by K E Osborn
“Why doc, I knew you liked checking me out, but I didn’t know you were gonna start being so open about it,” I tease.
She rolls her eyes walking over to the bar and yanking her first-aid kit out from under the counter. “Shut up and sit down, you idiot.”
I chuckle. She has such a way with words. Sitting down next to her as Noah walks past grinning at me, I scrunch my face up at him while he continues past like an errant child.
Chills yanks up my sleeve but grumbles under her breath, “Ace, I can’t get to it. You’re gonna have to take off your hoodie.”
Slouching out of my cut, I then yank off my hoodie leaving me bare-chested in just my jeans in the middle of the clubroom. My ribs ache like a bitch. I can see the bruising already starting to appear next to the small open scratch. The spoils of war as it were.
I slide my elbow onto the bar so Chills can get a good look. She wraps her hands in gloves and gets to work wiping the wound down with alcohol. I grit my teeth as the burning sensation runs over my arm.
“What’s the verdict, doc?” Ruby our head club girl asks as she slides my freshly filled stein over to me while her lips turn up in a warm gesture trying to ease my mood.
Chills chuckles, shaking her head. “I don’t know, it’s pretty bad,” she murmurs making me double take.
What the fuck! I didn’t think it was that bad.
My stomach starts to swirl while I look at her intensely as she reaches into her kit, but her back is to me so I can’t see what she’s doing. I probably need some stitches. I hear a tearing noise as Ruby giggles to herself.
Chills turns to face me with an Iron Man Band-Aid, and she grins wide placing it over my wound. “There, there, all better,” she mocks.
I scoff out an exhale. “You made me think it was actually bad there for a second,” I retort. “Your bedside manner needs some work, doc.”
She snickers. “My bedside manner is just fine. Have your beer and a rest, you’ll be okay in an hour. Now, where the hell did Lift get to? Him, I actually need to check on.” She stands up squeezing my shoulder with a wink as she turns walking away leaving me at the bar with Ruby and my beer.
Suddenly, I can’t help but feel like this is all a fuckup. The deal went wrong, the doc thinks I’m a joke, but I’ve been in a sour mood for the last three months. Not having Cindi around has fucked with my mojo and not in a good damn way. I miss having Cindi around since the news of her landing the role in a big budget movie broke.
I thought seeing some action with Lift and Noah might actually help me feel some normalcy again, but I can’t seem to shake this overwhelming bullshit feeling I have deep inside me. It’s fucking crazy.
I have brothers, friends, family all around me, but the one person I always turned to just isn’t here, and it’s fucking me off. Now don’t get me wrong. This isn’t a ‘Sparx and me’ situation, I’m over that shit. Falling for the girl I can’t have—yeah, I’ve learned my lesson there. Sparx and I were never meant to be.
Cindi, she’s one of our club girls and one of my best friends. Sure, she’s also my fuck buddy—yeah, we go there—but there’s nothing more than a strong friendship between us. We both know it. We’re there for each other, no matter what.
My president, Torque, allowed Cindi to attend acting classes because she went through some shit for the club, and it was her reward. From there, she managed an audition, then landed a supporting role in a major motion picture which is being filmed right here in Chicago. So, at the moment, Cindi’s on set. Don’t get me wrong, I’m fucking crazy happy for her. She deserves this, and she’s worked hard for it, but I find things strange not having her here. Everything’s so damn quiet without her. I pull my hoodie on and throw my cut over my shoulders then take a long sip of my beer while Ruby wipes down the bar.
Sparx waltzes up and plonks down on the stool beside me with Grace, her eighteen-month-old, who’s attached to her hip. Her twins, Grace and Rix, are growing so damn fast, I can hardly keep up. Grace’s blonde hair is short, but she has just enough for Sparx to put into a pink bow on the side of her head.
“Accce,” Grace draws out as her hands come out gripping onto my cut playing with the leather edges. I let her because I love the little princess.
“Ace, we’ve been friends a long time…” Sparx offers. Fuck, here we go! My eyes narrow as she continues, “So, you okay? Heard you were hurt out there.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, nothing a Band-Aid won’t fix.”
I know Sparx means well, but fuck if I don’t need her third-degree right now.
“I just wanted to make sure you’re okay, you know I care about you. I know I might be absent these days, but you’re still my friend.”
Always in the friend zone.
“I'm good, Sparx, don’t worry about me.”
Turning back to the bar, I take a long drink of my beer, the amber nectar sliding down my throat easing the dryness. Swiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I go to stand. I turn to leave, but her hand on my arm yanks hard, and I drop back on my stool.
“Not so fast. Don’t be an asshole. I know you started a friendship with a certain club girl—”
I shrug interrupting with, “And?”
She sighs. “And now she’s not around either. We both were here for you, to be your leaning post, and now we’re both, well… absent.”
I glance at her flaring my nostrils. She’s right on the damn money. “You have a family… twins, they’re a handful. A fiancé… he’s a fucking handful if ever there was one.” Her shoulders bounce with her laughter. “And a wedding to plan. Not to mention running your website business, all while trying to keep yourself balanced. You don’t need to worry about me, Sparx. ‘Cause I’m doing just fine.”
Sparx manages all of this while trying to keep her bipolar disorder under control. She really is an amazing mother let alone woman.
“I do worry about you, Ace. You hold this club together. If there’s a problem, you find a way to fix it. People don’t know how much you’re needed around here. But honestly, you need to get out of this place for a while.”
My eyes narrow as I try to figure out what the hell she’s getting at. “Sparx, you trying to get rid of me?”
She giggles as she wrangles a wriggling Grace. “No, but hear me out—”
“Sparx, I don’t—”
“Shut up and let me talk.” I raise my hands in defeat as I grimace with a slackened jaw. “You and Cindi were close before she left. You haven’t seen her in what? A month?”
“Di di, Momma.”
Sparx leans in pulling Grace higher up on her hip as she wriggles relentlessly. “You’ll see Cindi soon, Gracie, now shh… Momma and Ace are talking…” She turns back to face me. “As I was saying… it’s time to get yourself out of here, Ace. Maybe you should visit Cindi?”
Rolling my shoulders, I crack my neck to the side. “She’s making a movie, Sparx? I can’t just go and show up unannounced. You think they’re gonna let a fucking biker on the set?”
She shrugs. “I think you should try. You obviously miss her like crazy.”
Torque strides up behind me slapping my shoulder hard. “I think that’s a great idea. After today’s shambles, I’d like an update on how Cindi’s traveling. She’s been out there for a while, and she’ll be settling in getting to know everyone. I was thinking about sending you and Noah anyway to make sure there’s nothing unfavorable going on. Cindi’s safety is my number one concern.”
I tilt my head. “Might be good to check up on her.”
“Exactly my thoughts,” Torque answers. “It’s settled. You and Noah will head off then and report back to me if there are any issues we should be aware of…” He pauses. “We protect our family.”
“Got it, pres.”
Torque rubs the top of his niece’s head making her giggle, then he walks off with a strut in his stride like he always has as I turn back to face Sparx.
She winks as I run my hand down the side of Grace’s tiny l
ittle face. She really is adorable, even if she’s Trax’s kid. For an ugly fucker, he makes damn cute babies.
“Ace… maybe it’s time you found yourself a girl? Settle down. You’d make someone very happy with how caring you are.”
I scoff. “Don’t worry about my love life, Sparx, it’s under control.”
She giggles as she hoists Grace up her hip a little more. “Seriously, though, it will do you good to see Cindi and make sure she’s okay.”
“I get to hang out with my two favorite girls all in one day. Aren’t I lucky?”
Her eyes sparkle as she slaps my arm. “See what I mean, Ace? You’re gonna make some lady real happy one day.”
I sigh. She obviously missed the sarcasm in my voice.
Standing up, I roll my eyes, then lean in kissing the top of Grace’s head. Her hand comes up caressing my short beard, and then she reaches around grabbing my man bun.
“Fwuffy.” Grace giggles as I pull back, smiling at them both.
“Great talking to you, Sparx.” I pause then continue, “I think.”
“Have fun, and take a picture of Carter Kingsley for me.”
Snorting out in my laughter, I shrug. “Who the fuck’s he?”
Sparx lets out a small huff. “The Oscar-winning actor starring in the movie Cindi’s making… geez Ace, keep up!”
“If he’s not in the Marvel universe, I probably don’t know who the fuck he is.”
She clasps her hand to her chest as I take off. “And that’s why we love you, Ace,” she calls out.
Now I need to do what Torque’s asked of me. I need to ride over to see Cindi and make sure everything’s okay.
But first, I have to find Noah.
ACE
Walking outside, I head over to the gym and see Noah working on the weight bench while his older—by two years—brother, Lift, sits this one out, probably doctor’s orders. Lift is a little stockier than the thirty-one-year-old, Noah. His muscles are larger, his frame bulkier, but not by much. Noah can still hold his own. He’s no lightweight. His arms and chest are covered in tattoos with the same close- shaved head that Lift sports. Noah still has the whole security guard vibe going on, but he fits in here and being one of the two new prospects, he’s doing a damn good job.
We’ve hit it off because I have to do all the background and security checks, so I get to spend more time with the prospects as they transition in. The past three months since Noah and Luc joined us, they’ve been working their asses off to prove their loyalty to the club. Luc probably a little more so. Some brothers take advantage of the fact they’re willing to work their assess off more than others seeing as they’re both on the older side for prospects, but I think Luc is happy to be here with Chains by his side. Luc’s also getting along well with Armor, with all the time I spent with him and Noah in the cross-checking stages, Noah and I have become buddies. Not to the same extent Cindi and I are— where I feel like I can talk to him about anything—but I feel comfortable around him.
Walking over to my two brothers, I watch as Lift eggs Noah on, encouraging him to do just one more rep, pushing him to the edge as he bicep curls. I roll my eyes as I gain their attention. “Noah. Got a job for you.”
He stops mid-lift, his eyes widen with excitement as he lets out a deep breath. “Oh, yeah?”
“Pres wants us to head down to The Magnificent Mile to check in on Cindi.”
Lift lets out a scoff. “Why the hell do you get to go to a movie set?” he whines.
“‘Cause I’m a prospect, and I’m the one who’s least needed here. For a brother, you don’t know much about how the brotherhood works, brother,” Noah mocks.
Lift scrunches his face, backhanding Noah across his scalp. My shoulders shudder with laughter, loving the friendship between these two.
“Your smart fucking mouth always annoys me, shithead. Go, have fun on the movie set. Fall in love with some actor and leave me the hell alone.”
Internally, I fall into a hysterical heap as Noah stands to place the dumbbell on the ground while shaking his head. “I think you mean actress, dickhead.”
Lift’s mouth turns up in the most devious way. “No… I meant actor.”
Noah shoves Lift in the arm then walks to me. “You’ll keep, asshole, you’ll keep. Look after that skull of yours, cockface.”
Lift salutes as Noah strides along with me as we head toward our bikes. “So, is this just to check in with Cindi, or is something wrong?” he asks.
“Nah, all’s good as far as we know, just a house call to make sure she’s doing okay.”
He’s practically glowing from ear to fucking ear. “Awesome, no drama like the deal we just did then... never been to a movie set before.”
I roll my shoulders. “Well, don’t get too excited. We have to gain access first.”
He bobs his head in understanding, then turns to face me. “Actually, can you give me thirty? I gotta quickly do something before we go?”
I groan but nod as I turn walking back toward the clubhouse as he hops on his ride.
With Noah back from whatever shit he had to do, I grab my helmet, yanking it over my head. My hair always feels awkward in the tight constraint, but I do up the chin strap then start the engine. I make a mental note to take pleasure in this ride. The bikes will have to be put away soon. With winter on the way, snow will follow, and no one likes to ride in the snow, especially not when sleet’s involved.
Pulling back on the throttle, I hammer down, making my way out the compound. Noah’s on my tail as we exit onto the access road. The feeling of the cool wind on my face sends a chill to my bones, but I welcome the sting. We head the short distance to Michigan Avenue and on toward the movie set located at the Jardine Water Purification Plant next to the Navy Pier and Navy Terminal Building. The movie’s mostly being shot in the water plant, and the actors’ trailers are on the pier, which is closed while filming’s taking place.
The theme of the movie from the brief conversations I’ve had with Cindi is based on a Mafia tycoon who runs the water purification plant as a legitimate business, but a hell of a lot of illegal shit goes down inside the walls of the plant. The movie takes place between there, the Navy Pier, and some filming’s done in the nearby streets, in city buildings, and observations decks.
Cindi’s playing the sister to the lead actress, so while it’s not the starring role, it is a major part. Who the lead actress is, I have no fucking clue, nor the male lead for that matter, though I’m assuming now it’s Carter Kingsley who Sparx was going on about. I’ve not really taken much interest in the movie. I should have. Cindi means something to me, so I should show her some support. This is only the beginning for her, and I’m sure it will shoot her up into superstardom.
With Sparx’s time all but occupied, Cindi’s been the girl taking up my time. Sure, she’s a club girl, but it doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. Some of my brothers might think it’s not right, a brother having more than a sexual relationship with a club girl, but Cindi’s worth more. Hell, all the club girls are, and most of the brothers treat them well.
The thing is with Cindi and me is that we’re close. Actually, we’re really fucking awesome friends, and as we head toward the pier, my tires glide effortlessly down E. Grand Avenue. But as we get closer, I see the blockages and security cordons they’ve put in place. It’s a hell of a lot grander than I could have ever thought possible. Maybe this shit’s a lot bigger than I thought? I glance at Noah to stay by me as we slow down to a reasonable speed riding up to the security checkpoint at the edge of the pier. Four guards instantly flank us. One even puts his hand near the gun on his hip making me want to punch him right in his fucking cock.
To make them feel less threatened, I turn off my ride then jump off. Noah does the same walking over with me.
“Can I help you?” one guard asks peering down at me through his Aviators.
“Yeah. Name’s Ace. We’re here to see Cindi Wray.”
The security guard eyes me up
and down, peers at his three buddies then places his fingers into the loops of his pants, puffing out his chest like he’s king-fucking-dick.
I want to punch this pretty boy’s smirk right off his damn face.
“You and every other fanboy around here… Ace.” He sneers my name cockily. He thinks he’s hilarious. He’s not, but he is about to get a face full of knuckles if he’s not careful.
I move forward while Noah grabs my arm holding me back. “What I think you meant to say is… sorry, Ace, you and your brother here can go right on through to see your friend. There’ll be no problems here,” Noah sneers in a harsh tone toward the douche security guard.
“Is that a threat?” Douche asks taking a step toward us. I take a step forward too, so we’re practically eyeballing each other.
A car pulls in behind us, the window winds down as a gorgeous brunette sticks her head out the window. “Ace? Noah?” Cindi’s voice catches me off guard. I hardly recognize her. She has so much makeup on—which is entirely different from how she usually wears it—but she doesn’t look any less or more beautiful, just different… more movie star.
“Hey! Thought we’d surprise you, but we’re having trouble getting in,” I grunt.
She scrunches up her face. “Security’s tight around here, Ace. It’s a closed and secure compound. No one gets in without an actor’s okay or clearance from the top level.” Cindi turns to face douche. “Mike, don’t be a prick, these are my guys. Let them in anytime they want. Any Defiance club members actually. Any man with that vest on, you let them in to see me. Understand?”
Mike grits his teeth. “Yes, ma’am.”
Turning back to Mike, I wink at him with a cocky demeanor plastered all over my face, then turn around heading for my ride.
“Follow the driver, he’ll lead you to my trailer,” Cindi shouts out.
