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9. ‘Ash’

NINE

Can’t believe I was able to get some food down, but damn, it’s from the Wooden Spirit Bar and Grill. I’ve never had a bad meal there. And after looking around, everyone in my family seems to be in agreement. As some of Brenna’s, I guess I’d call them her club sisters, start to clean up, I see her prez, VP, and the skull face one coming our way. Mom stands right in front of me, though she wouldn’t be able to do much. These women are trained in a way they could kill me before I would even know what hit me, I’m sure.

“Mrs. Sterling, my name is Tink. To my right is my Vice President Glory, and to my left is our Security President Shadow. Thank you for taking the time to come out to the ranch and try to help us with the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood. They’ve been a pain in our butts and, hopefully, we might be able to work together to clear our town—no, our state—of those asinine bastards. Pardon my language, my mom would soap my mouth for talking so disrespectfully.”

I watch Mom put her hand out to Tink, who grabs it. I’m close enough to hear their conversation, though barely.

“Tink, thank you for that. Glory, nice to mee you. Shadow, nice to meet you also, though I think Security President is stretching it a bit, don’t you? I wasn’t born yesterday, ladies. Now please, quit walking on eggshells. See these men around me, them there are my boys and not a one of them has ever apologized for cussing. Now I know we have some things to discuss, are you ready for us yet?”

I watch as the women seem to be bonding. Alder is still with Bray, so that leaves me with my three brothers, Reed, Rue, Rowan. Mom turns and starts to introduce us. Though when she says my name everything stops. Shadow growls low in her throat and everyone steps back, even Mom, with huge eyes. Before anyone can do or say a thing, Avalanche and another man with long black hair in a braid walk up behind her. I think I heard someone call him Panther. So the one I think is Panther puts his hand on Shadow’s shoulder.

“Nizhoni, we spoke about this. Growling is not acceptable, you know this. Look, you scared everyone. She’s okay, folks, just a bit protective over her sister, Raven.”

Mom and my brothers look at me and I mouth, “Brenna” and they all nod. Tink pushes, yeah literally pushes, Shadow aside and holds on to my mom’s hand.

“My real name is Maggie; you call me whichever you’re comfortable with. May I ask your name, or do you prefer Mrs. Sterling?”

“Maggie, no, I hate that name. You can call me Gertrude or Gertie.”

As the two women start talking and walking, we all slowly follow, though I’m nervous and don’t want Shadow behind me. When one of my brothers puts a hand on my shoulder, I turn to see I’m surrounded by my brothers, with both Reed and Rue behind me and with my younger brother Rowan at my side. Well, that makes me feel more secure. I know Brenna is pissed at me, but for fuck’s sake, we were both played as fools by my dad. We all take a seat as Tink walks to the head of the tables set in a circular design.

I hear someone bang on a table and the room goes quiet, until I turn to see the older couple walk through the doors surrounded by a bunch of mean as fuck men. Can’t believe Momma Diane and Tank made it. I heard Tank had a heart attack not that long ago.

Suddenly, everyone is on their feet clapping and talking at once. I can see Tank getting a bit overwhelmed until Momma Diane puts her hands up.

“Come on, give Tank a break. He knows everyone is happy he’s here. This is way too important for us to miss, on so many levels. So go on, get with it, we’ll just mind our business over here. Oh wow. Hi, Gertie. Hey, boys. It’s been a while. Paddy and Bronagh, good to see you both. And the whole O’Brien clan. Damn, good time to have a party, though with that thought not a good time. Sorry, Maggie, go on. Zipping it now.”

That brings a grin to my face because that’s how women are. All over the place. Feeling eyes on me, I look up and see both Brenna and Shadow watching my every move, though I think for different reasons.

“First off, I would like to thank everyone for coming together with a unified purpose: to help get rid of the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood from our town and state. Now this next phase is going to be difficult for the Sterling family, so please hold your comments and tongues until they are done. Turning over the floor to the Sterlings. Please explain what has happened and what is still going on. I understand there is an entire section of land, approximately one hundred acres, that the brotherhood is now using as their own. Also, are we to understand that Cliff Sterling is a part of the brotherhood organization? The floor is yours.”

Mom looks around the room then at all of us before she glances at Bray and Alder. I can tell she hates the defeated look on Bray’s face and feels responsible because of our asshole father. She smiles at Bray, who gives her a small grin back.

“My name is Gertie Sterling. I hate that last name but it’s mine. I had no idea about the man I married and it took years for his true colors to come out. Unfortunately for Brenna and Asher, it came out at their engagement party. For that I will be forever sorry because if two kids were ever supposed to be together, it was my Ash and Brenna.

“What Cliff did that night shocked our entire family. I thought he was messing around with some woman in another town. God, if only. There was no way that Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood would allow Asher to marry Brenna. They didn’t consider her purebred enough. Not my way of thinking, O’Brien clan, swear to God. To me, people are people to be judged on their actions and how they treat folks.

“When we got back to the ranch after Cliff broke the kids up, when Ash got home after leaving with Patsy, Cliff took Ash and locked him in the root cellar on our ranch. And he beat him to an inch of his life because Asher would not marry Patsy Woods as Cliff was ordering him to. Then he just lost his mind. Started beating each boy because he was trying to get to me. My boys refused to let him put his hands on me so they all took a beating. Well, until Rue took a branding iron to the back of his head. Then together we packed his crap and the boys drove him to the edge of our property. That’s when we found out what he’d been up to. There were cabins and tents along with campers. And a lot of folks we didn’t know. Reed checked his father first ’cause he’s softhearted, then the boys dumped him and his crap out of the truck and left.

“We’ve not seen or heard from Cliff since then. Until he drove right up to our ranch home and walked right in like it was his. Rowan was home with me and he grabbed the hunting rifle we keep in the living room. When Cliff challenged him, my boy Rowan lifted the rifle and pointed it right at his father. Cliff called him, excuse my language, ‘a fruit cup pussy,’ which pushed Rowan to pull the trigger. The bullet grazed his upper arm or shoulder. He looked at Rowan and told him to watch his back because no one shoots at him and gets away with it. Then he proceeded to tell me I had to sign the papers he brought with him that would sell over two hundred acres of our ranch to some corporation I’ve never heard of. Now let me tell ya, my boys and I have kept that ranch running all this time. Ash has just about died running it, and Alder, Rue and Reed are always there to lend a hand. Rowan is following in Ash’s footsteps. I’m not letting anyone buy our land. And to make it worse, Cliff told me any money from the sale would be his since he was kicked outta his own home. That home belonged to my parents. We’re here today because we need help. That brotherhood is trying to run us off our property. Stuff has been happening recently that has never happened before. We lost half of our chicken coop because someone opened the latched door and some predator walked right in, caught them, and tore them to pieces. One of the tractors was messed with to the point Ash can’t even use it anymore. And we can’t afford a new one.”

I hear a voice clear in the back of the room. When I turn, Tank has got his hand up, well, two fingers. Tink nods so he jumps in.

“Mrs. Sterling, I mean, Gertie, I’ve got just about every kind of farming equipment a man can have. Tomorrow, Ash, you come by, tell me which tractor you need, and I’ll have one of the Intruders bring it to your ranch. Also, if you’re okay with it, I’ll put a rotation in so there will always be a few Intruders around your homestead. Gertie, that’s mainly for your protection as I don’t trust Cliff or those bastards, pardon my language, he runs with. Zoey can get with her dad, Sheriff George, to make sure the county deputies drive by the house more too. It might let them sons of bitches know you’re not alone or scared of them. I suggest everyone start carrying. And I mean on you, holster it up. Better to be safe than sorry. Sorry, Maggie, go on.”

“Nope, Dad, thanks. Also, Gertie, the Devil’s Handmaidens will also have a few of our sisters out to the ranch, so they see there are others who will protect you while having your backs. And if needed, we have other chapters all over the country who would be more than willing to pitch in.”

Mom looks around and we can tell she’s about to lose it. For so long we’ve tried to deal with this on our own. Until Alder found Bray. That’s when I hear my brother’s voice.

“It ain’t my story to tell and no one’s business if she don’t want to share. I saw where they were keeping Bray and the other women. In my heart, I believe when we got away, they killed those poor women. It ain’t right what they are doing. I aim to protect the forests and its population of wildlife being a LEO. Sorry, law enforcement officer. We’ve seen carcasses all over that area they are poaching for food but leaving most of the remains right where they dropped them. There is a circle of life out there and they are altering it. That circle is the way nature takes and gives back life to our earth. When that process is messed with, a lot of things fall off course. We Montanans are proud of our state and especially our forests. We need to get them and their filthy ways out of there and off our property. The problem is their numbers are growing quickly, so we need help.”

The room goes eerily quiet. Glancing around, I can see everyone is trying to come up with a plan, but there is no quick fix. It’s going to take some time and effort to rid these assholes from our town.

“Ash, what are your thoughts on all of this? We’ve heard from your momma and brother, now I want to hear from you, boy.”

Knowing she’s trying to rile me up, I look right at her and smirk. Her eyes turn ice-blue and she tilts her head at me. Everyone is watching our back-and-forth, kinda like a tennis match. I don’t know or owe her anything. Though when Mom grabs my hand, I know I’m gonna have to play nice. At least for now.

“Shadow, I’m totally on board with my mom and brothers. We want them gone; however it happens. They are not only trouble, I’m afraid of what they are doing up there on public land. Lots of activity, which tells me they got nothing but bad intentions. I’m here for two reasons and I’ll share them with the room. Our family needs help from our community. Now we could have gone to a town hall meeting but what are the hundreds of ranchers gonna do. We don’t want to be responsible for anyone else getting hurt. From what I hear, the Devil’s Handmaidens have dealt with similar situations. Mom finally let loose on the keeping things close to the chest, as they say. Though my second reason for me being here is where my attention will be concentrated on.”

I don’t say another word. She glares at me then the room. Finally, she lets loose as I knew she would.

“Whatcha waiting for, boy? What’s your second reason for being here today? I mean, I’ve been here for years and I might have seen you a couple times in the distance or when you came into the Wooden Spirit Bar and Grill with your momma or brothers. So you gonna share or are we playin’ a guessing game, Ash? ’Cause we still have to come up with a plan, so time is wasting.”

I look around the room, making eye contact with a few folks. Avalanche, who grins. I’m guessing he knows what my second reason is. Momma Diane and Tank, who nod my way. Tink, who is watching between Shadow and me. Finally, I lay eyes on her. Brenna. Her cheeks start to turn pink and when I see movement—it’s two of her brothers—one being the ex-military beast from the Blue Sky Sanctuary. Can’t remember his name. When he stands, along with his brothers, mine come up behind me just as Alder walks up to us. It’s time, so I just say what’s on my mind.

“My main reason for finally reaching out is because Mom let loose on the gag order. I’m here to get my fiancée back and start our lives together. So, Shadow, to be clear, my intentions are for Brenna. Not that it’s any of your goddamn business, lady, but since you asked and I was raised by a woman who taught us to respect our elders, I’m trying to right now.”

I hear the gasp go through the room. And if I’m right, Shadow’s face turned a bit red under that tattoo.

“So, to finish this up so we can get onto what’s important right now. I’m making it clear to the O’Briens, Devil’s Handmaidens MC, Tank’s club, and anyone else who wants to know. I’m staking my claim. Brenna O’Brien, you’re mine, always have been and always will be. With Mr. O’Brien’s permission, I’m gonna be courting you again, woman. Be ready. Now as much as I hate to bring them into anything that is close to Brenna, let’s work on figuring out how to rid our town of the brotherhood.”

With that I sit down as my legs are shaking. My brothers pound on my shoulders and back while Mom gives me one of her short smiles, the ones when we do something she’s proud of. Not wanting to but I feel the need, I glance to Shadow to see she’s looking right back at me. When she sees my eyes, she gives me a demented smile then claps a few times silently. Then she motions her fingers to her eyes then at me. Great, she’s watching me.

When I can drag my eyes from hers, I look to where Brenna is. Her cute face is all pink and her head is down. Knowing I embarrassed her, it hurts to know she hates her business out there for all to see. At that moment, her dad makes it worse.

“Ash, son, listen up. Brenna’s mom and I give you permission but this time if you hurt her again—I’m sorry, Gertie—but I’ll bust your arse over my knees. Don’t screw it up, Ash.”

I hear the slight giggle and see Brenna looking at her dad with a cute little smile on her face. It’s quiet for a few then Tink calls both Brenna and someone named Freak to come around with their computers. Then we all buckle down and concentrate on our main problem in Timber-Ghost, Montana. The assholes that go by the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood.

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