Fanatic (Hellfire MC: The Prospects #1)

Chapter Seven.

Willow

I was unpacking the following day in the kitchen while my house was as busy as a beehive. Although they’d not mentioned it last night, the old ladies had spent yesterday packing up my previous home and getting everything ready for today. Since nine this morning, candidates had been dropping items off. They were using the club van, so they would fill it and then bring it here before returning for the next load. The brothers were here helping move heavy furniture around and carry boxes for their women.

The old ladies had scrubbed the house from top to bottom, which seemed pointless, as it had been scrupulously clean already. They’d then cleaned or hoovered every floor and beaten curtains. Fanatic had disappeared out the back with several of Hellfire who’d arrived under the guise of helping.

They were discussing where the grill and shit went. Clearly important stuff.

The first load of furniture to arrive was the living and dining room, and I found myself relegated to the back garden with the men and Danny. Danny reached for Jinx, who took him happily. Since then, several hours had passed, and now people were looking between me, Jinx, and Danny.

“What?” I demanded finally.

“We’re not sure if it’s you or Danny,” Clio said.

“But it’s fuckin’ one of ya’s,” Bear complained, rubbing his head. He’d come from my house cussing Jinx out, who merely looked serene and told Bear he needed faster reactions.

“What is?”

“We noticed last night, while Jinx was holding Danny, nothing happened,” Tati replied.

“Okay?” I wondered where this was going.

“While at yours, stuff happens. But the moment Jinx set foots here, it all stops,” Levi said. “Can we borrow Danny and take him to your house and see if it ends Jinx’s shit?”

Amused, I laughed. Was Levi serious? Okay, he was.

“Levi, you can’t take my son to see if it stops Jinx’s jinx!” I exclaimed.

“Why not?” Celt demanded as he looked at a swelling thumb.

“Because Danny’s a baby!”

“Willow, give Levi the kid. We gotta know if Danny works,” Sunny moaned.

“No! And what if it does? Then what?” I snapped, amused.

“Negotiation. Willow, you don’t need Danny all the time,” Sunny replied.

“Is he serious?” I questioned, unsure.

Sunny kept glowering.

“Let us just borrow Danny for this trip. If it ain’t Danny, then it’s you, and we can find something for you to do around the clubhouse all day,” Celt stated. He looked at his thumb even as it swelled further.

Amusement fading, I grabbed Celt, walked him to the faucet, and turned it on. “Stick it under there and keep it there.”

“The water’s cold, Willow!” Celt complained.

I raised an eyebrow, and Celt subsided.

“Woman’s mean,” he said in an aside to Fanatic, who smirked as he leaned against the worktop. Fanatic wore black jeans today with a black tee and looked striking. Yeah, Fanatic needed a woman. For some reason, that thought irked me.

“Why do you think I made Willow my best friend? I was clever,” Fanatic replied. He sent me a warm glance, and I shook my head.

“Go help unload, asshole,” Sunny scowled.

“Was about to buy lunch,” Fanatic teased and began walking out.

Sunny snagged him by the neck of his tee. “Order,” Sunny demanded.

I laughed as Sunny’s stomach rumbled, and he glowered.

“Two choices. There’s that English-style fish and chip shop that’s recently opened. Or we can get tacos,” Fanatic offered.

That caused a mini riot. In the end, Fanatic bought tacos for half of us and fish and chips for the rest. Fanatic was positively gleeful as he ordered something called a saveloy, battered sausage and a steak and kidney pie. On looking around at his brothers, Fanatic added several extras with a shake of his head.

When the meals were delivered, Fanatic cut up the extra and then guarded his own plate after everyone enjoyed them. To my surprise, it was proper English food. Not an American take on it. Fanatic explained they did things like pickled eggs and gherkins, along with battered turkey sticks and deep-fried Mars bars. Overall, the food was pretty decent, and the shop had just acquired a load of new customers.

I had the cod and chips on Fanatic’s recommendation, and I had to admit, it was damn good. Once eaten, everyone carried on until Chance called all the brothers together, and they disappeared out the door.

“Club business,” I guessed as Fanatic chased after them. The old ladies rolled their eyes, and we continued unpacking.

Grey’s boxes had been put in the attic immediately, so I didn’t have to deal with them. I wasn’t ready to. Many would have suggested donating Grey’s clothes, but no… not now.

I was placing pictures around when Clio called me.

Clio wore an expression of concern which warred with grief.

“Chance wished to do this right,” Clio murmured. “Don’t be mad.”

Clio gently shoved me outside as Thalia brought Danny. She placed my boy in my arms, and I looked up and froze. The noise should have warned me, but it hadn’t. Heading towards me, walking their bikes, was Hellfire. Chance and Fanatic took one side each of a trailer carrying Grey’s hog. Behind it fell Hellfire, escorting a fallen brother’s bike home. Shit, I’d not even considered Grey’s Harley.

“Oh God,” I gasped.

I’d not seen it since I had fled, and now it was here. On top lay a wreath of roses, and I swallowed tears.

“Stand tall,” Clio whispered, and I nodded as they approached. Neighbours came out and stood to pay their respects, which I appreciated, and Hellfire pulled up. Fanatic walked the Harley down the ramp and wheeled it into my garage. My eyes followed, knowing Grey would never ride it again.

But Grey’s son would. I’d keep it in peak condition, and Danny, one day, would own Grey’s bike. Danny would decide its fate.

Fanatic covered it over and placed the wreath on top as the candidates rode off, probably heading back to Hellfire. As I looked around at Hellfire claiming their old ladies, I’d never felt more alone until a strong set of arms embraced me and held me tightly. Fanatic, as usual, was there for me.

Fanatic

A month had passed since we moved in properly, and I was feeling like shit. For a week, I’d called Axel, giving him updates until Willow reached out to him. She’d explained that she couldn’t face Rapid City or Rage, but Axel, Ellen, and her brothers were more than welcome here.

Slowly, this was becoming a home, and I’d encouraged Willow to display pictures of her and Grey, but she’d only put a few out. There was nothing of Greys around either. However, there were plenty of items belonging to me and her. Which felt both good and shitty. I liked seeing our stuff mixed together. But my head was fucked.

I wasn’t lying when I’d said the first time I’d seen Willow I’d been attracted to her. Not because of how she was dressed. But because of Willow’s bravery, courage, and intelligence. As we’d got to know each other, I fell in love. Initially, I thought I had a shot despite our age gap. But I’d caught her and Grey kissing and realised they were a couple.

So, I did the next best thing and became her friend. Grey came as part of Willow, so I befriended him, too, and soon cared for him like a brother. Grey’s death had devastated me. But there was a sly little piece of me that kept stating that Willow was single now, and it wouldn’t shut the fuck up. It was obvious Willow was still grieving and wasn’t even ready to consider another relationship. But when she was ready, I intended to support Willow during her initial foray into dating.

A tiny part of me hoped she’d come to see me as I wanted her to. I fuckin’ loved her and Danny, and I couldn’t escape that. Would Willow view this as disloyalty to Grey? Would Grey think it a betrayal from wherever he was? My head was fucked, and I needed to get it straight. But I couldn’t talk to anyone concerning this mess.

However, I could claim Willow as my old lady, because Grey had been in a different MC to me. If we’d been in the same MC, it would have probably been vetoed.

Thinking like this wasn’t healthy. I had to try something to get Willow out of my head before I fucked up.

That led to now. Stood here getting a coffee, and a pretty girl smiling at me. I smiled back, took my coffee, and sat down. What the hell was I doing? I berated myself silently, but when I looked up, the girl’s eyes were on me. Cheekily, I sent her a wink and smirked as a blush appeared on her cheeks.

Yeah, she was too innocent for a jaded asshole like me.

My phone buzzed, and I dragged it out and saw a message from Shee. Vampire was meant to be helping him with a house clearance and hadn’t turned up. Irritated, I threw my head back and stared at the ceiling. The prick was lazier than a sloth. Nor did Vampire have any skills that Hellfire needed. Pissed off, I rose to my feet and grabbed my drink. Vampire was going to get his ass kicked.

As I walked past the girl, I stopped, and before I knew it, I’d asked for her phone number. She beamed and wrote it down and handed it to me.

I winked again like a fuckin’ idiot and left. What the hell had I done? Luckily it wasn’t my favourite coffee shop, or shit might have got awkward.

◆◆◆

In disbelief, I stood staring over Vampire as he snored his fucking head off. Grinding my teeth together, I headed out of his room and into the kitchen. Grabbing a bucket, I filled it with ice and stormed back through the rec room. Chance and Big Al looked up and grinned. This fuckin’ candidate.

With a kick to the door, I entered Vampire’s bunk again and wordlessly threw the ice over him. Vampire sat up with a shriek and began scrambling to get out of bed. I stalked forward and put a foot on his chest.

“You were expected by Shee three hours ago, you lazy assed fuck!”

“That was too early!” Vampire wailed as he tried to escape the cold.

“It’s fuckin’ twelve o’clock. Nine is an acceptable time to start a workday. Do you think you’re getting a free ride or something?” I demanded.

“Hey, I work.”

“At sleeping? Yeah, you get an A star for that. Get your ass out of bed. Then tidy this shithole. Hellfire doesn’t give you a bunk here for you to treat it like crap. I want this fuckin room sparkling and smelling like a florist.

“Meanwhile, I’m gonna find Runner and take him off shit duty for today, and he can go help Shee. I’m sure Runner will thank you for picking up his duties. And then you’re going to run a lap around the compound. While I consider other distasteful and nasty crap for you!”

“Hey, you can’t do that! I want to speak to Chance! You are just a prospect!”

The control on my temper snapped, and I hauled the lazy fuck out of bed by his ankle. Vampire created a ruckus, screaming and shouting as I dragged him down the corridor and into the rec room. I dumped his snivelling ass in the middle and turned to Chance and Big Al at the bar.

“Fucker here wants to lodge a complaint,” I snarled.

Big Al snorted in amusement. “What? He thinks we got a union or some shit?”

“Fanatic can’t treat me like this!” Vampire yelled, standing up. Jesus, that was fuckin’ unattractive. Sickened, I looked away from Vampire’s pasty white, slightly flabby body. Major turn-off for women.

“Like what?” Chance asked.

Before I could speak, Vampire launched into a tirade of complaints.

Chance nodded and turned to me. “Make that twice around the compound, even if Vampire has to crawl the second time. And he’s pulled gate duty for the next week with whoever else is on. Ensure they have an air horn, and if Vampire falls to sleep, they blow his fuckin’ ear drums out. He’s also on dishwashing, and lucky for him, the dishwasher broke this morning, so it’s all hands to the sink.”

“Getting laid ain’t worth this!” Vampire retorted.

“You joined an MC to get laid?” I asked incredulously.

“Yeah. You have always got women hanging about. I’m gonna get me some of that. And everyone knows MCs lounge about drinking. Where’s the drugs and that shit? You’ve got the wrong idea of a club. Nobody works in an MC, you run illegal things and have loads of pussy around,” Vampire explained like we’re all dumb.

“Fuck the vote. Fanatic, throw his sorry ass out!” Chance ordered.

Happily, I grinned, grabbed Vampire in an armlock, and marched him out of the clubhouse and towards the gates. Vampire struggled as he realised I was throwing his ass out while he wore dirty boxers and nothing else. The wanker fought all the way, and Dollar’s eyes widened as I approached.

“Open them, candidate,” I ordered.

“Dollar! You gotta help me, man, we’re brothers. Don’t let him bully me!” Vampire shrieked.

“Ain’t no brother of mine,” Dollar snorted, and I grinned as I slung Vampire into the street.

“One of the candidates will bring your shit,” I said as Dollar closed the gate. Vampire flung himself at it and began rattling it.

“Fanatic, you can’t do this,” he screamed.

“Sorry, Dollar, looks like your quiet morning turned into hell,” I apologised, walking back.

“Not a problem, dude,” Dollar replied, and I heard the amusement.

I called Jinx and Sailor to empty Vampire’s room and clean it. Then, I headed to an office we all used when needed and opened my laptop. Luckily, I had my laptop and could work here. And it seemed my presence was required today to watch these motherfuckers.

I was several hours into a design when someone knocked at the door. I glanced up and spotted Jinx standing there.

“Brought you some lunch,” he said, handing me a plate. Jinx went a bit red. “I checked what you could eat with your… thing… anyway, that stuff’s okay to have.”

“Transplant. You can say it. The word doesn’t bother me because it’s true. And thanks, man, that’s thoughtful of you,” I replied.

“Cheers, Fanatic. Some don’t like talking about personal stuff. I was uncertain, but guessed you had to eat healthy,” Jinx said and left the room.

Damn, he’d made me wholemeal sandwiches with ham and salad in and put some fruit on the side with a low-fat yoghurt. Good of Jinx. Another knock made me look up, and Clark entered.

“Hey, I was thinking, my bike’s a piece of shit,” he opened with.

“Yeah?”

“Your woman has a bike nobody’s using. Could I put an offer in? It’s got some decent artwork on it and seemed like a nice ride. Plus, being your old lady, I’m sure she’ll give a discount or something,” Clark said.

I was speechless. On multiple accounts. I took a few moments to gather my thoughts.

“First, Willow isn’t mine,” I replied, and Clark looked surprised.

“She’s living with you.”

“Yeah. Willow’s my best friend, and I’m Danny’s Godfather. She needs help, and I’m here for her,” I added.

“Damn, so Willow’s single? Might try my luck at that,” Clark said, and my anger sparked.

Trying to keep calm, I shook my head. “She’s a biker’s widow. Willow’s off limits.”

“But her old man is dead. She must be searching for someone else to take care of her and the child.”

My temper grew hotter, but I maintained control. “Willow doesn’t need money. She has Grey’s life insurance, and that is beside the point. Willow’s a biker’s widow, which means no biker will approach her unless she encourages it. Secondly, that bike’s not for sale. That was Grey’s, and nobody will ride it until Danny decides what he wants to do with it.”

“You mean Willow’s gonna sit there and let it rust? Bullshit dude. I’ll pay a decent price for it as it’s second-hand,” Clark pushed.

“The bike is untouchable. We don’t chase dead brother’s bikes or belongings. They rightfully belong to his family. Forget about buying. It’s off limits, as is Willow,” I stated firmly.

“Fine.” Clark shut the door, but a hunch told me I’d not heard the end of it. Clark was another candidate I had my eye on.

Focussing, I returned to my design. There was something bothering me about what I’d drawn. A detail was wrong, but I couldn’t spot what. For several hours I messed about until I was happy the aesthetic was right. I was surprised when Chance opened the door and looked at me.

“Solved it?”

“Yes. The colouring might need adjusting, but the design’s good.”

Chance walked around the desk as I brought up the blueprint.

“Fuck!” he hissed. “That’s the auction piece?”

“Yeah. Start the bidding at two hundred k for this one. I’ve ordered some hand-crafted and specialised parts to put in.”

“What about Harper’s ride?” Chance asked.

I showed him the piece for the infamous street racer, Harper, and Chance nodded. “That’s fuckin’ nice. Has Harper signed off on it?”

“Harper’s coming in next week to approve the designs. He’s also bringing a couple of friends with him who might be interested in ordering from us. They know there’s a yearlong waiting list, but Harper said they’re happy to wait,” I replied.

“Great. You got serious talent, kid. Glad we nurtured it. We missed you when you were in Miami for those few years, but it honed your skills. You ever wanted to go back?” Chance inquired.

“No. This is home. Not even England appeals to me. Although I love Camden, Maine and would settle there, but with the Royal Bastards there, it ain’t a good idea.” I laughed.

“No, they’ve some freaky weird shit around them. Aurora Victoria took some believing, but we couldn’t help it when her predictions kept coming true. But those fuckers? They take the paranormal to the extreme. If Drake hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. Goes to show there’s stuff in the world none of us understands,” Chance stated.

“Yeah. Dad was freaked out, but he’s fuckin’ glad that they’re miles away and also on good terms with us.”

“Not surprised. That woo-woo shit ain’t for normal men like us.”

“You’re preaching to the choir, Uncle Chance,” I agreed.

Willow

“Hello, girl,” a voice spoke as I answered my phone.

“Hey, sir,” I replied with a smile.

“How’s my honorary nephew?”

“Ah, I gather you heard from my neighbour, Edna,” I said to Thomas Markin, Assistant Director of the RC Bureau.

“Sure, as hell did, and I asked Edna what she possibly could have done to upset my highly decorated ASAC and a local hero. Then I wondered if Edna had something to hide, which is why she didn’t want an FBI agent living opposite. She got off the line pretty quickly after throwing a few insults.” Markin chuckled.

I laughed as he’d intended me to. Markin was a good guy. We’d not seen eye to eye when he’d tried to make Grey move to a different office. But we’d been breaking rules for years and had gotten away with it.

“Edna clearly has a guilty conscience,” I agreed.

“When are you returning to work, Ware?” Markin asked.

“I’m not sure if I am boss, I feel adrift at the moment,” I answered honestly.

“Because you’re not focused. How about a phased return? Start with three days a week and build it back up. We have also moved offices, as you know, because we’ve expanded to several other divisions. I’ve got a proposition for you,” he said.

“Now that sounds interesting. What departments?”

“Gotta come in to find out,” Markin teased, and I made a rude noise. “Willow, you’re one of the best we have. It would hurt the bureau to lose you. We don’t do part-time jobs, but we can work out a phased return. Come back, give it a few months and see how you feel. If you quit without trying, you and I both know you’ll regret it and will be filled with what-ifs.”

“Boss, I hate you sometimes,” I said, and Markin chuckled.

“Yeah, but you’re coming in.”

And damn if he wasn’t right.