Moving On (Dominant Devils Mc Book 1) (24 page)

"Trust me! I've known that man my whole life. He's just as protective over us as any of the rest of the brothers are. He and my dad were pals."

"If that's the case then why isn't he a patch member then," I asked her.

"Well in order to be a member you'd have to be able to ride on two wheels. He never learned to ride a bike. Hell, he doesn't really care for riding in anything with four wheels either. He'd drive that truck to the grocery store if he could get away with it."

We parked over to the side of the parking lot leaving a clear path to the eighteen wheeler that would carry us home. Carrin and I each took one of the guns. I took my knife and tucked it under my shirt. When we climbed out of the SUV we walked straight to Big Head and his truck.

Carrin rounded the truck walking straight up to Big Head while the diesel pump ran. "Hey, stranger!"

He spun around looking to see who was talking to his back. A big grin spread across his face when he realized it was her. "Well, I'll be damned. How are you princess," The big man said as he scooped her up in a bear hug?

"I'll be a lot better when you hang up that pump and get all of us moving on down the road."

"What's wrong darling? You okay," he asked while placing her feet on the ground looking at Carrin’s face. "What the fuck happened princess? You got blood in your hair and you look like you both have been through the ringer," he said acknowledging me for the first time.

Just then the sound of motorcycles began to ring in my ears. Oh shit someone's here. The guys were at the club when we called fifteen minutes ago. There's no way they made it here that quickly. Panic tried to creep in but I pushed it down and while Carrin answered Big Head.

"I'll explain on the way, right now we're going to climb up in the truck and hide in the sleeper. I need you to get this wrapped up and get us moving down the road."

"Well, what's you waiting for. Get your asses up in the damn truck. My cell phone's inside. Call Boomer and let him know you’re with me, but you got some explaining to do when I get back," he said turning away from us to hang up the diesel pump.

Carrin and I climbed up in the truck to wait for our driver. I grabbed the cell phone from the dash and quickly looked for Boomer's number. Boomer answered on the first ring. "Talk to me. Make it quick old man. I've got a shit storm happening right now," Boomer barked in the phone.

Carrin

While Athena was explaining the situation to Boomer I stuck my head out the curtain. I saw Big Head had already gone in to sign the ticket and was making his way back out to us. Looking to the right I saw six motorcycles had pulled up alongside my abandoned Tahoe. Fucking Grizzles!! Son of a bitch! As I looked to see what was on their bottom rocker when the driver's door swung open. I turned to see Big Head wasting no time climbing up in the truck. I turned my head back just in time to see the same nasty biker from the gas station pointing towards the truck. "Uh we need to get moving and I mean now," I said pointing in the direction of the bikers on the move towards us.

"What’s going on? Let me talk to Big Head," I heard Boomer yell into the phone.

"You two hold the fuck on! Tell boss man I'll be with him in a minute I need to get this big bitch moving," Big Head said loud enough Boomer heard through the line. True to his word Big Head took off snatching gears as we rolled out the parking lot. The problem was we were headed in the opposite direction of the clubhouse which with traffic it had us moving even further from reinforcements.

"Miss, turn that thing on speaker so I can see what the boss man wants me to do."

After a few clicks, Boomer was speaking out loud to everyone in the truck. "I need you to guard those girls with your life. The boys are already in route but you've got at least a ten-minute lead on them."

"Ten four boss man. I got this shit. No worries man but you might wanna call up to Norfolk and let'em know we gonna to be late tonight."

"Fuck Norfolk man. It'll get there eventually. Right now I need you to do whatever you got to. You keep those girls safe or it's your ass man. Did you get a look at who was after them?"

"You know all you bikers look the same man," Big Head said taking a brotherly dig at the old man.

"It was the Grizzlies’ Boomer. I couldn't quite make out the bottom rocker but it started with a D. I didn't recognize any of them except one. The fat fucker from the gas station from the other day was there," I said into the direction of the phone. I glanced down at the speedometer. We were losing speed as we made our way up the hill. The echo of the bikes closing in was getting louder.

"Boss Man I headed uphill dragging a fifty-three-foot box loaded with tomatoes. Your boys better step on it and get their asses here or all three of us are up shit creek without a damn paddle."

"There's a service road coming up on the right leading you back into the valley. I'm already in my truck with Ghost and Viking headed for you. We'll dip off and run up the other side and play meet in the middle. Viking's already let Axle know the route so my boys will be closing in. You let them handle shit. You don't stop until you see me understand," Boomer said obviously talking through the blue tooth in the truck.

"Gotcha boss man. Hurry your decrepit ass up old man. If my truck gets messed up by these dumb fucks I'm killing them all!"

"Be my guest you crazy son of a bitch."

"We're turning on the access road now," I said as I braced myself in the sleeper of the truck. At first, I thought the truck was going to roll feeling the trailer raise up but Big Head handled shit like a boss.

Shots rang out from the back and the sides of the trailer with one hitting the mirror mounted on the hood of the truck. "Those fucking cock suckers," was all Big Head said as he whipped the truck back and forth across the road.

"Holy Shit," I screamed as I saw the ass end of the trailer strike the front tire of the bike that was riding too close, sending it rolling off the side of the hill.

"That's gonna hurt like a bitch! Dumb fuckers," Big head said out loud.

"We've just turned on the access road from the other end. We should be meeting up in few minutes’ man," I heard Ghost say through the blue tooth in Boomer's truck.

Shots began to pepper the trailer and taking out a tire or two. The truck and trailer began to swerve and twist as Big Head fought to stay in control. By the grace of god, the truck righted itself at the hands of the man behind the wheel. The only problem was we were slowing down.

"Grab my shotgun from under the bed girls. We're gonna have to do this shit Clint Eastwood style, until the boys show."

"Don't fucking stop we're almost onto you, "Viking growled through the phone.

“Ain't got no choice man. The fucks took out the tires on the trailer. You're fucking lucky we didn't roll the truck. I'm slowing down slowly but I can't keep this bitch upright for much longer asshole. Hurry the fuck up."

More shots came striking the sides of the truck. The fuckers were right on us now. A loud thud came from the passenger side door. There I watched as someone jumped on the side of the truck hanging on to the mirror hanging off the door. I saw the gun before it went off shattering the glass. Luckily enough the bullet sailed through the cab of the truck lodging itself in the wall of the sleeper.

Call it adrenaline or instinct I don't care. At the sight of the gun, I reached in the back of my jeans pulling out the revolver and firing back at the man trying to climb in the window of the truck. The bullet struck him in the throat causing him to drop his gun inside the cab. I watched in shock as half his body slumped through the window as it went perfectly still.

"What the fuck was that Big Head? We're coming around the bend. We should see you any second now. There you are, go ahead and slow her down brother we'll take it from here," Boomer told his employee.

"If these fuckers think I'm going to leave them like ducks on a pond they got another thing coming. When this truck stops, you two just stay put. You fire that gun at anything that tries to get in here that ain't me."

As Big Head brought the truck to a standstill I saw Boomer's black Duramax pull alongside us. The next thing I heard were shots being fired all around. I huddled down in the floor of the sleeper with Athena. We made ourselves as small as possible as we waited out what seemed to be a battlefield outside.

When the silence fell both of us stayed put. The door to the truck opened making both Athena and I instinctively drew our weapons ready to fire on anyone who would be a threat. When I saw Zeus' face peak in the cab of the truck I lost it. I started crying uncontrollably. Athena soon let go of me and moved out of the truck so my man could hold me next to him.

Sitting in the floor of the sleeper my old man held me until my sobs left me. Looking at him for reassurance I felt a calm wash over me. Right then, I knew he would be mine forever. This man loved all of me including my imperfections, but before I could voice my feelings he beat me to it.

"God, I love you baby. I've died a hundred deaths in the hours you've been gone. When we get back home I'm locking you in the house. You’re not going anywhere without me by your side."

"I love you too babe. I don't want to be anywhere without you. I plan on staying by your side for a very long time."

Zeus

I waited until Carrin calmed down before urging her out of the cab of the truck. I tried to block her view of the dead scumbag hanging half in the window of the passenger side window. I wasn't sure how she was going to feel when the reality sank in that she killed a man even if it was in self-defense. I watched her imaginary mask fall across her face as she climbed out of the truck to face everyone. My girl was a warrior that was for damn sure.

I stepped out of the truck behind her as the big fucker they call Big Head stepped up grabbing her up in a bear hug. Even though I knew this man was old enough to be her father I still felt a bit of jealousy creep in. I wasn't liking this man having his hands on my woman. I listened in as he spoke softly to her.

"You saved my life today Princess. I'm forever in your debt. Anything you need, anything at all, you just ask old Big Head," he said making her smile.

"That goes both ways bud. If you hadn't been fueling up when we pulled in things could have ended a lot differently," my girl said as she smiled up at the big man.

"Yo' Zeus," Axle called from behind me. "We need to get Carrin out of here man. I'll have the old heads take her and Athena back while we wait for the cleaner to get here. Pop already has another truck on the way but we're all gonna need to pitch in getting the load transferred over."

"Alright let me get her in the truck and I'll be right back." I walked over and took my girl by the hand cutting in on her conversation. "I don't mean to interrupt but I need to get you loaded up and on your way. The old guys are going to take you back to the clubhouse while I stay and help the guys clean up."

"Okay babe; I understand," she told me as she turned back to the big guy. "I guess that's my call Big Head. I'll make sure to make you a big ole pan of homemade lasagna later this week. Then hopefully, I can finally get you over to the new house for a visit."

"Sounds like a plan Princess. I'll be back in town Friday night. Let me know if that suits or not. Looks like my new ride is here already,” he said as another O'Shea truck pulled in beside the damaged one.

It was my turn to speak to the big man before he left. I stuck my hand out to shake his bear-like paw. "Thanks for taking care of my girl today. I'll never forget it."

Squeezing my hand, a little more than he should, he pulled me into a bro hug slapping me on the back as he whispered in my ear. "She was our girl first. Her daddy and I went way back. I know you’re one of Boomer's boys so I'll give you a pass but know if anything happens to that girl or that little baby you'll answer to me."

"I wouldn't want it any other way man," I said pulling out of the big man's embrace. Nodding at me with a grin he backed away and took off. I think I'm going to like the big fucker.

"Okay give me a kiss baby. I'm ready to see my little diva and find my bed. When you make it back I expect you to find your way in it too."

"Yes ma'am! You can bet your ass I'll be there. Make sure you leave me some room to climb in with you," I gave her a kiss and helped her in the backseat of Boomer's truck.  Everyone else was already loaded up ready to leave. No sooner than I closed the door Boomer took off down the road.

I walked back to where the rest of the fellas had gathered at the end of the trailer. I jumped in the back of the one trailer and got busy. In no time at all, we had the load transferred and Big Head was on his way headed in the opposite direction he was earlier. Boomer was going to report the old truck stolen and given the witnesses to the truck peeling out of the truck stop earlier it wouldn't be a hard sell to the authorities. When they found the truck it would be burnt to a crisp and no-one would be the wiser.

The cleaner showed up taking the bodies away in the enclosed van to an undisclosed location leaving the only survivor for us to handle. Happy and Throttle took pleasure in tying the fucker up and throwing his ass in the back of the truck. Apparently our little friend was a little claustrophobic because he whined like a little bitch when they closed the fiberglass cover on the truck bed.

"Prospect take this piece of shit back to the clubhouse. No stopping! Leave him in the truck until we get back," Happy said sternly sending Aaron on his way.

"Alright, fellas let's get this fire going. We've all got warm beds calling our name," Throttle said grabbing everyone's attention but soon lost it as Axle spoke putting a hold on everyone's plans.

"I expect everyone at the table in an hour. This shit is not over! I've got some things to pass along. I'm sorry to say your beds will have to wait for a few more hours. Everyone get ready to ride."

I made my way back to my bike and waited for the others to get into formation. Once the bikes were lined up in correct order I watched as the Sargent at arms lit the end of a bottle filled with what looked to be gasoline before throwing it at the at truck right above the full gas can we left on the fifth wheel plate as we passed. When we were about a mile down the road the earth shook and a loud explosion sounded in the air. Apparently the fire had taken over the truck as planned.

When the formation made its way through the gate at the clubhouse I continued on past the brothers parking their bikes. My watch showed I had thirty minutes to kill before church started. I was going to spend at least twenty of that looking at my woman instead of their ugly mugs. Pulling up to the house a state of Déjà vu took over. I saw the same garage doors left open and the house showed no life. I parked the bike quickly and raced up the front porch and stormed through the front door. My heart fell to my knees when I found a sleeping Carrin curled up at one end of the couch opposite of Athena. Looks like the girls were both too tired to make it up the steps.

Completely exhausted myself, I lifted Carrin in my arms and carried her to the guest bedroom just down the hallway. Thankful that Rosalie had made the bed after her and the commander stayed last week, I laid my woman down and tucked her in. In that moment, I had never seen anything more beautiful. My girl was a looker inside and out. I leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before turning to leave.

"I love you, babe. Come back to me when you're through," Carrin said with her eyes still closed drifting back off to sleep.

"I love you too baby. I will always come back to you," I said to a sleeping Carrin. This girl did things to me I couldn't put into words. I'm one lucky son of a bitch I thought to myself as I made my way back out of the house. Stopping in the yard next to my bike I raised my head towards the sky for a one-way conversation with a dead man. "Thanks Brookes. I promise to love her forever."

Wall

I woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a fucking Mack truck. Where the fuck was I? Why the hell was Doc hovering over me? Was this son of a bitch trying to take a cheap shot? I tried to sit up to defend myself but that was a bad fucking move. Pain radiated from my shoulder all the way down my arm to my fingertips. "FUCK ME THAT HURTS!"

"Well, you've been shot dumb ass. What do you think it's going to feel like," Doc scorned me?

"I gotta get out of here. I need to find Madison. I need to apologize to my sister," I said trying to get out of the bed again. It didn't happen, though. My fucking arm was on fire and my fingers wouldn't move all the way.

"Stay put asshole or you'll bust the stitches. I eased off on the meds I was giving you. The guys are on their way back and are going to need to talk to you. You can't talk if you're asleep."

"On their way back from where? How long have I been asleep Doc?"

"You were brought in early this morning. So probably bout sixteen hours give or take a few minutes."

"Well damn. I don't think I've ever slept that long before. It shouldn't take that long to track the guys who shot me. Hell from what I remember they were long gone before I even reached the gate. What aren't you telling me old man?"

Taking a deep breath Doc went on to explain everything that happened while I was in my little slumber. Well, fuck. I definitely missed a shit ton. After Doc spewed his guts about the eventful day I missed, only one thought popped into my head. There was only one person missing from all the tales he told. Where the hell was Madison through all this? She must be curled up in one of the spare beds waiting for me to wake up. She always had my back even if I was a complete asshole to her. That changes today. From now on I plan to see where this thing goes between her and I. As one of those wise mother fuckers said, "if it's meant to be it will be".

"Boomer called just before I woke you. Their bringing Carrin and Athena home while the young ins' finish the cleanup. The rest of the fellas shouldn't be long behind them.”

"So my sister is fine, right? Everyone is whole?"

"Yeah, son. Carrin will probably be shaken up a little bit because she actually had to pull that damn trigger but physically she's fine. Although I'm sure she's still sporting a big old bruise thanks to you."

Leave it to Doc to make me feel even worse. I'd make it right with Care Bear. She knows I didn't mean for her to get hurt. That it wasn’t deliberate. She would forgive me. Hell, she probably already has. Madison, on the other hand, would be a different story. That girl is as stubborn as a damn pack mule. I did hurt her on purpose. It was deliberate, even if it was just to push her away for her own good. Madison was going to take a little more effort. I needed to apologize and start making things up to her. "Where's Madison? I need to talk to her."

"Haven't seen her around. You might want to ask Axle when he gets here."

"Yeah I'll do that," I said to the man like a two-year-old who didn't get his way. "Well if she's not here for me to talk to that only leaves the fellas. Help me get myself up, old man. I've got a meeting to go to."

Zeus

I made my way back over from the house with a few minutes to spare. Stopping by the bar I grabbed a soda before making my way to the meeting room. I was ready to get church over with and curl up in my bed for the next twenty-four hours with my woman curled up next to me. When I walked into the room I never expected to see Wall seated at the table. We were the only two members in the room. Deciding to be the bigger man I walked straight to him.

Sticking out my hand to him he looked at it like I had cooties or some shit. He spoke without his normal cocky flare throwing me off for a bit. "I don't deserve to shake your hand brother. I was a complete asshole."

"I won't disagree about the asshole part but I will disagree about being deserving of a handshake. I don't want any beef with you man but if being with your sister is going to cause it then so be it. She's mine now I hope you can get past your shit because I'm not going a damn place without her."

"It's not you that I was really pissed with, even if you should have followed protocol and came to me first. I was pissed at myself for being wrong."

"Come again? What do you mean you were pissed about being wrong," I asked the man before me?

"I'm usually a kick ass judge of character dude. Normally from the first meeting, I can get a read on someone and I've never been wrong when it counts. Queenie always said it was my Sicilian heritage or some shit."

"So what, you thought I was just going to swoop into town and fuck a dead man's wife and then split," I asked with venom in my voice. "That's a low blow brother."

"I wasn't wrong about you. I was wrong about Brookes. From the first time I met him, I never thought he would be around for the long haul when it came to my sister."

"Give the man some credit Wall. He didn't ask to die, dude."

"Not saying he asked for it man but when he did my sister was left alone. Even if he was still around I still know deep in my soul that his ass wouldn't be around forever, man. Whether it was him or her, one of them would have eventually get bored enough and walk away. It's why I was so hard on the fucker. I wanted to break him. I waited for his true colors to show but his never did, hers did."

Not knowing where this was going or what to say to the man I stayed quiet waiting for him to explain. He's next words, even though he deserved a fist to the face for saying them, warmed a part of my heart that I didn't know existed.

"The whole time they were together you could tell they cared for one another a lot but it almost seemed forced on her side. I think my bratty ass sister was stretching and looking for some type of normalcy. She’ll never fucking admit it but she never wanted to be an old lady. She watched the comings and goings first hand. She found out at an earlier age what the club whores were around for, even for the married men. My father was a good man, but he sure wasn't a saint. My mother worshiped the ground Rowdy walked on and still does to this day. That kind of love was one sided. He loved my mother but not enough. I saw that same kind of love when it came to Care Bear and Brookes. She was never truly happy even though he might have been. I eventually caved and my perspective changed. They got fucking married and in no time at all she was pregnant. I started accepting him more and more. I'll admit that I thought of him as a brother. It hurt like hell when he died. The few months after his death showed me my first instinct was right, however. Carrin took all of two weeks of grieving before she snapped out of it. Carrin went back to being the old Carrin in a snap. I was wrong to change my opinion of Brookes. I failed my sister."