by Ryan Michele
Moving slowly through the edge of the tree line, no one has come out of the building or is guarding it. My phone vibrates in my pocket. It’s a blanket text from Becs saying for everyone to surround the building, he will text us to start the countdown to open the doors when the coast is clear.
I scope out everything around us and there is nothing.
I head to the side door with Buzz at my side. We stand and wait. A few moments later, my phone vibrates saying to start the countdown. My adrenaline kicks in and I hold up five fingers to Buzz and count in my head. 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… I nod to Buzz, who kicks the door open which flies with no restraint.
A sudden metallic smell waves into my nose. With my gun drawn, my eyes dart around the building. “What the fuck.” I say softly. Dozens of men lay on the linoleum floor, blood seeping from their bodies, not one moving. Bodies lay with heads practically cut off of them; stab wounds straight into hearts and some have limbs chopped off.
I’ve done some wicked shit in my day, but this… This is a fucking massacre, something I have never witnessed before and never want to again.
“Clear!” is yelled out by several of the guys. I look up into all their stunned faces, not one seeming to put words together at the moment.
Becs reaches for his phone. “Pops. We got a huge fucking problem.” He starts and tells him everything that we see, even to the graphic details that I know will be etched into my head for years to come.
I walk around slowly, careful not step in blood or on a body, which makes it very difficult. “Find Rabbit.” I say out to anyone and everyone. That fucker needs to be gone.
“Found him, I think.” Zed says grimly. “And it ain’t fucking pretty.” I slowly walk over to Zed with most of the guys close by.
A man is lying in a pool of blood, a large knife is impaled through his skull, but there is a piece of paper covering his face. I grab the paper tearing it off of the body. To my relief the man is Rabbit. When I look at the paper, my heart stops as I read the words.
“What’s it fucking say?” I look into Becs’ eyes, hopefully conveying my thoughts.
“It says… ‘This is how Paine is really done.’”
“Paine did this shit?” Dagger asks pissed off.
“Yeah. It’s spelled P-A-I-N-E. He beat us to the fucking punch here.” I growl and turn to Becs. “Needs to go up.”
Becs nods and turns to his phone. “Pops we need to light it up. It will all land on us. We gotta clean it up.” He nods. “Got it.”
“Find whatever the fuck you can and get this shit ablaze and fast.” Becs orders and we get to work.
Entering church, Pops stands at the front of the table fuming. “That piece of fucking shit!”
“Gotta get rid of him.” Dagger speaks.
“No fucking shit. How the hell do we find him? We’ve got every fucking chapter looking for him and nothing. So you fucking tell me how the hell we’re gonna do that?” Pops fires back.
Pops is always so damn even keeled that having his rage show up is a bit unnerving. I knew shit was bad, but having him go off, shit is worse than I even thought.
“We need to see if Buzz can do some of that techy shit and track him. It’s a long shot, but it’s the only thing we got right now.” I say calmer than I feel. I need to keep my head on straight especially if Pops is going to lose his shit. “Let’s assess this.” I say motioning towards Pops, who takes his chair so we are all at least now sitting.
“Alright. Positive. Rabbit and his guys are dead.” The guys nod.
“Paine could be anywhere. We keep our eyes and ears open, but he won’t make it easy.”
“We need to get over to Ransom’s. How we gonna play this?” Cruz asks.
“Tell him exactly what fucking happened and we question him. We need to know who the fuck his informant was.” Pops states, placing his fists on the table.
“You think he’s a rat?” Dagger asks.
“Never can be 100%. Eyes and ears open.” Pops says, dismissing us. “Son.”
“Yeah?”
“And you thought it wasn’t your time for VP. Bullshit.” He smirks and leaves the room.
Leaving church, my eyes lock with Angel’s as she sits at the bar with Princess. Cooper’s sitting on her lap looking up at her with wide eyes. I know how he feels. She is beautiful, I can’t blame him.
Stalking to her, Angel smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Hey baby. Gotta head out.”
“K.”
“Uncle G.T.!” Cooper screams catching me off guard. Turning to the little guy, his smile is infectious.
“What’s up little man?” I ask ignoring the fact he just called me uncle, but I guess that’s to be expected since Princess is now his mom. It just happens to be the first time and by the smirk on Princess’s face, she caught it too.
“Casey gonna pay airplane wit me!”
“She is? Sounds fun.”
“You wanna pay?” His face turns excited and damn I didn’t want to disappoint the little guy, but I have shit to do.
“Can’t. Gotta head out.” Cooper’s face falls and my gut clenches.
“Hey, Buddy. It’s alright we’ll have lots of fun. Let me talk to your Uncle G.T. for a minute okay?” Angel looks over at Princess. “Take him?”
“Sure.” Princess looks at me knowingly. “Be careful,” she says as she walks away with Cooper.
Angel’s eyes grow wide and I can see in her face she wants to ask, but she refrains. “I gotta head out. Be back in a bit.” I pull Angel up from her seat and slam my lips to hers. I need to feel her against me. With all the shit falling apart, I need this woman more than my next breath. She doesn’t fucking know it, but she is holding me together. The fact I can come back from all this bullshit and bury myself in her is getting me through it.
“I’ll be here.” She smiles.
Gizmo’s is hopping. Pops, Cruz, Dagger and I meet up with Ransom sitting in the same spot as before with a different woman on each side of him. After getting rid of them, we are able to get down to business. Pops does the talking. After he had his ride, his head is clearer and his anger slightly dissipated. It is there, just hidden well.
I sit studying Ransom’s body language; which is difficult because he gives nothing away. There is only a slight flickering in his eyes that I could have easily missed had I not been paying attention. He says he didn’t know shit was going down, but we are all leery of it. Too big of a coincidence.
Ransom already took out the fucker that talked to him, but said he’d investigate and let us know. Pops isn’t happy. If Ransom doesn’t come up with something, we’ll be taking his ass out. And the fact that Ransom took out his informant before we could talk to him is another reason we don’t know if we can trust him.
“Drinks.” Ransom calls out to the waitress, who brings shots all around. “Didn’t go as planned but the fucker Rabbit is gone. Let’s drink.” We all look at each other and then swallow the drink.
Watching Cooper play with Harlow is pulling at emotions that I’ve been trying to tap down. For the past two weeks, I think I’ve been doing pretty good. I still think about Mia and what could have been all the time, but also think about what could be now and that helps.
Bella has been staying in the basement and she recently decided that it’s time for her to go back to school. I can’t stop her and as far as I know Jace is gone. She’s been spending a lot of time with Buzz and I know he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. It’s easier for her to stay here, but I can’t force her. I’ll just miss her and the selfish part of me wants to beg her to stay. I won’t though.
“You alright?” Harlow asks catching my attention.
“Yep. Just thinking.” I smile at Cooper as he runs off through the clubhouse; it’s like his own little stomping ground.
“How’s school going?” I talked to my professors before leaving and they agreed to let me finish out the semester and then I’ll begin my online classes. My professors say I can finish here in S
umner and I won’t need to go back. So at least that’s looking up.
“Good.”
“You sure you’re alright?” She asks again.
“Yep. I’m good. It’s getting late. I’m heading to bed.” Harlow grabs my arm.
“You know you can talk to me, about anything. Right?”
I give her a soft smile. “Yeah. I’m good.”
“Family sticks together, Casey. If you need me, come find me.” I nod heading off to G.T.’s room. He’s been out on club business most of the day and as much as I love having him around, I need a break. His protective streak has hit an all-time high and when he’s not side by side with me, he’s hovering and it’s driving me a bit nuts.
I can’t blame him though. Not with all the shit that went down. My mind still reels from Jace and what he was going to do. But I learned something from the whole mess. I’m stronger than I thought I was. I survived losing Mia, Diamond and my dad. I survived Jace trying to hurt me. I even survived G.T. for the most part. I’ve always considered Harlow to be the strong one, and she is. But, so am I and that’s a wonderful feeling.
There are days where I collapse and cry, but the kicker is, I pull myself up and continue going. Continue moving. Continue living.
I undress and lay on the bed pulling the covers up to my chin and drift off.
The bed dips and strong arms wrap around my body. I breathe in deep, smelling G.T. and snuggle into his body. “Hey babe.” He whispers kissing the top of my head.
“Hey. You okay?” He sighs and takes in a deep breath. I move and look up at his face and gasp moving quickly to sit up. A large gash is across his eyebrow and it looks as if it’s been sewn up.
“What happened?” I ask reaching to touch the cut but then pulling away quickly.
“Club business, Angel.” He stares in my eyes. “You are so beautiful.” He says stroking his hand down my face sending shivers throughout my body. This is the side of G.T. that I fell in love with; the caring, compassionate, loving man that not everyone gets to see.
G.T. reaches for my arms and pulls me down on top of him. His nose brushes against mine and butterflies start swarming in my stomach. How he does this to me is beyond me, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
His lips leave a trail of fire as he kisses my jaw and neck. My hands move to the sides of his head to hold myself steady. He pulls away and looks deep in my eyes. “You’re mine.” His words ring in my ears.
“I always have been.” I lean down pressing my lips to his. The kiss is passionate, yet unhurried and thoughtful. Each move of G.T.’s mouth feels like he’s planning it and thought long and hard about each stroke. Or he just knows how to make me flutter and come undone.
He flips me over on my back so fast a laugh escapes me because of the surprise. “You think that’s funny, huh?” He teases.
I smile and bring my hands to thread through his beautiful hair gripping him tight. “Are you sure you want this?” Looking into his eyes, I see my future. I see us together making this work. I need to know that he’s in it for real. That he’s in it with me. That I’m not losing my mind and seeing things that aren’t really there. I want this. I want him.
He leans down to my ear, his voice soft. “I’ve wanted this from the first time you threw mud in my face. I love you, Angel.” He kisses my earlobe and my heart implodes in my chest.
“Say it again.” I whisper back wanting it to be real and not a figment of my imagination.
He raises above me his eyes focusing on mine. “I love you, Angel. And only you.” A lone tear leaves the corner of my eye and G.T. bends down to kiss it away. “I need to make love to you.” My heart soars. Love. I nod unable to find any words.
He slowly slips inside of me taking his sweet time and filling me inch by slow inch. His eyes lock with mine and he begins to move. I close my eyes reveling in the feel. “Open your eyes Angel.” I open them, his eyes so full of love for me.
He doesn’t rush his strokes, he stays steady and calm. Small beads of sweat form on his forehead. I raise my hips and begin meeting him stroke for stroke. I reach around and wrap my arms around his back and link my legs around his waist. “Harder.” I whisper, needing more.
“No. Not this time. You’re almost there. I feel you.”
“I feel you too.” I dig my nails in his back no doubt leaving marks on his body. It doesn’t take long before his languid strokes cause us both to fall over the edge. Our heavy breathing echoes throughout the room and his smile is going to be the death of me. I want to lick his dimples and go again now.
Bang… Bang… Bang
I groan and roll over away from the seriously warm body that stayed cocooned around me throughout the night.
Bang… Bang… “Open the damn door.” Harlow screams from the other side and G.T. sits up. I wasn’t aware he was even awake.
“Go the fuck away!” He yells back and I wince. “Get back over here.” He reaches for me, pulling me tight against his chest. I love this feeling. I love feeling safe and protected.
Bang… Bang… “Now G.T.! Casey wake up and open the fucking door!”
“What’s her deal?” I whisper to G.T.
“Fuck if I know. Ignore her.” He nuzzles into my neck kissing me repeatedly.
“If you don’t open it, I’m kicking it down!” Harlow yells again. “5… 4…”
“Shit.” G.T. mutters both of us knowing that she will definitely do it.
“I’ll get it.” He groans, but releases me and I wrap the sheet tight around myself heading to the door.
“2…” I swing the door open.
“What’s the problem?” I ask looking up and down the hallway, but no one is around.
“You two need to get dressed and I need the keys to your car.” I stare at her and I think she may have just grown three heads. No way she’s driving my girl. I shake my head, but she cuts me off. “Don’t say no. Just do it. Everyone is out here waiting for you.”
“Everyone? What’s going on Princess?” G.T. growls from the bed and I’m thinking the same damn thing.
“Everyone.” She repeats. “Now give me your keys.” I walk over to the dresser hesitantly and glance over at G.T. who nods. I hand her my keys and give her a warning look. “Stop it. I’d never hurt your car. You have thirty minutes to get dressed and meet us in the main room.” She turns on her heel and strides down the hallway.
I shut the door and turn to G.T. “What’s going on?” He shrugs his shoulder.
“No clue. As much as I want to lay with you all damn day, Princess won’t give up. Let’s see what the hell she’s up to.” He swings his legs over the bed and strides to the bathroom. I take in his tight ass and the huge Ravage MC logo tattoo covering his back. One day soon I will lick every inch of it. He turns abruptly.
“Keep looking at me like that we won’t make it out of this fucking room.”
“I don’t wanna.” I lick my lips.
“Fuck babe.” He strides over picking me up cradling me to his body. “Shower now.” He growls and my body ignites.
The steam from the shower caresses my body as G.T.’s hands roam up and down it. He pushes me gently under the spray and wets my hair. He adds shampoo then massages my head making my knees weak. My hands land on the wall to hold myself from falling. He rinses my hair and then does the same to himself as the water flows down my back.
His arm wraps around my waist and he pulls me tight to his body. “This is gonna be fast, hold on.” G.T. spins me around, lifting me and my legs instantly wrap around his waist. He plunges into me; I scream from the impact and wrap my arms around his neck, holding on for dear life.
The slow lover I had last night is gone and in his place is the fierce demanding one that I also love. He pounds into me and bends down taking a nipple in his mouth. He sucks and I yell overcome by the surge of feelings racing through me.
He pounds relentlessly and somehow manages not to slip on the tile. He pushes me against the wall and takes one hand rubbing my c
lit hard. I detonate. G.T. is right behind me with “Angel” falling off his lips. He rests his head on my shoulder as we catch our breath.
Walking into the main room, G.T.’s hand is in the small of my back, but I stop dead in my tracks at the amount of people surrounding us. Everywhere I look, wall to wall are brothers and their ol’ ladies. Harlow steps forward. “What’s going on?” I whisper.
“You two are going to have to trust me.” She pulls out two pieces of silk.
“What the fuck is that for?” G.T. gnarls.
“Calm down, brother.” Cruz steps up behind Harlow. “Just trust her.” I turn to look at G.T. The confusion in his eyes must be reflected in mine. I shrug not knowing what the hell is going on, but I do trust Harlow. I nod.
“Fine, but I’m not liking this shit.” He rumbles. I put my hand on his arm and rub it up and down.
“It’ll be alright.” I kiss him quickly on the lips and turn to Harlow. “Alright. So you blindfold us, then what?”
“We go for a ride.” Cruz holds up my keys and my nerves flare. I’ve only let G.T. drive her and even though I do trust both Harlow and Cruz, she’s still my baby and if anything happened to her, I’d be crushed.
I take in a deep breath, “Do not hurt my car.” I warn and he laughs not saying a word. Deep down, I know he wouldn’t, but there is always a part of me that worries.
Harlow comes behind me placing the soft silk over my eyes plunging me into darkness. “Can you see?” She asks softly.
“No. Everything is pitch black.”
“Good. I won’t let anything happen.” She says softly in my ear.
“Now you.” G.T. growls at his sister and I smile. At least I’m not alone in whatever this plan is they’ve got going on.
“Can you see?” Harlow asks G.T.
“No.” He grumbles and I move my hand up and down his arm again trying to reassure him.
“Great. Cruz you grab G.T.” My arm is touched, assuming by the small hands, it is Harlow. “I’ve got you. Let’s go.” She calls out and we are on the move, my hand moving away from G.T. My pulse picks up as we walk and I can only rely on my hearing, but everyone around me is talking so much that it’s all one big jumbled mess of words. I want to reach for G.T.’s hand, but I don’t know where he is.
