Chapter Eight
Logan
I stepped out of my car, the slight chill of the hospital parking lot making me shiver. I’d taken my car to work this morning instead of my bike, and right now, I was thankful for it. My uniform wasn’t nearly warm enough for a ride in this weather. I crossed the lot and approached the hospital.
The automatic doors slid open with a soft whoosh . My footsteps echoed in the quiet corridors, the white linoleum floors reflecting the fluorescent lights overhead. The air smelled of antiseptic and stale coffee, the telltale scents of a place that never sleeps.
A nurse in blue scrubs brushed past me, her sneakers squeaking against the floor. She offered a tired smile before disappearing around the corner. I continued down the hallway, then took the elevator to the third floor. The doors opened and I stepped out, my pulse quickening with each step.
Room 305. 306. 307.
I paused outside room 308, my hand hovering over the door handle. On the other side of this door was Tank, the man who held the key to my future with Akira. If I could convince him, if I could earn his trust… maybe, just maybe, we had a shot. I didn’t like the idea of using the fact I’d saved his life as leverage, but I was getting desperate. I didn’t want to lose Akira because her family wouldn’t approve of us. No matter how many times she said she didn’t care, I knew deep down, I couldn’t separate her from her parents.
I squared my shoulders and took one final, steadying breath. Here goes nothing .
The door clicked open, and I stepped inside.
“Logan,” Tank’s deep voice filled the room. “Wasn’t sure I’d see you here.”
“How did you recognize me?” I asked.
“I remembered your face from the day of the accident. And someone told me you’d been the one to keep me alive long enough to get here.”
I nodded. “I was hoping we could talk.”
Tank’s piercing gaze locked onto mine as I entered the room fully, shutting the door behind me. He studied me intensely. He was propped up in the hospital bed, his bulky frame making the mattress look almost comically small. It didn’t matter his age. The man was still built like his namesake -- a tank. Bandages peeked out from beneath his gown, a stark reminder of the accident that brought him here.
I took a step closer to the bed.
“I’m listening,” Tank said.
I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words.
“I know our clubs have different views and walk two completely different paths, but I’m here because I care about Akira. Deeply.”
Tank’s eyebrows raised slightly but he remained silent, waiting for me to continue.
“I want to make this work, to find a way to bridge the gap between the Swift Angels and the Dixie Reapers. For her sake. She’s told me she’s ready to walk away from her family in order to be with me, and I don’t want her to do that. In the end, it would destroy her.” I paused to gauge his reaction. His expression remained unreadable. The heart monitor beeped steadily. “I’m not saying it will be easy. Clearly Dawson found a way to walk in both worlds, and I think Akira can too, if she’s given a chance. But I need your advice on how to help make that happen.”
He leaned back against his pillows, his gaze never leaving mine. The seconds stretched on, and I thought he’d never answer. Finally, he spoke.
“You’ve got balls, kid. I’ll give you that. Dating Wraith’s daughter behind his back? You were either stupid or had a death wish. I’m surprised you aren’t six feet under right now.”
I winced. “I know. It wasn’t my best decision ever, but Dawson warned me away, saying it would cause issues for both clubs. But… I know if I don’t do everything I can to be with Akira, then I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
“I’ll hear what you have to say, but let’s get one thing straight. The Dixie Reapers aren’t just going to roll over and accept an outsider. Especially not from a club full of Goody Two-shoes. And yeah, that’s how they see the Swift Angels. Proving you have what it takes to be with Akira, to be the man she deserves, isn’t going to be easy.”
I nodded. “I’m ready to do whatever it takes.”
“Then let’s talk.”
I pulled a chair up beside his bed and listened to every word he had to say, absorbing it all like my life depended on it. Because it did. I already knew without Akira, my life didn’t have any meaning to it. Sure, I saved lives, and I loved my job. But I loved her more. Not that I’d told her as much. I might not be the smartest man at times, but I wasn’t dumb enough to tell her something like that too early.
“I’ve never felt like this about anyone before,” I said. “Akira is special. Strong, fierce, independent… and loyal. I love her confidence, the way she smiles, and the fact she gets mad when I step in to protect her, claiming she can handle it herself. And I know being brought up at the Dixie Reapers compound made her that way.”
Tank grunted but remained silent otherwise.
“I’m not stupid. I know this won’t be an easy road to take. Wraith clearly hates me, and I’m sure the rest of your club feels the same way. I’m not trying to stir up trouble or create issues between Akira and her family. I love her. That has to mean something, right?”
He sighed and closed his eyes a moment. “You’re asking for a lot. To say that her dad is a protective papa bear is an understatement. For one, she’s an only child. Rin didn’t even think she could get pregnant. So in a way, Akira is a miracle baby.”
“She doesn’t talk about her family much. I mean, other than telling me how awesome holidays were, or how her dad taught her to take care of herself. She’s never told me any details about the club that would put anyone in danger, or put me in an awkward position.” I ran a hand over my face. “She’s done everything she can to protect her family while trying to live the life she wants. Did none of you wonder why she’s working in that awful bar?”
Tank grunted. “Rebellion. Every father would know.”
I nodded. “Right. Because she’s trying to take control of her life. She’s twenty-five years old and her dad is treating her like she’s a teenager acting out. You have kids, right?”
Tank smiled. “Yeah. Three daughters. About six months younger than Akira. They’re triplets and just turned twenty-five last week.”
“And if they wanted to date?” I asked.
“Depends on who they want to date. Far as I’m concerned, they can live at home forever.”
I shook my head. “The lot of you are hopeless. How have none of you driven your daughters away?”
He winced. “About that. Preacher did, in fact, run his daughter off. She’s with the Reckless Kings now. Along with Ranger’s daughter and Torch’s. Venom’s two girls, Dawson’s sisters, are with the Devil’s Fury. Farrah chose that life, but Venom handed Mariah over to them when she got tangled up with a dirty cop.”
“So that’s why everyone is set against Akira being with me? Because of one dirty cop?” I asked, my brow furrowed. “Not to mention, Dawson said he’s not allowed at the compound right now. Surely you don’t think he’d turn on you.”
“Maybe not, but… Dawson chose a side other than ours when he left the club and started the Swift Angels. Now he has to pay for it.”
“And again I ask, because of one dirty cop all first responders get thrown under the bus? Does that mean because of every biker who sells guns and drugs, or humans for that matter, then the rest of you are scum?”
“I get it, okay? There are both good and bad people in every profession. But that dirty cop didn’t help things. It’s going to be a while before the Reapers can trust cops.”
“Is there anything I can do?” I asked.
“Lend a hand when it’s needed?” He shrugged then winced. “Just don’t ever hurt Akira. If Wraith thinks you’ve broken his little girl’s heart, there will be nowhere you can run. He’ll slaughter you in the most brutal way possible, make it look like an accident, and go about his business. Hell, we’d all do that. Never fuck with a Reaper’s little girl or you’ll pay the price. That being said, we value family.”
I doubted he was telling me to marry Akira and become Wraith’s family, without Wraith’s approval. But the idea wasn’t an awful one.
“Thanks for talking to me.”
“No, thank you for keeping me alive,” he said. “Because of you, I still get to see my wife and kids. Far as I’m concerned, you’re a good man. Not sure how I see you and Akira fitting together, but I don’t have a problem with you, Logan.”
“If only I could make Wraith come around,” I muttered. I stood and left so Tank could get his rest. He’d given me some things to think about. Just the same, I didn’t feel any closer to figuring out how to gain Wraith’s approval.
One thing had become abundantly clear. The Dixie Reapers didn’t just see this as being about two people who wanted to be together. We were dealing with two families, two sets of loyalties, and two completely different sets of values. I understood now why Dawson had told me to leave Akira alone. He’d known how difficult this would be on both of us, and on our clubs.
But I couldn’t back down. I wouldn’t give up on the woman I loved.
I needed to find a way to bring the clubs together instead of driving them further apart. I just didn’t know how… not yet. Maybe Akira would have some ideas.
The sterile walls and hushed whispers of the hospital faded into the background as I lost myself in thought. I pictured Akira’s face, her eyes shining with love and trust, and I felt a renewed surge of determination coursing through my veins.
I knew the path forward wouldn’t be easy. The Swift Angels and the Dixie Reapers each had barriers I’d have to break through. It would take more than just my love for Akira. For one, there were misconceptions on both sides. Tank’s words, calling us a club of Goody Two-shoes, said plenty. The Dixie Reapers thought of us as inferior in a lot of ways. I hadn’t really understood until now.
Both my club and theirs fought for what we believed in. And from what I’d heard from Dawson over the years, we believed in some of the same things. We just handled them differently. To the Reapers, putting someone behind bars was like slapping a bandage on a stump after severing a limb. They didn’t think redemption was possible for bad people, and I couldn’t exactly say I disagreed. Sure, some were rehabilitated and lived good lives once they got out of prison. Others reoffended again and again. It was a drain on tax dollars and put the population at risk.
I could see both sides. And I wasn’t sure I could pinpoint which one was right, or if either were.
The Swift Angels would never compromise their values. I had to find common ground for both clubs in order for Akira to be accepted in my world and me into hers. Dawson managed to do it, and I wasn’t sure how. Maybe that’s where I needed to start.
I got in my car and drove over to his new house, knowing he was off work today. After his daughter received a puppy for Christmas, they’d had no choice but to move out of the apartment that wouldn’t permit pets. The house was cute and gave them room to grow. Which was good since his wife was expecting baby number two.
Before I even had a chance to knock, Dawson opened the door. “I don’t even need to ask what you want. Come inside. Nora is making coffee.”
I followed him into the house and to the kitchen. His wife gave me a warm smile before placing two cups of steaming coffee on the table. She leaned down to kiss Dawson’s cheek.
“I’ll give the two of you some space.” She gave me a little wave before walking off.
“Can’t back down, huh?” Dawson asked, before taking a swallow of the hot brew.
“Nope. You didn’t walk away from Nora, and I’m not letting Akira slip through my fingers. So I need your help.”
He groaned and closed his eyes. “Fucking hell.”
“Better not let your little girl hear you say that. She’ll be repeating it.” He flipped me off, but I just grinned. “Listen, I went and talk to Tank at the hospital. He knows I’m the one who saved his life, and for that, I guess he’s willing to accept me. Doesn’t mean Wraith will.”
“I can’t do shit about that stubborn old man,” Dawson said. “You know about Akira’s mom?”
I nodded. “Heard she had breast cancer and is going through chemo.”
“Yeah, well… there’s more to it. My mom blabbed when she probably shouldn’t have. Not sure even Akira knows yet.”
“What?” I asked, hoping it wasn’t worse news.
“Rin decided to get a double mastectomy. She doesn’t want to take any risks of the cancer coming back, and that way they can guarantee it didn’t travel to her lymph nodes. They should have done it before the chemo because now she’ll be at risk of getting an infection she can’t fight off. But once the chemo is done, they’re talking about doing radiation treatment as well.”
“Damn,” I mumbled. If Akira knew, she hadn’t told me. Were they keeping it from her? Or was she just trying to be brave and face it head on without me? Either was possible.
“Tempest called me. Got off the phone with him right before you arrived. Seems like Akira and Kasen -- she’s one of Tank’s daughters -- talked him into a possible charity ride… with both clubs involved.”
I let out a whistle. “Sounds like those two were busy. What did he say about it?”
“The officers are favorable, but they’ll have to ask the club to vote. I told him we were always on board for anything that helps the community. Doesn’t matter who we’re riding with.”
“Even if the people you ride with are murderers and rapists?” I asked.
He snorted. “I don’t see those people doing shit for the community. But to answer your question, obviously not.”
“Does this mean I should wait and see how this pans out?”
He shrugged. “Probably the best idea for now.”
I sighed, not liking the answer. “I’d hoped you could tell me how you managed to walk in both worlds. Your dad’s club still accepts you despite the fact you’re the VP of the Swift Angels. I need them to do the same for Akira and realize I’m not a threat to them.”
“I think the only thing that will solve that is time… I’m just not sure how much of it you have.”
Great. He was just full of awesome news today.