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S unny moved swiftly to take Big Al’s back as his brother wrenched the young woman from Dodge. He’d just got to Big Al’s side when he lashed out and stabbed Dodge in his throat.

The girl, no doubt jailbait, screamed, and Big Al spun on Zeus as the confrontation blew up.

The kid was another Julie. This time, Big Al had stepped up to save her. The escalation continued until a near fight broke out, but it ended when Chance waded in, and Big Al left with the woman.

Sunny didn’t bother hanging around and headed out on his bike.

Julie had been nineteen, as she said. Their initial plan had been to live together for six months and then say they’d split up, and Sunny would give her money to get the fuck out of state.

Julie had been loathe to accept this, but when Sunny explained exactly what would happen to them both, she soon agreed.

Especially as the MC threw a welcome party, and she got to witness first-hand how Hellfire treated whores and hang arounds.

Julie found herself shocked as Zeus had made moves on her and been rebuffed by Chance and Sunny very firmly. Since then, Sunny kept her well away from the club. Julie understood he was trying to free Hellfire from the filth infecting it, and somehow, they’d ended up in a real relationship.

At first, Zeus had mocked Sunny for heading home each night. But Chance used it as an opportunity to keep Sunny clean. In fact, Chance was starting to buck against Zeus a lot as time ticked on. They’d slowly gained numbers and were, more often than not, calling in tips to the cops.

Chance had forced a vote and lost again. The lure of easy sex, booze, and drugs was too alluring, and Sunny could see the frustration in Chance’s eyes. It was beginning to dawn on Sunny that the only way to rid Hellfire of the scum was to kill them.

Funnily enough, he wasn’t averse to that.

1999

They’d almost had him!

Zeus had spat the dummy out at Big Al marrying Tati and threatened to change the charter.

Sunny had nearly suffocated holding his breath, but that little fuck, Beaker, fresh out of prison for assault, sneered at Chance.

The fucker had clearly studied the charter, and now Zeus had knowledge in his corner.

Sunny ground his teeth together in frustration. Instead, of forcing Zeus out of position because he’d broken the charter, Sunny got to work his anger out him in the ring instead. Not quite a win but it was somewhat of a consolation prize.

When Sunny returned home, Julie was waiting. She paced, and Sunny wrapped her in his arms.

“Babe, what’s up?” he asked, rubbing her back.

Julie held on tightly. “Some woman insulted me in a shop today. I was wearing your cut, and she sneered at me and said some cruel things. She also mentioned what scum Hellfire was,” Julie whimpered, and tears leaked down her face.

“Don’t wear it in public again. Honestly, I ain’t proud to be part of them, so why the hell should you wear my claim? We nearly had that fuck today, we were so close,” Sunny replied, soothing her.

“Sunny, I’ve got dinner on. Want to talk?” Julie asked.

“Love to, babe,” Sunny answered, kissing her. Julie sank into his arms and relaxed. Damn, he cared a lot for her. They’d make a happy life together once Hellfire was clean.

Sunny - 2003

“I’m pregnant,” Julie whispered.

Sunny stared, shocked. “What?”

“Sunny, you knocked me up.”

“But you’re on the pill, and I wrap up,” Sunny exclaimed.

“Well, it seems those antibiotics I had for that infection in my finger cancelled out my birth control. And we did have that condom split,” Julie snapped.

Sunny reared back. Julie was mad at him, as in seriously pissed. “You’re not happy?”

“Who in their right mind would bring a child to this shitty situation? Hellfire’s no cleaner than the day we met.

I spend half my time waiting for a call saying you’ve been arrested and the rest expecting a death notification.

Tatianna is the same. Plus, Tati, Willa, Amy, and I rarely go to the clubhouse or anything else.

They’re all as afraid as I am,” Julie spat.

Sunny closed his eyes. Julie was right. He couldn’t deny it. They were the only four old ladies on Chance’s side of Hellfire. Willa was Whiskey’s old lady, and Amy was Chaser’s.

“Things are coming to a head, babe. This time next year—”

“Don’t say it. For fuck’s sake, do you know how many times you’ve said it? It never comes, never happens, and now I’m bringing a child into this shit. Something’s got to give, make it right, Sunny, or I’ll leave with the kid,” Julie threatened and tore from his arms.

Sunny froze on the spot. He’d never let Julie disappear with his kid. Never.

October 2003

Julie screamed as she pushed, and Sunny supported her back. She collapsed against him, panting with her face screwed up in pain. Sunny wiped her brow and sent the midwife a quick look. Julie had been in agony for hours, and the labour didn’t seem to be progressing.

“Get me a fuckin’ doctor,” he snarled as he placed the nitrous oxide mask over Julie’s mouth. Julie slumped in his arms as he supported her.

“I’ve paged someone,” the woman said nervously and wrung her hands together.

“I don’t give a fuck, get one now!” Sunny yelled just as Julie’s eyes rolled up. “Shit! Julie’s unconscious! Help her!”

The midwife sprang into action and hit a buzzer, sounding an alarm.

“Off the bed!” she snapped as Sunny climbed off. She lay Julie flat as the machine hooked up to her alarmed.

The door flew open, and a doctor rushed in. He checked everything in a blink of an eye and began calling orders. Before Sunny knew exactly what was happening, Julie was wheeled out of the room, and Sunny was left alone, staring after her.

◆◆◆

“All dead? The kids included?” Sunny whispered, appalled. He’d phoned Chance to update him and instead was receiving the shock of his life.

“Yeah. Willa stayed alive long enough to give names. We know who was behind their attack.”

“Make them hurt,” Sunny seethed. He was on edge knowing Julie was fighting somewhere for her life—and their child’s. Now he was hearing news of murder. Whiskey, Willa, Chaser, Amy, and their kids were all gone. Brutally slaughtered.

“We’re taking Hellfire back,” Chance promised.

“Heard that before,” Sunny groaned bitterly.

“It’s happening,” Chance said grimly. “Keep me updated on Julie.”

Chance cut the line. As much as Sunny wanted to believe him, he didn’t. Zeus and the others had escaped the shit they had caused too many times.

“Mr Barlow?” a woman asked, and Sunny spun.

“How is she?” he demanded, his eyes going to the doctor. Her name badge said Dr Leese.

“The baby is fine; she’s a girl. She is a couple of weeks early, but she’s strong.” Leese spoke solemnly.

Sunny broke into a grin. “A girl!” he exclaimed happily.

Leese nodded but didn’t smile.

“What’s wrong?” Sunny asked, happiness fading.

“I’m sorry. But Miss Kershaw bled heavily during the delivery.

We carried out a caesarean section, but unfortunately, the damage was done.

Miss Kershaw is alive but has little chance of survival.

Come and say your goodbyes,” Leese said bluntly.

Sympathy shone on her face as Sunny stepped backwards, reeling in shock.

“Julie’s dying? She can’t, she’s too young,” Sunny spluttered. “She’s only twenty-nine.”

“Mr Barlow, time is a necessity. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing else we can do. We’ve made Miss Kershaw comfortable, but she has little time left,” the doctor said softly.

Sunny stared at her. Julie couldn’t be dying. Women didn’t die in childbirth, not in today’s society. Leese took his arm, and Sunny looked down.

Mutely, he allowed her to lead him to Julie’s private room.

“I suggest, Mr Barlow, you tell Miss Kershaw whatever she needs to hear. The baby is in with her, so at least Miss Kershaw got to see her daughter,” Leese said. Sunny nodded and opened the door.

He wasn’t prepared for what he saw. Julie lay in bed, deathly pale, tucked into a clean nightdress.

Beside her was the baby, with a midwife standing close in case Julie dropped their daughter.

Julie smiled weakly as Sunny strode over.

He walked around to the other side and sat, drawing Julie into his arms. The midwife helped keep the baby in Julie’s embrace.

“She’s beautiful, she looks like you,” Julie whispered.

“God, I hope not, she needs to look like her momma,” Sunny murmured, kissing her forehead.

“Need you to promise to put her first, even before Hellfire,” Julie muttered. Her eyes closed as she hugged the infant close.

“Always.”

“I loved you, Sunny. I know you never cared for me the same way, but you became my world. But I was never yours. Love Olivia like you didn’t me,” Julie’s voice trailed off.

“Baby, I…” the words stuck in Sunny’s throat. He couldn’t lie as much as he wished to.

Julie smiled.

“You gave me everything you could. Sunny, you cared a lot, that was enough. One day, you’ll fall head over heels, and you deserve to,” Julie whispered sadly. A tear trickled down her cheek.

“Julie, I…” he began after a few moments, but Julie sagged forward, and her arms slackened.

The nurse caught Olivia, and Sunny let out an anguished cry.

They’d had ten years together. Sunny wished he could have spoken the words Julie so needed to hear, but he’d failed in the end. Julie had died knowing he hadn’t loved her like she deserved.

Bitterness rose in his throat as he held Julie’s body and bade her goodbye. She’d have a quiet funeral with those who knew and cared about her. Sunny’s daughter was now his priority. Julie had given Olivia her first name, Sunny gave Olivia her second: Julie, after her mother.

Sunny – March 2004

“If you tell them I’m still breathing, Doc, you’ll have bloodshed in your corridors. The fuckers who shot me won’t stop until I’m gone. Go out and tell my brothers I never made it,” Sunny croaked. He was barely conscious and bleeding from multiple gunshots.

“I won’t lie!” the man exclaimed.