Page 93 of Turbo

Rolling on his back he stared up at the blue sky and was glad Sydney had gone over to Maggie’s and wasn’t seeing the brutality playing out as a lesson was doled.

“I don’t know what the fuck—”

This time the punch sent his face flying to the side and before he could stop himself he moved. Rolling the man to the side and using the muscular strength he had to overpower the man. Much like when Turbo tied his hands to teach him the importance of patience, Hack was giving a tutorial in the life of the club. One he hadn’t considered or even thought existed. Stupidity was the only constant in his life. Instead of sleeping the sleep of the innocent, the one now free to choose his future thanks to the Steels and he’d spit in their face. Crossed lines with the first woman he’d ever cared for in a way earning him an ass whooping after a sleepless night.

With each blow given and taken he was the one on the receiving end. Any damage crushing him for harming his brother over his own ignorance until he broke down and cried out to stop. Tapping at the arm crushing his throat as sips of airs lessened to the point the edges of his vision darkened. Creek knew how to read the points, submission, suffocation, and death. He was fine with the first two, at best he’d pass out if fully suffocated, but death, that he couldn’t abide. Not when his daughter would be alone in the world if he was gone. Would Turbo take her on? Part of him knew she could and the anger inside was fueled by guilt. Soul crushing guilt practically being the vice around his throat.

The first hard intake of air once release filled his lungs with flaming hot licks as they scorched a trail. His throat bruised and swelling from the near crushing of his larynx as Creek swore and made his way to the porch. A six pack of glass bottles waiting for him as he spun the top and flipped it back in the holder before passing one to Mike.

“So basically, you love her and are an asshole,” Creek said before taking a long drink.

“How am I the asshole for not wanting the woman in my life to be naked in front of other men?”

“It’s a job,” Creek said, taking another swig of beer. “You saw what CIA ops did, Rangers, and even us, we do shit that is against societal norms. When was the last time you were called out for being a killer? Wait that might not be a good example.”

“Fuck you,” Mike spat. “But I get it.”

“Do you?” Creek said. “Because Porsche ain’t patched, but she’s a member of this club. Which means she outranks you. You’re free to start a life in the area to keep Doc and Syd together, but I’d avoid the club until you’ve settled things with Porsche.”

“I’m getting kicked out?”

“Not today, but you’re on borrowed time,” Creek said. “I’m sorry, man, but she hasn’t done a thing wrong.”

“You normally beat the shit out of a man for a slip of the tongue?”

“Depends on where he slips it,” Creek countered and Mike ran his hand over his face.

“But if a man touches her in the bar, you beat their ass?”

“Yeah, we always have a handful of us there when the place is open. It may look like where getting pissed and enjoying the show,” Creek said. “But claimed or not, you touch any of our women the wrong way and if they can’t handle kicking your ass, we will.”

“How big was my fuck up?”

“Oh…” Creek said shaking his head. “Huge, massive, I mean I know people that have fucked up, but they usually aren’t as in love with the woman when they do.”

“Who said I was in love with Turbo?”

“How did you get your rank with your level of stupidity?” Hack chided. “Have you ever seen her dance?”

“She danced for me.”

“Privately? That’s not the same,” Hack said. “Especially since it’s pretty evident she has brain damage and likes your dumb ass.”

“You’ve been with her haven’t you?”

“Not like you have,” he countered. “Before Preacher Girl we shared a night or two, but it was more of a two ships passing in the middle of the night thing. And since when had that ever mattered to you?”

“It shouldn’t it was before me, but I’m not sure I’m grown enough to deal with all the men around here having fucked my woman.”

“I can tell you they haven’t since you showed up,” Creek replied. “Lots of grumbles going on and now that you’ve pissed her off if you don’t step up soon, she’s likely to be approached again.”

Jealous flames tore their way through Mike’s body at the mention of other men coming for what he still wanted to be his. Recognizing the men hadn’t been going for her out of some respect for his claim to the woman, but Creek was right, the moment people knew they weren’t a thing she’d be swarmed. Not that he blamed them, she was sexy, gorgeous and had a good heart.

“Can you keep the men away for a bit longer until I can figure things out?”

“I’m not the one keeping them away,” Creek said. “She is. Flirting, teasing, that’s a talent she possesses, but she’s the one letting them know the dancer has no intention of going home with you.”

“I’m not sure if I can share her,” he said.

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