Warrior Wolves, M.C.

Delaney ~

I have been home from the hospital for three days.. ten since the bombing. Sara and Bianca had been heaven sent. They brought all my assignments to me.. even though they could have emailed it.

The girls and I were sitting in the common room at the clubhouse, discussing everything I had missed when Venom and the guys joined us.

Axe immediately gravitated toward Bianca.. He was engaging and asked her questions about her courses in college.. what her plans were after graduation.. His interest had her enthralled.. and I was highly entertained.

Venom suggests we all go to the diner for lunch. And I was happy to show the girls my pride and joy. Sara smiles “I can’t believe you own your own restaurant! This is so cool! You are hands down the most unusual friend I have ever had.. I gotta say.. everyone needs someone like you in their lives. I’m inspired.”

I laughed “Don’t. I am just me.. and that means I do what I have to do out of love. For Maddox.. for Venom.. and for the club. Family is everything, Sara. But.. family isn’t always blood related. Family is where we find it. And I found mine in a club of bikers.. A rough and tumble bunch of men with integrity..and loyalty and dignity.. with hearts as big as the sky. And I would fight to the death for any one of them!”

Bianca giggled “You’re scary when you’re fierce.” Making Sara do a three snap Z.. and I laughed at them both. They are cute.. and I am growing fond of them.

After lunch, Snake and Axe took the girls back to their car.. and Venom took me to the park. I wanted to see the bombing site.

I’m not even sure why.. It was this macabre obsession I had developed.. like how you tell yourself not to look as you pass a car accident, but couldn’t tear your eyes away if you tried.

Venom spoke quietly “It’s a form of PTSD, baby. You sometimes get that thousand yard stare all soldiers recognize…and we all notice it. Talk me through that day.. Everything you remember. All the little details.. It will help.”

We sat down at the pond.. all the ducks and geese came up close to us, and I started laughing “Maddox and I had stopped at the bait shop. I got some worms to feed the ducks.. when the worms were gone.. the geese.. greedy little murder chickens.. got pissed. One of them attacked me.. chasing me around. Maddox was laughing so hard. So hard he was rolling on the ground.

I needed that. I needed that day to get myself in check. To gain perspective. The way you had talked down to me at Black Crows really hurt me. Made me feel like maybe we had made a mistake rushing into our marriage. Like maybe I wasn’t good enough. Instead of turning to introspection, I resorted to pettiness.

I discussed it out loud with Maddox.. he helped me see being petty was being childish.. once again confirming my insecurities that I’m not enough. Never going to be enough.”

He pulled me into him and whispered “Oh God, baby! I am so sorry I made you feel that way. It wasn’t even you I was angry with. I took it out on you.. and how is that fair? I was the one being immature.”

Shaking my head.. “No. That’s just it. I was being petty. It was uncalled for.. and I had made up my mind to apologize for it. We got up to leave.. Then I saw them. Three men.. standing right up there. They blocked the path.. their posture denoting at ease in a military formation.

Instinctively, I knew they were up to no good. I texted you.. then instructed Maddox to run for the Jeep and lock himself in. I wasn’t sure I could take all three of them.. but I knew I was sure as fuck going to try.

It wouldn’t have worked. It shouldn’t have worked.. but the one you call the Colonel didn’t attack.. he held back. The other two.. piece of cake.

I realize now, that asshole wanted me to make it to the Jeep. Oh Goddess Venom! I sent Maddox to be blown up! That bastard stood across from me smirking. He said ‘Do you know what collateral damage is, little girl? I sure hope so, because that’s what you are.” I looked down and grabbed Maddox.. diving away from the Jeep. That’s all I remember.”

He held me tighter.. his body shaking in his anger.. I whispered “But that was yesterday.. and yesterday’s gone.” He smiled “Isn’t that a song?” I giggled “I honestly don’t know. It’s something my Momma always told me. Whenever something bad would happen. It helps. We can’t change yesterday.”

He stood up and lifted me to my feet..he grins “What say we go look at new vehicles? The insurance company already cut your check.. any idea what you might want?”

I laughed “A Jeep.. of course.. a Janie two. They’re easy to handle.. on or off road.. Dependable in sleet.. or snow. It’s what I learned to drive in.. what I know. I’m going to stick with what I know for awhile.”

He nodded “Okay then. Let’s go pick the kids up at school.. and get to looking. I’m sure Maddie would love to share his opinions on it, too.” Laughing, I responded “Maddox loves to share his opinion on everything.”

The three of us made it back home in time for dinner, and I was shocked to see the girls still there. Even more surprised to see Bianca sitting on Axe’s lap. Well.. alrighty then! Didn’t see that coming.

I had ended up ordering the same model Jeep.. and the same color.. just three years newer. It will be ready in a couple weeks.

We sat down to the table.. and Tammy walked up. I looked up and said “Back in your lane. You never approach the President. You speak to Axe.. or myself.. Circumventing my authority will get you punished.”

She snarled “I need to talk to Venom and it doesn’t concern you! You haven’t even been around for almost two weeks. You can’t just act all high and mighty when it suits you. Where were you? Huh? Sheila hit her head and needed stitches. Bonnie broke her toe. I got a steam burn on my wrist! You weren’t here then!”

I laughed “What? Are you two? Need me to kiss your boo-boo? I was in the hospital, you simple minded cow! I was recovering from being Blown the fuck Up.. while you got a blister on your wrist. I am so sorry for your pain!”

Everyone started laughing and she yelled “It’s your job! Right? You’re supposed to be taking care of us, aren’t you? But no! You’re out there bringing in new girls to take our places!”

Then it dawned on me.. She’s jealous. Again. “Tammy! Your lane.. is your lane. Not a lane my friends walk. I have definitely not brought them in to replace the Sweet Butts. One day.. when you grow up.. you will understand that not everything I do is to punish you. Or undermine you. It is certainly not my job to bandage your scraped knees.. I am not here to be your fucking mother. I am here to beat the shit out of you when you step out of your lane! Best keep that in mind!”

She turned to stomp off when Venom said “That is your last warning, Tammy! The next time you decide to step to me, instead of Axe or Queen.. I will sell your contract to the president of the Vikings.”

She gasped “No”