Shain

Today was my first day back since my cousin and Daredevil paid Laz a late-night visit. There was a part of my brain that disliked they'd done it. The opposite half was secretly thrilled they had, particularly Daredevil. I took it as proof he did care for me. Maybe it was his caring that had me anxious to take our physical side further. Yesterday, after I got up and he got off work, we spent most of the evening at the compound. Part of it was spent in his room just talking and watching television. We had an intense kissing session but that was as far as it went. I didn't think either of us felt right doing more where anyone could hear us. My first time with him wouldn't be in the clubhouse like a bunny, which was why I invited him to my place after work tomorrow evening after I finished my shift. The next thirty-six or so hours couldn't pass fast enough for me.

It was our longing to spend time together which partially had him bringing me to work this morning I think. He insisted last night he would do it, even after I said it wasn't necessary. I was thrilled when he picked me up on his bike. I didn't usually ride mine to work since I was dead tired after a shift and it scared me to be on my bike when I was. It was bad enough to be in my car. I raced to grab my helmet and leather jacket. I already had on boots and jeans, so my legs were protected. I always changed into my uniform at the station.

As we pulled into the parking lot of the station house, we timed it perfectly to be arriving when most of the others were. Suffice it to say, we earned a lot of stares. Not to be put off by something as insignificant as an audience, when I swung off his bike, Daredevil pulled me to him and gave me one of his long, mind-altering kisses.

I couldn't help but smile when he let go. He smiled at me with what I called his panty-dropping expression. "I'll see you in the morning. Stay safe."

"See you in the morning, and have a good day. Stay out of trouble."

"I'll try to stay out of trouble. Better warn trouble to stay away from me," he teased.

I gave him a peck on the lips then walked off to his laughter. He stayed there watching me until I entered the building then I heard his bike roar off. As soon as he was gone, I got mobbed. It wasn't just my shift. It included those from the off going shift who'd seen us and I suspect heard what happened the last day I worked.

"Is that the man?"

"Damn, he looks scary."

"Love the bike."

"God, he's sexy, Shain."

This last one came from one of the other women, Nora. Unlike Etta, who I saw standing there smiling, Nora irritated me. She made it her mission to sleep with as many firemen, cops, and paramedics as she could. Her bed had a revolving door on it and the guys were more than willing to hook up with her. I knew it was because she was easy and they weren't looking for a relationship. The few who were seeking something more steered clear of her.

"He is, and he's all mine," I told her as I walked over to greet Etta.

We hugged each other hard. We never got time together since we were on opposite shifts, which sucked. "Girl, you sure know how to make an entrance and to stir shit up. All I heard about the whole shift was the talk about you having a man and him coming here the other morning and telling Laz to keep his trap shut. I wish I'd seen it. I was inside and busy. I have to say, he's sexy. You're a lucky woman. Where did you find him?"

She walked into the meeting room with me as she talked. We usually got a report before the shift started. We took a seat. We had a few minutes until it started. "He did and he is. His name is Daredevil. He's part of the Ares Infidels MC in Texas."

"The club you went to visit with your cousin. What's Moose and the gang saying to all this?" She knew how protective the whole club was with me.

"They had some man-to-man talk and whatever was said, he's been rather cool about it. Oh, and they had a fight in the ring too. Daredevil took time off to come up here so we can get to know each other."

"Wow, sounds serious. Have you two, you know?" she wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"We haven't gone all the way, no."

"But you have done something. Tell me, is he hung? How big is it?"

We were friends, but I wasn't telling her how big my man's cock was. I did give her a little though. "It's more than average and there's nothing to complain about."

She moaned loudly causing the men in the room to gawk at us. She sounded like she was having an orgasm. I elbowed her. "Shh, you'll turn on the natives," I teased her. The nut only moaned louder.

"Etta, if you're done having your orgasm, do you mind clearing out so we can get report?" Ricardo asked with a calm expression on his face.

Without an ounce of shame, she stood up, said, "Talk later," out of the side of her mouth to me then she answered him, "Aye, aye, Captain." The nut case saluted him before sashaying out. Most of the guys laughed. Even Ricardo's lips twitched. The only one not smiling or laughing was a sour-looking Laz, who was staring at me with a hard look. I gave one back.

He didn't turn away until Ricardo called all of us to attention. He verified everyone was present who was scheduled. After this, he got into the actual report. He covered the incidents which occurred on the last shift: fires, accidents, and medical emergencies. They had been busy. All equipment used we were given a rundown of and he informed us what needed to be repaired or replaced. The cleaning and maintenance tasks were reviewed and who was assigned to what. There were groans at a few of the tasks. I didn't mind any of them unless we were crazy busy, then it was a pain to get your tasks done and you usually had to stay over to do them.

The drill we were all to do today was the focus and control one. It was stressful only due to the fact it was done when you were gasping. It was a challenge to test our fine motor skills and concentration after a hard cardio workout. The reasoning was sound. Most of our jobs required us to get a cardio workout, and no matter how exhausted or winded we were, we needed to be able to concentrate and perform our duties, particularly the fine motor ones. He finished up by reminding us for the fire chief, we'd be having the annual fundraiser for the fire department the following Saturday.

It was one I was anticipating. It was a new one called Firehouse Fitness Bootcamp. We were holding the bootcamp which would be led by firefighters. People wanting to test their strength and endurance would pay a registration fee to enter. The ultimate winners won a trophy and bragging rights while the firehouse used the excess funds to either buy things the station needed or put the cash toward a charity we backed.

The whole community was invited. We had it set up in groups so even kids and those with less-than-ideal physical fitness levels could get involved. Not only did it raise funds but it promoted health and fitness in the community and occasionally, if we were lucky, it inspired someone to become a firefighter. The exercises consisted of those involving climbing, lifting, performing cardio drills and carrying equipment. For those who thought they were in top shape, we would have them wear our full gear then have them do them.

The ladies of the local VFW post were preparing food for it and the food would be sold at a moderate price to raise more money. There seemed to be a lot of buzz about it around town, which I prayed meant we'd have a lot of people come even if they didn't compete. The sign-up for it was great so far. I knew the Regulators had all signed up to compete. I'd have to ask Daredevil if he'd want to do it.

After we were dismissed, I got up and wandered into the kitchen. I had a cup of coffee before I came in, but I needed more. I barely had it in my hand and sat down, before the chair beside me was jerked out and a body dropped into it. I glanced over and wanted to howl in rage. There was Laz glaring at me. I stamped down on my natural instinct to tell him to get lost and instead I gave him my most innocent expression and asked politely, "Hey Laz, can I help you?" I caught sight of Jamie and Mike standing behind him. They were close enough to hear. They were concerned, I could tell.

"Don't use your sweet and innocent voice as if you have no idea why I'm here," he snapped. He wasn't trying to keep his voice down either. I hung onto my temper.

"You can think whatever you want, Laz, but will you get to the point of you being in my personal space?"

"My house was broken into the other night, and I was warned away from you. Tell your cousin and fuck buddy I don't appreciate it, and I'll nail their asses to the wall if they don't stay away from me."

"I'm sorry to hear someone broke into your house, but I have no idea why you think it has anything to do with me or why you believe it was Moose and Daredevil, who, by the way, is my boyfriend, not a fuck buddy. Did they say my name? I assume if you haven't sent cops to talk to them, I'd know if you did. Whoever did it covered their faces, if it happened at all."

"It happened! They didn't need to say your fucking name. And covered or not, I know it was them. I'm warning you, they don't want to mess with me and neither do you."

My smile dropped and I leaned closer to him. "And I'm warning you. Don't make threats against me or my family. I can promise you, if you run your mouth about me or them and make false accusations, I'll be the one to address them myself. You act like you're an injured party which you're not. We were friends not lovers. I didn't throw you aside for another man or cheat on you. If you wanted to be more than friends, you should've said something, but FYI, even if you had, the answer would have still been no thanks. I've never seen you as anything but a friend, which you no longer can claim to be."

I stood as I finished telling him off. He grabbed my wrist. As I broke his hold, Mike and Jamie came up to stand looming over him. "Keep your damn hands to yourself, Laz. We won't stand by and have you manhandling her or making threats. Grow the fuck up," Mike growled.

"Yeah, stop acting like a punk. If you don't, you deserve whatever her cousin, her man, or the MC gives you," Jamie informed him.

Laz came bounding to his feet. His face was red. "Fuck you. Her so-called man and cousin broke into my motherfucking house and threatened me!"

"Do you have proof? If so, call the cops," Jamie said with a nonchalant shrug.

"I can't prove it but it was them. Why're you taking her side?"

"Because her side is the right one," Mike said.

"What's going on here?" came Ricardo's voice from the doorway.

"Nothing. Just talking. I'm gonna go get started on my cleaning and maintenance before we get a call or have to do our drill. Later guys," I told them, directing it to Mike and Jamie. Ricardo appeared unconvinced but he didn't refute my claim. He let me leave.

I foresaw an uncomfortable shift if Laz didn't leave it alone. The reason was because of my inability to handle what he said. It was him pushing at my limit to hold myself back. I wanted to remain a professional but if push came to shove, I'd let him have it with both barrels. If he pushed me to do it, I would really have to hurt him.

In the end, he must've decided to keep his mouth shut. Oh, I still was on the receiving end of his sneers, glowering countenance and being ignored unless we had to do something work-wise together. Whenever possible, Ricardo didn't pair us thankfully. Overall the shift wasn't too crazy busy. I even got some much-needed sleep. In between calls and tasks, I exchanged texts with Daredevil. He asked me a couple of times how Laz was and I told him we'd talk when I got off. I knew if I held back, he'd find out anyway. Besides, he and Moose made me swear I'd tell them anything and everything he said or did.

It was a relief to walk out the door the next morning. I smiled when I saw Daredevil sitting on his bike waiting for me. I rushed over to him. He met me half way, grabbed me, and hugged me tightly against him as he kissed me. When he was done he said, "I'm glad to see you, Mon Rêve. Ready to go home and get some sleep?"

"I'm glad to see you too and yes, sleep sounds good. Will you stay with me?"

"Wild horses couldn't tear me away. Ready?"

I nodded. I knew it was too much to wish for, but I'd hoped. We made it to the bike when Laz's irritating voice called out. Well, really it yelled out. I felt Daredevil stiffen.

"I'm only gonna warn you once, Daredevil, if you ever break into my house or threaten me again, you'll regret it!" Laz shouted from behind us.

Daredevil slowly turned, taking me with him. We'd talked ahead of time about how to handle any accusations about their visit to him. I'd done it, now it was his turn.

"Laz, I don't know who you think you are to yell at me and throw out wild allegations but I suggest you back off and think before you speak to me. When did I supposedly break into your house and threaten you?"

"You know when! I know it was you and Moose. I won't be intimidated by you or anyone else. I know what kind of man you are. Soon everyone will."

"If I'm the sort of man you're implying, you'd be stupid to make threats to me, wouldn't you? With behavior like yours, there's no telling how many people you've pissed off and who's the one who broke into your house, if it even happened at all. I'm not convinced it did. I bet you're saying it to be dramatic. You need to get a life and leave me and Shain to live ours together."

While he said it calmly, there was an undertone of derision to it and it set Laz off. He came charging across the parking lot at us. Daredevil moved in front of me. I loved that he wanted to protect me, but I could protect myself. I peeked around him to see what was happening. I knew he'd be too smart to throw the first punch and I was right. He let Laz do it, although he easily moved his head out of the way at the same time as he threw a counter punch of his own. This one wasn't avoided. It landed square on Laz's mouth and nose. He howled in pain.

The punch made him go wild. He became like a wild animal throwing punch after punch at Daredevil. My man ducked blow after blow and landed more. In no time Laz was bleeding from his nose, lip, and a cut to his cheek. See, not only did Daredevil hit hard, but he also wore knuckle dusters, large metal rings with skulls and other designs on them. Brass knuckles were a no-no in most places but rings weren't.

Daredevil kept moving so the fighting was away from me. After a couple of intense minutes, he subdued Laz in a hold he couldn't break. It was one I recognized. I'd been taught it and others over the years. The entire time Laz fought back, Daredevil kept up a steady stream of words which to anyone else sounded like he was trying to calm Laz down and make him stop fighting. I spotted Ricardo running out the door. He rushed over to them.

"Let me go, you cocksucker!" Laz screamed at Daredevil.

"I will once you stop hitting me," my man informed him.

"Fuck you!"

"Laz, that's enough. Daredevil, please let go of him," Ricardo requested.

"I will but he'd better not hit me. He started it. Ask anyone. He attacked me. I merely defended myself." As he told Ricardo this, he let go and moved away. Laz swayed drunkenly as he straightened. He took a step toward Daredevil. Ricardo got between them.

"I said enough! This is your workplace. We have strict policies about fighting. You already had words with Shain, now this. You're pushing for me to suspend you."

"What did he say to Shain?" Daredevil asked. Shit, I didn't want him to find out the details until we were away from Laz.

I took his arm. "Honey, it's not important. We'll talk about it later. Let's go home."

"Something tells me we'll have to wait to do that, babe," he said with a smirk.

I became aware of the sound of police sirens. Goddamn it! Two squad cars came whipping into the lot. When they stopped, two officers I knew well got out. One of them was a close buddy of Laz's, Mick. I had no idea if Lorie Ann was a particular friend or not.

Mick came swaggering over. When he saw Laz's face his eyes narrowed and he swung to face Daredevil. His cuffs came out. "You're under arrest for assault." As he came forward, I moved to face him.

"Slow your roll, Mick. Daredevil only defended himself, he didn't start it. Laz did."

"Out of the way, Shain. I have a job to do."

"You do, and it's to arrest the one responsible, which is Laz."

"I'd expect you to side with your…boyfriend." The way he said it told me Laz had been running his mouth.

"He is my boyfriend, but I'm not lying."

"Mick, she's telling the truth. We all witnessed it. Laz came out and started yelling. When Daredevil responded to him, nice and calm I must add, Laz lost it and swung first. He kept doing it and so Daredevil defended himself. He didn't stop until he was placed in a submission hold. When he let him go, Laz would've started in on him again, but Ricardo stopped him," Jamie told him. The others were all nodding and murmuring their agreement.

I could tell by the expression on his face, Mick was beyond furious he wasn't gonna be able to arrest Daredevil. If he did, it would end in him not being able to press charges. The timing of it all made me wonder. Had Laz and Mick set this up ahead of time? The station was on the other side of town. It would've taken longer to get here than five to ten minutes. I sidled over to Lorie Ann.

"Lorie Ann, how did you know there was a fight here? Did it get called in?"

"No, I didn't hear it over the radio. Mick passed my car then called me and said he'd heard from someone there was a fight happening here and he was checking it out. I was on patrol not far away and this is my area so I followed him."

"Doesn't he usually patrol the other end of town? Is he covering for someone today?"

She wasn't dumb. She shook her head. "No, he's supposed to be on his end. I have no clue why he was over here, or who told him about the fight."

Mick wasn't giving up. He was walking from person to person asking them what happened. Everyone told him the same thing Jamie did. His displeasure grew each time. It stuck in his craw as he had to utter. "Laz, I'm sorry, I have no choice. I need to take you in. Mister… what is your name?"

"Daredevil is fine."

"Daredevil, you'll have to come to the station and file a report."

"No, I don't. I have no intention of pressing charges, officer. All I want is for him to leave me and my woman alone. No more verbal or physical assaults on us. He was making wild accusations, saying me and her cousin broke into his house and threatened him. If you ask me, he's either confused, delusional or hallucinating. Maybe he should be drug tested then sent for psychiatric evaluation. He might be a danger to himself or others."

I swear the way he lied and kept such a sincere look on his face was awe-inspiring. It made me wonder if I'd ever be able to tell if he was lying to me or not. I fought not to give it away. The laughs and snickers of those surrounding us made Laz's face grow darker. He was clenching his hands at his sides and breathing so hard his nostrils were flaring out.

Somehow he kept it under wraps. After a few more questions, Mick had to give up. "No more fighting. And Daredevil, I suggest you stay away from Laz. We'd hate for there to be a misunderstanding and you get hurt." The implied threat was blatant to me.

Daredevil gave him a cool smile. "I wouldn't worry about it. I can more than take care of myself and mine. Have a good day, officers."

A couple of minutes later and they were both gone. Ricardo was reprimanding Laz. "Next time you do something like this, not only will you be suspended, but I'll have you arrested. Go home."

Laz refused to answer. All he did was limp to his car. When he got in it, he shot hate-filled looks back at us as he drove off.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten into him. Shain, do you want to fill out an official complaint against him? You could for what he said earlier," Ricardo offered.

"No, Captain, I'm fine. Hopefully, he'll learn from this and stop. Thank you. If you don't mind, I'm tired and would like to go home and get some sleep."

"It's fine with me. If you change your mind, let me know. Daredevil, sorry you had to defend yourself. Take care."

Daredevil and he exchanged a few more words before Ricardo went to his car and we got on the bike. I knew at some point today I'd have to tell my man what Laz said. Figure the odds he'd be fine with us not telling Moose or the club? Zero. I only hoped he'd retain his cool when I did.