2. ‘Raven’

TWO

Paybacks are a total bitch. After all the shit I’ve given my club sisters over the last couple of years, especially when they were lucky as fuck and found their ‘one,’ when Reed opened that door and mentioned Ash, all bets are now off. There’s not a day that goes by when one or another of my club sisters ain’t digging for info on the mysterious Ash. I’m so goddamn sick and tired of it all, but shit, what can I do…nothing. I guess being the club clown didn’t help me at all, especially now.

And to top it up, Freak and I are still working on all the information that is being sent our way by Slick, or as everyone in our club but Taz calls him, the ‘fuckin’ loser.’ Even though he’s trying to make amends for what he did to Taz and Teddy, in my opinion, he’s got a hell of a lot more to do. Though he’s busting ass to put to paper and a USB stick all he can remember from his time with the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood. Every other week, we get a certified delivery with yet another memory stick for the two of us to run through and try to find anything that might help us bring down the worst human trafficking group of total assholes. The Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood.

Now since the day Avalanche found Ash and me up against my cabin, he’s been keeping an eye on me. And damn, it ain’t no hardship. I wish with all my heart I could look at him as the devilish handsome man he is and not as one of my brothers. I don’t even get a tingle or anything when he’s around. I mean, yeah, he’s always hawt and smells so good. And such a gentleman. I know my club sisters are wondering if something is going on between the two of us. Well, until that morning when Ash drove off like a maniac. Of course, Shadow was just pulling up and had just about all the prospects with her in Panther’s huge-ass truck. So, Squirt, Kitty, Dottie, Dani, and the new one, shit, what the hell is her name? Some kind of candy, I don’t personally give a fuck. She was a survivor from one of the circuits we busted up and she’s afraid of her own shadow, but Tink thought it might build her confidence. Who knows?

When Ash blew past them that put up warning lights all over. Then they took a walk to my cabin and busted right in to see Avalanche with me crying in his arms, and all hell broke loose. Between Shadow screaming that he, or as she calls him Big Bird, better let her sister go and the prospects laughing like loons thinking maybe they busted up a booty call, I got an instant headache. No matter what Avalanche or I said, no one believed us until, of course, Shadow put two and two together.

“Raven, who the fuck was in the truck leaving here like their ass was on fire? No, don’t try to lie, we saw him with our own eyes. So come on, sister, tell us who was behind the wheel looking like smoke was coming outta their ears? And, Big Bird, you got something to do with that anger? Remember, honesty is the best policy.”

She ends with a shit-eating grin, enjoying this way too much. Finally, seeing my face, Avalanche literally pushes them out, turning to tell me he’d check on me later. Now that was four days ago and every morning he’s here with coffee and a breakfast sandwich, and then again right before I settle in for the evening. He’s quickly becoming my new best friend. Or new best guy friend.

Sitting on my front porch, finally alone and able to think for a second or two, it dawns on me what Shadow said a few days ago is true. Ash was beyond pissed. Or was he jealous? Really, how could he even think he has the right to be that after what he did? Since that happened, I’ve never opened up enough to let any man in. That doesn’t mean I’ve not, ya know, had some fun here and there, but generally I’ve closed myself up. Can’t handle that pain again.

Seeing dust coming up the road, I pray to God it’s someone visiting someone else in these cabins. I’ve become like a drive-thru with visitors. But no, once again it’s for me, though this time it’s my sister, Onyx, which is a welcome surprise, I think. I sit, wait, and watch as she pulls in front and parks her kick-ass truck. She flings the door open and steps out with a bag of something. Then she reaches in and grabs a bottle too. Uh oh, what’s going on? Just as I’m about to ask, I see another vehicle on its way and I don’t have a clue. As it gets closer, I see it’s an Audi and damn fancy. Not one of my friends. We don’t have that kind of bankroll, and if we did, would spend it on something much more important than a frigging car. When the door flies open my mouth drops. I know that hair anywhere ’cause it looks just like mine. When the rest of the body flows out, my eyes bug outta my head. No way, it can’t be.

“Shut your mouth, lil’ sister, gonna catch flies. And it hasn’t been that long, has it?”

Onyx giggles then throws her arm around our sister, Bray. As they walk up to my tiny porch, they both look like models and, even more shocking, like best of friends. When did this shit happen? I didn’t even think anyone in our family spoke to Bray. Not since her last get-rich scheme. I’m lost for words. Onyx comes right to me, putting her handful of shit down on the table, then pulls me up into one of her tight hugs. Damn, this feels like home. Being the youngest girl, if Mom wasn’t around, my two older sisters would always know when my head was up my ass and I’d end up in one or the other’s arms. Onyx doesn’t rush, just holds me close. Then to my utter surprise Bray comes up, squeezing in behind me and smooshes me between the two of them. I try really hard but can’t stop myself when I feel my eyes fill up. Fuck, come on, cut me some slack. When did I become such a wimp?

“Come on, little sister, let it all out. We’re here for you, like always.”

Bray gives me a squeeze then lets me go, looking around before going in my cabin and coming back out with one of my kitchen stools. Onyx lets me go but looks me in the eye. It’s like she can read into my soul, which she always could. When she sees whatever it is, she nods then takes a seat in the rocker as Bray positions the stool in front of us.

“Okay, great way to start our first sister visit in forever and we start with drama. Really? What the hell? And what rock did you crawl out from under, Bray? I can’t remember the last time I even saw you. Do you still even live in Montana?”

She laughs that deep husky one I remember, shifting her long-ass hair outta her face. She gives Onyx a quick look then glances back at me.

“Yeah, Brenna, I live in Montana, you smart-ass. See, you haven’t changed, you silly clown. Actually, I’m not too far away, probably just between Oliver’s and Bennett’s ranches.”

My eyes shoot to Onyx, who just raises that irritating eyebrow of hers. She’s watching me like a hawk and it’s starting to weigh on me.

“Okay, what gives? Why are you two here, did someone die? Oh my God, are Mom and Dad okay? Or is it one of the brothers? Shit, did Orin or Oliver have a heart attack or maybe something with either Bennett or Brooks?”

I hear Bray chuckle and Onyx smiles widely before she shocks the shit outta me.

“Wow, surprised you remember all your siblings’ names since Mom said you haven’t been around hardly at all recently. So being the good daughters the two of us are, we decided to bring some of your favorite chow from the Wooden Spirits Bar and Grill. Kiwi said to tell your cook outdid herself today. Then I stopped at the Quick Stop and picked up some tequila. We are gonna figure out what’s going on with you, lil’ sister. And no, don’t tell us nothing. I saw Reed at the hospital and he told me Ash is losing himself because you’re fucking some huge Indian and wouldn’t give him the time of day.”

My mouth drops open and I can feel how shocked I am. Then to top it off, Bray jumps on the bandwagon.

“Yeah, Alder told me when he got home last night that Ash is a bear to be around. He asked me what my little sister did to his little brother. Since I wasn’t in the know when Onyx called, I jumped right in.”

Takes me a minute but then it hits me. Holy fuck.

“Are you two fucking Ash’s older brothers?”

Bray’s head drops and Onyx stares at me. Then she lets loose.

“Baby sister, just because you have no good sense when it comes to the Sterling brothers doesn’t mean we don’t. Now, Reed and I are just friends, though we’ve gotten a bit closer, but no, not like that; get your mind outta the gutter. Now that one over there, if you were paying attention, she said when Alder got home, so they obviously are playing house. I just found out myself. She’s not telling me everything. Bottom line, we are here to help you get your head outta your ass yet again and figure out Ash is your one and only.”

Shaking my head at both of them, I throw my hands in the air.

“Are you two lunatics? Do you remember what that dickless asshole did to me? How could you even think I’d want to give him a second chance?”

Bray leans toward me from her stool all serious.

“Brenna, since that day all you’ve done is mope around, and as far as I know, haven’t given anyone else a chance. Then you up and joined the motorcycle club and almost broke Mom and Daddy’s hearts. Finally, you’ve isolated yourself from the family and that has to stop now.”

Jumping to my feet, I get in her face.

“You’re one to talk, Bray, you left and never looked back. How dare you give me shit? Where the hell have you been the last couple of years? Did you check in with ‘Mom and Daddy’ like you’re inferring I should. And for your information, I check in with Mom at least once every other week and we’ve met for dinner at the Wooden Spirit Bar and Grill at least once a month. Ask Mom, she’ll tell you though, Dad is stubborn, he might come to every dinner.”

Bray’s head is down but when she lifts it, I see such deep pain, I’m shocked. Then my world falls apart.

“The reason I’ve not been around, little sister, is because I did something stupid. I trusted the wrong person, who sold me to some monster who lived in a cabin. So for the last couple of years, I’ve had no way to get ahold of any of you. If not for Alder, who found and saved me, I’d probably have died out there in the wilderness. Another reason I’m reaching out to you, need to talk to your club because Mom said that’s what y’all do. Rescue victims and that motherfucker still has four other women up there somewhere.”

Then she covers her face and starts to sob. Onyx looks stunned and I feel like a total asswipe. Then I hear the bellow before the bear. Looking up, I see Avalanche coming toward us, his face full of anger.

“Lil sister, what the ever-lovin’ fuck is goin’ on here? Who’s this woman crying and why is she? Come on, pretty lady, it’s okay.”

When Avalanche reaches for Bray, she goes ape-shit wild. Nails come out while she growls at him. Onyx jumps up, grabbing her and putting her into a chokehold. Avalanche stares for just a second then kneels in front of Bray.

“Hey, look at me. I’m not gonna hurt you, I swear to Christ. My name is nitsaa yikah tsintah (arbre). Yeah, I know a mouthful, so my family and friends call me Avalanche. I’m friends with Raven, well, the entire Devil’s Handmaidens Club, along with Tank’s club the Intruders. You can trust me, ask my lil’ sister, Raven.”

“Looks like we have something in common. Raven is my, as you call her, ‘lil’ sister’ and if she trusts you that means she’s done a background search and knows just about everything about you. So as hard as it is, I’ll try to trust you. I’m Bray, by the way, Brenna’s older sister. Do you know Onyx already?”

I watch as Avalanche and Onyx look at each other, wait, what was that look? They both nod but don’t say a word. Just as I’m about to ask what’s going on between them, I see a truck coming down our way. Shit, just what I need at this moment. Ash fucking Sterling.