25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
Bear
S he’s in my arms. Finally fucking safe where she needs to be.
The flight attendant urged me to put Athena in her own seat, all buckled-up, but one look from me and she decided she did not want to die on that hill.
With my nose buried in her hair, I inhale the scent of whatever shampoo Ophelia keeps in her on-board bathroom where Athena took a shower right after takeoff. I would have showered with her but there was no way for both of us to fit in there. It is nice, though, and jetting around in a Gulf Stream has its perks, like going directly from Amarillo to Rockford Beach in less than four hours all the while my girl washes off the physical stench of those motherfuckers.
I wish I could kill those bastards all over again.
That being said, watching Athena transform into a blood-thirsty killer first worried me. I was afraid that once the adrenaline rush settled she’d be revolted by her actions. So far, though, she’s assured me that it was more liberating than anything else. Sure, it’s only been a few hours since she stabbed her captor with a shard from a mirror, over and over again until his carotid was completely shredded beyond recognition, but I’ll keep an eye on her, and when everything has settled, we’ll have a long and thorough conversation about what happened. All in due time.
Right now, though, I just need her in my arms, curled up exactly the way she is now with her arms around my neck, her legs folded and tucked against my chest, and her head resting on my shoulder. I’m a human pillow and I’m okay with that because her soft snores have become my favorite song.
Sitting on one end of the deep-brown leather couch, we face Ophelia and Jarrett, who are sipping on what I’m guessing is expensive-as-fuck whiskey, if the color is any indication. Tyler’s jet was nice but it was functional, work-related. This one is for people who practically live in this flying tin can. Grinder and Kincaid are each on their own large, reclining chairs, far enough away that they could get some shut eye if they wanted but close enough that they can participate in the conversation.
“So what’re your plans for the bitch back there?” My gaze meets Ophelia’s as Psycho asks point blank what Pamela Grouse’s future looks like in their hands. I don’t even care that he called her a bitch. I hope she suffers long and hard.
“That woman’s a cunt and deserves way worse than any of us could imagine.” Jarrett is right about that.
Coming back from the bathroom, Sledge plops down next to Psycho and sighs. “The bog is proper fancy, innit, mate?”
“Fit for a fuckin’ king.” Now I just think they’re doing it on purpose, talking weird so we can’t understand them. Until, that is, Ophelia gets us back to business.
“Anyway… we thrive on information. The only way for us to dismantle this sex trafficking ring is to cut off all the heads, one by one. Thanks to you guys, we were able to get a big one. Pamela Grouse will spill her guts because we will make sure she does. Don’t tell him I said this, but Jarrett here is really good at…” Ophelia looks over at Jarrett and lets the corners of her mouth tick up like they’re having their own private conversation and it is not appropriate for public consumption. “Getting people to talk.”
“Basically, you’re our Psycho, then?” With my arms wrapped tightly around Athena, I give my best friend the side-eye and let a smirk loose.
“The fuck’s he on about? I ain’t no psycho, mate. Just really good at my job.” Jarrett leans back, almost offended, but I’m sure he can tell something’s off.
“Me, too, man. Me too.” Psycho sits forward with his elbows on his knees as he takes his cut with one hand and pushes his tag forward. “Name’s Psycho, I’m the enforcer.”
“Right, then.” Jarrett clears his throat then looks at Ophelia like he’s about to jump into the Antarctic Sea in the dead of winter and is begging her to save him. “There’s one important issue we wanted to chat with you about.”
I sit a little straighter and my arms tighten around Athena on instinct.
“We’ve been searching the web, including the dark web, and found some dodgy shit.” Jarrett is all business now, not a hint of joking around in sight. “Athena was moved by the Grouses before the raid started. Like, they already knew they were being chased down. Patrick Grouse moved Athena from The Hamptons before you even landed in Montana.”
“The fuck you sayin’, mate?” Sledge is suddenly on the defensive because whatever Jarrett is getting at feels like a direct affront.
“I’m sayin’…” He pauses, lacing his fingers and looking Sledge straight in the eyes. “Did every member in your club know you were going on a rescue mission?”
“Of course they fuckin’ did. We’re one unit, we work as a team… as a family. ” As Sledge defends the club and its members, I’m putting the puzzle pieces together.
“What if they put two and two together? They took Athena from my bed, they had to know we’d go after her.” Compared to the Brits, my tone is smooth and calm but every word of this conversation is making me want to go back in time and kill everyone all over again.
“Maybe, but in terms of power and intel, your club is a tiny David and The Firm is Goliath on crack. They wouldn’t have even given you a second thought unless they knew your plans and, of course, your motivation.” I can see the kindness in Ophelia’s eyes, even when she’s speaking hard truths.
“Well, joke’s on them, ain’t it? Tiny David fucked Goliath up the ass then bled him dry.” Grinder’s imagery makes us all groan but he’s not wrong, they underestimated us.
“Credit where credit’s due.” Ophelia’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes as she responds to Grinder. “You did some damage, but the Grouses were just one part of the beast. And if we’re right, you’ve got bigger problems ahead.”
Before I can voice my question, Psycho beats me to it. “Right about what?”
We know what she’s about to say but we need to hear the words.
“I’m sorry but… you have a rat in your club.”
“Keep ya traps shut. We tell Hoops and Shade and that’s it. It’s fuckin’ bullshit, but it’s just in case. Got it?”
Every last one of us nods at Sledge’s command, knowing he’s right. It’s impossible to believe we actually have someone betraying us in the club. We’re so tight and I would give my life for any one of them in that building, but Ophelia sowed the grain of doubt in all of us with her hunches.
While we wait, Ophelia’s crew unloads our things from the plane, placing them on the tarmac, ready for the trucks.
“What did I miss while I was sleeping?” Athena brings her hand to her mouth as she yawns big and loud.
“I’ll fill you in later, Baby Girl.”
“Okay.”
The rumble of trucks on the tarmac gets our attention, and from where we stand, I can see Axle driving the first truck while Boner follows in the other. I’m guessin’ Diablo or Jonesy is following behind. As much as I’d love to get back on my bike, I can appreciate them coming to get us like this since Athena is in no shape to ride.
“Remember, until we talk to our prez, we don’t mention this rat business to anyone.” Sledge eyes us all, one after the other, and because he just can’t help himself, Grinder chimes in.
“We can talk about Ninja and Bandit, right? I mean, they’re the good rats.”
“Damn right.” Psycho lifts his fist and they bump knuckles. Fucking toddlers.
It doesn’t take us long to get all of our shit down from the plane to our trucks, and with hushed goodbyes and promises to keep in touch, we head home.
Fucking finally.
Thankfully, we weren’t at the international airport, instead, the whole time we’ve traveled, we’ve landed on private air strips. I guess it’s a good way to go incognito.
As soon as we pull up to our compound, a sense of relief washes over me. It’s not exactly home as in a house that’s all mine, but it is home to our family. The club, the brothers, the camaraderie. Hoops and Shade are standing tall, front and center, as we pull up and their relief is palpable. If one of us is hurting, all of us are in pain.
“Thanks for coming to get us, brother.” Psycho slaps Axle on the shoulder as we file out of the truck. The prospects hurry to the beds of the trucks, bringing our shit inside and storing our weapons in the garage.
“Always, man. It’s good to have y’all home.” Axle is a good guy but I can’t help but wonder if maybe he’s the rat. That’s when it hits me that once a seed like this is planted, the rift is immediate.
“Oh my goodness, Bear! We were so worried about you.” Vanessa hugs us both, careful not to hurt Athena as she looks her in the eyes and whispers. “Welcome home, beautiful girl.” I don’t miss the twin tears streaming down Athena’s cheeks or the fact she doesn’t try to hide them. It takes courage to show your vulnerability, and my girl is braver than a mama bear protecting her cubs.
From the corner of my eye, I see Mac hand off baby Gryffin to her mom before she takes off in a sprint and jumps into Psycho’s awaiting arms.
“That’s my Cherry Pie. Fuck, I’ve missed you!” Mac kisses her husband all over his face before they assault each other’s mouths. Anywhere else, it would be indecent, here though? It’s the appropriate way of welcoming home the love of your life.
“Come on, y’all. That chicken parm ain’t gonna eat itself.” And just like that, Vanessa gets everyone’s attention with just a few words. We don’t walk, we run inside, needing a homemade meal like we need air in our lungs. The best way to get grown ass men to do what you want is to starve them for a couple of days then prepare a feast.
That buffet was inhaled in less than ten minutes.
“I don’t think I’ve ever eaten this much so fast in my entire life.” Grinder leans back in his chair, rubbing his belly and smiling like a fool.
“Fuckin’ A, that chicken parm was on point, Sabrina. It’s like you knew we’d be hungry.” I chuckle when I catch Sabrina rolling her eyes, but I don’t miss the slight pink in her cheeks at Sledge’s compliment. We would starve without her here and make sure she knows it at every turn. The fact she hasn’t spoken a word in all the years she’s been here doesn’t deter us from talking to her like she talks right back. All the women in our lives learned sign language to be able to understand her when she does want to communicate. We tried, but we’re too fuckin’ lazy to keep up the lessons.
“While I have you here, don’t y’all forget about the toy drive for Christmas. It’s next week and I expect you all to be there. Or else.” Mac’s voice carries across the room and down the long-ass table that the brothers set up for our arrival.
“Aye aye, captain’.” Grinder salutes Mac and Psycho slaps him across the back of the head.
“Do not disrespect my wife.” We all chuckle because his words are said in a coo while he’s looking at his son, asleep in his arms. How that kid is able to conk out in the middle of this cacophony is beyond me.
“You tired, Baby Girl?” The conversation around us fades away as I speak only to my girl.
“Yeah, I’m exhausted. Pretty sure it’s bone deep.” Squeezing her with gentle hands as she sits on my lap, I push my chair back and rise to my feet. I just want to be alone with her for a little while, without the noise of my rowdy brothers.
“We’ll be right back. Gonna get some air, maybe check out the workload out front.” No one buys it because why the fuck would I even want to look at other people’s broken down bikes? They all cackle and whistle as I place Athena on her feet and pull her behind me, one hand raised above my head with a middle finger high and proud.
I ain’t no Psycho. I’m not gonna fuck Athena up against a dirty wall or on the bed of a truck. When I do finally sink inside her, it’ll be in a safe space where she can experience what real fucking feels like. Where she’ll say yes with her words and her consent. Where she’ll beg me to do it again and again.
My dick is hard the instant the fantasy plays out in my mind.
“Were you worried about your bike while you were gone?” Athena’s question catches me off guard because no, I never once thought about my bike the whole time I was gone. We walk along the path and toward the garage, taking advantage of the cloudless night and the full moon. A thud, followed by the screech of what sounds like a cat, makes Athena jump closer to me, and I’m not mad about that, at all.
“Nope. The only worry I had was getting to you.” Once we reach the garage, I roll up the door and we slip inside before I close it back down. It’s chilly in here but not quite as cold as outside. I don’t turn on the overhead lights, it would kill the mood, but I do turn on a work bench light so we can see each other.
“I’m so grateful, Bear.” Closing my eyes, I breathe in her words and fill my lungs with them.
“Baby Girl, I will always come for you. Always. Can I ask you something?” We stop walking, her back against the only surface in this place that doesn't have something hanging on it.
“Of course.”
“Can I kiss you?” A bright smile illuminates her entire face, and my knees almost buckle at the sincerity of it.
“Fuck yes.” My eyes widen at her words, the curse that escapes her is so unlikely that it takes me by surprise. Then she grins again, her cheeks turning pink, and I can’t help throwing my head back and laughing. Loud and proud. My girl is finding herself and I couldn't be more ecstatic about it.
“You’re perfect, you know that?” She shrugs like my compliment is ridiculous, but it’s not. There’s nothing flippant about what I just said. I mean every single syllable.
“Will you just kiss me already?”
With one hand at her jaw, I angle her mouth exactly the way I want it and bring my lips to hers. The first touch is like honey dipped on my tongue. Smooth, sweet, and fucking addictive. With a quick jerk of my legs, I scoot her up the wall and place myself between her thighs so I can get better access to her mouth. It doesn’t hurt that the heat of her pussy is teasing my dick, making me harder than I’ve ever felt in my life.
I don’t thrust, and that’s no easy feat, but I do devour her mouth. Lick every corner and suck every inch of her flesh.
Swallowing every single one of her moans, I imagine what it would be like to finally sink my cock inside her, to feel her heat squeezing my dick every time I bottom out, the way our bodies would fit together like long-lost puzzle pieces.
“Bear?”
“Yeah, Baby Girl?”
“I want to go back to your place. Is that okay?” A smile grows on my lips as I keep peppering her with kisses.
“Fuck yes.” I whisper her earlier words right back at her, making her chuckle alongside me.
Gently, I let her down, and without hesitation, guide her to the garage entrance before sliding it open. As soon as we’re outside, I pull the door back down and look down at her.
“Let’s go.”
We don’t take five steps before we're hit with, what feels like, an eighteen-wheeler doused in flames. My hold on Athena is ripped apart as we both fly through the air and land in a pile of cold, dried grass, with glass and debris raining down on us.
“What the actual fuck?” Screams and shouts are all around but the only thing I really hear is the ringing in my ears as I try to make sense of what just happened.
Shaking my head, I try to lift it from the ground but the ache is clouding my vision.
“Bear, are you alright? Can you hear me?” Psycho is at my side, his fingers on my throat. “I’ve got a pulse.”
“Athena.” I barely recognize my voice, scratchy and far away.
“Mac?” Psycho is looking over my head, worry written all over his face. “Mac!”
“She’s not responding! Aleko, call nine-one-one! Bash, get over here and start compressions. ”
No.
What the fuck did Mac just say?