Fanatic (Hellfire MC: The Prospects #1)

Chapter Fifteen.

Willow

D oc Paul entered, surprising me, but then I remembered he had permission to work here when it concerned Hellfire. Especially as he was also Fanatic’s doctor.

“Hey Doc,” Fanatic said weakly.

“Fanatic. I’ve some good news. Your liver is luckily showing no signs of damage. We believe you’ve not had any anti-rejection drugs for at least a week. You’re doing better but need to remain in overnight while we build you back up. Fanatic, your tablets were switched, and the police have been notified. They weren’t the ones you collected from the pharmacy,” Doc Paul explained, and I sat up.

“Somebody tried to kill Fanatic?”

“Willow, I can’t say that, but someone intended harm,” Doc Paul replied.

“The stalker?” Fanatic asked, and I felt guilt hit me. Had I done this to him?

“That’s police work, not mine,” Doc Paul answered. “Fanatic, I’ll be back in an hour to check on you.”

“Thanks, Doc,” I said as he left. I reached out and grasped Fanatic’s hand. “We’re not safe at the house. You gotta move to the clubhouse, Fanatic.”

“Willow, I need to move? Think again because I’m not leaving you and Danny alone there. Disaster seems to follow you lately. If I go, you do too,” Fanatic stated.

“Agreed. Someone has it out for you both. Could be the same person or two different attackers. Or even three after that bitch faked those allegations,” Drake added, entering. He carried a paper bag that smelt amazing, and I sniffed. Drake handed it to me, and I opened it, as my stomach growled. Burger and fries.

“Sorry, son, you get the sensible shit until you’re out of here,” Drake added, handing Fanatic a white bag. Fanatic grimaced as he pulled out two sandwiches.

“Has it even got the good stuff?” Fanatic complained as sniffed it.

Drake rolled his eyes. “Turkey, ham, beef, salad, and I had Harley bring salad cream.”

“Thank fuck!” Fanatic grinned and made grabby hands at Drake.

Drake handed over the bottle of sauce that Fanatic had imported. I preferred mayonnaise but each to their own.

“Don’t think this is fair. Willow gets a burger, and I get this,” Fanatic still complained.

“Be grateful you got that. Your mom’s on a kick, and you’d have had chicken salad or soup,” Drake warned.

Fanatic wrinkled his nose, and I smiled. He did eat those, but if Fanatic had his choice, he’d take what he got in front of him over them.

“So, someone tried to kill me,” Fanatic said conversationally. Drake snarled, and I choked on a fry. “What? Just putting it out there.”

“Don’t be so cavalier. This could have killed you,” Drake snapped, and Fanatic looked a little ashamed.

“Yeah. I’m aware, Dad, but I’m not sure what the etiquette is when dealing with my own attempted murder.”

“Not being a wiseass is a start,” Drake suggested.

“Told you,” I muttered around a mouthful of burger.

Fanatic gazed at me before shaking his head. “Preferred you two at odds.”

“I wasn’t fighting, Willow was. Get your facts right, boy,” Drake retorted as he sat down. “You got about ten minutes before your mother lands. This shit needs dealing with.” “And Hellfire will handle it,” Fanatic replied.

Drake’s eyebrows almost shot off his face. “Did you just pull club on me?”

“You gotta let Hellfire deal with this. It’s our shit, not Rage's. You’re my father but not my president,” Fanatic said, and I sat back.

This was going to get interesting.

Drake’s face took on a stubborn expression. “You’re my son.”

“Yup. But I’m Hellfire’s prospect. Dad, you wouldn’t like Chance interfering. You need to back off. Support me as my dad, but don’t interfere in Hellfire business,” Fanatic stated firmly.

“Well said, prospect,” Phoe announced, entering and offering Drake a sharp glare. “I knew you were up to something!”

“He’s my son.”

“Drake, Fanatic’s mine too. And Hellfire will handle this. Fanatic is right. He didn’t join Rage because of mollycoddling, and you can’t force him to comply with you. Fanatic can make his own choices, and Hellfire are already in motion. You can’t step on our toes,” Phoe chided.

“Our?” Drake hissed.

“You’re not Hellfire, Drake! I am! Back off before you cause bad feeling because right now, you’re saying you don’t trust Hellfire to figure this out!” Phoe stated, and Drake blanched.

“Not saying that—”

“Yes, you are. Shut up. Fanatic, that house isn’t secure,” Phoe said, and I smiled at Drake, who was glowering.

“No. It’s not. Willow and I were discussing moving to the clubhouse when everyone decided to get all caveman on us,” Fanatic replied.

“It’s not so easy for me because of moving Danny again. He can’t keep on with this upheaval. Danny’s too young,” I inserted into the conversation.

“Trust me. Danny will be fine. I’ve enough kids to know. I agree moving to the clubhouse is the wise choice,” Phoe agreed.

“Don’t I get an option?” I demanded.

“No!” Phoe and Fanatic said together.

Drake sat back and smirked, and I glowered. We could fall out again, him and me.

“Gladys drives, so there’s childcare for Danny and Gladys might well be in heaven on the compound,” Fanatic mused.

“I need to meet this woman. She’s spending a lot of time around my grandson,” Phoe stated, and Drake thumped my back enthusiastically as I did choke this time.

“What? You’re not telling me you two ain’t banging each other. Neither of you do casual fucks. Which means Danny’s my latest grandchild,” Phoe said ingeniously.

“Argue that,” Drake declared smugly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“We’re not having sex, Mum!” Fanatic spluttered.

“Jesus, you ain’t? Actually, you do seem a little tense, the pair of you. The electricity between you pair could power Rapid City. You two need to get laid. Finger diddling and rubbing one out clearly isn’t sufficient for you both,” Phoe stated.

I began turning red even as amusement rose.

Fanatic looked totally appalled and turned to Drake. “Take Mom home.”

“No can do, son, this is a Hellfire issue!” Drake grinned.

“Hellfire has no car in the race if I’m sleeping with Willow or not,” Fanatic hissed.

“I disagree, boy. If Axel comes around Hellfire with a shotgun after your ass, it’s us standing between you and him,” Chance said, entering.

Fanatic turned beetroot.

“Hey, look, boy’s got some colour at last,” Bear added grinning as he followed Chance inside.

“Can we drop my sex life as it has got no bearing on what’s right now,” Fanatic demanded, as I wisely stayed quiet.

“Sure, although I gotta ask what sex life? Dude, you just stated you ain’t got one. That why you’re so snappy and bitchy lately? Willow, girl, sort shit out. The man can’t be walking around with blue balls, he’s worse than a woman with PMS,” Bear replied and winced.

Bear glanced at Phoe, as I grinned as she sat up straight.

Oh yeah, Bear was dead!

Willow

The next day, I pulled into a rest stop on U.S Hwy 385 and sucked in a deep breath. Danny was with Gladys, and Fanatic wasn’t released until this afternoon. I wasn’t due back until tomorrow, which left my morning free. And I knew I couldn’t avoid this anymore.

I sat and stared at the busy area half a mile away. Shoving Fanatic’s SUV into drive, I drove up and headed down the two- lane road. The gates were open, although a prospect was on them.

I ignored the wave to stop because if I did, I’d turn around and flee. I parked up near the clubhouse as the prospect chased after me. He was on his phone, and his mouth was flapping like clothes in the wind. The clubhouse opened, and the figure there held a hand up, and the prospect stopped and retraced his steps.

The silhouette stood there watching me as I watched him. Slowly, I climbed out as he began walking forward. Arms wrapped around me as I face-planted into his chest.

“Willow,” Razor said as he squeezed me. He’d lost weight but was otherwise unchanged.

“I heard,” I whispered.

“Girl, I’m good,” Razor muttered as we kept a tight hold on one another. “Didn’t survive war to let this cunt beat me.”

“Kick its ass, Razor,” I replied as tears clogged my throat.

“That’s what I plan to do. Seen the Prez yet?”

“No. Is Inglorious about?”

“Head to the town. Inglorious will be down there trying to rein his woman in,” Razor shook his head in despair.

“She’s kicking ass and taking names?”

“She’s what Inglorious needed. Go on. Chill’s down there too,” Razor said, and I hugged him one last time.

Razor smiled. There was four years between us, but Razor looked older right now. “Have you got everything you need, Razor?”

“Willow, don’t worry. Between Prez, his old lady, and the brothers, I’m smothered. Although if we can shoot the shit away from this lot of worrying peahens, that would be a bonus,” Razor said.

I noted what he wasn’t saying. Razor was holding his own, but was tired, and everyone worrying was not helping. He needed strength, not sympathy.

“You got my digits, call me, and we’ll arrange something. And not at Hellfire either.”

“Girl, if Fanatic hadn’t pulled his head out of his ass, he’d have had a run for his money,” Razor said and dropped a kiss on my cheek.

“You knew?”

“Yeah, and respected the fuck out of Fanatic for holding back. Treat Fanatic right, Willow, and he’ll give you every single bit of him,” Razor answered.

I laughed and began walking up the road towards Merritt. It was only a five-minute walk, and it was beautiful. I saw a lot of people as I approached and nodded to some I recognised from Blackrock Construction.

As I neared a building, I was suddenly grabbed and hugged.

“Run away with me before the wicked witch finds me a woman!” Chill demanded.

I began laughing as I hugged Chill and patted his back. “But you need to settle down, Chill.”

“No!” Chill howled and released me. He held me at arm’s length and checked me over. “You look good, Willow,” he said, all teasing aside.

“Thanks. How you doing?”

“As well as can be expected. Ducking the witch as she’s decided we need to settle down,” he replied.

“Does Inglorious know you’re calling his woman a witch?”

“Prez started it!” Chill laughed. “You see Razor?”

“Yeah. He’s coming to mine to escape you lot.”

“Can’t lose him, Willow,” Chill said with a moment of vulnerability.

“We won’t. There’s too many of us around that will kick his ass otherwise. Razor is going to be fine,” I replied and believed it. One way or another, Razor would be okay.

“Inglorious was at the Sheriff’s office. Go find him while I pull a disappearing act. Get Inglorious to arrange a cookout and bring Fanatic.”

“Is anything secret, Chill?”

“Did you not hear Phoe take out a fuckin’ announcement about how she’s got a new grandson and Fanatic’s settled down? Gotta respect a guy that can put his feelings aside and make the woman he loves his best friend. Then to go one further and accept her man, and call him brother. Fanatic’s got special inside,” Chill said and dropped a kiss on my cheek and took off running.

“Chill! You shit!” a woman bellowed, and I turned.

“Hey, Willow, you look great. See you soon, I’m going to catch a Chill!” Inglorious’s woman stated.

“Wrap up warm honey!” I called.

“Don’t need to. Inglorious is smoking hot!” she added and cackled.

“Hey.”

I turned and saw the man of the moment. Inglorious looked better than what I expected. A little thin but healthy. Inglorious came off the wooden decking in front of the sheriff’s office and wrapped me up tightly. The last time I’d seen him had been Grey’s funeral, but I knew about his difficulties.

Inglorious wore a black wife-beater vest, with blue jeans and shitkickers. His hair was loose. But the war had left its mark. There were deep lines around his eyes from grief, and his eyes didn’t sparkle as brightly. Inglorious had a haunted look, that I reckoned, six months ago had looked a lot sharper than today.

We didn’t say anything as we held each other tightly. Out of all the other MCs, including Hellfire, Inglorious had been the president I’d been closest to. He never made me feel awkward and had demanded I be treated with respect. Being one of only a few kids amongst the allies made me highly visible, and I hadn’t always been welcome.

“I hear rumours of a surprise romance,” Inglorious finally muttered, releasing me. I held on for a few more moments, and Inglorious let me.

“Who saw that coming?” I teased, and Inglorious smiled that beautiful smile of his.

“I did. It was obvious how Fanatic felt. Maybe Hellfire and Rage didn’t recognise it, being too close to the situation. But to the rest of us, yeah, we knew Fanatic was crazy about you,” Inglorious replied.

“Damn.”

“How you doing, kid?” Inglorious asked.

“I’m better. Some days are harder than others. Danny does something and I turn to tell Grey, but it’s Fanatic. That’s when it kicks in.”

“That you’re betraying Grey because Fanatic’s sharing those moments instead of him.”

“You get it,” I agreed.

“Hell yeah. What do you think her brother would have done to me?” Inglorious asked as we heard a scream from Chill and a yell from the woman chasing him.

“Kicked your ass several times and then embraced you when you couldn’t move anymore,” I replied, and Inglorious laughed.

“Fucker might have castrated me as well, Willow, you never knew with him.”

“He earned his name, that was for sure. Did you see her coming?” I asked as we both lent back on a bar once used for tying horses.

“Fuck no. She swept in like a damn tempest. The prospects had no idea. Wasn’t amusing at the time, but now… yeah. I can see the humour. She ran from us because of what happened with my sister, so it took a lot for her to walk back in.”

“You’re in a different place than the MC she ran from, Inglorious.” “Night and day, Willow, night and day.”

I leaned and watched the antics as Chill did his best to escape.

Inglorious slung a casual arm around my shoulders. And I laughed as Chill was taken down by a determined woman who began bashing his head into the dirt.

“This is what life should be about,” I muttered.

“The allies earned this, Willow, paid with our blood. Even those who didn’t lose a person lost something else. And I’ll die to protect what we fought for,” Inglorious said softly.

“You ain’t alone.”

“Never was, I had to understand that. Same as you.”

“Hate it when you’re laying wisdom on me, Inglorious.”

“I know.” He chuckled. “Trust me, kid. I fuckin’ do!”

Fanatic

Fuck me. Why didn’t I just cut my balls off and hand them to my mum? That would make everything much easier.

“Mum. Enough. Please. Jesus, I’ll manage!” I finally snapped as she tried getting under my arm to carry me into the clubhouse.

“I’m your parent!”

“Yeah, and I can walk. Or you want my nuts in a handbag?” I shot back.

Mum stepped back, shoved me, and stalked in.

“Well done,” Dad hissed and chased after her.

“Finished pissing everyone off?” Willow asked, amused.

“Nah, you’re still here,” I replied.

Willow laughed. “For now. Of course, I can act insulted and stomp inside if you want?”

“Nah, you’re fine.” “Just take it easy with Phoe. Don’t forget, she’s had a lot to deal with you kids. Harley’s attack, the explosion, Tye getting his head smashed in… and all the other shit. One of you gets hurt, Phoe’s going to panic, and I understand as a mother myself. What if it was Danny?”

Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, as it was probably overstepping the mark, but Fanatic nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll go easy. That’s a fair point. When Danny bangs himself, I want to take the pain away, so I get it.”

Wow, that was painless. “Give Phoe something to make her feel needed.”

Fanatic grinned, and I was suddenly suspicious. “I’ve got just the thing.”

“Wanna tell me?” I asked as I followed him in. What was he up to?

As we entered, there was a bang and a yell, and Chatter scowled as a shelf fell down and whacked him straight on the head.

“Jinx!” Chance roared. “Where’s that damn son of yours!?” he snapped.

“With his childminder,” I replied calmly as Jinx grinned unrepentantly.

“Call Gladys and tell her to bring that baby here right now! We need the Jinx neutraliser,” Chance demanded.

Jinx smirked and bit into an apple.

“Oh boy,” I muttered and turned to Fanatic.

“Babe, great news. Mum’s going to babysit Friday night so we can go on a date,” he informed me.

What? You sneaky shit, I thought. Fanatic had just bought his way back into Phoe’s good books.

“Can we have Danny overnight?” Phoe asked.

“No!” I exclaimed, and Phoe looked crestfallen. “Sorry, I’m not ready for that yet. Let me get used to the idea, please.”

Phoe nodded but still seemed upset.

“Why don’t you pick Danny up Saturday and spend the day with him?” I offered, feeling guilty.

Phoe broke into a brilliant smile, and I frowned.

“Sucker!” Fanatic murmured in my ear. “You better let your father have him Thursday and Friday, or there’s going to be a riot!”

“Oh, fuck!” I exclaimed, realising what had just happened. I quickly dialled Dad before Phoe could tell anyone and got him to have Danny Thursday and Friday daytime. Dad and Ellen would stay at my house while Fanatic, Danny, and I bunked here.

“Yes, shit’s about to hit the fan. Your dad against my mum. They both wanna be grandparents of the year.” Fanatic grinned as he settled in deeper on the couch we were sitting on.

“Yeah. I ain’t refereeing.”

“Oh, never say never!” Fanatic teased, and I scowled as I heard Phoe on the phone.

“I’m leaving the country.” I sulked as I curled into him.

“Too late now, babe, I claimed you,” Fanatic said, and I smiled. That sounded nice.