Page 18 of Wrath

Back then I never really liked her, but I came to learn that she wasn’t all bad.

I panicked when I first saw Stacey a few years ago. It was a reminder of how close I was to my past. I’m not stupid, I always knew it was risky coming back to L.A. and being so close to the club, but Laura’s family had no association with bikers or organized crime. I felt safe behind their mansion walls and bythe time Mark got me working on sets, I’d let that confidence grow enough to make my move here permanent.

I had a new name, a new background and I wasn’t going to let Cliff Adams, and his club, ruin my chances to pursue my dream.

I noticed the change in Stacey when I took the time to speak to her, the kind that someone can only learn out of heartbreak and trauma. We had that in common along with something else.

We both got out of this town and made a new start on the same night, we were both shown kindness from Jimmer Carson, and we both came back to L.A. different women than the ones who left.

“It’s gonna be tough, but Wrath’s the one who's gonna be puttin’ the work in,” Raze assures Peyton before kissing her.

“Come on, the pool table’s free, let's get there before Trinity and her snakes start using it to spread their legs.” Peyton drags herself away from my brother then, taking my hand, leads us over.

“I’ll play the winner.” Alicia bounces over to join us, and now that I know what happened, I realize that the sparkle in her smile doesn’t spread all the way to her eyes.

“So, what's Aaron gonna be busy with?” I give up on trying to pretend I don't care and get straight to it.

“Are you joking?” Alicia bursts out laughing as she passes me a cue from the rack on the wall. “He’s entering some illegal fighting tournament. Apparently, André’s been trying to fix it up for years, and if Wrath doesn't work his ass off, he’s gonna be in some real deep shit. Saul says André’s been calling up the best of the best to participate.”

“Aaron’s gonna fight again?” I look between her and Peyton in shock. I know how much he used to love learning from Raze when he was younger but to put himself in a tournament with these people sounds dangerous. I don’t like the idea of him being in danger.

“Girl, how else is he gonna buy your business off your ex?” Alicia giggles and the side glance Peyton gives her instantly makes her turn red. “Were we not telling her that?” She bites her lip awkwardly.

“Peyton?” I turn my head and wait for an explanation.

“Raze didn’t want you to worry, and as much as I hate secrets, I was thinking things were tense enough between the two of you.” She looks back at me guiltily.

“Aaron is entering an illegal fighting tournament to get the money to buy my business?” I check that I’m understanding this right.

“Yes.” Alicia leans between us to confirm.

“I won’t let that happen.” I pass Alicia the cue back and head out the door and when Peyton chases after me it doesn’t take Raze long to follow.

“Eden, wait, where ya goin’?” He comes from behind me, grabbing me around the waist before I can make it to the gate.

“I’m going to talk some sense into your stupid friend, which is something you should have done.” I somehow manage to grapple my way out of his grip.

“Eden, I agree, it is stupid, but he’s doing this for you. He wants to make up for what happ?—”

“Stop.” I lift up a finger to silence him. “I don’t want to talk about that…EVER. Aaron can’t enter that tournament. I won’t let him,” I feel myself starting to shake.

“I’m sorry but this is the one thing me and him actually agree on when it comes to you. I’m gonna train him, I’m gonna ensure he’s ready and I’m tellin’ ya, Eden, hewillwin. He’ll win because what he’s fightin’ for really fuckin’ matters to him.” My brother’s eyes turn soft, but only for a second.

“No.” I shake my head and march toward Alicia's car, praying the keys are in the ignition so I don’t have to use the skills Aaron taught me for a second time in as many days.

“Eden, I forbid you to leave this club.” Raze comes after me, but I get in the car and lock the doors to keep him out. Much to my relief the keys are hanging from the ignition on a fluffy, pink pom-pom, so I start the engine.

“Rocco, close the gate,” he calls over to his prospect and I mouth him a sorry before I press my foot on the gas and speed out of them before he gets the chance.

I know exactly how to get to the houseboat where Aaron lives. The two of us used to spend a lot of time here while he was fixing it up. I always imagined us living here together back then. I liked the idea of waking up every morning to the smell of the ocean and drinking coffee out on the deck with him before work.

I learned very quickly that plans can change, and life can be cruel.

I park Alicia’s car up beside his bike and rush toward his door. There’s loud music coming from the back, but I try knocking anyway, and after a few minutes of waiting I follow the music and storm down to the wharf.

My feet come to a halt when I find him using the pull-up bar, that hangs from his porch roof. He hasn’t got a shirt on; and since he’s got his back to me, I allow myself to appreciate every tense muscle he uses to raise himself up.

Aaron always used to work often, he had an incredible body, and I see now that the years have only made it bigger and stronger.

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