Fanatic (Hellfire MC: The Prospects #1)

Chapter Thirteen.

Willow

T here was a knock, and I smiled when I saw Lio and Gold. It quickly faded at the looks on their faces.

“Something happened?”

“Is Fanatic here?”

“Yeah, he’s with Danny,” I replied. “What’s going on?” I asked, seeing two uniforms as well.

“Willow, we need to come in,” Lio stated.

My gut kicked in, and I shook my head. “Not until you tell me.” “Willow, you gotta let this play out,” Gold warned, and I went to slam the door.

Gold shoved his foot inside. “Don’t do this. We’ve a warrant for Fanatic, and we’re coming in.”

Stunned, I gaped as they marched past me, and finally, I gathered my thoughts and hurried after them.

“Micah Michaelson, you’re under arrest for suspected rape, aggravated battery and assault with a lethal weapon,” Lio announced. “Whatever you say…”

I tuned out as I rushed out and called Phoe. It might be early, but Phoe needed to know. It was not a surprise that Phoe panicked, and Drake snatched the phone off her and promised me to get a lawyer there asap.

“Willow, we don’t think Fanatic did this, but we have to bring him in,” Lio said.

“In cuffs?” I spat. “That will hit the neighbourhood and media within an hour. Micah Michaelson arrested for rape? Even if Fanatic’s innocent, you’ve ruined his reputation and career.”

“Willow—” “Fuck you, Lio. You could have requested us to visit the station. Fanatic won’t run.”

“Fanatic has a dual passport. He could flee,” Gold argued.

“Bullshit. We’re talking about Fanatic here. If you take him out of here with cuffs, Phoe will have your badges. And public opinion? Arresting a hero of the Rapid City war will destroy SPD, and Rage and Hellfire will make sure of that. You’ll need new jobs within a month,” I hissed.

“Stop threatening us. Willow, do you think we want this? Fanatic’s a friend. But we assured Chief Holmes we could get Fanatic to come in quietly,” Gold said.

Honestly, I should empathise with them, but they were accusing Fanatic of something heinous. That was a totally fabricated lie, and I wasn’t going to stand here idly.

“Willow, it’s okay,” Fanatic mumbled.

“No, it’s not. Because this shit sticks, and once one bitch has lied, they all will. They’ll drop charges for a payout. Innocent or not, Fanatic will be attacked and accused because of Phoe. Screw you, get out of my house, you’re not taking him,” I hissed.

“Babe, it’s fine. No doubt, I’ve an alibi because I’ve rarely been alone. Look, I’ll agree to come with you, but no cuffs. Willow is right, that shit will be everywhere, and the minute it is… Mum’s gonna fuck SPD up,” Fanatic said.

“That’s acceptable, and with the stuff happening with Willow, you’ve got an excuse,” Lio added.

“Get rid of the uniforms,” I scowled.

“Willow…”

“Lio, I’m a fuckin’ Fed. I uphold the law! Send them away!” I yelled.

Gold swapped glances with Lio and nodded before moving to speak to the officers. I rushed into the kitchen and grabbed Danny’s go bag and some snacks and dragged a brush through my hair.

Luckily, I was showered and dressed. Fanatic and I had been planning to take Danny to the zoo. Angrily, I headed to the hallway and snatched my keys.

“Gold, I’ll bring Fanatic in.”

“No way, Willow, we’re doing you a favour. Fanatic comes with us, you might ‘lose’ him on the way,” Lio replied firmly.

“Honey, if you ever want sex with me, get your ass in the car now,” I ordered.

Fanatic froze before literally running to the SUV and climbing in.

“Lio, I’ll say this one more time, I’m a fucking Fed. Don’t ever call my integrity into question again,” I hissed. “Whatever bitch accused Fanatic of this is a lying cunt. Ain’t got to run, but you two… oh boy, are you in my shit books.”

With that, I rushed out and strapped Danny into my vehicle. Ignoring the cops, I pulled out and headed towards the SPD. My anger wasn’t fading as minutes ticked past.

“Babe, I won’t say a word until a lawyer arrives,” Fanatic said into the silence as I seethed.

“Not a single syllable apart from lawyer,” I ordered.

“I swear I did not—”

“Don’t you dare tell me you didn’t do this! Fanatic, I know you fucking didn’t. Whatever cunt fabricated these lies is in for a world of pain.”

“Babe, I think you’re angrier than me.”

“Possibly.” And we lapsed into silence. What else could we say?

Fanatic

Appearing relaxed, I was seated in the interview room. Naturally, I was anything but relaxed, but I wasn’t going to let these assholes know that. I’d been read my Miranda rights again and was now waiting for a lawyer.

Lio and Gold weren’t allowed to question me, and I sat in front of two cops I didn’t know. They’d introduced themselves from Black Hawk PD and then tried questioning me. I’d said lawyer three times.

“If you’d just speak to us, we could probably clear this up quicker,” detective Luke Morris commented. Amused at their persistence, I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

“Don’t you want to help?” Detective Sarah Hope asked.

“You think because I’m English, I’m stupid, but I know my rights. Lawyer, and stop trying to entrap me. That won’t work,” I finally stated.

A bang on the two-way mirror made me smirk and shut up. I’d bet my entire trust fund that Willow was back there.

“This is funny to you?” Morris demanded. I glanced at him and began studying my nails. Inside, I was a seething mass of emotions. Outrage and shock were dominant, but anger and hurt were close behind. Outrage, because how could anybody believe I’d do something vile? And hurt because two cops I’d considered friends had arrested me. I was angry that some bitch had made up lies and could ruin my reputation.

I wanted to know who’d done this, and I was furious. This was my life they were fucking up. None of this was a joke, and I’d press charges against this so-called victim myself.

The door opened, and a woman entered. “I’m Adeline Waters, Mr Michaelson’s lawyer. I’d like to consult with my client, and someone better tell me what the charges are. And don’t waste my time, either,” Adeline snapped.

Hope informed Adeline of the charges as I watched, amused.

Holy shit, where did Mum dig her up from? Adeline stared at them until they left.

“Did you say anything?” Adeline asked.

“Lawyer.”

“Good. I have been informed you’ve been arrested for suspected rape and aggravated battery and assault with a lethal weapon. Do you know the victim?”

“For what? No way. And I’ve not been given a name yet.”

“Really? How interesting. If I state no comment, you don’t speak. If you’re going to disobey, tell me now because I’ve better things to do on a Saturday and I don’t work weekends. This is a favour to your mother, which Phoe will pay very handsomely for,” Adeline said.

“I’ll do what you tell me.”

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Adeline stated, walked to the door, and banged on it. She sat back beside me as Hope and Morris came in carrying a file.

“Do you understand your Miranda rights?” Hope questioned.

I glanced at Adeline and answered when she nodded. “Yeah.”

“Good, we wouldn’t want any mistakes or misunderstandings because of your dual nationality,” Morris sneered.

“Don’t insult my client’s intelligence,” Adeline snapped.

“Do you have temper issues, Micah?” Hope asked.

“No comment,” Adeline said.

“See, I ask because wasn’t there an incident a few days ago with Mr Felix Moon?” Morris inquired.

“Who?” I demanded before Adeline could speak. I swapped a confused glance with her. I thought I was here for rape?

“Mr Moon gave a statement saying that you threw him out of the Hellfire Club building in just his boxers,” Hope explained.

I snickered; I couldn’t help it. Adeline shot me a stare.

“Vampire? He was politely asked to leave the clubhouse,” I said.

“That’s not what he says. Mr Moon claims you dragged him through your compound naked and shoved him into the street,” Hope pushed.

“MC justice is harsh,” I murmured after a look at Adeline.

“You admit it?” Hope pressed.

“No, I admit nothing.”

“Are you accusing Mr Michaelson of raping and assaulting Mr Moon? Because, quite frankly, I’m confused,” Adeline demanded.

“No. We’re establishing that Mr Michaelson has anger issues,” Morris declared as he opened the file and slipped some photographs out. Morris slid them in front of me and I stared at them as my mouth worked silently.

The woman was black and blue. Her face had been battered and looked worse than Willow’s had. There were abrasions down her arms and across her chest. I flinched at the footprints on her back and further bruises. Someone had beaten this poor girl and not held back.

I cringed at the close-up of her face. “Shit, April,” I hissed. “What happened to her?” I demanded.

“Why don’t you tell us, Mr Michaelson?” Morris asked.

“You don’t deny knowing her,” Hope added.

“I want a minute with my client,” Adeline said.

“Can you confirm you know the victim?” Morris stated.

“I said I want a moment with my client. Stop the questioning before I take this further. I know what you’re thinking, that this is a career maker. Somehow, I very much doubt it. But due process will be adhered to.”

“You had a consultation with Mr Michaelson,” Morris pushed back.

“And you hadn’t given us a name or details. Now you have, I want to talk to Fanatic. Stop recording and leave before I start drawing up motions and ending your careers,” Adeline threatened.

Hope and Morris stood and left.

Adeline faced me. “Tell me everything.”

I did. How I’d met April and how the date had turned awful. I described how we’d left it and how my gut had warned me something was wrong. I listed the cameras I had passed in front of and then what happened when I arrived home.

Adeline made notes and nodded. She wrote down every camera and the times I’d entered and exited the restaurant.

“That’s plenty for your alibi, Fanatic, shall we end this now?”

I nodded, eager to leave. Adeline called Morris and Hope back in, and they settled down before hitting the record button again.

“I met April at the coffee shop Beans to Go and asked her on a date,” I began and then told them everything.

“Why stay under the cameras?” Morris questioned suspiciously.

“You know who my mum and dad are. How many do you suppose have tried to blackmail one of us kids to get a payout? There are too many incidents to remember. Rapid City would have a log. Do you think April is the first girl who did her research? April was looking for an easy mark. I’m not one.

“Someone beat April, and that’s awful, but it wasn’t me. I pray you discover who did it, but at the end of the day, I have a rock-solid alibi,” I explained.

“Give us a DNA sample if you’re so innocent,” Hope said.

“No, I don’t need to. I’m blameless, and if you get off your asses and check that information, you’ll find I am. When you do, I want to press charges against April for falsely accusing me of this,” I replied.

“Wow, you’d go after a victim?” Morris asked.

“I’d take legal action against anyone who wants to create lies and attempt to wreck my life. Bet you the next thing she’d have done is offer to drop the charges for an out-of-court settlement…” I paused as Morris and Hope swapped glances. “She’s already mentioned something along those lines,” I crowed.

“We’re finished. You’ve got nothing to charge my client, and we’re leaving. And be warned, with Mr Michaelson’s alibi, you won’t be charging him. Speak to the manager at the restaurant, verify what time Mr Michaelson’s card was run, review his route home, and then check the CCTV. Meanwhile, someone also needs to take a statement from April’s work colleagues. Girl next door to club slut is quite a jump. And ASAC Ware requires an interview. I don’t recommend pissing off a high-ranking FBI agent, either. Mr Michaelson, we’re going,” Adeline said.

“You go when I say so,” Hope slammed her hand on the table.

“Don’t play power games with me, detective, you’ll lose,” Adeline threatened and tipped her head to the door. Morris got up and opened it after an exchange of glances with Hope.

“Don’t leave the country, Mr Michaelson,” he warned snarkily.

“Where would I go? This is my home,” I retorted and headed out.

I honestly expected Mum and Dad and Uncle Chance. Willow, I knew, was here, but I had thought Hellfire and Rage would be present. When I discovered they weren’t, I wasn’t sure whether to be put out or not.

“I told them to keep the brothers back. Their appearance would signal something majorly wrong. They’re currently at the clubhouse,” Willow explained as she shot Morris and Hope a filthy look.

“You can take my statement today or Monday at my office. Make your choice,” she snapped.

Well, Willow was in a foul mood.

“Now would be perfect,” Hope said.

“ASAC Ware,” Willow prodded.

“ASAC Ware,” Hope replied, looking put out.

“Oh, I’m sure now is fine. You can wait ten minutes,” Willow stated, clearly making a power play.

“You okay?” Mum asked, stroking my arm.

“Yes. Can’t believe Lio and Gold arrested me, though.”

“That’s gonna have some serious repercussions,” Chance warned.

“No doubt,” I agreed. I didn’t trust Lio or Gold anymore, that was for sure.

“See you at the clubhouse?” I murmured to Willow.

“Yeah. Take the SUV, and I’ll get an Uber over,” Willow replied. “And take Danny.”

Willow turned and sent Hope and Morris a dirty look. “Let’s get this shit over. You’ve ruined my day enough.”

Willow stomped away, and I grinned. Hope and Morris needed all the help possible with her.

Willow

As I left SPD, I was shocked to spot Cowboy and Wild outside.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, approaching.

“Waiting for you. Come on, climb up,” Wild answered.

I was instantly suspicious. “Why?”

“Because you need to see something. Get on the bike, sis,” Cowboy ordered.

“I’m the eldest; don’t boss me about,” I retorted.

“Really? We’ve regressed to children?” Wild demanded.

“Shut up. I’d have killed you both as kids,” I replied and swung up behind Cowboy. “I’m due at Hellfire.”

“No, you’re not. We called Fanatic and explained we were kidnapping you. Hold on,” Cowboy said and throttled his hog and pulled out.

Ten minutes later, I realised where they were taking me, and although I tapped Cowboy’s hand several times, he didn’t stop.

I planned to painfully and slowly kill them for this. A churning mass of emotions built in my gut, and I kept swallowing bile.

By the time Cowboy and Wild arrived, I had tears in my eyes. I leapt off and heaved at the side of the road. Wild yanked my hair away as Cowboy rubbed my back.

“You gotta do this, Willow,” Cowboy said.

“No, I haven’t. Take me home.”

Wild handed me a bottle of water, and I rinsed my mouth and took the gum that Cowboy offered. The fucker grabbed and carried me over to a wall where a memorial stood with a brass plaque. Flowers were laid at the base, and carved into the monument was the date and the names of the fallen Hawthorne men. Sadly, I crouched with tears in my eyes. Niko, Jase, Nick, Vinnie, Jessie, and Colm. Tragically, I’d known Niko, Jase, and Nick very well. The other three not so well, but I had been familiar with them.

I traced their names as I let memories wash over me. Six guys gave their lives to stop a rabid force taking our city. They’d been dead a year but had been immortalised here. I puffed out my cheeks as I kissed my fingers and laid them against the plaque.

Wild allowed me to grieve before leading me to his bike, and we headed out to the next one. This was for the Rider’s of Vengeance with five names of men I’d grown up with: Tank, Sparky, Lazy, Torch and Hay. I stayed longer here; I needed the time.

Slowly, we made our way around Rapid City, where the battles had been fought until we came to the second worst one. The one I knew I couldn’t handle.

Tears were already streaming down my cheeks as I knelt at the memorial for the Unwanted Bastards. Sixteen names were engraved in gold here. Only three survived. Inglorious, Razor and Chill. Psych, Mouse, Poison, Snake, and the rest all died. I wailed my grief at losing these men because they’d been a huge part of my life with parties and cookouts, etc. I completely understood how Inglorious had emotionally collapsed. Who’d blame him? These were his brothers, family, and they had given their lives to protect a city they didn’t claim.

Cowboy crouched and held me as tears tracked down his face. Memories of those countless funerals popped up. Despite the grief each club or ally felt, we’d made the effort to attend them all. Even I had pushed aside my sorrow over Grey. One funeral at a time became our motto.

I rocked back and forth as Cowboy supported me. Half an hour must have passed before I glanced up. A pair of brown eyes caught my attention, and a stranger smiled.

“Thank you for your sacrifice,” she said.

I wiped my eyes and blew out my cheeks. “Thank you for thanking me.”

“They gave their lives so I could live. I’ve just discovered I’m pregnant today. That wouldn’t have happened without them. I came to lay some flowers,” she replied.

It hit me then. This was their legacy. They’d died, so others lived, and life was being created because of them. Everyone who had passed had left a lasting legacy. Every child born since the war owed its life to these men and women. And to Grey.

“I’m ready,” I whispered as Cowboy led me away.

◆◆◆

I touched his name and smiled. Grey was remembered on a plaque on this stone cross erected for him. Someone had added words under it.

“He gave his life for you, who couldn’t fight. He traded his future for yours. Love made him a father and fiancé. Honour, courage, and respect made him a Rage MC brother. A sense of right made him a hero,” I read.

“Drake wrote them,” Wild explained.

“They’re beautiful.” And they were. They meant something. I looked at flowers surrounding the base.

“The old ladies ensure every tribute has flowers. Come hell or high water,” Wild said.

“That’s nice,” I replied.

“There’s one last thing,” Cowboy announced.

We rode into the city centre. There was the memorial I’d been informed of but never set eyes on. A lady in police uniform stood beside someone who was clearly a biker. There was a cross, and on the other side, a guy in a suit and a woman in army fatigues. Running around the bottom were the allies’ names and everyone who came to defend under their group titles. The Juno Group, Ellsworth Base, Washingtons, and so on. Every single man and woman who defended Rapid City was remembered.

The stone cross listed the deceased. Floral tributes encircled it, mirroring other memorials. Looking at Grey’s name on this, I finally felt at peace.