Chapter Nine

S t_Margarita: Have you ever wondered about whether or not we should ever meet up? Beretta_Penn: Maybe. Why? St_Margarita: Dunno. I guess I sometimes wonder what it would be like to know the real you. Beretta_Penn: You know the real me. Just like I know the real you.

Wire

A bang down the hall jolts me awake, my neck pulling from the angle I must have dozed off on. Fuck! Blinking through the fog, I lean forward to see if my searches have thrown up anything useful. Nigel may have been a thief, but that doesn't mean his sister and niece need to be put in Hammer's cross hairs. Between him and the guy that's been seen hanging around our tow yard, it seems all I'm doing is staring at screens waiting for an answer and not getting any. That's not even factoring in that me, Chewy and Remy are all searching for Hammer and still haven't pinned him down. I've never felt this useless ever.

I scrub my hands down my face before looking at my screen. Seeing nothing of any use causes a growl to rip through my throat. Fuck this. I can feel the frustration rising and the only person who can talk me down is Retta. For 15 years she's been my other half. The person I turn to when I need an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on. Recently, though, someone else has been creeping her way into that space. Remy.

I run my hand down my face to clear the confusion not only in my mind but also my heart. Somehow, both Retta and Remy have been haunting my dreams. The more I get to know Remy, the harder I find it to get her out of my head. Her scent, her touch, her voice, they all haunt me. When I close my eyes, she's there, yet she isn't just her. She somehow embodies all the things I love about Retta. Her unwavering support of me. Her trust. Her geeky sense of humor. Not only am I failing at my job by not finding what we need, I'm also failing in my friendships with two amazing women. The only way I can see to move forward is to meet Retta and see if there is anything between us. It's only fair. She was in my life first. Best-case scenario we meet, decide to remain besties and I can see where these Remy feelings leave me. Because there is something there. Whether it's a real attraction connection or a more protective connection, I'm still unsure. Or maybe I am sure and am just kidding myself that we're friends. I'm sure friends don't pop a chubby everytime they see them. Fuck, I'm turning into a pussy.

"Hey Wire, whatcha working on?" Speak of the Devil, Remy pops her head in the doorway.

"Same shit as before, Rem. Same shit as before." Letting out a sigh, my shoulders slump. "I'm sure we'll get a break soon. Just frustrated is all."

"I hear ya. I've been trying to recall more from the last few times I overheard Hammer, but nothing. Although I did have an idea. His right-hand man is a guy named Snake. Carter Price. He may be easier to find? I hadn't looked into him yet because I was sort of looking into Jovie's family." I grimace at her, causing her to make a huffing sound before shrugging. "Yeah, I can't stop thinking about that little girl. Whatever is going on at home isn't ideal, but yet she still turns up every day, super positive and polite."

"I get it Rem. You just want to help her."

She gives me a tight smile before sitting in her usual spot. She spins her chair toward me so her body is facing me.

"She, she just reminds me of me when I was a kid. I had Miss Shawna. This amazing, larger than life black woman who treated me like I was her own. She's the one who got me into computers." She smiles to herself and I let her memories distract her and I take in her face. Her dirty blonde hair is looking slightly wavy today, her bangs hanging in her bright blue eyes slightly, glasses perched on her nose, giving her an effortlessly beautiful look. Like a woman you'd see in a magazine, maybe.

"Well, I think it's cool that Jovie has Miss Remy to look out for her."

Her face lights up and she gives me a smile before frowning. "Anyway, Marx asked me to come get you. Apparently, things are about to kick off?" She scrunches her brow, looking fucking adorable. I try not to stare at her too much, but there is no denying her beauty. Even in the weird slightly too long plaid skirt and vest combo she's wearing. Complete with another bookish brooch pinned to those distracting tits.

Running a hand down my face to clear my head, I push my chair back, stand and smile at the little blonde. "Lead the way, babe."

Following her down the hall, I try to keep the conversation light. If I don't, I fear she'll turn around and clock me staring at her ass. There isn't too much to see as her skirt isn't form fitted, but a man can picture what she's hiding under those loose clothes.

We hit the common room, and it seems everyone is here, including the whole Tombs family. Debs is handing out brownies that do not contain any weed, thanks to the Remy mishap.

Everyone is shooting the shit and Ana is not so quietly asking Gus why she is missing out on her Kung Pao chicken. Tav clears his throat before stepping up to the front of the room, standing next to Marx.

"I, well, Marx has an announcement, and I wanted you all here for this," Tav says in a clear voice before stepping to the side.

"OK, listen up, you fuc-" Marx's eyes dart to Debs before he clears his throat, "I mean, you folks," He looks at Debs again, who beams at him and gives him two thumbs up. Nodding, he carries on, "I would like to welcome our newest prospect to the Devil's Rose MC family, although you all know the cheeky asshole. Welcome Tav!" He whacks Tav on the back and hands him over a cut that says "Prospect" on the front.

We all let out loud whoops, stomping our boots. All the brothers including myself head over to Tav to beat him on the back in congratulations. And to fuck with him. Takoda is lining beers up along the bar top to be handed out when we all freeze as Ana bursts into tears and Pops starts yelling nonsensical shit.

"It's obvious what's wrong with her." Pops points out, like it is, in fact obvious. To him anyway. "There are communists in the funhouse. Japan is attacking." None of us know what the fuck he's talking about and we don't know how to stop the rant. "The English have landed. Granny is coming in the red car. The painters are in. Shark week, bloody Mary, the crimson wa-"

"Fuck's sake, I'm not on my period. I'm PREGNANT!" Ana yells out, essentially shutting up Pops and everyone else in a 2-mile radius.

The room is silent for a split second before whoops and banging start up once more. Remy, bouncing next to me has me looking down at her, her hands clasped in front of her mouth as she lets out a little whoop. She's so fucking cute that she completely had me forgetting that I was in a state not five minutes ago, wanting to message Retta to talk me down. I shake my head, feeling guilty that Remy is filling in some of Retta's space within me. I need to sort this shit out. Pulling up our message thread, I type out a date and time to meet.

Saint_Margarita: Hey babe, can you meet me tomorrow at 5pm? At that lookout spot between our towns that we spoke about. Lemme know. Xx.

I watch the tiny screen for a beat but note that she's offline, so I'll have to wait for a reply. Remy rushes off to congratulate her friend, so I sidle up to the bar for a beer. I tip my chin at Takoda when he places a cold one in front of me and spin to look out into the common room, leaning my back against the bar. Marx grabs a beer and mimics my position, watching the goings on.

"Did you ever think the MC would be this big and chaotic?" I ask, taking a pull of my beer.

Marx raises his brow at me before taking a pull of his own, swallowing before answering me. "When I got back from deployment I was lost and DRMC was a dying club. It was just the old boys then, Dad and his crew but it was a safe space for me. When Mad Dog handed over the reins he told me to build something new." He picks at the label on the bottle in his hand with his blunt nail before looking at me. "I didn't think it would get this big, but I had hoped. After I got out I needed a place like this."

"So did I."

"I remember, brother." He looks at me before turning back to the room. "You're not the only one, either. Almost every brother here needed a place to land. I hoped it would be like this. But I did not foresee Tuesday Tombs and all that she brings."

I let out a snort, looking around the room until I spot Chewy. She's leaning against Rhodie, a few of the brothers are standing around her as she's animatedly talking about something. Using her hands, she mimes something blowing up.

"I can't believe she fucking blew up the nomad bodies by accident. What the fuck?" Marx grumbles. "Ah shit." Following his gaze, I watch Pops walk toward us.

"Boys. I think I'll celebrate my impending great grandbaby with a nice cold one. And then a hot one with my lady." He waggles his brows at us. Debs is walking our way with a tray of brownies, stopping to offer them to Fox, Nitro and some bunnies.

Marx watches Debs for a moment before turning to Pops. "I thought you and Rosie were a thing?"

"Who's Rosie?" Debs asks the three of us. That woman is quick on her feet and has the hearing of a bat if she heard that.

"Oh, Rosie's is the diner in town. Great food there." Pops says, smiling down at Debs.

"Oh, I've seen that place! We should go there one day!" She presses a kiss to Pops leathery cheek before moving on to work the room with her tray.

All three of us watch her for a beat before Pops spins around and steps right into Marx's space.

"You shit stirring son of a bitch! You keep your fat trap shut, you hear me? Otherwise, I will permanently shut it for you." He mean mugs Marx for a moment, which is hard to do when Marx is well over 6 feet tall and Pops is 100 years old. Somehow, he pulls it off.

"Wait, you're not seeing the both of them, are you?" I ask. I like the old guy, but I love Mama Debs and I'm not down with him seeing two nice ladies at once.

Pops' head snaps in my direction. "Of course I'm fucking not! Do I look like the type of motherfucker that would mess with a woman like that? I'm a fucking gentleman!" He huffs, gives me the stink eye, which shows me exactly where Jules gets that look from, shakes his head in disappointment and stalks off with his beer in his hand.

"That crazy old man is scary." Takoda says, wiping down the bar top.

Marx and I share a look, and I try to hold in my smirk. This feels good. I can admit that sometimes I get a little obsessive about my job in the MC. But Remy drawing me out of my room to enjoy this with my MC family is what I needed.

The pocket with my phone in it vibrates at the same time Marx answers his phone. "Yeah?"

He stiffens, growls and then hangs up. His loud as fuck whistle has us stopping, all eyes glued to him. "We got a police team at the gate with a warrant to search the premises. Stay calm, do as you're told, and don't be fucking weird. Chewy, I'm looking at you."

She waves her hand dismissively at him. Rhodie nods at Marx and pulls Chewy's back flush to his front, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Marx turns my way, leaning in. "Call your mom Wire. We might need her."

Nodding at my Pres, I press her quick dial number. "Hey Momma."

Marx

Bracing myself for what is about to happen, I notice my men slowly corralling the women in our midst into the center of the room, creating a protective layer between them and whoever is about to burst through the doors.

A loud bang sounds out as around a dozen men storm inside. One in particular seems to be reveling in the power he has in this moment, getting in the men's faces, shoving and being a fucking tool.

"Officer Martin! The MC is cooperating. But by all means, carry on with your little dog amongst big dogs act if you want to be written up for excessive force."

Letting out a breath I didn't even know I was holding, I thank whoever the fuck is in charge that the senior ranking officer tonight is Moss Davies, a guy I went to school with and who knows the MC well.

"Pres, sorry to interrupt what looks like a nice family evening." Davies comes to a stop in front of me, waving a paper in his hand.

"Moss, I can't say I'm happy to see you, but of all the people they could have sent, I'm glad it was you. Sheriff too busy?"

Moss tries to hide his smirk but I see it all the same. "He's a very busy man. I think he's at a charity dinner in Roxwell this evening."

Figures. I have no idea how that fat fuck keeps his position. Moss runs most of the policing in our town and the bordering smaller towns.

"What have you got for me?"

"Well, besides that asshole Martin, I have a warrant here allowing us to search the premises -"

"- You know full well we don't get into any illicit substances, let alone weapons."

"Oh, I know that. That's not what we're looking for. A body was found on the edge of the towing yard. Does this woman look familiar at all? Maybe came to one of your parties? Needed her car fixed? Anything?"

He holds up his phone, the picture of a beautiful black woman. She's smiling wide, colorful braids up in a ponytail. Its a fucking shame that the light in her eyes has been snuffed out. My eyes raise to Moss's as I shake my head.

"No, I've never seen her around, I'd remember her. She's stunning."

Moss nods, looking down at his phone. He heaves a breath before looking at me again.

"Looks like she was raped and beaten, a belly full of drugs. Because it's on MC land, we have a warrant to search all your properties, businesses and compound, starting here tonight. We'll liaise for access to the others tomorrow. The search is for any belongings or trace of this woman and backups of your video surveillance."

Running a hand down my face, I can feel my blood pressure rising. Not because of Moss, but because of the whole fucked up situation. We've had two fucking shootouts at our clubhouse recently and yeah, we may not have neighbors, but we live in a nosey as fuck town. No one called the police then did they? Someone phones in about a body and we're swarmed.

"Fuck. Moss, you know we didn't do this."

"Yeah, I know it's well outside your MO. But we had a tip off and you know we have to follow up. My guess? You pissed someone off." A snort escapes me. Yeah, we've pissed off a few someones. "Let me and my men do our jobs and we'll be out of your hair as soon as."

I tip my chin at him, and he barks orders at his men. He also sends one of his more senior officers with that Officer Martin, who I do not like the look of. Judging by the shitty look on his face, he doesn't like it either. I make a note to have Wire look into him. Rose Grove PD has never had an issue with corruption, but I don't trust the look on that dick's face. He glares at me, holding my gaze as he walks through the doorway and down the long hall where all our rooms are. We sit calmly and quietly while Davies barks orders at his men. I have to hand it to him; he doesn't like a mess. One douchebag tips up the cutlery drawer and Davies makes him put it all back in once he's finished searching.

Officer Martin comes back, clearly not finding what he was hoping to find. Instead of standing down, however, he gets in the faces of our women. Ana is scowling at him, Remy is smiling pleasantly, and Chewy is staring through him. Pissed that he isn't getting the response he's after he gets in Debs' face. She says something to him and he grabs her arm. She's squirming in his grip and I can't make out what he's saying, but whatever it is, it has Pops coming down hard on him.

"You better let her the fuck go, young buck." I can hear Pops sneer from here.

"Or what, old man? This woman," he snarls, "has an illicit substance on her. She's coming with me."

"Let her the fuck go NOW!" Pops roars and then, in an impressive show of athleticism, hits him with one of the most technically beautiful right hooks I've had the chance to witness.

"Aw shit, Pops just knocked him on his ass!" My brothers, who until now had been sitting quietly, are watching with rapt attention as another officer tries to restrain Pops. Debs clearly feels the same about Pops as he does her, because as soon as this happens, she shoves Officer Martin away from her.

"Aue! You leave my man alone you To Teke !" She launches herself on the back of the officer trying to restrain Pops who, for an old guy, can really hold his own. Pops has gotten out of the officer's hold and has hit him at least twice already. I mean, there's not really much the pig can do with Debs on his back. Both she and Pops are yelling, and I'm fairly certain Debs has bitten the offending officer.

Moss sighs deeply beside me. "You wanna help me with this?"

I give him a smirk and shake my head. However in the next moment that smirk slips right off my face as Officer Martin pulls out his gun and raises it to aim at Debs.

"Officer Martin! Bring a car around." Moss storms toward him, eyeballing him until he holsters his gun. He keeps on eyeballing him until Martin leaves in a huff. "Ma'am, sir, I'm going to have to read you your rights and I'm afraid you're coming with us."

Both Pops and Debs spin to look at Sergeant Davies. Pops sizing him up. "You're Flora's boy, right?"

"Yes, sir,"

Pops squints at him before nodding. He lets go of the officer that he has by the scruff and Debs slowly slides off his back. Because she can sometimes be a sweet lady she straightens the officer's collar before letting Pops take her hand, both of them walking through the common room toward the door with the officer they were fighting following close behind. Looking toward the Tombs family I open my mouth to assure them we'll have them out in no time, but, true to form the Tombs aren't worried. Not even a little. They have their phones out and have been filming the whole thing.

"Tombs -"

"Don't worry Marx. He'll be loving this," August cuts me off.

"Mum will be too. Getting arrested in America? We'll never hear the end of it." Ana beams. Fuck's sake.

"Marx, search is over. Wire has sent through footage from all the cameras covering your businesses. My men will go through it and I'll be in touch. I don't need any more women turning up on your doorstep. Or mine."

Nodding, I agree with him. Devil's Rose MC actively works against all violence against women and children. Who the fuck put her on our doorstep?

"I may need to question some of your men, especially the ones that work and run the Main Street garage."

"Then you'll go through our lawyer,"

"Lemme guess, Candice Harvey?" I grin at him while he curses under his breath. "Great, I'll look forward to her busting my balls."

He holds my gaze for a moment, before breaking into a smile and offering me his hand. "Thanks for making this relatively painless, Johnny."

"I've not been Johnny in a long time, Moss."

"I know. And as much as I respect you and your position here as Pres, I still remember you as the star quarterback whose girlfriend I stole. The only time I ever got one over on you."

I smirk at him before shaking my head. "How'd that work out for you?"

"She left me with a set of twins I couldn't live without."

"Sounds like it worked out well, then." I slap him on his back a little too hard, and he smirks at me while walking out.

"Word to the wise? Lie low for a while."