Rambler (Brothers of Chaos)
Rambler: Chapter 7

After a fitful sleep, the night before, Phoenix got up the next morning. She swung her gaze over and saw that her bags from her trunk were sitting on the floor by the door. Gasping, she looked around at the nightstand for her keys.

No keys.

“Damn him!” Rambler had taken her car keys. When he’d done it, she didn’t know but then again, yesterday she hadn’t been right in the head. Well, her head was clear now.

Getting up, she grabbed a bag and went into the bathroom. She was angry that he’d pulled a stunt like this. It had been nice of him to bring her things, but he had stolen from her in order to do it.

They had a fairly large shower and she did feel a little impressed seeing as this was a biker club. Then she caught herself. Of course, the showers were large, just look at the men who lived here. If even one of them were under 300 pounds, she would be surprised.

Since she remembered enough to answer her own questions, now she intended to get the heck out of here. Yes, this Rambler had been the only kind person she’d met here. Still, he did steal her keys. Her father had been an ass and all he’d done was scowl at her. She could tell he didn’t want much to do with her. So why keep her here?

She stepped into the shower. She still felt a bit unsteady from such an emotional upheaval yesterday, but she didn’t care. She was done here. If she could just get her keys back…but how? After washing up, she turned the shower off and grabbed a towel. As was her usual, she avoided the mirror as she rubbed herself dry.

“Hey!” someone called in a loud voice.

She tucked her towel in and opened the door.

There stood Rambler. He seemed to freeze when he spotted her. “I wondered where you were…”

She bit at her lip. “Yes, well I was locked in here.”

He kept staring.

Suddenly, Phoenix realized what he was staring at. She gripped her towel in her fists. “You are being rude.”

He blinked and shook his head as his gaze rose up to her eyes. “What?”

She swallowed down the bitterness, knowing why he stared. “I know I have scars, but—you don’t have to like stare at them so damn hard.” She turned to go back into the bathroom.

“Wait!” Rambler grabbed her arm and turned her back around. “Is that what you think?”

She avoided his gaze. “It’s what I know.”

“Well, stupid girl, you are wrong.”

Her gaze shot up to his face.

He stared into her eyes. “I didn’t realize you were built so…” He shrugged.

“So what?”

“Deliciously…” He grinned. “Built like a woman.”

Her mouth popped open.

He gently closed it with his fingers. “You have gorgeous legs, creamy skin and damn, I can’t see them very well but your….um breasts are larger than I thought.”

Her face flushed with heat. “You’re a liar.”

He pulled his head back. “No, sweetcakes. There are a few things I never do and one of them is to lie.”

She yanked her arm from his grip, still not believing him. “I-I am gonna get dressed and afterward, you are gonna give me my keys back.”

Rambler laughed. “Well, I don’t much like either of those ideas.” His eyes seemed to burn at her.

She went back into the bathroom and shut the door. Leaning up against it, she heaved out a huge breath. Her heart was pounding and she couldn’t figure out why. Did he mean all hat? Of course, he didn’t. No man would want her. He was just… She then shrugged it away. She had other things to do now. She needed to get on the road and replace her mom. Because replaceing her dad was a bust. He was here all right but he could care less about her.

She grabbed a pair of jeans, bra, undies and a blouse.

By the time she was done dressing, she stared down at her bags. She should grab them both up and march out there. Phoenix had faced far worse than a fire breathing father, so she knew she could do this. She picked up the bags and opened the door. Heading swiftly down the hall, she heard voices, but they were like chanting.

Coming into the main room where she had been the first night, she stared around.

“Mac, Mac, Mac!” Men were chanting.

Her gaze stopped on a life sized poster board. It was the man she remembered trying to save her the night her mother was taken away. Gasping in shock at this unexpected sight, she dropped her bags and stared at his image. Tears started to roll down her face.

Suddenly, the room went quiet and everyone turned to stare at her.

Rambler came over and stood in front of her.

“W-what’s happening?” she asked him.

He let out a sigh. “Every year on the anniversary of his death, we gather in remembrance.” Rambler looked pained then avoided her eyes.

She peered around him at the large picture then she stepped all the way out and walked a few steps closer. “That’s exactly what he looked like…” She swallowed heavily. “He refused to let them put me and my mom into the car. H-he pulled me down with him when he was shot to try to protect me…” She was full out crying now. “He gave his life…”

Rambler took her into his arms as she cried into his chest.

Thunder stared at this, as did all the brothers.

Snowman stood from a table and raised his glass. “A better tribute to Mac, I have never heard. To Mac, he died protecting one of our own!”

The men all raised their glasses and said, “To Mac,” in unison.

Phoenix raised her head. “One of your own?”

Snowman set his mug down. “Damn right. Don’t you even remember me, little girl? I carried you piggy back when you were just a little itty bitty thing. You are blood to the MC. This is your home.”

She blinked her eyes and swiped at her face. “I-I kind of remember that…” She sniffled then squared her shoulders. “But, I am not with family here.” She looked up at Rambler. “In fact, I want my car keys.” She presented him with her open palm.

Rambler stepped back and raised his hands up.

“I mean it!” she stated loudly.

“And where do ya think you’re going, little girl?” Thunder asked.

She swung her gaze over to him. “T-to look for my mom.”

His eyes rounded and he stalked over to her. Stopping just in front of her, he demanded, “You know where Shelby is?”

Phoenix shrugged. “Not right this minute. But I can replace her.”

He grasped her arms with a wild look in his amber eyes. “How?”

Staring into her father’s eyes that were so much like hers, she whispered, “S-she…” Then she snapped her mouth shut. “I won’t say it here.”

He squeezed her arms till it hurt.

Gasping, she winced.

“Hey, now.” Rambler stepped up close. “Pres. Don’t.”

Thunder glared over at him. “Stay out of it, Rambler.”

He shook his head. “You are hurting her.”

Thunder stilled and looked down at the grip he had on her arms. Suddenly, he let go and stepped back. Then he seemed to focus. “Bring her to my office. Just us three.” He stomped away.

Phoenix opened her mouth to argue.

Rambler took her arm. “Let’s just get it over with okay?”

She snapped her mouth shut.

“Bearcat, can you get someone to take her bags to—”

“My car!” Phoenix cut Rambler off.

Rambler shook his head and motioned for her to go ahead of him. “To her room, Bearcat.”

“Ooh! Dammit, Rambler!” she shouted as she marched ahead of him.

He kept chuckling. “Damn, you do have his temper.”

She stopped in her tracks and whirled around. “What did you just say?”

He almost bumped into her then took a step back. “You lose your temper quickly, just like Thunder does.”

She felt her face heat up, but she had no reply. “I don’t care what you think!” Whipping back around, she kept marching.

A loud whistle sounded from behind her.

She halted and turned around, still pissed. “What?” she snapped.

He stood at a door. “You missed the office by a mile.” He grinned.

The more this man teased her, and grinned the madder she got. She strode back over and opened the door, to stride in.

“This ought to be…” Rambler shook his head. “…Disastrous at best.” He shut the door behind him.