Page 4 of Dylan’s Dad (Horsemen Of The Apocalypse MC #1)
Reaper
L aying in my bunk I find myself rereading Lola’s letter for probably the hundredth time.
I need to get out of here, like yesterday.
Climbing to my feet, I head over to the kiosks so I can call Stallion for updates on the club.
When I try Stallion’s cell it just rings with no answer, which isn’t totally abnormal he could be on a ride, but I've got this bad feeling.
So, I decide to try the clubhouse. It rings once before a prospect picks up, “Hello.”
“Hey, it’s Reaper. Is Stallion there?” I ask.
There is a long pause before, “Shit, Prez I am so sorry. It’s all my fault.” My veins feel like they have filled with ice.
“What is your fault? What happened?” I demand.
“Well, I took over Jimmy’s shift at your son’s house and both cars were there and everything was quiet.
I ran for a quick bathroom break this morning and when I was on my way back I passed your daughter.
She had a card on her windshield and I couldn’t tell what shape she was in from just riding past. I called Stallion and he is with her now. ” I can hear him inhale shakily.
“Spit it out, Prospect!”
“I got a call just before you. They are headed back. Stallion is driving her car. Apparently she is in pretty rough shape they called Doc. They should be back in ten minutes or so. That’s all I know. I am so sorry Prez. I shouldn’t have left.”
I know I should tell the kid it’s not his fault or whatever but right now the only thought in my mind is that my Little Flower is hurt and I don’t know how bad. “They will be there in ten minutes?”
“Around that, Prez.” I hang up without saying goodbye and spend the next ten minutes pacing in front of the phones.
***
Lola
The ride to the clubhouse was silent. I spent the whole trip staring out the window, unable to stop the tears from trailing down my cheeks.
Pulling up through a winding path hidden way back in the woods is a building that resembles a hunting lodge except for the large mural on the side that depicts a grim reaper riding horseback flanked by more horse mounted figures.
When we pull to a stop, Stallion hops out tossing my car keys to one of the many guys wearing black leather vests.
“Jimmy put the bug in the garage. Nobody can know she is here until I know what happened that means no hang arounds. Only members and club bunnies.” He gets to the passenger side and opens my door.
“Okay Darlin, I know this is gonna hurt but I’ll try my best not to jostle you.
I’m sorry.” And with that he scoops me up into his arms and I slap my hand over my mouth to muffle another scream. “I’m sorry, Sweetheart. Almost there.”
The other biker, I think his name is Sin, opens the doors for Stallion.
Sin is tall, like over 6 feet tall but still shorter than Stallion.
His skin is the color of my favorite Chai tea latte from the corner café.
If I had to guess I’d say he was Latino and aside from his face I can’t see even an inch of skin not covered in ink.
The visible tattoos coat his arms, neck and scalp.
Stallion is huge, massive and resembling like a Viking or a Norse God.
A few months ago, these would have been the last guys I would think to be trusting my life and security with but now it’s like my whole world has flipped upside down.
He very gently lays me down on a bed. Wait, when did we enter a bedroom?
“It’s okay, Darlin. Just figured this would be more comfortable and more private than at the bar.” He brushes the hair back from my face and I can see his jaw locked down tight and the muscle in his cheek is fluttering. He is pissed. Turning away from me he shouts, “Where the FUCK is Doc?”
“Doc just pulled up but we got a bigger problem.” another leather clad biker says holding up a cell phone.
“It’s Reaper. I guess he called while we were picking her up and one of the prospects told him that we were bringing her back and that she was in bad shape.
He is kinda losing it, brother. He wants to talk to his daughter. ” He extends the phone toward Stallion.
Snatching the phone out of the other man’s hand, “Hey brother, it's Stallion.” I notice Stallion wince at whatever Reaper says. “Yes, I know brother. I just feel I need to warn you before I put her on.” He closes his eyes and he hangs his head. I know Reaper is responding but I can’t hear it and I wish I could.
“So, Doc just pulled up. I had Monk call as soon as I saw the shape she was in.” He pauses again.
“She is gonna need stitches, she’s got a black eye that is so swollen I don’t know how she managed to see clearly while driving and when she made to get out of her cage, she couldn’t stand.
I had to carry her. She is in real bad shape and I am not sure where her head is right now.
” Stallion takes what seems to be a calming breath, “I’ll give her the phone but I am not sure she is gonna respond.
I don’t know if it’s shock or something else but she hasn’t said a word since we collected her. Alright, here’s your girl.”
He holds the phone up to my ear, “Little Flower?” The second he says that nickname the dam breaks, again. I am sobbing like a baby. “Oh Babygirl, please don’t cry.”
“Reaper, I’m scared.” I guess it also finally knocked my voice free. Glancing up I can see the wide eyes and shock on Stallion’s face.
“You are safe, Little Flower. Trust my brothers. You are their family and they will protect you with their lives. Now, what happened, Babygirl?” I don’t know what it is about Reaper but with him all my walls are down.
“Dylan found your letters. He had been drinking by the time I got home.” Looking up I can see the rage on Stallion’s face.
“Son of a bitch! My Son!” The anger in Reaper’s voice has me flinching away from the phone.
Stallion moves the phone up to his ear, “Brother, I need you to calm down.” He takes a deep breath, “Alright are you level? Okay I’ll give you back to your girl.”
“I’m sorry, Little Flower. I shouldn’t have lost it like that. It was just a shock.”
“Was a shock to me too.” I say my eyes begin to well back up with tears.
“What do you wanna do, Babygirl?”
“I can’t go back there. I don’t wanna see him.”
“Okay. You’re safe with my brothers. We will work it out. Can you tell me anymore about what happened?”
“I came home early to check the mail like I always do. I saw his car out front so I went inside. The house was trashed and I could smell the alcohol in the air. He confirmed he found your letters and accused me of screwing you. Called me some names. Smacked me around a bit . . . well maybe more than a bit. He knocked me out. I woke up in bed . . .” The tears just won’t stop now.
“I bolted. I did as you told me and waited for your brothers to find me.”
“How bad are you hurt?” His voice is filled with disbelief and disgust. I look up and see disgust and barely contained rage on Stallion’s face.
“I’m. . . I. . .” I can’t finish the statement. Finishing it is admitting it and I am terrified.
“I am so sorry, Little Flower. Can you give me back to Stallion so I can work out the plan with him? And Flower, stay close to my brothers. They will keep you safe. I will see you in a couple weeks.”
“Ok, I will. See you soon.” I look up at Stallion, “He needs to speak with you.”
“Okay, Darlin. I’m gonna step out to finish this call. The Doc is gonna come in but don’t worry he is one of us and I will be right outside the door.” He waits for me to nod then raises the phone to his ear as he heads out the door.
Less than 5 minutes later in walks a ruggedly handsome man with dark brown hair, a 5 o’clock shadow, and with a set of dog tags hanging from his neck.
His steps falter when he gets his first good look at me.
I think the thing I was most afraid of was the looks of pity but none of these men look at me with pity.
When they look at me their looks are straight up murderous.
As if coming out of a fog, he shakes his head, “Sorry little one. I’m the doc but most people just call me Doc.
I was a field medic in Afghanistan, Marine corps.
So just by looking I’d say your eyebrow and lip will need stitches.
I was told you had trouble walking, can you tell me where the pain is when you try. ”
“The pain is kinda everywhere. My right ankle, right knee, my ribs, both sides of my hips, and . . .” I trail off casting my eyes downward in shame.