Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Red
“ F uck!” I shout, catching Nadia before she hits the ground. Having her in my arms settles my heart and my world feels like it clicked into place. She belongs with me. I clutch Nadia’s limp body in my arms and head into the Clubhouse.
“Red, where are you going?” Kensi asks, worry etched in her voice.
“My room,” I grunt out, not waiting for someone to stop me.
Once I reach the door, I unlock it with one hand while holding Nadia tight with my other. Whispering soothing, sweet words I’ve never said to anyone before, I gently lay her on my bed. I step back and look at her. Her small body is swallowed by my big bed. She’s lost weight but hasn’t by the swell of her breasts under her shirt if that makes any sense. Nadia’s long dark lashes rest against her unnaturally pale skin. Her blond hair is dirty but I don’t give a shit, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. My pulchra. She’s staying right here for as long as she wants to.
I’m sitting in a chair next to my bed watching Nadia for God knows how long, holding her small hand in mine, making sure she is breathing and safe when Kensi peeks her head in. Her multicolored eyes are sad and it sends a pang to my heart. “Derange is in the hallway. He needs to check over Nadia.” I nod my head.
Derange and Jezebelle enter my room. “Red, give us a few minutes please,” Jezebelle asks.
“I’m not leaving her,” I disagree. I rip my gaze from Nadia and settle it on Jezebelle standing in the doorway. Tears fill my eyes. “I’m not leaving her again.” The pain in my throat makes my voice harsh.
“Please, Red. Just for a few minutes.” Jezebelle pleads.
I shake my head and a tear falls. “I want to be here when she wakes up, Jez. Please don’t ask me to leave. I’ve already failed her once.” My voice breaks but I hold it together the best I can.
Nadia’s soft hand squeezes mine, drawing my attention back to her. “It’s ok, Matt.” Her soft voice sends a pain right to my beating heart. Nadia’s awake and she sits up, watching me. I squeeze her hand again and kneel on the floor.
“I’m so sorry, Pulchra. I failed you. Please forgive me.” My voice is thick with emotion.
Nadia gives me a small smile and returns the squeeze of my hand. “It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault. Let the big guy here do his thing and you wait outside of the room, please.”
“C’mon, Red.” Aftermath grabs me by the shoulders, lifting me off the ground. “Let D do his thing, brother.”
I give Nadia’s hand another squeeze, “I’ll be right outside, Pulchra.” I hold her hand for as long as I can until she’s out of reach. Hanging my head, Aftermath leads me out into the hallway. Jezebelle quietly closes the door with Kensi and Derange in the room.
“What if something’s wrong? Should she have passed out like that? Will she be ok?” I rapidly fire questions no one has the answers to, pacing the hallway. Back and forth. Back and forth. “What’s taking them so long?”
Aftermath barks out a laugh. “Red, it’s been like five minutes. These things take time. Let’s go grab a beer and a smoke. You’re stressing me out. I can’t imagine how Nadia feels knowing you’re out here pacing like a stuck hen.”
“I’m not leaving this hallway,” I reply harshly.
“Yes, you are, Red,” Capone demands from the end of the hallway. “Go take a chill and relax. They’ll get you when they’re done.” I push off the wall and stomp down the hallway like a scolded child. “I swear these grown men acting like children will be the death of me,” Capone grumbles when I pass him.
Out in the common room, someone has cranked up the music and everyone present is drinking and celebrating a job well done. Allura, Sloane, Calypso, Iris and a few other Royal Harlots are gathered around a table, taking shots and causing a scene. I smile at the sisterhood these women share. Calypso stands up with Sloane, whispers something to Allura, and she nods her head in return. The two women leave the Clubhouse and it’s not my job or place to question where they’re going.
Nolan, Krimson, Rush and Noah are sitting at the bar. Nolan is nursing a whiskey in his hand when his gaze locks on mine. Releasing a sigh, I head over to them, ready to rip the band-aid off. Krimson and Noah leave their barstools, giving Nolan and me some time to talk. Krimson trails her hand across Nolan’s shoulders and the love that passes between the two of them makes my heart skip a beat. I want what they have. Will I have that with Nadia someday?
“How is she?” Nolan asks.
“She was awake when Derange and Jezebelle came in to look her over. They’re supposed to get me when they’re done.” I answer, taking a stool next to Nolan. I signal for the prospect, Pretty Boy, behind the bar to get me a shot of Crown. He places it in front of me and I swallow the shot down in one gulp. The burning sensation going right to my gut. “You really didn’t know about her?”
“Not even the slightest hint she existed. My father,” Nolan lets out a deep breath. “My father is a piece of shit who deserves all he gets. I cut him out of my life a long time ago.”
“What do we do from here?” I ask. I look around the Clubhouse for Aftermath but he is nowhere around. My best friend has bailed on me.
“I don’t know but I know I want to make it up to Nadia if she will let me.” My eyes snap to Nolan, accessing him. He’s staring right back at me and doesn’t even flinch.
“We all have a lot of making up to do to her.” I signal for another shot, which Pretty Boy promptly fills. “I know I’m not ready to let her go.” I swallow down the second shot. “You know, my gut is telling me this was too easy. This isn’t the way the Black-Market Railroad and Lattimer work. Something isn’t sitting right with me.”
Nolan shifts in the seat next to me and rests his scared hands on the bar top. “I agree. What do we do now?”
The prospect gives me another shot and I swallow it back before speaking, “I don’t know, but I do know I will protect Nadia with everything I have.”
“I’m there with you.” Nolan pats me on the back and stands up. He walks to where Krimson and Noah are standing and wraps his arm around Krimson’s shoulder. She leans into his chest and smiles up at him.
Capone comes into the common room from the garage and is pacing back and forth with a pissed-off look on his face. Danyella is there trying to soothe him. I stand up from the stool and make my way over to them.
“What’s going on, Prez?” I all but growl out. Barking at my President is an effective way to get my ass kicked.
“Take a breath, Red.” When Capone tells me to relax, this won’t end well for someone.
“Why? What’s happening?” I try to peek around him toward the garage, but he keeps standing in my way. Torch comes up beside me and Tiny stands on the other side. This can’t be good.
“Kensi and Aftermath just left with Nadia,” Capone finally answers.
My heart drops into my toes and rage fills my stomach. “What!”
“She asked to leave and they took her.”
“Where did they go?” I’m beyond pissed my best friend hightailed it with the woman I care about. I’m going to fucking kill him.
“I didn’t ask and they didn’t tell me.”
“Fuck this!” I storm past Capone and down the corridor that leads outside. Once I’m outside, I mount my bike and fire her up. Tiny and Dagger are behind me doing the same thing.
“Where are you going, Red?” Tiny asks.
“Don’t fucking know, but I can’t stay here while she’s out there still in danger,” I respond and fire up my bike. The deep rumble centers me and I take off like hell is hot on my heels.
I don’t know where Nadia lives or where Aftermath would be taking her so I don’t know where to go. Tiny, Dagger and I ride up the PCH for a little while, looking for Kensi, Aftermath or Nadia when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I spot our tattoo shop overlooking the ocean and pull into the parking lot. Calypso’s bike is parked out front with another bike I don’t recognize next to hers. I settle my bike between my thighs and pull out my phone. It’s a text from an unknown number
UNKNOWN: Listen, I’m sorry I left without saying anything to you. I had to go home and get some of my things. We will be on our way back to the Clubhouse in a few after Kensi convinced me it’s the best place for me to go right now. I’ll see you soon. We need to talk. XO-Nadia
Who knew a simple text would lighten the burden on my shoulders?
ME: We do need to talk. You can’t just take off on me when your ass gets itchy. I’ve been worried sick. I will see you soon.
I call Aftermath to make sure it is Nadia messaging me. He picks up after the third ring. “Yeah.”
“Did you give Nadia my phone number?” I ask, no greeting, right to the point.
“Kensi did. Said it would be good for Nadia to reach out to you to ease your mind.” Aftermath admits.
“Do you know how fucked up this is?” I ask, blowing out a long breath. “My best friend takes off with the woman I care about and doesn’t even tell me.”
“She made me promise not to say anything. I know I should have told you, but Kensi hijacked my phone until we made it to Nadia’s apartment.” Aftermath gets quiet for a moment. “I will take care of my woman about the disrespect, but Red…” Aftermath trails off. I grind my teeth waiting for him to continue. “Nadia has been through a lot and if you’re not willing to be in this at one hundred percent, let her heal and move on, on her own.”
Aftermath hangs up the call before I can respond. I think about what he said. Asking me if I’m in it with Nadia at one hundred percent.
Can I be that guy for her?
Can I give her all she deserves?
Will she still want me after she finds out what I’ve done?
I don’t know the answers to these questions, but I do want to at least try. It’s the first time since Tanya died that I want to see where this goes. I want to be the man Nadia deserves. I turn around and peer up at the tattoo shop looming above me. With my mind made up, I make my way into the shop. Tiny and Dagger wait outside with shit-eating grins on their faces having heard the call between Aftermath and me.
The bell above me jingles and Calypso comes out of the back with her Ol’ Man, Farris, hot on her heels. She is the first Royal Harlot to be tied down and he is the first cop turned outlaw welcomed into our folds. Farris’s clothes are disheveled and his face is burning as red as mine. I know what those two were doing before I walked in. To save both of them and myself the embarrassment, I don’t say a word.
“Red, what can I do for you?” Calypso asks.
“I need a tattoo,” I answer, taking a seat in the chair. I give her the idea I have in my head and for the next couple of hours, Calypso works her magic, inking my skin. Tiny and Dagger have come in and out a few times, watching the progress on my chest, just above my heart, next to the purple butterfly tattoo.
Once we’re done, I pay Calypso and the three of us ride back to the Clubhouse. As we get closer, I spot two SUV’s tailing us. My heart starts hammering in my chest, wondering who this is. The three of us speed up and the two SUV’s do the same. I take a hairpin right-hand turn and the SUVs are still on our asses. The closer they get, the more nervous I am. I hit the Bluetooth button on my bike and the call connects to Capone.
“Red, what’s happening?” Capone asks as soon as he’s on the line. I’m our tech guy and since I’m not at the Clubhouse, Capone and the rest of the brothers are blind.
“Prez, we have two SUV’s hot and heavy on our asses. Tiny, Dagger and I have been trying to shake them but it’s no use.” I shout over the wind whipping through me. A loud thunk rings out, followed by a few pops and Tiny’s bike wobbles. “Shit, we’re under fire, Prez.”
“Where are you?” Capone asks. I can hear bikes start up in the background.
I swerve all over the road, Tiny and Dagger do the same, to make us smaller targets. “We’re about ten minutes south of the Clubhouse.”
“We’ll be there. And Red, stay safe.” Capone ends the call and I speed up. Hoping beyond hope Capone and the rest of the brothers will make it to us. More shots ring out and I check my mirrors. Tiny is leaning over his bike trying to stay upright. Red-hot anger penetrates my body and I unholster my gun from my cut. I look back, aim and fire. I hit a tire on one SUV and it skids out of control, rolling end over end. These motherfuckers just messed with the wrong club. I fire off a few more rounds but miss when Tiny loses control of his bike. I watch in horror as he skids off the road, through the field and comes to a stop at the edge of a drop off.
Screaming, I drop gears and spin my bike around. Dagger does the same and we take off, heading right for Tiny. The bumps and jolts are doing damage to my bike, but I really don’t give a fuck. Tiny is in trouble and he needs my help. The one remaining SUV takes off down the road, not bothering us anymore. I skid to a stop and don’t bother to put my kickstand down when I reach Tiny. The sounds of other Harleys vibrate the air around me as I reach him. Tiny isn’t moving and his big body is covered in blood. I gently turn him over and put pressure on a gunshot to his shoulder with my hands. His jeans are torn and bloody, along with his arms. The helmet saved his head and his leather cut saved his body from the skid.
“Shit, Tiny. Hang on, help is coming.” I keep talking to him, offering him some form of comfort until another set of hands comes into my line of vision.
“Red, I’ve got this.” Derange soothes and pulls my hand away from Tiny’s shoulder. I stand up with the help from Aftermath. His forehead is wrinkled with worry and anger is radiating through his body.
I know how he feels. This is all my fault. If I didn’t take off because my ass was hurt, Tiny wouldn’t be here right now. But I always find a way to fuck things up.
Derange, Dagger and Blayze have Tiny loaded up into one of the cages Trigger’s prospect, Pretty Boy, brought and I watch as they drive toward the Clubhouse. Capone, Torch, and Seth check the overturned SUV. They shake their heads and come back our way. I don’t say a word and neither does Aftermath. What happened here tonight never should have happened. It’s my job to keep my brothers and their families safe. I will scrub and scour every inch of every place until I find out who did this and no one will stop me.
Vengeance is a bitch, and these assholes just messed with the wrong Royal Bastard.