CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ness / Nessa
I was pleasantly surprised by the duplex where I would be living for the foreseeable future. It was set in a row of similar duplexes, all occupied by families. It was so different from the club back home. Actually it was different from a lot of clubs.
On my second day in Cape Town I received a phone call from Genna, Spider’s sister, and she gave me the ins and outs of their family. Apparently she was now the only one without children and her mother was starting to give her shit about it. We instantly connected and made plans to meet up when next she came down to visit her brother and nephew.
I settled in quickly and prepared for my first visit with Rush. There were photos of him all around the unit and it was obvious his father loved him.
The Wednesday visitation went off without any drama.
Rush was an easy child, he smiled and laughed with his dad and quickly accepted my presence. I stayed on the sidelines and observed them, making mental notes for my records.
Yes, I kept records of my charges to track their growth and wellbeing.
On the ride to the park and back to the clubhouse Spider hadn’t said one word to me. He drove there and back in silence and only spoke when I opened my door to get out when we reached the clubhouse.
“I’ve got club business to handle and won’t be here for the next couple of days. If you need anything talk to Noe, she’ll sort it out for you.”
He threw a quick look at me as he spoke.
He wasn’t rude, he was just removed.
“Okay.” I swallowed all the questions I had, shut the door quietly and walked into the clubhouse, not giving in to the temptation to throw him the middle finger over my shoulder.
A week later we went through the same damned routine. It was very obvious he was keeping his distance from me. Only this time there was something waiting on me in the clubhouse.
A brother by the name of Trigger was sitting with his feet on a coffee table when I stomped in.
“Hey there pretty lady.” He teased with a big grin. “I have a surprise for you.”
My bad mood instantly melted away.
“I like surprises.” I grinned and made grabby motions with my hands. “Gimme my surprise.”
“You’re going to have to follow me out to the garages for me to give it to you.” He wiggled his eyebrows and I laughed at his silliness.
“Let’s go.”
I followed him outside and to a row of smaller (not by much) garages with roller shutter doors set behind the big one where they parked their club and personal vehicles. I saw Spider’s Jeep parked in his spot, he must have left on his bike after dropping me off.
When we rounded the corner of the big garage Trigger led me to where Wrath, Smiles, Colt and Shakes were leaning against the wall on either side of a closed garage door.
I came to a stop and looked at them then back at the garage.
“Okay, show me my surprise.”
Wrath reached out and yanked up the garage door.
And there in all its glory stood a faded red medium sized shipping container. Not the small one I had packed back in Savannah, but one slightly bigger.
I frowned then looked at the guys. “What is this?”
“This, sweetheart, is your container. I have a note here from someone called Vic that says he repacked your stuff because it would have been hell trying to unpack it after such a long sea journey.”
Shaking my head I had to laugh. “That’s my dad, he said my container looked like someone had played Tetris with my shit.”
The guys laughed like it was the biggest joke.
Smiles brought out a set of keys and pointed at the lock box on the container.
“Here you go, these arrived by courier yesterday along with the note from Vic.”
I couldn’t wait to see what else my dad had put in there besides the stuff I had packed in the small container.
Unlocking the padlock I wiggled it out of the tight confines of the lock box and Trigger opened the hasps, fully unlocking it and opening both doors.
There was a long crate with my dad’s business logo on it right in the front of the container. I had seen and helped pack those shipping crates all my life.
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.” I said over and over as I stepped in and ran a hand over the top of the crate.
“I can’t believe it. He didn’t, he couldn’t have, it was nowhere near finished when I left.” I whirled around. “I need a crowbar.”
Wrath stepped up next to me and gently moved me out of the way. “I’ve got it, sweetheart.”
Of course he did.
I wanted to complain but I was too excited about what was in the crate. If I was right I was going to be the happiest girl on earth.
Wrath followed the opening instructions my dad had pasted on the top of the crate and then finally, as the solid top and sides of the crate disappeared there she was. Tied down, wrapped in protective wrappings and wedged upright in a protective wooden crate.
My girl.
Marilyn.
I had both hands clasped in front of my mouth and was bouncing in place.
“He sent me my girl. How? How did he get it through customs and insurances and legal shit? We looked into it when I decided to come here and I was told I couldn’t bring her. Now here she is. How?”
“Babe, what the fuck?” Smiles asked as he bent closer to investigate the gleaming machine packed in the crate. All the brothers were now clustered in and around the container with me.
“My dad is classed as one of the best in the business in the States. He builds and customises bikes and cars. He built me my first off roader when I was seven. He was busy buildin’ this one when I went home to help with Magic. I think it was supposed to be an incentive to settle down in Savannah, that’s why I’m so surprised he sent it here.” I clapped my hands in excitement.
“Now all I have to do is unpack and put her back together. Once she’s a hundred percent I will hit the road for a long run. She’s goin’ to need it to run her in.”
“I’ll help you.” Colt, who had been quiet up to now, said.
“Thanks, I won’t turn down the help because it means I get her runnin’ faster.” I pulled the manila envelope off one of the wooden struts that held my girl in place.
It had my name on it in my dad’s perfect block letter script.
I carefully opened it and drew out the papers inside. There was a letter on top.
Baby girl,
I know I said I would keep her for you until you come home but I know how much you miss ridin’. And there’s no one I trust enough in that city to provide you with the perfect ride. Seein’ that this job doesn’t involve travellin’ we thought it would be good if you had your own set of wheels down there. I had a chat with Lucky and he’s reached out to his brother Remy. He will be your contact in Cape Town.
Anythin’, and I mean any-fuckin’-thing you need, you go to him. He has the authority to get it for you.
Your mother isn’t very happy with your brother and me for sendin’ your girl to you. Even though she loves ridin’ at my back she doesn’t get the need to throw a leg over your machine and hit the freedom of the road. Marilyn will give you that freedom whenever you need to get away from the daily grind.
All I ask is that you keep Remy in the loop. He has clued me in to some of the dangers the Iron Dogz are experiencin’ and I don’t want you pulled into their shit. I think it will be a good idea if you don’t wear your club hoody when you ride. I want you flyin’ under the radar not attractin’ the wrong kind of attention.
Your crew packed your boards, wet suits, scuba gear, climbin’ gear and skateboards along with all the shit they maintained you will need in wildest Africa. Your mother added a box of books she said you had on a list of ‘wantin’ to buy’. She said to tell you everyone needs a bit of romance in their lives.
The packin’ of the container was a family affair. You’ll be happy to learn that Magic was able to come down and help me settle Marilyn in her cradle. He’s doin’ a lot better and getting’ stronger every day.
Still no sign of Evie though. Damn it to hell.
He told me not to worry, he’s got a plan to get his woman back. Let’s all pray it works out.
I miss you workin’ next to me in the workshop, baby. And your mother misses you arguin’ with her about those assholes she tries to set you up with. You got away just in time, she had some fucked up preacher’s son lined up for you. Magic and I couldn’t stop laughin’ when she told us about him. She didn’t speak to us for three whole days. And after listenin’ to her singin’ the asshole’s praises for days it was a blessed silence.
Don’t you tell her I told you.
Imagine my wild child with some fuckin’ borin’ preacher’s boy.
Not fuckin’ happenin’.
Now stop grinnin’ and get to puttin’ your girl together.
We love and miss you.
Enjoy your new adventure and when you’re done with it, come home.
We’ll be here waitin’ on you.
Love always.
Daddy
I clasped the letter to my chest, closed my eyes and I could see them in my mind’s eye.
My family, the people I loved and who loved me. I was so damned lucky.
“What did your letter say? Did he give you instructions on how to put the bike together?” Wrath teased.
I snorted at him.
“No, he told me that my SWMC point of contact is Remy Boudreaux. If I need anythin’ I must go to him and he’ll sort it out.”
All of them shook their heads from side to side and I raised my eyebrows at them.
“You’re now living on Dogz property and will be protected by us.” Wrath growled.
I shook my head. “It doesn’t change the fact that I’m property and family of the Shadow Wraiths. My brother is a patched senior member and my godfather is an officer in the club. I’m only on loan to you guys.” I teased.
“As long as you work and live here you will be protected by us. You might be a Wraith by birth but you’re now ours, we claimed you.” Wrath shrugged. “And that’s that.”
Laughing at his ridiculous claim I shook my head.
“If thinkin’ that makes you happy, have at it, bro.”
Smiles threw an arm around my shoulders and hugged me to him. “Ja, we do think it and we’re very happy you’re here. Now, girl, when do we start putting your ride back together? I think we need to take you on a run.”
Seeing that I had no duties while Rush wasn’t around I had all the time in the world to work on my bike. Between Colt and myself we got her set up and ready within a day. I was so excited to take her out but apparently I had to wait for Wrath to arrange it with their president.
I had Marilyn parked at the front of the clubhouse and was buffing her to a shine when Orca, Kid and Blaze walked out.
They silently walked around her, checking her out before the Prez gave me a smile and a chin lift.
“Some of the brothers will be riding out with you today, listen to them and don’t go off on your own. We have enemies who would love to get their hands on one of the club women. They won’t differentiate between you and our women. You stick with the group.”
“Yes, Prez.” I agreed with a nod.
“You ride with the Wraiths?” Kid asked with a bit of a frown.
“Yes, VP, any time I’m home Dive and Magic organises a long run with the brothers and their women.”
“Good, it means you’re used to riding in formation. Have fun out there today and even though we’re not expecting any shit you need to keep your eyes peeled. Okay?”
I nodded. “No problem, I’ll stick with the brothers.”
The ride was everything I had dreamed it would be.
Long curving roads with the most amazing sea views and mountain climbs that had my heart beating fast with happiness.
When we rode back into the compound hours later I was at peace.
But not for long.
Spider made his moody as usual appearance as Wrath and Smiles insisted I roll my bike into the space between theirs. I wasn’t supposed to be parking up with the brothers, it wasn’t something that was usually allowed.
“What the fuck is this? She’s not a fucking brother.” Spider snarled.
“Bro, we don’t want anyone scratching her paintwork, it’s safer for Marilyn if she parks her here.” Smiles said reasonably.
“Who the fuck is Marilyn?”
“Her bike, Boss” Trigger said with a bit of a smile. “She named her.”
“Fucking stupid name for a bike.” He grumbled under his breath, but I heard him.
“I’ll take that fuckin’ stupid name any day seein’ as my dad gave it to her.” I snapped, my Southern accent alive and well as I grabbed my helmet off my handlebars and stormed inside.
I had to get away from the moody bastard before I smashed my new helmet to pieces on his hard head.
In my room I put my helmet away first. I had to before I gave in and threw it at the wall in a flash of temper. Only then did I get out of my riding clothes. It was still early and there was no way I wanted to sit around the damn duplex doing nothing. Earlier in the week Spider informed me that he had his son for the weekend. He would let me know if he needed me. It didn’t seem likely that he would. Not with his attitude towards me.
I was used to being active and it chafed that I couldn’t go running like I did at home or when I was on tour with the band. My other outlet was rock climbing and I googled to see if there was an indoor climbing centre close to the compound. I was happy to see there was a climbing gym quite close by.
It was perfect.
There were others but I would try the closest one first.
Changing into workout clothes and a big tee I had stolen from Dive I pulled my bag with my climbing gear from the cupboard and checked that I had everything I needed. Slipping my feet into a pair of flip flops and with my bag hitched over my shoulder I grabbed the car keys from my dresser, walked out of my room and gently closed the door behind me.
The duplex was silent. I was the only occupant, as usual.
Not hesitating I made my way to where my ride was parked. I had rented the SUV within days of getting here because there was no other way of getting around. Unless I took my bike. And if I took my bike I would have to have an escort and right now I’ve had enough of bikers. The other reason I needed the SUV was my surfboards, I needed a way to transport them to the beach. The rental company had the appropriate racks installed in the loading area for a fee. It meant I had no real space for passengers but as I didn’t have a crew here it didn’t bother me.
Sitting in my car I tapped the address to the gym into the GPS and once I had the map I drove off the compound without anyone trying to stop me.
I spent the rest of the afternoon at the climbing gym, making new friends and thoroughly enjoying myself. My body was aching in the best ways when I left and headed back towards the clubhouse. I knew there was nothing for me to do when I got back so I pulled over, googled directions to a popular surfing beach, set the directions into my GPS and headed out.
Driving into the parking area my eyes ran over the parked vehicles, I parked next to a battered green Jeep in the second row. It was obvious it belonged to a surfer. It had the racks, a bunch of towels and stuff on the back seat and reminded me of the rides my friends had back home.
My afternoon of climbing had left white chalk marks all over my pants and tee. I didn’t care, all I was going to do was sit on the beach and watch the surfers. There was a food truck parked at the far end with a couple of steel picnic tables set up in front of it. He did good business and I knew if the food had been dodgy he wouldn’t have had customers. As I walked past to the beach stairs I gave the guy behind the counter a friendly nod and he grinned and nodded back. Friendly, I liked that. I would be stopping by on my way back to buy dinner.
Standing above the beach I watched the surfers out in the water. I instantly locked onto a guy who was excellent. He was a master of his craft. Walking down onto the warm beach sand I kicked off my flip flops and carrying them in one hand walked down to where the cold waves broke on to the sand. The water was cold but clear as glass and the waves were excellent. I walked along the beach towards the huge grey boulders which was an area where the most experienced surfers were congregated.
I walked up the beach, sat and watched the ocean and the waves. It was a beautiful spot.
My favourite surfer rode a wave to the shore and picking up his board started walking out the surf. I stood as he walked onto the wet sand with his board under his arm.
I gave him a wave and a smile as I called out. “Great moves out there, you ruled those waves today.”
He grinned as he shoved his long wet hair away from his face. “Thanks, by your accent I know you’re not from around here.”
He walked up to me and rested the end of his board in the sand. Putting out a hand he smiled. “Hi, I’m Kellen.”
“Hi, I’m Vanessa, my family call me Ness or Nessa.” I smiled as I shook his cold hand.
He looked me up and down with a wide grin. “By the chalk on your clothes I take it you’ve been climbing. It looks like you’re an adventurous lady. Do you surf as well?”
“I admit to livin’ life a little on the edge. I found a rock climbin’ gym close to where I’m livin’ at the moment and popped in this afternoon.” I grinned. “I’m now a member. And yes, I do surf, I’m good but I’m nowhere near your level. You should be on the circuit.”
Kellen wrinkled his nose. “Nah, I love going out there and it’s just me and the ocean but I don’t want to follow the waves. I have a few friends who do and it’s a hard life.” He shrugged. “I’m happy with my life the way it is. I have my man, my daughter and my job, it’s more than enough for me.”
He slid it in there so easily that I knew he had done it before, to let women, and men, know that he wasn’t available. Being all that he is I’m sure it’s been necessary to get some people to back off. He was seriously hot.
But not my type at all.
“One should always strive to be happy with your day to day. I travel for my job and it is such that I’m not always near an ocean so my surfin’ suffers. When I’m home I usually spend days out on the water with my friends, catchin’ up and getting’ back into being on my board. I try to get a rock climbin’ holiday in at least once or twice a year, for the rest of the year I use climbin’ gyms.”
“So, your job involves travel that takes you across countries. What do you do?” He asked.
“Up until the job I’m on now I’ve been a nanny to a high profile personality. I go on tour with people who want to keep their children with them and not leave them at home.” I talked around me being a rock star’s nanny. Lots of celebrities toured.
I pointed back up the beach. “Can I buy you a drink before you go?”
“That would be great, I’d like to hear more about your life.” He smiled.
We walked up the beach on the wet sand, chatting and getting to know each other. At the stairs I slipped my flip flops back on and headed towards the food truck.
“I’m going to put my stuff away, I’ll join you in a few.” Kellen said and I had to grin when he walked to the green Jeep I had parked next to. The surfer ride I had spotted when I arrived was his.
A little while later he walked back to me, dressed in board shorts and a tee but bare foot.
He had ink, a lot of it. It looked like full sleeves on both arms.
“Amazin’ ink.” I said as he sat down opposite me and picked up the water I had bought him.
“Thanks, my boss did most of it. A few were done by one of the other guys at the shop and I filled in here and there.”
He pulled up the sleeves of his tee and twisted his arms for me to have a look. The work was beautiful and totally suited him. Both arms had ocean scenes and creatures as part of the sleeve.
We sat chatting, drinking our water and just generally getting to know each other. I liked him, liked his take on life and even shared that I was raised around the Shadow Wraiths MC.
Imagine my surprise when he laughed and told me that Remy Boudreaux was married to his boss! And that he knew Lucky and his old lady, Harper. It truly was a small world.
That six degrees of separation thing was at work here, big time. We were connected through the people we both knew.
When I finally drove away I had a new friend. I had an open invitation to visit him at Mainline Ink where he worked. He wanted to introduce me to one of his colleagues who did a lot of hiking and knew all the best trails around the city. We had also made tentative plans for him to introduce me to some of the surfing beaches around Cape Town when he had a day off. I could go on my own but it was better to have someone who knew the beaches taking you out.
I drove back to the compound as the final light disappeared from the sky.
There was a thick bank of clouds building up over the ocean and Kel, that’s what he asked me to call him, had warned me that there was some bad weather coming that would reach us during the night. According to him we were going to have lots of wind and rain over the next few days and I knew it meant I wouldn’t be surfing anytime soon. I didn’t know the sea and the beaches around here to take that chance.
Spider had his son for the weekend but he hadn’t made any arrangements with me. I think he was spending the weekend with him but not at the compound.
It was silly. He was paying me to do nothing.
The sooner I got to know his boy the sooner we could arrange a schedule for all of us.
As the Treasurer of the club and the CFO of the Iron Dogz group of companies he was incredibly busy. He would definitely need me to look after his boy when he had to go into the office or when dealing with club business.
Driving into the compound I sighed seeing all the cars and bikes parked in front of the clubhouse. It was Friday, the weekend, which meant it was a party night. Ugh.
As I drove past to get to my garage and parking spot I saw there were already plenty of party girls outside the front doors hanging on some of the brothers.
The night was going to get loud.
After parking my ride I grabbed my things and avoiding the clubhouse made my way down the path towards the row of duplexes. The weather Kel had warned me about was getting closer judging by the way the wind was gusting.
Thankfully there were bright lights along the path so I didn’t have to walk in the dark. I wasn’t scared of walking alone in the dark and was more than able to defend myself but one should never be too cocky.
Not that the lights saved me from a less than fun encounter. I should have been more aware of my surroundings but I was looking down at my phone, texting Sky as I was walking.
“Lookie, lookie. What do we have here? Look brothers, we’ve found us a brand new club slut to play with tonight.”
My head jerked up and that’s when I saw them, three old bikers filled the path in front of me. Why the old farts were back here at the family duplexes was a mystery and on top of that the bastards were blocking my way.
I didn’t know them, hadn’t noticed them around the clubhouse. One, who looked older than the other two was obviously the leader and stood slightly in front of the others, I didn’t like the look in his eyes. I couldn’t pass them by stepping off the path as there were knee high thick shrubbery on either side. At least I could jump it easily if it became necessary to run.
I was glad my phone was in my hand, and quickly used my one handed texting talents to send a text to the group Wrath had created for the guys and myself when I wanted to ride. Unfortunately tonight was a party night and they might ignore their phones, I crossed my fingers that they wouldn’t.
Need rescue. ASAP. 3 men blocked path to duplex. Strangers, threat.
“Can you move please? I’d like to get past and go home.” I kept my voice even and polite.
“You live here? Since when are club sluts allowed back here?” The one on the right looked at the older guy in confusion.
I answered before the old fart could.
“Yes, I live right here and you’re in my way, can you please move?”
No way was I going to explain that I wasn’t a club slut like they thought. It was glaringly obvious by the clothes I was wearing that I wasn’t. I recognised what these fuckers were instantly. They were the worst kind of bikers, the kind that took what they wanted and fuck the consequences. They were the kind of bikers who gave all other bikers a bad name.
“I know everyone who lives here, and bitch, you do not live here.” The ugly old fart snarled.
“I do, I moved in recently.” I battled to keep my voice even and not snap at him.
“Which of the officers are you fucking that they’d put you up back here in the family units?” The one on the left who had been quiet up to now asked.
Then he carried on without waiting for an answer. His voice was scarily expressionless.
“You have to be fucking more than one of them to get to live back here. I’m sure they won’t mind if we have a taste of what they’ve been enjoying and not sharing with the rest of us.”
For fuck’s sake. What the fuck was going on in this club?
“I…” I didn’t get any further because a heavy arm settled around my shoulders and I stiffened.
I hadn’t heard anyone approaching, shit.
My head jerked up and I breathed out in relief. It was Trigger, he moved close, pulling me into his side as Colt came walking up to stand behind us.
“What the fuck is going on here, Kriek?” Trigger snarled. “I heard what you fuckers were saying to our girl as I walked up and the disrespect you showed won’t be fucking allowed.” He looked over his shoulder at Colt.
“Brother, call Prez and let him know we have a situation. Let him know we found Kriek and his little group of ass-lickers harassing and sexually threatening Vanessa. Tell him the fuckers are loitering outside the family units where none of them have any reason to be. I think they were lying in wait for her.”
The old fart visibly paled.
“Trigger, son, don’t be hasty. We meant nothing by questioning her, we were trying to find out who she is. We thought she was a new club slut. She wouldn’t say who she belonged to and…”
Trigger cut him off.
“Fuck off, Kriek. I heard enough to know where this was fucking heading. You were going to violate the girl, pretending you didn’t know she wasn’t a club whore then dispose of her. I know for a fact you told Natalie who she is. I heard her, motherfucker. Your nasty bitch of a daughter was whining about our girl living with Spider when it should’ve been her in his home and bed. I heard you tell her to give it time, it will be fixed soon.” Trigger leant forward and snarled right in his face. “Now I know how you were planning to fix it.”
Silence fell and I heard Colt murmuring on his phone. There seemed to be more going on here than the obvious. More than a group of men bent of raping a woman in the dark.
The silence didn’t last long. The sound of running boots broke it.
I was amazed to see Kid at the front of the group. He came right to me, ignoring the silent fuckers in front of me.
“You okay, Nessa? Did they touch you, sweetheart?” He asked while checking me over.
I shook my head. “They didn’t get the chance, Trigger and Colt got here before they could do what they threatened to do.” I snorted. “Not that I would’ve allowed them to touch me.”
“Good, good.” He muttered as he stepped around us to the now fearful old bastards.
“Trigger, you and Colt escort Nessa home, do a walk through and make sure the doors and windows are locked and the alarm engaged before you leave. Blaze, you and the others escort the fuckers to the cold room, there are some questions they need to answer.” His voice was icy without any emotion whatsoever. “I need to have a word with my old lady before I join you.”
And just like that everyone moved to obey his orders.
Kid stalked down the path towards his unit, anger visible in his furious strides.
Trigger and Colt escorted me home and did a walk through to check all the windows and doors. When they left they told me to engage the alarm which I did.
It was the first time since moving in here that I did. I had been too damned complacent.
Why?
I was living on club property, I should have been safe.
Sitting on my bed I went over what I knew about the Iron Dogz MC. Magic and Dive had given me a rundown before I left the States, giving me the background and basics. I don’t think they would have allowed me to come if they had known there were such major internal problems at the Cape Town chapter.
Tomorrow I was going to have a talk with Noe and Cuba and they’d better tell me what I needed to know. I was done with wandering around in the dark not knowing who was friend and who was foe.
Going to bed with a gun close at hand is something I haven’t done in a very, very long time.
It wasn’t licenced in South Africa and I would only be able to use it as a last resort. It had come in pieces secreted away inside the container, placed there by my club family.
Tonight I loved them for their paranoia.
I slept light and woke when I heard the beep of the alarm disengaging.
By the light coming in around the sides of the curtains I knew it was early morning.
Sighing I turned over and listened as Spider quietly moved through the unit.
Then I heard the rumble of voices and knew more of his brothers had arrived.
I would have to get up and face them.
Not that I wanted to. I was still way too pissed off and might just run my mouth when I should shut up and listen.