Chapter 6
Six
BUBBA
I’d been on edge all day. The closer we’d driven to our last stop, the more paranoid I’d become. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was going to happen. The pit in my gut churned again, and I grimaced as the familiar heartburn raced up my throat.
Shifting on my bike, I caught Darcie’s attention. She smiled at me, lighting up my heart like a beacon. The things this girl did to me were unreal. Last night had been… more than I’d expected. Seeing her spread out for all of us was overwhelming. She thought I hadn’t joined in because I didn’t want to see her with them, but that hadn’t been it.
I wasn’t disgusted by her; I was insecure about myself.
When Pretty Boy called me out, I realized the hurt I’d accidentally caused in my insecurity. Being the oldest and least fit of the guys had me questioning myself. I didn’t want to be compared to my brothers. It was one thing when we were separate, but if she had us all together, there would be no denying how different I was from them.
It had been dumb, and it almost cost me the best thing in my life. Darcie wasn’t with any of us for our outside appearances. The girl loved us for who we were—all four of us. I wouldn’t make the mistake of questioning her again. Besides, missing out on that would’ve been a sin.
“You ready for this, Waylon?” she asked, climbing into my lap. My hands gripped her waist, and I wished I had more time with her. Seeing her on my bike between my legs was my fantasy come to life. Her hands raked through my beard. Closing my eyes, I leaned into her touch and let myself soak in her comfort. Her lips lightly touched mine and I opened my eyes.
The clearest blue stared back, searching for the answer to her question. Squeezing her hips, I pressed another kiss to her mouth and ignored the hollow feeling flaring to life.
I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her. Even if it meant me dying. I’d sacrifice myself so she’d live.
“I’m ready, baby. We’ll get this done and be back in no time.” Pretty Boy and I were headed into town to recon. Darcie had given me a few descriptions and names of men in the MCD program. Pretty Boy and I would suss it out, and if they were there, then we’d mention meeting them to talk.
It would be easier if Maddox or Darcie could go with us, but since we didn’t want to alert the Mavericks or the Diamonds they were in town, it was better to play our cards close to the chest. Darcie chewed her lip, the worry evident in every feature.
“We’ll be fine. I’ve done the whole song and dance before.”
“Be careful. I don’t know what it’s like anymore.”
“I’ll be smart. Promise. Now, kiss me goodbye, so I have something to think about.”
Grinning, she leaned up and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Cupping her ass, I lifted her up so she practically sat in my lap. My cock pressed against my zipper, but I ignored it. Now wasn’t the time to let it out to play. Darcie’s kiss stole my breath and did precisely what I’d asked. It gave me something to focus on.
There was no way in hell I wouldn’t return to that woman.
Maddox walked over and eyed me while Darcie said bye to Grayson. “You good?” he asked.
“Yep. We’ve got the names and descriptions. We’ll lay low and see what we can gather.”
Maddox nodded. His jaw ticked, and I wondered what he wasn’t saying.
“Spit it out. Now isn’t the time to bite your tongue, brother.”
His eyes lit up at my term, and his shoulders dropped. I’d initially been skeptical about Maddox, worried he’d take Darcie and disappear into the night. But after the cornfield, I knew he was someone we could trust. He’d slotted into our family naturally, like he was meant to be here. It wasn’t until I saw his reaction that I realized I might not have been as forthcoming in accepting him as I’d believed.
“I don’t have a good feeling.”
I cursed under my breath. “I’ve been fighting that pinging in my gut. Ever since that jackass last night.”
Maddox wiped the sweat from his brow. “Yeah. The dude creeps me out, but I didn’t have many options when I was in prison. Now, I don’t know if I signed myself out of one prison to be in another, but…”
“But Darcie,” I said, answering the unspoken question.
“Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his head and blew out a breath. “Tiny’s your best bet. He’s solid to his core. Red and Bullet were newer, but I always found them honorable. Brick…he was shifty, but Hank trusted him.”
I nodded. Men could be swayed with empty promises.
“Good luck, brother.”
I smirked, slapping him on the shoulder. “You are my brother, Mad Dog. Take care of our queen.”
He smiled. “You know Darcie. She’ll take care of us.”
I snorted and pulled my helmet on. I revved my engine and laughed when Pretty Boy jumped at the sound. If I hadn’t intervened, Pretty Boy would never have pulled his lips away from Darcie’s. He cursed but climbed onto his bike and strapped on his helmet, only tossing me a middle finger before starting his bike.
Smiling, I drove out of the parking lot and headed toward the town Darcie had grown up in. We’d picked a motel a few towns over to stay off their radar. She and Maddox were certain that the Agonizer’s reach wouldn’t be that far if he had managed to take over the Mavericks’ territory.
Pretty Boy’s engine sounded behind me and I opened the throttle once we were on the open road. The drive went by quickly and that feeling in my gut intensified when we entered the town. It had been years since Darcie had been back, but I didn’t think time was why it looked more like a ghost town.
It was only about eight in the evening, but there were barely any people out. While it wasn’t uncommon for businesses to be closed at this time in small towns, it felt more than that. The buildings were worn down and dingy, while others seemed abandoned.
Turning at the stop sign, I had an eerie feeling race up my spine once we neared a residential area. The houses were just as dark. The yards were littered with broken bicycles, toys, and trash. I caught a few curtains fluttering as we passed, but not one person made an appearance.
Grayson pulled up next to me at the next stop. We shared a look, both of us knowing that whatever we walked into next wouldn’t be good. With a deep breath, I made the last turn toward the bar. There were a few businesses here: a mechanic, a gas station, and a local market, but again, none of them were open. This town had a major ghost town vibe to it.
Music and lights gave our destination away before we even saw it. In the darkness of the town, it glowed even brighter. The Dizzy Arrow came into view as we crested the hill. It sat at the bottom; a large open lot filled with motorcycles next to it. There were a few patrons outside laughing and smoking. At the sight of us rolling in, they straightened up. The second we stopped and turned off our bikes, they were on us.
“I’d turn around now if I were you.”
“We don’t want any trouble. Just need a place to stop for a bit,” Pretty Boy said, giving his charming smile.
“Not here.”
I pulled off my helmet, eyeing the three men. None of them were who we were looking for, unfortunately. I guess I should’ve known our luck wasn’t that good.
“If it’s all the same, here’s perfect.”
The two men in front exchanged a glance. One stepped forward and leaned close, keeping his voice low. “If you step foot inside, your life as you know it is over. This isn’t a friendly bar, man. We’re trying to help, not be dicks.”
Pretty Boy glanced over, his eyes telling me what my gut did. They were good people who’d been pushed into whatever the hell was going on here. They might be the leg-up we needed.
“We appreciate the warning. Truly,” Grayson said, matching the low tone. “We’re looking for someone. Tiny. Is he still around?”
The group shared a glance, their eyes telling me they knew exactly who we asked about but weren’t sure why.
Taking one more shot, I used my trump card. “Rosebud sent us.”
Only one man reacted, but it was enough. He swallowed, nodded, and turned on his heel without another word. The others watched him go and then hurried to catch up. Pretty Boy and I did the same after locking down our bikes. By the time we made it to the door, they were gone.
“Here goes nothing,” Grayson said and then opened the door.
Country music rolled out accompanied with the smell of weed, body odor, and if I wasn’t mistaken…blood.
The instant the door shut, the crowd turned and stared. Keeping my face hard, I pushed through the tables, almost wishing Maddox had come in place of Pretty Boy. It might’ve been more dangerous for him to show his face, but at least Maddox was used to this lifestyle. He’d grown up in a club, trained in the MCD, and spent time in prison. He could hold his own. He also had a killer stare. At least he was with Darcie to guard her in case things went south here.
The guy we’d spoken to outside was off to the side conversing with one of the biggest men I’d ever seen. His arms were as wide as tree trunks and his body spanned the whole backside of the booth. The man was a wall of muscle. The scar across his brow sealed the deal. He was exactly who I’d been hoping to find. Tiny.
His eyes glanced up when we neared, something shifting across them at whatever our escort had whispered into his ear. Chatter had picked back up in most of the bar, but those close by held their breath as they watched the scene unfold.
“You lookin’ for me?” He crossed his arms over his chest, his threat clear.
“I have a proposition.”
He snorted. “Sorry, but you’re not my type. I like them smaller.” He glanced over my shoulder, his eyes taking in Pretty Boy. “Now, him, I won't kick out of bed.”
I could feel Grayson’s smile even though I didn’t dare turn my head to look.
“That’s why they call me Pretty Boy,” he flirted, stepping up beside me. “Though I hope they don’t call you Tiny because you’re, you know.” Grayson dropped his eyes down, indicating Tiny’s dick.
Fucking. Hell. Pretty Boy.
Gritting my teeth, I narrowed my eyes at Grayson, wishing I could slap the smug look off his face. He was going to get us killed.
The giant of a man bellowed out a laugh, dropping his arms and slapping the table with one hand while pointing the other at Grayson. “If that was the case, I’d be called Cocky.” He winked. “I was given my name by a sweet little flower. I didn’t have the heart to deny her.”
My heart skipped a beat. Did he mean…? He did. Darcie .
Tiny searched our eyes, assessing us for a sign of recognition, so I let him have it. She’s safe. She’s here. She’s come to claim her legacy.
“I have a sunflower who has the same ability,” Grayson said.
Tiny’s fingers tapped against the table, his gaze calculated. There was so much being unsaid. Finally, he dropped his shoulders, seeming to come to some conclusion.
Unfortunately, before he could say anything, hands clamped down on mine and Pretty Boy’s shoulders. Tiny’s face hardened, and the earlier persona disappeared, telling me more than anything else. He’d trusted us, but this person wasn’t someone to mess with.
Fucking. Great.
“Gentlemen. I don’t recall getting your names, and seeing as I run this bar, it’s very rude to not introduce yourself when you step into my house.”
“I was just getting them registered, Brewer.”
“Were you now? Because it looked like you were flirting, and I won’t have any of that fruity stuff in my bar, Tiny. You know the rules.”
“Just chatting, Brewer. The big guy thinks he can take me.”
My face paled. No fucking way.
Brewer, who I still hadn’t been able to see, laughed obnoxiously in my ear. “All right. I reckon that’s a show I’d like to see. You’re up next.”
The asshole squeezed my shoulder tighter before sauntering back off to wherever the hell he’d been. Tiny nodded for us to follow the guy who escorted us. Pretty Boy met my eyes and swallowed. For the first time since I’d known him, he didn’t have a smile on his face, and his eyes held true fear.
This time, the crowd parted for us, and we stepped through a door at the back. Shouting and grunts accosted us, and the smell of sweat and blood was stronger here. We were high up on a level, and as we moved, I saw what lay below—a fighting pit.
Two men whaled on each other, their faces and knuckles bloody. Gulping, I prayed that Tiny had a plan because there was no way I could fight him. I might look tough and rough, but I wasn’t a fighter. Fuck. This had been a terrible idea. We were going to be killed in this cesspool.
Our escort pushed open another door and ushered us in. Grayson and I were hesitant to step into the dark space, but it was better than staying out there. Once the door was closed, someone reached and pulled a tiny bulb overhead. It cast the four of us in shadow, yellowing our faces and making our eyes appear like two dark orbs.
“You better be serious or you just got us all killed,” Tiny whisper-hissed. “Is she here?”
“Not here,” Pretty Boy said, making the other two curse.
“She’s close, though. Mad Dog’s with her.”
“He got out? Hell yeah. We might just have a chance, Tiny,” the man from outside said, turning to look at the bigger man. Tiny’s face softened, and I caught the look of affection between them.
“I’m Bubba, and this is Pretty Boy. Mad Dog and our other brother, Cowboy, are with Darcie. She sent us to find you, Red, Brick, or Bullet.”
Tiny’s face fell at the mention of the other two names. “Bullet and Red are dead and Brick turned two years ago.”
“Fuck. I guess that answers the question of whether Stanley’s fully taken over the Mavericks,” Grayson said.
“What clued you in?” the little guy asked sardonically.
“What’s your name?” I asked, wanting to call him something other than ‘that guy’ in my head.
“Mack. I was a prospect when Darcie fled. That’s the night everything changed.”
“Is her dad, Tank, still around?”
Mack and Tiny shared a look. “He’s not dead, if that’s what you mean, but he’s a different man. There’s not much fight left in him.”
Loud cheers erupted outside, and Tiny stiffened. “Fuck. We’re out of time. So here’s the deal. We have no reason to trust you, and you have no reason to trust us, but for the love of that girl, I’m hoping we can. Our window to get away before Brewer comes looking is dwindling, so unless you want to fight me, you need to follow us.”
Grayson and I shared a look but it was unnecessary. Darcie and Maddox trusted Tiny, and my gut hadn’t pinged when talking with Mack outside, so as far as I was concerned, they had my trust.
It had nothing to do with not wanting to fight him.