A Family Man (13 page)

TWENTY

The Freaks MC had a reputation for being a lot of things. They were violent criminals, womanizers. Hell, they were killers. What people were less aware of, was that they gossiped more than a bunch of old washerwomen, and right now their latest subject was climbing off the back of  Tiny's bike and following him across the parking lot towards the clubhouse.

Long John craned his neck to get a better view. "Shit, I know Tiny likes 'em young. But there's no way that's legal."

"Nah, there's no way he's hitting that, she's just a kid. Joe likes his women to know what they're doing. Sweet little virgins ain't his scene." Stubs lit a cigarette. "Think he likes his women to have tits as well."

Spike rolled his eyes and pushed himself away from the picnic table. "You better not let him hear you talk about her like that. That's his kid."

"Tiny has a kid?" Mac's jaw dropped open. "Nah, I'd have known."

Vince, the president chuckled. "That can't be Tiny's kid. She's a pretty girl."

"She don't share his DNA, but if you ask, that's what he'll tell you." Spike followed Joe and Amy towards the clubhouse.

Amy couldn't remember the last time she felt so uncomfortable. It was clear from the moment she climbed off the back of Joe's bike that she was going to be the center of attention. "Am I going to be staying here?"

"No, sugar. We're gonna stay at Spike's place, I just need to get the key from him."

"Okay." She looked up as Spike walked in, closely followed by another huge Freak with a patch over one eye. Amy wrapped her arms around herself and shrunk closer to Joe. She'd never really thought about it before, but these guys were pretty intimidating, and as much as she wasn't looking forward to being alone with him—she was pretty sure he wasn't going to let her off lightly—she didn't want to stay here a moment longer than she needed to.

Joe gently laid his hand on her shoulder as they approached. "You remember Spike, don't you? And the ugly fucker with him is Long John. I know he looks scary, but trust me, he's a pussycat."

Spike grinned and handed Tiny his key. "I sent the prospect round to clean the place up. It's all yours for as long as you need it."

Amy frowned. "Aren't you staying there?"

"Nah, sweetheart. It's only got two bedrooms and I ain’t sharing with that ugly fuck. I can sleep here." Spike laughed. "An' I reckon he'll want somewhere private for when he rips you a new one."

Amy paled and Joe scowled at his brother. "Way to go, Spike." Taking her hand he led her back outside. He had planned on leaving her here while he was in chapel. He could see now that was a mistake. She may have been mouthy round him at times, but here in the clubhouse he was reminded that she was still a kid and was nowhere as tough as she thought she was.

He had nearly made it back to his bike when Gloria, Vince’s old lady, pulled onto the lot and climbed out of her car. Shit, he had kind of hoped he'd be able to slip under her radar. He could tell by her expression that she wasn't happy about him bringing such a young girl to the club.

"Tiny. Are you going to introduce me to your little friend?"

"Gloria, this is Amy. She'll be staying with me at Spike's for a while. She and her mom have got some shit going on. They need a bit of space from each other."

Gloria gave a tight little smile. "Hi, Amy. I'm Gloria. Welcome to Bay View."

Amy smiled and opened her mouth to speak, only to be dragged away by Joe. The last thing he wanted was Gloria getting into his shit. She may have been the president's wife, but as far as he was concerned she was just an old lady, and old ladies should know their place. "Joe. That was pretty rude."

"Don't give a fuck, sugar. C'mon let's get you to Spike's."

The prospect had done a half-decent job, and Spike's place was tidy and smelled fresher than the last time he had visited. Joe dropped her bag on the living room floor. "You can have Spike's room. It's at the top of the stairs on the right. Don't worry, the sheets are clean."

"Okay." She frowned as he stared to leave. "Where you going?"

"Back to the clubhouse. Got church. Don't worry, sugar, I won't be long. I'll pick up a pizza on my way back."

"Okay. Joe?"

"Yes, sugar."

"I'm sorry I'm such a fuck-up."

"You ain’t a fuck-up, Amy. You're a teenager. We'll figure this out."

Amy was curled up, fast asleep on the sofa when he got back. Joe smiled. She'd always slept like that, curled up in a tight little ball. He put the pizza on the coffee table and sat on the other end of the sofa. She stirred and sat up, stretching like a cat. "Oh, I fell asleep."

Grinning, he slipped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. "You always were a lazy bitch."

"Joe! I was not."

They ate their pizza and watched some crappy cop show, neither wanting to talk about the reason she was there. Joe couldn't shake the feeling that he was somehow responsible for her behavior. Maria was doing her best, but she couldn't rein her daughter in. And with Beth not around and his ma too frail to take care of her, it fell to him to keep Amy in line.

Amy stared at the TV screen and chewed on her thumbnail. She knew they had to talk about the stuff she'd been doing. She had thought she was angry with him but as soon as they were together, all her resentment disappeared. Unlike her mom, who just went on and on at her, Joe would blow up at her when he was pissed but as soon as he'd said his piece he would drop it. He never saw any point going over old ground. She took a deep breath. Suddenly all she wanted was to get this over with. "Joe?"

"Yes, sugar?"

"Are you pissed at me?"

"I ain't exactly thrilled with you, Amy. I mean, getting in a stolen car with that douche. Your mom said the cops reckoned it was a miracle he didn't wreck it, the way he was driving." He shook his head. "Fuck, sugar. I thought you were smarter than that."

"That's the point, though. I'm not smart. I'm stupid."

"No, you ain’t."

"Tell that to my teachers. They seem to think I am." She sighed. "Why do you think I skip school all the time? It's just so hard. The other kids don't seem to find it a problem, but I can't keep up. Every time I try to read, it's like the words are dancing around on the page, and when I try to write my spelling is so bad, and I get the letters all muddled up."

"Have you tried to talk to anyone about this?"

"Oh sure I'm gonna tell someone that I'm fourteen years old and so dumb, I can't read."

"I don't think you're dumb. I think you may be dyslexic. Although, what I don't understand, is how it could've been missed."

Amy shrugged. "I think I got good at hiding it. When I was in middle school, I'd copy from my friends, and at high school, if I couldn't do that, I'd just not hand work in. If there are classes where I have to read out loud, I don't bother turning up. Or if I am there, I'll act out, so they send me out." She laughed. "I'd rather they think I'm disruptive and a troublemaker than stupid."

"You ain't stupid. I told you. But we are gonna get to the bottom of this."

"Okay. Joe?"

"Yes, sugar?"

"How come you thought of this when no one else did?"

"Got a buddy in Seattle who's dyslexic. What you described is almost word for word how he explained it." He grabbed the last slice of pizza. "It doesn't excuse your behavior though."

"I know. It's just…I get so angry sometimes. I wish I could explain it. I just want to lash out, hurt someone, hurt myself."

Joe nodded. "Isn't there someone you can talk to about this?"

"You."

"Yeah, but I ain’t always around. Can't you talk to your mom?"

"No. she's just so stressed all the time. It's like every day is so hard for her and I'm just making it worse."

"What about Beth?"

"I haven't spoken to her for months. I think she's disappointed in me." She rested her head on his shoulder. "There's only you, Joe."

Joe gave her a squeeze. He was going to have to talk to Maria. As far as he could see there was only one solution, but he didn't think her mom would like it.

~ oOo ~

Spike sat on the picnic table and took a long drag on his joint. He turned as Long John sat next to him and snatched the joint away. "You okay, brother?"

"Yeah, just waiting for the brothers from Seattle to turn up."

They looked up as the roar of Harleys split the air, and their Seattle brothers pulled onto the lot. They watched as they killed their engines and headed towards the clubhouse. Suddenly Long John sat up straighter. "That's who Tiny's kid reminded me of."

Spike looked over to where Barney was standing, running his hands through his hair. "Whatever you think you know, brother, keep it to yourself."

"You mean Tiny doesn't know? The resemblance is uncanny."

Spike shrugged. "If he does, he ain’t saying."

Long John nodded. "Maybe he's in denial."

"Maybe. What I do know though, is that it ain't our business, and right now the club comes first. We got a lotta shit needs doing and we don't need personal shit getting in the way."

TWENTY-ONE

Joe couldn't deny the feelings of guilt. He should've been on the protection run to Tucson. Instead, here he was babysitting. It wasn't Amy's fault. If he's been there for her in the first place, they wouldn't be in this situation. There was no doubt that without intervention, she was going to end up going the same way as Maria. He took a deep breath. "Amy, sugar. I've been thinking, maybe when I go back to Seattle, you should come with me."

"But I don't know anyone in Seattle. All my friends are in California."

"That's exactly why you should be moving away."

"Yes but…”

"But nothing. If you keep on hanging with those assholes, you're gonna get deeper and deeper in the shit. Amy, you're a bright girl. I ain’t prepared to sit back and watch you throw your life away."

"There's no way Mom will agree."

"Actually, I spoke to your mom earlier. She thinks it's a good idea. To be honest, sugar, I think she's reached the end of her rope."

"Ha. Should've known she'd want to get rid of me."

"No, you're wrong. She's scared that history is going to repeat itself."

"I am not my mom!"

"Driving around in stolen cars, drinking, smoking weed. No, you're nothing like your mom." He pointed a finger at her. "Don't try an' fight me over this."

"So you're going to bully me into doing what you want?"

"If that's what it takes, sugar."

Amy scowled and hugged her knees. She knew there was no point in fighting with him. He'd made up his mind. And when Joe made up his mind, there was no changing it. Joe sat next to her and put his arm round her shoulders. "I know this isn't what you want. But it is for the best."

"And what about when you're on a run? You just gonna leave me on my own?"

"There are people that will look out for you. We'll figure it out."

"I really hate you sometimes."

"No, you don't." He kissed her on the cheek. "I'm gonna go out for a little while. There's someone I need to talk to. Will you be okay here, or do you want to wait at the clubhouse?"

"I'll wait here. I can watch TV or something." There was no way she was going back to the clubhouse. Those guys were scary.

~ oOo ~

The chop shop was situated just outside of Bay View. Joe passed the crates to where Vince and Barney were stripping the engines ready for shipment. "Barney, man. You got a minute?"

"Sure." Barney followed his brother outside and joined him on a stack of pallets. "Problem?"

Joe looked out over the trees. "I'm gonna bring Maria's kid back to Seattle with me when I go. Kid's got some issues, needs to get away from Fillmore."

"Okay." Barney wasn't sure he was happy with the way this conversation was heading.

"Yeah. So I was thinking. It's about time she got to know who her father is."

"Oh. I'm guessing that you think it's me."

"No. I know it's you."

"Maria say something?"

"No."

"So how…”

"I might look stupid. But I got eyes. I know how you were sniffing round her when I was locked up. I always had my suspicions. Obviously I didn't want to believe that one of my best friends would be fucking my woman. But as the years went on, I couldn't kid myself anymore."

"I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say."

Joe shrugged. "Ain't much you can say. If I had my way you'd never get to lay eyes on her. In fact you should be grateful that you're still breathing."

"So what's changed?"

"Amy has been asking about her real dad." He gave a short, humorless laugh. "Guess that means I can't kill you."

"Why didn't you? I betrayed you."

"Yes, you did. Don't think I didn't want to. Part of me still does." He shrugged. "I know technically Maria has never been my old lady, and you're my brother and I love you, but I will never forgive you for what you did."

"Yet you backed me when the prez wanted to strip me of my patch."

"I ain’t a vindictive man."

"So what happens now?"

"If she wants to meet you. You agree. But you will play no part in her life. You may have knocked her mom up, but she ain't your kid. She's mine."

"Okay."

He stood. "One more thing. You hurt her in any way. I will kill you."

Barney watched his brother and oldest friend as he walked away. He had always known that this moment would come. But he hadn't expected to be let off so lightly. He gave a rueful grin. It did explain, though, some of the beat-downs in the ring Tiny had given him in the past. He guessed that as far as he was concerned, keeping him away from Amy was punishment in itself. He knew his brother adored that kid and would never be able to fathom how anyone wouldn't want to be part of her life. He also knew he would never be able to forgive himself for betraying his best friend. The only justification he could offer was that he wasn't in his right mind at the time, and Maria had insisted her and Tiny were done. He believed that Tiny was a better man than him; he was sure if he was in the same position he wouldn't be so forgiving.

~ oOo ~

Beth drove through the streets of Bay View searching for the Freaks' clubhouse. Since Maria had returned to Cali, her sister had made a point of keeping tabs on Rob. Sometimes working for a law firm had its advantages, and she had used her contacts on the east coast to keep her in the loop.

His arrest hadn't really come as a surprise; he was bound to slip up sooner or later. Hearing that the DA wanted to talk to Amy regarding a further charge of grooming and possible sexual assault and that he had made bail was worrying. Beth decided that she needed to talk to Joe. It was time for someone to put a stop to that asshole once and for all, in the way that only he could do.

If only her heart would stop pounding and her mouth wasn't so dry. Giving herself a mental kick up the ass, she was there to talk to Joe about how to deal with Rob. Nothing else.

Joe strutted across the parking lot with Amy dragging her heels behind him. He felt bad for bringing her with him, but he couldn't keep leaving her at home and he was determined that she was going to do as she was told. Starting now.

Mac looked up. "Hey, Tiny. There's a real hot chick looking for you."

He frowned. "What chick?"

"Latina, tight little body, nice rack. Spike took her into the clubhouse."

"Beth, Shit." The last thing she needed was Spike pushing up on her. He stormed into the clubhouse. "Spike! Leave her alone."

Spike spun round, his face a picture of innocence. "I'll have you know I have been a complete gentleman. Ain’t that right darling?"

"Absolutely." Beth giggled and Joe felt something stir inside him. He wasn't jealous, but he really wasn't comfortable with the idea of Spike hitting on her. Beth was a classy lady, not the usual skanky whores that he went after.

Beth hugged her niece. "Hi, baby girl. It's so good to see you."

Amy returned the hug, surprised by this obvious show of affection. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you." Beth kissed her cheek. "Can you give me and Joe a few minutes? I promise as soon as I've spoken to him, we'll catch up."

With a sigh, Amy watched as her aunt and Joe wandered off into a quiet corner. Spike gave her shoulder a squeeze. "C'mon doll. Let's go and raid the kitchen. There's bound to be something edible in there." He led her into the kitchen, giving Joe and Beth some privacy. The kid didn't need to hear what they were going to discuss.

"Why you here, Beth?"

"Rob's been arrested. He had pictures of kids on his hard drive. Prosecution wants to talk to Amy."

"Okay. And how does that involve me?"

"He made bail. I've just got a bad feeling, Joe."

He nodded. "I should have put a stop to that fucker a long time ago." He gave a tight smile. "Oh, well. Better late than never. Looks like I've got a road trip out east coming up."

"Wouldn't it be better to fly? I can pay for a ticket."

"No. I don't want anything to put me in the area. I'll use a car, share the driving with someone. We can do it in a couple of days, three at the most."

"Okay. Joe, this is the right thing to do, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is."