Chapter 21
Tico
Shuriken knocks on the door. When I answer it, I take the envelope he hands me containing Ember’s cut of tonight’s winnings. Since she’s still changing, I pocket it for now so I can give it to her later.
As we wait for Ember to come out of the women’s locker room, my gaze keeps going back to Rochelle, who is sitting on one of the benches as far away from us as she can.
Her worried gaze keeps darting between each of us.
I know she trusts Daemon, to an extent, but we’re all big men.
Some of us are bigger and more muscular than the men in the Chrome Vipers per the pictures Wire had sent to me during Ember’s fight.
The fact that we could easily overpower her if we wanted to, which we would never do, probably isn’t helping her nerves.
I walk over to her and stop a few feet away, crouching down to make myself smaller instead of hovering over her. Her eyes lower to her hands and a slight tremble runs through her.
“Rochelle, I know we said this before, but no one in my club will ever raise a hand to you in anger. I’d have their patches, shave off their club tattoo and then they’d be subjected to the punishment of the club if they ever did.
You are safe with us, but as you well know, anything can happen.
If you ever feel unsafe, let me know immediately.
If I’m not around, then talk to Taco who is my VP, Cobra who is our SAA, or Daemon who is our Enforcer.
That goes for the bunnies as well. I know it will take you some time to realize the Royal Bastards are not the Chrome Vipers.
Our women and children are cherished; not hurt, abused, bred, or sold. ”
She looks up hesitantly, staring into my eyes as if searching for the lie, but she won’t find it. After a few moments, the tension in her body eases slightly and she gives a small nod, her lips curve into a small, soft smile.
“No wonder Ember is so drawn to you,” she says quietly. “You don’t know how much it means to me to know that her and Pyper have finally found a place to belong.”
“You could, too, if you wanted,” I tell her. “It’s obvious how much Pyper and Ember mean to you and vice versa. We can help you get settled after all this… is dealt with,” I carefully say and this time, Rochelle chuckles softly.
“You don’t have to tip toe around that with me, Tico.
I know you guys sometimes take care of things in not so legal ways and that doesn’t bother me so long as there is a good reason.
I’ve seen men, women, and children abused and killed just because of a perceived mistake or action.
” She hesitates as she clasps her hands in her lap so hard her fingers turn white.
“If…If you’re serious about helping me, there will be problems.”
My gut twists and I feel more than see mis hermanos (my brothers) attention honing in on Rochelle. “What kind of problems?”
She swallows thickly. “I…I was born into the Chrome Vipers. My mother was one of the women they kept in what us women call the ‘breeders room’. A large room with four rows of six bunk beds per row. I have no idea who my father is, much like the others born there. None of our births were ever recorded and none of us were allowed to go to a real school. We were all homeschooled. Then, when we were old enough, we worked the homestead.”
My jaw clenches. “They kept you invisible on purpose…” my voice trails off, unable to finish the sentence.
That if they were undocumented, there would be no trace of them when they were sold off or were killed.
Chingar (Fuck)…
Rochelle nods before looking over at Daemon and then back at me.
“Things got worse after Daemon left,” she says then her eyes widen and she shakes her head and hands, “not that we’re blaming you, because we’re not.
Not at all. We were all happy you got out because we knew at some point Scooter would come for you, too.
Just like he did to your parents. But by Daemon protecting Ember and Pyper, he’d been inadvertently protecting the rest of us, too, because Scooter and the others knew he was watching. ”
I turn, looking at Daemon and Taco who look like they want to go on a rampage.
“We bring down Chrome Vipers and then we free those women and children,” I tell them, my voice hard and cold with anger.
“Agreed,” they both reply in unison.
“But…where will they go? Most of them will need intensive therapy,” Ember says and my head snaps toward the locker room door, not having heard it open.
“That club we helped out a few years ago, the Steel Archangels,” Daemon says, “a couple of their Ol’ Ladies started a battered spouses and children’s center. Maybe they’d have room. Though, some of the women could have been kidnapped and have families to go back home to.”
“We’ll call them once we make our move.” Standing, I pull out my phone and shoot off a text before holding a hand out for Ember. “Come on, ladies, let’s get you back to the clubhouse. I just told the guys we’re heading out.”
“Does anyone have eyes on the Chrome Vipers?” Daemon asks as he steps up beside Rochelle.
“Yeah, Wire’s following them via camera while Psycho, Kane, Clutch and two Prospects all have eyes on them. It looks like they’re heading back to their hotel. Still no final word for a head count outside of those seven, though.”
I tuck Ember under my arm and Daemon stays close to Rochelle as we head out through the hallways. Outside, Jesse is waiting by the SUV, the door open and he is scanning the parking lot.
“Haven’t seen anything, Tico,” he says quietly while Ember helps Rochelle into the SUV.
Ember turns questioningly to me.
“Ride with Rochelle for tonight, Vicious. I don’t want them trying anything with you on the back of my bike.”
She gives me a slight nod and I shut the door after she climbs inside.
Turning to Jesse, he straightens at the look on my face. “Protect mi mujer (my woman) and our guest. Stay together.”
“Will do, Prez.”
Scanning the parking lot, I make my way over to my bike and start her up. A second later, the rest of mis hermanos (my brothers) do the same and with one last look at Ember through the windshield, I lead us out into the night with the SUV in the middle of the caravan.
As we drive down the mostly deserted streets, I can’t help but feel like someone’s watching us. However, nothing seems out of the ordinary. Ten tense minutes later, we pull up to the gates and Liam opens them, letting us in.
As we park, I gesture for Jesse to pull around to the back door so that Rochelle can slip inside, hopefully unnoticed to whoever might be watching us.
Right as I get off my bike, gunshots ring out and I crouch beside my bike, pulling out my gun.
Peering over my bike, I scan the parking lot.
A second later, I see movement near one of the garage lights—a couple of figures dressed completely in black with ski masks moving through the shadows.
Raising my gun, I fire, hitting one of them in the shoulder and the other in their arm.
To my right, I see more movement in the shadows and fire off a few more rounds.
More gunshots erupt around me, but it’s the three rapid fire shots coming from the rear of the clubhouse that make my stomach drop like lead.
Ember.
Scanning the area, mis hermanos (my brothers) are gradually picking off the shooters. Carefully, I make my way to the corner of the clubhouse and peak around the side of the building. Not seeing anyone, I quickly make my way towards the backyard. When I hear her voice, relief rolls through me.
“You thought you could come in here and force us to return with you like the stupid fucking idiot you are,” Ember snarls. “Big fucking mistake.”
Rounding the corner, I see Bug, her uncle, laying face down on the ground.
His shoulder and side are covered in blood and his hands are zip tied behind his back.
Ember is on his back, pressing her knee into his spine while she holds her gun to his temple.
Behind her, Jesse is guarding the SUV, gun drawn, which tells me Rochelle must still be inside it.
In the distance, there is another man, but he’s lying face first in the dirt and not moving.
A quick look has me exhaling, he’s not one of ours.
“I am going to enjoy making you scream and bleed for everything you did to us,” Ember says darkly and I fight a smirk, proud of my vicious little hellcat for subduing Bug.
“Jesse?” I ask and as I step closer, he turns.
It’s then that I notice he’s got a long cut near his temple and blood trickling down his face. His eyes seem a little unfocused and I hope the fuckers haven’t given him a concussion. Around us the shooting dies down, so I can only hope that this is over.
“They came at us when I was helping Ember out of the SUV. This fucker got the drop on me, hitting me alongside the head with his gun. When he tried to grab Ember, she went at him and got him pinned to the ground. She told me to make sure our guest remained safe while she made sure he didn’t get away. ”
I dip my chin in thanks and look around the grounds. Mis hermanos (my brothers) are dragging people towards the shack along the tree line, which leads down to our dungeon, what we call our interrogation room.
“Get all of the survivors down to the dungeon and have Psycho take care of the others. I’ll get our guest settled. Make sure to have Chief check you out.”
He dips his chin in acknowledgement. I walk over to Ember before crouching down in front of Bug, aiming my gun at him. His gaze locks on the barrel. The dark part of me loves the fear in his eyes which he tries, and fails, to hide.
“You done fucked up, güevón (asshole). You thought you could come into my clubhouse and steal mi mujer, my woman?” I make a tsking sound and Bug’s eyes widen before they narrow at me. “That’s pretty fucking stupid, güevón (asshole).”
“She isn’t your anything. She’s Chrome Viper’s property, nothing more.” He grins, his teeth bloody from a hit Ember must have landed earlier. His confidence rises with his arrogance, making him think he has the upper hand. “She owes us for everything we’ve done for her.”
Ember digs her knee harder into his spine and pulls back her arm, striking him with the butt of her gun.
“You’ve never done a fucking thing for me in my life. I don’t owe you assholes a god damn fucking thing!” she snarls. “If anything, it’s the other way around.”
Reaching into my pocket, I slip on my brass knuckles and his eyes widen at the sight as fear enters his eyes once again.
“You’re wrong, güevón (asshole). Your pathetic excuse of a club and Oasis aren’t getting their hands on her.
I’ll make sure of that and then I’ll wipe your entire club off the fucking map.
You’re in my world now, hijo de puta (motherfucker), and now you’re going to pay.
” Pulling back, I land a hard punch to his face that knocks the güevón (asshole) out.
Taco and Daemon approach us, and Daemon’s eyes blaze even brighter with anger when he sees who Ember has pinned to the ground.
“We’ll take care of the fucker from here, Em,” Daemon tells her, his voice hard and cold.
Slowly, Ember rises and like me, she keeps her gun trained on Bug until both Daemon and Taco haul him up off the ground.
“Is anyone else hurt?” I ask them and Taco nods reluctantly.
“A couple of the guys have grazes and Liam was hit in his arm.”
Rage burns in my veins, but I hold back. For now. “Who?”
“Besides Liam, it was Cobra, Psycho, Gorgon, and Corvus.”
I grit my teeth and dip my chin. “Have Creed and Tiny help Chief patch everyone up.” My gaze cuts to the shack that leads down to the dungeon. “Set a guard on them. We’ll let them sit on ice tonight and after Church in the morning, we’ll deal with them.”
Ember stiffens slightly beside me. From the look she gives me, I know we’ll be having a talk when it’s just the two of us. I just don’t know how I feel about involving her that much, even though she made the offer before.
We both watch Taco and Daemon drag Bug away. When they disappear into the shack, Ember steps out of my grasp and quickly strides back to the SUV. She opens the back door and her shoulders slump with relief.
“I-Is it over?” Rochelle asks quietly, and even I can hear the tremble in her voice.
I step up behind Ember, noting that Rochelle is still hunkered down on the floor. “Yeah, it’s over. Let’s get you inside,” I respond.
I help Rochelle out of the back and the three of us head through the back door of the clubhouse.
“Mijo (my son).”
My head snaps up and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see her standing in the kitchen next to Pyper, both of them unharmed.
“Mamá (Mom), I’d like you to meet mi mujer (my woman), Ember, and her stepmom, Rochelle. I see you’ve already met Pyper, Ember’s younger sister. Ember and Rochelle, this is mi mamá (my mom), Sofia.”
Next to me, Ember stiffens slightly but if Mamá (Mom) notices, she doesn’t say anything. Mamá (Mom) crosses the room and pulls Ember in for a hug. Ember’s eyes are wide as she gives me a startled look and hesitantly, she reaches up, returning the hug before wincing.
Internally, I curse myself for not warning her earlier. “Cuidadosa (Careful), Mamá (Mom),” I say, worried that she’ll inadvertently hurt Ember further. “Ember had a fight tonight. She stepped in for Ice since Ice will be away from the circuit for a while”
When Mamá (Mom) pulls back, she looks over Ember and it doesn’t take long for her to spot the bruises already blooming on her pale skin.
“No wonder you caught la atención de mi hijo (my son’s attention),” she says as she winks at me. “I always said it would take a strong woman to make him settle down.”
I shake my head, and when Ember steps back, I wrap my arm around her waist. Then Mamá (Mom) straightens as she takes in Rochelle and her bruises before returning her gaze to mine.
“I got what you asked for, mijo (my son) and set up a room next to Pyper’s for Rochelle,” she pauses and turns to Rochelle, smiling softly.
“If you ever need anything, feel free to let me know. I’ll be staying for a while.
My room is next to Taco’s. I’ll show you where it is and tomorrow morning after breakfast, I’ll give you a tour. ”
“T-Thank you,” Rochelle replies and ducks her head.
Mamá (Mom) gives me a look that I read all too well. She’s going to go ‘mother hen’ on these three. I just hope that she doesn’t go overboard.