Gator Read online

  “Look, I’m not judging, but if you want to live, I suggest you tell me. I can’t force it, but if you wait much longer you risk losing the baby, unless,” she shrugged, “that’s what you want.” She tilted her head and frowned down at Naughty.

  Gator was going to kill the woman. His hand shot out and gripped the female paramedic’s throat until she gasped.

  “I don’ know what da fuck your problem is, but you’d better get it handled before I break you goddamned neck. She wants this baby. We both do, now you figure this shit out and get that huge fucking chip off your shoulder or you’ll be the one needing a hospital.”

  He let go and she gasped for breath. “I’ll press charges!”

  “You do dat and you’ll learn real fast who my friends are. Say one fucking word and I’ll ruin your whole life.” He grinned a smile that was nowhere near nice. “If I allow you to keep living it.”

  Gator pulled his beads from under his shirt and started twisting them around his finger. He knew he looked creepy with the beads and tattoos, but that was the point.

  The woman let out a long breath and crossed herself. She carefully sat beside Naughty and questioned her again.

  Gator tuned her out as he stroked Naughty’s beautiful hair. They would be at the hospital soon and someone would take care of this. They had to.

  Life couldn’t be that cruel.

  3

  Naughty opened her eyes to a dimly lit hospital room. She tried to figure out if she was whole by the way that she felt, but she couldn’t. The pain was gone at least and that was good, but she found her hand creeping up to cover her tummy. It was still flat so she couldn’t tell if her little child still rested there. She held back a sob that would do her no good. She needed facts, not to let her imagination run wild.

  “Hello?” She whispered and Viki’s face appeared above her.

  She loved Viki. She was kind and understood how crappy life could be and she was still sweet and kind. She didn’t judge Naughty for the choices she’d made in life, she understood because hers had sucked too. Viki’s life had changed when she’d become Jack’s old lady and found her happy ending. Not everybody got one of those, but Naughty was happy Viki did.

  “Hey there Mighty Mouse.” Naughty said. Viki hated the moniker, but it had sort of stuck since she’d been a club mouse not too long ago, but she had grown strong enough to shoulder her past.

  Naughty envied her that and admired her for it.

  “Well, just for that I won’t give you this nice clean water.” Viki grinned and held the straw away for a second before pressing it to Naughty’s lips.

  “You can’t be mean Viki. It’s not in your nature.” Naughty let herself relax against the pillows. “Ever seen a mouse turn on the cat?”

  “Oh I have my moments don’t you think I don’t.” Viki quipped.

  Naughty smiled. “Squeak squeak...So tell me…”

  Viki tilted her head and smiled. “Tell you what Tiff? That you look like microwaved shit? Done.”

  “Shit. You have grown a mean streak. Stop hanging out with Lawless.” She took another sip of water. “Total bad influence.”

  Viki let out a laugh. “That is the God’s honest truth right there.”

  “What happened?” Naughty finally asked.

  “I’m not really all that sure sweetie. Jack just told me to sit with you until Gator got back.” Viki shook her head. “He is crazy over you Tiff and he is damned scary when he goes all voodoo on people. Damn. I almost pissed my panties when the doctor got smart with him and he started running his finger over that tattoo on his arm, the one with those swirly symbols that look like ghosts.” VIki shivered.

  Gator was a big sweetheart. The art on his body was mostly in memorial to family or something from his youth. It was something he didn’t talk about very much, but they meant something to him. He didn’t know anymore voodoo that she did, but people liked to believe what their eyes told them.

  “Where did he go?” She croaked.

  “Church.”

  Jack and Gator weren’t officers yet, but they were often included in minor business and they were often positioned at the doors to keep the meetings safe.

  It was a position of sorts. One step closer to having a seat at the table. Choo-Choo and Tommy were in the same boat. They all seemed pretty ok with it. Naughty thought she would be too. The officers handled too much crazy shit for it to be much fun.

  Naughty didn’t know everything about how the club did business, but she knew a few things.

  Hang arounds wanted to make prospect. Prospect wanted to make brother. Brothers wanted to make officer and earn a seat at the table. Officers made the decisions.

  Naughty didn’t want that for Gator though. She had watched a few of the brothers that sat at that table and they seemed to get harder overnight. They found out things and were expected to do things that changed them in a way that made them scary, made them cold.

  That wasn’t Gator.

  “Is he mad at me?” Naughty asked with a lump in her throat.

  “I wouldn’t know about that, but I do know that he was almost out of his mind when I got here. Out. Of. His. Mind. He couldn’t understand why you were still sleeping.”

  Naughty hated that she had put him through that.

  “I really need to talk to him. Any idea when he’ll be back?”

  “Pretty soon honey. I doubt he’d stay gone too long. He almost took Jack’s head off for suggesting he leave last night.” Viki sighed. She scrunched up her pert little nose causing her freckles to bunch up.

  “Will you stay with me?” Naughty asked. She hadn’t been this afraid in a long time. “I really don’t want to be on my own right now.”

  “Of course I will honey.”

  Viki settled back into her chair and Naughty tried to rest.

  She had let herself feel too much for Gator, but she hadn’t been able to help herself. He had slipped into her life and under her guard before she’d been able to see how dangerous he was to her heart.

  She had thought he was the last man that would thaw her heart. He had actually annoyed her to the point that she couldn’t help but get angry.

  He had used her anger to make her open up.

  After anger he had made her laugh, then had paid attention to her in a way no one ever had. He had figured out what she liked and made sure she had it. He made sure he left her the kind of granola bars she liked and the type of candy that made her eyes roll back in her head. He always made sure there was a bottle of water waiting for her when she got off stage.

  He wasn’t like the others though. He just made sure it was there, he didn’t need her to know it was from him. He didn’t need the show of it all, he just wanted to make sure she was alright.

  It meant more.

  It had happened slowly. He had taken months of tiny steps to get her attention.

  Then he had touched her and all of her walls had crumbled. He hadn’t come on strong like the others, no, that can be resisted. Gator touched her hand, he ran a finger over her cheek to get her hair out of her face.

  Gator treated her like she was a real woman, not a stripper. He respected her.

  Her only safety was in the fact that he didn’t seem to know how completely she belonged to him, but even that would soon be only dust. She was carrying his baby and nothing on earth would keep him from being there for her.

  She felt that familiar fear rear up to choke her, but she fought it back. She deserved this. She deserved to be happy again and nothing said that wouldn’t happen with Gator. There was a real possibility of it if she could just let him in.

  She had never really been good at doing what she knew she should, but who knew, maybe this time it would stick.

  4

  Gator paced as Jack watched him like a hawk. There was no reason for him to be here right now, anyone could watch a fucking door, but Preach had insisted he and Jack be there. Something was off and Gator didn’t like it one little bit. He could hear murmured voices from the inside of the room where the officers were having church, but he didn’t try to make any of it out, he just wanted to leave.

  “Would you just stop?” Jack grumbled. “Viki is with her man and she’s in the hospital. She’s fine. Lambhead is even standing guard at her fucking door because you wouldn’t leave. Preach made sure she had a guard so that’s something. Nothing will happen while you are here doing your job. So just stop.”

  Gator turned on his brother. “She’s pregnant. How long have you known? How long did you keep dat from me?”

  Jack looked away.

  “Dat’s what I thought. Why would you keep dat from me? My kid. Mine. Don’t give me shit right now. Don’ tell me how to react to finding out my brother kept dat shit from me.”

  “Look Gator, I didn’t know for sure that it was yours, not until last night. There have been rumors about her lately, nothing I’d believe, but I didn’t want to get in the middle of it. It’s not my business.”

  “Fucked up. Dat’s what I call it.”

  “Yeah, it is. I’m sorry man, I am. I’d rather be figuring this shit out too, but until we are told what to do we stand right here, this is the last step and I want to be at that table. Maybe it’s a test or something.”

  Gator knew that Jack wanted to make officer so bad he could taste it. Gator didn’t care if he ever made it to the table, being in there meant things had changed and they had lost good men, but Jack didn’t see that, he wanted that seat.

  Gator heard the gavel bang and stood beside the door. He watched Fox, Moose, Lawless, Ink, Spec, and Shadow file out. Preach still sat at the table. Those were the men he trusted to run the club, he didn’t want to see anyone else in those chairs, not even himself. There was one that still sat empty, Ace had lost his battle
with cancer and no one had filled his shoes, but no one ever could.

  Gator cut his eyes to Jack. He knew how much it meant to the man to have a place in the world, but sometimes it was best just to be settled in the place you were in.

  No, Gator didn’t want a place at the table like so many others, he was just happy to have a place in the club.

  “Gator, Jack, come in here and close the door.” Preach said from his seat.

  Gator walked into the room and eyed the man who ran one of the most powerful MCs in the world. His hair was going grey, but still had enough of the original black to tell what it had once been, his eyes were dark and as hard as stone. He wasn’t a young man, his son was old enough to sit by his side now, but he was still as strong as any who ranked under him. Gator had never seen him be truly ruthless or bloodthirsty, but he’d heard the stories and he believed them. The men who followed Preach were without souls and they followed him without question, that kind of respect was earned.

  “We have an interest in Tease.” He said without preamble. “Seems someone is making some side money and trying to launder it through the club.”

  Gator’s blood ran cold. He knew that it looked like Naughty was making some side money, but she’d really just saved her money. She’d also had some savings with her late fiancé that she’d just recently felt she could use without feeling guilty.

  “Looks like there has been some side action and one of the girls brought it to my attention. She’s been keeping an eye on things for me since that shit went down with Viki and Fish. I couldn’t let you in on it Jack, not until now.”

  “What the fuck Preach? You thinkin’ you can’t trust me now?” Jack was on his feet.

  “Sit down and listen before you start that shit.” Preach cut Jack off.

  “Those girls trust you and you can’t lie for shit Jack. You ain’t got it in you to lie to them and they know it. There’s something we don’t know and until we did I didn’t want to put Viki and your boy in any danger. The girl that has been helping out didn’t have anything to lose and she was happy to make a little side money helping the club, although she would have done it without any pay. That kind of loyalty matters around here, whether you got a dick or a pair of tits. Loyalty matters.”

  His eyes landed on Gator and he felt his stomach drop.

  “Naughty.” He said. It wasn’t a question, he knew she would do anything to help the club, even put her life in danger. The club was all she had left.

  Preach nodded once.

  “Looks like we got some big boys dealing to some of our little girls and they got bold enough to try to hurt yours. Seems she has more to lose now than when it started.” His face hardened. “I need her gone Gator.”

  “Fuck no. Why? She helped you out and now you want her gone? Dat don’ set too well Preach. And yes sir she has something to lose and it belongs to me, so no, no, I don see dat happenin’.”

  Preach was wearing a smirk that made Gator’s ears burn.

  “I want you to take her away from here you hot headed fuck. Take Fox with you, Ginger too. You guys go on down to the fucking swamps and get lost for a few weeks. Make a holiday of it for all I care. Let us get this settled. Fox said she’s got a belly full of a little Gator and you just made it clear how you feel about that. She’s not expendable, she put her life on the line to get some info for us and we protect loyalty. Get her the fuck out of here and keep her safe. She don’t know shit about shit, but that don’t mean whoever is running the show will believe that. They already made a move on her and that needs to be the last one. It was a message, we got it.” He narrowed his eyes. “I won’t get in your shit, but if I were you I’d patch her before she wises up and figures out what a lousy deal she’s gettin’.”

  “Fuck you. And how much danger is she in Preach? You sendin’ me on a vacation ain’t da best idea with jus’ Fox to watch our ass.”

  “If I think you need more I’ll send ‘em. Hell might send that little shit Wick anyway. Tired of watching his dick get hard every time my old lady walks in the fucking clubhouse.”

  “We all got it bad for Mrs Preach, you know dat and if you been lookin’ at his dick maybe you need to spend more time with the Mrs anyway.” Gator let his lips curl the slightest bit.

  “Can’t argue with that. He just gets under my skin. Bold about it. Cocky little fucker.”

  “Cause he’s so damned pretty. Almost as pretty as Jack, yeah?”

  Preach laughed then, even Jack let out a chuckle.

  “You get your ass out of town. Doesn’t draw attention if you ride out with a girl on your bike. Keep out of sight and Fox will meet you at a little motel near Lexington in a few days. Take the scenic route. I’ll have Wick and Lambhead meet you in Memphis Tennessee if I think you need your asses covered. I’ll let you know. Put that fucker through the ringer. Been thinking of giving him a prospect patch. If he can hack it then they both might patch up.”

  “Who the fuck are we even looking at here Preach?” Jack asked getting back to the situation at hand.

  “We don’t know yet. Until we do, keep your eyes open and watch your backs.”

  Gator wanted to protest, he did, but he couldn’t think past keeping Naughty safe. He could do that. He would sit her down and talk a few things out when the time was right, but she needed to be settled in first. That could all wait anyway. His past was buried deep and not a person alive could dig that shit up, not one he planned on seeing anyway.

  “What do you want me to do Preach?” Jack asked, but Gator blocked it all out, he was going home.

  And he wasn’t happy about it.

  5

  Naughty stretched her back. It had been a week since she’d been discharged from the hospital. Apparently someone tried to kill her, shocker. Her money was on the meaty fisted, black eyed monster that tried to finger her through her G-string the night she collapsed, but how and why would he? No, it was whoever Preach was after and thank you very much for mixing her up in club business and keeping her just ignorant enough to make it impossible to watch her ass.

  She looked up when Gator walked in their room. They had stayed in one shithole motel after another since they’d left town. She had begged him to tell her something, but he only told her it was club business and she needed to mind her own.

  He was angry with her.

  Well, he had a right to be really, but it bothered her that she couldn’t figure out what made him maddest, not telling him about the baby or not telling him about working for the club. Not that it mattered. He was pissed and she was the only one he had to take it out on.

  “When will you stop acting like a spoiled child who didn’t get his bubblegum money from mommy?” She asked, tired of his bullshit and not a little nauseated.

  She saw the flash in his eyes when he turned to her.

  “You don’ get to talk to me dat way little girl.”

  “I’ll talk to you any way I please. I’m tired of being ignored and grumbled at. I’m tired of being fucked and left behind. I want to know what the fuck is going on and I want to know now. Little boy.”

  He was in her face before she took another breath.

  “You know all you need to know. Don’ you give me dat bullshit. Nobody is leaving you behind. Nobody. You know what I’d do for you. I fuck you and because we both want it and leaving you behind ain’t happenin’. You know! You fucking know!”

  “Bullshit I do.” She spat, but his nearness was making her heart race. How dare he do this to her. How dare he act like she was doing something wrong.

  He ran his finger down her cheek. “Secrets are something you understand. I have some I can’t share, but one I can is that there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” He pinched her chin and kissed her hard. “Live with it.”

  Her palm stung where it made contact with his face. “Bastard! I have a life! I have my house and my job. I can’t afford to take off like this! I can’t just run. I need to feel in control… I need my meds Gator.” She ran both hands through her hair. “I really need my meds.”

  There it was. It was the truth. She couldn’t lose her house over club shit, she wasn’t even a part of the club. Right now she couldn’t breathe. She needed something to help her settle.