Page 16 of Patching Over

I can’t stop what I do next; I move toward her, scoop her into my arms then sit back down with her wrapped around me like a spider monkey as she quietly sobs. “I’m so sorry, honey. I remember one of the club kids who was a girl got hers and her mom, an ol’ lady who moved away years ago, made a big deal out of her now being a woman. She took her shopping to get the stuff she needed to use, sat her down, and explained she should take care of herself, then made sure us boys knew how to help because as she said,someday, we’d have a woman in our life, and we needed to know how to deal with the cramps and what-not.”

Banter’s Betty was something else. When Tyah came into the common room all those years ago, crying and in excruciating pain, Betty immediately knew what was happening. She got her squared away with a heating pad, a couple of pain relievers, then after Tyah was taken care of, she sat me, Banshee, Kicks, and Brew, who were all a year or so older than Tyah was, down and explained those particular facts of life to us. Instead of making it a huge taboo thing, she told us we might grow up to be outlaw bikers, but we needed to know how to treat a woman with care if we ever wanted ourselves an ol’ lady. Of course, we were too young to think of a permanent relationship with a woman with anything other than revulsion, however, the lesson stuck. I make a mental note to add those hygienic products to my order for Rayleigh since at some point, her cycle will come.

“And as far as schooling, they pulled you out before you graduated because someone noticed signs of abuse and reported them?” I inquire, wanting to reconfirm what she previously told me.

“Yeah. A social worker called them and set up a time to come out to the house to talk to them and check on our living conditions. On the day she came, our house was spotless, my room looked like a little girl’s room should look, and they both regaled her with stories of my ‘perpetual clumsiness’ as my mother called it. Of course, I was threatened not to say a word against them before she ever showed up or I’d find myself in an even bigger world of hurt than normal, so when she took me aside to talk to me, I confirmed my parents’ story by telling her I was extremely accident prone. She followed up twice more after that then advised us that she was closing the file and marking it as a false claim. The day after that happened, all the pretty things in my room were burned in the back yard and I went back to sleeping on a broken-down mattress. Shortly after the case was officially closed, I was withdrawn from school.”

“That’s illegal, you can’t just not go to school.”

“They told the school they were going to homeschool me.”

“I’m betting they didn’t,” I bite out.

“No, but I knew how to read by then, so any time they brought anything into the house that had writing on it, I’d read it as soon as I was alone. My math skills aren’t all that great, but hopefully, I can somehow get more education.”

“I’m going to have Hawg set up a computer for you so you can take whatever online classes you need to get your GED.”

“Who’s Hawg?” she asks.

“He’s the club’s IT tech.” When I see she still looks confused, I elaborate, explaining, “He’s our computer genius. He’ll teach you the basics so you can maneuver around online.”

Wonderment fills her eyes and I silently make a solemn vow that she will get to experience everything her heart desires as long as it’s within my power to give it to her. The alarm on my phone beeps, letting me know I need to head down for Church. Reluctantly, I stand with her still in my arms. I like how she feels there and hope she quickly realizes what she wants. Willing my dick to soften, I gently set her back on the couch. “I’ve got to head to Church, Sprite. Do you need anything before I go?”

“I don’t think so. Is it okay if I watch television?”

“You can do whatever you want, Rayleigh. Watch tv, read, sleep, wander around the clubhouse. Just don’t go outside.”

“I’m not ready to face anyone else, Brick.”

“No rush, babe. None at all.” I barely resist the urge to kiss her before heading out the door.

Time to plan for a few demises.

“Shut the fuck up, we got shit to discuss!” I bellow before slamming the gavel on the table. Once everyone settles down and stops talking, I wave the papers I brought with me then pass them to Banshee. “While we hash out a plan, I want everyone to look at the pictures and information Hawg found while digging for information about Rayleigh’s parents. I understand Enoch is currently in the cellar waiting for us, correct?”

Phantom nods before admitting, “We may have roughed him up a little based on what the Ankeny brothers said regarding how y’all found her, but he’s still alive.”

“Good. He needs to feel some of her anguish before we end his pitiful life. Anyone going to miss the fucker? Parents, spouse, siblings?” I ask.

“Looks like he has no family, only business associates. Considering he’s into shit which involves hurting and abusing women, I suspect if he just up and moves away, he won’t be missed by anyone at all,” Phantom suggests. “We can always go back to his place and make it look like he up and left if you think it would help throw off any inquiries.”

“Go ahead and do it,” Banshee directs. “We can let the fucker stew in his own piss and shit for a few days, because even if she didn’t suffer in that way, shewasmalnourished, according to Voodoo.”

“She was, brothers. While I won’t share all she told me, just know that her wounds and injuries weren’t all from Enoch. Some came from her parents as well, so I think they should endure a week or so of our hospitality, don’t you?” I inquire.

“Fucking hell, you’re saying that itty bitty tiny thing was hurt by her parents too?” Rooster shouts, his hands balled into fists.

“Yeah, Brother. Gonna say this, then let’s go pay Enoch a visit. As much shit as we’ve done over the years, I’ve never been as horrified as I was this morning when she shared with me a good portion of the hell she’s survived. Right now, she’s brokenand fragile, but I believe once she has fully healed then been allowed to find out who she truly is, she’s going to rise from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix, Brothers. And yes, if she decides it’s what she wants as well once all of that shit has happened, I’m making her my ol’ lady,” I submit.

“Do I get to meet her before you do that?” Banshee asks, smirking at me.

“Considering she’s still healing and shit, I honestly don’t know for sure, Ban. I’ve told her she’s welcome to move around the clubhouse, but she says she’s not comfortable doing so right now. Kinda makes me think she’d be upset if y’all were traipsing through my room since she feels safe there.”

“No worries, Pres. I’m sure it’s really because you’re afraid she’ll take one look at me and toss your ass aside,” he replies, causing the room to explode in laughter.

“Fucker. Okay, if there’s nothing else, we’re going down to let Enoch know how shit’s gonna be for him until he draws his last breath. As for her parents, got an idea there as well, just waiting on the brothers who requested to be part of their demise to arrive then we’ll have Church so we can discuss their punishment further.”

When no one else indicates we’ve got more to go over, I slam the gavel down and we head to our interrogation area.

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