Hulk
As had become our normal, when evening came, we went to the clubhouse after dinner.
We showed off our ink and proclaimed Agony’s genius, which everyone knew.
Almost all the old ladies sported some ink.
Around nine thirty, we said goodnight and went home.
I wanted alone time with my family. Capri came home with us.
We watched an hour-long sitcom with her.
It was one they’d turned me onto. I admit I enjoyed it.
When it was over, she excused herself to go to her room.
I doubted it was to sleep, but it would give me time with Celeste. We retired to our bedroom.
Lying together propped up against the headboard, I brought up what Agony mentioned to Celeste.
“Troublemaker, I’m not pushing for you to decide, but I want to tell you that Agony’s offer to work at one of our businesses or even start one of your own is serious.
Again, it’s not a requirement that you do it.
You can work anywhere. Or if there’s something you want to go back to school for, then do it.
Are you totally fed up with the law or the circumstances you were in? ”
She thought over what I asked. Sighing, she answered me after a minute or two.
“Do I detest the legal system? Aspects of it, yes. I hate seeing people who don’t deserve it, being raked over the coals, made to look like the criminal when they’re the victim.
I hate seeing the guilty get away with shit.
However, helping those who need it has always been my goal.
If Ambrose and Chelsea hadn’t died, I would’ve… ” She halted.
“You would’ve what?” I prompted.
“I would’ve done something along the lines of a paralegal, or if I’d had the time and money, a lawyer. But the more I see how things go a lot of the time, the less I think I could do that. I’d hate to be frustrated and waste money on a degree that I end up not wanting to use.”
“Expanding your knowledge of the legal system and having the ability to help others with their legal issues, even if you’re not a lawyer, is never wrong or a waste of money. You can use your skills and knowledge that way.”
“I could, and it sounds great. Not sure where to do that or find a job I can do that in.”
“Agony said he has an idea. Let’s wait and see what he comes up with. Regardless, as long as it makes you happy, then I’m happy. Oh, and you have to be safe. That’s nonnegotiable.”
“Imagine that,” she teased.
I let out a deep growl. Then, I dragged her to rest on top of me. I know she saw the desire in my gaze.
“I think you’re asking to be punished again, Troublemaker.”
“Why, I believe I am,” she purred.
No more words came out as we kissed, and the flames overtook us.
All thoughts of work were forgotten. My erection grew, and the shorts I had on and the nightie she wore were removed and tossed to the bottom of the bed.
The only reason we wore anything was that Capri might need us.
I took a few seconds away from her to get up and lock the bedroom door.
???
The incessant ringing of a phone brought me out of a dead sleep. Fumbling to find my cell phone, I noted the time was nearly three o’clock in the morning. The name on my phone read Wire. I hastily answered. Celeste was wiggling next to me. I cupped my hand around my mouth as I answered.
“Hey, Wire. What’s up?” My hazy brain had cleared enough to wonder if he had news for us, and he couldn’t wait until later in the morning to tell me. If that were the case, he was right not to wait.
“Sorry, brother, but you need to get your ass to the clubhouse. We just caught ourselves an intruder. How much you wanna bet he’s here for Capri?”
His words energized me. I threw off the covers and jumped to my feet. Then, I ran to the closet as I replied, “I’ll be there. Give me five.”
“You got it.”
That was all he said before he disconnected. I turned to find Celeste standing behind me.
“What’s wrong?” she asked anxiously.
“Wire said they caught someone. I gotta see if it’s the bastard we’ve been trying to lure out.
I know this will be hard for you, babe, but Capri doesn’t need to see him.
And I hate for her to wake up and find us gone, or to wake her and you tell her we might have her rapist in our custody when we might not. ”
“You want me to stay here. God, I hate that, Kai, but I agree. But I will want to face this bastard and hear his confession. Don’t torture his ass until I’m present.”
I knew my woman meant it, and I refused to deny her that wish. I gave her a quick kiss before I answered her.
“Alright, you got it. Now, I need to finish getting ready.”
I made it to the clubhouse with fifteen seconds to spare.
Clothing on and my teeth brushed were all I did.
I entered the common room on a run. I came to a halt when I saw the small gathering in the center of the room.
There was Wire. Besides him, there were Leon, Lethal, Pyro, and Nitro.
They were standing in a circle staring downward.
I assumed it was at the intruder, and he was seated.
When they heard my footsteps, they glanced up and nodded.
Lethal and Nitro parted to allow me to join the circle.
I was correct. There was someone seated in the middle.
The guy was dressed all in black. His hoodie was pulled down. He had a toboggan on his head, and someone had placed a piece of duct tape over his mouth. He was glaring hatred at us. His arms were bound behind his back.
“Where did he come from? Did he say anything?” I asked.
“He hasn’t said anything important. He was yelling profanities and threatening to kill us, so to get some peace, I gagged his ass.
As for where he came from, I caught him trying to scale the fence.
He got a fucking surprise when I snuck up on him and dragged his ass down on the ground,” Leon explained.
“Did he make it inside?”
“Nah, although he triggered the alarm. By the time I brought up the feed to see what it was, Leon had already gotten to him. He’s a stealthy ass.
We’d better watch him.” Wire grinned at Leon, who shrugged.
Wire continued, “If he’d let him go, when he reached the razor wire, he would’ve gotten a helluva shock. ”
One of the defenses Wire added to our fencing was electrified razor wire. The rationale was that if someone accidentally touched the enclosure, no big deal. But anyone going up that far was intent on mischief.
“Sorry, man. I forgot you did that. Next time, swear, I’ll let the perp go all the way,” Leon vowed.
As we spoke, more brothers walked in and joined us.
The last to arrive were Dare and Agony. Even the twin prospects were here.
No one appeared happy. God, I prayed this wasn’t some stupid punk out to see if he could get inside.
People were fascinated by the club and curious about what we had on the compound.
“Well, we’re all here. Don’t keep us in suspense. Take off the tape. I want to hear what this bastard has to say about attempting to invade our home. Oh, and Leon, nice fucking job,” Pres said, offering his fist to the prospect. Leon fist-bumped and gave him a chin lift.
I ripped off the intruder’s toboggan and the duct tape. The guy flinched and moaned, proving it hurt. Good. That was what I wanted.
“What’s your name, and what were you doing climbing our fence?” I asked.
It was standard for me to ask most of the questions. When the President or the VP didn’t ask anything first, I got the ball rolling. Anyone was free to chime in or ask questions. The guy stared hatefully at me, but kept his lips compressed.
Rather than ask again, I studied the guy.
He appeared to be in his early twenties.
His hair was dark blond. It was shaggy the way some guys these days liked to wear it.
I thought it looked stupid. His features were ordinary.
There was nothing memorable about him, though I wouldn’t call him ugly.
He was average. He was of average build and height, too.
“Let me tell you how this is going to go. You’ll be asked questions.
If you answer them swiftly and truthfully, you’ll suffer less.
If you keep playing mute, try to lie, or evade answering, your world will be filled with pain.
And don’t think we won’t know if you’re evading or lying.
Believe me, we know. My name is Hulk. I’m the enforcer of this club.
It’s my job to ensure everyone’s safety here.
That means I’ll be your main interrogator.
Now, let’s try this again. I asked you what your name was and why you were climbing our fence?
” I didn’t yell. My voice remained calm and somewhat soft.
The guy twisted his face into a bigger scowl.
So, without saying another word, I struck.
The thing about me was that, because of my massive size, people expected me to be slow and lumbering.
Instead, I was quick and nimble. I weighed two hundred fifty pounds, but there was barely any fat on my body.
By weight standards, I would be called obese, but those never took into account the muscle mass a person carries.
He startled as my fist connected with the side of his jaw.
A pain-filled oomph followed by a moan left him.
“As I said, this can be easier or more painful. I’ll ask you one more time, why are you here, and what’s your name?”
He remained quiet. I raised my hand slowly so he knew it was coming. He answered.
“My name is Nathaniel Erickson. Why am I here? I came to retrieve something you took from me.”
“Alright, Nathaniel, if we took something from you, which I can’t think of what it would be, why not come to the gate during the daytime and ask for it back? We’re not unreasonable people,” Agony told him.