Chapter 11
Eleven
MADDOX
I tossed back another shot, hoping the burn would take the feel of her around me away. I thought if I had one night with Darcie, then I’d be able to focus, concentrate on the task ahead of me, and fight to make it back to her.
Instead, I was a pussy-whipped boy, unable to get her out of his head.
A slap on my back jolted me, and I tensed, not knowing who it was. I peeked out of the corner of my eye and spotted my father. Everything in me wanted to pull away, gut him, and ride off into the sunset back to my girl.
But that wasn’t the plan. I was really starting to hate the plan.
Tank had been partially truthful to Darcie about the program. What he’d failed to mention was I’d been a part of the program from the very beginning, just not in any official capacity yet. It was my father who had sent me there to be a double agent in the first place, hoping to get one over Hank the Tank.
He hadn’t taken into consideration I’d fallen in love with a girl and had an agenda of my own. When Hank had asked me why I wanted to be part of MCD, I’d told him flat out, surprising him. The memory of the conversation had been playing in my mind the past few months as I reminded myself of my goal and responsibility.
“Why do you want to be part of the Mavericks, Son?”
I gritted my teeth, biting back the words. “My father sent me here to learn your secrets and to use them against you so he can take over your club someday. He doesn’t trust you and wants in on whatever foothold you seem to have gained.”
He watched me, a careful look on his face. “I’ll ask it again. Why do you want to be part of MCD?”
I relaxed, respecting the man I’d always watched from the shadows when we’d visit. “I want to become the best, so I can kill my father and take over his reign.”
“While I admire your ambition, what would make you a better leader? I don’t condone patricide.”
“My father is a murderer, thief, and a liar. He sold my mother off to another club when he was in debt. He doesn’t protect those in his club and demands blind loyalty. He’s a vile dictator who only wants power and control. He doesn’t care about anyone or anything. I’ve seen what you can do here, I know your club is different, and I want that type of place. I love to ride, and I know it’s a life I’ll lead, but I just don’t want to do it under him.”
“Why not join another club then? Why kill your father and take over?”
“Because it’s never that simple, is it?” I asked, keeping my gaze steady. Sucking in a breath, I took a chance and told Hank my secrets. “One, I’m in love with your daughter, have been ever since I knew what girls were.”
He chuckled, giving me a different look over now. “And two?”
“I have a special needs sister. She’s away at school now, but one day she’ll return, and when she does, I want it to be a safe place.”
Hank cupped his jaw regarding me. “If you pass the program, then I’ll read you into what’s really going on here. As for my daughter, you’ll have to win her heart on your own.”
“How was your trip? Did you make contact with a buyer?”
I nodded, taking the last shot and turning to deal with my father. Now that I was older, I was as big as him, possibly even bigger.
“He’s agreed to the arrangement and will be ready for you at the end of the month.”
“Good, good. Come, I have a present for you.”
He smiled wide, not building a lot of confidence in me that I’d like this present. I’d been able to arrange the meeting to coincide with Darcie’s birthday. I hadn’t planned on sleeping with her, but it was the only thing on my mind once I was there.
Especially after watching her online for months.
I’d been heartbroken at first when I saw what she was doing, but then I realized why. I knew she needed to find her own footing in her sexuality, and with me leaving, she didn’t have someone to help cover bills. She was surviving and healing, and it was all I wanted for her. I couldn’t be mad at her for finding her own way.
So, I sucked it up and watched and discovered a whole new reason to love her. Darcie was blossoming, and I couldn’t deny her the space to do that, even if it hurt to think she could forget me. She didn’t know I was there, but I never missed a video, and it allowed me to help her without her knowing. It kept me in her world in a safe way.
Walking through the dusty club, I nodded at a few other members, but mostly, I kept my focus on the man next to me. Destroyer wasn’t one for words, so I walked silently next to him, calculating all the different things he could have for me.
When I stepped into my room, I stopped, frozen in my tracks. It wasn’t uncommon to see naked women in the clubhouse, many of them sweet butts hoping to score or become an old lady.
But the two young females lying on my bed, kissing and touching one another, weren’t what I expected. I swallowed, turning to my father. “I don’t understand.”
He laughed. “Fuck, Maddox. I thought you were shy, but you do know what pussy is, right? Please tell me you’re not a virgin? Did Tank not have any prime-grade sweet butts for you to fuck while you were there?”
“I’m not a virgin,” I said, ignoring the rest. At least now when I said that it was true. My father had been on me to taste the products more recently, but I never expected him to go out of his way by shoving two naked teens at me. Not that I was a lot older at 24, but they barely looked 18. “Why are you giving me girls?” I asked, turning to him. “I’m capable of finding my own.”
“I thought you could use a distraction from your girl now that you’re here to stay. And after your trip, I wanted to reward you. But if you don’t want my gift, then I’ll just give them to the guys.”
I swallowed, not wanting to subject these girls to the assholes he called brothers. “No, it’s fine. Can I have some privacy then?”
“There’s my boy.” He clapped me on the back, walking out of the room. “Come see me when you’re done. There’s some business I need to discuss. I’ve found a match for your sister.” He grinned wide, his burden finally off his plate in his eyes.
Gritting my teeth, I nodded, watching him walk out of the room. The door clicking allowed me to relax, some of the tension leaving the room with him gone. Hands touched me from behind, and I jumped, spinning.
“No,” I said, pointing.
“But you said…” she pouted.
Shielding my eyes, I walked over to where I spotted their clothes. “It doesn’t matter what I said. I’m saying no. Please, get dressed. I won’t be having sex with you.”
“Then what are we doing?” the other asked, not wasting time to put her clothes on. Smart girl.
“I don’t know. You can’t leave for a bit, so he’ll think we had sex. We could watch a movie or play video games, I guess.”
In my mind, it was the furthest thing I wanted to do, but I knew I had to weigh everything precisely right now. If he was already moving forward with his plan for Becca, then I had to think fast.
The girls settled on the couch with snacks and pulled up a movie. I pulled out my computer, checking all my accounts and seeing if there were any new messages from Tank. I knew he was avoiding Darcie, but he’d been talking with me after I told him the update on the situation. He was mad at first that I’d left her, but when I’d told him what was at stake, he eventually agreed it had been the right call.
If I’d gone to jail then, not only would that have left Darcie vulnerable, but Becca too, and the whole operation we had against my father would’ve fallen apart. I only needed a few more pieces of evidence, and we could put him away.
No, I had to go home, even if it was the last thing I’d wanted to do at the time.
There weren’t any new messages on the server, but I did have a new message from a contact. Pulling it up, I glanced over at the girls, but they were still immersed in the movie.
MadDog,
I got what you need. Let’s meet tonight.
Tom
A sigh of relief filled me, and I relaxed back into the couch. A ping went off, and I looked at my notifications, finding a new message from Rose.
Liquid heat surged forward, and I wished the girls were gone now. Clicking on the message, I scanned it quickly, devouring every word.
Shadow,
How’s your week been? Did the project you’ve been working on finish? Things have been up and down for me. I turned another year older and got a visit from an old friend. It was nice. It’s just so hard to say goodbye. I’ve had to do that a lot in my life.
You were talking about motorcycles in your last message. What kind do you have? I’m thinking of getting one for myself. I miss riding.
Hope you’re having a fantastic day. Let’s meet up in the private chat again, soon.
Rose
She missed me.
It shouldn’t feel as good as it did. I knew it was hurting her, but it gave me hope, and that was what I needed to keep pushing through.
When the movie ended, I helped the girls get off the property without running into any other members. I didn’t know where my father found them or what he promised them, but I didn’t want to put any other girls in the position Darcie had been. The last thing I wanted was for them to be subjected to that.
I had a few hours before I needed to meet Tom, so I veered toward Becca’s room, wanting to check in with her since I’d been gone. Nodding at the guard permanently stationed at her door, I knocked on the hot pink monstrosity and waited until I heard her shout I could enter.
“Bubbie!” she yelled, jumping off the bed and running toward me. I held her tight, always enjoying Becca’s hugs.
“Hey, squirt. How’s my favorite girl?”
She laughed. “I’m not your favorite. Darcie is.”
“You can both be my favorite. Whatcha working on?” I leaned against her desk as she settled back on the floor next to a coloring book. Becca was twenty and had Down Syndrome. She’d been at a school for most of the year, letting her have some space from the club. I didn’t respect my father, but he’d at least given her a chance to have an everyday life. Though, his reasons were to make her more attractive to a suitor and hope to keep her pure if she wasn’t around feral men all the time.
I hadn’t cared too much about his reasons, as long as it kept her safer. But now that she’d graduated, he was moving up his plans to send her off. I couldn’t let that happen. I’d been working with the Mavericks to get her into hiding if necessary. But ultimately, I was working on setting up a different meet where my father thought she was sold, but it was to someone safe. I knew if he didn’t get something from the exchange, he wouldn’t stop looking for her. Meeting with Tom, I hoped to finally have a viable option. It was needed now more than ever.
“I’m making a picture to take to my new home.”
“Your new home?” I asked, fear filling me.
“Yeah, Daddy said I was going to meet my husband.”
Becca’s innocence was too pure for someone to tarnish.
“Oh, how are you feeling about that?”
She shrugged. “If he buys me a puppy, I’ll be happy.”
I smiled, knowing how much she’d wanted a pet her whole life. “Hmm, is that so? Well, I just wanted to come and give my best girl a hug. I have some things to do, but I’ll see you later. Do not leave until you say bye, okay?”
“Okay.” She stood, giving me another hug.
“Love you, Bubbie.”
“Love you too, Squirt.”
When the time to meet Tom rolled around, I snuck out, hoping my father wouldn’t come and check on me. Except, it seemed like he’d had an ace up his sleeve and had been testing me.
“Hands up where we can see them!” the officer yelled as he and his colleagues stormed the place I’d been waiting. Dread filled me, knowing I’d been set up, and it was time to pull my emergency card.
“Maddox King, you’re under arrest for drug trafficking. You have the right to remain silent…”
“I’d like to make my one phone call.”
“You can do that at the station.”
“No, I need to do it now. Songbird .”
The police officer's eyes widened, but he nodded, un-cuffed me, and handed me his cell phone.
I dialed the number, the phone ringing a few times before someone answered. I didn’t waste time, knowing every second from here counted.
“I’d like to call in my favor.”
“It’s done.”
“Thank you.”
“You know what this means, though, right, Maddox?”
“Yes. I’m aware. I have to, though. Becca needs you more.”
“It will be done within the hour. Good luck on the inside.”
“Thanks. Don’t tell Darcie.”
“She’ll hate you for this.”
“It’s better this way,” I said.
He sighed, and I knew he was weighing his words. “I wish it could be different. I have the information you sent. I’ll try to get you out quickly.”
“I know. But we both know how these things work. If Becca’s safe, I’ll wait as long as I have to.”
“You have my word.”
I hung up. Nothing else needed to be said, and handed the phone back to the officer. He cuffed me again but was more gentle this time.
Every officer from Alabama to Mississippi to Georgia knew what those words meant. But once I was on the inside, I was on my own.
I only hoped Darcie wouldn’t forget me.