Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CRASH
I walk into the main room with my phone in hand as I stare at the screen, pissed that Stevie has not replied to me. She finished work over an hour ago, but she has not read my text.
Letting out a huff, I pocket my phone and look around the room for Racer and Target.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I need a word with you both?”
Target kicks the chair, telling me to sit.
“What is this about? I can’t be fucking dealing with any more woman drama,” Racer bitches.
“What women drama? Fuck, Pres, you need to get laid and enjoy a woman’s company for once,” Target jokes, and Racer flips him off.
“Anyway,” I butt in. “You know that I used to race when I left here.” They nod. “A friend of mine has informed me that a few street races could potentially be popping up here in the next month or two.”
They look at each other, then to me, but say nothing.
“I want to race.”
“You want to race again?” Target asks, sitting forward, resting his elbows on his thighs.
“Yeah. I have just the right car, could modify it a little, and I have enough money thanks to the club for my buy-in,” I explain.
“How much are we thinking here, buy-in and winnings?” Racer asks, his eyes narrowed on me, showing his curiosity.
“Buy-in, five-k. Winnings, you could get thirty plus for each race.”
Target whistles, gaining the attention of some of the men.
“You still think you got what it takes?” Racer asks.
I smirk, leaning forward. Dropping my hands down, I give Charm a scratch; she is my girl and that pisses Target off, that his dog favors me over him. He rolls his eyes at me when she presses, pushing into my hand.
“With the right car, which I have, I can win. There are always factors that change per race, like location, weather and so on, but I know what I am doing, Pres. You forget, I did this before I left. I was known on the street circuit. Still have friends that work it.”
Racer gives nothing away, looking at Target and they have this silent conversation again, which they do often. It is fucking creepy.
I link my fingers, squeezing the tension out of them while I wait to hear what they say about my plan. The silence stretches, while the men say nothing. I swear to fuck they are doing it to test me and my heart.
They both look at me, Racer’s facial expression giving nothing away, but Target smiles.
“If it brings the club money, go for it. Try not to bring heat to the club. Reach out to your people and set something up.”
I nod.
“I will. Alex, Carlos, and Oscar are my inside guys. They have kept me updated on the shit that has been happening. What went down with Vinnie happened at a race, so the law is watching more closely for races— they move around a lot more now. Grady keeps a close eye on things around here as he was in the street circle before he turned cop, and he knows what to look for.”
“You keep an eye on that.” I nod to Pres.
“He is also Stevie’s cousin,” I add.
“Then I suggest that you don’t get fucking caught or you will be in for some very fucking awkward family dinners,” Racer adds.
I chuckle. “I know. I think I am in the doghouse with Stevie; she has not returned my calls or texts since yesterday.”
“So, she could be working, or on the rag. You know how some women get when they bleed for days at a time. It fucks with their hormone balance,” Target says.
“I dare you to say that shit to Mads,” I challenge him.
His eyes widen with fear.
“Fuck that shit. My woman scares me on the best of days.” He shivers.
Racer smirks. “All women are fucking crazy, brother. Told you that’s why I plan to stay single until my last breath. They are not worth the fucking hassle.”
“Man, you are going to knocked on your ass so fast it will make your head spin.” Target laughs.
Pres scoffs. “Talked about his, brother. No woman on this planet is worth giving up hassle-free pussy.” He finishes his beer, signaling for another one.
“Man, there is nothing better than coming home to the woman you love, with pussy on tap. And when she goes all soft for me, she agrees to anything.” Target winks.
“Say that to her face,” I challenge again.
He flips me off.
“This thing with your girl serious, or just a good time?” Target asks.
Leaning back in my seat, I think over his question.
When I am with Stevie, she makes me feel things I thought I’d never feel again. When Val betrayed me for Vinnie, it made me barricade my heart. Yet with Stevie, I see something more with her.
Remembering the Fort Lauderdale guys finding their women made me envious, but I knew it would happen one day. I am not like Racer, who is completely blocked off to finding a woman.
It will happen when it happens.
Smiling, I look at my VP.
“If she will have me, I want to keep her.”
Target holds out his fist for a bump.
“Let’s hope she doesn’t have you arrested when you piss her off.” He laughs, and Racer’s lips twitch.
“She is a good girl; she won’t go to her cousin for help, she will deal with me herself. If anything, she and her aunt will poison me.”
“Oh, yeah, I know about her aunt. Into all that herbal shit, right? I saw her booth at the Summer Festival,” Forge says as he joins is.
“Yeah. Grows and makes everything at home. She has a popular online store as well,” I add.
“Pres,” a prospect calls from the door.
“What?”
“There is a chick at the gate. Asking for Crash.” He looks at me. “She is all beat up, black and fucking blue. Blood covering one side of her face.”
Images of a battered Stevie float into my head.
“Did she give a name?” I ask as we all get to our feet to follow him back outside.
“No,” is all he says.
We rush outside and I see a woman leaning against a car. One that is fucking familiar.
Valarie.
“Open the gates!” I bellow, rushing forward.
She is slumped against her car, her face battered just like the prospect said. Her lip is split, blood runs down her chin, and her eye is swollen almost completely shut. There are bruises and scrapes on her jaw and neck.
“Fuck, Val.”
She looks at me and her body sags in relief, as she cries. Taking her in my arms, I carry her bridal style into the club.
“Who did this, Val?”
“Zeno.”
“Who the fuck is Zeno?” Savage calls behind me.
“Medic room, Crash.” I nod and head in that direction.
Once we get there, I lay Valarie on the bed, her tears mixed with the blood on her face. My anger boils over and I want to kill the cunt who did this to her. No man has any right to put his hands on a woman to hurt her.
“Bolt is on his way.”
I nod, knowing that Bolt will take care of her. He is an army medic and helps when we need medical attention.
“Don’t leave me?” Val cries and I nod, taking her hand in mine.
Leaning in, I brush her hair off her face, taking notice that is now black not the fire engine red she has had since I have been back. Something inside of me cracks seeing my ex-girlfriend hurt, but a small part of me thinks that something is amiss by this sudden act from her crew.
“I am not going anywhere. Bolt will be here soon to fix you right up.” I sigh, leaning over her to look her in the eyes. “Why did he do this?”
She sighs, looking away.
“He took over after Crypt got killed. Said that he was weak to be beaten by a pussy MC.”
“So why did he beat on you?” This comes from Savage.
I glare at him over my shoulder but he doesn’t budge with the scrutiny he is throwing her way. He cocks a brow at me in challenge but I grit my teeth and look back to Val.
“He saw me talking to you that day I got into it with that bitch.”
“Hey,” I snap, hearing her call Stevie a bitch. “She used to be your best friend and only wanted the best for you. You treated her like shit.”
Val closes her eyes, turning her head away from me.
“Typical that you would take up for her, when I am the one beaten up. I didn’t ask for this, Logan. If anything, it is you and the club’s fault for coming to my house. You put a target on my back.”
Guilt fills my gut like lead, so I close my eyes and take a deep breath to control it. I feel sick to my stomach that we caused this. Okay, we did not beat her but they saw us speaking to her, and no doubt thought she was snitching on them.
“Hmm.” Savage makes a noise but I don’t look at him.
“I knew I shouldn’t have come here.” She goes to sit up but I press down on her shoulders gently to stop her.
“You need to be looked at. I need you to talk to Pres, and tell him everything.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Logan,” she cries. “He thinks I told you stuff about the crew; he wouldn’t believe me.”
“So, why come here?” Racer asks, stepping up to the side of the bed.
“Can this wait until after Bolt looks at her?” I ask.
“Why? She is not going anywhere.”
“It is fine, Logan,” she whispers but keeps her head facing away.
Something in my gut is telling me to be careful with her. I do not like how she won’t look me in the eye or give a straight answer.
“I thought that since Logan and I have history, he would take care of me.”
“After you told him to stay out of your business and said that you would not stop dealing drugs in my state,” Racer says, his voice flat but holds a tone of authority. “We gave you a chance and you threw it back in our faces, and now you come to my club looking for help?”
She huffs and it makes my hackles go up.
Bolt comes into the room before she can speak.
“What do we have?”
“Check her out and report back to me.” Racer’s voice is commanding. “Church.”
I run my hand over Val’s forehead, but she won’t look at me. “I will be back in a bit. You are safe with Bolt.” She nods, keeping her eyes closed.
Sighing I leave the room, ignoring the dead stare that Savage is giving me but that does not stop him from speaking up.
“You know she is playing you.”
My gaze snaps in his direction, my anger spiking again. Stepping to him, his lips tilt up at the corner, showing he is not afraid of me.
“You don’t know shit. She was beaten to a fucking pulp, brother. No faking that.” I point to the room she is in.