What mattered was the smell of blood I still remembered to this day, and how unashamed I was of that kill.
How guiltless I felt because of who I was protecting.
“Is she okay?” Stone asked.
I looked over at Hayley and she nodded.
“I told them what happened,” she said.
I sighed. “I don’t know. Her father’s with her right now. How bad is the damage to this place?”
“Bad enough to where we aren’t safe here any longer,” Notch said.
“Shit,” Texas murmured.
“We’ve got the bunker,” Stone said.
“But it’s not enough to fit all of us,” I said.
“There’s always our second safehouse. But if it’s compromised as well, we’re fresh out of places to go,” Notch said.
I sighed as I looked down the hallway, listening to Freya audibly sob. It broke my heart. I wanted to be the one to comfort her. To wipe away her tears.
But that was her father back there. The only man in her world that would ever trump another man in her life.
Hell, I wasn’t even sure if I was a man in her life. A man she wanted in her life.
“We don’t have another choice,” I said.
“I agree,” Stone said.
“What’s going on now?” Rose asked.
“We have another safehouse just outside of San Diego. It’s big enough to fit all of us, but we’ve never had to use it before. We had it built back when us and your husband’s crew still shared San Diego. Just in case we ever had any rough run-ins,” Stone said.
“It’s our only shot now, though. We have to stick together, and these girls can’t be alone anymore,” Notch said.
“I agree with that sentiment,” Rose said.
“The only issue is that if Freya goes back with you and your husband, you could be taking this danger right back to Yuma. Or before, if they attack you while traveling,” I said.
“She wants to see you,” Asher said.
I turned around and found the massive man looming in the hallway door frame. I looked back at Rose one last time, then made my way for the room. I needed to see Freya. I needed to make sure she was okay. But as I slipped past Asher, his hand came down around my arm.
“Watch it,” Stone growled.
“It’s fine. He’s okay,” I said.
I looked up into Freya’s father’s eyes and watched them finally soften.
“Thank you for looking after our daughter while she was here,” he said.
I nodded. “You’re welcome. But I wouldn’t thank us just yet. Her leaving is more dangerous than ever.”
“I know. We’ll talk about that once the two of you are done talking.”
I nodded, then Asher dropped his grip from my arm. I stormed through the hallway, my shoulders brushing either wall at my side. I walked through the door and closed it behind me, then locked it. Just in case someone tried to barge in on us. Freya sat on the edge of the bed, her tears dried. But the evidence of her crying was in her features. Her back was straight, but her shoulders slumped a bit. Her eyes were red and puffy. Her cheeks dried from having them wiped so much.
I walked over to her and crouched in front of her, taking her hands within mine.
“Freya, I’m right here,” I said.
Her eyes slowly connected with mine, and I saw the sadness weighing them down.
“I killed them, Bronx,” she whispered.
“Protecting a helpless little girl. You did good.”
“But I killed. I’ve never—I don’t—”
She started crying again and I stood up. I pulled her into my arms, wrapping myself around her as tightly as I could. She clung to me. Fisted my shirt and pulled me into her as she sobbed into my chest. The sound broke my heart. I wanted to take all of her pain away and shoulder it myself, just to see her smile again.
“It’s okay. I’m right here. You’re safe, I swear it. And the girls are safe because of what you did. You have to keep that the focus in your mind,” I said.
I kissed the top of her head as she whispered something into my chest.
“What was that?” I asked.
She tilted her head up to look into my eyes before she sniffled.
“I didn’t just do it for them,” she murmured.
I furrowed my brow. “What do you mean?”
“Those men. Perching on the bed. I didn’t do it just for them. You know, to protect the girls.”
“Did something else happen?”
She nodded, and anger rose in my gut.
“What happened? Tell me,” I said.
“You did,” she said softly.
I paused. “I’m not following.”
She pulled me down with her to sit on the bed, and it groaned underneath our weight. But before I could get any more out of Freya, a knock came at the door.
“Bronx?” Stone asked.
“What’s up?” I called out.
“The bulk of us are transferring things to the safehouse on the outskirts of town. We’re all making a run, then Notch is going to stay with the girls while we keep running errands. Freya coming?”
“I’ll make sure she gets there. She’s not ready to be transferred yet.”
“Transferred?” she asked.
“All right. Asher and Rose are coming with us. So, just keep an ear out,” Stone said.
“Will do. Thanks,” I said.
“What’s going on?” Freya asked.
I cupped her cheeks and brought her forehead to my lips to kiss.
“We’re just going somewhere safer. We all are. I’ll fill you in on it later. Right now, I need to—”
“I love you, Bronx.”
I could have sworn I heard her wrong.
“What was that?” I asked.
She giggled, and it stopped my heart in my chest.
“I didn’t shoot those men just to protect the girls. Or Keva. Or anyone else. I didn’t perch on this bed to kill anyone else for their sake. I did it because I wanted to get back to you. I wanted to see you again. Kiss you again. Be with you again. I did it not just for them, but to get back to you. Because I love you, Bronx.”
I gazed into her eyes and watched them slowly change to a beautiful, deep sea blue. A sensuous blue. The kind of blue that slammed into my gut and exploded fireworks in my mind. As the revving of motorcycles sounded at the front of the lodge, I leaned in and pressed my lips to Freya’s.
She fisted my shirt and pulled me on top of her, our bodies completely covering the small bed in this damn back room.
“I love you so much,” she breathed, pressing kisses to my lips.
And as I slid my leather coat off, I let my lips fall to her neck.
“I love you too, Freya,” I murmured.
I loved this woman more than I could stand.
Twenty-Four
Freya
He kissed my neck as our clothes came off. Our limbs lifted and the clothes fell to the floor with ease. I saw him for the first time in the light. Sinewy muscles stretched over his broad body. I kissed his sun-tanned skin, tracing my fingertips along his tattoos. He was covered in them. Every inch of him. All down his arms and across his chest. On the fronts of his thighs and down his back. He was painted in a coat of beauty, and I couldn't take my eyes off him.
Until his cock slid deeply into my body.
“Oh, Bronx,” I groaned.
“Freya. Fuck, I love you so much.”
My head fell back as my body plummeted to the small bed. It rocked with us and Bronx rolled into me, filling me with his girth. I gazed up into his eyes. Into his beautiful brown eyes with his jet black hair falling into his face. I cupped his cheeks. I lifted my lips to his to kiss. His cock throbbed against my walls as my toes trickled up the backs of his legs, feeling every divot of his muscles on the way up.
I locked my legs around his thick waist as our worlds collided.
My juices dripped down my ass crack. His balls smacked against me as he picked up the
pace. I gasped for the air he panted, my moans filling the room. His lips covered mine. He swallowed my sounds as our hands found one another’s. Our fingers laced together as he pinned them above my head, kissing down my cheek.
Down my neck.
Down to my tits.
“So glorious. All of you, just perfection,” he growled.
He wrapped his warm lips around me and I rose my hips to meet him. I bucked ravenously against him as his tongue teased my puckered peaks. My shuddering breaths settled rhythmically against the crashing of the waves outside. Washing away the evidence of our sins while Bronx and I existed in our own time. Our own space.
Our own moment.
Electricity surged through my veins. My body ached for release. As his cock grew thicker against my walls, he stretched me to girths I’d never experienced before. My jaw unhinged in silent pleasure. Fireworks burst in my vision. He pounded into me, his softness becoming animalistic as goosebumps fled along his skin.
“That’s it, Freya. Squeeze me. Fall over with me. Come with me, Freya. Do it. Do it now.”
“Oh, yeah,” I choked out.
My body locked up as Bronx’s lips crashed down to mine. I swallowed his growls as he muted my moans, and together we spiraled. His cock filled me to the brim as my walls milked him for all he had. He filled my pussy quickly before the trembling of my own body pushed our intermingled juices out onto the sheets below us. Bronx rutted against me, grinding his pelvis into my clit and shooting me over the edge into another orgasm.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Oh, my gosh,” I whimpered.
“That’s it. That’s it, Freya. Just like that,” he grunted.
I collapsed against the bed as ecstasy washed through my veins. His kisses comforted me while his body controlled me, pinning me underneath his brute strength. My eyes fluttered closed as his face collapsed into my breasts, kissing me and nibbling at my excess. He released my hands and wrapped me up in his arms as my pussy throbbed so hard it pushed him from between my legs.
“Oh, Bronx,” I whispered.
He tilted to his side and brought me close into his body. His heart beat rapidly against his chest in time with mine. I slid my leg between his and nuzzled into him, getting as close as I possibly could. I breathed him in, kissed his chest, and slid my nose up to his shoulder where I peppered him with kisses.
“You’re everything to me,” Bronx murmured.
I laid my head down on the pillow next to him, gazing into his eyes. I hadn’t known him long. I didn’t know much about him at all. But my heart and my soul had already locked with his. I smiled at him as I rose my hand, cupping his cheek softly. My eyes danced around his face before I inched forward, pressing a soft kiss to the tip of his nose.
“I really do love you,” I whispered.
“I have to take you to this safehouse. It’s the only way to keep you safe,” he said.
“I know. And whenever you’re ready to head over there, I’ll get dressed.”
“Your parents can’t take you back with them. It’s too dangerous.”
“I wouldn't want to go with them anyway. Not if it means leaving you.”
“Do you think they’re going to be okay with that?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t care if they are. This is my life. And I’ve chosen who I want to live it with.”
“You could regret me.”
“And you could regret me. But that’s a chance I’m willing to take.”
“I could never regret you, Freya.”
“And I could never regret you,” I said softly.
He captured my lips one last time before we slid out of bed. We pieced ourselves together as best as we could, then walked back out into the main room. Bronx and I gathered some things they had left behind. Straggling suitcases. Food from the pantry. Beer and drinks and some pots and pans. We loaded down Bronx’s bike before I slid behind him. And together, we made our way to the safehouse.
He unloaded his bike as I walked inside, finding Hayley sitting at the kitchen table.
“I was wondering when you guys were going to show up,” she said, grinning.
“They back yet, Hayley!?” my mother called out.
“Yep. Just walked in,” Hayley yelled.
“Perfect. Because there’s a bottle of wine with our names on it,” Mom said as she walked out with a smile.
She poured us each a glass of wine and the three of us sat down. We talked. We caught up. I learned so much about Hayley and the job she had. She worked with animals at the zoo, and I thought that was incredible. Mom said that didn’t shock her in the slightest, especially since she and Hayley always used to go to the zoo together.
I lost myself in the stories as the three of us reconnected with one another.
“I love you both so much,” Mom said.
Hayley and I reached out for her hands, settling ours on top of hers.
“I know you do,” I said.
“I’m so glad to have you back, Mom,” Hayley said breathlessly.
“You know I’d do anything for the two of you, right? Anything to keep you safe?” Mom asked.
Guilt charged throughout my body as I drew in a deep breath.
“I’m sorry I got us into this mess,” I said.
“You didn't do anything. Sounds like this is more my father than anyone else,” Hayley said.
“It’s okay. I couldn't have expected to keep this from you forever. You’ve always been curious and headstrong. The two of you have that in common, you know,” Mom said.
I smiled toward Hayley and saw her return it in kind to me.
“As angry as I was for you leaving—and figuring out your father sent you money to fuel this little escapade—had you not left? I never would have gotten this chance to reconnect with Hayley. I never would have gotten a chance to see my two children sitting at a kitchen table, drinking wine with me. I’m sorry for keeping this from you. I’ve done a lot of wrong in my life, but I’ve always tried to do it with the best intentions,” Mom said.
“I know. I get it. And you don’t have to apologize,” I said.
Then, she turned her eyes to Hayley.
“I’m so sorry I left. I’m so sorry you felt abandoned, and that your father told you that disgusting lie. I’ve thought about you every second of every day since I had to leave you behind. But I thought it was safer that way. In some twisted way, I thought you’d be safer with the man threatening me than at my side, always running away from him. Please, forgive me, bumblebee. I love you so much and—”
“Mom, it’s okay,” Hayley said.
Tears rushed my mother’s eyes as she gripped Hayley’s hand tightly.
“It’s done, and it’s over. And there’s nothing we can do about it. The point is, you’re here. You’re alive, after all these years, and I could never be upset with that. I knew something wasn’t right for a while, but I just stayed blind to it. But what Dad’s doing? That isn’t right. Not by a longshot. Stone has helped me a lot. He’s helped me to get away from Dad for the time being until all of this can get resolved. And in the meantime, we can catch up. How does that sound?” Hayley asked.
“I would love nothing more,” Mom whispered.
Texas and Bronx started cooking dinner in the kitchen as Ella and Keva joined us at the table. The girls sat around, drinking wine and talking, while the guys were in the kitchen murmuring amongst themselves. We all knew what they were doing. Making plans and figuring a way out of this mess. But I’d take the peace wherever I could get it.
And I had a great peace sitting at that kitchen table with my newfound family.
There was steak and chicken. Shrimp sauce to pour over the sautéed vegetables. The men cooked a spread, and I was thoroughly impressed. They set plates and cracked open beers. Keva got a cup of her favorite juice and was able to take it to her room to eat and watch a movie. My father sat across from me, his eyes constantly darting between me and Bronx, who took the liberty of sitting down in front of me.
&n
bsp; I lifted my hand as I held my father’s stare and settled my hand on Bronx’s forearm. Hoping to the heaven’s above my father wouldn't kill us both.
But instead, all he did was grin.
“So, Stone,” my father said.
“Yep?” Stone asked.
“Think your club could use a bit of help?”
And that was how my father came to have everyone’s attention at the table.
Twenty-Five
Freya
“Come again?” Stone asked.
My father chuckled as he took the first bite of his steak.
“Mm, this is good, Bronx. You cook a decent slab of meat. Make sure to keep my daughter well-fed, yeah?” my father asked.
My eyes widened as my mother began giggling.
“That as much of an approval as you’re going to get from him,” she said.
I looked over at Bronx and watched relief flood his face.
“I think I can speak for everyone when I say we could use the help, yes,” Texas said.
“Well, since my daughters are wrapped up in this shit, I figured the Celtic Riders have a stake in this fight you seem to have gotten yourselves in,” my father said.
“Sorry, did you say daughters?” Hayley asked.
“Yes. Is that an issue?” my father asked.
I looked over at Hayley and watched as tears rushed her eyes.
“No. Not at all,” she said breathlessly.
“Good. Family helps family, and we’re intertwined tenfold. It’s probably not good for Rose and I to leave just yet, so I hope you’ve got a room for us,” my father said.
“Take anyone you’d like,” Stone said.
“I’ll place a call to my V.P. after dinner. I’ll fill him in on this fight you’ve got going on between the Chinese and the police. Protocol is to send out the core group to help. They’ll come in on their bikes, but without their cuts on. They’ll look like tourists until they are required not to be any longer. Once we figure out how big the mess is, there’s a secondary core group I can call in, if need be,” my father said.
Bronx: The Lost Boys MC #3 Page 15
