No Way Out

by Lila Rose

  Tears filled her eyes and she pecked my lips. “I love you, too, Declan Stoke. But never talk about us doing each other in front of the kids.”

  Chuckling I said, “Okay, we’ll just do it…later.”

  “Done.” She smiled. “It was fantastic what you did for Josh.”

  “Nothin’ fantastic about the truth, woman. I mean it. You ain’t getting rid of me.”

  “Damn,” she giggled. I slapped her arse and ordered, “Bitch, get in that kitchen and cook me some breakfast.”

  “So rude and annoying, why do I put up with you?”

  “Because I make you come every night.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Well, I suppose there is that.”

  After she walked into the kitchen, I stood in the living room for a moment to myself.

  That was fuckin’ close. I nearly lost the only good in my life.

  My chest constricted. I rubbed it.

  There was no way I would let that happen again.

  I was gonna have to talk to Ivy. I didn’t want my woman or kids to have to see Helen’s face again and be reminded of the pain they felt in that moment.

  In other words, Helen was gonna be banned from showing her face in the club again.

  Even if she was sorry. Even if she didn’t know any better.

  I’d do anything for the people in this house, in my life and in my heart.

  Walking to the hall, I yelled down it, “It’s safe to come out. We’re doin’ each other later.”

  “Declan Stoke,” Malinda growled from the kitchen.

  Josh yelled back, “TMI, man.”

  And Nary screamed, “I don’t want to know. You guys are sick and old.”

  Thing was, I heard the humour in all their voices.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Malinda

  Two Months Later

  It was nearly Christmas and things were blissful. Although, no one still knew where Oscar was, things had settled into an easy medium. I had to get on with my life instead of worrying every day, so I did. I went out with the pussy posse. I visited their homes and got to know all of them more each day. Even though, those outings and visits included guards, I didn’t mind. I stopped worrying I was wasting their time. I stopped stressing over if my situation was a pain to them. I had to stop because I had been driving the men crazy with all the panic. Talon even came to my house one day and told me to fuckin’ get over it, that they kept their Hawks’ members safe. He reassured me he had more than enough men to take it in turns to have our backs and they enjoyed doing it because they wanted me and the children safe. Not only for us, but for their brother, Stoke’s, peace of mind. Talon was scary enough to not argue the point with, so I didn’t, and got over it all.

  Besides, he said if I didn’t, he’d send Griz next time and I was scared of him more.

  “You ready?” Declan asked from the driver’s side of his pick-up. We were about to enter Nancy’s house. The children had finished school three weeks ago and Nancy was putting on a party to celebrate Josie graduating high school and the fact she would soon be leaving home, and town, to move to Melbourne to study at one of the biggest university’s there Swingborne.

  I was proud and nervous for my daughter going into year twelve, so this was also a celebration for Nary getting good grades and for Saxon, who sat in the back of the car in one corner beside Josh.

  Saxon didn’t want to come, but he had no choice when we turned up at the compound and I sent Stoke in to get him. He wouldn’t dare not listen to Stoke. He admired him too much. So, even with his scowl and grumbling, he got into the pick-up.

  I turned in the car seat and looked at the children in the back. Smiling, I asked, “Are you guys ready for some fun?”

  Nary nodded, Josh yelled, “Hell yeah.”

  Saxon asked, “How can a family lunch be fun?”

  When I caught Declan’s eyes, we both burst out laughing. “Honey,” I said to Saxon. “Just wait until you meet Nancy and Julian.” I knew for a fact Saxon hadn’t met Julian as yet, because Julian had a new job, instead of his regular one as a masseuse. He worked during the day at Talon’s strip club in Geelong where he taught the strippers…or exotic dancers as Julian called them, new dance moves.

  As for Nancy, apparently, Talon had banned her from the compound for a year because his men were sick of her babying them or flirting with them.

  Climbing out of the pick-up with my bowlful of macaroni and cheese pasta salad, I heard the front door open. Looking up, I spotted Ivy smiling and coming down the walk.

  “Hey, hi, how’s it going? Need a hand with anything?” She waved, grinned and blushed.

  Ever since the night at the club when Declan and I watched Ivy and Killer going at it, she’s never been able to not blush around us. I found it cute and funny. She came to our house the next day after that night with a handful of chocolate and DVDs. As soon as I opened the door and saw her worried face, I reassured her with a warm smile and invited her in.

  Stoke had been out with the children and three other bikers. I was home alone…well, to the extent of having my usual guard’s front and back.

  She got through the door, took a breath and said, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know the guys had that planned. I mean I did, but not until, like probably before my man…um, when he, went down there and you know, by then, I was so turned on I couldn’t think, and then, thinking people were watching, well…I kinda, liked that thought to, which makes me weird I know. But it’s like I like showing people the wonderfulness of Fox and me together. I’d never want to be with anyone else or have anyone touch Fox. I would have to hurt someone if they even tried and that would be bad. I hate hurting people, but if some skank came at my man, I’d have claws the size of wolverines.”

  She started pacing, shaking her head, only to stop abruptly and turned to me where I stood near the front door still. Thankfully, it was closed. “I’m sorry you were put in that position. It was wrong of them and so wrong of me, for…um, not doing anything to stop it. I feel so bad now. Fox said I was being stupid. Apparently, he spoke to Stoke and Stoke said to him you didn’t mind…that, ah, oh, God, that you liked watching, but I couldn’t believe it. I had to come and talk to you and see if you hated me for it. It won’t let it ever happen again, so you don’t need to worry, but I kind of don’t want the others to know…that was, you know, um…private.”

  She threw her hands up in the air and stalked to the couch, placed her items on the coffee table, sat down and said to the floor. “I feel really bad about it all and I guess, I mean, I understand if you don’t want to see me or Fox ever again.”

  I waited.

  And waited some more just in case she hadn’t finished.

  When I thought enough time had passed, I walked to the couch and sat down next to her.

  That was when I couldn’t keep it in anymore.

  I burst out laughing. Her head snapped up and she gaped at me as I pitched over holding my stomach while I laughed so hard.

  “Malinda?”

  “Sorry,” I said, waving my hand around. “Oh, God, sorry. But that was awesome.” I took a deep breath to still my laughter and sat straight looking at Ivy. “Honey, I’ve heard you chatter before, but…wow, that speech you just delivered was epic.” I smiled to show I was teasing. She giggled. “And to reply—Fox was right. It was awkward to start with, but I couldn’t take my eyes away from it.” It was my turn to blush.

  “Really?” she asked.

  “Yeah, Ivy.” I nodded. “There is nothing wrong with you liking that sort of thing, hell, if anything, I understand it now, more than I ever would. It was erotic and it was lucky I had Declan with me.” I giggled and she joined in.

  “So…you didn’t mind?”

  “No, not at all. I’ve heard people go to special clubs for that sort of thing.”

  She nodded. “And, you, I mean, ah, you don’t feel funny now? With me in your house, after what you saw?”

  “I thought maybe I would, but no.”
<
br />   “That’s cool.” She grinned.

  “Yeah, it is.” I smiled and then watched a thought cross her face. I had an inkling of what it was, but I also knew she wouldn’t voice it. She wasn’t comfortable, which I found amusing. “Ivy?”

  “Yes?” she asked, meeting my gaze.

  “Maybe one time the guys would like to do it again…is that weird?”

  She blushed and her small grin was sweet, in a shy way. “I think they would like that.”

  “Good, now let’s eat the chocolate before the children get back and see it,” I said, standing and heading to the kitchen. “Do you want a coffee to go with it?”

  “Yes, please. Mally?”

  “Hmm?” I asked and turned to face her.

  “You don’t mind keeping this just between us?”

  Smiling, I said, “I prefer it that way also.”

  I had been surprised with how blasé I was about it all. Then I thought…I’d never tried different things. My sex life had been sheltered. I liked what Declan and I had. He was bringing my inner hussy forward and I was enjoying it. I think it also had to do with the fact I felt safe around them all. Ivy was an amazing person and I felt the same way she did with Fox. I didn’t want anyone touching my man and really…I wouldn’t feel right to watch or maybe have someone watch me other than Ivy and Fox. We knew where we both stood. We knew it was private and we knew each partner was off limits.

  It couldn’t be better.

  Later that night when I was in bed with Declan, I told him about Ivy’s visit. He rolled on top of me and asked, “So you’d wanna do that again?”

  Biting my bottom lip, I shrugged.

  “Love, we have to be honest with each other. Would you want to watch Killer and Ivy go at it again?”

  “Um…yes.” I blushed. He smirked and chuckled. “But, only if you want to?”

  “Malinda, I don’t give a fuck. If it turns you on, then shit, yes, we’re doing it again. If you didn’t feel comfortable about it, then we wouldn’t bother. But hell, woman, you’re always amazing in bed, though, that night, you were on fire.”

  “So were you.” I smiled.

  “You be up for doing it with all of us in the same room?”

  “I-I’m not sure.”

  ‘S’all good. I’d love to show Killer what I have warming my bed every night, but we’ll see if it happens. No stress, just go with the flow and see.” He touched his lips to my neck, pulled back with heated eyes burning me and growled, “Now, I gotta have you again. My dick is hard for his pussy. You willing to take it again?”

  “I’m always willing for you.”

  “Damn right,” he said and kissed me while sliding his hard cock into my already drenched pussy.

  I shook my head from all thoughts and focused on Ivy standing in front of me, waiting for an order. “Honey, can you get the chops I brought out of the back?”

  “Sure can.” She made her way to the back of the pick-up. I watched as Stoke made it there first and undid the tarp. He said something that made her laugh. I thought jealousy would have settled in my stomach, but it didn’t.

  “Mum, I’m taking Saxon in to meet Nancy,” Josh yelled and dragged Saxon down the walk, where Killer was coming up. I nodded, my mind still thinking on other thing, but I saw Nary slowly follow the other two into the house.

  Looking back at Ivy and Declan smiling and talking, I wondered again why I didn’t feel worry or jealousy over it. Why my claws didn’t pop out and why I didn’t want to punch Ivy in the face when she gently smacked my man on the chest because, no doubt, he would have said something crude.

  “You got the connection with my woman, that’s why,” Killer said at my back. I glanced over my shoulder at him, my brows drawn up in confusion. He smirked and gestured with his chin to our partners. “It’s why right now I won’t go over and gut my brother for teasing my woman in a way I don’t usually like. Stoke and I have a connection. He’s the only one I talk to, the only one I reach out to more than the others. He’s my family, my brother in more ways than the patch on our vests.

  “I know he’s only foolin’ around. He means nothing by what he does with or to Ivy. I know because he talks about you constantly, drives me fuckin’ crazy, but it shows me he loves you. What we share, that time you watched us,” I blushed and he chuckled, “that just deepened the connection, to share something so private like that. Ivy has a big heart, but she’s warmed to you more than the others. You and her have the same connection Stoke and I have. It’s how what we do in private won’t wreck what we already have.”

  Ivy gasped at something Declan said and yelled, “Shut-up, Stoke.” I laughed at them. Killer was right. There was a connection between the four of us and that connection was special.

  I turned to Killer and said, “You’re right and it’s awesome.”

  His lips twitched and he replied with a smug, “I know.”

  Rolling my eyes, I said, “Whatever, why don’t you make yourself useful and go help them grab some stuff from the back.”

  Laughing, he walked off. I glanced at the three of them now and my heart jumped and started into a beautiful beat. I liked what I had. No, I loved what I had with these people, especially my man. He was amazing in many ways. Even if he was sometimes demanding, annoying and possessive. I wouldn’t want what we have with anyone else.

  “Come on, people, get your butts moving,” I called to them.

  All three looked at me and smiled. Stoke also added a wink. It was then I knew I wanted to have another private viewing and soon.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Stoke

  Watching Malinda across the big yard was warming my chest. She sat on a huge-arse blanket on the ground with the younger kids. Swan was reading her something while Drake and Ruby were sitting and listening, but playing with some toys. She looked great. She looked right. She needed my seed planted in her to pop out our own tribe of little people.

  Even though babies scared the fuck outta me, in a way that my palms sweat, I’d still do it. Hell, I’d known for a long time I wanted Malinda May knocked up. She’d look fuckin’ awesome big with my kid inside her. Besides, my woman was the one who had to feed them and change them. I hoped to Christ anyway.

  Turning back to Talon, I asked, “Any updates?”

  Shaking his head, he said, “Nah, brother. It’s like he’s fuckin’ vanished into thin air.”

  “Anthony wouldn’t be playin’ us, would he? Maybe he’s got Oscar hold up somewhere or some shit,” Griz mentioned.

  “I spoke to Anthony this mornin’,” Killer said. We all turned to him.

  “What the fuck do you mean you spoke to him?” I demanded.

  He shrugged. “No one is getting’ anything. We needed all our eyes after Oscar and not worried about Anthony, if he’d make a move, so I talked to him.”

  “You went in on your own? Didn’t you think to mention any of this shit to us?” Talon growled.

  “It was nothin’, and besides, Stoke would have done the same for me.”

  “I don’t want shit hung over your head for anything, Killer; you’re just gettin’ your life back,” I snapped. “You imagine if I had to go to Ivy one day and say her man was dead because of some shit he did for me.” I shook my head. “That is something I would never want to do.”

  “You won’t have to, fucker,” Killer growled.

  “Dude, just say what you mean so we can all chill again,” Blue offered. Our group had gone from laid back to tense in seconds.

  I shifted on my feet, took a pull from my beer and glared at Killer, waiting for his answer.

  “Three years ago, Anthony called me up and asked me for a favour. I did it; he owed me one. So I called in the return favour, and now he’s not gonna do shit to Malinda or her kids. He’s waiting for Oscar to show himself. He doesn’t have him, but if we get him first, he wants us to give him over.”

  The tightness in my chest eased and I looked to Talon.

  “Your call, brother. What do you
want to do with Oscar if we get him first?”

  Fuck. What I wanted to do was make the motherfucker pay.

  But Killer had taken this risk for my woman’s safety and there was no way in hell I’d want anything to happen to her, him or Ivy.

  “Talk to him about my feelin’s and then hand him over.”

  Talon, Griz and Blue chuckled. They knew exactly what I meant. I looked to Killer who was smirking.

  “Thanks, brother.”

  “Any-fuckin’-time.”

  Richard, Zara’s dad, stepped up to the fold and said, “So, tell me what in the hell is happening about finishing Malinda’s troubles?”

  “We got it covered, Rich,” Talon said.

  “Covered? Is that what you call it? Why back in my day, I’d be busting down doors and threatening people. You done that yet?”

  My lips twitched and fuck, mine weren’t the only ones. I wasn’t sure how many doors Rich had busted down in his days, but I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall. I was sure my brothers were thinking the same thing.

  “Don’t worry, Rich, I busted down three just yesterday,” Blue grinned.

  Rich studied him, glared and said, “You’re pulling my leg. You’re damn lucky, Blue, you’re a nice man for our Clary, or I’d have to take you out for being a wise arse.”

  That was the great thing about Nancy and Rich. Zara wasn’t their only child. Whoever Zara or Mattie called their family, so did Nancy and Rich. They’d take anyone into their hearts with open arms.

  “Excuse me,” Nancy called from the back steps that led into their four-bedroom brick home. “I’d just like to say something please.”

  A few groans were let free; the loudest one was from her husband.

  “Shut-up, Richard, and get up here.”

  “Jesus. Wish me luck, boys.”

  We all laughed as he slowly, just to piss Nancy off, made his way to stand at his wife’s side. Everyone knew he was full of shit. He loved his wife like it was the first day they married. He loved teasing her even more.

  “Okay, Richard and I would like to say a thank you to everyone coming today.” Crap, tears welled in her eyes already. “Our beautiful Josie girl has done us so proud,” she gushed, looking down at her adopted daughter who was sitting in a group with Zara, Nary and Malinda. “She has blossomed into a gorgeous woman all too soon, and now she is moving out of our nest and taking on the world. It doesn’t seem like it’s only been two years with you, baby girl. It seems like you have lived with us all along. We have cherished each day we’ve had with you in our home. You, my dear Josie, are our daughter—”