Biker Saviour: The Lost Souls MC Series (21 page)

My dad pulls out a chair and sits right in front of me. He takes my hands in his and briefly smiles.

“What you did today was bold and brave, but it was also reckless and dangerous. Your mom brought you here so you never had to be a part of that world anymore and then you went and put yourself straight back into it.”

“I had to help, you said once if I didn’t want you fixing my messes, not to make them. You were in trouble because of my actions and it was my duty to fix it for you. I didn’t want you in trouble because of my stupidity.”

He snorts and says, “Kyla, beautiful, precious Kyla. I can do anything I want, if I’m pulled in because of it I have the club behind me to get me out. Cas was all over the case before you even heard about my arrest. There were no witnesses, no evidence, only Dean’s word it was me. They would’ve had nothing on me if you had just waited it out with your mom at the club.”

“It wasn’t club business that put you there, it was family business,” I say, stubbornly.

His lip crooks up at the corner and his eyes shine.

“The club is family,” he tells me.

“I’m your father, you’re Ricky’s old lady and as much a part of this club as anyone. When one goes down, we all do.”

“Still, I’m done with that part of my life and it was me who needed to show you that. You got me off Heroin and I got you off the hook with Dean. I think we’ll call that even,” I smile.

“Call it what you like, but if you ever hurt yourself intentionally again I won’t be amused.”

He pulls me into his arms and I squeeze him tightly. Everything is working itself out and is going to be okay.

“Why don’t you go and get yourself cleaned up and I’ll make us some dinner,” my mom offers and my dad releases me.

“I see I’m going to have to keep a close eye on the both of you,” she smiles.

“You keep your eyes on me, Kyla isn’t going to do anything stupid again.”

My mom blushes and moves to sit on his lap.

Okay, gross I don’t need to hear my parents talking like this. I head up the stairs knowing I still have to explain myself to Ricky. 

Ricky

I never believed I could be this angry with Kyla. Starting to fall for her still being an addict, I never got this angry with her. Pope and Sally left a while ago not telling anyone where they were going, especially me or that’s what it felt like. I was finally on a level playing field with Pope and now I feel like we’re back at square one. I blamed the prospect for not watching her but it was my job and mine alone. I knew she wanted to help and should’ve known she would go the extra mile to do it.

I haven’t heard anything. For all I know, she could be lying in a hospital bed having been in an accident. She fucking left behind my back in front of the club and my brothers and left me standing looking like a prick not knowing where his old lady is.

“They do it to us all, brother.”

I look up to see Sparky sitting next to me, offering me a beer. I accept it gratefully and take a long pull, relishing the bubbles pouring down my throat.

“Do you know where Pope went?”

He shakes his head, pulling from his own bottle of beer.

After everything we have been through, I thought we had more respect for each other. I certainly wouldn’t take off and not tell her where I was going. Maybe I’ve been fooling myself, since we made it official, fuck, before we made it official, I always kept her in the loop of my whereabouts. It’s a real fucking shame she couldn’t return the same curtesy.

How is it possible I feel this shit over a woman? I don’t know what’s driving me nuts more, the fact I don’t know where she is or the fact I let myself fall for her to the point I can’t function properly without her.

Cas comes out of his office and struts over to us holding his phone in his hand.

“I just spoke with Pope. He and Sally are with her at her place. Get this, she was the witness that got Pope out and gave a statement full of bullshit.”

I stiffen at the mention of this new information and perk up to listen.

“And they believed her?” Sparky asks.

“They ate every word she fed them, apparently she went to some lengths to make it believable. Not only did she find some guy to act as the other witness to back her story up but she gave herself a black eye too.”

Sparky face falls in amazement but all I heard was how she went to another guy. She should have come to me, I’m her man and she knows I would do anything for her.

“You’ve got yourself one crazy chick, brother.” Cas informs me, as if I didn’t clock onto that already.

Leaving my beer unfinished, I dig my keys out of my pocket and head for my bike.

I ride steadily and at the speed limit all the way to Ky’s house and park up across the street. I had worked myself to bang the door down and get all the answers I want, instead, I find myself leaning against my bike and staring up at all the lighted windows.

It doesn’t help that I know she is in there, safe and well. All I can think of are the events leading up to this point. I told her to trust me and she didn’t, it fucking hurts.

I thought we had something raw and honest. I guess I was wrong. All I want in a relationship is no games and to know where I stand at all times. Is it too much to ask for?

I don’t know how much time has passed when she slips out the front door, carefully closing it behind her and locking up. Sneaking out again.

I don’t move and watch her movements.

She makes it halfway down the porch steps when she sees me and slows her step. Still looking both ways before crossing the street even though there is no one else around, she comes towards me and leaves little distance between us.

It’s hard to miss her eye and I find myself reaching for her cheek, lightly brushing my thumb across the black and blue bruising. She shies away at the light contact and I wrap my hand around the back of her neck pulling her against me.

“I was on my way to come and see you.” she says, tilting her head up to look at me.

“Was you now?” I can’t help the sarcasm oozing from me.

“Please don’t be like this, I had to do it and you wouldn’t have let me leave if I had waited for you.”

“I told you to trust me and you didn’t, you made me look like a fool running off. We spent the whole fucking day out looking for you. Then I find out you went to another man for help and fucking destroyed your eye in the process. You don’t belong in a cop station, I never want you in one again.”

Everything pours out and the anger I’ve holding in all night raises to new levels when she begins laughing.

“I don’t find this funny, Kyla.”

She stops laughing and presses her lips together tightly.

“I’m sorry, I guess you didn’t hear that the guy is a junkie twice my age and nuts?”

This shuts me up and calms me down a little.

“I’m fed up of other people sorting my life out, it was time for me to end it and I did. It’s over now. After I pay Dan the rest of what I owe him, that part of my life is done. I can move on with you and my family.”

“With everything we’ve both been through, I need us to be open and honest with each other. This isn’t going to work if we’re not, I spent the whole of today worried out of my mind over you and I couldn’t stand it.”

“I really am sorry, Ricky. I don’t want you worrying about me but you need to get it into your head that I’m stronger than I look. I was dependent on Dean for too long and I don’t want to feel like that with you. I want to want you not depend on you.”

She’s deadly serious but I still snort.

“Babe, I’m here for you anytime.”

All the anger I felt washes away and I brush my lips against hers. She leans into me and returns the hunger we have for each other.

“Can we forget about today and everything that led to it?” she asks, pulling away from me.

“As long as you promise not to put me through hell again,” I offer.

“Deal.” She smiles broadly.

“Come on then, I can’t stay here with both your parents under the same roof,” I shudder at the thought, climbing back on my bike.

I hand her the helmet that has become hers and she climbs on the back behind me. Revving the engine, she clenches her legs tighter around me and rests her head on my back.

I had every intention of taking her back to my room at the clubhouse but riding under the night sky enticed me to carry on riding without a destination in mind. Kyla didn’t seem to mind so I carried on and rode and rode.

It was the two of us under the darkness of the moon until it turned to the soft morning sun peeking through the clouds. By the time the sun had fully risen I was riding into the clubhouse with my girl tucked under my arm.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Ricky

The backroom is filled with smoke thanks to Oak, Sparky and Cas. I’ve never seen the appeal of smoking myself, choosing to prolong my life rather than limit my odds. Now I have Kyla completely at my side, I want to live for as long as I can.

“I spoke with Denzel last night and he assures me he knows nothing about the murders of Linc and the Devils Bastards.”

I never really hear Denzel’s name brought up, he’s the guy who we make our cash from, yet I’ve never seen him. Cas and Sparky ride out every three months or so to update our relationship.

“We’ve had a good relationship with him over the years but that’s on hold until we know for sure he wasn’t involved. He said he will get back to me with another drop off location so be ready for when he does, it can be at any time.”

Heads nod around the table and Slade leans forward.

“What about us? That could’ve easily been us bleeding out on the ground in the middle of nowhere.”

I have to say I agree with him, I like a little risk in my life but the last shoot out I was involved in I’d hoped would be my last.

“It goes without sayin’ that we’ll take extra precautions but we’ll talk about that when we know when we’re going and where we’re going,” Cas shrugs.

“What are we going to do about Linc and his guys? We should show our faces at their clubhouse out of respect,” Slade says.

Nods round the table in agreement and Cas exhales loudly.

“We’ll sort something out in the next couple of days, we’re not going anywhere until we hear back from his VP.”

Makes sense.

“Unless anyone has any questions,” Cas looks around, no one does, “Meet back here tomorrow at noon.”

He slams the gavel down and the back room empties quickly.

My brother’s go off doing their own thing and I pull my phone out of my pocket. Kyla is last minute shopping for the wedding with her mom and isn’t due back to till later this afternoon. Calling my mom, I wait for her to answer and I find myself trembling with nerves waiting to tell her about Kyla.

“Hello.”

“Hey, mom.”

“Ricky, darling. I haven’t heard from you in a while, how are you?” she asks.

“I’m doing good, mom. I’m calling to tell you about someone,” I begin.

“Oh? Who? Have you met a girl?”

I can hear the coyness in her voice even though I can picture her with the phone pressed against her ear trying not to be so obvious.

She was never one to play anything cool.

“Yes, a girl,” I laugh lightly, “Her name is Kyla and she’s beautiful. I can’t wait for you to meet her but before I bring her to you, I need to you tell you about her so there are no surprises for anyone.”

I say for anyone because not only will my mom have to deal with Kyla being who my sister died from being, Kyla may have to be prepared to have my mom not wanting anything to do with her on account of her bringing up too many painful memories.

“Okay, maybe I should sit for this.”

The lightness is gone from her voice and I can hear her shuffling around sitting down.

“Mom, when I first met Kyla she was a heroin addict. She’s clean now and is doing really well with her recovery. She has changed in the last few months and if you saw her before, you wouldn’t recognise her now.”

The line is quiet and I wait for her to process what I’ve told her.

She clears her throat and asks, “Are you sure she is the right girl for you, son? You know how hard it is being addicted to that stuff, it’s a lot to take on for someone you hardly know.”

There is no judgement in her tone, only motherly questioning.

“I’m sure she’s the girl for me, no doubt at all. Her situation was different to Cathleen’s. She never wanted help, once Kyla came over the other side she’s took all the help been given to her. She’s strong, mom. She doesn’t look back on those days and gets on with life everyday she wakes up.”

“She sounds quite the girl, when do I get to meet her?” she asks.

“I’ll arrange something soon,” I promise.

“What about your club? Is she comfortable around it?”

“She’s adapted,” I begin, hesitating with my choice of words, “Her father has been a member for years. It’s a long story, we’ll tell you all about it when we see you.”

She’s probably thinking all sorts now about Kyla getting into drugs because her dads in a biker club. I can’t wait to see her face when she hears how it all went down. Nothing like how it was with my sister. I can’t wait for my mom to meet Pope and Sally too, she can see how normal they are, well, how normal Sally is. Pope will probably give her his most polite nod and that will be that.

Everything is coming together nicely and there’s nothing anyone can do to come between us, the feeling of knowing this makes me grin at nothing in particular.

“I’m looking forward to meeting her. Did I tell you about the Ladies of Leisure’s new quest?”

She says, changing the conversation. Something in her voice sounds resigned. She joined the Ladies of Leisure just after I was sentenced to give her something other than me to think about. It seemed to work because every phone call now is her telling everything they get up to.

“No, hit me with it. As long as it isn’t Betty’s idea of learning to pole dance again,” I shudder.

Apparently pole dancing is a great form of exercise too, not all shady. My mom can do what she likes but I don’t necessarily need to know about everything she does. Those visions would never be torn from my mind.

She goes on to tell me about the new scrapbooking club on a Wednesday afternoon they’ve got going on and I make the right noises at all the right times for a half hour before she runs out of breath.

“You should go son, I know you get busy,” she finishes.

“I’ll call soon with a date of our visit.”

She takes her time answering and a sinking feeling falls in my gut.

“Not everyone lets it own their lives, mom. You’ll see that when you meet Kyla. She’s a survivor.”

“I just wish your sister could tell the same story,” she weeps.

“Ky isn’t Cathleen, mom and I love her. She’s become my everything and I’ll be damned if I lose anyone else to that fucking shit.”

“Ricky Simmons, you do not speak like that to your mother,” she quips.

“Sorry, mom.”

It worked though, she’s not weeping anymore but pissed at my language.

“Anyway, I’ll let you go now. Be safe and make that visit soon, it’s been too long since I’ve seen you,” she murmurs, making me feel guilty.

“I will do, mom. Speak to you soon.”

I hang up seeing the future crystal clear. My mom moving on slowly but surely, Kyla at my side and happy because she has everyone she loves in the same town for the first time in her life.

Pope

I’ve cut people, I’ve beaten them, I’ve even killed and then destroyed their lifeless bodies so they can’t be identified and I’ve done it all without remorse. Every violent act I’ve committed has been for a solid reason. You can look at it as an eye for an eye, or the other person deserved it, but whatever the reason, I got on with it and felt nothing. The likes of Dean Gibson deserve nothing but the destruction he deals himself. He is a snake in the grass and his venom is Heroin.

I stand in front of my president sitting at his desk and wait for the go ahead.

“Fuck man, heaven help the world if I ever have a daughter,” he exhales, “You do what you gotta do, I won’t stop you.”

“One last thing, I want to take Ricky with me,” I add, knowing he will understand.

“Does he know your plans?” Cas asks, looking intrigued.

“Not yet, but he will,” I smirk.

He leans back in his chair and laughs.

“I don’t think he fully grasps whose daughter he’s taken on yet, yeah, take him with you, just make sure it doesn’t blow back on the club.”

I nod, not blaming him for adding the last part. The last time I acted out, I was hauled down the station.

“Happy hunting, Pope,” Cas smiles before I leave his office.

I find Ricky outside with Sparky, as far as him dating my daughter, it is easier than I thought it would be watching him with her. It helps that I see genuine love in his eyes when he looks at her and when I look at her, I don’t see any struggle around her now. Asking him to help with Kyla after she got here turned out to be the best thing I did for her.

“You’re with me today,” I tell him, when I approach them.

“What are we doing?” he asks, rising from the bench.

“Family bonding,” I grunt, digging my keys out of my pocket.

His eyebrows shoot up to his hair line and looks uncomfortable.

“Unless you’re not serious about my daughter, then you can stay here and I’ll go alone.”

His face contorts into a mixture of embarrassment at my questioning of his motives and anger.

“I’m game, we leaving now?”

“Yeah and we’ll be taking the truck,” I throw him the keys, “Get it started and I’ll be right over.”

He does as he’s told and takes off.

“You’re going after the dealer, ain’t ya?” Sparky asks.

“It’s been a long time coming, he’s going to get what he deserves.”

“I don’t doubt that, does he know?” he asks, jerking his head in Ricky’s direction.

“Not yet, it’s a welcome to my family surprise,” I smile.

Sparky’s laugh booms from deep in his chest.

“Is it a family welcome or a warning of what’s to come if he fucks up? Cause I think he already knows,” he continues to find it amusing.

“Both,” I admit, “I’ll catch up with you later.”

Ricky pulls up beside us and I climb in, honking the horn, he drives out onto the main road and waits for me to direct him.

“We’ve been on the road for two hours now, are you going to tell me where we’re going?” he asks.

Swallowing thickly, I look at him and think she could’ve done worse, well, she did do worse.

“I had you by the throat and you still confessed you loved my daughter, I knew you were being truthful. Not a lot of men would face me and not run away. You’ve seen every side to Kyla and you didn’t run from her either. We’ve both seen how far she’s come and if you truly love her, you’ll want to take out anyone who could get to her and bring her down again.”

He looks a little too long at me and I have to remind him to watch the road.

“We’re going to Dean’s place?”

I nod, grinning and reaching for the glove compartment. Uncovering two guns, I hand one over to him and keep the other one in my hand.

“Dean won’t ever be an issue for Kyla or anyone else, ever again,” I vow.

“You know, we could’ve had a BBQ or something if you wanted family bonding time,” he laughs.

“I’m sure Sal and Kyla will be all over that shit soon, this is what we have to do to keep our family together and in one, heroin free piece.”

“What’s your plan?” he asks, more sombrely.

“You’ll find out, pull up over there on the corner,” I instruct.

Dean is easy to spot, standing under the shade of the shop awning he stands out like a red rag to a bull.

In this area of town no one gives a shit what happens, taking advantage of this, I lower the window and aim my gun straight for him.

I hold it in place until he finally sees his death coming. Most people would run, not Dean, he freezes and makes it easier for me.

“Get over here, now,” I yell.

He wants to run, he wants to be anywhere apart from here right now but his feet shuffle slowly towards the truck and the closer he gets, the more sweat slides down his forehead.

“I haven’t been anywhere near Kyla,” he stutters.

“Don’t mention her name,” I growl, opening my door.

I slide out onto the street, careful to keep my gun on him and flick it towards the truck, “Get in.”

He stumbles the rest of the way and hoists himself up into the truck. He stalls when he sees Ricky in the driver’s seat.

I climb back in myself and Ricky starts the engine.

“What is this? What are you going to do to me?” he asks.

“Shut up, someone once told me that silence doesn’t have to be filled for the sake of it. We’re going on a drive and we’re going in silence,” Ricky snaps at him.

I smile to myself. I was that man, he actually remembered it.

Sometimes not telling a man what’s going to happen to him is more fearful than him knowing what is to come. In Dean’s case, this applies.

During another two hour drive out into no mans land, his hands tremble, his leg bounces up and down in an erratic rhythm, he continues to sweat buckets and his eyes flick my gun to Ricky’s constantly.

I instruct Ricky to stop when we come to an area I found yesterday and an open grave is waiting to be filled.