The Black Aces MC Read online

  I was always there to pick up her shattered pieces, her only constant. Each time she became weaker almost physically but definitely emotionally, she shut me out a little bit each time and I felt I was almost completely ousted. Was this going to be the time she shuts me out forever? I hoped not but it was out of my hands.

  I look over and they are all kissy-kissy making me nauseous.

  "Can I go now?" I wanted to be as far from her bedroom as possible, I knew where this was going. I'd sleep in my old treehouse and I still think I'd probably be able to hear them, better bring my radio and headphones.

  She nods and I extend an olive branch, as I turn to head to my room to gather my stuff before going to my tree house. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Wellington."

  Well, I knew it.

  My mother was a screamer. Why am I being punished?!

  Anyway, I could hear his hardcore grunts and her wailing through blasting music in my headphones, and a pillow over my head.

  Holy fucking hell, I'm not even in the house where it probably echoes off the walls. I was in the lesser of two evils until I looked out the window to see him plowing himself into my mother. He's sweating profusely, making her call him daddy, and screaming his name as he smacked her ass. I lay back down and crank the music to blast out as much as I could so I could survive another day.

  By the time I come in the next morning he's already gone but the smile on her face was not.

  Here we go.

  "Good morning, honey." She kisses me on the cheek as she piles the pancakes and bacon on my plate. She's already falling for him. All the blaring warning signs were there.

  I just stab my fork into the stack and watch her float about the kitchen. She was cheery and humming while she cleaned up.

  This better be for her good, I don't know how much more she could take.

  I would get my answer soon…

  CUPID (cont’d)

  (Present)

  *Jackal bangs the gavel*

  "Let's call church to order. It'll be a short one today."

  Jackal hated long drawn out meetings, get to the point and get out. Also, he liked to visit Paige on some Sundays and important milestones like her birthday and their anniversary. The only time we left him completely alone.

  He puffs his Montecristo corona cigar before continuing.

  "So, we still need to enforce this pact with Johnny and his douche bag lackeys and we're not going to fight again. I will not be dragged into a bloodbath over a pissing contest so Cupid, you'll take Cheetah and Blondie to sign the treaty, you're meeting up the day after tomorrow. "

  I bolt up, "Wait, why me? You know the bad blood between that fucker and me, I'd rather break his goddamn neck."

  Johnny Picardio was a psychopath, a druggie with too much power. He started his own gang on the other side of town and was immediately hostile towards us because of me. He sold drugs but was known for dipping into his own stash, he'd pay if one of his cartel suppliers found out.

  I never sugar coat my hatred for that bastard. I wanted to castrate him lengthwise when I found out he slept around while dating my mom. I should have known his slimy ass wouldn’t be able to stay faithful. I know he was the final nail in her coffin.

  Johnny didn't give a shit about her but she, of course, devoted everything to him and he didn't even deserve to be spit on if he was on fire.

  Let’s talk about the big blow-up, one day she was basically blindsided by some young blonde who had the nerve to knock on my mother’s door, she claimed her and Johnny had been fucking for months now, my mother called her a liar until the girl could describe parts of Johnny that were very intimate in detail. Apparently, he has a tattoo of a dagger near his dick. She waited for him and confronted him at the door, he tried to deflect claiming they were never exclusive, that he never agreed to only see her. He said it with an icy cold stare in his steely blue eyes and you could physically see her heart shatter once again.

  After that, the next time I remember his face, I was pummeling that slimy fucker until my boys pulled me off him. I don't regret a single blow.

  He swore he'd kill me, but Jackal stopped everything and negotiated a temporary order of peace, guess now was time to solidify and put it to paper, four years after that incident.

  I'll never shake his hand, he's one of the reasons she's dead.

  "You WILL go because I said so, don't forget who runs this club, me not you, so you will do as I say, got it?!" His voice boomed against the walls.

  I sat down defeated, but didn't cower, "Yeah boss."

  "Good." He hands me the peace treaty with his signature on it. Guess I have no choice, fuck I hate that druggie bastard.

  WHAT CAN I GET YOU?

  LYRIC

  "Hey Lyric! Move your sweet ass with our drinks! I swear women are only good for one thing and they can't even do that right, isn't that right, sweetheart?"

  I slam his drinks down and glare, stupid strung out asshole, wish I didn't need this job, but I have to pay my bills. It's a sad life I live.

  "Hey sweetness, when are you going to let me see if you got a strong gag reflex for all this?" He points to his dick as they all laugh at his empty chauvinism.

  I probably wouldn't even feel it.

  I grab the tray instead of what I really wanted to do, which was headbutt him in the fucking face, and go back to the bar. He was an idiot, but he was still dangerous, especially when he was hopped up on whatever he could get, I couldn't risk it.

  I hate him, his club, and my life but until I could save enough to get away, I was stuck listening to this inept peon brag about things that never happened. Especially the lie that I blew him in the bar bathroom, I'd rather slice off my right breast with a rusty tuna can lid than have that loser touch me in any way.

  I check my watch quickly, it's 4pm and of course, the alcoholics were gathering early to get their liquid diet fix.

  Cinnamon Alley was the only bar in town, so yeah. Too bad cause I'd love to not see some of these scumbags.

  What I wouldn't give to be living on a beach somewhere or anywhere that isn't the middle of nowhere New Mexico.

  If I hadn't been abandoned here by my so-called loving boyfriend, I would have had a better life, but I made mistake after mistake especially in trusting that jackass with my future. Promising me a better life that he didn’t intend on giving me himself. We left the drags of Millington, Texas and headed West towards my dream of living in California. I was too excited to see the warning signs, hell, if there were any. I was enjoying the wind in my hair as we put as much space between us and our old town. Nothing there but crackheads and their dealers and unfortunately, I was riding with one, but he swore he was getting clean and I kind of believed him. I say kind of because prior to me being abandoned, I was smart enough to stash $500 in my shoe when we stopped for gas and he went inside to pay.

  I may have foolishly loved him, but I wasn't blind to his continuous coke habit though he promised to quit, he’d blow through our savings before hitting the California state line.

  So, I continued playing naïve to make a new life somewhere, I just didn't think it would be in this go-nowhere town of Van Hollen. Fuck my life.

  He took my cash, my car, and everything of value early one morning while I was asleep, leaving me in that dirty seedy motel room with just my cell phone and the money I hid under the insole of my sneaker.

  Not like he answered my frantic hysterical calls anyway. Wherever he went he better stay there, I've got plenty of ideas of how to make him suffer and squeal like a pig.

  It won't be pretty.

  I thank the owner Dave for taking in a broken, crying mess of a girl to tend his bar and save money. Once he heard my story through my sobs, he softened up and hired me on the spot, he saved my life. I even got myself a small apartment nearby, I've gotten a bit of my life back, but I can't wait to leave.

  Dumb fuck is snapping his privileged fingers for another round, sanctimonious asshole. I turn to pour the beers when the saloon doors o
pen with force, slamming loudly against the walls. I jump a little at the sudden sound and look up to see a pack of big brawny guys walk in with leather vests on. Definitely a motorcycle club not like Johnny's band of misfits. They were a towering presence as the guy in front was clearly looking for someone in particular as he scanned the place. I'd hate to be whoever it was.

  Now, I'm not looking for anything in the least bit, but he was a tall drink of water. He had long dark dirty blonde hair, a thick, sexy beard, and tattoos winding up and down his muscular arms. Boy, I'd like to read that book.

  As he scans the area his dark eyes meet mine for a split second, but he sneers at me like I wronged him.

  What the hell? Do I have to deal with another set of assholes?

  Focus, Lyric, you just need to earn money.

  Tarzan, cause that's who he resembles, looks like he finds his target.

  Holy shit, it's Johnny.

  They're looking for Johnny, please just put a bullet in his head for all our sakes. But as I look, I notice they're not carrying weapons except for the one on the far right who's holster I could see. At least one of them has a gun. Beating him to a bloody pulp is also a delicious option.

  Tarzan walks towards Johnny and his rowdy bunch and the tension is thick as dark billowing smoke from the depths of hell. My intuition tells me to stay back and observe.

  "Well, look who we have here, Cupid and his precious cherubs. What the hell do ya want?"

  Tarzan didn't take kindly to the barb, he sneered at him then grabbed a chair, turned it, and sat with his arms leaning forward against the back. His stare was cold and calculating like he was trying to maintain his composure, ooh there's definitely some history there. He produces a piece of paper from his upper vest pocket and slams it down.

  "You know why I'm here, just sign the treaty so we can get out of this shit hole."

  Wow, rude, but damn if his voice and underlying tone are sexy as fuck just imagine how he is in... calm down, it's been a while this is just hormones talking.

  "What, you don't want a drink? A peace offering between clubs."

  Johnny snaps his fingers to signal he wanted me to bring another round. How was I going to balance eight bottles without looking like an idiot? Shit!

  "No Johnny, I'd rather ram my fist down your fucking throat but my Prez makes the rules so sign the damn document."

  There was no room for any misinterpretation, Tarzan hated Johnny, I was curious to know why. But first, to get these drinks there without embarrassing myself in front of the sexy biker beast. Every one of them was a looker in their own way, the platinum blonde could model all over the world with his distinct good looks, he didn't have my pulse racing, no it was jungle boy, who never took his eyes off the group in front of him. His jaw clenched every second he had to be in Johnny’s presence.

  I decided to bring four bottles at a time by hand instead. I bring over the first round placing them in front of Johnny. He takes that moment to be bold and smack my ass.

  "Thank you, sweetness. Now get the rest." He smirks but I was furious. Tarzan didn't seem fazed by it either or he was great at poker because he showed no emotion.

  I growled as I walked back to retrieve the second set.

  Johnny leans back and rests his arm across the back of his chair, "This doesn't change shit between us, Cupid, I'll get my hands on you one way or another and shut you up permanently." He sneered but it had no effect on his adversary.

  "Your goddamned right it doesn't, you insensitive cocksucker! You broke her heart, you're the reason she's dead!"

  "It's not my fault she was a delusional crackpot wh..."

  I dropped the drinks because a melee was happening in front of me as Tarzan reached across and slammed Johnny's head against the table, hard. Hands were swinging and blows landed. It was going so fast I couldn’t register it all, but I focused on Tarzan as much as I could.

  He took good care of Johnny landing most to his body, reserving a few blows to his face, I suppose he didn’t want his Prez, as he called him, to see Johnny’s face rearranged like a puzzle.

  One of Johnny's associates tried a cheap shot but was knocked out cold by Blonde boy, he had ice blocks for fists. Blondie went to work trying to peel Tarzan's fists off Johnny. He kept screaming that he killed her, that she’d be alive if it weren’t for him.

  I wonder who she was to him, either way, it was bad if he was here to negotiate and now, we were in the middle of a brawl.

  *BANG!*

  Everyone froze as Dave fired from his shotgun, the smoke billowing from the barrel and debris falling from the ceiling. The shell clang echoing as it bounced off the bar top.

  I couldn't stop the scream that slipped from my lips. I never heard anything so loud! I think I hear ringing...

  Tarzan pulls back while Johnny tries to figure out where he was. In a daze, I grab the beers knowing Johnny's going to ask for them in his pissed-off state, probably going to drink the pain away. I place them on the counter, trying to get myself to move.

  "Fun's over gentlemen, you will not tear up my bar any further. Aces, I suggest you leave and Johnny, you leave out the other way.” Johnny sits back in his chair watching Tarzan and his group, his glare was deadly. The Aces back away, not taking their eyes off Johnny either.

  I felt brave enough to bring the remainder of the beers so he wouldn't take his anger out on me once they left. I cautiously placed two down, my hands were shaking so bad. He snatches one, startling me and as Tarzan finally turns around Johnny’s lips pull together in a smirk as he pulls a gun from his inside coat and aims it.

  Holy shit he's going to kill him!

  I reacted rather than think, took the other beer bottle, and bashed it over his head. The glass shatters and Johnny's out with one blow, he slumps over onto the table. His associates were as stunned as I was, but they were looking up at the opposite side of the room and so my gaze followed.

  I look right into the barrel of the gunslinger about a millisecond from blowing Johnny's brains out.

  Shit, he was fast.

  I dropped my tray in fear, hoping he wouldn't accidentally shoot me instead.

  Uh oh.

  Everybody's staring at me as Johnny's buddy checks him over. He groans, fucker's still alive. Gunslinger puts his pistol away but looks at me and tips his head as if he had a hat on.

  My eyes meet Tarzan's and I expected appreciation or a thank you, but you think that's what I got? He walks up to me, essentially towering over me. His hair fanning over his face as he growls,

  "Cheetah had me covered; I didn't need your help."

  Well...excuse the fuck outta me!

  I felt the anger boil over and let it fly, no filter.

  "You're welcome, you self-righteous asshole. Looks like I beat him to the punch, who's the fucking cheetah now?"

  Whhhhhy couldn't I keep my trap shut?

  Pissing off a handsomely rugged violent man was not my intention. His eyes darkened more as he looked down at me condescendingly.

  "Listen, Princess, I didn't need your goddamned help, you put your little nose where it doesn't belong. I suggest you stay out of my business and watch that filthy mouth of yours."

  He turns and walks out, leaving me to deal with my actions and my boss… Shit.

  GETTING IN THE WAY

  CUPID

  I have to confess; she was quick to react. I don't know if I would be walking out of that bar if it wasn't for her, but I can't think about that now I was up Schitt's creek with Jackal. I really screwed up.

  He shouldn't have sent me in the first place, but I shouldn't have let my emotions take over. Well, time to face the music cause the evidence is all over my bruised hands.

  I sprinkle the torn pieces of the treaty on the table in front of him and sigh, "I'm sorry, boss."

  He eyes the pieces, my hands, and sighs loudly, it was disappointment.

  "I asked you to do this because I know how much you loathe him, but I know how much you care for the club that to
ok you in after she died. I needed you to bury the hatchet and you might have just started the war."

  He stands up and claps his hand on my shoulder.

  "It will never be over until that bastard is dead by my hands. Did you know he almost shot me, that spineless coward pulled a gun when I turned my back to leave. There would have been a war either way."

  The guys all back up my claim. Jackal looks around, nodding at Cheetah, "Did Wyatt Earp there finish the job, is he dead?"

  Naturally, that's the assumption.

  Cheetah lets out a low chuckle that sounds like a grumble. "Oh, believe me, I had him in my sights, but someone beat me to the punchline. Cute little thing too, think she has eyes for Cupid and his...arrow. Couldn’t take her eyes off him once we stepped into the bar."