Ride or Die - A Biker Romance

Chapter Three: Time to Take Care of Business

As much as I would love to enjoy my 'mini vacation' with Annabell, I have to check in with Brian, our President. My phone has been going off every hour or so now, and it's getting annoying. I know they're concerned because I didnt check in yet, but Annabell has been more important. I still havent checked in after my run two days ago now, and it isn't like me to just go radio silent. Bells is fast asleep, so I step outside to smoke a cigarette and call Brian. He answers on the third ring.

"Damian, where the hell have you been?!" Brian yells, not wasting time on greetings.

"Sorry Pres. Something major kind of came up on the way to the club."

"Should I pop popcorn? Am I going to get an epic tale of woe and romance and drama?"

Brian is dripping with sarcasm and I ignore it.

"I was on my way back and."

" And??" He urges me onward.

"Well Annabell raced past me with developing bruises. Big developing bruises. Like half her face is so swollen she can't see out of her left eye."

I tell him the whole story, and he must believe me because he doesn't interrupt me or chew me out when I'm finished.

"So when are you coming back kid?"

"I don't know. I actually need a favor."

"Sure kid."

"I need Joel Ketchum ready and waiting for me. I need to give him a long needed 'talk'."

"I'll send Roach and Tigger out."

"Thanks man. I'll see you in a few days."

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Bells looks so peaceful when she's asleep. I hate to disturb her, but we need to get a move on. We've been here for about four days, and I need to get back before MC Church tomorrow night. She wakes easily, which is good.

"We need to head back, love. It's been long enough."

She looks really nervous and I totally understand. She thinks it hasn't been long enough for her to heal.

"No worries, love. I had the MC check around. No one has seen Joel since the last time you did."

A lie, and one I immediately regret telling. It'll be the truth soon enough.

"As long as you think it's okay."

"I waited until your bruising started to fade. I called Brian. Gem's waiting for you to come home."

A light went off in Annabell's head. Gem is Brian's old lady; and Annabell's childhood friend. She hasn't been able to see her because her ex liked to keep away from any MC ties. He liked to keep her as far away from me as possible, that way I wouldn't be able to find out what he was doing.

Well his luck has run out.

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The MC parking lot is full when we pull in. Gem and Tigger are waiting for us. Bells hugs her friend and Gem guides her into the MC to distract her with a few drinks. I don't want Bells to notice my disappearance.

Tigger leads me into the garage. Falcon and Roach have Joel bound in tow chains hanging from the ceiling and gagged with old shop rags. We circle up around him in the very foreseeable future when I pound on him he can't swin too far away from me. When Joel sees me, he immediately starts kicking and flailing; screaming against the rag. I cackle in his face, which makes him scream and fight even harder.

"Remember me?" I , swing the hanging light closer so he can get a good look at me; pull his gag away so he can answer me, taking care to pull a few layers of skin off with the duct tape holding the rags in his mouth.

"f**k! Yes! You're Damian Blackthorn!" Joel groans.

"I've been watching Annabell for the last few years. You were supposed to love her and keep her safe. Instead you became her worse nightmare. Well now I'm becoming yours."

"Sure you are.. Big scary biker huh?" Joel cackles.

He's taunting me, which is laughable. Right now I get to do what I've waited years to do.

"So, what's the deal Joel?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Why are you pounding on Annabell?"

"I don't know." He scoffs. "Because it's fun?"

My fist meets the center of his face and he goes swinging backwards on his chains. Roach catches him and walks him back; holding him in place.

"I'm sorry bro. But she's just so.. She yells at everything, and ruins everything she touches. She can't go anywhere without - "

I punch him again before he can continue; this time much harder. Joel groans and spits a tooth on the cement floor of the garage.

"There is no reason to hit women! I dated her long before you did! I grew up with her! I'm the one that got her mental health situated for her after her father passed away! I dealt with her manic and depressive moods! You don't think I ever got mad? I walked away! I walked away instead of snapping because hurting her over a stupid fight wasn't worth it! I went for a ride! I left! I got space! There's no reason to hurt someone you love! That's words or touch! You're supposed to put her on a pedestal and treat her like a queen! Well now? Now you've lost her for good! She's nice and safe right where she should have been all along."

"You want her? Fine! You're doing me a favor she sucks in the sack. She whines about every little -"

That's where I finally lose control. By the time Tigger and Falcon finally manage to pull me off him, Joel isn't breathing and his face is unrecognizable; resembling a smashed beet. Joel hangs limp on the chains. Roach reaches up and unclips him, letting him to fall in a heap in the ground.

"Come on mate. Better clean yourself off before Annabell sees." Tigger mumbles in his irish accent.

"Go. We'll take care of this. Roach go get Bone." Falcon takes control.

I nod, going to slip into the MC and manage to avoid everyone. I make my way silently up the stairs to the VP's bedroom.

About an hour later, I'm finally clean enough to be around Bells. Roach is at the bar, making sure everyone has full glasses. Annabell and Gem are definitely a little more than buzzed by now. We've been gone long enough. I head in their direction and when I get about halfway there Annabell looks over and sees me. She's drunk, and stumbles trying to get up. I speed up trying to catch her before she falls, and barely manage it.

Bells is all giggles as soon as I touch her even though I'm no where near her tickles spots.

"Hey Ian!" Bells slurs.

"You okay babe?"

She wobbles and I take a step closer to stabilize her better. She's still swaying and I'm afraid the constant motion is going to mess with her stomach.

"Let's sit down for a second, love."

I ease her back onto her stool, and she leans into me; like she isn't getting enough support from her stool.

"Bells? You okay?"

"Mpf." She grunts.

"Are you going to be sick?"

Right on cue, she starts gagging and lurching forward. I scoop her up, trying to to block her mouth with my shoulder. I bolt for the closest bathroom and when I get her in front of the toilet, she retches again. Glad she managed to miss us both, I rub her back while she empties stomach; flushing every so often to avoid splash back.

"Bells, you okay to go lay down for a bit?" I ask when she finally stops.

"Yes please." She groans.

I help her up and grab a disposable toothbrush out of the cabinet so she can get the puke breath out of her mouth. When she's done, I carry her upstairs to the VP bedroom. Each member has a room in case we need it. Some, like Falcon, stay at the MC.

I get her settled, with a bucket next to her in case she needs it and head back downstairs to the lounge.

Itchy; our techie and tattoo artist and Hash; our business enterprise need to see me. We got into the THC/CBD trade about a year or two ago and Hash has been so successful with it we're already trying to open a second greenhouse.

Hash has been trying to teach Dweeb; a new prospect, his trade for a few weeks now but it's not working out. Normally, we try to keep at least three prospects, and they all need to learn a trade. We keep the prospect period at 5 years, that way we know if they're trustworthy or not. Roach is at the end of his five years and is probably getting voted in tomorrow night at church. Bones is a nomad that had decided to prospect about two years ago; and has been training with Falcon in the boxing ring or working with Brian in the garage fixing bikes. Only Dweeb is new, and doesn't seem to be working out.

Itchy and Hash are huddled in at a small table in the corner, waiting for me. Hash needs to expand but isn't willing to leave the main greenhouse where he's spent the most of his time. He's in his sixties, and has been smoking enough to put the best of them to shame. It's understandable that he has a few screws loose. Itchy's willing to install cameras up so he can watch over everything, but Hash still needs to either train someone to watch the second greenhouse or bounce back and forth. Dweeb isn't able to do it yet. What they don't know is that Roach already offered to take Dweeb's spot.

"Y'all wanted to talk?" I ask, joining them.

"Yes. Can I please get rid of the half wit?" Hash groans.

"Actually, Roach offered to take Dweeb's spot but I told him you were to fond of Dweeb."

I joke.

"Me? Fond of Dweeb? Ha! I gave him a small crop to see if he could take care of it and he fried it in no time! Too high of a light for seedlings, not enough water and no rest! Roach actually pays attention when you talk to him!"

"Now, Now. Roach is at the end of his term and Dweeb just got here. What if we give you Roach when he's free, but you still train Dweeb? He still needs to learn a trade." I suggest.

" Actually, I keep finding Dweeb in my tech room. What if I train him?" Itchy mumbles.

"If you're okay training him; I dont care as long as he learns a trade."

"Then it's settled. Roach has a plant in his closet already; so I think he's okay with some direction, and I trust Itchy's camera placement. I think we should be okay."

Hash slides his sixties style glasses to the top of his head and pulls his little silver mint tin out of his back pocket. Itchy grabs a small ash tray off the bar, while Hash lights a joint. Smoke begins to drift towards the ceiling in lazy spirals. Immediately a herbal skunk scent fills the room.

"Where's Bells?" Hash asks, passing the joint to Itchy, who takes a few deep drags.

"Upstairs. Passed out in my bunk. Gem took distracting her to a whole new level." I tell them, taking my turn with the joint.

"Did she get sick?" Asks Itchy.

"Of course she did." I chuckle.

We sit in silence for a few minutes, enjoying Hash's product. Through the window we can see Bone dragging something heavy.

"What's that?" Asks Itchy.

"Taking care of a little mess I made."

Itchy leans forward so he isn't overheard.

"I've heard some things about Bone."

"Whatever you 'heard' better stay on your files. The club needs him." I shut him down.

Itchy backs down immediately. The other members know that when Brian or I say something we mean it.

"Hey now.. My smoke is supposed to be mellow and calm not piss you off. " Hash smiles.

I smile too. It's hard not to, not with this dirty hippie around. I've known him for years, but only as Hash. Someone told me his name is O'Bine but I'm not too sure.

The MC is starting to wind down. Most of the members have gone upstairs, either alone or with one of the Club Bunnies. I say my goodnight to Hash and Itchy and head upstairs.

Annabell has been asleep for a few hours. She looks so beautiful, the light from the full moon dancing across her face. Her long, raven colored hair is splayed across the pillow; her chest rising and falling with each breath. I strip down to my boxers; taking care to slip in next to her gently so I don't disturb her. I pull her close and fall asleep within minutes.