Bullet: Devil's Rose MC #5

Chapter 6: Piper Bardot

"Wait, wait, wait. You're telling me that these guys with practically no training go and steal weapons from bad guys to get paid by law enforcement, state and federal, to split the weapons they stole between themselves and law enforcement."

Teegan's eyebrows scrunch as she tries to figure out what I'm saying.

"That's an oversimplification. Let me recap. They have the training, some of these men were in the military. They hand that info down to one another."

"Some of the men. Was Bullet?"

"No, he wasn't, but other than that, I have no idea about him specifically."

"So with no training-"

Teegan throws her hands in the air, shaking her head at my statements for about the hundredth time in the past hour. Yes, we've been sitting here for an hour, and I can barely wrap my head around what this MC does.

"They have the training, Piper."

"Okay, so with the little training that they have-" Teegan can't help but roll her eyes at that "-they do what?"

"They each specialize in something. Some are less hands-on and more tech-focused. Some are more weapons-focused, hand-to-hand combat-focused, whatever is most comfortable. However, they are all trained, as I've said about thirty times by now."

"I just worry. I don't want anyone to get hurt."

"You're adorable, okay? But they are generally perfectly fine."

I sweep my hair off my shoulders, giving her a cheeky smile. I can tell she's blushing, and I don't mind so much. It's easier to explain using Schitt's Creek. I'm into both red and white wine but only red and white wine. I'm not a fan of anything else. 

I'm only interested in having one wine at a time though. I kind of stick to one wine for some time instead of having them both at the same time. If that makes any sense. The type of wine I'm focused on drinking is red, and I have one specific brand in mind. The name starts with a B. We don't need to get into that.

"But what do they do?"

"Most times it's infiltrating a gang or organization, holding the members there until law enforcement arrives, splitting the weapons, and allowing law enforcement to confiscate any drugs. Plus, making sure to check for victims or innocent people."

"Which is how Alpha met Persephone?"

"Right. Do you understand now?"

"Yeah, yeah, that makes sense."

"How did you not know this when you were a prospect?"

"I was more focused on learning self-defense than actually being a prospect."

Teegan nods her head in understanding, leaning forward in her seat. The glint of a ring on her left ring finger has me surprised for a moment. How did I not see that before? I wasn't technically trying to flirt with her or anything, but now I know that avenue is one hundred percent off limits if the wine I'm focused on doesn't work out.

"Any more questions?"

"So you explained the hierarchy part of it and the names, but where do women stand?"

"Women can be prospects and official members now. Alpha changed that about seven months ago. But if you're asking about the women right now, they are called Old Ladies. They're equal partners to the person they are with, but they don't have a lot of MC power when it comes to the business aspect of it. The four ladies boss around these men like no one's business when it comes to anything besides dealing with money, weapons, law enforcement, et cetera."

"So if I were to get with one of them...what would I be?"

"Aren't you technically a prospect?"

"Yeah? What does that have to do with anything?"

"That's not allowed. Just for the fact that the President has to protect the MC members from hierarchical abuse. The MC can't have official members forcing prospects to do sexual acts."

For a moment, there's a sinking moment in my chest. It's physically painful. Quickly, however, I brush the feeling away, not wanting to express that to anyone else.

The rule makes total sense. I'm glad that the rule exists, but there's something in me that is - I don't know how to explain it - trapped by it. Truly though, I think that there is nothing wrong with having something like that in place. I don't want to sound like I'm not supporting it. What I'm feeling is odd...complicated.

"Has that ever happened?"

"I'm sure it has. Which is probably why the rule came to be."

I heave a sigh, taking another sip from my third Sprite of the evening.

I glance out the window while Teegan stares down at her Apple Watch with a lavender purple and braided band. She smiles down at the screen, and I'm guessing it's her partner. 

The small town's street lights flicker as the sun continues to set. The deep purple fades into a cotton candy pink, dripping into the warm orange that surrounds the disappearing sun.

I'm broken out of my transfixed stare by Teegan's next words.

"I've got to get home. My wife is waiting for me, but if you ever need to talk, you can reach out to me. I mean, both of us are here for you. We really like having you around. Don't let Bullet scare you away."

"No, he doesn't scare me. If anything, what I can't do for him scares me more."

She lays a comforting hand upon mine briefly.

"His healing doesn't depend on you. Don't put his needs in front of your own. You don't have to be the one to help him. There is no pressure for that. While you are good at it, there is nothing you are being forced to do for him. He's a grown-ass man. He knows he's an asshole. He can change that himself."

"Thank you."

"Of course, Piper. Have a good evening. Get some rest."

"You as well."

"Hopefully not."

The sexual innuendo doesn't hit me until she walks out the bar door. That's when I smile.

With the slow songs playing in the background, the bar quiet with only a few patrons and prospects talking in their groups, my stomach full, and my mind at ease, it's easy to find peace and solace where I am. 

I had a lot of alone time during my treatments in the hospital, but I was always so scared that I couldn't be still. My mind was always going a mile a minute as I thought about what could possibly happen to me. I thought I was going to die. 

But here, surrounded by people who care for me and who would never hurt me, I don't have to worry anymore. At least not about the things I usually worry about. I'm not so scared to be alone with my thoughts.

I haven't felt that way in a long time. It's incredibly beautiful to feel. I'm sitting in a wooden chair, sipping on watered-down Sprite, staring out a gorgeous sunset, and I don't want to leave. This isn't exactly where I imagined finding some sort of silence. I would never have predicted this, but I'm not going to fight it. 

I found this place to get away from the business world. It's cliché but true. I had to leave because I got breast cancer, but I knew I had to come back. There's something here that I just cannot describe. It's captured me. It's made me feel at home. 

I know I sound ridiculous. There's no other way to describe it though.

I feel safe, at home, and cared for. What's not to love? Besides being yelled at by Bullet all the time; I just have to deal with that. I'm not about to leave this place because of a guy.

The rumbling of engines fills my ears, breaking the silence, but in a good way. I find them calming. My heart pounds as the noise gets nearer, an intense feeling in my gut, an almost indescribable feeling, telling me that something is wrong.

When I think they are going to park in the bar parking lot, the bikes stream by, my eyes flicking over the parade of them.

Except one.