by Mara McBain
Lips pressing together in frustration, Ginny shoved his cigar back into his mouth and headed to the garage with a little huff. Shaking his head at his old lady’s attitude, Zeke headed for the basement.
“Wouldn’t it have been easier to just show her? Less drama, and forewarned is forearmed.”
Zeke missed a step. Palms pressing into the stairwell walls, he steadied himself and took the final three steps in an awkward hop.
“Careful there, Grace.”
“Kiss my ass, Murphy.”
“Bare it and share it.”
“Grab a tub and shut the hell up,” Zeke grumbled, color shading his ears.
“I know it wasn’t the bare-it-and-share-it comment. I’ve said so much worse,” Murphy said, eyeballing his friend and partner in open amusement and curiosity.
Lifting one tote experimentally, Zeke stacked two. “Think your short arms can handle two, or should I send Ginny to help you?”
“I think I can handle it. You going to tell me what got under your skin?”
“Other than Bowie, the rest of the club wouldn’t have even thought of that. It’s considered taboo.”
Murphy frowned, trying to follow the big man’s thread. “Showing Gin the pictures?”
“Letting old ladies in on club business.”
“You said yourself that Soriano isn’t opposed to hurting women. I’d think they should be aware of a threat so they can take precautions.”
Zeke chuckled, shaking his head “You’d think so. Or we could just order them not to leave the house without one of us with them and look like a bunch of assholes.”
“I don’t know a lot about women, but that’s certainly an option if you want to make life hell,” Murphy said, brow still furrowed in confusion. He wisely dropped it as they stepped into the garage.
“Are the boys going to be there to help you unload?” Zeke asked, closing the SUV’s hatch.
“Hopefully, but just in case, I’m taking muscle along with me,” Gin said, smiling at her youngest as he came out of the house.
“Great timing, you show up after the work is done,” Zeke said, ruffling his son’s hair.
“I’m learning to hide better since Rhys and Mox moved out,” Garrett said with a grin.
“Get in the car, slacker,” Gin said, laughing.
“Be careful.”
Ginny cocked her head at her husband in askance.
“It’s a simple enough order, woman. Don’t over think it. Just look out for yourself,” Zeke snapped.
Giving her husband a searching look, she nodded and slipped behind the wheel.
Murphy stroked his goatee as he watched the vehicle back out of the drive. “I’m new here, but, once again, a few thoughts strike me. One, this isn’t just club business. This affects them and their kids. Hell, it’s about one of them. Two, I’ve never been married, but I’ve been around enough marriages that I can’t see this I’d tell ya, but then I’d have to kill ya shit going over real well.”
Zeke snorted and headed back inside. “You’re right about it affecting them and the kids. We’ll bring it up at the meeting. Maybe you joining the club is going to be more beneficial than I thought. Not everyone thinks like a cop. As to the other, it depends on the couple. I’m positive Reaper doesn’t tell Lee shit, and she wouldn’t say shit if her mouth was full of it. Taz and Tamara, the same way.”
“And in the Brawer household?”
“There are times, like a few minutes ago, but for the most part, my bad ass bride doesn’t accept being left in the dark.”
“I hope that little show of obedience wasn’t for my benefit,” Murphy said, accepting a beer with a chuckle.
“Don’t pride yourself. She would’ve shut her trap with any of the club members other than our two boys.”
“Until later?”
Zeke leaned back against the counter and nodded, swiping a hand over his flat-top. “Exactly. I can admit to you that I don’t shut her out. She can ask what she wants when we’re alone, and I’m honest with her if she asks.”
“I think some of the guys might be taking the spirit of things a little too far.”
“Everyone’s relationship is different.”
“You think the guys would think less of you if they knew that you discussed things with your wife?”
Zeke’s bulky shoulder rolled in answer. “They blow me plenty of shit, telling me I need to muzzle or rein her in, but I think most of it is good natured.”
“From what I’ve seen, most of them would kill for their queen.”
“She feels the same way about them. They’re family, and you know how she feels about family. Besides Mox’s feelings, I’m most concerned about Ginny if something happens to Eva. From the moment Mox said he found the girl beside the dumpster, just like I did Gin all those years ago, she latched onto the girl. Having something to focus on, besides the rape, has been good for her.”
“Then I guess we need to put on our white hats and make sure the good guys win this one.”
Chapter ~ 20
Tossing down his phone, Chelios’ grip tightened on the curves underneath him. Frustration made his thrusts brutal as he worked to find the release that would keep him from killing someone tonight. Rocco was off his fucking rails. His obsession with Eva was robbing him of what little common sense he’d had to begin with. Groaning, he focused on the hot clamp around his cock. Orgasm exploded from him with a strangled roar.
Slumping over the pretty stripper’s back, Chelios fought to bring his breathing under control. She squirmed, rubbing against the mattress. Rolling his eyes, he slipped a hand under her and put his finger on the button. As good as he felt, it’d be a shame to leave her wanting. She shuddered, a low moan escaping her parted lips before she lay still. Giving the back of her neck an indulgent kiss, he pulled out of her and rolled off the bed.
It took five minutes to rinse off in the shower and get dressed. The waitress at the service plaza had said the trucker he was looking for usually sat and bullshitted with the other drivers for a while. The plaza was the last before home, and she’d speculated with a giggle that maybe he wasn’t so eager to get home to the wife. He smirked. It was a possibility.
“Let’s go, doll. I have work to do. I’ll drop you at your car on the way.”
“It’s the weekend,” Tawny said with a pout.
“And our boss is a fucking whack-job who wants what he wants yesterday.”
“He needs to get laid.”
“I wouldn’t go volunteering for the job if I were you. His toys tend to get broken or lost,” Chelios said dryly as he nudged her out the door.
Chelios bit his tongue. Bringing the truck driver in to be questioned was a bad idea. He had followed the guy to a quiet little rural community an hour away. His house had been off the road, with a couple of barns. There had been no one else around. It had been the perfect place to ask a few questions and stage the scene if necessary. Rocco’s arrogance was going to bite them in the ass eventually.
“You’re a difficult man to find. What’re you hiding from out there in the middle of nowhere?” Rocco asked, circling the bound and blindfolded truck driver.
“Not hiding from anything. Just don’t like people.”
“Obviously you broke that rule for a nice looking piece of ass. Don’t feel bad. Eva has a way of making a man forget what’s important.”
The man’s head moved ever so slightly as he followed Rocco’s movements by the sound of his voice. A sheen of sweat glistened on his upper lip despite the December chill.
“Where did you drop her off?”
“She followed me out to the truck, but when she heard that I was only going as far as the next exit, she went looking for another ride. She seemed eager to get away from Cleveland.”
“Is that a fact?” Rocco’s voice came out in a low hiss, and Chelios could see the muscle twitching along his jaw.
“How much did you give her?”
“I didn’t give the girl a dime.”
“The problem with that answer is I still don’t believe she didn’t get in the truck with you. You see, my Eva is a hot little number that could wrap her lips around your smoke stacks. Not too many men are going to pass up a woman like her when she’s desperate.”
“I wasn’t going where she wanted to go.”
“Did you take her home with you?”
“I told you, the girl went looking for another sucker when I wasn’t going her way. Check with Allied. He was headed for Seattle.”
“Why the fuck would she want to go to Seattle?” Rocco snapped, pushing on the man’s shoulder so that the chair tilted back on two legs.
“Maybe because it was as far away from your worthless woman-beating ass as she could get,” the trucker sneered.
Rocco shoved the chair over with a roar. A string of obscenities poured from his lips as he stomped and kicked the bound man until his breath came in frenzied gasps. Stepping back, he straightened his suit jacket, his dark eyes blazing with rage bordering on madness.
“What’s the fucking Allied driver’s name?” he ground out when he could force words past his straining jaw. Met by silence, he screamed, “Answer me!”
“You cracked his gourd open on the concrete. He’s not going to answer you for a while, if ever,” Chelios said, shaking his head in disgust.
Rocco snapped. The heel of his Italian leather dress shoe smashed into the unconscious man’s face until his battered features were unrecognizable. Slipping in the pool of blood haloing the man’s head, he stumbled away, a wailing growl escaping his lips. Tugging at his ebony hair, he leaned over a crate, struggling to control his breath and fury.
Chelios’ lips pressed in a thin line. Why in the fuck had he ever promised Vincent that he would look out for the worthless little bastard? He’d known from the time he’d started working for the old man that Rocco didn’t have what it took. Now, the spoiled little asshole was trying to take them all down with him over a piece of ass. No bitch was worth that.
“Clean this up. Check his truck and property for any sign of her, and find me that fucking Allied driver.”
Chelios opened his mouth to tell the dumbass the driver’s body language said he’d been lying about Eva getting in his truck, but closed it again. There was no getting through to him when he was like this.
Opening his switchblade, he cut the bindings and set to work methodically. He wasn’t going down for Rocco’s stupidity.
Chapter ~ 21
Dark mahogany stained wood, gleaming brass, and thick etched glass teamed with rich leather to create a warm and inviting decor. With every table and the small vestibule area packed, it looked as if all of Trinity Falls had turned out to welcome The Lantern back. Ginny paused behind the bar to look out over the lively crowd. She had missed this. The Lantern allowed her to step outside of the Lords of Mayhem shadow and mix with the people she’d grown up with. It was as close to socializing as she managed. Looking at the animated faces before her, Trinity Falls had missed their gathering place as well.
Sambo snapped her lightly with a bar towel.
“I think they missed us.”
“Who wouldn’t?” Ginny asked, giving him a smug smirk and a hip bump.
“Full tray!” Eva called, coming through the swinging kitchen doors.
Ginny smiled. Eva was a hell of a waitress, and with Kat relegated to hostess duties tonight and a couple of others not coming back to work after the fire, she was a blessing. Thankfully, Amber had decided she wanted more than the Handlebar and Hot Rods bookkeeping to keep her busy and filled one of the vacated spots. With Lee and Rain pitching in around their part-time jobs, it was even more of a family affair than before. It felt right.
“Another round for the Lords,” Lee chirped, setting the bottles on the bar.
“That crew is awful demanding. They better tip well,” Ginny said with a laugh.
“The distinguished gray haired gentleman at the head of the table already gave me a tip involving eating discolored snow,” Lee said giggling.
Ginny rolled her eyes. “Of course he did. I can’t take that old dog anywhere.”
“His son isn’t much better,” Eva said in exasperation. “Tell the big lug he can’t fondle the help when I have a loaded tray.”
“Round and waddling and my old man is still copping a feel while I’m trying to seat people.”
“With a wait staff this hot I’m going to have to hire security, or get a better quality of clientele,” Ginny said with a saucy wink and they all laughed.
Eva groaned as she climbed the stairs to the apartment, one agonizing step at a time. After two years in her ivory prison, she’d forgotten how tiring waitressing was. She was exhausted, but damn did the wad of bills tucked in her purse feel good. Tips had been good tonight. She wasn’t counting on that kind of generosity every night, but she had plenty to pick up a couple more Christmas presents for Mox and give him some cash to help out with the bills.
The puppies started yipping the moment the apartment door opened. Eva’s shoulders slumped and she shrugged back into her coat.
“You clean up the landmines, and I’ll take the monsters out,” Mox offered.
“Deal.”
She had the dirty and shredded puppy pads cleaned up and was giving the laundry room floor a quick mop when the pups came thundering back in. Mox took the garbage bag she’d tied off and headed back outside without a word. Putting the mop away, Eva squatted down to cuddle the babies for a moment. They were so damn adorable.
Hearing the door, she hastily deposited them in their kennel for the night.
“Behave, poopies,” she whispered, and shut the light off.
She was stepping out after a quick shower when Mox strolled into the bedroom. Dropping his pants, he kicked them in the direction of the laundry hamper. Eva secured her damp towel and picked them up. Stripping his belt and putting his wallet, change, and stuff on the dresser-top, she put them and the wadded socks in the hamper. Why was it men could get their clothes in the general vicinity of the basket, but couldn’t take the five seconds to complete the mission. Maybe if there were a backboard or goal posts over the hamper. She smiled.
Mox yanked back the blankets and pulled her into bed with him.
“What a night. The Lantern was rocking,” he mumbled around a yawn.
“The grand opening was a complete success and everything went smoothly. The food was great. I didn’t hear any customer complaints. Ginny has to be so proud. Tips were flowing too. I want to give you some money towards the bills tomorrow.”
“Keep it.”
“I planned on keeping a little. There are a couple of things I still wanted to pick up for Christmas, but you’ve been so generous. Becca was right. I should be pulling my weight around here.”
Mox made an obnoxious noise and yawned again. “No one gives a rat’s ass what Becca thinks. In fact, knowing her opinion makes me want to do the opposite. Go out and spend it. Try to rub her nose in it if you can.”
Eva giggled against his chest. “You’re crazy.”
“Help with groceries if it makes you feel better, but Rhys and I have the bills worked out between us, and you don’t cost any extra.” He dragged her up over the top of him and kissed her nose. “I promise if something changes, or I run short, I will let you know. Now, cuddle with your man. Those puppies have got more love today than I have.”
Eva froze. Ice flooded her veins. Swallowing the bitter gorge that threatened, she lowered her head to plant light kisses along his collarbone. He tilted her chin back to look down at him.
“What’s wrong, baby? You’re white as a sheet. All your freckles are standing out.”
Tears trickled down her cheeks and she shook her head as words failed her.
“Eva?” Mox asked, sitting up to cradle her in his lap. “Talk to me, baby.”
“I cou-could never love anything more than you,” she stuttered franticly.
“It was a joke, Eva.”
“I didn’t even want
the puppies.”
“I saw your face light up when you picked up Vixen for the first time.”
“I’ve never loved anything the way I love you,” she said insistently, her eyes searching his, imploring him to believe.
Mox brushed tears off her cheeks with his thumbs and gave her a reassuring smile. “I know you love me. I don’t know why, but I know it’s true. Stop worrying so much. Tell me what’s going through your head. Is this a woman thing that I’ll never get or something that sick fuck did to make you afraid? You need to talk to me.”
Eva’s tears flowed harder. “I don’t deserve you,” she choked out.
“We all have our cross to bear I guess.”
His attempt at humor drew a snorting giggle from her, and she mutely shook her head as she cried. Taking a deep breath, he pulled her close and rubbed her back while she cried it out.
“He snapped the puppy’s neck because I loved it more than him,” she whispered against his neck.
Mox’s arms tightened around her and he closed his eyes, jaw taut with anger. “I’m not him,” he said quietly. “But, I’d like to show the rich bastard how it feels to be the smaller, weaker one.”
“I know that. My heart knows that. I just panic. No matter what you say, there are things that were my fault. That little Yorkie didn’t deserve to die. If I’d made Rocco happy…”
“Some people are sadistic. Rocco obviously has a few screws loose. He likes to hurt things that are smaller than he is to make him feel like a man. That is not your fault,” Mox said, visibly reining in his temper and searching for the right words. Silence hung between them. His hand rubbed the length of her spine in a slow circle.
“You’re going to make an amazing dad someday,” she whispered.
He jerked his head back to look down at her, shock stamping every inch of his chiseled face.
“You’re not—”
“No! Oh my God. No. I’m sorry,” Eva said, shaking her head violently.
Mox’s ears colored. “Jeez. It’s not like it would’ve been that bad,” he mumbled.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” she protested. “I meant it when I said you’re going to make a great dad. I just don’t know that we’re ready yet. We haven’t been together that long. I don’t want your family thinking I’m trying to trap you.”
