Claiming the Knights (7 page)

             
Drifter told Scooter everything that he knew about the attempted hit. The fact that there was no accident, other than the fact that Scooter was still alive. That the person driving the pick-up was hired, and fucked it up, and was actually recovering from his own injuries. And the kicker was, that Sam's dad had ordered the hit, and Joel, one of their own mechanics, had unknowingly set up the hit. Joel was the middle, for several hit men, all over the country. That explained his anti-social behavior.

             
After Drifter spilled it all out for Scooter, he apologized. He apologized for not being on it, for looking right over the top of all this shit.

             
Scooter let him know that they had all looked right over it. That would also explain why Sam's father had stayed so quiet after his precious son had been MIA, for going on two months. That fucker was trying to have Scooter killed.

             
“So we need to figure out how we’re gonna deal with this, Pres. Some people need to go down,” Drifter said. “I know this is my department, but I want Dean, and you, in on this, all the way through.”

             
Scooter nodded, got up, and headed for the door. “We will have a meeting tonight. Dean will be home, and I have to do this shit with Nik. She is over the top about some surprise, or some shit.” He walked to the car, opened the door, let Jewl out, and told Nikki to take him home.

              “Is everything ok with Drifter and Jewl?” Nikki asked, seeing that Scooter was pissed about something.

             
Jewl hadn't said anything about her and Drifter, so she wasn't sure.

             
“Nah, all club business. Just some shit to sort out.” He patted her knee. “Don't you worry about it, Sunshine.”

             
She noticed the whole way home he kept clenching his jaw. She could see his facial muscles contracting.

             
“Ok babe. You gotta get ready for your surprise. The girls are waiting for us at home and then we are headed to see it,” she said, almost squealing.

             
“You know I don't like surprises, Babe. Had enough fuckin' surprises lately,” he growled at her.

             
“Oh, quit your growling, you grumpy ol' ass. You will like it. I promise,” she said, as she pulled her new car into the driveway.

             
Realizing what an ass he was being, he gently put his hand behind her head and pulled her to him. “Sorry Sunshine, just a lot on my mind. I am sure I will love whatever the hell it is.” He kissed her quickly, as the girls jumped off the porch, and were bouncing around the car.

             
“Can we go now?” Nelly said, as she opened Scooter's door.

             
Scooter saw how excited his new girls were, and gave in. “Yeah, let me get out so you two can get in. Jesus Christ. Did you lock the damn door?”

             
Nelly answered, “Yeah, the damn door is locked.” Both girls laughed.

             
On the way to the surprise, the girls kept asking if he wanted a hint, if he had any idea, blah blah blah. Nikki told them to hush as she took a round about way to the clubhouse. She handed her phone to Nelly.

             
“Throw a text out and see if it's all ready, Nell.” Nelly started typing away.

             
A few minutes later, “Yeah, Ma they.. I mean, it's all ready.”

             
They all laughed and Nikki finally pulled the car into the club lot.

             
“What the hell is everybody doing here on a Sunday?” Scooter growled again.
              “Oh hush, Scooter,” Jen piped up. “You are gonna love what we got for you. What we all got for you.”

             
They got out and Scooter tried to head to the clubhouse. Nelly and Jen each grabbed a hand and started dragging him towards the club shop.

             
At this point, he knew exactly what was on the other side of that door, but he wasn't about to spoil that for the girls.

             
“Damn it, girls. I need to go to the clubhouse and see what all the brothers are doing here.” He pulled gently at their hands to get away, but they held on, pulling him to the shop's walk through door.

             
Scooter opened the door, and the whole fuckin' club, brothers, women, and kids all shouted, “Surprise!!!” Then they all moved to the side, to reveal Scooters new bike.

             
He knew what they were doing all along, but had no idea what a great job they had done. She was a beauty, all chrome and teal blue, just like his last bike. This one was bigger though. When he got close enough to her, to see the seat, then he saw it. The seat had three hand prints sewn into the padding. Each had a name next to them. Meagan, Nelly and Jennifer were all there.

             
Nelly and Jen were still at his side. Meg was on the other side of the bike, with Joe. “Get your butt over here, sweetheart.” He waved his hand, beckoning her over. He caught all three of his girls in a bear hug. They all grunted a bit as he squeezed.

             
“Ok Dad, enough,” Meg said, poking him in the side with her finger. He loosened his grip and let them go.

             
“Thank you, ladies. It's the best bike ever.”

             
Then he looked around at everyone and they all started clapping.

             
He smiled. “Thanks one and all. This is great. Can't wait to get this fuckin' cast off, so I can start ridin' her.”

             
Drifter nudged him, and handed him a set of keys. “Here you go Pres, can't wait to ride with ya again. Joe here did most of the work on it.”

             
Joe smiled at Scooter, “Hope you like her Pres.”

             
Scooter gave Joe a quick nod and a half smile. The little fuck sure was tryin' hard, had to give 'em that.

             
Scooter threw a leg over the seat, and sat on his new bike. It felt so good, he contemplated using his crutches for a minute so he could heal faster. Nope, just couldn't do it. A few of the kids and ol' ladies snapped a few pictures with their phones, and then they were all off to the clubhouse for food.

             
Anne and some of the ol' ladies had prepared a feast for the club. All the kids and women were eating at the tables, while most of the men were bellied up to the bar. Anne was doing her best to keep up with all the drink requests that were coming across the bar at her. Dean finally got up, and went behind the bar with her, to help out.

             
Dean loved it when there were club events like this, because Anne was here, and the club whores were not. The club events were for family only, and since Anne was hired by the club, she needed to be there to help, and clean up after. Then if he was lucky, which he usually was, he would take Anne back to his room, and have some fun. He was hoping this was going to be one of those occasions.

             
Dean was bumping hips with Anne, and flirting with her, when Drifter walked up to the bar.

             
“Hey Dean, me and Pres are needin' you in the meetin' room asap. So leave that sweet woman alone and get yer ass in there.” Drifter winked at Anne. She smiled back.

              In the meeting room, Scooter let Drifter fill Dean in on the whole situation. Dean too, was pissed that this had gone right over their heads. As a Sergeant at Arms, it had been his job to look out for all kinds of shit. The whole club had been going through so much at the time, with the kidnapping, and the merger of alliances with the club up North, that they had all looked past the accident, as just that.

             
Drifter had his own guilt going. His mind had been so wrapped up in Jewl and her pussy, that he didn't see any of it at all. Not even a clue. He made a vow to himself right then and there that he was never going to let a bitch get in the way again. Jewl was his, but that didn't mean he had to let the world revolve around her ass. Not that she was asking it to. He was just too fuckin' caught up in that shit. 

             
Scooter sat at his spot, at the head of the table. “Well, what you want to do about this Drifter?”

             
“Well that's why I wanted Dean in on this shit. I am a bit stumped. I know George Dalton is going down for sure. That bastard belongs in a hole, next to his fuckin' son,” he took a deep breath, and continued, “As for Joel, I'm thinkin’ we need to get the fucker under our control to take down the guy that did the wet work with his truck… or tried to. Stupid Mother Fucker.”

             
Dean nodded. “I think that'll work. Just gotta figure out when, and how.”

             
Drifter got up. “Let me get Charlie in here.” He opened the door, and hollered for Charlie to join them.

             
Charlie entered the room and ambled over to the seat next to Drifter. “What ya needin'?”

             
“We need to get Joel to fully cooperate with us. That might mean holdin' him here at the club, or puttin' the fear of fuckin' God in 'im. You work with the bastard, what do you think?” Pres asked him.

             
“Well, I was gonna tell you that he is looking for a job. Georgie just got a call from another shop for work references,” Charlie said.

             
Georgie was the manager of JD's Auto Repair. He ran a tight ship, and liked his mechanics to be happy, so he was concerned with Joel's decision to look for another job. Joel was a damn good mechanic.

             
“Well maybe we can use that to our advantage,” Drifter said, rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger, trying to figure out how they were going to work this.

             
“He isn't stupid and I think if he is just pounced on at work, he will run,” Charlie said.

             
Drifter had an idea. “We put an ad on Craigslist, use a burner, and then have him come to a location for the interview, and nab the fucker.”

             
They all agreed that it might work.

             
“You know he didn't know what he was doing. He didn't know it was you, Pres. He woulda' never done it if he woulda known it was you, Pres,” Charlie said. He wasn't close with Joel, no one was, but he didn't want to see the guy offed for doin' his fuckin' job.

             
Scooter reacted quickly, “Well the fucker better start payin' attention to hits he's middlin' for. That fucker was a part in trying to kill me. A guy doesn't just walk away from that shit.”

             
Charlie said his peace. He knew better than to argue with his pres. He just nodded. “I know Pres, he fucked up big time.”

             
“I'll set it up. Now let’s get back out there, and party a bit,” Drifter said.

Chapter 4

              The party was winding down. Most of the kids had school the next day and the men and women had jobs or club shit to do. Family's were packing up, and heading out.

             
Anne was going around the room with a large garbage bag, grabbing paper plates and cups, tossing them in as she went.

             
Dean was at the bar finishing up his beer, when he spun around on his stool to see where she had gone. He was always keepin' track of his favorite gal.

              Dean was in his 50's, and most of his hair was gray. He had a bit of beer gut, but you had to really look for it, because his tall broad frame was what caught your eye when you looked at him. He had been a bad ass, and still was, in so many ways. He was just slowin' down a bit. He had been takin' Anne into his room for about 5 years now. He was still grabbing a whore every now and then, but never when Anne was there. He was careful about that. He didn't want to claim Anne, but sure as hell didn't want to hurt her or piss her off.

             
Anne was a friend of a friend that needed a job, so the club hired her to be the custodian, but she soon became the cook and bartender too. She pretty much became the club mom. She was short, in her mid 40's, with a little meat on her bones. No one considered Anne fat, but she did have some curves. She managed to keep her tits respectively showing, without being trashy. All the guys looked past them, except Dean, he looked right at 'em. She had one daughter that she kept as far from the club as possible.  Raven had just turned 20, and was going to college locally.

              Dean walked up behind Anne. “You want some help there, hot stuff?” He gave her a little smack on the ass.

             
“Yeah, grab a bag and go for it,” she told him, as she brushed past him close, so her tits rubbed across his arm.

             
“It's gonna be a good night, Anne,” he said, and winked at her.

             
“Yeah it is hun,” She smiled, and carried on with her duties.

             
After all the kids where gone, and all the food was put up, Anne sat down and drank a glass of wine. She had worked hard and was rewarding herself. Dean had been helping her out with garbage and carrying stuff for her.

             
“Hey Anne,” he said, from across the room, after he took out the last of the trash. “I need you to come to my room for a minute. Wanna show you somethin’.”

             
The guys that were left there, all started laughing and cat calling.

             
Anne looked around, smilin'. “Thanks boys, now shut the fuck up.” They all started laughing again.

             
“Yeah Dean, I wanna see what you got to show me.” Anne winked at him, and started her way down the hall. Dean did a little speed walking to catch up to her, trailed by lots of, “Go get her” and “Wrap that rascal” comments, as they shut the door to Dean's room.

             
He grabbed her, even before the door was closed. She returned his deep slow kiss for a moment, then wiggled out of his arms. “I so need a shower babe. You get comfy, I'll be back in a flash” By the time he stripped off his clothes, he could hear her quiet singing through the spray. He thought back to all the nights they had spent together. Damn, she's my sweet woman, he thought. She had taken such good care of him over the years. Years where he had managed to deny her his claim, while still promising to be faithful. A promise he broke every chance he got.

             
Club pussy was impossible for him to resist. He was so careful to hide his indiscretions from Anne, knowing all along, everyone else knew. He had made it clear that if you valued your life, you kept your mouth shut...plus, no one wanted to hurt Anne. Collectively, they decided her ignorance was better for everyone.

             
She found him stretched out on top of the covers, one arm thrown over his eyes. Discarding the damp towel, she slid next to him. Instinctively, he reached for her, rolling her on top of him. She was soft and warm and smelled like coconut. Fisting her still wet hair, he captured her mouth, his other hand cupping her firm, round ass. She felt him growing long and hard against her thigh, and reached down to stroke his full length, feeling the rumble in his chest, as he growled into her mouth. She knew and loved every inch of his big muscular body. Their history almost made up for the fact that she wasn't his ol' lady, and probably never would be. A fact she had come to accept, letting his pledge to be faithful, be enough for her.

             
He rolled her under him, hooking her leg over his hip, and entered her with one long, slow thrust. He craved the way she gasped as he took her, never tired of the little animal sounds she made, as his thumb found her clit, working her into a frenzy. Usually, they took their time, but tonight they were both tired and he let himself slip over the edge, right after she exploded around him, calling his name over and over.

             
“I love you Dean,” she whispered, her lips brushing his cheek. “I love you too babe, get some sleep.” He held her, as her breathing calmed, and took up the even rhythm of sleep. Fuck. He thought, as the now familiar guilt rose in his throat. He forced it back down into the dark part of himself he never wanted Anne to see.

              The next morning, Scooter woke up to kisses on his forehead. “Time to wake up babe,” Nikki's voice cut through is sleep. “Got your coffee on the table for you.” She squeezed his leg over the covers, and walked out of the room.

             
Scooter had a doctor appointment in a few hours. He was counting on Drifter to get the shit ready to take Joel in. He needed to let Nik know, but after seeing how easily she got scared in the past, he decided to keep it under wraps.

             
His girls were getting ready for school, arguing over the bathroom that they shared. He considered them his. They didn't know that their father was dead, but they knew after seeing him lose his shit with a gun, they were fine with Sam being gone for now. Scooter would never ask them to call him Dad, but they were his now. The hand prints on the bike seat meant so much to him. He found out on the ride home from the party that Nelly had come up with the idea. Just thinking about it put a fuckin' lump in his throat.

             
Scooter made his way to the kitchen table. Took a sip of his coffee, and watched Nikki in the kitchen. God damn, he sure loved this woman.

             
“Hey Sunshine, you want to get a bigger house?” he asked her.

             
She whipped around from the sink. “What do you mean babe? This one is just fine.”

             
“Just heard those girl's fightin' over the can. Wouldn't it be nice for them to have their own space?” He watched her as she thought.

             
“You are talkin' about us getting a place together?” she asked, hoping she wasn't assuming anything. She knew they were together, but was he really ready to get a house together?

             
“What you thinkin' Sunshine? I get better and move back home with Meg? You do know that you are my ol' lady, right?” Scooter said, not sure what the fuck she was thinkin'.

             
“Yeah, babe, just making sure. Don't want to assume,” she said to him.

             
She loved him, and wanted to be with him, but there was a part of her that was still scared, scared about all the what if's. What if the cops found out about Sam? What if Sam's parents, George and Judy started sniffing around, because that was just a matter of time. What if she, or more importantly the girls, got caught up in any of it? She was staring out the kitchen window at the trees blowing around.

             
She was pulled from her thoughts with the girls coming down the hall, pulling on their back packs and asking for granola bars. It was time to take them to school.

             
Scooter gave them both a quick hug, and then kissed Nikki, and off she went.

             
“Love ya babe,” Scooter said, as she walked out behind the girls.

             
“Love you back. Be back in a few to take you to the doctor, and then to the club.” She smiled and shut the door.

Chapter 5

             
Drifter had been staying at Jewl's. He was fuckin' happy that she promised to not fuck around anymore, but he still put in a few cameras. After what had happened, he couldn't help himself.

             
The rest of his week was filled with getting the interview lined up with Joel. He was also retrofitting one of the club rooms to keep Joel in while they get all the info out of him, and then would have to decide what the fuck to do with him.

             
Jewl spends her days with him. He keeps her close. She helps Anne around the club. His trust with her has been broken and he isn't willing to let her loose. Fuck all that, if you love something set if free. That was a bunch of bullshit. If it was legal, he'd put a fuckin' leash on her.

             
Jewl knew what he was doing, and decided to live with it. She had been surviving on her own for what she could get and keep, and doing her best to stay safe with the men that she had let in her door. A few times it had backfired on her. She had been raped as a girl, and as a woman, and knew how to pick herself up, and dust herself off. The distrust that she had caused with Drifter sucked, however, his constant watchful eye, and keeping her as close as possible, was rather comforting. She enjoyed being told what to do and where to go. For now.

             
Jewl really liked Anne. She treated her with respect and they enjoyed each other's company on these days that Drifter brought her to the club.

             
Through the years, Anne had seen Drifter bringing different women to his room, and then carrying them out, or kicking them out. She didn't know what the hell he did to them, but she rarely saw any of them come around again. She was happy to see him sticking with one gal finally. She wasn't sure what had transpired at Jewl's house, but she assumed Jewl had cheated on Drifter. He sure as hell made his point with her and Jewl had been stepping and fetching ever since.

              Drifter had finally gotten the room ready with the help of the prospects, minus the little prick that thought he could have a go at his bitch. He stood back and looked at all his handy work. There were bars on the small window, and a heavy wooden chair with restraints. A shower had been equipped with a hose attachment. All the furniture had been removed, and there was a mattress on the floor. It was pretty much ready, now to get the guy to go in it.

             
It was Friday and the job interview with Joel was set for Monday morning. Drifter should have been nervous about it, but was more nervous about leaving Jewl alone at the house. He had installed a few cameras in the house that were hidden, while she went to the store. He had only let her out of his site so he would have time to do it. He didn't want Jewl, or any of the other women at the club when they brought Joel in. It wasn't gonna be pleasant and they didn't need to see any of that shit.

              The weekend went by quickly for everyone. Drifter, Scooter, and Dean were all anticipating the mock interview they had set up. Drifter had set it up at a garage of a friend that owed the club. None of them wanted it to go down bad, so the owner was going to greet Joel, and let him into the office where the three of them would jump him, and get him into the club van that was in the alley. If all went well, they would have him tied up with duct tape on his mouth, before there was a peep. They were doing it early, before the garage was open, so no outsiders would be around to witness anything.