JUSTICE (Aces MC Series Book 7) Read online

  He sighed, "It's just a quick reminder that we're entertaining later and all work and no play is gonna make you a very dull boy."

  I rolled my eyes as I smiled smugly at his words. Up until a year ago, Duke was the biggest man whore and I never minded him being my wingman. We liked similar women, curvy, big tits and after some no strings attached excitement but on the down side, I had super sperm and the ability to get a bird pregnant just by looking at her. I also attracted the nut jobs unlike Duke. All that had now changed for Duke, he had met his match in Ash and had calmed down but most importantly, he had grown up.

  "You still there?" he asked pulling me from my thoughts.

  "Yeah, I've got two more pickups and then I'll head back." I wasn't in the mood for celebrating but knew that Duke wanted us all at the clubhouse to welcome the new members.

  We hadn't all been together as a group since the funerals of Paige and Hound and I was happy keeping it that way. Crowds of people and forcing conversation weren't really my strong points at the moment in time.

  "Great, I'll see you soon." Duke ended the call and I returned my mobile to my jean pocket as I dismounted my motorcycle.

  I felt tense and stretched to loosen my muscles. As I turned, I sensed that someone was watching me and quickly tried to focus my attention through the window directly in front of me. It was difficult because of the reflections and the posters stuck to the glass but I knew Rebecca would be watching.

  She was beautiful both inside and out and we had just clicked from the very first moment we met. Rebecca just seemed to get me. She was down to earth and for want of a better word, normal.

  She was going through a difficult time in her life, her husband had cheated on her for the third time but she had summed up the courage to leave him although pregnant with his child.

  I admired her, she was a strong woman but hadn't allowed her situation to become bitter.

  I smiled to myself as I lowered my arms and strutted across the path towards the door to the bookmakers knowing that this was the highlight of my week.

  The bell rung as I entered the room and her beautiful dark eyes met mine. She greeted me with a smile as she finished paying out a customer.

  "Good afternoon, you're a sight for sore eyes." I leaned onto the counter and noticed the blush of her cheeks.

  "You're easily pleased," she giggled.

  "Not at all, you're the highlight of my rounds on a Friday." I gave her a cheeky wink enjoying our banter.

  Rebecca looked affronted as she placed her hand on her chest.

  "Oh I see, it's just on a Friday. Now there's me thinking I'm special and all of a sudden you've burst my bubble and brought me back down to reality with a bang." She tried to remain serious but the corners of her mouth slowly upturned changing her expression.

  "Ha-ha, you know you're special...needs!"

  Rebecca swatted my arm playfully at my comment and smiled brightly. She was a breath of fresh air, how her husband could be such a knob towards her was a mystery.

  "So what are your plans this weekend?" she asked leaning onto the counter in order to push herself up onto a stool.

  "Are you asking me out?" I was only joking but as the words left my mouth, it didn't seem such a bad idea.

  Her eyes widened with concern, "Justice, if you haven't noticed, I'm heavily pregnant and look like a bucket of shit. I'm as big as a whale and wouldn't have anything to fit me should I want to go out anywhere nice." Rebecca picked up a Lucozade bottle and unscrewed the lid to take a sip. She instantly pulled a face of disgust and fastened the lid before throwing the bottle into the bin.

  "What's a matter with that?" I asked trying to play down the fact that she'd just had a massive rant.

  "Nothing is quenching my thirst and it's becoming annoying."

  I didn't say anything, I simply took in what she had just said. I could see that Rebecca was struggling the further along she got with her pregnancy but she was the type of woman that wouldn't ask for help. Her dad owned the bookmakers but he was old and not capable of making business decisions so Rebecca had stepped in to keep the business afloat. She was good at her job but didn't have the time to advertise or money to invest and time was now running out because of her pregnancy.

  Rebecca reached across the counter and took my hand, "Sorry, I didn't mean to..."

  "Can I place a bet please love?"

  I glanced to my right to see a burly bloke of around fifty lean on the counter beside me.

  Rebecca removed her hand from mine and rummaged around in her handbag before pulling out an envelope. She placed it onto the counter and slid it towards me.

  "That's what you came for isn't it?"

  Her words took me by surprise and I noticed her holding my stare. Without looking away I placed my hand on top of hers holding firm, challenging her to move first.

  "Excuse me I really need to place that bet." The bloke waved a slip of paper in front of Rebecca trying to gain her attention.

  She reluctantly pulled away and went straight into professional mode, "Sorry about that." She took his slip and went about her business and I knew it was time for me to leave.

  I grabbed the envelope from the counter and slipped it into the inside pocket of my cut as I stepped back, I hoped that she would respond to me leaving.

  Rebecca quickly glanced in my direction, "I'll see you next Friday."

  I smiled, "I'll look forward to it." I turned and made my way from the building with a sudden dose of confusion.

  What the fuck had just happened there? We'd gone from banter to what could only be described as awkwardness. What did I say to make her snap or was it just the hormones that were playing havoc with her mood?

  "Good afternoon," I swirled quickly on my heels to turn towards the voice.

  "Hi Chanel how's things with you?"

  She beamed from ear to ear and held out her left hand. I knew that I should be looking for something and I quickly gazed over her soft skin. She couldn't just be showing me her perfectly manicured nails and bright pink nail polish could she? I glanced up at her again and her smile widened as she pushed her hand towards me further. I felt under pressure and scanned her hand again and that's when I saw it.

  "Oh Chanel it's beautiful." I felt a sense of relief when I finally saw the engagement ring on her finger.

  She squeaked, "I know right." Chanel cupped her hands and pulled them directly towards her chest.

  I shook my head slightly, "Erm, does Duke know yet?"

  Her demeanour changed instantly and I chuckled at her reaction. "I knew you'd gone away on holiday but I didn't expect this."

  Buster exited the newsagents and made his way towards us with his arm stretched ready to greet me.

  I ignored his hand and pulled him in for a hug, "Congratulations mate."

  As I released him from my arms his eyes widened before he quickly looked over at Chanel.

  "Chill, I'm not going to say anything but you need to tell Duke before he finds out from someone else."

  "Sorry, I just couldn't contain my excitement."

  Buster rolled his eyes briefly before stepping closer to scoop Chanel into a massive hug.

  "Right I'm in a rush but remember what I said, go and see him now before he has your balls in a jar Buster." I chuckled as I fastened my helmet under my chin.

  Buster and Chanel were good kids with their whole lives in front of them. I was surprised that they were engaged but even more surprised that they hadn't discussed it with Duke. He had taken Chanel in and treated her like a daughter since her dad had done a bunk so it was out of respect that she told him the news sooner rather than later.

  I sighed as I drove into the light traffic heading towards the flats we owned in Coopersale. A fucking teenager had her shit together more than I did, I was a loser that needed to get his life in order and quickly.

  I knocked on the door loudly and stepped back waiting for it to be answered. I had keys to all of the flats we owned but I respected the tenants and would prefer them to give me the cash rather than picking it up from inside.

  I heard footsteps and placed my hands firmly into my pockets as I waited.

  "Hello Justice. Is it really that time again?" Pearl gave a sincere smile as she greeted me.

  "I'm afraid so."

  "Do you want to come in and wait, while I grab the envelope?" Pearl asked the question but she already knew what my answer would be. I shook my head slightly and she nodded understanding my decision.

  I hadn't and couldn't bring myself to go into the flat. Paige had lived here on and off and it held too many memories, some that I really didn't want to be reminded of.

  Pearl pushed the door over to prevent too much heat leaving the property as she went back inside to collect the rent.

  As I waited, I pulled out my phone and realised that CJ had sent over the details regarding Shaydon. He wasn't far, possibly a thirty minute drive and I planned on paying him a visit once I had got this evenings celebrations out of the way.

  "CJ and Recon were round here a couple of weeks ago asking questions about Paige and the other girls."

  "Okay and what did you have to tell them?" I knew that the guys had been following up lines of enquires.

  "Nothing much as I had distanced myself from Paige because of her mood swings."

  I understood where she was coming from, Paige could be volatile at the best of times.

  Pearl raised her arm to give me her rent money but I also noticed the pink notepad.

  "I remembered that Paige kept a diary but when I helped Maggie box up her possessions we didn't come across it so I later ransacked the house. I found this stuffed behind the radiator in her bedroom, seems strange that it was placed there." She folded her arms across her chest and waited for me to respond.

  I placed the notepad along with the envelope inside my cut and nodded, "Thank you Pearl, hopefully there's some relevant information inside."

  Pearl briefly smiled before turning on her heels to go inside the building.

  Why would Paige keep a diary? I thought that was something children did, not adults.

  I felt my mobile vibrate and knew that it would be the guys chasing me up so I ignored it. I would be at the clubhouse when I was good and ready and not before, in fact they were lucky that I was turning up at all.

  "Hello stranger, how you bearing up?" I smiled at her welcome and enveloped her into my arms.

  "Hi Maggie, not bad and you?" I stepped back and held her at arm's length to see her reaction. Maggie was an open book and couldn't help but tell the truth even if you had to read her facial expression.

  "Just keeping myself busy Justice, that's all I can do." I leaned closer to place a chaste kiss on her forehead. She had been through a lot and the fact that she was able to get up in the morning and not wallow in self pity was a great achievement in itself.

  Maggie hadn't just lost her daughter but her husband as well, two fifths of her world taken in one chaotic evening.

  "Are you sticking around this evening?" I asked stepping back to give her some space.

  "Yes, I haven't been out in ages and Duke said that if I didn't attend he was going to drag me here kicking and screaming if he had to."

  I rolled my eyes, "Yep, he basically said the same to me."

  "Well good, you need to get out. You and Recon are usually the life and soul of the party." She gave me a small smile.

  "That may be true but I'm just not feeling it tonight."

  "Justice, pleased you could join us." I glanced over Maggie's shoulder to see some of the guys sitting at the bar. I hadn't noticed them when I walked in, in fact I hadn't noticed the band setting up on the stage either.

  "Duke, any chance I can have a quick word?"

  He nodded as he stood from his stool and strolled towards one of the booths at the back of the clubhouse.

  I returned my attention to Maggie, "Sorry, I've gotta speak to Duke about something important before the party starts."

  "Don't mind me, I've still gotta put the food out."

  I smiled at the brave woman in front of me. I knew that she was lonely despite having us all around her but she was here tonight doing this for her extended family that loved her very much.

  I let out a sigh as I sat on the bench and shuffled up to lean against the wall. I took out eight envelopes and placed them onto the table between us.

  "Five lots of rent and protection money from the newsagent, jewellers and bookies."

  "Thank you," Duke slid the envelopes towards him and gathered them into a neat pile.

  Duke drew his brows, "Anything else?" He'd obviously sensed my hesitation.

  "I've also got this." I glanced over my shoulder making sure Maggie wasn't anywhere to be seen before I slid the pink notepad across the table.

  Duke looked around the room quickly and took the notepad, placing it in the inside pocket of his cut.

  "And this is?" he asked waiting for me to explain further.

  "Pearl said it's Paige's diary. There may be some important information in there."

  Duke nodded slowly, "And you haven't looked inside?"

  I shook my head, "I can't mate. I don't want to know what she was thinking before she died, I'm just hanging on as it is."

  "I totally understand. Leave this to me and Diesel . Hopefully it will give us some leads."

  Our conversation was interrupted as the band began to play.

  Duke glanced in their direction before returning his attention to me.

  "I know you don't want to be here but please stay, if only for an hour."

  I nodded, "Of course."

  "Now let me get you a drink, you look like you need one." Duke stood and waited for me to join him. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I knew he was trying his best to cheer me up.

  "Buster, get me two whiskies." Duke shouted over the music so he could be heard.

  "No please with that?" I joked.

  "Fuck no, he only went and proposed to our Chanel without consulting me first."

  "Oh did he?" I caught Busters eye and gave him a quick wink.

  Duke huffed, "He's fucking lucky that I heard it from his lips though rather than someone else's otherwise he'd be up shit creek without a paddle."

  I sniggered at his comment, I knew Duke would react this way and that's why I gave the kid a heads up.

  "So how do you feel welcoming him into the family?" I took a swig of my drink and appreciated the burn as it slid further inside my body.

  "Chanel's not blood but we are her guardians. He isn't a bad kid but I'm going to make him work for it."

  "You're a wanker."

  "Yeah I know." Duke raised his class and chinked mine, "Cheers."

  The clubhouse got rowdier and I couldn't quite see who had entered because of the amount of people now in the room. The party was taking hold and as I glanced around I noticed the usual faces minus their other halves because this was time to get pissed and not worry about any drama that may come with it.

  "I don't see Stoney?"

  Duke rolled his eyes, "Some things not quite right, Trudy called and requested a meeting tomorrow."

  "Trudy as in his wife?"

  "The very same."

  "Why the fuck would she contact the club? She's made it perfectly clear over the years that she doesn't want anything to do with us." I took another swig of my whisky and placed the empty glass on to the bar.

  Duke shrugged, "She didn't go into detail but mentioned that she wanted to borrow some money from the club."

  "Strange, why doesn't she get a loan?"

  "Exactly, I'm not worrying about it tonight though but I'd like you there if that's okay?"

  I drew my brows not understanding why he wanted me at the meeting apart from the fact that there may be an altercation or allegation.

  "You're the treasurer and acting secretary, I need you there for that perspective. If she wants to borrow some money and we can afford it and help out, it could be possible."

  I nodded, "Totally understand."

  Duke stood looking over my shoulder and I knew that someone had joined us.

  Duke extended his hand, "Tugs, Grimm and Pachenko so pleased you could join us."

  "Not a problem. Is this party for us?" Grimm asked glancing around the room.

  "Of course, we want you to feel welcome." Diesel replied joining us to shake their hands.

  "Sorry we couldn't come down Wednesday as planned but we needed to tie up loose ends." Tugs was a family man so I'm sure it would have been difficult for him to relocate.

  "Excellent and where's the pussy, we were told that Essex had excellent pussy." Pachenko stuck out his tongue and wagged it around playfully.

  I sniggered at his comment and caught Spike's surprised expression as he sat beside me.

  "Oh it'll be here," Duke stopped what he was saying to glance at his watch. "But lads, it's only 6.00pm, let's get you to your rooms first and then I'll get you all a drink."

  "Right, round up ladies your rooms are through here." Recon stood boldly at the door to the corridor and waved the guys towards him.

  "Is he talking to us?" Tugs asked affronted.

  I rolled my eyes in disbelief, "Yes that's Recon, don't worry you'll get used to him."

  "Eventually!" Spike stated to a roar of laughter from the group.

  The three recruits slowly made their way across the bar and towards Recon with their bags. It was a great feeling to have reinforcements with everything that had been going on lately and I was sure that the guys would complement the makeup of the group.

  We needed to solve the problem that was hanging over us before we could move on properly and some fresh eyes may just do the trick.

  "So what's the full story with those three?" I asked pointing in the direction of the door they had just entered.

  Duke took a quick sip of his drink and placed the empty glass onto the bar.

  "Tugs comes from Suffolk. Family man through and through. His conditions of coming here was that he has every other weekend off."

  "Every other weekend?" I asked confused as to why he wanted the time off and why it had been allowed.

  "Yep, he has his girls then and would be prepared to leave the club if I said no."