16. Baja
16
BAJA
“Fifteen minutes until church.” Salem strides toward the door, stepping outside and merging with the darkness of night, his mind likely processing the chaos brought to our doorstep.
The room gradually empties, and tension thickens as we exchange silent glances. Each of us is fully aware that this isn’t just another meeting. It is about the club, family, and the looming trouble that threatens to erupt.
I stay put for a moment, then head toward the bar and pour myself a shot of whiskey. I turn to my uncle, who remains frozen on the couch, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that cuts through the tension like a knife. He’s quiet, his face lined with exhaustion and something else—guilt, maybe.
“Speak your mind.” Uncle Jax inhales sharply, his breath heavy.
“You’ve cornered me and the club, showin’ up unannounced and dumpin’ this in our laps. Not fuckin’ cool, man.”
He nods slowly, a grim acknowledgment. “I know.”
“While I get your perspective, a threat looms over our heads now with an MC we have no history with. A threat you’ve thrust upon us.”
“I’ll handle it. I promise. All I ask is that you keep Lily safe,” my uncle insists, his voice steady yet pleading.
I’ve got nothing else to say. I’m still processing everything myself. So, we sit silently until Salem strides back inside, commanding attention with every step.
“Jax, you need to be part of this as well.” Salem strides across the room, his gaze locked straight ahead and an intense expression etched on his face, charged with urgency.
I stroll over to the couch with a bottle of whiskey in my hand, then hook my free hand under my uncle’s arm, helping him stand. “You good for this?” I hand him the bottle, and he downs a heavy shot.
“I’ve got no choice, do I?” He winces, leaning on my support as we join the others.
The table fills fast, everyone taking their usual spots. Salem sits at the head, his expression as unreadable as ever. There’s already an extra chair next to mine. I take my place, and my uncle settles next to me.
Salem’s gaze sweeps the table. “Now that we’ve all had a minute to absorb the situation we have on our hands, we’re not leaving this room until a plan is put in place. But first, I want every goddamn detail.” He cuts his eyes at my uncle. “Start talkin’.”
I slump back in my chair, the wood groaning under my weight, and lock my gaze on my uncle. This goes beyond ordinary club matters. The stakes are high. My uncle has been through hell and dragged himself back, carrying an extra load with him, but there’s something raw in his eyes—a desperation I’ve never witnessed before as he steels himself to speak. “The President’s name is Zane Kane, but he calls himself Havoc. Their club has about a eleven members, give or take.” His voice is rough like gravel. “They have a nasty reputation.”
“So do we,” Laredo mutters.
“Then you’ll understand when I say they don’t play by any rules either. They are vicious and unafraid to get their hands dirty to get and keep power,” Uncle Jax pauses, taking a deep breath. “Havoc is the kind of man who doesn’t tolerate betrayal, and my daughter leaving him… to him, that is betrayal.”
The room remains silent for a beat.
My uncle glances down at the table and then looks at Salem, swallowing hard. “Lily trusted the wrong man. She thought he’d take care of her. Instead, he broke her. Broke her spirit and body. She didn’t tell me until it was too late. Not until after she was pregnant. By then, the bastard had already done his damage.” He pauses, his words sinking like a lead weight.
The knot in my stomach tightens, twisting into something darker. We’ve all seen what men like Havoc can do. I’ve seen the aftermath, and it never leaves you. My thoughts drift to Alice, to the shadows in her eyes when she thinks no one is looking. No woman should have to go through that kind of hell.
“So, that was when you chose to pull her out?” Juneau grits out, the lines on his face deepening.
Uncle Jax nods. “I waited for the right opportunity. I couldn’t do it alone with his men around. It wasn’t easy.”
“You think you were followed?” Harlem asks.
“No signs we were.” My uncle shakes his head. “But that said, I can’t guarantee it. These fuckers are resourceful. They’ve got narks in places you wouldn’t think to look.” Uncle Jax eyes Harlem.
Mystic braces his forearms against the table, shooting my uncle a stern glare. “If what you’re spouting about this club is true, we better be ready… they’re gonna be hunting for Lily and you.”
Harlem leans back in his chair, rubbing his chin. “You’re askin’ us to step into a potential war. You realize that, don’t you?”
“I do.” My uncle’s voice is clear and steady.
The room goes still again, and every man exchanges glances, and then all eyes land on Salem.
“I want the names of every Phantom Rider you know. And, at some point, Lily answers some questions,” Salem states, and my uncle nods. “You and Lily will stay at the clubhouse and are not to leave. Got it?” His voice is stern, the order final. Salem shifts his attention and looks around the table. “I want at least two men here to always watch over things.”
“I’ll do it.” Juneau is quick to volunteer.
“I ain’t got no old lady or kid, so I’ll stay too,” Laredo says.
“Good.” Salem pushes from the table and stands. “I need to get my woman home. Harlem, Mystic, grab your woman and kid, then go.” Salem looks at me. “Get your uncle settled into a spare room, then take Alice home too.” Salem doesn’t idle and walks out of the room.
In the end, it’s just me and my uncle left. He plants his hands on the table and pushes himself up.
“Come on.” I lead him out of the room and down the hall to an empty room. The door creaks open, and he steps inside. “You hungry?”
He sinks onto the mattress. “Naw, just tired, kid.” He rubs his hand over his face, then peers at me. “You’ve grown into one hell of a man, Nash. I’m proud of ya.”
“You played a part in that.” I lean against the doorframe.
He snorts, shaking his head. “No, kid. Your mom and dad did. I take no credit. I’ve screwed up more times than I can count. I hope like hell this time isn’t one of them.”
“You taught me more than you realize, and to me, it counts for somethin’.”
For a beat, neither of us speaks.
“Well, I’ll leave you to rest.” I go to turn around.
“Catch you later, kid,” Uncle Jax mutters, his farewell carrying a weight it never has before as I close the door.
I brush it off and go looking for my woman. I find her in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a mug in her hands. Her eyes lift to mine as I close in on her, and she gives me a small smile. She looks tired, both mentally and physically.
“Come here.” I open my arms, and she sits her cup on the counter and walks into them. “You okay?” I rest my chin on top of her head.
“I am now.”
“How’s Lily?” I ask out of concern.
Alice sighs heavily. “She’s alive and safe. And right now, despite what she’s been through, that is what matters.” Alice peers up at me. “Take me home?”
“You got it.” I tuck her into my side, and we move through the clubhouse. As we approach my bike, the familiar scent of damp earth and oak mixes with the faint smell of gasoline. I pull the helmet from the handlebar and slip it on her head, strapping it beneath her chin and feeling the weight of her gaze on me. I swing my leg over the seat, and she climbs onto the bike behind me, her body molding to mine. The warmth of her body pressing against my back as she wraps her arms around me is grounding, instantly melting away the tension in my body.
The engine roars to life, and I guide us from the clubhouse, the tires crushing against the gravel. The canopy of tall oak trees blots out the moon’s glow, shrouding us in heavy shadows as the clubhouse becomes smaller in my side mirrors.
Tires hum steadily once we hit the asphalt of the open road. Alice’s arms tighten around me as we pick up speed, and having her with me tonight steadies me in a way I didn’t know I needed. She cuts through the noises in my head. We ride, her body in tune with mine, leaning into the curves like one person.
The wind stings my face, and shadows cling to everything as houses fade into thick woods before downtown Salem comes into view. The narrow streets are lined with rough brick buildings, the dim glow of old streetlamps spilling light onto the cobblestones, stretching shadows across the road. Even at this hour, downtown pulses with life. Neon signs buzz over storefronts, and people stroll along the sidewalks. We roll past a bakery, the rich scent of fresh-baked goods filling the air. Downtown Salem is a sharp contrast to the isolation of the clubhouse, but it’s also home.
As we approach the tattoo shop, I slow my speed and ease the bike to a stop in front of the narrow staircase leading to my apartment above. I kill the engine. Alice’s warmth clings to me for a beat longer before she pulls away and removes the helmet. I glance back to see her shaking out her hair, her cheeks flushed from the ride, and she yawns. I wait for her to climb off the bike before swinging my leg over the seat and taking her by the hand. “Let’s get you inside.”
The moment I open the door, Ozzy lets out a long meow, weaving through my legs, his tail curling around my calf. I bend down and scoop him up. Ozzy presses his head against my jaw, purring. “Hey, buddy.” Alice eyes me softly as she watches me cradle the big furball like a baby.
“He loves you.” She scrubs under his chin.
“Don’t let him fool you. This chunk would sell me for a can of tuna.” I scratch him behind his ear, and Ozzy stretches lazily in my arms. Deciding he’s had enough, Ozzy leaps from my arms, trotting toward the couch, jumping up and plopping down on his favorite back cushion with a permanent divot in the center molded by his body.
Alice yawns again.
“Need anything before I get you in bed?”
She blinks, her eyes heavy with sleep. “Just you.”
I take her by the hand, leading her to the room where we quickly shed our clothes and then crawl into bed beneath the cover. I pull her close, with her back against my chest and my arm draped over her waist. The room is quiet, but I sense her mind isn’t. Alice draws lazy circles on my forearms before speaking.
“How’s your uncle?”
I exhale, my breath pushing against the back of her neck. “Tough as nails, as always.”
“How long has it been since you last saw him?” she asks.
“About three years.”
“Is that normal?” she asks.
“Yeah, babe. He’s a nomad through and through. Been living on the road most of his life. He never stays in one place too long to put roots. At least, that’s what I thought.”
“You never had any idea he had a daughter?” Alice continues caressing my skin.
“No.”
Alice shifts slightly. “And he’s not with a club?”
“He’s a lone wolf, babe. Always has been. He’d show up out of the blue while I was growing up with his wild stories and new tattoos. And I loved every minute of it. No matter how long or short his visits were, he always left something behind… a lesson on life and good memories. He was solid, even if he didn’t stick around.”
“Is he why you joined an MC?” Her voice is soft.
“Yeah. I admired his lifestyle and the freedom that goes with it. But being a loner like him, that wasn’t for me. He exposed me to other clubs when I was in my teens. I was drawn to the brotherhood and loyalty that runs deeper than blood.” I sigh. “When I crossed paths with the Ravens, I liked what they stood for. It spoke to me.”
Alice is quiet momentarily, then asks, “What about your family? What do your parents think about it all?”
I smile at the question, warmth creeping into my chest, thinking about my folks. “They’re good people and supportive of my path in life. It may not seem like it, but my childhood was typical. Dad is a blue-collar man, and Mom is a nurse. I played football in high school and hit the beach every chance I got to surf.”
“It was just you and your brother?”
“For several years. The year before my brother died, my sister was born.”
Alice rolls onto her back and looks at me. “You have a sister?” She smiles.
“Yeah, babe.” I chuckle. “She’s thirteen, going on twenty.” I shake my head. “I fuckin’ adore that kid. She’s sharp and funny. I can’t wait for you to meet her and all of them.”
Alice looks away. “What will they think about us? About the age difference?”
I kiss her temple. “They won’t think twice about it. They’re not judgmental people, babe. They’ll see what I see. A beautiful, amazing woman.”
Alice turns back on her side, scooting her ass against me, her hand tightening over mine. “Okay,” she whispers, content with my resolve.
We fall silent. The only sound is the steady rhythm of our breathing.
It isn’t long before my eyes feel heavy and I give in to sleep.
The sharp buzz of my phone vibrating against the nightstand’s surface drags me from a deep sleep. I open my eyes to find the room still dark, the first hints of dawn barely visible through the curtain. I groggily grab the phone, squinting at the screen before answering. “Yeah?” I rasp.
“Hey, brother.” Laredo’s urgent tone filters through my brain fog. “Your uncle is MIA.”
I sit up, the sleepy haze vanishing in an instant. “What the hell do you mean?”
“His room is empty. His bike is gone,” Laredo says.
My jaw tightens as I swing my legs over the edge of the bed. “Dammit.”
“He left a note,” Laredo adds.
“What does it say?” I ask, knowing it won’t give us the answers we want.
“Keep Lily safe,” Laredo says.
“Fuck,” I hiss, knowing this stunt will not fly with Salem. “You call Prez?”
“He’s already on his way.”
“And what about Lily? Is she aware?” I ask, urgency prickling at my skin.
“Not yet,” Laredo replies, tension thick in his voice.
I rake my fingers through my hair, feeling the weight of my uncle’s actions. “I’m on my way.”
“What’s wrong?” Alice’s soft but alert voice comes from behind me.
I glance back at her. “My uncle took off.” I stand and cross the room.
Alice props herself on one elbow. “Took off where?”
I pull on some jeans and shove my belt through the loops. “If I knew that, I wouldn’t be tearing out of here at the ass crack of dawn. Instead, I’d be waking you up with my mouth on your pussy, like I was dreamin’ about before my phone rang.” I shove my feet into my boots while pulling a shirt over my head. “Laredo said all he left was a note.” I clip my holster at my hip and shrug on my cut as frustration claws up my spine.
Alice frowns and sits up entirely, the sheets pooling around her waist, exposing her tits. “What did it say?”
“Keep Lily safe.” The words taste bitter in my mouth. “But, if I had to take a guess, my uncle is headed straight for trouble. And it’s likely to get him killed.”
Alice’s gaze softens as I walk back to her. I lean down, catching her lips in a firm kiss. Her hand grips my neck, pulling me closer for a second longer. And fuck, I need it to calm me down. I pull back and press my forehead against hers. “Go back to sleep.”
“There’s no chance of me going back to sleep. I’m wide awake. I’ll get a shower and feed Ozzy.” Alice brushes her lips against mine. “You want me to come with you?”
There are way better ways I could be spending my time than tracking down my damn rogue uncle, who’s more restless than a caged animal. I let out a frustrated sigh. “No, babe. This is club business. Stay put. I’ll be back.” I give her one last kiss, then I hit the road.
By the time I’m straddling my bike, the sun’s peeking over the horizon. Once I roll onto the street, I twist the throttle wide open, pushing harder than I probably should, and tear off toward the clubhouse.
A short ride later, I roll up to the clubhouse to find Salem sitting on a headstone beneath a tree, lighting up a smoke. I park my bike and join him. Salem offers me a cigarette, and I don’t refuse.
“Prez, I’m?—”
Salem lifts his hand, cutting me off. “Save it. Jax’s actions are not on you.” He takes a drag, then exhales the smoke. “Knowin’ the old man, he’s heading back where trouble began.”
I nod, frustration boiling under my skin.
Salem exhales through his nose hard. “I told him to stay put. Not that I don’t understand why he chose to leave.” He falls silent for a beat. “They’ll kill him.”
The truth in Salem’s words grows heavy in my chest, but Uncle Jax is making that choice himself.
“We’re lookin’ at the possibility of an all-out war if they trace Lily back here.” Salem flicks his cigarette to the ground, snubbing it out with the toe of his boot.
“What’s the plan?” I ask.
“Keep our eyes and ears open and dig up any information on this club. Most importantly, we keep protecting our own.” The urgency in his tone is like a spark to gasoline. Salem stands. “Wake, Lily.”
I take the final drag off my cigarette, holding the nicotine in my lungs, feeling them burn as I flick the butt to the ground and stub it out with my boot. I walk away, heading inside the clubhouse, following orders.
Uncle Jax is stupid for going alone, but I get it.
I head down the hallway to the room where Lily is resting, finding Juneau propped in a chair, arms crossed over his chest, staring at the wall.
“She knows?” I ask him.
“No, she’s still asleep.” Juneau eyes me.
“I’ll break it to her before taking her to Prez.”
Juneau’s jaw ticks. “She doesn’t need this shit right now.” The flare of protectiveness doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Prez’s orders, brother.” I grip the door handle and step into the dimly lit bedroom. I find Lily sitting on the edge of the bed with a concerned look.
“He’s gone, isn’t he?” she whispers.
“Yeah.”
Lily stares at her lap, wringing her hands together. “He’s not coming back. They’ll kill him.”
“His choice to make.” My gut tightens.
Lily shakes her head, keeping her head down. “I shouldn’t be here. All of this is my fault. If I return, I can take all the problems with me.”
“You aren’t goin’ anywhere.” I move closer to the bed.
“You don’t understand…” Lily’s voice trembles. “Havoc won’t stop until he finds me. He always finds me.”
Her little confession feels heavy like a boulder crushing my chest. “You’ve run before?”
“Twice.” She pauses, taking a deep breath. “He found me both times. And I paid the price for it.”
I fist my hands hanging at my sides, anger swirling inside. Feeling a presence behind me, I look over my shoulder and see Juneau standing in the doorway, his face hard. I return my attention to Lily, step in front of her, and hold out my hand. “No more runnin’.” I hold my ground, waiting for her to take my hand, and when she finally does, Lily meets my gaze, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “You’re family. We share the same blood. This club’s got your back, no matter what. I swear it.”
Lily gazes at me, grappling with my words, before suddenly wrapping her arms around me. It catches me off-guard. “My dad talks about you all the time, enough that I feel like I already know you.” Her confession hits me hard because I’m still trying to wrap my head around her existence.
I pull back. “Prez wants to talk.”
Lily nods. “Will you be there?”
“Yeah.”
Lily looks around me, her eyes landing on Juneau. “You too?”
“I go where you go.” His tone is sharp.
“Come on.” I guide her toward the door.
Juneau leads the way down the hallway and into the main room, where Salem sits at one of the tables, smoking a cigarette. Seeing Lily, he quickly snubs the cigarette out.
Salem wastes no time. “Have a seat.” His tone is direct, focusing on Lily as she settles in a chair opposite the table. “You’ve been filled in about your old man?”
Lily nods. “Yes.”
“Your old man filled us in on the basics… names, location, reputation. Anything else we should be aware of about your baby daddy?” Salem’s voice is quieter but no less intense.
“Havoc keeps club business close to his chest. I’m pretty sure they deal in drugs and prostitution.” Lily hesitates before continuing, “Havoc sees everything and everyone as a pawn in his game.” Her eyes drop down, and she protectively embraces her swollen belly. “Including me and my baby.” Lily lifts her head, locking her eyes with Salem. “Havoc and his men are monsters who believe they are untouchable. He doesn’t lose.”
The room falls silent, heavy, and oppressive. Salem’s jaw clenches tight.
“You plan on going after my dad?” Lily questions, breaking the silence.
“Your old man’s on his own. The club ain’t got time to waste chasing him down when we need all hands on deck if trouble stirs up in Salem.” Salem’s voice cuts through like cold steel. He pushes from the table. “For what it’s worth, Jax is resourceful and a pretty damn resilient son of a bitch. There’s a possibility he’ll come out of this whole fuckin’ mess alive.” Salem turns and walks out of the clubhouse.
“You need to take a break,” Juneau says, moving closer to Lily. She hesitantly gets to her feet.
Lily looks at me, her eyes filled with sorrow. “I’m sorry... for everything.”
Nothing I can say will fix the situation we find ourselves in. The club’s hands are tied when it comes to my uncle. But that’s not her burden to carry. “Don’t. None of this is on you.” Lily’s lip trembles, fighting back tears that want to spill. She’s trying to be tough. “You’re still here, still breathing, and your baby is safe. And I’ll make sure it stays that way.”
Her brow furrows, her arms wrapping around herself like she’s trying to hold together all the pieces threatening to fall apart. “But what if my dad doesn’t make it?”
“That’s not on you. We don’t get to choose how his fate plays out. Don’t focus on the what-ifs. You’ll drown if you do. You’re stronger than you think, Lily. Stronger than him, even. Use your strength and energy to heal and focus on the baby.”
Lily lets out a shaky breath. “If he dies, I’ve got no one.”
“Bullshit,” I growl, my tone sharp but not unkind. “You’ve got me. You’ve got this club. Understand?”
She doesn’t say anything and stares at me, trying to find the truth in my words. I hold her gaze, unwavering because I mean every word. Her tears spill, silent but steady, carving trails down her pale cheeks. For a second, I think she will break completely, but instead, she nods.
“Good,” I say to Lily, then cut my eyes at Juneau. “I’m headin’ back to my woman.”
Juneau’s arm slips around Lily’s waist, and she anchors herself against him. “I got it from here, brother.”
Moments later, I’m tearing away from the clubhouse, the unknown weighing heavily on my shoulders. But my fire to protect the club and keep my family safe is stronger than ever.