7. ‘Raven’

SEVEN

I’m not hardly able to sleep at all, so I push myself up out of bed, take a shower, brush my teeth, wrap my hair in a towel, then throw on my fluffy robe. Then I head to my Keurig so I can juice up with some coffee. Sitting at my table, I try to prioritize how I’m going to explain to my club sisters everything I need to, while keeping as much of my private life just that… private.

I left a message last night for Bray but haven’t heard anything back. Deep in my soul I feel so much pain for her, there are no words. We, her family, assumed she was out and about roaming the country, when, in fact, for almost two years she was at the sadistic mercy of that fucking brotherhood. I can’t even imagine or want to think about what all they did to her.

I was there when Lilly, Glory’s daughter, shared what she went through being held captive. What she did to protect her daughter from any abuse, damn, she’s a strong as fuck woman. I’m surrounded by the best of the best as far as women. Glory was held captive by her brother-in-law until she was rescued. Fast forward and that same jagoff got his hands on Lilly, which led to her getting pregnant and having Angel. That circle of abuse ended though when Tank’s friend, Nova, found both Lilly and Angel and brought them home to Glory. They are still trying to find their place together. Glory’s man, Yoggie, is in the process of building an addition, which is going to equal another house attached for Lilly and Angel. Life with our club is never dull.

Hearing someone knocking at my door, it shocks me. Who the hell is up at the crack of dawn at my door? Opening my junk drawer, I grab my gun, holding it to my side. Looking through the peephole, I feel my body tense when I see my two sisters and from the looks of it most or all of my brothers. Fuck!!! Someone opened their mouth, for sure. I unlock the door, crack it open, and look out.

“Uh, morning. Why is the O’Brien clan standing at my door at the crack of dawn looking all serious?”

“You gonna ask us in, little sister, or is there a reason you don’t want us to come into your home? Got something to hide?”

“Really, Bennett? Obviously, y’all know what happened yesterday so who the hell do you think I’m hiding from you? Get your asses in here, for Christ’s sake.”

I stand aside and let all five of my brothers and my two sisters in. When Bray goes to walk past me, head down, I gently tap her arm. She stops, lifts her hand, and I motion I want to hug her. She nods and I pull her to me. My God, there’s nothing left of her. I can feel her entire rib cage. My big sister used to be a brick house. She was one-hundred-percent woman but muscular. She lifted weights, hiked all over the mountains, and even knew how to box. She hangs on and so do I. I kiss her cheek and give her a squeeze.

She lifts her head and I smile. Then I lead her to the kitchen, right to the coffee machine, pushing Ollie, Orin, and Brooks out of the way. None of them say a word when they see I’m pushing Bray in front of them. Yeah, that’s right, brothers, don’t push me today. Feeling arms coming round me, I look over my shoulder to see Onyx, a worried look on her face. Goddamn, I’ve missed her. When she enlisted into the Navy it broke my heart. I idolized her. One minute she was there then the next she was gone. Mom and Dad never understood both Onyx and Ollie enlisting. I did though because if I’d thought it through, after Ash broke my heart, it might have done me some good to enlist too. Though I’ll never regret my choice of the Devil’s Handmaidens MC.

Feeling Onyx squeeze me around my middle, I turn and look up. She’s watching me and not drawing attention from the others, she mouths, “I’m so sorry. Should have been here for you, baby sister.”

Not wanting to talk about this shit, though it means the world to me she gave me that, I drop my head on her chest and hang on for dear life. No one interrupts us so we have our moment then turn to the others. Taking a deep breath, I let it out and ask the question of the day.

“Why y’all here? I’ve got to finish getting ready, got a meeting with my club shortly.”

Ollie looks at me then steps directly in front of me.

“No, baby sister, we have a meeting with the Devil’s Handmaidens Motorcycle Club. No, don’t argue. We let you down once, it ain’t ever gonna happen again. Oh shit, Oliver, go get that shit from my truck. Paisley sent some goodies for you. Said to tell you she loves you, and if you need her, call and she’ll be here in no time at all. We’ve got two mares in labor, only reason she’s not here.”

Oliver comes back in with a huge shopping bag filled with Tupperware containers. As everyone gets their coffee and Ollie opens all the containers, I wrap my arms around myself, feeling so much love in my tiny cabin. I’ve always had this love though I fought it. In my youth, didn’t realize that family love is just as special. It wasn’t anyone’s fault what happened except Cliff Sterling and the brotherhood.

“Oh, Brenna, Mom and Dad will be at the meeting too. Dad had to run into town so they told us they’ll meet us there. No point in trying to argue, I’m talking about our parents. They don’t take no for an answer, you should know that already, where do you think we all get it from?”

Hearing Bennett laughing at his own words, I grin at him. Well, if you can’t fight it, might as well join them. Reaching, I grab a piece of frosted banana bread. The first bite and oh my God. Ollie is one lucky bastard, that’s for sure, not sure how my big brother stays so fit with this kind of homemade heaven around all the time.

Looking at all my siblings, the love filling this room has me thanking God for giving me such a strong support system. Listening to them all goof around with each other, I glance at Bray, who’s watching everything with huge eyes. She’s standing off by the big chair in my reading nook. I walk over, grab her hand, and pull her until we’re right in front of the chair. I sit and she kind of follows and falls into me since I still have her hand in mine. That brings a small giggle from her, which has everyone look her way. I watch her look at everyone then she shocks the shit out of all of us.

“What? Jesus Christ, guys, I’m still human and alive. Yeah, I giggled because of our little sister here. Like usual, she’s always trying to make everyone laugh and feel better. Well, she did it again, ’kay?”

I turn and hug her to me. No matter what it takes, I promise myself I’ll do whatever I have to do to help Bray. But right this moment got to get my ass in gear and get ready for what’s to come next. Fuck, not ready to face the day but got no choice.

We walk to the conference hall/pole barn as one unit. When we get close, I can’t believe the trucks and vehicles in front of our newly established pole barn that we use for meetings at the ranch. Looking through the trucks I see Dad’s beast there too, both my parents sitting in the cab, obviously, waiting on us to arrive. As we make our way to their truck, we hear more traffic coming up the road. My heart stops when I see Ash’s truck followed by three more behind him. In his cab, I can see his momma and baby brother. So, I’m going to assume the other trucks are his brothers. This is getting real about now. Shit, I can feel sweat running down my shoulder blades as my hands tremble. All of a sudden, I’m surrounded by my sisters and brothers. I hope to Christ this doesn’t turn into a frigging barn fight.

Mom and Dad are getting out of their truck when Ash and his family pull in. I watch as he gets out, hat in hand, walks around, and opens the door for his momma. Once he gets her out, she turns and stops when she spots all of us. That’s when my mom walks up to them and pulls Ash’s mom into her arms. Neither says a word for a second then Mom, as always, saves the day.

“Gertie, my God, woman, why didn’t you come to me? We were friends forever; we even went to school together. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you and the kids. Even after this dumbass dumped my girl over there. No, Ash, now’s not the time. I’ve heard some of it and neither my husband nor I blame you at all. You were in a no-win situation, we get it. Gertie, promise me you’ll never do this crap again. If trouble is knocking on your door, you pick up the darn phone and call me. Promise me, please.”

Hearing the tremble in my mom’s voice, I’m shocked. She’s a tough bird, usually. I knew they were close; guess I didn’t know how tight they were. Gertie promises. Seeing Dad, thought he was going to Mom but he doesn’t stop, he walks directly to Alder and grabs him close. Again, I’m shocked to see his eyes getting wet. I feel Bray move up close to me, so I wrap my arms around her, feeling her tremble. Then Dad says his peace.

“Son, there are no words I can say to let you know what it means to us, what you did for my Bray. My family is in your debt, never doubt that. I can say thank you from the bottom of my heart but it just ain’t enough, though I truly mean it. We got a lot of fences to mend now, but I’m grateful to you and God that we have this chance with her. Now, let’s figure out how to get rid of these pain in the ass bastards for good.”

Just as I’m about to try and get some control of this mishmash, I hear voices behind me. Turning, I see just about every sister from the Devil’s Handmaidens walking toward the group of us. I’m so proud to be able to wear the kutte that identifies me as one of them. I make my way to the three women in front—Tink, Shadow, and Glory. Tink reaches up, grabbing my forearms, and giving them a squeeze.

“You ready for this, Raven? Remember, no matter what, we have your back, each and every one of us. I see your family and the Sterlings are here. As you can see, the misfits are trailing us.”

I look around to see Noodles, Panther, and good old Avalanche messing around behind the last stragglers of club sisters. When I whistle, they all look up smiling and Avalanche even waves like the goof he is.

“Look at Big Bird trying to be cute, numbnuts that he is. Don’t fall for his antics, Raven, he’s trouble for sure.”

I look at Shadow and her words bring a small grin to my face. Again, before I can open my mouth, Tink jumps right in.

“Really? Kettle meet pot, for Christ’s sake. Let’s get this shitshow going because from the looks of it this is going to be an all-day thing. Kiwi and Peanut, make sure we have lunch planned and some snacks too, will you, sisters? Call the Wooden Spirit, have the cook make something and maybe one of us can run in to pick it up. Now, Raven, let the club go in first and have a quick talk, then we can bring in Bray by herself, or if she needs it, I’m guessing Alder but not your parents, right?”

I nod because Bray just told me a bit ago, if possible, she doesn’t want the family to know what was done to her. The only one besides me she’s okay with is Onyx. I feel like she already shared a little with her.

Tink walks past me to the groups of folks waiting. She explains that as a club we have some business to discuss then she’ll be calling folks in. As she’s talking, I see Cynthia come out of the conference hall with a huge coffeepot in her arms. Hearing boots hitting the ground, I feel a whoosh as Avalanche, Panther, and Noodles go to help. Cynthia whispers to them. Two go inside as Noodles walks to the large table leaning against a tree. It takes him under two minutes to set it up. Once done, he helps Cynthia place the coffeepot in the middle, just as the other two men come out with bins in their hands. Between the four of them, they set up a coffee bar and baked goods. Cynthia waves to Tink when she’s done and our prez tells everyone they can help themselves. It’s then I truly notice that picnic benches and some chairs have been scattered around. Well, damn, someone has been busy.

Shadow whistles so all the Devil’s Handmaidens start to enter the building. I can feel my heart racing just as I feel Onyx beside me.

“Don’t worry, smart-ass, know I can’t go in. Just wanted to let you know you have all of us out here to hold you up. If you need any one of us, just call out and we’ll be there. Kick major ass, Brenna. You got this.”

I smile her way then turn and walk right in, not looking left or right. When everyone is seated, Tink looks my way and nods. I stand and, without a second thought, I start with my story, hoping I can get through it without one tear.