Rage of the Phoenix

by Elizabeth N Harris

  “You’re interested brother.” Chance stated his sharp eyes searching Drake’s. Drake made his face go blank, he was more than interested in Phoenix. Not just because Phoe’s laugh was captivating, and she looked and smelt good. What type of woman made an entire MC curl around her? What was it that Phoenix had that made an entire MC possibly go to war over her?

  “Yeah, woman’s good to look at and she’s somethin’ special I’m thinkin’.” Drake didn’t bother denying it. Chance knew him better than he did himself. Chance had always looked out for him. Drake wasn’t lying, even when she’d been lap hopping, he’d been interested. Thinking back now Drake realised the lap hopping had nothing sexual in it.

  Fuck, his interest had peeked when he’d watched her laughing at her staff dancing on cars. The lap hopping had infuriated him, seeing an obviously classy woman whoring herself hadn’t gone down well with Drake.

  He’d wanted to shove her against a wall and claim her. Drake had stifled the relief he’d experienced when Chance had explained. There was something about her, wrapped up in a tiny package, she couldn’t be taller than five one, five two, in height.

  Phoenix had gorgeous, long blond sun streaked hair and laughing green eyes. Her figure was made for loving. He’d seen something lurking behind those green eyes. A pain she kept hidden from everyone, he wanted to know more. Drake wanted to lay claim to her and wipe the pain away

  “She’s everythin’, the one thing that can rip Hellfire apart. Phoe fixed us in a way everyone felt and still feels. Phoe has so much love to give. She’s our soul, the one thing we’d die for. Without her Hellfire would be lost, Phoe healed us.” Chance said into the silence that had fallen between them.

  “I get it. Woman’s off limits.” Drake said shortly. He didn’t like this conversation. Was he never to have anything good in his life? He’d eaten shit, done shit, he and his brothers were clean now, it was time for something beautiful for his club.

  The club they’d fought to get free of dirt. Drake wanted a woman to claim. Phoe could be it, Drake was sure she could. Her laugh had attracted him, but the woman herself brought out his baser instincts.

  “More than off limits brother. Fuck even though we’d cleaned Hellfire up, we were still splintered. Phoe strutted into our life and healed our wounds. Hellfire needed her, fuck, we still need her.” Chance muttered eyeing Drake.

  “Told you, I get it. Fuck me brother, I ain’t stupid.”

  “Love you Drake, like my brother, my baby brother.” Chance affirmed their closeness, Drake thought unnecessarily

  “Know that.”

  “She’s better than you or me and anyone else here. Phoe deserves the world and we can’t give her that. Can’t give her all of us. Don’t let…”

  “I get it brother.” Drake said cutting off Chance’s warning. He tipped the beer back, swallowed and walked out and hit his bike. Drake wanted something he couldn’t have, Rage could destroy a woman like Phoenix and yet he wondered. Phoe had managed and loved Hellfire, could she manage Rage? He’d seen the way she handled Hellfire. There was a hidden strength in her, he saw and felt it. Maybe Phoenix had it in her to perform one more miracle. Drake fuckin’ hoped so.

  Chapter Four.

  I woke up to a darkened room, curled up against a warm body. Bear snored next to me. What had happened? The last thing I remembered was my head killing me and stumbling towards my car, to get more medication. I guess with Bear sleeping next to me, I didn’t make it. With a groan, I rolled over and felt relief at having no paralysation, I felt a slight numbness, that was all, which was good news. The pain was reduced to a dull throb in my head.

  I put my feet gingerly on the ground and felt no lingering dizziness. Warily I rose to my feet and shuffled to my bathroom. Something had curled up and died in my mouth so I vigorously scrubbed my teeth. I jumped in the shower and washed what felt like three days’ worth of scum from me. Deftly wrapping a towel around me, I checked Bear was still sleeping and walked hurriedly to my walk-in closet.

  Quietly, I yanked on underwear, jeans, a loose sweater and slipped on socks. Moving silently, I left my room and made my way downstairs. The smell of bacon cooking led me into the kitchen. I nodded as I saw Shee sitting at the island while Mrs Ames cooked breakfast.

  “Shee brought Bear a change of clothes.” Mrs Ames, my housekeeper and good friend said. I smiled and sniffed the air. She grinned at me. I was hungry and Mrs Ames knew it.

  “Want food?” Mrs Ames asked. I nodded. I glanced at the kitchen clock and gasped. It was midday.

  “How long have I been out?”

  “You hit the black around six o’clock.” Shee said.

  “That’s eighteen hours I’ve been out.” I stammered in dismay.

  “Bear shot you another dose around three this morning honey girl. Couldn’t take you whimpering in pain, so we agreed to dose you.” I parked my ass on a stool and stared at Shee.

  “I have a faint memory of you being there?” Shee gave me a curt nod and bit into a bacon sandwich. He swallowed and then grinned at Mrs Ames.

  “Fantastic as usual, Mrs Ames.” Shee said.

  “Today is Thursday?” Another sharp nod from Shee and he bit into the sandwich again and chewed. His eyes scrutinised me.

  “Family weekend.” Ah, two sets of annoyed eyes glowered at me and I shook my head. “No, I let this beat me, I lose everything, this doesn’t break me, he doesn’t win. I’ll be fine, I’ll stay home today and tomorrow. Which is lousy timing as we just opened HQ, but I’ll stay home and do nothing. Family weekend happens.” I stated.

  “How did Rage get invited?” Shee asked abruptly, I looked at him in consternation.

  “They did?” Shee’s body tensed, as I thought hard. “I remember Drake being in my office, I must have invited Rage. Honestly, I don’t remember much.” Shee nodded, but he didn’t look sure and then finished his sandwich.

  “Tiny is on his way up, Mrs Ames making her pot roast so he’s keen for it, he’ll stay tonight with Bear. Both of them will take you shopping tomorrow okay?” I nodded, and he kissed my forehead and gave Mrs Ames a cheek kiss and left.

  “Good man, good men.” She muttered as her husband entered the kitchen. Mr Ames’s eyes narrowed on my face as he greeted his wife. With a nod he removed his boots and sat down to a bacon sandwich with us. Mr Ames was as used to my migraines as his beloved wife was.

  Late afternoon hit by the time Bear awoke, as he’d been up most of the night with me. Poor Bear had toast and refused anything else, saying he’d wait until the pot roast was ready. Tiny arrived, we watched movies, ate pot roast, watched more movies and then I crashed in Bear’s arms.

  I was up and dressed and watching from the morning room’s huge bay window for the first sign of my kids arriving. Dawn had just broken, but I knew they were due back any minute now. I spotted a car pulling around the corner and I was running before they even parked. Micah got out with Eddie and Tony in the car with him. Carmine pulled up carrying Cody, Jared and Aaron. Tye parked behind him with Serenity, Harley, Timmy and Scout. Jodie climbed out of Albert’s car with Christian and Garret and Jake.

  Eddie ran towards me, her hands above her head, screaming Mama Phoe at the top of her lungs. Tony, her twin brother, followed at a quieter pace. I crouched and swept them both into my arms. I got hugs and kisses and then Eddie spied Bear coming descending the stairs and she’d was off. Eddie loved Bear as much as her little heart could manage. Tony followed her at his slower pace.

  Micah stopped and threw me a hug and kiss and then moved past me to greet Mr and Mrs Ames. Carmine approached me with a ma, he gave me the same treatment as Micah, Tye followed their suit. Cody wrapped his arms around my waist with a mama and then rushed off, Christian, Jared and Aaron, did the same.

  Harley gave me a mom and scarpered. Jodie gave me a grin as her and Serenity opened her trunk and I rolled my eyes at the bags in it. Two set of twin babies were put down cooing and blowing bubbles at me. The security team pulled up in two
more pick-ups stuffed full of suitcases.

  The team greeted me with chin lifts and head tilts as they unloaded their bags and the kids. Chatting they made their way over to their small set of houses set back in the trees. Tiny had his hands on Jake and Garett with whom he’d not had much time. Tiny carried their car seats into the house. Eddie was announcing at the top of her lungs her love for too’s (tattoos) and nearly ripping Bears tee off to study his. The boys scattered, I peeked at Mrs Ames and rolled my eyes.

  Let chaos reign.

  ◆◆◆

  Later that day, I managed to get to the stores to buy what I needed. I doubled the normal quantity because between Rage, Hellfire, the security team and my inner circle at HQ, there’d be over one hundred people.

  Aware of how many were expected, Mrs Ames had miraculously organised on short notice, a catering service for breakfast and lunch and we’d grill on Saturday night. Sunday, the catering service would return for breakfast and cook a full Sunday lunch with a buffet for the evening.

  Even so I needed staples, I knew that the kids and Hellfire were perfectly capable of running through enough snacks to fill a store’s aisle. I bought three carts full of soft drinks and placed a large order for more to be delivered on Sunday morning. I’d three carts full of what I and Mrs Ames called junk, crisps, sweets, biscuits.

  Between us, we loaded up the three vehicles we’d brought with us. I’d placed a large meat order at the beginning of the week and I darted into the butchers to double it. His eyes widened but agreed he could deliver. I paid him in full and popped to the grocers, doing the same there. Mrs Ames popped into the bakery and ordered five times what I had ordered earlier. Lord, we knew how much bikers could eat! I’d had qualms about the amounts when I’d ordered on Monday.

  The Hall was amazing, we’d created lots of indoor and outdoor activities. If you weren’t activity minded and wanted to relax, the other choice was one of the Adirondack loungers or hot tubs. Our home had been restored primarily with the kids in mind and then the massive family I’d acquired second.

  Carmine was in the diamond hitting balls. Cody got one buck a ball for collect and return and Cody shamelessly fleeced Carmine. Yeah, my kids had pocket money but they weren’t daft by a long shot!

  Tye was on the ice, he and Micah shooting pucks while Christian and Jared charged them a dollar per puck. Jodie and Serenity were on the tennis courts with Aaron and Harley running balls for a buck each too.

  Tiny had remained behind with three sets of twins to watch. I stuck my head in the family lounge and checked on them. Tiny had settled any issues by sticking Disney films on which shut Eddie up at once. Eddie loved Disney films. Tony was a happy chappy as long as Eddie was happy.

  Once shopping was done Celt and Shotgun arrived with a load of pizzas and manic chaos ensued once again. I was worn out and grateful they’d brought pizza. We camped out in the family lounge until the younger kids fell to sleep. The elder ones disappeared into their towers and left the adults alone.

  I loved nights like this. Bear was taken with Garret and Jake and hated giving them over to someone else. To my amusement, he shut up whining when he got his hands-on Timmy or Scout. He’d be such a wonderful dad, I sighed.

  I was barely awake the next morning and heading to the shower when I heard bike pipes. Eddie ran downstairs, screaming Chance’s name at the top of her lungs. A groan escaped me, my youngest daughter was excitable to say the least. Around seven o’clock that morning, I’d woken to the noise of trucks and Mrs Ames and I had supervised the deliveries. I’d only just got the chance to shower.

  Upon entering the kitchen I discovered the catering staff were present and cooking full English breakfasts and whatever else people requested. I glanced at the clock and noticed it had just turned nine. The informal dining room off the kitchen was crowded full of kids and Hellfire.

  The security team was present stuffing their mouths, many were in trunks and tees, obvious where they were heading. Liz had helped Mr Ames remove the swimming pool cover that morning. I allowed my staff full use of the amenities in the house. Controlled chaos hit, as Hellfire corralled the younger kids and the elder kids corralled them.

  I was laughing when I heard cars arriving and I met Stuart and the others getting out of cars. With a frown, I looked at my drive. I knew the kids wanted the ATV’s out later and so was concerned about cars being damaged.

  Those who weren’t eating I got together and made them to move the vehicles into the small field next to my house. The field was only a few minute’s walk to the main house. Chance banged in a sign he’d crudely drawn up saying, ‘Park here.’ With an arrow pointing to the field.

  I cherished these times, this was why I bought the Hall. It was generous enough to take everyone I loved, including those who had invited themselves. Late last night, I’d remembered mine and Drake’s conversation but didn’t say a word. Let him learn the happy chaos of my life, he may back off then.

  After everyone had been fed, kids and adults scattered in different directions. ATV’s started up and dirt bikes. Eddie disappeared into the fun shed as she called it and ran out with hoppers. I rolled my eyes and caught Bear and Pyro looking at water guns and knew the day would descend into mayhem.

  Micah, Jodie, Carmine headed into the trees on ATV’s, with Tiny and Shotgun hard on their asses. Levi and Stuart were on dirt bikes chasing Harley, Serenity and Tye. Banshee, Kyle and Chatter were shooting Cody, Christian, Jared and Aaron with water guns. Happily, I relaxed on my porch swing with the baby twins at my feet turned to watch the commotion.

  Diesel, North, (my Director of Public Relations) Stefan and Susan was chasing Eddie and Tony around on hoppers. It was amusing to watch a badass biker chase two four-year-olds on a hopper. Bear and Pyro flew past me on ATV’s loaded with water guns and in the direction of my eldest kids. I looked up and spotted Christian, Jared and Aaron, still shooting water pistols, on the adult rope bridges. The guys now including Rooster and Celt chased them across the platforms.

  The adult rope bridges were kick ass. Even I had played on them, the bridges spanned trees and ended on platforms which then had ropes to swing across to the next one. Bridges extended in a multitude of different directions and had rope ladders and climbing nets. They were good fun.

  “This is it Phoe. You achieved it.” Chance said sitting down next to me. He kicked my porch swing off with his foot and I nodded at him. I winced as Diesel took a water balloon in the face. Diesel roared with laughter and then bounced after my terrible four-year-old drama queen.

  “Guess you had better rescue Diesel from your niece.” I smirked. Chance threw me a grin and went and picked up a hopper.

  ◆◆◆

  Drake saw the sign for ‘drive slowly, riders in the road’ and cut his speed. He’d received a message from Chance telling him and Rage to arrive early. Only the brothers, no old ladies or skanks, Drake realised that Phoe was making her own point. He thanked god he had slowed down when two ATV’s with teens on, flew across the road in front of him. Chased by what suspiciously looked like, two Hellfire brothers on more ATV’s.

  He stopped the bike totally when dirt bikes jumped out of the woods, skidded, their riders regaining footing and charging off, whooping. Drake blinked when he recognised two more Hellfire brothers after them.

  “What the fuck?” Apache asked looking up and following his brother’s gaze he observed two kids scrambling through the trees on rope bridges. Again, being chased by yeah, Hellfire members and a few of Phoenix’s office staff.

  “Chance mention this to you?” Ace asked frowning. Screams come from ahead and they saw an ATV skid across the road and Pyro on one behind standing up and firing a water gun. The girl on the ATV screamed with laughter, flipped Pyro the bird and spun the ATV and shot off with Pyro on her heels.

  “Well, I’m guessing we’re in the right place.” Drake muttered not knowing what to expect next. They followed the sign for parking and pulled their bikes into a half full field. Dis
mounting, they began strolling up the road towards the shrieks and shouts and general chaotic noise.

  As they rounded the treeline, they met absolute bedlam. The ATV’s were now parked up haphazardly and water balloons were being launched from behind two piled high haystacks. Hellfire was aiming back. Drake looked across and caught Chance on a child’s hopper chasing a tiny African American girl around who was giggling uncontrollably. Phoenix’s office girl was piggy backing on Bear and shooting kids around her.

  “Jesus Christ, what is this?” Fish muttered. Drake shrugged and looked up as he heard a piercing whistle that came from his cousin’s direction. Kids froze and Drake saw Phoenix looking a hundred times better than when he had last seen her. She rose to her feet on the wraparound porch and came to stand at steps leading to her house.

  “Line up.” Chance bellowed, kids and teenagers scrambled.

  “They can’t be all hers?” He heard Ace ask gruffly. Drake began walking forward as Hellfire began gathering up stuff. After a hasty glance, he realised they were filling water balloons and guns with stupid smiles on their faces. Phoenix came to greet them and offered everyone a welcoming smile.

  “Welcome to Reading Hall.” Phoe said as Chance approached and slung an arm around her.

  “Thanks, didn’t realise it was a street party.” Drake said glancing around, he counted sixteen kids.

  “It’s not. Drake, Rage meet my kids. This is my eldest Micah, he’s nineteen and studying to be a mechanic, he wants to open a garage in Miami and make street cars.”

  “Design Mum, design.” Micah said in an English accent.

  “Sorry, design street racing cars. This is Carmine, he’s eighteen and on a try-out for the Cubs.”

  “Yo, good to meet ya’s. Ma and Chance have spoken of you, good things.” Carmine said in what Drake placed to be a Maine accent. Drake frowned. Two different accents and two apparently similar in age teens. Carmine was a half African American, half white good-looking kid.