“Cobalt, Mammoth found her and she’s alive. He took care of one of the threats but is bringing back the other, who was on site getting ready to hurt Julie. Also, our brother found Holy Joe and, according to Mammoth, he’s not in good shape. Prepare, Prez, you ain’t gonna like who it is.”
With that said my VP turns and stomps away. We’ve got a huge mess to clean up before we can assess the damage to our clubhouse from last night’s devastating and unprovoked battle with the Mob. Spoke to the big guy, who said they would handle all the expenses and repairs to our clubhouse. Told me we can even do whatever improvements on their dime as an apology for not controlling their men. Thinkin’ those assholes better start gettin’ their shit together ’cause we are done with all their internal warfare spilling out on everyone else. Neither side fighting last night had many casualties. Well, not during the initial start of the fight, but after we neutralized them and Incubus got his hands on them, that was another story. Between Salvatore, Tony, and the rest of those Italian bastards, this shit ends today. I’m not risking exposing my club or, more importantly, my brothers to all of this petty and unnecessary bullshit, violence, and death when this is so totally not necessary. I’ve tried to explain to these mob motherfuckers that we are not gonna keep doing their dirty shit and after last night, I’m goddamn done. Fuckin’ with me is one thing ’cause of the bad blood between them and my old man, but trying to eliminate my entire clubhouse full of brothers and innocents, that is totally fuckin’ unacceptable. I’m done trying to be the “good” guy and, ya know, let bygones be bygones. Now they are going to pay dearly for this shit. And when I find out who’s responsible for this bullshit with Julie, they will also have consequences, which will be with their lives. Once I’m done with them then they willface Incubus’s fury. Just feeling the tension pouring off of Incubus, I know once his hands are covered in the guilty party’s blood, he won’t stop ’til here is no DNA to trace. He gets so into it sometimes I worry about him, but I’ll always have his back. I mean, for Christ’s sake, he saved my life more than once. Thinking on it, I’m not sure why Psycho didn’t finish up by giving me the goddamn bastard who’s responsible and the main reason Julie isn’t here. I’m so fuckin’ pissed, gotta tell all of my brothers not to get too close to me or I might rip one of their heads off. I start prowling around the clubhouse to try and give my mind something to do. Looking around, I go into my desk, pull out a legal pad, and as I walk, I’m writing down everything that is going to need to be fixed or repaired. Also was giving it some thought on how to improve or add on to make the clubhouse even better. Time passes by and, before I know it, I’m back in the main room and most of my brothers have eyes on me but are staying the fuck away. Looking around, it dawns on me that I’m acting like a total dick. These men, my brothers, are in the same position as I am. For some even worse as this is their only home and place to sleep. I’m thinking of adding on some fancy as fuck buses, like singers tour in, on to the bill so my brothers have somewhere to sleep and eat. Though not a one of them besides Incubus, Psycho, Rocket, and myself know how to cook. That’s why we have the sweet butts in the club.Well, they are not only here to cookis the thought that bounces into my head, which brings a smirk to my face.
Hearing a vehicle coming in fast and hot, everyone either stands or moves toward the door. When Mammoth opens the door, I see Julie, which has my heart first stop then immediately start pounding. Goddamn, this woman has me wound tighter than a twenty-dollar watch, for Christ’s sake. When she looks up and sees me looking her way, she starts coming at me at warp speed. When she leaps at me, I step back to give myself somebalance before she lands in my arms. I can feel her shaking and my anger returns instantly. I try to take inventory of her but she’s hanging on for dear life, arms around my neck, her legs wrapped around my waist, so I just hold her close, running one of my hands up and down her back to comfort her. I’m so absorbed with everything Julie, when I hear the gasps around the room, my head jerks up then toward the door. That’s when I see her, head hung down and body strung tight. Mammoth is behind her and keeps giving her pushes to get her moving because anyone can see Honey doesn’t want to put one foot into the clubhouse. The place that opened its doors for her when she needed it. She’s been with every single fuckin’ brother in this club, fucked ’em, laid next to them, sucked their dicks. And when she started to fixate on me, she was warned repeatedly, but did she listen…fuck to the no. She just wouldn’t move on and the jealousy was running rampant as soon as Julie and Stash got here. The bullshit she pulled with Julie was the final straw, and yeah, we kicked her ass out but not without nothing. Each brother threw in like ten grand, while prospects threw in whatever they could, so she had something to start with. The stupid bitch could have probably gotten a small house or moved out of Indiana. Do whatever she wanted, but no, she let jealousy rule her soul. Now I’m for once not sure what to do. I’m not a pussy, but fuck, don’t want to put a woman to ground either. Julie must feel the difference in my body because she shifts, turns, and sees Honey being pushed in by Mammoth. My woman lets out a long gasp but says not a word. She looks into my eyes and I can see the struggle in hers also. My girl and her gentle heart and soul. Even after the fear of whatever she went through, she still has enough heart to want to give Honey the benefit of doubt. I’m not feelin’ too generous though. I hear heavy footsteps coming down the hall and when Honey’s eyes fall behind me, she literally runs behind Mammoth, who quicklymoves outta her way. The fury coming off of Incubus startles me, but Julie jumps outta my arms and runs to stand in front of Honey, which has everyone gasping. Shit, not again. Why does my ol’ lady keep having standoffs with my brother and best friend. Incubus let her get away with it once, I’m doubting he’s gonna be so kind and patient now. As I go to move Julie outta the way, she gives me the hand and I stop on a dime. No woman has ever had the backbone to do that to me. Even though last night and today has been a nightmare from hell, for some reason this hellion has me gettin’ hard in my jeans. Son of a bitch, just what I need, all my brothers and sweet cheeks seeing me grow wood because my woman gave me the hand. I stalk toward Julie and her eyes widen but that hand is still right up in the air. Before I can get to her, Incubus reaches her. To all of our surprise, he gently lifts Julie, which has a growl come from deep in my chest, and places her off to the side. As soon as her feet hit the floor, she moves right back in front of Honey, which has Incubus swearing under his breath. Then he turns to me frustration in his eyes,
“Cobalt, get your woman outta my way, brother. That bitch is not only a traitor but has the nerve to put every single one of us in danger while doing harm to our clubhouse. Now I’ll be dealing with her as the traitor she is. No mercy ’cause she’s a bitch either. No, don’t open your mouth or even start, Honey. You were warned repeatedly and did you listen?... Fuck no. So, you wanna play, let’s play, whore, but gonna tell ya now, I’m gonna win. This can go easy or it can be rough, personally, I’m hoping for the last ’cause you takin’ Girlie is the final straw. Ya gone and pissed me the hell off.”
“Brother, calm the fuck down. Take a breath, Bus, and just a warning, if you ever put your hands on Julie again it will be your last, motherfucker. That goes for anyone in this goddamn club. If any of you fuckers don’t like it then call a vote and I’ll step down immediately.”
The room goes silent as Incubus jerks like I just hit him square in the chest. The shock in his eyes and face tells me he wasn’t expecting that.Oh well, I think to myselfthen keep your goddamn hands off my ol’ lady.He knows the only time I call him Bus is when I’m extremely pissed off at him or we are reliving our horror when we were in the military. Feeling eyes on me I see Julie with tears in hers. Oh shit, can’t stand a woman crying and, for fuck’s sake, especially this one. I step around Incubus and move in nice and tight to her. She leans in but keeps her body in front of Honey’s. Not sure what she’s thinking until she leans up, trying to pull me to her level. Leaning over, I put my ear close to her and what she says almost knocks me on my ass.
“Cobalt, you need to protect her. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but she’s pregnant and Honey isn’t sure which one of brothers is the father. You can’t murder an innocent child. Please don’t let Incubus do it, he won’t be able to live with himself.”
When the air shifts to arctic, I know my brother heard what Julie just said. And by the psychotic grin Honey has on her face, she’s hit her target. My hands itch to grab her around the neck and strangle the ever-lovin’ fuck outta her, but and it’s a huge one, there is no way on this earth we would knowingly murder a child and that bitch knows it. Not sure why this shit keeps happening but I decide right here and now, if she survives this bullshit, she is gonna be allowed to keep breathing, well at least ’til the child comes. I look to Incubus, knowing there is no way that child is his ’cause he hated Honey, but I have to give the order to step down. And just by the way he is looking at me, I know he’s figured it out already. Damn, can this night get any worse? Once that thought is out in the universe I wish I had never thought it. Honey clears her throat and tosses out one more well-aimed bullet, this time though at Julie yet again.
“Not sure, Cobalt, but it’s either yours or Incubus’s from that threesome we had a few months back. Can’t be sure whose it is, but at one point during that night one of you were in my cunt while the other fucked my ass. Wasn’t sure but didn’t think either of you had condoms on, but maybe I’m wrong. Can either of you remember?”
I hear a sound and, before I can react, Julie is moving closer to me then turns and walks up to Honey. She lets loose and punches her right in the nose, which explodes with blood. The screech out of the former sweet butt is ear-piercing. When Honey goes to grab Julie, she feigns left then comes in with a hard slap to the right side of Honey’s face. This is my test. If I fail, I know deep down in my soul that I’ll never get that chance with Julie, so I hang back, as does Incubus. Something has gotten my ol’ lady all riled up and gonna let her run this show for a little bit. When Julie leans in and whispers in Honey’s ear the sweet butt turns an ugly shade of green then gray. Julie’s words shock everyone in the room, but damn am I proud of my ol’ lady.
“You are a lying bitch, Honey. You, Cobalt, and Incubus haven’t been together for a very long time. And even when you were together Blue Eyes always wore a condom. Do I have to spell it out for you how I know this? Okay, I’ll put it out in the universe. Cobalt shared that with me, right before he fucked me to the moon and back. Yeah, that’s right, he did it without a condom while he promised me he’s never gone without protection ever before. So go ahead try to lie your way out of this, but now I’m thinking that maybe you aren’t even pregnant. It’s up to the club, mainly Cobalt, Psycho, and Incubus on what happens to you, but will tell you, Honey, you’re a fool. Look around, any one of these men is totally a catch. And you had probably all of them, maybe not how you wanted, but damn, life isn’t fair all the time. I really was going to go to bat for you but not gonna put my ol’ man through the wringer for a bitchwho only thinks about herself. Now I’m going to take a two-hour shower to try and get the smell and feel of you off me.”
When she turns my way, I see everything on her face. When she starts talking it dawns on me, we still have another problem being Holy Joe cause we don’t know his play in this.
“Holy Joe needs you, Incubus. Please take care of him before whatever you plan to do with her. I need some time to process.”
With that she walks to me, getting up on her tippy-toes, which has me bending to meet her halfway. Our kiss says it all and no one in the room does anything but watch. I’m thinking my brothers realize Julie is gonna be our queen of the Kings of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Indiana branch.She’s already proved herself,I’m thinking.
SIXTEEN
JULIE
As I make my way to Cobalt’s suite, I hear my name being screamed. Turning, I barely brace in time for when Jimmy runs right into me, arms wrapping tightly around me. I feel wet and am totally shocked that he’s crying while holding me.My poor brotheris my only thought as I put my arms around him, holding him tightly. We both are sobbing by the time Cobalt reaches us and, to my utter surprise, surrounds us with his arms. The feeling of safety warms my heart as Jimmy tries to control his emotions. Cobalt’s head is resting on mine but his hand is on my brother’s shoulder squeezing gently.
“Stash, take your time, brother, your sister is okay. Once she’s ready, I’ll have Incubus check her out thoroughly, but I’m thinking it would take more than Honey and whatever mob asshole she sold her soul to for help to bring your sister down. You gonna be okay, brother? Remember, you need to take it easy too ’cause you ain’t all the way recovered. Come on, let’s all go to my office so we can sit a bit. I’ll make some tea for you both.”
I look up to see Cobalt staring down at me. With the look in his eyes, all my anxiety and fear melts away. This man is everything I’ve ever wanted or dreamed of. I just wish our mom was around to see how great Cobalt is with not only me but alsomy brother. Jimmy needs a man or men in his life who don’t judge him on his choices and support him. Sitting in his office with my brother, with no one talking, gives me the time I need to process. I feel it before it even hits me and when the tears start falling down my cheeks, my brother is on one side and Cobalt is on the other. Neither says a word, just lets me know by their presence they are there for me if I need them.
After a while I manage to pull myself together and finish my tea. Jimmy looks at me to make sure I’m as okay as I say I am before he shakes Cobalt’s hand, thanking him for everything. If you think about it, technically, Jim and I are millionaires now. We are going to have to talk about what we are going to do with that amount of money. I’d like to try to help survivors of human trafficking or maybe start up a foundation for kids. We got time. Cobalt tells my brother, when he’s ready, they can look at the plans for his cabin, which will be built close to both Incubus’s and Cobalt’s cabins out on the farthest point of the club’s property. He will also have a state-of-the-art technology room that has the best security around. Jimmy, who is called Stash by all the Kings of Anarchy brothers, is now their technology prospect. He’ll have to prove himself but from the way it’s looking, I have no doubt Jimmy will be able to handle everything.
Once he leaves, Cobalt loses no time lifting me up and carrying me up to his suite. Gently he places me down and starts the shower so it’s warm and steamy by the time I get in. Slowly, and ever so carefully, he removes my clothes, his eyes taking in every scratch, bruise, or mark before he places me in the shower on the bench. I watch in awe as he strips his clothes off, entering his huge as shit shower. He lifts me off the bench then reaches for the loofah, pouring my soap on it before cleaning every inch of my body. He starts washing my hair, twice, then puts conditioner on it, running his hands through it. WhenI’m done, he places me back on the bench and quickly washes himself before reaching out for a towel. When he starts to dry me off, I realize it’s warm, so he must have a heated towel rack. By the time I’m dried and in one of his Kings of the Anarchy T-shirts, my body is starting to shut down. The stress and fear of being kidnapped, gagged, threatened, hurt, and everything else is weighing me down. Last, I have Cobalt, no, I mean Liam, wrapping me up in his arms, holding on to me tightly. Then right before I go under in nothing but his warmth around me and heartbeat in my ear.
* * *
Not sure what woke me up, but I open my eyes to darkness. My first instinct is to scream my head off, but it dawns on me pretty quickly that I’m in Liam’s bed by myself. It’s so quiet that I instantly hear someone far away either crying or screaming. My heart is beating like crazy because, if that’s Honey, part of me wants them to go all the way, while the other part of me keeps saying in my head everyone deserves a second chance. Slowly I sit up in bed, feeling my body struggling. Between everything that’s happened, I’m thinking being dragged out from behind the shelves and over all the stuff has left me bruised and battered. Thank God for Mammoth, otherwise who knows what would have happened to me. I look down to see I’m in a Kings of Anarchy T-shirt, so I stand up looking for something to wear on my bottom half. My tummy is growling so I need to find some food. I grab a pair of Liam’s basketball shorts, pulling them up and using a hair tie to keep them up. Going in the bathroom I brush my hair and teeth, then head out to the kitchen to find something to eat. When I walk in the room, everyone in it suddenly shuts up. You can hear a pin drop. I look around, trying to act normally, well until Rocket stumbles his way to me using awalker, giving me a pat on my shoulder. Seeing him brings tears to my eyes, and next thing I know, one by one each brother in this club is either patting me on the back or giving me gentle hugs. Tears are rolling down my face by the time Dreamer pulls me into his arms. When he whispers how glad he is I’m back, that’s when I lose it. Gently, he moves me to a chair, setting me down then going to grab me a bottled water. A plate of food is put in front of me by Sparkle, who gives me a real smile for the first time since I’ve arrived. Looking around I don’t see Cobalt, Incubus, Psycho, or Mammoth. When I look back at Sparkle, she gives me big eyes and leans down, whispering they are taking care of business. I get what she’s trying to say without putting it into words. Honey business.
Everyone goes back to what they were doing as some of the sweet butts come by to keep me company. In the short period of time I’ve been here, it’s become quite apparent these women are unique, each having a reason for what they do at the club. A few are working their way through college, while others are recovering from domestic violence. And a few honestly say they love the life of being able to—and I use their words “fuck whoever they want when they want.” Go figure, there are men who do it and no one questions it, so why should it be different for women?
Not sure how long I’ve been sitting when the door flings open, and at what I see my mouth drops open as my eyes get huge. Incubus walks in like it’s absolutely normal for him to be in a pair of boxer briefs and nothing else, covered in blood and whatever else is on him. Even his beard has stuff in it. When he looks around and sees me his head drops and he refuses to look my way again, almost like he is embarrassed or something. One of the sweet butts, an older girl, moves around grabbing stuff, putting it in a plastic container. Without a word he turns and walks back out. Not sure what’s up, so when Bowie and Ajaxmake their way to me, I wait because something is definitely up. Both men sit down and it’s Bowie who explains.
“Okay, Julie, what you just saw, I need you to forget it like you never saw it. This is not a demand but a very sincere suggestion. And, no, none of that shit on Incubus was Honey’s, just so you know. There are things that are up to Cobalt to either tell you or not. It’s no one’s business except both of yours. And to answer your question, your ol’ man is not with Incubus either. He had to do a run to speak to Gino, the mob boss, who is trying to figure out what the fuck went down here and who is actually responsible for everything. It doesn’t help that Salvatore is related to him through some marriage shit. As you know, Sal is a total jagoff but he also has a wife, kids, and one on the way, I think we were told. Tony, on the other hand, is a very aggressive son of a bitch wanting to advance in the Mob. Well, he did but that ain’t gonna be happening any time soon. Shit, don’t repeat that to anyone, Julie. Any questions? And just sayin’ please don’t ask me any questions.”
Looking at Cobalt’s two brothers, who look scared to death I might ask them some questions they can’t or won’t answer, I lean forward, making it easy on them, and just shake my head with a smile on my face. The relief on both of their faces almost makes me laugh. I look down just as the plate of food is pulled back and a fresh one is placed down right in front of me. Looking up I see Sparkle glancing my way before she turns and walks away. Suddenly hungry, I start eating and looking around at everyone. A few of the brothers are openly watching me but most are either eating their dinner or having conversations with those around them. Sweet butts are filling up glasses, removing dirty dishes, or being pulled into brother’s laps once they are finished eating. Cobalt tried to explain to me that some of the brothers have no qualms about getting busy in front of everyone, and it seems he was telling the truth. Out of the corner of my eye, I seea young, newer-looking sweet butt moving off I think it’s Ore’s lap to kneel between his legs. To give him some credit, he moves in closer to the table so it’s not open season for all to see. When his head drops back, I can only imagine what she is doing, and for some reason I can’t stop watching his face and body. His eyes are closed, his mouth has dropped open, and his body is tense. I can see his one leg is bouncing up and down, and when he jerks his head up and his eyes open, the expression says it all. Ore probably just experienced an orgasm, but it’s what he does next that totally surprises me. His hands go between his legs, which I’m assuming is where the girl is, and I can see his arms moving so he must be either massaging or at least caressing her head.Not such assholes after allis my thought right before his eyes find me staring and he gives me a sexy as hell grin with a wink. Then he reaches down, pulling the woman up, and drags her out of the kitchen, which I’m sure is so he can go fuck her in one of the rooms, as I’m not sure if he has a room here or not. That’s the kind of stuff I still don’t know.
Finishing off all that I could eat, I stand, taking my plate to the sink, rinsing it off, and loading it into the dishwasher. I hear a high-pitched whistle and turn to see Sparkle pointing at me.
“Yo, y’all see what Julie just did? Fine example of what you do with a plate when done eating. Learn, assholes, because I’m done being everyone’s fuckin’ maid, you hear me? Thanks, Julie, appreciate you being so considerate. Enjoy your night, sistah.”
With that she turns and walks back to the walk-in pantry, while I get flak from just about everyone left in the kitchen.Oh well, I think to myselfI’m not going to be able to please everyone every single time.Feeling tired again, I make my way to Cobalt’s room and close the door. I almost forget but turn to lock it knowing Cobalt can get in with his Bond scanner. I leave a side lamp on before I climb back into bed. My head barely hits the pillow when I pray, as sleep pulls me under, that I don’thave nightmares because Cobalt isn’t here to protect me. That is my final thought before nothing else penetrates. Well, that and I hope and pray my ol’ man is okay.
