Fire Meets Fire: Wretched Soulz MC

Chapter 12

Eventually, I push myself away from the brickwork when my thoughts start going in directions I don’t want them to go, as my brain points out I’ve never been intrigued or interested in a woman before, or not beyond what she can sexually offer me. I still can’t work out whether she’s the best or worse thing to happen in my life, but for certain, she’s making me consider things I never have before. Making an effort to blank her from my mind, I clomp down the stairs in my usual fashion, pausing at the bottom step to see who’s in sight.

Bull’s there, of course. He followed me back from the shop but hadn’t entered the clubhouse and was unaware of Helo’s recent collapse. Beard, our treasurer, is also here, though fuck knows why, as is Claw. My eyes roll as there’s only one reason they’re hanging around. It’s clear to see what Bull’s done with his time, gathering the troops and gossiping.

He swings around as I approach. “You make her pass out again, Prez?” He makes a show of sniffing under his arms. “Maybe you need to use better deodorant.”

After showing him my finger, I glance over to see Sheri standing in the kitchen doorway wiping her hands on a towel. As my eyes narrow at her, she shrugs as if she couldn’t see why it would be a secret.

I turn back to Bull in time to see him wink. “You get her settled…” he pauses to give me a knowing nudge, “in your bed okay?” I don’t know whether to be annoyed or proud of the speed at which he thinks I can work. I’ve only been gone a few minutes.

“I don’t take fuckin’ advantage of comatose women,” I snap. “Anyway, she’s crashed. There’ll be time to talk to her later.”

My VP turns serious. “You get much out of her after I left?”

I don’t want to share her secrets. Or not just yet. “Not a lot,” is all that I give him. Then, before he can accuse me of losing my touch, I add to pacify him, “We talked enough for me to earn her trust in so far as to get her back here to get some rest. Once she’s recovered, then it will be time for an inquisition.”

He looks unconvinced, as if I’m losing my touch, but shrugs as though my non-answer will for now satisfy him. When Mac approaches with something on his mind, Bull gives me a mock salute and goes off with him.

I glance around, looking for Legend, hoping I’m right to trust him to keep his mouth shut. I should be the only one he’s told that she’s got such a big bounty out on her, and to keep her out of harm’s way, that’s the way it has to stay. None of the men in front of me are giving off any vibes that I may have brought home a payday. Although I do overhear some comments about how that thieving bitch owes something to the club, and some suggestions of how she could make recompense which make my hands fist.

Grimacing, I can’t blame them. Only I know the full truth about her, and while it doesn’t condone her stealing from the club, I’m prepared to overlook her minor misdemeanours – they weren’t more than any of us would do if driven to find some way to survive.

I might be the prez, but the club’s run on democratic lines, and there could be some brothers who’d prefer to have the money in our coffers. While I hope most wouldn’t want to sell a woman out, they’d be right to say the only thing we really know about her is that it was our shop she robbed. It worries me that my brothers might only measure her worth in what she could bring to the club. At the moment, they’re talking about sex. But if the truth got out, I worry about whether I’d be able to control them. They haven’t caught the same sickness I have.

It makes it more crucial that I talk to Legend, but he’s not in sight. The door to his office is open and his desk unoccupied, so leaving that talk in abeyance, I turn on Claw, hoping to get the talk in the room away from the woman currently occupying my bed. “Why aren’t you laying down ink?”

The enforcer grins. “Finished my client early and not got anyone else booked. Clarise is dealing with walk-ins.”

“While you hang around getting the gossip.” Again the VP winks and I wonder if he’s got some ailment that’s given him a twitch in his eye.

“Must be losing your touch if you’ve got time to be here,” I observe, my gaze returning to Claw.

Taking no umbrage, Claw snorts. “I’ve got a list a mile long. Just had a cancellation. I was curious…” The shake of my head and growl has him changing the subject. “Hey, now you’re here, Prez, and Beard as well, can I pick your brains about something?”

As long as it’s something other than Helo—for now I want to keep what I know about her to process myself—he might as well. I’ve no idea when Legend will be back. Nodding, I beckon him and the treasurer to follow me into my office.

“So what’s with our thief?” Beard pulls at his facial hair, grinning broadly.

“Not what you wanted to talk about. Or do you just want to waste my time?” I give them my best prez’s stare.

They share glances, but as it turns out, they do have a reason for a discussion. Despite today’s cancellation, Claw’s actually drowning in work and wanted to talk through some figures about taking on another ink slinger. When Beard agrees the financials make sense, we then start talking about some of the tattoo artists we met in Sturgis, which leads on to us reminiscing about our road trip last year. I even get out my whisky and we have a few shots. Once the conversation’s reached a natural end point, Claw and Beard make their exit and I decide I better go upstairs to check on my guest.

Stepping out into the clubroom, I realise time’s gone faster than I thought as there’s been an influx of brothers signalling the workday has ended. StoryTeller isn’t around so I don’t expect to see his old lady or kid. He usually disappears around this time to get his youngster fed and presumably put to bed. Pussy whipped for sure. Me? I’d rather have a relaxing drink with like-minded men than deal with a screaming kid.

Pothead has a joint in one hand, and a beer in another. Legit seems deep in an animated discussion with Fire. Skunk’s by himself which isn’t unusual. I mentally note all the men who are here while looking round for the man that I want. Ah, there he is. I catch Legend’s attention and beckon him over, waving him into my office and closing the door.

Hardly waiting for him to get his ass on the seat, I ask the burning question that’s been playing on my mind all day. “You told anyone else about the reward for information about Helo?”

He looks at me sharply and gives a vigorous shake of his head. “Fuck no, Prez. I was waiting to hear what you wanted to do.” He shifts a little awkwardly. “I can dig deeper for information on the contract if you want that.”

What the fuck is he asking? “You think I’m going to sell her out?” My eyebrows rise.

With a grimace, his head again moves side to side, then stares ahead as if a picture in his mind is more in focus than his actual surroundings. “My brother was a SEAL. They got themselves into a sticky situation and needed extraction fast. Way he tells it, those Night Stalkers deserve the reputation they’ve got, putting themselves into impossible situations just to get people like him out of danger. They’re brave, resourceful, and will do what they can to never leave someone behind. He owes his life to people like Helo.” He pauses for a moment, then adds, “Fuck, it could even have been Helo’s crew that got him out.” The palm of his hand hits the desk as his attention returns to the here and now. “So no, I can’t believe you’d sell someone like that out. But…” He half turns his head to look at the door before turning it back. “I’m not stupid. That money could mean a fuck of a lot to some of the members of this club. And some who may not have reason to be grateful to someone like her.”

Someone who’s been fucking with us, I realise without him having to spell it out. My head tilts as I look at him. I knew I could trust him but hadn’t realised he’d be so personally invested. I also know what he’s saying. While we stick our middle fingers up at the law and at society’s rules and are more likely to take the side of the underdog, the men riding with the Wretched Soulz are still human, and just as likely to have weaknesses and flaws. If it was a brother involved, there would be no question. We protect our own. But Helo’s nothing to us. Worse, she’s a thief and they all know it. They’ve no loyalty to her, and while others might think like Legend and that her former career should be respected and rewarded, a couple of names come to mind who might prefer the money in their pocket instead. Fuck, from what I overheard earlier, it could even be more of them.

“Keep it on the down-low, Ledge,” I instruct him.

He raises his chin deliberately as if scoffing he’d ever do anything different. “She going to be hanging around?”

“Life’s dealt her some bad fuckin’ hands. Feel she deserves some breathing space.” It’s not an answer, I know, but I really can’t say anything else. Part of me wants her to stay close, while another part is screaming I should keep far away from her.

Legend’s cheeks puff out as he inhales and holds a breath, then deflate as he speaks. “So it’s about time for her luck to change.” He gives me a quick grin. “Could be you’ve met your match, Prez.”

I glance at him sharply. “Got no idea what you mean by that. Now get the fuck out of here.”

As Legend chuckles, stands, and exits the office, I realise I know only too well what he was hinting at. There’s a beast inside me that wants to roar, she’s mine.

Running my hands over my smooth skull, I feel like roaring fuck at the top of my voice. I want to be the one who gives her a fresh start, who chases away her demons and make it safe for her to live her life. Then I chuckle to myself. I might not know much about Helo, but I doubt she’d admit to needing anyone’s help.

It might well be the time for the winds to change and blow her in a new direction, but there are so many reasons why I can’t be by her side. First, I’m the prez, and I’m never going to take an old lady, and second? Well, there’s that fucking great price on her head, and what happens if that knowledge gets out?

There are two dangers. If they haven’t already, someone’s going to take that contract, and if their search for her leads them to us, my whole club could be in danger. And for what? A woman who stole from us. Could I really ask that of my brothers?

And if they knew, they might want the money for themselves. Two million dollars is a huge test of the loyalty my brothers show to me, when they’ve fuck-all reason to show her any fealty.

But perhaps they would, if I made her my old lady.

Fuck! I am not going there. No way, no how. I snort loudly. I’ve not even taken her for a test ride. Hell, we might not be compatible physically, and even if we were, I’d never be content with just one pussy. As for being tied down, someone wanting to know all my comings and goings? Yeah, I’d need someone meek who’d say “yes, sir” and let me be. Someone like Helo wouldn’t be happy being kept out of club business. Hell, no, she’d probably want to take charge.

No. No old lady for me. I’ve lived forty-five years without entanglements, and I’m not going to throw away my freedom now.

Perhaps if I can keep Helo here, the brothers will begin to see what I see. That she deserves the same respect as any other veteran in our ranks. Her country might have spat her out, but the MC can give her a safe place to land.

But what could her role be? A mechanic, perhaps? Maybe one of them will see her merits and step up where I can’t.

Leaning forward, I start banging my forehead against the desk. My hands clench so hard I’d draw blood from my palms if my nails were longer. Let anyone touch her? Over my fucking dead body.

I’m their prez. If I say she’s under my protection, they’ll have to be content with that. Sure, that’s worth more than a cool two million. I roll my eyes. For that money, they might take my Prez patch.

I stand so fast, my chair topples over. Without bothering to right it, not wanting to tarry and be subjected to more of the same thoughts going through my mind, I stomp out of the office.

Weasel waves, trying to get my attention, as I storm through the clubhouse, but my raised hand and pace shows I’m not going to be stopped. I’ll get to him later. Skunk steps in my way, but moves aside fast when I glare and shake my head. Iron looks up and laughs, while Bull, catching my eye, does that winking thing again. I’ll really have to ask him if he’s got a problem.

Having successfully navigated the increasingly loud and rowdy room, I reach the stairs and climb them, now certain the racket will have woken Helo. I pause in front of my door, knocking twice on it, before inserting the key and opening it. On my bed she’s stirring, still in the process of sitting up and rubbing sleep from bleary eyes.

Her words come out partly smothered by a yawn. “Is it time to go?”

No, it’s fucking not. Never if I get my way.

Crossing the room to her, I stare down, noticing she’s got a little more colour in her face than she had earlier, but the way she’s rubbing her temples suggests that her head is aching. That makes me remember she fell hard on the solid tiles. Diagnosing she probably needs something to take the edge off, I grab a bottle of water from my mini fridge and extract a pack of painkillers from my nightstand. She smiles gratefully as I pass them to her, presses out a couple of tablets and swallows them down.

I had thought about taking her downstairs and introducing her around, hoping that meeting her, seeing her as a person, would help the men welcome her into their ranks. Before any word of the size of the bounty leaked out, I wanted them to discover for themselves what I’ve found. That Helo is an inherently honest person, and could be useful to keep around. Or, at least, not hand over to be killed.

But looking at her now, while I have no doubt she would rally if I asked her too, I’m not sure it’s the right time to introduce her to my brothers’ boisterousness. They can be loud at the best of times, so I make a swift change to my hastily thought-out plan.

“Just wanted to check if you were alright. You’re okay to stay here if you’re still tired. I’ll bring some food up in a while.”

She glances out the window. As my eyes follow her gaze, I notice, as she probably has too, that the sun is low in the sky. “It is time for me to go,” she remarks. She seems to have a one-track mind.

At the thought of her disappearing from my life, my heart misses a beat, and I want to scream no. Somehow I’d persuaded myself that I could keep her. But how can I explain to her I don’t want her to leave if I don’t know the reason myself? It doesn’t sit right that she’ll vanish into the night and I’ll never see her again. And with that fucking bounty on her head the chances of her staying safe are next to zero.

For a moment I wish to fuck she’d never stolen from us and put herself onto our radar. If she’d kept to her lane, we’d never have known about her, never had to satisfy our curiosity as to who she was, and she’d have been safe staying with MacPherson. I’d never have met her and my equilibrium wouldn’t have been disturbed.

“Later,” I suggest, buying time. “There’s no need to hurry. It’s better if it’s full dark and there’s less traffic on the road.”

She winces as though hearing this isn’t what she wants, but if she wants help to boost her on her journey, relying on me is all she’s got. “You’ll get me a ride?” If I have to, I will, so I nod. “Will I be able to go via Harold’s so I can collect my bag?”

“Sure.” Yeah, it’s entirely possible. Doesn’t mean it will happen though. I want to try to persuade her to hang around.

Strangely, even with her lying on my bed where I’ve had so many women before, while I find her sexually appealing, the urge to get my dick wet isn’t what’s driving me. Instead, there’s a connection between us I’ve never experienced with anyone else, and a knowledge that simple sex would complicate things and possibly ruin it, I’m wary of admitting that’s my ultimate goal. Her consent will need to be earned, not just cajoled, and I’ll need to deserve it. I’ve never been nervous about fucking a woman before, but I am with her.

Suddenly I feel awkward standing there, though fuck knows why. This is my room and my bed that she’s in. Normally that would give me liberties over any woman lying there, but not her. I feel strangely discombobulated like a schoolboy on a first date, not knowing what’s expected or how to behave. Mentally I slap myself. She’s no date, and I’ve no intentions like that with her, so why do I feel this impulse to stay while at the same time having the burning urge that tells me to run away?

She’s giving me no signs that she’d like to take advantage of the position she’s in, but even if she was willing, I can tell she wouldn’t just be a quick fuck. All I can offer her is something I’ve never suggested to a female. Friendship. I’m in uncharted territory.

A few moments pass as we do nothing but look at each other. It’s strange, as if neither of us wants to break the silence, nor bring to an end this strange impasse. Finally, words escape through my tongue-tied lips.

“I’ll…er… go rustle up some food.” Fuck, that’s not me. I never stammer. But then, I’ve never had someone so strong, so beautiful, so fucking admirable and unobtainable, lying in my bed.

The worrying of her lip by her teeth shows me she’s not a fan of the delay, so I edge backward out of the room. Again I pause outside the door trying to get my thoughts together, trying to understand why she makes me so confused, and how she brings all the protectiveness from inside me. She’s the last woman on earth who needs a man to stand up for her, or that man would need to be a giant. Is it something of a challenge that I want to be the person she leans on? The man who she can depend on to keep her safe.

Why can’t I see the slippery slope that? If I followed my impulse, I’d be in danger of falling in. I’m lying to myself. Friendship be damned. I’m getting dangerously close to wanting a woman in my life but only if it’s her.

Best thing for both of us is for me to get Shitface to give her a ride to the state line, and then forget all about her.

My fingers curl into my palms. Yeah. That’s a plan. I give a sharp nod. Resolve made. As I straighten my back and determinedly step down the staircase, I’m preparing to issue instructions to the prospect. He can get her food, then get her out of here. I never need see her again.

And I won’t regret it.

I falter on the third to bottom step as I realise the clubroom is noisier than normal for this time of day. Normally there’s someone assing around, but mainly they don’t get crazy until a few more beers have been downed. Tonight it’s pandemonium, brothers all speaking at the same time, and each trying to be heard over the other.

“I’m getting that Fat Bob I’ve always had a hankering for.”

“I want the Road Glide.”

My head swivels left and right as if I’m watching a tennis match as various requests are called out around me.

I’m staring straight at Legit when he states, “New pipes will do for me.”

“A new fucking clubhouse!” Fire shouts. “That’s where we should start.”

A horrible feeling comes over me, and I search for Legend to find him waiting to catch my eye. He shakes his head rapidly and holds up his hands, his gesture conveying, nothing to do with me.

Then, like the parting of the Red Sea, brothers step aside, allowing me to see we have a visitor. Without him uttering a word, it all becomes clear.

I wouldn’t be the prez of a Wretched Soulz charter if I hadn’t the brains to think quickly and come up with rapid solutions. Summing up the situation in a flash, I prepare to play this cool.

“Well met, Bro. Well met.” Slugger, the titular head of the Wretched Soulz, stretches out his hand to me. “You’ve got yourself a fuckin’ winner this time, haven’t you?”

Playing dumb, I dutifully pull him in for a man hug and back slap. “Welcome, Prez.” When I step back, I admit, “I haven’t a fuckin’ clue what you mean.”

His eyes gleam like a man who’s got a secret to share. “Mayhem didn’t catch up with you?” As he names the IT expert of the Las Vegas crew, I recall it’s him who’s been helping Legend, and it’s him who’s clearly got a loose mouth. But without waiting for my response, Slugger informs me as eagerly as a child informing their parents about a good report, “That bitch who’s been stealing from you? She’s worth two million dollars.”

I let my eyes widen as if this is new news, swinging around sharply at the slap on my back to see Bull’s eyes gleaming at me. Then I turn back to Slugger needing to somehow buy time. “You’re fuckin’ kidding me.”

“Nah. God’s honest truth. You boys are gonna be rich.”

With my mind working a mile a minute, I turn back to him, trying to keep my real emotions hidden. “Well, that’s just great.” I let a wide grin stretch my face, hoping it doesn’t look like a skull’s grimace.

It’s not the first time I wish Slugger hadn’t appeared in my clubhouse.

Ask any Soul and they’ll tell you that each charter is run separately and there’s no one at the head, no mother chapter nor national prez. What man would be stupid enough to have that target on his back? But all members know that bullshit is a ruse to keep Slugger protected. With no home base, our dear leader, or Alpha as some call him, travels various charters, in my view, sticking his nose in where it may or may not be wanted.

Not that he isn’t a man I want on my side, but he can be a loose cannon, and it’s not always possible to know what he’s thinking or what he’s going to do next. The fact he’s obviously already announced our windfall means I’ve limited options on what I can do. Especially, when looking around me, I see the excited, eager faces. How could I disappoint my club?

How could I betray Helo? She’s a woman who’s already been through so much. She’s already almost given her life for her country and even now I’m not sure how much she actually sacrificed—she’s been left with severe PTSD for fuck’s sake. I’m ninety percent sure if I had time to talk to my brothers, they’d understand how little she deserves being literally sold as though her life can be measured in a few new Harleys. Or make that fifty percent. Maybe.

I’m not sure I could chance it.

I couldn’t live with myself. Or more correctly, I wouldn’t want to live in a world without her in it. Already she’s come to mean so much. More than my club? My brothers? Fuck no, never that. But I need to buy time. If I let Slugger have access to her, I’ll lose her for good. I’m sure if I have a proper chance to explain the situation I can get my brothers on board, bring them around to my way of thinking that giving her up is exactly the same as the sex trafficking which we all abhor.

But there’s no way of talking to them right now. Apart from Legend who’s glaring daggers at me, everyone else seems to be caught up in the idea of how we’ll spend our new funds. As for Slugger, I know he’ll be calculating how much he’ll ask for himself.

If I bring her downstairs now, into the midst of all this, someone’s going to do something that I, at least, will always regret.

I’ve a good poker face, and now I use it. Still with my lips curving upward, I raise my chin at Slugger. “Carrying a value like that, she needs to be secured. I’ll go get her then we can put her in the basement where she won’t be able to escape.”

Again, Bull’s palm meets my back, while Slugger snorts a laugh.

“Fuckin’ like the way you think, Brother.”