Page 10

Bryony

“How much do they have now?”

Lindy asked as I shook my head as Maci and Ham whipped their hands out. Spice, Lindy’s husband, laughed and handed them what looked like twenty bucks each.

“I gotta stop that. They’ve got a fortune,”

I said, starting to get to my feet.

“Don’t. Those idiots need to learn to watch their mouths around kids. Otherwise, the clubs will spawn some really foul-mouthed shits,”

Lindy replied.

“True,”

Iona mused and headed towards Warden. I had not spoken to the president of the club; he seemed a little intimidating, and I’d yet to see him smile. But one crossed his mouth now as Iona tucked herself into his side, and he dropped a kiss on her upturned lips.

Iona wrapped an arm around his neck and whispered in his ear.

Warden stiffened, and he looked down at Iona and said something back. A huge grin appeared on Warden’s face, and he swept Iona up into his arms and lifted her above his head and he yelled a wordless cry.

Everyone glanced up to see what was happening, and Warden slowly lowered her down.

“We’re having a baby in seven months!”

Warden announced.

“Oh, my God!”

Lindy squealed as her hands clapped her cheeks in joy.

“A boy!”

one of the older men, Pipe, I thought his name was, cried. “A legacy!”

“Might be a princess!”

Iona said, and Warden paled. Everyone around him did the same.

“That shut them up. Can you imagine my brother with a girl? She’d never move without half the club behind her,”

Rosalea asked, sitting down next to me. She had a huge grin on her face.

“Would it matter if it was a girl or boy?”

I questioned.

“No. We have female officers, whatever it is, it would be in line to be president one day. If they pass it over, it would go to the next eldest,”

Lindy said.

“And what if none of Warden’s children wanted it?”

“Then it would fall to Rosalea’s kids. And if no one in the bloodline joined, then Undertaker’s kids would be next,”

Lindy explained.

“I see. So, the club is always protected. Can it vote for someone other than the designated successor?”

I inquired.

“Yeah. But usually, the Legacy would inherit because they’d been trained to run it. Why upset the apple cart?”

Lissy said.

“Which means you could join?”

I asked Lissy.

Lissy looked surprised. “I’ve never considered it, but yes, if I wanted to. Dad would be pleased because my brothers don’t show an interest.”

“One of them will,”

Lindy added rather confidently.

“Do you know something I don’t?”

Lissy questioned.

“I always do, that’s why I’m Mom,”

Lindy retorted, and I laughed. It was an answer I’d used plenty of times.

I spun around and looked for Maci and Ham and found them near Soul. They were talking to Wisecrack. His ability was hard to understand. Wisecrack explained he could sense emotional distress, and he also could soothe a physical pain and deliver it, too. He couldn’t heal people, though.

When I asked what he meant by delivering pain, he sent me a little shock, which made me jump. Scarily, he said that was a fraction of what he could do. I was shocked, to say the least. Some of the abilities here were out of this world and didn’t even have a name!

◆◆◆

A while later, as it got to around nine in the evening, Warden approached me. He held his hand out and sat down beside me.

“You’re Soul’s anchor,” he said.

“So Storm and Soul claim. I’m not sure if I believe them or what to make of that, to be honest,”

I replied.

“We had no clue anchors existed until recently,”

Warden added.

“Yeah, he told me.”

“Soul has suffered agony. People automatically lie without meaning to. It was tearing him up. Soul’s been a lot better since you came around. Even apart from you, Soul will still feel some pain but nowhere near as much,”

Warden mused.

“Are you heading somewhere with this?”

I asked because that’s what it felt like.

“How much would it cost to make you stay and not strain this new bond?”

Warden questioned.

I fell silent, and Warden watched me carefully. “Do you think I can be bought?”

“Everyone has a price, Bryony,”

Warden countered.

“Not me. I’ve already told Soul I was prepared to hang about for a bit and see what happens. The children need to be around special people like them. But with your insulting offer, I’m not sure I wish to. Why would I want my kids growing up thinking they can buy people?”

“That’s blunt,”

Warden replied.

“And your proposal was ill-considered!”

“Ah, I’m not going to lie. If it makes life easier and less painful for my brothers and sisters, I don’t give a fuck who I insult or what I have to do,”

Warden stated honestly.

“That is obvious. But I’m not interested in anything you have to offer. I’m here for my kids, but if that comes with ties, then forget it. We’ll move away and start anew, and I’ll manage somehow. Perhaps you want to think about that. Excuse me,”

I said, getting to my feet.

“Bryony, I can make you stay,”

Warden threatened.

I turned to him and sneered. “I can call right now for a private plane and be out of the country before you could even get your bikers to ride. Got to check in once a month with my lawyers, if I do not, they will begin a manhunt. Did you think I’d blindly walk into a situation I didn’t understand? My lawyer knows I’m here, as do a couple of others. I have means to put an ocean between Soul and myself. Let’s see how long your reach is then,”

I hissed in Warden’s face. “Do not fucking threaten me or my kids.”

I walked away and grabbed Ham and Maci. They looked surprised as I told them abruptly we had to leave. I nodded goodbye to people and headed out.

“What did you do?”

I heard Iona demand of Warden. I didn’t care. Let her deal with the prick.

How could someone as strong as Iona be with an asshole like that? That was her problem, however, not mine. If she wanted to be treated crap, so be it. I wouldn’t allow anyone to threaten my kids or me.

“Bryony!”

Soul called, as I shut the car doors on the children. He looked concerned. “Are you okay?”

“Perfect, considering your president just threatened me,”

I replied sharply.

“What?”

Soul demanded, looking worried.

“You heard me. I came in good faith with the intent of getting to know your club. Instead, your president warned me that he’ll keep me here against my will for as long as I make your life more comfortable. Fuck that!”

With that, I climbed in the car and left.

Priest was still on the gate. I drove through and did not look back.

Soul

What the hell had Warden said to her? Bryony was damn sure he’d threatened her, and I prayed he hadn’t, but somehow, I knew this wasn’t a misunderstanding. Shit.

I approached Warden at speed, and he held my gaze. “Tell me you didn’t!”

I demanded.

“Why? Because I did.”

“You intimidated her, Prez?”

I snapped.

“Yup. And tried bribing her, she turned that down. I like her. You have my approval,”

Warden said, relaxing back.

“Are you telling me you were testing her?”

“Yes. She could have blackmailed you or anything once she had the knowledge of being your anchor. I wanted to make sure Bryony was what she appeared to be.”

“You may have just chased her off!”

“Nah. Bryony’s stronger than that. But yeah, you might need to smooth shit over,”

Warden admitted.

For fuck’s sake!

◆◆◆

I left soon after, but when I arrived home, the lights were off, and there was a distinct stay the fuck away vibe coming from the house. We were heading out on a ride tomorrow, so I hoped to see Bryony and soothe things over. Hopefully, she wasn’t permanently offended and would listen to my explanation.

Then again, she might be packing her bags right now and leaving. Jesus, what did I do?

“I don’t like Warden. The man is a raging asshole,”

Bryony said, and I jumped.

“Where are you?”

The porch light came on and I saw her sitting there in the swing.

“Somehow, I knew you’d come,”

Bryony stated.

“Warden was bang out of line. I’m sorry,”

I offered as I approached.

“Not for you to apologise,”

Bryony retorted.

“I asked you to come. Warden’s Prez, and he was so out of order it’s not funny.”

“Soul, he treated me like… It was disrespectful and cruel. I didn’t like it and won’t put up with it. Whether I stay or leave has nothing to do with you or him. My children come first and considering he found out he is going to be a father, I think he’d understand that. I feel very sorry for his kids,”

Bryony said.

I winced. There didn’t seem to be much of a chance convincing Bryony that Warden wasn’t bad. He was just loyal and wanted the best for his brothers and sister. And Warden would do what he needed to ensure our safety.

“Can we agree to disagree? Don’t judge Warden on today. Please?” I asked.

“I don’t owe your club a thing. Don’t push me, Soul, because you won’t like what happens. I was threatened, and that’s upset me. At least you apologised. Somehow, I don’t think he will.”

I couldn’t say anything to that and decided to stay quiet.

A day later

I was riding into town when I saw smoke. Thick, black smoke, which meant there was a fire somewhere. Changing lanes, I headed in the direction and began to get alarmed when I realised I was heading into the shopping area.

A few moments later, I leapt off my bike and gaped as I stared at what had been the club’s laundrette. I didn’t see any of my brothers around and whipped my phone out.

“Soul?”

Warden sounded half asleep. He probably was, as it was only seven thirty in the morning.

“The laundrette is burning. Fire is here with ambo, and I’m not sure if anybody is inside. I’m unsure where Veep is!”

my voice rose in alarm.

Undertaker ran the laundrette, and I didn’t know if he was in there. Warden didn’t say a word but hung up.

Spotting the fire chief, I headed over. “Is anyone inside?” I asked.

“What’s it to you?”

the Chief questioned.

“My club owns it. We’re searching for the manager now,”

I replied.

“Nobody’s in there. If you’re looking for a missing brother, he’s not there.”

My shoulders relaxed as my phone rang. I answered without checking.

“I’m okay. On my way, keep an eye out,”

Undertaker said and cut the call. Short but sweet.

“That the boss?”

the chief asked.

“Yeah.”

“Good, we need to speak to him.”

“Something wrong, Chief?”

“Son, there’s a shitload off. The fire burned too hot, too quickly.”

“Arson,”

I surmised, realising what he was saying.

“Sure as hell looks that way. You boys pissed somebody off?”

“My brothers and sisters piss people off just by wearing a cut,”

I replied.

“That’s true. Stay back now,”

he ordered.

“The guy you want is Undertaker. He’ll be here shortly,”

I called over my shoulder as I headed for my bike. I’d seen the little bastard.

As my ass touched the seat, I shoved in my earpiece and rode sedately out. The fucker in front of me peeled as soon as I went in his direction, and once clear, I hit the throttle.

“Soul?”

Warden answered.

“Access my phone tracker. I’m going after a Bloody Scorpion, who was at the scene,”

I replied and concentrated on chasing this fuck.

The roads were remarkably empty, and he didn’t have much cover. He couldn’t weave in and out like I imagined he had planned to. Which was why when I pulled my weapon once on a little-used road and shot his tyres, he went down and survived. Albeit, he’d have a nasty road rash as his jeans shredded alongside his hoodie as he slid along the ground. But for once someone had brains as he wore a helmet.

He remained a stupid fuck, though, for not protecting his body.

I climbed off my bike and dialled Warden a third time.

“Soul?”

he said, sounding tired of me already.

“Need a van and Slasher. He’s down,”

I replied.

“We have you and are heading your way. I’ll call Vogue to bring a van.”

“Okay,”

I responded and hung up.

I waited, one eye on him and the other on any incoming traffic. If someone stopped, I’d have to tell Warden, but nobody did, and Warden appeared with Bogeyman, Slasher, and Thunderbird riding behind him.

Warden climbed off and looked at me. “He alive?”

“He keeps making noises, so I guess so,”

I said, and Warden nodded.

“Noble’s coming, he’ll drop a barrier,”

Bogeyman interrupted. “That way, anyone looking won’t see shit apart from Thunderbird parked up on his bike.”

That made sense. Safer than having a random passerby steal my catch from me. My fingers already itched to hold Keres. And unluckily for him, I’d sharpened her yesterday!

Noble arrived a few minutes later and Vogue twenty minutes after him. We loaded the Bloody Scorpion into the van, and Vogue took off.

The asshole had been tied and gagged, so Vogue was safe from him. Five minutes after she left, Wisecrack came with a tow truck for the bike. It would disappear into our breakers yard and be sold for scrap.

I followed Warden and the others. The Bloody Scorpions might have struck a blow this morning. The Royal Bastards were about to strike back.

◆◆◆

“Who is he?”

I asked Warden.

“His name is Rager, he is a prick,”

Warden answered.

“Well, he’s alive,”

I murmured.

“Not for long,”

Romeo muttered.

I glanced across and checked my brother. He was slightly pale but nodded at me.

“The motherfucker’s brain is a cess pit. Tap authorised this,”

Romeo confirmed. “It was a retaliation for their last shipment getting pinched by the law.”

“Anything else planned?”

Warden asked.

I was amused. Rager remained unconscious, and Romeo was literally walking through his mind.

“They plan to hit the brothel,”

Romeo said.

Vogue straightened from where she leaned against a wall. “Can I have Dynamo?”

“Call her now and get over there. Romeo, any idea when?”

“I’m not sure. This asshole is pumped full of the shit he sells. It’s soon, that’s all I know,”

Romeo replied.

“I’ll head over now.”

Vogue left the room and headed out.

“Anything else?”

Warden asked.

“Probably, but his head is now fuckin’ J-Lo, so, yeah, I ain’t watching that.”

Romeo wrinkled his nose and pulled out of Rager’s mind.

“He’s all yours,”

Warden said and left with Bogeyman on his heels.

Romeo waited to see if he could pull any further information. I swung Keres and smacked Rager in the gut with her flat edge.

“Wake him up, Slasher. It’s time to play.”

◆◆◆

“You are so fucked up!”

Romeo declared as we let the crematorium where I’d stuffed what was left of Rager inside. He was now burning merrily away and had stopped screaming a few minutes ago.

“Thanks,”

I replied.

“Wasn’t a compliment, Soul,”

Slasher chided.

“No?”

“No,”

Wisecrack said and smacked me around the back of my head.

“Oh, you can talk. I thought he was going to become a soprano with how high you made him scream,”

I retorted.

Wisecrack could direct his pain to certain areas of the body, and he’d certainly made Rager well aware of that.

“At least we discovered their next drug run. Any point calling the locals?”

Romeo asked.

“Doubt it. I think we should burn it and let the cops deal with the fallout,”

I replied.

“Not a bad idea. We could let Dynamo loose. She needs to kill something,”

Slasher said.

“Thought that was why we sent her to the brothel?”

Wisecrack responded.

“Dynamo is barely holding on. She’ll tear whoever attacks the brothel to pieces, that will calm some of the rage in her. But letting her loose on the drug runners should calm her right down for a while.”

“She’s not dealing, is she?” I asked.

“Dynamo’s managing, Soul. We can’t force her to get help. I know each time she kills an asshole, it helps, so maybe we ought to speak to Warden about that,”

Romeo suggested thoughtfully.

“No. That could turn her into a killing machine. We need to keep her human,”

Slasher said, shaking his head.

“Are we in danger of losing her?”

Wisecrack asked, looking worried.

“Not yet. And if it looks like it, I’ll knock her out,”

Romeo stated.

“I don’t know how she’s managing,” I mused.

“None of us do, that woman’s as strong as fuck. But even the strong break,”

Slasher replied.

“Not Dynamo. We won’t let her,”

Romeo promised, and I noted how tired he looked.

Out of him and Bogeyman, Romeo was far stronger. But he was keeping Katie’s thoughts at bay and also monitoring Dynamo. That was a tough job for anyone, and Romeo was also helping with shit like this. My brother was someone else who needed watching. If Romeo burned out… no, I wasn’t going to go there.

“I’m okay, Soul,”

Romeo murmured as we climbed on our bikes.

I glanced over.

“Strong worries like yours come through clearly, brother.”

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to add more stress!”

“You didn’t. It means a lot, but seriously, I’m aware of my limits. Yeah, I’m feeling the pressure, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I won’t allow myself to burn out. When it gets too much, I’ll let Warden know, but for now, my room and sanctuary are giving me what I need. Although I gotta admit, I can’t wait for my anchor to land,”

Romeo said.

“Don’t let Warden near them!”

I cautioned, and Romeo laughed.

“Yeah, we all learned from that. Everyone’s swearing to keep them away from Warden.”

“I’m so telling on Undertaker when he gets his. Just you wait. Payback’s a bitch,” I warned.

“Warden will grill his even harder because they’ve been friends since children,”

Romeo replied.

“Yeah, I know, and I’m fuckin’ looking forward to it, brother!”

We high-fived and rode out. Rager wasn’t even a memory for us. Let the Bloody Scorpions wonder what happened to their man. We had a trap to set.