CAGE’S FALL: The Vulture’s MC Read online

  She placed the bag down on the bed, and I saw her eyes go glassy.

  “I’ll go.” I didn’t want to hover and make this worse for her. She was already facing her worst nightmare living here.

  I closed the door behind me and it hit me to the core. Autumn was never going to forgive me for what happened.

  Chapter Five

  Autumn

  One Week Later

  I stared out the window that had bars across it. My heart was aching. I couldn’t cry anymore even if I wanted to. I was still aimlessly unpacking my belongings around the room. Finally, I realised I couldn’t go another day without eating.

  So I wandered out into the hall, walking in autopilot mode to the kitchen. I heard the dull roar of laughter as I got closer to the community lounge and pub.

  I walked out in the mildly packed pub, and lounge area. Men were playing pool, drinking, laughing, the television had the latest football game playing. The air smelled like weed and spilled liquor.

  I was heading to the kitchen when my eyes landed on Hawk. He was in the corner booth. A woman I didn’t know was sitting with him, he had dim smile on his face. But it was her hand on his arm, that had me snapping.

  Fuck this.

  I was not staying here, watching him move on from my mother.

  It had been just over a month!

  I pushed open the clubhouse door and stormed out. I needed to get out of here. I needed… god… my heart clenched. Panic began to raise through my body. God— I did not need to have a panic attack right now. I clenched my eyes, my hands going out for the wall of the clubhouse.

  Okay breathe Autumn. Just breathe.

  My hands were shaking. My body was shaking. I could barely breathe. I felt like I was suffocating.

  I felt myself choking. I was hyperventilating. As much as I told myself to calm down. I couldn’t. I was physically shaking and breathing in sharply trying to get air.

  “Autumn?” A hand landed on my shoulder, and then Jacob saw me. “Autumn come calm down. It’s going to be okay. Whatever has happened, it will be okay.” He steadied me. “Slow your breathing. In and out. Do it with me. In,” He breathed in. “and out.” He blew out. And I began to copy.

  Jacob knew how to deal with my panic attacks. Slowly we managed to get a control over my breathing.

  Jacob had his hands on my shoulders as he calmed me down.

  “Good girl.” He blew out and pulled me into his chest. “What the hell has you so upset?”

  “It was stupid.” I knew that, didn’t know what else to say. Hawk was going to sleep with new women. Hawk was going to be with club women. It was his lifestyle.

  Mom was dead.

  His commitment to her was dead.

  “I know living here, isn’t great. But Hawk won’t let you get hurt. I swear any member that even looks at you will get a black eye from it.” Jacob was making light of it. Or was he serious about Hawk being overprotective? “Hawk loves you Autumn. You locking him out like this, isn’t healthy for either of you. He is currently having a conversation with Ruby, on how to deal with teenage girls.”

  “Ruby?”

  “Yeah her and Wild have four girls.”

  I felt so incredibly stupid. Hawk was only in that booth with that woman because of me.

  “He’s always been a father to you Autumn don’t give up on him yet.” Jacob smiled and my eyes dropped, and it was a fresh patch on Jacob’s vest that had my expression dropping.

  “You’re a SGT of Arms” I spoke it, didn’t want to believe it, but then looked up at Jacob. “You’re following dad’s footsteps aren’t you.”

  Jacob frowned, then sighed. “No.” Jacob had always made it clear. He never wanted to be like our dad—why I didn’t know. “I’m following after my Prez.” He then gestured for me to head back inside. “Come on, I'm sure you’re hungry, you’ve been living in that dorm room.”

  Chapter Six

  Autumn

  I put the pizzas on the back seat and put the car in reverse. Checking there was nothing coming I reversed out of the parking spot.

  When my car jolted back into the parking spot I heard the distinct sound of metal crumpling and then my head hit the steering wheel. My neck snapped back so hard I was sure I had whiplash. I was dazed for a moment until I got out of the car, seeing the other car when the driver jumped out.

  “Can’t you fucking look!” he roared at me. “Not hard to look backwards sweetheart.” Then it was the tint in his eyes, that told me, he was high on something. Then I noticed the car had no plates. My gut was telling me to get in the car and leave. But he was blocking me, angled behind my car.

  A crowd was forming, and I pulled my phone out and dialled Hawk.

  “Acorn everything okay?” It was clear he was surprised I had called him. Considering I hadn’t spoken to him willingly— it was a big deal I had called.

  “I’ve been in an accident. The car is fucked, and they are wanting to start an argument.”

  “Where?

  “Ellis street.”

  “Coming,” he said then hung up.

  I looked back at the men, the other one getting out of the car.

  Chapter Seven

  CAGE

  “Thanks darling.” I winked at the woman behind the gas station counter. Who had been flirting her teenage ass off with me, even did the classic move of leaning forward showing me her cleavage.

  As I walked out of the gas station my phone started ringing as I mounted my bike. Seeing Hawk’s name across my screen. Couldn’t help but think I just got in town and the bastard knew. Couldn’t get away with shit now that I was taking a seat at the table.

  Fucking Enforcer. I was still thinking I was crazy to give up the freedom of being a Nomad for a patch. But when Hawk calls ya name, especially for a seat at his table. Ya didn’t fucking ignore it.

  “Yeah Prez.” I said into the phone.

  “Cops are raiding us.”

  I frowned. “Okay what you want me to do—”

  “Need you to head to Ellis Street.” He barked into the phone. “My daughter has been in an accident. Need ya to deal with it. I can’t leave, the cops are at the gates.”

  He sounded furious about it. And I could understand why. Everyone knew not to go near Hawk’s daughter. I knew that just from rumours that flowed around after Chapters that I visited, who had recently visited the Mother Chapter.

  One guy was sporting a black eye, apparently all he did was look at Hawk’s daughter, and shit happened.

  “On it.” And I hung up, luckily, I was born here so I knew where Ellis Street was.

  It was usually crowded with foodies and was only around the corner.

  Autumn

  “Put the fucking phone down!” he roared at me, but I had already hung up. “You call the cops?” He demanded to know, and the other one who had just gotten out of the car, started to walk towards me.

  This car was clearly stolen. A few members of the public where backing away, as the driver and passenger got aggressive.

  Then suddenly I could hear a dim roar of a bike, getting closer. Thank god Hawk was coming.

  “Look, you can leave. I didn’t call the cops.” I put my hands up, trying to calm the situation.

  Then the roar of the bike, scored their attention. Coming to a stop right at the scene. My eyes glanced from the two men, to Hawk. Wait it wasn’t Hawk.

  The man climbed off the bike, taking his helmet off.

  “What’s going on fellas?” his voice was as cold as the stare he was giving them. His eyes flicked with rage. He tilted his head, “Were you about to pull a gun on a woman?” His jet black eyes were locked on those men like they were his prey.

  “Ain’t none of your business.” The driver barked at him.

  “See that woman.” He pointed at me. “She’s under club protection. And she looks rather scared to me.” He pushed his vest back, showing guns in his holster. “That pisses me off, that you’re scaring a woman I am to protect.”


  I swallowed sharply. And his jet-black eyes went off the men and on to me. “Darling, come here.”

  I didn’t know this man. I had no idea who he was. I took in his short haircut, the lip ring piercing, but it was the glint in his eyes that said this man was a madman. My feet started moving. As I got closer, I saw his knuckles tattooed with the club initials. If he wasn’t in club colours, I wouldn’t have gone near him.

  Standing at his side, the two junkies looked back at us.

  They went to head back to the car, when the man I was standing next to, pulled out his gun.

  Their hands went up.

  “How about you two, start walking. Consider the car as payment for what you did to hers.” He gestured with the gun for them to get moving. “Don’t make me count.” He sneered, and then clicked the safety off.

  They were quick to grab a bag from the back and then scrambled to the footpath— leaving.

  The man I was standing next to put his gun in his holster. “You alright?” he asked, and I just nodded my head. His thumb brushed my forehead.

  “Um my head hit the steering wheel.”

  “So I can see.” He frowned. “I’ll get someone to collect the cars. Let’s get you home.” His voice was smooth and confident, and for some strange reason I felt safe.

  I nodded my head and followed him back to his bike.

  “You aren’t going to pass out on me, are you?” he said, mounting his bike, giving me what had to be a trademark smirk.

  “No.” I tilted my head slightly, had I met this guy before? He gestured for me to get on, handing me his helmet.

  He had no idea what he wanted me to do, went against everything. I was terrified of bikes. My father lost his life on one.

  “Getting on darling?”

  My heart was racing as I climbed on the back. “Please ride carefully,” I said before he took off. I don’t know why I was trusting him, but I was.

  Chapter Eight

  CAGE

  Arriving in the lot, there was no signs of the cops. Hawk however was out front, pacing until he spotted me.

  I had never seen Hawk as furious as he was, as he headed toward us.

  His daughter planted her hands on my shoulders and climbed off.

  “What the fuck where you thinking?” Hawk roared.

  Took me a second to realize he was talking to me. “What?” I barked back.

  “She’s on the goddamn back of your bike!” his face was bright red right now.

  The girl stepped in between me and her dad. “Dad, stop.” She said firmly, “I got on the back and I’m alright.” She was speaking like she had never been on the back of a bike before. Why were they overacting?

  Hawk’s eyes widened as he looked at her, he was speechless. Had I missed something? Clearly I had by the way she was staring at him, and he was looking at her. Fuck you would think these two didn’t have a fucking relationship that involved talking.

  “I owe um…” she looked back at me, she didn’t know me name.

  “Cage.” I said, and she nodded.

  “I owe Cage.” She spoke softly. “Sorry about the car.” She was speaking to Hawk, but Hawk was gawking at her.

  “Don’t worry about the car Acorn.” Hawk mumbled.

  She was then quick to brush past him, leaving and heading in the direction of the clubhouse.

  “I said I’d take her home, but she insisted on coming here.” I said, getting off my bike.

  “She lives here.” Hawk looked back at me, then gestured for a club girl to come at him. “Go check on Autumn, makes sure she eats.” He told the woman. She said a polite yes, while running her eyes over me.

  What was with women in this town?

  My eyes were on the back of Autumn and then I remembered here I had seen her before. It was here, on the night of Hawk’s wedding, she was wearing that purple dress. She had looked out of place. I thought she was Jacob’s woman. But it turns out as I watched Autumn’s ass sway around, she was Jacob’s sister.

  Hawk cleared his throat and my eyes bounced off Autumn and on to him.

  His stern eyes looking at me. “Thanks for that.” He was saying thank you, but I had a strong feeling, he was also threatening me.

  Now. It made sense. All those men with black eyes, because Autumn was a fucking sight and a half.

  Chapter Nine

  Autumn

  There was a knock on my door, then it opened. “Autumn. Hawk’s hosting a patching dinner, and ya presence has been requested by the Prez himself.” Jacob just let himself into the room.

  “What if I was naked, or changing?” I snapped at him, closing my romance novel.

  “If you don’t want people barging in, get a lock.” He muttered. “Come on up, time for tea.”

  I grumbled about not being dressed for it, but he dragged me out regardless of my complaints.

  Walking into the open living room, the dining table was full, but there were three empty chairs. Jacob went and sat on the other side of the table, at the one empty seat. Which annoyed me because why wouldn’t he sit next to me?

  I then pulled out the chair, seeing an unopened beer at the other seat. Looks like someone was sitting there, and Jacob knew it.

  I sat in the chair, pulling out my phone. I had numerous missed calls from Dylan. I opened the unread messages thread.

  My eyes scanning over the threats. One after another. I gritted my teeth. When was he going to let it go— he broke up with me! Now he was threatening me, if I didn’t come to his family annual year dinner. The bubble popped up, saying he was writing.

  Then, the words ‘if you don’t show up I'll tell them about ur dad.’ Appeared on the screen.

  The chair was dragged out next to me and I locked my phone.

  “Autumn.”

  That voice. I glanced up, seeing Mr Deadly Handsome— Cage.

  “Hi Cage.”

  I wasn’t sure how he knew my name, but he did. He sat down in the chair next to me.

  His hand wrapped around the beer, and his eyes were on me. I squirmed a tiny bit under the intense look he was giving me.

  “Everything alright darling?” he said, oh so casually.

  I automatically narrowed my eyes on him. “You shouldn’t look at other people’s phones.”

  His lips twitched up, and he leaned in closer to me. Blocking the table out with his body, as he turned fully to face me.

  “I didn’t look at your phone. But now I wished I had.” He glanced at the locked phone. “Something you are keeping from your dad?”

  I turned my body into him. It was like we were on our own and not at a table that had twenty-eight bikers sitting at it.

  “I’m allowed privacy. Not everything has to run through him.” I don’t know why, perhaps if I did, then I wouldn’t have brushed my hand across his leg.

  He smirked and bit his lip ring. While looking at me, he moved just a tad closer to me. Our legs touching. Then his hand went under the table. Resting on my knee. I sharply inhaled. Then his fingers ran inside my thigh.

  “You shouldn’t start things darling.” His words were low, but I heard them clearly. “You know that saying, play with fire and you'll get burned?” He then began to move his fingers up the inside of my thigh. Under my skirt.

  “Autumn, you going to eat.”

  My eyes snapped off Cage and on to Jacob. “Um yeah.” I staggered out and started to dish up my plate from the food in front of me.

  I had to move forward on the seat and it caused a smirk to spread across Cage’s face because his hand went up closer to my core. Then just as I grabbed a breadstick, his finger brushed my lace underwear.

  God what was I doing? He was biker— a reckless one clearly because everyone knew Hawk may kill any man that touches me.

  I sat back in my chair, and his hand moved down. Resting on my thigh, his index finger drawing a circle on my inner thigh.

  Am I out of my mind letting him touch me? I didn’t even really know him! I barely had a conversation with him.
I snuck a glance at him, and he was holding a conversation with the man across from us, but his finger hadn’t stopped drawing that circle on my skin.

  The whole dinner I was waiting for someone to call him out on touching me, but no one could see under the table. And that sent a rush through my body, as he continued to touch me— not scared by possibly getting caught by Hawk.

  Cage was either a madman, or simply just didn’t fear anything— not even the man at the top of the table, who was just toasting to now having a fully patched table. During Hawk’s whole speech, Cage didn’t take his hand off me.

  Finally, dinner came to an end— and the club girls were slowly cleaning up the table. Cage took his hand off me as they cleaned the dishes.

  The table slowly emptied, and I had no reason to stay. So, I picked up my phone and pushed myself away from the table. Just as I was about to get up, Cage leant in.

  “What room you in?”

  I hesitated not sure I should answer. Chewing my bottom lip for a second. I looked at him, and then thought fuck it what was the worst thing that could happen?

  “Nineteen.” I said softly and got up, leaving and now I wasn’t sure if I should be expecting him or not. God there was no way I was going to be able to sleep.

  Chapter Ten

  CAGE

  Lighting a cigarette as I continued to play pool with Jacob, while he lost another game to me. Lucky we weren’t playing club rules, because he’d be fucking doing naked laps around the bar.

  There were a few boys still playing, when I called it a night. To be honest I had wanted to call it a night as soon as Autumn told me her room number. What made it better, was I was straight across from her. Room twenty. I had the biggest fucking grin on my face as I walked up the empty hall. Most members were passed out by this point.