Rescue us, p.9
Rescue Us, page 9
Grabbing hold of the guy, I forced him to the ground and knelt on his back. He kicked and thrashed beneath me.
Reaching for his arm, I pulled it behind him. I kept pulling until he screamed, begging for me to stop. “You need to gain control of your moves if you want to fight here like the man you think you are,” I told him.
“Fuck you,” he growled, spitting out blood.
“Fuck me?” I chuckled, pulling his arm back until a pop sounded.
His screams became louder.
“Suck it up, buttercup. It’s only a dislocated shoulder. It’s an easy fix.” I pulled myself off of him, offering out a hand.
He pushed to his feet, slapping my hand away. “Next week, be here. I’ll fucking end you.”
“Right.” I scoffed, turning away from him. “Your threats are cute.” I continued walking back to where Cheesy stood, ignoring the guy behind me as he yelled profanities and whatever else he could think of.
“Did you really have to do that?” Cheesy asked, handing me a towel and a bottle of water.
“Do what? The guy’s lucky I didn’t kill him like everyone here wanted.” I took the towel and water from him. “Collect the money, Cheesy.”
I left the building, ignoring everyone and anything around me. My body hurt and I could use a good massage but for now, I would just suck it up until I could get Ainsley’s hands on me. If that ever happened. There was something about her that kept the passionate part of herself hidden. But I made it a mission to seek it out and bring it forth.
No matter the cost.
Ainsley
“Ainsley, how’s my favorite quiet girl?”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help but smile as Cheesy came into the large room. I’m the only quiet girl you know, I’m sure.
He chuckled. “Maybe so but it still doesn’t mean you can’t be my favorite.”
I shook my head, when a thought came to me. I’m sorry about how Cyrus reacted.
The smile fell from Cheesy’s face. He looked over his shoulder, almost like he expected Cyrus to jump out of the shadows. “Uh...it’s fine.” He looked back at me. “I explained that you’re helping me with my sign language and I’m helping you teach others. Jaron wants me to be a good boy, so here I am. My dad’s a cop anyway, so I’m sure he doesn’t mind that I’m helping you.”
I tilted my head, staring at him as he rambled.
“I’m rambling, aren’t I?” He laughed, running his hand through his light brown hair.
I gave him a small smile. It’s okay.
He sighed. Your boyfriend has me nervous.
He’s not my boyfriend. I really liked the sound of that though.
Leaving the large hall where the meetings were held, I went to the receptionist’s desk with Cheesy following behind me.
“Well, whether he’s your boyfriend or not, he sure made it known for me to back off.”
Stopping at the desk, I turned toward Cheesy and placed my hands on my hips. I waited for him to continue. The words were on the tip of my tongue like they usually were, but the more time passed where I didn’t say anything, the more I didn’t actually want to. Not until I met Cyrus.
Cheesy opened his mouth to respond, when his eyes flicked over my head.
I followed his gaze, finding a large black SUV pulling into the parking lot. My stomach tumbled.
When it parked, Sammy left the passenger side, lighting up a smoke as soon as his Shit-Kickers hit the ground. His head lifted, his eyes looking my way. I wasn’t sure if he could see me from where he was standing but it sure as hell felt like it.
I shifted from foot to foot, not liking the hatred rolling off the man I didn’t know.
“Don’t worry about him,” Cheesy mumbled. “He’s a good guy but he’s just angry at...well...life right now.”
I didn’t believe him, but I never questioned it. There was something deeper, something else going on with Cyrus’s brother. It wasn’t my business, but it still made me leery of the guy.
“I’m going to go say hi,” Cheesy said, backing up. “If I don’t come back, send a search party.”
I nodded. Good luck.
Pulling up a chair, I started typing away on the computer.
Setting up a few appointments for Jay, Brogan, Meeka, and Maxine, the ladies who owned the establishment, I was lost in my own little world when a dark shadow loomed over me.
My stomach started doing somersaults, my heart picking up speed.
Breathe, Ainsley. Breathe. I told myself that mantra over and over until the shadow disappeared.
“Hey.”
I looked to my left, finding Cyrus crouching beside me.
“You good?”
My eyes widened when I saw that his lip was split, a dark bruise sat under his right eye while a small bandage sat on his left cheek.
What happened? I reached out to touch him, wanting to make sure he was okay.
He grabbed my hand, running his thumb along the edge of it. “Don’t worry about it, baby.”
I pulled from his grip, brushing my fingers over his mouth before signing, How’s the other guy?
He chuckled. “Went to the hospital last night with a dislocated shoulder and a broken nose. I offered to pop them both back into place, but he refused. Apparently, I’m a big meanie.”
Was this a random fight or are you an actual fighter?
“None of the above, pet. I fight to take the edge off at the moment.”
Do you get paid for it?
“Yes, but I don’t keep the money,” he explained.
What do you do with the money?
“I give it back to the community. A random bookstore, a library, a funeral home. I gave a homeless person five-hundred bucks before.” He shook his head, chuckling at a memory. “He offered to buy me a steak as a thank you but I ended up treating him to a few drinks instead after getting him cleaned up. One of my favorite moments.”
My heart swelled. That’s pretty amazing.
“I don’t do it for the recognition, but I do love helping when I can. What are you doing here?” he asked, nodding to the computer screen.
Besides teaching ASL, I’m also the receptionist. I guess seeing my face first, helps ease people’s anxiety. I shrugged.
“Trust me, pet. Seeing you first thing would definitely be the highlight of my day too.”
I stared at him. Even though you could clearly tell he had been in a fight, he was still gorgeous. He looked like he walked right off a GQ magazine. I bet he looked delicious in a suit.
He tilted his head. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
I’m imagining you in a suit.
His lips pulled into a grin. “Really? Well, I guess you’ll have to wait until our date, so you can see me in a suit then.”
My cheeks burned, my eyes widening at the thought.
He chuckled, rising a touch and leaning toward my ear. “Tell me what else you’re imagining me in or...” His lips brushed along the shell of my ear. “Not in.”
I shivered at the soft touch.
His laugh deepened, rumbling through every inch of me. “So, Ainsley, you ready for our date?”
You’ll really wear a suit? I asked him, wondering why he would agree to such a thing.
“Babe, I’ll wear a fucking garbage bag if it puts a smile on your face.”
I laughed, standing from the chair as Sammy and Cheesy entered the building. My laughter quickly died at the scowl on Sammy’s face. It amazed me how they were twins and yet, were nothing alike.
“What’s so funny?” he demanded, looking between Cyrus and me.
Cyrus rose to his full height, stepping up behind me. “What’s your deal?”
“I don’t have a deal.” Sammy stared at us.
As much as I didn’t want to, I was the one to look away first. I went to walk around Cyrus when he caught my arm.
The touch was gentle, but it forced me to look up into his dark eyes.
“I wasn’t kidding about that date, pet,” he said. “Tell me when you want me to pick you up and I’ll be there. In a suit.”
I could feel Sammy staring daggers into the back of my head, so I did the only thing I could think of. I pulled my phone from my pocket and typed up a response.
Yes, I’m ready for our date. I’m done work at 6pm tomorrow evening.
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
I nodded, stood on tiptoes, and placed a soft peck on his cheek. The scruff from his light beard tickled my lips. Before his brother could say or do anything else, I left the room.
***
(Cyrus)
As I watched Ainsley leave and disappear down a long hall, a throat clearing forced my head back around.
I found Sammy and Cheesy both staring back at me. “What?”
Cheesy shook his head. “No issues from me, man. You’re bigger than me. We’re cool,” he said quickly.
“You’re bigger than me too but I don’t give a shit about that. What’s going on with you and her?” Sammy demanded, like it was any of his business.
“I like her if you must know, brother.” I lifted my hand before he could speak. “I love you but right now, you’re being a fucker. Whatever happens between Ainsley and me, stays between us.”
Sammy’s frown deepened, something flashing behind his eyes. “Cheesy, you got somewhere to be, don’t you?” he asked him, not taking his eyes off of me.
“Yeah. I’ll go see if Ainsley needs help,” Cheesy muttered, heading down the same hall Ainsley had.
“What the fuck is your deal, Sam?” I asked him once we were alone.
Instead of answering me, he left the building and headed toward the SUV. He lit up a smoke, the spicy scent hitting my nose as I followed him. Every cell in my body told me to turn around and go to Ainsley. Not to talk but to just be with her. To be around her. She had an air about her that calmed me. I understood why she was placed at the front. Victims could see her first and would find that sense of calm they needed. It made me wonder if she ever had that for herself. Not that I knew her whole history, but I wasn’t stupid. She didn’t stop speaking just for the hell of it. Something happened. I would make it my personal goal to earn her trust enough that she could share that piece of herself with me. To let me into her darkness. To be the light she needed.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Sammy went up to the SUV and pulled open the passenger door when I slammed it closed.
“Talk to me,” I demanded.
He took a puff of his cigarette and let out the smoke slowly, blowing it in my face.
My jaw clenched, a sharp pain shooting up the sides of my cheeks. “If you weren’t my brother, I’d have you on the ground already.”
“You wouldn’t do that shit here.” Sammy chuckled. “You wouldn’t want your precious little girlfriend to see that side of you.”
I took a step closer to him until we were nose to nose. “Try me.”
His eyes widened a bit.
I had a good twenty-five pounds on him. Even though he worked out as much as I did, he could never gain the muscle I could. I often used it to my advantage, especially when he was being a shithead.
“Try me, Sammy.” I waited for him to respond. When he didn’t, I continued, “You better keep those dirty looks to yourself and worry about your own personal life. Maybe I should approach Amber myself and tell her that she deserves better.” It was a low blow, but he was pissing me off and I’d had enough of his shit.
Sammy lifted his chin, sticking the smoke back between his lips. “Do what you want, Cyrus. Anything you say won’t stop her from craving my dick.”
“Why the hell are you so damn crude when it comes to the woman you clearly have feelings for?” I was all for dirty talk and telling my partners exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it but Sammy...he took it to a whole other level.
“She likes it,” he mumbled, stepped away from me, and opened the door to the passenger side of the SUV.
I stared at him, wondering what the hell was wrong with him. I realized then that Amber would need a whole hell of a lot of patience to break down Sammy’s walls.
My phone dinged, interrupting my thoughts.
Pet: You good? You and your brother looked like you were having a heated conversation.
I let out a heavy sigh before responding.
Me: He’s a dick. Ignore him.
Shoving my phone inside my leather cut, I joined Sammy in the driver’s seat and drove us to the Hell’s Harlem clubhouse. He was silent the whole way, puffing on that damn smoke of his. When he finished one, he lit up another. He was stressed about something. I knew, because it was the only time he lit up smoke after smoke.
“What’s going on with you?” I asked once we pulled into the driveway in front of the clubhouse.
“Do you think Mom and Dad would still be together if they were alive?”
My mouth fell open, taken aback by his question. Clearing my throat, I nodded. “I do.”
Sammy looked at me then. “How?”
“They loved each other. I know we were young when they died—”
“Killed, Cyrus. They were fucking killed. Murdered. Shot. Taken from us before their time.” Sammy left the SUV, slamming the door shut behind him.
I let out a hard sigh, knowing he was right. Maybe it was why he was so damn grumpy lately. It was as though the more years passed where our parents were no longer with us, the moodier he became.
A woman left the large house, running toward Sammy. I realized then that it was our cousin, Bee. When she reached him, he picked her up and spun her around.
I left the SUV, heading toward them, still pissed over how my brother was acting, but would leave it alone. For now.
“Cyrus.” Bee rushed to me.
I chuckled, crouched, and held my arms out.
“God, it’s been too long.” She threw her small body around me.
I lifted her into my arms, hugging her a little longer than I intended.
“Hey.” She wiggled out of my grip, staring up at me. “You good?”
“Yeah.” I hooked an arm around her shoulders, leading her to the house. “How’s the family?”
“Good! Manuel is with my dad and mom, and Tanner’s inside,” she said, nodding toward the house. “We’re taking a little trip just the two of us, so my parents are babysitting for the weekend.”
“That sounds fun.” I hugged her into my side as we walked to the front doors of the clubhouse. “Let’s get in there before my brother murders your husband for just existing.”
She snorted. “Whatever. Sammy likes him. He just won’t admit it.”
“Sammy won’t admit anything that has to do with him being nice,” I corrected her.
“True.” She laughed. “I take it you’re still fighting?”
“Yeah.” I forgot about the bruises on my face. “I made Cheesy go with me this time.”
“Oh, I bet he loved that.” Bee shook her head, a wide smile forming on her face. Her head of curls swung with the movement. “Poor thing. You guys are mean to him.”
“We are not,” I said as her husband, Tanner, took that moment to join us.
“How’s it going?” I asked him, pushing his wife into his arms.
“Good. Quiet,” he said, hugging her to him.
“Quiet’s good.” And that was the truth. They had it hard in the beginning when Tanner was accused of killing someone from our club. While his name was being cleared, he and Bee ended up together. It had amazed me how even in the most inappropriate of times, love could still bloom.
While Tanner and Bee mingled with everyone, I slipped away quietly and made my way down into the basement. My muscles were itching for some pain, even though I had put them through a lot the night before with the fight and all. Maybe I should have gone to The Ring again.
I pulled my phone out of my back pocket, checking to see if there were any fights tonight and if I missed any calls or texts.
“Cyrus, wasn’t expecting you here tonight.”
I lifted my head as Greyson Mercer came down the hall toward me. He was wiping the back of his neck with a towel.
It was true. I had been staying at the apartment lately, but something pulled me toward the clubhouse instead. Sammy never even mentioned anything when I had driven us there. Maybe he was feeling it too.
“We were at the center.” Which wasn’t really a reason seeing as the clubhouse was nowhere near it. “We dropped off a load of supplies for Piper and...I just didn’t want to be at the apartment tonight.”
Greyson nodded once. “I get that. How’s your brother doing? Eve said he’s being an ass lately. More so than usual.”
“I don’t know really.” But I did know. A bit anyway. Just not enough to explain what was going on because the truth was, it was none of my business. “Tanner and Bee are here. I’m going to get a workout in.” I went to walk by him when his next words stopped me.
“Sammy never goes to your parents’ gravesite.”
My head whipped around. “How do you know that?”
“Just because I’m no longer president, doesn’t mean I don’t know things,” Greyson said, crossing his arms under his broad chest. “Jaron told me.”
“How does he know?”
Greyson closed the distance between us and cupped my nape. Turning me around, he led me to the gym. “Jaron’s become a little paranoid after everything went down.”
“Understandably so.”
“I agree. He’s had people keeping an eye on things.”
I stared at the man who had been my brother’s and my guardian since our parents died years ago. “What are you telling me and how come I didn’t know?” I was the vice-president of Hell’s Harlem. Jaron never even approached me on the topic.
Greyson opened the door to the gym and stepped aside so I could enter. “He didn’t tell anyone. I only found out because I was at the cemetery and saw an SUV I had never seen there before. Three guys were in it but never said a word. The driver told me to ask my son about it. So I did and I’m telling you what I know.”
