Page 3 of Dylan's Dad

Page List

Font Size:

The pain is searing, every blow from Dylan's rage-infused assault leaving me gasping for air. I can hear the sound of my own sobs mixing with his angry shouts, the room spinning around me in a haze of fear and agony. In this moment, I wonder if I'll even make it out alive. Suddenly, there is a reprieve and I think maybe he is done.

Dylan grabs a fistful of my hair dragging me down the hall toward the bedroom. "A whore like you needs to be reminded who she belongs to." I've never been more afraid in my life. When he gets me to the door I grab onto the door frame and feel the intense fiery pain lancing across my scalp. Nothing I do is going to stop this, stop him. He slams my face into the doorframe and everything goes black.

***

Waking up, I can barely open my left eye and everything hurts. Turning slowly I can see Dylan passed out on his side facing away from me. His short black hair is ruffled and the sheet is sticking to his sweat coated skin. I gingerly climb out of the bed, careful not to wake Dylan, and quietly grab my bag and some clothes trying to ignore the pain between my legs.Quietly creeping from the bedroom, I notice blood smeared on the doorframe and my stomach clenches, my anxiety spiking. The short distance from the bedroom to the door feels like an eternity and by the time I finally make it outside my anxiety is so high my chest feels tight and breathing feels impossible.

I roll out of the driveway in neutral before turning the engine on and then gun it to the same semi-secluded spot I regularly drive to when I read Reaper’s letters. Popping open the glovebox I fish out the deck of tarot cards that Reaper had dropped off for me and I pull out a random card which just so happens to be the Death card and slip it under my wiper blade before heading back on the road. I need the prospect to see the card so I’m going to have to drive around in public places to get his attention and then hopefully Stallion will come find me. I never thought Dylan was capable of this. We have been together for years now and never once has he ever shown an ounce of violence. His anger has always been a bit of a problem, we argue a lot but he has never ever been violent toward me or anyone in the last few years since I’ve known him.

The moment I hear the roar of the motorcycle I know they’ve got my message. I pull over into the nearest parking lot, shut off my car and rest my forehead against the steering wheel as I begin sobbing uncontrollably. Less than 5 minutes later I hear the roar of a whole lot of motorcycles. A very large, muscular man with long blonde locks I would kill for approaches my window.

Rolling down my window, the blonde’s sky blue eyes go wide, “Jesus Christ, Darlin.” His hand moves toward me as if to cup my cheek and I flinch back. “Whoa, Darlin.” His hand retreats, “I’m Stallion, you called for me. Who did this to you? Reaper is gonna lose his shit.” The tears return with a vengeance. “Shit, Sweetheart. Alright let’s get you out of here, we will take you back to the clubhouse and you can talk whenyou are ready. How does that sound?” Numbly I find myself nodding. “Alright, Darlin, you don’t look like you should be driving right now. Do you mind if I drive?” I start to shake my head and Stallion opens my door. I move to get out but when I go to stand, the pain is unbearable and I whimper and fall back into my seat. “Shit. Is it ok if I lift you and move you ‘round to the passenger side?”

I nod again feeling like a damn bobble head. Where are my words? Why can’t I just speak? “Okay, Darlin, I’m gonna pick you up as carefully as possible but since I don’t know how bad it is. . . It might hurt.” He scoops me up like I weigh nothing and I can’t stop the scream of agony that rips from my throat. “Sin, can you open the goddamn door for me! Monk, call the Doc and have him meet us at the clubhouse NOW! It’s okay Darlin, I got you. You are safe with us, I promise.” He whispers against my hair before slowly settling me into my passenger seat. It’s strange how he goes from growling and commanding when talking to the others but is soft and calming when speaking to me.

Reaper

Laying in my bunk I find myself rereading Lola’s letter for probably the hundredth time. I need to get out of here, like yesterday. Climbing to my feet, I head over to the kiosks so I can call Stallion for updates on the club. When I try Stallion’s cell it just rings with no answer, which isn’t totally abnormal he could be on a ride, but I've got this bad feeling. So, I decide to try the clubhouse. It rings once before a prospect picks up, “Hello.”

“Hey, it’s Reaper. Is Stallion there?” I ask.

There is a long pause before, “Shit, Prez I am so sorry. It’s all my fault.” My veins feel like they have filled with ice.

“What is your fault? What happened?” I demand.

“Well, I took over Jimmy’s shift at your son’s house and both cars were there and everything was quiet. I ran for a quick bathroom break this morning and when I was on my way back I passed your daughter. She had a card on her windshield and I couldn’t tell what shape she was in from just riding past. I called Stallion and he is with her now.” I can hear him inhale shakily.

“Spit it out, Prospect!”

“I got a call just before you. They are headed back. Stallion is driving her car. Apparently she is in pretty rough shape they called Doc. They should be back in ten minutes or so. That’s all I know. I am so sorry Prez. I shouldn’t have left.”

I know I should tell the kid it’s not his fault or whatever but right now the only thought in my mind is that my Little Flower is hurt and I don’t know how bad. “They will be there in ten minutes?”

“Around that, Prez.” I hang up without saying goodbye and spend the next ten minutes pacing in front of the phones.

***

Lola

The ride to the clubhouse was silent. I spent the whole trip staring out the window, unable to stop the tears from trailing down my cheeks. Pulling up through a winding path hidden way back in the woods is a building that resembles a hunting lodge except for the large mural on the side that depicts a grim reaper riding horseback flanked by more horse mounted figures.

When we pull to a stop, Stallion hops out tossing my car keys to one of the many guys wearing black leather vests. “Jimmy put the bug in the garage. Nobody can know she is here until I know what happened that means no hang arounds. Only members andclub bunnies.” He gets to the passenger side and opens my door. “Okay Darlin, I know this is gonna hurt but I’ll try my best not to jostle you. I’m sorry.” And with that he scoops me up into his arms and I slap my hand over my mouth to muffle another scream. “I’m sorry, Sweetheart. Almost there.”

The other biker, I think his name is Sin, opens the doors for Stallion. Sin is tall, like over 6 feet tall but still shorter than Stallion. His skin is the color of my favorite Chai tea latte from the corner café. If I had to guess I’d say he was Latino and aside from his face I can’t see even an inch of skin not covered in ink. The visible tattoos coat his arms, neck and scalp. Stallion is huge, massive and resembling like a Viking or a Norse God. A few months ago, these would have been the last guys I would think to be trusting my life and security with but now it’s like my whole world has flipped upside down. He very gently lays me down on a bed. Wait, when did we enter a bedroom?

“It’s okay, Darlin. Just figured this would be more comfortable and more private than at the bar.” He brushes the hair back from my face and I can see his jaw locked down tight and the muscle in his cheek is fluttering. He is pissed. Turning away from me he shouts, “Where the FUCK is Doc?”

“Doc just pulled up but we got a bigger problem.” another leather clad biker says holding up a cell phone. “It’s Reaper. I guess he called while we were picking her up and one of the prospects told him that we were bringing her back and that she was in bad shape. He is kinda losing it, brother. He wants to talk to his daughter.” He extends the phone toward Stallion.

Snatching the phone out of the other man’s hand, “Hey brother, it's Stallion.” I notice Stallion wince at whatever Reaper says. “Yes, I know brother. I just feel I need to warn you before I put her on.” He closes his eyes and he hangs his head. I know Reaper is responding but I can’t hear it and I wish I could.“So, Doc just pulled up. I had Monk call as soon as I saw the shape she was in.” He pauses again. “She is gonna need stitches, she’s got a black eye that is so swollen I don’t know how she managed to see clearly while driving and when she made to get out of her cage, she couldn’t stand. I had to carry her. She is in real bad shape and I am not sure where her head is right now.” Stallion takes what seems to be a calming breath, “I’ll give her the phone but I am not sure she is gonna respond. I don’t know if it’s shock or something else but she hasn’t said a word since we collected her. Alright, here’s your girl.”

He holds the phone up to my ear, “Little Flower?” The second he says that nickname the dam breaks, again. I am sobbing like a baby. “Oh Babygirl, please don’t cry.”

“Reaper, I’m scared.” I guess it also finally knocked my voice free. Glancing up I can see the wide eyes and shock on Stallion’s face.

“You are safe, Little Flower. Trust my brothers. You are their family and they will protect you with their lives. Now, what happened, Babygirl?” I don’t know what it is about Reaper but with him all my walls are down.

“Dylan found your letters. He had been drinking by the time I got home.” Looking up I can see the rage on Stallion’s face.