Forsaken Control (Oathkeepers MC) (23 page)

I nod and slam the gavel down, calling church to an end and dismiss them. The men take me off guard as they walk up behind me, each slapping me on the shoulder or fist bumping me as they head to the door. The feeling in my stomach eases even more. Usually Avery is the one who calms the anger inside; but today, it’s my brothers.

The group of nine Nomads stay behind as everyone shuffles through the door in search of something to drink and smoke.

“Ares?” Nightmare gazes at me quizzically, as the Nomads stand, coming to surround the table. Their bodies are very large and imposing, they all make me feel like I’m not overly big myself, like we’re each supposed to be this size.

I take in their hard faces, some marred with scars, others with wrinkles from a rough life on the road. One thing they all have in common though, is that they’re some scary motherfuckers and that’s saying some shit coming from me. They aren’t the typical Oath Keeper MC fucked up, no these men have lived dangerous lives, a few having been on many deployments overseas, some having gone through years of hard time. I’m pleased to have them around my table, ready to take care of business for the club.

“’Preciate y’all coming to take care of this problem. I fuckin’ hate these little pricks and would do it myself, but with the Prez out, I think this is what he’d do.”

“Ain’t nuthin’, man,” the tall, light-haired Viking-like Nomad, called Zeus, mumbles.

“Right, so do y’all have a plan on how to catch these sneaky fucks, besides what we’ve already pulled on them?”

A few chuckle darkly and a red-headed brother called Scot chortles, “Aye, let us handle it, yay? We will fock some lads up, bet your arse, boy.”

Standing, I make my large presence known as well. Just because I was sitting, doesn’t mean I’m some kind of a pussy. It means they aren’t allowed to sit at my table, and while I hate to be a dick, I have to let my patch sink in to some of these older members. They need to know that I mean business and that I ain’t goin’ nowhere. I won’t let any of them walk all over me since the Prez is out. “Just keep me posted. I want it finished quickly. Any issues let me know. I can send Spin out; I know he’ll play nice with your crew.”

“Ares,” Nightmare grumbles, holding his hand out and I shake it, thankful to have his support. I’ve known him for a whole minute and I’m glad he likes to hang around our club more so than others.

“Thank you.”

They nod and we head out. I head to the bar for some much needed liquor and they go  to do what they do best, be fuckin’ outlaws.

TWO DAYS LATER…

London and I are busy planning a surprise baby shower for Sadie. London and Sadie still don’t get along too well, but at least they’re finally civil to each other. When Sadie first showed up at the club, I thought London was going to rip her head off. She was under the impression Sadie wanted Cain, not knowing she was 2 Piece’s little sister.

Now, however, its plain as day to see Sadie is only interested in Twist. He flutters around her like a crazy chicken, always making her eat and sit down. In fact, he’s the reason we’re planning this shower. I’ve been so self-absorbed in all of the shit that happened with those idiots practically trying to kidnap me, it slipped my mind. Twist brought it up yesterday about her maybe needing a few things, and he didn’t know what all to get, and it struck up the baby shower idea. This way London and I can help the brothers pick out stuff Sadie would actually need and like, then she gets a big surprise, full of stuff she can’t afford to get. The brothers so far have been more than happy to pitch in.

We’re planning it for next month, and I’m secretly hoping London and Sadie mend fences more so beforehand. I don’t want Sadie to feel bad about London helping throw her a baby shower, and I don’t want London sulking around because she’s not getting a proper thank you for her effort.

Ares let me know that he informed the club about our relationship. That was a little nerve-racking, but since then, the guys have stepped up the politeness. Being around a bunch of rough bikers, you wouldn’t expect that, but these men have manners inside. I guess it just takes the right person for them to suddenly want to use them. I’m grateful that I get to be one of the people they share them with.

The guys have been really kind to me, so in return, I’ve gotten up and utilized my past Barista skills by making a few batches of chickaree rich coffee for them. They’ve been heading to the shop or wherever needed, practically whistling after a dose of my strong shot of caffeine-induced beverage of awesomeness.

Making batches of coffee again reminds me of my best friend back in Tennessee. He’s this big blond, Russian gorilla named Niko. He’s nicknamed me ‘bean’ since he would always have me make him special coffees. I’m hoping we get to plan a trip out there to visit sometime soon, now that the drama seems to have died down some.

“So what do you think of this?” London pulls my thoughts away from missing Niko, by showing me some decorations she found online. She turns the tablet to face me, its decorations with cute baby elephants.

“Oh my gawd! That’s so adorable, definitely get those,” I agree quickly. She nods and clicks ‘add to cart’ Amazon is a savior and a devil all rolled into one.

“Anything else?” She scrolls through the page.

“No, I think we’re good for right now. We still have at least two weeks to order stuff as long as it’s in the states, we should get it in time. I need a refill.”

“Okay.” She smiles and I head behind the bar, refilling my drink from the soda gun. I put the soda gun back in the little holder as everyone’s phones around us start to buzz and beep.

The members all pull their devices out of their pockets or pick them up off of the tables in front of them, pretty much at the same time. They’re so in sync, it’s comical and I giggle.

Immediately I quiet my laughing when multiple curses ring out and they search the room, eyes landing straight on Ares.

He stands, shuffling a few steps to get out from his usual booth. Ares gruffly addresses the room, “Brothers, we have some company in town, and it looks like they may be on the way.”

With that, he storms into church; all the members follow behind him, the last one slamming the door closed.

I look to London. She meets my gaze, eyes wide and shrugs. Damn it, I better not ask either, I’m trying to embrace these club life rules. It definitely drives me crazy not knowing what’s going on all the time though. I mean it was obviously something important; they don’t normally act like that when they get a message. I wonder if it was Prez? I hope nothing’s wrong with Mona, but surely they would have said something if it was about her.

“Hey, do you think it has to do with Prez and Mona?” I whisper shout across the bar and London just tilts her head, peering at me like I’m nuts. She must not be able to hear me. I don’t want to be loud, so anyone else hears me.

Grabbing my glass off of the bar, I head back to our table, “I wasn’t going to ask, but I got worried.” She gazes at me skeptically, probably expecting me to try and get some information out of her. “I just started thinking, you don’t suppose it’s Prez about Mona, do you? I hope everything’s okay with them.”

London’s gaze softens when she discovers what’s running through my mind, “Shit, I don’t know. I didn’t even think of that. God, I hope she’s okay. I don’t think the guys would have just ran in there like that though unless the Prez is taking it hard and did something. Who knows, we’ll find out when they come out, or they may tell us absolutely nothing.”

Great, just what I wanted to hear. I hate when they keep crap from us. I seriously don’t understand how London can be so calm over this. She’s been an Ol’ Lady longer, but this would test the patience of a saint,  and London damn sure isn’t a saint. Ares did say something about having company so surely that’s not about Mona, unless,
fuck
, please don’t be a damn funeral.

I hear sniffling and turn to find Sadie walking into the bar crying. She looks around the room, obviously searching for Twist or 2 Piece. “Hey Sadie, are you okay, hun?” I head over to her, easily taking one of her hands in mine. She’s such a spunky thing, but she’s also very tiny with a big belly, and I can’t help but feel protective over her. Hell, she’s basically family to me anyhow being that I’m with 2 Piece and she’s his sister.

“Umm,” her lip wobbles as she scans the room again, even though we both know only the prospects are in here. “Where’s Twist at?”

“He’s in church, doll. Is there anything I can do?”

“I got a-a text.” She mumbles brokenly.

“Okaaay.”

“I don’t know who it’s from, but it says that Ghost is in town.”

“I’m a little lost here, Sadie; I don’t know why someone would tell you ghosts are in town or why you’d be upset about it.” I shrug it off, because she obviously has a fear of ghosts and there’s nothing I can do to help her with that one. Personally, I just don’t believe in that sort of thing.

She sniffles, hiccupping and wrapping her hands around her big pregnant belly, “I need Twist or my brother.”

I’ll admit, I’m kind of annoyed because she’s usually a ball buster and now she’s whining about freaking ghosts. Get the fuck out of here with that shit. I have too much other stuff going on.

Of all people, London stands up, concern adorning her face as she slowly approaches Sadie.

“Sadie, ghosts are here in Texas or Ghost is in town,” She asks, and it clicks that Sadie could be talking about someone—not a white misty-like being. I wonder if this has something to do with the texts the guys all received. It’s just too much of a coincidence. Sadie starts to open her mouth right as there is a loud booming coming from the club door. It sounds like someone’s wailing on the metal door from the outside.

The church door crashes open, and we watch the guys basically tumble through the doorway. They all scan the room, and when Twist notices Sadie, he rushes to her, taking her in his arms and practically carries her down the hallway. Everything happened so quickly, I don’t know if she even got a word in before she was carted off.

2 Piece, Ares, and Cain all approach us.

“Is it Mona? Is she okay? Is everyone safe?” I stammer out before I can stop myself.

2 Piece grunts, “She’s fine. You need to get to the room and stay there till I come get you.”

“Are you joking?” I huff, wrapping my arms together in front of my chest.

Cain pulls London to him, “You too, sugar tits,” he sweetly orders and she nods, kissing him and pulling away quickly.

There’s more loud pounding from the door, and Ares turns to me rapidly ordering, “Now, angel!”

With that tone, I don’t hesitate, and snatching London’s hand in mine, we rush down the hallway to my room, closing the door and locking it behind us. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but it has me spooked now.

London sits on the chair in the corner and I open the top drawer in 2 Piece’s dresser, quickly pulling out one of his spare unregistered Glocks. I don’t know what’s happening, but he’s told me before if I’m ever in doubt, to get this gun and wait. He told me to shoot anyone coming through the door that isn’t in an Oath Keepers cut, so that’s what I plan to do.

“You okay?” London checks out the gun resting on my lap, and then meets my gaze. I can hear some shouting coming from down the hall and it makes me shiver.

“I’m a little nervous about that,” I point and nod towards the door, indicating the angry voices we just heard, “but if anyone comes through that damn door and they aren’t an Oath Keeper, bet your gorgeous ass I will shoot them.”

“Sounds like a plan, chickadee.” London winks and pulls out a petite gun she had holstered under the long, pinup-style skirt she’s wearing. I had no idea she could hide that thing under there. I have definitely underestimated her skills, and I have to stop doing that. London is one smart cookie.

We both get quiet, each trying to make out any of the words being said, but also staying alert in case we need to protect ourselves. This is the Oath Keepers MC, you don’t just waltz in here all crazy, even the Ol’ Ladies will shoot your ass, especially to protect their men.

All the anger inside I had tempered down, starts to rapidly surface as I attempt to explain to this Iron Fist that I will fuckin’ kill his ass, him coming to my club all crazy. One of their members is outside with a gun to my prospect’s head—the one who was manning the front gate—and this fucker is lucky I don’t shoot them all on site.