LYRIC (Aces MC Series Book 6.5) Read online

  I pushed the doors with both hands and entered the pub. It was busy this evening with a DJ playing in the far corner. Several people looked up when I entered but didn't pay too much attention to me. I made my way through the throngs of people towards the bar. I needed a beer in order to start relaxing. I held up a note trying to catch the attention of the bartender. He had his work cut out with the amount of people in here this evening.

  "What you drinking?" I heard a female voice faintly over the music.

  I glanced around and couldn't see anyone so continued to wave my note trying to get his attention.

  "Oi, what are you drinking?" My eyes scanned the area again and finally met Kate's as she asked me for the second time.

  "A pint of Fosters please." She smiled and turned to tell the bartender.

  Kate shuffled along the bar to stand beside me. "Didn't think I'd see you here."

  I glanced around the room, "Me neither but I needed to get away from the norm and I ended up riding here."

  "What's up? You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders." Kate looked at me intently, like she was interested and not just asking for something to say.

  "How long do you have?" I asked tongue and cheek.

  Kate passed me my pint. "All evening. I'm here out of duty but it would be great to have some different conversation for a change."

  She pushed through the crowd holding her drink tightly and I followed. Kate led us to an unoccupied table. She pulled out a chair and placed her handbag over the backrest. This is when I really paid attention to her. She was wearing a red backless dress that showed a huge back piece. The detail was immense and I could only imagine the hours of work spent making it so realistic.

  "You like?" she asked catching my eye as she turned to take a seat.

  "Very much so, it looks great."

  She blushed slightly which surprised me. "So do you want to talk?"

  "I wouldn't know where to start to be honest Kate." I let out a long sigh and picked up my pint.

  "Is it about Adie and Poppy?" Kate leaned on the table giving me her full attention.

  I nodded, "I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place."

  "She'll be okay. She's a tough cookie is your sister." I had forgotten that their paths had probably crossed.

  "How well do you know her?"

  Kate smiled brightly, "I've been there for her since she came on the scene and I'm like an auntie to Poppy."

  "Okay so have you been to see her?" I asked, hopeful that my sister was getting some visitors beside myself.

  She glanced around the room, "It's difficult."

  "You not allowed?" Kate had a relationship with Fazer so I assumed he had put a stop to any visitations.

  "Please don't judge."

  I held up my hands, "No judging coming from my end."

  "Tyreese was nasty to her, she's better off in prison than being here." She paused to take a sip of her drink.

  "At least when she gets out she doesn't have to come back." This had hopefully opened Adie's eyes to the man and father he had become. By all accounts she was trying to leave him anyway so his actions would cement her new future.

  "That's if he allows her Lyric." Kate lowered her voice.

  "What do you mean if he allows? She's a grown arse woman." I gritted my teeth trying to contain my anger.

  Kate rolled her eyes, "Don't be so naive, you know how it works. You've now seen it firsthand."

  "Well she's coming to live with me when she's out and if Tyreese has an issue with that then he can answer to me."

  "I don't know whether you're being brave or stupid."

  I laughed, "Both!"

  "How's Poppy getting on?" Kate asked changing the subject.

  "She starts her new school this week." I thought of her reaction when she showed me the school uniform her and Victoria had bought yesterday and smiled.

  "Oh bless her, she's a bright girl and will do well."

  "Victoria and I saw the school last week and we had to buy all of her school uniform including a new packed lunch box. It has been manic."

  "Is Victoria your girlfriend?" I couldn't read Kate's expression but was surprised by her question.

  I chuckled, "No she's the au pair I've hired to help me out with Poppy."

  "Ooh an au pair." She stated sarcastically.

  "You may laugh but she's been a bloody life saver. I don't know what to do with a four year old."

  "So what is her job role?" Again there was an underlying sarcasm to her questioning.

  "She takes care of Poppy's day to day routine. I'm not around enough to do that, I have a job and I also have club duties." A tune came on and I couldn't help but tap the table to the beat as we talked.

  "So you're going to employee this Victoria until Adie get's out of prison?"

  I shrugged, "Who knows what the future holds. Victoria may get a boyfriend and want kids of her own some day." She had said at the interview that it wasn't in her immediate plans but no one knew what the future held.

  "So you're not romantically involved with her?" I couldn't help but wonder why Kate was digging so much regarding my love life.

  I shook my head, "No, she's an employee. I wouldn't mix business with pleasure. Plus, I think one of my brothers is sniffing around her. I have morals. Not many but some."

  Kate smiled and took another sip of her drink.

  "It's just been a big adjustment for me. Poppy is a big responsibility and I want to get it right to prevent her from going into care. Victoria is around to do the things that I just can't." Kate was surprisingly easy to talk to.

  "Don't underestimate yourself. When thrown into certain situations people just seem to cope."

  I didn't know if we were still talking about me or whether she had flipped the conversation about her.

  "That's true." I glanced around the room to see whether I could see Tyreese or Fazer but none of the top dogs were around. I focussed my attention back to Kate.

  "So what's your story and how do you know Duke?"

  She had asked after him and this had played on my mind. I knew Duke had a reputation before he got with Ash and I wondered whether Kate had been an earlier conquest.

  "We go way back but I haven't seen him for years." Kate paused almost lost in thought.

  "I sort of got that but how?" It must have been years ago because even Duke couldn't remember her.

  "I used to be close to the family but I moved away when I was a teen."

  I nodded slowly. "That must be the reason he didn't remember you." I saw the hurt on her face but continued. "You should come and visit some time."

  She mulled over my words. "Maybe I should." Kate smiled sweetly but it didn't reach her eyes. She wasn't telling me the whole story but I wasn't going to press for more information. I was enjoying her company. She was easy to talk to and most certainly nice on the eye.

  "So please tell me how you got with Fazer. You don't seem the type to be impressed with all this." I lifted my arm and drew a big circle referring to the people around us.

  Kate sighed, "Again it's complicated, it just sort of happened."

  "How long have you been with Fazer?"

  "Since I was thirteen."

  I let out a low whistle. "He has a wife though."

  "I was with him before he married her." She said this with an element of pride and explanation so I knew she wasn't a home wrecker.

  "And you stuck around, why?" She seemed like she had her shit together but this was out of character.

  "Familiarity, had nowhere else to go and if I weren't looking after the wellbeing of the kids then who was going too?" She truly thought that she was providing them a service.

  "So you think that looking after the wellbeing of the kids is giving them rucksacks full of coke to distribute?" I was stepping out of line but I wanted to press her on this. She couldn't take the moral high ground if she was running drugs.

  "Not at all. The wellbeing is making sure that they are fed, that
they have clean clothes for when they do attend school and that certain kids take their medication. I'm not a saint Lyric and I don't pretend to be. I'm in a shitty situation that I can't get out of but rather than cry about it, I've managed to carve out a life and do the best that I can with the skills and the little power that I do have within the gang." Kate was whispering but increasing getting louder and by the time she had finished she was pointing at me. I looked down at her finger and she slowly retracted it.

  "Are you happy?"

  "What kind of question is that?"

  "An easy one. Are you happy?" I asked again but this time sternly.

  "Are you happy?" she asked turning the question around on me.

  I shook my head, "No. Most days I want to run away from it all and pretend that none of it is real."

  "Ditto!"

  "Then why don't you?" She looked up and stared at me. "Why don't you pack a bag and walk?"

  "It's difficult."

  "That isn't a reason. You're not a silly girl. I bet you've planned that day in your head for so many years. What you would do, where you would go and who you would see. I bet you've even stashed away some money for a rainy day." I saw a faint smile. "See, I knew that I was right. So what's stopping you?"

  "They would kill me and possibly my family."

  "They'd have to find you and your family first. What's stopping you from going abroad?" I was bombarding Kate with questions trying to get her to consider running away from this life. She was so much better than all this.

  Her eyes dropped, "You make it sound so easy."

  "It is Kate. Your happiness is worth so much more. You only get one life, make the most of it." I stood, "Do you want another drink?" I didn't want our conversation getting too dark.

  Kate nodded, "Yes please, gin and a splash of lemonade."

  "Coming right up."

  I strolled to the bar. The pub had emptied out a little, with punters preferring to sit outside in the late summer air.

  I held my note once more trying to catch the attention of the bartender. As I stood waiting, I glanced around the pub. The Dyers had grown over the years. They were originally based in south Chingford but had now spread into Walthamstow and the surrounding areas. Out paths didn't cross too often though because we were fighting different causes. The Dyers tried to force respect through manipulation and fear whereas the ACES tried to involve the community and operate legitimate businesses. It wasn't always like that but that's how it was now and the club was better for it.

  "What can I get you?"

  "Pint of Foster, Gin and lemonade and two Jagerbombs."

  The young bartender nodded and turned to make the drinks. I glanced around the room again surprised that Fazer and Tyreese weren't here tonight. Maybe I should've called beforehand to let them know that I was coming. I wanted to speak to Tyreese and test the water regarding his thoughts for when I told him that the ACES wouldn't be working with the Dyers. He was a hothead and I needed him calm to give myself time to explain. I couldn't hold it off any longer as he was putting pressure on me but I knew as soon as I told him, he wouldn't want me hanging around any longer. That meant the chances of getting any evidence to vindicate my sister were slim and unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to see Kate anymore, which was a shame. We were getting on well and I knew that a friendship could develop but I wasn't allowed to get too close. She was Fazer's property and he would break my legs if given half the chance.

  "Here you go," I turned to see the bartender placing the last two drinks onto the bar. I handed him the note and waited patiently for my change.

  "Do you want a tray?" he asked holding one as he pushed my change across the bar.

  "Please." I carefully placed the glasses onto the tray and walked slowly towards the table where Kate was still sitting.

  "Shots?"

  I nodded, "Oh yes, let's get smashed."

  "Haven't you got your bike outside?"

  "Yeah but I'll call one of the Prospects to come pick it up later." I needed to get drunk tonight and forget my worries.

  I placed Kate's drinks in front of her and noticed her smile. "I haven't had a Jagerbomb in years," she stated holding the shot glass to her nose to smell the liquid. I placed my drinks onto the table before removing the tray and placing it onto the stool beside me.

  "After three, One, Two, Three!" We both downed the golden brown liquid. It burnt as it hit the back of my throat but it would do the job that I intended. I needed to forget about my sister and Poppy for the evening and the only way I was going to do this was by drinking lots of alcohol.

  "You make me feel like a teenager again." Katie stated placing the empty shot glass onto the table.

  "You need to get out more and live a little."

  Kate rolled her eyes before taking a large gulp of her gin to wash away the taste of the shot. "That's better."

  "And there's more where that came from." I picked up my pint and took a long sup and instantly felt refreshed as the cold liquid trickled down my throat. "So how come you're allowed to come out this evening unsupervised?"

  Kate chuckled, "You think I'm unsupervised? We've currently got three spotters in here." She trailed her eyes around the room and I followed.

  "There's one there right by the toilets. One by the door and one by the stage. I will guarantee that there are a few outside also."

  "Are they just watching you?" I asked concerned that I may get her into trouble. Kate shook her head. "And what is their purpose?"

  "If us females step out of line tonight they will either call Fazer to get one of his henchmen to collect us or they will take out the person that we are talking to." Kate spoke calmly but I sensed an undercurrent of frustration.

  I smiled, "Great, I'm feeling more and more welcome every day."

  Kate smiled and I was pleased that she was feeling relaxed in my company. The drinks had also loosened me up, resulting in me feeling less stressed.

  "Will Fazer and Tyreese join you this evening?" I needed to know whether to look for them later myself.

  Kate shrugged, "I don't know. If he knows that you're here then he may put in an appearance but he doesn't usually."

  For the first time since meeting Kate, I had the opportunity to dig deeper and really get to know her. The alcohol was loosening her up slightly and she was speaking more freely. What I really wanted to know was how she had arrived at this point in her life and whether she had even considered her future.

  "Don't you ever get scared that the police could pull you at any time and that you'll be arrested?"

  "I'm not under any illusions that Tyreese and Fazer will save me if that was to happen. I've seen how they treated your sister just because she wanted to leave. They have put me in a high profile but very vulnerable position by having me in charge on distribution. The children come to me for their day to day needs and I've built a good relationship with most but if any of them get pulled in and decide to talk, they're not going to mention Fazer or Tyresse, they are going to mention me and that's where I'll come unstuck." Katie took a sip of her drink and placed the glass back on to the table.

  "But like I said earlier, prison may be a better option to break free of all this."

  "Let's dance." Kate frowned. I stood and held out my hand. "Let's dance." She glanced around the pub. Many people were dancing. It wasn't a slow song so she couldn't get into trouble for being too close to me.

  Her eyes glistened with excitement. "You're crazy." Kate eagerly stood and accepted my hand. I directed her to the area where the other punters were dancing. She looked care free and happy as she moved to the music as soon as I let go of her hand. I wasn't the best dancer but our conversations were getting far too deep that I needed to break things up and what better than a bit of hip shaking.

  Kate was a natural, twirling and gyrating to the music. I found a slower beat that I could move to and I was happily in my comfort zone and savoured every minute that I got to spend with her.

  The song ended and another
high tempo grime tune came on. The punters went crazy, jumping around and bumping in to each other. I only knew the words to the chorus but held my own leaping around having fun. This is what I needed. A night out with alcohol and to feel my age again and not some old stay at home dad.

  We danced for around an hour, the room was hot and sweaty from the volume of people that had descended on the dance floor.

  "Do you want to get a drink?" I shouted over the music as we made eye contact.

  "I'd prefer to get some fresh air." Kate replied breathlessly. I glanced towards the main doors. "No, I know another way."

  Kate grabbed my hand and led me through the crowded dance floor to the left of the stage where the DJ was playing. I didn't know where she was taking me but I followed closely. She rushed down a corridor and pressed on the thin metal bar of the fire exit. A huge whoosh of cold air filled the immediate space around me and I was grateful that I could cool down.

  "Come on, let's go out here." She squealed running down the steps.

  I closed the doors behind me and followed Kate confused as to where she was going.

  "Wait up Kate," I said above a whisper because I didn't want anyone to know we were out here. I caught up with her as she sat on a make shift bench out of old crates.

  "Something tells me that you've been here before."

  She smiled, "It's my space when the Dyers do my head in. I can say that I'm going to the toilet and I come out here for 10 minutes to calm down or recharge my batteries."

  I glanced around my surrounding, "I can see the appeal."

  She slapped me playfully on the arm. "It's quiet, that's all I need."

  I sat beside her. Our close proximity sent urges to my cock and I knew that I wanted to kiss her.

  "If things were different, what would you do for a job?" I needed to start a conversation on neutral ground to stop my thoughts from wandering.

  "I always wanted to be in the army."

  "Really?"

  She drew her brows, "What is it? Girls can't be in the army!"

  I smiled, "Not at all, I just wouldn't have you down for that."

  "Well I think I've proven that I can take orders and that I have great organisation skills. I think that I'd be perfect." She smiled but again it didn't reach her eyes. She was an unhappy young lady.