Chapter 4—Harlow
The shots of Jack helped numb the pain coursing through my body. I didn’t know how Cruz knew what I needed, but damn he did. Feeling lost and broken wasn’t easy. I wanted to rip those a*sholes apart for shooting at Ma. Throwing blow for blow was such a relief, and I didn’t know if he knew, but he brought back some awesome memories. I learned so much in that very ring, mostly from G.T., but the other brothers, as well.
Casey left earlier in the day and was due back any time. With us now on lockdown, everyone who was involved with the club was making his or her way inside. Casey went to our place to grab our stuff, and I desperately wanted her to get back here.
Pops was nice enough to let me crash in his room for a bit after the fight. I needed to rest, and being on lockdown, I didn’t want to be out in the main part of the clubhouse or in the bunks with all the kids running around. I needed a bit of peace.
Taking another swig of Jack from the bottle, I placed it on the small nightstand by the bed. Falling down, I spread out on the blood-red comforter and pillows that I’m sure Ma picked out ‘cause Pops could give two shits what the place looked like. My face was hurting like a bitch, and I bet it looked just as bad.
After the Doc patched me up, I showered and called Casey giving her a list of the stuff I wanted. Lord knows how long we’d be on lockdown. No one was saying shit about the guy who shot Ma. When I asked, I was told it was club business.
Bang… Bang… Bang… I jumped up feeling a horrible head rush from moving way too fast. I hoped I didn’t have a concussion from the hard ass blow Cruz gave me. “Hang on,” I groaned pulling myself out of bed. Opening the door, Casey stood there. Her beautiful smile instantly fell at the sight of me. “Looks that bad, huh?” I laughed.
“Holy shit, girl. You weren’t kidding about the fight.” Casey took in my face as she stepped in, locking the door behind her. When she reached to touch it, I shied away, heading back over to the bottle of Jack, taking another deep swig.
“That shit helping at all?” she asked throwing our bags in the corner. If we were on lockdown, she was on lockdown, too. Her dad, Bam, died three years ago during a run. We never got the details, but Bam was all that Casey had. Her whore of a mom left her when she was a baby. Bam raised her here, in this world. She was tough, but not a fighter, like me. She was more inclined to use her brains to get what she wanted instead of her fists. But since she was the kid of a patched member, even though passed, she was protected, too.
“A little.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, I sighed.
“What’s up?” she asked, sitting next to me and wrapping her arm around my shoulder.
“Case, I haven’t been home twenty-four hours yet, and I’ve kicked a shop guy’s ass, got shot at, patched up my Ma, and got into a knock down drag out fight with a brother.”
“Welcome home,” she said smiling.
Laughing, “Yeah, welcome home.” I paused, thinking. “I haven’t had shit going on for two years. I missed this.”
“I missed you,” she said, squeezing me. “Come on. This is your party. Let’s get out there and enjoy it.”
After Casey worked her magic on fixing my face, we headed out to the bar. She wasn’t shitting when she said the place was packed. There was wall to wall people, and I had no idea where they would all sleep, and why I cared I had no idea. I guessed the bunks. I couldn’t remember the last time I was part of a lockdown.
As we walked through the crowd of people, I began seeing more and more people that I knew. Hugging each one of them, I made my way to the bar, getting a shot of Jack from Buzz or Breaker. I couldn’t tell who was who. They took being identical twins to the ultimate level. Maybe I could talk them into some ink on their hands so I could tell them apart. I laughed at the idea, yeah, right.
Legs, Bubbles, and Flash were there with open arms, hugging me repeatedly. These ol’ ladies have been around since I was a kid and were my Ma’s best friends. They proudly wore their ‘Property of’ patches, and while some hung tight to their guys, others like Flash didn’t stay close, at all. She free-floated, and Dagger never seemed to say a word as he was doing the same.
Even seeing the other ol’ ladies I didn’t know so well and watching their little kids run around the clubhouse felt comforting. The guys added on a room off of the gym for all the kids to go and play. It also had tons of bunk beds, so they could all have a big sleepover. Pops said they had to since so many of the brothers had families that need protection.
Scanning the room, my eyes landed on an adorable little boy. His hair was a light brown and his eyes shined a beautiful blue. He had adorable carpenter jeans on with a ‘Support Your Local Ravage MC’ t-shirt on. “Cooper!” I heard Cruz’s voice boom my eyes shot up in his direction. He scooped the little boy up and began tickling him up in the air. The little boy laughing uncontrollably. He had to be Cruz’s son. Damn.
Standing next to Cruz was a beautiful, long-haired, blonde with very short shorts on, making her legs look like they went on for miles, along with a tank top that showed most of her tits off except for her nipples. Her body kicked ass. Her huge boobs and curvy hips made her stand out in the sea of people, and she carried herself like she knew it. Hell I knew it. As the woman touched Cruz’s arm, he turned and smiled at her. My heart dropped. She must be his ol’ lady, and I kissed him a few hours ago, in front of all the guys. Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Is he the one you fought?” Casey asked, following my line of sight.
“What gave it away? The black and blue eye or the busted lip?” My sarcasm hiding my true feelings inside.
“Ha. Ha. So what do you think? His ol’ lady?” she asked, and I didn’t want to answer. I just wanted to drink. A lot. This was the exact reason I never got involved with brothers. Now I’m on lockdown with them and had to watch them be one big happy f*cking family. I couldn’t stand this shit. This was the exact reason rules were in f*cking place, even if they’re self-imposed.
“Looks like it. I need a drink,” I said, turning back towards the bar. “B.Boys!” I called slamming my hand to the bar but not knowing who was who and using the first name that came to mind. “I need Jack and beer. Please.” I downed the Jack and began on the beer. I needed to forget what a dumbass I was.
“Princess?” Cruz’s deep voice behind me sent shivers up my spine, and I wanted to kick myself in the ass. Turning slowly, I came face to face with an adorable little boy who looked like an exact replica of Cruz, and if I had to guess was around two and a half years old, not that I was a child expert. But the smile radiating off of him was contagious.
“Hey, little guy,” I said, smiling at the boy. “You look just like your daddy.”
“Cooper, say hi to Princess.” Cooper gave me his sparkling megawatt smile and giggled.
“Pin… ess, owie,” Cooper’s adorable voice tried to say, making my smile grow wide.
“It’s nice to meet you, Bud. I’m okay. The owie doesn’t hurt.” Yeah right. As the beautiful blonde approached Cruz’s side, I felt my body stiffen. Then, seeing Cooper cling to his daddy’s arm set several warning bells off in my head, but it wasn’t my business.
The blonde ran her fake nails down Cruz’s arm, and damn if part of me wanted to tear her f*cking arm off. But I kept myself in check, taking another swig of my almost empty beer; I watched the scene unfold in front of me. I should have known that Cruz would have an ol’ lady. “Who’s this?” her way too high pitched voice questioned.
He addressed me and not her. “Princess, this is Mel, Cooper’s mom.” I eyed him, waiting for the other part of the introduction, but it never came.
“Harlow,” I said, nodding. “I got shit to do.” Looking at Casey, I chin nodded to the door, but she shook her head.
“I’m not going out there,” she said, taking a shot of Jack.
“Why?”
“I’m just not. Go on. I’ll be fine.” She nodded to the door. I pulled myself away from their happy little family, needing some air. Grabbing another beer and leaving Casey in the bar, I headed out to the courtyard. The guys made a separate space right off the clubhouse that was protected all the way around by tall, elaborate gates. In the center was a huge fire pit that was roaring to life.
Pops and Ma were sitting around it, along with many of the brothers. As I scanned the area, G.T. was leaning up against the fence talking to some brunette who looked like a club momma judging from her nonexistent clothes. That was another reason why I hated lockdowns, having the whores and ol’ ladies in one area was always a bad idea. One slip and chaos could erupt sending everything spiraling into oblivion.
Making my way to Ma, I asked her “You feeling okay?” and sat down next to her.
“Yeah. I’m good. Nothing, a few drinks, can’t fix,” Ma said, smiling. She’s always been so damn strong. I envied her. I never said that I wanted to be her when I grew up, for the mere fact that I didn’t allow myself to get close enough to one of the brothers to become an ol’ lady. But I learned from her strength and the way she held herself and took that to heart.
“You know who this was?” I asked, knowing that my Pops was going to interject, but I had to keep trying.
As if on cue, “It’s club business, Princess, let it go.” It was Pops’ way of giving me a direct order without me flying off the handle. I loved that he knew me so well.
“Pops, why didn’t you tell me that Cruz has an ol’ lady?” No offense, but the brothers knew me and knew that I didn’t mess around with them. To have not one of them tell me that Cruz had an ol’ lady pissed me off considering most of them were there in the ringside seat for the kiss.
“He doesn’t. And it’s not my business to tell,” Pops stated firmly. I knew he wouldn’t ever tell another brothers business when it came to women, but I had hoped being his daughter it’d be different. Once again, I was wrong.
“I just met her, Pops. Mel and Cooper,” I said, gazing into the fire, pulling from the bottle in my hand, trying to tap down emotions I had no right to have.
“That’s just his kid’s mom. She’s been trying to get back with him for years. He doesn’t want her. She’s a whore.” I didn’t respond. There was no use. I knew what I saw, and she was staking a claim on him. Fine. Whatever. Time to get over it.
“So, how’s it feel to be out, girl?” Dagger’s voice came from behind me. Dagger has been my uncle, which I use the term loosely because he’s always trying to f*ck me, for as long as I could remember. He got his name because; I hear; he’s very good with his knife. Not that I’ve ever seen him in action. A light beard and mustache lined his face, falling down to his chest. His hair was tucked under his stocking cap with the Ravage MC skull with flames symbol on the front. He sat next to me, and I turned to face him.
“Like coming home,” I answered honestly.
“Well, we’re glad to have our Princess back in the fold. We missed your smart little ass around here.”
I rolled my eyes. Some loved my mouth, while others still didn’t get me. “Hey, someone’s gotta keep you boys in line.”
“We’re damn glad you’re back to do it, girl.” Dagger wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me tight into him. Resting my head on his shoulder, I smelled the familiar smell of leather and smoke making being home real. Closing my eyes, I let the warmth of the fire and Dagger flush through my body.
Dagger was known as a ladies’ man. His ol’ lady, Flash and him, have some sort of arrangement, or so it’s been said. All I knew for sure was I’ve seen Dagger with many club mommas in and out of this place, and Flash never bats an eyelash. Flash was a huge flirt with all the guys, but I have no idea if she hits any of it. It’s really not my business.
“What the f*ck?” Cruz’s growl had my eyes popping open, but I didn’t move out of Dagger’s arms. I had no need to. In one arm, he was carrying Cooper, and not too far behind him was his woman.
“Problem?” I asked, faking boredom with the question.
“Why the f*ck are you curled up with my brother?” his voice turned dangerously angry, sending pin-pricks up the back of my neck. I didn’t know him, but from being in the ring with him and the concern shone in his eyes after he hit me, I didn’t think he’d ever physically hurt me.
I couldn’t take it. “He’s welcoming me home.” Yeah. I was egging him on, sue me.
Cruz stalked closer, handing off Cooper to Pops. I watched closely, staying still. I could hear Dagger’s slight chuckle, but he didn’t say a word. “You think I’m f*cking kidding when I tell you all she’s my girl?” His question was directed at Dagger, and not me.
“I’m not your girl,” I clipped, but my words were ignored.
“I’m just providing our girl with a little comfort.” Dagger was baiting him; that much was clear, but why? For shits and giggles?
“If she needs comfort, I’ll f*cking provide it. Get off of her.” My anger was growing, but I tapped it down. Dagger released his arm as I sat back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest, pushing my breasts up higher in my shirt.
Cruz grabbed my arms roughly and pulled me up to him, so our bodies were flush against each other. He slammed his lips down on mine, and my body gave in. Gasping, I pulled away. “I’m not doing this. Especially in front of your ol’ lady and your kid.” I tore myself out of his grasp and walked towards the clubhouse.
Cruz didn’t let me get far. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he pulled me flush to his body and I tried to pull away. He leaned to my ear. “You think that whore over there is my ol’ lady? F*ck no. She’s Cooper’s mother. That’s as far as it goes.”
“I will not be someone’s piece of ass. Not Ever.”
“No, you definitely won’t, but you will be under me tonight.” His arrogance was annoying as shit, but the authority he gave off was making my panties wet. I needed space. His presence was just too much.
“F*ck no. Dream on.” Fighting to get out of his grasp, I was at a disadvantage with all the alcohol coursing through my veins.
“Honey, what’s going on?” Mel stood before us. I looked into her eyes, and I wanted to claw them out. I hated her just for breathing. Shit.
“Don’t f*cking ‘honey’ me. Get the f*ck back in the club.” She took a step back and walked towards the door.
“Wait!” I yelled as she turned, facing me, her eyes laced with ice. “You his ol’ lady?” I wanted to hear it from her mouth.
She paused for a moment as I waited for the words to come across her lips. Her face looked pained to say them, “No. I’m not.”
“But you want to be,” I said, not missing a beat.
“I am the mother of his child,” she clipped, putting her hand on her hip.
“And that don’t mean shit,” came from Cruz’s hard body behind me.
I turned in Cruz’s arms facing him. “Look, I’m not big on all this drama. That’s why I stay clear of the brothers.” I gave him a soft peck on the lips. “Bye,” I pulled out of his arms and flew back to the clubhouse.
Rushing through the crowds of people, I made my way to the bar. “B.Boy, I need a shot of Jack, please.” He placed it on the bar, and I took it, quickly feeling the burn as it reached my stomach. There was no need to slow down, Pops’ room was only a few feet away even if I had to crash on the floor or I could always bunk with Casey.
Speaking of which, where did she go?
Looking out over the sea of people, many of the brothers were already in the throes of getting laid. And it made my stomach clench. I wasn’t supposed to be on lockdown. I was supposed to be out finding me a dick, but instead I get to sit back and watch. Fun times.
“Hey, Baby.” An unfamiliar voice came from my side. Standing before me was a tall man, broad shoulders, blonde hair, and green eyes; attractive in his own way. His smile was bright before he put a smoke inside of it. He wasn’t wearing a rag. He didn’t look like a preppy boy but definitely not a biker, either. Promising.
“Hey. Who are you?”
“Buzz and Breaker’s brother, Nick. They told me I needed to come down here. I’m hanging around… thinking of patching in.”
I eyed him. “But you’re not a Prospect yet?”
“Nope. But I will be soon.” This couldn’t be more f*cking perfect.
“I’m Harlow. Nice to meet ya.” I smiled my most seductive smile knowing he’d be putty in my hands. I reached out, grazing my hand on his chest, turning the heat up a few notches.
“Wanna tell me what happened to you?” he asked, looking at the black and blue on my face, but not seeming to be put off by it in the slightest.
“Minor squabble.” I shrugged.
“You’re still hot as hell,” he said stepping closer into my space. I grabbed the Jack, downing another gulp.
“Really? Wanna show me how much?” I asked, not beating around the bush. There was no point. As of that moment, this man had no affiliation with the club, and it would just be a one night thing. The chances of him actually becoming a Prospect were slim, judging by his demeanor. He was too soft for this life; nothing like his brothers seemed to be.
“Absolutely,” he said, stubbing his smoke out and standing. “Can I borrow your room?” He asked the B.Boys.
“No!” they yelled in unison. “You’re not f*cking her,” one of them said adamantly.
“Now… now boys.” I said, letting my words drip like sweet honey. “It’s all right. We’ll make due,” I said, grabbing his hand.
“Dude. You wanna get patched in… this is not one to touch,” one of the B.Boys said.
“Come on.” I pulled his arm before he had a chance to think. No one needed to know. It’d be a quick f*ck and done. I raced to the hallway because I needed his dick inside me now.
Reaching the bathroom, I slammed the door and locked it, pushing Nick against the door and kissing his neck while tearing at his clothes. His chest was defined, and his stomach had a small pouch to it, but I didn’t give a flying shit. Ripping his pants off, I got to work.