War & Mayhem Book 2: Gravel
highlight_author
Gina O’Connor
highlight_reads
172K
highlight_chapters
16
Chapter: 1
BOOK 2: Gravel
GRAVEL
FOUR MONTHS AGO
I sank back into the pillow as Mage, Stone, Thrasher, and 8Ball left the room for the night. I was stuck here for a few more days before I could return home. The doctor had said it was a miracle I was still alive, considering how close the bullet had come to my heart.
I closed my eyes, my mind swirling with recent events—the club troubles, Stone’s girlfriend getting shot, the warehouse incident, and Connor’s betrayal of the club for his mother. Everything had become so intense.
In fact, it was so intense that lying here in the quiet felt wrong. I had been observing the club members for years, knew them like the back of my hand. Nothing slipped past me.
But I craved a life of my own. I felt like I was spending too much time with the guys and not enough time on myself. But that was the club life—lonely, yet never truly alone.
My thoughts raced, so much so that I didn’t notice someone entering the room until I heard a soft knock. My eyes snapped open to see Medusa standing there, a small smile on her face. Medusa was one of the club’s girls.
She used to be a sweetbutt, but for some reason, Thrasher had arranged for her to stay at the clubhouse without the pressure of sleeping around unless she wanted to. She mostly stayed with Vikki, Mage’s wife, helping her with whatever she needed.
I tried to sit up as she approached the bed, reaching out to me.
“Easy there. You’ll only make it worse,” she said, her voice soft and gentle.
“I wasn’t expecting any more visitors tonight,” I said, watching her as she settled into the two-seater by the door.
“Yeah… I wasn’t planning on coming either. I hope it’s okay that I’m here,” she said, nervously fidgeting with her hands.
“Of course,” I reassured her. An awkward silence filled the room. She seemed to be looking everywhere but at me.
“Are you okay?” I asked, causing her to shift uncomfortably.
“Yeah… I’m fine. I just don’t know what to say.”
I nodded in understanding. “Well, hospitals do have a way of leaving you speechless,” I joked, coaxing a soft smile from her as she stared at her hands.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she agreed, slipping off her shoes and getting comfortable. “So when are you getting out of here?”
We talked all night that night. It was the first time I had really had a chance to talk to her.
***
I descended the steps of my front porch, a morning cigarette dangling from my lips and my backpack slung over one shoulder. I swung my leg over my motorcycle, secured my bag to the front, and fired up the engine.
After pulling on my helmet, I set off toward the clubhouse. I took my usual route through Bunbury to the clubhouse. Spring was on the horizon, and the warmth of the sun and a gentle breeze caressed my face, making me feel alive.
I watched as the town came to life, people going about their daily routines, and my heart swelled with love for this place. I loved this town, and I loved being part of a club that protected it—the Highway Jokers.
Despite the fear we instilled in many, we still showed up at charity events, donating to homeless shelters and hospitals to raise funds. When I arrived at the clubhouse, I pulled into the compound.
The club’s ladies were busy decorating while the guys hauled crates and tables back and forth. I held the door open for Thrasher and Stone as they carried the last crate inside.
“What’s all this?” I asked.
“Vikki’s idea. She’s redecorating the outside of the clubhouse. Says we need a change,” Thrasher replied, rolling his eyes.
I chuckled. I headed to the bar where Dihya handed me a coffee. I nodded my thanks and watched her retreat to the kitchen.
My gaze met Medusa’s across the room. She was biting her lip nervously. I winked at her, a silent good morning, and noticed her cheeks flush before someone called her away.
I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Medusa as I headed toward the basement stairs.
Gravel
Meet me at our usual spot at three ;)
Medusa
See you then.
Down in the basement, 8Ball handed me a clipboard with a list of our new supplies. I set my coffee and the clipboard on a corner counter, shrugged off my bag, and picked up the clipboard again.
I glanced at the crates, then back at the list. I walked over to the crates and pulled out one of the AKs. Something seemed off. I checked the rest of the crates and found the same issue.
“Shit,” I muttered.
“8Ball, who signed off on this?” I asked when he returned with another crate.
“I did. Why, what’s wrong?” he asked.
“Tell Thrasher we need a church meeting, now,” I instructed. He looked worried but nodded and hurried upstairs.
I sighed, ran a hand over my face, and carried the crate upstairs.
***
“What’s going on, brother?” Thrasher asked as he took a seat. Everyone was gathered around the table, waiting for me to speak.
I stood at the head of the table, opened the crate with my knife, and tossed an AK across the table. Thrasher caught it and frowned when he saw what I had.
“What the fuck?” he growled.
“Fake parts. These guns are useless,” I explained.
“Who signed off on this?” he demanded.
“I did,” 8Ball admitted from beside his father, Mage.
“Did you know?” Thrasher asked him.
8Ball shook his head.
“None of the crates were opened until I checked them this morning,” I told Thrasher.
“What the hell is happening?” Thrasher demanded, his weapon crashing onto the jarrah table.
I slid into the seat next to him, on his left. “Get Bobby on the line. Find out what’s up.”
“Take a couple of guys, return this crap before I lose it and shoot him. I want a price cut from here on out,” Thrasher ordered, lighting up a cigarette.
“Do you really believe Bobby would screw us over?” Mage questioned from the other side of the table.
Thrasher gave him a long, hard look. “I don’t know if it was him or not. But I’m not taking any chances.”
“And if it was him?” I asked our leader.
“No one messes with the Highway Jokers. That’s common knowledge. If he did this on purpose, he’s made a big mistake. We’ll deal with it.”
I nodded once, signaling my agreement.
Across the compound, I watched as the club’s women measured the building, their laughter filling the air. Medusa was in her element. Her smile alone could light up my world.
I’d always found her attractive, but I’d never made a move. Not even when she was a sweetbutt. She was the club’s enigma.
She’d appear and disappear, then return as if nothing had happened. I always wondered about that.
I remembered when she first arrived at the club. It was during a party we’d thrown for Thrasher’s presidential inauguration a few years back. He’d been president for a few months before we could celebrate, but rivalries and chaos had kept us busy.
She’d come in with another sweetbutt, and I’d been captivated ever since. There was just something about her.
Back then, she was dealing with a lot, and it showed. But now, you’d never guess she was the same girl who’d walked through those doors and turned my world upside down.
Medusa and I had been seeing each other for a few months now. Mostly just getting to know each other, but sometimes we’d end up in bed together.
I felt Stone’s hand on my shoulder, signaling that he was ready to go. The crates were back in the truck. I had to figure out what was happening with our stock.
I pulled on my helmet and started my motorcycle, following Stone and a few others out of the compound, heading toward the docks.
***
I removed my helmet and dismounted the bike, heading toward the office with Stone trailing behind me.
“Bobby! You’ve got some explaining to do,” I called out as I entered. Bobby jumped up from his desk, his food spilling all over him.
“Damn… Wh-what are you talking about?” He tried to wipe away the food.
“Our stock’s been messed with,” I stated, watching him sweat. It was revolting.
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about…,” he stammered, rubbing the back of his neck.
I sighed and rolled my eyes, pulling out my gun from the back of my jeans. Bobby froze in fear.
“Okay, okay. I…I haven’t been able to get any products.”
“Why didn’t you say anything, Bobby? Now Thrasher’s threatening to shoot you,” Stone chimed in, his arms crossed over his chest.
“I…I”
“Thrasher wants it all replaced. And a discount.”
“What? No, no, no. I…I can’t give more discounts. I’ll be losing money.” He shook his head.
I raised my arm, pointing the gun at him, causing him to freeze again.
“Too bad, Bobby. You’ve screwed us over. Thrasher’s out for blood, and you’re first in line,” I told him.
Bobby sighed and nodded. “All right. Fifty percent off, but that’s the lowest I can go.”
I glanced at Stone, who was on the phone with Thrasher.
“Thrasher says fine, but if you mess with us again, you’re a dead man,” Stone relayed, pocketing his phone.
Bobby nodded.
“He also wants a new shipment by the end of the week. All legit this time.”
“I’ll get right on it,” Bobby assured us, reaching for his phone to order a new shipment.
Exiting the stinky office, I sighed and tucked my gun back into my jeans. Checking my phone, I realized I was late for my meet-up with Medusa.
“Damn,” I muttered, quickly mounting my motorcycle.
“Where are you off to?” Stone called out.
“I’ve got a place to be. I’ll catch up with you at the clubhouse later,” I called back, starting my motorcycle and speeding out of the shipping yard, leaving the guys behind.
