Forsaken Control (Oathkeepers MC) (2 page)

Now that we’ve spoken, she’s not afraid of me anymore. She smiles and sometimes giggles when she passes by me. I love hearing her laugh; it brings me peace. I can’t help but chuckle or grin each time.

He’s been my friend for years and has never known that I’m attracted to him. I would do anything for him if he were to ask, but he never does. He thinks I like to watch a woman with him, when in reality, I only like watching him.

Now though…now he has her, and I want them both. I’ve never felt so torn before. I don’t want them for just a fuck. I’ve had them for that. Not him completely, but we’ve been close. I dream of grasping his hair and thrusting into him roughly while I kiss her mouth. I doubt that fantasy will ever come true though.

She catches me watching them and flashes a bright smile, excitedly waving her hand at me. I grin and give her a slight wave back. He glances at me and smirks. He knows I like her, just not how much. He would probably kill me if he were to learn that they both own my heart. I wish I would have said something when they first started, then maybe I could at least have part of her too.

There’s no telling what he or anyone in my club would say if they knew I find guys just as sexy as I do women. I don’t generally give a fuck what anyone thinks, but I do value my brothers’ opinions.

“You good, bro?” Cain comes to stand next to me, watching me as I gaze at them.

Blinking, I turn to him. “Yeah, I’m cool, man. Just enjoyin’ this nice ass weather. You should bring your kid out.” Cain is the one I’m closest to in the MC. He should be getting patched as an Enforcer soon also. It’ll be nice sharing that title with him.

“Naw, London was talkin’ bout givin’ him a haircut and shit. She’ll be here for the BBQ tomorrow though.”

Nodding, I move my head to the side, popping the sore muscles in my neck. Fucking shitty sleep. “She’s a fine ol’ lady.” 

“Fuckin’ right. Best bitch I ever met. What’s up with them?” Cain nods toward the swings we had put in for the families. We say it’s for them, but we all know the brothers really ordered the swings for Jamison, Cain’s son. That kid is spoiled something fierce around here.

“Not a thing.” Shrugging, I lift my chin toward them. “She wanted to swing, and he’s wrapped around her finger.”

“Yeah, that’ll do it. I swear, London don’t know some of the shit she could get me to do if she wanted.” I nod, pretending to know what he means, when in reality no woman has ever had me like that. He claps me on the back. “It’ll happen for you too, bro. Just give it time. It seems to be in the air lately.”

No shit. Our crazy brother Twist, is busy following 2 Piece’s sister, Sadie, around like a dog in heat. If she wasn’t already knocked up, I’d swear she would be by him. There are more females around here than there ever has been before. I’m happy for everyone, honestly, but it would just be fuckin’ nice if that shit happened to me too.

“I’m cool, man.”

“Good. Well, Prez wants to talk to us ‘bout some shit.”

“He tell you what the fuck about?”

“Naw, man. You’re the one he trusts over anybody else.”

“Cain, your ass is gonna be an Enforcer before you know it.” I smack his shoulder. “I’ll enjoy sharin’ the patch.”

“I can’t wait, bro.”

“Let’s see what the old man wants before he starts yellin’ an’ shit.”

Cain grins and nods, following me into the clubhouse.

We stop outside of the office, and I peek my head in through the open doorway.

“Prez?” I call out and glance around the room, but it appears empty.

“Yep! Down here,” he grumbles.

Entering the small room, I walk closer to his desk with Cain following suit. I peer over the desk because that’s where his voice came from. He’s lying on the ground, sprawled out with his long blond mop of hair in every direction as if he just woke up.

“Prez? Whats goin’ on?” I huff, shooting him a baffled look, instantly thinking he’s hurt or something.

“I need y’all’s help. Come over here.” He gestures as Cain and I shuffle around his office chair, coming closer. I glance down at him puzzled. Has Prez lost his mind?

“Get down here, damn it!” He growls and we both bend down next to him. “There’s a safe under here, but I can’t get this fuckin’ carpet to move an’ I was tryin’ not to cut it up,” he says quietly, gesturing under his desk at the old, thin carpet. “I know everyone thinks the floors are all concrete an’ shit, but I had a safe put in. That’s what this ugly fuckin’ rug’s about.”

Cain starts chuckling, and after a beat, I join in. He must feel as relieved as I do. “Prez, gotta admit, you had me wonderin’ what the fuck you were up to for a sec,” Cain chortles out, and I nod, agreeing with him.

“Me too,” I reply gruffly, grinning.

“You guys both are gonna make me stroke the fuck out. Now give me a hand.”

I stand back up and Cain mimics me; grasping one side of the desk, he follows suit. We move it across the room and Prez is able to finally get the carpet peeled back. He obviously wanted us for our muscle. I know he trusts me a lot to let me in on the secret safe, but he must be gaining confidence in Cain as well.

“Prez, maybe it’s time for a different carpet. That shit’s fuckin’ rank,” Cain mutters, scrunching his nose up in disgust.

“It’s just crispy from all the bitches I’ve had bent over on it.”

I shake my head and roll my eyes while Cain bursts out in a belly laugh. Prez never has any females in here. The man might as well be a saint in that department.

“More like you ate too many fuckin’ nachos and that’s leftover sour cream,” I mumble and nod at the floor. Prez chuckles and shakes his head agreeing with me. “Is that all you needed us for, Prez?”

“Naw, both of you come back over here. I wanna show you where this shit is ‘case sumthin’ ever happens to me.”

Cain and I shuffle closer. Prez is bent over a decent sized hole in the floor.

“What the fuck would be happenin’ to you?” Cain voices the same thoughts coursing through
my
mind.

Prez is the closest thing I have to family besides my MC brothers. The bastard who raised me is no longer ‘round, thank fuck. The no good piece of shit who was supposed to be my mother got what was comin’ to her too.

“Ares, you okay, man?” I blink a few times, clearing the unpleasant thoughts and glance to Prez. I don’t know how long he was talking to me. If I think about those fucks, it’s like it happened yesterday and sucks me back in.

“Yeah, Prez, I’m good. What’s up?”

“I was tellin’ y’all that ain’t shit should be happening to me, but just in case. This is where the books and stuff is kept. All our dealin’s—business-wise—and even the costs we spend on recreational shit. All that bull that went down with the Twisted Snakes not long ago got me thinkin’ it would be easy for a big enough club to breach the compound. You two are the muscle of this club. I wanna rest easy knowin’ you both know what needs protectin’ if the five-oh or some rotten fucks show up. You feel me, son?”

“Gotcha. Ain’t no worries, bro. You know we’ll protect this club.”

“I do know that. It’s exactly why I wanted to include you both in this shit.”

I look over at Cain, and he nods. I know he would die to protect his family, his club; so would I. Let’s just hope it never comes to that.

We were dealing with some nasty shit when a club called the Twisted Snakes MC decided to start threatening the Prez’s son, Brently. We eventually broke into their club, poisoned them all, and took them out to the pig farm not far from here. It got bloody, but the problem went away after that.

There’s a knock on the office door, and we all pause, growing stiff because of the seriousness of the conversation. Cain and I step closer together to help hide the open floor behind us. No one should be around but club members, family, and the occasional club slut, but instinct has us doing our job of protecting.

I glance quickly at Prez and he nods, indicating for me to say something. Clearing my throat, I answer, “Yeah?”

She
steps halfway into the doorway and glances at us, pausing briefly on me. Her lightly tanned skin calls to me, begging for me to caress it. She loves when I have my hands all over her…pulling, pinching, or spanking. I know she craves me just as much as I crave her.

“Umm, I was just checking to see if Prez had lunch or if he needs me to bring him something.” Her voice causes my gut to tense. Her tone is silky smooth and feminine, the perfect combination to have any man hanging on to her every word.

Prez pops his head to the side of Cain’s stocky legs so he can see her. “Thanks babe, but I’ll be all right. I’ll get something later.”

“Are you sure? I can bring you something. I don’t mind.” She peers in at him innocently, and I swallow deeply as I take in her warm, honey colored eyes.

“Not now shug,’ but I’ll be out there later, I’m sure, wantin’ some food.”

She shoots him a friendly smile and nods. “Okay then.”  She briefly glances at us. “Boys,” she acknowledges, nodding before she leaves the room. Releasing the breath I didn’t realize I was holding, my stomach muscles finally relax.

“She’s a sweet one, huh? Brother did good tyin’ that one down.” I nod at Prez but can’t seem to make my mouth work. They all know I watch her. My brothers see how I look at her. Thank fuck no one talks about it, especially with the way these brothers around here like to gossip.

Cain reaches down and gives Prez his hand to help him up off the floor after he shuts the safe lid. “All right, I gotta head to the house to check on London and the kid. Little hellion almost caused her to shave off all of his hair the last time she cut it.”

We all chuckle, remembering London’s story of Jamison deciding to run after the dog right when she was trying to fade the sides of his hair. Then there’s the time he thought the peanut butter was hair gel. He styled his little faux hawk with it, then smeared it over everything in the bathroom. That kid is something else; he’s way too smart for his age.

Prez nods. “Give Momma some love, Cain. Take some of the stress off her, yeah?”

“Yeah, Prez, I got you.”

He turns to me and fist bumps. “See ya, bro.”

“Later.”

“You want some grub, son?” Prez turns to me, blond eyebrow raised, after Cain is gone.

“No, thanks. I was gonna get a drink, unless you need me for sumthin’?”

“Nope. Shit’s straight at the moment. You know I’ll keep you informed.”

“Yeah. How’s Brently doing?”

He shrugs. “Just happy he’s finally here,  putting work in as a prospect. I’m happy to have my boy ‘round the club where he belongs. Took him a long ass time to get here, but ain’t gonna bitch now that he finally made it. How’s he seem to you?”

“He doesn’t talk much to me, that’s why I was asking.”

“Well, give it a little time, son. You’re pretty cool with all the brothers. I’m sure he’ll warm up. If not, he’ll learn to, at least, respect ya’.”

I grunt and follow Prez as we leave the office. He locks up, squeezing my shoulder as he pockets the key.

We head down the hall; he goes left toward the kitchen, and I veer toward the bar area over on the right. We’re here at the clubhouse more than anyone else, so we’re really comfortable with each other. We’re both the loners. We both fucked up our relationships with our old ladies.

I can’t believe I even had an ol’ lady in the first place with how fucked up I am inside. Poor bitch never had a damn chance with me in a relationship. Well, not past the fuckin’. She was young and dumb. I wasn’t emotionally available to her, but I was always faithful. I knew I didn’t love her, but I never let her feel unwanted. Then the cunt had to go whoring around to the MOBA, Mexican Outlaw Bikers Association, like those fucks even know what association means.

Walking behind the long bar, I snatch up a bottle of good whiskey and my usual tumbler. Lazy asses around here don’t know how to wash shit, so I bought my own glass to use. I’m not going to drink after where some of their mouths have been.

I head to my usual booth. It’s nice and worn. Pretty sure the cushion has my ass print permanently imbedded. It makes me look more normal size, like everyone else around here.

Placing the bottle and my tumbler on the table, I sit, slide to my spot, fill up my cup, and stretch my long legs out in front of me. I probably should have eaten with the Prez before I start drinking, but fuck it.

I take a few sips of the dark amber liquid, savoring the rich flavor as it goes down smoothly. It always makes the things I have to do a little easier. I can beat someone to death if needed, then have some whiskey to dull my thoughts of it all.

The club door opens wide and sunlight pours in, briefly blinding me from the brightness, as Shay struts in. She’s this hot little Italian piece I’ve had some fun with. Doesn’t hurt that she’s a stripper and can give me some good private shows. Seeing the woman I want but can’t fully have running around here, it’s good to have a piece strutting around that I can fuck with if I want to.

Shay scans the room until her gaze lands on me, trudging over. “Hi, Ares.” She plops down in the booth right next to me.

I’m going to have to talk to Scratch about letting chicks through the gate before calling me or Cain. Brother hasn’t a fuckin’ clue about security precautions. A set of tits doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. Brother sees a rack and pretty much goes dumb.

I grunt in response, not really in the mood for her today. I just watched the woman I want to be with enjoying herself with another man. I’m not jealous of her being happy. I just wish I was a piece of it.

“Are you grouchy?” Shay wraps her fingers around the hard muscle of my bicep and peers up at me with a slightly wrinkled forehead, concern written on her features. It’s about time I start pulling away from this bitch. She’s getting way too comfortable, latching onto me and shit. Pussy is good to have around, but I’m not trying to get another chick like my fuckin’ ex.

“Nope.” I shrug, glance at her quickly, and turn away.

I’m met with laughter, and it sends a tingle down my spine. I know that laugh.
They
walk through the bar.
She
has her arm laced through
his,
smiling happily. Of course, they’re smiling. They’re always fucking happy together.