Hell's Knights (15 page)

Cade and I join the other bikers, and I nod at each of them. They all return the nods, giving me and Cade curious expressions.

“You boys ought to know, Addi is now my Old Lady. You know what that means; you treat her with the upmost fuckin’ respect, and if you don’t, I’ll fuck you up.”

I give Cade a glare; he knows that I hate the Old Lady thing. It sounds so…well…old. Cade grins at me, utterly proud of his efforts. Rolling my eyes, I turn back to the group and listen as Jackson starts talking, but only after giving Cade a glare.

“As you know, women do not attend these meetings. Addi, as Cade’s Old Lady, you will have to learn the rules around here. Number one rule, you don’t come on rides unless those rides are for Charity’s or similar. You don’t join in on our weekly church meetings and you don’t get a say so in what we involve ourselves in. As my daughter, you’re automatically under our protection, but considering you’re also Cade’s old lady, that protection increases. You don’t enter the back sheds, those are women free – no argument. The only reason you’re here tonight, is ‘coz we need your information to track this mongrel down. Got me?”

Well damn, maybe I should ask permission to piss too! I want to give them a smart retort, but I know this is important to them, and if I want their respect, I have to earn it.

“I understand,” I say.

Cade squeezes my hand. “Atta girl, sugar.”

“Don’t think I’m slaving over a hot stove for you, biker.”

He chuckles and the rest of the guys laugh. “Got ya,” he grins.

“All right, now that’s outta the way, let’s get to the issue of that pimp,” Jackson announces.

“We got any idea where to find him?” Cade asks.

“No,” Jackson says, then he turns to me. “But I imagine you know, Addi?”

The idea of going back…there…it bothers me. I jerk and Cade squeezes my hand harder.

“We ain’t gonna let him touch you, sugar. You tell us what you know.”

I sigh deeply, and then I answer Jackson. “I know where he runs his show, yeah.”

“You give us an address, and we’ll pay him a visit.”

I rattle off Jasper’s address and Jackson writes it down.

“He may not be there,” I say. “After what happened, it’s likely he moved.”

“It’s a start, baby,” Cade says, before he turns to Jackson. “When do we ride?”

“First light.”

“You’re going tomorrow?” I say, shocked.

“Sooner he’s gone, the better.”

“Have you thought about asking Spike?” I suggest.

“Asked him. Spike don’t know where Jasper is. He was contacted through Jasper’s sources.”

I let out a puff of air and run my fingers through my messy hair. “Well, I can only hope Jasper is where I left him.”

“Yeah, can only hope so,” Jackson says, then he faces the group. “Next issue, Spike.”

“Spike’s an issue? I thought he was backing down?” I blurt.

Jackson raises his brows at me, and I quickly shut my mouth and sink back into the chair.

“Spike’s back in town, and I am pretty sure Ciara doesn’t know.”

Who the hell is Ciara? Cade notices my confused expression and mouths ‘I’ll tell you later.’

“She don’t know. I spoke to her earlier,” Bingo, a younger biker, says.

“We both know Spike and Ciara don’t see eye to eye. If he’s in town to bother her, we need to make sure his plans change,” Jackson says, his voice deadpan.

“We’ll get onto it, make sure she’s kept outta his way,” Bingo says.

“Good man, well, that’s about all we have that Addi can hear,” Jackson says, giving me a look.

I stand, putting my hands up. “Got it. I’ll go and check on the bar.”

“I’ll be behind you soon, sugar,” Cade says.

I nod and then I turn and leave the room, still curious as to who this Ciara chick is. There’s a link somewhere, between Spike, Cade and clearly this girl. Was she someone they both…ummm…tag teamed? Did Cade steal Spike’s girl? Or the other way around? They seem quite determined to keep her and Spike apart, so there’s clearly some history there. I just don’t know what. I get to the bar without noticing how much ground I’ve covered. I’m far too curious about this mystery girl. When I get in, Mindy is serving, and flirting. Girl can’t keep those legs closed. I go to step towards her, when Britney steps in front of me. Rolling my eyes, I take a step back.

“Britney, I thought we covered that you and I don’t get along and I don’t play nice with the other kids,” I say sarcastically.

“You don’t scare me,” she growls, jutting her perky breasts out.

“I wasn’t trying to scare you. God, will you put those away, they’re frightening the bikers.”

I hear a group of bikers behind me roar with laughter. Britney’s cheeks flush red and she leans in close.

“You’re pushing it with me. I will make you pay, Addison. I don’t care if you’re Cade’s Old Lady or if you’re Jackson’s daughter. You and I will have our day. I know what went down tonight, everyone knows. Well, you’re the only one that doesn’t know about Spike and Cade. I wonder why he hasn’t told you yet? Perhaps he doesn’t trust you. He told me right away.”

This hurts my heart, but I don’t let it show.

“What makes you think I don’t know?” I say in a bored tone, while picking my nails.

“I know you don’t, because you wouldn’t be standing here if you knew what he did. Spike is the innocent one here.”

Innocent? What is she talking about? Cade speaks of guilt, Britney speaks of innocence. Where is the connection?

“Maybe I have a heart and don’t judge. Perhaps you should try it.”

I step past her, but she grips my arm, digging her nails into my skin.

“Britney,” Cade’s voice booms across the room, “get your fuckin’ hands of my woman.”

Britney flinches and drops my arm. She leans in close and whispers, “This isn’t over.” Then she disappears before Cade reaches me.

“What the fuck was that about?” Cade demands as soon as he stops.

“Why don’t you tell me?”

He puts his hands up and indicates that I should let him know what the hell I’m on about.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. You told her things you clearly don’t want to tell me. You and Spike…she knows right?”

Cade makes a growling sound and leans close. “Get your shit, and get out to my bike.”

“Stop ordering me around!” I snap, crossing my arms.

“Sugar, what the fuck did I say about games? I don’t fuckin’ play them. You ain’t gonna make a scene about somethin’ you don’t know. Get out to my bike, shut your mouth and we’ll talk.”

“I hate you when you’re bossy,” I say, before spinning on my heel.

“You fuckin’ love me, you moody little shit.”

I am smiling by the time I get out to his bike. He steps up behind me just as I’m reaching for my helmet, and he wraps his arms around my waist, pressing his lips to my neck.

“Love it when you’re so fuckin’ temperamental.”

I grin and turn my head, pressing my lips to his. He spins me around, pressing my bottom against the bike seat, putting himself between my legs. He kisses me with intensity, sweeping his tongue across mine and every now and then, and stopping to nibble on my lower lip. I shudder and press myself against him. His hands wrap around me, and he pulls me as close as I can possibly get. He lets my lips go, and kisses up and down my cheeks until he finds my neck. He nibbles and sucks until I’m panting and desperate for him once more. Damn him for having such a powerful effect on me.

“You going to tell me about Spike?” I murmur against his cheek.

“Yeah, baby.”

I let him set me back and slip my helmet on, and then I climb onto the bike behind him. He speeds out onto the road, and when we go right past his house, I’m confused. Until we pull up at Jackson’s house. A little more of my heart opens up for him in that moment, because out of respect to my dad, he’s taken me home instead of taking me to his house. We climb off the bike, and as soon as he’s taken his helmet off, I grip him and kiss him deeply.

He pulls back after some sweet as hell dips of his tongue into my mouth, and murmurs, “What was that for?”

“For being so damn sweet.”

He grunts. “Fuckin’ sweet, think you got me all wrong, sugar.”

I grin. “No, I think I got you all right, biker.”

Another grunt. “Take me to your room, we gotta talk.”

I do just that. I take his hand, and walk into my new home with a whole new outlook.

My life is finally piecing itself together.

And I couldn’t be happier about it.

~*CHAPTER 16*~

PRESENT

“It’s not a pretty story,” Cade says when we’re finally curled in the bed together.

“Mine wasn’t pretty either,” I remind him.

“Sugar, mine’s a whole lot worse.”

“Tell me. I won’t judge you.”

“Don’t be so sure about that.”

I don’t say anything, I just lay quietly. I know he’ll start talking when he’s ready to. He begins speaking in a rough, scratchy tone and I can hear the emotion in his voice. I know why too, because when he tells me his story, it quite literally rips my heart out, stomps on it, and then rolls over it until there’s nothing left but a battered mess. His story, is without a doubt, one of the most gut-wrenching stories I’ve ever heard. It makes my heart ache for him, but not just for him, for Spike too.

~*PAST*~

CADE

“We don’t have a choice,” Spike says, pacing the room.

“You can’t fuckin’ leave her in the house, Spike. It ain’t safe.”

He turns, glaring at me. “What the fuck should I do then?”

“Get her outta town. Throw her in the car and get her outta town.”

“They’re fuckin’ everywhere. How the fuck do you think we can get her out?” Spike roars, driving his fist into a nearby table.

“We don’t have a choice. You leave her here, her life is at risk.”

“Fuck, Cade, fuck.”

I walk over, grip his shoulder and jerk him to face me. Spike and I have been friends since we were kids. I know him. I trust him, and right now, he’s in a fuck of a situation. He’s got the biggest biker gang in the state after him, because of a dodgy drug job he did. Then the fucker tried to run, and made it a whole lot worse. Now, he’s in deep shit, and so is his family. This gang, they don’t give a fuck; they will put a bullet in his wife to prove a point. They’re vulgar, rotten and downright deadly.

“Get Cheyenne and get her in the car. We’ll drive her out of state, then we’ll come back and deal with Hogan and his gang.”

Spike runs his fingers through his hair, he’s clearly distressed. He’s gotten not only himself, but Chey in a situation that’s beyond dangerous.

“I don’t know if tryin’ to get out is the best move, Cade.”

“What will you do then? Leave her here? They come lookin’ for you, they’re goin’ to come here. You need to get her out.”

“I’ll lock her in the basement; she’ll be safe. I’ll go face them, keep them away from the house.”

“That’s a fuckin’ risk and you know it.”

He growls. “Fuck, mother fucker.”

“Go and get her. We’re gettin’ her out now.”

“What’s going on?”

We both turn to see Chey standing at the door. She’s a beautiful woman, with silky blonde hair, big brown eyes and a tiny petite build. Her stomach is just starting to round out with their unborn babe. Chey is the love of Spike’s life; he’s given up everything to make her happy, to be with her, to adore her. And he does, he adores the living shit out of her. I watch as he walks over, wrapping his arms around her. Compared to his height, she looks like a child. Her head rests on his chest; he’s a good foot taller than her. He holds her close, and for a moment, I let him. Time is running short though, Hogan’s gang is already in town. It won’t take them long to find Spike’s address.

“We gotta move, Spike.”

Spike let’s Chey go and looks down at her. “We’re goin’ to have to go for a drive, sunshine? Got me?”

She nods. “What’s going on?”

“Just a biker problem, Cade here is goin’ to sort it for us, okay?”

She looks at me, her eyes hopeful. I smile at her, giving her the best reassuring glance I can. “Just goin’ for a few days, yeah?”

She nods, and turns and quickly gathers her purse. “I can get clothes on the way.”

Spike meets my gaze and I nod at him, then I grip the keys and jerk my head towards the garage. “My car.”

“Haven’t you two been drinking?” Chey asks.

“It’ll be fine,” I assure her.

“I have an unborn child. I’m not comfortable with you two driving.”

Fuckin’ women, they can be so fuckin’ stubborn.

“Let Cade drive,” Spike says in a warning tone.

“No,” Chey says, crossing her arms.

“Might be a good idea to let her drive,” I suggest. “If they see her, and we’re low in the back seat, they won’t get suspicious.”

“Great idea, can we go?” Chey says, grabbing the keys out of my hand.

I can see she’s scared as hell, but she’s covering it well.

“I say no,” Spike argues. “It’s not safe.”

“Spike, just let it be. It’s the safest option.”

“For who?” he roars at me. “You and me?”

“They won’t recognize her!”

“You underestimate them!” Spike bellows.

Chey walks over, rubbing Spike’s shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m with Cade on this one; he’s got the right idea. It’ll be fine, honey, just fine.”

Spike is trembling with rage, but he nods with defeat and we all pile into the car. Spike and I get into the backseat, and Chey gets into the front.

“Stay low, boys. I’ll tell you when it’s clear.”

We both sit low as Chey backs out. When she’s out on the road, I can feel Spike trembling beside me. He’s scared, and I know why. These guys aren’t the sort you fuck with. Jack’s and the boys are out of town, so I can’t even call on them for backup. This is our only option, and it’s a shitty one.

“It’s clear so far,” Chey says from the front seat.

“Keep drivin’ sunshine, yeah, good girl,” Spike encourages, his voice trembling.

We drive for ten minutes and thus far, things are workin’ out. Then everything changes. Just like that, it all becomes a nightmare.