Twenty-Six
My first instinct was to control and protect when the clubhouse shook, and all hell broke loose. My priorities were my woman, the other women, and my brothers. In that order. Shit, when did she become priority number one? I don’t know, but she did, and she is. My first instinct was to get her to the safe room with the rest of the club women. Yes, the rational part of my brain readily ignored that she could handle herself. Me, being me, couldn’t let her run headfirst into danger. It was a misogynistic, manly way of thinking, but this is me, and this is the way I live my life. Men protect women, and usually, women let them. But not my tornado, and that is what I’m going to have a hard time coming to terms with, and is a fight for another damn day.
I didn’t know who was attacking us, and letting her go without that knowledge didn’t sit right with me. So yes, I ignored her threats. Yes, I pretended not to wince at the graphic way she described what she would do to me if I didn’t let her do her job. And yes, I wanted to murder Bane when he opened his fucking mouth, telling her to shut up. At that moment, I knew she wouldn’t cower in the safe room. Feeling her body become rigid after Bane opened his mouth made it clear that she was restraining herself when dealing with me and my need to protect her.
I got that, too.
The fact that she tried to rationalize with me and not put me on my ass to let me know she understood what I was feeling at that moment. But I knew she would give me hell if I didn’t let her go. And I don’t think I’d survive that shit, so I went against everything in me and let her.
I had to chuckle at her last comment before she took off. That woman is going to keep me on my toes.
Once she was off, I unleashed hell on Bane as soon as they secured the women in the safe room. But not too much, seeing that he already caught a little of my woman’s wrath. Seeing his cheek and ear bleeding didn’t diminish my need to have a talk with him with my fists. The fucker got an introduction to fist-meet-face. And damn, it felt good. It helped release a little tension and unease about what was happening. And my willingness to let my woman go off head-first into a dangerous situation. Of course, Bane looked at me like I was the asshole. But that shit died in the water as soon as Vex was in his face, making it clear that he would not have been as kind as his sister and I. He’d fuck him up.
Once we got all the women in the safe room and situated. It was time to get to work. And make sure my crazy ass woman’s back was covered.
Vex and a few other brothers stood guard at the main entrance, ensuring no one entered the clubhouse. This isn’t our first rodeo with someone coming at us head-on. It doesn’t happen often, but it happens. Being the Mother Chapter of one of the largest clubs in the states, we are no strangers to violence or having to defend our territories. We are not afraid to get bloody. They don’t scare us. Which is why we need to make it clear that we’re not to be fucked with. Never have been and never will be.
What pisses me off is that we didn’t see this shit coming. I don’t think Bellamy and her team did either, which I’m sure has her ready to take out anyone in sight. She and her crew seem to be the type to be on top of their shit, and this attack blindsiding us won’t go over well.
As I checked on my club brothers, it’s clear that whoever coordinated this attack was an amateur. Once I got outside, I realized they didn’t even breach further than the main gate. Three SUVs were spread out inside the fence line–tires shot out, and they were sitting on rims. Another vehicle, I assume, carrying a few of them to their deaths, was out on the road. Fucking idiots. Their numbers were impressive, but their skill was lacking.
A few of the fuckers took their chances, pushing forward in an attempt to break away from the crowd to gain ground on us, but we weren’t letting that shit happen. Prez, being the man he is and a crazy motherfucker, is not the type to hide behind and take cover, or send his brothers to do the dirty work in his place. He’s the type to run into the middle of the shit and do what needs to be done. Currently, he is standing without cover, plowing fuckers down. Crazy son of a bitch.
Of course, his crazy ass is being covered by his brothers. No one will let Prez take a bullet. I could go over there to help him out, but he has plenty of it, and his maniacal laughter makes it even more clear that he’s having the time of his life and isn’t worried about shit.
Shaking my head at him. I surveyed the area. My heart rate picks up when I don’t immediately find Bellamy or anyone from her team. And then I see her. At first, I thought she was as crazy as her father talking to herself, but then I realized she was talking into a com device. I remember her talking to her brother earlier through it. I let out a sigh of relief. Knowing she’s unharmed. And then it happens.
My Bellamy, my tornado gets hit. Rage engulfs me, having me see red. And I took off like a bat out of hell. And from there, things happened in a blur.
in chapter seperator
Once all was said and done, our end had no casualties, though the club grounds were littered with bodies. I don’t even know what the hell to say to this woman. She is fucking nuts. There is no way around that fact. Watching her work was an experience. Never in my life have I seen someone so focused and not at the same time. Her body seemed on autopilot, alert and aloof, which is the only way I can explain what I witnessed. It was the strangest shit. At one point, I saw her on her phone on some food-ordering app, just scrolling and shooting. Fucking crazy. She was taking people out without a second glance, yet her eyes seemed so unfocused each time I got a glimpse of them.
And now she is getting stitches like a champ. I may have snapped at her for acting like what was going on was no big deal and how unfocused she seemed. She didn’t bite my head off. After introductions, Doc kept giving me a weird look when he cleaned and stitched her. She didn’t even react–until she did. I have honestly seen nothing like it. I don’t think Doc has either. It's like she was detached from her body while her mind focused on other shit.
“WHERE IN THE FUCK ARE MY KIDS?”
My head snaps up to see Prez standing in the middle of the lot, looking around frantically. And it would be funny as shit if I didn’t notice the fear and craziness in his eyes.
Brothers have already started cleaning up. Thank fuck, because shit was a mess. The bastards took out some cars, and the bikes seem to have received some damage. You would think that when they announced their arrival, they'd go for the bikes, not the ol’ lady and club girl's vehicles, fucking amateurs. Thank fuck the bikes that got any damage weren’t anywhere near mine. They were beside the cars. Tomorrow I won’t have to deal with too many brothers whining at my shop doors.
When Prez sees me, he stomps to me, and his eyes are murderous.
“Where the fuck are my kids, VP? I know my Bell was with you. I lost Blaze when shit kicked off. WHERE THE FUCK IS MY DAUGHTER?” His eyes are wild.
I hear a chuckle and a giggle. Prez’s head snaps to where Bellamy, Sin, and Doc are. I see instant relief in his eyes, and his body relaxes, but then he stiffens, and his eyes narrow on her leg where Doc is working on her. Doc is wrapping Bellamy’s leg in some gauze while she is talking to Sin. Amusement shines in her eyes as she talks to her sister but stares up at us. Prez's strides are quick and determined. Just as Doc tapes the last bit of gauze, Prez bends down, snatches Bellamy off the ground, and has her in his arms in a punishing hug. She looks at me, and I catch the wince on her face.
“Fuck, kid… Just fuck.” Prez huffs his head in her hair.
Prez repeats his words while he holds his daughter to him. She is a good sport about it as she tentatively wraps her arms around him and pats his back. Sin stares on, and both Bellamy and I catch a look in her eyes. I walk closer to Sin and stand close enough to show her that someone is here and sees her. Even if she doesn't want my closeness, she has it. If I’m going to claim my woman, then her sister is a part of the deal, and with what happened earlier, I know the look on Sin’s face has something to do with that. Bellamy’s eyes come to mine, and she mouths thank you as she recognizes what I did.
Bellamy tries to pull out of her pops’ arms, but he isn’t having it. He bends down, picks her up bridal style, and stomps toward the clubhouse without a word. I can hear him talking to her and then in true Bellamy fashion. She says some silly shit. I, along with Sin and Doc, follow along wordlessly, listening to the nonsensical shit Prez is talking.
Prez stops talking to Bellamy for a second and looks around. Brothers have been putting shit back together and pilling broken shit up. This shit is going to be a nightmare to deal with.
“CHURCH. Lights out, boys.”
We are prepared for this situation when Prez calls lights. The priority is getting the bodies out of sight and shutting the lights off around the compound. We have neighbors who are aware that they heard and saw nothing. Residents within a ten-mile radius of the are owned by club members, friends, or family. Of course, there are a few outliers. But we can handle them if need be. We learned years ago that it is best to ensure the area around the compound is secure and that we can control as many of the homes and their occupants as possible. They know not to call the law. Those we don’t own and control understand at least they better.
Prez makes it to the main entrance, still cradling his girl. Bellamy speaks up before he steps into the clubhouse, making Prez stop and listen, giving her his full attention.
“Aww, old man, you’re so cute. Don’t worry, Daddio, I’m all right, only got a little boo–boo. Your Doc patched me right up. But I have to say his bedside manner needs some work.” Prez lets out a bark of laughter and shakes his head as she continues, “All is good in the world. The bad guys are toast. But we’ve got to talk. P.S. It’s so cute to hear you call me my Bell. I kind of am, hmm? I like it.” She puts her hand on her chin contemplatively, then says my Bell in a deep voice. I’m assuming to impersonate her father’s voice, which makes everyone around chuckle at her silly ass. “Though, big guy, this caveman thing has got to stop. P.P.S. Don’t worry about all the mess. My people will be here…” She looks down at her phone, then shifts in his arms, looking over his shoulder at the damaged front gate. “They are already here.” She turns again in Prez’s arms, looking around at the small crowd gathered around us, attempting to walk into the building.
“HEY EVERYONE, CAN YOU ALL DO ME A HUGE FAVOR AND NOT PEW–PEW MY PEOPLE? THANKS!” She cackles loudly at her joke because, to her, it was the funniest shit she’s ever heard at my expense. I shake my head as everyone around us is unsure whether to laugh or call for a psych eval. My woman is a damn nut.
When what she says clicks, it has me and everyone turning to see what she’s talking about. We all watch, stunned, as a big rig and a few other vehicles come barreling into the compound entrance. Within seconds, a shit ton of men and women wearing tactical gear jump out with impressive efficiency. Without sparing us a glance, they move the bodies. Others focus on the SUVs riddled with bullets. And another group is cleaning bullets up by hand and picking up debris.
My attention goes to a short, full, figured, gray-haired black woman who looks like she’s on a mission as she stomps toward us with a bag in her hands and eyes narrowed. Her focus is solely on my woman. I look at my tornado, who has her hands outstretched, opening and closing her fingers in a give-me motion. A massive smile on her face tells me and everyone else that she knows the woman. We all stand around stunned and watch the interaction. The woman stops directly in front of Prez, who is holding Bellamy, ignoring everyone else. She shoves the bag into Bellamy's hands with an eye roll, a chuckle, and a shake of her head.
“For you, and future reference…” She narrows her eyes as she watches Bellamy tuck into the food in the bag. She shakes her head again and says something under her breath about needing Jesus and the patients to deal with these children.
“Who the fuck are these people? Who the fuck is she? Prez, who the fuck are your kids?” Gremlin, one of my club brothers, says with awe and concern on his face. Bellamy is the one to answer.
“Well, good sir. If I told you, I’d have to kill you, but that would defeat the point of me being here. So I’ll say this… I am a world-class assassin, genius, extraordinaire, and those are my people. We are a part of the organization; you know, The Organization.” She stares at him, and his mouth opens and closes. Recognizing she’s stunned him, she turns to the woman.
When I say everyone stops, I mean everyone, including Prez, freezes when at the realization. I had my suspicions, but to have confirmation is… Bellamy doesn’t skip a beat.
“Thank you, godmother, you are the best in the whole wide world, and I would have starved and withered away without you picking up my food. You are the best human in the world, and I will give you a million-dollar tip because I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK, BEATRIX VAHN,” her voice is light, and she giggles, which has the Beatrix woman looking at her with shock in her eyes.
The woman says nothing to Bellamy. She shakes her head again, huffs that she needs a nap, turns her heels, and stomps off. For a few moments, everyone watches her go, and the faces surrounding us are filled with shock, aww, and many questions.