Anarchist Book 5: (An MC Serial Novel) Book 5 (2 page)

I pretty much put her and the whole situation out of my head until it was lunchtime.

I found myself getting excited at the thought of seeing her. I had to stop myself from smiling like a simpleton when I opened the door, expecting to see her smiling face waiting for me, with one of her concoctions.

What the fuck, where was she? “Dana Sue?” I checked the kitchen, the living room, her room, and mine nothing. The place was spotless as usual, but there was no sign of my wife.

Why the fuck can’t I stop thinking of her like that? I grumbled as I made myself a sandwich. I guess I was getting use to her fawning over me in the last couple of days.

She wasn’t back by the time I was ready to go riding. It had been quite some time since I’d taken my horse out and I was thinking I might take her along with me since she was so bored and all, but she was nowhere to be found.

I didn’t think for a second that there was any reason to worry. If she’d gone through those gates my guys would’ve told me, and no one could get through them to hurt her. Wherever she was she was safe.

I still didn’t like not knowing though, so before I swung by the stables I went in search of her.

“Travis you seen my wife?”

“Nope, where’d you lose her?”

“Funny, she’s not at the house and she’s not in the storehouse either. If she comes this way tell her to wait for me at the house. What’re you doing anyway?”

“I’m about to go scope out my plot with the wife. See what she wants to do with this.” He waved what looked like blueprints in the air before continuing on.

Seems like everybody was settled, or getting there. Even Clay, if he could get the lead out, would be hitched in no time. That was another minefield I had no interest in traversing. That woman of his is a handful and then some.

I guess I should be grateful that Dana Sue doesn’t have the same disposition, or I’d really be in deep shit.

I was starting to get pissed when she was in none of the places that I searched for her. No one seemed to have seen her since she left me at the clubhouse, and I remembered the look on her face when she’d left.

She wouldn’t do anything stupid would she? I hope not, but the fear was starting to churn in my gut.

I was halfway to the stables about to turn back when I heard the neighing. I know that sound, there’s only one horse that makes that particular whinny and he’s a beast.

He’s been known to throw grown men to the ground and no one would touch him. That’s why I was going to take him out for some exercise today.

I think I knew what I would see once I turned around, but I was still jolted at the sight of her on top of the horse.

I wanted to yell at her to get the hell down, but I think my legs went out from under me and my voice got trapped in my lungs.

I lifted my hand to halt her, and the damn horse reared up on its hind legs. I saw lights flash before my eyes and my heart stopped, even as my feet were moving towards her.

If she fell I will be right there. I just had to snatch her up and get her to safety. I could cover her with my body if it came to that and she wouldn’t be too badly hurt.

All of these things were going through my mind as I tried to get to her, but my worry was in vain.

She brought the horse under control as my ex-stable boy came out to take the reins. She was laughing and talking to the damn horse like she hadn’t just scared the shit out of me.

Maybe that’s why I reacted the way I did. Because she was so nonchalant about putting her own fucking life in danger.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she jumped a mile in the air as she passed the reins off. “And you, you’re fired, I want you off my property in the next five minutes.”

“Lawton no, it wasn’t Joseph’s fault. I told him that it was okay for me to ride. It is isn’t it? You never said I couldn’t and I didn’t leave the ranch.”

She stood in front of the kid like she was afraid I would hit him. Somebody was gonna get hit alright, but she was protecting the wrong person. It is her that was in danger of feeling the flat of my hand across her ass.

“Joseph go put Storm up, I’ll deal with you later, and don’t think you’re off the hook, you should know fucking better.”

“Yes sir Mr. Lawton, it won’t happen again.” Poor sap, she probably hit him with one of those sneaky smiles of hers to make him stupid.

“What were you doing on that horse, do you know you could’ve broken your damn neck?”

“But I didn’t, see, I’m fine.” She twirled around in front of me like she thought it was a joke.

“I forbid you to get on that horse again. If you want to ride I’ll find you a mare to ride but my horse is off limits.”

“I don’t want a mare I want to ride Storm.”

“And I said no, what the fuck?”

“Fine, is there anything else that I’m not allowed to do? Anything else of yours that’s off limits to your annoying wife?”

“You’re not my...for fuck sake don’t start that shit again.” Her lip was trembling again like she was about to turn on the waterworks.

“Fine, may I leave now?” She composed herself but refused to look at me. I found that I didn’t like that one bit. Neither did I like the way we seemed to be always fighting these days.

Why couldn’t she stay shy and sweet? Why did she have to go and change shit? Just like a damn female.

“No there’s nothing else, just, the next time you’re going somewhere let me know first. I have shit to do, I can’t spend my days hunting you down making sure that you’re okay.”

I was being a dick I know, but what the fuck did she want from me? I was doing everything I could to keep her safe, from me as well as whatever else her father was cooking up.

Why couldn’t she see that and work with me? For some reason, ever since the priest had performed his little ceremony she’s been acting like she’d lost her damn mind.

She walked away with her shoulders slumped and I felt like a first class bastard. I started to go after her, but what was the point?

She wasn’t for me, nor I her. I wasn’t the kind of man to wine and dine a woman with roses and bullshit, and that’s probably what they’d prepared her for in that fancy boarding school that that asshole had paid for.

I let her go and headed back to the clubhouse, Storm didn’t need any more exercise.

***

DANA

He doesn’t want me, fine. I was so mad I could spit, but instead I walked away before I punched Mr. High and Mighty in the kisser.

I’ve never known a human being to get me this mad. I don’t see what the problem is. He needed someone to look after him and I am his wife, no matter how that came about.

I’ve talked to Melissa and she seemed to think that if he didn’t really want me he could’ve found another way. She sounded very convincing, to the point that I started believing the same thing. But he sure wasn’t acting like he wanted me around.

Well I’ll just show Mr. Lawton. He doesn’t want me around? Fine by me. I went back to his place long enough to grab some stuff and then went to Kyle and Melissa’s.

Those two have the strangest relationship. When you first get to know them, it seems like they argue like cats and dogs.

She tries to rule him, he ignores her, and they yell and scream and make up. I’ve seen this played out more times than I can count in the short time that I’d been here.

I had a strong feeling that my decision to move in with them was going to cause another one of their arguments, but what else was I supposed to do?

There is no way I was staying where I wasn’t wanted, and it will be a cold day in hell before I ever speak to Lawton Daniels again.

I have a mind to...yes, that’s exactly what I’ll do. I took the rings off before I changed my mind or chickened out.

Melissa had told me they belonged to Lawton’s grandmother and that must mean that he was serious about our vows. Hah, obstinate, pigheaded ass.

I snuck out the backdoor because I had no doubt one of his many spies would go tattle. By the time he figured out I was gone I would be settled in.

Oops, I forgot the note. I went back in and penned a quick note telling him not to worry about me that I was safe, and left.

***

“Uh-oh what did he do this time?” that was Melissa’s greeting when I showed up at her door with my bag in hand.

“Nothing, he says I’m annoying and a nuisance, so I’m staying here for the time being until I can make other arrangements.”

“This ought to be good, come on in.” Melissa stepped aside to let me in and then looked out the door shaking her head before closing it behind me.

“Hello Kyle.”

“Hi Dana, what’s going on?” He eyed my one suitcase suspiciously before looking at his wife for an explanation.

“Your brother is being an ass, so I told Dana she can stay here with us until something else comes up.”

“You...are you nuts? You should know better by now than to get in between Law and anything.”

“Yes, but this is different, she’s our family too now and we have an obligation.”

“You’re full of shit, you just like sticking your nose in people’s bullshit. Do you know what my brother is going to do when he hears about this?”

“No do tell, and I’ll thank you not to raise your voice at me if you don’t mind.”

“I’ll do more than raise my voice, why are you always trying to make me nuts? Sorry Dana, but I’m not about to lose my neck because you and my crazy wife have cooked up some shit to get on my brother’s nerves. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll head on back home.”

“No, I’m not going back there. Your brother has been nothing but mean and....”

“Yes but you don’t understand, he’s had it very hard the last three years or so, you just need to give him some time.”

“Thank you for your concern Kyle, but I’m staying right here.” I parked my butt on the chair and refused to budge. I really didn’t care what Lawton did at this point. I wouldn’t care if I never saw him ever again in my life.

Kyle acted like I was being difficult and stormed out of the house. “Hey where are you going? You didn’t kiss me goodbye.” Melissa cooed at him with the sweetest voice. I don’t know how she does it. The Daniels men are a bit ornery if you ask me.

He growled but came back in to grab her and kiss her goodbye. “If Law wrings your neck, don’t expect me to get involved.” He slapped her playfully on her butt and was gone.

“Lawton wouldn’t really do anything to you will he?” Maybe I shouldn’t have got her involved. I started to bite my nails with worry, but she seemed unfazed.

“Pssh, no way, those two are big softies, they talk a good game but trust me it’ll all work out. Now let’s figure out how to make him beg when he comes looking for you.”

“What makes you think he will?”

“Oh he’ll be here alright, just you wait and see. You see I’ve seen the way your husband looks at you when he thinks no one else is watching.

Besides, you’re just what Law needs; at least it’ll save him from one of these hussies getting their hooks into him.” She sneered and went over to the coffeepot to pour us each a cup.

***

I didn’t start to get nervous until the sun started going down and I knew it was getting close to dinnertime. I felt guilty for not having dinner ready for him as I’d been doing for the last little while, but how could I have stayed there with him feeling the way he does?

I know when I’m licked. I had thought for sure that I could make him like me, but I should’ve known; and to make matters worse, that woman this morning had suggested that I share myself with other men, which she apparently does.

If Lawton had had any feelings for me he would’ve let it be known that I was his wife and not to be treated like the others.

I knew what that was about, I’d seen it at the party the other night, and Ginger Lee had explained it to me in full detail.

I had to smile when I remembered my new friend; she really is something else. I could’ve been happy here I think if I’d been given a chance, but Lawton was making that difficult.

There was no going back to the farm, that’s for sure, and I’m not really qualified for anything, with just a high school diploma.

But maybe I could get a loan to attend the local community college. If I kept thinking positive, then things will work out, at least that’s what I told myself.

Kyle came in but he didn’t say anything about his brother or his whereabouts; just shook his head at me and went to the den with a beer.

There was a knock at the door not five minutes later and he came bounding into the kitchen.

“I’ll get it, you two better stay back out of the line of fire.”

“Where the fuck is she?”

“Good evening big brother, didn’t we just say goodbye to each other?”

“Kyle don’t fuck with me, where the fuck is my wife?”

“Your wife, I thought you didn’t have one of those.”

“You know what I mean, now where is she?”

Why was Kyle standing there so protectively, wasn’t he the one who said that it was a bad idea for me to stay here? Now he was acting like it was just fine. I’ll never understand this family if I live to be a hundred.

“Uh-oh, I think I hear your husband outside.” Melissa had the most cunning grin on her face as she dried her hands.

I was helping her prepare dinner. I’d peeled a few extra potatoes for Lawton as well, maybe his brother could take him his dinner later, but it looked like that won’t be necessary.

She left me in the kitchen and went to join her husband and brother in law. I’d been all prepared to tell him exactly how I felt, but now that he was here my knees were shaking and I had a knot in the pit of my stomach.

What if I was wrong to push him? What if he got so mad that he made me leave like he did that woman earlier? Oh why do I always let my temper get the better of me? Why couldn’t I just leave well enough alone? It hasn’t been that long; maybe with time he would’ve come around, but...

“Dana Sue get your ass out here now.”

“No.” Well hell, so much for my temper.

“Move Kyle before I knock you on your ass.” Oh he sounded mad, I better get out there before there’s trouble.

“I don’t think so Law, as long as she’s wearing grandma’s ring, she’s my sister in law and it’s my duty to look out for her.”

What was Kyle playing at I wonder? I heard the scuffling at the door and that propelled me to move.

I got around the corner just in time to see Law about to strike his brother.

“Lawton you stop that right now, what is wrong with you?” I went over to Kyle to make sure he was alright, and the idiot winked at me.

The next thing I knew I was being pulled back into a hard chest, with a very strong arm wrapped around my middle.

“You don’t run from me to another man’s house.”

“He’s not a man he’s your brother, and he’s nice to me besides.”

“I don’t care, you don’t do that shit again.”

“Lawton, would you please stop yelling?”

“No, now get your shit and let’s go, and the next time you tell me no your ass is gonna get it.”

I looked to Melissa for help but she was too busy trying not to smile. “Law, I think it would be best if Dana Sue stayed here with us until she moved back into town. This way she won’t be underfoot and annoying you.”

He glared down at me when she said the word then turned to her. “Stay out of my shit, you and your nosy ass husband.” He went to grab my hand but then he dropped it like I’d burnt him or something.

“Where the fuck are your rings?” Oh boy, for someone who didn’t want a wife he sure seemed steamed that I’d taken off the one thing that shouted to the world that I was his.

“I took them off, you said...”

“Never mind what the fuck I said. Who told you you could take off my rings?” Must he always be so confusing? I can’t keep up.

“What difference does it make? You said we weren’t married anyway remember?”

“Never mind what the fuck I said, you take them off when I say you can and not a moment sooner.” The tattoo on his neck was moving a little faster than normal, because his pulse was racing beneath it.

“Well I don’t feel right wearing them knowing how you feel about me. I don’t know why you gave them to me in the first place since they mean so much to your family.

You could’ve used a piece of string or a dime store ring. No, I think it’s better if I stay here with Kyle and Melissa...”

“You’re coming home with me and that’s final, now where’s your stuff?” He barely gave me time to grab my case before he snatched it and was dragging me out the door.

His brother and sister in law seemed to find the whole situation hilarious, but I couldn’t find the humor in being dragged across the yard with one arm shorter than the other.