Storm (Devil's Hornets MC) (15 page)

“Those animals came after you because of who I am and what I do. They knew you were important to me, so they wanted to take your soft, sweetness and make you dirty. I wasn’t meant to have a woman like you.” The way he looked at her made her feel so cherished on one hand but discarded on the other. “I’m so sorry that I didn’t protect you the way that I should have and let you fall into the hands of those crazy men.”

“We’ve beat this, Jack. Now we can be together without having to drive hours out of the way of everyone.” She wanted so much to negate everything he said and just go back to loving each other, but his eyes were so cold. It was almost painful to behold.

“We beat it this time, but I can’t live looking for the next time someone decides to use you to hurt me. Watching another man touch your breasts and lick your pussy has filled me with rage. There was nothing I could do while you went through that hell, and there was nothing I could do until I even found out you were gone, but there is something I can do now. I can protect you by staying away from you.” Jack wasn’t giving up or relenting.

“So you’re giving up. You don’t want anyone to hurt me, but it’s okay if you do it. That doesn’t make any sense. How were you to know I was going to get abducted and assaulted? You didn’t. I don’t blame you for that.”

“Maybe you should,” he said in a grave voice filled with emotion.

“I can’t talk about maybes; I can only talk about what I know right now, and that is I want to be with you. I want to go back to the way we were before all of this, and I think you want that too.”

“There are a lot of things that I want, Natalie, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going to get them, and in this case it doesn’t look like you are going to get them either.”

She saw when resolution crossed his face, and she knew that he was going to lay her low. This wasn’t how she wanted it to end, but she didn’t know how to get out of it.

“This has to be over. The Reapers were right when they took you. I was prepared to do whatever it took to get you back, and I would do it all over again… pull resources from any and everywhere, blow up buildings, kill off people… whatever. Now everyone knows I have a weakness, and I’ve never had one before. It’s a big part of what keeps me feared in the street. No one knows about my mother, so I don’t worry about people getting at me through her, but I don’t think there is a way I can be with you and not always worry that you’re not going to be here when I get back or if you are going through something horrible and it’s because of me.”

“I don’t want this to be over,” Natalie sat up on the bed and watched as Jack put on his clothes as he found them. They were scattered all over the room, and it was taking some time to locate all of his items. When he found his shirt, she hopped off the bed because that was the last thing he needed to get before he was fully dressed.

“I was with you for longer than I was with any woman, and I had a great time. Your pussy is awesome, and so is your company, but I’m not one to stick with any one person for very long.”

“That’s not true. Before this you were hinting of me moving in with you.” She had her hands on her hips, and she was prepared to fight for them even if it was clear that he wasn’t.

“Maybe I was, but this whole situation has changed my mind and perception about everything. You will be given lifelong protection for your shop and your person as an apology for what you’ve had to go through with the Devil’s Hornets.”

He sounded like he was selling her life insurance, and she was talking about her heart.

“I don’t want your protection. I just want you.” She was standing in the middle of the room naked practically pleading with this man to see and hear her. It was like he was off on his own spinning wheel and he was just talking at her. It was almost like he didn’t know her, and this was some spiel that he’d practiced to say to people who needed to be settled after a traumatic experience.

“I know that you think we didn’t do a good job, and that’s because we allowed you to be kidnapped, but your situation has been rectified, and we have a better handle on what to do for you.”

“Do you hear yourself and how you’re talking to me? I’m not a client… I’m your girlfriend.” She walked over to him because he looked like he was done spitting out the nonsense that seemed to be streaming out of his mouth as he stared at her like she was a precious gem. That was the look she wanted to see from him.

He reached out to stroke the same cheek that had fascinated him before they’d gotten started with all this. “Not anymore, you’re not.”

If he’d have said that loudly or with venom in his tone, she would have gotten mad but known that he was just blowing off some steam and would be back when he cooled off, but it wasn’t. It was said in a serious manner with no heat or wildness about it. He was done with her? She thought about all the things that had gone on between them in the hour since they’d come back to her apartment, and the only thing she could come up with was he thought the Reapers had sullied her and now he was no longer interested. When the man she now knows as Johnson told her just about the same thing before her saviors came in she didn’t believe it, but now it seemed like the man had been telling the truth. Jack didn’t want her after she’d been taken by the Reapers.

She put on her clothes and was so tired she didn’t even care that she was in the house alone. It was something she’d better get used to because it didn’t look like it was going to change anytime soon.

When she heard the door open and close again, she ran out of the room and into the living room.

“Hey Natalie. My name is Pete, and I’m going to stay with you tonight and take you to work in the morning.”

She wanted with all she had to tell the man who’d been a part of the rescue squad that he didn’t have to stay, but she needed him in a way that frightened her, and she was relieved that someone would be out here.

“What is your club name?” She asked.

“Ruthless,” he said, and she thought he wore it well. He looked like he would do whatever needed doing and that in and of itself made her more comfortable. Although she’d rather have had Jack here by her side, it didn’t seem like he wanted the same thing.

“Ruthless… thanks for being here.” Natalie went to get a few sheets and pillows for her guest and deposited them on the couch even though the man said he didn’t need anything.

“Try to get some sleep, Natalie. Everything always looks better in the sunlight.”

“That’s a good thought Ruthless, but I don’t think I’ll get getting any better tomorrow or any other time in the near future.” Natalie couldn’t remember ever being so tired. It felt like she could close her eyes right on the spot and be asleep for days, but she knew she’d be more comfortable in a bed. There was no use in arguing with Ruthless just like there was no use in arguing with Jack. He’d made up his mind, and he didn’t want to go back. That left her right on the outside with no one in her corner.

“But that’s the thing about the future. You just don’t know what can happen.”

Jack spent the rest of the night feeling like the piece of shit he was. It was so hard looking at his beautiful Natalie, but it was even harder offering her the services he knew she needed and knowing that one day she wouldn’t need their protection anymore or a man who didn’t make his money illegally and had people who would use what he felt against both of them.

He’d said things he didn’t want to say all day yesterday, but he’d done it for a reason. No one was ever going to hurt his woman again. Jack hated that she’d been assaulted and molested and he’d not been able to do anything about it. He had probably been in talks with the mastermind of the whole event as they’d used her body as a weapon against the Devil’s Hornets.

Looking over at the clock, he saw that it was almost time for Natalie to go to work. It had been tough and he’d called in a lot of favors, but her shop had all new locks and a top of the line security system and everything had been cleaned up. The shop looked good as new. He’d even talked to a woman who worked in the shop and got her to order the flowers so it would seem like there was no break in service at all.

He had to stop by and see Kahuna before he did what he really wanted to do which was seeing her face when she saw her place put back together.

Kahuna was working on his bike when he pulled up to the club house which was odd. It meant that he’d been thinking because there was not a damn thing wrong with the man’s bike.

“I see you made your way over here early enough. I didn’t think I’d be seeing you until this afternoon.” Kahuna said without looking at him.

“I’m that predictable?” Jack knew this is where he was going to start his day, but this was the easy part; the hard part was going to be where he ended up next.

“You used to be.” Kahuna stopped tinkering on his bike, but turned around and leaned back on it while he looked Jack up and down.

“Things change.” Jack watched his friend, and they stared at each other trying to get a feel for where this was going to go.

“And things stay the same,” he countered. “I’ve known you for a long time, Jack. I remember when you started off doing whatever you could for whoever you could. You needed to take care of your mother, and you found a way to do that. You’ve always taken the Devil’s Hornets seriously, and you’ve done well by us as I know we’ve done by you. You’re a good guy, Jack.”

“I don’t know if I feel that I am a good guy right at this moment, Benny, but the Devil’s Hornets have always done good by me.” Jack didn’t think anyone would give him more shit than he was giving himself, but he also didn’t know what to do with this kind of gentleness. He didn’t want or need this… he fucked up, and everyone knew it.

“Honest, hardworking, always trying to do the right thing for everyone involved. A good family man when it comes to the club. The women come to you with problems, and the guys come to you for advice. It’s nice having you around.”

Jack turned away from the eyes of Kahuna and paced the area around the Kahuna’s bike. “Look, I don’t need sunshine blown up my ass. If you want to tell me I was wrong to keep something from you that had the potential to blow up in our faces, or I should feel like an asshole because I allowed someone I cared about to be in a position to be used against us, or that I could have been more diligent when it came to the business side of things, then go ahead.”

The chuckle that came from the direction of the Devil’s president made Jack stop in his tracks. Was he laughing at him? They’d been through a lot, and there were times they didn’t see eye to eye, but he’d never before laughed in his face.

“What the fuck is so funny?” Jack turned toward him and was ready to fight. There was only so much he could take. Granted he wasn’t in the best head space right now, and that happy chuckle just about sent him over the edge.

“It’s funny because I knew you would beat yourself up more than anyone else ever could. Did you make some decisions that were a bit risky? Yes, but you didn’t do it trying to hurt anyone. That is what I was trying to say to you about you starting here and working your way up. It was for your family. It’s never just been about getting the money for you, and that’s why the Reapers thought they finally had you. Most people can be bought, and I already know you’ve been tried and won, but they laid you low this time.”

Jack hadn’t really thought about it that way, but now he could see why The Reapers jumped at the chance to grab what they thought was a powerful pawn in this game they played.

“I’m not telling  you what to do, but I do know that what you guys had must have been powerful to make you hide the whole situation for months and then use your planning skills to get her out. I don’t deal in affairs of the heart; I’m not Dear Abby or some shit, but you really need to think about what you’re doing.” This was more than he’d ever heard Benny talk about relationships and feelings. It was like he was in some alternate universe where up was down and left was right.

“What? Before I fuck it up with the girl?” Jack asked just to make sure he knew what the man was talking about.

“From what I heard, you have already done that. I just need you to get back in fighting form and get back to the street. If you can keep your head more leveled without her, so be it, but you need to do what needs to be done to keep yourself sane and in top form.” Kahuna stood up and started to put his bike away. “Get out of here Stormy; your demeanor matches your name, and I’m sick of looking at you.”

Jack smiled at the words Kahuna always said when he was joking around with him, and he couldn’t believe how light he felt. Maybe he was hard on himself, but it was with good reason. Seeing people hurt wasn’t fun for him even when he was the person who had to do it, but it would never be okay for Natalie to be hurt. She had gone through enough of that with him, but how would she feel without him?

He jumped on his bike more ready than ever just to see her and maybe work something out. The ride over there was interesting. Jack couldn’t wait to see Natalie getting back to doing what she loved to do. Just the thought of it was warming something inside him. Jack was a man who didn’t think love would have ever knocked on his door, and it didn’t; it pounded, and everything within him wanted to give it a chance. They started well, but there was a big ding in the middle… maybe it would make them stronger, but maybe not. Who could tell?

He slowed down just trying to take in the whole area when he saw something that made his blood run cold… it was Smith, the now president of The Reapers, standing on the corner across from Natalie’s Flower Shop. The man wasn’t as dumb as he thought because he took off running when he knew he’d been spotted. Maybe it really wasn’t him, and he was just paranoid, but he’d check around just in case.

This thing with the Reapers wasn’t over, and he couldn’t be with Natalie freely until it was, but that would probably be never. He’d come over to see what they could have, but he quickly was slapped back to reality. A street thug like him didn’t deserve a woman like Natalie; that woman deserved a chance at a normal life.

He slowed his bike down when he approached her shop, and she was standing by the window looking like his best wet dream. When their eyes caught, he didn’t know what she saw in his eyes, but he saw way too much in hers. It was time for a clean break and as soon as he made sure her protection was clean and tight, he’d leave it in their able hands. He watched her run her fingers through her hair as if fixing herself up for him, and if he were closer he’d be able to see the sparkle in her blue eyes just like he knew he’d have seen that sparkle fade when she realized he was going to walk away from this…from them… for good.

*****

Natalie stood in the window long after she’d been dismissed by Jack as he looked her up and down and then roared off on his bike. She was thankful for the steady stream of flower buyers this morning, but nothing could keep her mind off of Jack.

Ruthless had driven her to work just like he said he would, but when she opened up her shop she felt a fear she’d never thought she’d have in her own shop. It was logical because this was the same shop she’d been attacked and kidnapped from. Just as she was getting ready to give herself a big pep talk, a knock on the door had startled her. She wasn’t open yet and was trying to get herself together, but she walked over and lifted up the blinds to find Loud Mouth at the door.

“I heard you needed an assistant,” said the soft-spoken, giant man.

“I don’t think I ever said that, but maybe I could use a bit of help. Your name is Billy, right?”

“Yup,” he said with a broad smile on his face. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he really wanted to work with flowers.

“This is going to be a little different from what you normally do.” Living the life of a biker must be more interesting than selling flowers, but she wasn’t going to scoff at her help.

“How do you know what I normally do?” Billy looked at her until she squirmed.

“You’re right, Billy. That was very judgmental of me. I just think of you guys having so much more exciting things going on, and it’s not very exciting here.”

“You’ve had more than your share of excitement and so have I. Watching the flowers grow or be arranged or whatever the hell you do here would be fine with me.”

That is how they started the morning, and Loud Mouth Billy had been pleasantly keeping her occupied along with the customers ever since, but now that she was just staring out the window, she wondered how she was going to get through the rest of the night… or the rest of her life. It felt like there was a hole in her life. A large Jack sized hole that no one could fill but him.

When the door opened again, she saw a face she’d recognize anywhere. It was the man from the kidnapping… the one who filmed his molestation of her and the one who’d shamed her by making her body respond to him. What was he doing here? What did he want?

It was like the whole thing was in slow motion, but Billy was right behind her. “Natalie, are you alright?”

She could barely get a word out before Billy had her seated, but that didn’t stop her head from spinning.

“What the hell do you want?” Billy was approaching the man in a manner that didn’t look like the man would be able to say what he wanted.

“I need to talk to Natalie.” The man seemed a bit frantic with his plea, and Natalie didn’t know what to do. Normally if someone would have come to her wanting to say something, she wouldn’t have hesitated, but this man knew what her sex tasted like and the feel of her nipples in his mouth. This wasn’t a normal circumstance in the least.

In all the years she’d been in this store, she’d never seen any violence, but within a few days all that had changed. These walls had seen an abduction, her fighting back, and her getting knocked out. It looked like these walls were about to see a little more.

“What do you need to talk to her about?”

The voice forced her to clear her mind because she could have sworn it was Jack’s voice she heard. She jumped up from the chair afraid that the adrenaline rush she had from both of these men appearing suddenly would knock her out if she didn’t try to control it.

The man who’d been trying to talk to her turned to look at the man at the door who appeared to be radiating with rage.

“It’s between us,” said the brave, dumb man to Jack. He must like pain and would appreciate a bit doled out his way.

Jack stood there looking like he would happily chew this man up and spit out his bones, but for whatever reason he wasn’t backing down. Maybe if she remembered, she could tell them to write that on his grave.

“Whatever you need to talk about with her, you can do it with me.” Jack walked closer to the man making him back down a little. They stared at each other for what seemed like forever before Jack nodded to the back of the shop. The man turned and walked in the direction Jack had nodded, but looked to Natalie with beseeching eyes.

When Jack passed her, he pushed the man a bit to get him to stop looking at Natalie and to move faster to the back of the store.

“You’re welcome to come with us to find out what he wants to say or you can let me tell you later. It’s your choice.” Jack told her.

“Then I choose you.” Natalie didn’t like the look on his face when she made her statement, but she meant what she’d said.