CAGE’S FALL: The Vulture’s MC Page 3

  He had teared up when my mom said I do, but as he looked from those papers to me, his eyes welled up with tears, and he was quick to pull me into a hug.

  “Fuck you know how to ruin a bloke’s reputation.” He muttered into my hair. The emotion clear in his voice.

  “Don’t you cry, or I’ll cry.” I said into his chest.

  “Right, need to man up.” He muttered, and pulled back, his eyes going back to the paper. “You don’t know how much this means to me Autumn.”

  I smiled dimly. “I don’t think you know how much you mean to me.”

  He smiled, a genuine smile and then kissed the side of my head. “Come on out of the kitchen, I’ll get the club girls to handle the rest of this. You’ve been in here most of the night.”

  I froze. There was a reason for that, I didn’t want to go out there.

  “Acorn.” He said firmly and my eyes went to his. “No one out there is going to hurt you. After all I wouldn’t let them hurt my daughter.”

  I sighed and straightened my shoulders. I guess I had to put the bad in the past and move on. I knew deep down— that Hawk wouldn’t let me get hurt but I was more scared of the men out there. Loud, dominating- bikers.

  “How about you just stay by mine and ya moms side?” he said softly, and I nodded my head. “Come on, let's get you a drink and stop being a slave to the kitchen.”

  So with those words I followed him out.

  * * *

  We were standing in the lot, as Mom got on the back of Hawk’s bike. They were leaving for their honeymoon. The party had gone into the small hours of the morning and it being summer meant it was still warm outside, as they went to leave on the bike.

  Cheers and chanting had followed as they rode off. After Mom hugged the life out of me, and then Jacob which made me laugh, because he hated being hugged. Then Hawk was the next one to hug me and told Jacob I was to be taken home as soon as they left.

  Jacob wanted to complain but knew as well as Hawk that I didn’t feel safe here.

  So, we watched their bike disappear up the road, and Jacob turned to me. “Well, let's get you home.” He threw an arm around my neck. “You have no idea how much I’ve drank tonight, so we are catching a cab.”

  “You smell like a bar Jacob.” I muttered wrinkling my nose up at him.

  “All in all, it wasn’t that bad I guess.” Jacob said, and I nodded my head. Just as we walked back into the lot, the dim roar of motorbikes echoed through the air.

  Jacob as well as other members I noticed, turned around as the roar got louder. “Inside Autumn.” Jacob said, pushing me in the direction. My heart began to drum to a heart pulsating beat— out of fear. Most of the bikers were here, from all over. Clearly, we weren’t expecting more.

  I saw a member rush for the steel gates, but my eyes were on Jacob. My heart racing. Why the hell would he not come inside to? God why did he have to be a stupid alpha biker right now. The roar of the bikes got louder, and then you could hear them slowing down.

  Then headlights, multiple ones, turned into the lot, slowing down I noticed how all guns from members were raised until the bikes engines died.

  “We miss the party?” A man from the first bike barked at the men, as they lowered their guns.

  “Nah it’s just beginning brother!” A member shouted at them, and all members switched gears. Quickly welcoming the new bikers.

  “Come on Autumn, let’s get you home.” Jacob was back at my side. “It’s just the nomads.” I knew my brother, he wanted to party with them. Talk shit with them around the fires and drink his weight in beer.

  “Is there a room, where I won’t be disturbed here?” I asked Jacob. His eyes lit up.

  “Nah Autumn you don’t have to stay here.”

  “It’s just one night.” I forced a smile. “As long as no one will disturb me. I’m happy to stay.”

  “Well, let’s get you set up in the church boardroom. No one goes in there without Hawk.” Jacob was clearly pleased with my decision, and I followed him back inside.

  Chapter Two

  Autumn

  In the church boardroom, there were couches to the side, and I assumed it was for members that hadn’t earned a spot at the table yet, or for members that were visiting.

  I was laying on one, had finally slipped off those killer heels and had my eyes closed. I couldn’t really sleep because there was a hell of a lot of noise out in the clubhouse, and the boardroom was just off it.

  But I was slowly falling asleep when I heard the door open.

  “Yeah I couldn’t hear you before.” A deep voice spoke into a phone I was assuming. I heard the church doors close. “Well, we are at the mother Chapter for a few days, then we will be heading to you.”

  I just knew I shouldn’t be listening to this conversation.

  “Babe. I ain’t got time for this shit.” He then cursed and I assumed he hung up because he exhaled sharply before opening the door and walking back out.

  Okay so in here wasn’t safe. That was it I was heading home.

  I picked up my heels and then snuck out of the church boardroom and poked my head out before walking into the party. I needed to find Jacob.

  I was weaving in and out of the crowd, going up on my tippy toes, looking for my brother.

  Chapter Three

  CAGE

  Taking my beer off Sky who was giving me an odd look. I couldn’t explain to her that I had to take a call from my woman in another town. Sky was staying here at this Chapter, and I was moving on to the next one by the end of this week and picking things up with the woman I had left there.

  All club women knew our loyalty wasn’t with them. But they liked to pretend that it was. Which only broke their heart in the end. Still I made it clear. I didn’t do commitment.

  Back at the bonfire, Jacob cursed. “I thought she’d be asleep.”

  “Looks like your night is over brother.” A mother Chapter member whacked him on the back.

  I wasn’t sure what they were talking about till I spotted the blonde hair bombshell walking towards us.

  One look. It was one look and I knew she wasn’t a club girl. The deep purple dress clung to her body, and it was easy to say that she was over dressed for the party. Then again there had been a wedding earlier. Perhaps she didn’t realise that it was a biker’s wedding.

  “Jacob.” Her voice was as sweet as her.

  Her vivid emerald eyes locked on Jacob and I had to say, I wouldn’t be the only one jealous that he had her attention.

  “Yeah yeah okay, Acorn I’ll take you home.” Jacob put his beer down.

  “How much you had to drink?” I didn’t mean to get involved but Jacob wasn’t steady on his feet as it was.

  His eyes snapped to me. “Cage, mind ya own fucking business.”

  I glanced back at the girl, and saw she was looking at me. Sky then rolled her eyes. Fuck the judgement in her eyes, you would think she knew I had more than one woman on the go.

  “I’m catching a cab Jacob. It’s already here.” She spoke firmly and gave the group a look. “Have a nice night, or should I say morning.” And then she walked off.

  “Ya shouldn’t let her head home by herself brother.” A mother Chapter member said, all their eyes were on Jacob. “She’s a good girl, don’t want her getting hurt.” He added.

  Clearly they thought this girl was too good for Jacob.

  “Yeah right. I’m leaving with her.” He threw his beer on the fire, along with the plastic cup and looked in the direction she had just left. “Autumn wait up.” He called out to her.

  Jacob left, and the party continued. Didn’t give that girl another thought, but I had watched her body sway as she walked away, which resulted in Sky slapping my arm.

  TWO WEEKS LATER

  Autumn

  Small towns. Small problems. Or at least that is what you think. I wanted to run. I wanted to hide. Because inside I was dying. I was laying on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. How can something so good go s
o wrong- so quickly?

  A knock on my bedroom door, forced me to sit up.

  “Come in.”

  The door opened and there stood Hawk, a frown on his face, as he sees the tears in my eyes.

  “Acorn I’m worried.”

  I sniffled back tears. “I’m fine.” I lied but he didn’t buy it.

  “I want to take you to the doctors, get your medication reviewed.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I broke up with my boyfriend Hawk. I don’t need to be medicated for it.”

  “Autumn, we both know you aren’t coping.” He looked me dead in the eye.

  A part of me wished they were still on their honeymoon. But then again, my world cracked into pieces when they left because Dylan broke up with me. Because he didn’t want to be associated with ‘them’— the bikers, the lifestyle. I didn’t tell Hawk that was the reason we broke up.

  Didn’t want him thinking that him marrying my mom had backfired on me. I knew logically that if Dylan didn’t accept my family, he wasn’t the right man for me.

  The doorbell rang, and Hawk stepped out of the room, glancing up the hall.

  “I’ll be back in a minute.” He muttered and headed for the front door.

  I laid back down on the bed. Reaching for my headphones. I would get over this. I would pick up the pieces. But everywhere I go, I just saw…. Him.

  The front door closed, and I heard the muffled voices. Someone must be here visiting Hawk. It was odd for members to come here, mainly because Hawk knew I didn’t feel comfortable with it. I told him over and over, it was fine— but I knew he kept members away.

  “Autumn.” Hawk sung out, and I sighed, placing my headphones down and walking out of my bedroom. My eyes immediately widening when I saw the two police officers.

  “He was home all night.” I blurt out quickly. I wasn’t even lying he was.

  But then I saw Hawk’s expression. Why was he looking at me like that?

  “What’s wrong?” I said quickly and walked to Hawk. Hawk wrapped an arm around me. As the police officers looked at me with an expression I had never seen on an officer's face before.

  “There’s been an accident.” The police officer began speaking and my expression dropped, my heart as well dropping, I felt shock slowly sink through my skin. “Emily Watson was driving when a car ran a red light. The paramedics did everything they could at the scene. She was transported to Albert Hospital, but sadly was pronounced dead on arrival. We are extremely sorry for your loss.”

  No.

  Just no.

  Tears slowly crept down my cheeks, as it became clearer. Mom was in accident. She’d be okay. She was going to be okay.

  I began to shake, and both of Hawk’s strong arms wrapped around me. As the shaking got visible— the tears overpowered my body.

  I fought in Hawk’s arms, as I sobbed. I couldn’t face this again. I can’t face this again. A panic attack began to raise, as my heart bled grief through my body.

  Then there was screaming and I didn’t even realise it was me.

  Chapter Four

  Autumn

  Alone. But in a crowd. I stared at the coffin, as it then lowered into the ground. Ice cold tears ran down my cheeks, reaching my jaw and dropping to the ground. My eyes dropped to the red rose. PTSD hit me, as I recalled doing the same for my father so many years ago, and then I looked up, seeing the coffin now gone.

  More silent tears rolled down my cheeks.

  Then I look at the headstone, seeing my father’s name, right next to the plot, that the coffin was slowly sinking into.

  I watched as Hawk dropped his rose in, and then Jacob. I knew I was next. So I slowly walked to the side. Seeing the polished silver, with my mother’s name engraved on the top of the coffin, six feet deep.

  Seeing two red roses on the coffin, and then I dropped mine. Stepping back as everyone else dropped white roses in.

  People slowly began to disappear, while I stayed frozen. I knew the moment I stepped away from this burial, that I would have to face the world without both my parents. A hand on my back, made me go stiff.

  “Come on Acorn. Time to head to the wake.” Hawk’s voice was gentle, soft and horse even, from the tears he had shed at the service.

  I brushed his hand off my back and shouldered past him, leaving.

  “Autumn!”

  I kept walking.

  “Autumn stop.” Jacob wrapped a hand around my wrist and pulled me to a stop. His stern eyes landing on mine, with redness surround them. “You can’t lock us out.”

  I remained quiet.

  “Hawk lost his wife. I lost my mom too. You aren’t the only one grieving.”

  My eyes narrowed on him. “You don’t think I know?” I hissed at him and snatched my wrist from his grasp. “I know. You understand I know.” I shoved Jacob back, tears running quickly down my cheek. “I know your club, cost me my mother. I know that she is in that hole, six feet under because of the club.” I pushed him firmly back and scoffed, looking him up and down. “And you know it too, but you’re still wearing the vest and that patch with pride.”

  Hawk stood at Jacob’s side. “Autumn,”

  “Don’t you start.” I pointed a finger at him. “You might have as well been the one driving the car. My mother was a target because she married you. My mother died because she was connected to you.” I looked between the two of them. “I want nothing to do with either of you.”

  Hawk stepped forward, and I don’t know whether it was the fact I just accused him of killing my mother, or being to blame for her death, but the tint of rage in his eyes— mixed with hurt, should have struck fear in me.

  “You are under my care and you aren’t cutting us off. You’re living with me.”

  “Like hell I am!”

  “You are. Because the state law says you are my daughter. And my daughter will be living with me.” He stepped towards me. “You can run away— you can throw a tantrum—

  but I’ll have you know. I’ll track your ass down. I’ll drag you back. And until I lose legal right, you’ll be doing what I say when I say and living under my roof.”

  My fists clenched at my side, and tears of rage now ran down my cheeks. “I. Hate. You.” And I had never meant three words more.

  HAWK

  “Three members down, we need to patch men up.” Wild spoke with a cigarette in his mouth. My eyes were zoned in on the table. I blinked and was brought back to the moment, by Wild’s words.

  Nodding my head. “Okay. Who you thinking?” I said to the boardroom.

  “Heard Cage is pulling more weight with the nomads. He wouldn’t make a bad enforcer.” Wild had obviously been thinking of members for the empty chairs. “As for Sergeant of Arms, I was thinking of Jacob.”

  My eyes bounced to him. “No.”

  “Come on Prez, the man has been loyal for five years. He deserves a place at the table.”

  Emily wouldn’t have wanted Jacob ranking. She struggled with him being a member. I couldn’t do it. But I knew if I was able, I would have a conversation with her about it.

  “The boy will walk one day, and one club will recognize his potential. I don’t want him as an enemy.” My VP, Vod spoke. “Bring it to a vote. Cage and Jacob to take spots. Which leaves one seat to be filled.”

  The table began voting and then I voted nay on Jacob. But it was outweighed by yays.

  I brought the hammer down on the table. Ending the church meeting.

  Now I had to deal with my Acorn. Shit wasn’t exactly going my way. The house got claimed by the bank. The club was barely earning. Didn’t have the cash to bail it out of the debt. Didn’t help I had just paid for a funeral and before that a wedding and then a club rebuild.

  It was the club rebuild that took most of the money. So, while the club was decked with the latest security and every room renovated, and a massive extension, my bank account was at zero.

  To top off my financial ruining. I now had sole custody of a seventeen-year-old girl, who hated m
e. Acorn hadn’t said a word to me since the burial.

  She didn’t throw a tantrum when I told her we had lost the house. Instead, she continued to give me the silent treatment.

  I rose from my chair, walking out of the church boardroom and into the community lounge which was quieter than normal and then I looked up to see Acorn standing there with a brown box and a bag on her shoulder.

  I saw the few members around, and how they were eyeing her down. Her legs were on display, and now that she was going to be living here, she wouldn’t be allowed to walk around the clubhouse wearing shorts like that.

  I walked towards her, and took the box from her. “Come on. I’ll show you your room.”

  I gestured with my head for her to keep moving. She gave me a dry expression and walked past me.

  “Down the hall.” I said to her, and then saw the members with their eyes on her ass.

  I stomped my foot. Their eyes snapped away from her and over to me. Shooting them a glare, I knew I was going to be in over my head trying to keep the members off my daughter.

  I was quick to catch up to her, and she was stopped in the hallway, looking at all the doors.

  “Keep going, to the right.” I said, and she started walking again. “Number Nineteen.” I said, and she stopped at the door.

  I placed the box down. “I know that this dorm room ain’t great. But it’s temporary. I’ll get you a house again Acorn.”

  She pushed her sunglasses up, giving me a look her mother once gave me. When she knew I was lying.

  “Don’t call me Acorn. And don’t worry. It will be temporary because I’m leaving for college in a year.” It wasn’t her words that had my heart clenching, no it was her tone.

  I unlocked the door and it swung open. I had personally painted it and styled it for her. Made sure she knew that she wasn’t just living in a dorm room, like all the other members.