Chapter 3

Pixie

One week later

Today I’m in a good mood. I’m stretching before I hit the ice for my warm up before practice. I didn’t become a champion by sitting around. I skate seven days a week. I work on my routines until they are perfect. Sometimes doing the same move for hours until I get it right. I work out four days a week to keep my muscles strong and flexible. I worked hard to get where I am and I’m not going to let anything get in my way including a broken heart. I look around the rink and see my guards. Men and a woman I have pretty much grown up with. Tru to his word when I called Casper he brought out his crew. When I explained what I needed he gave a few of his prospects and a few patched members. I’m pretty sure most volunteered for the job. 

You see, Casper is like a big brother to me. He and my brother Nixon have hung around since they were kids. So I grew up with him. Well they watched me grow up. They were already fourteen when I came along. I haven’t known a day without him. He also happens to be Prez of the Red Devils. A motorcycle club across the state line. I was there at his patching ceremony. I was there when he became Prez ten years ago. So I know about MC’s. Most of these guys have watched me grow up. 

They have been my cheering section at competitions. They were there when I graduated high school and college. I’m a baby sister to most of them. Hell, I’m even friends with some of the skanks if you can believe that. I don’t judge them. I couldn’t do what they do. Not that Nixon or any of the Red Devils crew would let me. But I don’t judge the girls on the choices they made. They have free will. They can leave any time and Casper makes sure they are taken care of.

Speaking of Casper I see him coming down the ramp as I finish my last stretch. Oh, no. I know that look. He wants answers. When I asked them to come last week they gave me space when I said I wasn’t ready to talk. I guess he is done waiting. I wonder if I give him what he calls my puppy eyes if I can hold him back a little longer. “ Don’t even think about it. It isn’t going to work on me this time.” Casper says. Damn he knows me too well. 

I turn around and lean on the wall that surrounds the rink. “ You want answers don’t you?” Casper takes a seat in a chair in front of me so we are closer to the same height. As close as his six foot four inch frame is going to get but at least I don’t have to strain my neck looking up at him. “ Yes, I do. I gave you time. Last I heard you were going to meet with the guards Nixon wanted to hire then I got a frantic call from you. You know I would do anything for you and we don’t mind being here but it isn’t like you to act like that. So I know something happened.” Casper said. 

I nod and take a deep breath. Casper already knows about my marriage mistake so I won’t have to explain much. I’m sure he will understand why I fired Viper. “ I will tell you but you have to promise me to stay calm.” I said. “ I’ll do my best.” he says. That is the best I can ask for. Without giving names I tell him how I found out my soon to be ex was cheating on me and he was a club member. “ So that is why I want nothing to do with the club. I don’t want to be around anyone that would be associated with that man.” I said. I see Caspr’s face getting red. He is pissed. I know he is allied with the Renegades. I don’t want him to do anything stupid that could jeopardize that.

“ Is he patched?” Casper asks through gritted teeth. I turn my head so Casper can’t see the truth. He isn’t asking me for a name, he is going to try to figure it out himself. “ So he is patched.” Casper stands and I charge him. “ Casper stop. Please. I have already handled it. As we speak he is going to get served with divorce papers. As soon as he signs I will be free to move on with my life.” “ Pixie, nobody treats my baby sister the way he did. He needs to be taught a lesson. I don’t care if he is a Renegade.” Casper growls. I love how protective he is of me. BUt this isn’t the time.

“ Casper I promise. Besides the papers. I did a few other things. I have it handled. I promise. I don’t want you to do anything that could ruin your partnership with them.” I beg. Casper takes a few deep breaths. “ I won’t do anything. I am going to get some air. You get to your warm ups. Then dinner tonight. You and me.” he says. I wrap my arms around him the best I can. “ Thank you. And you have a deal.” I say just before I take the ice. 

Viper

I’m sitting at the bar having a beer to relax myself. I have Claire rubbing my neck. I have been stressed since Sabine walked out. Yes, I was shitty to her but something else is nagging at me. I can’t shake it. I feel like I’m missing something. When she saw me I could tell her shock was genuine. She wasn't looking for me as I accused. But there is something else. But I can’t figure it out. I have seen the Red Devils around town over the week but they haven’t come by so it isn’t club business that I know of. They usually stop in when they are in town but I haven't  seen any of them other than in passing. So that is odd. 

The front door opens and I see Bradford walk in. He is the chief of police and a good friend to the club. What is he doing here? He never just stops by. I straighten up “ Bradford.” He nods “ Viper. When this came to the station I thought I would bring it myself.” he says handing me a manila envelope. “ What is this?” I ask. “ I don’t know. But consider yourself served.” he says and leaves. What the fuck? I have never been served papers like that before.But before I can even look at the envelope Lug comes charging in.

He slams a piece of paper on the counter “ Do you know why our lease on the dispensary isn’t getting renewed and we are being evicted?” he asked. “ What?” Before he can answer Thor comes charging in. “ Viper, why the hell is the owner of the land we were buying suddenly backing out?” Huh. We are trying to expand the auto shop and Merigold’s detail shop and are in the process of buying the property behind the shop. We were supposed to close next week. Now Thor is telling me the deal fell through. But the news doesn't stop there. Before I can say a word a very pissed off Speed comes on ranting in spanish. 

When she gets to me she asks “ Someone in this club fucked me out of a sponser and I want to know who?” How the hell did that happen? Still can’t say a word because Merigold and Anna come charging in like they are ready for a fight. “ What happened to you two?” I ask. “ I want to know who fucked me out of thousands of dollars and a big client.” Anna yelled. “ And I want to know why Axel and Rowdy are banned from the ice rink. They aren’t allowed in for the boys practice or games.” Merigold shouted. “ Someone here fucked up big time.” she said.

“ Ok we will do this one at a time. Merigold, what happened?” I asked. She explained to me that she was asked to not let Axel and Rowdy come around anymore. They didn’t want anything to do with the Renegades for personal reasons.But will let the boys continue to come because they are kids. “ Someone from our club pissed them off big time.” Merigold said. “ Maybe they just don’t like bikers.” I said. Some people are like that. “ Viper, the boys have been going there for six months. I wear my kutte to every practice or game. There hasn’t been a problem until this week. And if it was a biker problem why are the Red Devils all over the place?” Merigold says. Good point. “ Anna, you're next.” 

She tells me she has lost a long term client and is out hundreds of thousands of dollars from her costumes she makes. She was given the same reason. She looked me dead in the eye and glared. “ Someone pissed off my client.” she said. I think back to my failed meeting last week and how Anna chased after Sabine. Speed story is the same: the sponsor dropped her because of someone at the club. 

Thor tells me the seller backed out for the same reason. Same with Lug. Someone is ruining our name. And fucking with our business. “ I will get to the bottom of all of this and find out what is going on? I won’t stand for someone ruining our good name. I will try to fix all of this and deal with the person who fucked with us.” I said as I explained how Bradford just served me some papers. Suddenly there is laughter from the back of the room. I see Casper holding his sides. He is laughing so hard. 

“ Casper, what are you doing here?” Merigold asks as she goes to hug him. “ Hey, princess. I came to tell Viper I’m dropping our alliance and kick someone’s ass. But this is even better. I was told it was handled but I never expected this. It’s awesome.” he says chuckling. We have been allies for ten years. Why would he drop it now? What the hell is going on around here? Who could have done this much damage? Merigold pulls back and asks “ You know who did this? You know what happened?” He smiles at her then looks at me like he wants me dead. What did I do to him?

“ I sure do princess. And so do you?” he says. Merigold looks as confused as I feel. “ Tell me so I can fix it.” Merigold says. Casper looks at her with concern. “ Merigold, get the papers Viper was given. It will explain everything. But I warn you. You aren’t going to like what you read.” Casper said. I look at the papers. That envelope holds all the answers. Merigold stomps over and grabs it before I can. She opens up the envelope and pulls out the document. As she reads it she starts to shake. Whatever those papers say it is making her pissed.

When she is done she looks up at me with pure hatred in her eyes. She looks like she is ready to kill someone and she is looking right at me. She looks at the eviction notice on the bar then back at the paperwork. “ Thor, the land deal. Was the seller Denver’s industries?” Merigold asks. “ Yes,” he says. The same people who own the building the dispensary is in. Merigold looks at me again but talks to Claire. I forgot she was here. “ Claire, step back right now and leave before I hurt you. Tell the others Viper is off limits until further notice.” Merigold says. Claire  is smart and runs from Merigold.

Merigold turns and looks at everyone and says “ Brothers, there is one person responsible for our issues.” She turns to me and I don’t like the look on her face. It is hate and disgust. “ It is this sorry son -of -a-bitch.” “ What are you talking about? What did Viper do?” Merigold passes the document around. As Lug and Thor read it their faces turn to disgust as well. What the fuck does it say to have my brothers turning on me like this? Speed goes off on a rant and I can’t understand a word she is saying. Anna is reading it now and I swear I see tears in her eyes. 

When she is done she walks over and hands it back to Merigold. She turns to me and does the last thing I ever expected her to do. She holds her hand back and open hand slaps me across the face. “ You hypocritical bastard. You should be lucky your father isn’t alive to know about this. He would beat your ass and have your patch.” I sat there shocked. Anna has never raised her hand to anyone. She turns to Casper. “ Is she at the rink?” He nods “ But she won’t see you.” “ I’m not going as part of this club.” she says. I can tell she is crying now. I feel like I’m losing my club right before my eyes. Casper says “ I’ll tell Ref to let you in. But don’t be surprised if she doesn’t talk.” “ I’ll wait as long as it takes.” Anna says and walks out the door.

Merigold turns to Casper “ Casper, don’t cut ties with us yet. Not all of us are like him. Please let me sort this out first.” “ I’ll run it by club. But when they find out what he did they are going to want a piece of him.” Casper said. “ Would some one tell me what the fuck is going on?” I yell. Everyone turns to me and looks like they are ready to jump me. 

“ I’ll tell you what is going on Ethan. Your bullshit has cost this club. Big time.” Merigold said. She holds up the document and says “ These are divorce papers for you to sign. On the grounds of abandonment and adultery.” She slaps it down on the bar. “ You married Sabine and left her to fuck around with the skanks here. Sabine the client that fired you for having your dick hanging out of your pants. The same person that partly owns the building the dispensary is in. And the lot you were going to buy to expand the auto shop. The same person who was Speed’s sponsor. The same owner of the rink I take your nephews to. It was you who fucked us over.”

I look over at the papers on the bar. I see Decree Of Divorce in bold letters. “ Viper you said you were going to find the person who fucked us over and fix it. We found the person. You. How in the hell are you going to fix it? If any other brother would have done this you would have their patch. After you beat their ass. You helped marry off four of us ol’e ladies then you  turned your back on everything you preached. Anna is right. You are a hypocrite. But you are not above the other brothers in this.” Merigold said in tears. 

She is right if my brothers did this I would beat the shit out of them. I would have their patch. This isn’t how I run this club. Not how dad did it. Marriage vows and ol’e ladies are more important than anything. I hear Thor say” I called Ace. He is going to call an emergency Church.” I can’t say anything. I can’t even defend myself. I look at the papers and there is a copy of my marriage license. I recognize my handwriting. This isn't some bad joke. No wonder Sabine looked hurt when she saw me that day. She  say proof her husband that walked out on her had cheated as well.

“ And one more thing.” I hear Casper say before I get punched in the face. “ That is for hurting my sister. Sign the papers so she can move on to a real man. And if I find out you married her just to get her virginity I’ll be back to give you more.” he says before he walks out. I’m not worried about my face right now. He had every right to hit me .I would have done the same if someone hurt Merigold or any of the ol’e ladies. I look back at the papers and all I can think is what have I done. I see Merigold lay something on the paper. “ This was in the envelope.” she said and left. Everyone else followed behind her not wanting to be near me anymore. I pick up the object. It is a ring. Smaller than the one I had but the same. I turn it over and see it is inscribed. ‘ Sabine+Ethan’. 

I got married and didn’t even remember. I didn’t even think about walking out on her when my gut was telling me to stay. What have I done? How do I even fix this? I could blame it on the booze but that is a coward's way out. But I do need to fix this. For my club. For myself. For Sabine. I don’t know her but I know she didn’t deserve what I did.