Raging Barons MC – Book Nine – Knuckles

-:- KNUCKLES -:-

Axel shouts to me from the office doorway as I pass to get breakfast. Turning and entering behind him, I stand in front of his desk while he takes his seat. Looking up at me, Axel grins. “You’re comin’ with me to the hospital. We’re goin’ to visit Vitale. This war we have has to step up, as I’m sick of chasing our asses.”

Lifting an eyebrow because I’m not sure what he wants from me, he knows as well as every brother I’ll do whatever is needed, whenever it’s needed. But when it comes to taking out the garbage that is after my ol’ lady, well, it’s a no-brainer.

“Get ready and tell Buzz to get his ass in gear. We’re out of here in thirty.” Axel looks down at his desk, which tells me I’m dismissed.

He’s as prickly as all hell at the minute and I can understand it with him having the twins here, but if trouble comes that threatens the babes I’ll get Jo and get out of here, take her away so the level of threat to the clubhouse lessens.

In the kitchen, I take a seat next to Jo after grabbing a plate from the island. Kissing her on top of her head, she looks up and gives me a bright smile.

“I’m out of here for a while this morning, but don’t leave the clubhouse or compound. After lunch we’ve got your lesson with Winter at the range, so don’t forget to be ready for that.”

“Oh, okay, I’d forgotten it was Wednesday. It’ll be good. Winter said she’s going to teach me a lot of things, and I’m ready to learn and take some of the pressure from Lincoln.”

Mentioning Lincoln, I don’t miss the small look of sadness that crosses her face. She’s going to find it hard when he eventually leaves to join the military. Only being the two of them for so long will feel like she’s lost half of herself unless I fill that gap.

Amelia strolls into the kitchen and looking around, she grins when she walks over to Meat. Whispers something to him, and when he nods, she pats his arm and walks out again. No idea what she’s up to with him, and I don’t want to get involved.

Walking into the hospital ninety minutes later, I follow Axel and Buzz. The private ward Vitale is in has men standing around looking pretty intimidating to the average Joe. They’re all in black suits and should be in a boardroom, rather than men that would kill as look at you.

Axel saunters towards the hospital room, and I stick close to his back. Making sure he’s covered, if necessary. Buzz has his eyes everywhere too, I notice, but Axel, he looks like he’s visiting his best friend.

The man at the door of the hospital room looks at all three of us and stays in front of the door. Axel stays quiet and Buzz leans into the man. “Get out of the way. Vitale knows we’re comin’. Check if you want.”

Opening the door a crack, the man speaks quietly to Vitale before opening it and allowing us all to walk inside.

“So, how you feeling?” Axel asks as he drags a seat to the side of Vitale’s bed.

“I’m fine. I’m getting out of here today whether they like it or not.” Vitale is looking like he wants to throttle someone.

“Why are you still in here? You only got shot.” Axel grins, and both Buzz and I know he’s trying to rub Vitale up the wrong way.

“Fuck you, Axel. The bullet chipped a damn bone, and then an infection set in. But I’m out of here today no matter what they say.” Vitale sits up straighter in the bed and I can’t help the smirk that crosses my face at seeing this mafia don in his pajamas, striped ones at that. They remind me of the ones my grandpop used to wear.

Buzz notices my grin, and looking around, he realizes what is amusing me. When he places his hand over his mouth, I can see that he’s trying not to show he’s smirking.

“Now that we’ve got the niceties put away. What the fuck are you gonna do about Tommaso Esposito?” Axel links his fingers together as he’s leaning his elbows on the bed.

“I’ve got all my men out looking for him. I put orders out that anyone standing with him will be taken out. I’m not messing about with this Axel, and we’ll find him. He’s a slick piece and as slime does, he manages to slither away every time we get near.”

“Do you think you’ve got a mole?” Axel asks, and both Buzz and I listen carefully to the answer.

“No, I think he’s moving from one place to another and so far has just been lucky. He can’t have too many men left because Nell has had to turn down any more soldiers for the time being, as the gators are full to bursting.” Vitale grins and anyone can see the amusement dancing in his eyes. “She’s a fiery one. If only I could catch her, but she’s resisting.”

Axel laughs. “Women. I’m not an expert, but Nell won’t allow you to catch her until she’s ready, or you’ll not catch her at all.”

I notice Buzz isn’t looking too happy with this conversation, but remains quiet. Noticing my attention, Buzz gives me a hard look, but I grin and turn my attention back to Axel and Vitale.

“Did you know Esposito had his hands on one of your women? She’s a relation of his, I believe. Bianca Romano, who likes to be called Bee.”

Fiery curses explode from Vitale, and he sits up even further. “What the fuck did he do to her?”

“Well, apart from treating her like dirt, you mean? Apart from having her beaten, then when he made his great escape, he threw her out of a moving vehicle as though she were trash.” Axel is snarling now, and I know he’s going to blow in a minute if Vitale doesn’t respond in the right way.

“You have to bring her back to me. I’ll make sure she is looked after, and she’s safe from the fucker. She’s family to all of us and deserves to be kept away from that piece of shit.”

“She’s stayin’ with us until she tells us she wants to leave. She’s safe, being treated by our medic, and after I spoke to her yesterday, she wants nothing to do with the family.” Which Axel emphasizes with the air quotes when he says, family.

“I want to speak to her as soon as she’s able. Why was she with Esposito in the first place?”

“She was with him because she wasn’t a man, and had no value, thrown out like trash, to be abused by what was supposed to be ‘family’.” Axel leans forward, giving a hard look toward Vitale. “I don’t know what your ‘family’ thinks about women, but if her own flesh and blood throws her to someone as vile as Esposito, I can understand her wanting nothing to do with any of you.”

We all three can see the tightness around Vitale’s mouth, and picking up his phone from the table at the side of his bed, he sends a text message. Looking back at Axel for a moment before the door opens, and a heavily muscled suited man appears.

“I want Romano taken to the house. Keep him in lockdown, and I’ll see him when I get back.” The man nods and leaves without a word passing his lips. Vitale has a smug look on his face, and placing his phone down gently, it’s easy to see the control he has over himself.

“I will need to speak with Bee, and if she wants away from the family, I’ll help her do that. She’s always been a good girl. Quiet, biddable, and shy. Her father will pay for the disrespect to his daughter and the dishonor to the family.”

Axel slides his seat back and stands. “I’ll keep you informed if you do the same.”

“I will, but if you find Esposito, I want him myself. He’ll pay and he’ll pay in front of all my capos. They’ll never want to cross me again when they see what happens to him.” The evil smirk on his face has me shivering and I’m used to violence.

“Come on brothers. We’re going to plan a hunt.” Axel grins, gives Vitale a handshake, and we follow him out of the room and back to our hogs.

“Buzz, call church for tonight. We have a war to finish planning.” Axel straddles his bike, and both Buzz and I follow him out of the hospital parking lot and back to the clubhouse.

Lunch is pleasant as I sit next to Jo, listening to her talking to Bitty, who appeared from nowhere. Jo has settled in and mingles with the other women easily, and it’s often now that I hear her tinkling laughter from wherever I am in the clubhouse.

Lincoln, I’ve noticed, is getting more and more stressed. He’s ready to get out of here and move on with his life, but he won’t do that until he knows the threat to Jo has been taken care of.

“Come on Jo, let’s go get this lesson done. You’re doing weapons, and I’m doing archery with Mav and Colton. Should be fun for all of us.” I kiss her on the top of her head, and she wraps her arms around my waist, looking up at me with her chin resting on my chest.

“Stitch said I could visit with the lady in medical later in the week. I hope she’s going to be alright. Tommaso treated her badly when she was supposed to be his family. How could you treat a family member like that? It just doesn’t make sense.” Jo has tears in her eyes, and I kiss her forehead while wrapping her more tightly in my arms.

“Some people are just bad, Jo. No matter what happens, they will always be bad for anyone that is around them, whether they be family or not.”

Mav appears and grins. “Come on, you two lovebirds, let’s get a move on. We’ve got a bow and arrow callin’ our names.”

“Well, you have. I have a gun calling mine.” Jo replies, then grins before adding. “I hope I don’t shoot Winter because I’m not sure how coordinated I am or how good my aim will be.”

“Winter will teach you just fine. She’s a damn good woman every which way you see her.” Mav says before striding out of the kitchen and calling again for us to hurry up.

Once at the range, Winter takes Jo away for her lesson and I give Chaos a nod as he’s on the reception desk chatting up a young woman with purple hair.

Mav, Colton and I follow Target, who has opened the side door and given us a wave to follow him. Stepping outside and following Target, I grin when I see three archery targets set up. They are pretty large, with rings showing where the bullseye is, and different colors, as it spans out. The targets are not made of bales as I expected but have been built for us specifically, I think, wood with straw attached and a paper target fastened over it.

Before we get a chance to grab a bow each, Target stops us with a look. He nods to a table behind the bows which has some leather looking bits and pieces on it.

“Before you get your hands on the bows, you need a safety brief and all the safety gear. The bow string can make a real mess of arms and fingers if you make a mistake. You need to wear the protection and follow the rules, just like your firearms training.”

We spend the next few minutes listening to Target and getting fitted with the leather arm guard and finger tabs. We all decline the chest guard as being a step too far.

Target hands us all a bow and points to a pile of arrows. “Okay, we’re going to start with the basics of how to fire an arrow. One, your stance has to be right. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed.”

Target checks each of us for how we are standing, making minor adjustments as needed until he’s happy we all three are standing as he wants.

“Two, nock the arrow. Make sure your non-dominant hand is the one extended toward the target.” Target grins when he sees us clumsily trying to nock the arrow, and we don’t move on until he’s happy.

I look over at Colton, who is looking damn fierce, for sure he takes everything seriously and he’s so competitive that he’ll want to do better at this than myself and Mav.

“Three, extend your arm and pull back the string.” Before I can ask a question Target continues. “Get the draw right, feel the pull. Aim, hold it and take a breath. Release your breath steadily and let that arrow fly.”

Colton’s arrow flies alright, right past the target, and the cursing we all three hear has Target laughing. Mav’s arrow hits the target, but low and on the edge. My arrow hits the target, high and on the edge.

Colton growls, grabs another arrow, and lines up with his target. The concentration is easy to see and when he lets that arrow fly and it hits the target nearer than either mine or Mav’s hit; he gives a huge grin.

The next hour is spent improving our technique and eventually, we manage to hit near the bullseye, much to Colton’s delight. Target is a great teacher; he has such a lot of patience. We’ve all seen that in the Sunday morning lessons, especially when he’s teaching the women.

Packing up, we head inside, and I quickly see Jo and Winter standing at the reception desk, laughing with Chaos. He’s a great brother and one of the biggest flirts you’ll come across, but he also rarely takes his flirting to another level. He could be a man-whore with the way women flock to him, but he only indulges now and again, but never more than the one time.

Walking over to Jo, I wrap my arm around her neck and pull her to me, kissing her lips, which she surrenders to me quickly. Not thinking, I’m about to deepen the kiss when I hear Winter laugh.

“Come on, Knuckles, we don’t need to see all your slurpy shit.” Winter laughs again, and Jo giggles, but wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

“Target, your woman says she needs a kiss and slurping over,” I shout and throw my head back, laughing when Target runs over to us, throws Winter over his shoulder and disappears.

“Well, that leaves me holding the fort for a good hour. Thanks, Knuckles.” Chaos shakes his head in disgust before turning to the customer, who’s just walked into the building.

Back at the clubhouse, all hell breaks loose before we hardly step inside. Drag runs through from the offices and shouts. “Every man outside.”

I look at Jo and she nods for me to go, and I run after Drag and the few other brothers that are here. Outside in the compound, I see a man being held by his arms, and Buzz isn’t being gentle about it either.

Axel steps up and folds his arms over his chest. “Well, look here, another one of Tommaso Esposito’s men. You’re dwindling a bit now aren’t you, because let’s see, we’ve taken four of you this week and it’s only Wednesday.”

The man has his lips firmed, and showing he’s saying nothing, but that won’t save him now. I know Axel has Vitale on speed dial at the moment, and when he takes his phone out, presses a button and murmurs into it, we all know this fucker will be picked up by one of Vitale’s men very soon.

Before any of us realize what’s happening, the man manages to get away from Buzz and grabs a knife from his calf, lunging at Axel. We all step forward, but not before Colton appears in front of Axel and throws himself at the man.

Grabbing the man’s arm, Colton slams it onto his knee and he drops the knife, but before he can do more, Colton slams his hand into the man’s face, and we all wince when we hear bone breaking. The blood spurts from his nose and he bellows as he throws himself once more at Colton.

The fists flying and the rage we are seeing from Colton is pretty staggering, but he’s protecting his president and we’d all have done just that if we’d gotten in front of Axel first.

Colton hits the man so hard that his feet leave the ground and he flies backwards, arms flailing, and lands on his back. Out for the count, Colton gives him a swift kick to make sure before turning back to look at Axel.

“I think his name has gotta be ‘Rage’,” I state for all to hear and the chuckles that follow show they all agree.

Axel grips Colton’s shoulder and guides him away, speaking to him quietly all the while. We all know he’ll be thanking him and will also let him know he can hold his own when he has to. But we are all proud of Colton’s actions as it shows he’s a true brother and he’ll get his full patch when the time comes.

Buzz carts the asshole off to wait for Vitale’s man to arrive, while the rest of us return indoors. I’m rather surprised when Axel shouts, ‘CHURCH IN AN HOUR!’, as that means he’s calling everyone to close up shop for the day and get back to the clubhouse.

Sitting in church an hour later, I wait for Axel to take the gavel and open the meeting. Meat is near the door and has a vexed look on his face, but we all know well enough not to ask.

Axel walks into the room and looks around. “Okay, I need to know where the cocksucker is, and how many men he has left, and I want to know ASAP. I’m sick of this shit. We need to take him out or hand him over to Vitale.”

BS taps his fingers on the table, grabbing everyone’s attention. “I’ve been making sure the town map is up to date and I think I’ve an idea where he could be hiding. But it won’t be easy to get to him.”

“Where?” Axel snarls.

“There’s an old farmhouse. It’s sitting on acres of land, and the owner died leaving the place to a niece. The niece has never turned up, so the place is standing empty. That farmhouse has a storm cellar, and it has a basement. I know because I got Specs to pull the blueprints for the place.” BS is watching Axel for a reaction.

“Okay, that sounds pretty positive. Mav, you go with Beer to check it out from a distance and take Chris with you. It’s time these prospects started getting into more interesting shit than gate duty and, in Chris’s case, the PC monitor.” Axel stands, rubs his hands together and grins. “We’ll find out if they are hiding out and then I’ll inform Vitale, but if he thinks he’s getting all the fun, he can fuck off. If we find him, we’re in on it.”

Nods and shouts of agreement follow, and I can’t help but feel pride in all my brothers because this is happening to keep my woman safe. I’ll owe them everything once this is dealt with, and I would have died for them before, but I’d doubly do it now.

Walking out of church, I follow Meat as he’s up to something. When I see Billy hanging around the kitchen door and Amelia, I’m even more suspicious. Following the three of them as they head up the compound, I know the instant Meat realizes he’s being tailed.

“Whatever the fuck you’re up to, I want to know,” I shout as I keep walking up to them.

“You are too late to be involved as we’re done now.” Amelia laughs, then turns and heads further up the compound.

Following them, I can’t help but laugh when I see a table with crates sitting on top. The damn crates are full of bottles of moonshine, and this moonshine has labels showing a skull grinning, declaring this shit as ‘Barons Bordeaux’.

“Oh. My. God. Axel is going to kill you, and Bordeaux is a red wine, not fuckin’ moonshine.” I laugh.

“Don’t give a fig what it is. We like it. It’s red in color and it kicks like a mule.” Amelia grins. “So, let’s get this back to the bar so we can all have a good night of drinking, dancing and whatever else you all get up to.”