Fox's Lair: Twisted Iron MC, page 9
“Nah, Fox,” Merc begins, “that was not a hit intended to make a man stumble. You went in on him. That was a fucking T.K.O. brother.”
“Fucker is in the land of the sleeping for a little while with that one, Foxy,” I hear Sandman reply, agreeing with Merc.
“Fox,” Nova’s weak call to me comes out shaky and as I turn to her, my heart sinks with the speed of an anchor to see her in this condition.
Rushing to her side, I kneel down and wrap her body up and into mine; sheltering her naked body for anyone else to see. My brothers have enough respect for her and me both that they wouldn’t dare focus and keep eyes on her in her current condition. It’s the vulnerability that I know she’s feeling that I am protecting her from. Her body goes limp as it falls into the comfort of mine. “Nova?” I call out her name panicked. Frantic, I say her name again, “Novalee? It’s me, Fox. I’m here, sweetheart.” Still nothing as I lean down drawing her chin upward with my finger seeing her closed eyes as her head begins to fall backward, but not before I place my hand behind her neck, catching it. “Fuck! Stitches? Where the fuck is Stitches?” I check to see if I can feel breath exhaling from her nostrils, and sigh loudly in relief as I can feel she’s still breathing.
“Here, I’m right here,” Stitches lets me know as he steps in and leans down. “I went to grab a blanket from the van. Her clothing is soaked in urine.”
I can feel my eyes narrow in anger and fury for her at Stitches’ revelation. I don’t need to know how it got to that point for her; the fact that it did is enough to make me wanna kill this bastard over and over. Stitches reaches over me and begins assessing Nova and I feel myself instinctively tighten my arms around her.
“Fox, brother, you’ve gotta let me evaluate her.” His voice is calm and steady.
I kiss her forehead. “You’re gonna be okay, pretty girl,” I whisper against her bruised skin as I release her gently onto the floor before hastily placing the blanket over the top of her body. “Just fix her, brother,” I turn toward Stitches and plead.
As he begins looking her over, the sound of rustling behind me grabs my attention. “Woah, woah,” I screech out as I see my brothers lifting up the deadweight, “what are y’all doing with him?” I notice his hands and feet are bound and tied, restricting him from going anywhere if he were to wake up.
“Taking him to the van. Do you not want to take him to the chair?” Edge inquires, referring to our notorious electric chair at the warehouse where we tortured and eventually killed Aria’s abusive stalker.
My eyes shift to Rogue as I wait for him to give me the final go ahead to make the final decision. With the nod of his head giving me permission, I reply, “No. He meets his maker in the same place he planned on taking Nova’s life.” Pointing to the floor beneath me, I can feel my teeth grit as I continue, “he will take his punishment on the same soiled floor and surroundings before I end him. Period.” I can feel as my whole being begins to vibrate in anger as my blood turns to lava swimming through my veins.
“Put him back down. Your brother has spoken,” Rogue gives the final order and they set him back down.
“F-fox.” Again, I hear my woman call out for me and in one move I’m turned back around and down by her side.
Taking her hand gently into mine, I answer her, “I’m here, Nova.” Doing my best, not wanting to cause her any more pain, but desperate to comfort her; I lean down and kiss her hand. Still she winces out slightly. “I’m sorry, did I hurt you? Dammit, I was doing my best not to inflict any more pain on you.”
Her eyes are tired and although her expression tells another story, she tries her best to convince me otherwise. “No. You didn’t hurt me.” A small smile tries to emerge on her face, but I know she’s in so much pain. “You saved me. Or I’ve died and made it into heaven,” she softly responds as she struggles to keep her lids open once again.
“She needs to be seen at a hospital, Fox,” Stitches declares. “She’s taken one hell of a beating. I’ll make a call. There doesn’t have to be a scene made out of this. But I would feel more comfortable if she’s had a CT scan. I can’t rule out internal bleeding with what we have, and honestly I don’t wanna take any risks where she’s concerned.”
“Well, fuck, I don’t either. You’re kinda scaring me here, Doc,” I tell him.
“It’s just precautionary, brother. Let me make a call. He’ll meet you around the back of the hospital. It can all remain very discreet, okay?” Stitches’ calm and steady voice sends a surge of reassurance through me as he makes the call.
“Pyro, you drive the van with Fox and Novalee,” Rogue orders and with his words, I wrap her completely up in the blanket before scooping her into my arms.
“What about me?” Edge inquires. “I rode in the van here and I’ll be damned if I ride bitch with any of you fuckers back to the clubhouse,” he finishes.
“Don’t go getting your panties in a goddamn twist, now,” Rogue begins, “you can stay here with me. No need for all of us to wait here until Fox is able to return. Hell, it could take many hours before we know anything concrete.”
“And me?” Merc questions with folded arms across his chest. “I rode in the van also. I sure as shit won’t be caught dead on the back of another man’s bike.”
“And dead is what you’ll probably be at the hands of your wife and my loving daughter if you don’t come back with the rest,” Rogue responds with an arched brow.
Finagling my keys from my pocket, I toss them to Merc. “Take mine, brother,” I offer as I toss them to him.
“Problem solved. Now are both my pretty little princesses satisfied now?” Rogue taunts, looking between both Merc and Edge.
“Let’s go, Pyro. Not wasting any more time on this,” I say, half-frustrated as I begin to carry my woman out.
“You just get Novalee checked out. We’ll keep this fucker here and waiting until you return,” I hear Rogue holler out behind me.
Knowing my brothers have this taken care of, I pay no more attention to the words being spoken around me; Novalee is my only priority right now. As I carry her to the vehicle, the only thought that keeps rambling in my brain is that I could have lost her tonight. I would’ve never been able to hold her in my arms, make love to her, tell her what she’s come to mean to me, if Harold had succeeded in taking her from this world. That rotten bastard will pay with his life for nearly taking mine away from me. “Hang in there, Nova baby. We’re gonna get you help, then, I’m never letting you out of my sight again. You will eat, breathe and sleep with me in your line of sight. Hell, I may never let you take a piss or shower alone. Bath time could get pretty interesting, wouldn’t you say?” I’m rambling out my thoughts to her, much to my brothers’ amusement. I can hear them laughing around me, but they aren’t important enough, at this time, to respond to.
Fuck em. Under any other circumstances, this probably would be something worth a chuckle; me of all people expressing my feelings about a woman. But I don’t foresee a smile forming on my face or a laugh escaping my mouth until I know she’s been declared okay by a medical professional.
Novalee
I can hear voices talking around me, machines furiously beeping, but I’m unable to respond to them. In the background, I can hear Fox arguing with someone. He sounds angry and ready for war. Why is he so upset? I don’t understand. Why can’t I wake up and soothe him? He needs me! Like a blanket covering my mind, I let the darkness comfort and consume me as I pass out.
“Nova. Can you hear me, baby? It’s time for you to wake up, gorgeous.” A gruff voice states. It takes a minute for me to place who it is. Fox, he’s here, why can I hear him but not respond?
“She’ll wake up when her body is ready for her to. Remember what the doctors have said, Fox.” I hear Shara speak, her voice sounds despondent. I wanna know what’s wrong with her. I try to speak, but my tongue is heavy, no words will escape my vocal cords. I begin to panic. Am I now a mute? What the hell? The machines around me begin to beep loudly, I hear the rushing of feet and fights ensuing as someone tries to force Fox and Shara to leave.
No! Don’t go. I try to express, yet once again, nothing escapes me. Orders are being given, and soon, I feel something warm enter my veins. Losing consciousness, my last thoughts are all-consuming about Fox. I need him.
12
Fox
“Shara will stay with her, brother. You need to get back and take care of that slimy motherfucker.” Mercenary looks ready to physically haul my ass out of Nova’s hospital room.
“I can’t leave her, Merc. If this was Harmony, would you be able too?” I ask him, my eyes never leaving Nova’s sleeping form. The bed swallows her whole, making me want nothing more than to crawl up beside her. My arms are aching, and my fingers are twitching to have her buried into my chest as my hands run through her long locks.
“It would be one of the hardest things I’d ever have to do. But in order to make sure she left here with no threat outside these hospital walls, I’d do it. Just like you have to. She won’t be left unprotected. Besides, we all know that fucker is locked up nice and tight, waiting on you to dole out some damn justice. It’s time, Fox.”
I’m facing an internal war within myself. A part of me needs to go put an end to the fucktard, but the other part of me, the one who’s scared he’ll never see her again, refuses to budge from his post. “I won’t leave her side for a second,” Shara voices. “She’ll be safe with me, I’ll shank any motherfucker who isn’t her nurse, doctor, or a staff member before I’ll let them lay one finger on her. I swear, Fox.” Her words should be enough for me, but they aren’t easing my worries.
“PeeWee will be stationed outside of her door. He will not leave and will search credentials before allowing anyone to enter. She’s safe, brother. Her enemy is waiting for his judgement day. He’s probably already caused quite the stench. From my understanding, he’s pissed and shit himself already. Pyro has him scared out of his mind,” Merc chuckles. “Serves the bastard right.” I’ve never agreed more with a sentiment in my life.
“Damn straight. Let’s go fuck him up,” I declare, walking over and kissing Nova’s forehead. “I’ll be back before you have a chance to miss me, beautiful.”
Novalee
Pain. It sears right through me. There isn’t a fiber of my being that doesn’t hurt in one way or another. “Fox,” I raspily call out his name.
“Shh,” I hear said, then a cool rag wipes my forehead. “He went to take care of something, he’ll be back shortly.”
“Shara?”
“Yeah, it’s me,” she coos. “Everything is fine, close your eyes and get some sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.” Feeling safe and content, I do as she says.
Fox
Skidding to a stop in front of the cabin, I throw my kickstand down and hop off the bike. Merc is beside me, somehow, his bike managed to make its way to the hospital. Pyro took me and Nova to the hospital, but left as soon as Merc showed up on my bike. I’m assuming one of the prospects brought his and dropped it off for him. It’s not of importance right now, so I don’t bother to even ask. Hurriedly, I walk through the door, heading in the direction where my brothers have tied Harold up. Just so happens, they’ve secured him on the same piss-soaked cot, that he had Nova tied to. If this were any other fucker, I’d taunt and tease him about soaking in someone else’s urine. But this time, all I want to do is get this job done, and head back to sit vigilantly at Nova’s side.
“We figured we’d play tit for tat,” Pyro informs me. “He thought it was funny to keep her here, full bladder and all, to taunt and torment Nova.”
“Did he now?” condescendingly flies from my mouth. Trying to seem nonchalant about what my brother just said, I cross my arms over my chest and spread my legs wide. I lock every muscle in place so I don’t charge him and end this too damn quickly. He needs to suffer the same way he made her. For a little while, anyways. “Did she beg you to let her take a piss?” I ask, not really wanting the slime ball to answer. “I bet she did. What did you do when she asked this of you?” Now, I do expect an answer. Harold’s eyes widen as he looks around. I can tell he’s not sure if he should answer or keep his lips locked.
“Answer my brother’s question!” Rogue roars.
“She smarted off, I told her to hold it.” Those words ring in my ears. I clench my hands into tight fists to keep from knocking this fucker out again.
“She smarted off,” Merc lowly states, perplexed. “Did he really just use that as an excuse?”
“You can’t fix stupid. But, you can torch their ass. Just saying,” Pyro adds with disdain. “The smell of flesh as it’s burned and singed…” he pauses and inhales deeply with flared nostrils, “well, it definitely smells better than this fucker’s bowels. Although, we’ve yet to see what the insides of those really look like,” he finishes with a wild and crazed look in his eyes that only he can pull off. Pyro’s one sadistic fuck.
“No, this motherfucker did not,” Edge adds in his two pennies worth about how he feels toward our victim’s excuse. “We should strip him bare and force him to finish cleaning up her mess and his own.”
“That’s a damn fine idea, son,” Rogue announces. “He could use a good ass whooping if he misses a spot.” I nearly chuckle when Rogue removes his belt and whips it in the air. The sound it makes reminds me of the days when Mom would do that with a switch. The sound always petrified me more than the actual spanking I’d receive.
“Oh, sounds like a great place to start!” I bellow out, agreeing with Rogue.
This bastard’s eyes open as wide as silver dollars. “S-start?” he stutters out.
I can feel my face crinkle and my forehead crease at the sheer ignorance of this so-called-man. “Surely you didn’t think once we got our hands on you that we would take you out easily, now did you? You were warned when we were still playing nicely. You made the decision to call our bluff. Release him from those shackles,” I demand of Stretch as I bend down and retrieve the already soiled towel and bottled cleaner from the floor that he was making Nova use. Throwing it at him, I order, “Now get started, Cinderella.”
He slides his way off the cot, never removing his eyes from me as he feels around for the things I just chunked at him. My brothers chuckle around me at the fear in this man's eyes and behavior. He begins half-assed spraying and scrubbing the floor with his orbs still fixated on me. “You see, this is a fucking problem,” Rogue declares. “At this rate, it will take you a goddamn week because you’re too worried about what Fox is or isn’t gonna do to you. Being the gambler that I am, I’m willing to wager that you didn’t spare Novalee that courtesy,” he suggests before he cracks his belt and the sound of it connecting with the hide on Harold’s back echoes along with his screeching.
Harold reaches around to his back and feels for the spot that Rogue’s belt made contact. “Fuck! Goddamn, I’m not your child!” he barks.
“Wait, is he smarting off?” Merc sarcastically questions, implying he’s doing exactly what he accused Nova of doing.
“Sounds like it!” I answer, reaching out to Rogue as I gesture for him to hand me the leather strap. “May I?”
Placing it in my hands, he replies, “Have at it.”
With zero care of where my blows land, I begin mercilessly wailing all over his body. Screams and cries combined with mostly unintelligible words fly from his lips. “You think it’s manly to hit a woman?” I land another. “You find it amusing to let her soil herself?” I lash out and strike again. “Get your fucking rocks off watching my woman clean it up as you watch every move of her naked body?” I drop the belt and ball up my fist before landing a punch directly to the middle of his spine, causing him to fall onto his abdomen. “Pyro?”
He steps to my side with his handy torch lighter ready. “My turn?” he inquires enthusiastically.
“What else did you bring in the van besides that?” I shift my eyes down at his mini torch.
His eyes wander briefly as he ponders out loud, “I’ve got my welding torch, cattle prod.” He taps his chin with his index finger before his eyes gleam with excitement. “Oh, oh! I brought the flame thrower! Haven’t used that one in a few years.” He wiggles his brows.
Teetering my head from side-to-side, I briefly contemplate the options. “Yeah, I have missed the sheer destruction of the flame thrower.” I feel the tug of a grin trying to turn the corner of my lips upward. “Maybe later. Get the cattle prod. Haven’t used that one in a minute, either,” I tell him and he excitedly retreats to grab the instrument I’m about to use next.
The aroma of a freshly lit cigar floods my nostrils and I follow it’s trail all the way to Rogue who’s found a chair and firmly planted his ass in it. “What?” he looks at me and asks with the rolled tobacco still between his lips. “I’m gonna sit my ass right here and just enjoy the rest of the show. Plus, this smells a helluva lot better than the piss and shit from that fucker.”
Harold’s cries have now turned into small moans and whimpers. “P-please, I’m begging you. I’ll fucking disappear,” he says through muffled speech and what sounds like slobber and most likely blood as his face is still toward the floor.
Edge, Merc, and Rogue all burst out in laughter and I kneel down beside him. “Please. I’m begging,” I mimic him in an overly whiny tone, “everyone’s famous last attempt. All you pieces of shit are the same. Cowards who always think they can outsmart and escape our wrath. Too-fucking-late.”
