Page 31 of Property of Mercy
“Oh, well, you know how it is.You don’t fuck with the Kings and live to talk about it,” Raider plays it off as if it’s nothing.
He pulls Giaco into a man-hug, talking quietly in his ear.When they pull apart, Giaco doesn’t look surprised at whatever Raider said.
“It appears a meeting with the Don is in order,” Giaco states, then turns to yell something in Italian to his men.
“You let me know when you’re ready,” Raider calls to him.“Let’s load up and roll out.”
Giaco gives a wave as we leave before turning and pulling his phone out of his pocket, no doubt calling his boss to let him know something isn’t right within the club.The last five hours to the South Dakota chapter’s clubhouse seem to take years off my life.We roll in, greeted by what looks to be the start of a party.
Bull meets us in the parking lot.“Welcome brothers.Head out to the back, grab a beer, and get settled.Raider, let’s talk.”
Bull pulls Raider into the clubhouse and the rest of us make our way around back and join the rest of our brothers.Looking around, I find Blitz and Terro talking to other brothers.Being the ass I’m known for, I just give a head nod to them before addressing Terro and Blitz.
“You boys good?”I ask.
“Yeah, mine was a through and through of the thigh.Going to make riding home a right bitch,” Blitz groans, taking a long drink of his beer.
“Mine was a graze across the cheek.Bleeds like a bitch, but nothing that won’t heal.How did the drop go?”Terro, ever our Sergeant-at-Arms, finishes.
“Things are just as we thought and the Italians aren’t liking it,” I state, being sure to keep it vague while in their clubhouse.We do not want to bring them into our shit unless we need to.
“For tonight, let’s just take a break.”Blitz’s lazy smile is in direct contrast to the tightly wound man we’ve been dealing with the last few months.“We can worry about the shit at home when we get back.”
Smirking at him, I nod before turning to get myself a beer and something to eat.A collective gasp comes from behind me, and I turn, eyeing the men.
“Shit, Remedy was right.Youcanlook like something other than an angry bear.”Terro chuckles.
Flipping them the bird, I walk away before I punch someone just because I can.After grabbing my beer, I make my way back over to my brothers and punch Terro in the thigh as I walk by, being sure to put some force behind the hit.
“Fuck you, motherfucker,” he growls.
Smirking at him, I flop down into the chair.“Who smiling now, asshole?”
Terro grins and shakes his head.After that, the party ramps up and we have a fantastic couple of days with our brothers in South Dakota before making the grueling haul home.I’ve kept in constant contact with Twitch, and he says that everything has been fine until last night when my little lamb suddenly closed in on herself and refused to come out of her room.I don’t know what happened, but the monster inside of me is pushing us to get back and fix whatever it is.
18
AINSLEY
For the first two days that Mercy and the brothers were gone, I didn’t do anything but lay in bed and read.I would eat whatever Twitch brought me.Charlie tried to hangout and talk on those days but I just couldn’t bring myself to want to interact with anyone.On day three, both Charlie and Twitch came in and pulled me out of bed.They guided me down the hall and into the kitchen where they sat me at the table with Pope and Hermes, who are both actively shoving breakfast into their mouths.
Twitch slides a plate piled high with food in front of me.“Eat.”
“I could have eaten in the room you know?”I snap and cross my arms over my chest.
“Yes.The thing is, Mercy left us in charge of your well-being.You rotting in that bed isn’t good for your well-being.So, eat.Then we’re going to go outside and sit by the pool,” Charlie argues.
I let out a sigh and glare at her.“Look, when they get back, I’ll tell Mercy you did everything right and took care of me.You do not have to act as if you’re my friend or you care, okay?I know you are the one they chose you to bemy friendto get the answers they need.”
Charlie jumps to her feet and leans over the table.“Listen to me and listen to me good.No one, and I mean absolutely no-fucking-body, will make me do a motherfucking thing.I might not throw a fit and act like a complete bitch, but I refuse to do anything I do not absolutely want to do.I want to be your friend and get to know you.”
I know my eyes are nearly falling out of my head at her words.This woman has a fire deep inside of her and it’s one that is hard earned and deserved.All I do is nod my head and pick up my fork, taking a large bite of the eggs on my plate.
“Good!Now, when you're done, you get exactly ten minutes to shower and get ready to go outside for some sun.”Charlie nods, taking her seat and dives into her own food.
When we’re all done, Pope stands and takes his plate, grabbing mine too.“Charlie, I’ll clean up.You get ready to enjoy your day.There aren’t many of us here, so you won’t be needed at the bar tonight.”
“Awe, Pope, always the good brother.Thank you.”She smiles wide, kissing him on the check before heading for the door.She stops just shy of leaving and turns, pointing at me.“Ten minutes.”
