Chapter Thirteen
Blade
Even knowing Jasmine wasn’t at The Clubhouse anymore, I just couldn’t face going home when I finished my ride. So once again, I ended up spending the night in the office at Inferno’s on the couch. I’m grateful that whoever actually picked out the furniture in here picked a couch big enough for me to comfortably sleep on. I should probably think about getting up and moving. I can’t spend the day hiding out in this office. I need to get my act together.
Before I get that chance, the office door slams open, hitting the wall behind it, and standing in the doorway is a very unhappy-looking Shadow. Oh shit. It looks like my time keeping quiet is up. Shadow isn’t going to take no for an answer.
“Do you know how long I”ve been fucking searching for you? You asshole!” He shouts as he walks in.
“Nope, are you going to tell me?” I stay calm, despite how irate he is. I know I need to stay calm when he’s like this. Shadow wears his feelings on his sleeve where the people he cares about are concerned.
“Four hours! Since I got up this morning, I”ve been searching everywhere around town for you, and I couldn”t find you. So I thought you know what he spent some time with my sister yesterday; maybe she might know where to find him, and do you know what she told me? That you”ve been fucking sleeping here! Do you know how bad I felt that I didn”t know that? You”re one of my closest friends, and I. Didn”t. Know.” He emphasizes his last point by poking himself in the chest as he speaks.
He”s clearly upset that he didn”t know how bad things were for me. Fuck, I need to explain and get him calmed down. Shadow like this isn’t a good thing at all. The majority of the time, he’s lighthearted and a massive goof until something happens with someone he cares about and considers family. Then he becomes something else entirely. I’m pretty sure he would become more lethal than his brother where family is concerned, and that’s saying something. Because Wrath didn’t get his road name for nothing.
“Shadow, I didn”t tell you because you all had so much going on with Claire. Then, the longer I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn”t put any of you in a bad position because of who Jasmine is.” I started to explain to him calmly.
“I don”t give a fuck who she is, Blade; I give a fuck about who you are! You”re a member of this MC, a goddamn officer! More than that, you’re family! You shouldn”t have been sleeping in this office because she was at The Clubhouse!” He”s shouting now.
“I didn”t have a choice, Shadow! Every time she saw me, she attacked me in some manner, whether it was physical or verbal. There was nothing I could do because she”s Cam”s aunt, and I”d never put you or Wrath in that position. Do you understand now? I was protecting you!” I shout back. So much for staying calm.
All the fight seems to deflate out of Shadow once I shout back at him, and he just looks torn. He knows I’m right. Even if he hates it. He knows how much they all mean to me and that I”d do anything to protect them. Even if it”s detrimental to my own wellbeing.
“I get why Blade; I just fucking hate it. She”s gone. Will you just come home, please? I hate knowing you”ve been sleeping here and that none of us realized what was happening.”
“You didn”t know because I”m good at hiding shit; you know this. I”ll come back to The Clubhouse for now, but I think I need to find somewhere else to live. She”s ruined my home for me; it all feels tainted now.”
He looks at me thoughtfully for a moment.
“What about if we build another house on The Compound? I”ve been thinking about moving since Wrath and Flame got married. I need to move out because I cannot even tell you the number of times I”ve caught Wrath and Flame in compromising positions or had to hear them going at it in the middle of the night. No one should have to listen to that when it”s their fucking twin; it”s just wrong. So what if you move in with me to my new place when it”s done?”
“You know what? That sounds like a good idea, but wouldn”t you prefer to live with Wreck?” I ask because I”m really curious.
He looks a little sheepish at the mention of Wreck.
“I”d love to live with him; he”s my ride or die, but he said no to living with me when I originally brought it up to him. He likes how close his apartment is to Devil”s Ink, apparently. So don”t worry, you won”t be stepping on Wreck”s toes; he”s happy where he”s at.”
“As long as I”m not stepping on toes, I”d love to live with you; it really does seem like the ideal plan, if I”m being honest. At least I know you, and I won”t be living away from The Compound.”
“Yes!” He cheers, and I can”t help but laugh. He”s such a fucking idiot sometimes. A loveable idiot, but an idiot all the same.
“So I should probably tell you they started building the house today; apparently it should be finished in two months. Think you can last that long at The Clubhouse?”
“I hope so.”
“Come on, let”s get out of here; I need to go pick up Cam”s gift. Have you got him anything yet?”
“Yeah, I picked it up last week; hopefully he likes it.”
I stand up and slide my feet into my boots before fastening them, grabbing my kutte off the back of one of the chairs, sliding it on, and following Shadow out of the office. As we pass the stockroom, a shock of purple hair pops out.
“What are you two doing here?” Megan, one of our bar staff, asks, her voice full of attitude.
“Considering we own the place, we don’t really have to explain ourselves to you, Megan. Now why don’t you get back to work?” I reply, not fucking happy at all.
Megan has worked for us for about a year now, but in recent months she’s been getting a little too big for her boots as far as her attitude is concerned. If this continues, she’s going to be out of a job. The disrespect won’t be stood for.
Shadow grabs my arm and starts pulling me away before I can lay into her about her attitude. His eyes are filled with worry that I don’t understand. Why would he be worried about what I say to Megan? Unless there’s something going on there, I don’t know about, and if that’s the case, Shadow has some explaining to do.
“Shadow.” I say, pulling out of his grip once we’re outside.
Before he can reply, his phone buzzes. I watch as he pulls it out and checks his messages. As he reads whatever is on the screen, his eyes fill with what I can only describe as worry and dread. What the hell has he just read to get that reaction?
“Everything okay?” I can’t help but ask.
Shadow quickly wipes the look from his eyes, smiling at me. Though I can tell it’s fake as fuck.
”Yeah, everything”s fine. Come on, let”s get outta here.”
He’s walking toward his bike before I can say anything else. It’s obvious he doesn’t want to talk about it, which worries me because Shadow and secrets do not fucking mix. He might think he’s off the hook, but he’s not. I’m going to keep an eye on him, and I will figure out what’s going on.
Once we”ve picked up Shadow”s gift for Cam, we ride back to The Compound. When we pull up, we see Flame standing there with all the Prospects except Jake, who is still recovering. Oh fuck! He’s starting their hand-to-hand combat training, and I almost missed it. This was supposed to happen months ago, but with all the injuries Flame got during the Claire problem, he had to postpone it. Which is why I was still training with them the other day; I couldn’t have them slacking off.
I can”t believe I almost missed this; now that would have been terrible. Watching them all try to get the best of Flame is always entertaining and well worth watching. I hop off my bike, leaving Shadow to go and do whatever. I make my way over to where someone has put loads of folding chairs out so people can sit and watch. Most members come and watch when Flame does this. I sit down to watch the show; the only thing I”m missing is popcorn.
Flame is just standing there, waiting for one of them to step up and try to take him down. He always starts the same way when he does this. He never picks who starts; he wants to see who has the guts to try and take him on. From the corner of my eye, I see Sera walking towards where I”m sitting, looking intrigued by what”s happening.
“What”s going on?” She asks as she takes a seat next to me.
“Flame is doing the Prospects first hand-to-hand combat training session.” I tell her while rubbing my hands together.
“And that warrants an audience and seating?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.
”Actually, yeah, it does; your brother-in-law is a lethal weapon. Watching the Prospects try to take him down is fucking entertaining. It usually ends up being a right good laugh because some of them are fucking overconfident little shits who soon find out they”re in over their heads.” I tell her with a laugh.
”Oh, this I have got to see.” She looks really excited now. I love that about her; most women wouldn”t be interested in watching the show that”s about to happen, but not her. Not my Angel.
We both look over when we catch movement over by Flame and see the first Prospect step towards Flame. It”s Eric; now this I have got to fucking see. Eric’s attitude is not going to help him at all. Not against Flame. I have a feeling he’s about to get knocked on his ass quicker than anyone who has ever gone up against Flame.
“I can”t wait to show everyone you”re not as great as you make out.” Eric tries to taunt Flame.
It”s never going to work. Flame isn”t overconfident or cocky; he is literally just that fucking good and knows it. I know for a fact that, since he trained himself in every style of fighting he could, he”s never been beaten. He”s an unstoppable force.
Flame doesn”t say a word; he just stands there waiting with his arms folded over his chest. I have to smirk at Flame; he seriously doesn”t give a shit about any sort of threat Eric could potentially pose. Not that I actually think he poses a threat to Flame. Eric’s face starts to go red with annoyance at Flame’s attitude. Obviously, he is not happy that Flame doesn’t see him as the threat he believes he is. Any second now, he”s going to lose his shit.
“You are fucking nothing, Flame! You”re only in your position because, for some reason, our fucking President has decided he”s goddamn gay all of a sudden and is fucking you! Fucking disgusting, the pair of you! You shouldn”t be part of this MC, tainting us all with your sick presence.” He shouts as he takes a swing at Flame.
Is this kid stupid? Why in the world would he think that saying something about Flame and Wrath would actually get him anywhere? Other than on everyone’s shit list. With no effort, Flame uses some fancy footwork that I still can”t fucking match, even after training with him for years, to dodge out of the way of Eric”s swing and get behind him. Wrapping his arm around his throat in the process.
Flame is not just holding him for show; he”s squeezing, and we can all see Eric trying to pull Flame”s arm away as his face starts to go purple. Flame releases him at the last second and lets him fall before crouching over him. Everyone has gone deadly silent. Waiting to see what Flame will do next. Somehow, Flame hasn’t killed Eric yet. I’m not sure I’d have been able to restrain myself in his shoes.
Even though it”s clear Flame is holding back, I know if Eric says anything else about Wrath, Flame will lose it. Wrath means everything to Flame, and he will never stand for the disrespect Eric is showing towards him.
I stand from my seat and walk over, so I”m standing next to where Flame is. Eric is about to fucking learn not to mess with members of this club because of their sexuality.
“Anything else to say about me and my husband, Prospect?” Flame asks, his voice sounding absolutely lethal. I know if Eric makes one wrong move, he”s a dead man. Flame won”t think twice.
Eric is trying to talk but failing; all he can do is cough. I look around at everyone who”s gathered around, and they are all looking at Eric with disgust. Everyone loves Wrath and Flame; we”ve supported them since they came out as a couple. Eric”s hatred towards them isn”t going to go over well at all.
Eric finally manages to catch his breath and begins spouting off again. ”Yes, I have something to say. He shouldn”t be fucking President! It”s no position for someone who likes to stick his dick in another man! The same is true with you being an Enforcer. You”re both sickening and unnatural. You should both be shot! What”s even worse is that you”re exposing a child to your sickness! Someone needs to get that boy away from you both before you do him permanent damage.”
Luckily, or maybe not for Eric, before Flame can do anything, we all hear Wrath shout, “I’d be very fucking careful about what comes out of your mouth next if I were you, Prospect!”
Wrath is heading straight for us, with Shadow right next to him. Both look downright livid. He stops next to Flame, who stands up and looks just as unhappy as his husband. I watch as they glance at each other, having a conversation without saying a word. I”ve always been jealous that they”re so close that they can do that. They”ve been doing it for as long as I”ve known them. Even before they were in a relationship. Their bond has always been strong.
Before Wrath can say or do anything, we all hear his name being shouted. I turn at the sound of Sera’s voice and see her running towards us. Looking very pissed off. I guess she doesn”t like the disrespect towards her brother and brother-in-law either.
“What”s up?” He asks her as she stops next to him.
“I have a suggestion.”
“What”s that?” He asks curiously.
“If he can take little old me down, he gets to walk out of here unharmed.”
She”s got a gleam in her eye. A gleam I”ve seen many times when I look in the mirror when I have plans to inflict some pain. What does she have planned? Wrath must see the same thing I do because he smiles. His smile isn”t one of happiness; no, it”s calculating.
“Have at it.” He waves his arm out in front of himself, signaling that she can fight.
“Up you get, Prospect. You heard the President, you beat Sera, and you leave without anyone laying a finger on you!” I shout so everyone can hear.
All around there are sounds of gasps and looks of utter shock, which I find hilarious; most of them have no idea who she is, and this is totally not a normal move Wrath would make, but he clearly wants to give Sera her shot. I think he knows, as well as I do, that his sister wants a chance to prove she can hold her own. She may be a woman, but she”s still a member of this MC. Even unofficially.
Eric gets up, looks at Sera standing in front of him, and starts laughing. Sera, though, looks fucking vengeful and ready to kill. It”s really not smart for him to underestimate her. It”s going to end really badly for him if he doesn”t see her as the threat she is.
”Seriously, I”ve just got to take out some chick, and I walk out of here. Piece of cake.” Eric exclaims happily.
Sera has some hidden skills; she looks very similar to how Flame does before he fights right now. If I had to take a wild guess, she trained herself because of what was done to her. This is going to end in utter embarrassment for Eric, and I can”t fucking wait.
Eric takes a step toward her. She just holds her ground, not moving. She is clearly not intimidated or worried about the bigger man coming towards her; her eyes are studying every move he is making. Yep, she knows what she”s doing; only someone who has some sort of experience would be doing that. As soon as he raises his left leg to kick her, she grabs it faster than I”m expecting, and using his own body weight and balance against him, she flips him backwards. He lands hard on his back. Which draws some snickers from the crowd; however, myself, Flame, Wrath, and Shadow are all studying her. I think we”re all interested in just what she knows.
She just steps back and leaves him there, allowing him to make another move. I smile internally; she”s playing with him. He doesn”t stand a fucking chance. He scrambles back to his feet quickly, no longer looking quite so confident.
As he makes his next move, we all watch in shock as Sera takes him out. I”m pretty sure she”s using a combination of Muay Thai and Krav Maga. They may be similar fighting styles, but they have their nuances, and after years of training with Flame, I can easily spot them.
Oh, dear Lord, that”s fucking hot. She”s like a wet fucking dream. I swear, she’s goddamn perfect. If I were to dream up my perfect match, it”d be her.
She bends over Eric”s still form on the floor, which gives me a wonderful view of her ass, before telling him, “Don”t judge a book by its cover, and in case it wasn”t clear by me leaving you flat on your ass, you”re done. Well, I”m sure some other people want a piece of you first.” She stands back up and walks over to us, looking confident.
I love that look on her. She should be confident; from that display, I”m pretty sure she has more fighting skills than a lot of the Devil”s Inferno members. I take a look at her family”s faces; they are all looking at her with wonder, amazement, and pride. I couldn’t be happier for her; she deserves this. That’s for sure. Plus, her skills will fit right in around here.
“Fuck me, sis; remind me to never piss you off.” Shadow says his voice is filled with pride and a healthy amount of fear.
“You are fucking amazing.” Wrath tells her while opening his arms for a hug, which she steps into.
Flame has a calculating look on his face as he looks at her, though. “How much do you know?” He asks her.
“A lot; I”m self-taught, though.”
“So am I, and from what I saw, you taught yourself well. I think we need to train together; just watching you against Eric showed me how skilled you are. I think working together will be fun.” Flame looks fucking impressed and excited.
I”m not even surprised by his reaction. I know Flame loves finding someone new to train with, and as long as they have some talent, he doesn”t care about their gender. I can honestly say that”s one training session I”m going to have to watch. It”s going to be a fucking masterclass.
“I”d love to! Just let me know when. If you ever need help training your prospects, you know where to find me.” She tells him with a wink and then walks away.
I spin and watch her walk away, and I can”t help thinking I”ve finally found the perfect woman. I didn”t realize women like her even existed. She”s rare, and she”s mine; she just doesn”t know it yet. I can”t let her get away; I”ll never find someone like her again in this lifetime. That, I”m sure of.
After Sera has walked off in the direction of Blaze”s house, we all turn our attention to the little fucker on the floor. Flame walks over and yanks him up to his feet while Wrath forcibly removes his Prospect kutte. Once his kutte is removed, Wrath stands in front of him, pulls his fist back, and punches him in the face. It”s a great shot, as Eric”s nose immediately starts pouring with blood. Yeah, that”s probably broken.
“If it wasn”t obvious, you”re done here. Your time as a Prospect is over.” Wrath tells him his voice brokering no arguments. His decision is final.
Wrath starts to head back into The Clubhouse and calls out over his shoulder, “He”s all yours, brothers. Have fun.”
The members standing around don”t need to be told twice and start to beat on Eric, leaving him with a message he”s not likely to forget anytime soon. When they”ve finished, they just pick him up and throw him outside The Compound”s gates like the trash he is.
As I go to head back inside, Flame grabs my arm, stopping me.
“What’s up?”
“What do you know, Blade?”
“About?” I ask, even though I have a feeling I know what he’s asking about. Sera.
“Don’t play dumb. Sera. Do you know why she trained herself?”
“I’m pretty sure I know, yeah, but I can’t tell you. It’s her story to tell, man.”
“I get that. I just needed to know she had someone to talk to.”
“She does.”
We start walking inside, side by side.
“By the way, don’t think I missed the way you look at her.”
“Do you blame me?”
“No. She’d be good for you.”
”Oh, I know. She’s mine. Even if she doesn’t know it yet.”
Flame starts laughing at my words. He can find it as funny as he wants; I’m serious. Sera is mine. Fuck anyone who tries to say anything different, and God help Patricia or Sabbatini if they think they can take her from me. It’s been a while since I used my babies, and I’ll happily take my blades to them all to protect Sera.