Zero

“You called them?”

“Chaos Bleeds will help us. They’re our friends, and you’re going to deal with it,” Tiny said. Chaos Bleeds was an MC group worse than The Skulls. Devil, the president, helped The Skulls out a couple of times in the last couple of years, but they didn’t have any rules. They took without thinking who they hurt.

“We don’t need them,” Zero said.

You do. How can you fight a ghost?

“Really? So you were awake when this f**ker took the blonde nurse you f**ked, tortured her, and then tied her to a f**king chair after plunging a needle to keep you out of it.” Tiny glanced at the inside rear mirror. His anger was tangible in the small space of the car. Eva reached out to calm the kids, who were getting restless as their father lost his temper. “For f**k’s sake, use your f**king head, you f**king ass**le. You didn’t finish the job ten years ago. We’ve got no choice but to bring our friends in. The next time I tell you to do something, you will f**king do it. When I say go and give a statement, you’ll f**king go. If I tell you to piss on demand, you’ll f**king do it.”

Zero stayed silent. Everything Tiny said rang true. Zero, ten years ago, had f**ked up and f**ked up bad. There was no chance of getting away from it.

“We’re taking you to the clubhouse to wash the stink of the cells off you. When you’re done, we’ll take you to the hospital. Between you and Prue, neither of you are leaving without a f**king escort.”

“Stop swearing, honey. The kids don’t like it,” Eva said.

He watched as Tiny grabbed Eva’s hand, locking their fingers together. The love and support was strong. Zero wanted something like that. The couple was strong together. They led The Skulls, drawing them all together as a family. They’d been married a couple of years, but Eva had been part of the club for a lot longer.

At the clubhouse he ignored all the stares that followed him. Going straight to his room, he found Butch waiting on his bed.

“Fuck, Nash the other day and now you. What the f**k?” Zero said, cursing.

“I wanted to make sure you’re all right,” Butch said. “I brought you into the club. I vouched for you even though I’d only been a full member for a few months. I like you, Zero. You’re a good friend. You’re loyal.”

Butch had been a friend he made in a bar. Zero at the time had gone by Lucas, and he’d been working odd jobs, moving from place to place. He owned a bike, never stopping what he was doing. Everything was always brilliant and new to him. Settling down hadn’t been in his blood.  For several months after he met Butch, he’d learned a little about the club life until he’d asked how to become part of it. Zero didn’t regret being part of it. He loved his life and wouldn’t change anything.

“I f**ked up,” Zero said. “There is nothing I can say to change that. I wish I’d come to the club, but I just acted. I got Prue safe, and then I needed justice for Trevor being dead.” He gritted his teeth hating the pain that pounded through him.

“I met someone.” Butch changed the conversation quickly.

Frowning, Zero didn’t know where this was going. “Someone special?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s not a sweet-butt?” Zero asked.

“No, she’s not a sweet-butt. I don’t really know who she is. She has a son.” Butch ran a hand down his face. “I don’t know what this is.” He placed a hand in front of his chest, looking confused.

“Why are you telling me?”

“I need to tell someone who knows all about being confused by their f**king feelings.” Butch ran a hand down his chest.

“The sweet-butts will be so angry if they lose you,” Zero said.

“Nothing is going to happen. I don’t have anything to do with single moms.” Butch stood up. “I’m pleased we had this chat.”

Before Zero could say anything else, Butch was leaving his room. When did he become the person to talk to? He knew f**k all about love let alone showing a woman how he felt.

He went to the shower and took a quick wash. In ten minutes he was downstairs waiting for Tiny to come.

Running fingers through his hair, he waited outside. Eva and Tiny were in his office, and it didn’t take a genius to know what they were doing.

Sophia stood outside with her daughter. Nash was close to her, and she was looking after all the kids. He watched them for several minutes seeing the love shining between the couple. They were in love. Zero was an idiot to think she would ever have fallen for him. He had next to nothing to offer her.

Taking out a cigarette, he placed it to his lips and lit it.

“He’ll get over it, you know,” Lash said, coming to stand beside him. Lash was Nash’s brother. The two were really close, and both were married with kids. For the first time, Zero was envious of the men settled down.

“What?”

“Your crush over Sophia. He can’t blame you really. Nash claimed her for a reason.” Lash leaned against the wall, watching his brother. “It’s why I couldn’t blame Devil for wanting my woman. Angel is everything to me. I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”

Zero followed his gaze as he looked toward his woman, who was talking with one of the sweet-butts. Everyone knew not to upset Angel. Once Lash found out, you made an enemy.

“Angel is a beautiful woman. She’s sweet.” Too sweet for their life but Lash wanted her, and so they made it all possible.

“If anything ever happened to her it would kill me. She’s my world. My life is devoted to the club. She never makes waves and never asks questions. Angel trusts me completely with her life and that of our son and future children when they come.” Lash turned back to look at him. “I will not live without her. She’s my lifeline and what makes me a good man.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Zero asked.

“There is a woman lying in the hospital who means the exact same thing to you. The moment she was in danger you forgot about everything else to be with her.”

“Prue’s my friend.”

“And yet, even for a friend you wouldn’t be lying in a hospital bed, holding her tightly. I stopped by the night the nurse was found tied to the chair, though obviously before she was actually there. Tiny wants us all to keep an eye on you both. You were holding Prue tightly, Zero. I wanted to make sure you were all okay. Don’t worry, I didn’t stay around to watch you or shit. That’s f**king creepy. You need to think about where your heart truly lies.” Lash gave him a pointed look and then moved away.