CHAPTER NINE
– THORSTEN –
I throw another annoyed look in the direction of the cop standing guard against the wall across from us.
“Why the hell are we still here?” I demand. “Arrest us or cut us loose. Easy as shit.”
The cop acts like he didn’t even hear me and yet the muscle jumping in his jaw indicates he’s annoyed. Good. So am I.
A door opens down the hall, drawing my attention to a man stepping out of the room. He’s wearing a leather cut and I recognize the patch. Broken Deeds, it’s a motorcycle club with a huge reputation, one I’ve heard many rumors about.
He smiles at someone in the room and swings an arm out to pull the person into his embrace. When the woman comes into view, I get hit with shock that quickly morphs to utter anger. The need to kill the fucker who touches what’s mine is coursing through my veins.
My hands are cuffed behind my back, but I don’t give two fucks as I jump to my feet and snarl, “Get your fucking arm off her.”
Livi’s gaze hits mine, and a frown slowly slides across her face. She fucking pats the president of Broken Deeds on the chest like she knows him on a personal level. What the hell is going on? Confusion is blinded by the betrayal that cuts through me and lets my anger bubble to the surface for this very reason.
Mixed emotions override my brain, making me snarl, “Are you his whore?”
Livi is standing in front of me within my next breath. My head whips to the side, instantly my cheek burns hot from the slap in the face she just gave me.
Flames of fury dance in her green eyes. “Call me a whore again and I will use my hand to palm my fucking gun and put a bullet straight through your dick.” Her voice is a mere whisper when she adds, “You know I never let anyone in except you.”
She’s pulled back by the fucker who was touching her earlier.
He has his arm around her waist and pulls her behind him to face me head on. “Be glad she got to you first, asshole. Respect my cousin, or next time you’ll not only have a hole in your dick, but one between the eyes as well.”
“Cousin?” I grunt in utter surprise.
Livi steps in front of the guy and gives me her back. “Archer, can I have a moment, please?”
Archer holds my stare. “You can talk to the fucker with me standing right here or not at all.”
I bare my teeth and snarl, “She’s my old lady, I don’t need anyone’s permission to talk to her. She’s mine.”
The man barks out a laugh and glances down at Livi. “Please tell me he’s kidding.”
Connecting my gaze with Livi, I soften my voice and murmur, “Tell him.”
She turns to Archer and states, “Thorsten claimed me, he’s my old man.”
“You’re shitting me,” Archer grumbles. “What the hell is my ma gonna say when you tell her a damn VP of Wisely Dicey claimed your ass? Fuck. Do you even know what kind of reputation they have?”
“Hey,” I snarl.
Archer ignores me and snaps his fingers at the cop leaning against the wall. “Put this asshole in a holding cell and don’t let him or any of his buddies go for at least an hour after we’ve left. You might be in the clear for this murder because my cousin said you guys were helping her clean up her baking failure, but that doesn’t mean I trust you or fucking agree with your claim.”
The cop grabs my arm and I try to wrench free when Archer places a hand on Livi’s back and guides her down the hallway.
“Fuck you,” I roar. “She’s mine and nothing or no one will take her away from me. Not now, not ever.”
Livi glances over her shoulder at me right before Archer takes her around the corner. The cop pulls me into a room and locks me up. I have no clue how long I wait for someone to open the door and let me out, but I’m pretty damn sure it’s longer than the hour Archer requested.
Once we’re finally back at the clubhouse, I’m glad the three old members of Wisely Dicey aren’t here. It’s just the remaining members who all have my back, and it’s a good thing too ’cause it allows us to talk business.
“Find out anything yet?” Macsen asks Lenz.
Lenz’s fingers are still dancing over the keyboard of his laptop. “Working on it.”
“I have no clue why they wouldn’t say shit at the station,” Atteo grumbles.
Jocko places a bottle of beer in front of me. “Either they’re still holding him or they cut him loose.”
“Duh.” Elric plunks down next to Midas on the couch. “We’re just wondering what option the fucker got.”
“And why the hell the other members didn’t show up here at the clubhouse,” Mercer states.
I swallow the beer down and place the bottle back on the table. “Exactly. It’s suspicious as fuck to know they’re out and not come here straight away.”
Jocko hands Atteo and Lenz a beer. “Prospects aren’t here ’cause we kicked them out of the clubhouse. I’d feel better if we kicked those old farts out as well, at least we’d know why they’re not here.”
“Yeah, I don’t like this at all,” Macsen grunts. “For all we know they’re huddled somewhere, agreeing to shove knives in our backs or something.”
“Like we’ve been doing?” I dryly state.
Macsen flips me off. “Completely different. Taking out one bad seed who’s killing the club and all members connected to it doesn’t compare to old farts taking down the next generation. There’s honor in what we’re trying to do as a unity. Hell, if he was a normal fucker we’d force him to step down but anyone who gives him any lip ends up with a bullet as a final statement.”
“The guy has past the point of being unreasonable,” Jocko agrees.
“We wouldn’t have done it if he’d forced our hand,” Midas adds.
I take a deep breath and slowly bob my head. We didn’t have another choice, but the betrayal still runs hot through my veins.
“He’s still locked up,” Lenz says.
“At least that’s something,” I grumble.
Macsen leans forward. “We’ll track down the old farts come morning and call a meeting. We’ll take a vote and make sure you’ll take the gavel.”
Shit. Hearing him say those words leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. To others it might seem like I want the gavel no matter what. To be honest? I’d rather stay VP for a couple more years and have a normal fucking father. Not one who ruins everything for everyone.
Lenz turns his laptop to show me the camera feed. “Your old lady is home.”
We adjusted one of the cameras out front to keep an eye on Livi’s driveway. It’s motion activated and Lenz has been keeping an eye out for me. Automatically I get to my feet.
“Go get some answers and give us an update after you had your cock taken care of.” Macsen grins and it’s a good thing he’s not within striking distance.
I am in fact itching to get answers and then get my cock wet, but it’s none of his damn business. Whirling around, I stomp out of the clubhouse and head for my old lady. Crazy how in one day a lot of shit happens. My mind is reeling, and I’m still processing the fact Livi’s cousin is the president of Broken Deeds MC.
Okay, we didn’t exactly have time for long discussions after I claimed her, but being blindsided by this massive piece of information is a punch to the dick. I mean, being connected to an MC she damn well knows it’s the first thing you say when you…okay, like I said; we didn’t have time to discuss me claiming her on the spot.
On the other hand, it does explain why she entered the clubhouse without fear to bring over some muffins. I raise my fist to knock on her door, but she’s already opening it for me.
“I was expecting you,” she says and steps back to let me inside.
The door falls shut behind me and I flip the lock. She doesn’t say anything and wanders off in the direction of the kitchen. I follow her and she heads straight for the fridge.
“Beer?” she questions.
“Yeah,” I grunt.
She hands me one and then jumps onto the kitchen counter. “Okay, fire away.”
I raise my eyebrow in challenge. She doesn’t bite and stays quiet. Clearly, she wants me to throw shit at her. No problem ’cause my anger has been simmering all damn day.
“Why didn’t you say shit about your family?” I snap a little too harsh.
Her shoulders slump. “I had no clue either. A couple of months ago a woman came to me with a story. A mind-blowing one that disrupted my past. After gaining the evidence which proved she was right, I needed time to process all of it. They were ready to welcome me into the family then, while months later I’m still processing my twist in this fucked-up family tree. In my case the tree in question was a completely different one.”
I stare at her and wait for more details.
She tugs on her sleeve and her voice is distant when she says, “Apparently my grandparents stole my mother as a newborn and raised her as their own. I have an aunt and uncle, along with cousins I never knew existed. My grandparents and my mother died in a car crash eight years ago and I’ve been alone ever since…until now apparently.”
“Holy fuck,” I grunt.
“Yeah. Family stuff can get complicated, and then there’s a whole new level ripping everything apart as you know it.”
I remember her reaction and words the other day. “You’re still processing. I now understand the outburst you had after riding like a madwoman. Meeting Archer today, your cousin, it’s clear he welcomes you with open arms.”
She winces. “They had more time to process since they were the ones who found out.”
We fall silent and the look on her face tells me she’s locked in her own thoughts. Putting the beer bottle down, I stalk to her and move to stand between her legs. I wrap my arms around her and she sags against me.
This is a first for me; to console a woman. My own mother was ripped from me at a young age. Encounters with women only consisted of selfish moments to get off. Having this woman in my arms feels damn good. No awkwardness, no pushing away, no aggravation or annoyance; I’m right where I want to be.