MC: LaPonte (7 page)

He climbs in and jumps
right to the run yesterday. “Heard what happened Brother. I was
surprised you were on the run.” VP must have told him we were
challenged by another club. Fuckin shoot out at the shipyard was
not my idea but I hit tires and sent one percenters hitting the
road.

“Bob had court or I
wouldn’t have been. Kind of glad I was though he’s young to be
getting shot at.” That was a cluster fuck.

“Bob’s fuckin good at his
job, wouldn’t have ended any different with him there. VP says he’s
level headed and a fuckin good shot. He don’t give compliments.
Where did you learn to shoot?”

“Prospecting. My sponsor
was fuckin awesome. He taught me to shoot then took me on rides in
the reservation where he put up targets. I had to hit them while
riding. I thought he was a GOD.” I chuckle.

“Name was Axe. Another
fuckin Brother died in a drug war.” He says.

“Yeah.” I make the ride
for the boys lost in thought. I wonder why VP didn’t say anything
about me hitting every fuckin biker yesterday. Fuck if I’ll ask for
Security, I’m thinking he just doesn’t want me near him. No matter
what I do they don’t want me for some reason. I can’t get it out of
my head and I’m so fuckin unsure of my standing in the Club. When
did Brotherhood get so fuckin hard? We get the boys and unload our
gear.

These kids are so fuckin
good, I love taken them out. Tiny cracks us up trying to cast.
Jessie shows him how it's done. "Uncle Tiny you gotta hold the line
like this." He demonstrates. Little Ben watches and nods making me
smile. He's just like his father; he doesn't say much but watches
everything. Him and Jessie seem to know what the other is thinking
with just a look. Jessie moves back over to Little Ben's side and
they watch their lines.

"Fuckin kid knows more
about fishin than I ever will." Tiny says to me.

"Why'd you want to come
fishing then?" I ask him perplexed, he called and asked to come
along.

"Heard you came up for
breath and wanted to see for myself. VP seems concerned. I like him
better relaxed. Figured I could put his mind at ease telling him
you're back." He says looking at the water.

Fuckin Brothers. I take a
deep breath and blow it out. "If everyone was so fuckin concerned
about me, why the fuck didn't someone put out a fuckin hand." I try
to keep my voice low so the boys don't hear me.

"Wasn't you they were
concerned about. What you’re doing to Kate is the concern, along
with other Brothers interest in her. We try to avoid drama like
that. With you both bein VP's family, it causes
concern."

It would have been nice if
at any time one of
my
fuckin Brothers was concerned about
me
. “What the
fuck? Other Brothers not just Jared?" Fuckin hell! There's a fuckin
line of Brothers waiting?

"She's a fuckin knockout
Brother, you thinkin no one notices tells the whole fuckin story.
Brothers are waiting for her to be shot of you, now she's dating;
they're just waiting for their chance at her." He looks at me as if
I'm slow.

"She's giving me a shot.
Fuckin Brothers can wait a little longer.” I want to ask for names
so I can beat the fuck out of them.

"Kate's taking dates while
you're reforming. I know she's been out with Jared twice. Don't
think that's your choice anymore. It's not cool for you to make no
secret with the whores and try to stake a claim to VPs family when
you treat her like an option Brother. Plenty of Brothers are
willing to treat her like a lady."

Fuck, every fuckin day I'm
getting lectured by one brother or another. Fuckin Jared, taking
her out twice. I need to get my shit together a hell of a lot
faster than I'm moving. "How is she VPs family? She's Jess's
friend." Everyone keeps throwing that at me.

"Where the fuck is your
head? He claimed her as family a couple fuckin years ago. Closest
she's got to blood is Jess. That girl needs anything he's there
along with Ben, Casper and me. If your head wasn't in pussy, I bet
you'd be there too." He's not hiding our conversation from the
boys. Shit.

"Look, it took her dating
to wake me the fuck up. It would have been nice if a fuckin Brother
would have put his fuckin hand out for me, but I don’t get that at
my position. I haven't been to the club since I moved back to my
house. I promised Kate I wouldn't make her regret giving me another
shot. I don't know what the fuck to do with everyone wanting a shot
at her. I'm going to get her back and do right by her. While I'm
doing it, I'll work at proving to every fuckin Brother I'm worth
it, just so I don’t have to listen to one more fuckin lecture. I'm
here to fish with the boys. I'm not talking about this shit another
fuckin minute." I'm pissed looking at him.

He fuckin smiles, "I'll
tell VP he can relax." He goes to the boys and has Jessie show him
how to cast again. Fuckin Brothers.

Chapter Eight

One month…

Work is crazy; I think
something is in the water. Why the hell do men feel it’s ok to beat
women? As I’m driving home I try to put it all aside. Our Chairman
is making it hard though. He’s too damn busy to deal with the day
to day operation of the Center so everyone and their brother call
me. Tonight I’m off. I have another date with Jacob. Our last date
was to the Water Fire in Providence. It was nice. That pretty much
sums up all my dates. It was nice. Danny spends time with me a
couple times a week and calls me every other night. We have fun
doing the most mundane things. I really like how he’s working to
earn respect back. He’s making it hard for me to see anyone else
but I’m determined to make sure I’m not in love with an idea. So,
back to Jacob, I need to be changed and ready in thirty minutes and
I’m not even home yet. I wish he would have listened when I told
him I would be cutting it close. At least he said to dress casual.
Pulling in I jump out of my car and run around like a chicken with
my head cut off pulling on jeans and a blouse. I just get my hair
brushed when he knocks.

Opening the door I'm
surprised to see Danny, my smile matches his. “Hi Danny, I’m on my
way out. Did you need something?”

“I told Little Ben I’d
pick up his sweatshirt from here on my way over. We’re on a worm
mission so we can go fishing tomorrow.” He says smiling as if
catching worms is a fun activity.

I reach behind the door to
the coat hooks. “Bet they’re going to love that.” I shiver thinking
of the worms.

He laughs, “I wouldn’t
think of asking if you want to go.”

I look over him seeing
Jacob pull in front of my house. He looks behind him then back at
me. “I’m not sure I would like the worm thing but I have
plans.”

He nods with a sad look in
his eyes. “Have fun.” He walks away.

Wow, I really feel bad as
I watch his truck turn the corner. Jacob is standing in front of
me. “Let me get my coat.” He nods looking at the corner. I grab my
coat and purse and meet him on the front steps.

“Who was that?” He
asks.

“Hi Jacob, it’s good to
see you too. That was my best friend’s brother. He came to get her
son’s sweatshirt so they can collect bait tonight.”

He gives me a hard look.
The hair on the back of my neck stands up. “He looks like he was
more than just someone’s brother.”

“We dated for more than a
year, we’re good friends.” I’m thinking this isn’t feeling right. I
went on one date with the guy.

“You don’t need friends
like that. He wants to be more than your friend. Not while I’m
around.” He says harshly.

“I guess it’s settled
then. It was nice meeting you Jacob.” I turn around to go back
in.

“What are you doing? We
need to get going or we’ll miss the start.” He grabs my
arm.

“Jacob let me go and look
at the light post on the corner. There is a camera there that
watches my house. The MC surrounded my house with video
surveillance. Step away. We had one date, you start telling me who
I can be friends with sends up red flags. I am a domestic abuse
counselor and domestic violence security expert. I’m good friends
with the MC, the Baxters and the Police chiefs in this county. I
think you should move along and forget my number.”

He lets me go. “You’re not
worth it. I wasted enough money on you.” He turns and walks to his
car still mumbling. The guy is something else. Water Fire is free.
He bought two drinks for me.

Tiny rides by waving at
me. I smile and wave back. Jacob didn’t miss it. I wonder if they
really were watching. I smile and go inside pulling some bills from
my wallet and stashing my purse. I decide I need an ice-cream and
head to the cone.

I have no idea why I’m
smiling, I laugh at myself as I’m pulling in front of the cone. I
order my favorite, a twist, and sit at one of the tables. It’s a
nice night and I enjoy watching the kids play at the playground. I
always wanted a house full of kids. At this point in my life I’d
settle for one. I’m startled by little arms tightening around my
back. I laugh.

“Te Kate. Uncle Danny said
you were busy.” Jessie says.

“Well I was but my plans
fell through. Since I was alone, I thought I’d get a cone to cheer
me up.” I smile at the two boys.

“You always smile when
you’re with us.” Little Ben says.

I hear Danny chuckling. I
smile at them. “I do smile when I’m with you. You are my favorite
little men. Did you come for cones?”

“Nope just to get
containers for our worms.” Danny says from behind me. I watch him
walk to the cone.

“We had dessert already.”
Jessie tells me. “Do you want to get worms with us? You don’t have
to pick them up.”

“You can just hang with us
so you’re not alone.” Little Ben says. These freakin
kids.

“I guess I can, but only
because you’re my favorites. I wouldn’t go worm catching with just
anyone you know.” I smile at them.

“You’ll have your own
family Te Kate. When you do we’ll come worm catching with them so
you can take a break.” Little Ben says. I hug him to hide the tears
in my eyes. Jessie hugs me too.

Danny comes back with the
containers. “Te Kate is coming too Uncle Danny. We’re going to make
her happy tonight. We don’t want her to be alone.”

Danny smiles at me.
“Sounds perfect.” He doesn’t say anymore and I'm grateful I don't
have to offer an explanation.

I follow and watch them
dig and pick up the ugliest worms I have ever seen. They gross me
out, but we have the best time. I thank them for letting me tag
along and drive home to take a long soak in burning hot water so I
get the worm heebie jeebies off.

Danny

I’m so fuckin glad Kate’s
date fell through. I know she’s been out on dates but I try not to
think about it. Seeing a guy there made it hit home a lot harder
than I expected. I know exactly how she felt when she heard about
the whores and I don’t even know if she’s slept with anyone. Fuck I
was a selfish dick; I feel it most when I realize how much I stand
to lose. I’m finally seeing approval in my Brothers eyes; I’m not
fuckin this up again. Walking away from her house was hard but I’m
getting her back. I know she had fun tonight even if it was with
worms. I have to do something special for my two little wing men
for keeping her with us.

I drive home thinking
about my Kate. I have every intention of being with her so I need
to start taking steps to making my house one she’ll want to live
in. Walking in the door I look around critically. This is
definitely a man’s house. Me and Rich were happy with it but Rich
has his own place now. I decide on changing the rooms and redoing
the kitchen. I need to get rid of this bachelor pad furniture. I
think I’ll add on to the side and extend the master bath putting a
balcony on the second floor. Since my head is swimming in plans I
grab a roll of paper and start drawing them out. Two hours later I
have a rough drawing of what I want. I need to get it built and
figure out a way to get Kate to help me decorate it. I smile to
myself. I’m getting her back. My beautiful K.

Chapter Nine

Three weeks…

I know she's home so I
call her earlier than usual. “Kate, are you busy tomorrow?” I’m
hoping she isn’t on call.

“I am. I have a class up
in Boston. It will be a half day but the ride will make it a whole
day.” She doesn’t sound happy about that.

“That works out perfect,
what time is your class?” I smile, this will work.

“I’m not teaching it, it’s
a security class I’m taking, part of ongoing training. It starts at
ten and is out at two.”

“Would you like a ride? I
need to go into Maine then back to Boston. I could drop you on my
way up and pick you up before I head home.” My brain is chanting,
‘please say yes’.

“That would be perfect,
thank you. What are you doing in Maine?”

“I’ll be looking at some
bathroom fixtures and checking the color on a special order tub I
have them building. It won’t take more than an hour.” I smile. I
can’t wait for her to see it.