Moving On (Dominant Devils Mc Book 1) (14 page)

"Prez I think it's time we let the girls in on what we know. At least that way they'll be a little more cautious," Tank stated to the group.

"Yeah I'm thinking it's time but you know they’re not gonna be happy with us keeping this secret for almost a year," Axle said to no one in particular.

"Madison might not wear my patch but let it be known when we find who did this their punk ass is mine," Wall said meaning business.

"Let's not go there yet Wall. We need to keep cool heads and start digging deeper. Apparently our approach of sitting back waiting for this to kick off isn't working. Trust me when I say that when we figure out who’s behind this shit we all will be helping put those sons of bitches to ground," Axle said to Wall.

Wall remained quiet. He was silently stewing in the corner of Madison's apartment as Axle addressed the rest of us. "Let's load up and head over to the house. We've got some explaining to do fellas."

"Prospect you'll have to take Madison's GTO. I doubt she wants anyone on her bike. Even though it's a 1200 sporty, your big ass would still look like a gorilla riding a tricycle on that fucking thing," Axle said with a snort trying to contain his laughter.

"Okay, any idea where the keys for the cage are in this mess," I asked Axle while scouring the mess looking for any sign of keys.

"No worries brother, I have a spare set on my keys in my saddle bag. Matter of fact, run out and grab them so I can lock up before we leave. I'll send Aaron and Dalton over tomorrow to pack this shit up. She might not like it but her days of living off the compound are over. Boomer's gonna flip his shit when he finds out what happened here," Axle stated before turning to head back towards the bedroom like he had someone on his heels.

"FUCK!!!" Axle shouted from the other room.

We all rushed to the bedroom to see what the issue was. We walked in to see Axle standing over and open floor board. "What's up brother," Tank asked upon entering the room.

"I know what they were after. By the looks of things, they didn’t find what they were looking for," my president said showing us a box he pulled from a loose floor board. “Looks like these club secrets were untouched.”

"Care to enlighten us on what secrets they didn’t find. You know, maybe it would help shed some light as to who "they" are as well," Wall said breaking his silence.

"This box with incriminating paperwork was planted in here when Madison first moved in," Axle said to the group.

"What kind of incriminating information," Tank asked trying to keep his cool demeanor.

"Information that in the wrong hands would put a few of the old men away for a long time. You know they weren't into legitimate ways to earn back in the day," Axle explained.

"And you thought it was a good idea to have it hidden in Madison's apartment asshole? She's been living here since she was twenty-one. That’s over five years’ fucker," Wall said shaking with rage.

"She had no idea it was here. It was the safest place at the time. You forget the local fuzz had a hard on for us not so long ago. They were raiding the god damn clubhouse every fucking time the wind blew. I had to get it off the property. When she threw her temper tantrum and moved from the compound I took the opportunity. No one else knew but me and pop that I was stashing this here. I and the old heads are the only ones that knew the fucking box exists," Axle spoke to Wall as Tank and I watched the exchange.

"Enough talk guys, at least now we know what they were looking for. Now we need to work together and figure out who wanted what was in that box. In order to do that Prez, you and the old guys are going to need to come clean with the shit in that damn box. First, though, we've got to get these crazy ass fucking women in check," Tank said stating the truth.

"Yeah okay, let’s get over to the house so the women can cut our balls off. Prospect I need you to a call the old guys and tell them to hang at the club house. We should be to them within an hour and a half," Axle said with the box in his hand before motioning for us to follow him out the door. We walked in step with him as we made it to the front door. Looking at me he held out his hand. It took a minute for me to register what he was waiting for.

FUCK ME!!! I tore off the steps down to the president's street glide parked in the driveway. I opened the left-hand saddle bag by chance and found the set of keys he was waiting for. I close the lid to the bag carefully before turning to rush up the steps towards Axle so he could lock up. I stood beside him waiting to be scolded for forgetting the keys but it never came. He just placed the keys in my hand then took the steps two at a time to get to his bike. As the guys readied themselves on their bikes I went over to Madison's 68 Pontiac GTO. At least, the girl knew her cars. I sat listening to the engine purr while waiting for the guys to line up. When they took off I followed closely behind them.

When we arrived at the house I saw Hyde's Camaro, Izzy's chopper as well as Romy's Shelby. Looks like the gang was all here. Time to get the party started. Hopefully, the brothers make it out of this alive. Lord knows these crazy bitches could be ruthless when they were happy, let alone when they were pissed.

Carrin

To say I was numb after the turn of events last night wouldn’t even touch the emotions I had rolling through me. I'm not sure I slept at all. I just couldn't get over why someone would want to fuck with any of us, I mean it's not like we're the ones that control the club. Hell, they don't tell us shit. Even when they do tell us they’re half stories.

"Pull your shit together Carrin," Madison said snapping out of my daze. "There isn't a damn thing you can do to change things. We just need to keep a good eye out and move on with life. We can't live our lives looking over our fucking shoulders. Time to put our hooker boots on and kick some ass."

I had to smile with my best friend’s philosophy on life. She never lets anything keep her down for long. She's was right. I need to get my game face on and deal. "Your right as a usual woman. What do you say we get up and start getting ready for our little diva's birthday party?"

"Sounds like a plan momma. Let's do this!  First order of business, we're going to wake up the group of men sleeping under this roof. Then I'm going over to the clubhouse banging on pots. Those fuckers are in the dog house for keeping that shit from us even if it was for our own good," Madison stated matter of factually.

While Madison went to the bathroom to get dressed, I walked down the hall to check on the birthday diva. I opened the door to her bedroom and made my way over to the crib. I don't remember when I started to scream but Madison shaking me half to death brought me back to reality.

"Where the fuck is she Mads? I never heard her on the monitor!"

"Take a damn breath woman! I'll run upstairs to Athena's room. You head downstairs and check around. If you haven't already woken everyone, wake Happy's ass up to help us look around," Madison stated taking control of the situation as usual.

I flew down the steps towards the den. She wasn't there. She wasn't in the living room, dining room or kitchen either. I flew down the basement steps only to find a buck naked Happy wrapped around an unknown female. I didn't have time for this shit.

Smack! I smacked the hell out of Happy’s bare ass causing him to jump up cursing like a sailor. "What the fuck Carrin," Happy shouted.

"I need your fucking help. While you’re down here sleeping the day away with your slut of the night your niece has gone missing from her goddamn bedroom!" That definitely got his attention. He sprang to action throwing clothes on. I didn't stay to wait for him to get dressed. I flew back upstairs.

She was nowhere to be found. I picked up the house phone to call over to Jacoby at the club house. When he finally answered I started yelling into the receiver.

"What the hell do you mean she’s missing Carrin," Wall shouted back.

"I mean I laid her in her crib last night to go to bed and when I went in there at six thirty this morning she wasn't there," I began to cry. "I never heard anything on the monitor. Please help me." I broke down as soon as those words were out of my mouth.

"I'm on my way Care Bear. I'll get the fellas and be there in ten," Wall said before disconnecting the line.

I have no idea how long I sat there before I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. I looked up to see a frantic Athena and Madison. "I guess Aiden and Hart didn't come home last night. Both of their beds…" Athena was saying as the back door opened.

I turned to see Hart holding Octavia while Aiden was tickling her little belly as they made their way to the door. I sprinted to them and tore my little girl from his arms. I held on to her for dear life while I cried.

"What's wrong Carrin," Hart asked innocently.

At the sound of his words anger struck. I composed myself quickly looking to Madison as I handed her the baby. Without words, I turned throwing my fist into Harts jaw before screaming. "You want to know what's wrong, asshole. Let me fucking tell you, I woke up this morning thinking my baby was still asleep in her crib. When I went to go get her for fucking breakfast she wasn't there. I then began running through this house like a fucking maniac only to find she wasn't here. Then when no one in this house knew where she was at my first thought was she had been kidnapped by whatever crazy mother fuckers that seem to want vengeance on the goddamn club. I even called and woke the grumpy fuckers at the clubhouse," I said pausing as I could hear a storm of motorcycles tearing up the driveway. "Which sounds like there here by the way. Only to have you two fucks come in like nothing’s wrong. Then you have the audacity to ask me what is wrong. Are you fucking kidding me right now?"

By now I had a huge audience and by the looks of things they had gotten it in the night before. It calmed me a bit to know these bad ass bikers would run to our rescue half-dressed at the drop of a hat.

Still holding his jaw Hart tried to redeem himself. "I'm sorry you woke up scared but we didn't do it deliberately. Aiden and I finally made our way home around five thirty this morning. You can ask any of the guys here, the party didn't seem to end last night," Hart declared while the guys grunted in agreement. "When Aiden and I were taking our trip up three flights of stairs we notice little miss diva was walking around the opening. Of course, we grabbed her up before she could try to venture down the stairs. We stuck our head in on you and Madison but you guys were sound asleep. I figured you two had had a rough night and could use the sleep. We were already up so we got little miss dressed and took her downstairs. With her party today, we didn't want to mess up the kitchen so we called in breakfast sandwiches down at the diner. We went straight there to pick them up and straight back here. God damn you throw a punch woman."

Beginning to feel shitty about my reaction but not ready to let the anger go I squared my shoulders and walked over to Hart getting right in his face. "You ever pull shit like that again I will gut you mother fucker. Do you two understand me," I said turning my sights on a shell-shocked Aiden?

In unison, both men let out "Yes Ma'am!" I turned back towards the rest of the group. Apparently no one was wanting to say anything to the raging bitch in front of them. Then a thought hit me. Being these fuckers were already up I'd put their asses to work.

"I do apologize for the sudden wake-up call but being your all here I'll make breakfast." That got smiles on their faces long enough for me to deliver the blow. "Then you all can help me get this party shit together." That caused a chorus of groans. "I mean it seems only fair. The eight of you are the ones who decided to place a bet on which one was going to get her the best present. I suggest we set up the table and chairs out back then the group of you can get busy putting whatever shit you bought together."

I turned and headed back into the kitchen stopping a few steps in and yelling over my shoulder, "and if any of that shit takes batteries you'll have plenty of time to go buy them or charge them. Now breakfast will be done in thirty. I suggest you get yourselves cleaned up and back here ready to eat." Then I finished my trek to the kitchen like a boss.

Hart

I waited before I knew Carrin was in the kitchen and out of earshot before I went to face the henchmen that stared looks of death at me.

"I'm sorry fellas. We honestly thought we were being nice." Wincing as I rubbed my jaw I heard the first cackle come from the group.

"How’s the jaw feeling asshole," Axle said while laughing.

"It looks like that shit hurts. Old Care Bear’s still got it, though. She learned from the best I might say," Wall added smiling broadly.

"Yeah I'll give her that. That shit hurt like hell. She sure as shit don't hit like a girl that's for damn sure," I said still holding my jaw.

"I'm sure your ego is hurt and all Hart but care to explain to me how little miss ended up walking the second story hallway?" Leave it to Athena to get to the seriousness.

"If I had to guess she's learned how to climb out of her crib. Carrin leaves her door open so she can hear her. Looks like we’re going to have to lower the mattress in her crib all the way to the bottom and get some of those baby gate things," I said sounding almost like a responsible adult. A responsible adult who plans on baby proofing the fuck out of the house as soon as possible.

Later on, that afternoon I sat and watched my family sing happy birthday to the precious little girl, who at only one was causing trouble. Lord help us all when she gets older.

I looked at the mound of clothes and toys Tivie received for her birthday sitting around the picnic tables. Half of them were from the Commander and Rosalie. They were apparently making up for not being here in the flesh every day. Next to the unopened presents where envelopes from Romy and Blaze. I grinned to the first losers that had bowed out of the bet before it even began. There was also the battery operated Harley from me, along with the battery operated jeep from Wall. Happy had spent almost two hundred bucks on some popular brand of doll that looked to be close to Octavia's size. Athena had supplied the pink little coupe pedal car while Madison opted for something similar except it was the open and had some type of handle that stood up in the back so the adult could push it along. Then you had the duplicate tricycles. One from Axle and the other from Aiden. We all looked around as the little diva opened her gifts waiting to see which one she was going to prefer the most. We had Rosalie and Queenie convinced to be the judges.

When Carrin was all done helping Octavia open her gifts there was a sound of a four-wheeler coming from the back of the house. We all jumped to attention looking for the danger headed our way. I instinctively rushed over to put myself in front of the woman and child I wanted to be mine someday. When a grinning Izzy rolled up on some kind of ATV we all stopped frozen in place. Izzy pulled right up in front of me in a motorized Honda ATV that resembled a gator. It was painted purple with all kinds of girly sugar skulls and graphics on it. It sat high like a four wheeler but had the bench seat like a golf cart. It was completed with a roof and had a small truck like a bed on the back. What caught my eye was the personalization on the small tailgate. "Property of the Dominant Devil's Diva" was done in pink and chrome letters.

As soon as Izzy stopped Octavia was making her way around me to go to her. I watched as Izzy pulled the little girl into her arms and took off around the yard. Pissed I lost but still grinning as I watched Tivie’s face come alive while riding with her aunt.

“We so lost this shit brother," Wall said out loud stating the obvious.

"No shit man! And here I thought my biggest competition was going to be that damn pink jeep you bought. At least, I bought a motorcycle."

"If I had realized that it wasn't truly on two wheels I would have gotten it. Never go into the toy store with a hangover dude. You don't think so clear. I was trying to be responsible and go for the death trap on four wheels," he said chuckling to himself.

Throughout the day, we each had to take turns riding the diva around. I even took her through the trail we were working on leading over to the clubhouse. Nothing like the present to show her the way. Hopefully, that way she would learn if there was ever any trouble at the house she could make her way over to the clubhouse.

A few hours later while on my third shift of riding the diva around I noticed she had finally crashed. I headed back towards the crowd of people. I was met by Carrin as I came to a complete stop. She had balloons in her hands but still managed to take a sleeping Octavia from me. "I can carry her to the den if you need me to babe."

Smiling at my little term of endearment I let slip every once in a while, here recently, she just shook her head thinking of what to say. "I've kind of got something I need to take care of, just me and Tivie. Go pay up your part of the bet handsome. I'll see you guys in a few," she said as she took off towards the falls with her hands full.

Carrin

I made my way down to the falls where the bench sat, Hart actually built it for me last month. Something told me he knew I came down here to talk to Brookes even with part of him sitting in the den on the fireplace mantel. I laid Octavia across the bench keeping her head in my lap. I sat there playing with her pitch black curly hair in silence. I knew what I was here to do. I just had to work up the courage to say it out loud. I knew when I finally did I would have the closure I needed. After I said my peace I would let off the balloons that would hopefully find him to let him know we're okay.

As I looked up to the sky I found the strength I needed. "We celebrated her birthday today. I can't believe she'll be one tomorrow and you’ll be gone a year as well. This year has been hell without you but I got through. Even though I think I've done a good job of moving on with life like you asked I haven't been able to let you go. I'm almost done with school. I'll finish up clinicals in February and will graduate the end of March. We've all settled into the house quite well. We have a few pictures of you throughout the house and we show them to her every chance we get."

"I finally watched your video today. I had planned on waiting until after her birthday but it just felt right to do it today. I'll make sure that Octavia gets to watch it whenever she wants to, but I have to let you go now. I will always love you but I can't be in love with you anymore. I can breathe again and I'm sure you bringing new family members to me had a big hand in that. I will say that video proved you knew me better than I knew myself. I do feel things when he’s around. I know I would never have felt those things if you were still here but you’re not. Without you here those feelings have bitten me right in the ass, babe. Not sure if anything will ever come from it but I promise to let Hart in if that's what it comes too. For now, I think I'll live up the single life or maybe even go on a few dates."