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Zambia

January 2015

BOND

It had taken us some time, but finally those of us who had opted to relocate to Zambia to start the new chapter of the Crow MC were all here. Crowthorne Chapter was now up and running. Paperwork allowing us to stay in Zambia had all been completed and registered with the government. We were settling into our roles. It had been a hell of a ride so far.

We’d spent most of last year cleaning up the businesses that Noni and Rogue had inherited. They’d been nearly run into the ground, badly managed, and funds had been misappropriated by trusted managers. Initially, we’d had a lot of pushback and had ended up getting the police and lawyers involved. It had not been a good time for any of us. We were hopeful that it was all behind us now.

Not only had we been trying to clean up the town and the businesses, but Noni had ended up pregnant at the same time, and let’s just say that Bull hadn’t taken it well. We’d all understood why, and we’d all been relieved and had breathed a little easier when Noni had safely given birth to a beautiful little girl that they’d called Samantha Gwen. It always amazed me at the capacity for love the Crow women had for each other. Noni had named her daughter after her friend, who had also been Bull’s first wife.

There were not many women that I knew of who would be comfortable doing that. But it seemed the Crow women were a different breed altogether.

Over the last year, it had made me wonder if Blaze, Cairo, and I would find anyone who would fit in. I’d thought I had, for all of a minute, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Out of the four of us that had prospected together, only Skinny had an Old Lady. Josie was a kick-arse woman who’d been there through thick and thin for Skinny when Bull had fallen apart after Gwen passed away. She was also perfect for our brother and had taken to living in Zambia like she was born to it. Her practice was thriving, and I had a feeling that before long, we’d be adding a rehabilitation centre to her veterinary clinic for all the injured wild animals that seemed to be finding their way to us.

I slowed my speed down as the heavens opened and the rain came bucketing down in a massive torrent. This was another thing we’d had to get used to: the rainy season—which consisted of torrential rains and thunderstorms that were often accompanied by huge bolts of lightning. Sometimes, it could last hours, but most of the time, it would be over and done within about twenty minutes, and the sun would come back out. The heat was unrelenting at this time of the year. Some days it made me yearn for the cooler climes of the UK, but not enough to make me want to move back. I loved the slower pace of life here, even with all its hardships, such as not having electricity twenty-four-seven or being able to do online banking.

It was a hot and humid day today, not helped by the rain that I’d been hit with. Luckily, today I was in one of the Land Cruisers that had both tinted windows and air conditioning. Four-by-four vehicles were a must in this country; not only were the roads in terrible condition, but because of the distances that had to be travelled to collect supplies, it made more sense to have the room to load up. It had been just on a year since I’d last done this trip. I had my reasons.

I’d managed to farm it off on either Blaze or Cairo. Not this time, though. I’d had to do this one; I couldn’t not do it—not with the changes we’d be making soon when it came to our collections and deliveries.

Bull had a plan to get a plane that would not only pick up guests from the city but also bring in supplies. We’d already cut through the bush and made a runway for it. Noni’s baby daddy Monroe was funding it as it would make it easier for him and his family to visit his daughter. He’d told Bull to use it as often as needed because he’d only be using it a couple of times a year.

Getting anything done out here took time, but I loved the slower pace of life. This trip would be the last one we’d be doing to stock up on spare parts for a long while. Not only were we changing supplier but also how we’d be transporting them.

I knew that if I wanted to get my last fix of the gorgeous woman who worked at our current supplier, this would be my last chance to do it. I needed to see her one more time. In my heart, I knew that under different circumstances she would have been mine.

Not that I was planning on doing anything but checking in on her and making sure she was okay. She was married and it may not have been happily, but if there was something that I didn’t do, it was go after another man’s woman.

She was the reason that I’d stopped doing this journey, even though the garage and tow were my responsibility. I’d had Blaze or Cairo do the trips to collect our order of spare parts. I’d not mentioned her to them, but we’d been friends for a long time, and they knew me. They both knew I wouldn’t shirk my responsibilities if I didn’t have a good reason to. It wasn’t how I was built.

It had been over a year ago when I’d first seen her. We’d not long been in the country, and we’d needed stock for the shop. She’d been stocking the shelves in the back storeroom. I hadn’t realised it was her father who owned the wholesalers where we got our spare parts. He’d sent me back to find a part that wasn’t on my list.

And there she’d been, not paying attention to what was going on around her as she studied a clipboard.

She was of medium height, around five six or seven at the most. She’d been dressed in a pair of denim shorts, a pink tank top, and hiking boots on her feet.

She had masses of tight, dirty blonde curls that hung down her back and were held off her face by a bright pink bandana. And her face, fuck me, her face. She was gorgeous, with high cheekbones and skin tanned a warm brown.

I must have made some sort of noise even though I’d been standing still, struck by the perfection before me. She’d looked up from her clipboard with a wide smile, her cheeks dimpled, and the corners of her bright green eyes crinkled slightly. A light dusting of freckles crossed over her nose, which seemed a little too wide for her face. While she wasn’t what most would consider beautiful, to me, she was gorgeous.

I knew the minute she smiled at me that she was mine, except she wasn’t and never could be. Not with the wide gold band on the fourth finger of her left hand.

“Hi, I’m Rochelle,” she greeted me, coming forward with her hand out. “Can I help you with something?”

Jerked from my stupor, I cleared my throat and shook her hand. Ignoring the spark that raced along my arm, I replied, “Hi, yeah, I’m Bond. The guy in the front said I was to come and find a part for myself while they loaded my vehicle.”

“Old and surly or young and whiny?”

“Sorry,” I asked, confused.

“The guy who sent you back here. Old or young?”

“Oh, old,” I replied.

“My dad then, the young one is my husband,” she told me, completely unaware of the thoughts I’d been having about asking her to have lunch with me. But now that she’d confirmed she was married, that would never happen. “What was it you were after?”

“Umm, here,” I handed her the piece of paper with the part number on it. She took it from me, read it, and walked off saying over her shoulder, “I won’t be long, I’ll just go grab it for you. Take a seat if you want to.”

I didn’t sit because I wanted to get out of there; my chest felt heavy, and I started sweating. It had nothing to do with how hot it was because the air conditioner was running at max and the temperature in the warehouse had been perfectly comfortable when I’d first entered. No, I knew what this was. It was disappointment mixed with regret that the first woman to get such a reaction from me was already taken. I couldn’t wait to get out of here and back home. I just hoped they’d loaded my vehicle already.

“Here you go,” Rochelle said, coming towards me with a box. “Did you need anything else?”

“Nope. I’m good, thanks,” I replied, backing away from her. “It was nice to meet you,” I told her, turning away and hastily leaving, knowing there was no way I’d ever be back here. Not if I could help it; the temptation would be too much, and if there was something I’d never do, it would be poaching someone else’s woman.

And until today, I’d not been back. I was a glutton for punishment, though; I had to see her one more time, especially with what Blaze and Cairo told me of the few times they’d seen her and how she was being treated. They’d offered to help her more than once, but each time she’d said she was fine and there was nothing to worry about. Even with the bruises covering her face. And I knew there were bruises because Cairo had snapped a picture of her the one day.

While I’d been gutted to see the bruises, what had held my attention was her belly that was pushing up against the loose dress she wore. My heart sank to my stomach at the sight, and I couldn’t help but wish that it was my baby she was carrying.

Neither Cairo nor Blaze had agreed with her, but they couldn’t force her to leave even if they wanted to. I’d even had a quiet word with Noni, and she’d stopped in the last time she was in the city, but Rochelle wasn’t working. Her father had said she was at the hospital having a baby. That had been three months ago.

Suddenly the rain let up, and I was brought out of my self-absorption of the past. Sitting straighter in my seat, I prepared for the traffic that I was about to hit that would take me to the industrial area where the wholesaler was. The next shipment would be picked up at the airport, and I can’t say that I wasn’t looking forward to that. We wouldn’t be wasting an entire day travelling three hours either way when we had the plane.

Not long after the rain stopped, I pulled up in front of the wholesalers. Staring at the front door, I wondered for what seemed to be the hundredth time if this was a good idea. I just needed to see her one more time to see how she was. Just one more time, that’s all, then I’d leave and never come back.

Getting out of the vehicle, I made sure to lock the doors before slowly walking into the shop. Her father was behind the counter, and I was shocked at how he looked. When I’d last seen him, he’d been a big man, well-muscled and healthy-looking. In the space of a year, he seemed to have withered, and his dark skin had a decidedly yellow tinge to it.

He looked up as the bell on the door tinkled to let him know someone had entered, and the relief that filled his eyes made me wonder what was going on with this family.

Walking towards the counter, I nodded a greeting at him, “Joe.”

“It’s you. We haven’t seen you in a while, but it’s like my prayers have been answered.”

Frowning with confusion at his words, I ask, “What’s going on, Joe?”

He looks around the store surreptitiously, as if he is worried about someone hearing him. Bending over the counter towards me, he motions for me to come closer, “I need you to take my daughter and granddaughter with you when you leave.”

Not understanding what he meant, I stand up slightly, but he grabs hold of my hand to stop me from moving away, “I’m begging you, please take my daughter with you when you leave.”

Still not sure what was going on, but the desperation in Joe’s voice makes it clear that what he is asking for is urgent.

“I’m going to need more than that, Joe. Isn’t she married? Her husband won’t be best pleased if she disappears with me, and I don’t need that sort of problem.”

He shakes his head quickly, “You won’t; her husband is dead, thank God. I saw the way you looked at her over a year ago, and the fact that you haven’t been in since then but still have your brothers check on her tells me that you’re a good man. She needs protection from her husband’s family. I’m too sick, and I don’t have long left. I need to know my girls are okay. I’ve asked around about you and your club. Everyone I’ve spoken to tells me you are trustworthy and are capable of protecting them if needed.”

A feeling of dread creeps up on me at his words. “Joe, you have to understand I’ll need more information than what you’ve just given me. And I’ll have to check with my president and club. I can’t bring danger to our club and family without them being aware of it. We have women, children, and our townspeople to protect.”

His shoulders sink and his head lowers in defeat, but he nods, “I understand. I’m sorry for asking.”

I’m not ready to leave it like that, though, “Hey, tell me what’s going on. If I can help, I will, but I need all the information I can get, and I’ll have to check with my president. Do you have somewhere we can talk privately?”

Hope lights his eyes again, “I do. Let me close and lock the front door.”

He hurried, well, as much as a sick man could hurry, to the doors of the shop and turned the sign around to ‘closed’ and locked the doors before shuffling back to me and motioning me to the back. I looked around but didn’t see Rochelle anywhere.

“She’s not here,” he informs me, sitting heavily down in a chair behind the desk in the office he’d taken me to. “I sent her home to pack in hopes that you’d take her. She’ll be back soon.”

I wasn’t sure how I felt about that because until I had more information, I wasn’t agreeing to anything.

“Tell me what’s going on, Joe. Why does Rochelle need to get out of town?”

Joe runs a shaky hand down his face, sweat beading his brow. Picking up a bottle of pills from the table, he tries to open it, but his hands are shaking so much that he can’t. Taking them from him, I read the label and see that they are painkillers, strong painkillers. Shaking two out, I hand them to him along with the bottle of water on his desk.

“It’s my fault,” he starts, “they approached me four years ago wanting to use my warehouse to store drugs. I, of course, refused, but then I started getting break-ins or my shipments went missing, and then they threatened Rochelle. It’s only been the two of us ever since her mother died when she was ten. She’s all that matters to me.” He takes another sip of water before continuing.

“What I didn’t know was that they’d done the same to her. They threatened me if she didn’t marry the youngest brother. She was twenty-one at the time. She married him, and her life has been hell ever since then. The only thing she had a say in was whether or not she had children, and then he messed with her birth control. Daisy is a blessing, but I can’t have my girls getting pulled in anymore to their gang.

“And they will be now that her husband has been killed; they’ll want Rochelle brought in. I’ve managed to keep her and Daisy at mine, saying that she was grieving and that she needed help as it’s not been long since she had the baby. Not that any of that is true; she’s not grieving—we both breathed a sigh of relief when he was killed in a deal gone wrong, and she’s a natural mother.

“I only have a few months, if not weeks, left to live, and I need to know my girls are somewhere safe. I’m begging you to please take them with you. I’ve got money; you can have it all.” Tears were running down his cheeks as he looks beseechingly at me.

“I don’t want your money, Joe; that should go to Rochelle and her daughter. First, tell me about this gang. Why did they want your warehouse?”

“They’re called the Black Mambas, and they’ve been running drugs through the city for years. They wanted to use my shipments because my trucks move easily between bordering countries when I buy stock. Nobody bothers my trucks at the borders.

“They built false floors into the storage area of the trucks, and once the pallets of spares are over them, nobody bothers to check them. It was easy for them. It’s mostly cannabis and heroin that they run through their nightclubs, and of course, they make money off the girls they run. I know in my heart of hearts that if they get hold of my girls, that will be their fate.”

He probably wasn’t wrong; it’s how it seemed to work worldwide. On every continent and in every country I’d ever been to, there was always someone who profited off someone else. I should know; my childhood wasn’t far off what he was describing, except I had a father who didn’t give a shit and a mother who sold herself to pay for her fix. My blood turns cold thinking of Rochelle being used in that way. No matter what, I’d ensure that she didn’t suffer that fate, even if I had to ship her off to the UK to ensure she was safe.

Patting his hand, I stand up, “Let me call Bull and see what he has to say. I’ll do whatever I can to ensure that your girls are safe.”

He starts to sob. I hated to see such a strong man broken. “Thank you,” he whispers.

Taking my phone from my pocket, I find Bull’s contact details and, putting the phone to my ear, I wait as it rings until he answers.

“What’s up, Bond?”

I wasn’t sure how I was going to ask for this favour, “It seems like I have a bit of a situation here, Pres.”

There was silence from the other end of the line, then Bull tells me, “Hang on, I’m with Rogue. I’m going to put you on speaker.”

“Okay,” I reply, waiting for him to give me the go-ahead.

“You’re on speaker, Bond, go ahead,” Bull advises.

Taking a deep breath, I tell him and Rogue what has happened since I’d arrived in town and Joe’s request.

They were both silent when I finished.

“Is this the girl you asked Noni to check on?” Rogue wants to know.

“Yeah,” I reply.

“And she’s the reason that you haven’t been doing the runs for the last year?” Bull questions.

Gripping the back of my neck, I pull at the tension that is building. “Yes.”

“Is she yours?” Rogue asks, curiosity in his tone.

I’d never lie to them or myself; they needed to know everything, “She is, but she was married, so I stayed away.”

The two of them were silent again before Bull asked, “Was married? Meaning she no longer is. Are you going to make her your Old Lady?”

“I don’t know,” I reply honestly. “I’d love to ask her to be my Old Lady, but she was forced into her marriage; it doesn’t seem fair to ask her to become an Old Lady just for protection. If that’s the only way to protect her, then I’ll offer to get her out of the country instead. I never want her to be forced into a position again.”

“I’ll do it,” a soft voice says from behind me. Turning around on my heel, I swallow at my first sight of her in nearly a year. She’s as gorgeous today as she was all those months ago. Today she’s dressed in a pair of black cargo pants, a floral flowing tank top and the same boots from a year ago, her curls held off her face in a high ponytail. The only difference is instead of a clipboard, she’s cradling a tiny baby in her arms, and by tiny, I mean tiny.

“What?” I question, shocked surprise in my voice. I’d been so focused on letting Bull and Rogue know what was going on that I hadn’t heard her come in.

“I’ll do it,” she replies in a louder voice. “If becoming your Old Lady or marrying you means my daughter is safe, then I’ll do what I have to. I can’t protect her by myself, and I don’t want to leave Zambia. My life, such as it is, is here. It won’t be the first time I’ve had to do what I can to keep my family safe, but I’m hoping you’ll be kinder than the last man.”

My heart clenched at her words; that she’d suffered to do what she thought was right was no surprise to me. She had the bearing of someone who was strong and would do what it took to survive in this life.

“Bond?” Bull prompts. “Is that her?”

“Yeah, Pres, it is.”

“Put her on speakerphone,” Rogue tells me.

I did as they asked, not taking my eyes off her face, and she seemed to feel the same because her gaze hadn’t left mine either.

“Hi, Rochelle, is it?” Bull wants to know.

“Yes, that’s me,” she answers.

“Rochelle, I want you to know that you don’t have to do this; we’ll help you either way. Like Bond said, we can get you out of the country if you want or to another part of this country. Our help isn’t dependent on whether or not you become part of our Club.”

Her gaze still on me, she answers Bull, and her tone lets it be known that she was done with this conversation. “I understand, and that’s part of the reason that I know this is the right choice.

“The other is that a year ago a man walked into my warehouse and my heart stood still. I knew then what I know now. He was meant to be mine, but circumstances and timing weren’t right. I’m not going to tempt fate a second time.

“Now, that’s not to say he feels the same way, especially as I now come with another man’s daughter, but I’m hoping that my instincts aren’t wrong and he won’t hold that against me or her.”

I had to smile at her words, and both Bull and Rogue chuckled because it was clear she knew nothing about us if she thought that blood meant anything.

“Has she got a birth certificate?” I ask, nodding at the sleeping baby in her arms.

She shakes her head, “No, I’ve been putting it off for some reason.”

“That’s good,” I tell her. “Bull, can you speak to Skinny?”

“Already on it, brother,” Bull assures me. “Get your ladies home. I’m going to speak to Dex and let him know what’s going on there. Maybe there’s somewhere we can put her father so that he’s safe because I can’t imagine this gang will be letting her go easily.”

“Thanks, Pres, we’ll be home later tonight.”

“I’ll let Noni know to have a cot added to your room for now. Time you got to building that house, brother.”

“Seems like,” I reply with a smile. Noni and Rogue had gifted each of us brothers a piece of land near them to build homes on. I’d been putting mine off, but it seemed that I’d better get started on that sooner rather than later.

Walking towards Rochelle, I stopped just short of touching her boots with the toes of mine. My gaze dropped down to the tiny bundle that she was holding. With a finger, I pulled the baby blanket down and fell instantly in love for the second time in my life. A miniature Rochelle was nestled against her breast, from the tight blonde curls and lightly tanned skin to the shape of her small, pursed lips.

“She’s gorgeous,” I say softly. “She’s tiny though. Is she okay?”

Rochelle smiles up at me, tilting her daughter slightly towards me so that I can get a better look, replying, “She’s fine now, but she was born really early, so she’s a little smaller than most.”

Letting the blanket go, I was unable to not touch Rochelle, so I wrapped my arm around her waist and turned her towards her dad’s office, “Come on, let’s go and tell your dad that he doesn’t have to worry about you and Daisy. You’re a Crow now, and we look after our own.”

It took a couple of hours, but I got our order loaded and more. Joe was closing down the warehouse and told me to take what I could load; he had a friend coming who was going to take the rest. He wanted the warehouse to be empty after today.

When I mentioned getting him somewhere safe, he told me not to worry about him, just to look after his girls. I waited as Rochelle clung to her father as they said goodbye to each other, both knowing this was likely to be the last time they ever saw each other.

He’d handed Rochelle a big bag that was so heavy she couldn’t hold it. I’d taken it from her, surprised at the weight. I’d had a look when I’d put it in the vehicle and found it to be full of dollar bills.

My eyebrows had risen at the amount; it seemed he wasn’t joking about making sure his girls were taken care of. It was getting late, and I wanted to be on the road before it got dark, but I was reluctant to break up their goodbye. Finally, it was Joe who did it for me.

Taking his granddaughter from Rochelle, he kissed her cheeks and put her in the car seat that had been in Rochelle’s car. We were going to leave that here in the loading bay of the warehouse. Once he’d said goodbye to Daisy, he helped a crying Rochelle into the seat next to her. I was thankful that this particular vehicle had tinted windows so nobody would be able to see in. I wouldn’t put it past this gang to be watching who and what was coming out of the warehouse loading area.

Once Rochelle was seated, he closed the door before turning to me and embracing me, “Thank you. Look after my girls for me.”

Returning his embrace, I couldn’t help but feel sad that I wouldn’t get to spend time with this man who loved his family so much he was willing to send them away from him on the last days he had on this earth.

“I will,” I reassure him. “They’ll be safe with me, I promise.”

“I know,” he replied, patting my back and letting me go. “You’d best get going. I’ve still got a bit to sort out here before I can get away. I’ll have a friend get word to you somehow once I’m gone, and I’ll have them send my ashes. Make sure that she doesn't hold onto them. Have her spread them in the Zambezi for me. It’s where we spread her mother’s.”

“Okay,” I assure him, getting into the driver’s side. I hoped we’d be able to resolve Rochelle’s issue before that happened so she could be with him to say goodbye.

Starting the car, I slowly drove out, watching him disappear behind us in the rearview mirror before my gaze caught and held Rochelle’s tear-drenched gaze.

Nothing I’d say would make it any easier on her, so I let her cry and vowed I’d make sure that she didn’t shed many more tears if I could help it.