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Tori
Sunday
Thirst and pain woke me. I tried to move and caught my breath as pain speared through me.
“Ow, ow, ow, fucking ow.” I mumbled.
A deep chuckle next to the bed had me turning my head. One of the men who had brought me up to the room sat in an easy chair next to the bed. If my memory wasn’t faulty his name was Kid or something like that.
“You in pain, baby girl?” He asked as he sat forward, his brows drawn together in a slight frown.
“Yip, and I’m damned thirsty. I hate these pain pills. They make my mouth feel like a seagull shat in it.” I complained.
Kid shook with laughter and so did the other man in the room. The prospect who had been watching over me.
“Not sure I want to know how you know what that feels like, babe.” He stood and pulled the duvet away. “I’m sure you need to use the bathroom, so let’s get that out of the way before we get you something to eat and give you your meds. Okay?”
“Great, now I need a big, handsome, muscled man to help me to the toilet. How embarrassing is that?” I mumbled as he carried me into the bathroom chuckling like a damned stream.
“You do what you need to do while I organise you something to eat. Do you drink coffee, babe?”
“Is the pope catholic?” I shot back as he carefully set me down.
“You’re a handful aren’t you, Ms Victoria Keating?” He grinned.
Holding on to the vanity slab I shrugged. “So I’ve been told, and please, call me Tori.”
He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. “Dom called you Victoria, why not Tori?”
Shaking my head I sighed. “You never know with Dominick. He does whatever he wants no matter whether you like it or not.”
He nodded and left abruptly, pulling the bathroom door closed behind him.
Getting my pants down and my butt on the loo was a scary balancing act but I managed and sighed with relief when I emptied my bladder. I had cut it very close, almost wetting my pants.
While washing my hands I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked like a horror show. My face was still swollen but not as badly had been the day after the attack, the swelling was starting to subside, leaving behind bruising in a wide colour spectrum of black, blue, purple, green and yellow. The split in my bottom lip that had been closed by two tiny stitches didn’t look too bad now the swelling was down and neither did the gash above my right eyebrow. The strips had done their job and a thin scab line was now visible. Not bad for two days of healing.
Filling the basin with hot water I used a facecloth to gently clean as much of my aching body and face as I could. Both my eyes were black and still slightly swollen, but at least I was now able to see out of a pair of bloodshot eyes. I gently patted the warm facecloth around my eyes and mouth trying not to grimace because any type of exaggerated facial expression was freaking painful.
I left my leg alone, because I couldn’t remove the brace and bandages on my own. It was a job that required more than one set of hands and at present I had only one and a half. At least my sprained wrist was so sore anymore.
Balancing on my good leg I opened the bathroom door, feeling halfway human again. But I wasn’t prepared for what awaited me in the room.
While I had been in the bathroom my room had filled with a bunch of men. Shit. A quick look reassured me that HE wasn’t one of them. I was sure I had heard someone say his name while I had been lying on the back seat of the SUV.
My luck was freaking atrocious.
Before I could say a word Kid had me up in his arms and had me settled against the cushions stacked against the headboard. He gently raised my leg, settled it on the pillows then drew the duvet back up and over my lap. Throughout him putting me to bed the men watched him silently, slight frowns on some of those watching faces.
“I’ve got you some breakfast, babe. Nothing that would be too difficult to eat, so try and get down as much as you can. You need to build up your strength.” Kid said as he settled a bed tray over my legs.
The tray contained a travel mug of coffee, a small bowl of oats porridge with honey drizzled on top and a small glass of orange juice. Heaven. I tried to smile but stopped instantly when my lip protested the movement.
“Thanks, Kid. Especially for the coffee.”
Kid nodded and sat back down in the chair next to my bed and again I noticed the frowns. What was with the frowns? What was going on here?
But then I was side-tracked by the wonderful aroma of the coffee and took several small sips and hummed with appreciation. Eating was a lot easier than I had expected and wasn’t very painful. And all the while the men watched me. Weird. But I was hungry and ignored them in order to finish my breakfast. When I was done the prospect removed the tray and left the room. I held on to the mug of coffee because I wasn’t done.
Apparently the badasses had been waiting for me to finish because now they drew up their chairs and virtually surrounded my bed. All eyes were on me and they were not friendly. Not at all.
Kid reached over and took my hand and I looked at him. “We need to ask you some questions, Tori. Okay?”
I nodded and looked back at the big intimidating man who was in charge.
Hawk Walker, the man who had claimed my friend DC as his own. I met his eyes and waited. I didn’t have to wait long.
“I’m glad to see you looking better, Victoria. We came to an agreement with Dominick Maingarde to keep you here until he considers it safe to take you back to Cape Town. I am worried that your involvement with Dominick will spill over on to my club. I can’t protect my people or you if I don’t know exactly what I’m up against. How long have you and Dominick been in a relationship and how the hell did he hide that fact from everyone?”
The snort escaped before I could stop it and the painful laugh followed soon after but it didn’t last long. I stopped with a slight grimace and held onto my ribs with my eyes shut tight. I started answering without opening my eyes.
“That’s so damned funny, if my ribs didn’t hurt so much I would laugh harder. Dominick and I aren’t together. He’s doing Pixie a favour but at the same time he’s using me to flush out a rat. Like he told you.”
I peeked through my lashes but the eyes on me didn’t waver.
“Can you tell us why they want to kill you?” The pretty blonde guy at the bottom of the bed asked.
“Sure, Dominick didn’t say I had to keep my mouth shut about that.” Closing my eyes again I thought back to the day my life imploded. “I was at Maingarde Enterprises on Friday morning waiting to speak to Dominick about funding a ballet school for underprivileged children when I overheard two guys arranging a murder. I was so shocked I gasped and the next thing I see is one of the security guards storming towards me with his gun out. I ran out of there and for some stupid reason I went home. Long story short, they were waiting for me, did this to me and when they left to find alcohol to continue their party I escaped. Pixie called Dominick, he took me to a safe house but it really wasn’t safe because we were attacked. Apparently he has a rat. We flew up here, we went to an orthopaedic specialist and afterwards he brought me here. He promised I would be safe with you guys until he sorts out his problem in Cape Town.”
I wasn’t sure about telling them Dominick had killed the men who had been searching for me, so I left that out of my story.
Kid’s hand tightened and I looked at him. “What happened to the men who did this to you?”
I gave a tiny shrug. I really didn’t care about what had happened to them. “They’re not a problem anymore.”
“Did you happen to hear who was going to be murdered?” Hawk sat forward, his eyes very intent.
I would never forget the name. It was the first thing I had told Dominick and he had promised to take care of it. He also made me promise not to tell anyone else.
“I gave Dominick his name and he promised to keep him safe. I know Dominick is involved in some shady shit but I believed him. I know he will keep this guy alive. Just as I know he would be highly pissed off if I gave you the name. He made me promise that I would keep my mouth shut.” I gave a little shrug. “So that’s all I can tell you until he says otherwise.”
They were not pleased. Hell no, they were highly pissed off.
Hawk Walker stared at me with those weird yellow-brown eyes. His face set and cold as ice. Shit. I had to somehow send this conversation in a different direction.
Clearing my throat I glanced at Kid and then back at Hawk. “Could I maybe see DC if she’s here? We haven’t seen each other for almost three years and I would really love to catch up with her.”
Now that face was no longer cold it was all frowny and suspicious.
“How do you know DC?” He asked as he leant forward in his chair.
I sighed heavily. “I thought Dominick told you all about me, seems like he didn’t. So damned typical of him.”
Relaxing against the cushions I explained.
“I was born and raised in Cape Town. I met Pixie at the fancy private school we both attended and we’ve been friends ever since. I met DC at Mainline Ink when she came to do her apprenticeship with Pixie. We hung out together a lot before I left the country to pursue my career as a ballet dancer and unfortunately we lost touch. Now I’m back and I would love to reconnect with her.”
Next to the bed Kid groaned. “Fuck, baby girl, you were a ballet dancer?”
Pain lanced through my chest but I had learned to ignore it and smiled at him. “Yes, I was but I was in an accident and it ended my career.”
The bedroom door suddenly opened and the guy who had been with Kid the night before walked into the room. He held a handful of printed papers in his hand and gave me a smile as he closed the door behind him.
“Sorry I’m late Prez. I was busy printing this out for you and got side-tracked.” He shrugged as he handed Hawk the papers then he came and sat on the side of my bed and patted my foot on my bad leg softly.
“Good morning, sweetheart. How are you feeling today? Do you need your pain meds?”
“Morning, and I’m sorry but I don’t remember your name. Everything is kind of fuzzy after taking those pills.” He laughed softly and shook his head.
“I’m Ziggy, babe.”
“Oh, yes, now I remember. You brought me water to take those pills, and I’m not taking them again. They knocked me out so completely I almost peed in my pants.”
Laughter rang out and I smiled at Ziggy then looked at Kid who shook with laughter.
“I got her to the bathroom just in time, brother.” He teased.
While we were talking and joking Hawk paged through the papers, reading and glancing up at me every now and then. It had to be about me, who I was and what had happened to me almost two years ago.
“According to this you are a world acclaimed ballet dancer.” Hawk waved the pages in the air as he spoke.
I shook my head. “I used to be, but I’m not anymore. My leg isn’t strong enough to do what it needs to do to dance at that level. If I’m lucky, and I hope I am, I will still be able to dance. I want to teach children to dance, to love ballet as much as what I do.”
“It says you started dancing at the age of three. How is that possible? We have some brothers around whose little girls are that age and they aren’t in ballet classes or any of that shit.”
I shook my head with a smile. “My mother and some of her friends took us kids to watch The Nutcracker and I sat on my knees peering over the balcony rail at the dancers, totally enthralled. I knew then I was going to be a dancer. She enrolled me in my first class the very next week and that was it for me. Dancing is all I’ve ever wanted to do.” I waved my hand around the room. “Just like you’ve known all your life that this is what you want, so did I. My mother tied on my first little ballet slippers and I was home.”
“I can understand that.” Hawk agreed with a nod. “You lost friends in the accident. Is that why you didn’t stay in New York afterwards?”
God, the sadness I kept at bay descended and I had to blink and swallow hard.
“With my career gone there was nothing left for me there. I needed to come home. I left New York after the specialists declared me fit and I have been back in South Africa for four months now. But I quickly became bored with training every morning and then having nothing to do for the rest of the day. That’s when I came up with the idea of a dancing school for children who can’t afford the high fees at the dancing academies. And you know what happened when I went to see Dominick. Now I’m here and praying all the work done by the specialists hasn’t been undone.”
Sitting back in his chair Hawk kept his eyes on me, staring at me with those hawk-eyes of his. Then he nodded as he came to a decision.
“Only my officers and one of the prospects know you are up here. We are going to keep it that way for the time being. Of course Aunt Beryl knows you’re here because she has to feed you and I’ll let DC know you are here. She’ll be pissed if I don’t.”
There was soft laughter from the men. “Yes, and we don’t want DC pissed if we can help it.” The pretty blonde in the chair at the bottom of my bed teased.
I smiled with them because DC’s short temper wasn’t a secret.
“Who are you?” I asked curiously.
“Ah, shit. Forgive Kid his bad manners, sweetheart. Let me introduce you to all of us.” The pretty blonde winked and smiled. Such a charmer.
“I’m Spider and the surly bastard next to me is my brother, Ice. You know Hawk, Kid and Ziggy. Those two over there are Sin and Jagger and the guy at the end is Kahn. The guy guarding the door is Sam, our prospect. The only officer missing today is Beast, but he’s got some personal business to take care of so you’ll only meet him sometime next week or so.”
Oh Jesus! Thank you for small mercies.
I nodded to cover my relief, glancing around I met all their eyes before looking away.
He wasn’t here. I didn’t have to stress about him walking into the room and finding me in his territory. He had been very clear about never wanting to see me again. I was never to darken the doorways of any of their clubhouses. If I did I would regret ever meeting him. He had promised to break me before he threw my body out the gate.
Years ago those threats had broken my heart and had me running for the airport. I left the country and never returned, until four months ago.
And now here I was, in the very clubhouse where, apparently, he was one of the officers. No longer just a patched member, but an officer. That had to mean something, I just didn’t know what.
Steeling myself I shoved him out of my head and concentrated on something good.
“Do you think DC could visit with me today?”
Hawk nodded. “My old lady is at her house doing some shit but I will let her know you are here. I’m sure the minute I tell her what happened she’ll come home.” Hawk pointed a warning finger at me. “She’s very good at getting what she wants, don’t give it to her.”
Frowning in confusion I shook my head. “What?”
“She’s going to question you until you give her the whole story and then she’ll be on the warpath. The ones who did this to you, if they’re still alive she’ll find them and take care of them and then we’ll have eyes on us that we do not want.”
Before he could continue I said quietly. “They’re dead.”
“Thank fuck.” Kid muttered next to me.
I frowned and shook my head at him then winced as pain lanced through my head. “Ouch! My head is starting to ache with all this talking. And I’m not taking two of those pills again. I think half a pill will do the trick.”
Kid immediately shook out one of the pain pills and broke it in half, handing the half to me with the bottle of water that was on the bedside table. I swallowed it down gratefully and smiled as Kid rearranged my pillows to make me comfortable.
“Thanks, Kid, you’re a great nurse.” I teased.
He snorted. “Stop yakking, baby girl, and rest. Once that pill kicks in you’ll feel better.”
I smiled but it didn’t last long. My eyelids felt heavy and I blinked my eyes as everything around me slowly started fading.
“Damn, these pills...are...the...shit.” I mumbled as I fell asleep.
Hawk
Looking at the tiny battered woman in the bed Hawk had the feeling that shit was going to hit the fan in the near future. Something about her screamed trouble. He just didn’t know if it was the shit following her from Cape Town or if it was the way Kid was acting around her or something else.
His brother hadn’t been this interested in a woman in a very long time.
“Let’s get out of here and let her sleep. Everyone in my office right now.” He spoke quietly as he picked his chair up and placed it against the wall before walking out the door Sam was holding open for him. “You stay with her, Sam. Call me when she wakes up again.”
“Okay, Prez.”
Frowning at down at his phone Hawk unlocked his office and closed the door behind him before he answered.
“Dom, she’s settled in and she’s fine. We’ll take care of her safety. You don’t have to keep checking in.” Hawk growled as he sank into his chair.
“Not calling about Victoria. I’ve never seen a scarier or more beautiful tattoo. Just thought to let you know. I’ll call again.”
Hawk sat and stared down at his silent phone and a tiny evil grin curled around his lips. His old lady had scared the big bad crime boss. Good to know.
Quietly sitting at his desk Hawk watched as his men filed in and sat down. There was a heavy silence in the room until the door closed.
“That woman up there has gone through hell for the last almost two years. Her dance partner died in the bus accident that ended her career. They were famous, so famous in fact that his death and the end of her career made world news in cultural circles. And apparently on our local news stations as well. Ziggy downloaded some of the articles from the newspapers and magazines about her. None of us would have taken any notice because it meant nothing at the time. I don’t even know if DC knows what happened. She has never mentioned Victoria Keating or Ilya Ivanov or that she had a friend who was a world famous ballet dancer.”
Hawk stroked his beard as he continued explaining.
“Now the fucking Maingarde bitch is after her blood and it’s not going to happen on our watch. We keep her hidden and safe no matter what. Not because Dominick asked us to do so but because it’s the right thing to do.”
Turning to Kid he asked the one question that had been churning in his gut. “Did they rape her?”
Kid sighed and shook his head. “I don’t think so. I checked for bruising on the inside of her thighs, on her hips and back when I helped her into bed last night and didn’t see any that was consistent with being raped. I think she escaped before they could get that far. Her abdomen and chest is covered in nasty fucking bruises and there’s bruising on her lower back and thighs where they kicked her. And we all saw the mess they made of her face. She’s fucking tough to have survived that beating.”
His brothers’ curses filled the silent room after Kid’s explanation.
“Fuck. Okay, I’ll get hold of DC but she’s the only one besides Aunt Beryl who’s going to know we’ve got someone we are protecting upstairs. Only officers and their old ladies will be allowed on that floor. If you need to fuck some bitch take her to a back room. We need to keep curious eyes away from our business.”
Turning to Ziggy he started on the next problem that needed solving. Beast.
“Have you got the paperwork and evidence ready to go for Beast to get his kids away from that whore?”
Ziggy nodded. “Yes, Ice gave it to me this morning and we are ready. I’m just waiting on Beast to give me the go ahead to deliver it to his lawyer and the Advocate that’s handling his case. We have more than enough evidence of child endangerment and neglect to get those babies out of her dirty claws.”
Jagger shook his head. “I’ll never understand why the fuck he married that slut instead of suing for custody of his kid.”
Sin was the one who spoke after a short silence. “He wasn’t in a good space when that shit happened and I think he thought it was the right thing to do. He wanted to be a father to that little girl. It’s what the fucking bitch did to him the second time around that has my blood boiling. She needs killing, not lawyers and shit.”
Hawk gave a devious smile. “If she fights his application we’ll have this talk again, but with our brother present. She’s the mother of his children, however fucked up that is. We can’t make life changing decisions without his input.”
Sin laughed. “Fuck, Hawk, he’ll be first in line to cut her fucking throat. He hates her fucking guts.”
“Yes, and if she dies under suspicious circumstances his ass will be the first the pigs will pull in for questioning. We need to wait.” Ice said quietly. “We need to be patient. Let’s try and sort it out through the courts. Once he has full custody and shit settles down we talk again. Unfortunately it might be a long process. It all depends on the judge. One thing in his favour is the harsher stance the government has started to take against child abusers. We loaded the application with proof of the abuse and neglect those little girls have suffered at her hands and that of her fucker of a boyfriend and his fucked up little club.”
“That’s something else we need to take care of when this is done.” Hawk ran his hands through his hair and sighed. “Okay, let’s get out of here and get on with the day. Keep your eyes open, and Jagger, send some feelers out to see if we have picked up extra watchers out there. We carry on as normal, but be vigilant, we know the old bitch has plans for us. Let’s not give her the opening that she needs.”
With that his men left his office and pulled the door closed behind them. He had a call to make. Picking up his phone he called his woman.
“Hey, baby, how’s your day going?” Her voice sounded like she was smiling.
“Not as good as yours I think. Little bird, do you know someone called Victoria Keating?”
Silence.
“Yes, I do. Why do you want to know?” Her voice was no longer smiling, instead it was pitched low and had turned cold and hard.
“I need you to get back here, baby. She needs you.” Hawk answered softly.
His woman didn’t disappoint. “I’m on my way.”
She didn’t say anything more. Just ended the call.
Hawk wished that just once things would stay peaceful without shit hitting the fan every fucking five seconds.
Without having to be told he knew the broken little red upstairs was going to be trouble. What kind of trouble he didn’t know, but she was going to be trouble, there was no doubt in his mind about that.
And with his old lady involved...
Fuck.
