Making the Cut

by A. J. Macey

  “Kiera’s friend, Chase,” he murmured, glaring at the man who only proceeded to wave Garrett off before turning his attention to me.

  “Nice to meet you,” he added, his voice filled with excitement and glee as I shook his outstretched hand. Stone just stared, quiet and observant as usual as we watched him curl an arm over Garrett’s shoulders. What the hell?

  Holy fucking shit, I felt my cock immediately spring to life, throbbing painfully as Kiera strode through the door. She looked nothing like she did before, no frumpy turtleneck or mom jeans in sight, only sexy curves and lean muscles covered in colored ink. Honey brown waves flared around her as she stormed into the room and immediately behind the bar before pouring a large glass of alcohol.

  “Kiera,” Garrett started as he shifted to standing. Adrenaline flooded me as she yanked a gun from her waistband. My immediate reaction was to reach for my own, but Chase beat Stone and I to it.

  “Oh, no, boys. That won’t do at all.” He hummed gleefully, making me wonder what fucking psycho just waltzed into our bar and why the hell Garrett wasn’t more worked up. “Hands down, and I will consider not shooting both of you.”

  “No killing,” Kiera commanded, her eyes never leaving Garrett’s as she fumed.

  “No killing? Ah, man. I guess I won’t shoot you. Unless you go for your weapons again.”

  So much reassurance coming from a crazy person, I grumbled, removing my hand from my gun.

  “You little fucking rat bastard,” Kiera hissed coming around from behind the bar, her sole focus on her stepbrother as she traced the trigger of her gun.

  “We need your help, Kiera. We can focus on what I did later,” Garrett explained. What the hell did he do now? I growled, growing increasingly irritated with being out of the loop on whatever the fuck was happening. “Another Old Lady was kidnapped, and we’re willing to pay for her retrieval.”

  “How much? Location?” she peppered Garrett with questions, finally dropping her gun. Taking a deep breath, my tension and adrenaline eased slightly, but didn’t disappear as I waited for Kiera’s anger to explode again.

  “Five million. Half up front, half after it’s complete,” I explained. Now that the situation had deescalated, I couldn’t stop myself from glancing down at her tits, the lacy band of her bra distracting me. “We need to get her back before they sell her to the highest bidder.”

  “Do you know The Cat?” Stone finally spoke, directing his inquiry to Chase. Stone’s tone was harsh and demanding despite the words being quiet. I could see how high strung he was, his muscles twitching ever so slightly as he watched the scene unfold.

  “Yeah, you could say I know that pussy real well. Don’t I, Kiera?” Chase teased, his manic smile turning sinful as he murmured to Kiera. How is she so unfazed by his crazy bullshit?

  “You want me to steal back a person?” she snarked, looking at me like I was insane. It took a moment for what she’d said to fully register, but when it did, I felt my breath leave my lungs.

  This sexy woman standing before me is The Cat?

  Color me surprised.

  Stone

  “You? You’re The Cat?” I felt my entire body stiffen, the remnants of the adrenaline from the stand down just minutes earlier flaring again.

  “Uh, yes.” She shook her head as she looked at me. “I thought you knew that.” As if she had some internal revelation, her eyes narrowed and shifted to Garrett. “You didn’t tell them, did you?”

  “I said you knew The Cat, not that you were the professional thief who’s climbed their way up the ranks in the Nevada underground,” Garrett snapped. “You know how I feel about your extracurricular activities. I mean, fuck, Kiera! You went after Cory Harbold, do you even realize he’s Frankie Casterelli’s personal lawyer?” Another surge of adrenaline flooded me as she pointed her gun at Garrett again, but with her lap dog holding his weapons, I wouldn’t be able to do much.

  “Of course I fucking knew that! Why do you think I went after him in the first place? Frankie,” she sneered the name, “is my ultimate target, and I’m not scared of that fat fuck either. Hell”—her hands flew up in the air—“he already tried to have me killed.”

  “Wait, let me get this straight.” Brooks' head shook back and forth quickly, his hands out to stop the conversation. “Frankie ‘Smokes’ Casterelli tried to have you killed? Who the hell did he send?”

  “Oh, that would be me,” the man, Chase, added gleefully, giving us a small bow.

  “You’re an assassin?” Brooks asked with a skeptical huff.

  “Yes sir, I am. Skill Shot, at your service.” When he tucked his second gun under his arm and stuck his hand out for Brooks to shake, I jumped between them.

  “The highest paid assassin on the market? The one who went off the grid and retired?”

  “That’s right, I found something better than killing. Didn’t I, Kittycat?”

  Fucking shit, Garrett would leave out the fact that his stepsister is a thief and her lap dog is a skilled assassin, I thought as I watched Chase poke Kiera in the side.

  “He latched on to me,” she explained, laughing as he continued to prod her ribs. “Like a leech or a barnacle.”

  “Now, I’m her partner in crime!” he squealed, scooping her up in his muscled arms. “Ain’t that right?” These two were some of the weirdest that I had ever met, a killer cuddler and a snarky thief with the temper of a two year old.

  “Why would Frankie ‘Smokes’ want to kill you?” Brooks continued his questioning.

  “Seriously? Did you not tell them anything? Well then, it’s nice to meet you, Brooks. My name’s Kiera Casterelli.” The news was surprising, and my brows dipped down as I looked at her closely. There were no photos of Frankie’s daughter; the man ran his mob like the tightest ship I had ever seen, and his family’s personal privacy was one of those things most other criminals didn’t know much about.

  “Ex-hit man turned mob boss, Frank ‘Smokes’ Casterelli is your father?” I questioned, making sure I had actually heard her correctly. This situation just keeps getting worse and worse. Not only did we have two outsiders who were both infamous criminals, but now one of them was connected to the most powerful underground hierarchy in pretty much all of Nevada. Both were a threat to the club, and if I had anything to say about it, neither would be sticking around long enough to be a problem.

  We’ve already had enough of those with the Alloy Kings.

  Now, how the hell do I get rid of these two?

  Brooks

  I strode out of the building, the little firecracker hot on my heels as we made our way further into the compound. Reaching the picnic area, I leaned up against the closest table, propping my boot on the bench as I stared at Kiera.

  Everyone who’s anyone in Reno, hell, in Nevada, knew the Casterelli family. Frankie ‘Smokes’ was a legend among the underground, a scary bastard, and so the fact that this sexy woman standing before me rocking sass, snark, and tattoos was his daughter surprised me. No one knew what had happened to Frankie’s daughter other than she’d left, some bullshit excuse about traveling the world or going back to Italy to become closer to their roots or some shit. But right now, all I wanted to know was who was this woman behind the curves and attitude.

  Was she friend or foe?

  “So, professional cat burglar, huh?” I started, hesitating to see if she would take the bait but to her credit she just cocked a brow. Guess I’ll have to dig a big further. “A mobster's daughter and the stepsister and friend to several MC members. You’re full of surprises.”

  “I’d say I tried, but I really didn’t,” she stated simply, her shoulder raising slightly before dropping. Looking at her, she really didn’t seem that old, early twenties at the latest. She was a puzzle that I wanted to solve, both in and out of bed.

  “How old were you when you started stealing?” She shrugged, her pink lips curling into a smug smile making me want to push further. “How’d you become a thief anyway?”

  �
��Maybe it was something I learned in the family,” she stated simply. The little thief is a skilled liar, I thought as I stared her down. Two small patches of pink bloomed on her cheeks, and her mossy eyes heated as she stared back unblinking.

  “Now, Kiera, I know that’s a lie,” I challenged, my gaze traveling down her curves. If she’s enjoying the attention, then why hide that I would fuck her on top of this table if she let me? I concluded.

  “Oh, really? How would you know that?” she sassed.

  “Cause there is a lot of shit that gets talked about when it comes to the Casterelli mob, and none of it included any kind of thief, let alone a famous one.” Despite my best efforts, Kiera wasn’t shaken, taking any and all of my prodding with a cool demeanor and sexy as hell smirk.

  “How’d you become a motorcycle club president?” she countered. “Was it passed on after your dad, the previous president, died, or did you have to have some kind of vote?” Hm, she might be harder to crack than I originally thought. I stared at her, noting the triumphant glint that lit within her heated gaze; she knew she had caught me unaware. Still the question is, is she friend or foe? She took half a step towards me, her hand coming to rest on my propped knee so she could brace herself as she leaned in. “You’re not the only one who listens to whispers, Brooks Abbott.”

  Brooks Abbott, huh? What else do you know? I silently questioned as we stared each other down. Her hand on my leg was distracting, and trying to pull answers from her was like playing chess with a super computer so I decided to change tactics. Catch flies with honey or whatever the fucking phrase is. Smiling, I leaned back away from her.

  “You’re definitely not what I expected,” I complimented. She perked up, her sweet smile holding a hint of the sass that I was finding to be a trend with her.

  “Good.” Crossing her arms shouldn’t have distracted me as much as it did, but when her tits were propped up directly in front of me, I couldn’t stop myself.

  “And I certainly didn’t expect this underneath that hideous outfit you wore on Friday,” I stated, my eyes leisurely trailing over her tattooed skin and tight fitting pants. My cock was rock hard and throbbing with the need to sink into her pussy.

  “I’ve certainly got a lot more going on,” she taunted in a low murmur, “if you think you’re good enough to see it.”

  Fuck me, she’s a walking sex goddess.

  “Oh baby, I’m more than good,” I countered, leaning forward to pull her to me. Her waist was thin and sculpted based on the abs I felt beneath her cut up shirt. “Want to take me for a test drive?” At this point, my questioning was forgotten for now, my sole focus on her body brushing against mine. Her half lidded gaze drew me in as I saw her chest nearly panting.

  “Boss,” Nate called. Kiera growled, so low I barely missed it, but based on her glare, she was just as irritated at being interrupted as I was. “We have news from our contact.” Ah, fuck. I slid off the bench and shifted to standing as I stared at Kiera. Time to work. Guess fucking The Cat’s pussy is going to have to wait.

  For now.

  She didn’t move, her gorgeous tits rubbing against my chest and pulling my attention one last time, so I muttered a command to Nate to send him on his way. “As for you, Baby, go get the details from Garrett about the job.” Grease and the fruity scent of berries filled my nose as I leaned down, my lips brushing the curve of her ear. “Don’t maim or kill Warden. Also, our conversation is far from over; keep that in mind next time I get you alone.” Straightening, I strode away leaving her panting and needy behind me.

  Kiera Casterelli was a fiery one.

  And right now? I was ready to be burned.

  POV 5

  Sharing is Caring

  May 4th

  Saturday Early Morning

  Brooks

  (Rival- Chapter 11)

  The bar was empty save for the two members and one hang-around that were passed out on the furniture or floor. Cheryl was the only one awake within the space, but she was clearing out the empty bottles and preparing them for recycling so soon enough it would just be me. I picked up the glass she had set out for me and sank into the chair. With a quick glance at my watch, I realized I only had a little while left until Chase was supposed to call me for an update, but a shuffling and low murmurs radiated down the hall, and I felt my lip curl in satisfaction when I saw who it was. Kiera’s thinning lips and narrowing gaze along with Garrett’s clenched jaw gave away that they knew exactly what was up and I smiled into my glass as I took a swig, lifting my hand in a thumbs up as they walked out of the room. My phone buzzed in my pocket making me turn away from them as I answered it without looking, knowing it was Chase. He had an odd sense of timing things just right.

  "Soooo?" Chase immediately questioned with an excited tone, his word going up at the end to make it sound like it was a question. I chuckled and took a sip of my drink.

  "The plan worked. They just left looking quite haphazard and well fucked," I explained, a sense of accomplishment flowing through me knowing the two most stubborn people on the planet finally addressed their long-coming desire.

  "Yes!" he cheered, the shuffling in the background cluing me in to the fact that he was probably doing a little victory dance. "Damn, I wish I could have seen it." My brows shot up at the wistful statement, my mind whirling with ideas.

  "You like that kind of stuff?" I asked, taking another sip. Chase gave a scoff as if that was a stupid question.

  "Yes, I love to watch. Let me guess? You don't like to watch because it would hurt your big alpha man ego?"

  "Fuck you, Assassin, I also love to watch," I huffed in indignation. "Don't think you know jack shit about me."

  "Oh, well, then how do you feel about sharing?" Chase seemed genuinely surprised, his tone lacking its usually teasing tone as he asked.

  "Sharing how? Like threesome sharing or... what?" Even if his question hadn’t piqued my interest, his abnormally serious tone would have. It’s rare that the man isn’t acting like a damn clown.

  "Well, I certainly wouldn't fucking complain about that," he murmured quickly, his tone seductively low, but he redirected his conversation too fast for me to respond, "Now how would you feel about-"

  "Alright, Boss, what in the fuck was that?" Garrett's snapping yell interrupted Chase, the thudding of Garrett's stomping footsteps filling the space. "Were you purposely trying to set us up? Let's not forget you're the one who sat Bambi down in my lap only a few moments before Kiera came storming in."

  "Oh! Put me on speaker," Chase chirped. Sighing, I pulled my phone away from my ear and smacked the speaker button before dropping it with a thud on the bar top. "Hey there, Gar! So glad you could join us for this conversation. You're welcome for your night, by the way."

  "Of fucking course you were involved, Assassin," he sneered angrily before glaring at me. "Were you part of this fucking plan too?" I didn't answer, smiling briefly before taking another drink. "Fine, don't fucking answer me. And what conversation am I currently joining? Another one of your psychotic plans, Chase?"

  "Aww, you know me so well, Gar," Chase teased, his prodding making Garrett stew even more. If it was possible to see steam coming out of ears like in the cartoons, I had no doubt Garrett would look like that now. "As I was about to ask Brooks, how would you feel about sharing Kiera?"

  Neither of us spoke, stunned silent by the question. Honestly, I thought, I haven’t even thought that far ahead. It had been about the job. Having some fun along the way with a feisty thief whose pussy would make an Angel sin was an unexpected bonus. Now, with Chase bringing it up, I couldn’t help but acknowledge the situation that was facing us. Do I want this to be something...real? How would that even work? There were three of us, one of her. Well, technically four, but for now I wasn't going to include Stone seeing as how he would rather stab himself in the leg than admit he had actual feelings.

  "How so?" I questioned, trying to keep my tone neutral enough that he wouldn’t know just how interested I was in h
is answer. Knowing Chase though, he could see right through my lie.

  "Well, we would date her, and she would date us. Stone too, whenever he pulls his head out of his ass. Kiera's never been one for randomly picking up guys. Hasn't even really considered it in the last six months since I came around, so the fact that she picked you guys is a big deal. Garrett doesn’t count in that seeing as how they’ve been in love for ages, but I want my Kittycat to have what she wants and she wants you three as well."

  "You'd be willing to let her be with other men just because it would make her happy?" Garrett sounded completely confused, the thought of sharing her almost as foreign to him as her wanting him, but we all knew how that turned out.

  "Of course. Wouldn't you?"

  "Uh, hell no," Garrett huffed, but I could see the doubt in his eyes and the way his lips pursed told me he wasn't as hard headed as he led on when it came to his mossy eyed, sassy as fuck stepsister.

  "Liar," Chase called him out on it easily. "What about you, Brooks?"

  "I hadn't thought that far ahead," I admitted with a shrug. "I mean, I'll try it, don't want anyone else but her, but would Kiera even be willing to share?" I tacked on the end. Kiera didn't exactly scream the 'plays well with others' type of woman.

  "I'll talk to her," he assured us.

  "You haven't talked to her about it yet?" Garrett questioned, his brows shooting up.

  "Talked to who about what?" Stone's question filtered through the bar, soft but distinct.

  "Kiera," I hedged, not wanting to set him off immediately to what exactly we were considering. Stone's upper lip curled in disgust, but surprisingly he stayed silent.

  "If she wants to date us," Chase blurted out, not caring about sugar coating the conversation with Stone. I watched my enforcer process what the assassin said, his expression shifting from confusion to shock, then disgust, followed quickly by anger, before finally falling into a mask of indifference.