Topaz: Book 8 of the Steel MC Montana Charter

by Michel Prince

  “And if it kills her?” he countered. “Mentally, if not—”

  “Don’t. You want to stop it, then I say let’s go back to the clubhouse and have church. We need to come up with a plan on how to finally deal with ACT UP. They had no right coming onto our property and taking you and Topaz. That was just wrong. We need to deal with it. As far as Topaz goes, she loves you and you want to be with her right?”

  Onyx was shocked at Hollywood’s words. “We’re fucking, but how do you know Topaz loves me?”

  “I don’t, but she hasn’t been the first to pop up when a guy looked lonely for a while and since you came around, she doesn’t take her eyes off you. Plus, you two argue like an old married couple. That’s how I know.”

  “You’re right, we need to deal with ACT UP. Let’s go back to the clubhouse.” Onyx needed a plan. One that could possibly keep Topaz safe and allow him to feel right about allowing himself to finally love.

  “Good deal brother.” Hollywood turned around. “Red, let’s ride back to the clubhouse and meet in the chapel for Church he’s ready.”

  “’bout damn time,” Red said. “We ain’t planning this shit without you brother. Let’s go.” Red’s bike roared to life and he circled his hand in the air signaling them all going for a ride.

  Hollywood put his arm around Onyx’s shoulder to lead him back to his bike. “You gonna marry her?” he goaded Onyx.

  “Once she sees me in a tux at your wedding—”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa there Onyx…” Hollywood released his hold. “I’m enjoying living in sin.”

  “I’ve heard the screams of joy.”

  This time Red led, as Onyx rode twos with Hollywood back through the park toward the exit. The good hour or so to think about what the hell he actually thought they could do. The Carpenter was a man who got away from the major attack, but he was the head of the snake and the Steels would understand that. He’d been there when Hollywood rescued Free from the snake in Berrington. Cutting off the head gave them all room to breathe and brought a sense of safety to the ranch. Now, another had slithered in and he didn’t know who he was, but he would use all his skill to find out.

  Driving down the highway, he was able to clear his head and be prepared for their planning meeting when they arrived back at the clubhouse. Fresh air and a ride with men going not only for his safety, but because they too needed to cool off, so they didn’t fuck up a mission that was bigger than this moment.

  Filing into the clubhouse, prospects and women were just getting ready for their dinner meal to be served. He was hungry and thirsty, but knew he only had time for a drink right now. At the bar, Zoe and the new prospect Half Wit was serving beer and shots to all the people.

  “Give me a beer, Zoe.”

  “Sure coming right up, Onyx.” She walked over to him. “I get off in an hour do you want me to help you relieve some of that pain you got there.” She pointed to his face that was still a bit swollen and bruised.

  Topaz’s words blared in his ears. That goes both ways. “Um, no, not tonight darling, I have other plans.” Onyx grabbed his beer and headed for the conference room.

  “Onyx!” He heard the sweet little voice he craved to hear more than birdsong in the morning. Turning, he saw Topaz walked toward him.

  She moved up to him, her hands on her hips as she rocked back and forth on her feet. “I saw what Zoe said to you, do I need to kick some ass?”

  He grinned. “No, I don’t think you have to. I was a good boy and said no.”

  Her lip curved and he knew he had to make a choice. His brothers were behind him and Hollywood was right, she’d claimed him right back without hesitation. There was no question about what lay before them and she understood that.

  Bending down, he kissed her right in front of everyone. His free hand cradling her cheek as her hand slapped his ass and gave him a squeeze. The kiss deepened and the room silenced in a way.

  “I have to go, Baby. We have church. I’m dealing with those fuckers that took us.”

  “Good luck. I’ll be waiting for you.” Topaz kissed him quickly then turned and walked away. She was headed to the bar and he knew she would break down the way it was going to be from now on to Zoe. He didn’t need to worry about that petty shit right now, he had to get going.

  Walking into the conference room, he saw that the voting members were there, what surprised him were prospects were standing along the wall. An all member meeting, not just the officers because they would need the entire club to deal with the shit that went down.

  Taking his seat, he waited for everyone to sit and Red to start the meeting.

  As soon as Red walked in and all the members sat. Red pounded his gravel on the table. “Onyx, why don’t you give us a breakdown and your thoughts.”

  Onyx explained about the Carpenter, his thoughts as far as structure of the organization and the possibility between Hack and him they could try to back trace some things.

  Red spoke, “I think you’re absolutely right Onyx. These people went after Cream and now, they went after you and Topaz. We thought we had taken care of most of this group, but apparently, they’re growing again, and they have something to prove. We must protect the club and the children. Lil’ Mama, Free, Cream and now you, could be a target for this group. We can’t have them coming here and trying to hurt us.”

  Onyx nodded. “I agree. They weren’t kind to me and they definitely won’t care if they hurt a woman or a child, especially if they have any sort of a tan. But allies, we must protect everybody.” Onyx cared about the children and women more than himself. At least, he could handle what they dished out, he didn’t know about the rest of them.

  “Hack what intel do you have on them?” Red looked over at Hack who was on his computer.

  His hands were flying over the keys and Onyx knew he’d need to learn from the master at some point. The shit he did in LA was nothing like Hack was able to accomplish.

  “They have a group together right outside of Berrington and another in Kansas City. They have been on social media and bragging. But it seems they’re looking for old Glen and Stimpy, though Stimpy appears to be named Aaron.”

  “They’re bragging?” he asked. “Because they killed me?”

  “Yep, seems so, they actually are showing the cabin.” Hack spun the computer around and the smoldering cabin had a banner saying ‘Two down, the world to go’. “You and Topaz I guess.”

  “I think we need to send in spies and see if we can get anymore intel on them. Then we can figure out what to do after that. We need more information and that’s the only way I can think of getting it.” Red hit the gravel on the table. “Meeting is adjourned.”

  Onyx got up and walked out the conference room and he had one person he knew he would need after all that. Topaz.

  He found her in the kitchen. “Come with me, Topaz. I want to take you for dinner. Let’s go into town to the restaurant.”

  “Okay, I’m coming.” She waved to the other woman and followed him outside.

  He got on his bike. “Get on.”

  “I have my car.” She smiled.

  “I need you on my bike.” Onyx leaned forward and waited for her to get on the back of his cycle. It meant something to have a woman ride with you and she understood that.

  Topaz swung her legs over the back of his bike and settled in behind him. Her hands first resting on his hips until he gave them a little tap and she wrapped them around his waist. This was where she belonged and this ride would be short, but in a way one that would heal his heart more than the long one had.

  15

  Topaz wondered what Onyx was thinking. Sure, they claimed each other, just not publicly. The shift from Hoez to Ol’ Lady wasn’t as seamless as people might think. It’s done, but rarely so abruptly. Here he was kissing her in front of the whole club before the meeting. Then he not only searched her out, but took her hand and demanded she get on his bike with him. The whole alpha brute wasn’t a bad thing. And him taking her to
dinner that meant something.

  Throwing the confused thoughts from her brain, she settled in she hugged tight to him. It was nice having him between her legs this way. The freedom of the ride was upon them and she intended to enjoy it, even when she saw a few other Steels in his mirrors. He must have seen them too, because he shook his head and revved the engine to get to town faster.

  All too soon, they reached the restaurant. Parking, Onyx leaned forward and she used his shoulder to get off the bike. When she leaned down on him, he groaned in pain. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” His hand stroked her cheek. “You know if you come to my place there’s a tub, big enough for two.”

  Warmth flooded her heart and she wondered if a little massage could follow a soak with the man. Lord knows her body could use a little Epsom salt and some bubbles. Fuck dinner, couldn’t they be naked right now instead? She steadied her hormones, even in her room where she had condoms the two of them tended to be in the moment. Not wanting to stop and really at this point, what did it matter? She’d been safe with all the others and Red gave her a clean bill of health before her last round of Depo shots. Why not be with Onyx raw and when they wanted?

  Onyx put his hands in the middle of her back, his lips finding the notch at the lower part of her neck. The brush making her skin rise as he gently pushed her toward the door. The right hand slipped from her hip and reached out to pull open the large wooden door to the restaurant as he guided her in. It was sweet what he was trying to do. Topaz liked this side of him. She thought he was being a bit of an ass, but now she realized it was just his way. Or maybe it had been so long since a man wanted to take care of her she’d forgotten how it felt.

  The men in the Steels were dangerous. They were a breed apart from other men. She knew by staying in the club life, she’d opened herself to a whole world apart from the norm. At the same time, there was a sense of strength and calm being in their arms. Onyx was no different than the rest of them, except on one very important part. She was his. The men of Steel would protect any member, or adjacent person like a Hoez. But the men would kill without hesitation or approval for only two, a patched member and their woman. A shiver tore through her body realizing there was a new threat, Glen and Stimpy calling out for the children. The thought sickened her in so many ways as she didn’t want to believe a person could look at little Murphy Coe and think about hurting her and still… There were three they would kill for, even if the last was unthinkable.

  She walked toward a table in the corner. There was no reason to be out in the open for all to see.

  Onyx wasn’t wanting privacy as he guided her to the center of the large room and took a table in the middle. He pulled out a chair and instead of arguing, she took a seat and he sat across from her.

  Reaching across the table, he flipped his hands palm side up and waited for her to put her hands in his.

  The feel of warm skin and a rough palm had her pressing her thighs together.

  Michele walked up to them and smiled. “Can I get you two anything to drink?”

  “Ladies first, what will you have?” He winked at Topaz.

  Now, she tried to remember how to speak as her fingers curled with his on the table top. “Um, I’m in the mood for something sweet, how about you have them bust out the blender and make me a strawberry daiquiri.” Topaz lightly laughed as Michele’s eyes widened at her order. It was such a girly drink and she wasn’t known for drinking anything but shots and beer. It was a warm summery evening and she wasn’t pushing through a hard night. Instead, she was on a real date and the drink sounded good to her tonight.

  “You’re making me wish we had a patio,” Michele said. “Onyx?”

  “I’ll have a beer, in a bottle thanks, Michele.” Onyx smiled, lighting up his face.

  Topaz enjoyed seeing him this way. It reminded her that there was something between the two of them. They had built a bond over the past few days.

  “What do you have on your mind tonight?” he asked her.

  “It just sounded good to me, strawberry sweetness, that’s all.” Topaz felt heat rising in her face and knew she was blushing. Now she felt like a silly teenager on her first date. This was something she wasn’t used to. Too many years of a man tapping her on the shoulder or taking her hand and she considered then went with or passed. No discussion, mutual attraction and a need for temporary pleasure. Men knew her, but didn’t know her.

  “I want to thank you Topaz, for being there for me over the past few days. It was a horrible thing that happened to us and you were strong through it all.”

  “It didn’t feel that way. I have to admit I was scared. What happened, when it was happening I should have—”

  He held up his hand to silence her.

  Topaz worked on the thought replacement she talked to Doc about that afternoon. How she tended to either explode or shutdown, neither done at the right times. Swallowing back the negative, she closed her eyes and then reopened to see the softer features on Onyx. The beard he was letting grow because she like it, but she’d done her best to shave his head around the healing cuts. Although his hair was coarse at first, now smoother like a feather when he brushed kisses along her thighs. The silver a deep contrast to his deep black skin. Onyx was a perfect name for this precious stone of a man. “But we didn’t give up and we were able to escape and make our way back here.” She plastered on a smile, knowing the right place would be with Doc to process this all out. “Can you tell me what they are planning on doing about ACT UP?”

  “The club is handling it Topaz.” His thumb absently stroked the life line cutting across her palm, then across her love line.

  Having lived in Albuquerque with the Steels, there were many attuned with the world and finding a palm reader was almost as easy as finding one at a Renaissance fair. It was silly to think he knew about such things, as she did. Having had her palm read on a lark with a few of the women from New Mexico had been a joke at first until the woman, in place filled of scents that made her mellower than any weed, spoke.

  “Your love line and marriage line are joined,” the woman said as she outlined the long line cutting across Topaz’s palm. “You’ve lost a love, but he was not the one. The one who captures your heart fully will claim you.”

  “Claim?” Topaz questioned, because the women were all in in leather so maybe the woman telling fortunes understood this phrase.

  “You will marry for life, a long one, but do you see how deep this line is?” she asked once again, stroking the line in her palm. “A man who loves this deeply claims the woman on a level deeper than a piece of paper from the government. His love will come hard and fast, scaring you, but not to the point you run. Not this time. You will have run enough before then.”

  “Nothing for you to worry about,” Onyx said pulling her from her memory and the woman’s words.

  “I get that to you and the men I’m vaginally challenged, but that’s bullshit and you know it. I want to be involved I was one of the people that was hurt, because of those assholes.”

  “I’m not going to argue about it. Red will decide on who will go and who will stay here. I’ll mention to him that you want to be involved.” He let out a slight sigh. “You’re a scrapper, but having a woman in the thick of it and not hanging back with Band-aids and water is gonna be a hard sell for me, let alone the club. Last thing I want to worry about is my baby getting a broken nail, let alone what could happen in a fight. What can you actually do?”

  “You’re lucky Dell isn’t here because she’d smack you upside your head for saying that.”

  “Steel’s wife? I thought she was more of a dick punch type of girl,” he replied then accepted the drinks from Michele who gave him a questioning look. “For being an ass.”

  “Maybe, but then she’d choke you. It’s a whole thing she does,” Topaz admitted before taking a drink from her daiquiri, coating her tongue in strawberry sweetness. “But Dell did teach me how to blow shit up when I lived in New Mexic
o, so if Brick needs a little help…” She wiggled her fingers and he took them in his hand and caressed her knuckles. “By the way, Dell sent me a text before we were taken, saying she was sneaking up here for Dreamer and Freaky’s wedding, how about you help me balance the scales and I’ll make sure your manhood stays safe.”

  “Is it wrong that I’m a little turned on right now?” Onyx’s eyes widened, as he splayed his fingers to lock in with hers and his brow raised.

  “By me, or the thought of a good hard dick punch?” Topaz asked.

  He took a long drink on his bottle before setting it on the table, leaning forward and capturing her eyes. “I’ve gone from wanting a simple civil conversation with you to needing to find ways to bury myself inside you at all times.”

  “You have such sweet pillow talk, baby,” she teased. “But is it gonna get me what I want? Because it’s really no big deal. Just something I can do from a distance, so you don’t have to worry.”

  “I’ll tell Red. Now sweetheart, let’s not talk about all that tonight I just want to enjoy your company while we eat dinner. What are you going to eat?”

  Topaz leaned back in her chair still holding onto Onyx’s hands and relaxed. She was happy for the first time in nearly a decade with a man. Her heart shone brightly as her palm warmed against his.

  Michele walked over to them and set a second beer in front of Onyx. “What can I get you to eat?”

  Topaz ordered, “I’ll get the spaghetti and a salad with ranch.”

  “Since you missed it the other day?” he teased, took a sip this time of his beer, and she gave him a wink. “I’ll take a steak and baked potato. Would you like an appetizer, Topaz?”

  “No, I’m fine with my dinner. Unless you want something else, I’ll share it with you.” Hunger stabbed her belly now that the idea of food had drifted back into her mind.