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“A lot of people were hurt because of the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood. And I’m to blame for pointing them in y’all’s direction. So what I’ve been doing here is writing everything down in a journal about my time with that brotherhood. Also saving it on a USB drive for a backup. And I’ll leave it up to you. I can either give it to you, or I can turn it over to the FBI. I know the brotherhood has been riding the Devil’s Handmaidens club’s ass since I popped back into your life. I wish I could change what I did or who I became, but can’t go backward, only forward. And that’s what I’m trying to do.”
“I’m not dumb, Cletus, so what’s her name? The woman you have feelings for? And what does she do, how did you meet?”
Never in a million years did I think I’d be having this type of conversation with Raquel. Especially about Lucy, though I owe her at least this. If this is all I ever get and nothing more, I’ll be grateful she didn’t slam the phone down in my goddamn ear. Getting up, I walk out of my room and head to the common area and take a seat in the small alcove, trying to understand that I’m still talking to Raquel, who hasn’t hung up on me yet.
CHAPTER 2
CASHMERE
LUCY
Besides being exhausted after last night at the club, I’m a nervous wreck. Clet is making the “call” and I can’t control how my thoughts are all over the place. I knew when we finally hooked up that he was hiding something. It took a while, but over time he’s shared some of what has been driving him nuts.
After hearing him explain a few things about his past, it took me time to comprehend all that he has been involved in. Some of it was beyond anything I’ve ever even heard of or read about. Yeah, I’m a stripper but that’s it, I take my clothes off for money. While going to school, I hold down my other job of cleaning the Grimm Wolves MC clubhouse and raising my son. And I’ve been working hard so I can quit the strip club, but saying goodbye to that kind of money, shit, it’s hard and I’m not stupid. So off with the clothes I keep doing.
Walking into the clubhouse, I feel him before even seeing him, sitting off in the corner on the small love seat that Emmie put there for some privacy. His face is white and though I’m across the room, I can see his hand shaking holding his cell. When I move toward him, he lifts his eyes, sees me, and then shakes his head. Instantly I stop because he doesn’t want me there. It’s like getting kicked in the stomach, and believe me I know that feeling.
So instead, I go to the bar, put my backpack behind it, and walk down the hall to the closet, grabbing my cleaning supplies. I figure I’ll stay far away from Clet, or as his brothers call him Slick. I hate that name and his given name Cletus is messed up, so I call him Clet or by the nickname I gave him…Cupcake. He loves it in private but when in here or out in the real world it embarrasses him to no end, so that’s why I love using it.
Starting in the kitchen, I blank my mind as I always do when I clean. The clubhouse has come a long way from when I started cleaning it. Back then it was a mess every single time I would come in. Every night was a party night. Shit was everywhere and not one member or prospect cared. Emmie, Brick’s ol’ lady, is the one who put her foot down. She told everyone of the men that I wasn’t their mother so they could start picking up after themselves. Since then my job has gotten so much easier.
I empty the dishwasher, putting everything in the cabinets then reload with dirty ones. Next, I clean the counters and straighten up the cabinets and pantry. Grabbing the stick vacuum, I start with the floor then head into the pantry to pick up all the crumbs that have built up in one week’s time. I’m so into what I’m doing, when two large hands pull me into a hard body I scream and swing the vacuum at who’s got their hands on me. Before I can see who it is, I hear the ump loudly.
“Goddamn, Lucy, you trying to kill me with an electric broom? Damn, woman, that’s gonna leave a bruise. It’s me, Slick.”
Immediately turning, I see him holding his side and a giggle escapes my lips. At that, one eyebrow of his raises as he squints his eyes at me. I cover my mouth as he moves away, hands in the air. Feeling bad that I might have hurt him, but shit, he knows better than anyone not to sneak up on me. I explained all that in the beginning. Obviously, he’s got other stuff on his mind.
“Sorry, Cupcake, didn’t mean to knock the air outta your balloon, didn’t hear you come in. So what’s up, you looked pretty intense when I walked in. Was that the call? Did you get a chance to talk to Taz? How was she?”
He just stands there staring at me with no expression on his face. Oh fuck, guessing it didn’t go so well. I wait because with my Cupcake I’ve learned I have to give him time whenever he’s stressed. And lately he’s under a ton of stress. Between his past and his affiliation with the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood. He’s been trying to make amends, that’s why he’s now a prospect with the Grimm Wolves MC.
Originally when he was busted by, I think, the Intruders MC along with the Devil’s Handmaidens MC out in Montana, he was going to prospect with the Intruders. Taz’s ol’ man, Enforcer, didn’t want him anywhere around Taz and Teddy, her son. Especially after what he did to the two of them came out. So Chains and Brick traded another prospect, Presley, and brought Clet here, and he’s been the lowest on the totem pole. Between being abused by the brothers, and even some of the prospects, Slick has taken it all without complaint. He was even shot because of that stupid racist group. For a minute, no one knew if he was gonna make it, but thank God he pulled through.
It was after that when he started to come clean with me. Told me some of the shit that got him in trouble because, like Taz, I also have a young boy. Atlas is ten years old and the apple of my eye. His conception wasn’t great, my ex decided he had the right to take whatever he wanted when he wanted. The result was Atlas, but I’d not change a thing. My son brings only joy to my life, and I’ll do anything to make his life the best it can be.
Hearing Clet clearing his throat, I realize that once again I got in my head. I give him my eyes and again wait. It doesn’t take him too long to give it to me.
“Enforcer, if he could have, would have shape shifted through the phone and ended me. Raquel, as usual, was kind and listened without, I’m guessin’, judgment. If only I didn’t have my head up my own ass, would have seen what a beautiful person she was. No, Lucy, don’t take that the wrong way, please. She’s my past and, if I’m lucky, you’re my future. Well, you and Atlas. So I explained about the notebook I’ve been working on. Neither her or Enforcer asked for it. They were going to talk to Tank and Tink, the presidents of their clubs, and are going to get back to me. That’s where it’s at.”
I can see how much this is affecting him. Part of me is so proud of him, but my protective side is worried that he’s still hung up on Raquel. Guess that’s something I’m gonna have to work out on my own. Before I can reply, the door swings inward and Emmie and Abby walk in, so absorbed in their conversation they don’t see us at first. Looking their way, a smile appears on my face. Emmie has one of the triplets wrapped across her chest and another in a small stroller. The third one is in Abby’s arms. They are all swaddled like little burritos and asleep. Since Emmie had the triplets, they’ve spent a lot of time at the clubhouse. Brick is beside himself and a big teddy bear when it comes to the babies.
“Oh shit, Cashmere, didn’t see ya. Hey, Slick, is everything okay? Are we intruding?”
Leave it to Abby to get right to the point. I look to my Cupcake then at the two women. Since I’m a what you see is what you get at this point in my life, I tell them the truth.
“No, not intruding. Cupcake and I are just talking about his call to Raquel out in Montana. He’s trying to make amends, so he reached out today and is catching me up. How’s everything with both of you? I’m sorry, I’ll get back to cleaning in a few minutes, if that’s okay? He’s almost done filling me in.”
Both of their mouths drop open, their eyes shifting between me and Cletus. It takes Emmie a minute or two but she then moves toward him, awkwardly wrapping her arms around him, even with the little one between them.
“Slick, I’m so proud of you. No matter what happens, maybe you can finally put this behind you and move forward. Again, sorry, we were looking for something to snack on, I’m starving, as usual. Let me grab a bag of chips and we’ll be out of your way.”
Watching the two of them go into the pantry, each grabbing a bag of chips, as they walk by Clet, each woman pats him on the shoulder. That right there shows me that finally the Grimm Wolves MC family is opening the door for Cletus ‘Slick’ Jennings. And if you ask me, he so deserves it. I just hope everything works out for all of us.
CHAPTER 3
SLICK
CLETUS/CUPCAKE
