by Faye Byrd
She pretended to date Rodney until he was back at work and they “broke up” soon after so she and Mad Dog could get together. Prior to that, they were always afraid someone in town might catch him sneaking into her place at night. As it is now, he’s moved in and they’ve become the cutest family. My only thing is why she’s with him at all? He must be hung like a fucking horse is all I can say, because he damn sure ain’t very pretty.
“What’s up, Fluff?” He smirks, glancing my way. “Don’t look like you’re trying very hard to get the hang of driving the HOG.”
I shrug one shoulder. “Why should I? My lessons are something to look forward to.”
His belly shakes when he chuckles, though it’s not as round as it used to be. Seems he’s motivated now and takes better care of himself. “I guess that’s the smart way to play it.”
“It’s not like I want my own or anything.” I rock back on my palms and tilt my face to the sun, shaking my long waves. “I like clinging to Enzo’s trim hips too much.”
Mad Dog starts making this blabbering sound, so I peek one eye open. He has his fingers shoved in his ears and is doing everything he can to drown out the sound of my voice. I chuckle at his big dumb ass. He should be accustomed to it by now. They all should.
The sound of a tire screeching against asphalt causes me to sit up straighter, my eyes seeking out my Lion. He has his feet on the ground while Joshua practices a burnout, his legs not quite strong enough to accomplish it on his own.
I stick two fingers into my mouth and let out a loud whistle, drawing Enzo’s attention. A cocky grin lifts his lips, and he reaches up, closing his hands over Joshua’s. The back tire burns harder as he guns the throttle even more. The heated rubber sways from side to side before the bike shoots off, leaving a long trail of smoke and burned asphalt behind them.
Joshua’s cheering and fist-pumping as Enzo rolls across the lot in our direction, the exhaust thumping with that distinctive Harley sound I’ve come to love. “Cocky bastard,” I yell, cupping my mouth so he can hear me. “You’re lucky Joshua didn’t wreck you into the fucking metal fencing.”
He shuts off the bike just as I’m near the end of my sentence, and Mad Dog’s eyes shoot to mine. “The fuck you say?” He leaps down from the fender and walks over with his hand out for the keys. “Keep that up and you’re gonna be buying me a new back tire.”
“Eh. It was worth it.” Enzo kicks his leg over the bike, standing. “Work with the kid a little more. I have a few things that need to be taken care of.”
I lick my lips when I notice his gaze is burning a hole through me. He stalks my way, and at the look in his eyes, goosebumps travel over my freshly sunned skin. “Hell yes,” I breathe, jumping for him and wrapping my legs around his waist. “I need to be taken care of.”
Later that evening, Layla and I are in the small kitchen working on dinner while we discuss my job at the hospital that starts Monday. The guys are congregated near the pool table, and Enzo’s split between the game he’s playing and Mikey, who’s off to the side at his desk—an addition to the room in the past year.
Mikey’s gunshot turned out to be not much more than a flesh wound, and Esme was able to disinfect and wrap it. It was sore as hell for the next few days, but it didn’t take him long to get back to normal.
We got lucky.
Ever since our trip, Carl’s been using him more and more for mother charter things. In this case, it’s searching through present and past members of the Broken Skulls MC from Portland. A drug deal went south between the two charters, and Carl is looking for a way to deliver some payback.
I whine about it because Carl isn’t my favorite person, but Enzo always has a fucking comeback. What’s good for the mother charter is good for all charters. He says it every time I open my mouth about Carl, so I’ve finally let it go … for now. If he’s okay with diverting Mikey’s attention to other things, then who am I to complain?
“Back the fuck up!” Enzo barks, and I snap my head around to see what’s going on. “Not that one. Go back one.”
He’s standing over Mikey’s shoulder with his pool stick in hand as he watches whatever’s on the computer. His jaw is ticking, and when light from the screen flicks from one image to another, he brings his cue up and snaps it in two.
“I want everything you can find on this motherfucker,” he says, stabbing his finger toward the screen. His eyes snap up. “Come the fuck here.” The command in his voice is so strong that I hesitate. “Now.”
I’m unsure whether to be turned on or pissed off, so I settle somewhere in between. My steps are sure and my eyes stay locked on his. I’m teetering here, able to swing either way on a fucking dime. There’s only one area between us where commands are followed without question.
And we aren’t in the bedroom.
As soon as I’m close enough, he yanks me into his embrace, nearly suffocating me with his meaty biceps. “It’s him,” he mumbles into my hair. “It’s the fuckhead who tried to kill you.”
I pull away from his hold, eager to put a name to a vaguely familiar face. Enzo stays right on top of me as I move to Mikey and bend down to get a closer look. The man in this image is bald and clean-shaven, where he had shoulder-length hair and a goatee when I shot him, but it’s definitely him.
“What the fuck you got?” Enzo towers over us, his presence imposing as hell.
I can almost feel the quiver coming from Mikey as he opens his mouth to speak. “His name is Bingo Banks, and he was born in Fort Dicks.” He pauses, clicking away at the keys and skimming through the information on the screen. “Looks like he spent time with the Broken Skulls when he was in his twenties, but most recently he was a nomad.” He clicks a link and scans the page before closing it out and clicking another. His breath leaves him in a whoosh. “His most recently known affiliation was with …” He pauses, shrinking in his spot. “The Raging Werewolves.”
A gasp leaves my lips, and my eyes narrow as they scan his face more thoroughly. Nothing rings a bell; no familiarity jumps out at me. “I know all the wolves, and he wasn’t one of them.”
Tank steps over then, getting a peek at the screen. “A nomad doesn’t necessarily have to hang around a club to align with them. He could’ve been working with them while also not being at the clubhouse.”
I bob my head, taking in this information. “He looks familiar, though. I can’t put a finger on it, but I feel like I’ve seen him before.”
“Think, babe,” Enzo says, and his voice has that edge to it. The weird one like he had when we were in Redding. I refuse to go through another episode like that. “I need you to place him if you can.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I say, blowing out a breath as I walk away. “He can’t hurt me.”
“Whoever he was working with can, though!” Enzo barks, grabbing my shoulder and spinning me to face him. “I need you to think, Randi.”
My temper flares. “I need you to back the fuck off.”
“Not good enough.” He shakes me once. “You have to be safe.”
I snatch from his grasp. “He’s dead, Enzo. His flunkies are dead. It’s been over a month and nothing’s happened.”
“That doesn’t mean it won’t.”
“I get that.” My entire being softens and I step into his waiting arms. “But I have a badass Lion making sure I know how to handle myself and an entire clubhouse of scary guys willing to die to protect me.”
“Fucking right you do.” He holds me tightly against him. “I just …” He blows out a heavy breath. “I need to know why.”
“Yo, Enzo,” Joshua says, grabbing up the backpack he always carries around with him. “I think I’m gonna get goin’.”
I lift my head from Enzo’s muscular chest. “You’re not staying for dinner?”
His eyes flick to the clock and back to me, shaking his head. “I can’t tonight. Ma’s expecting me home. It isn’t often she has the night off so she can cook for me.”
“Oh, I bet she likes tha
t.”
“Yep.” He shoulders his bag. “Lois may even be coming for a visit soon.”
“Yeah?” I’m pleasantly surprised by this news. She’s only visited once since Jameson took her to Oregon over two years ago. “Tell her to stop by, will ya?”
“Sure thing.”
Enzo claps him on the shoulder on the way by. “See ya, little Lion. Don’t go crashing that dirt bike in the ditch somewhere.”
“Never!” he replies, chuckling as he goes out the door. A few seconds later, we hear the ring a ding of the two-cycle bike as it heads toward the gate.
Mikey opens it just enough for Joshua to slip through and closes it back with a sigh, his eyes lifting to his president. “Do you want me to keep digging, Enzo?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.” He pulls me back against his chest. “I want no stone unturned.”
NINE
Protégé
ENZO
I grunt, coming to awareness at the feel of Randi’s lips wrapped around my cock. I reach for her hair on instinct and fist it tightly. “Fuck, babe,” I mutter, my eyes rolling closed. “You sure know how to wake a guy.”
She hums, sending vibrations scattering down my cock and ricocheting along my nerve endings. I’m suddenly on the brink and I’ve barely opened my eyes. I tug, pulling her lips away and dragging her up to straddle my waist. Her soaked pussy settles against my stomach, and I grip her hips, adjusting so it slides over my cock.
Mutual moans float through the air, and she attacks. Her lips fuse against mine at the same time as she thrusts against me. We’re a writhing mess of limbs and tongues and teeth all set to a staccato of grunts and mewls and groans.
My hands roam from her tits to her waist, and I urge her to lift as I grip my cock. She sinks down and fucking fire races through my veins. Her thrusts are precise, pushing my cock at just the right angle to drive her mad. My dirty girl knows exactly what it takes to pleasure herself, and she has no problem using me to obtain it.
Doesn’t bother me one fucking bit, either.
She’s come a long way from two years ago, and I think I’ve created a monster. She’s every bit as voracious as me and a lot of times even more so. Like now. I was dead ass asleep, and out of the blue, she began taking what she wants.
Chills race along my skin, and my stomach twists into knots. Knowing I can’t hold out much longer, I splay my hand across her stomach and reach down with my thumb, pressing her clit and stretching upward. The tension radiates through her and her pace falters, but I use my other hand to help rock her back and forth. She’s trembling now, and I’m on the verge of an explosion.
“That’s it, babe,” I grunt, not sure if I can hold out until she’s done. “Come on my cock.”
My voice is raw and throaty, and the command sends her spiraling. She barely has the strength to stay upright, so I sit up and shove my tongue down her throat while taking her hips in a death grip. I thrust upward and bring her down at the same time. My tongue dominates, and I absorb her pants of pleasure.
Just as she collapses against me, fucked out of her mind, I release with a long, low groan and still. My breaths are heavy and my mind is muddled, but I’m acutely aware of her naked body pressed against mine. I kiss the top of her head and release a heady chuckle. My struggles about her safety still conflict me, but it’s shit like this that reminds me how I wanna wake like this for the rest of my fucking life.
“I love you, Randi.” I trail my fingers up the bare skin of her side, both our bodies damp with sweat. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but thank fucking you.”
She finally finds her voice enough to react, and it’s with a breathy giggle that makes my cock twitch. She lifts her head and looks at me with challenging eyes. “What makes you think this was for you?”
I chuckle, running my tongue along my bottom lip as I deliver a sexy once-over. “It doesn’t matter if it was for me or not. It was amazing and I’m still thankful for it.”
She presses her lips to mine in a hungry kiss that makes my twitchy cock harden. We break apart with her already shaking her head. “No way, Stone.” She separates our bodies, leaving my cock to bounce against my own stomach. “I have orientation today, and I won’t be late.”
I tweak her nipple. “Are you sure I can’t join ya in the shower?”
She bites her bottom lip, her eyes rolling closed briefly. But then she bucks up and snaps them back open, glaring. “No fucking way. You’re going to stay right here until I’m dressed and then you’re gonna see me out the door like a good little old man.”
“I can do that,” I respond, nodding once. “It’s the least you deserve. Justice will be tailing you today, and I don’t want to hear any shit.” I point at her. “I know you don’t like it, but just fucking humor me for now.”
“I fucking guess,” she responds begrudgingly as she climbs from the bed. “But he needs to at least try to blend in. Have him drive a car instead of his Harley.”
“Deal.”
At that, she turns and sashays across the room, making sure to shake her ass with every tantalizing step. I’m not sure why she’s testing me like this when she doesn’t want company, but it’s her motherfucking mistake. I jump my naked ass off the bed and tag along. I’m quick when I take her up against the shower wall and even quicker when I help her clean up afterward.
She leaves me to my shower while she races around to finish getting ready. By the time I’m done, she’s dressed in baby blue scrubs with kittens on them and standing at the mirror, blow-drying her hair with one hand while applying lip gloss with the other.
“You look appropriately nursy,” I say, coming to stand behind her with only a towel around my waist.
“Stay away from me,” she warns, glaring through the mirror. “I’m running later than I’d like, and it’s all your fault.” She turns off the dryer and tosses it to the bar, spinning to face me. “But it was so fucking worth it. Thanks, babe.”
I smirk, leaning down and kissing her luscious fucking lips. I don’t deepen it because I know she has places to be, and I’d never want to damage her chance at a life outside this clubhouse. She means everything to me, and I need her safe and happy, while doing what she loves.
“Anytime.” I tilt my head. “Now let your old man see you out the door.”
I don’t bother to dress as I lead her from our room and into the main room where only Mikey and Justice are gathered. Mad Dog lives with Rhonda these days and Wyndall is probably off at the diner with Amy, as is his morning routine. Tank and Jameson are out on a buy, acting as go-betweens on a shipment of coke.
“Justice, I need you with Randi this morning.” I motion for him to join us. “You need to make sure she makes it to work and home safely. While she’s there, you can do whatever, but stay around town in case she needs you.”
“I can do that.” He bobs his head, cutting his eyes to Randi. “You ready now?”
“Yeah, I need to be there a few minutes early. It’s basically my orientation and hospital tour.” She leans up and gives me a quick peck. “See you in a few hours.” As they go out the door, she pulls her hair into a high ponytail. “You’re gonna have to take a car today. I can’t have you hanging around the lot all leathered up and drawing attention.”
I chuckle to myself, shaking my head as I turn to Mikey. “The buy go off all right?”
“Yep.” He shuts his laptop and stands. “They’re already in Redding with the stash.” After sliding it into a case and shouldering the bag, he adds, “You need anything else before I head out? Layla is skipping classes today so I can tutor her for her math final.”
I chuckle. “Not at all. That shit takes precedence anyway. Randi would kill me if I was the reason her friend flunked math again.”
“Yeah, no.” He shakes his head once. “Not if I have a say.”
“Good.” I clap him on the shoulder on the way by. “I’ll keep an eye on shit around here.”
After he’s cleared the gate, I head back to my
room to get dressed for the day. Just as I’m slipping my feet into my boots, the chime that lets us know someone is requesting entrance sounds. This is usually all Mikey, all the time, but since he isn’t around, it’s on me to see who’s knocking at our door.
I smirk when I see the ratty white dirt bike and its little teeny-boppy rider scowling at the camera. “What’s the magic code?” I sing-song into the mic. “And don’t say abracadabra.”
He lifts his middle finger. “Come on, man. Let me in.”
I laugh as I hit the button, allowing him to slip through before sending it back closed. I walk out to meet him. The dirt bike charges across the lot, shifting gears quickly and popping up on its back tire halfway across. I smile at his punk ass, impressed. This is the reason his lessons on the HOG have been so successful. He knows how to work a clutch and a throttle. When he gets a little more ass on him, he’ll be able to handle it all alone.
“’Sup, kid?” I tilt my chin as he approaches. He doesn’t meet my eyes, which makes me wonder what he’s done this early in the morning. “Aw, shit. What you done fucked up?”
His eyes snap up then. “I ain’t done shit! Why you always assume the worst?”
“Sorry.” I shove him inside. “You just looked guilty as hell there for a minute.”
He shrugs, setting his helmet on the table by the door. “Nah, I was just thinking.”
“Don’t hurt yourself.” I move to the kitchen and open the fridge. “Want some breakfast? I could probably do some eggs and toast for us.”
“Cool.” He bobs his head. He still isn’t acting like his normal jovial self, but I guess I can chalk it up to how early it is. “Mom had already left for the store before I got up.”
His mom works two jobs so she can take care of her kids alone, though Lois is still in Oregon with her grandmother. After that shit with Sammy, she never looked back, which I see as a good thing. Pacific Shores is a festering hole and the farther away these kids get, the better.
