Full Heat: A Brothers of Mayhem Novel (15 page)

Her sweet words and gentle smile took his breath away.

Make love? Maybe she was right. Maybe that was what he did in his own uncivilized way.

He rested his head in her lap. Her fingers combed his hair. A sigh parted his lips as he closed his eyes. The knot that had stayed in his chest for so long had eased up. If he could freeze time, it would be at that moment. Unable to resist, he wrapped his arms around her hips and held on as her hands set him free.

For the first time in Storm’s life, he wanted to act like the other idiots and wear his cut without a shirt while riding. Not that it was such a hot and humid day, but he wanted Mary Jane’s hands on him as they sped down the highway. Her touch was better than drugs. The thought alone of having her fingers caressing his abs and pecs hardened his cock. Then again, maybe it was best that he didn’t. He would wreck for sure.

The freedom of having her touch him all over and his skin not crawl was fucking amazing. He inhaled and smiled. The air felt fresher and the world a lighter place. He hated being a freak. Mary Jane gave him hope he could one day withstand others shaking his hand or patting his back without wanting to throw up.

His grin grew as they headed toward the Brothers of Mayhem MC temporary headquarters in the Skull and Bones Bar. He’d called church to decide on whether or not to build or buy another place. Since the club wasn’t rich, their best decision would be to buy another half-assed warehouse and remodel it with the help of volunteers. That was how they ended up with the last one. It had taken around ten years to put together the last time. Hopefully, he could encourage everyone to pitch in so it would take a lot less time and money.

The Skull had returned to his new Montgomery home that morning. If only he’d taken Easy with him.

After backing his bike into a slot, he and Mary Jane walked into the bar. Every table and barstool was in use. People even leaned against the walls and pool tables. The majority of the crowd had Brothers of Mayhem gear on; even the women wore property of jackets or shirts.

He needed to get Mary Jane one. Just thinking of her proclaiming to the world she belonged to him was a mind-blowing trip. His cock twitched. Shit! His thoughts needed to return to the meeting coming up. It would be hell to have a hard on in front of the club.

“Time for church. Go over there and stay with the old ladies.” Only the men were allowed in the meeting. “No one will dare mess with you today with so many Brothers here.”

Storm watched as Mary Jane made a beeline to the cluster of women. Damn if he didn’t want to follow her and rub up against that ass.

By the time the Brothers squeezed into the back room next to the storeroom, usually reserved for illegal poker games, Storm was ready to hop back on his bike and head for the mountains. The closed-in space bothered the fuck out of him.

Once Wolf and Cutter sat on each side of him, Storm slammed his fist on the table to draw everyone’s attention.

“We have a couple of decisions to make today. One is whether or not we’ll buy another warehouse or go for something new and build it from the ground up. Everyone has to remember our funds are low. Medical expenses for Brothers hurt the last few weeks have put a substantial dent in our club’s bank account.” Storm crossed his arms and let everyone shout at each other for a few minutes. When it appeared a couple of the Brothers would start swinging, he pounded on the table.

“Okay. Let’s take a vote. Raise a hand for buying and renovating a warehouse.” A large portion lifted their hands; some raised both. “Fine. Now for building new.” Only a few voted. “That makes it easy. We’ll buy a warehouse.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Easy edging into the room. He ignored the old man, and continued with the business. “Thirty-Second has officially declared war on the Brothers of Mayhem. So be on the lookout for any suspicious sedans, take precautions, and respond as needed.” Even during church meetings he had to be careful with what he said. They were vigilant in doing background checks for members and prospects, but the local and federal authorities were known for making their way into their ranks. The presidents of one percent clubs were always targets. The Brothers understood what he meant.

“That’s the most cowardly sounding shit I’ve ever heard!” Easy stepped up to the table and glared at Storm before turning around to face the crowd. “We need to blow them off the streets. Get rid of their low-riding asses for good!”

Several of the Brothers shouted, “Hell, yeah!” Others looked to Storm to see his reaction.

Storm stood. “Easy, all that you’re asking for is more fucking trouble. You will find yourself back in the fucking pen.”

“I ain’t afraid of the pen. Not like you. Does it make your asshole clench up?”

Without missing a beat, Storm dived over the table and on top of Easy, swinging one blow after another as he held the man down. Easy fought back, but he wasn’t as quick as Storm.

Within seconds, arms came around Storm and Easy and pulled them apart.

Blood streamed down their noses as they faced each other.

“Get the fuck out of here and don’t come back,” Storm ordered, hoping another chance to swing would come up. He shook off their hands as he swallowed the bile rising in his throat.

With a shake of his head, the older man’s eyes glinted with hatred. “You don’t have the balls to be president of this chapter. I don’t know what Speed was thinking backing you. I know he has his doubts, and I’ll make it clear you need to go.”

“If you don’t leave now, I’ll make sure that flapping mouth of yours stays closed when they wire your broken jaw,” Storm said in a low voice and his chin tucked as he glared at the old man.

“Everyone is tired of playing lapdog to the rich and famous. We’re free to do what we want. Ride, fuck, and take what we want!” Easy shot Storm the bird and turned away. A few of the older Brothers followed him.

“Church is over. We’ll meet again in a few weeks.” Storm wiped his bloody nose on his sleeve and waited for the room to clear. Wolf and Cutter stayed.

“Well, boss, what are we going to do with Easy?” Wolf asked.

“I can take him out back and cut his throat.” Cutter’s unemotional offer reminded Storm of how scary the bastard could be.

“Don’t worry. Once we get back on track and start on the clubhouse, everyone’ll be happy. He’s stirring up trouble because he doesn’t know how to be any different. Speed will hear about it and shut him up as usual.” Storm wished he really believed what he was saying. The club pulling together was more important than whatever agenda the asshole had planned. “If he won’t settle down, I’ll take care of him.”

Storm needed a little time. Holding back and not beating the shit out of the son of a bitch was taking all his willpower. He only hoped the bastard didn’t destroy the chapter in his desperation to regain the power he’d lost all those years ago.

Mary Jane tried to concentrate on what the brunette, Missy, had to say about Loosey Lynda. It appeared the woman had hooked up with one of the bikers from the Brute Force MC. From what Missy had heard, they were known for being rough on their women. Mary Jane hoped Loosey Lynda hadn’t jumped from the frying pan into the fire.

More shouting in the back had quieted down and a few minutes later a stream of Brothers poured from the meeting. Easy swaggered into the barroom, using a napkin someone handed him to wipe what looked like blood from his nose. She sighed. It didn’t take much to guess that Storm had punched his dad in the nose. She really wished the man would go away, find another chapter or club. There was no way Storm would forgive his father for killing his mom. So it would be best for them to stay far from each other.

Then she spotted Storm after the second wave of Brothers walked in. His nose was swollen. For sure, they had been fighting.

“Are you all right?” She touched his nose and the puffy area on his cheek, checking for cuts.

With a jerk away from her touch, he grabbed her hand. He must have seen how his reaction bothered her for he brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed each tip. “I’m fine.”

Melting under his unexpected tenderness, she smiled.

“When we get back home, I’ll make you feel better,” she whispered.

“Your home,” he corrected her.

“Yours too until you decide differently.” He grinned at her. After last night, his attitude had been upbeat, so unlike himself. She hoped it continued. He deserved to be happy.

For the next two hours, Mary Jane sat in Storm’s lap at a table with Wolf and Cutter and a couple of the old ladies. When the crowd started getting a little out of hand—clothes loosened or came off, old ladies and mamas danced on the bar—Mary Jane decided it was time to head back home.

“Let’s get out of here,” she said as she wiggled her eyebrows.

A grin slowly spread across his face. She caught her breath. He’d always had a wild beauty about him with his long hair and scruffy face, but when he smiled like that, without any wicked humor or devilish charm, just pure pleasure, he was handsome enough to lick.

“Not a bad idea.” He tightened his hold on her hand and headed for the front door.

At that moment, five county deputies walked into the barroom, with Jameson at the front.

“What can I do for you, deputy?” He pushed Mary Jane behind him.

She wasn’t sure why he felt the need. The deputies didn’t have their guns out, and the club wasn’t doing anything illegal. Well, nothing that the manager was complaining about. She guessed the deputies could arrest some of the men and women for indecent exposure. Their presence confused her.

Van Halen’s “Can’t Stop Lovin’ You” stopped and brought an unnatural quiet to the room. Dancers stepped off the bar and several couples scrambled to straighten or pull on clothes.

“It’s like this, Storm. At twenty hundred hours, four Thirty-Second gang members were fatally shot on Petty Road. Witnesses say that they saw four to six bikers with Brothers of Mayhem skulls on their backs in the area.” He nodded to his men and the deputies spread out, covering the doors and directing the men to one side of the room and the women to the other.

Then five deputies from Jefferson County walked in. Once again, Sand County had called in backup to control the Brothers.

She peeked around Storm’s shoulder and through the glass doors. The parking lot looked like insane Christmas lights strung out on top of cars.

“Miss, please go over there.” A deputy gripped her wrist and she tried to pull away in alarm at the unexpected touch.

“Get your hands off her.” Storm’s growl caused the deputies to freeze and reach for their weapons.

“I’m okay, Storm. He just surprised me. They probably want to talk to us.” She glared at the deputy until he released her. Then she walked over to the other women, most of whom were scared with eyes wide; a couple were crying. She put an arm around one woman and told her softly that everything was all right, while Missy whispered to the other sobbing girl and patted her shoulder.

She only hoped that Storm held on to his temper. She would hate to be arrested for kicking an officer in the nuts in an effort to save him.

Two hours later, Jameson and his buddies left. Storm had shrugged as a few of their civil liberties had been violated when the deputies took pictures without asking for permission. He expected they would be placed online as known gang members to look out for. No crime had been committed in or around the bar. No one confirmed the patches on the bikers had belonged to the Brothers of Mayhem MC. None of that mattered. All of it was expected. If the Brothers had protested, Jameson would have just hauled them all down to the sheriff’s department and questioned every individual there. No one wanted that. It was bad enough they handcuffed and took away some of the Brothers with outstanding warrants.

“What the fuck was that all about?” Wolf downed half of his beer as if he wanted to wash away all of the yes-sirs-no-sirs he had spouted during the questioning. Times like these reminded Mary Jane what she’d been told about Wolf. The man had been brought up in a true Southern family…Southern crime family…but nevertheless a good-mannered one. “We’ve been here all evening and not partying like I had hoped.”

“Easy and a handful of his cronies aren’t and weren’t here.” Storm rolled a joint and stuck it between his lips. “They disappeared after church.” Cupping the end out of habit, he lit it. As soon as Jameson had mentioned bikers shooting at Thirty-Second gang members, he knew it was his old man. The bastard had little sense and no respect for Storm’s authority.

His gaze drifted over to Mary Jane. She was comforting one of the women. It turned out one of the Jefferson County deputies was her cousin, and he’d threatened to call her parents. Turned out that her parents had kicked her out of the house last month and had just let her back in that week. She worried they would kick her out again. One of the Brothers offered his bed. Only problem was he would be in it too. She was scared. The Brother’s rep for roughing up his women was well known.

“Did Easy not hear you when you said that we’d handle it?” Wolf leaned forward. Twofer and Cutter sat at the table grumbling about older Brothers not willing to listen to the younger ones.

“He wants an all-out war,” Storm said.

“Are you going to do what Jameson said? Are you going to meet with Toro and iron out some type of peace treaty?”

“I’m thinking on it.”

“No shit?” Twofer burst out.

Before Storm could confirm or deny, in walked Easy and the men he’d found were dissatisfied with a young leader. Storm handed off his joint to Cutter and blocked Easy’s path to the bar.

“Hey there, prez.” Easy filled the last word with sarcasm.

“Where have you been?” Storm’s arms hung loose at his sides, but his hands were in tight fists, waiting for an opportunity to light into the old man. He wanted to punch the asshole and bust his nose again.

“Out riding beneath the stars.” The old man started to take a step to the side; Storm grabbed his arm.

“Someone shot at the Thirty-Second. Do you know anything about that?” Odds were Easy would deny the whole incident, but he wanted the old man to understand people were watching.

“Fuck. No kidding? That’s some good news. It must’ve been some smart sons of bitches to take those scumbags out.” The dumbasses behind Easy chuckled. Storm glared at the men, and they quickly shut up.

“I didn’t say anything about killing them.”

“What’s the use of shooting at them if you don’t plan on killing one or two or three?” The old man laughed.