Iceman Chapter 20
Meadow’s messages throughout the day were upbeat, and she assured me there were no problems. I chose to believe her, but I couldn’t seem to shake this nagging feeling, which remained even after I left work for the day.
Today, I’d been working on a project I really loved. It was on my own house at the compound. I’d been sent there to help with finishing the walls. The framing had already been done. They could continue the work inside and outside with the outer walls formed. I chose to go for brick.
While she was off sick, I’d finally gotten a chance to show Meadow the house and plans. She loved it and gave me several ideas on the inner furnishings and materials she’d use. I made sure to tell Tank and Vex so they could get them ordered. If it pushed back the project, I wouldn’t mind as long as it was the way she and I both wanted. Her sisters had been excited to see the final result. That’s when I discovered they’d never lived in an actual house. It was always an apartment or a trailer when they lived with their parents.
At that same time, we talked to Aspen and Sage about moving to the compound and living either with us or in one of the townhomes until they graduated. At that time, they could move off it or continue to stay there. I’d talked to the rest of the club about it first, and they were fine with them living there indefinitely. They’d been shocked and cried as they thanked me. I’d been covered in female hugs, tears, and kisses. I pretended to hate it, but it was pretty nice.
While on a break today, I finalized plans for this weekend at the clubhouse. I was bringing the whole family, and while we relaxed and partied with my club, I planned to present Meadow with her property cut and take her on a ride on my bike. She’d been asking, and I kept putting her off until she was better. It was time.
On the ride to her place, it felt weird to be leaving the compound rather than heading toward it. However, we’d be there as soon as the house was ready. I was fine with staying with them until then, so they didn’t have to move twice. It would be stupid to do that. They agreed.
When I got to the apartment complex, I almost ran to the door. Both cars were in the lot, so I knew they were home. Impatiently, I unlocked the front door and rushed inside. The living room and kitchen were empty. I took off my cut and hung it up, then sat to take off my boots. As I did, I shouted, “Where is everybody?”
My shout was followed by the sound of voices and the pound of small feet. The twins spilled out of their room along with the dogs, and seconds behind them was Meadow, who came out of our bedroom. They came to greet me with smiles on their faces. The dogs barked and wagged those cinnamon bun tails frantically. Once that was over, which included me kissing Meadow, I was bootless and able to go to the living room. The twins went to get me something to drink. They knew what I liked. Meadow followed me and sat next to me on the couch.
“You seem happy, so I guess your messages were real. You didn’t have a terrible day at work. Tell me how Harrison and your supervisor acted. I can’t believe they actually were able to behave, especially him.”
“We asked her the same thing, but she refused to tell us anything until you were home. We almost died waiting for you,” Aspen informed me as she handed me a drink and kept one for herself. Sage did the same for her sister. Both of them sat in the chairs across from us. There were three pairs of expectant eyes on Meadow.
“For God’s sake, stop staring at me like that. You’re giving me the creeps. Yes, today was a great day at work. No, neither of them said a word to me. There is something I need to discuss with all of you. I’ve got a lot to tell you, so don’t interrupt.”
We nodded, and I waved to indicate that she should go for it. I had no idea what she was so happy about. As her story unfolded, I was stunned to find out that her director had terminated both of them. I knew Joni’s issues, but it made me yearn to know what Higgins found on Harrison. However, we soon forgot that when Meadow told us that Higgins had offered her the therapy supervisor position, and it seemed her peers were pushing her to take it. When she was finished, we started to talk over each other.
She laughed, and after we congratulated her, I said what I’d been trying to say over the girls and excited dogs.
“I thought you wanted to leave. You were putting out your resume.”
“I was and did want to, but that was only due to her. I actually love my job and ninety-five percent of the people I work with. Leaving them was the hardest part for me to consider. Even if I don’t take the supervisor position, I don’t see it being like it was when Joni and Scott were there. And if it does, I can always resume looking. I’d prefer to stay no matter what.”
“Babe, all I want is for you to be happy. If staying there does it, then great. But you said if you take the position. Are you thinking of not doing it?”
“I’m flattered he offered it, and I do have ideas that I believe will make it better, but I haven’t been a PT that long. There are others inside and outside the company who have and might be better supervisors.”
“But your boss said it didn’t matter to him,” Sage reminded her of what she told us.
“He did, but I still have this tiny voice telling me I’m being arrogant for thinking I should oversee people who’ve been therapists years longer than me. What if they won’t listen?”
Aspen snorted. “Please, like our big sister can’t keep people in line and make them do what they’re supposed to do. It’s impossible for you not to be able to do that. You can so do this. Don’t let that make you doubt yourself.”
“I second that,” Sage added.
“I’ve got to say I third that. You’ll whip them into shape in no time. Look how you took command of me. I was determined not to do my therapy or listen to a word you said. You had me doing exactly what you wanted. You just can’t go around making them all fall for you like you did me,” I told her, winking.
She laughed. “Alright, I guess if you say I can do it, then I can. I’ll let Higgins know tomorrow that I’m considering it, but I want to know what the work entails, what kind of money comes with it, and if there are other benefits.”
“Excellent. That sounds like a plan. So I have a suggestion. We have to celebrate tonight. I want to take you ladies out to dinner. We’ll have a great meal. Then, this weekend, I want us all to go to the compound to spend time with the club. How does that sound?” I asked.
There were zero objections. After agreeing, they scattered to get ready. I knew that would take a while, so I relaxed. I’d showered at the compound in my room before coming home. All I had to do was change clothes.
???
We were full and content as we returned from dinner. It was late, almost ten. We’d taken our time and had a load of fun. The twins told us about school, and I gave them an update on what had been done to the house. They thought it was so cool that I was able to work on our home. We’d gone in my truck so we could ride together.
Getting out of the truck in the lot, we walked leisurely to the door. However, I was still alert. I never took my safety or that of my family lightly. I got them indoors, which eased the tension in my neck. Despite all the good news, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.
The girls thanked me for dinner, which I told them was my pleasure, and then they said their goodnights. They were headed to bed. Meadow remained with me. I was reclining on the couch, and she sat next to me.
“Baby, you can go ahead in. I’ll be there soon,” I told her.
“No, I’ll stay here with you. Just hold me,” she said, snuggling closer.
I wrapped an arm around her and brought her flush against me. I captured her mouth and hungrily kissed her. It was no hardship being with her. Things were rapidly heating up to the point I’d have to take her to our room or ravish her on the couch and risk being caught when I was doused in figurative cold water. I heard shouting from outside. It was Meadow’s name being called. I snapped to attention and let go of her.
I stood. Meadow came with me. “Who is that?” she asked.
It was a man’s voice, so I was almost sure I knew. “I think it’s Harrison.”
“Has he lost his damn mind? Coming here and shouting when people are trying to sleep. I’ve had enough. I’m telling him to leave, or I’m calling the cops.” She huffed.
She tried to go to the door, but I held her back. “No, you stay here. That man is unstable. I don’t want him seeing you. It might incite him. I’ll tell him to leave. If he doesn’t, then we’ll call my club.”
Her sisters came running out of their room. They came to her, and she held them. I saw they were afraid. I’d planned to pay him a visit tonight until Meadow came home full of good news, and we decided to celebrate. I now wished I had. My ire was up. My usual icy exterior was cracking. I didn’t want them to ever fear for their safety. Harrison’s refusal to stay away from my woman caused the most significant crack.
“Meadow, open your door and talk to me. You owe me that,” he shouted.
Tossing my cell phone to her, I told her, “Call Loki or Renegade. Tell them what’s happening and that I need them. Stay out of the line of sight,” I ordered.
Luckily, she didn’t argue. Before I opened the door, I turned off the lamps so I wouldn’t be backlit so much. Unlocking the door, I cracked it open. I wasn’t stupid enough to go barreling out there and end up shot. It was dark outside, but there was enough light from the light poles scattered around the place that I could see him. I scanned him, but his hands appeared empty. He was about twenty feet from her door.
“What’re you doing here, Harrison?” I asked. I made sure I didn’t yell.
“Go to hell, Iceman. I’m not here to see you. I want to talk to Meadow. This is all her fault.”
“What’s her fault? She can’t talk to you. She’s in bed asleep.”
“I don’t believe you,” he replied.
I eased out the door, leaving it barely cracked behind me in case I needed to get inside fast. I stayed between him and the door. Over my dead body would he enter the apartment.
“You can believe me or not, but you’re not talking to her.” I took a few steps closer to him. He took a couple of his own, but he stumbled as he did and swayed on his feet. Then, the strong scent of alcohol hit my nose.
“Christ, you’re drunk. You need to go home and sleep this off. Did you drive here?”
“I’m not drunk, and of course I drove,” he slightly slurred.
No way would I let him drive and kill someone. “Is there someone I can call to come get you?”
“I don’t need anyone! I just need to talk to her. I want to know why?”
“Why what?” I was trying to buy time for my club to get here. As much as I wanted to hit him, I would never pick a fight with a drunk man. I’d get my brothers to take him home. Maybe when he woke up, he’d stop being an ass.
“Why did she pick you over me? What do you have that I don’t? Why did she make Higgins fire me?”
“She didn’t have—” I was cut off from telling him she had nothing to do with his firing because Meadow came out the door. I felt her. I turned my head enough to see her yet keep him within view.
“Go back inside,” I ordered.
“Jake, I’ll stay behind you, but I need to answer those. Loki and Renegade are on their way. He doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
“I know he doesn’t, which makes him more dangerous. Christ, fine, but you stay behind me. If you don’t, I’m hauling you inside over my shoulder and beating your ass,” I whispered.
The crazy woman winked at me and said, “We’ll talk about playing later.”
Since I knew she wasn’t budging short of force, I let her walk the two feet to be right behind me.
“I’m here, Scott. You’re drunk. You need to go home,” she called out.
He took a couple more steps toward us.
“Stop. You can talk to her from there,” I demanded.
He gave me a belligerent look, but he stayed. “I want real answers. Tell me what is so special about him that you picked a biker over me.”
“I can’t tell you one thing that decided it for me. It’s a combination of things. All of those made me feel safe with him. He accepts me as I am. His entire club has welcomed us. And I desire him, which I never did you. That’s the biggest reason I said no when you asked me out. It wasn’t just because we worked together and it could cause awkwardness. I’m sorry you can’t seem to accept it, but it’s the truth.”
“So you’d rather be with an uneducated, dirty, outlaw biker, who undoubtedly cheats on you and will end up beating you and leaving you probably pregnant, than with me. You’re not the woman I thought you were. Why did you get me fired?”
“First, your assessment of Iceman is way off, but whatever. As for getting you fired, I didn’t. That was all on the director. The problem with Joni led him to discover something about you, which was a fireable offense. I didn’t ask, and I don’t want to know. That’s all on you,” she told him.
“I don’t care what he did to her. I want you to tell him he should reconsider me,” he replied.
“I knew it! I knew I’d find your ass here sniffing after her! She destroyed both our careers, yet you still want her. You’re pathetic!” a woman’s voice screeched.
It was coming from the left, toward the parking lot. I shifted so I could see better that way, yet keep him in my visual field and cover Meadow. The feeling in my gut was full-blown. This wasn’t a good idea. Where were my brothers?
A woman came stomping out of the shadows. Her facial expression was filled with fury. She was glaring at Scott but also in my direction. I didn’t know if she could see Meadow.
“Frost, please, go back inside,” I whispered.
“I won’t leave you to face them alone. They’re both unstable. I’ve got your back. I know you’re armed, and so am I,” she whispered back.
“Stop hiding, bitch! Why couldn’t you just leave him alone? You don’t want Scott, but you dug your claws in and wouldn’t let him leave you,” the woman I assumed was Joni shouted. She’d been quietly arguing with him while I talked to Meadow.
“Joni, I did no such thing. I never wanted Scott. I refused to date him. You know that. I can’t help it if he won’t go out with you. And I didn’t lose your job for you. You accomplished that on your own.”
“You can lie to others, but I know the truth. You were always smiling at him and giving him those looks. You told everyone you weren’t dating, but I know you were. He told me how you kept it secret so people wouldn’t gossip. Then you go and hook up with this biker. I thought that would make Scott see that you weren’t good for him, and he’d leave you. Only he stayed. You have a hold on him. I want you to remove it!” she shouted.
“You told her we were dating secretly?” Meadow snapped at Scott.
He blinked like he had no idea where he was, but he did answer her. “I did. I thought if I did, she might leave me alone, but she didn’t.”
“Scott, that was a lie. We never went out on a single date. Tell her,” my woman urged him.
He stared at me since he couldn’t see Meadow, then shifted his gaze to Joni. “I’ll never be with you. Even if Meadow is gone, I won’t. She’s the woman I want. I lied to you about us secretly dating all these months. I hoped to trick you into leaving me alone and then get her to date me for real. Who would want you when they could have her? You’re pathetic. I’m glad Higgins fired you. I just need Meadow to get him to rehire me,” he mumbled drunkenly.
In his inebriated state, he was finally telling the truth to the poor woman. She let an unearthly screech out. It was unlike any sound I ever heard. The next thing we knew, she was flying at him with her claws out. She scratched, punched, and kicked him. He tried to protect himself, but she scored a few times.
“We should separate them,” Meadow said softly.
“We shouldn’t. That’s a guaranteed way to get hurt. Let her focus her rage where it should be.”
Finally, I heard the roar of motorcycle engines. It sounded like more than two. Lights swept across the parking lot as they came to a stop. I saw the outlines of at least five of them. Scott was shouting at Joni, calling her a crazy bitch and to get away from him. She shouted back that he was a bastard and that she hated him. He ruined her life. Outdoor lights were on at several of the apartments surrounding us, and neighbors were either outside or peeking out the windows at the commotion.
I watched my brothers make their way to us. “It’s about time you got here. We need to settle this d—” Joni’s scream stopped me mid-sentence.
Darting my gaze fully onto her, she’d stopped hitting and scratching Scott, but I wished she hadn’t. The reason she stopped was so she could pull out a gun. Without a thought, I backed up, corralling Meadow through the door. I slammed it shut with one hand as the other took out my gun. My brothers were doing the same. Scott stood there, blinking in what appeared to be disbelief.
“Hate you,” she snarled.
“Hey, hey, let’s all calm down. No one wants to do anything that gets someone hurt or in trouble. I know you’re upset, miss. But please, put down the gun. We can talk together.” Loki attempted to get her to chill out.
“I’m done talking,” she snapped.
“My name is Loki. Can you tell me yours?”
She barely flicked her gaze to him and then back to Scott, who seemed to have enough sense despite being drunk to stand still and keep quiet.
“It’s Joni. Loki, this doesn’t involve you or those men with you. This is between him, that one,” she thrust her chin toward me, “and the bitch that slipped inside. She’s the cause, and she runs to hide.” Disgust was evident in her tone.
“Joni, that man by the door is one of my best friends, Iceman. He’s a good man. He’s with Meadow. I know for a fact she has no feelings for this other guy. She and Iceman are living together. They’re having a house built. As soon as it’s done, they’ll be moving to our club’s compound to live. She has two sisters she cares for. They’ll be moving there, too. Do you know what an old lady is?” Loki asked. I knew he was trying to find something to get her to think and not run on pure emotion. She did seem to be paying attention to him, so I kept my trap shut.
“No,” she said.
“It’s not an insult but a title of respect. When a biker claims a woman as his, meaning he plans for her to be with him long-term, which in our club means for life, he gives her that title and places a leather cut, which is what we call our vests, on her. It will say she’s the property of whichever man has claimed her. Iceman asked Meadow to be his old lady and she accepted. There’s no cheating when that happens, not in our club. They wouldn’t have committed if they weren’t sure of their feelings. Isn’t that right, Iceman? Tell Joni how you feel about Meadow,” he called over to me.
I detested telling her before I told my woman, but I had to de-escalate this crazy woman before she hurt or killed someone.
“Loki is right. I’ve claimed Meadow. Her property cut is coming. I had to order it. It’ll read Property of Iceman. She and I are planning our life together. One day, when she’s ready, we’ll marry and have kids. I love her and no one else.”
Joni’s eyes were on me. “And you’re positive she loves you and wants all that and won’t stray or isn’t lying to you?”
“Joni, I do love him more than I ever thought possible. I have trust issues, and Iceman seems able to make me forget about those and trust him. I can’t wait to have my property cut, and when he asks me to marry him, I’ll say yes immediately.” Meadow’s voice came from behind me and to the side. I realized she was saying it out the window next to the door. While this happened, my other brothers blended into the darkness, slowly inching closer to Joni. I knew they hoped to disarm her if the talking didn’t work.
After a tense minute or so, Joni spoke again. “All I wanted was to be wanted and loved by someone. No one has ever cared about me or wanted me. I thought Scott was the one as soon as he arrived. But he seemed only able to see you. No matter how I dressed, the food I cooked and brought him, or even the kisses, seemed to change his mind. He kept returning to you.” Her voice was calmer, and her arm, holding the gun, dipped lower.
“It’s awful when we love or have affection for someone, and they can’t see us. Iceman is the first man to really see the true me. He accepts me, faults and all, just as I do him,” Meadow added.
“That’s great. I wanted that, but Scott wanted to make me promises and never keep them. He told me he would be with me if you’d let him go. However, you didn’t, so I tried to help. He figured out what I did and was so angry at me. I’m sorry that I hurt you. I thought it would make you sick, and you’d be gone for a bit, and he’d be able to see me.”
“Joni, are you talking about giving Meadow Salmonella poisoning?” I asked softly.
“Yes, I didn’t know it could do what it did. I thought she’d have food poisoning for a few days. I touched her sandwich with my hands, which I’d used to handle raw chicken. When she returned the next day without being sick, I did it again.”
It took all my restraint not to yell at her and choke her for endangering my woman’s life out of petty jealousy over a man who didn’t want her. I had to bite my tongue. I heard the swift inhale of breaths from my brothers and Meadow. In the distance, I heard the sound of sirens. I guess someone decided it had gone on long enough, and it was time to involve the cops. I was ready for this to end, so I didn’t care.
Scott didn’t sense that Joni was still on edge, or more than likely, he didn’t care because he began to rant at Joni.
“Goddamn stupid bitch. I told you over and over I didn’t want you. I couldn’t understand where she possibly got it when they said she had meningitis due to Salmonella. They tested the whole breakroom and found zilch. And then you come to tell me that we were free and that you took care of Meadow. I wanted to wring your scrawny neck! You could’ve killed the only woman I love, and all because you think anyone would choose you over her. Even if she were to drop dead tomorrow or stay with him, I’ll never fuck you again. It was a pity fuck to get rid of you,” he sneered.
“Shut up!” I hollered.
Police cars with their lights and sirens on came to an abrupt halt in the parking lot. Cops jumped out and ran toward us. Not wanting to be shot, my brothers and I were crouching down to place ours on the ground. No one sent the memo to Joni. She cried out like a wounded animal.
The next thing I heard was the sound of a handgun being shot and, right after it, the sound of a second gunshot. Chaos erupted as we were swarmed and ordered to lie on the ground with our hands behind our heads. Meadow was calling my name. My eyes wouldn’t move from the two crumpled bodies in front of me. Joni had shot Scott in the heart and then herself in the head before anyone could stop her. It was a tragedy, and he had no one to blame but himself. His last words clearly demonstrated that he had slept with Joni at least once, although it sounded like more.
I lay on my stomach, wondering how long this would take and only wanting to be done so I could comfort Meadow. I could hear her crying. She sounded devastated. She wouldn’t have wanted this even if they had done her wrong.