by KJ Dahlen
Chapter Two
Jett moved in closer until Dana could no longer deny what he was going to do. He really was going to spank her. She swallowed hard and then his scent hit her. Her heart began to race and she began to tremble as he took the last step that separated them...
Jett asked, “So which do you prefer?”
“I’m a grown ass woman!” Dana protested. “Not a child.”
“Your point?” He stared at her face.
“You spank children, not women.” She tried to tell him.
“Some women need to learn lessons they didn’t learn as children. You have no respect for anyone but yourself and that’s not what I want in my woman.”
“I’m your woman?” Dana was surprised.
“Not yet,” Jett told her coldly. “You have a lot to learn before I make you mine and I’ll be the only one to teach you what you need to know. You got that?” He shook his head. “I will not tolerate cheating. First and last warning on that subject. Don’t press it or you’ll lose. I also can’t and won’t tolerate liars.”
Dana shuddered at the thought she could lose him before she even had him. “I still won’t allow you to spank me. That’s just outrageous!”
“Then you aren’t ready for me.” Shaking his head he said, “I thought you were woman enough for me but I guess you aren’t and maybe you never will be.” He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Too bad, I thought you were the one but you aren’t, are you?”
Dana leaned back and looked into his eyes. She could see the disappointment in his gaze. His scent surrounded her and suddenly she was interested in pleasing him. “I could be but I don’t tolerate pain well. Can you just skip the spanking part?”
Jett took a step back. The look he gave her was anything but friendly. “No I can’t. I always start something on firm ground. You earned this spanking. I told you I would never beat you but I will spank you when you need to learn your boundaries. You have a long way to go to earn my trust, to learn what I will and will not accept as far as your behavior goes. I realize I have to prove myself to you as well, to prove that you can trust me and to be there for you at every turn and that I would never really cause you any harm. This is only the first test for both of us but you aren’t ready for me yet.” He took another step backward and began threading his belt back in the loops on his jeans. “Let me know when you’re grown up enough to be my woman. I’ll wait but I won’t wait forever.” Then he turned and walked out of her bedroom.
Dana was left in shock. She felt like she'd just lost something big. No one had ever walked away from her before. Well, not like he just did anyway, and she wasn’t sure what to do next. Her fingers touched her lips and she remembered well the feeling she had when he kissed her. The way her body felt. She wanted more, she wanted to explore what her body was telling her they could be together, but she wasn’t going to let him spank her. No way. She marched over to the door and slammed it shut, screaming out her frustration as she stomped her feet.
Jett walked back to the main room just as the entire clubhouse heard her scream and her door slamming.
Gunner looked over at Jett with a frown.
Jett shrugged but didn’t say anything. In his mind, there was nothing to explain. He hadn’t touched her.
Boone and Cobra joined him as he poured a cup of coffee.
Jett sat back and stared at his president, then turned to Boone. Holding up his hand, he addressed Boone first, “I didn’t touch her. I know you don’t know me at all but I would never hurt a woman, especially one that I consider mine, but I will show her just how far I will go to make her aware of what isn't acceptable behavior. Only a coward hits a woman in anger and I’m no fucking coward. Cobra wouldn’t have anyone in his MC who was.”
Cobra nodded but din't say a word.
“What was the scream all about then?” Boone asked
“Because she didn’t get her own way.” Jett smiled. “She has to learn just how things will go if she pulls crap on me. I’m not going to let her shit go and I’m not going to give in just because she wants it.”
Boone grinned. “Good for you. If you can tame her, then you’ll have this club’s undying gratitude.”
Some of the men close by chuckled.
Jett shrugged. He didn’t need anyone’s gratitude, but he didn’t say anything.
Winona came out of the kitchen with a coffee carafe. Bringing it over to their table, she sat it down then she nodded at Jett before turning to Boone. “Mom and I are looking for places for the bakery later today. Just so you know where we are this afternoon.” She patted his arm then went back to the kitchen.
Boone watched her go then shook his head. Running his hands over his face, he grumbled, “I suppose that means I better find us a place to live then.”
“What’s wrong with living here?” Cobra asked.
“I’m not risking her life again,” Boone told them both. He didn’t say anything further but instead, he got up and went over to Gunner’s table.
Jett narrowed his eyes as his gaze followed him over to the other table.
“Hmmpf.” Cobra leaned on his elbows and sipped his coffee.
Jett figured Dana must have done something to make Boone feel like his woman would suffer while living under the same roof with Dana. He took a deep breath then stated, “She has a lot to answer for doesn’t she?”
Cobra nodded. “Yes, she does.”
After some discussion at the other table, Gunner and the rest of his group got to their feet.
Moose and another brother went down to the basement and returned a few minutes later with Blacky and Arizona.
Both men had their hands tied behind their backs but Blacky was fighting what he knew was coming.
Looking a bit pale, DeeDee immediately got to her feet and went to the kitchen rather than face his tirade.
Moose led Blacky over to the chairs they'd this morning for the Tribunal hearing and sat him down on it.
Arizona sat down next to him without fighting.
Gunner whistled to get everyone’s attention. Looking around, he waited for quiet. He stared at Blacky and stated loudly, “You have been tried and convicted MC style by a Tribunal made up of your peers. They sentenced you and Arizona to death for your betrayal. Now that sentence will be carried out.”
“This is murder any way you fucking slice it, you are all cowardly bastards!” Blacky shouted.
“And what would you have called it if your plans would have been carried out against us?” Gypsy called out. “That would have been murder too.”
“That would have been justice served.” Blacky sneered.
“Shut your fucking mouth you bastard.” Arizona growled. “You’re just pissed that they caught you before you had a chance to get away.”
“I would like to make a suggestion,” Tramper spoke up.
“Go ahead,” Gunner replied with a nod.
“Anything less than a painful death would be too quick. I think we all agree with this. Blacky has sent enough people into hell and he deserves the same kind of death. A bullet or a rope would be too kind on our part. I think we should let the hounds of hell take him home.”
“Meaning?” Boone asked.
“In the woods behind the property I’ve seen wolf tracks and animals that were torn up. I say leave him to be devoured by the wolves.” Tramper’s expression looked steady and firm.
As this thought set in, Blacky paled by two shades.
Arizona gasped loudly.
Many heads nodded as Gunner looked around the room.
“They will take him to hell piece by piece,” Gypsy told his brothers.
Gunner looked over at Boone and nodded.
“So be it,” Boone called out. “We’ll take them both to the woods and leave them to the wolves.”
“You can’t do that!” Blacky began to sweat now, as he looked stark white. “It’s inhumane.”
“The crime fits the punishment,” Boone assured him.
“It’s b
arbaric!” Blacky screamed as he fought his chains.
“So is what you did for over twenty years,” Gunner stated. “You ruined lives for your own a gain. You plotted against your own brothers in this MC that you helped to establish and you even schemed and hurt your own family. You set this club up to be murdered by wolves, like the cartel and the Russians. It is fitting.”
Blacky glared at him. “I just wish I would have ended your life before I got caught.”
Four men hauled Blacky and Arizona out of the clubhouse.
”No one should die like that! You motherfuckers!” Blacky kept cussing and swearing the whole way.
Only when they were far enough out of range did the rest of the brothers sit down. No one said anything but Gunner got up and began pouring shots.
Boone and Gypsy then got up and began putting bottles of whiskey and glasses on each table.
They all silently sat with a whiskey shot for a long few moments as the clubhouse went eerily quiet.
Gunner finally stood and raised his shot glass. “Never say die to save your soul.”
The men all stood and the shuffling made noise in the clubhouse as they all raised their glasses and downed their shot.
An hour later, the men returned and as night began to fall.
Gunner looked up at them. “You secured them well enough, so they couldn’t get free?”
Moose nodded. “We even left the scent of blood to call the wolves.”
Suddenly, they all could hear the screams from far away.
Tamper shook his head. “Arizona begged for mercy so we cut his throat before we left. He was just a stooge for Blacky. He still deserved death, so he paid for his part in Blacky’s plot.”
Gunner didn’t look happy about any of it, as all he did was nod.
The room was silent, but the men began talking again and it seemed that this was a thing of the past now.
Gunner got up and went to the kitchen. Both DeeDee and Winona were just sitting there.
DeeDee looked subdued, so he went over to her and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry baby. I know he was family.”
DeeDee shook her head. “I’m not sorry. At least I don’t have to look over my shoulder anymore waiting for the knife he’d stick in my back. Our daughters are now safe from that anyway.” She sighed. “I just wish this was the end of it.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Winona asked.
“Blacky and Jared had their fingers in so many pies I’m not sure you’ll ever find them all,” her mother explained.
“Well, he left a lot of paperwork behind and I haven’t read through it yet, so we’ll possibly find some answers there,” Gunner told them. He looked over at Winona. “Maybe until we do have the time, you would reconsider staying here where you’re safe?”
Winona stared at him for a moment then asked, “Only if I have your permission to slap her if she starts something.”
Gunner chuckled. “I don’t think she will. Jett’s claimed her and he looks like he is set on straightening her ass out. But yes, you have my permission.”
Winona nodded as her lips were set in a firm line. “I won’t start anything, but I will finish it.”
Dana made her way to the main room. She sat at a table in the corner and stared at Jett for a long time. The longer she sat there the more attitude she seemed to get. It began with her tapping her foot and then she began tapping her nails on the table.
He just sat there. He kept his eyes blank of expression but he could see her ire rising.
Dana hated being ignored and Jett was ignoring her. She knew it and so did he. She wanted to make sure that showing him her temper was just who she was, but she also didn’t stop to think as she sat and fumed about the right way to get his attention. When the door from the kitchen opened and both Winona and DeeDee began carrying in dishes of hot food out, Dana sneered at them.
A couple of the brothers got up and helped carry out the heavier dishes while Dana just sat there.
When Gunner got up to start the line, he pulled DeeDee in line in front of him.
Boone did the same for Winona.
Dana huffed as she got up and cut in line behind Boone.
Jett stood up and went over to her then pulled her away from the line.
Dana glared at him as she was led by Jett to his table, once there, she snarled under her breath, “What the hell are you doing?”
“You did nothing to help, so you’ll wait your turn,” he told her in a low voice.
Dana looked perplexed. “But I’m hungry.”
“And you’ll eat when it’s your turn,” Jett assured her.
“There won’t be any food left by then,” she complained.
“You can fix yourself a sandwich.”
“You’re being unreasonable and an asshole,” she spat at him.
He raised a dark brow at her whiny tone. “You need to learn a few rules in life. One is that you will start pulling your own weight around here. You earn what is yours, you aren’t privileged unless you work for something.”
Dana just glared at him. She saw most had filled their plates, so she pulled away from him and quickly got to the end of the line.
Jett followed her, they both saw there wasn’t much food left, but there was enough for the both of them.
Filling her plate, she went back to the table and sat down.
Silent, Jett sat down with her. He picked up his fork and began eating his supper. He continued to ignore her.
Finally, she threw her fork down on the table. “Are you going to ignore me altogether now?”
“Sweetheart, you got a lot to learn and it seems you are unwilling to change anything. So for me, you are a person non grata.” Jett nodded.
“And you’re going to make me what? A person grata? Teach me some stupid rules?”
Jet looked at her for a minute before he spoke, “You aren’t ready for more than that. I have lots of patience but I won’t wait forever.”
“You think you’re all of that and more, don’t you?” Dana shook her head.
”You felt the spark between us. I’ve never felt that before with any other woman. My grandfather always told me I would find the one woman I was meant to be with one day. I found her in you, but you aren’t even a woman yet. You’re too much of a selfish little child and that’s not how my woman will be.”
Dana, being curious asked, “What if I don’t want to wait ?”
“You have to prove yourself, not only to me but to this club. And you have a long way to go to get there.”
“What do I have to do to prove myself to you?” she wanted to know.
“I think you know what you have to do.” He smirked at her. “My demands haven’t changed since this morning.”
“Still not a child.” She laughed while shaking her head.
“Just an FYI, your daddy isn’t going to protect you anymore. You misbehave now and you’re toast. These men have had their fill of taking your backlash. I’m the only thing standing between you and them and you have to earn my protection, so you might wanna think about that.” Without even looking at her, he picked up his plate and walked away to the kitchen, leaving her alone at the table.
Dana watched him go and looked around the room. Eyes were looking back and none of them were friendly. She shivered and watched as several of the men began clearing their tables. None of them came near her so she was left to clean up her mess herself.
When she entered the kitchen, there was laughter all around... that is, until she walked in.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and what they’d been talking about to just watch her to see what she would do.
Dana could feel the rejection. It was true, no one would give her the time of day or even really look her in the eyes.
Jett again, acted like she'd never entered at all as he stepped to the sink and helped to clear the plates.
Gypsy grabbed them from him and dunked them into the sudsy water.
Dana looked around at th
e scowling faces. She could feel their distrust and their dislike for her. It was so thick in the air, it came at her like waves of bad vibrations. It was like they thought she had a knife hidden behind her back and might stab anyone of them. It seemed ridiculous to her.
This rejection from so many sank in though and it stung but she was too proud to let it show. She set her dish on the counter next to Jett and stomped her foot as she did so. Then she marched out.
She could hear their voices as she went through the door, so she stopped to listen.
“Such a fucking selfish bitch...”
“Yeah, she walks around like she has a damn crown on her head and we are just her servants.”
“A useless person who does nothing to contribute,” another of the brothers agreed.
Then she heard Jett reply, “People can change though.”
Dana smiled to herself. At least, he defended her.
“Yeah people can, but not her,” Gypsy replied with a scoffing tone. “She’s still that 10 year old child that ran around here demanding everything from her daddy. Like that stomping she does? She was doing that at eight and that hasn’t changed.”
Dana’s shoulders drooped when she heard no reply from Jett. She sucked in a breath and rushed to her room.
Chapter Three
Dana spent a lonely night crying in her room over the things she’d heard from the kitchen. She hadn’t realized how badly she’d treated everyone. She knew she had no one to blame but herself but seriously, she’d been the Pres’ only child, so she’d felt entitled all these years.
Now, not so much. Her world had changed the moment Boone brought Winona into the clubhouse and she’d feared from that day on about how things were changing. Her sister was now taking her place with her dad and the club while she was getting pushed out.
Just before dawn, she rose from her bed and went over to the window to watch the sun come up.
She stood there watching the light chase away the shadows and thought about what all was happening to her life. Thoughts were swimming round and round in her head and soon it began to ache. That and the fact she hadn’t slept much if even at all during the night. All her inner turmoil made her feel overwhelmed.
