Cécile
I t had been five days since we’d arrived here in the middle of the night. Warden had kept his word and sent Cipher to us. He’d moved my money so many times it made even him dizzy. Etienne was relieved to have a bank account once more. And truthfully, so was I. We had discussed Warden’s offer, and, in the end, I was happy to join, but not without Etienne.
His only hold out was he didn’t want to prospect. And I couldn’t blame him. Some of the duties they did, caused me immense dislike of the role. I planned to talk to Warden today and make some of agreement avoiding the less attractive parts of prospect.
Both Etienne and I were comfortable here, and we knew we’d found a second home. And the other night, I’d had a vision that Etienne would find his soulmate here. A fact I rejoiced in, although I didn’t tell him that. Etienne had a real aversion to relationships ever since a bitch broke his heart years ago.
That had sealed our fate. Etienne might be my anchor, but he deserved his person, and if staying here meant he got her, then so be it. I’d sacrifice anything for him, just like he would me. It was a shame we’d never been attracted to each other. But I guess it was too much to hope for.
I was heading for Warden’s office when a vision hit me hard. I rocked back on my heels and gasped.
A woman looked over her shoulder as she slunk out of the club’s gate. She hurried down the street and got into a vehicle. I watched as an envelope exchanged hands. I could hear everything she was saying and started repeating it. The woman was someone I recognised, I’d seen her here once before.
As I looked, a Harley headed down the road towards the car, and the rider looked over and frowned. He recognised the lady and circled back. A man climbed out of the motor and raised a gun. It spat once, and the biker toppled backwards, and a shriek ripped from my throat. The driver got back in as the lady got out and started screaming. I caught a glimpse of a cut, and then my world turned red.
“Cécile!” Oracle shouted, shaking me from the vision and my scream.
“Etienne! He’s going to be shot!” I rushed past Oracle and headed out. The vision was playing out right now, I could feel it deep in my bones.
Footsteps pounded behind me but headed for the gate. Priest looked up, startled to see me racing towards him.
“Unlock it!” I screamed at him.
“Open it!” Oracle bellowed beside me.
I kept running ass the gate opened, and I ran through and up the lane. I saw the car in front of me and pointed. Towards me rode a Harley, Etienne sitting proudly on it.
“Gun!” I shrieked as he passed the vehicle and glanced in. He started to circle back.
“No! Gun! Gun!” I exclaimed as I continued sprinting. A man got out, exactly as my vision and my heart nearly stopped. A gun spat, and Etienne fell backwards from his bike, which zoomed off into the bushes.
I reached Etienne and collapsed beside him as I checked him over for his wound.
“If my motorbike is damaged, I’m gonna kill that asshole,” Etienne complained. Once I was reassured, he wasn’t hurt. I punched his chest, making him groan, and I fell onto him sobbing.
“Take him!” Undertaker was yelling at someone, and I heard Iona screech.
“You damn traitorous bitch! Warden, let go of me, I’ll smack some whore tonight.” Iona was shouting.
Slasher landed next to me and began checking Etienne over.
“There’s no bullet wound, Cécile. Noble got a barrier up just in time,” Slasher explained.
“That’s what I ran into?” Etienne groaned.
“Yeah. But at least you’re alive,” Slasher replied cheerfully.
I glared balefully at him.
“I’ll fuckin’ gut you, cunt,” Dare hissed, and I lifted my head from Etienne’s chest.
The woman, who I recognised as a club whore called Lolita, was struggling with Vogue, who simply turned and punched her straight in the face. Lolita went down like a ton of bricks, and her eyes rolled up. A man was on his knees with Bogeyman holding him down and Blister pointing a gun to his head.
He wore a Screaming Barons cut. Warden held Iona back, who had now stopped fighting him to get at Lolita. Lindy calmly strolled over and kicked the bitch three times before stepping away.
“Iona, this is club business. Come on, lovely, we’ve got presents to wrap,” Lindy stated.
Iona spat on Lolita before allowing herself to be walked away. I kept hold of Etienne’s hand as Slasher healed a few broken bones and bruises.
“My ride?” Etienne demanded.
“It’s scratched but not badly damaged. You wanted a custom paint job anyway,” Wisecrack answered, wheeling the Harley Fatboy back towards us.
Etienne nodded as Slasher said he could get to his feet. I scrambled up and helped Etienne up. He moved over to his bike stiffly and stood by it as he also looked it over.
“Does someone want to tell me what happened?” he asked.
“Cécile had a vision,” Oracle explained.
“You saw me getting shot?” Etienne demanded, and I nodded as I wrapped myself around him.
I ignored the knowing looks the brothers swapped. Etienne was destined to be one of the greatest loves of my life. Just because we weren’t fucking one another didn’t mean we did not care about each other. Etienne might not be my soulmate, but he was loved, and that is all that mattered.
“I’m okay,” Etienne soothed, and I knew he could feel my pounding heart.
“Looks like we had a leak,” Warden said as he stared down at Lolita.
“That bitch has sucked her last cock,” Dare hissed.
“Take them to the dungeon,” Warden ordered as Blister pulled up with a van. Romeo psychically punched the man unconscious and threw him in the back. Lolita followed. Romeo jogged round and climbed into the front.
“We’ll have answers for you when you arrive, Prez,” he called, and Blister sped off.
Warden turned to Etienne and me. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” Etienne answered as I was struggling to control my emotions.
“Join the club,” Warden demanded.
“We were going to. But we don’t like the idea of prospect,” Etienne replied.
“Well, you have known the Royal Bastards for over five years. I think all the help you’ve given us would ensure you miss prospecting. You’ve already kind of done it,” Warden said.
“That’s fine by me,” Etienne agreed.
“We’ll put it to the vote and let you know. Go back to the clubhouse and rest,” Warden ordered.
“You’ll put her six foot under?” I asked finally.
Warden studied me silently.
“Lolita will be handled,” Undertaker confirmed.
“I want her dead. She and that man were gonna kill Etienne. Warden, I need to know she’s not going to return,” I insisted.
“She’ll pay and in blood,” Warden agreed after a few moments.
I sank against Etienne. “Good.”
“Return to the club. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I’m sure Iona, Lindy and Rosalea could do with some help,” Warden said.
I nodded and allowed Etienne to plop me on his bike as he rode us back.
Iona
A huge assed tree dominated the clubhouse. Warden, Undertaker and Oracle had collected it last week, and it had already been decorated. Fairy lights hung around the walls, and we had draped tinsel everywhere. We had ceiling decorations, which had infuriated Warden when we poached Blue and Priest to hang them. The old timers had got involved and sprayed fake snow images on the windows.
Warden had complained that we had enough snow on the ground outside. We had Christmas decs outside and Lindy and I had been burning scented candles. Lindy had made it very clear that the club whores weren’t welcome to Christmas Day, although she’d invited the three service guys. Lindy had explained they didn’t cause drama and were pretty nice.
We were now wrapping in the common room and had to keep chasing the old-timers away as they kept wandering over to be nosey. The tree was going to be rammed full of presents.
Lindy, Rosalea and I had purchased everyone a present from the club itself, and then the three of us had bought gifts. That meant each person should have four gifts each so far. I did wonder if anyone else had bought anything and could only hope. We had Christmas music on as we wrapped, and I was wrapping Warden’s, a gold chain I’d bought him when Pipe yelled that food deliveries were here.
Lindy and I swapped grins and hurried out to the kitchen to open the rear door. I just prayed that everything was as I ordered it, or we’d be shopping tomorrow. A grin hit me as I saw the four huge assed turkeys, all plucked and ready to be cooked.
“Damn, girl, I didn’t realise they were so big,” Lindy gaped.
“Yeah, a little bigger than I realised,” I admitted.
We only had three ovens here. This was a problem as I’d ordered huge hams and two legs of lamb.
“You take in the food, and I’ll start getting these cooking,” Lindy said, and I nodded. The deliveries came rolling in, and at the same time, so did the old-timers. Spice looked bemused as bags upon bags of items were brought in. Pipe and Fists began emptying them and stacking the food away.
I was rather shocked that I didn’t have tell them how to unpack.
“Too many years under Lindy,” Spice admitted with a wink as he put the cartons of fresh cream I’d ordered in a line in the fridge. Next to them, he placed the Brandy Butter. Then he started organising the cheeses I’d bought.
I turned to Pipe, but he was organising all the vegetables we’d bought. The old timers were amused as the bags kept coming as one store after another delivered my orders. Not a single one had messed me about, and I planned to give them all a huge thank you after Christmas.
Once I’d marked everything off my check list, I turned to Lindy, slightly overwhelmed.
“Where do we start?” I asked. There were only four of us cooking, Rosalea, Lindy, Cécile, and myself. No way would the sisters help prepare food; they had an aversion to it like the men did.
“We finish wrapping presents and then tomorrow we peel the vegetables. For now, we let these turkeys cook. Once they are done, we’ll put the last one in and the legs of lamb,” Lindy said.
“Okay,” I replied and headed back out. “The club whores won’t take the food, will they?”
“They’re banned from here for the next few nights. Warden has made it clear it’s family only,” Lindy explained and smiled. “Beau is back tomorrow, and Decker is flying in. Lissy will be arriving tonight. She’ll be here to help.”
“Oh, how wonderful your boys are coming home,” I exclaimed, happy for Lindy. I know she missed them all.
“Lissy is here to stay. She split from that wretched man she was with. Waste of damn space he was. She had a few things to tie, but she’s coming home. Aura has a house for her, and her furniture arrived yesterday. Spice spent all day making sure the movers placed it where she’d want it. Of course, Lissy will move everything around, but Spice thought he was being helpful,” Lindy explained with a laugh.
“Oh dear,” I muttered and smiled.
“Come on, let’s finish wrapping presents, there’s still a lot to do,” Lindy stated. And she wasn’t lying.
◆◆◆
I was barely moving the next morning as I entered the kitchen and peered blurrily around.
“Coffee,” I croaked.
“Here,” Rosalea announced, handing me a cup. I smothered a yawn and took a deep sip. It was hot but good.
“Thank God for caffeine,” I muttered, sinking onto a stool. Someone snorted, and I looked up and spotted Lissy. “Hey, girl.”
“Well, like Rosalea, you ain’t changed much. I’d still know you anywhere. Although I hope you’ve undergone an attitude adjustment,” Lissy said as she sipped her own cup.
“I’ll talk to you when I’m awake,” I replied, waving a hand at her.
“Have you even showered?” Rosalea asked, and I blinked before glaring at her.
“What do you think?” I demanded, suddenly awake and offended.
“Well, considering the screams, not just yours, coming from your room last night, I hope so!” Rosalea snapped, amused.
“Sorry, was we too loud? Did we keep the little princess awake?” I teased, and Rosalea shook her head, laughing.
“You gotta invest in sound proofing,” she retorted.
“Or you need a decent set of ear plugs,” I replied, and we both laughed.
“Wow, I am so proud. Look at you two, both of you have removed those sticks up your ass,” Lissy added.
“You’ve still got yours, bitch,” I informed Lissy, and behind me, Lindy snorted. I waved a hand in her direction. “Don’t start if you can’t finish it. That’s what you taught us.”
“Not quite. I am sure I said don’t start shit if you can’t handle having crap shoved back at you. And if you start a fight, you’d better be prepared to end it,” Lindy corrected me.
“Knew it was something like that,” I agreed and eyed Lissy. “You look well. I kinda hate you right now.”
“Thanks, you’re as beautiful as ever, Iona,” Lissy said magnanimously.
“I’d agree with that statement, except I look like death warmed up,” I responded.
Lissy snorted. “Try sleeping at night.”
“We were up late wrapping presents, and then Warden needed punishing. He’s been searching for his gifts, and I caught him.”
“Too much info, Iona. Breakfast is up and done. Just basic food, scrambled eggs, toast, cereals, and pastries. Get some food in you. We’ve got a lot to do today. And Warden has gathered everyone so we can give them their Christmas Eve present,” Lindy said.
A smile crossed my face, and I darted into the common room. Lindy was right; they were all there. I dragged out the sack that had their ornaments in and started handing them out.
“Iona, you do know this isn’t Christmas?” Griffin asked.
“Just open it,” I snapped as Lindy, Lissy, and Rosalea came out.
Undertaker opened his first and looked confused and then began laughing. “That’s fuckin’ amazing.” He held up a miniature coffin and a little washing machine.
“They are tree ornaments,” I said as he continued to smile.
“They’re great,” he admitted.
“Damn,” Wisecrack exclaimed as he unwrapped his and saw a small chapel referring to his role as Chaplin and a small car for his mechanic job.
The others tore open theirs, and laughter arose. I glowed as they showed each other what they’d received.
“Nicely done,” Lindy said with warm approval.
Grinning, I turned and handed her the presents I’d bought for her. Lindy chuckled as she opened a bee and a tiny leather waistcoat.
“Clever girl,” she stated as Lissy and Roselea opened theirs. There was happiness in the clubhouse, and you could tell everyone loved their gifts. Even the old timers were tickled.
“Okay, let’s get started with food prep,” Lindy ordered. “Breakfast is up, help yourselves, and you’re on your own for lunch. And someone needs to order takeout for dinner tonight because we aren’t cooking.”
“We’ll arrange it, Lindy. Go on with you,” Warden agreed.
“Come on, ladies, we’ve got a busy day,” I said, getting to my feet.
Warden sank a kiss on me, and I scuttled away as he slapped my ass.
“Payback’s a bitch.” I called out.
“A bitch that wears your name,” Warden shouted at me.
I winked at him and disappeared into the kitchen. There, the enormity of the task we were facing hit me.
“Damn!” I swore.
“I thought we’d all work together. The hams are on, and cooking and the turkeys are in the fridge already. If we sort through the vegetables one at a time, it will stop us getting suicidal,” Lindy said.
“Thank God!” Rosalea exclaimed. “I was dreading peeling carrots for five hours.”
“Not quite, but I wouldn’t want you get bored,” I teased, and Rosalea poked her tongue out.
“Grab the damn carrots,” Lissy ordered, laughing as Lindy filled up a huge pot with water.
Lissy, Rosalea, Lindy and I settled in. Lindy put some Christmas music on, and we talked and giggled as we peeled. We were halfway through when Cécile arrived and grabbed a stool to help.
“Did you celebrate Christmas in New Orleans?” Lindy asked.
“Etienne and I often celebrated alone. My family disowned me called me insane, so it was just us,” Cécile replied.
“Etienne did not have a family?” I inquired.
“Etienne had an aunt. She wasn’t… a nice person. She practised black magic, and Etienne’s soul is as white as they come,” Cécile stated. Her tone left no room for discussion.
“Are you looking forward to moving here?” Rosalea asked.
“Yeah. Etienne and I didn’t plan to leave New Orleans; we were content there. But something told me that we did not have a lifetime there. It wasn’t our forever home.”
“Camden is?” I inquired.
“Yes. This is where our future lies. It feels right, and both of us will be happy here,” Cecile said.
“Good, because Warden wants you to stay,” I offered.
“That’s nice to know. As we plan to.” Cécile winked.
“Let’s get Christmas dinner done because tomorrow, we’ve got a lot of fun planned!” I replied, and we all started peeling like mad.