SEVENTEEN
COBALT
When I received the call that Gino wanted to see me in person, I almost told him to pound sand up his ass because I really wasn’t all that thrilled to leave Julie yet again. She finally fell into a deep sleep and I, for one, didn’t want to disturb her but also wanted to end this shit with the Mob. I instructed everyone in the club to keep what Incubus was doing quiet, and if she asked to tell her I’d explain when I returned. Thank God Psycho came with me, along with Mammoth, because this could have turned bad real quick like. Why does money make people do crazy-as-fuck shit? I repeatedly told Gino the money Stash and Julie had discovered didn’t exist for the Mob, but did he listen? No, he didn’t. Just like Salvatore and Tony, this motherfucker thought he could threaten, bully, and imply the brother-sister team weren’t safe until the money was out of their hands. He generously offered to take it and said he’d do good with it. When I asked what that was, he shrugged his shoulders but didn’t have any answers. I’m beyond grateful I listened to Mammoth and Psycho when they insisted on coming with me because if I was alone, I’m sure Gino would have instructed the men with him to put me down as a warning. Problem was, his two guys were no threat to any ofus, so that went south fast. When I had Gino against the wall, I spoke clearly and slowly so he could understand my words.
“Motherfucker, listen closely, Julie and Stash do not exist for you any longer. The money also doesn’t matter to you, it’s gone. You never knew about it or, if you did, you didn’t stop that maniac from doing what he was doing, so fuck off. Like I explained on the phone, we are done. Two more jobs and we will be going our separate ways. I’ve had enough of the Mob to last me the rest of my goddamn life. We made a good team, Gino, until you all got too hungry for more which made you greedy. Our club is going in a different direction so just know, no matter what you offer the answer will always be fuck no.”
After a little physical persuasion, he agreed to let everything be done and over. As soon as he did, I turned to leave, but he shocked the ever-lovin’ fuck outta me when he asked if I wanted to bring someone back with me. Then he implied it might be beneficial because it would give me something to keep Incubus in line. That instantly tells me who it is, and I tell him there is no way that bitch is fuckin’ coming back with me. He laughs, asking me if Incubus has any say so. I lose my cool and almost kill the motherfucker. When he can catch his breath, he explains that she is causing all kinds of trouble, and he can’t have that. Also, his wife and her family found out that he was helping to keep her hidden and available for Salvatore, which has her father threatening to feed him to the alligators down at the Florida compound. Gino actually looks a bit scared. He further explains his father-in-law is friends with Salvatore’s father-in-law so it’s a matter of having a friend’s back. Gino immediately starts trying to think of ways to remove her from his protection without killing her because he doesn’t want Incubus to get wind of it and come after him. I think to myself, I was right when that all went down I should have just put a bullet in her head. Again, I let the fact that she was a woman cloud my better judgment.Now once again, she’s surfacing to cause my brother more trouble. Thinking for a quick second after looking at Psycho and Mammoth, both of their faces looking like they were sucking on lemons, I glance at Gino and his men.
“Okay, give me a day or so to talk this over with my brother. Gino, no, shut your goddamn mouth. If you would have controlled Salvatore neither of us would be having to deal with this fuckin’ headache yet again. She’s like a bad nightmare; she never goes away completely. If Incubus says no then she stays where she is and is your problem to deal with, you hear me? Now, are we done?”
He just stands there glaring at me then slowly nods. The three of us turn and walk to and out the door. I personally am hoping and praying I never have to see that jagoff ever again. If, and that’s a long stretch, my brother gives the okay, a couple of our brothers will be coming here to pick the bitch up and bring her back, but I’m thinking this time the odds are against her. I hope Incubus has learned his lesson because I don’t think our club can handle another one of her outbursts. The last one almost got Incubus killed. That is the thought I have as we get on our bikes and head out back to the clubhouse. For me that’s back to Julie.
* * *
After getting an update on the special job Incubus is working on, and I’ve checked in on Rocket and Holy Joe, I quietly make my way into my room, smirk as I put my Bond hand out opening the door. When I’m in, I again use my hand to lock the door behind me. Moving without making a sound, I bend over to remove my boots then drop my jeans on the floor. Then careful as ever, I remove my kutte, hanging it on the hook besides the door. Pulling my T-shirt off, I strip my socks as I walk towardthe bed, seeing the lump on my side. My girl is sleeping where I do and hope that’s because she feels safer there. Carefully I shift her over and get my ass in bed, pulling the covers over both of us. Julie instantly moves closer to me, her hand going on my stomach as one of her legs shifts between mine before she settles again. I glance down and her purple head rests on my chest. Finally, I feel that I can breathe. This last meeting seems to have gone in our favor and if everything goes as planned, we are finally free of the Mob. But we have contingencies in case they aren’t feeling like honoring their word. I have Stash to thank for that part of the plan. He worked his ass off and was able to find some things we are sure the Mob does not want out there for the world to see. It gives us the upper hand and that’s all I want. Need to keep moving the club toward the light and outta the dark.
Running my hands up and down Julie’s back, the tightness that has been in my chest is finally starting to loosen up. Her smell and the feel of her body next to mine has me reacting, but I’m not gonna go there tonight. All I want for now is to keep holding on to her tightly and sleep together peacefully. I’m sure some other bullshit will find its way to us soon enough. Plus, I have to figure out a way to address this other shit with Incubus. On the way back we stopped at a diner to talk about the what-ifs. Mammoth wants me to skip Incubus and just let Gino deal with it, while Psycho said it has to be Incubus’s decision as it affects him the most. I agree with them both, so gonna think on it for a bit before I have that conversation. For now, I have my ol’ lady in my arms, my club is safe, none of my brothers are dead, and those who were injured are starting to heal. Have no idea what tomorrow will bring, but tonight I feel like I have everything important right here in my arms. With that I slowly relax and fall into a restful sleep with Julie right beside me.
Something wakes me up, so I trust my instincts and start to get up while feeling everything is pounding in me. My heart pounding like crazy. Looking to my side I see Julie curled up, her hand reaching across the bed, probably touching my back. Trying to be quiet, I leave the bed and move to where I dropped my jeans earlier. Pulling out my phone, I see I have over ten instant messages.What the fuck?is the first thing that comes to mind, right beforeNow what?Opening up the message I almost fall to my knees when I see the picture being displayed. I close my eyes and almost jump outta my skin when Julie wraps her hands around me. She instantly can feel something in the room.
“Liam, what’s wrong? Please don’t keep anything from me, I’m not a wilting daisy. Maybe I can help but you have to let down your walls and talk to me.”
Watching her it takes a minute or two for her words to penetrate. She’s one-hundred-percent correct. I need to let go of all the bullshit that’s been sitting in my head for years. Since the old man and all his asshole ways. Dad was the one who hooked our star to the Mob and, damn, look how well that shit worked out. Thank Christ we were able to keep most of our dignity while working on getting released from their dark ways. Turning, I pull Julie up against me, holding on to her like she’s my lifeline. Wait one damn minute, she is totally my lifeline and time for me to admit it. What the fuck is wrong with me? Leaning in close, I open my mouth and once I start it’s like I can’t stop. She gets it all in one conversation and she takes it like a champ. No silly questions or requests from her. Straight to the point and no nonsense. We start going over what to do about the text I received, and Julie recommends we check first to make sure it’s a real one. She explains to me there are people who are able to fuck with photos and even with texting systems. She told me that Stash had told her awhile back that AI could be used for good or bad depends on who’s using it. Knowing he would be able to tellI put a call out to Stash, who lets me know he’ll get up and come to our room in a quick minute. Julie tries to pull away but I can’t or won’t let her go. She’s like my phoenix because she is all about resurrection and rebirth. Her mother is dead and she hasn’t let that keep here down and out. My ol’ lady is all about being in the here and now. Since we’ve met her strength continues to grow and amaze me. She’s calm and cool in all different situations. And, for fuck’s sake, I can use either of those to keep my own temper in check.As we sit quietly waiting for Stash to get his ass here my mind is going in all different directions. I’m trying to absorb all of Julie’s goodness when Stash knocks first and then he’s opening the door, his arms filled with his laptop and tablet. His eyes take in his sister wrapped up in all that is me. His head drops down, looking at the floor. What the fuck is wrong with him? I know I’m not good enough for her but, fuck it, I’m in there and not leaving ever. She’s mine ’til the day I take my last breath, so Stash better get used to it and not start any shit. I show him my phone. He takes it and starts working on it immediately to see if the picture is actually real. I’m praying it’s not, but fuck, I can see that fucker Gino trying to get me to give in on his demands. Both Julie and I watch as Stash has my phone in some contraption he pulled from his backpack and he’s pounding on his keyboard. Julie’s put all of her weight on me and my arms are hanging on tightly. I’m trying to wait patiently but I can feel my heart thumping like crazy. As if she can feel not only my frustration but also how worried I am because, for fuck’s sake, if that picture is real, I’m gonna have to tell my brother because I did promise all my brothers there would be no more secrets, no matter what. I have a feeling this is gonna turn into a shit show for sure. I’m not sure our club is gonna be able to handle our brother if he decides to lose his ever-fuckin’ mind if Stash can confirm this is actually truth.
So deep in my own head, I almost jump when Stash clears his throat. I feel Julie grab on to me tightly, even before I look up, the answer to my question is already answered. Needing the confirmation my eyes meet his and the look in them tells me everything I know. He doesn’t even have to answer but he does.
“Prez, after running a few different programs and analyzing it, this picture is actually real. And it looks like the person in it is not doing well at all. See the pooling of blood under that chair. Well, look at the rope tied around the ankles and wrists. Skin is rubbed almost to the bone, which means when being tortured the person tried to break free. The whites of their eyes are bloodshot so probably blew some vessels behind the eyes, which explains the dark black and blue around the eyes. The knife damage to the chest area and stomach is looking infected telling us some of these wounds ain’t new. And before you ask me, Julie can tell you I’m one of the best hackers out there and I don’t usually miss much. Not only did I analyze the photo but put it through two programs to give me details on what they found. Cobalt, not sure who this person is to you or the club but their time is ticking, brother. Ya need anything else from me? If not, gotta get back to the program I’m working on that will be specific to your club only. And I mean there will be a larger program for the Kings of Anarchy world and then a sub-program for the Indiana chapter which will have a few extras. Sorry I couldn’t give ya better news.”
Thanking Stash, we both watch him walk out. The room is silent for a minute or two then Julie throws out there what I already know.
“Cobalt, you need to tell him now. If time is of the essence, once he knows going to have to get a plan in place. Will you have to alert your mother chapter because I think this is going to have huge blowback. The Mob is disrespecting not only you but also your entire club. And, sweetie, you tried to give them an outbecause your other chapters still work with them. Just sayin’, not getting into your business, I swear.”
Leaning down I place a kiss on the top of her head while squeezing her. Damn, my luck sure changed when I found and met Julie. She’s speaking the truth so gonna need to put a call out to Big Daddy because I know for sure he’s got business with the Mob that’s located in Southern California, where our mother chapter is located. Not a call I’m looking forward to making because Bid Daddy, for sure, won’t understand why I want to stop my arrangement with Salvatore and Gino. Well, especially Gino, since Salvatore has been shipped back to Italy and no idea what happened to Tony.
“Darlin’, you’re spot-on, but first gotta make a call to Big Daddy out in SoCal. Remember I told you about the once a year gathering out there at the mother chapter. Well, he needs to be updated about all the bullshit that’s transpired recently before I grab him to explain what’s goin’ on. Right after everyone will meet us in chapel so we can decide as a club our next steps. That’s more than you should know, but I know ya’ll keep it to yourself. Not even Stash can know this shit, Darlin’, got it?”
I watch as she rolls her eyes so my hands go to her waist and I start to squeeze until she squeals, which tells me my ol’ lady is ticklish. So, with this knowledge, I start to tickle her until she’s screaming “Uncle” and threatening to pee on me. Hmmmm, golden showers are not my gig, so I stop. She gets off me and heads to the door.
“No matter what you do, Cobalt, be gentle with him. Personally, I know you don’t give a flying fuck what happens to that person in the picture, but he’s your brother. Have a heart.”
I tilt my head and stare at her. This woman is beyond complex and has the biggest heart I’ve ever seen.
“Hear ya, Darlin’. Question for you though, Julie. Why are ya callin’ me Cobalt? Thought I told you to use my given name.”
“Yeah, you did, Cobalt. Think your comment was when we are in your room or house and you’re pounding into me you want to hear me scream your name, which is Liam. As we can both see no pounding is happening right now and we are talking club business, so you’re Cobalt.”
I move to grab her but she’s quick, so by the time I get to where she was, she’s opened the door and is running down the hallway. I take chase and she’s already in the main room when I reach her, grabbing an arm, swinging her, and bending over so I can fireman lift her. She’s belly laughing as the room goes static with not a sound from anyone. I look up and see shock on each and everyone’s faces. I give them one of my smirks.
“What, assholes? Have ya never seen a man chase his woman down, grab her, and take her to his room to first paddle her ass for being a smart-ass before pounding the shit outta her?”
Leave it to Julie to retaliate the only way she can at the moment.
“Blue Eyes, for Christ’s sake, don’t tell them we’re going to fuck. Are you crazy? Hey, quit hitting my butt, you bully. And just sayin’, you are not paddling my ass. Put me down, now Liam.”
Lookin’ around, just by the utter shock on every brother’s face I know I’m gonna be dealing with a shit ton of questions. This little minx is definitely gonna feel my hand on that fine as fuck ass of hers. Though it won’t hurt too much. I can almost guarantee, by the time I’m done, she’ll be dripping wet for me to sink deep inside of her. That brings a sexy smirk on my face and I hear the hoots and hollers starting from my brothers as they read my face. Yeah, that call can wait. Need to teach my ol’ lady a lesson, though I hope she doesn’t learn it too well. I’m gonna be lookin’ forward to many years of correcting her.
EIGHTEEN
