Theirs to Protect: A Rough MC Romance
Page 19
“We need to make plans on how to get this accomplished and I assure you, it won’t be easy. This is highly dangerous,” Crockett said, his voice emotionless.
I turned my head, the shadows falling on his face far too foreboding. I didn’t want any of them to get hurt. All three were beginning to feel like family, although I knew somewhere inside that I was insane for thinking that way. They’d taken me in, but the rest was entirely unconventional. I actually smiled at the thought.
Wade snickered. “We can take care of both assholes.”
“Yeah, well, don’t forget about the number of soldiers that will likely be present. Domingo isn’t going anywhere without his security details. That’s why we need the FBI’s involvement.” Crockett took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving me.
“I have no idea how many men work for Michael, but if the number of men protecting the house gives me any indication, he is also well protected,” I added.
“So, we’re facing a shit storm. Perfect. What do you have in mind, Crockett?” Dylan asked.
“I need to call Michael and arrange a meeting,” I answered.
Wade snorted. “I don’t like that idea on any level.”
“She’s right. It’s the only way we can bring him to the party. We’ll establish where after I’ve made contact with the agent.” Crockett was tense and even from where I was standing, I could see the rise and fall of his chest as he attempted to take deep breaths.
“And the party favors? Sounds like that’s second on Michael’s agenda,” Dylan interjected.
Crockett finished off his drink, moving to head inside. “True. We may simply use the lure of having Kelly meet with him to get him to Florida. Salizare is another story, but I’m not sure how I want to play it out yet. However, the drugs belong in the FBI’s hands. Are we clear about that?”
“Yeah, we’re clear,” Dylan answered.
“Missing a damn good opportunity for the club,” Wade added.
“As I said before. We’re not drug dealers.” Crockett turned a harsh glare from one man to the other.
When he walked inside, such extreme sadness swept through me, although I had complete respect for what he was trying to do.
We were an unlikely group, four people attempting to find some kind of life. I had no idea what to say to any of them at this point. I was bitter and angry, exhausted and empty.
“Are you certain you can do this?” Wade asked me as he approached the railing, leaning over. “I think I can speak for all three of us that we don’t want you hurt, or your little girl. There ain’t any kind of deal to be made that would make that acceptable. But I will promise you that I’ll beat the shit out of anyone who dares attempt to lay a hand on you.” While he grinned after making the last comment, I knew the man was telling the truth.
I’d never really thought about what a gentle giant he truly was. He was hiding just like the rest of us, likely another sad story that one day I hoped he’d share. “I don’t think I can rest if I don’t try and help. I have to if I want any chance of having a normal life, although I’m beginning to wonder what the means any longer.”
“It means waking up every morning to a beautiful sunrise, finding joy in what you’re doing and the people you’re spending your time with. It means knowing that you’ll be safe and well taken care of, no matter what obstacles come your way.” Dylan’s words floated into my ears.
“That sounds lovely. If it was at a beach just like this one, then I think my life would be perfect.” As the light breeze carried away my fantasy, I could still feel Crockett’s tension even several feet away. When I turned around, the sight of him pulling various weapons from one of the duffle bags was a stark reminder of the kind of person I’d allowed into my life.
Brutal.
Relentless.
Without a soul.
I shuddered, thinking about what Michael was planning.
Crockett’s back remained in our direction and I couldn’t help but concentrate on the teeming muscles in his forearms as he flexed both while adding ammunition clips. My throat was suddenly dry, a deep-seated hunger pooling into my system.
I moved away from the others, taking tentative steps inside. While Crockett didn’t acknowledge my presence, there was no doubt he felt the same jolt of electricity, desire that would never be abated.
“I’m sorry, Kelly. I shouldn’t have distrusted you and God knows, I shouldn’t have terrified you. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I hope you’ll consider it.”
“I can’t imagine what you went through.”
Sighing, he took his time checking another weapon, the sight of so many guns terrifying me. Sadly, I would use one if it meant protecting Emily.
Or the three brooding men.
“Well, we’ll all been through some shit in our lives. I just want to make certain no other family goes through that kind of thing,” he said softly.
I walked closer, starting to reach out then pulling back. “You are a hero, Crockett. Whether you believe it or not. You’re strong and willing to die for someone you love. I hope to find that one day.”
He slowly cocked his head before returning the guns to the bag. “This might be hard for you to believe but you’re very special to me, Kelly. More than you know.”
Maybe I was too much of a dreamer or maybe I was just a stupid girl, but I could see such love in his eyes. I smiled, nodding for encouragement. I wanted to share with him how I felt, but I was too afraid to say the words.
Hell, I was terrified of making another mistake.
So I remained quiet, his face reflecting hurt for a split second.
“I have a burner phone for you to use to call Michael.” He zipped the bag, pushing it away, his shoulders slumping.
“What am I supposed to tell him?”
As he slowly shifted in my direction, the remaining weapon in his hand was held firm, his chest rising and falling. “Tell him you only want your freedom, that he can have your daughter on certain conditions. Make certain he knows you’ll need two days in order to retrieve her, but you’ll call with the meeting location tomorrow. Provide no additional information.” He slipped his hand into the outside flap of the duffle, retrieving a cellphone. “Don’t worry. This is untraceable.”
As he held it out to me, I was suddenly numb, bile forming in my throat. “What if I can’t do this? What if I can’t say the words?”
A sigh escaped his mouth as he moved closer, sliding the gun under the waistband of his jeans. The feel of his hot breath caused my heart to flutter, which at this moment in time seemed ridiculous. I had no business being aroused when I was about to talk to a monster.
“I don’t have any doubt you’ll know exactly what to say. Just think about Emily.” His words were frank, said without inflection and far too enticing with his deep baritone and solid vibe.
Exhaling, I was finally able to take the phone from his hand, nodding only once. “You need to hear me, Crockett, because I’m only going to say this once. I want to see that man face to face. I need the ability to rid him from my life.”
“Too risky.”
“Then I won’t help you.” I jutted my arm in his direction, refusing to blink.
“You’re a tough girl,” he murmured, his eyes raking down the length of me.
“You honestly have no idea. Nobody pushes me into a corner. If this will destroy him, then it will free the demons.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. That man will pay for what he did to you,” he said in a hushed voice, the dark pools of his eyes glossing over with pure hatred.
I thought about which number to use, one that he would likely answer. Then I stared at the phone for another solid minute before managing to dial the number. I took my final shot of bourbon before the first ring.
And there would be more after I was finished.
“All I can say is that this had better be damn good,” Michael barked.
“I think it will be for you.” I was surprised there was no quavering in my
voice, just words stated in my lower range.
“Well, well. If it isn’t the runaway bride. What happened, little princess, did you forget that I own you?”
The snicker in his voice was enough to rile the fuck out of me, but I held my tongue, turning my attention to Crockett as he studied me intently. “You need to cut the crap, Michael. You don’t own me, and you never did. That’s why I left. Now, I suggest you listen to me because I am ready to go on with my life, one without you.”
His laugh was deep and ominous, the same sound he always made seconds before explaining my punishment for the day. “That’s where you’re wrong and you know exactly why.”
“You’re not holding Emily over my head any longer. She may be your daughter, but she belongs to both of us. That being said, I will agree to certain terms allowing you partial custody.”
“Uh-huh. Why the change of heart, princess? Is it that you know I’m the only one who can provide for her?” Michael altered his tone, sensuous and alluring just like the first day when I’d met him in the diner.
“As I told you, I simply want my life. I’m going set up a meeting in two days. I’ll call you after I’ve retrieved Emily. She can stay with you for two weeks if you sign papers as drafted by my attorney.” I could tell I’d surprised him, the subtle yet audible breath catching in his throat giving me a smile. “But you will also be required to leave me alone. Is that clear?”
“I don’t think you’re the one who should be making any threats.”
“Since I have all the cards, I’m going to say anything I damn well please. If you want to spend time with your daughter, you will never have anything to do with me again. However, I assure you that you’re going to provide very well for our beautiful child just like you promised.” I sucked in my breath as I held my hand over the microphone, tiny beads of perspiration forming over my lip. Thank God the monster couldn’t see me sweat. Not over him.
Bastard.
Michael took a deep breath before bothering to answer me and when he did, he acted as if I’d just struck a deal to purchase one of his lavish mansions. “You were always a bitch, Kelly, nothing more than an okay time when I was bored. I’ll accept your terms, but if you attempt to cross me, you will suffer the consequences.”
I laughed in a way that indicated I couldn’t care less, even though my legs had started to shake. “I will call you tomorrow, Michael.” I ended the call before he could say anything else, nitpicking as he’d done just two weeks after romancing me with his suave and passionate ways. I stood with the phone still in my hand, unable to get the vision of Michael’s face out of my mind.
Monster. Monster. Monster.
I was lightheaded, no longer able to focus, echoes of his laughter pounding inside my head.
Crockett inched closer, gingerly taking the phone as he caressed my cheek with his other hand. “You did very well.”
“He’s going to try something sneaky. I know him far too well,” I whispered, no longer able to feel my hands or feet, another cold chill pouncing into every cell and muscle.
“Then he’ll find himself on the wrong end of a gun,” Wade stated from the doorway.
“You just don’t know what he’d capable of.” I realized nothing I said would matter. They’d made up their minds on how to handle the kind of situation where far too many people were gunned down like savages. I didn’t want that for them. I couldn’t stand myself if... if... I couldn’t even think the words.
Crockett handed off the phone to one of the others before taking me into his arms, holding me as if he was terrified that I’d slip away.
I had no intentions of going anywhere. Besides, where could I actually go?
“Listen to me. Michael wants you on the same precipice he placed you on years ago, pushing your buttons. Just try and ignore his jabbing words.”
I clamped my hand around Crockett’s shirt, drinking in his essence, the kind of musky scent that could make any woman swoon. “It’s not his words that bother me so much as the ghost who never leaves me alone.”
“We’ll work on that after we get through this next couple of days.” He tangled his fingers in my hair, curling his fist.
“There’s going to be an afterwards?” I asked, fighting his firm hold until I could look him in the eyes.
“We’re taking you to Virginia. Remember?” Crockett’s answer was far too casual, but I’d heard the glitch in his voice before.
“Oh, of course. Then you can get back to your life.” I pushed away from him, shifting my gaze from Dylan to Wade. “All three of you can. I know exactly what you’ve been thinking. You help me, I help you. If we catch a few bad guys while participating in some hard fucking, then all the better. Right? It’s been beneficial so far. Don’t you think?”
I wasn’t expecting Crockett’s hand to snag my wrist or the amount of force he used in yanking me back into his arms. I wasn’t prepared for the way he held the back of my head, his nostrils flaring, and those damn lips of his even more sultry than before.
“Damn it, woman. You’re far too quick to judge. You have no concept of what I’m thinking. None. Now, I suggest you close that pretty little mouth of yours or we’re going to have to close it for you.” Crockett’s lips were so dangerously close to mine as he whispered the words that I found it difficult to even breathe.
As he jutted his hips against mine, grinding them in an I’m-going-to-fuck-you-hard kind of way, I no longer cared how ridiculous it seemed to hunger for him.
For all of them.
I needed the release, the feel of their hard, naked bodies pressed against mine. I was cognizant the others had formed a half circle behind me, their deep and husky growls adding gasoline to the flames.
“Lady. You don’t get me at all.” Crockett pinched my chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting until our lips brushed together. “Not. At. All.”
I darted out my tongue, sliding the tip just inside as fingers brushed down my back, tugging on the shirt caught by the tight confines of my jeans. The taste of Crockett was entirely different than the others, as if his breath was permanently doused with the tang of bourbon and the sweetness of ripe fruit. A roar of fire shot up the backs of my legs as Wade bent his head until he was able to nip my skin.
Hands found my button and zipper, tugging the dense material down my hips, exposing the vibrant purple thong gifted by the dark-haired god. There was no sense in fighting as they tugged off my boots and socks before dragging their nails up the inside of my thighs.
Crockett thrust his tongue past my lips, dominating mine without hesitation, his fingertips digging into my chin. The kiss was passionate, his growls mixing with my moans as he drank in my essence.
“So beautiful,” Dylan whispered as he pulled my jeans off entirely, tossing them to the side.
I shivered once again, only this time from the thirst for every one of them ripping through me, the wildfire now searing every inch of my skin.
“Mischievous,” Wade added, a single finger wrapping around the thin elastic of my panties, sliding them down ever so slowly. “And so damn wet.”
The scent of my feminine wiles was unmistakable, much like the musk of their testosterone, the scent forcing my nipples into tight little pebbles.
When Crockett finally broke the intimate hold, he took two decided steps backward, drawing his shirt over his head while Dylan tugged the shirt over mine.
“Damn, woman. I could feast on you for days.” Wade’s guttural sounds swept through every cell in my body. Even the way he brushed the rough pads of his fingers down my arms was exciting, pulling me back into the same fantasy as before.
I closed my eyes as the fantasy became a reality, the touches becoming rougher, their deep breaths more intense. There was nothing like being swept away, taken to another world.
There was also nothing like fucking three of the most incredible gorgeous men on the face of this Earth. Whether or not this was a sin no longer mattered. This was exactly where I wanted to be.
Within seconds, I was dragged into Wade’s arms, his massive hands cupping my buttocks as he crushed his mouth over mine, his guttural sounds even more savage than the others. Even the way his cock pressed into my stomach was primal, his desire exploding from every pore.
He smacked my ass several times, although only to provoke additional excitement. I swayed my hips slowly, taunting him until he reared back with a strangled bellow.
I crawled my hand down his chest, flicking my finger back and forth across his sensitive slit, purring under my breath.
“She’s such a tease,” Wade managed.
“We know how to deal with that,” Crockett snarled, fisting my hair and pulling me back into a deep arc. Instantly, he hunkered over me, swirling his tongue around my nipple.
“Oh. Oh...” Stars floated in front of my eyes as he bit down, the hint of pain incredible. I was breathless as Dylan pinched my other hardened bud. I wrapped my fingers around Wade’s cock, pumping several times.
“You’d look amazing with your nipples pierced,” Dylan whispered before engulfing my tender flesh, the noises slipping past his lips nothing but a predator consuming his prey.
As Wade brushed his fingers down the crack of my ass, I tensed, panting as I twisted my hand around his shaft. Another roar slipping from his throat was my reward.
I wanted to scream as Crockett pulled away, disappearing behind Wade. My hunger was too great, my need for them more intense than ever. While I tried to remind myself that this wasn’t about romance, I also knew that the four of us had grown closer, tonight perhaps the beginning of the end.
The sadness creeping into my little world was almost overwhelming.