Chapter Six
Zeke
I ’VE BEEN AT the Dirty Slayers’ clubhouse as a Prospect for just over two weeks now. Honestly, I love it. It’s hard work and I’m also going to trade school to become a mechanic. I already know the basics, but this way I can get certified in everything Rooster has in the shop. Rooster’s actually helping me get through school. When I’m not at school, I’m at the clubhouse working my ass off for the members. Plus, our normal bartender has been out so I’ve been filling in for her. She doesn’t usually take time off from what I’ve been told and I have no problem making sure the guys have their drinks when it’s time for them to relax and hang out.
With the way I’ve been working at the clubhouse, going to the bike shop Omen opened, and also being at school, there hasn’t been time for me to do much of anything. When I do get a second to myself, my thoughts are always on Melissa and finding her. They’re also on getting my hands on Venom and the rest of the fuckers who tried to fucking kill me. They’re going to die by my hands along with everyone else in that fucking club. There was no fucking reason for them to do a damn thing to me or take Melissa away either. Venom has something else going on and I will somehow figure out what the hell is going on.
“Zeke, need you in church,” Omen calls out.
Omen is the Treasurer for the club and Rooster’s son. He’s not a man who messes around for any reason. Everything to do with the club he takes extremely seriously and doesn’t let anyone push him around when he’s got something in mind. Omen is also one of the guys I’m the closest to here. We’ve become close friends in the short time I’ve been here as we sit back and watch the members around us. Even though neither one of us are the Enforcer or Sergeant at Arms, we still watch over the club members as if we are. It’s just something we do and have bonded over it.
Wiping my hands off on a bar rag, I make my way to church. None of us Prospects are allowed in the meeting most of the time. There’s always special circumstances and we’re included, but for the most part, we always remain out in the common room or doing whatever else is required of us while they meet and discuss club business. Omen is waiting at the door for me and steps aside to allow me in before he shuts the door again. I look around the room to find a single seat at the end of the table. Omen nods his head indicating for me to take a seat before taking his own up closer to Rooster.
“Zeke, we don’t have any complaints against you here. You’ve busted your ass for us the last few weeks and not a single member has to ask you to do anythin’ most of the time. You anticipate everyone’s needs and go out of your way to make sure the clubhouse is how it’s supposed to be. I’ve even been told you’ve been goin’ around the various businesses to see if they need any help. That’s not why we brought you in here,” Rooster says, his voice almost echoing in the room we’re all in. “I need to get the story of why you’re here in Frostford. What led you to leavin’ your last town. I’ve gotten a little bit of the story from you, but now we need it all. Been hearin’ some shit and need to know what the truth is.”
“Okay. I have no problem talkin’ to you about this shit. My father was a career military man. I grew up travelin’ the world when he was moved from one base to the next. My mom and I were just along for the ride with him. His plan was to stay in until he had no choice but to retire. A few years ago, he was deployed and the mission went wrong. He was hurt and ended up receivin’ a medical discharge. That’s when he changed and became a violent asshole.
“At the same time, we ended up movin’ to a small town named Mirfield. I met my girl there and we became inseparable. A little over a month before I ran into you, Rooster, I was supposed to meet up with my girl at our spot out by the lake on the edge of town. I got there early as I normally do. After gettin’ everythin’ set up for us, I heard some noise comin’ from the woods surroundin’ where we always went. That night, I got jumped by five men wearin’ black from head to toe. They beat the absolute fuck outta me.
“Every single time I tried to gain the advantage, they’d do somethin’ to take it back. On top of that, my fuckin’ girl was there bein’ forced to watch me get the shit beat out of me by her own fuckin’ father. This tells me the five fucks beatin’ me belonged to her dad’s club. Her father is Venom from the Burnt Brothers MC out of Mirfield. Anyway, I ended up gettin’ bashed over the fuckin’ head with a steel pipe or somethin’. Knocked me the fuck out and then I got buried alive.
“I ended up diggin’ myself out of the hole with a broken arm, busted up legs, and every other injury I had from them. The next month was spent recoverin’ at a farmer’s house. He helped me by bringin’ in a doctor who kept everythin’ away from the cops and shit. Once I was healed enough to leave, I bought a bike from him and took off. I didn’t stop to look for my girl or anythin’. The only reason I didn’t look for her is because we found a tracker on her car and I know without a doubt that her father will fuckin’ gut me where I stand if he sees me out in the town he feels as though he owns,” I tell the men sitting around the table.
“What’s your girl’s name?” Brick asks, his voice breaking me from the thoughts starting to invade me about Melissa.
“Melissa James.”
“I’ll see what I can do to find her. Do you have any clue what’s been goin’ on with her?” Brick questions me.
“No. She disappeared at some point that night and I have no clue where the hell she is,” I tell him honestly. “I don’t know what the fuck her father has done to her or if she’s even still with him. He could have her locked up somewhere for all I fuckin’ know.”
“I’ll work my magic and see what I can find out for you. If she’s out there, I’ll be able to find some sort of trace of her. Anyone else you need to look for?”
“No. There was a guy there, but I have a feelin’ I’ll be seein’ him sooner rather than later,” I answer him honestly, thinking of Jace who had just started Prospecting for Venom’s club.
“What do you plan on doin’, Zeke?” Rooster asks, staring me down.
“I already asked for a few days off. I’m takin’ those days and headin’ back to Mirfield. Plan on leavin’ as soon as I’m done tonight. I’ll be headin’ to take care of the fuckers who did this shit to me. Every fuckin’ one of them will die at my hands and I’ll finish them off with Venom. He’s the main one I want to fuckin’ gut. Once I find out where the hell my girl is though,” I tell Rooster because he deserves to know the truth from me.
“You’re not goin’ alone, Zeke,” Rooster states, his voice commanding and letting me know he’s not going to budge from this decision.
It’s one of the many things I’ve learned about Rooster since being here. When he sets his mind to something, there is no changing it. Especially when it comes to the safety of the members and everyone associated with the club. He’ll dig his heels in and no one will get away with anything under his watch.
“Rooster, I appreciate your concern. This is somethin’ I have to do,” I tell him, knowing I’m fighting a losing battle.
“I know you do. All I said is you’re not goin’ alone. We’re all ridin’ out with you. We’ll stand back and watch while you handle your shit. None of us will get involved until you ask us to. If you don’t, we’ll simply have your back,” Rooster informs me, his voice softening the slightest bit as he stares me down. “That’s the reason we called you in here to begin with. Like I said, been hearin’ some shit. Got a call from Venom himself lookin’ for you. Told me you were a fuckin’ asswipe who raped his daughter and fucked off when he tried to find you. Also said you were an addict, thief, and someone who fuckin’ couldn’t be trusted as far as I could throw you.”
“Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me!” I explode, rage filling me as I look around the table. “I’ve never used drugs a day in my life. Didn’t even take the painkillers the doctor gave me when I left the farmer’s house. I can’t stand feelin’ out of sorts for any reason. I also don’t steal or give anyone any reason not to trust me. As far as rapin’ my girl, that didn’t fuckin’ happen. Everythin’ that happened between us was consensual and I never once pressured her to have sex. She was the one who came to me and told me she was fuckin’ ready!”
“Okay, Zeke. I believe you. I think every man around this table believes you as well. I can honestly say I haven’t had a ton of dealin’ with Venom, but I know others who have. He fucks everyone over and uses them for his own gain. My guess is he wants somethin’ from his daughter and feels you’re in the way. Even if you’re not there. This also leads me to believe she’s not there. He might know where she is, but it isn’t with him at the moment. So, in an hour we’re all gonna ride out. Get your shit packed up and make sure all your guns or other weapons are ready to go,” Rooster orders before calling an end to church and slamming the gavel on the table in front of him.
I’m the first one out of the room as I head to the bedroom I’ve been staying in since the day I came back with Rooster. Packing a bag, I put a few changes of clothes inside and extra ammo for my gun. My knife is already attached to my hip where it normally is. I’ll use that before pulling a gun. I hate guns, but I’ve practiced and know how to use one almost as good as I can use my knife. It’s a hunting knife my father got me when he started taking me out hunting while he was home. It’s something we used to enjoy doing together. It’s been a long time since we went though. Longer than I can remember if I’m being honest.
As soon as I’m packed and ready to go, I make my way out to the common room. There’s currently five other Prospects. They’re standing in front of Rooster as he speaks to them. I’m not sure what he’s saying, but he doesn’t motion for me to come over to them so I place my bag on a table and head back behind the bar to keep working until it’s time to leave. I’m not about to leave my duties for someone else to pick up the slack on because Rooster and the rest of the club has decided to help me take care of a situation.
***
T he ride has been fast and easier than when I came in to Frostford a few weeks ago. We all ride as hard and fast as we can so there’s the element of surprise on our side. Rooster takes the lead once we get into town and heads straight for the clubhouse. Venom and Carbon pull right up to the gate that’s closed and shut their engines off. I’m farther back in the pack and leave my helmet on with the visor closed. No one will know I’m here until we’re ready for me to be announced. The rest of us shut our bikes off and watch on as the skinniest kid I’ve ever seen walks slowly up to the gate. He’s stumbling around and can’t walk a straight line as he approaches our group. The kid is obviously drunk or high on something. Not surprising for being around these fuckers.
“What the fuck are you doing here and who are you?” the kid practically slurs out as he tries to glare at Rooster and Carbon who have removed their helmets.
“I’m Rooster, President of the Dirty Slayers. This is my Vice President, Carbon. We’re lookin’ for Venom. Is he in?” Rooster asks, keeping his tone neutral despite the rigid line of his body.
Rooster can’t stand to be disrespected when he’s done nothing to earn it. It’s another thing I learned about him very quickly. None of these guys can stand it. I’m among them. If I’m being an asshole to you, go ahead and throw all the disrespect you want at me. That’s not the case here tonight though.
“Venom’s here. Didn’t tell me anyone would be showing up at the gate though,” the kid says, still trying to glare at all of us.
“I just talked to him yesterday. Got some information he wants. I know he’s been lookin’ for a few people and we happen to know where one of them is. Thought I’d deliver the information in person so it doesn’t get lost and he can act quickly,” Rooster says, not exactly lying since I’m right with them and Venom is looking for me.
“I’ll open the gate. He is looking for a few people. Do you know about the other one?”
“No, I don’t. We haven’t started searchin’ for that one yet. Waitin’ to get more information. Need to know who exactly we’re lookin’ for,” Carbon finally speaks, trying to see what this kid will spill.
“We’re lookin’ for his daughter. Pretty sure we know where she’s at, but haven’t been able to get our hands on her yet. She’s a slippery little cunt. I just can’t wait till we get her back here. Gonna take my turn punishin’ her the way she deserves,” the kid says, making me get off my bike until Omen puts his hand on my shoulder to stop me.
Without another word, the kid opens the old gate to the sounds of loud squeaks of protest. Nothing ever gets fixed around here. Venom and the others spend too much money on themselves to give a fuck about the clubhouse, gate, or anything else. It’s been this way for as long as I’ve been around. Not that I was allowed to come over here too often. I think I can count on both hands the number of times I’ve been to the Burnt Brothers’ compound and still have fingers left over.
As soon as the gate’s open, we all move our bikes through and park in the middle of the lot. We don’t want to be too close, but we also want room to move around so we don’t have to back in. We’ve already discussed this the one stop we took on the way here. I’m to keep a hat on low over my face and pull the hood of my hoodie up to make sure no one in there recognizes me until we know Venom and my other targets are here. I’ll remain at the back of our group with Omen and Knuckle at my side until Rooster gives me the signal. He’ll simply turn around and look at me and that’s it. That’s my cue to get the revenge on these stupid twatwaffles.
After parking our bikes and shutting off the engines, I pull out a random hat from my saddle bags and put it on my head once my helmet is hanging from my handle bars. Pulling up the hood, I make sure it’s tight and concealing more of my appearance. Once I’m ready, we all make our way inside. Omen and Knuckle don’t leave my side as we all follow Rooster and Carbon in the door.
“Venom, it’s been a long time,” Rooster states as soon as he’s inside the door of the clubhouse.
“Rooster? What are you doing here?” Venom returns, his voice just as slurred as the kid who opened the gate for us.
“Well, got to thinkin’ after your call yesterday. I have seen the guy you’re lookin’ for. If everythin’ you said about him is true, we sure as fuck don’t want him around our town. So, we brought him here to you. Is there someplace we can unload him?” Rooster lies as he stares at the men and naked women filling the room.
“If you go around the back of the clubhouse, we’ll open the doors for ya. Got a room all set up and waiting for the little bitch. I ain’t lying about what he’s done,” Venom lies, his face lighting up with the thought of getting his hands on me.
It’s not gonna happen the way he believes it is, but there’s no reason for him to know this.
“Before we bring him around, why don’t you tell me what you already did to him. Make sure everyone who participated is in attendance so they can make sure to get the job done this time,” Rooster says, as he steps closer to where Venom is now standing.
“Everyone but Mad Dog is here. My inner circle took care of the fucker. Thought he was dead when they buried him. Guess that wasn’t the case and he disappeared. We found him in the woods where he had talked my daughter into meeting him. Got the jump on him and beat the living hell outta the punk ass. Made my daughter watch when she eventually showed up too,” Venom says, pride filling his voice despite being high as a kite.
Rage is filling me as Omen latches onto my shoulder. He’s got a tight grip on me so I don’t do anything before it’s time. Right now, it’s not time. I’m supposed to wait and let Rooster tell me when it’s time to get my hands bloody. With the rage filling me, it’s hard as fuck to wait. To stand back and do nothing with Venom standing right there.
“Damn. Well, I’ll send my guys out to bring the kid around back. The rest of us will follow all of you,” Rooster says, acting as if he’s impressed by Venom and his guys.
With a nod of his head, Omen, Knuckle, and myself make our way back outside and around the side of the clubhouse. The kid who opened the gate for us is nowhere to be found so we don’t have to deal with him. It’s one less problem we’ll have here. More than likely, he’s out getting high somewhere and not paying attention to his duties.
“You good?” Omen questions me as we wait at the corner of the clubhouse.
“No, I’m not. He’s a fuckin’ douche canoe and I want to put them all to ground. Now, I’ll have to look for Mad Dog. Once he realizes all these fuckers are dead, he’ll go underground. It’s gonna take me forever to fuckin’ get my hands on him,” I state, looking between Omen and Knuckle.
“You’re not alone in this shit, Zeke. We all got your back. Brick will help find your girl and we’ll bring her home to you. Now, what about this other kid you’re lookin’ for?” Omen asks, looking at me.
“Jace. We went to school with him. He was always kind of a loner, but he was here a few times. I just figured he’d be here now. Didn’t see him inside though. And he sure as fuck wasn’t the asshat who opened the gate for us,” I tell them as the door in back lifts open.
The three of us wait a minute before we make our way to where the opening is. I can faintly hear the murmuring from the men inside as I pull my hood down and rip the hat from my head and stuff it in the front pocket of my hoodie. Omen and Knuckle don’t make any attempt to hold me back or anything as we make our way into the basement where a large room with a stainless steel table sits. The wall just beyond it is filled with all sorts of torture devices like chains, whips, knives, and other shit.
“What the fuck is going on here?” Venom questions, his voice still slurred as I step right up in his face.
“Miss me, fucker?” I question him, laughing as the betrayal fills his face. “Don’t think you did. Thanks for spreadin’ all those lies about me too. So, here’s what’s gonna happen. I’m gonna make sure you get a front row seat to watch your men die. I’d say it’d be slow, but none of us want to be here longer than necessary. And, none of you are worth more than a few minutes at best.”
Venom tries to hit me, but misses despite there being a foot between us. He stumbles to the side and one of his guys keeps him standing. Omen and Brick grab onto Venom as utter chaos erupts. Everyone in Venom’s club tries to escape, but we’ve got them surrounded. They literally have no way out of here. It doesn’t take us long to get each man restrained as I stand in front of them. Venom is the only one at my back, but he has no weapons on him and is strapped to the table I saw when I walked in. His head is being held by Rooster so he has no choice but to watch what I’m doing.
“So, any of you stupid fucks wanna tell me where Melissa is?” I bark out, looking from one man to the next.
No one say a word.
“No? That’s okay. I’ll find her one way or another. And if I find out any of you touched a hair on her head, I’ll go after any family I find of yours. A woman you fuck regularly, any kids you might have runnin’ around out there, your parents. Any-fuckin’-one we can find. And they’ll know it’s all your fault. Not that you’ll be alive to deal with the aftermath,” I promise each man in turn as I rip my knife from the sheath and hold it out in front of me. “This will be quick as hell so I can take a few minutes with Venom. He’s the one I really fuckin’ want.”
Venom strains and tries to get out of the restraints and away from Rooster to no avail. Raising my arm, I stab each of the four men in the neck and slice across. I wasn’t lying when I said I didn’t want to drag this shit out. This is part of my past and the only one who matters is Melissa. These men are nothing and mean nothing. Not to me and not to any of the men at my back. I don’t make a move toward Venom until I watch the life drain out of all their eyes. Their heads drop down and blood covers them from head to toe. With one last look at them, I turn my back and face Melissa’s father. A man I know she used to love.
“Gonna ask you the same question. Where the fuck is Melissa?” I growl out, taking one predatory step after another toward him.
“I’m not telling you shit. You don’t deserve to know a fucking thing about my daughter,” Venom returns, spittle flying from his mouth. “You cost me everything and deserve to fucking die. When I get my hands on you, I’ll get my wish.”
“You’re not gonna get your hands on me, Venom. I’m gonna fuckin’ kill you and leave you here to rot. Or burn when we erase this fuckin’ place from the map. You’re a fuckin’ waste of space and Melissa deserves so much better than you bein’ left alive. I know you hurt her. Haven’t seen her, but my gut tells me you did somethin’ to her. And I didn’t cost you a damn thing,” I inform him, my voice strong and steady as I step even closer.
“You cost me everything!” Venom yells, his face turning red with anger and the strain he’s putting forward to get to me. “I had her sold to the fucking cartel and Dominic wanted a virgin. You took her virginity and lied to her. Told her you’d always be there for her. Now, you don’t even fucking know where she is. I’m supposed to pay back the money we already got for her and that’s not gonna fucking happen. So, I’m gonna kill you and then make sure Melissa gets to Dominic. Where she fucking belongs.”
Looking at Rooster, he gives me a small nod letting me know he knows who this guy is. I’ve heard of Dominic, but don’t know him.
“That’s not gonna happen. I’m gonna kill you, watch you die, and make sure the job is done. Then, I’m gonna find my girl and make sure she knows you’re gone. I’ll be her fuckin’ hero. Tell me somethin’, Venom. What did you do to her that night? I know you dragged her away because I found her keys. So, what did you do to your own daughter?” I question the bitch in front of me.
“I let all my guys have a turn beating the fuck out of her. She had every single weapon on my wall used on her body. Covered in cuts, bruises, and blood. I took my turns too. Made sure she learned her lesson about betraying the club. After she watched you get buried alive. The cunt will pay once I get her back,” Venom says as if he’s talking about the weather and not abusing his fucking daughter. His own flesh and blood.
Rage fills me even more. I’m shaking with it as adrenaline floods my veins and courses through me. The thought of these men torturing Melissa plays on repeat in my mind as I raise my hand and plunge my knife down into Venom’s stomach. He screams out in pain like a pussy as I pull it back out. I don’t give a fuck or see anything but a red haze as my arm lifts and slams down over and over again. I can’t even tell you where the knife lands on him.
Venom’s screams barely penetrate the haze surrounding me right now as I continue to plunge my knife in his body. It’s not until there’s a hand on my shoulder that I stop plunging my knife repeatedly into his body. Omen is standing there at my back and looking at me with concern filling his face.
“He’s dead, Zeke. You killed him,” he informs me as I look down to find Venom’s head no longer attached to his body.
“The fuck?” I whisper, not even realizing I decapitated him.
“Let’s get you cleaned up and out of here, son,” Rooster says, walking around the table to stand next to me. “You got your revenge. Now, we’ll work on findin’ this other fucker and your girl. The sooner we get back home, the sooner we can get started on it all.”
With a nod of my head, I let Rooster and Omen lead me from the basement. My stomach churns with the thought of Melissa being hurt in any way. I barely register walking up the stairs and finding a room to wash up in. Not that I want to use any of these fucking rooms, but there’s really no choice. I can’t go out in public covered in blood. And I am definitely covered in it. There isn’t a single spot on my clothing that’s not covered in the sticky, red substance.
“I’ll grab your bag off your bike,” Omen tells me as I’m led into a bathroom by Rooster. “Be right back.”
Rooster doesn’t leave my side as I strip down and turn the shower on. Stepping in the shower stall, I let the cold water flow over me and begin taking away the blood from my head, face, and hands. None of my other skin was exposed as I lost my damn mind so it’s not tainted with the asshole’s blood. Omen soon joins us in the bathroom and I have no problem with them seeing me naked. It’s not like we don’t all have the same parts. Quickly washing my body, I make sure to do it twice so there’s not a speck of blood left on my body. Especially in my beard.
“Get dressed while the boys make sure no one else is in here. We’re gonna torch this fuckin’ place to the ground,” Rooster demands as I shut the water off and take the towel from his hand. I’ll take your clothes and make sure they’re properly disposed of.”
With a nod of my head, I’m left alone in the bathroom as Rooster and Omen go to do their assigned tasks. Dressing in another pair of jeans, new boots, a tee, my cut, and a clean hoodie, I grab my bag and make sure nothing else was left behind. Rooster has my knife and the sheath I keep it in. Hopefully he doesn’t destroy that with everything else. If he does, I’ll just have to get another one.
After putting my bag back in my saddle bags, I make my way back inside to help everyone else. We dump out every bottle of alcohol we can find around the entire clubhouse. It’s not a lot, but more than enough to light a fire and make sure it goes through the entire place. We don’t want this place left standing. Getting done, we all meet back out front where Rooster hands me a pack of matches. Taking one out, I step closer to the door and strike the match. Tossing it down at my feet, I watch in rapt attention as the fire starts and begins to move through the building. It’s as if I’m entranced with getting rid of the painful memories for Melissa.
Omen pulls me back and we all get on our bikes and start the engines while continuing to watch the fire build and grow. It doesn’t take long for the entire building to erupt in flames and burn to the ground. Faster than I thought possible, honestly. Once we know the fire department won’t get here in time to save the building, we all take off. I’m surrounded by Omen and Knuckle still as we leave the town of Mirfield behind. I don’t plan on ever coming back here again. Not unless Melissa is here somewhere.