“And I’m glad to see you’re still alive,” Gracy mutters before she shoots him a vicious grin and asks, “How’s your fiancée doing?”
There isn’t a twitch on his face as he instantly replies, “Still breathing and plotting ways to kill me, the usual.”
The corner of my mouth twitches. The deal he made through his uncle to make the cartel Rush was working with back off, is backfiring because the woman he needs to marry turns out to be a temperamental spitfire and quite his match.
Gracy was there when he needed to pick her up from the airport and has been visiting her regularly. As a result, they have started to build up a friendship. Clemente doesn’t even seem phased by the fact Gracy takes his fiancée’s side most of the time when it comes to any argument thrown between them. He’s actually happy those two hit it off as friends.
“Give her my best,” Gracy chuckles and I follow her into the hallway.
Clemente leads us to a large room with a fireplace. The rest of the space is breathtaking but the fireplace is huge. Large enough to burn a body instead of some wood chunks. I rip my eyes away from it and glance around.
Two large couches are placed across from each other with a table in between with a fluffy white rug draped over the granite floor. The ceiling is high and so are the floor to ceiling windows on one side of this space. I count two big green plants and nothing on the wall. It’s a modern interior and yet it radiates no warmth.
“Gracy, Eddie,” Stephano’s baritone voice rumbles as he steps closer and holds out his hand for me to take.
“Sir.” I nod and shake his hand.
His attention shifts to my woman, his daughter.
“Gracy,” Stephano says again and takes her hand in both of his. “I’m glad you could come.”
“And I’m glad you killed Spencer.” She gasps at her own words and releases a string of curses as she pulls her hand away from Stephano.
Gracy’s head swings to me and she’s wearing a look that states, “I told you this would happen.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.” Stephano releases an uneasy chuckle and points at the couch. “Why don’t we have a seat and have a little talk, it’s way overdue, don’t you think?”
Gracy smiles at him and follows Stephano to the couch. I’m about to do the same but Clemente stops me. “Eddie, can I have a word?”
I glance at Gracy but she’s already wrapped in a discussion with Stephano and when I see him handing over a pile of pictures of her mother in her younger years, I know these two need to have a private talk. Clemente and I slip out of the room and head for the garden.
“Did you drag me out here to give those two some space? If so, I could use a cold beer.”
Clemente shoots me a grin and takes out his phone and types away. It doesn’t take long for a guy in a suit to stroll out, a bottle of Heineken in each hand. There’s a moment of silence where we watch the guy leave and just sit to enjoy the sun beaming down on us.
“Rush is handled, I thought you needed to know,” Clemente suddenly says.
My head whips in his direction. “Handled?” I question, wondering just what he means by this because Rush was handled; rotting in jail for the rest of his life.
“Remember the deal I made with my uncle when I reached out so the cartel would disappear from this district? It included for them to clean up loose ends. Rush died in a prison riot yesterday, we just received confirmation.”
All I can do is stare at Clemente. He takes a slow sip and gives me a wry smile. “You didn’t think we were going to allow the chance of him escaping and coming anywhere near Gracy, did you? He killed her mother, Eddie.”
I slowly shake my head, understanding his reasoning but also aware how his life and mine are worlds apart. His ways are ruthless whereas I was seeking justice. And yes, my thoughts might have gone to the place where I wanted to kill Rush with my bare hands but I’m also aware of consequences. I guess Clemente and his father don’t have those problems.
I take a pull from the cold beer and almost spit it out when Clemente says, “I need your advice on how to handle a woman because I’m not going to survive handling the one I’m saddled up with.”
Motherfucker, how does this guy easily change topics like this, and for fucking real, “Are you seriously asking me this? You, a man who practically runs the underworld of California, can’t handle one single woman?”
“I could,” Clemente grunts. “But that would mean I have to follow into familia tradition I don’t want to dabble in. There’s a difference in control, Eddie. You of all people should know what the MC is like when it’s being led by you or when it was swallowed by the dictatorship of Rush. You have the men’s respect while they had none for Rush. And it’s not that I want her to respect me, but a form of being equal would be nice.”
I think of how to answer his question. “There is no simple answer, Clemente. The two of you need to find a way to come together. If you’re going head to head together this fierce it shows raw emotion. The whole fine line of love and hate.” I swallow another sip of my beer and tell him, “First time I met Gracy it didn’t exactly go smoothly. We were snapping and grunting at each other. I’m telling you this because a connection can be instantly and might have to settle before it can be exploited. Who knows, the way you flare up and go head to head with each other...it might lead to fireworks between the sheets.”
Clemente stares hypnotized at his beer until he drags his gaze away and mutters, “Who knows.” His head swings my way. “We’ll find out next week since our wedding day is set. How about you and my sister? Any plans on getting married?”
“Way to shift the attention from you to me, asshole.” A bark of laughter slips past my lips and flows away as his question roams around in my head. “To be honest...if I knew she’d say yes, I’d drop to one knee and pop the question right fucking now. There might be a lot of uncertainty in life but she’s the one thing solid, she’s mine.”
“It would have been nice if you’d ask my permission first,” Stephano grumbles from behind us, making me turn to stare in the watery eyes of the woman who will always hold my heart.
“Then you’d better get on one knee and pop that question because my answer would be yes,” she croaks, giving me her heart to hold in return.
EPILOGUE
Seven years later
— GRACY —
A third. I can’t believe I’m staring at another stick with lines. Eddie is going to be thrilled while I need to blink a few times to process the fact I’m pregnant for the third time. Growing up I was an only child, Eddie too. Ever since I became aware I have a brother, we’ve grown close and I have to admit, our bond is special.
Clemente was overly excited when he heard he was going to be an uncle. It’s where Eddie is dropping our two sons off now for a day of being spoiled by my side of the family. Our oldest son, William—named after Eddie’s father—is six years old. Our youngest, Lucas, is four. Well, I guess he’s not our youngest anymore because the tiny life of eight weeks old has claimed that title.
To think today is our anniversary. Seven years ago, he asked me to marry him just a few weeks after we met. Some might have thought it would have never last but we knew our connection was deep and real.
We didn’t even need a lot of time in between and had a small wedding at the clubhouse with all the bikers. Eddie’s mother was there, Travis, my father, Clemente and his wife. And Eddie’s friends, Chance Bateman and Aubrey Bloom. Though they have become my friends too over the years and we frequently visit each other.
My hand lets go of the stick I just peed on and I wash my hands while staring at my reflection in the mirror. Maybe this time it will be a girl. Maybe another boy to add to the soccer team Eddie has in mind. I’m not kidding, the man wants a truckload of kids but as we mentioned in the weeks we started our life together...one thing at a time. Which translates now to one kid at a time.
I head downstairs and mentally check what I have to eat in this house. When
we found out I was pregnant, Eddie wanted to add to his mother’s bungalow. We all loved the idea and he talked it through with the architect of Maggie’s construction company and together with Yates they made a plan and set things in motion.
Eddie added a few spare bedrooms along with a special bedroom downstairs with an extended bathroom for Maggie. She’s not getting any younger, though the way she enjoys spending time with her grandkids says otherwise, because she can entertain them for hours. This little fact makes me question where she gets the energy from since some days, I’m completely exhausted.
Between running the estate and the kids, there’s little time to put my feet up and do nothing. But I guess when I find the time to sit on the patio with a kid on each side while Eddie is sitting next to me, Maggie on the other side and Finn sleeping at our feet...it makes everything worthwhile.
And when you think of the extra special moments where we all sit and stare at how the sun kisses the water goodnight as we cuddle our kids close. Who dares to complain about hard work while you get so much in return for the life you live?
There’s a balance in our life where we all reap the benefits. The construction company is still in Maggie’s name while Eddie and Yates are the ones who run it. The estate is in Eddie’s name though I’m the one running it most days while Travis, and all the other personnel do their part too.
The MC is where we spend a lot of time and like I said, there’s a balance. Eddie and I have our date night once a week where we most times end up in the clubhouse relaxing with the guys while they enjoy a beer and serve me wine. We have careless chitchat and I’m thankful we haven’t run into any dangerous things our life together started out with.
Though, I have a feeling it also has something to do with my father and Clemente. Those two might have thrown out a memo that stated “Touch her and die” because even Yates has mentioned it to Eddie how smooth sailing these years have been compared to all the previous years they were in this MC.
I glance at the list of groceries I need to pick up and smile at the little doodles on the bottom. I’m pretty sure Lucas added something for himself on the list and it warms my heart when the memory hits me of my mother. I used to do the same thing...add stuff like cookies and chocolate.
I can feel a tear slide down my face but it’s not the sadness that overtakes me, it’s the loving memory I keep alive because she touched my life in ways she’ll always be connected with me. If only she could see me now. Also a mother and yet again my belly is filled with the promise of new life.
“You’re crying?” Eddie grunts as he stalks into the kitchen, his hands cupping my face the next instant. “Why?” he demands while his thumbs brush away the wetness on my cheeks.
“Lucas added to my grocery list and it made me think of my mother...sweet memories,” I croak.
“Her blood is running through you, and through our kids, she’s still here with us, darlin’,” he murmurs and pulls me against his comforting chest.
“I know,” I whisper and wrap my hands around his waist. “I’m just a bit emotional with all those pregnancy hormones running through me.”
His whole body goes tight for a second before I’m being ripped away from his body. Two strong hands are holding me at arm’s length to allow him to lean in and press his nose to mine. “Did you just...are you saying? Pregnant?”
His eyes hold all the love I have for this man as I give him what he’s desperately wanting to hear. “Yes, Eddie, you’ve managed to knock me up again.”
“Fuck, yes,” he bellows and hoists me up against his body and starts to spin me around.
He lets me slide down and takes my mouth in a ravishing kiss. His tongue dominates mine as my hands slide into his hair, my nails teasing his scalp to egg him on. Eddie grabs my ass and places me on the counter, mindlessly shoving up my summer dress until his hands still on the garter belt I’m wearing.
I know he’s obsessed with them, even more than I am so it feeds both our addictions and I have a drawer in the bedroom that’s overflowing with sexy lingerie. Ever since Eddie came into my life the meaning of wearing lace shifted from putting it on to make me feel good to making the both of us feel good.
During the day it breaks our everyday life when he runs a hand down my hip in an effort to find out what I’m wearing underneath. Boy shorts, thong, or garters like now? Though the last one I always save for special occasions, to really spice things up.
He steps away and gently slides the dress up to see what’s underneath. His sharp intake of breath indicates he’s loving the new deep red set I bought the other day. Gripping the hem of my dress, I rip it off over my head and let if fall onto the kitchen floor.
The way Eddie looks at me—like a starving man with a dinner table filled with delicious food right in front of him—is all consuming. He gently pushes me back by my shoulders and grabs my legs to pull me slightly forward and with it put my ass and pussy on the ledge as he bends down to place his head between my legs.
His nose trails a path over my pussy as he inhales deep. A low approving growl rips from his chest and is making my heart skip a beat. I know what’s coming and I’m biting my bottom lip in anticipation.
My thong is ripped to shreds right before his tongue slides through the lips of my pussy. I want to watch so bad but the pleasure is making my head tip back while a low moan escapes me. This is what my man does to me, an instant connection where we’re both consumed with the pleasure we create and share together.
His teeth graze my clit and I know my orgasm is hovering at the surface. Slow and lazy licks turn to a frenzy soon enough as he shakes his head roughly as if he’s devouring my pussy completely. The extra stimulation of his scruff and the way he’s sucking my clit is too much of a sensatory overload and I gladly surrender to the waves of pleasure coursing through my body.
I’m still releasing a low moan when Eddie lifts his head and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, satisfaction tainting his features. “My turn,” he says gruffly and lifts me up from the counter and places me on my feet before he spins me around.
“Hands on the counter and hold tight, darlin’,” he says in a way too sexy tone, making my pussy clench with anticipation.
I’m not expecting the smack on my ass, making the kitchen fill with the sound of my yelp and Eddie’s chuckle right after.
“My red handprint makes it complete,” he mutters to himself as I can feel him knead my ass cheeks.
I glance over my shoulder and see how his gaze is set between my legs. Hypnotized. He’s completely enthralled and breathing heavily. I have to swallow at the emotions going through me. This man is my everything. The one who is there for me, for our children, for his mother, for the companies we run and the life we lead.
His head comes up and his gaze collides with mine. “Fuckin’ love you,” he grunts, his eyes going down to my pussy again.
“Fuckin’ love you too,” I murmur back and it makes a slow satisfied grin spread his face.
The sound of a zipper bites through the air and it’s the moment my eyes fall shut and my hands grip the counter to steady myself as he fills me up in slow, consuming thrusts. His hand slides up my spine until he’s gripping my shoulder to keep me pinned, his other hand locked on my hip as he starts to pound inside me.
The heat of his body covers me completely as he leans down and puts his mouth right next to my ear, grunting words on a hot breath to make my pussy clench in appreciation. Loving words. Dirty words. Words that shouldn’t be voiced out loud but are reserved for two people who after all these years found a way to increase their love with each day passing.
I feel his thrusts start to falter and his grunts intensify. “Come for me, Gracelynn.”
Guttural. Demanding. And yet oh so loving. I can only surrender and as always he’s right behind me. My orgasm hits the same moment his dick inside me starts to pulse. Electricity bounces off our skin while the both of us are surrendering to be consumed with pleasure.
In
this moment time seems to freeze and it’s where your mind doesn’t process anything other than ecstasy. Mind and body melting with the kind of euphoria that’s shared between two people who connect flawlessly.
It takes a few breaths to come down from our shared bliss and I reach my arm back to touch his head. Sliding further back, my fingers slide over fabric and I now notice he’s still wearing his shirt. A giggle slips past my lips when I realize he didn’t even take off his clothes.
“What?” Eddie grunts against the skin of my neck.
“You only unzipped yourself, didn’t you?” Laughter is wrapped around each word.
Eddie pulls back and stares down at me, a smirk sliding over his handsome face. “I was in a hurry, can you blame me? Damn, red garters,” he says, and I can feel his dick twitch inside me, sliding out the next instant, making the both of us groan.
He reaches out to grab a clean cloth from the cabinet and holds it between my legs. It makes me snicker and say, “I’m already pregnant, Eddie, no need to stop your cum from leaking out.”
His face turns serious. “I’m hoping for twins this time.”
My eyes go wide and his head tips back as laughter rips out. I step away from the counter and when I start to shoot him a witty reply, I’m robbed from doing so by the sound of a squeaky toy.
My heart is beating in my throat and for a split second I try to think where the kids are. By the way Eddie’s eyes are growing wide I’m guessing he’s thinking the same thing. That is until he glances around me and snickers.
Turning, I see what made the noise and watch how Finn is humping a rubber chicken. Loud laughter escapes the both of us as Eddie pulls me into his arms and holds me close. This is our life.
It might not be perfect and filled with stress, work, kids, and all kinds of bumps in the road...but we take one thing at a time and enjoy the tiny moments that capture the love and laughter one can live off forever.
“Come on, let’s get you dressed before I have to defend your honor against a rubber chicken,” Eddie chuckles as he kisses the top of my head.
Unruly Defender Page 16
