Fanatic (Hellfire MC: The Prospects #1)

Chapter Sixteen.

Willow

T oday had gone well. I’d detested leaving Fanatic this morning, but he had looked better. Plus, Phoe would be at the clubhouse most of the day. Jimenez and I had managed to interview all day, and we’d been impressed with most we’d seen. Some had not made the cut, and one I really had hated because of the arrogance she’d displayed.

Jimenez hadn’t liked her either. So, we had around half of the team we needed. Fanatic had taken the day off and spent it with Danny and Phoe in Chance’s backyard, where there was a swimming pool. Fanatic had been sending me videos, which I watched in between interviews.

There’d been a few tantrums with Danny today when he’d got tired.

Someone had forgotten to pick up his cuddle buddy or blanket blankie, as Fanatic called it, and he had fought sleeping. I planned to stop on the way to Hellfire and grab it. The last thing we needed was an upset baby tonight.

The car insurance hadn’t paid, and I was still driving Fanatic’s SUV, so I headed home.

A couple of times, I thought I’d seen someone on my tail, but after a series of turns, I arrived back at the rented house with little difficulty. I parked up close and locked the SUV before hurrying inside. There were several other items I needed to grab while I was there. I threw my keys in the bowl on the entrance table and headed upstairs.

As I reached the landing, I paused. Something was wrong. There was a strange smell, and my bedroom door was open. I was sure I had shut it the other day when I’d picked clothing for Fanatic, me, and Danny while we stayed at the clubhouse. I pulled my gun and moved forward silently. On guard, I cleared each room as I passed them, heading to mine. Checking twice before entering, I frowned as I saw nothing out of place.

Everything appeared as I left it. On edge still, I grabbed the few things I needed, keeping my weapon out. I hurried to Danny’s nursery and got his cuddle buddy before racing back downstairs.

Once again, I stopped and looked at the entrance table in surprise. Huh, I could have sworn I threw the keys into the bowl.

But they were now on the table. An eerie sensation crawled up my spine, and I grabbed them and rushed out. I had planned to empty the fridge, but Fanatic could send Jinx.

I climbed into the SUV and stared at the living room window. Had that been a shadow?

Spooked, I pulled out and drove off. I didn’t stop until I hit the clubhouse.

Fanatic

Four days had passed since my collapse, and I was feeling better, but telling this lot was a different story. Truth was, I was as weak as a lamb but screw admitting that. I barely had any energy. Willow had returned to work and finished her last two days for this week. Meanwhile, I sat twiddling my thumbs. They’re only so many games someone can play, although I now kicked ass at Assassin’s Faith, Star Battles, and Overlook.

Things were dire when I got into an argument with a ten-year-old kid on Overlook. He wouldn’t leave my tank alone, and his DPS (damage per second hero) sucked big time. I threw my controller next to me and sighed, tipping my head back.

“Recovery is shit, ay?” Sunny asked as the couch dipped.

“Wasn’t even my fuckin’ fault.”

“I know. Still sucks.”

“You need anything?” I sought hopefully.

“Nah. I had to speak to Olivia’s professor. Damn girl has a mind of her own. Liv’s got no respect for someone who evidently needs to go back and re-earn his degree. And apparently, he thinks it’s okay to call my girl a bitch,” Sunny said, shaking his head.

I paid attention. Sunny rarely mentioned his daughter or brought her around. It was strange, but Sunny’s choice. Liv, as Sunny called her, was a little-known entity here.

“You gonna start bringing her round?”

“Yeah, she’s coming in a bit. But I sent her shopping as a reward,” Sunny replied.

“Huh?” I questioned, confused.

“Yes. Turns out Liv was correct, and the asshole was wrong. The dean made him apologise.”

“How old is she now?”

“Liv’s twenty-one, and boy, does she have a mouth on her,” Sunny answered with a grin.

“Be nice to meet her,” I said pointedly.

“Yeah.” An awkward pause fell. “Sometimes circumstances ain’t what we assume, Fanatic, you’d know that better than anyone.”

“You think the club has filth somewhere in it? I figured that out a long time ago, Sunny,” I replied as he sat up sharply.

“What makes you say that?” he demanded.

Amused, I snorted. “What’s the most precious things in your life? Liv and the club, yet you kept them apart. Don’t take a genius to understand that you don’t trust the club. Why wouldn’t you? Chance took it back and got it clean. Which means you believe someone dirty remains. There ain’t. But you’re not going to accept my word for it.”

“There are reasons for my thinking. You told anyone your suspicions?”

“Nope. No point causing further trouble between you and the MC.”

“Kid, I could order you to keep quiet,” Sunny stated.

I laughed. “Don’t bother. My loyalty is to my parents and Uncle Chance before anything else. I’d break any command you gave me, get kicked for doing so, and throw a fucking party afterwards.

“Hellfire means a shitload to me, it’s what I want and work hard for. The brotherhood, acceptance, bonds. But that won’t ever come before my family. So, remember that before trying to threaten me,” I retorted.

“You’re a damn good kid, Fanatic. I hope you are right, but I know I’m not wrong. There’s a dirty fucker in Hellfire still, and I will dig him out,” Sunny promised.

“Go for it. But don’t be surprised when you end up with egg on your face.” We both sat up as the doors flew open and Lio entered.

I glowered as I took in Lio’s appearance, his hair was messed up, and his tie askew.

“Fuck,” I said to Sunny, getting a gut feeling.

“What do you want?” Sunny demanded.

“Get Fanatic out of here. April Brown has disappeared, and Hope and Morris think you’re involved. They’re coming to question you,” Lio blurted.

“Why are you here telling us?” Sunny boomed as I typed an SOS to Mum, Chance, and Adeline. Adeline texted back she was local and would be there in ten minutes.

“Because they are on a witch hunt. They’ve not checked your alibi’s properly and have decided it’s you they’re fingering,” Lio said.

“They can think again. And I’m not running,” I replied.

“Fanatic!” Lio hissed.

“No. Don’t come here looking to set a trap for me,” I warned.

“This isn’t, Fanatic. Listen, Gold, and I came to arrest you because Hope and Morris insisted on the full rigmarole. They wanted several black and whites, more than two uniforms, and to march you out in cuffs. Gold and I convinced Holmes you trusted us enough to come quietly. And you did. Since then, we’ve been cut out of everything. But uniforms don’t like Hope and Morris, and they’re spilling what’s going on.”

“And?” Sunny demanded.

“They think this is a career maker, that whether Fanatic is innocent or not doesn’t matter. Nailing Phoenix Michaelson’s son will get them recognition and promotions. Fanatic, you’ve got to disappear while your lawyer sorts this out,” Lio insisted.

“I don’t need to do shit. Because the moment they arrest me is when we hit SPD with a massive lawsuit. See, my lawyer did subpoena the footage, and we’ve got everything to prove I’m innocent. They come for me, you gotta warn Holmes. I’ll fuck SPD and Black Hawk PD up,” I warned.

“Holmes isn’t in control. Shit’s been taken out of his hands,” Lio explained.

“Even better,” I replied.

“Suggest you get out of sight Lio, just heard cops are at the gates,” Chance announced from behind Lio. “One unmarked car and four marked.”

“Looks like the game is on,” I said, but my stomach clenched.

“I’m not leaving,” Lio stated. “They can’t be trusted.”

“No shit,” Chance moaned. “Jinx is on the gate and stalling them. He has demanded to see their badges. Then he’s decided they’re fake and is calling SPD. That gives Adeline time to get here.”

Minutes ticked by as we waited for the inevitable drama. Chance’s phone finally chirped, and Jinx texted that he’d been forced to admit the cops. Well, he had managed to make them wait seven minutes. About thirty seconds later, we heard cars pull up outside, and the doors flew open to the clubhouse.

“We’ve a warrant for the arrest of Micah Michaelson,” Hope sneered, looking around.

“I’m here, what now?” I asked.

“Kidnapping.”

“Interesting. When did that happen? Because I was hospitalised a few days ago,” I replied.

I visibly watched the wind leave her sails.

“What?”

“When was I meant to have kidnapped someone? Because four days ago, I collapsed and was in hospital for potential liver failure. I was released a couple of days ago,” I said.

“You’re lying,” Hope spat.

“Bitch, you seriously need to check your facts,” I retorted, getting up. “You just ended your career. By the time I am done, you won’t even get a job as a shit picker.”

I staggered slightly, and Chance stepped up. “You okay?”

“Get Doc Paul. Chance, I don’t feel right, fuck,” I gasped.

“Enough messing about. Morris read him his Miranda rights, sick of this bullshit,” Hope snarled.

My head began spinning. Hope stormed over and pushed Chance away.

“Put the cuffs on my front, I’m gonna pass out,” I warned as blackness started sapping my vision.

“Shut the hell up. Is there anything you scumbags won’t try?” Hope snapped.

My arms were yanked backwards and cuffed. Moments later, I collapsed and felt my head hit something hard. A cry left my lips, and I knew nothing else.

Willow

I didn’t believe this. Jinx had phoned me, telling me that Chance, Sunny, and Banshee had been arrested. Fanatic was back in hospital and undergoing further tests. Hellfire and their old ladies had camped outside SPD and were creating mayhem. And Fanatic was cuffed to a bed and suspected in a kidnapping.

Way past anger, I stormed through the hallways, heading for Fanatic’s room. Tiny had refused to leave him and had also been arrested, as had Drake and Phoenix. Heads were going to roll for this. I slammed the doors open to the ward Fanatic was on, and Doc Gibbons hurried over.

“Fanatic’s stable. Doc Paul is in with him,” he said.

I nodded and headed for the area Doc Gibbons pointed at. Angrily, I shoved open the door and wondered what the fuck I’d walked into. Lio stood in front of Fanatic’s bed with Gold and Doc Paul. They were covering my man against Hope and Morris, who were arguing and making threats.

Blood red drowned my vision, and I grabbed Hope and slammed her against the wall. Morris came at me from my peripheral, but Gold intercepted him and blocked him.

“What is your fucking problem?” I shrieked, grabbing Hope around the throat. I smashed her head hard against the wall.

“Get your hand off me, I’ll have your badge,” Hope hissed.

“You’ll have shit. I’ll fuckin’ break you, you cunt. What’s your issue?” I slammed her again.

“Willow, let her go before you get a complaint,” Fanatic ordered weakly.

“I’ll go work for Hawthornes if I’m fired, but this bitch is going to answer me. Did you even check the alibis? Because a little birdie has told me you ain’t. You haven’t interviewed anyone or done anything to exclude Fanatic from your enquiries.”

“Isn’t our job to eliminate him,” Hope choked out.

My eyes narrowed. “Nah, but it’s procedure to investigate an alibi, and you haven’t. Apart from my statement, you’ve done fuck all else. Who are you working for? Because this stinks, or is that just you?”

“Ouch,” Fanatic commented from the bed.

“Take your hand off me, ASAC Ware,” Hope said hoarsely.

“Answer me, bitch,” I demanded, slamming her head a third time. I pulled my fist back and hammered her ribs. Hope squirmed as Morris began raising his voice.

“Gold. Shut him up,” I ordered.

“Assault on a cop, you’re done,” Hope choked out with a smile.

“Then I might as well go the whole hog,” I hissed and drew my weapon. Red mist descending, I shoved it in her mouth, and her eyes went wide. By the smell, Hope had just pissed herself.

“See, you think I’ll do time. Problem is, I’m still grief stricken by Grey’s loss and my little boy not having a father. I got plenty of witnesses who’ll vouch I can’t go anywhere near RC and haven’t set foot on Rage. As a survivor of the war and Grey’s widow, whose side do you think a jury will support?

“A dirty cunt of a cop trying to stitch up an innocent man who is also a hero? Or the widow of a hero? I can fuckin’ tell you who’ll they side with. They’ll probably give me a medal for saving them a trial on your filthy ass. I wanna know what’s behind this pathetic frame job and who. Gotta ensure I set my dogs on the correct person when they go to tear them apart,” I seethed.

Hope’s eyes went wide, and she mumbled something around the nozzle.

“Can’t hear you, bitch.” Coldly, I smiled and cocked my weapon.

Hope started screaming as tears and snot began leaking down her face. I slowly pulled the gun out of her mouth. “Who are you working for?”

“My uncle was an aide to the president. He said to discredit the Michaelsons!” she screamed.

Morris groaned, and I grinned.

“Lio, Gold, take these into custody and release my family,” I ordered as Gold roughly spun Morris around and slammed him against the wall.

Doc Paul moved aside as I headed for the bed and unlocked Fanatic’s handcuffs. “Fuckin’ cunts,” I hissed again.

“Is it wrong I’m turned on?” Fanatic asked.

“Yeah. Because your sugar levels are fluctuating crazily, so, can you remain calm?” Doc Paul demanded.

“Sure thing, Doc,” Fanatic agreed.

“Sugar levels?” I repeated.

“Yes. Willow, because of his meds being messed up and his diet being unbalanced due to the hospital stay and so on, his readings were out of whack. Fanatic will be good to go home in a couple of hours, I want to keep an eye on him,” Doc Paul explained.

“You’re not diabetic?” I asked, confused.

“No, it can be a side effect of having his medication screwed about with. He’ll be fine, Willow,” Doc Paul said as he headed for the door.

Detectives Deveraux and Carter entered.

“You got here quick,” Lio stated to his colleague.

“Yeah. We brought Chance and Drake. Their lawyer, Adeline, tore through the station like a bitch in heat. The bastard who replaced Holmes during this investigation has been hit with so many lawsuits, he won’t need paper to wipe his ass for years.” Deveraux smiled.

“Nice!” Lio crowed as he shoved Hope at Deveraux. “Good guys win again.”

Lio turned around and blanched when he saw my expression.

“Asshole, there’s a reckoning to come!” I warned.

Lio’s shoulders slumped. “Yeah.”

As Devereaux and Carter began walking, Hope and Morris out, I called out, “Watch your backs, bitches. I ain’t done. Carter, see if they’re behind my stalker shit.”

Morris no longer looked confident, and Hope had curled into herself. Yes, I’d get that bitch.

“April Brown is still missing, which is a massive concern. That was a genuine report,” Gold said, turning to me and Fanatic.

“That whore wants to stay gone. Because I’ve got a bone with her, too,” I replied.

“So fuckin’ hot. So damn sexy, and she’s all mine,” Fanatic muttered as he settled in bed. I patted his hand, and he grinned sexily before closing his eyes. “Dead hot.”

Fanatic

For the next few hours, it was chaos as Holmes took the case and sorted everything out. Chance, Shee, and Sunny were released without charge because they’d tried to stop Hope dragging me unconscious to the station. Sunny and Shee had pulled guns on the cops, which was when a uniform called the shit in that was happening.

Tiny had been freed, as had Jinx, who’d been arrested for trying to protect me while unconscious and then refusing to leave my hospital room. Mum and Dad were on their way and ripping through SPD like wildfire.

Well, Dad was on his way; now Mum knew I was okay, she was creating merry hell still down there. Dad had left her to it. She’d turn up, eventually.

Mother was also after the former president with a venom unmatched by even a viper. The question remaining was about April. Had she been a part of the president’s plan or merely an opportunity he’d taken advantage of? Nobody knew, and it needed answering because the charges levelled against him would differ.

Once again, I was released from hospital and banned from my bike for two weeks. And put on bed rest for seven days. When Willow and I arrived at the clubhouse, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Jinx had been shopping. I was ordered to a sofa and forced to relax by Willow.

Danny sat, keeping me company as he snoozed on my chest. The candidate had bought a load of healthy food and stocked up fridge and freezer.

Runner was teasing him when Chance put a stop to it, and Runner found himself on the pet shit duty again. I snickered because it served that arrogant asshole right. I was beginning to think it would take too much energy to knock him into a decent prospect. Same with Clark. And speaking of the devil…

I watched as Clark approached Willow as she sat at the bar. Jinx was behind it, and she was supposed to be getting us a cola each. Only it appeared she’d fallen down the rabbit hole with Jinx and she had been talking to him for ten minutes now.

Willow threw back her head and laughed at Jinx, and I smiled. She looked happy, and that meant a lot to me.

Clark spoke, and Willow’s smile faded as she listened to him. She shook her head.

Clark didn’t appear to like her reply, and his hand waved about as he spoke again. Willow once more denied him, and his expression twisted. Clark spat something at her, and Willow shoved off the chair.

She leaned into his face, and I could see she was speaking very clearly and firmly before she dismissed Clark and turned around. Willow ensured she showed Clark her back in what was a power play.

Willow was silently telling Clark she didn’t consider him a threat, and he didn’t bother her.

“What was that about?”

Willow placed the two drinks on a coffee table and snuggled up.

“He inquired about buying Grey’s bike,” she answered.

“What the fuck,” I exclaimed, nearly sitting up and disturbing Danny. “I already told him no.”

“Clark got the same answer from me. I asked him what on earth made him believe he was worthy of riding Grey’s Harley. He’d no reply,” Willow said. “I don’t like the fact it’s at the house alone. Think it needs to be moved somewhere safe.” “I’ll ask Chance,” I replied.

Willow was right. Grey’s Dyna Glide needed to come here.