Lone Wolf

Chapter Two.

Five and a half years Later...............

It was saturday and Morgan had the day off and yet still had to go to Chrome to get her check, bribing Iris into the car with the promise of ice cream she pulled into the parking lot at around three. She had barely parked the car when Iris bolted from her seat.

"Iris, we're not staying long." Morgan called.

Her five and a half year old however, was already darting into the garage and Morgan could hear all the bikers cooing over her daughter. She hook her head and approached at a leaisurely pace, knowing Iris was safe as could be in the garage.

When she first started working there she's avoided the bikers at all costs and tried her best to keep Iris away from them as well, but over time it became impossible to keep them from seeing her daughter in passing.

Soon enough Iris had adopted the large man as uncles and it was impossible to keep the child away from them. Morgan had attempted to keep her at home but often Iris would cry and beg to go see them. The men themselves treated Iris like a queen, they'd spend hours seeing she was entertained.

They warmed to Morgan and over time she'd began to see them all as friends, except for Wolf.

He never had warmed to Morgan, and she had never learned to trust him. More than once he's scolded her on bringing Iris to the shop and Morgan did her best to keep both herself and Iris away from him.

He was never intentionally cruel towards her or her child, but he regarded Iris with an indifference that seemed cold and Morgan with the same attitude he would an impertinent child.

She entered the garage to fine Iris perched on top of a car hood. Swinging her legs gleefully as Zeke, Demon and Ty all vied for her attention.

"Iris, five minutes. Okay?" She asked as she passed.

"Okay mommy."

As she reached the office door she heard Iris whisper to the men.

"We're going for ice cream," She said as if it were a big secret.

Morgan stepped into the room and found Lacy behind the desk as always. Lacy was one of the most driven and hard working bikers in the crew. She was respected by all the men in the group, Wold included but she and Morgan had remained close friends and Lacy spent most of her time working the desk at the auto shop.

"Hey," Lacy called.

"Hey, I'm here for my check."

"Where's Iris?" Lacy asked, opening a drawer.

"Out with the guys, wowing them with her tails of puppies and ponies."

"She's been good for them, she softened them all a bit."

"Being soft can get you killed in this business," A deep voice said from the doorway.

Both women turned to see Wolf leaning against the doorway that lead to his office. Lacy rolled her eyes at him and turned back to looking for Morgans check. Morgan dropped her head to stare at her shoes, she wasn't afraid of Wolf, not really. He'd never done anything to cause her to be afraid but she knew he was a dangerous man.

"What's on the schedule for tomorrow?" Wolf asked Lacy.

"Nothing, we're having that party tomorrow. Remember?"

"I'm not going, you can schedule a few cars."

"You're going, you're the boss you have to be there." Lacy argued, her hands on her hips.

"If I can just get my check..."Morgan began sensing the impending fight.

"Stay right there!" Wolf snapped.

Morgan fell quiet as Lacy tossed an envelope with her name on it on the counter.

"You're the leader of the MC, you have to be there to induct the new members. That's how it works, I didn't make the damn rules." Lacy said.

"I'm the president, I should be able to decide where I need to be and when."

"We have this fight every year and every year I win, why do you even bother?"

Wolf shook his head and glanced at Morgan. She was pretending not to listen but had to agree with Lacy.

"Are you planning on coming to this party?" he asked.

"I...."

"I'll put you and Iris down," Lacy said.

Morgan didn't want to go, every year Lacy dragged her into it. They bikers would all be there and a few older retired ones as well. Some would bring their wives if they had any, most would show up with a random w***e for the night. Morgan always felt out of place at those events.

"I don't know if I'm up to it Lace," Morgan said.

"You're going," This from Wolf.

"I don't ride with the club, other than cleaning I barely know anything about it."

"You're still family and you're coming," Wolf said.

Morgan couldn't deny the club treated her like family, she was invited to all events. At Christmas there was always a toy from a secret Santa for Iris and something small for her. When Iris was sick and in the hospital once with a bad flu there had been no shortage of toys, flowers or balloons.

Morgans pay was generous, enough she was able to buy a better car which the men always made sure ran perfect and a modest apartment. She could afford her bills, food and then a little extra. Thanks to Wolf and his club she and Iris were well taken care of.

"Fine, but I don't think Iris will be with me. She hasn't been feeling good and I don't want her out late."

"Okay, I'll just put you down then." Lacy said.

"Will you be able to find a sitter?" Wolf asked.

"I'm sure the regular girl won't mind a few hours."

He gave a quick nod then disappeared back into his office. Morgan let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Something about him always set her on edge, her chest would tighten and her stomach would clench and breathing became increasingly difficult. Sometimes when she was cleaning and he'd enter a room she could feel his eyes on her and it was frightening.

"So, I'll pick you up tomorrow at eight. Yeah?" Lacy asked.

"Yeah, I guess that'd be fine."

"Great! Here's your check."

Lacy handed her the envelope and out of habit Morgan opened it and looked inside. On top of her already generous check lay a hundred dollar bill. She pulled it out and showed it to Lacy with a questioning look.

"What's this for?" She asked.

"It's your birthday this month, right?" Lacy asked.

"Right but...that's not necessary." Morgan said.

"Tell him that," Lacy motioned at Wolfs door.

Morgan glanced at the door then slid the money back into the envelope. She put the envelope in her back pocket and headed for the door.

"I'll talk to you later," She called to Lacy.

"Bye."

Morgan stepped back into the garage, Zeke was walking around with Iris perched on top of his shoulders. He was currently digging in a tool box for something while Iris eagerly watched.

Of all the bikers there Zeke was the strangest and most surprising. He was a large man, well over six feet and closing in on seven, he was broad shouldered with dark hair that was slightly graying. He was older than the other but didn't look like it too much, his younger brother Ty was also in the gang and far softer than Zeke.

Zeke was a lot like Wolf, closed off, quiet and a longer but Zeke adored Iris.

"Come on Iris," Morgan called.

"No, we're fixing a car." Iris said importantly.

"Come on, let Zeke get back to work."

"Shhh, he doesn't know I'm up here."Iris said.

"What? How'd you get up there?"Zeke asked faking surprise.

Iris giggled and leaned away from his fingers as he pretended he was trying to snatch her up.

"No wonder my back has been aching," Zeke continued.

Morgan winced as Iris leaned dangerously far back on his shoulders, a fall like that could kill her.

"Iris, let him help you down."

Zeke laughed as he approached Morgan

"You know what honey? I think your moms afraid I'll drop you."

"He won't mommy." Iris assured her.

"Yeah mommy." Zeke teased.

Morgan reached for Iris as he grasped the small child around the waist to life her from his shoulders. As he did so he briefly let go and letting her drop and inch or two.

Morgan lunged to catch her and Zeke laughed as he handed her over, obviously doing the mock drop on purpose.

Iris giggled happily completely at ease and not at all concerned that Zeke wouldn't catch her.

"That was a dirt trick," Morgan said.

"That's how I play."

"Do you need your place cleaned this week?" She asked, balancing Iris on one hip.

"Nah, Becky came by and straightened up. Are you coming to the party tomorrow?"

"Looks like it."

"Any chance you're bringing cookies?"

"No, probably not."

"I will make you cookies."Iris said.

"You will? That'd be great." He said to her.

"Someday when I'm all big and grown up I'll marry you. Then I'll bake lots of cookies."

"It'd be my pleasure, princess."

Morgan laughed and shook her head. The antics of the little girl never failed to amuse and her attachment to Zeke was always a source of entertainment.

Zeke was a hard core bachelor, he never went on dates, never had an old lady and barely ever let one of the groupies that hung around chrome entice him.

His brother Ty was almost the opposite, he was a ladies man through and through. He was friendly and out going, always the life of a party and the first to introduce himself. Ty was the polar opposite of his brother.

"You have a baby sitter squared away?" Zeke asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure the usual girl won't mind."

"I'd be more than happy to do it."

"You're the vice president, you have to be there."

He gave noise of protest and rolled his eyes. He was about to say something when a booming voice interrupted.

"Zeke, I don't pay you to stand around all damn day!" Wolf yelled.

"Oh, he said a swear." Iris said.

"Kiss my ass, I'm on break." Zeke called back.

"You're always on break, get back to work!"

"We better go before you get in trouble," Morgan said

"Yeah you better get her some ice cream." He replied. 

"With Sprinkles," Iris added.

"Okay, I'll see you at the party." Morgan said

Zeke gave a nod befored heading back towards a car that was on the lift. He rolled up his sleeved and Ty move aside to point at something. 

Morgan turned and carried Iris towards the door.

"Can I come to the party?" Iris asked.

"No, not this time."

"Why?"

"It's a grown up party."

"Oh, okay."

Iris lay her head gently down on Morgans shoulder until Morgan safely loaded her in the car. She was strapping the girls restraints when Iris spoke.

"Mommy?"

"Hm?"

"Why don't we adopt a daddy?"

Morgan froze and stared at Iris for a minute or two before finishing the straps on he seat.

"Just give me one minute, and I'll answer that. Okay?"

"Okay mommy."

Morgan shut the door and walked around to the drivers door. She hesitated a minute, trying to find the words to explain life to her almost six year old. She took a minute before climbing into the car. She turned in her seat to give Iris her full attention.

"We don't have a daddy because sometimes it's better for little girls that way, we're okay just the two of us. Aren't we?"

"Yeah, but.....why don't we adopt another daddy?"

"What brought this up?"

"I don't know, sometimes I just wish I had a daddy."

"You have the guys, they all love you." Morgan said.

"Yeah, I guess so. Mr. Wolf doesn't."

"He does, he just isn't very good at showing it."

Morgan breifly wondered why she was defending him, he didn't like her anymore than he liked her daughter. He treated me as if they were an obligation that constantly put him out.

"Can we get ice cream now?" Iris asked, with the kind of distraction that could only come from a child.

"Sure."

"It's your birthday today, huh?"

"Yes it is," Morgan said starting the car.

"How old are you mommy?"

"Old."

"I should have buyed you something."

"I have the best present I could ask for, I have you." Morgan said.

Iris frowned and chewed on her lower lip before turning to stare out her window, the car falling silent and the little girl deep in thought.