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Noelle/Face
Sunday
I hated hospitals. Not only was there someone constantly poking and prodding at you, you had no privacy. None whatsoever. And because of it Kid and I hadn’t had a very necessary conversation yet. And it was driving me crazy.
The head of my bed was raised and I had a bunch of pillows stacked behind my back and head trying to get comfortable. I tried to concentrate on the book on my reader. In vain. I was too bloody angry.
I was on day three of my hospital stay and I was done being ordered about by some flighty nurse. And if she gave Kid one more ‘come over here and fuck me’ look I was going to get up out of this bed and cut her throat. With a blunt spoon.
The bitch was once again in my room, for no other reason than to bend over suggestively, her tits trying to boil out of the open top two buttons of her uniform, as she pulled and tucked at my bedding. Kid was spread out in his chair his eyes on his phone not even aware of the bitch.
“Leave my bloody bed alone and get out.” I growled at her.
With a put upon huff she squeaked her orthopaedic nurse’s shoes out of my room. I watched the exaggerated sway of her hips as she left and shook my head. Enough. I wanted to go home.
“I want to go home.” I growled without looking at Kid.
“Only when the doc says you’re well enough, baby. You’re not moving out of this bed until he says I can take you home.” The damned alpha male at my side tried, and failed, to soothe my ruffled feathers.
“Then he’d better say I can go tomorrow because if he doesn’t I’m walking out of here without his permission. I have Stef at home who will look after me better than that tits and ass nurse can. All she’s interested in is your cock, not my health.” I griped.
He gave me a quick grin before he became all soothing and shit.
“Baby, be reasonable. You aren’t well enough to leave yet. A few more days and we can go home, I promise.” He tried to calm me down but I wasn’t interested.
“No. Tomorrow. I want to go home tomorrow.” I snarled at him.
“That’s good because I think you’re ready to go home.” A voice filled with laughter said.
The doctor who had operated on me walked into my room with the ward sister following on his heels.
“Good morning. I’m glad to find you in such high spirits, Mrs Knight.” He teased. “Let’s have a look at you and if I like what I see I’ll make a note on your chart that you’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
“Thank heavens and please stop with the Mrs Knight shit, my name is Noelle.” I said grumpily. “I can’t lie here one more day.”
They all gave me big grins. “One more night, Noelle, and then you can go home.”
Kid took my hand in his and held it as the doctor inspected my wounds and nodded. “It’s looking good, no indications of infection, and your kidney function has been normal for the last two days. I’m pleased with the rate of your recovery. You can go home tomorrow but you need to take it easy and rest to give your body time to recover. I want to see you at my rooms in a week’s time for a check-up. If you take care and continue on this path you will be back on your feet before you know it.”
He spoke to Kid while the nurse redid the bandages on my abdomen. I no longer had bandages on my face, just strapping over my nose and cheek. My face was still swollen and was bruised in a shocking array of colours from yellow to a deep dark navy purple.
I looked a fright but it looked worse than what it was. Because of my supposedly fragile state Kid had refused to let anyone discuss ‘business’ as he called it. All he told me was that it was being handled and to rest.
Rest! I was so over all this bloody resting. I couldn’t wait to get home back to some form of normalcy because this side of Kid freaked me the hell out. Not that he was doing anything wrong, it’s just that he was all soft and shit and that was so not the man I got to know in Joburg. And I might sound crazy but I wanted the real Kid back.
The doctor left and I lay there bored and stewing. When I was bored I inevitably started stewing, and when I stewed I said and did stupid stuff. And that was why I kept myself busy. No time for boredom to set in.
Now I had nothing to do but stew.
“Why are you here with me?” Yes, that’s what came out of my mouth. Blunt and rude.
Slowly so very slowly he raised his head and slipped his phone into his pocket, then he drew his chair closer. His eyes pinned me to the bed and he didn’t look happy. Not happy at all.
“Jesus, Noe. I told you but I see it didn’t sink in, so I’ll tell you again and I’ll keep on telling you until you get it. I was a dick, made a big fucking mistake but I’m here to fix my shit. Why wouldn’t I be sitting by the bedside of my woman when she’s been hurt? And she was hurt because I wasn’t there to take her back and keep her safe because I had my head firmly up my ass. But I can assure you, baby, I’m no longer denying what’s happening between us. I’m grabbing on with both hands and I’m not letting go. You’re mine and I’m yours.” His hands were clasped around mine as he finished.
Looking into his eyes I saw they were filled with sincerity and a softness he hadn’t revealed to me before.
“You pissed me off and hurt me.” I finally admitted to him and to myself.
“I know and I’m sorry, baby. I’ve regretted what I did the minute I turned my back on you but I couldn’t make myself take it back. All my life the club had come first because when shit got real they were there for me. Recently I’ve realised I can have the club and I can have you, it’s not a case of choosing between the two. I can have both and be fucking happy for a change.”
It was time to be completely truthful.
“I’m never going to be a soft and biddable old lady like the other women at your club. And I’m not the type to stay home and stay out of your business. I’m always going to be working with Dom and Bruno and be a part of the team taking on the underworld. Will you be able to handle your old lady being in dangerous situations without you at her back? Because it’s going to happen, Kid, I can virtually guarantee it.” Once I got it out I waited for his reaction, good or bad, I had to know how he felt about what I did for a living.
He did something I never expected. Letting go of my hands he bent down, undid his laces and pulled off his boots then he stood and gently shifted me to the side and got onto the bed with me. Drawing me into his arms he settled us on the cushions so we could look each other right in the eyes.
“There is nowhere else I want to be but by your side, Noe. I don’t want a soft woman that I would have to worry about every second of the day. I want you, a woman who can look after herself. A woman who will be able to protect herself and our children should it become necessary.”
Leaning forward he rested his lips on mine for a second or two before his tongue swiped out and I opened for him. We sank into each other, kissing soft and slow and he was so very careful not to hurt me. The kiss was amazing in its tenderness, something we had never had before.
When it ended he stayed close and pressed soft kisses on my swollen and battered face.
“What are we going to do about you living in Joburg and me living here? Can we even do this long distance thing?” I voiced one of my worries about going into a relationship with him.
His eyes widened as if he just remembered something.
“Fuck. I forgot that you don’t know, and I haven’t been wearing my kutte. Noe, I transferred to the Cape Town chapter as their new Vice President. There’s going to be no long distance shit. I’m here to stay.”
My mouth fell open. “You what? You transferred? Why?”
He drew in a breath. “When I was down here the last time Orca, my new president, approached me with an offer. I wasn’t sure if I wanted the job but then I met my real family, and I got to know you, and between you, my family and the job I was persuaded to give it a shot.”
He grinned and winked and I knew he was pulling my leg. Before I could say anything he continued to explain.
“To be honest, I didn’t think I could do the job but Hawk and Ice persuaded me that I could. And then there was the possibility of getting to see you again and fix what I had broken. I had no one holding me to the Joburg chapter but I had you pulling me here.” He sighed. “I’ve walked into a chapter with problems that I have to sort out and a membership that’s less than ideal but I’m determined to fix it. Two of my brothers from Joburg transferred in with me and I trust them to watch my back. And if you agree to take my patch I’ll have a kickass old lady standing beside me who’ll have my back as well.”
His news was damned exciting and I knew if he let me I would be able to help him build a strong chapter. A chapter that would be allied to my crew.
“Congratulations on the promotion and I have no doubt that you’re going to do an amazing job because you love your club and you’re a natural leader. I’m very happy for you. I have just one question. If I take your patch what happens when my job and yours cross paths?”
It was a legitimate question that needed an answer.
“We work together and sort it out.” He didn’t even have to think about it, and it was a damned good answer.
“I’m hoping with asking that question it means you’re thinking about taking my patch and ink” He said softly against my lips.
There was nothing to think about. I wanted this complicated man in my life.
“It does. I’ve tried to put our time together behind me but it didn’t work. You have wormed your way inside and I like having you there.” I kissed him but bumped my nose and winced in pain.
“Ow.”
“My old lady’s hurting, so no more kisses. I’m going to hold you while you get some more sleep. Not going anywhere without you, angel-eyes.” His voice was fading as I snuggled into his chest and his arms enfolded me. As I slipped into sleep I thought I heard him whisper against my hair.
“Going to love you until the end of my days, Noe.”
But I must have been wrong because neither of us had said anything about love.
Most probably my poor battered head making up shit.
Dominick
Finally dressed in clean clothes and sipping on his second bottle of water Dominick made his way to where he could hear voices. Everyone was in the big lounge/media room and heads turned as he walked in. He didn’t hesitate to take charge.
“We have a lot to go through so let’s get to it.” He gave Gideon the nod and he turned the television on and eyes were on it immediately.
He pointed at the diagram they were all looking at.
“This is the Harrison Syndicate. We have Frederick who runs Europe, Francis runs Asia and Winifred runs Africa. They have started to work themselves into the US but haven’t established a solid foothold yet.” He looked around before he continued.
“Here at home we’ve been battling Winifred and her right hand man Donald Murchison and after the success of this weekend’s operation we now have full access to their servers. As we speak my people are downloading every single file to a secure server for us to investigate at our leisure. We are hoping to find the names and locations of the persons who bought the kidnapped women and children and aid in securing their freedom.”
No one said a word so he continued knowing that what he said next was going to stir up some bad feelings.
“I’m handing all the files over to an International specialised taskforce and there are going to be questions asked. Some of those questions are going to be uncomfortable for the clubs but I can’t scrub your involvement from the files, or my own. We’re going to have to trust that they will keep their word to grant us immunity for working with them. That said, not all of our business dealings are in those files, so rest easy on that one.”
Hawk’s pissed off voice broke the tense silence.
“How sure are you they will grant us immunity? I want a guarantee of immunity before those files are handed over. No way are my men or I spending time inside for doing their fucking jobs.”
Dominick agreed with him, he would be insisting on full immunity for all of them before the files are handed over.
“I agree. We don’t give them anything until I have the signed guarantees covering all of us.”
Looking at Noelle’s crew he focused on Star.
“Star, I’m going to need you to comb the files for any information on Noelle. While Winifred had me she said something that indicated that they took her from her parents. She said that Noelle’s father was a beautiful man and he refused to join them. I have my suspicions as to who he was but I need confirmation.”
“I’m on it.” Star said with a nod.
“Good. If you could start as soon as possible we’ll hopefully have some answers before Noelle comes home.”
And once again Hawk drew his attention.
“What happens now, Dom? Are you taking over the Syndicate in Africa?” Hawk asked but there was a quiet menace to his question.
“I am.” He drew in a deep breath and released it before he continued. “The Harrisons destroyed my family and I’m going to destroy them using the Syndicate. I’m going to unravel them, break them apart and let the vultures feast on their fucking bones.” He looked at the men and women in the room and made a decision that was going to piss his silent partner off.
“I’ve been working undercover for more years than I care to remember. Finally all that time spent swimming in their filth has paid off and...” He stopped speaking as the phone Gideon had given him started buzzing in his pocket.
Pulling it out he looked at the unknown number indication and answered.
“Maingarde.”
“If you think I will allow you to get away with kidnapping Donald and killing my men you are mistaken. That little bitch is not worthy of the danger you’ve put yourself in. Once I’m done you are going to serve as an example for those who think to go against my wishes.” Winifred kept on raging but he was no longer listening to her impotent raving and ended the call.
“Winifred is still free but she won’t be for long. The minute they have the warrant for her arrest the taskforce will be going after her and all those associated with her. She’s still under the impression that everything that happened today has to do with my wrath at Murchison’s treatment of Noelle. We need to keep her under that impression for as long as we can.”
Cuba slowly raised a hand and she looked worried. “There’s something Face said during her ramblings under sedation. I asked her who hurt her and she said a ghost did it. When I asked who this ghost was she said...she said it was Olaf. I tried to get more but she went back under and then Kid took over from me. I haven’t been able to ask any more questions.”
There was some shocked looks as Star took up where Cuba left off. “Years ago I helped Face to erase her marriage to Olaf Gunderson but I never thought to do a background check on him. When Cuba came to me with what Face had said I started searching and I found nothing. The Olaf Gunderson that married Face didn’t exist until right before their marriage. There’re no death notifications or a death certificate. As far as I could find he never existed. And I’m curious, very curious and worried because I have this horrible feeling that he was a bad guy pretending to be a good guy. And if he didn’t die then he’s still out there somewhere and it’s possible he was with Murchison at the warehouse.”
“What about the surveillance you had on the warehouse? Didn’t you see him on it?” War asked.
“Unfortunately not, a blacked out van drove into the warehouse and later the same van drove out, came here and Face was thrown out at the gate. I tried to follow them on street cams but lost them near the docks.” Star said with frustration evident in her voice.
War was up and pacing, running his hands through his hair in anger and frustration. “You’re telling me the woman my son is going to make his old lady is still married to this fuck. Not only that, it’s possible he’s the one who hurt her on Murchison’s orders because he’s part of the Syndicate. Kid is not going to be fucking pleased about this shit.”
“He knows about Olaf and the marriage. And just saying, it was annulled years ago, and even if it hadn’t been if he doesn’t exist then the marriage doesn’t exist either.” Cuba jumped into the conversation again.
Dominick had heard enough.
“It’s no use speculating about it now. Once Noelle is home we’ll debrief and hear her report first hand. Star, check the Syndicate files for anyone named Olaf, there can’t be too many of them.”
Before more could be said Dominick turned to Gideon.
“I’m tired as hell and need to sleep before we continue. Call my car, please.”
After shaking hands with several of the men who had become allies over the last few years he left with Gideon and several of Bruno’s men.
Bruno wouldn’t hear of him going to his penthouse without adequate protection and had sent Jameson and his men along as a precaution. He was grateful for his concern but knew it would piss Winifred off is she got wind of who was protecting him. She wouldn’t be able to get to him in his building, he was sure of it.
What no one knew was that the top three floors of the building his penthouse was in belonged to him. It was from there that he ran the organisation that was going to take down the Syndicate. He was going home but not to sleep. There was too much to do.
As he sat in the back of his car he put his head back and closed his eyes.
Just before the nightmare could take hold he was woken up.
He wouldn’t be sleeping easy for a while after what had happened in the dungeon. It had woken the demons of his past and they would be haunting him until he could banish them once again.
And one way of banishing them would be by destroying everything the bitch had worked for.
The Syndicate was her Achilles heel and he was going to sever it and leave her to bleed out.
And as she bled out he would be watching as the vultures descended and ripped her apart.
