The Snake Bites MC

Chapter One - Snake -- present day

Duke, the club's 2nd in command, Hammer, the club's sergeant at arms and I, were driving back from a meeting I had to attend as president of our motorcycle club when we realised we were not that far from the stunt company that Spirit had set up when she'd left the army on medical grounds about five years ago now.

We hadn't seen her in nine years, not since my father's funeral and our unforgettable night together with Duke and Hammer.

When he could, Doc had visited her, but they'd mainly gone back to communicating via email messages and phone calls.

It being close to my father's anniversary had made me realise that she was due to turn thirty in a few days and so we'd decided to drop in.

When we reached Mac's Stunt Company, we weren't challenged at the entrance gate and so we drove until we saw a building marked 'main offices' and parked our bikes outside it. Their deep rumble had caught a few people's attention but the person I spotted shading her eyes and watching us with a slight frown was our very own....or so I wished....Spirit.

She was dressed in a jumpsuit that left nothing to the imagination and we watched her with mounting interest as she approached. Her curves had filled out nicely and she was all woman now.

"Hey Spirit," Duke called as he swung his long jeans clad leg over the bike and ran his fingers through his curly blonde hair.

She looked between the three of us and her expression easily conveyed the fact that she wasn't thrilled to see us.

"I go by Siobhan, Duke. Siobhan McGregor."

Wow. Married? Doc never mentioned that.

The name of the company made sense though because she had been McKenna when she set it up and was now McGregor so nothing had to change and it also included 'hubby'.

"Is everything ok?" she asked and I frowned, "Doc's not ill or something?"

"No, everything's fine. Can't we just pay our friend a visit for her birthday?" Hammer asked, his tone reflecting his disappointment at her lukewarm reception.

"Birthday? Oh god, yeh, thirty in a few days. Sorry, yeh of course. Sure, it's lovely to see you. What has you so far from home?"

"Club business," I replied, sitting on the saddle of my bike with my legs stretched out and my arms folded across my chest, facing her.

Spirit let her gaze wander for a few minutes and then seemed to shake herself. Hammer was still straddling his bike, his tight cropped dark brown hair slightly spiky where the wind had caught it. A lock of my black hair, that was longer than usual fell over my eyes and she tracked my movements as I ran my fingers through it, back into place.

A tall lean guy jogged up behind her, slipped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on the top of her head. Speak of the devil, I guessed.

"What's the hold up, Sunshine? We need to get this stunt in the can before we lose the light."

Sunshine? I couldn't see that nickname really suiting our Spirit but then what did I know?

She gestured to us.

"Some of my friends from back home dropped in, for my birthday."

He glanced up and then he smiled.

"No don't tell me, let me guess..." he said and she shushed him.

He looked from one to the other of us and then back to me.

"You're Snake, you're Duke and you're Hammer....am I right?" Our names were on the back of our leather waistcoats, our cuts that identified us for the Snake Bites MC but he couldn't see them so I was impressed.

"Spot on man. You must be the husband we've heard so little about," Duke quipped and he laughed.

"This is Douglas McGregor," Spirit introduced him, her tone slightly exasperated.

He stepped around her and shook our hands, his grip firm and confident, his eye contact solid. This guy knew who he was and was happy in his own skin.

"Mac to everyone that knows me."

"Well you kept that quiet," Duke commented, "how long have you been married?"

"Six months, two days," Mac glanced at his watch, "five hours and fifty minutes give or take. We always planned to once I was out of the army which only happened earlier this year. Sunshine's told me so much about you guys, you're a hard act to follow but I do my best being only one man and all," he joked and she smacked his bicep.

"Jesus, Mac. Sorry, he has no filter. I'd better go do this. You guys sticking around for a while? We'll grab dinner once these stunts are in the can in about an hour," Siobhan suggested and we nodded our agreement.

"Come over here and you can watch the stunt. She credits her love of all things dangerous to her upbringing with The Preying Reverends MC but I think it's gotta be in your blood," Mac led us to a roped off area just behind a set of cameras.

"Well, her father was one of the founding members of the club and a bit wild by all accounts," Hammer offered and Mac nodded.

We could see Siobhan pulling on a helmet and getting into what looked like a normal car.

"So she's going to drive at the ramp and just before she hits it the squibs will simulate an explosion and when the car's at the height of the jump she'll bail and land on the crash mat."

This I had to see. I remembered Spirit as a child throwing herself off trees and making ramps for her bicycle before she was allowed a small motorcycle. She was always a whirlwind of activity and always pushing what was safe.

"Ok everyone. We're going for a take. And.....action!"

The car came around the bend of the pretend road and Spirit floored it. She was right on track to hit the ramp and then the mock explosions kicked in. The door of the car flung open and she flew through the air and landed perfectly on the crash mat. The car crashed to the ground into what looked like a pile of sand, a total write off.

Several men ran forward and helped her off the crash mat. She pulled off the helmet and shook out her auburn hair and it glinted in the sun showing all the different tones it held.

"You get what you need, Kumar?" she asked.

"Kumar Farer," Mac explained, "one of the top action directors at the moment."

"Yes, it was perfect. Now we just need the inside shots and we'll be done for today."

She gave us a wave as she headed for her trailer to change for whatever was next.

"Let's go over to the studio and you can sit in on the continuation of that scene."

We followed Mac across the lot and into a warehouse style building. It was chock full of equipment but set up in the centre of the space was a mock-up of the car they'd just fucking totalled. It was suspended above a replica of the pretend road from outside just at the height where Spirit had jumped out.

"So how did you guys meet?" Duke asked as we took some seats pointed out by Mac.

"Basic training in the army. First day, I watched her spar with her partner and I knew I wasn't going to let her out of my sight ever if I could help it. As luck would have it she was looking for someone to pop her cherry and I was more than happy to oblige. She seemed so together but when I got to know her I realised she's this weird mix of tough cookie and vulnerable soul and you don't know whether to challenge her to an arm wrestle or wrap her in cotton wool and protect her."

The three of us frowned at one another. Had Spirit cheated on this guy with us that night?

"Oh look. We kept it casual to begin with so she was a free agent when she hooked up with you at the funeral. Actually, when I offered to give her a 21st birthday gift of my own I drew some inspiration from what she'd learned from you three, so thanks for that," Mac rambled on and if anyone else had spoken about Spirit so freely I'd have decked him but the guy said everything with a tone of awe and love.

"Mac, Spirit's right. You abso-fucking-lutely have no filter," Duke said and Mac just laughed it off.

Everyone's attention shifted to Spirit as she entered. Now she was wearing high heeled pumps, a pencil skirt in black that stopped at her knee but hugged her curves up to her waist. She wore a tight t-shirt that enhanced her breasts and she carried a suit jacket. She stopped at a group of men who began putting her into some kind of harness. Hammer let out a low whistle and Duke elbowed him.

"No, I get it. She's more of a fox now than ever and every day I pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming that she chose to be with me," Mac admitted and we nodded our understanding.

"To simulate the jump she made outside they have to pull her into the jump from standing and she'll land on that crash mat. Those are the clothes the actress will be wearing for the rest of the scene."

Spirit got into position on a platform at the door of the car.

"We'll go for three dry runs without the explosions. Everyone set?"

Kumar, the director counted in the explosions and then they engaged the pully and Spirit flew up and then down into the mat. She got to her feet quickly and took up position again. We could see what the camera was capturing on a low screen to our right and it looked good to me anyway.

After the third dry run when Spirit stood up she ran a finger under one strap of the harness. Because of the angle of the jump her left rib was taking most of the pressure of the tug that got her moving.

"Ok, we're going for a full take. Everyone set. Do last checks," Kumar instructed and several people moved around.

She got back into position and waited.

Kumar counted down, the mock explosion went off sending a plume of white smoke across Spirit so she was slightly obscured as she flew towards the mat. A large fan engaged and blew the smoke clear but Spirit lay still on the mat.

"Why isn't she getting up?" I asked.

Mac was on his feet and moving as quickly as the three of us so we let him take the lead.

"Medic," he called and a young man jogged into view.

Spirit sat up and there was blood rolling down from a gash on her forehead. The medic began to do a series of checks and when Spirit insisted she was ok he cleaned and dressed the cut. He helped her to her feet and she indicated her ribs. He handed her a cream.

"Thanks Paul."

Paul turned to Mac.

"Just keep an eye out for any signs of concussion and give me a bell if you need me later."

Mac slapped him on the back and when we looked back to Spirit I had to bank down all notions of desire. They'd removed the harness and she had her t-shirt rolled up so that a little bit of bra peeped out. She was rubbing the cream into her ribs which were likely bruised and her skin was smooth and lightly tanned. I could just see a hint of muscle but she was lean and toned.

"Sam, what in hell happened?" Mac snapped at an approaching man.

"The explosion rocked the car and the door closed slightly just before I got pulled. The corner of it caught my head as I passed it," Spirit explained.

"Who was responsible for last checks?"

"One of the interns..." Sam looked around but obviously couldn't see the culprit, "I'll put more senior staff on the last checks in future."

Mac stepped in close to her and whispered something to her and she nodded and then they kissed. His arm stayed solidly around her waist and I was glad to see her accept his support.

"Look we can head out if you're not up to dinner," I said but she shook her head.

"No, just give me a few minutes to change, ok?"

We waited outside her trailer.

"From what I understand from Siobhan the MC is like a family, right?" Mac asked out of nowhere and it took me a minute to process his question.

"Sure," Duke replied.

"Good. I just wanted to make sure that if Siobhan, Spirit to you, ever needed you guys you'd be there for her, right?"

"Abso-fucking-lutely," Hammer replied.

"Without fucking question," Duke confirmed.

"Too fucking right we would," I chimed and he smiled.

I didn't get the chance to ask him why he thought she might need us as she joined us and we went into dinner but I filed it for later review.

Dinner was very enjoyable and we learned a lot about Mac and Spirit's life here with the stunt company. He was obviously besotted by her and she by him. I felt happy for her and I mentally closed a door that had been creaking half-open for the last few years. Idiots that we were had left it too late to make our move and now she was off the market forever.

When it was time to leave she kissed each of us on the cheek.

"Don't leave it so long, next time," Mac suggested," I know she won't admit it, but she misses you guys and Doc."

He draped his arm around her shoulder and she leaned into his side, resting her hand on his chest. I had to admit that Mac was the first man I'd seen touch her that hadn't made me want to rip his arms out their sockets and pummel him into next week.

"We won't, we promise."

Six months later

We drove slowly through the stunt company entrance and to the same spot where we'd parked on our last visit. Everything was much quieter and a sombre mood prevailed.

Paul, the medic, approached us. Today he was dressed in a black suit and white shirt.

"The service will take place in the main studio but Siobhan asked me to send you to her when you arrived. It's this way."

We followed him past the offices and through a small alleyway. Behind these buildings was a house. He rang the bell and an older woman answered the door and led us inside. The sitting room was small and held mainly women and so our presence shifted the dynamic. A group parted and we spotted Spirit just as she spotted us.

Her gaze fell on Doc and then she sprang off the couch and ran into his embrace. She buried her face into his chest and he stroked her hair.

"I'm so, so sorry, sweetheart," he mumbled.

After a few moments they parted and she turned to us.

"Oh guys....thank you so much for coming."

Without any hesitation she flung her arms around my neck and I caught her in a bear hug. She squeezed and pressed herself against me as if she was trying to drain strength from me to fortify her. She repeated the hugs with Hammer and Duke and then led us out of the sitting room and into a home office that was empty and quiet.

By the time she turned back to us she was crying.

We gathered around her. Doc stood at her back with his hands resting on her shoulders. She took mine and Duke's hands in each of hers and leaned into Hammer's side.

"Just be with me for a few minutes before I have to go out there, ok?"

After about five minutes she released us.

"Thanks."

She pulled a tissue from the wrist of the long sleeved black dress she wore and dried her eyes. She straightened her spine, took a deep breath, smoothed her dress.

"Ok, I'm ready. Can you stay close, please?"

"Of course, honey," I confirmed.

The coffin sat on a trolley at the back of the hearse and as we approached she paused.

"Would the four of you carry him in? He'd like that," she asked and we immediately agreed.

The funeral people showed us what to do. We took our positions. Doc and I on one side and Hammer and Duke on the other with Spirit behind, her hand resting lightly on the end of the coffin.

Doc and Spirit sat into the seat reserved for family and we realised that Mac had no family in attendance. We took the seat directly behind.

The ceremony was simple. Several people spoke in remembrance of Mac with some going as far back as his childhood. Finally it was Spirit's turn to speak. As she stood up I could see she was trembling and Doc gave her hand a squeeze. I stood and offered her my hand to help her from her seat. She gripped it and tugged so I linked her as we made our way to the front and over to the lectern. I stepped back a little but stood close enough that she could feel my presence.

"I'm not really sure what I want to say about Mac, my husband, best friend, lover and soul-mate. He was kind and strong and at times infuriatingly protective and I owe him my life, twice now."

She glanced at those gathered and a few were smiling and nodding.

"The first time he saved me was when we were deployed together and during a sniper attack on our convoy I was shot several times. He dragged me to cover, risking his own life and then kept the bleeding under control until I could be taken back to base."

There were a few murmurs from those in uniform and I realised I hadn't known she'd nearly died or that Mac was a hero.

"The second time was just a few short days ago... when we realised the stunt was going wrong," she swallowed and shifted on her feet, "instead of focussing on himself and leaving me to fend for myself he made sure I was unbuckled and pushed me clear of the car. He left himself no time to escape and part of me is furious at him for doing that because he's taken a piece of me with him to wherever he is now. I will never forget him," her gaze drifted to the coffin.

"Sleep now baby on the anniversary of our marriage. Keep protecting me from the great beyond because I'm gonna be lost without you."

The last part came out on a sob and her hand shot back to me and I grasped it. She turned into my embrace and I walked her back to her seat.

Mac was cremated a short distance away and then we all returned to the main studio which had been rearranged to allow smaller groups to gather and have some food.

Spirit mingled while we watched her from a table in the far corner. Every so often her gaze drifted to us until finally she came over and sat down.

"How are you holding up?" Doc asked, rubbing circles on her back.

"Honestly I think I'm numb."

"That's understandable," Hammer picked up one of her hands and held it loosely in his, tracing its back with his thumb.

"We can stick around for a few days if that helps," Duke offered, "We saw a motel not far from here."

There was a pause and I could see her weighing it up.

"That would be great, thanks, but there are apartments above the studios big enough to house the four of you, you don't need a motel."

"I think Mac would approve anyway. He liked you," she added.

"Honey, I'm sorry, but I can't stay. The hospital is short-staffed so I need to get back to work," Doc said and she assured him it was ok.

A few hours later, when all of the guests had left, we followed Spirit to her house. She opened the front door and stepped inside and her shoulders slumped. It was almost midnight and we knew she must be exhausted.

"We'll see you in the morning..." I began to say but she turned and caught my wrist.

"I can't face being alone here tonight. Would you stay with me, please?"

We each nodded and Hammer closed and locked the door. As we moved through the house making it secure and switching off lights Spirit kept glancing at us.

She led the way up the stairs and into a large master bedroom. She walked backwards until she reached the very large bed.

"Spirit, sweetheart, tell us what you need."

"I need strong arms around me, a broad chest beneath my cheek and the warmth of a male body behind me."

Slowly she undressed and for each piece of clothing she removed we matched her until the four of us were naked. Although her husband had only just been buried this didn't seem wrong or disrespectful to his memory. He'd always given her what she needed, it seemed and now we were going to continue his legacy.

She crawled to the centre of the bed and knelt up, reaching for us. We positioned ourselves around her. She patted the mattress and asked Hammer to lie down on his back and then she stretched out her body on top of his. Duke and I lay on our sides on either side of them with a hand touching some part of her body.

Gently she began to kiss Hammer's chest and we each stroked her back, her arms, her legs. She parted her thighs and without warning she took Hammer's shaft inside. She rolled her hips and their coupling was smooth and easy. Their orgasms arrived in perfect timing and she pressed a kiss to his lips as he slid out of her.

She moved off his body and lay with her back to Duke's chest and I gazed at her across Hammer's body. Once again she led the way and took Duke inside while he kissed and caressed her back and Hammer fondled her breasts.