Chapter 49
Daisy
We stayed in the common room most of the day. I didn’t know these guys. They wore cuts almost identical to ours, but they were still strangers. One of the men who helped rescue me went with Falcon, but two others stayed behind. They weren’t very chatty, but the President here had checked in on us several times.
“What do you think’s taking so long?” I asked as I looked down at my phone. We had both gone back to the bunny bunks after the guys left to get a little more sleep. Lacy rode with Eagle in a cage but it was still early as hell. The guys had left before dawn and Falcon said they’d be back tonight.
She lifted her head from my shoulder. “I’m sure they’re fine. It’s a long ride there. Like eight hours or something.”
“Y’all wanna come eat?” the brunette bunny from last night asked as she popped her head in the room. “These guys won’t bite. Promise.”
Almost on cue, my stomach rumbled. “Yeah. Couldn’t hurt.”
We stood up and the other bunnies who had been sitting around with us got up, too. We followed them outside and it seemed a lot like home–picnic tables, burn barrels and fire pits, horseshoes, lots of coolers and a couple of kegs, and food. Lacy and I held hands as we walked to the table with plates and utensils.
We both grabbed a hot dog, some chips, and I got extra pickles before we went to find a table. We found a seat by one with a cooler sitting next to it and grabbed a couple of sodas out. I didn’t feel like partying and, while everyone seemed nice, I didn’t want to be tipsy in an unfamiliar place without Falcon around.
A couple of ladies plopped down at the same table and smiled. The red haired one from last night asked, “So, like, did he really jump from a moving truck to that van you were in?”
I nearly choked on my hot dog. “He what?” In hindsight, I guess I knew he climbed in because I heard him barking orders at them while we were still moving, but I was gagged, bound, and blindfolded so it never clicked how it all played out. All that computed was that he came for me.
“That’s what I heard Tiny telling them guys over there. The whole thing sounded like something out of a fucking movie!” the brunette said.
Lacy smacked my thigh. “Girl, I knew the first time I saw him look at you. Obsessed!” She looked around the table and proceeded to tell them the story about how they whisked us away from Tony. “It was wild!”
You could practically see the hearts in their eyes. All I could do was eat my hot dog in the hopes they couldn’t see my silly grin. It had been wild. And he may have been obsessed from that moment, but I was, too. I’d wanted him to be my biker, and now he was. And realizing that he jumped between moving vehicles for me? Well, if I still had doubts, that probably would have squashed them.
He already told me he loved me, though. He spoke, but not often. When he did, it was always well thought out and perfectly executed. So, I knew what he said was true. He’s mine.
Before I got too giddy, I needed to change the subject. “Well, she got to ride with Eagle more than once,” I said as I looked at Lacy.
All the girls leaned in. “He’s so dreamy! Do you think you’ll be his old lady soon?”
Lacy shrugged. Her demeanor seemed to dampen but she forced a smile. “Who knows. I don’t know if I can handle being an old lady. What about you all?”
The other women chattered about how lucky we were, and they’d give anything to be an old lady, then plowed us with questions like did all the guys from our chapter look like our guys? How many old ladies were there in Atlanta? Did we know Mama Hen? Was she really as cool as everyone said? Eventually, the ladies began to finish their food and were quick to go find a guy to hang onto for the evening. It wasn’t a party, just dinner time at a clubhouse, a lot like back home .
I sat with Lacy and waited for everyone to clear out. The sun was going down and torches were being lit around the yard. Lacy leaned against me, so I put my arm around her. “Kinda like home, right?”
“Yeah. Still no word?” she asked.
I pulled my phone out and shook my head. “Nope. Did you get a phone yet?”
“No. I need to stop fucking around and find work. It sucks not having money.”
This was my chance. We’d talked briefly about it, but I wanted details on her relationship. It wasn’t being nosy if it’s your friend, right? “Does Eagle not take care of you?”
Lacy let out a heavy sigh. “He does. But I don’t think he’s planning to give me a cut.”
“I don’t–”
She grabbed my hand. “It’s okay. It’s not like I was looking for love. I’m glad to be away from Tony and I love the clubhouse. And Eagle’s great. He’s never been mean or rough with me. But he’s never been like Falcon is with you. So, for now, it’s fine, but I’m not counting on forever. Most of the guys in this life don’t settle at all, or they settle fast.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m glad you came up with him. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. But I hope you’ll stick around. At least as much as Jeannie, even if you don’t stay. But I think you’re wrong about him.” Lacy was no longer the only friend I felt like I had, but she was the closest one, and the first one I trusted. The first one I wanted to take care of. I found a way to get us both out and was just as happy to have her as I was to get her safe. She could have already left if she really wanted to, but she stayed. If she didn’t feel close to Eagle, I could only assume she stayed for me. I was sad that she didn’t have what I had, but glad she stuck by me.
“We may not be in love, but he’s still not bad to hold onto for a long ride,” she said as she bumped her shoulder into my side.
“I enjoy riding as much as the next girl, but I’d die happy if I never had to take another twelve-hour ride on a Harley. My pussy wasn’t right for days.”
We both giggled and I pulled her closer as we sat and watched everyone enjoying a normal evening.
After the crowd started to thin, Lacy and I headed back inside. The President, Knox, found us. He kind of reminded me of Hawk, but his hair was more brown than black. It was a similar cut, short on the sides with a little on top; he took care to style it a bit.
“Daisy, I just spoke to Hawk.” His face was serious.
Lacy squeezed my hand. “Did something happen?”
Thank God she asked because I was frozen. A million thoughts raced in my mind. Why would he seek me out if nothing bad happened? And why did he look like that?
“The mission hit a snag. Falcon was hit. ”
My vision started spinning like I’d had too much to drink even though I was sober. My chest tightened and my chin trembled.
Lacy walked me to the couch that she had been sleeping on this morning before the guys left. “Sit and breathe, Daisy.” She sat next to me and wrapped her arm around me, holding me close. “How bad is it?”
Lacy was normally timid and quiet, but I appreciated her speaking on my behalf because if I opened my mouth, the flood gates would open and I didn’t want to have a breakdown in the middle of this room where strangers surrounded me, drinking and getting blow jobs.
“I think he’s okay. But Hawk still thought it best to let you know something happened before you heard it elsewhere.”
Lacy gave me a little shake. “See, it’s okay. He’ll be okay. Why do men suck so bad at giving news? You could have led with that .”
I couldn’t help my laugh, but when I did, the tears I was trying to hold back followed. She wrapped me up as I covered my face. “Goddammit, I’ve never cried as much as I have in the couple of months I’ve known this man.” Once I at least got my breathing back under control, I wiped my cheeks and looked up at Knox. “I need to get there.”
His eyebrows shot up. “I can’t promise that. I’ll check with Hawk, but he’s not at another chapter.”
There’s no way they’d be at a hospital. Even though I would only ever get half-truths, I knew unless they were found unconscious, they wouldn’t be visiting a public place for something like that due to the nature of their visit. “Do you know where he is?”
“I’ll reach out to Hawk. Why don’t you try to get some sleep and I’ll see what can be arranged.”
Without an answer from me, he turned on his heel and took off. Lacy scoffed. “See? I don’t know if I can handle this forever,” she said as she pulled us back against the cushions.
“Why? What do you mean?” I asked, trying to calm my breathing.
“They’re good people, but everything is so secretive. You can’t have a normal conversation with these guys. I can never tell if they’re mad or just intense. And look around. That guy was with that girl over there when I got here last night,” she said as she pointed to a blonde by some tables. “But now he’s got that girl hanging all over him. Besides Falcon, they all seem to enjoy variety. Which is okay sometimes…”
“Do you like Eagle more than just hanging out?”
She shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe my hopes were too high. Falcon is just so into you. Is it so much to want that for me?” Her eyes went wide, and she waved her hands. “But not Falcon for me. Just, how he is with you. I don’t want Falcon!”
I rubbed my thumbs over my cheeks again, hoping to wipe away the remnants of another cry session with a chuckle at her over-explanation. “I don’t think you want Falcon. I know what you mean. It’s okay to want feelings reciprocated. But as far as Knox, he wasn’t being mean. I’ve learned it’s best to not know everything. But I can’t just sit here in the dark. I need to be with him if he’s hurt.” I wanted to be with him.
“Maybe it’s better if you aren’t, if you really believe what you said about not knowing,” Lacy said as she squeezed my hand again. “And maybe you’re right. I guess I’m just in my feels because I don’t know where I stand. Knox has been pretty cool.”
What she said about not being with him right now made total sense. He was my protector. If he was hurt, maybe he couldn’t do that. And I probably shouldn’t know the extent of how hurt or where he really is. But he wasn’t just my protector. He’s my man . If I couldn’t comfort him when all of this was for me, I didn’t deserve him. He spent so much time taking care of me and showing me he loved me, and my crazy ass didn’t fully see it because I was so stuck on self-preservation. He could’ve died coming to rescue me, and he got shot seeking my revenge.
I needed to be with him. Knox scared the hell out of me and, for a moment, my whole world was turned upside down. Falcon was my everything now, and I knew that I was his. He’d been showing me all along. I wanted to believe it but was so fucked up from every single life experience I had, I just couldn’t until now. But if this life was what it took to be with him, then I’d have my little cry and boss up. Because I’m always going to cry. But once I was done, I’d pull up my big girl panties and do what I needed to do, not just for me, but for us.
I stood up and grabbed Lacy’s hand. “C’mon.”
As I dragged my blonde friend behind me with one hand, I pulled my phone from my pocket with the other and sent a text to my biker.
Me : I heard what happened. I want to see you.
Knowing I probably wouldn’t get an immediate response, I shoved the phone back into my pocket and flew out the front door, headed outside. Knox was standing by a burn barrel alone, so I stomped that way. He turned and his gaze hardened when he saw me. He was on the phone. I couldn’t hear him, but he said something then seemed to end the call. “Can I help you?”
“I need to go wherever he is. Please,” I pleaded. “You can tell me how to get there or have someone take me, but I need to go.” He crossed his arms over his chest, but I kept going. I tried to keep my voice low and calm but continued my request. “I know they went to Jersey. Please help me. I know you guys don’t tell women stuff for a reason.” He put his hand up to stop me, but I raised mine, too, and persisted, “I know why. I’m not asking to be in the line of fire. I’m asking to go to his bedside. Please . Haven’t you ever loved someone?”
He raised one brow then asked, “Are you done?”
He was the President here and I had to try to be respectful, but I wanted to pop him in the nose. Instead, I took a deep breath and smiled. “Yes, sir.”
Knox shifted his weight from one leg to the other then held up his phone. “I was talking to Hawk when you came up. He’s getting me the details and Linx will drive you tomorrow in Falcon’s truck. He needs some sleep because he’ll drive Pitty’s bike back. Is that all to your liking?”
If he was anyone else, I would address the snarky tone. As it was, he was in charge and he told me pretty much what I wanted to hear, so I just said, “Yes.” I turned to hide my red face, but Lacy jerked my hand and batted her eyes at me. It seemed we both were finally coming out of our shells. I looked back at Knox who seemed to be waiting on more from me. “I’m sorry I interrupted your call. Thank you for trying to help and offering a member to drive me.”
“He’s an officer, but I’ll let that one slide,” he said with a smirk.
Fighting my eye roll, I replied, “Even more generous. You all are very much appreciated. I guess we need to get some sleep.” These men would fight the sass right out of me. A couple months ago I would have cared, but now I just wanted to find my man.
“Be downstairs at six. Linx wants to head out before rush hour,” he called after us.
I was missing our clubhouse and our normal crowd. But these guys did help rescue me and let me and Lacy stay while Falcon took care of business. They also loaned another guy for that. They weren’t so bad.
Checking my phone before we made it to the bunk room, I sighed. No reply. So much for getting any sleep.