Running on Empty

by SE Jakes

  “How do you always know?” Linc asked.

  “Because I love knowing things about you.”

  Mercy did the first cuff himself, hooking it around the headboard. And then he held out the second one to Linc, who finally, reluctantly took it and circled the cold metal around Mercy’s other wrist.

  Then Linc sat back and studied Mercy for a long moment . . . before a slow, small smirk broke through his tired expression. “At my mercy.”

  Mercy felt lazy and vulnerable all at once. “Does that work for you?”

  “Strangely enough, it does.” Linc traced his fingertips along Mercy’s pecs, abs before moving them over Mercy’s nipples lightly.

  Mercy sucked in a harsh breath. “Fucking tease.”

  Linc straddled Mercy, bent his head to bite Mercy’s nipples, hard enough for Mercy to groan in frustration, and then Linc was sucking and biting, riding along Mercy’s hard cock. “Definitely.”

  Linc felt high. Drunk. In control and yet so goddamned out of control all at the same time.

  “Ride me, Linc. Lower your tight ass onto my big fat cock and take me all the way in, until I fill you.”

  “Fuck, Mercy.” Linc’s face flushed.

  “I thought you liked following orders in bed.” Mercy looked around. “We seem to be in bed so . . .”

  Linc pushed back and ran his hand up the length of Mercy’s cock before bending down to suck at the pre-come. Mercy jerked forward and Linc opened his mouth to take whatever Mercy had to give him. Even without holding him in place, Mercy had a hold on him, and Linc stayed put, letting Mercy face-fuck him.

  Finally, Mercy pulled back. “Give me your cock, Linc. In my mouth, now.”

  Linc pushed his sweats down and straddled Mercy’s face. Mercy took him in, swallowed him, and it was Linc’s turn to fuck his face—hard, watching Mercy’s eyes water. But Mercy didn’t protest, just hummed around Linc’s cock, and Linc found himself fisting one hand into Mercy’s hair while shooting hard down his throat. Some of Linc’s come dripped from Mercy’s mouth, and Linc pushed back and leaned in to lick the trail of come before kissing Mercy, tasting himself.

  Just when he thought Mercy couldn’t make things any hotter, he went and surprised Linc.

  “Want me to feed you your own come, baby? I’ll do that next time—all of it,” Mercy breathed against his cheek. “Give me your nipples now.”

  Linc obeyed, because even handcuffed, Mercy had total control over him. And Linc wasn’t complaining, not one goddamned bit. He let Mercy suck his nipples until he was struggling not to come . . . and he forced himself to ease back. Because he needed to be inside Mercy tonight.

  This would be a first, not because Mercy had ever resisted it, but because Linc had never needed it like this. He moved down Mercy’s body, sucking red marks on his chest and abs and thighs, licking the thick vein that ran on the underside of his heavy cock—he took in Mercy’s groans like a personal victory.

  Then he spread Mercy’s thighs, pushing his legs up and back so he could have full access to him. First, he licked Mercy’s balls, sucked them into his mouth one at a time, then licked the sensitive strip of skin behind them, until Mercy was panting. Begging.

  Everything about the Mercy he’d known pre-capture had been easy, and Linc wondered if that had been a lie, or if his change in demeanor had been because of Linc . . . because he now had someone to protect. Tonight’s discussion had confirmed that.

  But now, the Mercy on the bed in front of him? This was shades of the old Mercy, because when Linc buried his face in Mercy’s ass and began to lick and lave at his hole to get him ready, Mercy had no problem lying open, bared to him and taking all the pleasure Linc had to give him. It was a joy to see.

  “Linc, baby, come on up here and fuck me.”

  And Linc smiled, used lube and his fingers to open Mercy up more. Finally, he knelt between Mercy’s legs and pressed his cock inside of the man who welcomed it. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t. Come on, faster,” Mercy ordered, but Linc ignored him and took his time, at least until he’d breached Mercy enough to push past the tight ring of muscle. And then he didn’t hold back, sliding deeply into Mercy, hitting his prostate and watching Mercy come apart, over and over under him. Until Linc couldn’t hold out any longer and his cock throbbed and pulsed and he shot hard inside of Mercy, even as Mercy came in thick, hot ropes between their bodies.

  “Missed you,” Linc murmured as he collapsed onto Mercy’s chest, hoping it made sense to him.

  “Sentimental boy,” Mercy murmured back. “I was always here . . . waiting for you.”

  The next morning, Mercy left early with Sweet and Bram in order to meet up with Vipers to discuss their suspicions about Project X. Linc was glad Mercy didn’t have him go along, because he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to hold out explaining what he knew . . . and it was only fair that Mercy find out from him first, when they were alone. It was time to tell Mercy about Castle . . . because spilling some secrets last night convinced him to spill the last one he was holding.

  To that end, he texted Mercy late morning. Hey, when you get home, can we talk about something? Wake me if you need to.

  He didn’t get a response, but he knew Mercy was traveling on his bike so he wasn’t worried. Actually, relief washed over him, because even though he hadn’t told Mercy everything yet, it was a matter of hours before he could let his secret out. Castle be damned.

  Later that afternoon, Linc was finishing up at the bonds shop when Vann came in. “Let me guess—you’re my babysitter for the day.”

  Vann pretended to look hurt. “Can’t a guy just stop by to say hello?”

  Linc laughed. “At least Mercy doesn’t have Shaman on the roof anymore. Right?”

  “Sure, right. Whatever you say,” Vann told him unconvincingly.

  “Christ. Shaman, time to go home,” he yelled up toward the ceiling vent.

  Shaman’s voice filtered in through the same vent. “You guys going out? I could use a drink.”

  Vann shrugged. “Works for me.”

  They ended up at Bertha’s, because why not? Vann and Shaman decided to take Shaman’s truck and Boomer and Tug would meet them there, since they were still out patrolling that night.

  “Won’t you get in trouble with Mercy for taking me out?” Linc asked.

  “Can’t get in touch with him or Sweet—they’re out of pocket when they meet with Vipers. And I’m not ringing alarm bells to ask if you can go get a drink,” Vann told him. “I thought things were better with you guys.”

  “They are.”

  “How much better?” Vann asked, brows raised.

  “I’m not giving you details about my sex life.”

  Vann smiled. “You just did.”

  Shaman laughed and steered the truck into Bertha’s lot. It was a quiet Wednesday night, and it was still early, with dark just settling in. Linc stuck with beer, not tequila, because he needed to have his wits about him to talk to Mercy later.

  So when his phone started buzzing about an hour later, he picked it up expecting it to be Mercy, but was surprised to hear Rush’s voice on the line.

  “Linc, listen, I need your help.”

  His friend sounded semi-frantic. “What’s wrong? Where are you?”

  “I’m fine—but I’m nowhere near Havoc. Listen—remember when I told you about Harry and how he sneaks out sometimes?” Linc’s gut tightened as he listened. “Harry called—his truck broke down in the park.”

  “I thought they weren’t sneaking out because of the lockdown.”

  “Yeah, well, me too. In light of what happened last night—well, he hadn’t heard about it because Sweet wanted to keep it quiet. But Harry said there’s shit happening at the docks and he needs to get him and his friends out of there.”

  “Text me his number—and then tell him I’m on the way. Tell them to stay quiet and not invite trouble.”

  “Got it. Be careful, Linc.”

  “What’s
wrong?” Vann asked.

  “We’ve got to get to the park . . . but we’ve got to do it quietly.” Linc explained what Rush told him, and Vann and Shaman got it immediately. “Listen, you guys need to drop me off and let me go into the park and lead them out. If we go in with the truck, we’ll attract too much attention and it’ll be a goddamned war, with the kids in the middle.”

  “I’m going in with you,” Vann told him and Linc didn’t argue. They got into Shaman’s truck and made the ten-minute ride, during which Linc called Jethro. “Where are you?” he asked when Jethro picked up on the second ring.

  “You miss me, babe?”

  “Not the time for flirting, Jethro—where are you?”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I need you to head to the park by the docks. Havoc kids are there—maybe some Hangmen ones too.” Linc paused. “There’ve been reports of trafficking happening at the dock.”

  “Shit.”

  “Mercy and Sweet are two hours out—that’s the only reason I’m not telling them. I’m almost there—Vann and I are going in on foot to get them out. Shaman’s waiting to pick us up. But we can’t afford ugly near those kids.”

  “We’re on it. Five minutes out,” Jethro assured him.

  “Sounds like the stars are aligning,” Vann said quietly. Linc saw him check his weapons. “You carrying?”

  Linc wasn’t sure he should admit that he always was, but he nodded. Vann didn’t seem surprised at all.

  They raced down the highway, Linc’s heart slamming out of his chest.

  “Boomer and Tug are half an hour out,” Vann confirmed before shoving his phone into his pocket. “They’ll meet us at Bertha’s, if we don’t need them before.”

  Shaman dropped them off at the edge of the woods at the back of the park, and Linc and Vann threaded their way through the woods. They didn’t use any lights save for what was already illuminated by the few streetlights surrounding the park, and it reminded Linc of his Army days. Vann was quiet, driven, and Linc could easily see the solider in him as he moved.

  They found the Havoc teenagers in the middle of the park, hiding where the foliage was thickest. Linc texted Harry that he saw them, that it was safe to show himself, and Harry did.

  It was obvious they’d been partying—because they’d taken their party with them, more so to hide the evidence from whoever was watching them at the docks and not to continue partying. They were definitely muted, and although Harry maintained control—over himself and the small group with him—the tension came off him in waves.

  Vann’s growling stares weren’t helping.

  “You did great,” Linc assured him. “You stayed out of sight of the dock. If you’d taken the truck, they’d have followed you. I’ll tell your dad how you held it together and took charge.”

  Harry gave him a grateful smile, and then Linc and Vann led the crew back through the woods and into Shaman’s waiting car. As they moved, they all heard commotion coming from over by the docks, starting with the roar of motorcycles and then continuing with shouts. Linc ignored the cold shudder that went down his spine and kept himself—and the kids—moving.

  Once they were in Shaman’s truck, he pulled away toward Bertha’s, with Vann checking their six. “Patrols,” he said quietly.

  Yeah, the men at the docks definitely had noticed the teens. They were being tailed, but not closely, by some PX bikers. Shaman kept his cool and a fast pace, and although it seemed like hours, it was only five minutes before they pulled into Bertha’s big lot.

  The PX went past the lot. There was no way they were coming in here. There was also no way these kids could drive home without a show of force.

  Linc brought them into the back room and got them each a beer, followed by sodas, and tried to think of the best way to get them into the least amount of trouble. But hell, it was pretty impossible. They’d have to take their lumps, and most of them seemed resigned to it.

  After maybe twenty minutes, Linc left them in the back room with Monster standing outside the door, and went to the main part of the bar, where Vann waited.

  Jethro had come in and was talking with Boomer. He had scraped knuckles, a torn shirt, and some blood on his face that he quickly wiped off when he saw Linc.

  “Hope the other guy looks worse,” Vann commented.

  Jethro flipped him off. “They all do. We’re going to make another sweep and then Casey wants us to escort you guys back home and come back in the morning.”

  “You’ve got some Hangmen kids in the back,” Linc told him. “A brother and sister.”

  Jethro nodded. “I’ll have a couple of guys bring them back to Hangmen tonight.”

  When he left, Vann slid over to Linc. “You know what I’m going to ask you.” And yeah, Linc did. “How do you know so much about what’s happening at the docks?”

  “I just do.”

  “Because of that guy who keeps hanging around.”

  “Vann—”

  “Mercy needs to know this, Linc. We all do.”

  “I know. I just don’t want these kids to get in trouble for doing what kids do.”

  Vann nodded. “I hear that, but they know about Heathens. They know they shouldn’t be out around here—or anywhere right now, so when this is over, they’ll get their assess kicked by their parents.”

  Linc was grateful that Vann didn’t point out that he was projecting his feeling onto the kids. Instead, he nodded and Vann said, “Check in with Mercy—I’ll call Sweet.”

  Linc dialed Mercy and this time, he picked up, saying, “Hey, we’re just grabbing something to eat. You checking up on me?”

  In spite of everything, Linc smiled at the easy tone of Mercy’s question. “Listen, we had an issue.” There was a pause and he heard Sweet’s voice in the background. “I guess you’re hearing about it too. Vann was calling Sweet.”

  “Are you okay, Linc?”

  “I’m fine. The kids are fine. We’re heading back to Havoc in a few—with an entourage. Hangmen are towing Harry’s truck back to their garage and Jethro’s monitoring the docks. No trouble—PX dispersed easily.”

  Mercy was uncharacteristically quiet. “We’re heading back now. It’ll be a couple of hours. We’ll talk then.”

  Linc barely got “Okay” out before Mercy cut the line. And then they were ushering the kids into both Shaman and Tug’s trucks, and Linc and Vann split up. Casey sent Hangmen to follow them halfway back to Havoc—and Jethro ended up following them the entire way back—and they made the rest of the trip without incident.

  Linc wasn’t sure what went down on the docks—not completely, but he figured Jethro would fill him in. If not, he’d hear it from Castle.

  Once the kids were safely back in their houses, Shaman dropped Linc off at Mercy’s. Within fifteen minutes, Linc heard the roar of bikes outside and saw that both Vann and Jethro were coming toward him.

  He was grateful not to have to wait alone.

  “You all right?” Vann asked as he brushed past him and went into the kitchen.

  “I’m fine,” Linc said automatically as Jethro followed Vann in, carrying a pizza, and they ended up sitting at the kitchen table eating in comfortable silence. “Harry and his friends are all home, safe and sound.”

  “Was a close call,” Vann observed. “Too fucking close.”

  Linc glanced at Jethro. “Heathens and PX are teaming up, aren’t they?”

  Jethro sat back. “You really want to ask about the cartel, don’t you?”

  Linc sighed. “I know it was Project X. I didn’t know if they were alone.”

  “A few Heathens. No Pagans,” Jethro confirmed. “No signs of the cartel either . . . but we both know that doesn’t mean shit.”

  “Is that why you freaked out?” Vann asked. “You think the cartel’s after Havoc?”

  “Not necessarily after Havoc . . . but they’re involved in trafficking. They’re teaming up with PX,” Linc admitted. Of course Jethro didn’t look surprised at the admission, and even t
hough Vann didn’t really either, it was obvious that it was the first time he was hearing this information. “Mercy mentioned that there was trouble with PX and the cartel being too close to Havoc . . .”

  “But Sweet and Mercy don’t know about the trafficking,” Jethro broke in.

  “Not yet. They will,” Linc said.

  “Good. Too many secrets don’t help,” Vann told him.

  Jethro’s phone rang. “Gotta take this.” He walked outside, onto the porch, shutting the door behind him.

  “You were good tonight, Linc. Really goddamned good.” Vann’s tone was serious.

  “Are you surprised?”

  “Not at all. I’m happy to see your PTSD can lift for emergencies. Just a warning—sometimes, after things go well, it kicks into overdrive. The bitch that keeps on giving when you least expect it.”

  “Sounds like you’ve got firsthand experience.”

  “Doesn’t everyone who served have it, in one form or another?” Vann shrugged.

  “Mine’s not from serving. I mean . . .”

  “I know,” Vann said with a small smile, and for some reason, that broke a little something inside of Linc. He took a deep breath to stave off what felt like a rising panic attack.

  Vann was next to him in seconds, leading him to the couch and sitting next to him. “What’s happening here, Linc? Try to breathe, kid.”

  Kid. He snorted and that actually helped stave off the descent into complete panic. “Sorry.”

  “Nothing to be sorry about.”

  “It’s just . . . I’m fucking trapped, Vann. I get that something bad happened . . . but it’s going to define me for fucking ever.” To his horror, Linc felt the tears rise. Vann’s arm went around him. “I already talked to Mercy about this and I thought that would make it all better. It helped, but fuck, this feels never-ending.”

  “Do you know why I’m a rogue member of Havoc?” Vann asked.

  “No. I figured you just like the freedom, which you know I understand.”

  “The only one who knows is Sweet, and that’s only because he had to know to approve my status. I’m not up for telling you what happened to me . . . but let’s say that I understand what it’s like to be captured and held, okay?”