Page 12 of Torching Vixen
“It’s nice to meet you ladies. I’ve heard Torch’s version of what happened. Care to tell me yours?” he asks, but I can tell by the tone in his voice that it’s not a question. It’s a command, or maybe demand would be a better word to use. Regardless, I’ll tell him what he wants because I have nothing to hide. I look around the room taking a closer look at everyone in the room, there is an older gentleman sitting on the couch next to Razor behind us, Duck is standing behind Steel with Torch standing close by. There are a couple of other guys standing around that I know were with us on the ride, but I never got their names.
“Where would you like me to start?”
“Start from a few days ago, and we’ll go from there. I’ll also need you to give my man, Razor here, your full legal names.” Razor shifts as he pulls his phone from his pocket.
“My name is Sandy Buchanan, and this is Logan Buchanan. We are originally from Utah.” Everyone gasps. Steel’s face is completely white.
“What? Why are you all looking at us like you’ve seen a ghost?”
Steel explodes. “Bullshit! Fire put you up to this shit? How the fuck does he even know?”
Torch and Duck reach out, grabbing him by the arm calling his name, but Steel is in some blind rage as he stares between Lo and me.
“Someone get Mom. She’s the only one that can bring him back! Fucking, get Mom,” Torch hollers.
I watch one of the guys take off at a sprint calling for Blue. A few moments later, they come rushing in the door, and she goes straight for Steel, not in the least bit scared. It reminds me of my mom and dad and how he would do the same thing sometimes after a mission. She would be the only one who could get him to come back to himself. I tilt my head and try to pull at the memory that is trying to come forward. I look at Steel and Blue together, and just like with Torch, I feel safe, even if he is upset.
Steel sits back down, pulling Blue into his lap. “I have even more questions now, but first, I need to know how you ended up with Fire and his crew. When we get to the part where Torch shows, Blue, baby, you’ll have to go.”
“Not until I know why you look like you have seen a ghost.”
“Tell her your names again.” Steel demands, glancing over at us.
I point at myself, “My name is Sandy Buchanan, and this is Logan Buchanan.”
Blue’s head turns so fast, and she stares intently like she is trying to figure it all out. Then she looks back at Steel. She gives him a stiff nod and takes a deep breath before turning back to us. Steel gives me a nod, and I start telling my story, praying with everything I’ve got that after they hear it, they will take pity on Lo and me and let us go.
10
Torch
It can’t be. There is no way. I stare at Vixen and Lo, trying to see it, but I just can’t. I place my hand on my dad’s shoulder and squeeze as much for me as for him. I listen intently to what Vixen says while trying to find holes in their story to figure out if we’ve been played.
“I don’t know how far back you want us to start,” Vixen says, looking unsure as she stares at my dad. Right now, every inch of him resembles the epitome of a motorcycle club president as he issues his demand.
“Tell us everything.” It’s not as forceful as he’s capable of, but I think that has more to do with how scared Vixen and Lo looked when he lost his shit. Plus, with my mom now in his lap, he’s much calmer, at least externally. As shaken up as I am, I’m sure he’s far worse. I tune back in when Vixen starts speaking again.
“As I said, Lo is my cousin. Our moms grew up next door together and then married our dads, who were twins. Funnily enough, Lo and I were even born on the same day. When we were six, our dads passed while on a mission.” She stops when Dad cusses under his breath and Mom gasps. I wave my hand for her to continue.
“Ummmm, when we were fourteen, our moms passed away in a car accident while we were at summer camp. After that, we were put in the foster care system. Fire found us just before our eighteenth birthdays. He was in Utah on a run for his dad, the prez of his club at the time. We met up with him and rode back. We’ve been at their clubhouse with them ever since. Well, until Torch showed up, that is,” she says quickly, so we can’t ask questions. Not that that’s going to stop my dad once he processes what she’s said.
No one says anything while I look down and watch the silent conversation between my mom and dad. Mom gives Dad a nod and then a quick kiss on the lips before getting up and leaving the room.
“So, when you got to Georgia, what happened?” Prez asks, now standing and leaning on his desk, his gaze never leaving the two girls.
“We got to Georgia, and things got crazy. To start, it was all good. I mean, at least we thought it was. Ice took a liking to Lo, and then, not long after, the beatings started. Do you really need all the details?” Vixen asks, looking uncomfortable. I feel the anger swell up inside me at what she implies, and I know that if ever given a chance, I’m going to make every man that hurt her pay.
“We need to know everything about the club,” Prez advises, his voice far gentler than I’ve ever heard it. He’s always like that at home around my mom, so it’s not strange to me, but hearing him this way in his office is a bit shocking.
“When we first arrived, things weren’t that bad. Most of the guys were sober because Fire’s dad was still the president and kept them in line. After the accident that took his life, Fire and Ice took over, and that’s when things started getting bad. Everyone started using more than they were selling. The beatings got more frequent and worse, along with other things that started happening.” I can see the shame all over her face as she turns red when she says this, and I suddenly can’t do it anymore. She has nothing to be ashamed of. They were in an untenable position from what little I’ve heard so far, as well as what I witnessed during our brief time at that fucking place.
I go over to her and squat in front of her. Placing my knuckle under her chin, I lift her face, so she’s forced to meet my eyes and say, “Don’t ever be ashamed of what happened. It was not your fault.” My voice is soft, nearly a whisper, as I wipe the single tear that falls. Pride rises within me as I watch her take a deep breath in as she gathers her strength.
“I’d started to notice things were getting really bad when Fire started to hold meetings with people that weren’t in other clubs or even associated with one. Then, you guys showed up, and here we are,” Vixen says.
“Could you tell us who Fire met with are if you saw pictures?” Steel asks. Vixen nods quickly before shifting in her seat. “Torch says that you think we have a traitor in our club. Why would you think this?” His voice is still soft, as though he’s afraid he might spook her, but there’s a hardness to it that definitely shows why he has the road name he does.
“One of the guys in your club has been to the Snake Bite’s clubhouse on more than one occasion. At first, I don’t think he was there for that reason, but he has started telling Fire about where the club is and what you’re doing for business over the last couple of years. Also, how to get through your territory without being noticed. Even where some of the guns are stashed,” Vixen whispers, looking around. Since I’m still near her, I see the slight tremble course through her. If we had the time and were alone, I’d let her know that every important room we use in this clubhouse is soundproof, Although, I’m not sure my father would appreciate me spilling that information to a virtual stranger.
