Banished Souls MC (19 page)

Chapter 24

Cherish

While Caine drove Cherish snuggled up next to him, with one hand strategically placed in his lap.

She felt a mash of emotions. Relief to finally be safe, elated that she was with Caine, happy that he did get beaten because of her, and a little smug that Devlin was finally out of her life forever.

Still, she cried, or least the tears wouldn't stop.

Caine smiled at her. "Anything wrong?"

Cherish wiped at her face. "Everything and nothing." They both chuckled at this. "Addie really had my head in a spin. She had me completely convinced you were getting booted from the Club because of me. Basher helped her with his own story of seeing you get beaten." She cried some more at this. The cruelty of those two.

Caine reached over and patted her arm. "It's okay, now. It was all a screen to get you into Devlin's hands again."

"I tried calling you. I'm surprised Addie let me. But I got your voice mail."

Caine thought on this. "We have to give up our electronics before entering the Clubhouse. I missed the call but got your message. Just before all the fun started."

"And Grunt?" She didn't know why she was asking about the big Biker. She had a sense she knew already.

Caine took a breath, as if measuring his response. Then he exhaled and shrugged. "No longer an issue. For the Club, for your or I, or anyone for that matter."

Cherish allowed herself a slight smile at learning this. Sometimes the world is just better off without some people. Then she said, "That Basher. He and Grunt horse-traded me for Prospect status in the Krimson Klowns! As well as that van of bottles."

Caine frowned at this. "They had to have known Devlin couldn't deliver on that. Not on his own." He looked to Cherish and asked, "Did he have backing with the Klowns? Do you know?"

Cherish shook her head. "Not at all. He more or less told me that Grunt and Basher were being used by him. They would not have returned from Klown territory."

Caine digested this. Then shook his head, and smiled. "Life as a  Biker sure can have its complications. Screw it all!"

"Imagine how much more complicated it is for a Biker's woman?" Cherish countered. "Never a dull moment. But I'll be happy if there isn't a repeat of a day like this."

They both laughed and briefly kissed.

After a few moments Cherish asked, "So, Addison. What about her?"

"If she had any brains she would be half way across the country by now. And under a different name. The Club will deal with her for her part in orchestrating all this."

That suited Cherish just fine.

They arrived at Caine's apartment and parked. As they walked to his door they held hands. Cherish found she no longer had the impulse to check for Devlin's blue Mustang and it actually made her giddy.

As Caine got out his keys at the door, he asked her, "Think you could get use to this?"

"Get used to what?" she asked.

"Coming home with me every night," he said with a mischievous grin.

Cherish's eyes widened. "Hell, yeah!"

They kissed again, deeply.

Caine then opened the door and went inside. It was starting to get dark out, and none of the lights were on in the apartment.

Caine flicked on the hallway light, then walked toward the living room.

Cherish, content with everything at that very moment, put her bag down and slipped off her shoes. She was about to say something to Caine when she noticed him standing in the hallway, staring in surprise into the living room.

Cherish opened her mouth to ask what was wrong when she suddenly heard a voice emanate from the living room.

"It was all that bitch's fault! She made me do it!" the voice said.

Cherish knew it instantly. It was Addie!

"What the hell are you doing here?" Caine said, angry. He seemed to stunned at her presence to react.

Addie shouted, "She made me do it! She's a Krimson Klown spy! She told me!"

"I'm a what?" Cherish said as she walked over to stand beside Caine. She actually had to stifle a laugh.

Addie was standing in the middle of Caine's living room, naked. She had a half bottle of champagne in one hand. Another empty bottle was on its side on the floor.

Addie gaped at Cherish. She looked from her to Caine, then back again. "You!" the drunk naked woman said, "You did all this! You made this happen!"

Caine took a step forward, his hands in fists. Cherish put a hand against his chest to stop him. "This is mine," Cherish said to him. Caine blinked, then nodded.

Cherish turned to Addie. "You actually did all this." She took a step closer to the other woman. "You called the Klowns when I made the mistake of mentioning them to you in Booty Bumps." She took another step. "You were hoping that Devlin would take me away so you could have Caine to yourself."

"That would never have happened," Caine said.

Addie looked at the two of them wide eyed.

Cherish continued, "When that backfired you schemed with Basher and Grunt to hand me over to Devlin, and get in good with the Klowns." She took another step. Now the two women stood almost nose to nose.

Addie gripped the bottle harder.

Cherish pointed at Addie. "All of this was your fault. All of this was your doing. You are just a conniving skank."

Addie was too bewildered and drunk to respond, she kept gaping at the two of them.

Cherish pointed at Caine, "That is my man now. Not yours. In fact, he never was. Nor will he ever be."

Addie screamed and lifted the bottle up to strike Cherish.

But Cherish was too quick and fully expecting it. She easily blocked the blow and punched Addie full in the face.

The drunken woman feel to the floor, her nakedness making her look absurd.

Cherish stood over her, fists at the ready. She could beat this woman senseless if she wanted. It would be too easy. Even if she rightly deserved it. But Cherish kept her temper in check. Instead, she took the bottle away from Addie who didn't resist.

"You're not worth anymore of my time," Cherish said. She stepped aside, then pointed in the direction of the front door. "Get out!"

Addie looked from her to Caine. Caine simply stared at her, without any sympathy or emotion.

Knowing she was defeated, Addie slowly got up and gathered all her clothes that were splayed over the couch, and picked up her shoes. She started to dress when Cherish yelled at her, "Out now!"

Addie cringed, and scrambled for the door. Cherish and Caine followed.

Again, Addie tried to put some clothes on to cover her nakedness, but Cherish reached around her and opened the door. She shoved the naked woman outside.

Cherish was about to yell at Addie more when Caine calmly stepped in front of her to address Addie.

"You're dead to me," he said to Addie. "You're dead to the Club, and you're dead to this town."

Addie looked mortified.

"If you have any smarts rattling around that empty head of yours, you'll leave tonight. And stay gone."

With that he stepped back into the apartment with Cherish. As he closed the door they heard Addie yell, "This isn't over!" but it sounded hollow and pathetic.

Caine locked the door. He and Cherish just looked at each other in stunned amazement.

"Wow," Cherish said, "Could that woman be any dumber?"

"She certainly works hard at it," Caine said, he enveloped Cherish in a hug. They kissed. "Now, where were we before we were interrupted by a drunken, naked, idiot?"

Cherish grinned and leapt up onto Caine, wrapping her legs around his waist. "I think we were just about to start." She grinned, and the kissed again as Caine carried her into the bedroom and eased her onto the bed.

Cherish suddenly stopped, and pulled back from Caine just enough to ask, "Wait. How the hell did she get in here?"

Caine blinked. "God, damn. How many sets of keys did that psychopath make?" He started to pull away, to go pursue Addie, but Cherish pulled him closer to her.

"Forget her," Cherish said. "She's gone. I just want to forget about her, and just think about you."

Caine grinned at that and said, "I like the way you think."

They kissed, and for several hours everything was forgotten about. It was just all about them being together.

After, they held each other in a sweaty embrace. Caine snoozed lightly as Cherish rested her head against his muscular shoulder.

Yeah, she thought I could get use to this. She just didn't want any more surprises and she would be fully content.

Someone unlocked the front door.

Surprised, Cherish raised her head, uncertain at what she was hearing.

The front door opened, then quickly closed.

Cherish shook Caine who woke instantly. "What?" he said, blinking.

"Someone just came in! I think it's Addie!" Cherish hissed. Her heart was now hammering in her chest, but this time with fright.

Caine started to push himself out of the bed when someone entered the darkened bedroom.

The bedroom light flicked on.

Cherish gasped in horror.

"Don't get up on my account," Devlin said, standing in the doorway pointing a pistol at Caine. Cherish could see that the barrel was extended with a silencer.

Caine froze, an angry expression on his face. Cherish was too stunned to move herself.

Devlin grinned at their reaction, revelling in it.

"Now," Devlin said. "Let's finish up our business once and for all."

Chapter 25

Caine

"Get out," Caine growled.

Devlin smirked, and stepped further into the bedroom. He positioned himself at the foot of the bed.

"I will," Devlin said. "Just as soon as I give you both what you deserve."

Caine glanced at Cherish. Her eyes were wide in dismay. His heart went out to her. Devlin had the upper hand now. Caine just didn't want her involved.

Caine raised his hands and stood naked at the side of the bed. Devlin kept the gun pointed directly at him, which was what Caine wanted. "Don't hurt her," Caine said. "She doesn't need to be part of this. This is Club business."

"No, it isn't," Devlin said.

"Yes, it is," Caine said, he turned to motion toward Cherish. As he did so he very slowly moved a small step closer to Devlin. "She's scared. You know that. The Krimson Klowns won't gain anything by hurting her now. You want me."

Devlin frowned at this. "She has everything to do with it," he sneered. "You know it and I know it. You can't have her thinking she's in control of things." He looked directly at Cherish, the gun angled in her direction. "Making the right decision is not a skill you have, honey."

Cherish said, "Get out. Leave us alone. You and I are finished. You know this. There is no way you and I will every be together. Not after all this. Not ever."

Caine inched slightly closer. Devlin was locked onto Cherish, his face now losing its control and revealing a deep rage.

"You brainless cow," Devlin said. "You do not get to decide what's best for us. I do. And I've already decided."

Devlin looked at her mockingly. "I decided to end our relationship once and for all."

Caine moved. He had coiled himself slightly, so as to get a better reach.

His arm shot out toward Devlin, his hand grasping for the pistol.

Devlin was quick, whirling toward Caine. He fired.

Cherish screamed.

Caine was then on Devlin. He had grabbed the long barrel of the silencer and grunted in pain at the shot. Devlin was focused on keeping control of the gun, and barely registered Caine's fist the moment before it smashed into his face.

The gun went off again. Cherish gasped. The bedroom window cracked above her head.

Caine hit Devlin again. Now they both fell to the floor. Caine roared with rage as he finally ripped the pistol from Devlin's hand, breaking some of Devlin's fingers. Devlin cried out in pain.

Again, Caine hit him. Then again.

Devlin was out cold, his mouth askance, blood flowing over his lips.

Caine stood. He had the pistol in his hand and he adjusted it so he gripped it. He kept it pointed at the still form of Devlin.

"Baby!" Cherish cried, and bounced off the bed to hug him.

Caine winced with the incredible pain the movement caused. Cherish pulled back and looked.

Across Caine's left side, between the muscular definition of his ribs, was a long gash that bled profusely.

"Oh, my God!" Cherish said. She grasped at him. "You've been shot!"

Caine shook his head. The pain was incredible. He looked at the wound. "Nah, babe," he said through gritted teeth. "It just grazed me."

Cherish was beside herself with concern.

"Honey," Caine said. "Do me a favor."

"Anything," she said.

"There's some rope and duct-tape in a duffel bag under the couch in the living room." He looked down at the unconscious form of Devlin. "Go get it for me."

Cherish looked at Devlin, then back at Caine. "No problem," she said, and did as he asked.

Less than ten minutes later, Devlin was tied up at the foot of the bed, with a piece of duct tape across his mouth. He had regained consciousness, and glared at his captors.

Caine had made a quick phone call, then had Cherish cover Devlin while he quickly dressed. He noticed how good it must of felt for Cherish to have a gun trained on her tormentor. For the briefest of moments he considering giving him to her, then dismissed it.

She would always regret it. She was not a killer. Murder was just not in her.

As for Caine, on the other hand.

The front door suddenly opened, but neither Caine or Cherish reacted. Devlin's eyes showed his concern for what might happen next.

T-Bone entered the bedroom, almost out of breath.

"Hey, guys," T-Bone said cheerfully. "How's it going?" He looked down at Devlin. "There he is. The drama queen. Wow, you think things are going bad for you now. Just wait." T-Bone gave the biker a wide, menacing grin.

Caine moved over to Devlin and hoisted him to his feet. "Time to go, sweetheart," Caine said. As they moved Devlin out into the hallway, Cherish said, "Wait!"

They stopped. Cherish purposely moved in front of Devlin and ripped back the tape across his mouth.

Cherish said, "Tell me I'm a brainless cow again. Go on. I want to hear you call me that one last time."

Devlin's eyes were wide, his biker bravado long since evaporated. He was in full survival mode. "Honey, I'm sorry. I did all this because I love you. You know that. I wasn't going to hurt you. Please! Tell them to let me go! I'll never come back I swear it!"

T-Bone grimaced in disgust. "Damn, man. Have some dignity."

Cherish leaned in closer to Devlin. Caine and T-Bone braced him tighter. "Remember how you said I wasn't worthy of making decisions for myself? The right decisions?"

Devlin looked at her pleadingly. He looked on the verge of tears.

"Well, I just made a decision," Cherish said, and slid the tape back across Devlin's mouth. She looked at Caine. "Go take out the trash, babe."

Caine grinned. "Yes, dear," he said. He and T-Bone hauled Devlin out the door. It was night, and no one was around. Not that anyone would want to interfere. All his neighbors knew who Caine was. What he was.

As they crossed the threshold Caine looked back at Cherish. "I'll be back later."

Cherish grinned at him, "Promise me you will."

"I promise on my patch, I will." They exchanged a knowing look. Then he and T-Bone muscled Devlin into the parking lot.

In a few minutes, they had dumped and secured Devlin in the back of T-Bone's van. Devlin was not offering any resistance, but they were still wary of him. They shut the van door.

T-Bone looked expectantly at Caine. "Now what? Quarry? Pig farm? Dogs?"

Caine took a folded piece of paper from inside his jacket pocket. It was the one Jay, from the Dark Ones, had given him before. He looked at the number, lost in thought.

When it appeared Caine couldn't decide, T-Bone made some more suggestions, "Cement shoes? Columbian neck tie? Buried in a coffin?"

Caine shook his head. "No," he said, indicating the piece of paper. "We're going to take care of all our outstanding business in one go."

T-Bone looked confused.

A few hours later, at an old abandoned warehouse, Caine stood with Uncle and T-Bone outside a closed inner door.

Two other men were with them. Rough customers. Both somber.

"Okay?" Caine asked the two newcomers. The one named Click nodded.

"Yeah," Click said. "It's a good deal. Helps us both out. Bring our Clubs closer together. Good for business all around."

Caine looked at Uncle, who looked pleased.

"Upper management will be happy," Uncle said. That was all that was needed to take the next step.

Caine nodded, and opened the door they stood beside.

Inside a small room was Devlin, curled up on the floor. He blinked up as the men entered. His eyes instantly widened as he recognized the other two men.

Click leaned down and tore off the tape on Devlin's mouth.

"Click!" Devlin gasped. "What the hell? Tell me you made a deal to get me out of here."

All the bikers laughed at this.

Click shook his head at Devlin. "Yeah, you could say we made a deal here. And, yeah you could say you were a part of that deal. But not in the way that will make you happy."

Devlin looked mortified, realizing what was happening. "What? What do you mean?" But he knew.

Click said, "You screwed around with a neutral Club, using the Krimson Klowns name. Used the Klowns name for your own benefit. That's bad, Dev. Real bad."

Devlin looked around as if someone might come to his defence. "No! That's not what it was. Yeah, I was making moves, but nothing serious."

T-Bone barked a laugh.

Devlin kept babbling, "I can explain. We'll call a meeting. I'll set it straight I swear!"

"It's already been set straight. In fact, we have your stupidity to thank. You see," Click motioned toward Uncle, "we now are business partners with the Banished Souls. Something that might not have come about if it weren't for you."

Devlin was making an effort to understand, to maybe twist the reality into something to his benefit. It didn't matter. "See? I made this happen. I'm important to the Club. To it all!"

Caine shook his head and said, "Wow. What an idiot."

Click said, "Devlin. I am here to inform you that your patch has been removed. Buried. You are no longer a Krimson Klown." He put the tape across Devlin's face before he could respond.

"That was part of our new business deal with the Souls," Click said. He and the other Krimson Klown pulled Devlin up on his feet. "The final part of this deal? Well, let's just say it is a requirement that you will no longer be in a position to mess with business. Ours, or anyone else's for that matter."

And with that, the two Krimson Klowns dragged Devlin out of the room, down a hall, and into the night. Devlin's muffled cries faded away.

Caine looked to T-Bone and Uncle. "Well, that worked out well."

Uncle was beaming. And he never beamed. Ever. He patted Caine on the back. "Well, done. That's how business is handled."

Caine had winced at the pain of Uncle's patting. He still had a unattended bullet wound to look at. But there had been no time with all the phone calls he had to make, and the deal wrangling he had to manage.

But he agreed with Uncle. Business was handled.

"I'm glad to be of value to the Club," Caine said. The other two bikers laughed.

"But right now," Caine said as he started walking away. "I have some other important business to attend to."

"What's that?" Uncle called after him.

Caine grunted with pain, but still managed to reply.

"I'm gonna go home to my woman."