Irish Read online

  “I will tell you everythin’ you need to know, but first I want to take you to me room. You need to get cleaned up, and take somethin’ for your pain. You’ve had a long night, me love.”

  “I don’t think I can walk past those people,” I finally respond, after a pregnant pause. I don’t feel comfortable, regardless if Tony is with me or not. He would never let anything happen to me, but I can’t bring myself to build up the nerve to freely walk around strangers when the only thing covering my naked body is a blanket.

  “I’ll get rid of them,” he says while standing up to his full height. Like a panther stalking his territory at night, Tony saunters out of the room and into the area all the people are assembled in. I see his mouth move, and soon after he’s finished talking everyone starts filing out of the room.

  “Thank you,” I whisper as he makes his way back to me. He forces a small grin on his handsome face before bending down to take me into his arms.

  “What are you doing?” I ask.

  “Carryin’ you.”

  “I can walk,” I state trying to make sure the blanket around me doesn’t fall. I don’t know why I am being so shy around him. Tony has seen everything, in multiple positions, many times.

  “But I’m not going to let you,” he answers, effectively taking me into his strong arms. The scent of his skin instantly fills my nose, making me visibly relax into his arms. It isn’t until now that I realize how sore I am all over. It’s not just the cuts on my skin that hurt, it’s my entire body. All my muscles are throbbing, and Tony’s offer to give me something for pain is not going to be something I can deny. My mind is screaming at me to allow this man to take care of me. Everything else will slowly fall into place.

  The sun peeking through the blinds of the window that’s adjacent from the bed forces my eyes open before they are ready. Rubbing the sleep from them with the sides of my fingers, I suddenly get an unexpected feeling of doom. I can feel an all-consuming sense of dread seep into my core, and the unwarranted sensation is making me second guess opening my eyes. The logical part of my brain is telling me that everything is fine, but the mental tug-of-war going on is not exactly in its favor.

  To help calm myself down, I listen for any noise that may seem strange while keeping my eyes closed. The mere thought of opening them right now is threatening to send me straight into a panic attack. That is if the knowledge of my strange behavior doesn’t do it first. I slowly slide my foot across the surface it is resting on. I feel some relief when my skin is met with cool cotton sheets. Then, just to make sure I am not completely insane, I reach out and feel for the warm body that should be lying beside mine. When I’m met with only bunched up fabric, I stretch my arm out further only to come up empty-handed again.

  Out of nowhere, the horrible feeling I have in the pit of my stomach grows to a monstrous size and I am overcome with sadness. Tears that I have no control over start spilling from my closed eyelids. My knees begin to draw up onto my chest at the same time my arms voluntarily wrap themselves around my now shivering body.

  A squeaky-hinged door alerts me to someone’s arrival. I can only imagine what I must look like to whomever just walked in, but I can’t do anything to stop it. It’s like my mind no longer trusts my judgment, so, as I am trying to calm it down, it’s ignoring every one of my attempts.

  “Mo grá.”

  My love.

  Tony’s voice breaks through the fog enough for me to open my eyes. His words send a much-needed feeling of warmth through my system. He places two cups on a nearby table before inserting his fully clothed self directly beside me on the bed, boots and all. With his arm now touching mine, I instantly feel grounded, and my shivering body decides it can stop shaking. Tony patiently allows me to calm down while keeping his hands at his sides. Part of me is grateful for his decision, but another part of me just wishes he would take me into his arms and promise to never let go.

  “Did something bad happen to me?” I ask the question that is at the forefront of my mind. I don’t know what is causing me to feel like I’ve survived hell, but it’s a feeling I can’t shake.

  “I don’t know how to answer that,” Tony mutters. I can tell he is being genuine with his answer, and that is enough to further churn my suspicions.

  “With the truth.”

  The desperation in my voice causes him to turn his head and gaze into my once again blue eyes. I find it strange that I had green contacts in, but that really is the least of my worries. I need to know what had me freaking out just moments ago.

  “I’m afraid of what the truth could do to you.”

  “It can’t be worse than what I’m imagining.”

  Tony doesn’t respond. Instead, he turns his head to stare at the ceiling like it is the most interesting thing in the world as he starts grinding his jaw. I’ve always been able to tell when he is getting pushed past his limit, and right now all signs point to him going off the deep end. Tony has always had a short fuse. In fact, it’s something I’ve always found sexy. He cares about the people he loves, and his anger has always been a direct reaction to that emotion.

  “Where are the toothpicks I got for you? “I question. Usually when he has something to concentrate on it helps soothe the beast.

  “I’ve called a therapist this mornin’ and she is on her way here. I can’t tell you anythin’ else until she confirms it won’t do you any more harm,” he replies completely ignoring my question.

  “W…w…what?”

  The idea that I need a psychiatrist is both scary and barbaric. Yes, I’ve obviously forgotten some important details that occurred within the last twenty-four hours, but surely that doesn’t warrant a trip to the talking couch. This must be a joke, some cruel prank that is being pulled on me.

  “Tony,” I whisper, hoping the plea in my tone will force his eyes to mine. He doesn’t disappoint. When his green eyes start considering mine, I see a look of sorrow and anger simmering just beneath the surface. That’s when I realize he isn’t joking. This is serious.

  “Don’t cry,” he orders while taking the pad of his thumb, and wiping away a stray tear running down my face. “What’s the one thing you can count on?”

  “You,” I instantly reply. The truth in my words rings out for both of us to hear. I know Tony would never hurt me. With him, I am safe, and there is nothing or anyone that could possibly change that.

  Irish

  An emergency club meeting has been called. Buck and Taz want to discuss several topics, including Ashley. I haven’t told them she doesn’t remember a single minute with that psycho, mainly because I still find it hard to believe. I keep asking myself the same questions over and over again. What horrible things were done to her that she has completely forgotten the last two years? Allison said she thought they were after her, so why grab Ashley instead?

  Placing a cinnamon flavored stick into my mouth, I make my way to the table all the club officers are sitting at, with the exception of Teller. He hasn’t been to a meeting since Saint was shot, mainly because you can’t get him to leave his shop long enough. If he isn’t working on bikes, or visiting his brother, he’s sleeping the few hours he needs to function properly. One could argue he’s mentally gone nomad. Meaning he’s physically here, but his mind isn’t.

  “We’ve got several problems,” Buck starts saying as I take my seat next to Hammer. Out of all the members in the club, I would say he is the one I’m closest to. We are both twenty-six years old and the only two members that don’t have family issues. In fact, the two of us often go home, sometimes bringing the other with us.

  “First and foremost, we keep getting pictures of Saint sent to us from the Blacktop Sinners. This shit stops now. Every man here has one task, and that is to find out how they are getting those photos.”

  The warning in Buck’s voice is clear to everyone. We should be worried about our fallen comrade not our love lives. Every man in the room nods their head in agreement. It shouldn’t take our club president to point ou
t our slack, and I vow to myself not to let Saint down again.

  “I don’t care if your old ladies grow tired of sleeping in an empty bed. This issue will not go unresolved any longer. Taz,” Buck growls, instantly getting the attention of his vice president, “you’re the lead man on this.”

  His unspoken words can be felt in the long pause he takes before speaking again. There is no room for screw ups, and he expects Taz to deliver on his duty.

  “Now for my last bit of news before Irish gets to fill us in on Ashley’s condition. Our brothers in Austin are having a problem with the police department. They have all but declared war on Big Country and his men. Beast was arrested for possession of cocaine. Big Country is adamant the men in blue that pulled him over for speeding planted it on him.”

  The news that Beast, Austin’s VP, has been arrested comes as a complete shock to me. It wasn’t too long ago that Big C. was able to get Taz and Teller out of the clank with the influence he has over Austin’s finest.

  “Big Country wouldn’t let that happen,” Torch speaks up, expressing what must be on everyone’s mind.

  “There is a new big dog in town, and she doesn’t like motorcycle gangs,” Buck mumbles, throwing down a newspaper. There she is on the front page of The Austin Chronicle. Apparently, Kate Riggs not only has the law on her side, she also has the looks to go along with the power.

  “This bitch just needs to get laid,” Taz declares. “Tell Big Country to strap it up and take her for a ride.”

  Every man around the table has a grin pulling at their lips from Taz’s statement. Leave it to that horny bastard to come up with a plan like that.

  “As we all know, Austin’s chapter was on the brink of disaster before Big C. took over. He doesn’t have the man power to fight this battle alone. I’m sending him twelve of our prospects and one member.” Bucks says, choosing to ignore Taz’s comment.

  “We’re already spread too thin with Saint gone and Teller mentally checked out,” Torch argues.

  “I agree with Torch, we can’t possibly keep Saint safe, fight with Slasher, and protect the women if we don’t have our remaining members,” Taz states, backing up his longtime friend.

  “Let’s vote,” Buck orders. “Those of you willing to allow another chapter to fall because you are too consumed in pussy, say aye.”

  “Aye,” Torch and Taz growl out, not at all pleased with our president’s wording.

  “Those of you opposed, say nay.”

  “Nay,” Hammer and I state in unison.

  “Looks like I’m the deciding vote,” Buck teases with a smug smile on his face. “Taz will let Brass know he is going to Austin.”

  When Buck looks my way, I know it’s now my turn to take the floor and fill the group in on what is going on with Ashley. Clearing my throat, I begin to explain the few details I’ve learned.

  “As of right now, Ashley doesn’t remember her time with Slasher. She can’t recall anythin’ that has happened in the past two years, but she is aware that somethin’ bad has happened to her. I called a therapist that will be comin’ to see her today.”

  “What’s the last memory she has?” Taz questions.

  “Me relationship with Ashley is complicated,” I start to say before I’m interrupted by Hammer.

  “No shit,” he mumbles, trying to cover it with a cough.

  After giving him the death stare I’ve perfected over the years, I go back to explaining the fucked-up situation that is my relationship with two sisters. “Ashley and I were seein’ each other before I married Allison. Ashley remembers everythin’ up to that time, but nothin’ after. As far as she knows we are still together, and Allison is nothin’ to me.”

  “So now you want us to make sure to not spill the bag of beans you are carrying,” Torch replies.

  “Me personal life is none of your business,” I growl, getting irritated by his judging tone. “I never questioned you when you were attackin’ our VP over Mia, so I would appreciate the same respect.”

  “He’s right,” Taz surprises me by speaking up on my behalf. I had thought the situation with Serenity and I would have placed a wedge between us for good, but I’m starting to see that he understands I was just trying to be there for a girl that needed someone. Now that he has claimed her, I’ve completely backed off, even if it is hard to grow apart from someone you considered a friend.

  “Is Allison aware of her sister’s condition? “Buck asks.

  “I’m tellin’ her after this meetin’,” I declare.

  “Good luck with that, brother,” Hammer laughs. “You might want to keep a hand on your junk while you explain that you want her to keep quiet about your marriage.”

  I would slap Hammer on the back of the head for being a dick and making jokes about a serious situation, but I can’t bring myself to be mad at him when he’s just being accurate. Allison and Ashley are probably the only twins in the world that don’t get along; not from lack of trying on Ashley’s part. I’ve heard stories about the bond that identical twins feel, yet I’ve never seen the slightest hint of that being the truth with them. Allison has always been jealous of Ashley. That is why it was no trouble at all to get her to marry me. At the time, I wanted to hurt Ashley like she had hurt me. The woman I loved had just turned down my proposal, and told me the reason for her answer was her parents. They never thought I was good enough for their precious daughter, and apparently neither did she.

  Now, I have to figure out a way to get Allison to understand that the petty rivalry she has with Ashley needs to stop. There is no telling what the news of our marriage could do to her. Slasher has already taken too much. I need to convince Allison that Ashley deserves to remember on her own.

  After I’ve lead Ashley to the room where her new therapist is waiting, I close the door while mentally preparing myself to deal with the evil twin. I’ve made sure to avoid Allison the entire day by staying holed up in my room with Ashley. The last thing I need is Allison talking to Ashley before I can explain the delicate situation that is our fucked up existence. The thought of having to hold a conversation with my wife threatens to send me searching for a little bit of liquid courage, but my balls dropped a long time ago. I’m not going to let a woman emasculate me, especially one I don’t like.

  “Oh, just the man I was looking for,” Allison states, appearing out of nowhere. Was I that distracted that I couldn’t see her, or anyone for that matter, coming toward me?

  “We need to talk,” I mumble.

  “I have a feeling you’ve been keeping me away from my sister, and I’m starting to feel like your dirty little secret. Where is she, Irish?” No matter how hard I try to hide the torment her presence brings me, I can’t. It’s not just our dysfunctional relationship that makes my mouth turn down into a frown, or my shoulders sag with sadness. Looking at Allison, the identical features of the woman I love, knowing Ashley will never again be the same, makes my heart pump with more sorrow than blood. Her blue eyes are sparkling under the bright light we recently had installed into the main room. She is self-consciously biting her plump-bottom lip, telling me my stare is making her nervous, and the waves she added to her long hair easily sway with the movement of her head, forcing my eyes to follow their movement.

  “We need to talk,” I reiterate, taking a direct route to my room knowing she will follow.

  “Where is my sister?” She asks as soon as the door is shut behind us.

  “Why did you come find me?” I decide to turn the tides around and get answers to some of the questions I’ve had, but haven’t asked because my concentration has been on finding Ashley.

  “Because someone took my sister,” she responds. Her eyes are refusing to hold my stare, and that could only mean one thing.

  “What are you hiding, Allison?”

  Prowling forward, until she has nowhere to go but backwards if she wants to avoid my overwhelming presence, I begin the process of scaring her enough to talk. I will use any method I find suitable to get the answers
I want.

  “You expect me to believe that your parents knew their golden child was abducted and was okay with you comin’ to me for help. People misjudge you, Allison, but not me. I know you’re just as smart as your sister. You just use your brain in other ways, bad ones, so cut the bullshit and tell me what you’ve been hiding.”

  “Alright,” she finally breathes out while trying to push me away. I allow her tiny palms to stop my forward motion, but not shove me backward. “I was at a bar in Dallas one night when I met a sexy biker that offered to buy me drinks. The booze was free so I drank a lot, and next thing I know I’m telling him about you. He was somewhat amazed to find out I was married to a biker that had no qualms about me going out and talking to other men. Ashley may have been mentioned.”

  The news of her being drunk in a bar with a strange man doesn’t surprise me. This is the Allison we all know. She is a free spirit that craves the attention her mommy and daddy never gave her.

  “What did this man look like?”

  “He’s a bit taller than you, maybe by an inch, has dark hair, and dark eyes. To be honest, I don’t remember his face. After waking up in his bed alone, I climbed out the bedroom window and walked home still drunk from the night before.”

  “Continue,” I state, encouraging her to finish her story.

  “Two days later, Ashley went missing and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he had something to do with her disappearance. I couldn’t tell my parents, so I asked around and found some information that lead me to you.”

  “Details,” I growl, growing impatient.

  “When my mom called me frantically crying about Ashley, I remembered that the guy was openly asking me questions about her once I told him about you two. Then, I recalled seeing a leather vest on his nightstand before taking the walk of shame down his street. I went back to the bar and questioned the bartender. He told me that that man I was looking for was the VP to the Blacktop Sinners MC. Apparently, his name is Tate.”