Lochlan (Broken Deeds MC, #5)

by Esther E. Schmidt

  “I knew it,” Lips squeaks, making all eyes land on her. “Oh, don’t mind me.” She dashes up and jumps in her ol’man’s arms.

  The annoying woman whispers something in Deeds’ ear and he gives me an appreciative smile. Fuck. Why do I get the idea these two will plan something both me and Lochlan won’t be happy about?

  I need to have a little chat with Lochlan as soon as we’re alone. All of this is his fault anyway, looking edible and gazing at me as if he wants to have sex on this table, not caring at all if people are around. Oh, yikes, there are kids in the room.

  Lochlan breaks me from my train of thoughts as he holds out a bag. “Hungry?”

  “Even if I wasn’t, I can always eat.” Sad, but true.

  I dash up on one leg, grab my crutches and start to go in the direction of Lochlan’s room. Hell, yeah, I’m taking this opportunity to hightail it out of here. Once I’m inside his room and hear him close the door, I spin around and though I have my words ready, I’m completely left speechless as he throws the bag on his bed and captures me in a hard kiss.

  Okay, kisses from this man trumps food any time of day and yet I have to pull back because no matter if we’re living in the moment—which I’m all for—there are other people involved now.

  “Wait, wait, wait,” I manage, making him groan. “Yeah, back to the kissing in a sec, but you have to know your Prez’s ol’lady is a sneaky bitch who is gonna cause trouble. You were right, and she shot so many questions I managed to dodge but then she asked what your deal was and I flipped because that’s personal and so none of her or my business and then you come in and we go all ‘need sex now’ looks on each other and she’s over there preparing her bow to shoot fucking arrows in our asses so we’ll fall in love!” I seethe.

  “You’re rambling again. All I heard was the ‘need sex now’ so I’m gonna agree to all of it.” The smug smile on his face needs to be wiped off.

  I grab his head with both hands. “Focus.”

  But his eyes travel to my lips and I completely forget why it’s important we handle Lips and...my mouth meets his and as soon as our tongues connect, not even a fire alarm would draw my attention. Anything other than this man doesn’t matter, the only need burning through me is to get closer and gaining the pleasure we’re both after by giving our bodies to each other. We’re living in the now, and if Lochlan isn’t bothered by what I just said...why the hell should I care either?

  Chapter 09

  ***Lochlan***

  Five weeks. It’s been well over a month since I carried Xena into my room here in the clubhouse and I’ve been inside her almost every day since. It’s a compulsion. I need to have her and it seems we’re both on the same level when it comes to consuming each other. She’s not clingy or dramatic or anything else. Fuck, no. She’s open, light, fucking easy to be around, and fun sharing every spare minute with.

  “Can we get your attention back here with us instead of dreaming about the red-hot pussy you’ve been eating?” Muffler says, making my eyes hit him. “Unless you want to spill some details, then I’m all in for spicing up this boring meeting.”

  I’d like to shove the ninja star—the one he’s using to clean his nails with—down his fucking throat, but Deeds’ voice snaps through the air. “Boring, Muffler? Is nailing down scumbags who molest, assault, and put fucking bullets into other human beings too boring for you? If so, scratch an itch along your neckline with your damn ninja star or I will do it for you. You no-good fucking idiot.”

  Muffler shoves the sharp thing away and mutters, “Sorry, Prez. You have my undivided attention. I’m all for annihilating scumbags.”

  “Pansy,” Kray snorts, earning him a glare from Muffler.

  Deeds ignores them and glances at me. “How is the case coming along? Find anything to incriminate him? Did you talk to the witnesses who backed out? Are they still not saying shit? Did you change their mind? Talk to me.”

  “He’s like a fucking eel, slippery and slithering away at every turn. It’s no wonder local law enforcement can’t do shit. Nothing seems to stick, it’s like he’s making shit disappear with money. I’ve looked through his background to see if there’s any link or motive to be found. Did you see the first reported incident happened at the exact date his mother died twenty years ago? There weren’t many details in the report but it stated it was a car accident and Bugsy was present, six years old at the time. He’s still living with his dear old dad; did I mention this? A damn grownup but refuses to leave the nest. I’m sure his father knows what kind of asshole he put on this earth because I’m fairly sure his wallet is keeping his son out of trouble,” I sneer in discontent.

  “Wesley Speck’s his father, right? I guess we’ll have to see how long dear old dad is willing to open up his wallet when he realizes the money flow has run dry. Make sure to freeze all Wesley’s accounts. Cut him off and let him soak for a few days before paying him a visit to let the fucker know we’re on to his son. I don’t care if Wesley or his lawyers get up our asses about it, let’s fire up the heat. Oh, and Lochlan, my ol’lady mentioned something about a party tomorrow night Xena is attending. I’m fairly sure Bugsy Speck will show his face seeing it’s a high roller event. Make sure you’re going with her as her date. Better hold off a day with closing daddy’s money tap so Bugsy will still think no one is on to him. It will give you a chance to observe without interfering first.”

  Anger rises for two reasons, one being the fact I didn’t even fucking know Xena was invited to a party tomorrow, the other being, “You know this fucker chases couples, right? I ain’t putting my,” I swallow my next damn words and clear my throat, “her. I ain’t gonna put Xena at risk.”

  “She won’t be,” North states. “Kray and I will tag along. There will be eyes on her at all times. And you know Bugsy attacks the dudes, right? Making the women witness so they won’t say a word ‘cause they’re scared shitless. Meaning he’d go for you, not your girl. She won’t be harmed and I, for one, know she can handle herself pretty well.”

  The fuck? “What the hell do you mean you know she can handle herself?” If he harms her, he’ll regret ever being born.

  Fucking hell, in the amount of time I got to spend with her my heart has felt less heavy. I didn’t think it was even slightly possible to lighten up a heart that’s been turned to stone. Even if I’m not ready to admit any damn feelings, I can’t, I won’t ever be able to. But this shit North is stating? I won’t ever risk Xena. I won’t drag her into my work, she has nothing to do with this dangerous asshole who’s escalating before our eyes.

  “Sit down, Lochlan,” my Prez snaps and I didn’t even realize I left my chair and am ready to lunge over the damn table to grab North.

  “Anything you would like to say to us there, Lochlan?” Broke, my VP, raises his eyebrow. “Admit you have an ol’lady? Stake claim? Because it sure looked like you were protecting what’s yours a moment ago.”

  The whole room falls silent and I can feel the blood pounding inside my ears.

  I bite the inside of my cheek until I can taste blood before I snap, “I don’t have an ol’lady.”

  “Sure looks like you’re in loooooove,” North swoons overdramatically.

  I point right at the fucker. “I don’t love anyone. My fucking heart is dysfunctional and isn’t capable of that fucking emotion anymore.”

  “Nice, no claim. Free. Fucking. Range. I’m eating some red-hot pussy tonight,” North states and it’s the last thing the fucker says before I pull him over the table and punch him in the jaw.

  There’s shouting but all I have eyes for is North. I slam the fucker against the door and the thing opens, making us tumble to the floor. He scrambles back to create enough space between us to get to his feet. We’re standing in the middle of the clubhouse. I brace myself, clenching my hands to plant my fists in his face again, but I don’t get a chance.

  All I see is a wave of red hair dashing in between us as North drops back onto the floor. Xena jumps on top of
him, her arm goes back, and her tiny fist swings through the air as she lands a hit on his jaw. A grunt leaves her before she plants another one in his face.

  “Kick his aaaaaassssss,” Lips screams and jumps up and down, cheering my woman on while Deeds gives her a stern look, making her swallow her cheers in a shrug.

  Kray snatches Xena around the waist, pulling her off North and again I lose my shit. I roar at the top of my lungs but Xena is elbowing Kray in the face. He loses his grip on her and she rushes toward me as I open my arms and welcome her, holding on tight. Out of breath and filled with fury I look down at my brothers while all of them fucking smirk at me.

  “Wanna adjust your statement there, buddy?” Broke chuckles as he offers North a hand to pull him off the floor.

  “No,” I snap.

  I don’t have to acknowledge he’s hinting at Xena being my ol’lady. I can’t. I’m not capable of giving her what she needs. Even if we both live in the now, don’t want kids, and have many more similar life-fitting shit. Point is; she deserves more. But when push comes to shove, I don’t want to give up the time we spent these last few weeks enjoying each other.

  “And don’t even think of testing her either,” I growl, making sure they don’t team up on me, or her for that matter.

  Once a brother states a claim, both get inked with the Broken Deeds MC patch with a name added to it. But until they do, my brothers are allowed to test the loyalty of the woman. Loyalty toward me, toward the club, she needs to be proven worthy. I don’t want this shit landing on her shoulders. I ain’t stating a claim and if my brothers get it in their thick heads they want to play cupid and set us up...they’ll have more ass-whooping coming.

  “She doesn’t need to be tested,” North states with his hand rubbing his jaw. “Four fucking times she defended you. Though I liked the first two times when she made sure your drunk ass was taken care off, and now this time though...fuck, woman, you have a mean streak inside you.”

  A growl rumbles through my chest in warning. Xena turns in my arms and now I’m holding her for a different reason as she tries to go for North.

  “Then you’d better not piss him off again, asswipe,” she snaps.

  “How’d you even know I’d piss him off, huh? Maybe I pissed off Kray and Lochlan here volunteered to kick my ass,” North challenges.

  Xena snorts. “Not a chance in your life, asswipe. Lochlan wouldn’t care if you pissed off your other best bud...Kray would kick your ass himself.”

  North looks at Deeds before his eyes land on mine. “Like I said, no need for testing, man. She’s got a clean pass.”

  “What the hell are you guys talking about?” Xena puts her fists on her hips and is now glaring at everyone. “Somebody better get to talking because I get a feeling you guys have been discussing me or something else involving me.”

  Fuck, this is a damn mess. Why can’t we just keep shit as it is? No difficulties, just live. Have sex, no strings, no damn words or discussions but just...live.

  “Come on.” I try to grab her by the elbow to guide her into church but she rips her arm away from me. “Start talking. I mean it, Lochlan. I don’t like bullshit or damn hints, speaking in codes like your brothers just did while I have no damn clue what all of this is about except for the fact it involves me. Now’s the time, dude. Spill.”

  I lean down in her face, getting more agitated by the damn minute. “I will, just not here, get the fuck inside church and I’ll give it to you straight.”

  Her eyes narrow and fire swirls inside. I know I should have controlled my temper but I feel as if I’m losing my damn grip here on every-fucking-thing.

  “You know what? Don’t fucking bother. I’m out of here,” she states and her shoulder collides against mine as she stalks down the hall toward my room.

  I wanted privacy for our chat so my room works just fine. Ignoring the glares of all the damn people in the clubhouse, I follow Xena, who tries to slam the door in my face. She grabs her bag and starts to shove the stuff in there she placed on the bedside table and in the bathroom.

  “What the hell are you doing?” I question.

  She spins around to face me. “What does it look like? I’m going. My foot is all healed—has been for a while now—and I’ve clearly overused my stay,” she sighs and lets the bag fall to the floor. “Sorry, I shouldn’t overreact. But it’s nothing, okay? Besides, we both know it was only for a few days and it turned into a few weeks. I’m going to my brother, help him out with the bar and check out a few apartments while I’m at it. We’re friends, right? Friends don’t live in the same room and have sex almost every night. It’s confusing and I get the idea your buddies in there complained about it to you and again, it’s okay. I have things I need to do anyway so I might get shit started and get on with it.”

  She gives me a sweet smile and grabs her bag again to shove the remaining things in there. I don’t even know what the fuck to say. Seriously. What. The. Fuck. Do. I. Say?

  “It’s the party you’re going to tomorrow night, right? You’re leaving to have a clear conscience, to go on and fuck someone else.” Brain fart. That’s it, I’m sure.

  I feel like everyone is provoking me at every turn and I need for her to know she pisses me off by leaving. Even if it’s for the wrong fucking reasons, I don’t care. My chest hurts and I want to hurt her too.

  She gapes at me for a breath or two before fury overtakes her and she shoves me against my shoulder. “Asshole. You don’t have any reason to say shit like that. I don’t.” She closes her eyes and sucks in a breath to calm down. When we lock eyes again, she gives me a tight smile. “Goodbye, Lochlan.”

  And just like that...she walks out the fucking door.

  Chapter 10

  ***Xena***

  “You look hot, Xena, be sure to enjoy yourself tonight,” Frank, the bouncer—who’s holding the door open for me—states as I walk out of my brother’s bar. “Want me to call you a cab?”

  “No worries,” I point to the car slowing down and parking at the curb, “I got a ride. But thanks, Frank.”

  Frank has been with my brother since he opened the bar. He’s an okay dude with a big heart, also looking out for me like my brother does.

  “Good. Then be sure to take a cab home, otherwise call.” See? That’s Frank.

  “Will do.” I give him a thankful smile before I get in the back of my friend Sophie’s car.

  I’m surprised to see Gavin, Sophie’s boyfriend, is driving. He gives me a nod and a smile in the rearview mirror and I turn to Sophie. “Hey, you look amazing.”

  And she does. She’s wearing a silver cocktail dress, and with her blonde hair in wavy curls flowing around her round face, she looks very classy and gorgeous. Gavin is wearing a light gray suit and they look quite the impressive couple.

  You know why I’m surprised Gavin is behind the wheel? Sophie considers her car her sweetest pet. Once she even canceled on me when we were supposed to go out for lunch because it was raining and she didn’t want to take the car out of the garage. That’s taking it a little too far in my opinion but I guess everyone has their own things in life they value.

  “Thanks for picking me up and letting me drive with you guys. And in your car no less, Sophie...are you sure about letting Gavin drive?” I tease.

  She gives me a smile and her eyes land on Gavin for a blink of a second, adoration shining in her eyes before they land on mine. “Gavin can handle her flawlessly. And besides...what’s mine is his, well, almost,” she beams and shows me her hand where an engagement ring sparkles on her finger.

  “Oh, my gosh, it’s gorgeous!” I gush and take her hand to get it closer to my face to take a closer look.

  Sophie called me earlier today to ask if I was going to the party tonight. Now I know why, she wanted to tell me in person about her engagement instead of over the phone. I wasn’t planning on going tonight. Mainly because of Lochlan. I walked out of the clubhouse yesterday and haven’t heard anything from him since. Not that
I expected to, but it still stings though.

  I thought we were friends but the way he acted, it’s all twisted. And yes, I’m sure I overreacted too, it’s all confusing. I’m confused. Maybe it’s because I now realize we might have passed the point of friendship, even friends with benefits doesn’t add up to what we were, or did it? Because I’m pretty sure I fell for him, and it most definitely wasn’t part of my plan. Hell, I’ve never had a freaking plan in all my life, let alone this one.

  And it’s all too fast, even if we did spend almost every second of the day for weeks together. We have electricity between us and are very compatible on every level. The kind of connection that’s more than you can ask or freaking wish for. It’s overwhelming and makes chills run down my spine, both from wanting him and the confusion of it all.

  But seeing I didn’t hear a peep from him since, it’s clear what we had is a book I don’t have to open and start exploring. And with me not being a needy, whiny woman who worships the ground he walks on...he can go screw himself.

  Hence the reason I said yes to going tonight. It’s time to get back to business. These kind of parties are like marketing. There are producers, managers, casting agencies, top management, and high-class folks who are people who made a name for themselves or know someone; connections.

  It’s all about showing face and talking to the right people. So here I am, in the back of my friend’s car with sexy pumps, thankful I’m able to wear a small heel with my foot healed. I’m wearing a dark green cocktail dress with an open back and a slight V-neck to show off some cleavage. I don’t need to mention I couldn’t wear any panties because of the low cut and the silk fabric.

  Not that anyone would notice, and for sure I’m not looking for a hookup of any kind. Hell, the weeks I’ve been staying with Lochlan, we’ve been going at it like bunnies so I’m locked and loaded for the next few years or so; I don’t need sex with anyone else any time soon.