15. ‘Malcolm’

FIFTEEN

‘MALCOLM'

MALTY

Sitting in the main room of the Devil's Handmaidens club, I'm beyond confused, pissed off, and hate to admit the last, but scared to death after seeing what Shadow did to Michael. What the hell is going on? I keep asking myself. How did we get to this spot when all Frankie's parents and I wanted to do was make sure Frankie was okay? We brought the devil's surrogate to her doorstep. How did Michael even manage to sneak in and come to Montana with us? I mean, since the attack and Frankie's leaving, we've drifted a bit. I mean, nothing like we got in a fight and went our separate ways. Just life getting in the way on my side, or I thought so. I have no idea what Michael has been doing, now that I think about it. It's making sense, as I'm finding out that I don't know who the hell he actually is. None of this is making sense but when I walked into that room and met his eyes, he didn't hide from me anymore. I could see the pits of hell in his glare. Something else too, but he pulled that back before I could make it out. It almost looked like sadness, but that could be me trying to make him appear human.

I'm sitting at a corner table by myself, just watching everyone go about their day. When Enzo and Billie rush through the entrance door, I see their eyes searching until they hit mine. Billie moves like lightning and in no time at all she's in front of me, pulling me to my feet.

"Mal, my God, what the hell is going on? How did us trying to make sure our daughter was safe turn into this nightmare we are living? Is it possible that we just got here and everything blew up? Where is Michael? Is it true? How did no one put two and two together?"

I jump as do Frankie's parents when a voice sounds directly behind them.

"Sorry to startle you, but I overheard what you were saying. No one figured out Michael's, if that's even his name, dark side because he's that good. I promise you that he will not be walking away from here. When I'm done with him, what's left will go to ground. Wildcat, sorry Frankie, will be up in a few minutes. No don't worry, Billie, she's not down there alone with Michael, a few of our sisters stayed down there with her. His days of fucking with her are over. If either of you have questions find me, but to let you all know, Michael is part of my past too, and it's not in a good way either. He's a sadist of the highest level and gets off on other's pain and discomfort. Not just physical pain either, but emotional also. He enjoys playing mind games that lead to physical pain. He always gotten off on it and apparently still does. I need to clean up, but tomorrow maybe we can all get together and talk. We've got a situation we need to take care of, but first we'll answer any questions."

Shadow goes to turn and leave but Enzo grabs her hand, which puts Shadow on guard. He instantly releases her but Billie moves in and not only grabs her hand, but pulls her close. Those ice-blue eyes of hers are watching Frankie's mom wildly. Billie raises her hand, cupping Shadow's tattooed cheek.

"Shadow, my husband and I thank you for what you are doing for our daughter. Not just now, but since she managed to find her way out here to Montana. I don't want to think what would have come of her if she was by herself. Seems like Michael has kept tabs on her and somehow recently found out she was here with you and your club. We were talking and maybe he sent that Joey out here to find Frankie. No, let me finish. We've watched two of our kids, Frankie and Malcolm, slowly start to fade away over the last months and years. Please find out what and why from that monster. Then be sure to slowly destroy him because he must pay for the damage he left behind. We will be in your debt forever."

Billie reaches up and places a kiss on Shadow's cheek. Then she turns, grabs Enzo's hand, and they walk toward the kitchen area. I see Shadow watching Billie with her own hand over where the kiss was placed, shock all over her face. I get up close, which has her shifting to look my way.

"Frankie's parents are as we said back in the day ‘da bomb.' They don't believe in violence or cruelty of any kind. That was why it was so hard for them when Frankie went into the police academy. Not because they didn't think she could do it, but because of the demented, disturbed, and deranged elements out there in the real world. Their thoughts, like mine, never went to the prejudices that exist out there. If you have a minute, can you explain what your club's mission is? I want to try and understand. Never thought I'd say this, but I've lived a na?ve existence. I never thought Frankie and I were attacked for any other reason than happenchance."

Shadow shakes her head and those ice-blue eyes lock on to my eyes. Then she shocks the shit out of me.

"Malcolm, yeah, I'm sure with Michael hanging around my father that race had something to do with it. But because of the intensity of your attack, this was personal. I'm no psychologist or psychiatrist, but if I was to guess—hang on—I honestly believe Michael wanted you for himself. No, I'm not saying you're gay, though there's nothing wrong if you were. What I'm saying is it's Michael who couldn't accept your relationship with Wildcat. He did everything he could to destroy it and when that didn't work, he waited 'til you were both isolated and made his move. Yeah, he raped Wildcat but if you listen to her tell it, she was totally out. He took his pleasure when he was beating her for stealing you away. His hatred for her showed up all over her body. The rape was an afterthought and he might have been the one who used an object on her. Now your situation is different. He'd been dreaming for years of making you his. So when it finally happened, he lost control and seriously hurt you. But not before the men he was working with tried to hang you. Michael gave up something huge to my father to be able to bring some of my dad's goons with him so he could attack the both of you. I don't think either of you were supposed to walk away from that day alive."

My head jerks up at Shadow's words. Holy shit, she might be right. Now that I think of it, between the beatings and rapes, it went on for hours. When I finally passed out, thought I heard one of them say that if they left us, we'd both just die from exposure, or if they were lucky a hungry animal would wander by. Could Michael be so cold-hearted after all my family and Frankie's did for him? My God, what happened to Michael to turn him into such a cold, heartless monster? I'll probably never know, but at least some of this is starting to make sense.

Shadow turns and walks down the hallway as I lean forward, hands on my forehead, elbows on the table. The headache I started with has increasingly gotten worse. This is so bad and on so many levels. I'm so confused on what to do next. Frankie doesn't need us, that's so apparent. She's replaced her family with a chosen one who's had her back all this time. Even now they are the ones in control. I'm the one to blame for what went down years ago. If only I hadn't fallen for Michael's lies. Shit, I doubt Frankie will ever forgive me because I brought the devil into her life.

The scraping of chairs gets my attention. Frankie, Enzo, and Billie are gathering around the table with me. All with serious looks on their faces. Leave it to Frankie to jump right in.

"Malty, don't try to take the blame for what that bastard did. None of it is your fault. You didn't make him do any of those awful things he did. I'm thinking it was probably him over the years who was responsible for those ‘weird things' that happened to us. I'm sure Shadow will try to get it all out of him but get those thoughts out of your head. We need to talk about what's next. I know, Mom and Dad, you can't stay out here forever. You either, Malty. Jobs, families, and fur babies need you. There has been no word on Joey yet, but Tink's dad, Tank, and his club are going to check out where Shadow's dad was holing up. Some of the cameras show movement so maybe that's where he's holed up. We have a situation getting hot that we might have to move on. Oh shit, let me explain that better. When I joined the Devil's Handmaidens Motorcycle Club, I took an oath to do my best to assist in the rescuing of abused and trafficked women, men, and children. That's how a lot of the situations around Timber-Ghost have been cleared up. We've busted or torn down the circuits, bringing the victims to the ranch where they get physical, mental, and emotional help. Some move on and go back to their prior lives and families, while others decide to stay at the ranch to start a new life. We have partnerships with many professionals to help, depending on what we find on each rescue. Sometimes it might be ten to twenty survivors, while other times it's fifty to one hundred. We've had to form close partnerships with the Blue Sky Sanctuary, which is Raven's brother's place for ex-military trying to recover from traumatic situations. Most of the folks over there are ready to deal with and try to heal and move forward. Also, we have chapters of the DHMC all over the country. The Thunder Head Knuckle Brotherhood is one of the organizations and, yeah, they are huge. We've been concentrating on them lately. Believe it or not, they have affected a few of my club sisters. You are all more than welcome to stick around but as you can see, I'm fine and as safe as possible. Not to mention, I can take care of myself. Not only my cop training but we train constantly at the ranch. Tink and Glory take our safety very seriously. Oh, might as well drop another bomb while we're all together. I'm in the process of applying to be a deputy out here. Shadow's dad, George, is our sheriff and he's desperate for some help. I talked it over with Tink, Glory, and Raven, who did a deep search to see if there was anyone on the dark web looking for me. There wasn't and now that we found out Michael's involvement in our attack, once Joey is caught it should put that time in our lives to bed. So I've just regurgitated enough info to each of you, hope it clarifies everything. Do you have questions, concerns, or anything?"

I look at the one woman I've loved for as long as I can remember. I know she's giving me a way out, but I don't want one. Not sure what's happening or if we even have a chance, but I'm not running away anymore. I look to see Enzo's eyes on me. The small smirk and barely-there nod tell me he knows where my head is at and what my thoughts are. Thank God I have his support.

"Frankie, I can't speak for your folks but I have a shit ton of vacation time. If it's not a bother, I'd love to stick around for a while. Can't remember the last time I took a day, let alone vacation, away from work. If your club needs it, I can do whatever you're short on. A ranch hand, a cook, or cleaner. I might not be licensed in Montana but I am a doctor in New York. Whatever. What I'm trying to say and not doing a good job of is that I'd like to stay and get to know who you are now, Frankie."

I hear a sniffle to see Billie, of all folks, has tears in her eyes. Then she opens her mouth and ruins it.

"Well, damn it, Malcolm, not sure my mascara is waterproof. Though got to say that was gorgeous and stated so eloquently, son. And to add to Malcolm's request, your dad and I are planning on staying for at least a week or two. It's been way too long, Frankie, so we have time to make up for. You go about your life; we won't get in your way. Actually, we are looking for a Vrbo or something close by so we don't continue to impose on your president or club."

This shocks me because didn't think Montana or Timber-Ghost would be a place Enzo or Billie would ever consider a vacation spot. I watch as Frankie glances at her folks before she looks my way. Then she shrugs her shoulders before getting up, squeezing my shoulder, placing a kiss on my cheek, and then moving to both of her folks and doing the same.

"You're all welcome to stay as long as you like. You're family and I'm glad you came out to check on me. I was wrong to run away, but now I can't leave here. This is my life now. I hope you get that. As much as I love all of you, I can't ever go back to New York. Too many bad memories there for me."

With that, she turns and walks toward the bar area where a bunch of her club sisters are sitting. Feeling eyes on me, I look across the table to her parents. Enzo beats Billie to it.

"Well, Frankie was clear, Malcolm. What are your thoughts on moving to this quaint town, or does the big city hold your heart?"

I grin because that's an easy question to answer.

"Enzo, you should know better. The only thing that's ever held my heart just walked toward the bar. Now, if you will excuse me, need to figure a few things out."

Pushing my chair back, I walk through the room and out the front door. Looking around I see a bunch of bikes, cars, trucks, and then not much. Shit, forgot this is small-town USA not New York City. Guess there's no way I can order an Uber or get a cab. I step off the porch and walk to the far side, which has a beautiful view of the mountains. My God, it's breathtakingly beautiful. So serene, quiet, and beyond stunning. So much so I'm lost to the view in front of me, so caught up in what my eyes are taking in that I don't hear anything until a branch snaps. When I turn, I see Avalanche looking down at me.

"Need something, Malcolm? I'm pretty free for the rest of the day. Actually, came here to try and find something to do."

"Yeah, Avalanche, can you show me around and tell me what's so great about Timber-Ghost and Montana?"

He breaks into a smile and his eyes twinkle.

"So am I to assume you might be calling Timber-Ghost home soon? I sure the fuck hope so, we could use a few more good men in the area. Sure, let's go for a drive and I'll show you around. Though, remember, I'm not from here either so I'll do my best."

With that I follow the big man to his truck and he starts it up, heading away from the clubhouse of the Devil's Handmaidens. I pray this could be a new challenge for me but not sure how many doctors are needed in such a small area. I'll figure something out because if I can manage this, I'm not going to leave Frankie again, no matter how much of a fight it's going to take on my part. Though hoping cleaning stalls doesn't become my new job.