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Chapter

Twenty-Nine

Smoke

S even days since she’s been here. So near and yet so far, and it’s torture for me.

When I’d found out that Oriana had brought Tenley back here, I kicked up a storm. Immediately, I’d confronted Stone to accuse him of knowing what his woman had been up to. But when I’d seen him lose his shit with her for going off without protection, I knew he was as clueless as I.

I was then hit with Oriana’s wrath over my part in tricking Tenley into getting mixed up with Dunne, for which I’m sure she’s still not forgiven me.

When I’d got the full rundown from Stone, as Oriana had refused to speak to me, the devil was on my back and riding me hard. If Oriana hadn’t turned up at Ten’s apartment when she did, Tenley would have ended up a shadow of herself or dead. The Death Valley Irish hasn’t got the best reputation and is renowned for their torture, and not holding back when it came to inflicting excruciating pain. In fact, by all accounts, female captives are no exception; in their case, they are also met with most heinous acts of rape and sexual abuse, leaving them ruined, if not dead. Anything goes.

Tenley could have faced all of that, and if she had, I would be solely to blame for bringing her into this fucked up scenario in the first place. Not protecting her when things had shifted up a notch was even more unforgivable.

My head had been up my ass because I’d fucked her, and my guilt had consumed me to a point that it had blurred my judgement and responsibility to her.

At least now she’s safely here on Young Outlaw’s property. At least, that’s what I’m told. I avoid the cabin at all costs. My invitations to join Stone, Oriana and Sasha for dinner are often. So far, I’ve managed to come up with a half-assed excuse as to why I can’t make it every time.

Nothing scares me, yet coming face-to-face with Tenley does. How can I look her in the face when I’ve treated her so badly and selfishly put her life on the line as if she was worth nothing to me?

How can I take in her beauty, her unbelievable curves, eyes that capture my very soul while tethering my need to touch her, kiss her, taste her sweet cunt? I want her more than words can say, and I’m beginning to realize that the possibility of loving her is not out of the realms of reality.

Yet, still, I avoid her every minute of the day, only to grasp my fix by dreaming of her at night.

A rap on the door is enough to have me clearing my mind.

“Yeah?” I call out. The door opens, and Stone enters.

“Just wanted to let you know Wolf has gone with Ginger and Footsie to pick up the liquor so the bars are fully stocked, but they should be back in a couple of hours. Other than that, everything’s ready.”

“Perfect.” I push up out of my seat and follow Stone back into the common area. “Where is everyone?” I ask when I see that the room is unusually quiet.

“Out front,” Stone responds. “Come, take a look. Blackjacks got one of the prospects hogtied as punishment for not cleaning his ride to his unachievable standard.”

“Fucking Blackjack,” I chuckle and follow him out onto the porch and eyeing up the scene taking place in the yard. I take the few steps down onto the gravel, lighting up a tab, the chance to mix a little fresh air with a nicotine intake.

The light of the day is fading, the sky working its way to navy blue. The moon is full, its beam adding to the few lights we have placed around the compound, so we’re never in total darkness.

“You can’t avoid her forever, you know?” Stone brings up out of nowhere. I know who he’s referring to, so there’s no point in me trying to play dumb.

“What makes you think I’m avoiding her? Just been busy, that’s all.” I take another deep, lung-filling drag of my cigarette.

“Sure,” he sniggers. “If you say so, but when you do talk to her, at least give her a chance. Hear her out, and try not to be a total prick.”

“Fuck off,” I growl back at him, which only makes him laugh even more.

“Looks like that might happen sooner than you think.” He’s focusing on something behind me and when I turn to see what it is, I quickly turn away. “I’ll leave you to it, Prez. I’m gonna get back to the cabin,” his huge hand comes to my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Call me if you need anything.” I glare at him for bailing on me. Stone just finds it amusing.

I put all my concentration on my brothers standing around laughing at the poor prospect’s disposition, ignoring that Tenley was walking towards me.

Most of my brothers are here. The imminent arrival of liquor supplies means only one thing. There’s gonna be some hard-core partying tonight. These guys are my family, and even though some of them can be annoying cunts at times, I’d give my life for every single one of them. Edge, Diesel, Mayhem, not to mention Blackjack, who has finally taken pity on the poor fucking Prospect and has cut the ropes that were binding him, they’re my brothers.

Even the new prospects are showing promise and will soon be part of the MC family, especially under the tutelage of Cub. They both have patch members that sponsor them; however, Cub has been taking up most of the slack on a day-to-day basis.

Cub is one hell of a kid, and the council has already voted on him being made up. Wolf has been struggling to keep it under wraps from his son. He’s one hell of a fucking proud dad, but right now, who can blame him? His son is a credit to him.

“Smoke,” My view is quickly blocked when Tenley stands directly in front of me, looking fucking gorgeous and good enough to eat.

She’s wearing a cute little powder blue thin strapped dress that falls mid-thigh, her creamy, flawless skin tempting me to reach out and touch. The fabric is light, and by the way her nipples are pushing up against it, she’s not wearing a bra. Her blonde hair hangs loose around her shoulders, veiling her slender neck. The memory of her fast-paced pulse against my tongue invades my mind, and my cock jerks at the thought.

Face void of any makeup, she looks fresh, younger, innocent even. A total contrast to how she usually looked with her red lips and business attire. I like this girl next door look she has about her. Shit, she’s too much of a distraction, and I’ll be fucked if I’m going to let her ambush me.

“I’m busy,” I respond, still avoiding eye contact.

I side step, re-directing my attention on Cub. As usual, he’s on his cell, the light from it making his face look ghostly. Someone must be calling him as he brings it up to his ear. I continue to watch him, wondering if it’s one of the many girls he’s perusing. Horny little fucker.

“Please, Smoke.” She’s certainly persistent.

Cub finishes on the call, he turns and starts to walk towards the compound entrance. Brush, one of the new guys, is on gate duty tonight.

“Cub,” I shout over the ruckus that’s still going on. “ Cub,” I holler louder when he doesn’t hear me. This time, it’s loud enough to get his attention.

“Yes, Prez?”

“Smoke, don’t be an ass. We really do need to talk,” she puffs out her hand, grasping onto my arm. “I’m concerned that…”

“Hold up a minute.” I shake off her hold, and stride over to where Cub waits for me. “Is there a problem?” I don’t see her, yet I can sense that Tenley is not giving up, and she’s right at my heels.

“Nothing I can’t handle,” Cub laughs in his usual cocky manner. “There’s an old beat-up cage parked outside, a few yards past the gates. It’s probably someone broken down, so I’m just going to check it out. See if I can help get them on their way.”

“Okay, let me know if you need anything.”

“Sure thing, Prez.” He takes off jogging towards the gates.

As I walk past Tenley, back up towards the clubhouse, once again she grabs a hold of my arm but this time, she has enough force to spin me around to face her.

“Stop him!” she gasps out, eyes wide, fear etched across her face. “You need to stop him, Smoke!” she insists, her hands gripping the edge of my cut like her life depends on it. She looks terrified.

“What’s wrong with you woman, are you crazy?” I go to shrug her off again. This time, there’s no way in hell she’s letting go.

“For fuck’s sake, you’re at war with the Irish.” She screams into my face. “The car, the fucking car…”

Suddenly, I piece together what Tenley is trying to say. A heavy ball of dread hits me in the pit of my stomach. “Get everyone back,” I bark at Tenley seconds before I set off running.

“Cub!” I scream at the top of my voice, but I can see that he’s already walking on the other side of the large gates, outside the compound. “Fuck, Cub…” I push myself harder. If I get nearer, he should hear me. I need to stop him. “Cub, don’t…” My feet leave the ground, my body thrown backwards as the air is overtaken by the huge booming sound. My ass and back hit the ground. My head rattles from the blast.

At first, I can’t hear a thing. My ears feel like they’re full of cotton candy. The surrounding sounds are muffled, as if I’m wearing ear defenders. Pushing up on my elbows, my ass still firmly on the ground, I give my head a shake. Slowly my head begins to clear, noises slowly becoming clearer, building into a crescendo of shouts, cries and hysteria.

Plumes of smoke and flames billow from the far side of the compound wall, lighting up the sky and giving me a clear view of the utter mayhem that plays out in the yard. My Brothers are hurt, shaken and disorientated. The true damage as yet unknown.

I stumble to my feet, every bone in my body stiff with an unwillingness to move freely, but it doesn’t stop me from pushing myself forward as fast as I can to where I can see Tenley on the ground. She’s sat curled in a ball with her knees tucked to her chest, her arms wrapped around them as she rocks her body back and forth. When I get to her, I fall to my knees. Her eyes are wide but unfocused, tears stream down her face .

“Tenley, fuck baby, are you okay?” I bring her into my arms. When she winces, I ease my hold. The last thing I want is to cause her more pain. “Where are you hurting?”

“This is all my fault,” her head tilts up, her tear-filled eyes focusing firmly on me. “I should have spoken to you earlier. I could have stopped this.”

“Sshh,” I swipe away her tears with the palm of my hand. “That doesn’t fucking matter now,” I scan her face, running my fingers lightly over the back of her head. My hands come away clean. No signs of bleeding other than a slow ooze from a graze to her forehead. “Let’s get you up.” I go to grip her elbows to help bring her to her feet, but when I do, she moans out in pain, jerking back her left arm. “Baby, I’m sorry.” I hook my arm around her waist, avoiding her injured arm, and lift her to her feet.

“You okay, Prez?” Stone comes hurtling towards us. “What the fuck happen?”

“Prez,” Edge comes seconds after. “You okay, man?”

“What’s the damage?” I ask Edge, knowing that he will have already checked over our brothers and what impact the blast has had on the club.

“From what I can see so far, everyone that was up here has just minor cuts and bruises, mainly from flying debris from the explosion. The clubhouse looks unaffected.” He hesitates for a second or two, taking in a deep breath. “Still need to check the gates of the compound and the exterior.”

“I’ll take care of that.” I guide Tenley towards Stone. If the clubhouse has been unaffected, then the cabin should be good too. “Take Tenley up to the cabin. Tell Oriana we’ll send the Doc up as soon as we can.” He gives me a firm nod and starts to lead a shaking Tenley away, but as he does, she steps towards me, falling into my chest.

“What about you?” she splutters, tears still spilling onto her cheeks. “You’re bleeding.” Her fingers fall to my forehead, a brush against my hairline and her hand comes away bloody. I hadn’t even realized, except with the adrenaline pumping around my body, I’m not surprised that I’m oblivious to it.

“Baby, I’m fine. It’s nothing,” I assure her. Despite her lips being dry and covered with a film of what I can only assume is ash that has travelled in the air, I can’t resist brushing my mouth against hers. “Now, go with Stone, and as soon as I have things under control, I’ll be with you.” I hand her over to Stone, who is enjoying witnessing my and Tenley’s interaction all too much under the current circumstances. He’d called it and I guess he’s right. I care deeply about Tenley.

As Stone and Tenley walk away, I glance over towards the compound entrance. The long main gate swings open, barely hanging from the hinges. The old toll booth cabin we have stationed just inside the entrance is still standing, though the windows have been blown out, shards of glass littering the ground. Flames from before seem to have dissipated, but a smell of gasoline and burning still lingers in the air.

I turn my attentions back to Edge.

“Call the Doc then get everyone inside the clubhouse.” I fire instructions at Edge. “While I go check outside.”

“Already done. Blackjack is setting up an area for anyone who needs fixing up. Doc is on his way and should be here in about fifteen minutes.” Edge steps up, his eyes checking out the cut to my head. His hand comes up to touch it, but I slap it away. “I’m coming with you to check what the fuck is going on outside.”

“No need,” I inform him. “Looks like someone beat us to it.”

Like something out of a blockbuster movie, two men, dressed in dirty denim and leather, break through the lingering smog. The distinctive rumbling sound of Harleys is right behind, their headlights projecting a halo around them as they walk towards us.

One guy is acting as a crutch to Brush, the new prospect who looks to have taken a beating from the explosions. The other, a vast mountain of a man and instantly recognizable to me, has the limp body over his powerful arms.

“Smoke,” a deep baritone voice bellows over all other sounds. “This is not what I expected to find when we rocked up to your gaff.”

“Mammoth.” I let out a sigh of utter relief at the arrival of our Florida brothers. “Not the welcome we were intending to show you either, believe me.” I step up and glance at the man in his arms. “Cub.” I drop my head and swallow hard as the fucking pain in my chest threatens to take me to my knees. But I need to be strong. As the club’s president, I need to keep my raging emotions under wraps, at least for now, while I have eyes on me.

A searing pain that I’ve not felt since I lost my sweet Violet pierces my soul .

I step up closer and place my hand on his blood-covered forehead. It kills me to see this young, full-of-life kid, lifeless, his clothes ragged and coated red. With the palm of my hand, I swipe away the blood splatters on the leather of his cut; the cut that was due to be decorated with the club’s patches. I lay my hand over his heart. If only there was a beat against it.

“We tried CPR, but we were too late, he was already gone.” Mammoth lays Cub’s body gently on the ground. When he straightens up, he pushes his long hair back off his face. I’m met with the dark, sad, brooding eyes of his. I take in the silver scar that runs from just under his left eye across his cheek before disappearing into the thick beard he’s currently sporting. He’s a fierce-looking mountain of a man who, while you wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of his wrath, has a softer side to him that only the closest to him gets to see.

“The young dude,” he thumbs over to Brush and the guy supporting him. It’s not someone I recognize, so he must be a new addition to the Florida chapter. “He needs some attention. Said his guts hurt, might just be bruising, still best to get him checked over in case he has internal bleeding.”

“Doc is on the way. Should be here soon.” I step forward and put my arm around Mammoth’s huge shoulder and give him a firm slap on the back. “Thank fuck you’re here.”

“That’s our Doc,” Mammoth gestures to the guy who, along with Edge, is walking Brush up to the clubhouse. “He’s an ex-military medic and will do whatever he can to help.” He chuckles. “Can’t harm having two Doc’s in the house, but it might get confusing if they go by the same name.”

“True,” I nod, “But at this time that’s the least of my worries.”

A solemn Diesel and Mayhem, who seem to be uninjured albeit covered in grime, arrive and stand looking down at Cub’s blood coated lifeless body. They crouch down at his side, hook their arms under him and lift him from the ground.

“Take him to his room, will you?” I ask of them. “Get a couple of the girls to help clean him up before Wolf gets back.”

Fuck. Wolf has no idea yet what has gone on. That his son is dead. I need to get to him as soon as he’s back and warn him before anyone else gets the chance. I can’t even comprehend the pain he’s going to have to endure. This is going to kill him.

They both acknowledge me with a simple nod. Neither of them has words, but the pain etched on their face at the loss of their brother is heart piercing.

“We’ll park up, get our gear inside, then we’ll look at securing the entrance. You got someone who can move the wreck outside before the cops come crawling?”

“Yeah, I’ll get Stone on it.”

“Where is the fucker?” Mammoth tips his head. “Not like him to be MIA when there’s trouble.”

“I could say the same for Cannon? Where’s he at?”

“His old lady, Leah, is about to pop a brat. If he isn’t around when it happens, let’s just say he wouldn’t be adding to his family.”

“Understand. Stone is up at the cabin; he’s checking his woman and kid are okay.” I can’t deny that I’m also itching to get up there so I can check on Tenley. “In fact, I need to get up there, but first I need to check on everyone inside, then we have decisions to make.”

“That fucker,” he chuckles. With his heavy arm resting across my shoulder, he joins me on the walk to the clubhouse. “Never thought I’d see Stone pussy whipped.”

“He’s not the only one,” I throw back, side-eyeing him.

“I can’t argue with that,” he shouts back. “My old lady, Dana, has me firmly by the balls.”

Little does he know that I’m referring to myself.