. She stands taller, her body stops shaking as she puffs out her chest ready to take on any-fucking-thing thrown at her. “I’m not letting anything hurt my family.”
Bringing my hand up, I caress her cheek. Pride swarms through me, so I lean in, kissing her briefly. “That’s my girl.”
She lets out a long breath. “I get it now… why you stand and fight. I’m sorry I argued with you about it.”
“Hey, I want you to argue with me. I want you to stand up for what you believe in. I want you to make a fuss when you think I’m wrong. We’re a team. You’re gonna be an attorney. It’s your job to fight. So, practice on me.”
“Are you sure? I mean that’s asking for trouble? Getting my point across can be tedious sometimes.”
“I’m sure... I want you to be you. Completely. Don’t ever hold back.”
“In that case, then, I hate this tee you’re wearing. This dusty blue is not your color.”
Chuckling, I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. Kissing Jovie affects me so profoundly that somehow, it makes all the shit in the world disappear. Standing here in the kitchen of the clubhouse is like nothing, and no one can ever pop this happy bubble we’ve found ourselves in.
But I know they can.
They will try everything in their power to bring the club and us down.
I have to find a way to keep Jovie, my kids, Ethan, his wife, and my brothers at the club safe, all at the same time.
Good fucking luck to me.
JOVIE
Watching everyone arrive for lockdown has been interesting, the way the brothers of the club change when members of their family come in. They’re tenser, more on edge. I guess having everyone’s family here at the same time is never a cause for celebration. It’s always more out of fear.
Fear for their lives.
Fear an enemy is going to strike.
Fear they will be snuffed out.
The attorney in me thinks a mass gathering like this only spells more danger. Having all the families gathered under one roof is asking for trouble. I can’t see the logic behind it—this is begging for the Baron and Damir to attack—but the pessimist in me keeps remembering safety in numbers, right?
There are kids, women, and the elderly here. I have no clue what good they will be in a bloodbath fight. Honestly, this lockdown feels like a disaster waiting to happen. Surely, it would be safer if families split up and ventured out across the country.
But I haven’t been at this game long.
So, what would I know?
Neon is sitting with his family in the corner, and everyone’s steering clear of them. I heard something about Neon’s sister not being overly liked among the other members here, but I’m not one to judge a book by its cover, or even before I’ve read the blurb and perhaps dived in a few chapters to really get the feel of the backstory. So, I walk over to the table, assessing her before I sit down. She’s styled beautifully. Her hair is in a short black bob, her face done up with so much makeup, but she’s clearly beautiful, and her outfit is gorgeous. She does not fit in here. She’s so different from Neon. How did he end up here if he comes from a family who’s as uptight as this girl appears?
Don’t judge the cover, Jovie!
Striding up, Neon spots me. Gives me a head bob, but his eyes give away how utterly bored he is with the conversation he’s having with his sister and parents. I step to the side of the table, smiling wide. His eyes widen like he’s unsure of what I’m doing, but I’m all about making friends with Kevlar’s brothers, and I’m going to do just that.
“Hi! I’m Jovie. I’m new around here. This is my first lockdown. These things are crazy, am I right?” I let out a small laugh, and Neon’s sister stares at me like I’m the crazy one.
“Hi, Jovie, you’re new to the club, did you say?” Neon’s mother asks, breaking the weird tension between Neon’s sister and me.
I take the opening and slide in next to Neon. He shuffles over as I nod my head. “Oh, yeah. Haven’t been here long. Just trying to find my place. Getting to know all the brothers and mingle with the old ladies. Everyone’s so lovely.”
“Pffft. They’re not lovely.”
“Anna,” Neon warns.
I side-eye Neon, he subtly shakes his head at me, but I continue anyway. “Anna, it’s nice to meet you. I hear you’ve had a long history with the club. I haven’t heard it personally, but I’d love to chat about it with you sometime.”
“Seriously? You want to chat with me about my relationship with Zero? Honey, please, do some fact-checking before you waltz in here acting like you’re some great chick trying to get in on my family’s good side… we won’t accept you. If you’re Neon’s latest squeeze, you can just forget it, okay? Dump him now, because this…” she waves her hand between Neon and me, “… isn’t going to work.”
“Oh, no, you have me all wrong.”
“Anna, shut it! You don’t even know what you’re talking about,” Neon groans.
“Sorry… I’m not interested in Neon. No offense,” I tell him.
He puts his hand up. “Absolutely none taken.”
“Then why the hell are you trying to suck up to our family?” Anna sneers.
I exhale and stand. “My mistake. I was just trying to be nice…”
“You were just trying to fish for something, weren’t you?” Anna sneers.
“Anna, why do you think the world is against you? Honestly, darling,” Neon’s mother berates.
I turn to walk away, but then I steel my shoulders and turn back. “You know, Anna, I wanted not to judge a book by its cover. I wanted to try and make a friend today. I came with honest intentions because no one has really told me anything about you… so I can make my own mind up. Whatever grudge you hold against this club, you need to let that shit go. You may be flawlessly pretty on the outside, but on the inside, you’re as ugly as they come. No one can change that but you.”
Neon’s smile grows so fucking wide while Anna scoffs. I turn, storming over to the bar. I need a drink. So much for making new friends. I’ll need to apologize to Neon later, maybe his parents too, but for now, I want something to calm my nerves. Not just from Anna, but from being in lockdown. I slide onto a stool as the club girl, Bonnie, eyes me up and down. Her rich chocolate skin shines brightly against the hues of the downlights behind the bar. She’s glowing like a goddess while her dark hair hangs down in soft curls. “What can I get ya, hon?”
“Something strong… to take the edge off.”
“We talking finger of whiskey here or all-out tequila slammer?”
“Yeah, I think we need to slam this baby home.”
Bonnie tilts her head at me. “Comin’ right up.”
Cherry and Prinie casually slide in, one either side of me. I dart from one to the other, but they keep facing the front like they’re here on some sort of a stealth mission.
What the hell are they doing?
“So… you spoke to Anna?” Cherry murmurs, keeping her head forward.
I turn to her. “I’m not sure if you’d call it speaking. More like I tried to be nice, then she accused me of trying to weasel my way into her family and bit my head off.”
Prinie snorts out a laugh. “Typical. Doesn’t even get her facts right before spouting off bullshit, the spoiled brat.”
I roll my shoulders, not wanting to get involved with obvious tensi
on between the three. “Look, she’s a piece of work, that’s for sure. I don’t know what happened between you guys, but I honestly don’t want to get dragged in.”
Cherry softens her expression. “That’s fair. I don’t want her trying to come after Zero again. We’re in such a good place, I don’t need her meddling.”
“Are you serious right now? Cherry, since I’ve been here, I’ve seen the way Zero stares at you. Anna can try and meddle all she wants, but Zero isn’t going anywhere. You’d have to force him to leave you. It’s the only way anything would happen to your relationship.”
Cherry exhales, a slow smile crossing her face. “You’re right. I know you are. I let her get into my head last lockdown. It caused drama. I won’t let that happen again.”
“Thing is, Cherry, you’re his Old Lady. Hell, you’re the First Lady of this club. No one holds more power here than you. You’re a strong, independent, amazing woman. Don’t let Anna bring you down.”
“Wow! You have me believing in myself, and Anna isn’t even an issue for me,” Prinie chimes.
“Good. Now, I just need to find that confidence for myself.”
Cherry and Prinie both scowl at me.
“Hey, don’t give up on us now, you were doing so well!”
“I’m fine, honestly. I just wish I had the strength you do, Cherry.”
Cherry scoffs. “Honestly, I wasn’t always like I am now. I had an abusive husband who beat me day in and out until I was black and blue, and I didn’t leave. Not until Zero came in and swooped me off my feet. That man, he gave me my strength.” She lets out a small laugh. “Now, I’m the First Lady of the Houston Defiance. Pharmacist by day, drug manufacturer by night, so yeah… your strength can grow, Jovie. But you have to find it in yourself to get there. Guess I just called myself out on this whole Anna thing… fuck her!”
“Go back a step. Did you say drug manufacturer?”
Prinie side-eyes Cherry, and she shrugs. “If you’re going to be a part of the club, you need to know what you’re getting into.”
I steel my shoulders. “Okay… hit me.”
