CHAPTER I
- A change is gonna come -
"Great. Well done, Elle. Real smart. That's just all you needed today!" Ella groaned as she slammed the hood of her car shut. She had been fiddling with the engine for the last ten minutes but truth was she had no clue what she was doing. She let out a frustrated sigh as she looked at her watch, saw how late it was.
Ella took out her phone from her back pocket and wasn't surprised to see that she didn't have a signal. The area was isolated, out of the main roads and usually deserted. which was exactly why she loved to drive around here. Nothing but her and nature.
Of course, her beloved car would chose here and now to let her down in the middle of the nowhere with nothing in vicinity and no way to call for help!
It would be getting dark soon and she knew she'd probably be stranded her all night waiting for someone to drive by. She could already hear her father's comments about her stupidity and stubbornness at insisting to drive this rusted piece of sh*t of a car.
He had been nagging her for weeks now to replace it with a newer model but so far Ella had been able to fob him off. She loved that car. It was her car. She had worked a whole summer at an ice cream parlor to buy that car. It had been her only mean of escape ever since.
"Might as well start walking." she sighed.
Just as she took out her purse to start the grueling journey home, she heard the familiar roar of a motorcycle. She looked up and saw a muscular, blond guy hopped on a vintage Harley slow down a few yards from her.
As he took off his helmet, she couldn't help but notice him. He was a little older than she was, late twenties, early thirties maybe. He stood at least a head taller, with unkempt blond locks. His clothing showed off a lean and chiseled body and arms riddled with tattoos. But the thing that Ella noticed most was his smile. He had a mischievous smile than ran all the way to his playful blue eyes. As he made his way towards her, she could tell he was very aware of his effect on women.
Kozik had spotted the girl right away. It would have been hard not to. She was dashing. Although she wasn't at all like the girls, Kozik's typically went for, he was immediately attracted to her. With long black jet hair loosely pulled back in a high bun, high cheek bones on a perfect olive skin, full lips that seemed perpetually locked in a pout and a head held up high in pride, she had a certain allure about her.
Her petite frame was revealed by short denim jeans showing off tanned legs over biker boots that made her sexy as hell. Not to mention the tattoo that went from the back of her neck and continued behind her white top. But her most striking feature was without a doubt her eyes. She had fierce, magnetic, piercing brown eyes that seemed to be looking straight into you.
Kozik spotted her checking his cut. The leather never failed to impress, he grinned to himself. "Need some help there darlin'?"
Ella rolled her eyes. "No, I'm just waiting around for some random biker to swoop me off my feet and call me darlin'." she replied with a smirk.
Not exactly the answer Kozik had expected. His smile rarely failed him. "You know, I can be on my way if you want."
She was about to answer, no doubt another snide retort but instead he watched her purse her lips and hold his stare. As much as she hated it, she knew she had no choice but to accept his help. She averted his eyes and her gaze fell on his cut again. Kozik tried his smile again. "I'm a mechanic."
"You don't say." she said with a smirk as he moved past her, way closer than necessary
He opened the hood of her car as she bent over to reach inside the car and Kozik couldn't help but check her out again. She was truly gorgeous. She was uptight but fucking gorgeous. She stood back and caught him eyeing her. She raised an eyebrow, unimpressed and lit a cigarette, taking a long well deserved drag as closed her eyes. From the moment she had heard the bike coming in the distance, she had known it would be a Son. That was just her luck. Worse than spending the night stranded here, or walking all the way home was probably the thought of being saved by one of those dicks who thought they could call every woman doll and smile their way into any panties.
He straightened up, scratching the back of his head. "Hey gorgeous, when was the last time you gave this car an oil change?"
By the clueless look on her face, Kozik guessed the answer was probably never. He shook his head amused. "Try it now."
She turned the ignition on , and although the engine coughed a few times, she finally heard the comforting sound of her car starting. She let out a sigh of relief and got back out.
"It should take you home but if I were you I'd get it checked out." he suggested, cleaning the grease of his hands." You know I could always fix it for you. Just give me your number; I'll call you with a quote." He said with a grin that had no doubt bought him a ticket into many girls beds.
"Wow, now that was subtle. You only flirt with girls you find on the side of the road or is it just a default setting?"
He took a step closer to her and Ella found herself overwhelmed by the sudden proximity, his tall body dominating her petite frame. "That wasn't flirting darlin'. Trust me, when I'm flirting with you, you'll know about it." he whispered in her ear. Before Ella could stop him, his hand was on her face rubbing her cheek.
"Grease" he offered by way of explanation.
In one smooth gesture, he took her cigarette from her hand. "Pretty girl like you shouldn't be smoking" he whispered with a wink before walking back to his bike.
Ella let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding when he called out to her.
"By the way, the name is Kozik!"
Ella rolled her eyes. "I didn't ask!"
"Now you don't have to." He gave her an annoying, self-satisfied smug before putting on his helmet and driving away.
Kozik was still grinning when he pulled on the parking lot of the shooting range that was the Tacoma Charter headquarters. Maybe a new start here wouldn't be so bad after all. He took his helmet off and looked around. He'd already been here a few times when he had visited from Charming but this was different. He would now have to learn to call this place home. His thoughts were brutally interrupted by the sound of gunfire aimed at him, bullets flying and lending inches from his feet. He spun around only to see a familiar face holding a weapon Aimed right at him.
"Are you out of your fucking mind? Kozik shouted when the man finally stopped firing.
"You're late."
And you're a dick thought Koz' without saying it, knowing better than to insult the Tacoma killer. The man they called Happy walked to him and broke into one of his rare smile.
"Welcome brother." He said before pulling Kozik into a rapid hug. "Where the hell have you been?"
"Had to stop on the way, help some chick with her car."
Happy laughed. "Always chasing some tail, uh brother? Hope you at least tapped it?"
Not even close thought Kozik but all he did as a response was laugh.
"Come on, everyone's been waiting for you.
Ella let herself into the darkened house quietly. She took off her jacket to hang it and heard footsteps behind her.
"Where have you been?"
Ella winced, biting her tongue not to come up with some smart*ss comment. Now was not the time.
"I lost track of time." she replied irritation in her voice. She turned around to face her father. His eyes were burning holes through her trying to get to the truth. She knew he didn't believe her, she wasn't one to "lose track of time". But she also knew he wouldn't challenge her now. He had to get to the shooting range and did not have time for her.
"Your mother had been asking after you."
He walked past her and took off his gun and keys from the console. Ella's eyes followed him and the words were out of her mouth before she could help herself.
"Should we expect you home tonight? Or are you too busy with Club business?"
She knew the only club business that usually kept him away all night was a twenty five year old named Darcy who worked at the range. And he knew she knew. They just stared each other down for a long moment in a battle of will they had gotten so used to, it now seemed like a routine they each played a part in.
"Go take care of your mother." he ordered coldly before walking out without another word
Ella let out a weary sigh and climbed the stairs to the first floor of the house where her parent's bedroom was. It was still their bedroom despite the fact that Ray rarely spent his nights there anymore, even when he made it home.
She softly knocked on the door and let herself in. Her mother was in bed, a gaunt and tired figure that had once been a very beautiful woman. Her once luscious hair was gone, necessary damage to the aggressive treatments and had been replaced by a colorful scarf; the perfect olive skin that Ella had inherited from her was ashen, looking almost translucent in the dim sidelight. The only glimpse of the woman Nell Strickland had been was her profound soulful brown eyes.
"Hi Mum."
"Honey."
Ella walked around the bed and sat next to her bedridden mother.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay sweetheart. Today was a good day."
Ella gave her mother a weak smile. Even at her worse, slowly being killed by aggressive cancer cells, Nell still tried to protect her.
"You got a letter today."
Ella looked up as her mother pulled an envelope from under her pillow. Ella took the envelope from her mother's delicate hands and looked at it for a moment. She had been waiting for this for so long and now it had finally arrived. But instead of being happy, all Ella could feel was dread. She caught her mother watching and saw something she hadn't seen in a long time. Her mother's eyes were sparkling, excited for her daughter, hopeful. Ella felt herself smile at the sight and opened the envelope.
"So?"
"I'm in." Ella responded quietly, her voice barely over a whisper.
"Oh honey." said Nell before using all the energy she had to pull her daughter in a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you Ella."
Ella pulled away and smiled at her mother with teary eyes.
"Elle, honey, why aren't you happy? This is a good thing."
"I know. And I am happy. I just… I'm not going mum."
"What?" Why the hell not?"
"For a lot of different reasons mum." She paused.
Nell knew her daughter hadn't changed her mind. "Ella, if this is because of me, because you feel you have to take care of me…"
"I do Mum. But I want to be here. I want to take care of you." She paused "I made my decision, alright?"
Nell cast a sad glance at her daughter. Ella was about to sacrifice everything she had worked so hard for and Nell hated that she was the reason for it. But she also knew that her daughter was stubborn and that once she made a decision, no one could change it but Ella herself. "Okay."
Ella sighed grateful the conversation was over. "I'll go get you some diner." She took the letter and hurried out of the room running down the stairs until she reached the kitchen. She stared at the letter she was holding, the letter that had once been the key to her future. A full scholarship to college, a life away from the club, away from her father. Taking a deep breath, she tore the letter apart throwing the pieces of now meaningless paper into the nearby bin and went on to prepare diner for her mother.
It had been a nice plan. But sometimes plans didn't work out.
Kozik was sipping his beer looking around at his new brothers-in-arms, quietly enjoying himself as he watched a hot sexy blond inking the finishing touches of a new tattoo on Happy's skin. This was different than the Charming clubhouse. Here, once the business closed, the shooting field became the playing ground for the charter, music blaring from portable speakers, beer loaded in ice coolers, trees offering a perfect getaway for a quickie with crow eaters and hang-around.
He spotted Precious Pete Harper eyeing him amused. Precious Pete was the vice president of the club. He was in his early fifties, with pepper salted hair that always looked groomed, a gentle face and a lingering southern accent from his native Alabama. His good looks and good natured temperament had gotten his nickname as precious. He was known as the wise voice of the club. A kind man who knew when to make the tough calls and younger members looked up to him.
"Enjoying the view, Kozik?"
"Can't complain."
"I'd watch out if I were you, that the Wizard's wife right there."
The Wizard was a 62 year old who looked more like a Santa Claus look alike than a club biker. But he could still ride like a daredevil and that's all the club needed. He was the club tech expert.
Kozik shot him an incredulous "You kidding? She's what 25?"
"24." Pete responded with a knowing smile.
"Shit."
"I hear ya brother. Met her while he was locked up. They got married at the prison chapel. Man is savvy though. Computers, Criminal law. He can do your taxes too, if you need it."
"Is that why you call him the Wiz?"
"Nah. That's because his old lady? Her name is Dorothy."
The two men burst into a loud laugh that was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Ray Strickland.
Ray was the president of the Tacoma Charter. At 67, he was a charismatic leader, feared and respected by all amongst the life, even rival charters. Despite his calm demeanour, Ray's reputation was that of a though president who did not tolerate any weakness in his men; a scary and lethal man who had been a friend to John Teller and the other original nine. He had been given the Tacoma territory more than 25 years ago and led his charter with a iron fist. Every single person in the field had fallen silent the moment he walked in.
He laid his piercing eyes over the crowd "Church."
He had barely voiced more than a whisper but all the men suddenly dropped beers, cigarettes and women to follow the President and Kozik followed in their strike.
They walked into a somber room that wasn't unlike the Charming Church if a little less inviting. Happy nodded at Kozik to sit next to him and one by one everyone sat around the table.
The Tacoma charter was bigger than Charming's. Including Kozik, they were now fifteen fully patched members in addition to a dozen "reservists" as Happy liked to call them. Men, who didn't get a vote, didn't sit at the table or have a say in the club direction, but when shit hit the fan, those men were expected to get bloody with the rest and pay their dues as members. In exchange they got to wear a cut, albeit a different one.
Ray looked around the table and noticed an empty chair next to Happy. "Where's Tease?"
David Teaser. Kozik knew the man well; they had done runs together for the clubs and had gotten to be friends. Tease was a good man, married to a teacher, he had five kids and his wife Marie was now expecting twins.
"His youngest is sick. Told him to sit this one out."
Ray glared at his VP and everyone around the table suddenly held their breath. Obviously, Ray didn't appreciate Pete making this call without consulting him. But Pete didn't back down and after a moment Ray turned his attention back to the table.
"First order of the night, I'd like to welcome Kozik to the table. It's an honor to welcome a brother from the Mother Charter."
He nodded towards Kozik and the atmosphere relaxed. Kozik nodded back as the men grunted in agreement and patted Kozik's back.
"You'll quickly see that we're not so different from Charming. Wetbacks still don't understand their place. They have been at us, trying to get territory, especially on the north border. They're putting a lot of money into this. Money from Drugs. Drugs they're planning to get into our town, into our school. We are not going to let that happen. "
Ray turned to his right and signaled to his sergeant at arms to speak. Chance Hansen was a big man. Towering almost 2 meters, he was all muscles and had been with the charter the longest after Ray and Pete. He was loyal and lived only for and by the club, his three ex-wives having quickly understood that.
"We had some Intel that Augusto Romero has set up some warehouses to store his coke in our territory. We go in, fast and hard. We show that son of a bitch, Tacoma is Sons territory and wetbacks are not welcome."
"You got the locations?" asked Kozik tentatively.
The Sergeant pointed at "Wiz is working on it."
"I want us to be prepared for what's coming because make no mistakes gentlemen; we are winning this war" interjected the President." Now let's vote this thing. All those in favor."
Fourteen men raised their hands at once in favor of the mention. Ray turned to his vice-president who was the only man who hadn't voted yet. They stared at each other before Pete raised his hand, almost reluctantly.
"Alright then, as soon as we get the confirmed locations, we're going in."
The sound of the gavel resounded in the room and every man stood up to leave except for Pete. He knew that he and Ray needed a conversation. As the last man exited the room and closed the door, Pete sighed knowing what was coming. "He's got five kids, Ray and two more on the way. I'm just giving the man a little breathing space for god's sake." Pete had been the one to sponsor Tease in the club, ten years ago. And the man had since shown his worth many times over.
"I don't give a shit how many kids he's got, Pete. You don't come in and out of this club whenever you feel like it. I expect commitment and loyalty from all my men. We can't afford to lose sight of what's at stake here."
"And what's that Ray? Sending our guys blowing up Mayan warehouses on a hunch?
"We have reliable Intel." Ray countered.
"Who gave you the Intel Ray? The niners? You don't think there's something wrong with that?
"The Niners hate the wetbacks just as much as we do."
"Alright, even if the Intel is good. What happens after that Ray? They come at us; we retaliate until we're all dead or the cops get us? How many men do we lose until then?
"You're questioning my judgment, Pete?"
"No, I'm questioning us rushing into this thing, risking our guy's lives without thinking it through."
"This is what they signed up for, Pete. That's what we all signed up for. And next time you see Tease, you tell him that." Ray gritted pointing an accusing finger to his friend before walking away.
He opened the door and found all men sending wary looks his way. They could guess what the conversation had been about and where awaiting Ray's reaction. Back in Charming, Kozik had heard rumours that Ray and Pete had been butting heads often lately. He also knew this was part of the dynamics of any club. He met Ray's eyes and the man broke into one of his rare smile.
"Welcome to Tacoma son." He said opening his arms to Kozik.
"Thanks Ray." replied Kozik has he hugged his new president and his new brothers in arms applauded loudly.
Hope you enjoyed it, please review!
