Chapter 13
Phoenix
As I sit on my customized Harley, I swig my beer. The cool liquid does little to quell my anger. I look around at my brothers gathered at the clubhouse on the outskirts of Maplewood.
With stucco and graffiti-tagged walls, this building has been our haven for over a decade since we formed our band of brothers.
We met in the military, brothers-in-arms who watched each other”s backs through hell. When we mustered out, the civilian world didn”t fit anymore. So, we created our own family here in Maplewood.
Jagger catches my eye, his thick beard and burly frame making him look like a grizzled biker straight out of a movie.
A jagged scar cuts across his cheek, a reminder of our chosen life.
Bear lumbers over, his massive belly straining against his worn leather vest, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips.
The smoke curls around his craggy face, making his eyes water.
Despite his rough exterior, the man”s as loyal as they come. He was the first to join Jagger and me after we returned stateside.
I clear my throat, drawing their attention before sharing what”s weighing on my mind. “Listen up. I got some news about Nova”s ex, Derek.” My voice carries across the oil-stained concrete of the motor pool. “That piece of shit wants to take Maya away from Nova.”
Instantly, the atmosphere shifts, and tension replaces the easy camaraderie.
Jagger”s face hardens, his fists clenching at his sides. “Over my dead body,” he spits, his face twisted into a snarl. “Nova and that little girl are under our protection. No one fucks with what”s ours.”
I look around at the furious expressions on my brothers” faces, their curses filling the air. A wave of nods passes through the group, a silent vow of solidarity. We”d die for our own, and Nova and little Maya are family now.
Aldis steps forward, his presence commanding respect. “Whatever it takes, we”ll keep them safe.”
A chorus of “damn right” and “fuck, yeah” echoes around me. The loyalty of my brothers is a tangible force.
Jagger claps my shoulder. “We got your back, Phoenix. That scumbag won”t get near them.”
I nod, gratitude swelling. “I appreciate it more than you know. Nova and Maya mean everything to me.”
I grip my Harley”s handlebars, knuckles turning white as I address the group. “I tracked down Derek”s new address.”
“Thought he skipped town,” Bear chimes in, taking a drag from his cigarette.
Mumbles ripple through the group. “Nah. Took some digging, but I found out where the bastard is shacking up with his new piece.”
“We won”t let him get away with this,” Bear says.
“What”s the plan?” Tank asks.
“I tracked Derek”s movements for days, learning his routine, waiting to confront him.”
“No chance in hell,” I reply fiercely. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what”s to come. “Derek will be home soon. Who”s coming with me?”
The room erupts into a chorus of eager volunteers. Jagger steps forward, his eyes alight with fury. “I”m in, brother. That scumbag ain”t getting away with this.”
Tank and Bear nod in agreement, cracking their knuckles in anticipation. Aldis raises a hand, silencing the raucous chatter.
“Let”s go pay that bastard a visit,” he says with a quiet menace.
Jagger pulls up beside me. “We”ve got this. That low-life won”t know what hit him.”
I’m grateful for their unwavering loyalty as we speed out of the parking lot. We hit the streets, the rumbling of our bikes cutting through the night air.
I lead the way, having already tracked down Derek”s new address from a P.I. buddy of mine. The bastard thinks he can walk away and abandon his family like they mean nothing. He”s got another thing coming.
We turn the corner, the glow of Derek”s house coming into view. My heart pounds in my chest as we slowly approach the driveway.
Jagger, Aldis, and I dismount, gravel crunching beneath our boots.
The three of us wait in the shadows, our bikes hidden, our eyes scanning the area for movement. Time crawls by, but I remain vigilant, my senses on high alert.
Finally, Derek arrives home late in the evening, parking his flashy car in the driveway.
“There he is,” I growl, my voice laced with venom. “Let”s go.”
As we draw closer, I see Derek”s face, and a dark, primal part of me yearns to wipe that smug expression off. Derek strolls toward the front door, but I block his path.
“Remember me, asshole?” I growl, my fists clenched at my sides.
Derek brushes past, but Jagger and Aldis flank me, their imposing presence making Derek shrink back. His eyes narrow in anger. “The fuck do you want?”
A humorless smile tugs at my lips. “You”re going to send new paperwork to Nova”s lawyer, stating shared custody.”
Derek lets out a mocking laugh, the sound grating on my nerves. “You think you can threaten me? You”re nothing but lowlife biker scum.”
I shake my head in disgust as Derek”s arrogance drips from every word. “I”m scum? That”s rich, coming from the guy who abandoned his wife and child.”
Derek scoffs, puffing out his chest in a pathetic attempt at bravado, but I see fear flickering in his eyes. “That”s none of your business. Maya”s my daughter. You can”t tell me what to do.”
This guy is even worse than I thought. He deserves everything that”s coming to him. “You think a judge will grant full custody after you walked out on them? You put Nova through hell.”
A flicker of regret passes over his features before the defensive mask returns. “I can provide for Maya and give her everything she needs.”
That doesn’t change the fact he’s using Maya to hurt Nova. “Why do you want to put that little girl through the trauma of being ripped away from her mom to salvage your guilty conscience?”
Derek”s face twists with anger as if he’s considering taking a swing at me. “You can”t stop me. I”ll fight this in court. I”ll?—”
I grab him by the neck before he can spew any more venom. “Listen up, you sorry excuse for a man. You”re going to withdraw that bullshit custody claim. Understand?”
Derek squirms, but I hold firm, rage boiling in my veins.
“Fuck you,” he spits.
I let out a dark chuckle. “Wrong answer.”
My fingers dig into his flesh as I slam his face against the glass panel of his front door.
Glass shattering fills the air, and Derek lets out a pained cry as shards rain down around us.
“Not so funny now, is it, asshole?” I growl, pressing his face harder against the glass, the spiderweb of cracks spreading out from the point of impact.
Derek howls in pain, clutching his nose. “You fuckin” psycho!” he cries, his words garbled, blood dripping from his lips.
I yank Derek back by his hair, forcing him to look me in the eye. His face is a bloodied mess, his eyes wide with fear. Good. He should be afraid.
“Now, you”re gonna listen real close,” I tell him. “Drop this custody bullshit and leave Nova and Maya the hell alone. Are we clear?”
Derek nods weakly, cradling his shattered face. “Y-yes,” he stammers, blood bubbling from his lips.
Satisfied, I release my grip, and Derek crumples to the ground. I turn to Jagger and Aldis, my expression grim. “Let”s get out of here.”
I rev the motor of my Harley, savoring the rumbling power as we tear down the road. Jagger and Aldis flank me, their bikes weaving in the darkness like lethal shadows.
As we head back to the clubhouse, relief washes over me. Nova and Maya are safe.
Derek got what he deserved, but this isn”t over. He”s a coward and will probably strike back. I”ll savor this win but remain vigilant for the next danger, always ready to defend my loved ones.
As we approach the Rebel Hearts clubhouse, I see Maya. She”s running around, chasing a ball with carefree abandon. She”s so damn precious.
I park my bike and kill the engine. Jagger and Aldis follow suit, their boots crunching on the gravel as they dismount.
Maya spots us and comes barreling over, all smiles and boundless energy. “You”re back!”
I scoop her up, her tiny arms wrapping around my neck. “Hey there, munchkin,” I say softly, drinking in her sweet scent. All my anger melts away at that moment, replaced by fierce protectiveness.
Nova rises from where she”s seated on the steps. Her eyes drift to my hands and widen at the sight of the dried blood staining my knuckles.
“Phoenix?” Nova asks as she approaches. “What happened?”
I set Maya down gently, my jaw tightening as I meet Nova”s questioning gaze. Part of me doesn”t want to worry her, to taint her world with the brutality of mine. But I can never lie to this woman.
“You don”t have to worry about that custody issue anymore. I took care of it.”
Nova”s eyes search mine, realization dawning in their depths. It”s a silent acknowledgment of the lengths I”ll go to for the people I love.
She doesn”t say a word, but I see the gratitude shining in those baby blues.
She loves me. Truly, deeply loves me, not for my violence or my rough edges, but for the man willing to sacrifice everything to keep her and her daughter safe.
She presses a soft kiss on my cheek. As she pulls back, our eyes lock.
“I love you,” she whispers fiercely, her voice thick with emotion.
My throat grows tight as I gaze at this incredible woman. I know without a doubt that she”s it for me—the one.
“I love you too, darlin”,” I murmur, cradling her face in my bloodied hands. “Always will.”