No Man Left Behind: A Veteran Inspired Charity Anthology

by Elizabeth Knox

  “I don’t want to be a bother,” her small voice replied, and I leaned over, kissing her on the uninjured side of her head.

  “You’re no bother, sweet Sadie.”

  Skid observed me and when I stood from the bed, she said, “Thank you.”

  “That’s what family is for,” Smokey responded, and Skid leaned over hugging his siblings before we left my cabin.

  We walked to the clubhouse and the gathered brothers followed us inside. Skid helped me make a plate of food for both of them, and one of the prospects was instructed to find Piper and deliver the food to Sadie. Smokey was pacing the floor, his anger barely contained, and we watched and waited for him to give us orders.

  I was always kept away from the more illegal parts of the MC’s operations, but after witnessing Jacob and Sadie so vulnerable and broken, I pushed the last bit of my moral compass to the side, vowing to kill or maim whoever tried to hurt them.

  Skid kept watching me and it was pissing me off, but now wasn’t the time to have it out with my brother. I wasn’t certain what I was feeling for Sadie, but something about her called to me and I wouldn’t give up the peace and tranquility she brought, no matter if it pissed her brother off or not.

  “Here’s what went down tonight, and I want the club officers to vote on how we proceed,” Smokey declared all the brothers focused on what Jacob relayed.

  Skid explained what Jacob said and murmurs shot through the group.

  “What about the girl?” one of the out-of-town chapter brothers asked, and I closed my fists, ready to knock him into next week for asking about her.

  “She’s none of your concern,” Mick replied. “She’s Skid and Gunner’s responsibility.”

  Well, I guess that was his acceptance of my obvious feelings for the small girl who I just met. Skid nodded and held his fist out to me. I pounded mine against his and swallowed the worry that he wouldn’t agree with my immediate decision to claim his sister. Mick was still a Hound, only not as active as he once was. From the haunted look on his face that matched a few of the older brothers, there was more to the story than he was telling us.

  Whatever it was, I would help Sadie slay the demons that chased her, healing her, and giving her peace. If she wanted nothing to do with me, I would have to accept that dagger to the heart, but for now, with the blessings of her uncle and brother, I was content.

  “What do we do about Callahan?” Bullet asked, and I watched Smokey contemplate our next move.

  There were enough Hounds in town for our patching in to run through the Flats and level that shit-hole to the ground. The question was, did we want to make an enemy of the man who saved one of our family or was there something else that could come out of the tragic events that led to him killing a man.

  After agreeing we needed more information on Devlin Callahan and his sudden rise to the top, Smokey advised we would gather in the morning to discuss possibilities. Skid and I left the clubhouse and on the way to my cabin, he gripped my arm, stopping me.

  “She’s a good woman who doesn’t deserve to be a pump and dump. If what I see from you is real, claim her and give her the peace of mind she deserves. Jacob needs a role model and as much as I wish it was me, it’s not.”

  I was stunned speechless as he knocked on the door and entered my cabin. Quickly, I joined him and when I saw her blue eyes find me, relief filling them as she rocked a sleeping Jacob in her lap, I moved next to her and pulled her into my arms. Skid sat next to her, scratching Bear behind the ears as my loyal companion enjoyed the attention.

  Chapter Seven

  Sadie

  I had never had a reaction like I did to Gunner. I vaguely remember falling to the ground, but a distinct scent surrounded me as I was carried into the cabin. A scent that was coming from Gunner. A mixture of leather, motor oil, and a woodsy scent that I thought to be him. Waking up to see Bear watching over me, then experiencing the simple touch of Gunner’s hand to mine made my heart flare and my libido wake up for the first time in my life.

  I never dated or spent time with men. Fear and shame clouded my judgement, and I felt it was best to avoid them after what happened. Piper asked when she was sitting with me if I was hurt again, and when I told her no, she pulled me into a deep hug and whispered to me.

  “Trust your heart, Sadie. You’ll know when it’s the right person.”

  I was confused about what she meant until Gunner walked back in with Dalton, Uncle Mick, Bullet, and her old man, Smokey. My secret from years ago was known by very few, and I made sure to never tell my brother. He was too young to do anything about it then, and he didn’t deserve to carry guilt or anger over something the MC handled a long time ago.

  “Did you eat?” Gunner asked, his deep voice soothing as I rocked a sleeping Jacob in my arms.

  I nodded and looked to my brother to see he had a smile on his face. A rare smile that showed how handsome he really was. My brother had a heart of gold, and while I wished he hadn’t prospected so young, I understood the need to have the support of the brotherhood in his life.

  “I’m going to take Jacob to sleep with me tonight. I wanted you to rest and we’ll figure everything out tomorrow,” Skid said, and he reached for Jacob.

  Handing our little brother over, I slid from the bed, only to find Gunner’s hold on me, keeping me next to him.

  “Where . . . where am I going to sleep?” I asked.

  An unusual fear overtook me, and I felt the tremors in my hands. Uncle Mick sat down as my brother kissed me on the cheek and left with Jacob tucked securely in his arms. I fought the tears watching them leave but knew they were safe. We all were. The MC would destroy anyone who tried to get to us.

  “You’re welcome to come home with me or you can stay here with Gunner,” Uncle Mick replied and leaned back against the footboard, waiting for my reply.

  I looked to Smokey and Bullet, who were leaned against the small kitchen wall and turned my gaze to Gunner. The thought of leaving him was too much to think about and I squeezed his hand, silently asking for his permission.

  He returned the squeeze, and I turned to the men who I’d known my entire life, the men who protected me and slayed the monsters who terrorized me. I lifted my chin and replied, “I want to stay with Gunner.”

  “Thank fuck,” he muttered, and the three men nodded their understanding.

  Uncle Mick stood, the pain in his knees clear to anyone who knew him, and he walked around the bed. Pulling me into a hug, he softly whispered, “He’ll take care of you if you let him. You can trust him, Sadie.”

  I pulled back and saw the sincerity in his statement. Uncle Mick had rented the house I live in while I was recuperating here years ago. He moved me into the house and stayed with me until I could take care of myself. Dalton and Jacob came to stay a few months later when my mother took off and Uncle Mick made sure we were safe. If he said I could trust Gunner, then I believed him.

  I looked up at Gunner and he smiled down at me. I glanced back at Mick, Smokey, and Bullet and said, “Thank you.”

  “Never thank us. That’s what family is for,” Smokey replied and winked before they walked out, leaving me alone with Gunner.

  “Would you like a shower?” he asked, and I lifted my hand to my forehead, feeling the knot under the skin from where I fell.

  “Please, but . . .”

  “What do you need, Sadie? Tell me and it’s yours.”

  “I don’t have anything to wear,” I responded shyly, realizing I would share a king-size bed with a man for the first time in my life.

  I didn’t think Gunner expected sex, but the part of me that was waking up deep inside hoped that one day, I could give him that part of me. Piper explained years ago that the man who was meant to be mine would erase all the pain, shame, and regret that filled me. He would take the broken parts of me and make me whole with his love.

  The way Gunner looked at me told me he wanted to be that person and if I was getting the blessing of my brother and uncle, I wo
uld trust him. He stood from the bed and opened a drawer, pulling out a pair of boxer shorts and a t-shirt. Handing them to me, he helped me from the bed and escorted me to the small stand-up shower in the tiny bathroom.

  Bear, the sweet dog who hadn’t left my side, followed dutifully behind us and once Gunner got me a towel, he pulled the door closed, leaving Bear with me. I wondered why he had a dog when I never saw one around the clubhouse, but figured he would tell me when he was ready. A pair of dog tags hung from the mirror and I lifted one, seeing the stamp into the metal.

  Kade Fuller. Army. O negative.

  Knowing the handsome man who I could hear pacing outside the door defended our country made me fall a little more for him. I looked down at Bear and whispered, “I hope your daddy is for real.”

  He licked my hand, and for the first time tonight, I chuckled. Taking the fastest shower in history, I washed the scrapes on my knees and avoided washing my hair because of the minor cut and knot. I used a washrag to remove as much of the dried blood from my scalp and pulled on his clothes, feeling wrapped in his embrace and surrounded by his woodsy scent.

  Bear watched from his prone position on the floor and when I opened the door, Kade, I mean Gunner, was waiting for me.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, worry etched on his face.

  Needing to be brave, I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, hugging my face to his chest. He enveloped me in his powerful arms, and I felt Bear lean against the back of my legs. His heartbeat was steady, and he slowly ran his hand through the back of my long, black hair.

  Fear that he would feel the scars on my back, I propped my chin on his chest and looked up at him, his amber eyes flecked with green around the edges stared into mine.

  “Is this crazy?” I whispered, and he pulled back, linking his fingers with mine and tugging me toward his bed.

  I crawled in and he covered me with the blanket before sitting on the edge, his hand in mine. I wanted to unburden my soul, but I met him less than two hours ago. What kind of crazy person was I to be here, with him, alone?

  “I’ll stay in the clubhouse if that will make you more comfortable. I never want to do anything that makes you feel pressured,” he explained, and I shook my head.

  “I don’t want you to leave,” I admitted and felt the bed shake from Bear jumping up.

  The German shepherd settled against my leg and looked at us before settling in for rest. Gunner kissed the back of my hand and stood from the bed. He went into the bathroom and returned wearing a pair of shorts and a fitted shirt, showing off his muscles and toned body.

  My mouth watered, and I clenched my legs together as he turned off the lights, leaving the bathroom sink light on to light the path. Settling on his side of the bed with Bear in between us, he laid on his side and I matched his position. We stared at each other and I brought my hand up to his, joining our fingers together. He smiled, kissed my hand again, and whispered, “Sleep well, Sadie. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “Good night, Gunner.”

  “Kade. You can call me Kade.”

  “Good night, Kade,” I replied and smiled before closing my eyes.

  “Good night, sweet Sadie.”

  Sometime in the night, Bear left his position as official separator and when I woke the next morning, I was tucked into Kade’s chest with his arm wrapped around me. Bear was pressed against my back and I watched Kade sleep, the worry missing from his face. He was handsome with blond hair that reminded me of a Viking. Strong, capable, sexy and from the feel against my hip, very well endowed.

  There was a boldness, a newfound confidence in me that made me braver than I’d ever been. I leaned up, kissing him on his soft lips and he shifted, his eyes opening and a smile breaking out on his face.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he said and pulled me tighter to his body. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Better than I have in years,” I admitted and realized it was true.

  Being wrapped in his arms gave me a peace I had never experienced in my entire life. I was always wary of my environment and surroundings, but being with him took all of it away.

  “I’m glad,” he explained and kissed me on the side of my head.

  The sound of motorcycles leaving the club sounded into the small cabin, and I stretched in his hold. His hand on my back stopped and I could feel his fingers grazing the three thick scars running across my spine. His gaze turned worrisome, and I smiled and shook my head.

  “That’s all in the past,” I whispered, and his lips drew in before he blew out a breath.

  Bear sat up and nudged his hand, causing Kade to shift his touch to my side and the tension to drain from his body. If things worked out between us, one day, I would tell him about what happened, but for today, there was no need to add any additional drama and pain to an already strained situation. The conversation last night about Callahan, the new ringleader of the Flats, would have to be dealt with, even if the MC wouldn’t let me be involved.

  “What’s going to happen now?” I asked, and he shifted me until I was halfway stretched across him. He angled his hard length away from me and caressed my face, his thumb brushing over the much smaller bump on my head.

  “First thing is to get you some breakfast and see what the Pres decided. After that, whatever you want to happen.” He smiled, and I leaned down, pressing my lips to his again.

  His tongue swept against the seam of my lips and I opened my mouth, our tongues meeting in the middle as we gently explored each other. He kept his hands where they were and a lightning bolt shot through my body as the kiss grew in intensity. He pulled back and I leaned into his hand as he stroked my cheek and watched me.

  I felt cherished, safe, and faster than I thought possible, I was falling head over heels for Kade.

  Chapter Eight

  Kade

  It was the hardest thing I’d ever done, to leave the bed with Sadie. For the first time since I joined the Army over seven years ago, I slept throughout the night without a nightmare. Bear usually woke me from them, but to wake up with Sadie in my arms and Bear tucked into her back gave me hope that she was really meant to be mine.

  I gave her something to wear and walked outside with her hand in mine, Bear following closely behind us. Jacob yelled from the picnic pavilion when we rounded the corner to the clubhouse.

  “Sadie!”

  She smiled and we walked over to the youngest Watkins sibling, who was being doted over by Piper and a few of the other old ladies. She sat down next to him and I kissed her on the head before going inside to make us a plate and coffee. When I returned, Skid was sitting on the other side of her, speaking low with a smile on his face.

  His eyes caught mine, and he stood, giving me the seat next to her. We enjoyed the early morning before the heat kicked up, eating our breakfast, and not discussing the incident from yesterday. I knew we would meet soon, and I didn’t want to bring it up in front of Jacob.

  “Are you my sister’s old man?” he asked me, and Sadie spit her orange juice out, showering a laughing Dalton in the sweet, sticky juice.

  I linked my hand with hers and wrapped my arm around her as she looked around the table. Everyone had a smile on their face, and I looked at the little boy, a small carbon copy of his brother, and asked, “I want to be. How would you feel about that?”

  Sadie was a package deal, and I wanted Jacob to like me. He perked up and exclaimed, “She’s happy and that makes me happy.” The table awed, and then the little man spoke clearly and directly to the point. “But if you hurt my sissy, I’ll kill you while you sleep.”

  It stunned me into silence. Skid put his fist across the table and the little man pounded it with a smile on his face. I smirked and looked at a shocked Sadie.

  “What do you say?” I whispered into her ear and she turned her face to mine.

  “I’ve never wanted anything more, but . . . is it too soon? We just met.” Her whispered words spoken only to me and I leaned
over, kissing her, giving her my answer.

  “Hounds! Church!” Bullet yelled, and I stood along with the other brothers at the table.

  “I’ll be back. Bear, stay with Sadie.” He laid down at her feet and I kissed her softly, rubbed my hand through Jacob’s hair, and sauntered into church, feeling like I owned the world.

  The club officers wanted a meeting with Devlin Callahan. Skid and I were told we were attending. I wanted to meet the man who saved my girl’s brother and see for myself if he was the type of man that could be trusted. I got Sadie and Jacob settled into my cabin with Bear and just before noon; we rode out, twelve members strong.

  Riding through the Flats, I watched as people scurried into their houses and felt power from my patch. We never terrorized citizens, but the club’s reputation proceeded us. We pulled up to an older house that was well maintained and parked our bikes in a row along the curb. No one would touch our bikes and as a group, we walked to the front door and Smokey knocked with force.

  The door opened, and a man answered with a looked of disinterest at the wall of Death Hounds staring him down.

  “We’re here to speak with Callahan,” Smokey explained to his bored expression, and he stepped to the side, allowing us to enter.

  Heavy boots and leather filled the room and shortly, a man entered, wearing black flak pants and shirt and two guns tucked under his arms. He took in the scene and extended his hand to Smokey.

  “What can I do for the Death Hounds?” he asked, leaning against the wall.

  “You kill someone last night?” Smokey inquired, and he tilted his head, rubbing his hand along his beard covered jaw.

  “Some asshole was trying to jack a little kid, so I ended him. Was he one of yours?”

  “The kid belongs to us. The asshole . . .” Smokey shrugged and let the sentence die.

  “So, what’s the problem?”

  “No problem, we just wanted to find out what your reasoning was behind it and to say we’re in your debt.”