Page 23

twenty-three

Phone calls & Contracts

Spade

Ri came over last night a fucking mess. He went to visit Ams and I wish I would’ve known because I’ve been meaning to pay her a visit. I miss my best friend and wish she was here to help us get through all of this. So instead, we spiraled and got shit faced in Jade’s living room. We made an appointment for a psychic medium to come here next weekend because I want to talk to my girl, and if that’s the only way, through some witch, then that’s what I’m going to do.

We’re going to have to replace all the liquor in this house because we are almost out and she was stocked before all this shit went down. I refuse to leave until someone kicks me out. I guess I’m a glutton for punishment being here, still smelling her scent everywhere I turn. It’s like she’s torturing me from the other side, laughing at my misery as her scent wafts every so often. Some nights I chase it, not wanting it to go away, and it always leads me to her bedroom which I won’t step foot in. I’m not ready to face it. I just keep putting it off with no plans on hashing that shit out anytime soon.

Having Ri here with me as we both drank ourselves stupid helped a bit. We worked out our differences, and threw a few punches, but it needed to happen. We are all each other has now that Jay isn’t here with us. That's another thing pissing me the fuck off. We haven't gotten an update in days. I need both of my brothers now more than I ever did, and it doesn’t help that Jay has no idea what happened with Jade. Fucking Dalton and The Aces. Fucking pricks.

Casino night was awesome until Marsela showed up dressed like my girl. I wrapped my hand around her throat so fucking fast, if it wasn’t for Ryder pulling me off the cunt I would’ve killed her, which in retrospect would’ve killed Ri’s twins. I know I wouldn’t forgive myself if I did that. They are innocent babies trapped in a demon womb. It’s not their fault. Ri cried and admitted he didn’t want the twins and I punched him in the face. I understand this wasn’t part of the plan. He never wanted her to be the mother of his children.

Everything always points back to Jade. She’s all we want, all we need, but the stars had other plans for Ri and he’s slowly dying inside. He also confessed he’s thought about killing himself more times then he can count. We are all suffering with no answers, just stuck, suffocating in the abyss. All I ever want to do is drink and get high and forget everything, just close my eyes and think of all the memories and all the good times we had when we had her. Ryder has been my saving grace and I’m man enough to admit it. He’s the reason I haven’t completely lost my shit. It’s weird, it’s like he senses when I’m about to spiral and then poof, he’s here making me forget.

I lean my head back against the couch, deciding whether I want to drink again or get high but a waft of Jade’s scent hits my nostrils and my dick twitches. Jesus fucking Christ. What I would give to have her pussy gripping my cock right now. The overwhelming urge to fuck something hits me like a ton of bricks, especially with her smell lingering in the air. I reach into my sweats and groan as I grip my cock, stroking it.

Pulling myself out, I pump my hard cock as a tear falls from my eye. Fuck, I can’t even jerk off without fucking crying. Tucking myself back in my sweats, I grind up some weed and roll a joint. Lighting it, I take a deep pull and take out my phone, seeing I have a missed call and text from Ryder. Opening the thread, I scroll down to his name.

Ryder: I’m coming over. I have something to show you.

Me: You know where I be.

Taking another hit, my phone begins to ring and I pick it up.

“Yo.” I say down the line.

“Spade,” Ri rasps, breathing heavily.

“Ri, what’s wrong. You good?” I ask, concern laced in my tone.

“Marsela is dead and they beat the fuck out of me. I need help. I can’t fucking drive anymore.” He grits. Fuck.

“Oh shit, can you drop a pin on your location? I’m waiting for Ryder to get here. We will come get you.” I say panic stricken as I pace the living room hoping Ryder will be here any second.

“Yeah, I dropped it. I didn’t fucking kill her. I swear it. They don’t fucking believe me though. They are going to kill me. I need to hide or something. It hurts so fucking bad to breathe.” He chokes out.

“Just hang on brother.” I say as I hear the rumble of a bike.

Fuck yes, finally. “Ri, you still with me? I’ll be there soon. Just hang the fuck on.” I say, grabbing the keys to my charger and heading out the front door.

“Just hurry up. There’s a lot of blood, Reid. I don’t know where it’s coming from.” He says.

“I’m on the way. Just hang on.” I say, hanging up and running over to Ryder.

“What’s wrong?” he says with furrowed brows.

“Marsela’s dead and Ri is hurt. We have to go get him.” I say and he nods, grabbing his pistol.

“Fuckkk, let’s roll.” He says, following me to the car and hopping in.

Putting my bitch in reverse we haul ass to Ri’s location which was all of ten minutes away on the side of the highway. Hopping out of the car, I wretch the driver’s side door open to a badly beaten Dario. Fuck.

“I’m here, brother.” I say, pulling his slump body into my grasp and out of the truck.

“Fuckkkkk, that hurts.” He growls as Ryder comes to his other side, gripping Ri’s other arm, and helping me put him in the charger.

“I should’ve taken Jay’s Ram. Fucking idiot.” I say and Ri whips his head to me.

“You’re not an idiot. You are my hero, Brother.” he laughs and my eyes widen as blood drips from his lips. Fuck.

“We need to call the Doc. This isn’t good.” I say as a car drives by slowly.

“Fuck, gun!” Ryder screams, and I shove Ri into the car as he screams, slamming the door shut as Ryder takes fire. Pop. Pop. Pop. Bullets spray the side of my car as they speed off down the highway.

“Jesus Christ. Who the fuck was that?” Ryder yells and I shake my head, taking a deep breath.

“Fucking Albanians. They are gunning for his blood. We need to keep him safe until I can figure out what in the actual fuck is going on.” I spit and his eyes widen.

“Albanians? Fuck! They are worse than the Russians. Shit, this is bad!” He says, kicking my tire.

“Stop hurting my baby. Jesus, get it together.” I laugh nervously and he shakes his head.

“Race you to the house?” he says and I can’t help but smirk.

“I’mma spank that ass.” I whoop and he laughs, hopping into the suburban.

I climb into my car and step on the gas, full fucking sendingonto the highway as Ri groans in the passenger seat.

“What happened?” he asks as I shift gears, weaving through traffic as Ryder stays hot on my ass.

“The Albanians did a drive by. They’re really coming hard for you, man.” I say and he grunts.

“I’m fucked, and I’m not sure what to do.” He admits and I sigh, switching gears, I hit the gas, pushing my car to its limits.

“We will figure it out. I promise you, Ri. No one is going to take you from me.” I assure him and he groans.

“I’m not sure how much fight I have left, Brother. It’s not worth it without her here,” he chokes out, gripping his side.

“You fight, Ri. She wouldn't want you to give up. Not yet at least.” I say, looking over at him.

“I know, but I need her. I don’t want to live without her.” He coughs as blood splatters against the dash.

“We will be home in a second. You better hang on!” I yell and he grips my hand.

“You’re the best brother I ever had, Reid. Jameson, too. I wouldn’t have survived this long without the two of you at my side. No matter what happens to me, never change your soul for anyone. I love you brother.” He rasps as his hand falls from the top of mine. No, no, no, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go!

Pulling into the driveway, I look over at him, he’s pale as fuck and unmoving.

“Ri? Ri! You can’t fucking leave me brother!” I yell as Ryder pulls in behind me. Hopping out of the suburban, he rips open the passenger door and Dario stirs as he looks at Ryder and smiles.

“Take care of my brother.” He says, taking a deep shuddering breath before closing his eyes.

“Fuck this. Did you call the Doc?” I yell and Ryder nods.

“He’s pulling in now.” He says, pulling Ri’s lifeless body from the car. Getting out, I round the car to help him as the Doc gets out, running to the front door and opening it.

“Put him on the table.” The Doc orders and we place him down, gently.

“I don’t know how bad his injuries are. He coughed up blood. Just fucking save him, Doc.” I order, and he nods.

“Leave me with him. I’ll holler if I need you.” He orders, waving us away as Ryder grabs my arm, pulling me away. I look up at him and he cups my face.

“He will be okay. The Doc will save him. He’s a fighter. An ass beating isn’t going to take him down. Have faith.” He says, and I pull him to me, gently brushing my lips against his.

“Thank you for being here with me. I can’t do this alone.” I admit and he kisses me slowly, wrapping his hand around my throat.

“Why do you always taste so good?” he asks with a smirk, and I shake my head sucking his bottom lip.

“I could ask the same about you, Biker Bitch.” I laugh sadly and he growls.

“You’re lucky we have company.” He warns and I wink as I take a step back, walking into the living room. Grabbing the joint, I light it up and take the longest hit of my life and blow it out in his direction.

“Don’t start that shit. Here.” He warns, taking out a piece of paper, handing it to me.

“What the fuck is this?” I ask unfolding it. Reading it, my eyes go wide.

“What the fuck? What does this mean?” I ask and he takes a deep breath.

“From the document alone, it states that you and Jade are married. Yeah, you’ve been married since she turned eighteen.” He says with a laugh.

“How the fuck? Who signed off on this?” I ask, scanning the contract for signatures. My heart is in my chest at what this means. I have a wife, who's dead, and that leaves me with what? My head fucking spins at all this.

“Wait, is that?” I say, stunned when I look at the signatures.

“Yep! The plot just got a whole fucking thicker.” He says as I fall to my knees, the words on the document slowly sinking into my brain.

Jade’s my wife. I’ve been a married man this whole time, and now I’m a widow. What the fuck?