Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Ace
Kayne called Church early this morning and I’m dragging my feet to make it there on time. He needs an answer from me today. I’m out of time and don’t know what to do. Liz and I talked about it last night while she was at work and her advice rings through my head.
The music from the DJ is loud behind me and the dance club is packed. Liz finally has a break when she comes to me on the opposite side of the bar. She won’t come around to my side because every time she does, I can’t help but put my hands on her, driving her crazy. There’s been a few close calls tonight, but Darrien, Liz’s coworker, always watched our backs when I wanted to get handsy with Liz. Her boss that met my fist a while ago still hasn’t shown up and that worries me. I send a quick text to Rooster, asking him to check on his whereabouts before I give Liz all of my attention.
“Why don’t you trust your brothers on this, Ace? The man I know wouldn’t let his past define him.” Liz asks, wiping down the bar with a white towel. I’ve been sitting on this stool for five hours, waiting for her to get done. I love watching her sling drinks and chatting with the customers. But what I really love is the way her eyes always find mine, even if she’s deep in conversation with someone. Her body is always facing me, knowing I’m watching her and enjoying every minute of it.
“It’s not that I don’t trust them.” I exhale a deep breath and slam my palms on the bar top in frustration. Liz places her hands over mine, calming me down.
“Ace, look at me.” I drag my eyes from the scarred wood until I reach Liz’s beautiful bright blue eyes. Liz is smiling at me, waiting until she has my full attention. How can a woman so perfect be interested in an asshole like me? “The Club isn’t going to fault you for what someone did to you when you were a kid. They’re not going to shun you for the way you seek justice or how you fight to feel. If anything, I’m sure Stone will help you in killing those sons of a bitches.”
I snort because, like normal, Liz is right. “Stone would wipe the floor with half the guys I’ve gone up against.”
“I’ll tell you what. After we get home, I’ll consult my cards and see what they tell me. Will that make you feel any better if the spirits guide us?” My ears perk up at her use of the word us. Liz grins, “Yeah, ass. I used the word us. Because without you, there is no me.”
“And without me, there is no you.” I finish for her.
“We’re a package deal.” Liz shrugs her shoulders. “Whatever decision you make, I will support you.”
“And the same goes for you, Sweet Cheeks.” I bring Liz’s hands up to my mouth and press my lips against the back of them. “That sounds like a deal. You consult the spirits and I will consider their advice.” Liz blushes when I release her hands and she goes back to work.
Liz consulted the spirits and I consulted between her thighs when she was done. Who knew I’d enjoy watching her in her element, teaching me what her Memaw taught her? I sure in the fuck didn’t. I also stole some of Liz’s old textbooks so I could read up on spiritual folkways and liturgical languages and understand her when she starts speaking Louisiana French. She’s done it to me before but I never knew what she was saying. Now I do and when I let her know I understand, she will be shocked. Let’s just say, her vocabulary is very colorful when it comes to the size of my dick inside of her. Miss Prim and proper isn’t so proper when she thinks others can’t understand her.
I enter Church and take my respective seat, avoiding eye contact. Everyone is already here, waiting for me. Kayne slams his gavel on the table and leans back in his chair. “What’d you decide, Ace? Are you willing to trust us into your past or are you walking away?”
The last thing I want to do is walk away. When I needed this Club, every single one of these men was here. When Stryker, Blayde, Rooster and even Kayne needed us, we were there for them no matter what. That’s what Liz’s spirits told us last night. Even in our darkest days, these men will be here for me.
“Aye, Prez.” I gaze at Rooster, and he nods, encouraging me to continue. “I was fourteen when it happened. It was late at night and my little brother, Spencer, was in a mixed martial arts class I signed him up for. I went to the store and was returning when a group of teenage boys cornered me in an alley. I knew I was fucked when there were eight of them and one of me. The things they did to me were unspeakable.”
I talk for over an hour, giving my brothers more details about the rape I endured and how Spencer’s Sensi helped me than I told Liz. She didn’t need to know all of it. I explain how I’ve tracked down all of them but two and killed them in The Cage.
Once I finish speaking, I take a long drink of water someone set next to me. The burden I’ve been carrying for years has lifted off my shoulders and I feel lighter but exhausted. Kayne’s eyes are locked on mine and the room is quiet for a moment. No one knows what to say or do. He finally breaks the silence. “Why do you spiral so deeply when you fight?”
“Because I have so much rage and aggression built up inside of me, I have no way to release it unless I’m ending those assholes' lives. I could control it when they were in the ring with me, but when it’s not them, I have no outlet. If that makes sense.”
Kayne nods his head. “So, what are you going to do when you find the other two and end them?”
I haven’t thought about that. I’ve only been focused on getting my revenge for the past fourteen years. “I don’t know. I’d like to start a fighting ring but control it. With the Savage Saints' approval of course. Maybe giving me a goal will help alleviate all this rage?”
“Get all the facts and figures to Maddox in the next couple of weeks and show how it will make us money and we’ll bring it to vote.” Kayne sits forward in his chair and lights up a cigarette. “One last order of business, who do you want to ride with you to Louisiana?”
Having discussed this with Liz already, I have an answer immediately. “Stone, Duke, Tex, Damon and if the shit with Butch is finished, him too. If we can’t spare all of them, I’d like Stone, Duke and Butch.”
“Plan for Stone, Duke and Tex. If Butch is done with Kendrick, then he will go too.” Kayne counters.
“Thank you, Prez.”
“Now that’s out of the way, does anyone have questions or concerns?” Kayne asks.
“I do.” Duke raises his hand with a smirk, like the smartass he is.
“What?” Kayne barks.
“Are there any hot chicks in Louisiana? I mean, if I’m going to be sweating my balls off down there, I at least want to sweat them off a happy man.” Everyone laughs, lifting the tension in the room and I flip Duke off. The man is always thinking with his dick and one of these days it’s going to get him into a world of trouble.
“Fuck off,” Blayze responds to Duke's question.
Duke feigns being hurt by placing his hands over his heart but laughs. The fucker is covered in tattoos and has a clean shaved head. No one takes him seriously.
Kayne whistles over the laughing group of brothers and they all quiet down. “Now we know what’s going on, Ace, you can fight again, but only if you take Stone or Rooster with you. Also, Butch will be out of the Clubhouse for a while. Once this shit with the Feds is situated, he will be back. Maddox, get the figures together on how the bar, repair shop and dance studio are doing and get those to me by the end of the day. I want to get everyone paid tomorrow. Also, Cahal has another run for us coming up in a few days. This one will go to Ohio and back. Once we get that done, there will be another big payday.” Kayne looks at Blayde. “Did I get everything?”
“No one rides alone for the foreseeable future. Until the blowback from ending Steam is handled. Also, Kick and a few of the Savage Saints, Detroit members will be here at the end of the night. Make them feel welcomed.”
Kayne slams his gavel on the table, ending Church. We all file out and I immediately find Liz with Alyssa, Poison, Siren and Holly playing pool. She doesn’t know I’m behind her and I use that to my advantage. Liz bends over the table, giving me an unfiltered view of her round, perfect ass and my dick takes notice. As she lines up her shot, I grab her hips, pulling her luscious ass against my raging hard-on. Liz squeals and misses her shot.
“Ace, you asshole.” Liz pushes against my chest with strength I didn’t know she had.
“Wanna get out of here?” I ask.
“And go where?” Liz stares up at me with lust in her eyes.
“I want to show you something if you’re up for it.”
“I’m always up for it. Are you?” She responds wiggling her eyebrows. The little minx.
“Cap that thought for later. Stone is going with us.” Knowing where I want to take her has me anxious and nervous at the same time.
“Ok.” There is no hesitation in Liz’s voice and that makes me proud of her trust in me.
“Stone!” I shout over my shoulder.
“Yeah, Ace.” Stone answers a few seconds later like the good prospect he is.
“Saddle up, big boy. We’re going for a ride.”
“Copy that.” Stone’s grey eyes don’t flinch at my command. His nerves of steel would be intimidating, but the place I want to take Liz to, you have to have a set of balls just to get through the doors.
Half an hour later, we’re on our way to the secret destination. Liz still has no idea where I’m taking her, but remembering a conversation we had those first few days we met, I know this is the perfect place to bring her. She is wrapped around me tightly as I weave in and out of traffic in the busy part of the city. Stone is keeping up, riding right beside me down the main street. I pull off into an alley and park my bike next to the familiar brick building. Normally, it’s dark when I’m here but my hands have been itching since yesterday and I can’t wait for nightfall.
“What is this place?” Liz asks, struggling to get her helmet off. I laugh while helping her and she growls.
“Don’t worry Sweet Cheeks, you’ll get it one of these days. Besides, I like taking things off you.” I wink at her and Liz’s cheeks turn a bright shade of pink. I kiss her on the lips before setting her helmet on my bike seat.
Stone is standing sentinel at the door, waiting for us. His cold grey eyes are scanning our surroundings, waiting and watching. He doesn’t say much, but when he does, it’s important to listen. I approach the metal door, holding onto Liz’s hand.
I turn to her before knocking for entrance. “What we’re walking into isn’t for the weak. Keep your chin up and whatever you do, don’t show fear. Remember I’ve got you and you’re safe or I never would bring you here.” Liz’s grip tightens in mine but she squares her shoulders, nodding her head. “Welcome to my world.”
I pound on the door in three rapid successions, pause then two more before pausing again and bang on the door four more times. The lock slides back and the door swings open. It’s so dark, you can’t see inside but I’ve been here so many times, I don’t need to see. Liz’s grip tightens even harder on my hand while we walk further down the dark musty hallway. Once we reach the light at the top of the metal stairs leading to the basement, Liz’s grip slightly relaxes. The further down the stairs we go, the darker it gets, and the more Liz hangs onto me tightly. Stone’s footsteps echo behind us and the tension is streaming off him in waves.
We reach the bottom of the metal stairs and the scent of blood and sweat permeates the air, making my skin tingle. I walk us down another dark hallway until we reach a metal door. Without banging on it, I push it open and my hands begin to tremble with adrenaline. I glance down at Liz and her mouth is hanging open in shock. I close her mouth shut with a finger and she looks up at me. Her baby blues are dark with lust and anticipation.
I lean down so my lips are against her ear, “Welcome to my world, Sweet Cheeks.” My voice is raspy and a shiver skates down Liz’s body when my lips linger against her heated skin.
I look into the room through Liz’s eyes. I’ve come here so often, I don’t ever stop to take it all in. I’m usually here to fuck someone up and not take names. The ring in the center of the room has bright lights shining down onto the two fighters battling it out. Blood and sweat stains coat the mat under their bare feet. There is a metal cage wrapping around the ring keeping the fighters in and the crowd out. A ref is standing inside of the cage, keeping the fight somewhat under control. I’ve seen refs die inside trying to break up two men full of adrenaline battling it out. If that happens, even by accident, the fighter is punished until they can’t breathe anymore. Men and women surround the cage, shouting, screaming and yelling at the carnage in front of them. Even in the middle of the day, this place is always packed when there is a fight.
To the left of the cage, money is being exchanged between the bookie and the spectators. The bookie is guarded by three men, showing their weapons and the warning not to fuck with them. To the right of the cage are the changing rooms for the fighters. Some share a locker room and others, like me, have their own room that no one is allowed to enter. Behind the cage and all around us in the darkness are men and women fucking when the adrenaline gets to be too much. Fighter bunnies are walking around to both men and women, seeing if they need any sexual assistance. I’ve never had one before, but many fighters have and so have the spectators. The bunnies aren’t forced to be here, but like the Club Bunnies, they enjoy the same proclivities and help keep things under control.
“Wow,” Liz whispers, releasing her death grip on my hand. I’m not letting her go, but I am letting her loose. Her feet carry her to the edge of the cage and she watches with rapt attention as the two men inside pound the shit out of each other. Stone and I stand tall behind her, watching her back as she soaks up the adrenaline. Liz turns her head in my direction and pulls me close. “Can I get in there?”
Her words shock the shit out of me and I’m speechless for a beat. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Ace, this is what I was trained to do in Louisiana. Like I said before, I haven’t found a gym that can handle my type of sparing. All those pussies thought I was nuts for wanting blood to be shed.”
Cue my jeans growing tighter from Liz’s words. Damn, this woman is perfect for me. “Let me see what I can do.”
My eyes connect with Seth to the right of the cage and motion for him to meet me in my dinky room. He nods back twice telling me to give him a few. “C’mon.” I turn to Stone who hasn’t shown any emotion since walking down here. “Need you to keep watch outside my door. Don’t let anyone but Seth inside with us.” Stone nods his head and follows us to my room. Once I open the door, I pull Liz in behind me and Stone stands guard.
“Fuck, I need you right now,” I growl picking Liz up. She wraps her legs around my waist and grinds herself onto me.
“I need you, Ace.” Liz moans between kisses. She’s rocking her hips back and forth, trying to create friction on her clit. I lean her against the wall on the far side of the room and unbutton her jeans. I don’t have time to fuck her properly, but I can help her take the edge off. My hand dives behind her panties and my fingers graze her clit causing Liz to moan. I plunge two fingers inside of her and flick her clit with my thumb. In a matter of moments, Liz is screaming out my name as I take her over the edge.
Once she comes back down, I pull my hand out and lick my fingers clean. “Heaven.” A knock on the door has me settling Liz on her feet. I walk to the door and wait for her to straighten her clothes and her hair the best she can. She nods and I open the door. Seth comes in and his gaze goes from me to Liz, then back to me.
“I’ve got a fight set up for the both of you.” I shake my head. “Ace, you’ll want to take this one. If you win, which I have no doubt you will, you’ll get a lead on the issue you’ve been working on.”
“Are you fucking serious? How?” I ask in shock.
“Thank Rooster for getting us this far, man. He’s the one who found this guy.”
“And Liz?”
“Her opponent needs their ass kicked for being a cocky bitch and a cheater.” Seth shrugs, then he looks at Liz. “Can you handle it?”
“Oh, I can handle her alright,” Liz confirms.
“Thanks, Seth. I owe you one,” I hold out my hand and Seth takes it.
“Nah, every time you fight, I roll in the cash. You don’t owe me anything.” Seth shakes his head. “When this is over, what are you going to do?”
Seth knows why I do this, but he doesn’t know the real reason why. He only knows what I’ve shared and that was the bare minimum.
“I’m not sure, but when this is over and I do anything, I’ll be taking you with me.” I offer Seth.
“Fuck yeah, we’ve been in this together for so long, it’d be weird without you.” I release Seth’s hand. “5 minutes until your girl is up.” Seth leaves and shuts the door behind him.
My girl in the ring, fighting. A smile lifts my lips and pride fills my body. Liz is my girl and she’s going to kill it tonight.