50. Cage Madness #2
“Not as a couple’s session,” Leo explains. “But he thinks some subjects I may finally open up about with you in the room…if you’re alright with that.”
“Of course.” I rub my hand against his chest, reassuring him. “I really am proud of you, Leo.”
“I don’t know how you did this on your own. Some days, if not for you or Dr. Maxwell, I’d splinter apart.”
I take a long breath, looking past Leo as I see the sun’s rays lower in the horizon. Bright streaks of colors through clouds. “Honestly, I don’t know either sometimes. But that’s kind of what survival and healing is. You do what you must.”
I look back at him giving him a smile. “It does get easier, even when there are bad days,” I say softly, reaching up and lightly run my finger down where that line between his furrowed brow is. It vanishes. “You push through those shitty days, and wait for the next sunrise.”
Leo brushes his fingers over my cheek again, his gaze tender. He says again, “I love you.”
I place my forehead against his as our breaths intermingle, closing my eyes.
Slowly, Leo tilts his head for his lips to touch mine.
It’s almost like the first time, mouths meeting tenderly as our lips join at a warm caress.
I start to pull away, not wanting to overdo it, until his hand slides up to the nape of my neck.
My breath hitches, arousal blossoming below as his other grips my hips against his.
Leo presses further, kissing me deeper than he has in months as my body shudders at the touch.
I want to moan, melt into him after so long.
My hands glide over his shoulders, back up to wrap them around his neck.
“Autumn,” he breathes against my lips, going back in like a man starved. The kiss becomes fervent, giving in to the desire as Leo definitively takes that next step. We make out like teenagers on his bike, hips pushing against his as we become hot and wanting.
A wolf whistle pierces the air.
Leo immediately rips away, growling at whoever is interrupting us. I can’t stop the sudden giggle, finally seeing that familiar disgruntlement of being disturbed upon his face. He slides his gaze to me, almost softening perhaps realizing it, too.
I look over my shoulder, finding, of course, the Crew there with amused faces. And slight fear.
“If you’re gonna do it on the bike, least do it behind the bar like a gentleman,” Iron Buffalo comments.
“Careful,” Leo warns.
“Easy, Spartan, just joking,” he adds, crossing his arms over his chest with a smile. “Besides…you adore us.”
“Not right now,” Leo grumbles, holding me close. I rub my hands over him, grinning.
“We gonna do what we planned or yer gonna stay out here, makin’out like kids at prom?” Chesty asks, puffing out smoke from his cigar.
“Y’all don’t need us if you’re playing Duck, Duck, Goose,” I retort, and half of them laugh, while the other half look more concerned. I shrug. “Fine, Sardines.”
Enigma and Animal burst out laughing. Ringer shakes his head.
“Well, Spartan?” Sombra asks.
Leo pats my hip, helping me off the bike as Enigma comes over to help and hand me my cane. I get onto the sidewalk with Leo behind me, facing the rest of the Crew. I give them all an odd look, realizing we’re staying out here.
“Okay, gangsters, what are you up to?” I ask.
Ringer walks over to his motorcycle, pulling something out of his saddlebags as Sombra starts talking.
“Never had special rituals or ceremonies, we just get to the point. We make a decision and go forward. Couple weeks ago, the Forgotten Demons had a vote in changing some club by-laws. It was unanimous across all our chapters.”
Butterflies form in my stomach, fluttering as I adjust my weight as I stand. Leo places his hand on the small of my back, giving me extra support.
“Proven you’re more than just Spartan’s Old Lady,” Ringer adds.
“Eres nuestra hermana,” Engima says with a smile. “Good mechanic, too.”
“We know you’ll wear it with pride,” Iron Buffalo says, grinning with the rest.
“From escaping mobsters to hot wiring bikes, you’re a biker, Miss Autumn,” Pretty Boy Bond states.
Ringer holds out what he got to Sombra, who takes it and comes closer to hold it out to me. “Don’t need some probationary stage or what the fuck ever…you earned this fucking patch.”
I take it, opening the new black leather vest. The Forgotten Demons patch is on the back, but across the shoulders it says New York.
“You’re the official first New York member for the Forgotten Demons,” Sombra says quietly.
I stare at the leather, Leo reaching past me to help turn it over so I can see the front. A Member patch is on it, below a smaller patch says Old Lady. I smirk, but my chest shakes with emotion.
“You’re a full member,” Sombra says, meeting my gaze as they fill with tears. “Can vote and everything. Whole club voted for women to be part of the club, not just as Old Ladies. You’re the first.”
I look down again, speechless as I find a road name patch: Cage Madness.
“Pretty Boy suggested the madness part, given how many times you’ve watched the damn movie,” Sombra comments.
“And can recite the songs,” Chesty adds.
“Hey, it’s a good movie!” I argue.
They exchange looks, grimacing while a few roll their eyes with amusement.
“And it seemed wrong not to include your tiny obsession with Nick Cage,” Animal teases.
I shrug. “He’s an expressive actor. The beginning scene of Face/Off is iconic.”
“More like deranged,” Chesty comments.
“And creepy,” Engima adds.
“Don’t start with me.” I narrow my gaze.
“Yeah, Cage Madness works perfectly,” Iron Buffalo chuckles.
“Gonna put the vest on?” Enigma asks, waving me on.
Handing my cane to Leo, I take off the one I have on, pulling on the new one. It’s perfect. I grin, smoothing my hands down before I take Rhonda back. I catch Leo’s look of pride and affection.
“Was this your idea?” I ask.
“No. Given slight conflict of interest, I stepped back to let them all decide,” he answers. “Ringer proposed it.”
My gaze moves to my inconceivable giant with those blue eyes. He winks, but not before brushing away stray tears and smiles. “Barchen.”
I give him a nod back.
“Well, good news she didn’t say no and took the vest!” Animal yells.
“Cage Madness is part of the Crew and Forgotten Demons…” Chesty states, looking over at me with a feral grin, “…officially.”
He lets out a shout, along with the others who give their celebration.
They all take their turns of hugging me or patting me on the back.
Once through, we start to head back into the bar to celebrate me as a new member.
Leo puts my old vest into his saddlebags, walking back into the bar alongside me where Snake Eyes waits.
The biker glances down at my new vest, grinning from ear to ear. “Congratulations, Cage Madness.”
“Thanks, Snake Eyes.”
He glimpses at Leo, and chuckles, “The Spartan and Cage Madness. Perfect pair indeed.”
Snake Eyes then calls out to the bar for a free round to celebrate. There are shouts of elation as I walk in as a Forgotten Demon.