Chapter 8
A loud piercing whistle breaks into the yard causing us to seize our movements when we were about to mount our bikes. As a whole, all our glances fall to Sinbad, who is staring towards one of the trees, as he reaches for his phone. In the distance we hear the faint sound of bike engines, and I realize this is what has the Scarlet Runners on alert. Bikers are approaching, and that can only mean trouble.
In the back of my mind I have an inclination to whom the riders are. As I watch my fellow brothers, they also have their own suspicion, reaching for their weapons without removing their eyes from the oncoming bikes.
“Expecting company?” Inferno enquires as he moves away from his bike to stand next to Sinbad.
“No, You?”
I know who it may be, and so does Inferno. However he is going to play for a little time and refuses to answer straight away. “It might be Black County Stewards?”
It does not take me long to scan the area, taking in as in as much detail as I can. The Scarlet Runners are alluding postures of false relaxation as they continue to drink and chat amongst themselves. The tension in my body is becoming tight as the bikers draw closer. Within moments the bikes and riders pull into the lot. There are about fifteen of them, and when I see their cuts my suspicions are confirmed.
Black County Stewards have made their move. The testosterone level in the yard is escalating, infiltrating into the atmosphere. You can smell the anticipation of the upcoming battle. For a large man Tats dismounts from his bike gracefully, before ambling to where we are standing. Like a majority of bikers, Tats’ skin is covered in ink and when he removes his helmet he reveals a shaved head. Until I had met Tats, I had never come across brown eyes that were soulless. If he has any emotions they are well hidden.
“Inferno. Sinbad” Tats does not cross they yard on his own. He is accompanied with several of his men, including three of his officers. Several more Black County Stewards remain on their bikes. To an outsider we appear to be outnumbered by eight men. Luckily for us, there are the men who are hid in the trees.
“Tats.”
Tats removes a cigarette from his vest pocket, cupping the flame as he lights it. With a deep breath, the end of the cigarette became a vibrant red against the darkness of night. On a slow release, he exhales the smoke through his nostrils. His eyes are half closed as the smoke vanishes in to the air around his face. Tats is a methodical man, and there is no rush in anything he does. His lazy appearance is a deception that most people underrate at a cost to themselves.
In a mimic of my earlier actions, Tats scans the surrounding area weighing the odds against himself and his crew. If he is aware of the guards he will ignore their presence till the end. Like us, he needs to keep them in their present positions.
Dec and Mississippi, the Scarlet Runners Sergeant at Arms, move to the right of their president’s. Meanwhile the silence stretches as we wait on the Black County Stewards next move.
Tats is Devil’s Comforts problem, and Inferno acknowledges this by breaking the silence.
“Tell me what you want Tats. Because I sure doubt this is a fucking a social visit?”
“Looks to me you guys are having a party. So maybe this is a social visit?”
“Cut the bullshit and get to the point Tats.” Inferno and his lack of patients is well known.
Slowly, Tats steps back with a negative motion of his head. “Come Inferno lets be pleasant about this.” He drawls, arching his cigarette butt in to the air, watching it sail through the air before it lands on a piece of dry soil.
When the cigarette butt finally lands on the ground, Tats twists his body round. His fist is pulled back. Just before he lands it across Inferno’s face. The force of the punch causes Inferno’s head to swing to the right. Inferno retaliates with a fist of his own into Tats stomach which causes Tat’s to hunch over. Rapidly the fight escalates in to a free for all.
Bodies roll and crash into each other as fists are thrown at our opponents. Men falling on to the ground. While others fall over the inert ones and still the punches keep coming. The old abandoned crates we had being using for seats are turned into weapons. The wood splintering as they are smashed over heads, backs and legs.
As I swing one of the crates on to the skull of my opponent, I am attacked from behind. An unknown biker has thumped me in the back causing me to stagger to my knees. To steady myself, I drop my hands to the ground, drawing in a mouthful of air before I pull myself back up and swing my fist at the biker. When my opponent is unbalanced, I grip him in a neck lock. As I pound my fist into his stomach his arms grab my waist and he makes a run forward. My legs may be shaky but I manage to hold myself steady. When the advantage is mine, I throw another punch at him. This time my opponent staggers back.
As the fight evolves, our bodies begin to stagger from the power of the punches we are throwing. Meanwhile our bodies are beginning to tire. But we carry on fighting. Slowly one by one the fighters begin to dwindle. This is due to the bikers either being knocked out or they have stepped back from the brawl due to lack of strength. Devil’s Comforts and Scarlet Runners came out the victors in this battle.
With one last fleeting look round the yard, Tats climbs on to his bike and turns towards us. “That was for Boris. The next time it’s for the club.” Boris was their last president, who we had disposed of, after he brought drugs into Comfort Springs.
As the bikers depart I give the area one last glance. Quickly assessing the damage. Broken crates lay scattered over the ground. The men are standing in various positions, rubbing their injuries, or just simply shaking out the aches in their fists. Most are catching their breaths. It has being a long hard fight and most of us have suffered in some form. I have not come away unscathed. With a slight lean forward, I rest my hands on my knees as I take in a deep lungful of air.
As soon as I am able to, I bring my body up straight. This movement cause me to rapidly draw in another breath of air, as an intense sharp pain shots across my ribs and down my side. Fuck, there were going to be several bruises there. My knuckles wear the marks of more bruises to come. I run the tip of my tongue over my lip, and discover it has being split from someone’s fist.
Fudge staggers his way over to me. He too is bearing the scars of being in this battle. A bruise forming on his left cheek. Still nothing stops the grin on his face as he slaps me on the shoulder, and drapes his arm round me.
“Good fight?”
Running the tongue over my lip I return his smile with a big one of my own, “Fuck, yeah.” To ease the cramp in my hands I lock my fingers together, stretching my arms forward and click the joints in my hands as I roll my neck. Inferno ambles across to us. He too is wearing a grin on his face, flashing his white teeth. And like the other bikers, he has not come away from the fight unscathed as his eye begins to swell.
“Time to roll brothers and get our shit back to the club.”
“Sure thing Prez” Once more we say our farewells to the Scarlet Runners and thank them for the entertainment they provided. By the time we are set to leave, The Scarlet Runner’s party is back in full swing. What had begun as a drinking session has now turned into a celebratory party. This may not be Scarlet Runners ground. However, they are in no rush to leave and will crash here for the night.
Despite the untimely interruption from our uninvited guests. The evening has been a success. We managed to dispose of our merchandise, and we know that for now, we need not fear any reprisal from Black County Stewards. This makes the return journey more jubilant and relaxing than it has being for a long time.
By the time we arrive back at the club it is early morning and our bodies are buzzing with adrenaline. As much as I want to return to Cassie, I will spend the rest of the night here with my brothers.
When Inferno and I reach the bar, we help ourselves to a bottle of beer.
“OK boys, meeting room now.”
Chapter 9
It’s sometime before the room settles and business can be discussed.
“OK boys. We had a good run and The Scarlet Runners are happy with the merchandize we provided for them. However that’s not the reason for this meeting. Tonight Tats and Black County Stewards made their move. And no matter what Tats said. That little scuffle will not be the end of the matter.” The room quickly sobers up as we listen to what Inferno has to say and how we plan to retaliate against the impending threat.
“Dec, contact Twiggy and get him back here. Tell him I don’t know how long it will be for. But it will be until this shit with Black County Stewards is sorted.”
“Sure thing Prez, I will ask for an ETA from him while I’m at it.”
“When’s the next run Linc?”
“We have the drug run coming up in two weeks.”
“You and Fudge work together on this and check out a couple of alternative routes.”
“Will do.”
“Church is in a couple of nights see you there bros. Memberships and fines need to be paid on that night. Now ladies go and have some fun.”
Instead of joining the rest of the brothers when they return to their celebrations. I remain in my seat, my mind is on Black County Stewards. The problems they are causing us, and our history with them.
Their previous president, Boris had been a pain in the ass. Plaguing both, Comfort Springs and Devil’s Comfort MC for the last three years. Ever since Inferno had taken on the gravel. Before we had taken over the leadership, Boris and Yorkie, our old president had being allies. However I would not say they had been friends.
After twenty years as president, Yorkie had retired due to ill health. He had being a good and fair president. The only difference between the past and present presidents, was how the clubs commodities had changed. Three years ago we expanded our operations to include gun running along with the drugs. If people wanted this shit. We were happy to supply it.
When we moved in to the gun business some of the older brothers had retired, stepping back from the MC. Their excuse was to play the age card. At their departure the dynamics of the club had altered drastically and a whole new board of younger officers took on the reigns of the club.
The move to guns had brought our problems with Black County forward. At the time Black County were supplying drugs to The Scarlet Runners. This all changed when they went into business with us and our guns. It was not long before we were doing drug business with them.
“You OK there?”
“Yeah, just reminiscing.”
“Want to talk about it?” In some ways Baby Blu has softened Inferno up, and there are times like this, when Inferno acts like a mother hen.
“Just thinking of Yorkie, and that I may take a run out to his place in a couple of days. It’s been a while since we were last out there.”
“Let me know when, and I’ll take a ride with you. Pay my respects and all. Anyway just letting you know I’m off home to Baby Blu. What about you?”
“It’s late, I may as well spend what is left of the night here, before I move my shit in to the apartment.”
I am still on a high from our earlier encounter with The Black County Stewards. This is the problem with early mornings and adrenaline pumping through your body, and with no way to levitate it. It gave you time to think. And for the last few hours. No matter how hard I try not to think about the choices Cassie has given me. They are never far from my thoughts.
Although I am ready to return home, Cassie does not want me there. Instead she wants to date. What the fuck does she mean? As hard as I try to remember. I doubt if I have dated anyone. Since discovering girls at sixteen. If I wanted, or fancied a woman, I fucked her.
Until Cassie came along I was happy with my life. Shit in the years we have being married, I doubt we ever dated as a couple. Sure we
went out as a couple to the club or to the strip club. Hell we have even been on the road a few times.
No matter how much thought I gave to the problem. I was unable to come up with a satisfactory solution to the dilemma I was facing. Reluctant to return to the main room, I lean back against the chair forcing my body to relax.
In my wallet is a
well-worn picture of Cassie. One that I always take out, to gaze at when I am away from her. The thought of losing Cassie causes my stomach to churn. Fuck, the thought of another man touching Cassie in the same why I have could land me in jail. Especially if they gave her what I cannot. A baby. The clenching round my heart will not stop and I can feel the oncoming of a panic attack.
Unable to bear the claustrophobic feeling of the room closing in on me. I decide to join my brothers in the main room. I need a drink and I intend to have more than one. With one last look at the photo of Cassie I replace it in my wallet, and join in the revelry.
DCMC
After Linc left, I had a quick shower and rang Baby Blu. Linc is back in my bed, on my terms, and now it is time for phase two in my plan. A giggle escapes my lips as I strip the bed and open the window. He may not be here in the room,
but I could still smell him.
Shit, six weeks without sex and now that Linc’s back in my bed. Has me acting like a teenager with her first crush. Hugging the sheets before taking them to the utility room to dispose of, I wait for Baby Blu and Rayven.
The coffee has just finished brewing when the doorbell rang indicating that my two co-conspirators had arrived.
“Hi come on in girls. The coffee’s fresh.”
“Are you sure you want to do this Cassie?” Rayven is a petite girl whom I have gotten to know since she began working for Tabby. She may work at Tie Me Down. However neither is she one of the club whores. No, she’s Tabby’s little pet, and he has given strict instructions that she’s not allowed to dance there either.
“Yeah Cassie all our heads could roll.” Baby Blu’s teeth flash as she bites into a pastry. The twinkle in her eyes are at odds with the remarks leaving her mouth, confirming she’s with me all the way in my plans for Linc.
As I plop myself in to the spare chair at the kitchen table. I switch on the laptop. “Baby Blu, you can join me. You know how much the men enjoy seeing us together.” This time, no matter how hard I try. I cannot stop the laughter escaping from my throat as I watch their reactions. Baby Blu choked on her pastry and Rayven’s whole body shook with her delight.
It does not take long for us to find what we need and after ordering the necessary items, we begin work on the next stage. For this part I need Rayven and she proves to be a hard task master. Three hours later my body is ready to give up on me. Rayven has given me the work out from hell. But I know it will be worth it.
“How about a glass of wine?” Baby Blu gives a shake of her head, “I have to go soon.”
“Spoil sport. How about you Rayven? Then we can chat about Linc.” The promise of gossip catch’s Baby Blu’s attention and her lax body is twisting towards me. Her eyes full of inquiry.
“I’ll make coffee, then you can spill.” While Baby Blu’s in the kitchen I turn my attention to Rayven who has gone quiet.
“Everything OK?”
Rayven’s answer is slow in coming, her eyes are glued to the blank screen of the television. “Will you help me seduce Tabby?” Now it’s my turn to choke.
“What?” I can tell my mouth is hanging open and refuses to close. Rayven still refuses to turn her eyes to me.
“It was something you said earlier?” Not sure what I had said, I rack my brains over the evenings conversations and come up blank. When Rayven finally glances in my direction. Her cheeks are flushed.
“What did I say Rayven.” If the girl wants help I will help her. “Rayven you know why Tabby got the road name he has?”
As I watch Rayven blink her big blue eyes I know she will have no trouble seducing Tabby. Hell the whole club knows that it would not take much. The smile which spreads across her face is one of a woman with a secret. Almost as if she knew what power she has over him.
“Sure, he is a man whore. And that’s why I need your help.” This time I shake my head in confusion. “What you said earlier about Inferno and Linc liking to watch you two together, well you know?” Oh shit I know exactly what Rayven’s getting at. Tabby loves girl on girl action. This time, it’s my body that heats up from a flush.
“Look Rayven I’m honored and all that. But it’s not…….” Before I finish my sentence, Rayven is bent over double. Her unrestrained laughter is filling the room. Whoa have I missed something.
“No…… You misunderstood?” A bout of hiccups and a gale of laughter interrupt Rayven’s explanation. “I just want you to dance with me. Show Tabby what a desirable girl I am.” This girl woman is mad. She wants to cut her teeth on the biggest man whore in Comfort Springs. A man who is twice her size and when he is finished with her. He will move on to the next available piece of skirt he can find.
“What did I miss?” Between the perplexed frown on Baby Blu’s forehead and Rayven’s uncontrollable laughter, a drowning sensation comes over me.
“Rayven needs our help to seduce Tabby.” Oh, shit I hate it when Baby Blu goes all quiet as she returns to her seat. While I explain what Rayven wants, I watch Baby Blu’s eyes as they begin to calculate. It appears that she is in to Rayven’s plan. For the next hour we discuss and plan what we are going to do for Rayven and Tabby. As the discussion comes to an end. I wonder if Tabby is capable of handling this woman.
“Now that we have Tabby and Rayven sorted. Tell me about you and Linc.” The woman is like a dog with a bone. With a sip of my wine I close my eyes and remember this afternoon. Even now I can still feel Linc in me.
For the first time in a long time we had sex with a condom, and it just had not felt right. Linc is not happy that I have asked him to redo his tests, insisting that he is clean. The sooner he has the tests done the better. I had not enjoy the sensation of latex against my flesh. I much prefer flesh against flesh. Shit, even thinking of Linc going bare inside me has me wet. With a shuffle of my body, I turn back to the girls. “Linc and I had sex this afternoon.”
“So if you and Linc had sex this afternoon, why are we spending our time teaching you to dance?”
“Rayven, the man needs to be taught a lesson, and this is just the beginning.”