Avenging Angel by Naomi Porter

15

Madeline

Storm made it happen. I was ecstatically happy and stupidly giddy to be off the compound. Hero and AJ were our bodyguards for the afternoon. Emilee was beyond thrilled to see my classroom. I was probably more excited than she was, to show off my kindergarten room.

Tara came along, wanting to drop off supplies in her room. I had a sneaky suspicion that Hero was the reason she wanted to hang out with us. Of course I’d told her he was chaperoning us. She just acted as if she didn’t hear me. Silly girl. My bestie didn’t fool me. She wanted Hero.

I danced my eyes around my classroom, recalling all the memories, like my kids’ squeals and giggles of delight. Singing our welcome song. I could smell the paint, playdough, and dry erase markers. It’d been a great year.

Strangely, I hadn’t missed any of it. Storm had me focused on him the whole summer. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I totally love this!” Emilee exclaimed the same phrase for the third time. She was so teacher material. Flitting around the room, she “awed,” fawning over the little chairs and tables, art supplies, and books. Like me, her heart was drawn to the little ones.

“Three years of college, though. It seems like I’ll be in school forever.” She made a pouty face.

“Nah.” Tara waved her off. “You’re young. It’ll fly by. Enjoy the experience. Before you know it, you’ll be working for a living.” Tara screwed up her face. “Adulting.”

“That’s the truth,” I agreed. “When you’re in college, life is simpler. Then you graduate, get a real job, and suddenly you’re an adult paying for everything.”

Although, I liked being independent. Living with Storm, I didn’t pay for anything, not even food. The commercial-grade kitchen in the clubhouse was always fully stocked. Sugar or Tina managed the grocery shopping and had an account they used to buy whatever was needed for the clubhouse. Money was never talked about, but Storm told me between all the club’s legit businesses and some not so legit dealings, the KLMC did well for itself.

Couldn’t say I was complaining about any of it. Well, I did have one complaint. I missed my privacy. Storm and I hadn’t talked about it, but if we were going to start a family, I’d really love our own home.

“True. I’m not looking forward to adulting. Daddy says I’ll never want for anything.” Emilee shrugged and zoned out for a moment, leaving Tara and I hanging on her words. “Because of the club, I mean. Whatever I need, they’ll make sure I have.”

“Wow, so the club is like your backup, huh?” Tara crossed her arms over her chest, peering out the window at Hero. She hadn’t said anything negative about Storm and his club since the party. Even after everything with Carla, Tara’s opinion of outlaw bikers seemed to have changed.

Emilee paged through a Dr. Suess book. “Mhm. The club is my family. They take care of their own.”

“Think you’ll find yourself a sexy biker and become an old lady?” Tara wiggled her eyebrows. More proof she had a fascination with the club.

Emilee blushed, turning away. Her golden blonde hair shimmered as sunbeams hit it near the window. “Um, probably not.” She strolled along the wall of windows, keeping her back to us. “Daddy doesn’t want me with a biker. He wants me to have a normal life, whatever that means.” She sighed, gliding her finger over the globe at the end of the bookshelf. “It was Momma’s dying wish that I fell in love with someone who wasn’t a biker.”

Oh, my heart. I needed to wrap up this conversation before I fell into a puddle of tears. Emilee was the sweetest girl. Strong too. Her momma died of breast cancer when she was in middle school. You’d never know it by looking at her. I imagined talking about her momma wasn’t easy. Turning her back to us, she was probably trying to hide her emotions. I would be if it was me. Losing a mother was a devastating thought. I knew what it was to lose a brother, but losing a mom seemed even worse.

“Anyone hungry? I’m starving.” I needed to change the subject before we were all crying.

Tara and Emilee turned my way with smiles on their pretty faces. “Yes!” they chimed.

“Excellent. I’m craving a burger and a Blizzard.” My mouth salivated just thinking of a juicy burger. Might even go for onion rings. The KLMC compound was on the outskirts of town. Running out for fast food took over twenty minutes—one way. It’d been so long since I’d had a good burger.

“Craving?” Emilee asked with a curious expression, eyeing me weirdly.

“Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve been to DQ. Let’s go.” I clapped my hands and grabbed my phone off my desk, taking the lead out of my room so the girls would follow.

In the parking lot, Hero and AJ perked up on their bikes when they saw us.

“What’s up?” Hero asked.

I stopped at his Harley. “Food. DQ.”

He nodded, accepting my reply. Storm had given him strict orders to have us back at the compound by five. We were to keep to public places. He had rejected my movie idea, totally bumming me out. What I wouldn’t give for a large buttered popcorn and a slurpee.

Dairy Queen was a short drive from Heritage Elementary. The girls and I sat inside to avoid the heat, taking our time eating our meal. Hero and AJ sat in the parking lot. It was sweet of them to give us space, but honestly, it was ninety-two degrees. They should’ve enjoyed a Blizzard in the air-conditioned dining room. Hero was more stubborn about it than Storm would’ve been.

Lately, I’ve had a larger than normal appetite. I hadn’t told Storm I was a week late, nor had he noticed. Finding out our real identities, the freaking Carla fiasco, and the recent murder, I didn’t want to put any more stress on him. Better to wait until I took a pregnancy test. I didn’t want to get his hopes up. The emotional crap I’d been through could be the reason I was late.

“I can’t believe Storm let you out of the clubhouse. It seems like since your big identity reveal, and that Carla clusterfuck, you two are even more inseparable than before.” Tara snickered, popping a fry into her mouth.

She wasn’t wrong. The brat was laughing because I’d overreacted and didn’t trust Storm during the Carla debacle. Tara loved that I got into a catfight with the godawful woman. I should’ve let Storm handle her long ago. Stupidly, I tried to give Carla a chance to change. Plus, several of Storm’s brothers liked her “services.” The thought turned my stomach, but I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers so early into becoming the prez’s ol’ lady. Damn, I was glad she was gone, though.

“Well, he’s out with Track doing some club stuff. I have to be home like a good little girl for supper.” I rolled my eyes, taking a bite of an onion ring.

Emilee nodded, dipping her fry in her chocolate shake. “Yeah, my dad reminded me about keeping my eyes open and to call him if I saw a Hunter.”

“Same. Storm even mentioned Boxer giving me some self-defense lessons.” I wanted to learn how to defend myself. Especially now I had a target on my back.

“Boxer is best. He taught me some moves. I doubt I could ever use them, though. I clam up, too afraid to hurt anyone.” Emilee grimaced. “I guess I’m a scaredy-cat.”

“Believe me, I get it,”  I assured her. “Never thought I could beat the crap out of anyone… then Carla happened.”

Tara huffed beside me. “Well damn, you too. I’d hoped we could go to the Armory tonight. Ray’s band is playing.”

“The Armory? Girl, you’ve lost your mind. Storm would never allow me to go there without him and a dozen of his brothers.” I snorted. Had she already forgotten the last time we were there, and Hunters waltzed in like they owned the place? “If my man wants me home early. I come home early.”

Tara let out an exasperated sigh. “You two make me sick.”

“I think they’re adorable.” Emilee laughed. “I’ve known Storm since I was six. I’ve never seen him so happy and relaxed. Madeline is good for him.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt she’s good for him. It’s the whole, president of a biker club and old lady shit that bugs me.” She looked out the window at Hero—for like the millionth time in the past hour. “What’s his story anyway?”

I followed her gaze. Of all people babysitting Emilee and me, Hero was the guy Storm gave the job to. I was sure it was beneath him, though he didn’t complain. Hero’s priority as SAA of the club was to protect the prez. Yet, Storm made him come with me.

“I don’t know his story. Do you?” I directed my question to Emilee. Hero didn’t talk much. I never even saw him with a kitten.

“I don’t really know his story either. He joined a couple of years after Storm returned from the marines. He’s from Los Angeles. I think he was married.”

“Was married?” Tara stared at Emilee. “What happened? She left him or something? Did he cheat on her with a club whore?” She snorted, sipping her drink.

“He wasn’t in an MC before. I think she died.” Emilee made a sad face. “But I don’t know the details. Tina and Sugar probably do, but I never asked.”

“Wow,” Tara and I said together.

Emilee stirred another fry in her shake. “Yeah, he mostly keeps to himself when he’s not guarding Storm or at the gun shop.”

“When did she die?” Tara’s demeanor softened. Her sable-brown eyes flitted to Hero. He openly flirted with her, but she kept shutting him down. I wasn’t sure why. Tara could be a mystery, even to me. We might be best friends, but I didn’t know everything about her. I sensed something awful had happened when she was young. I didn’t push her to tell me what, figuring she would when ready. After all this time, she still hadn’t told me.

Emilee collected our garbage. “One time, I’d overheard Tina saying Hero ran away from LA after his wife died with no plans of returning.”

“Damn, that’s rough.” Tara didn’t take her eyes off Hero.

This conversation depressed me. My heart went out to Hero. If he ran away, something horrible must’ve happened. I imagined it’d take a lot for a big, ferocious man like him to leave all he knew.

“Hey, maybe we could get our nails done.” I steered the topic away from Hero. Something in my gut told me he wouldn’t appreciate us talking about him and his wife.

“I’m free.” Tara shrugged. “Got nowhere to be and no one to go home to.”

Damn, I felt like the worst bestie ever.

“Me too. Nowhere to be.” Emilee’s warm honey-colored eyes locked on mine. “But will Storm let us?”

Excellent question.

The roar of motorcycles made my heart lurch. Emilee appeared to have the same reaction, turning to look out the window. Hero and AJ jumped off their bikes.

“What’s going on?” Tara asked.

“Motorcycles,” Emilee replied.

Tara leaned into me to see. “So? I don’t get it.”

My heart thumped a little harder in my chest when Hero lifted his phone to his ear. Was he calling Storm?

“Hunters are still in the area causing trouble.” I grabbed my phone. If Storm called, I’d know it was because of the possibility of danger.

Three bikers slowed as they passed the restaurant. They weren’t Knights; they were Hunters. My stomach twisted as I held my breath. They didn’t slow down or stop as they craned their necks checking out the parking lot. Maybe I was just hyper-paranoid after the recent murder. But something didn’t feel right. I squeezed my phone, watching it like a ticking time bomb. My heart raced, anticipating Storm’s face appearing on the screen. He’d call immediately if something was up.

“Dang, talk about a tense moment. Let’s get out of here and go to the nail salon.” Tara rose from her seat. “I think you both are too uptight.”

I glanced at Emilee. We held each other’s gaze a long beat, then shrugged. Maybe we were uptight. Storm had drilled into my head that the easiest way for the enemy to get to him was through me. I didn’t take his warning lightly. I’d seen what happened to Ava and Nancy. I knew about the murdered college student. Tara was oblivious. I couldn’t tell her about any of it, per Storm’s orders.

When I chose to be with Storm, I accepted the risks. Not that I wanted to be in danger. I just wanted to be with him more than I feared for my life.

I smiled, thinking of my man, Kaleb. I loved calling him by his given name when we were alone, but I also loved his road name, Storm.

Storm sounded powerful and dangerous, which my man was both. Kaleb, well, he was my one true love. Ink-free and adorable back in the day. Roll the two into one, and I had a magnificent man.

My heart fluttered, thinking of him as we strolled out to my car. I pulled up the contacts on my phone for the nail salon Tara and I went for pedicures. It wasn’t easy to do with the afternoon sun glaring down on us.

“What’s up?” Hero stalked toward me.

I lifted my eyes to his. “We wanted to get our nails done. You okay with that? Sit inside an air-conditioned building.”

A pained expression crossed Hero’s face. “Your nails?” He wiped sweat off his brow.

“Yeah. They give massages there. Maybe you can get one.” I smiled wide, hoping to entice him. If he rejected the idea, Tara would probably have a fit.

“Not really feeling a massage…” he mumbled.

“What? Bikers don’t get back rubs? Too cool for that, are you?” Tara pushed her hip out, resting her hands on it. She was giving him an attitude, just as I thought she would.

“Roja, I’ll agree if you sit on my lap and rub against me.” He winked, sporting a shit-eating grin. With her, he never skipped a beat.

“You wish!” She made a gagging face.

AJ, Emilee, and I laughed, while I found the phone number.

“Storm won’t go for it, Angel.” Despite joking around seconds ago, Hero was back to his serious self. “He wants you home for supper.”

“Honestly, it won’t be long, an hour maybe,” Tara said before I could answer. “Let the prisoner have a little fun.”

Okay, prisoner? Not cool, Tara. I was exactly where I wanted to be with the man I loved. Gah, she could be such a brat when she wanted.

“It’s not safe, Roja. Let me try Storm again.” Hero turned toward me. “Did you see the bikers pass?”

“Yes.” I fiddled with my phone. “What do you mean call Storm again?” Something felt off. Was Storm not answering his phone? That wasn’t like him.

“I got voicemail a few minutes ago. Then I called Raul. He said to bring you and Emilee home once you were done eating. Only Storm can overrule him.” He put his phone to his ear. “I didn’t tell you right away because I didn’t want you to worry. But he’s not called or texted me back.”

Guilt crashed over me. I shouldn’t have suggested getting our nails done. What if Storm wasn’t alright?

Tara looked disappointed. Emilee appeared off since the Hunters rode by.

There we were like a gaggle of teenagers in the parking lot. Distracted by my stupid nail suggestion. Hero grumbled about Storm still not answering. Emilee’s eyes darted around as if waiting for something to happen. AJ seemed to be keeping an eye out, too, while Tara went on about me being a prisoner.

Why did I mention our freaking nails?

The sound of screeching tires and the smell of burning rubber made me whip my head to the side. A white van with blacked-out windows barreled toward me. I screamed, thinking it was going to hit me, but it didn’t. Thank God, it stopped.

“Run inside!” Hero yelled, drawing his gun.

I hesitated, confused by what was going on. It was just a minivan.

The side door flung open. Three men wearing masks jumped out. Hero charged toward them. One grabbed me from behind and I screamed. He shoved a rag into my mouth. I shook my head, struggling to break free as I searched for Emilee and Tara. Did they run inside?

“Stupid bitch, you’re coming with us,” the man hissed in my ear. “Get the others!”

Everything felt like a dream… A painfully slow nightmare. The masked men were dressed in black. As I watched from the sideline, I only heard the whooshing sound of my pulse. Nails dug into my arm, dragging me back. I couldn’t get any traction wearing flip flops. If I’d had my boots on, I could kick and stomp on his foot. Instead, my sorry excuse for shoes came off as I tried to pull away.

AJ ran toward me, drawing his gun. Yes! He’ll save me.

An arm went around my neck, putting me in a chokehold. My attacker let loose of one of my arms. I couldn’t tell what he was doing. Needing to get away, I kicked at the dude’s shins while gagging and clawing at his arm.

Mere feet from me, panic flashed in AJ’s eyes just as gunfire ensured. My ears rang, knocking me off balance. AJ dropped to the ground, eyes wide. Blood poured from his chest, soaking his shirt. Bullets flew. I wasn’t sure where they were coming from. I stared at AJ, tears streaming down my face.

No! God, no! AJ! I tried to scream but only choked on the rag in my mouth, unable to break away. He was bleeding too much. I needed to stop it. He needed me. God, help him. Please…

I searched for the others. A masked man hit Hero over the head with a lead pipe. He went down hard. My heart seized. Both of our bodyguards were injured.

Emilee ran toward the entrance door. She was tackled to the ground.

Tears flooded my eyes as I fought the man holding me. How could I suggest lunch? A stupid manicure?

Storm… I needed him desperately.

Dragged halfway inside the van, Tara leapt onto the back of the man. She hit him over and over. I couldn’t hear her yelling through the ringing in my ears. Hero was unconscious on the ground, getting kicked in the gut.

It happened so fast. What was a fun afternoon with my friends turned into a nightmare.

I couldn’t scream. Couldn’t breathe. Tara was elbowed in the stomach and fell to the ground. Emilee was tossed into the van with me, Hero next. Tara fought until she was knocked out by the butt end of the gun.

I felt so helpless, sobbing like a baby. Why wasn’t anyone helping us?

“You stupid bitch. You’re more trouble than you’re worth,” the man gritted out, slamming the door closed.

Everything faded as my Storm’s handsome face flashed in my head.

I’m so sorry…