6. Chapter Six
A fter a week of running over what I had been told, I knew my answer. Admittedly, I knew my answer from the moment I had been propositioned.
Packing up an entire house in two weeks is something I hope to never do again.
At least it has given me plenty of time to get to know Rhodes and my father better. It felt weird to call him Dad. He seemed resigned to fate when I first called him Ren. It’s clear it hurts a part of him but a small part of me still holds the hurt of being betrayed.
Mum hasn’t been shielded from my deep-seated anger. I’ve barely spoken to her.
Rhodes insists I forgive her but I can’t seem to allow myself to. At least not yet.
A lot of damage has been done and I refuse to be the type that simply forgives and forgets .
The worst part about packing up and moving is saying goodbye to my friends. I know that it is only a ‘see you soon’ but it still fucking sucks.
My father has already granted me full use of the private jet for whenever I want to fly them over.
Yep. A private fucking jet.
My eyes widen at the damned thing on the tarmac. Yet another luxury I hadn’t considered but one I’m certainly not mad about. Especially not considering how goddamned comfortable it is.
Did I mention it also has a bedroom in it?
We aren’t in Kansas anymore Toto.
Rhodes and I talk the entire flight. I feel like I haven’t laughed this hard in a very long time. He tells me about all of the crazy shit that we use to get up to. I fill him in on my life since the ‘accident’, as we are now referring to.
It’s been refreshing getting to know him. We have become close very quickly.
He is just easy to be around. Isn’t afraid to talk a bit of shit but also has been a massive support in being able to process everything.
In turn, I’ve also been there for him. A shoulder for him to lean on. Reassurance when he comes rushing into my room in a blind panic, not sure if I’m actually real.
Yeah, that sure as fuck hurt.
“I’ve got to admit Scar, I was nervous about seeing you again.”
“Why’s that?” I question, raising my eyebrow.
Rhodes lets out a deep breath as he looks down at his hands that are fidgeting in his lap.
“When Dad told me that you and Mum were both alive, I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I didn’t believe him. I know I’ve told you a bit about this already, but I really did lose my shit. I stormed out of the clubhouse and just drank myself into oblivion. Dad found me three days later at some run-down bar in a mess.”
He grimaces at that. I can see the disappointment written on his face. And so much heartache. It is raw and seems to utterly consume him.
“I thought the bastard was playing tricks on me or some shit. Trying to toughen me up,” he scoffs, like something similar has happened before.
“Losing you is one of the hardest things that I’ve ever gone through. Just because you are technically my big sister doesn’t mean that I didn’t or don’t feel protective over you. I can’t get the image of seeing you hurt out of my head. For ten years I’ve had nightmares.”
I grab both of his hands and hold them in mine. Like by my touch alone that can somehow reassure him that I’m okay.
“It still scares me. I don’t know what I would do if you were taken from me again.” Emotion catches in Rhodes' voice.
“I don’t plan on being taken any time soon. Nor do I plan on letting these motherfuckers get the best of us. We’ve only just gotten our family back. While I don’t remember a single thing, I don’t plan on letting any of this go. No matter how wild all of this feels.”
“I’m just so fucking happy to have you back. Life was so lonely without you.”
“I feel the same way. I wish so much that I could remember what it was like back then. It might seem strange, but it was like something was missing from my life. Obviously, a big chunk of that was the fact I’m missing a whole eight years of my life but it was more than that. But now with you both being here, it's like that hole is starting to mend.”
I smile up at my brother. It’s kind of strange to think that he is actually my baby brother. The man has stubble and is built like a brick shithouse. There is nothing child-like about him.
“I’m going to have to apologise in advance because I’m about to be a crazy overprotective brother. I’ve got ten years to make up for after all.”
We laugh together at his declaration. Knowing what I have learnt both from him and our parents, I can’t say that I’m surprised.
Rhodes has hardly left my side since we have come back into each other's lives. I would have thought it would have annoyed me, but I love his company. I’m more than happy to give him some leeway with the overprotective brother act because I can understand what it would have been like for him.
Yet another reason why I’m glad I don’t have the memories. It has been hard enough just knowing I did have him. I don’t know how I would have fared having remembered him. The thought makes me sick to my stomach at the thought of something happening to him now.
It’s only a few weeks but I know I would burn down the world if something happened to my family.
As we touch down in the United States, it's hard to believe that I’ve actually been here before. That I was born here. You wouldn’t be able to tell though. Both mine and mum’s accents are borderline bogan, a fact that both Dad and Rhodes aren’t shy about teasing us for. There have been plenty of light disagreements about how to pronounce certain words and what things are called. The look Rhodes gave me when I asked him if it would be good thong weather in California was priceless.
We all load into a blacked-out Chevrolet Suburban which I’ve been told is completely bomb-proof. Something that instantly had my eyebrows raising and questioning what the fuck I am doing here.
There are another two blacked out Suburbans both full of heavily guarded members of the Thunderbirds. If I thought the private jet was an indication as to the seriousness of the gang and the level of protection that both Dad and Rhodes ensured us would be provided, it was nothing on seeing just how heavily guarded we are.
Coming from Australia where this type of lifestyle seems like something that you could only see in the movies is quite the reality check. Guards carrying around AK-47’s and handguns on their hips like it's just a regular Tuesday. The sensible part of my brain is telling me that I should be shit scared of my new, or should I say old, life but the other part of my brain that doesn’t give a fuck is telling me that this is family. This is home.
The obvious respect and power my father holds over his gang radiates off him. The men all bow their heads as they all welcome us home and help us to unload off the plane. Majority of our belongings had to be shipped over with only bare essentials brought onto the plane. I just wished some of those belongings had included my bike. Apparently it's something I couldn't bring with me. Noah was all too happy to take it off my hands. At least I can trust him with it. Unlike Grace. Last time I let her ride my bike, it spent a month needing to be repaired.
We landed on a private airfield not too far from the Thunderbirds’ Clubhouse. Rhodes informed me that the airstrip is owned by the gang. Apparently, it makes it easier for shipments to come in.
I’m still waiting for the inner Karen to come out in me and demand that the drugs and guns stop. Yet I’ve seemed to just accept it. I’m still trying to work out if it's the part of me that is just accepting of this life or if one day it will all come crashing down on me.
Or if it's the fact that while the Thunderbirds do all this illegal shit, they are at least trying to make it safe. Ensuring that the weapons aren’t falling into children’s hands to be used against their peers, drugs are made clean and safe, so users know what they are actually getting. The sex trade is heavily policed with consenting workers that are paid fairly and provided with the necessary protection.
While the sex work industry may seem taboo to some, I’m glad that my father took a stand and helped to provide these men and women with a space to perform their trade safely. Which is something I know he has repeatedly ensured us, I can tell just how proud he is of how much he is changing the underworld in America.
Not everyone can be a saint. At least while they are sinning, they are safe I guess.
As we begin our short trip to the clubhouse, Rhodes begins filling me in on some of the more legitimate ventures of the gang. The clubhouse is a massive building smack bang in the middle of the Thunderbirds’ compound. He explains it to be more of a gated community with the majority of the members living in houses built by the gang. Not only do the members live there, but they also have the opportunity to work as well. Grocery stores, boutiques, bars, mechanics – you name it, they own and run it. For the Thunderbirds, having these more legitimate businesses in the community help to keep the Feds away according to my brother.
“The best part is the Pinks’ Lounge. ”
“Pinks’ Lounge?” I ask.
“Yeah, the ladies that were inducted into the Thunderbirds decided to make a club within a club I guess. They call themselves the Pink Ladies, hence the name Pinks’ Lounge.
“It's an eighteen plus gentlemen’s club but the majority of us just use it as our hang out space. They have live bands perform occasionally.”
“You still sing right?” Our father jumps into our conversation.
I turn towards him, giving him a small smile,“Yeah I do.”
“God, I miss hearing your voice, even if it used to be the bane of my existence,” Rhodes laughs.
“You will have to get up on stage with some of the girls and play a couple of songs for us.” My father smiles at me.
I sit with what he says for a moment. Normally, my singing has been completely restricted to the shower and the occasional round of car karaoke with my friends but I’ve never sang in front of a crowd. Or at least haven’t in the last ten years. While the idea scares me slightly, I nod at him. It’s time I start taking risks. Live my fucking life. Not let simple things like stage fright get in my way.
“Pinks’ Lounge is also a front for our sex trade as well. The Pinks wanted to take ownership of their bodies and Dad allowed them to do just that. They now run the show, we just provide the muscle.” He lifts his arm and flexes his muscles. After these past few weeks, it's been blatantly obvious that Rhodes loves himself sick.
Laughing, I smack him in the belly.
“God, you are so full of yourself.”
He just chuckles like I didn't say anything at all, “Anyways, you will be the Pinks’ new prey. They’ve also got a little initiation task that you will have to complete.”
Rhodes rolls his eyes and scoffs as he mutters to himself under his breath
“What? What’s the initiation?” No one said anything about an initiation. I’m instantly on guard.
“Every chick that joins the Thunderbirds automatically is initiated into the Pink Ladies no matter the status they hold within the Birds. I guess it's another part of them taking control of their bodies, but each woman is required to perform a strip dance in front of the entire club. In their lingerie.”
Well shit. Not quite what I was expecting.
“Don’t worry Scar, I’ll introduce you to Brandy. She will be able to show you around the club and fill you in on everything.”
I nod my head in answer. But I’m far away from the current conversation. While I am completely comfortable in my skin, the thought of stripping down to what I imagine will be barely enough fabric to cover anything in a room full of horny men is just a little bit intimidating.
Shit, who am I kidding? I’m already nervous and trying to think of ways I can get out of doing it.
For the rest of the drive, this initiation is the only thing that consumes my thoughts. My family talks around me but I can’t hear them.
My hands fiddle in my lap. Why the fuck did my father not warn me about this? Isn’t this something he should be concerned about? His daughter swinging around on a pole practically buck-ass naked.
I’m dragged out of my thoughts as we pull up to a set of gates. The fence stands at least ten feet high with rolled barbed wire around the tops. It’s like a high-end prison. Bougie but secure. Just from what I can see, I notice six cameras each pointed in different directions as well as a handful of fully armed guards. I raise an eyebrow at them. Are they truly necessary? My father apparently thinks so.
The driver rolls down the window and nods at the guard walking over to us. He glances in the back of the car where the four of us are all sitting. Surprise lights in his eyes as he nods his head in respect. I don’t know whether he realises just who Mum and I are, his facial expressions not giving much away as he schools his features again.
“Prez, Rhodes. Welcome back.”
“Thanks Tom.” My father nods to him.
As we drive through the gates into the compound, I can’t help but hum in surprise. Rydell is nothing like I thought it would be. To be honest, I’m not even really sure what I envisioned the community to look like, but it certainly wasn’t this.
When thinking of members of gangs, the last thing I could see them living in is beautiful two-storey all American houses with white picket fences. Children run around in front yards and play with their friends. Neighbours are leaning over fences and gossiping.
The scenery starts to change as we get further along. A range of different shops begin lining the streets. I notice a coffee shop that I commit to memory.
We turn down another street and a massive home appears in front of us. Another set of gates set at the beginning of the driveway. More heavily armed guards line the outside of the property.
“Welcome home Scarlett, Bonnie,” My dad says.
Home.
My family .
The place I grew up.
The place where it all came crashing down around us.
I’m finally home.