by Em Petrova
His gaze penetrated hers for a long minute and then he did something she hadn’t seen from Titus in years.
He laughed.
The deep baritone chuckle filtered into her ears and spattered a million stars and little hearts across her brain. Under her body, his chest vibrated, and the creases edging his eyes and hard lips couldn’t excite her more.
When he cupped her bare buttocks in his big palms, she sucked in a gasp. He sobered. His eyes took on an intensity that showered her with all the love she never thought she’d feel from Titus.
The seeking brush of his lips on hers burned along her senses, and she trembled in his arms. Gently, he caressed her ass, gliding his callused fingers across her flesh and leaving a trace of fire to scorch down between her sticky thighs.
He skimmed the undercurves, and she gulped for air.
“You want me again.” He nuzzled her nose with his.
“I’ll never stop, Titus.”
He grasped her knees, bringing her to straddle over his hard cock. “Sink over me, baby doll. Fill up your pussy with my cock.”
Her mind blazed with ecstasy as she angled downward, pressing against his swollen cock head until it entered her. Stretching with each inch, she sank over it until she felt his balls snugged against her ass.
His jaw clenched, and she grew aware of how much she affected him too. If she hadn’t believed her own words that they were somehow bonded before, she did now. The person who tried to tear her away from this man would pay, because it would be a damn crime.
Moving her hips, she slipped up the eight or so inches of his cock. Each ridge and vein had her gasping. He clamped his fingers over her nipples and looked into her eyes as he pinched them hard—then harder.
She cried out and rocked faster. As she bottomed out, he issued a growl. Reaching between their bodies, he stroked the pad of his thumb over her clit.
Juices flooded them both, and her release stole her breath and left her blind with passion. She kissed him through the dark waves of pleasure, and only when he grunted and poured his hot cum into her did she open her eyes and see him staring at her with so much love in his eyes that she knew…without a doubt…there was no going back now.
“There’s a party at the clubhouse.” Juliette set aside her phone after receiving the text and reached for her water. A few raspberries floated in it, and there wasn’t a bottle of vodka to be seen. She was actually drinking water—proof again that she didn’t belong with the heavy drinkers, smokers and hard lifers in the Dark Falcons club.
Blade included.
Hell, his name alone was enough to send normal people running. And the minute they caught wind of his last name, his reputation sank even lower, thanks to his damn father.
Juliette stood and slipped up behind where he sat at the kitchen table. She wrapped her arm across his chest and leaned down to his ear. “We can go to the party together.”
“I won’t be going. I’ve gotta see my family.”
He felt her arm tense around him. Slowly, she straightened and walked to her chair. When she dropped into the seat, the table rattled, sending the raspberries in her glass bobbing.
She leveled her stare at him. “What is really going on?”
He shoved away from the table and gained his feet.
She moved faster than a streak of lightning. Jumping in front of him, she barred his way. She got in his face, forcing him to meet her gaze.
“It’s time you answer my questions. What did I drive that getaway car for?”
He blew out a breath through his nostrils. “I won’t tell you and make you an accomplice.”
She stood so still, he got the illusion she was a statue, carved by a loving artist from stone. If not for that tendril of blonde hair that twitched near her jawline, he’d believe it.
With a sudden jerk, she came to life. “I already am an accomplice! I’m in this with you. It’s you and me, like I told Rio.”
Jesus, she was right. Trying to protect her would actually hurt her.
The last thing he wanted to do.
He sank to the chair again and drew her to stand between his legs. She placed her hands on his shoulders, and he gripped her waist. When he tipped his head against her, she cradled his face. Breaths coming fast, she waited for him to speak.
“This mess I’m in has to do with my father.”
His breath trickled from him with the admission. From that moment on, the words flowed out. He told her about the threats coming from the Engers and how they wanted vengeance for what his father did. It didn’t matter that he was already behind bars for life—they wanted more.
So they went after Creed. Next would be his sister and her family. More cousins. Eventually Blade himself. They’d already taken out his dog.
At last, he lifted his head and met her stare. Her eyes were clear and focused—and for the first time, he saw a resemblance to Rio in the calm in her eyes. The calm before the storm, he knew from his friend’s actions. That calculating look would either save Blade or wreck him. If Juliette thought to go after these people…
“So what exactly did you take from that house, Titus?” Her soft voice felt like a warm balm to his scarred soul.
“Evidence they intended to use to frame Creed.”
“And what did you do with it?”
He hesitated. Seeing a spark in her eyes, he knew he must come clean. She deserved that. “Burned it.”
She nodded. “What comes now?”
“Dunno. I check on my family. Keep tabs on them all to make sure they’re okay.”
Her eyes took on a light of awe. Shaking her head, she drew him against her again. “You say you’re not good enough, but you’re the best man I’ve ever known. Look at what you’re doing—protecting everyone in your family. Everyone around you.”
He brought her closer in a tighter squeeze, his throat clogged at hearing her words. For a minute, he couldn’t think of a response. The only thing circling his brain was: You’re wrong.
Smoothing her palm over his hair, she curled in half to kiss his temple. The breath of life filled him, and he dragged her down into his lap, kissing her with everything in him that really was good.
“Whatever good I have, it’s yours. I share it all with you,” he rasped between sweeps of his tongue.
She clung to him, her weight sweet in his lap. Anchoring him.
When he tore free, he crushed her close, his lips buried in her silky hair. “I’ll drop you at the clubhouse for the party.”
She leaned away to look at him. “But you’re not going?”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He hoped to hell he made it, but who knew what the fuck he’d sink into while checking on family. He could be hiding a dead body next.
Chapter Seven
When Juliette entered the clubhouse with Blade, every person turned to stare at them. The honeys narrowed their eyes to slits at the fact she had stolen away one of their most eligible Dark Falcons, one many set their sights on winning for themselves.
His warm touch at her spine propelled her forward, and she met their gazes full on. He led her to the table she usually shared with the club wives and girlfriends. Before she sat, she turned to him, a palm on his chest.
He stared into her eyes. “I’ll be back for you.” He dropped a light kiss to her lips and crossed the room to the bar where Tank and some of the other brothers stood.
Juliette didn’t remove her attention from him, watching how he leaned in to talk to the guys. A whisper started among the ladies, and it turned into squeals.
She whipped around to follow what gained all their excitement, and her jaw dropped.
Rio entered the clubhouse carrying his daughter Harley, and beside him was Courtney.
“Holy shit,” Fiona said on a throaty laugh. “The honeys lost two men in one night!”
She giggled in response but jumped up to hurry over to Rio. When she approached, she smiled at Courtney. She hoped now that Rio was finished being stubborn about havin
g a woman in his life, she’d see a lot more of Courtney and her baby niece.
Reaching to take the baby, she grinned at Rio. “Can I take her for a bit and spoil her?”
He rolled his eyes. “Like I could stop you.”
She took the chubby girl and cuddled her close. She smelled fresh and powdery, and she inhaled deeply as her ovaries exploded and her biological clock sprung a couple springs. When she looked up, she found Titus staring at her intensely, his eyes soft.
Then he spotted Rio coming his way and his mouth grew grim. She reached out for Courtney’s hand. “C’mon. Let’s have a seat.” She led the way to the table with the woman following. More and more darts of malice shot their direction, but she ignored them and focused on Harley.
But it was impossible to miss the fact that Titus and Rio were speaking in clipped tones too low for anybody to overhear, let alone her across the room. Somehow, she knew innately that the conversation was about her.
Rio nodded and stepped away. Titus extended a fist, and her brother bumped knuckles with him.
Juliette’s stomach pitched at seeing the sentiment that should only make her happy. Whatever her brother agreed to, she hoped it didn’t leave her with a desire to get him drunk and tattoo the word dumbass on his face after he passed out.
Harley giggled at Courtney playing peekaboo with her, and Juliette bounced her a little on her lap as she watched Titus stride out of the clubhouse without a backward glance.
An hour passed and little Harley couldn’t be more spoiled by all the eager ladies in the room. At one point, she even saw the biggest Dark Falcon of all, Tank, toting the baby in one arm as she peacefully slept like a lamb curled up with the lion.
After a second hour passed and then a third, Juliette’s stomach burned with tension. Where was Titus?
She paced in front of the bar, wondering whether to knock down a drink or two to calm her nerves or to stay lucid. If he returned and needed her…
She would drive his getaway car any day. No matter what he asked, she trusted him.
She considered shooting off a text to him but thought better of it. If he wanted to talk to her, he’d contact her. And she wouldn’t risk interrupting him in case he required total focus on whatever it was he was doing.
Club members started to leave for the night. A few took themselves off to another party at a mutual friend’s place. Honeys waited to be chosen to go home with the hookup of their choice, many of them leaving alone and disappointed. When she saw Rio and Courtney gathered up baby Harley to take her home and tuck her into bed, she hurried over to him.
He glanced up from slipping a light jacket on the baby’s chubby arms. “You ready to go?” he asked Juliette.
She clenched her fists. “No. Blade told me to wait for him.”
Rio looked at her. “He told me to take you home if he wasn’t back.”
She started pacing, shaking her head as she did. “This is all wrong. He should be back!”
Her agitation brought some of the club officers over. Rio passed off the baby to his girlfriend and stepped in front of Juliette, stopping her in her tracks. “He’s fine. Just come home with us and I’m sure he’ll be in touch with you.”
She sliced a hand through the air. “No! He was going to his family’s house. Something must have happened to him.”
Overhearing her, Dixon moved in too. “What’s going on?”
“Blade’s not back. He told me to take her home,” Rio said.
“I think he’s in trouble,” she spoke at the same time.
Dixon’s attention snapped to her. He flicked two fingers for some of the others to come closer and listen to what she had to say.
She wrapped her arms across her middle, trying to stave off the bone-deep fear she felt right this minute.
“Tell us what’s happening, Jules.” Dixon placed a hand on her shoulder.
She sliced a look at Rio. Her brother’s brows drew downward at whatever desperation he saw on her face.
“Rio?” Dixon prompted.
“We have to tell them, Rio,” she pleaded.
He flicked his jaw toward the conference room. “I call a meeting.”
Several of the guys smirked at a non-member calling a meeting in a clubhouse he also didn’t claim as his own. He turned to Courtney and passed her his car keys. “Take the baby home and put her in bed. I’ll be there in a bit, okay?”
She nodded and shifted the baby in her arms. Rio leaned in to kiss both of his ladies goodbye for now and then walked to the door of the conference room. Juliette followed them inside, and somebody closed the door to keep their discussion private.
All of them faced Juliette.
“What’s happening?” Dixon asked.
Rio threw her a cautioning look.
“He’s too stubborn to ever ask for help even if he needs it. You know it, Rio!” she cried.
“What help does Blade need?” Tank edged up to the table with the rest of them, but nobody sat.
“I’m telling them, Rio.”
Her brother gave her a single nod of agreement, and she spilled the story of Blade’s troubles. When she mentioned the Engers, Tank pounded a fist on the table, and several others clenched their fists at their sides.
“Where was he going tonight? Did he say?” Dixon demanded.
“No.” The syllable wobbled on her lips. “Only that he was seeing his family. Creed was already attacked, and they were framing him for some crime. It’s why we broke into the house—”
“Jesus, honey. You broke into a house? You’re a kindergarten teacher,” Diesel said.
“I was helping Blade. He went in and I drove.”
“What did he get in the house?” Dixon looked about to leap to action and go after their brother.
“I don’t know exactly. Only that he burned it.”
“Fuck.” Rio scraped his fingers through his hair. “This shit’s getting dark.”
Patriot gripped his shoulder. “You don’t have to be in it. He’s our brother and we’ll go find him. Back him up if necessary.”
Rio’s expression darkened. “No, goddammit. Blade’s my brother. Always was and always will be. And it’s about time I take on the rest of you sons o’ bitches too. Give me a patch.”
Diesel and Patriot clapped him on the shoulder while Dixon walked to the side of the room and pulled a new patch out of a safe. When he handed the patch to her brother, Dixon’s lips were grim. Rio couldn’t look more serious.
“Welcome to the Dark Falcons. It’s about goddamn time, Rio.” He extended the patch to him.
Rio took it with nothing short of reverence. “Thanks, man. I’ll stand by you all and do you proud. Now…let’s go find Blade.”
“I’m ready,” she said at once.
Dixon turned to her. “Stay here with Fiona. Go to our place with her and wait.”
“I can’t do that. If Blade is in trouble—”
Rio wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Then we’ll get him out and set things right. Listen to Dixon, Jules.”
A shiver ran through her as the adrenaline spike she’d been running on for a couple of hours now crashed to baseline.
She looked between the men and saw they’d never allow her to come with them anyway. She had to trust them to find Blade.
In the front of the clubhouse, all the members lingering after the party gave them their attention. Dixon looked to Fiona and then to Juliette. She saw Fiona nod.
“Go with Fiona,” Dixon said to her.
She drifted through the space to her friend’s side, watching as Dixon rallied the remaining men for a ride.
Fiona placed a fortifying hand on Juliette’s arm. “It’s hard being their women, but your job is to support Blade when he returns.”
She twisted to her club sister, swallowing the cry lodged in her throat. “That’s what I’m afraid of, Fiona—what if he doesn’t?”
For as long as Blade could remember, he relied heavily on his instincts. The burning sensation on his n
ape and the weight in his gut had told him to check on his sister and her family today.
Thank Christ he had too. He had her and the kids in a state of panic getting them packed and into the car on their way to her friend who lived in Virginia Beach. As he buckled his young niece in the car, he gave her a fat stack of cash and told her to give it to her mommy when they got there.
After watching them drive safely away, he went inside her house to lock up.
Again, at the front door, he hesitated, that crawling sensation on his skin alerting him to a danger he had yet to see.
One peek at the street showed him why. The Engers had arrived for his sister—or followed him here—and he was pinned inside.
Having already made a sweep of every door and window to ensure they were locked and barred, he withdrew the pistol concealed along his spine and waited.
The first hour he could have taken a nap it was so dull. He passed the time counting Engers and their thug friends. Took pictures of them with his phone too, for their obituaries if it came down to it, he thought grimly.
But soon they grew tired of waiting for him to come out and started ramming in the front door.
The heavy thud of bodies striking the wood had him on his feet, weapon pointed at the entrance. The door gave a loud crack, probably splitting at the hinges. They struck again, and Blade held his breath as the door exploded inward.
He knew the color of the man’s eyes when he pulled the trigger and took him in the shoulder, throwing him back. Two more men rushed him, and for a deadly quivering moment, he only saw Juliette in his mind’s eye.
The sweet and beautiful woman refused to walk away from him even after he threw up all the warnings he could. Over the years, she’d shown him her strength and drive, but until she started fighting for him, he never saw that side flourish.
Bullets sprayed through the open door, and he rolled behind a wall.
“Bancroft! There’s no use in hiding from us. Question isn’t whether you’ll die tonight—it’s how slow or fast it happens.” The gritty voice he recognized as the eldest Enger’s.
“How fast did your dad die, Enger?” he sliced with the dirtiest twist he could think of.
