Murphy (The Skulls) Read online

  “Stop turning me into a pussy.” Mikey pulled away, cursing.

  “Right, that was Hardy,” Tiny said, getting all of their attention. “Tate’s being collected this afternoon from her apartment. Rose finally talked some sense into her.”

  Several cheers went around the room. Murphy wanted to laugh and smile. Instead, he sat and waited for the news.

  “Three Lions have been spotted walking through town. They’ve been wearing their cut. The two cops that got killed, their families have been compensated and will be added to the roster for protection. They’re coming in whether they like it or not. Butch and Zero took the van to bring them in. It’s going to be crowded, but it’s needed until we get a lid on everything. The Sheriff is making sure the folks know. Fort Wills is on guard.”

  The buzz from the news went around the room. “Do you know any of them?” Murphy asked, talking to Killer.

  “No, Whizz and Time are working together some names. They’ll have them to Tiny by tomorrow.”

  Tiny and Lash headed toward him.

  “You’re getting my daughter and bringing her here,” Tiny said, poking a finger in his chest.

  Murphy nodded. In the next instant, Tiny had his face pressed against the bar. He’d been expecting some kind of hurt from Tate’s father and was surprised it had taken this long.

  “I don’t know what’s going on between you and my daughter, but I’m going to find out. I know a lot of shit, Murphy. I like you, and I love my daughter. I’m keeping my shit together ‘cause we’ve got other shit to handle.” The pressure increased on his face. “I’m telling you that when this is over, you and me are going to have to resolve some issues,” Tiny said. “Are you hearing me?”

  “I’m hearing you,” Murphy said.

  “Good. Get your ass out of here and get Tate.”

  Murphy sat up, brushed his jacket down and cleaned any mess from his hair. No one was staring at him or Tiny. They must have been as prepared for the shit as he was. He was fucking the leader’s daughter, and no one got away with that.

  Heading out of the club, he grabbed his bike.

  “Is she worth that?” Killer asked.

  “What?” Murphy turned to the other man who he’d started to see as a friend.

  “Tate, the daughter, is she worth the trouble you’ll be in?”

  “Hell, yeah, she’s worth it. She’s worth every single beating I’m going to get when she finally gives in.” Murphy smiled, thinking about it.

  “Why are you smiling?” Killer asked.

  “Because when I’ve been beat down, I know Tate’s going to be mine at the end of it.” Straddling his bike, Murphy turned the key in the ignition. “You keep up?”

  “Yeah.”

  Gunning his machine, Murphy headed to her apartment. Parking outside, he went straight through the front doors. Killer was seconds behind him. He didn’t order the other man to get Kelsey. The only person Murphy wanted was Tate. Going up the three flights of stairs, Murphy knocked on her door waiting for an answer. He grabbed his piece from the back of his jeans and checked to see that it was loaded. A bad feeling was settling in the pit of his stomach. Something bad was going to go down. Tate opened the door. She held a single case in her hand.

  “Let’s go,” he said.

  “Hold on, what about Kelsey?” Tate asked.

  “She’s being taken care of.”

  “No, she has to come with us.”

  Holding her face between his hands, Murphy stared into her eyes. “She’s being taken care of. Killer is getting her now.”

  Taking her hand he led her down the steps toward Kelsey’s front door. Knocking once, he wasn’t surprised to see Killer packing.

  “You getting a bad feeling?” Murphy asked.

  “Yeah. Something’s not right. It could be me, but I don’t know.” Killer nodded at Tate before returning his gaze back to Murphy. “They’re too desperate, and I think The Lions are going to do something stupid.”

  “I’m heading out. Be careful, and I’ll see you at the compound.” Murphy shook the guys hand and headed out. He kept Tate by his side, looking all around him. There was a tingling at the back of his neck. He glanced around, but nothing stood out to him. It was a quiet apartment block.

  “What’s going on, Murphy?” she asked.

  “Keep down.”

  Something glinted off his mirror followed by the shattering of a window off his right shoulder. Falling to the ground he crushed Tate underneath him. Grabbing his cell phone and gun, he dialed the club’s number.

  Tate screamed. Her hands covered her head. “Murphy!”

  “We’ve got to get cover,” he said as more bullets rained down. Fuck, they were all over the place. Whoever was shooting were shit shots.

  Glancing up he saw Killer covering Kelsey in the main building. No one had seen him yet as otherwise the doors would have been shot out.

  Silence fell over the square, and he used the opportunity to move Tate. Grabbing her arm, he hauled her up and ran toward the back of the building. There was a wall overlooking the garden. Pushing her down, Murphy growled as something hit the side of his leg.

  “What’s going on? Someone is shooting at us? No one shoots at us.” Tate was losing control. Her voice was high and grating on his nerves.

  He slammed his lips down on hers trying to silence her. “Right now, baby, I need you to be quiet.”

  Glancing down at the burning pain in his leg, Murphy saw a bullet had grazed his outer leg. Fuck, that was going to sting when the adrenaline wore off.

  He moved to glance behind the wall. Two men were arguing in the middle of the street carrying guns. Neither of them were wearing a cut. They looked insane to be arguing in front of him. Seeing the decoy, Murphy glanced behind them. There was a van with a window partially open. Squinting, he saw the guns pointing out. Whoever was firing the guns were not desperate men. Could it be The Lions? Fuck, he couldn’t concentrate. His woman was with him, and he needed to get her to safety.

  Fuck, his leg was stinging.

  Putting the cell to his ear he waited for the guys to pick up.

  “Hello, The Skulls place,” Angel said.

  Fuck, his fucking luck. A lot of fucks were needed.

  Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

  “Angel, get Lash or any one of the guys.”

  “Murphy, how’s Tate? I heard she’s coming in?” Angel asked.

  Fuck. She was too nice to get angry with.

  “She’s good.”

  Angel started talking, and Murphy was losing patience. Another round of firing, followed by shouting happened.

  “Fuck, Angel, shut the fuck up. I’ve got bullets coming, and I’m open. Get one of the fucking guys now.”

  The woman screamed over the line. Hysterics erupted around them. Murphy tried to deal with it. Tate was crying; shouting was going, and then the sound of bikes in the distance interrupted him. Bullets sounded, and he looked over the wall in time to see Time and Whizz pulling up. Time fired at the van, running at it while Whizz took the two decoys on

  Turning to Tate, he calmed her down. “I need you to stay here. Don’t move until I get you.”

  Kissing her lips, Murphy left her side, ignoring the pain in his leg.

  Whizz had both men restrained, and the van was open.

  “I couldn’t save the men,” Time said. “I don’t recognize them. They’re not Lions.”

  Killer and Kelsey left the building. Murphy collected Tate from where he’d put her.

  “I don’t know the club’s number, so I called my guys,” Killer said.

  Looking at the mess in the van, Murphy shook his head. “This was a real hit. Something is going down.”

  “Lions go after family. I thought The Skulls didn’t include family into the bargain,” Killer said.

  Tate wrapped her arms around his waist. Murphy held her close. His heart was racing. Whoever had come to kill her had meant business. Tate was not supposed to survive this day.

&nb
sp; “Something bad is going down,” Murphy said.

  “Talk to me.” Her voice was small.

  “Baby, you shouldn’t even be here.” There were two dead men on the floor and a third hanging out of the truck. Covering her eyes, Murphy left the van waiting for his club to arrive. Ten minutes later, the van was charging down the street. Hardy, Lash, Nash, and Tiny were clearly visible.

  The moment the van was parked Tiny was out of the door. He ran toward Tate pulling her in close. Murphy watched the scene.

  “Honey, you’re okay? You’re all right? Nothing happened. You’ve not been shot?” Tiny cupped her face, turning her head this way and that.

  “Dad, I’m fine. If anything Murphy hurt me when he pushed me to the floor. I’m fine. Nothing happened.”

  Tiny stared into her face, shaking his head. “Nothing can happen to you. Do you fucking hear me?”

  “I hear you, Dad.” She was crushed in a hug, and Murphy smiled.

  “Get in the fucking truck and take your friend with you. You’re back at the compound. Eva’s already there.”

  Tiny shoved her in the direction of the truck. Murphy squared his shoulders waiting.

  “If anything had happened to my daughter I’d kill you slowly and make you wish you were dead long before I’d grant it.”

  “Understood.”

  “Thank you for getting her to safety.” Tiny shook his hand then turned toward the van. “What we got?”

  “I don’t fucking know,” Murphy said, filling him in on all the details.

  “Leave one of the bikes here. Round this shit up and bring it back. I want to know what’s going on.”

  “What are you going to do?” Killer asked, joining them.

  “I’m going to find the threat to my daughter, and then I’m going to annihilate them,” Tiny said.

  “What if this has nothing to do with Tate? With The Skulls, the club comes first,” Whizz said.

  “Then some people are about to learn a very valuable lesson. No one fucks with my family. Tate, the club, it’s all the same. It’s all family, and family will always come first.”

  ****

  “He protected me, Tate. I never thought a guy was like that out there, but he is,” Kelsey said.

  Tate smiled at her friend as she relived the moments of the shooting. Kelsey looked in love. It was sweet but also dangerous. Tate didn’t know Killer very well, but his name alone scared her. They were travelling back to the compound. She heard some of the men sniggering. Rolling her eyes, she kept her back to them.

  “I’m sure he’s a nice guy. I don’t know anything about him, and I’d suggest you be careful around him,” Tate said.

  “I will. I promise.” Kelsey grabbed her hand, squeezing it tight.

  Back at the compound she saw Zero, Butch, Mikey, and Rose waiting. They all embraced her as she came out of the van. Seconds later, Killer, Whizz, and Time made it through followed by the van being driven by Hardy.

  Kelsey was drawn into the embrace as well. Tate made the introductions, and they were rushed inside.

  They showed Kelsey to a spare bedroom, and Tate took her old room. Walking past her friend’s bedroom she saw Kelsey sat on the bed, white as a ghost.

  “Are you all right?” Tate asked.

  “It’s suddenly dawning on me, we got shot at.”

  Tucking some hair behind her ear, Tate walked into the room, shutting the door behind her.

  “Club life takes some getting used to,” Tate said, taking a seat beside her.

  “Did you get used to it? Has this happened often to you?”

  “Several months back a rival gang broke into my dad’s house and pointed a gun at me. I saw two prospects get shot and almost die. Eva, my nanny was shot, and Angel was as well. It was one of the first shootings I’ve seen. The Skulls don’t usually include families, and we’re left out of the equation.”

  “This time is different?”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  Tate took Kelsey’s hand like the other woman had done in the back of the van.

  “We could have died today,” Kelsey said.

  “We didn’t. We’re here to tell the tale and drink and party.” Tate looked down at her lap. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to be friends with me anymore. This takes a lot to digest, and you’re not part of the life.”

  “I want to be your friend. I’m going to lie down and process everything that’s happened, okay?”

  “Yeah, I’ll come and check on you soon.” Tate squeezed Kelsey’s hand and left the room silently. Killer was stood outside the door.

  Tate stopped and looked at the other man.

  “How’s she doing?” he asked.

  “Pretty shook up. It’s to be expected. Being shot at is not something she’s used to.” Tate stared at him trying to get a good read of the man who clearly had a thing for her friend.

  “What? You got a question, just ask.”

  “I don’t know you. I’ve known most of these men my whole life, but I don’t know you. I know you’re from The Lions, and they were first class assholes. I didn’t like them.” She took a step closer and pressed a finger against his chest. “I’ve not known Kelsey very long, but I like her. She’s a good woman. A great person. If you hurt her because of whatever shit you think women deserve then I’ll hurt you. I’ll castrate you and make you wish you’d never crossed me.”

  “You’re a woman. You can’t do anything to me.”

  Smiling, Tate reached down, grabbed his balls and twisted them. It was a move Murphy had showed her and one she remembered. Killer growled, covering her hand with his. She tugged and moved in close to whisper against his ear.

  “I’m a woman. I’ve got a delicate nature. I’ve got tits, cunt, and an ass. I’m like a lot of women in a lot of ways, but I’m different.” Looking into his eyes, Tate squeezed. “I’m my father’s daughter, and I don’t say shit I don’t mean.” She let him go and watched him fall to the floor. “Be warned, I will hurt you if you hurt my friend. You want to fuck around with people, use the sweet-butts. They don’t expect anything better. Kelsey expects better, and she likes you. Make sure you give me a reason to like you.”

  She walked away without a backwards glance. Tate hoped her message got across to him. If not, the guy was in for some hard lessons.

  Kelsey was only involved in The Skulls because of her. Tate would do everything in her power to protect her new friend. She found Angel working behind the bar with Mikey, one of the original members. Mikey left the bar and pulled her in for a tight hug.

  “It’s not been the same without you, honey,” he said.

  Hugging him back, Tate looked at Angel. The other woman had tears in her eyes.

  “You keep getting shot at, and I’m going to have a heart attack.” He kissed the top of her head.

  “I’m not going to get shot. Murphy was there, and he saved me.”

  “I don’t like those other boys he’s with. They’re not good.”

  “Mikey, you always put the guys through their paces. Everyone knows you hate change.”

  “Exactly, so when are you moving back home?” he asked.

  “I’m not moving back home.”

  “Mikey, over here we need you,” Tiny said, shouting across the room.

  Rolling her eyes, Tate moved away going to Angel, giving Mikey some room. Sitting at the counter, she waited for the younger woman to speak.

  “I’ve missed you,” Angel said.

  “I’ve missed you, too.”

  What more was she supposed to say? She felt like a total bitch for leaving the other woman behind.

  Angel thrust a hand under Tate’s eyes. “Look, I got married.”

  Taking hold of Angel’s hand, Tate admired the ring. “I heard. Congratulations.”

  “I’m not going to take it personally. I get that you want some space away from this place, but, Tate, this is your family. They all care about you and worry. Tiny was freaking out with the phone call. I was freaking out.
It’s not good.”

  Lash entered going straight for Tate. “My girl was worried. You shouldn’t be this hard to deal with, Tate.”

  “I know. I’m a bitch. I’m sorry.” She glanced down at the counter, feeling the bile rise in her mouth. “Angel, you deserve better from me.” Looking up, Tate focused on the woman she considered her friend. “I made a lot of mistakes the last couple of weeks. I’ve cut you off, and I shouldn’t have done. Will you forgive me? And I promise I’ll do better.” She looked at Angel, hopeful.

  “We’re friends, Tate. I love you and miss you. I’d love for us to hang out again.”

  She let out a breath. “Thank you.” Angel’s forgiveness meant so much to her.

  “Good. Murphy’s asking for you,” Lash said, kissing the side of Angel’s neck. Dismissed, Tate walked around checking all the rooms. She found him sat in the laundry room. His pants were wrapped around his ankles, and he was cupping his junk.

  “Fuck, be careful,” he said, hissing.

  “Stop being a fucking baby.” A woman was knelt in front of him.

  Tate cleared her throat.

  “Tate, tell her she’s being mean, and I did get shot.” He lifted a hand toward her. She went to his side and gasped when she saw the graze on his thigh.

  “It’s not a shot. It’s a fucking graze, and you’re being a baby.” The blonde looked at her, nodded, smiled and went back to work.

  “Did you settle in okay?” Murphy asked, wincing. “Watch it.”

  The blonde kept working.

  “I don’t know you,” Tate said.

  The other woman looked up. “I’m Sandy.”

  “How come you’re fixing him up?”

  “I’m the current doctor in the house. I’ve got a week off, and I’m spending my time here.”

  Tate nodded. “Is Sandy your club name?”

  “No, I get some shit from the guys at work, and I’m a real doctor.”

  “What are you doing here then?” Tate asked, surprised to see a doctor in the compound. Sandy was also very pretty, beautiful even. She clearly wasn’t desperate for attention.

  “It’s easy sex. None of the guys want a commitment, and I’m more than happy being a doctor. I’m not looking for anything long term,” Sandy said.

  “Cool.” Tate nudged his shoulder. “You’re being used.”