Pit: The A**hole Club Series

by Saffire , Blue

  “You see, Thaddeus had secrets too. I was the perfect answer to Gordon’s problems. Your father… it was complicated because Nicky’s father allowed him to do a lot outside of the family, but he wouldn’t let him out of the marriage agreement with Willow.

  “We were trapped in a web of our own making. If either of us would have walked away from that jewelry store, none of this would have happened. Nicky felt like he couldn’t offer me more than danger.

  “He swore I wouldn’t have survived him, or his family’s life and I knew I wouldn’t have survived being out there on my own. I knew nothing, I had nothing but a small child on the way.

  “I had to weigh my options. Thaddeus was younger, he seemed to be able to provide a more stable life. His father pulled a lot of strings and granted a ton of favors to get him his first appointment to the DA office. He probably would have gone far too, if he wasn’t so greedy and his father hadn’t had a heart attack and died.

  “Thaddeus lost his favor with most city officials and those that kept the Pitman’s controlling the little they did. That’s when he started making deals and finding things to hold over people, what he’s best at.

  “No one ever liked him, before his father’s death they tolerated him because of his father. This burned at him. He always had a loose hold on everything.

  “He thought he had something to prove. He was so jealous of Nicky. It was like he wanted to be him but hated everything about him at the same time.

  “Nicky was an excellent prosecutor. If you want to know the truth. He should have been the district attorney and would have been if not for all the dirty moves Thaddeus made every four years to get back in office.

  “Augustine Knight, your grandfather, didn’t like the idea of Nicky holding that office, so he didn’t block Pitman’s efforts. The Pitman family never controlled Vander the way the Knight family did, it was something Thaddeus envied and talked about all the time. Gordon had tried, but the Knights were always stronger. Vander was built on their family’s back—”

  “So, what happened?” I ask getting impatient.

  “I married Thaddeus and Nicky married Willow. I don’t know what Thaddeus hated more. That you were Nicky’s son or that he couldn’t have children of his own.

  “His father hadn’t cared who the father of my child was. He never asked. He was gone by the time Thaddeus figured it out. He never gave you much attention, but when he came across your birth certificate and saw your full name and from that day forward…” Mom trails off and falls silent, tears start to fall.

  “He hated my guts,” I finish for her.

  She nods. “I wanted you to have a part of him.” She sucks in a breath. “Willow was murdered not long after she gave birth to their son, Anthony. They were married barely a year. Nicky was devastated. She truly was his best friend. He hurt for her loss.

  “There was some corruption or something. He never explained it to me, but he vowed to take them all down. I… I was there to comfort him.

  “From time to time, I would take you to see him behind Thaddeus’s back. Years had passed, Nicky and I had fallen in love all over again. You and Anthony would play together and had a bond just like brothers should.”

  I furrow my brows. I sort of remember a friend I used to have when I was little. One day we just didn’t go to see him or the man anymore.

  I pull a hand down my face. “He used to give me quarters to ride the race car. The one outside the hardware store in Vander,” I say.

  Mom beams and nods. “Anthony would ride in the spaceship and you would always have to be in the race car. If we tried to switch the two you would throw a tantrum.”

  I reach to brush the tears from her cheek. I wish I weren’t so curious. If I didn’t have this burning need to know, I’d stop her from reliving this.

  “Nicky started to build us the house out by the mill. He was going to take us away from Thaddeus. He promised he had a plan. Then one night, Nicky was murdered,” she chokes out.

  “He… he… he had pictures,” she breaks into a sob and wrings her hands together as tears soak her cheeks. “Of Nicky and I making love. They were grainy. You know we didn’t have the technology you all have now, but I was pregnant with the twins. All Thaddeus had to do was prove he couldn’t have children.

  “I would have been so humiliated and the memory of Nicky… I couldn’t have his name dragged through the mud. Thaddeus promised if I divorced him, never told a soul who my children’s real father was, and kept his image up with the elite, he would keep me comfortable and make sure you kids had the proper schooling and were provided for.

  “I never put two and two together. I didn’t know he had Nicky murdered. I was so naïve and again I was pregnant with only one sensible option.

  “Thaddeus never wanted to be married. He just wanted the optics of the marriage. With his father gone, he decided we didn’t need to be in our marriage any longer. I was fine with that.”

  “You were also fine with him treating us like shit,” I growl.

  “I was never okay with that. The way he treated you made me sick to my stomach.”

  “Then why’d you let it happen. Why not send me to my real family?”

  “He wouldn’t allow it. It was a part of no one ever knowing who your father was. I never told anyone. Blake figured it out. He came to me, but I was so afraid. He was more involved in that life than Nicky was. We both agreed not to place you children in danger.”

  I laugh bitterly. “I wasn’t already in danger in our own home? At least my uncle would have taken care of me, cared for me.”

  “Really. William? Do you understand their world? You would become a mobster?

  “For what, so I could lose you too? You were so determined to make something of yourself just like your father. I knew you could do it, so I took my punishment so you and the twins could have a future,” she says, raising her voice.

  I tighten my hold on Skittles. I have so many emotions running through me—hurt, anger, betrayal. I want to throw something across the room.

  The only thing keeping me from flipping shit over is having Skittles in my lap. I would have rather had been with my uncle Blake than to believe I wasn’t loved.

  As if reading my mind my mother speaks. “You believe I don’t love you and I picked Thaddeus over you. That’s not true. I made sacrifice after sacrifice to make sure the three of you had the best. I took the beatings and berating in silence.”

  “Wait, what the fuck did you just say?” I push Skittles to stand so I can get up. “He was putting his hands on you?”

  She turns away from me.

  “Aw, fuck no. You know what… Leo was lying, wasn’t he? The busted lip and black eye all came from Thaddeus.

  “That bullshit story about having a fight at school and then arguing about it with Thaddeus was a load of shit. I knew it then and I know it now. You two were covering for him so I wouldn’t beat his ass.”

  “William, please calm down.”

  “No, Mom, I’m going to bust his shit wide open,” I reply and go to kiss her cheek. “We’ll come see you soon. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Please don’t do anything rash.”

  I scoff. “Yeah, all right.”

  I toss Skittles my keys because I can’t see straight enough to drive.

  * * *

  ***

  * * *

  “You know, she was stunning. If my father was going to force me to marry, she was a looker,” Thaddeus says with his back to me.

  From this angle I can see him drain his tumbler. Old drunk bastard. He’s standing before the fireplace in his living room. His, this house was never ours.

  After the indictment he lost everything except for this house because it was free and clear and willed to him from his father. My uncle and I made sure he lost everything else.

  “How does it feel to know Nicky Blake’s son is the one who took everything from you?”

  He turns to me with fire in his eyes. “I’d say we’re
about even. I wanted him to know my pain, I had a wife who pined after a married man.

  “He was barking up the wrong tree with one of his cases. Politicians and businessmen who were set to ensure I remained the DA. When they wanted to send him a message, I was more than happy to have his wife murdered. It was a favor to her.”

  I didn’t think my rage could get any deeper. This man has ruined so many lives. Fucking coward.

  “You’re a piece of shit.”

  “So I’ve been told. My father hated me. Did you know that? I lost my ability to have an heir trying to impress him. Gymnastics.

  “The balance beam, instead of focusing on my routine I looked for him in the crowd and lost my footing. Smashed my fucking nuts. I never doubled up the leotard and shorts. It chafed, I’ve regretted that for the rest of my life. He looked at me like a broken piece of garbage after that.”

  “You are.” I shrug.

  He snarls at me. “I should have backed over that son of a bitch after I hit him for fucking my wife and building her a house to take her away from me. It was bad enough I had to look at you. I mean, of all the men in Vander she had to fall into the arms of a fucking Blake.

  “Not just any Blake. The one that threatened my job, my future. The goody-two-shoes. The entire family was more corrupt than me. The shit they’ve done in this city.

  “The mayor, the councilwoman, they’ve all received favors from the Blakes and now I’m looked upon like shit?” he roars, spit falling from his mouth.

  “You sound like a whiny bitch.”

  “We’ll see who sounds like a whiny bitch when I embarrass you all the way you all embarrassed me. Your little girlfriend, her father, the Blakes, the Castros, anyone you care about and all you sons of bitches that tried to ruin me and leave me for dead, I’m going to destroy you all.

  “I was so glad to find out you were on the race team. You’d both go to jail for trafficking. See her father get you two out of that,” he laughs and looks at his empty glass with a frown.

  I saunter over to him slowly. It’s all I can do to keep my temper in check. When I get to him, I grab him by the back of his hair, spin him, and slam his face into the fireplace mantel.

  The tumbler he was holding falls to the ground. I grab the arm the glass was in and hold it into the fire. He bellows and tries to fight against my hold, but he’s no match for me.

  “This is for every time you’ve put a hand on someone dear to me. When you’re in hell, I want you to remember me as you burn.”

  “You bastard. Let go of me. Oh God, let go.”

  “Tell me who helped you,” I snarl.

  He screams. I shove his arm in further. “Who helped you?” I demand.

  “I don’t know.”

  “How don’t you know?

  “Let me go and I’ll tell you,” he cries out.

  I grab his collar and tug him back. His face is covered in sweat. It’s so satisfying to see him cradle his blistered arm the same way Skittles had her swollen one last night. I want him to feel all of their pain. Everyone in my life I care about that he’s hurt.

  “I received a package four years ago. It had a detailed plan on how to nail all of you. Files on each of you, pictures of you and all of your friends, information on Marquis and his races.

  “Access codes to the accounts I would need to place the plan in motion. When I needed something, a new package would arrive before I could ask,” he pants.

  “What are you leaving out?”

  “Nothing. Whoever it is? I don’t think they’re here in Vander, but they know almost everything about Vander City, Bridge Lake, and the people in it.”

  “How do you get in touch with them?”

  “I don’t. They get in touch with me. I… I haven’t heard anything since I went rogue. I changed the plan and the help stopped. Changing the races, buying the house out by the mill, and Leo were my idea. The help stopped after I made those moves,” he whimpers.

  “Always a fuckup,” I say and shove him.

  I turn and start for the exit. My uncle appears in the threshold. He places a hand on my shoulder when I reach him.

  “Was that enough for you?” he asks.

  “Burn this bitch down when you’re done. That will be enough for me,” I reply.

  He nods. “This isn’t over.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  Chapter 43

  Never Give you Up

  Skittles

  * * *

  Four months later…

  “Shawnnie,” I squeal and throw my arms around her. The party is in full swing and she’s still not smiling.

  I want her to have a good time. It’s my birthday and Will is throwing me a birthday party at the bar. He even brought in a DJ just for our private party. I haven’t stopped smiling all day.

  For an asshole, Pit sure does know how to spoil his girl for her birthday. I think my favorite gift so far is the matching diamond charm necklace and bracelet. The charms are made to look like Skittles in all the flavors.

  Shawna reaches for one of the charms on the necklace and smiles. “I love the way he loves you.”

  “How do you know it’s from him?”

  “Like I said, I love the way he loves you. He would get you something that says you in so many ways. Girl, this is you too a T. Hold on to him, being cherished is a gift,” she says.

  I give her a squeeze. “You’re going to find the right person for you and their going to make you feel just as special.”

  “I’m not holding my breath. Besides, I need to find me. You have what you have because you are so badass. You know who you are.”

  “I’m not perfect. It took us both to work at what we have. Girl, twelve years. We’ve been into each other for twelve years and wasted time on assumptions.”

  “Yeah, it’s still different for you.” She sighs. “I need to get away I think.”

  “Say the word. I’ll help you make it happen if that’s what you need.”

  Pit appears and wraps his arms around me, causing me to release my cousin and cover his arms with my hands. “Make what happen? What do you need, baby girl?” he says to Shawna.

  I look up at Pit and laugh. He’s roasted. We’ve all been having a great time. Although, Kelex hasn’t arrived yet. I’m going to kick his ass if he skips out on this.

  “Shawna wants to get away. I told her I’d help if that’s what she needs,” I say to Pit.

  “Say less,” he says and pecks my lips. “Yo, assholes, come here.”

  Deacon, Luke, and Tak all come over. I look at them curiously. Pit sways me in his arms and kisses my neck.

  “Tak has something for you. It’s a gift from all of us,” he says.

  Tak beams as he hands over a velvet box. I take the box cautiously. I’m totally confused on how this will help Shawna. Pit must be drunker than I thought.

  “Hurry up, grandma,” Tak rushes.

  “Watch it, kid.” I smile at him.

  When I open the box, I’m more confused than I was before I opened it. I pull out the key and keychain and hold it up in my hand. A smile spreads over my face.

  Engraved on the keychain is The Assholes Club. “What’s it for?”

  “We thought we should have a place to call our own. The cabin you took us to for our first getaway went up for sale. I stumbled across it and asked the guys if they wanted to go in on buying it for you for your birthday,” Pit says into my ear.

  I’m speechless. I clench the key and bring it to my heart. This means more to me than they will ever know.

  It clicks what Pit’s intentions are. I turn, lift on my toes, and hold his face as I kiss him. He palms my butt and deepens the kiss. I have to pull away before his drunk ass mauls me in front of everyone.

  I turn back to Shawna. This place is perfect for her to heal. I hold out the key to her.

  “Here, take all the time you need,” I say.

  Tears build in her eyes as she takes the key from me. She looks around at the guys. “Thank you, all o
f you have been so kind to me. I appreciate this.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s getting crowded in here. How about I get you there? Now’s as good a time as any,” Tak grumbles.

  “You don’t have to,” Shawna says.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  My heart sinks. I haven’t had that talk with Tak yet. He looks like someone kicked his puppy.

  “Tak—”

  He holds up a hand and leans in to kiss my cheek. “Happy birthday.”

  He turns to leave without another word. Shawna gives me a hug and follows after him. I pout. I wish there was more I could do for Shawna and I want Tak to understand nothing is going to change.

  “Come dance with me,” Pit whispers.

  I look up at him and nod. He takes me by my hand and walks over to the DJ to lean in and make a request. I smile at Pit warily as he leads me to the middle of the floor where the round table usually sits.

  The opening of the song comes on and I beam at this man. Rick Astley starts to croon. He couldn’t have picked a better song.

  Yeah, this man is my everything. I’m never gonna give him up either. Pit spins me, placing my back to his front and wraps around me as he sings the words in my ear.

  Pit

  * * *

  “I love this dress on you,” I say as I turn Mayven in my arms again.

  She presses her breasts to my chest. I lower my gaze to her cleavage tempting me in the gray and blue tight dress. It’s hugging her body like a second skin.

  I like her hair tonight. It’s gray at the roots and transitions into blue down the length. She looks like the superhero she is. Always loving someone in need.

  “I wore it just for my man, but don’t tell him though,” she purrs.

  I palm her ass and sway us to the music. “Your man fucked up leaving you around me. This dress will be on my bedroom floor tonight.”

  She throws her head back and laughs. “Nice, Will, real nice.”

  “I love you, baby. Happy Birthday,” I croon.