Page 9 of Cage's Fall

“Don’t you cry, or I’ll cry.” I said into his chest.

“Right, need to man up.” He muttered, and pulled back, his eyes going back to the paper. “You don’t know how much this means to me Autumn.”

I smiled dimly. “I don’t think you know how much you mean to me.”

He smiled, a genuine smile and then kissed the side of my head. “Come on out of the kitchen, I’ll get the club girls to handle the rest of this. You’ve been in here most of the night.”

I froze. There was a reason for that, I didn’t want to go out there.

“Acorn.” He said firmly and my eyes went to his. “No one out there is going to hurt you. After all I wouldn’t let them hurt my daughter.”

I sighed and straightened my shoulders. I guess I had to put the badin the past and move on. I knew deep down— that Hawk wouldn’t let me get hurt but I was more scared of the men out there. Loud, dominating- bikers.

“How about you just stay by mine and ya moms side?” he said softly, and I nodded my head. “Come on, let's get you a drink and stop being a slave to the kitchen.”

So with those words I followed him out.

* * *

We were standing in the lot, as Mom got on the back of Hawk’s bike. They were leaving for their honeymoon. The party had gone into the small hours of the morningand it being summer meant it was still warm outside, as they went to leave on the bike.

Cheers and chanting had followed as they rode off. After Mom hugged the life out of me, and then Jacob which made me laugh, because he hated being hugged. Then Hawk was the next one to hug me and told Jacob I was to be taken home as soon as they left.

Jacob wanted to complain but knew as well as Hawk that I didn’t feel safe here.

So, we watched their bike disappear up the road, and Jacob turned to me. “Well, let's get you home.” He threw an arm around my neck. “You have no idea how much I’ve drank tonight, so we are catching a cab.”

“You smell like a bar Jacob.” I muttered wrinkling my nose up at him.

“All in all, it wasn’t that bad I guess.” Jacob said, and I nodded my head. Just as we walked back into the lot, the dim roar of motorbikes echoed through the air.

Jacob as well as other members I noticed, turned around as the roar got louder. “Inside Autumn.” Jacob said, pushing me in the direction. My heart began to drum to a heart pulsating beat— out of fear. Most of the bikers were here, from all over. Clearly, we weren’t expecting more.

I saw a member rush for the steel gates, but my eyes were on Jacob. My heart racing. Why the hell would he not come inside to? God why did he have to be a stupid alpha biker right now. The roar of the bikes got louder, and then you could hear them slowing down.

Then headlights, multiple ones, turned into the lot, slowing down I noticed how all guns from members were raised until the bikes engines died.

“We miss the party?” A man from the first bike barked at the men, as they lowered their guns.

“Nah it’s just beginning brother!” A member shouted at them, and all members switched gears. Quickly welcoming the new bikers.

“Come on Autumn, let’s get you home.” Jacob was back at my side. “It’s just the nomads.” I knew my brother, he wanted to party with them. Talk shit with them aroundthe fires and drink his weight in beer.

“Is there a room, where I won’t be disturbed here?” I asked Jacob. His eyes lit up.

“Nah Autumn you don’t have to stay here.”

“It’s just one night.” I forced a smile. “As long as no one will disturb me. I’m happy to stay.”

“Well, let’s get you set up in the church boardroom. No one goes in there without Hawk.” Jacob was clearly pleased with my decision, and I followed him back inside.

Chapter Two

Autumn

In the church boardroom, there were couches to the side, and I assumed it was for members that hadn’t earned a spot at the table yet, or for members that were visiting.

I was laying on one, had finally slipped off those killer heels and had my eyes closed. I couldn’t really sleep because there was a hell of a lot of noise out in the clubhouse, and the boardroom was just off it.

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