Fanatic (Hellfire MC: The Prospects #1)

Chapter Seventeen.

Fanatic

W illow was laughing as we walked past the brothers’ houses and a little further out. Seeing what I wanted, I sat down on the grass and yanked her down with me. “What do you think?”

“About what?”

“Here.”

“Fanatic, you’re not making much sense,” Willow teased.

“Wanna build a house here. A home for us, Danny, and maybe another kid or two,” I suggested.

Willow stiffened and stared at nothing in particular. “You want a future with me?”

Had I not made that clear? “Willow, I want everything with you.”

“Changed your mind about your illness?” Willow asked, and I saw where she was coming from.

“You did. I was prepared to do it alone, but I don’t want to just survive this life. I want to live it and revel in all that it brings,” I replied.

Willow glanced at how close the other houses were. They weren’t really, but we’d still be part of the community being built out here. Each house had roughly an acre of land surrounding it. I wanted two. I couldn’t see Chance saying no.

“Do I get to help design it?”

“Naturally.”

“Yes, that didn’t sound too confident.” Willow laughed, picking up my uncertain tone.

I chuckled. “We’re not building Reading Hall.”

Willow cocked her head. “You’ll inherit that one day, won’t you?”

“Yeah. Mum has always said it will become mine. But I plan on keeping it for the entire family,” I replied.

“Would you live there?”

“Don’t know, Willow, and we’ve got years to consider that. It’s possible that I’d open it to the public as a museum of how Mum and Dad lived. I’ve got time before I need to worry about that,” I answered. “Would you like to live there?”

“No. Reading Hall is so grand it’s daunting. The entire legacy behind it is frightening and overwhelming,” Willow mused.

“You’ll be the head of the family, do you understand that? You and I, when Mum and Dad are gone, we’ll hold everyone together and keep things ticking along,” Fanatic teased as he laid back in the grass.

Shock hit Willow and I chuckled.

“Do we have to?” she whined.

“No!” I mock exclaimed. “You’re telling me you’d desert my family? My younger siblings, nieces and nephews. Willow, I thought family meant something!”

“It does, but yours is huge! Couldn’t we adopt some of them out?” Willow babbled, looking panicked.

I burst into laughter, and Willow’s eyes narrowed as she turned her head. “You were busting my lady balls?”

Willow launched herself at me, and we wrestled for a few moments before I settled with her lying full length on me and tucked under into my shoulder. “Yeah, I was busting your lady balls, but it’s still the truth. You and I will head the Michaelson family one day.”

“Just keep the scotch stocked up because we’re gonna need it with the younger Hellions,” Willow stated.

I began chuckling again and wrapped my arms around Willow, pulling her up for a kiss. Yeah. This promised to be a good life.

◆◆◆

Three days later, I was sitting in the office when there was a stampede of boots. The door opened, and I jumped as Willow flew inside.

“We need to ride! Now! Someone tried to take Danny and hurt Ellen, she’s in hospital!” Willow cried.

I was up and out of my chair as soon as I heard Danny’s name and running with Willow to my bike. I swung on, noting several other members of Hellfire were doing the same. When Willow’s hands clenched around my stomach, I roared off.

Harlequin already had the gate open and was waving us through. Chance pulled out in front of me with Bear by him.

By rights, I should have been at the rear of those riding, but fuck that. This was my kid and Grandma. Sunny pulled in at my side and kept me company as we headed out of Spearfish. Shotgun and Levi came from a side street as we hit the I-90. Chance seemed to know which hospital Ellen was in as we hit the outskirts of Rapid City.

As we pulled up, I’d not even put the stand down before Willow was off and running inside. I hit the doors mere seconds after Willow and heard Danny screaming. Mum had hold of him, and I headed for my boy and took him.

Danny began calming, hiccupping, and crying more quietly. I rubbed his back and tucked his head into my shoulder.

“Nanna!” Danny shrieked. Disbelief caused me to turn and look. “Nanna! Nanna!”

“Shit, that’s his first word?” I complained even as I scanned the room.

Willow was in Axel’s arms, the man holding her like she was a lifeline. Axel appeared to have aged twenty years as he looked way older than his seventy-three. Wild and Cowboy flanked him, faces pale and hands on his shoulders.

I’d never seen Axel anything but big and strong, not even when he had been injured. But now he’d shrunk. I headed over with Danny as he kept intermittently shrieking ‘Nanna’. Willow twisted her head, her eyes wide.

“Seriously?” she demanded as Danny shrieked ‘Nanna’ again.

He was a lot calmer, but clearly upset. Willow reached for him, and Danny grabbed her and held on tightly.

“Axel,” I said.

“Son,” Axel’s voice was a weak murmur. His gaze was fixed on the ER doors, which Ellen must have been wheeled through.

Cowboy tilted his head, and I moved to one side. Mum and Dad joined us.

“What the fuck happened?” I demanded.

“Ellen had taken Danny out for ice cream. They should have been safe, Ellen had her cut on, which is why she’s probably alive and Danny’s still here,” Mum explained.

“That ain’t explaining shit,” I snapped.

“Mind your mouth, boy, I know you’re upset, but it isn’t your mum’s fault,” Dad warned.

“Just fuckin’ tell me what the hell happened,” I exploded, causing people to look over.

“Fanatic,” Ramirez said, approaching with Ben on his heels. “Nando and Lucas are processing the scene. The witnesses are saying the same thing. They saw Ellen stop outside the ice-cream shop and lift Danny out of the stroller. They went inside, and when they came out, a guy tried to grab Danny.

“Ellen began screaming and hitting the man to keep him from Danny. Ellen was struck twice, but wouldn’t let go of Danny. An older woman carrying a baby being attacked and wearing a Rage cut grabbed attention. A couple of guys rushed over to help. The attacker shoved Ellen to the ground in a last-ditch attempt to snatch Danny, but she held on, and the asshole fled.

“Someone called it in and tried to help Ellen up, but she began having chest pains before collapsing. Ellen still wouldn’t let go. Luckily Marissa Hawthorne was nearby and recognised Ellen and phoned Dylan before grabbing Danny,” Ramirez explained.

“Do we have an image?” Dad asked as I ground my teeth. Someone had come close to taking my boy, and they’d caused a woman I adored to have a heart attack.

“No. We’re collecting CCTV, some of the shop owners are being awkward,” Ben answered.

“Which ones? I’ll have it brought to you within an hour,” Dad said.

“Drake, you can’t go breaking kneecaps on this one,” Ben replied.

“No, but I can fuckin’ remind them who provides them protection and who saved the city. Then I’ll ask how long they think their business will survive once it gets out that they wouldn’t help Rage. Worse, how long would they be able to stay in town when it concerns a man who attacked a Rage MC old lady and tried to take her grandson. Give Ace the names, and you’ll have that footage soon,” Dad stated.

“Ace,” Ben called, and I shook my head. A year ago, Ben would have argued the toss. Now he just didn’t give a shit. Ben was another one the war had scarred.

“How is Ellen?” I asked. “Does anyone know?”

“Marissa stayed with her and got in the ambulance. She said they were doing chest compressions as they wheeled her in. It’s not looking good,” Dad answered, and I looked to Axel.

“Axel won’t wanna live without her,” I whispered.

“No, but he’s got a grandson and kids to live for,” Dad replied.

“But Axel won’t have his spark,” I murmured, and Dad nodded. We all needed Ellen to pull through.

Minutes ticked past, and silence fell as Rage came in droves. Old ladies, brothers, legacies, and princesses. We all came. Jodie had called and said she was catching a flight, and Serenity was already on one. The younger children were all at the childcare centre at HQ. The rest of us waited.

It sickened me because it reminded me of the hours after the war. Rage had stood here praying for three lives, and I’d been right there with them. Dad. Calamity. Grey.

There were differences, the old ladies and kids were present. The allies were missing. It wasn’t chaos with wounded and bodies being rushed through and doctors and nurses prioritising who to save first. Who had the better chance of survival.

I checked Willow and saw the effects of her being here. I crossed the room and rubbed her back as she held tightly onto Axel. Willow wouldn’t leave her dad, but this was killing her. I glanced at the emergency doors and prayed someone would have some news soon.

◆◆◆

An hour later, we stood up as Doc Gibbons entered. He seemed tired but smiled, and we all relaxed. If he was smiling, Ellen was alive.

“Ellen had a bad heart attack. She came in flatline, but the paramedics restarted her heart as she was wheeled in. Ellen’s going to need bypass surgery, and we’re scheduling that now. She’s comfortable and can have guests. No more than two at a time, and keep to five minutes. The entire MC can’t go and visit. Ellen needs to rest before the operation. The baby doesn’t count as a body, so someone could take him with them,” Doc Gibbons said.

I appreciated the fact he didn’t do all that bullshit rigmarole, asking for Ellen’s family. He’d no need to. Now they knew Ellen was going to be okay Rage and their families began filtering out. Hellfire also took their leave and left us there.

Axel sat in a chair in the waiting room, flanked by Wild and Cowboy. Willow, Danny, and I were opposite him. Apache and Ace remained alongside Mum and Dad. Axel had his family, and we’d not leave him to suffer this alone.

It was two hours before we were informed Ellen was going down, and four hours after that, we learned she come through it. Cowboy and Axel were staying at the hospital that night. Willow and Wild were staying during the day tomorrow. I planned to keep Danny with me as we’d be sleeping at Reading Hall. Poor little tyke needed to get used to his multitude of aunts and uncles.

Willow and I headed up to say goodbye and thank you to Ellen before we left and headed to Reading Hall. We were beyond tired and drained, and it was about all we could to feed Danny and fall into bed.

◆◆◆

“Okay, which of you shits have nicked Danny?” I bellowed as I searched the Hall for him.

“Fanatic?” Dad asked.

“The kids have Danny.” I sighed.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, Dad, don’t oh me. Help me find him, or you can tell Willow something happened to our son,” I snapped. Dad had begun walking out of the study when he paused and stared at me.

“Your son.”

“Yes, Dad. Find him,” I growled out as I checked the morning room. It was unlikely they’d be in there as it was off-limits, but you never knew.

“Shit. Micah. Your son,” Dad said, and I turned in exasperation. There was a range of emotions spiralling across Dad’s face. I was unsure what was happening, but I guessed something was.

“You okay?” I asked, concerned.

Dad nodded and swallowed hard. “Carmine, Tye, and Harley all knocked up their women and had kids. But somehow, you’re different, being the eldest,” Dad answered.

“Well, I thought Harley was as he provided the first grandchild and then Carmine because he was first adopted. Then Tye because—”

“Shut up, you asshole,” Dad snapped, and I laughed.

“Shit’s fine now. The war is over, we made it. Get used to being a grandad,” I stated. Dad glowered, and the moment was over.

“You’re still the same bastard you were a decade ago,” he snarled.

“Yeah. Well, you just as slow, old man. Find my son!”

We found Danny watching Eddie with a fascinated gaze as she coached him on becoming a princess and not a legacy. Danny even had a crown on his head, and he wore a banner saying, ‘Legacies suck donkey balls.’ I snapped a photo and sent to Willow with the caption… ‘Now it starts.’

Willow

I smiled at the snap that came through of Danny, it looked like Fanatic had his hands full. I was heading back to Spearfish after giving a statement as RCPD about Hope and Morris. Funny enough, my attack on them never came up. Holmes was creating a fuss, and with the lawsuits, there were heads rolling. Luckily not Holmes, Lio, or Gold’s. But their higher-ups who’d made the call… yup, dead meat.

The insurance had finally paid up but sent the settlement letter to Spearfish, and I needed to sign it. I waved at Gladys as I pulled up and, glowered at Edna, and walked inside. There was a stack of mail, so I grabbed it all and placed it on the hallway table.

Deciding to grab a few more clothes for all of us, I headed upstairs and got that eerie feeling again. There was an awful smell up here, and I drew my weapon and yanked my phone out.

I recognised that stench and dialled Lio directly.

“Willow.”

“Come to my house. Someone broke in.”

“Get out and wait in the car,” Lio ordered. “And dial nine-one-one as well. Gold and I are coming.”

I hung up and phoned nine-one-one: it was worth having a record of the call. Calmly, I identified myself and explained I was armed and on scene. The operator assured me that police were on the way, and I informed her I was continuing my search of the house. She tried talking me down, but I shoved the phone in my pocket and cupped my gun.

Quickly, I searched each room, and as I approached mine, the smell got worse.

“There’s something dead in here,” I announced as I kept searching. By the time I reached my bedroom, I was gagging. I quickly checked and drew back. Had I really just seen that? Ignoring what laid on my bed, I searched for an intruder as I gagged again and covered my mouth and nose.

“Tell SPD I’ve found their missing woman,” I choked out. That bed would have to be burned.

April Brown lay on it. Her body was mottled, and she’d been dead a good few days. White eyes stared at me from where her head was placed on my pillow. There was a white fluid around her mouth. Her naked body was on the bed with legs splayed open. White fluid was between them, too. My mind rebelling what that was, I described what I’d seen and began backing out when I heard a noise.

I didn’t turn quick enough, and I barely got the word intruder out before somebody pistol-whipped me, and I collapsed to the floor hard.

Struggling to keep conscious, I failed as I was hit a second time.

◆◆◆

“Willow, wake the fuck up,” someone slapped my face, and I groaned and opened my eyes.

“Lio, my bruises have just faded, let’s not give me more.”

“Open your damn eyes,” Lio snapped.

I forced them open and sighed. I was outside on a gurney. But my throat was sore, and it felt bruised.

“You’re an idiot! You may be a Fed, but you’re not wonder woman,” Lio yelled.

“Why are you yelling?”

“Because Fanatic and everyone else is screaming at me! You’re a fuckin’ fool. If your neighbour hadn’t come looking for you, you’d be a dead one!” Lio continued.

“Stop shouting!” I shrieked and winced as that hurt my throat.

“Gladys interrupted an intruder throttling you. I might finish what he started,” Gold snapped from close by.

“Someone tell me what happened,” I said.

“You can’t remember?” Gold asked, concerned.

“Everything is fuzzy,” I admitted.

“You went upstairs for some reason…”

“Clothes, I was going to fetch some more clothes,” I recalled.

“And you smelt decomposing flesh. That’s what you told me. I ordered you to call it in, and you did. While on the phone with the operator, you discovered a body in your bedroom…”

“Shit, that was April Brown, wasn’t it?” Memories came rushing back.

“Yes, the coroner is in there now. April’s been dead a few days, Willow, luckily, you and Fanatic have been with people,” Lio said.

“Yeah, we’re alibied out. There was something around her mouth…” I shuddered.

“You might be right about your assumption, we’re waiting on the coroner,” Gold muttered, and I looked at him, horrified.

“Tell me that’s a joke.”

They both shook their heads as a lady approached. “You’ve got one sick puppy, detectives.”

“That was sperm?” Lio asked.

“Someone’s been cumming in her mouth as well as using her body still,” the woman said. “I’ll have more details when I get her to the lab.”

I twisted to my side and heaved. Lio jumped back as I threw the contents of my stomach up. Who the hell face fucked a decapitated head and screwed a headless body? That was beyond messed up and disturbing.

A thought struck me, and I gazed at Lio. “Was I undressed?”

“No! Gladys stopped anything happening!” Lio rushed to reassure me.

I leant over and up-chucked again. “Jesus, I need to go to the clubhouse and cleanse my mouth. Can someone take me? I don’t think I should drive.”

“Hold on, I’ll get a uniform to take you and bring your car,” Gold said.

“Willow, we will give you an hour or so, but you need to hit the hospital and get those marks recorded. And you gotta give a statement.”

“Fuck, I can’t even wash. I might have evidence on me.”

“We’ll take you to the hospital first and pull some strings,” Gold said. “Lio, I’ll go with her if you have got this? Then Willow can shower and rest.”

“Someone better let Markin know,” I said.

Lio nodded. “I’ll call in. Funny, Willow, you’ve not asked for Fanatic to be informed.”

“Maybe because I know you already called him!”

Lio grinned as Gold helped me up and gave me a pack of mints to suck on. “No offence, girl, your breath stinks.”

“Thanks,” I muttered.

“You’re welcome!”

Damn, asshole.