Fanatic (Hellfire MC: The Prospects #1)

Chapter Four.

Willow

I began to laugh as Fanatic looked around, a little chagrined. He rubbed his neck sheepishly, then faced me.

“Guess I forgot something!”

“Yeah. Anything important?”

“The kitchen is fitted,” Fanatic replied.

“Dude, we’ve got no furniture at all!” I spluttered as I started laughing.

“Guess we’re gonna have to hit a hotel,” Fanatic stated, looking embarrassed.

“Let’s empty the cars out first,” I said as I wandered to the French doors that led out onto a rear decking. It was beautiful out here. Danny would love this.

There was a load of furniture in my possession, but could I face having it here? The second bedroom suite would be fine, it was rarely used, but having mine and Grey’s bed moved here? No.

I walked upstairs and checked out the four bedrooms. Two were the same size, while the third was decent and the fourth slightly smaller. That would be ideal for a nursery. The two larger bedrooms had a shared bathroom with a family one further down. There was an empty room, which I assumed was the man cave.

Wandering downstairs, I found the cosy snug. That led to a spacious kitchen. A half bath was tucked away, with a shower next to a utility area. The kitchen opened to the dining room, which seamlessly connected to the lounge. Leaving that, I discovered another small room, probably used as an office. There was a second half bath and a cloakroom for hanging coats.

As we wandered, Fanatic ran up and down, emptying his car. On his fourth run, I put a hand out and stopped him.

“Do you have access to a van or truck?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you get the candidates to my house to collect some furniture?”

“Chance will have to approve,” Fanatic replied.

“That’s fine.”

Fanatic pulled his phone and dialled. “Uncle Chance.”

“What ya done, boy? Because I’m only your damn uncle when you need something,” Chance boomed, and Fanatic winced, knowing I could hear.

“Need to borrow the candidates. Willow and I are at the house, but it ain’t furnished.”

“You didn’t check?” Chance sounded incredulous.

“No.”

“Give me the phone,” I ordered and snatched it from Fanatic.

“Hi, Chance,” I said softly.

“Hey, darlin’ girl. That idiot nephew of mine has fucked up.”

I snorted with laughter, and Chance chuckled. “Not quite. This is a beautiful house.”

“Good. What do you need the candidates for?”

“I own furniture. I wondered if they’d go to my place and pick up the second-bedroom suite and the spare bed in the third room just for tonight. Fanatic can organise movers tomorrow for the rest. Oh, if they could bring the sofa too?”

“Sure. Don’t worry about a removal company. Tomorrow’s the weekend. The old ladies will head to your house and box everything up and the candidates can haul it Sunday. That okay?”

“Grey’s…” my throat closed, and I choked. “Grey’s…”

“Willow, Clio and Thalia will pack Grey’s stuff personally and take great care with it. They’ll use plastic containers for you so you can sort through when ready,” Chance offered.

I nodded, even though Chance couldn’t see me. Fanatic took the phone back.

“That is perfect, Uncle Chance. Willow can’t talk right now.”

“Willow needs to tell Axel she’s home because if someone sees Hellfire packing her shit, there’ll be trouble,” Chance ordered.

“Yeah, I’ll deal with it. Thanks, Uncle Chance.”

“Take care of Willow, son, she’s a Rage Princess and a founder’s daughter. That’s precious cargo there,” Chance said and disconnected the phone.

Fanatic slid it back into his pocket. He reached out and drew me into his arms. I clutched his tee as I cried. But it wasn’t as gut-wrenching. I was relieved there were kind people who’d treat Grey’s belongings carefully and ensure they weren’t damaged. Slowly, my tears dried, and I wiped my eyes.

“Gotta stop doing that,” I muttered.

“Nah. I’ve got a stack of tees. It’s okay.”

“Let me get the keys.”

I pulled the house keys off and gave Fanatic the alarm code. I was sitting on the steps as Fanatic began unloading his car again. Pipes roared, and I looked up and saw three bikers headed towards me. My gut clenched until I spotted the Hellfire patch.

To my surprise, Chance rode at the front with Diesel riding at his right, and behind them was a candidate.

They parked up, making the neighbour’s curtains twitch as Fanatic walked down the steps. He hugged Chance and Diesel and glowered at the third guy.

“Willow, don’t move. They brought fuckin’ Jinx,” Fanatic cursed.

The young man blushed and scratched his neck.

I nearly laughed as all three men blanched and looked about them.

“Keys,” Fanatic said, handing them to Diesel, who scowled. Diesel gingerly handed them to Jinx, and Jinx backed off the drive. There was a crash from inside the house, and Fanatic groaned.

“Fuckin’ Jinx!” he hissed as Jinx rode off with a jaunty wave.

“New candidate?” I asked as Chance stomped forward and yanked me up, hugging me tightly. I smiled into his cut. Chance had a soft spot for me, considering I was one of only a few kids around the two clubs for years.

“You okay, girl?”

“No, but I will be.”

“Let’s see the kid,” Chance said and moved aside.

Diesel reached out and hugged me before studying me. “You need anything?”

“No. I’m good,” I replied with a smile. I turned and saw Chance holding Danny.

“What’s his name?” Chance inquired, pulling faces at Danny.

Danny looked puzzled, to my amusement.

“Danny Micah Axel Grey Ware.”

“Strong name. Clio and Thalia have agreed to pack your home tomorrow. Clio is gonna handle Grey’s belongings personally. She asked if you wanted anything leaving out?” Chance questioned gently.

I closed my eyes against the wave of pain. “No.”

“Okay, girl. Clio’s going to label each box and put a list inside each one. You won’t have to search through boxes to find what you need,” Chance explained, and I nodded.

“Alice would like to come and visit, but when you’re ready, honey,” Diesel added.

“Not yet, Diesel. I… I’ll see Alice Sunday. I need a few days,” I replied honestly.

“Sunday’s fine. If you don’t need anything, we’re off. Before Clio ties the kids to a post,” Chance said.

My eyes widened, and I chuckled.

Chance winced.

“Dax and Olivia are being little fuckers. I came home the other day, and Clio was drinking a huge glass of wine as they beat the shit out of each other,” Chance explained.

I laughed harder.

“Doesn’t help that seventy per cent of the old ladies are knocked up, and it’s a hormonal bitch fest,” Diesel griped.

“That include Alice?” I asked.

“Yeah. But I can bribe her,” Diesel made a face. “Alice wants pickles, chocolate, and peanut butter in a sandwich together.”

“What the fuck is wrong with your woman?” Chance demanded, looking grossed out.

“I wanna know that too!” Diesel snapped.

“The only one having an easy pregnancy is Madisen. Levi has the most chilled-out woman going,” Chance whined.

“Are the pregnant ladies scaring you, Chance?” I teased, and he nodded.

“Fuck yeah. Willow, I swear to God, their heads are gonna start spinning. And that damn candidate is the only one they seem to like apart from Fanatic,” Chance complained.

“Him?” I recalled the man who’d rode off.

“Yup. Jinx. They adore him. Hate everyone else with a dick, but love Jinx and Fanatic,” Diesel stated.

I twisted and looked at Fanatic.

“What can I say? I’m fuckin’ amazing!” Fanatic gloated.

“Swear to God you are a suck-up. Not sure how you’re my nephew,” Chance announced.

“Keep telling ya, listen to them and then you can anticipate their needs,” Fanatic said.

“Prospect, I’ve had my kids. Shouldn’t have to pamper my brother’s pregnant old ladies,” Chance declared.

Fanatic nodded. “And they know that, which is why they’re determined to make you miserable.”

I laughed. I could actually see the old ladies doing that. Oh boy, this needed to be filmed. I bet the clubhouse was a riot of laughs.

“We’re going kid. Got a cookout Saturday if you wanna come. Family only. Seems the barflies pissed Thalia off, and she nearly killed one. Clio thinks it’s amusing,” Chance said, shaking his head. Somehow, I knew Chance liked that Clio thought it funny.

Diesel and Chance straddled their bikes and offered chin nods as they backed out of the drive. Curtains twitched again, and I smirked. As they roared away, I turned to Fanatic.

“Where’s your hog?”

“At the clubhouse, I need to fetch it.”

“Let’s go shopping. I need a few bits. I can’t sle… I’ll buy new bedding and towels and get some groceries to tide us over.”

Fanatic nodded, understanding immediately what I avoided saying. I couldn’t sleep in sheets that Grey had once slept in with me. Reliving that would be painful.

We moved the cars around, and I climbed into Fanatic’s now empty SUV. Danny babbled as Fanatic threw him mock questions and pretended to have a conversation. Yeah, I needed to find him a nice girl. One he couldn’t refuse.

Fanatic

I hated shopping. Really loathed it, but somehow it wasn’t that bad with Willow. She literally headed for what she required, and that was it. No browsing or dashing aisle to aisle or backtracking. It was a relief when, an hour and a half later, Willow pulled up outside the gates of the clubhouse.

Vampire was in the guard box, and my eyes widened. The fucker was asleep.

Angrily, I yanked my phone out and recorded for a good two minutes as Willow watched with her own shock on her face. When I stopped filming, she turned to me.

“He needs to be gone,” she said firmly.

“Yeah. Not my call, though. But I’ve sent that to Sunny.”

“Vampire! You lazy assed bum!” a roar bellowed, and Vampire jolted awake. An irate hulk of a man appeared, storming towards him, and Vampire squeaked. Behind Sunny came Wraith, who looked none too amused.

“Asleep on the gate?” Sunny bellowed.

“Fuck no!” Vampire replied.

“You fuckin’ liar. I’ve got a video!” Sunny snarled.

“Meet you at home, or do you wanna wait?” I asked Willow, climbing out of the car. She shunted over into my seat.

“I’ll meet you there,” Willow said. She drove off as I approached the gates.

“You were asleep, Vampire, and I was watching,” I added.

Vampire gave me a dirty look, but I didn’t care. Anyone could have snuck onto the compound. Vampire needed to be sent packing. Wraith opened the gate as Sunny hauled Vampire out.

As Vampire began yelling, Wraith glowered.

“Ain’t a fuckin’ prospect, and I’m on gate duty. Ought to make you do this shit,” he snapped.

“Can’t.”

“Bullshit. You stole all the candidates for your shit, so that makes this your job,” Wraith growled.

“Any other time, brother, I’d do it. But it’s Willow’s first day back in SD. I’m not leaving her,” I replied.

Wraith sighed and frowned. “She okay?”

“Honestly? No. Willow’s still grieving Grey, and she really doesn’t want to go anywhere near Rage or Rapid City. Woman’s a split second from running,” I answered.

“Fuck, I feel for her. Can’t be easy being isolated from family like she is.”

“Shit! I need to ring Axel!” I cried, realising I’d forgotten.

“Oh yeah, good job,” Wraith said, figuring it out with a grin.

Ignoring Wraith, I dialled Axel.

“You forget to tell me something, you little dipshit?” Axel boomed.

“Yes,” I replied sheepishly.

“Like why Hellfire are removing my baby girl’s shit?”

“Axel, Willow’s in South Dakota. But she won’t go near Rage or Rapid City. Willow refuses point blank. If we push her, Axel, she’ll run, and I don’t think we’ll get her back again. Willow’s agreed to see Janet and get some therapy as she knows how she’s feeling is wrong, but she can’t help it. Willow needs a couple of days. Give her till Monday to settle in,” I blurted.

Wraith grinned evilly at me.

“Willow isn’t coming home, is she?” Axel asked softly.

“Not that house, no. Willow can’t cope with Grey’s memory.”

“She’s my baby,” Axel boomed.

“I know, and I’m watching her carefully. Willow’s better than she was.”

“You owe me, you little fucker,” Axel snarled. Oh fuck, here we go. Wraith grinned again. Fuckhead! “I want nightly reports.”

“Axel, I respect you as a founder and family, but I’m not spying on Willow for you,” I denied. Crap, I was going to get beaten within an inch of my life. My lifespan looked a lot shorter than ten minutes ago.

“Did I ask you to spy? Don’t fuckin’ think, Fanatic, that ain’t your strong point.”

Hey now!

“I want to know Willow’s okay or if Danny needs shit. Hear me, son, I’ll break you if you disappoint my girl or me.”

“Willow’s my best friend, Axel. I won’t fail her.”

“Don’t!” Axel threatened and hung up.

“Fuck me! Pissing a founder off. That’s funny,” Wraith chortled.

I grinned. “Shut up, gate boy!” I retorted and ran off before Wraith could catch me.

Straddling my Harley, I could hear the roars from inside, egging Sunny on. Yeah, Vampire was in the ring and receiving a beatdown. Maybe next time, he’d keep his lazy ass awake.

I revved my hog and rode off. I didn’t like leaving Willow and Danny alone.

Willow

I parked the SUV next to mine and undid Danny from his car seat. I eyed the bags in the car and decided Fanatic could bring them in. It was getting close to Danny’s dinner time.

“We’re not going to put up with that for long,” a woman said, and I glanced behind me, puzzled.

An old lady stood on the drive around seventy-ish. She was glaring at me, and I saw several neighbours watching from their lawns. Obviously, they were all pretending to do shit but were listening in.

“Beg your pardon?” I replied politely.

“Having scum like you here,” she snarled.

“You wanna repeat that?” I demanded, dropping all manners.

“Yes, I said scum like you aren’t welcome here,” she hissed.

“Edna!” someone scolded.

“Scum like me?”

“Biker whores. Bet you’re not even wed, are you?” Edna sneered.

I couldn’t help that flinch. No, I hadn’t been married, but not for the reason she suspected.

I smiled. “Before making accusations, get your fucking facts right, you dried up, old bitch.”

“How dare you! Told you she was scum! Look how she spoke to me!” Edna riled up.

Danny whimpered, and I shushed him. “It’s okay, baby boy. Come on, Fanatic will be home soon, and he might have treats with him.”

“I’m going to report you!” the woman crowed.

I spun around and marched over, and Edna flinched.

“Make sure you get my name right,” I said loudly so everyone could hear. “It’s Assistant Special Agent-in-charge, Willow Ware of the Rapid City Federal Bureau of Investigation. My department is Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch, which forms part of the Criminal Investigation Division. You have a problem having an FBI agent on your doorstep, take it up with my supervisor, Assistant Director Thomas Markin. While you’re on the phone to him, you can tell Thomas, his honorary nephew, says hi!”

I turned, leaving Edna gaping like a fish.

“I’m sure he’ll want to know you’re shacking up with a filthy biker!” Edna finally found her voice just as I reached the doorstep. Danny chirped, and I agreed.

Spinning back around, I flew down my drive, and Edna appeared worried.

“You wanna know about my personal life? I’ll tell you, you nosey old goat!” I yelled as Fanatic pulled up. His head swivelled between me and Edna, and Danny cooed. I skidded to a stop and handed Danny to Fanatic, who looked amused.

“This man here is my best friend, you stupid bitch. We’re not shacking up in sin, fucking each other’s brains out!” I shouted. Edna gasped and clenched a hand to her chest. “He is my son’s Godfather and is looking out for us. He also happens to be Micah Michaelson, Phoenix Michaelson’s eldest son. And Fanatic is one of the Heroes of Rapid City. Look at that patch, you judgemental asshole. That’s a Hellfire MC cut.

“Fanatic jeopardised his life to protect that city. I don’t give a shit who the fuck you are, you don’t spit on that cut, man, or me. We risked our lives to defend Rapid City a year ago. And my fiancé died there. Former Special Agent Daniel Grey was my fiancé and the father of my child. And I’ll burn your house down around your ears if you ever disrespect our sacrifices again! My fiancé was a hero, a goddamn hero, and he’s dead,” I cussed.

I was panting heavily when I finished, as Edna shrank back from my anger. I moved a hand to brush my hair away from my face, and a sparkle caught my eye. On my finger was my beautiful engagement ring bought by Grey. A square sapphire surrounded by diamonds. The ring was 19ct gold with small diamonds inset into the shoulders that held the sapphire and larger diamonds. A sob hitched in my throat.

“Aw shit!” Fanatic muttered from behind.

“Never, ever…” a sob caught again, and I tried to swallow the tears.

“Here, give me the baby,” somebody offered. “You get her.”

Fanatic’s arms wrapped around me, and he began leading me in.

“Too far with your hate and bitterness, Edna. You’ve truly done it this time. Insulting that girl, and she’s just moved in!” someone scolded.

“How was I to know?” Edna said, but her venom had died down. “Anyway, she threatened me.”

“Funny, I didn’t hear a thing. Did anyone else? No. Tell ya what, Edna, you’ve got issues with everyone here. That’s cool. From now on, you’re non-existent. You can stand in front of us bleating your bullshit, and we’ll look right through you. You no longer exist! Come on, sweetie, let’s find your mama. Aren’t you a cutie?”

I was laugh-crying when Fanatic walked me inside. I turned to the woman who handed me Danny.

“Sorry, we’re waiting for our furniture and stuff to arrive,” I said, wiping my eyes.

“Not a problem, sweets. Gil, bring coffees,” the lady shouted. “I live next door, and I’m Gladys. Oh, I’ve waited so long to see someone put that witch in her place. That was wonderful,” Gladys cheered. Her face sobered. “I’m sorry for your loss, Agent Ware. Gil and I did a tour of the memorials and laid flowers at each one. Too many died, but we’re so proud of you. Gil and I know if Rapid City had fallen, the rest of the smaller towns would have been attacked, too. Thank you.”

A big guy knocked on the open door. “Hello?” he called.

“In here, Gil. Go get some garden chairs, these young folk are waiting for their furniture. Do you like carrot cake? Or perhaps chocolate, this dude looks like a chocolate man to me. Bring them both, honey. Phoenix Michaelson? I love her English accent, do you have one too?” Gladys said.

Amused, I watched as Gladys bustled around with the coffee tray, her mouth going a hundred miles an hour. Fanatic and I swapped glances, and I giggled as he smiled. Talk about a shitshow.