Wrath Chapter 2
Coming through the gate of our compound, I was hit with pride.
It was the same every time I returned. We’d come a long way.
This was the most prominent visual example of how far that was.
Taking ideas from our friends’ compounds, we’d developed ours into something very similar.
It was a small community, not just a clubhouse.
We built houses rather than waiting until we found someone because there was no guarantee that it would happen or how soon.
Everyone chose what they liked, and they were all unique.
Some would say we should wait to get our old ladies’ or old men’s input, but changes could be made short of tearing them down and starting over.
After someone was patched in, they were asked to get with us on their house plan.
There was a local contractor we trusted who built all our homes.
Elijah was a friend of the club. He and I went to school together, and he was one of the few people who didn’t care who my family was.
He stuck by me and was a friend no matter what.
Usually, with bodies and a captive, we’d bypass the clubhouse and go straight to the Thieves’ Hole.
That was the name given to the underground chamber beneath the storage building at the back of the compound.
We accessed it from inside the building, so no one, if they could spy on us, would know we were doing it.
We had everything we needed to extract information when necessary, like it was tonight.
The name was Dad’s idea. He loved to read, and pirates and other related subjects fascinated him. When he was president and the club moved here, he insisted we needed such a place, so he named it. I had to admit, it came in handy at times, and I liked the name.
I had to deal with Dylan’s cousin tonight before starting in on the guy we had tied up in the van.
I pulled into the parking area in front of the clubhouse.
The others stopped. I got off my bike and went to the van.
Keno had his window rolled down, waiting for my instructions. Dylan, Jalisa, and Ryder joined us.
“Take them to the Thieves’ Hole. Dylan, you go with him. It’s a two-man job. Leave the bodies in the van. There’s no use moving them in and out. We’ll be there once I take care of things here and get the rest of the club updated and out there,” I told the prospects.
Dylan hesitated. “Pres, I’ve gotta ask. What about Jae? I’m responsible for her while she’s here. You know my uncle. If something happens to her, he’ll lose it.”
“Your cousin is perfectly safe here with us. All I’m doing is getting her settled in the clubhouse, and hopefully, Betty can keep her company.”
“Whoa, hold on. I told you back at the house that I bagged him and earned the right to be there when you question him. I was the one who could’ve been raped, kidnapped, or killed.
Don’t tell me you’re a bunch of chauvinists who think women are too weak to be involved in this kind of thing.
I’m not. I can promise you,” Jalisa said firmly.
“We don’t have any women other than Betty here, and she sure as hell doesn’t watch us torture anyone. She stays at the clubhouse or home and lets us do our job. It’s not chauvinistic to protect women and children from shit like this,” Ryder interjected before I could reply. He was frowning.
“Listen, I get that you’re the enforcer, and I’m more than familiar with your job.
However, I’m telling you that you don’t have to coddle me like you do this Betty.
I won’t faint, protest, or cry. And I sure won’t puke when the gore begins to show.
I’m going.” She folded her arms and glared at Ryder.
“Jae, this is my club, and you’re disrespecting my president and enforcer. Stop it,” Dylan snapped.
Her expression eased, and she nodded. “You’re right.
I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. Forgive the impertinence.
But I am asking you to please allow me to come along.
I can handle it and won’t go blabbing about it.
I killed two men. Do you think I want anyone to know that?
I don’t want to sit in prison for the rest of my life. ”
I was torn. On one hand, my instinct was to tell her to stay at the clubhouse because protecting her was natural. However, I knew from all the times we helped our friends in the other clubs that their women were sometimes very involved. Harlow, Sloan, Joli, and Jauhnna came to mind.
As I debated whether to allow it, the roar of more bikes caught my attention. There were already bikes and a couple of vehicles in the parking area. Based on the ones here, I knew who was inside. The gate opened, and Storm, Rage, Crusher, and Chains rode in. They would complete our numbers.
As they rode up and came to a stop, the front door of the clubhouse opened, and out came the others. The whole club was gathered outside. Sighing and knowing I had to explain firsthand and then do the deed, I postponed answering Jalisa’s request. Instead, I issued a demand.
“Prospects, you know what to do. Do it and stay until we get there. The rest of you, I need you inside. Hold the questions until I’m done talking.”
I received a few puzzled looks, but most were curious or slightly concerned. As the van pulled away, I looked at Jalisa, standing nearby, watching the guys file inside.
“We’ll finish talking after I tell my club who Dylan and you are. I’d like you inside. I promise no one will hurt you.”
“Wrath, no disrespect, but I dare them to try. Let’s go,” she said cheerfully.
She came closer, and I automatically placed my hand on her lower back.
She came up to my shoulder. Her head could easily tuck in underneath it, so I could keep her close and protected.
Warmth shot up my arm from the hand on her back, and I swore there was tingling.
I didn’t remove it. It wasn’t a sensation I hated.
However, the thought of bringing her against me surprised me, and they weren’t appropriate.
She was Dylan’s cousin and had a history that would make anything between us a hard no.
Disappointment filled me at the thought.
She didn’t pull away either. We entered the large common room together.
It was the central gathering place in the clubhouse.
It was where we drank, partied, had celebrations, and played.
There were bedrooms, storage rooms, and more, but this was the main communal area.
That was the case in all the clubs that I’d been to.
All eyes landed on us. I guided Jalisa to the middle of the room.
The others gathered around us, forming a circle.
“You may want to take a seat. It’ll take a minute to explain what’s going on and why,” I informed them.
This led to everyone dragging chairs from the tables around the room and reforming the circle.
Storm and Ryder brought two for Jalisa and me.
She smiled and told them thank you. I didn’t like her smiling at them or how they smiled back.
Christ, I needed to get my head on straight.
She wasn’t for me. No matter how much she was affecting my body.
After we were all seated, I met Rage’s gaze.
He was studying me and then Jalisa. I had no idea what he was thinking.
He had his stony face on. Not wanting to prolong this any longer than necessary, I launched into it.
I prayed they’d understand and not be too angry with me or Dylan.
Honestly, I was more worried about how they’d treat him.
“I did something about seven months ago and didn’t tell the club about it.
This thing I did was done after much thought and debate.
I ensured that there would be no fallout on the club.
Crusher was aware since he had to do the background work, but he was sworn to secrecy by me.
I do not want anyone to give him a hard time about it.
” I scanned the room. All eyes were on me. I paused for a moment, then continued.
“The decision I made pertains to Dylan. He came to me asking to prospect for the club.
As with all prospects, he submitted himself to our background procedure.
However, before it was launched, or I told him he had to do it, he confided in me that he had a complicated history. It was regarding his family.
“Dylan has done a wonderful job these past six months. Many of you commented on how effortlessly he has fit in and done his job. There’s a reason for that.
Dylan is more than familiar with MC life.
He grew up with family in one. You’re probably asking yourself, then why not join that one instead of ours?
That’s a legitimate question, and I asked him that.
The answer is easy. He doesn’t want to be a part of it because they’re a one-percenter MC.
He doesn’t want that lifestyle but wants to be part of a club. ”
This revelation caused several of them to mutter, but no one said anything. I kept going.
“He assured me that his family’s club knew of his choice and they wouldn’t cause problems for us by taking him on.
I wasn’t so sure. Crusher gathered as much information as he could about the club and his family.
After I had it, I contacted his uncle, who is a member of the club.
He assured me that they were aware of Dylan’s choice and that, although they were disappointed, they accepted it.
His uncle promised me we’d have no trouble with them.
All he wants is for his nephew to be happy and have brothers who’ll have his back.
I assured him even if Dylan didn’t patch in while he was with us, we’d have his back as long as he had ours. ”
The muttering grew louder, and I saw frowns on a few faces.