Murphy (The Skulls) (10 page)

“Are you going to ignore me as well?” Rose asked.

“I’m not ignoring you.”

“No? Well, you’re ignoring Angel, and she’s a sweet girl. She doesn’t deserve to be ignored by anyone, which just pisses me off.” Rose was a hard nut, and the woman knew it.

Closing her eyes, Tate groaned. “I’m working, Rose. Don’t you have things to deal with, like Hardy?”

“Oi, bitch, she free to take a break, or do I have to sit here getting my clothes off for her to get out of here?” Rose asked, directing the question at the guy behind her. Tate turned to see one of her bosses.

Dropping her head in her hands,
Tate waited to see what he’d say.

“Yes, she can go.”

“And she still has a job afterwards?” Rose asked.

“Yeah, sure.”

“Good. Get your coat and meet me out front. Don’t keep me waiting.” Rose stood and walked away. Tate watched the older woman leave. Rose was in her early thirties but had a figure of a woman ten years younger. She liked Rose a lot.

Getting up from her seat, she grabbed her purse and jacket then left. She found Rose leaning up against the building, waiting.

“I thought I was going to have to call Hardy, so I can get all naked. Those uptight assholes looked like they could use a show.”

Laughing, Tate looked down at the ground. “I’m pleased you didn’t.”

“Now that’s a shame. The Tate I remember was up for a lot of shit that got interesting.” Rose grabbed her arm, and they headed out toward one of the restaurants Fort Wills had. It was a little Italian place that served breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The maître d
’ escorted them to their chair. She saw how the man panted after Rose. It must be all that red hair Rose had. A lot of men panted after the other woman.

Taking a seat, Tate looked over the menu, wondering why Rose was coming after
her.

“So, let’s cut the crap and all the introductions. I’ve known you a long time. I’ve known you since you were little. I was with the club since I was eighteen. Hardy was always my guy. He was only my guy at the club. Tell me what shit is happening.”
Rose opened the menu, but her gaze was focused on Tate.

Swallowi
ng past the lump in her throat, Tate glanced down in front of her.

“Look, you can lie and dodge all you want. I’m not going anywhere
, and I don’t think you want me to.” Rose folded her arms.

“You’re six years older than me,” Tate said.

“Actually I’m eight years older than you. I’m thirty-two. You’ve got something going on with Murphy?” Rose asked.

“What? How did you know that?”

“I’m a woman, honey. I’m a woman, and I see the way he looks at you. We all knew you had a thing for him way back then. I don’t imagine something like that goes away,” Rose said.

They were silent for several moments. Tate took the time to look through the menu. She couldn’t find anything she wanted to eat.

“Just get the pancakes or the muffins.”

“It’s an Italian place. It’s a little rude to only order that,” Tate said.

“So, order a coffee then.”

Laughing, Tate waited for Rose to signal the waiter. They each ordered a coffee and muffin. No one questioned them
, but that probably had something to do with the fact Rose had removed her jacket. Hardy’s name and The Skulls were inked on Rose’s arm, and also she was wearing one of Hardy’s jackets.

“Anyone else they’d have complained,” Tate said.

“It’s one of the perks to being an old lady for a Skull. No one back chats. The club helps everyone in town, even these places.”

“I guess.”

Rose stared at her for long moments. The older woman’s blue eyes made her nervous.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“I’m trying to see what the problem is.”

“What do you mean?” Tate asked, confused.

“I need to know what the club did to you for you to turn your back on it.” Rose sat back, looking at her.

“The club didn’t do anything.”

“Really? Look at it from my perspective. You left your father’s house, that’s fine. You’re working in a dental practice, Tate. My God, how boring could you fucking get? Then let’s talk about your trip to Vegas and not inviting Angel. Bitch move if ever I heard one. Then the fact you’re refusing to have anything to do with the club, your family.”

“It’s my decision to make,” Tate said. “I’m tired of being second best. Everyone picks the club over me
. There, I’ve said it.”

Rose groaned
, and Tate looked up to see the other woman glaring at her. “Is this some pampered princess shit? Because I’m not in the mood for that. I thought you were better than that.”

“Tiny and Murphy all chose the club before me. My mother died with Tiny loving the club more than her.”

“You’re fucking wrong. That man loved his wife. He loved her so much that he’s not even thought of replacing her,” Rose said.

“He’s fucking everything in sight.”

“Men do that a lot, Tate. They deal with their feelings in different ways from us, but he’s not replacing her with a wife. Eva’s got everything he’s looking for, and yet she’s gone and left him.”

Tate frowned. “Murphy—”

“They’re all making our town safer, Tate. Murphy left and spied for The Skulls to make this place safer for you. That man is in love with you, and you’re too blind to see it.”

“He fucked other women.”

“You didn’t have any claim over him at all. He did what he had to do before anything progressed between the two of you.”

“Is that how you deal with Hardy? When he’s going on his long trips with temptation waiting for him on the open road?” Tate asked. She was being a bitch
, but she needed Rose to stop.

“Hardy wouldn’t dream of fucking another woman,” Rose said, leaning forward.

“How can you be so certain?”

“Because I make sure I’m everything he needs. Hardy doesn’t want for anything. I’m every fantasy, every desire
, and I make sure he feels that every time we’re together.” Rose leaned back accepting the cup of coffee the waiter brought. “You’re club royalty, Tate. The guys love you, and the girls hate you. The old ladies accept you because of who you are. I like you, Tate, but I think you’re being stupid.” Rose stopped to drink her coffee. “All the guys will be looking out for you. Murphy’s got a lot of shit to get through to be with you. Think about that when you’re wondering if Murphy loves you.”

“Shit, I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t be acting like this,” Tate said. Rose was one of the few women Tate respected. She couldn’t believe she was being such a bitch to her.

“It’s about time you realized what a bitch you’re being. There’s a time and a place to get the claws out, honey. Now is not that time.

“What do you want me to do?” Tate asked, hating how right the other woman was being.

“Come to lockdown. Bring your new friend, and make it right with Angel. While you’re there, think about everything Murphy’s risking just to be with you.”

They finished off their lunch without another word.

Chapter Nine

Murphy sat at the bar in the club waiting for Rose to return. Hardy had sent him a text letting him know Tate and Rose were in the Italian place talking. Tiny had been beside himself with worry since he couldn’t get Tate into the club for lockdown. Mikey handed him a beer, but he shook his head. “I’m waiting to see if Tate calls to be collected.”

Killer sat beside him. “Do you think we should bring her friend?”

“I don’t know. If she calls you can follow to bring Kelsey back with you,” Murphy said.

“
I can’t ever recall Tate being like this. She was always so sensible, like her mother. Patricia knew lockdown was not something to joke about. Her mother would be embarrassed by her girl,” Mikey said.

The older man looked scared. It was strange to see considering how much Mikey had lived through. The guy had more battle scars than he and Killer combined.

“Tate means a lot to all of us.” Murphy reached out, putting a hand on Mikey’s.

“Stop turning me into a pussy.” Mikey pulled away, cursing.

“Right, that was Hardy,” Tiny said, getting all of their attention. “Tate’s being collected this afternoon from her apartment. Rose finally talked some sense into her.”

Several cheers went around the room. Murphy wanted to laugh and smile. Instead, he sat and waited for the news.

“Three Lions have been spotted walking through town. They’ve been wearing their cut. The two cops that got killed, their families have been compensated and will be added to the roster for protection. They’re coming in whether they like it or not. Butch and Zero took the van to bring them in. It’s going to be crowded, but it’s needed until we get a lid on everything. The Sheriff is making sure the folks know. Fort Wills is on guard.”

The buzz from the news went around the room.
“Do you know any of them?” Murphy asked, talking to Killer.

“No, Whizz and Time are working together some names. They’ll have them to Tiny by tomorrow.”

Tiny and Lash headed toward him.

“
You’re getting my daughter and bringing her here,” Tiny said, poking a finger in his chest.

Murphy nodded. In the next instant, Tiny had his face pressed against the bar. He’d been expecting some kind of hurt from Tate’s father and was surprised it had taken this long.

“I don’t know what’s going on between you and my daughter, but I’m going to find out. I know a lot of shit, Murphy. I like you, and I love my daughter. I’m keeping my shit together ‘cause we’ve got other
shit
to handle.” The pressure increased on his face. “I’m telling you that when this is over, you and me are going to have to resolve some issues,” Tiny said. “Are you hearing me?”

“I’m hearing you,” Murphy said.

“Good. Get your ass out of here and get Tate.”

Murphy sat up, brushed his jacket down and cleaned any mess from his hair. No one was staring at him or Tiny. They must have been
as prepared for the shit as he was. He was fucking the leader’s daughter, and no one got away with that.

Heading out of the club, he grabbed his bike.

“Is she worth that?” Killer asked.

“What?” Murphy turned to the other man who he’d started to see as a friend.

“Tate, the daughter, is she worth the trouble you’ll be in?”

“Hell, yeah, she’s worth it. She’s worth every single beating I’m going to get when she finally gives in.” Murphy smiled, thinking about it.

“Why are you smiling?” Killer asked.

“Because when I’ve been beat down, I know Tate’s going to be mine at the end of it.”
Straddling his bike, Murphy turned the key in the ignition. “You keep up?”

“Yeah.”

Gunning his machine, Murphy headed to her apartment. Parking outside, he went straight through the front doors. Killer was seconds behind him. He didn’t order the other man to get Kelsey. The only person Murphy wanted was Tate. Going up the three flights of stairs, Murphy knocked on her door waiting for an answer. He grabbed his piece from the back of his jeans and checked to see that it was loaded. A bad feeling was settling in the pit of his stomach. Something bad was going to go down. Tate opened the door. She held a single case in her hand.

“Let’s go,” he said.

“Hold on, what about Kelsey?” Tate asked.

“She’s being taken care of.”

“No, she has to come with us.”

Holding her face between his hands, Murphy stared into her eyes. “She’s being taken care of. Killer is getting her now.”

Taking her hand he led her down the steps toward Kelsey’s front door. Knocking once, he wasn’t surprised to see Killer packing.

“You getting a bad feeling?” Murphy asked.

“Yeah. Something’s not right. It could be me, but I don’t know.” Killer nodded at Tate before returning his gaze back to Murphy. “They’re too desperate, and I think The Lions are going to do something stupid.”

“I’m heading out. Be careful
, and I’ll see you at the compound.” Murphy shook the guys hand and headed out. He kept Tate by his side, looking all around him. There was a tingling at the back of his neck. He glanced around, but nothing stood out to him. It was a quiet apartment block.

“What’s going on, Murphy?” she asked.

“Keep down.”

Something glinted off his mirror followed by the shattering of a window off his right shoulder. Falling to the ground he crushed Tate underneath him. Grabbing his cell phone and gun, he dialed the club
’s number.

Tate screamed. Her hands covered her head. “Murphy!”

“We’ve got to get cover,” he said as more bullets rained down. Fuck, they were all over the place. Whoever was shooting were shit shots.

Glancing up he saw Killer covering Kelsey in the main building. No one had seen him yet
as otherwise the doors would have been shot out.

Silence fell over the square
, and he used the opportunity to move Tate. Grabbing her arm, he hauled her up and ran toward the back of the building. There was a wall overlooking the garden. Pushing her down, Murphy growled as something hit the side of his leg.

“What’s going on? Someone is shooting at us? No one shoots at us.” Tate was losing control. Her voice was high and grating on his nerves.

He slammed his lips down on hers trying to silence her. “Right now, baby, I need you to be quiet.”

Glancing down at the burning pain in his leg, Murphy saw a bullet had grazed his outer leg. Fuck, that was going to sting when the adrenaline wore off.

He moved to glance behind the wall. Two men were arguing in the middle of the street carrying guns. Neither of them were wearing a cut. They looked insane to be arguing in front of him. Seeing the decoy, Murphy glanced behind them. There was a van with a window partially open. Squinting, he saw the guns pointing out. Whoever was firing the guns were not desperate men. Could it be The Lions? Fuck, he couldn’t concentrate. His woman was with him, and he needed to get her to safety.

Fuck, his leg was stinging.

Putting the cell to his ear he waited for the guys to pick up.

“Hello, The Skulls place,” Angel said.

Fuck, his fucking luck. A lot of fucks were needed.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

“Angel, get Lash or any one of the guys.”

“Murphy, how’s Tate? I heard she’s coming in?” Angel asked.

Fuck
. She was too nice to get angry with.

“She’s good.”

Angel started talking, and Murphy was losing patience. Another round of firing, followed by shouting happened.

“Fuck, Angel, shut the fuck up. I’ve got bullets coming
, and I’m open. Get one of the fucking guys now.”

The woman screamed over the line. Hysterics erupted around them. Murphy tried to deal with it. Tate was crying
; shouting was going, and then the sound of bikes in the distance interrupted him. Bullets sounded, and he looked over the wall in time to see Time and Whizz pulling up. Time fired at the van, running at it while Whizz took the two decoys on

Turning to Tate, he calmed her down. “I need you to stay here. Don’t move until I get you.”

Kissing her lips, Murphy left her side, ignoring the pain in his leg.

Whizz had both men restrained
, and the van was open.

“I couldn’t save the men,” Time said. “I don’t
recognize them. They’re not Lions.”

Killer and Kelsey left the building. Murphy collected Tate
from where he’d put her.

“I don’t know the club
’s number, so I called my guys,” Killer said.

Looking at the mess in the van, Murphy shook his head. “This was a real hit. Something is going down.”

“Lions go after family. I thought The Skulls didn’t include family into the bargain,” Killer said.

Tate wrapped her arms around his waist. Murphy held her close. His heart was racing. Whoever had come to kill her had meant business. Tate was not supposed to survive this day.

“Something bad is going down,” Murphy said.

“Talk to me.” Her voice was small.

“Baby, you shouldn’t even be here.” There were two dead men on the floor and a third hanging out of the truck. Covering her eyes, Murphy left the van waiting for his club to arrive. Ten minutes later, the van was charging down the street. Hardy, Lash, Nash, and Tiny were clearly visible.

The moment the van was parked Tiny was out of the door. He ran toward Tate pulling her in close. Murphy watched the scene.

“Honey, you’re okay? You’re all right? Nothing happened. You’ve not been shot?” Tiny cupped her face, turning her head this way and that.

“Dad, I’m fine. If anything Murphy hurt me when he pushed me to the floor. I’m fine. Nothing happened.”

Tiny stared into her face, shaking his head. “Nothing can happen to you. Do you fucking hear me?”

“I hear you, Dad.” She was crushed in a hug
, and Murphy smiled.

“Get in the fucking truck and take your friend with you. You’re back at the compound. Eva’s already there.”

Tiny shoved her in the direction of the truck. Murphy squared his shoulders waiting.

“If anything had happened to my daughter I’d kill you slowly and make you wish you were dead long before I’d grant it.”

“Understood.”

“Thank you for getting her to safety.” Tiny shook his hand then turned toward the van. “What we got?”

“I don’t fucking know,” Murphy said, filling him in on all the details.

“Leave one of the bikes here. Round this shit up and bring it back. I want to know what’s going on.”

“What are you going to do?” Killer asked, joining them.

“I’m going to find the threat to my daughter
, and then I’m going to annihilate them,” Tiny said.

“What if this has nothing to do with Tate? With The Skulls, the club comes first,” Whizz said.

“Then some people are about to learn a very valuable lesson. No one fucks with my family. Tate, the club, it’s all the same. It’s all family, and family will always come first.”

****

“He protected me, Tate. I never thought a guy was like that out there, but he is,” Kelsey said.

Tate smiled at her friend as she relived the moments of the shooting. Kelsey looked in love. It was sweet but also dangerous. Tate didn’t know Killer very well
, but his name alone scared her. They were travelling back to the compound. She heard some of the men sniggering. Rolling her eyes, she kept her back to them.

“I’m sure he’s a nice guy. I don’t know
anything about him, and I’d suggest you be careful around him,” Tate said.

“I will. I promise.” Kelsey grabbed her hand, squeezing it tight.

Back at the compound she saw Zero, Butch, Mikey, and Rose waiting. They all embraced her as she came out of the van. Seconds later, Killer, Whizz, and Time made it through followed by the van being driven by Hardy.

Kelsey was drawn into the embrace as well. Tate made the introductions
, and they were rushed inside.

They showed Kelsey to a spare bedroom
, and Tate took her old room. Walking past her friend’s bedroom she saw Kelsey sat on the bed, white as a ghost.

“Are you all right?” Tate asked.

“It’s suddenly dawning on me, we got shot at.”

Tucking some hair behind her ear, Tate walked into the room, shutting the door behind her.

“Club life takes some getting used to,” Tate said, taking a seat beside her.

“Did you get used to it?
Has this happened often to you?”

“Several months back a rival gang broke into my dad’s house and pointed a gun at me. I saw two prospects get shot and almost die. Eva, my nanny was shot
, and Angel was as well. It was one of the first shootings I’ve seen. The Skulls don’t usually include families, and we’re left out of the equation.”