Storm (Storm MC 1)

He must have sped the rest of the way here, because he arrived within five minutes. When he went to cut the engine, I shook my head and indicated that I wanted to leave on his bike. I couldn’t get out of here fast enough.

I hopped on, and wrapped my arms around his body, nestling my head against his back. He made me feel safe, and in that instant, my heart expanded with love for him. Over the past few months, we had been navigating the hills and valleys of our relationship. Some of those roads had been rocky, and we had clung to each other. I knew in my gut, that we were about to hit a really fucking rugged valley, and that the only way through would be to hold onto J for dear life.

***

“Scott’s shitty with you, and wants to know what you’ve been up to this week. And my father told me to leave it alone and to get you to do the same. What’s going on, J?” We’d made it home, and I was now determined to get him to open up to me.

He ran his fingers through his hair, and looked pained. “Babe, this is stuff I don’t want you mixed up in; stuff I don’t want you worrying about.”

“No. We’re together. For the long haul, as you once put it. And I want to have your back, J. So, for me to do that, you’ve gotta start talking.”

“Fuck,” he muttered, and began pacing.

I stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. When he finally did start talking, he blew my world apart.

“I don’t want to tell you this. Fuck.” He sat on the couch, pulling me down with him. One hand grasped mine, and the other cupped my cheek. His thumb grazed my lips, and then finally, he spoke. “Mandy is running with a gang that is involved in drugs, prostitution and armed robberies. There could be other stuff, but that’s what I know of so far. They are the kind of motherfuckers you don’t mess with, but she’s in deep. She’s been dating their leader, Blade, for the past year or so. He runs a very smart operation and has been building his ranks up for a few years now. They are big enough now that no one really wants to challenge them. Even Black Deeds leave them alone.”

He paused, so I said, “I got the impression from Scott and Dad that they don’t want to either, and I find that hard to believe. Storm is strong enough to do it.”

He nodded, and then said quietly, “There’s another reason why your Dad doesn’t want to take them on, babe. And I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

I really had no idea what it could be, and why I wouldn’t like it. “What, J?”

He blew out a long breath before he continued. “Blade is your half brother. He’s Marcus’s son.”

The room spun, and I struggled to breathe. “What... how? Shit, does my Mum know?” My thoughts and words weren’t coherent so I stopped talking.

“Your mother found out today, and I thought your father was going to tell you too - ”

“Scott knows, doesn’t he?” I interrupted him.

“Yeah, babe. He’s known for a little while. I found out this week.”

“Does my Dad have anything to do with Blade?”

The look that crossed J’s face could only be described as devastated. That’s when I knew; that was the moment that the love I had for my father crumbled in a bloody mess of lies and deceit.

“Yeah, babe,” he said softly, pulling me into a hug.

I welcomed his arms, his warmth, and sank into his love. We stayed like that for awhile; he gently caressed my hair and pressed his lips to my head. He was my shelter from the storm.

Eventually, I pulled away and asked him to tell me the rest.

“Blade was born after Scott, before you. He is four years older than you. His mother has been your father’s mistress ever since, although from what I understand, they have been on and off throughout those years. Blade is their only child, and your father has had a relationship with him all his life. They get on okay, and Blade has given Marcus his word that Mandy won’t come after you again. Apparently, he wasn’t aware that she was mixed up in all of this. Marcus and Scott have agreed not to pursue her.”

I tried to take all of that in. “And you? Are you going against their orders?”

“I don’t trust that bitch, and I want her taken care of. I’m pissed off that Marcus and Scott have backed off.”

As I listened to what he was saying, I realised that this was the first time he had been so open with me about club stuff. Amongst all the crap we now had going on, this was my shining light. It was a pivotal moment in our relationship. I gently laid my palm against his cheek. “Thank you,” I murmured.

He looked confused. “What for?”

I smiled at him. ?

??For telling me all of that even though I know you didn’t want to.”

He covered my hand with his and squeezed it lightly. “You were right to push me. And you were right that I need to tell you what’s going on. Thank you for being patient, baby.”