Ghost

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  Axel’s gaze sharpened on him. “What way?”

  “I threw her out,” Crimson mumbled. “I’m the reason she was beat to hell and back. I didn’t realize she was stealing from me to pay her pimp. I just thought she was a thief.”

  “You mean after you fucked her,” Axel stated. “I think if anyone around here had realized that Shelly would end up Ghost’s mate, they would have given her a wide berth.” Axel swung his gaze toward Ghost. “And how do you feel about that? Knowing that half the clubhouse has already taken your mate to their beds?”

  A red haze settled over Ghost as he thought of all those hands touching her, knowing that she hadn’t wanted them to. It infuriated him that his brothers had taken advantage of her.

  Axel’s eyebrows rose. “I think the murderous look in your eyes says it all. Well, you can’t kill your brothers because they’ve bedded her. They didn’t realize she wasn’t exactly willing. As far as they knew, she wanted them as much as they wanted her.”

  “I don’t give a shit what they thought. You idiots can’t tell when a woman isn’t enjoying herself? Have you not felt a woman climax on your cock enough times that you know the difference between the real thing and faking it?” Ghost glowered at all of them. “It sickens me that Shelly has been so ill-used, and by men I call family. I hope you beat the living hell out of Preacher before you sent him packing.”

  Darkness entered Axel’s eyes. “He paid the price of turning on his brothers. Switch and Digger took him outside of the town limits and dropped him on the side of the road. I don’t give a fuck where he went from there, or if he even survived. He aided in the abuse of women and I don’t tolerate that shit.”

  “Good.” Ghost looked around the room again. “I think we’re done for now. Viper. Axel. Go cuddle with your mates until it’s time to go. I don’t think we’re going to have any issues with this mission, but things could turn to shit in a heartbeat. Make sure you tell them you love them.” In case it’s for the last time.

  “You mean like you’re going to tell Shelly you love her?” Whisper asked. “Face the music, man. You’ve found your one and only. Best tell her in case you don’t make it out of this.”

  “Isn’t that enough reason for me not to tell her?” Ghost asked.

  Sadness entered Whisper’s eyes. “You really want her to go the rest of her life thinking you didn’t care? What if there aren’t any other men who cross her path that will tell her she’s beautiful, that they love her, and that she’s worthy of being loved?”

  Well, fuck. When he put it like that...

  “I’ll take it under advisement.” Ghost banged the gavel. “Dismissed.”

  Everyone filed out and Ghost went back to his room, anxious to tell Shelly that she would be safe after tonight. No matter the cost, he would make sure tonight was the last night Richard drew breath. He rapped his knuckles on the door before pushing it open. Shelly was still in bed, but her eyes opened as he stepped into the room.

  “How do you feel?” he asked, pushing the door closed.

  “Everything hurts.”

  He went into the bathroom and took out a bottle of pain reliever. He shook out a few pills, snagged a bottle of water from his mini-fridge and then handed them to Shelly.

  “See if this helps any. I wish I had something stronger.”

  Maybe another call to Doc was in order.

  “I’m sure these will be fine,” Shelly said. She accepted the pills and bottle. After she’d swallowed the caplets, she set the water aside. “You left pretty early.”

  “We called church.”

  “About Richard?” she asked.

  “Yeah, doll. We talked about Richard.” He sank onto the edge of the bed and smoothed her hair back from her face. “After tonight, you won’t have to worry about him again.”

  “I don’t want you to get into trouble, Ghost. If the police find out you caused him harm, they’ll come after you. I won’t let you rot in a jail cell because of me.”

  “I won’t get caught. And I don’t plan to leave him breathing either. Don’t worry. I’ve got a clean-up crew in place. They’ll never find the body.”

  She didn’t look convinced, a hint of worry in her eyes. He leaned against the headboard and pulled her into his arms, careful of her ribs. Shelly settled against him, placing her hand over his heart.

  “Promise me you won’t do anything foolish,” she said. “I think I would die if anything happened to you.”

  He looked down at her upturned face. “Why would you care whether or not I come back?”

  Her fingers curled into his shirt and she leaned into him even more. “No one has ever cared what happened to me, not since my parents died. When I’m with you, I feel things I’ve never felt before. I’ve experienced lust before, but when I’m with you, it’s more than lust. I don’t have a label for it; I’m not sure I should label it.”

  “I’m a damaged man, Shelly. You deserve so much better than me.”

  She shushed him by placing her fingers over his lips. “I’ve never met a man better than you, Ghost, and I doubt that I ever will. I’ve seen the silent brooding side of you; I’ve heard about the killer side of you; and last night, I saw the tender side of you. And all of those sides make up a man who is honest, caring, protective…and he’s wrapped up in a sexy package.”

  He faintly smiled.

  “I don’t know that I would make a good mate, and you definitely deserve better than me, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel something for you. I want you, but it’s more than that. Sleeping in your arms last night was the safest I’ve ever felt. And lying here with you now? Feeling your heartbeat against my hand? It’s pretty amazing.”

  Hell. How could he possibly turn her away when she said crap like that? He should beat her ass for saying she wasn’t worthy of him though. But he wouldn’t. Ghost wasn’t sure he would even give her a playful swat on the ass, not after everything she’d been through. He wanted her to always feel safe with him.

  “There are things about me that you don’t know,” he said. “And it’s going to sound pretty out there.”

  She smiled softly. “You mean the part where you’re a shifter?”

  He stared at her intently. “What do you know about shifters?”

  “I accidentally saw some of the local wolf pack shift one night. I was walking home from a job and cut through the woods on the outskirts of town. There were three of them and as I hid behind a tree, they shifted from human to wolf, then went bounding in the opposite direction. I don’t think they ever knew I was there. At least, if they did, no one has come to talk to me about what I saw.”

  “Do the other girls know about shifters?”

  She shook her head. “Why?”

  “Because we’re sending them to live with the wolf pack until they can either make other arrangements or agree to follow pack laws and remain with the wolves. If they knew shifters existed, it would be easier, but it’s an obstacle I think we can overcome. I’ll let Gabriel and his wife explain things to them. Viper is making the call now.”

  She caressed his chest. “So, what kind of shifter are you?”

  “Fox.”

  Shelly leaned up on her elbow and looked him over from head to toe then back again. “You mean to tell me this big, mouthwatering package fits into a tiny fox’s body? I’m not sure I believe you.”

  “Then I guess I’ll have to prove it to you.” Ghost eased out from under her and slowly removed his clothes. He didn’t miss the appreciative look in Shelly’s eyes as he dropped his pants, and his cock certainly took notice, hardening and lengthening before her eyes. Calling on the magick within, he felt fur sprout from his skin, then his bones began to shift and snap into place. The shift only took a matter of seconds, and he wasn’t sure how it looked to someone else.

  In his fox’s body, he tentatively approached the bed. Shelly was eyeing him in curiosity and held out her hand, like she would to a stray dog. He wasn’
t sure if he should be offended or not. Jumping onto the bed, he let her run her fingers through his fur. It sent shivers down his spine and he let out a little yip before nuzzling closer to her. In his beast’s form, he couldn’t deny the pull to his mate. He rubbed his body against hers, marking her with his scent, before giving her a lick on the cheek.

  Shelly giggled and scratched him behind his ear. Deciding she’d seen enough for one day, he leapt off the bed and shifted back into his human form. His mate eased out of bed, wincing as the skin across her ribs shifted and pulled. She placed her hands on his shoulders, sweeping them down his arms, across his chest, then settling them on his hips. Her blue eyes looked up at him intently, as if waiting for something.

  “Well, aren’t you going to kiss me?” she demanded.

  His eyebrows rose. “I turn into a fox and all you can ask is if I’m going to kiss you?”

  “Isn’t that what mates do?” she asked softly, looking almost shy. “You mentioned mates before, and…well, with the way your fox reacted to me, I thought….maybe…”

  “You thought maybe you’re my mate?” he asked.

  She nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor, as if she were suddenly very uncertain about her place in his life. He’d love to kick the shit out of her pimp for making her timid, for making her feel unworthy, and just for being an asshole in general.

  “Shelly.” She looked up at him. “I told you before; I didn’t think it was right for me to claim an old lady. I’m not mate material. But maybe the fates knew what they were doing when they threw us together. We’re both damaged in our own way, but I’d like to believe that together we’re stronger.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that if you’ll have an old broken-down soldier, who happens to now be president of an M.C., then I’d love to call you my mate. My old lady.” My everything.

  The smile that blossomed across her face was radiant and full of so much joy and hope that it nearly blinded him. She hugged him as tightly as she dared, then went on tiptoe to brush her lips against his. Ghost wasn’t about to let her get away with just a peck on the lips. Threading his fingers through her hair, he tipped her head back and deepened the kiss, his tongue stroking hers as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

  “Now will you make love to me?” she asked softly.

  Ghost kissed her again. Softly. “Yes, mate. I’ll make love to you. I promise to be gentle.”

  “I know you would never hurt me. Not on purpose.” She cupped his cheek. “I trust you.”

  Ghost slowly undressed her, taking his time, licking and kissing every inch of her that he exposed. When she was finally bare, he eased her onto the bed and stared down at her, thinking how utterly beautiful she was, even battered and bruised as she was. With infinite tenderness, he spread her thighs and sank to his knees between her legs.

  Her eyes widened and he wondered if anyone had ever pleasured her this way before, or if it was a first. It thrilled him, the thought of being the first to bring her true pleasure. The musky scent of her filled the air as she grew slick with need, and he couldn’t stop the rumble that escaped him. With his gaze fastened on hers, he spread her lips and gave her a long, slow lick. Her taste exploded on his tongue, and he couldn’t stop himself from going back for more.

  Thrust. Flick. Circle. Thrust. Flick. Circle. He plunged his tongue inside, then flicked her clit before circling it, each stroke firmer than the last, until she was writhing on the bed beneath him. He gripped her thighs gently, holding them open as he pleasured her. Shelly trembled, her thighs shaking under his palms, and he felt her body tighten, preparing for release. He sucked her clit into his mouth and lashed it with his tongue, and she came, bucking beneath him.

  Ghost kissed his way up her body, nuzzling the valley between her breasts. Her legs came up and wrapped around his waist as he settled between her splayed thighs. She looked dazed, but happy.

  “I want you,” she said in a voice so soft he barely heard her.

  “Are you sure? You’ve been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours. We can stop now if you want to.”

  She shook her head. “I need to feel you inside of me.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t know that you’re in the best shape for us to—“

  She placed her fingers over his lips, silencing him. “You heard Doc. He said it would be fine to be intimate. You just have to be careful of my ribs. I trust you, Ghost. I trust you not to hurt me.”

  He kissed her hungrily as he joined their bodies together, slowly sinking into her hot, tight channel. She gripped him like a glove and he nearly groaned from the feel of her. Nothing had ever felt so right, so perfect. Ghost made love to her slowly, taking his time to ensure her pleasure. With infinite tenderness, he brought her to the brink time and time again, before finally letting her topple over the edge of the cliff. As he found his own release, he held her close. In that moment, he knew it wasn’t just their bodies that were joined, but their hearts as well.

  Ghost rolled off her and stepped into the bathroom to get a wet rag. He cleaned her then himself before settling in the bed again.

  “I should probably feed you,” he said.

  She curled into his side. “Later. Just hold me.”

  He curved his arm around her waist and held her against his side, loving the way her slender fingers caressed his chest. If anyone had told him he would not only take a mate, but would love every moment of it, he’d have laughed in their faces. But he couldn’t deny that Shelly had wormed her way, not only into his bed, but into his heart. Now he just had to make sure he kept her safe.

  Chapter Five

  Ghost cracked his neck as he studied the occupants around the clubhouse table. He’d called this meeting, but he wished Shelly didn’t have to be a part of it. If he could wrap her up and hide her away, he would. He’d do anything to keep her safe.

  “He won’t be there,” Shelly said. “It’s Monday night. He sends all his girls out then plays poker with some buddies until about one or two in the morning.”

  “How many girls are left there?” Axel asked.

  “Three, unless he’s picked up others.” Shelly chewed on a fingernail. “He wouldn’t have just accepted the fact three of us didn’t return last night. I half expected him to show up here, guns blazing, in an attempt to get us back.”

  “Surely he isn’t dumb enough to take on an entire clubhouse of bikers?” Crimson asked.

  “You’ve already hit him where it hurts most. You took his girls away, his income. Each of us had repeat customers, so he’s losing that business. And Preacher was paying him a pretty penny to have three of us here every night.” Shelly looked from one man to the next. “He’s not going to take this lying down.”

  “But he isn’t going to expect us to come after him either,” Ghost said. “I’m not going to sit around and wait on him to come after you, Shelly. You’re mine and I’m going to protect you.”

  “About damn time,” Whisper muttered.

  Ghost scowled at him, but Whisper only smirked and winked.

  “If you’re going after him, you’ll want to get into the house and wait for him. He’ll come home drunk and possibly high on cocaine. There’s a chance he’ll have the girls with him. If he does, you’ll have to be careful.”

  Whisper looked offended. “We’d never hurt a woman.”

  She shook her head. “That isn’t what I meant. The three that are left will defend him. He’s convinced them that they’re special, that he loves them and only has their best interests at heart. They’re completely brainwashed and will do anything he says, which includes killing the five of you.”

  “Doll, we’re tougher than we look,” Ghost assured her.

  She threaded her fingers through his. “I don’t want to lose you, Ghost. Promise me you’ll be careful.”

  He lifted their joined hands and brushed a kiss against the back of hers. “I promise.”

 
“We’ll keep an eye on him,” Viper said.

  “Let’s roll out,” Axel said. “If this guy gets home around one in the morning, I want to already be in place.”

  Ghost kissed Shelly, long and deep. “Stay in the room, doll. I don’t think anyone here will mess with you, but I’d feel better knowing you were tucked away somewhere safe. If we’re wrong, and Richard does come looking for you, I don’t want him to see you standing out in the open.”

  She nodded, kissed him once more, and then headed back toward the bedrooms.

  Whisper slapped Ghost on the back. “We’ll be home before you know it. Let’s go take care of this asshole so your mate can rest easy.”

  The group went out to their bikes and revved the engines before peeling out of the parking lot. They didn’t want to alert Richard to their presence, so they parked their bikes two blocks away and walked to the house where Shelly had been held against her will. The windows were dark and the porch light shone brightly.

  Axel motioned for them to follow him around the side of the house. At the back door, Whisper pulled out a lock pick set and got to work. A few minutes later, the door swung open easily and they quietly entered the home. Ghost went room by room, checking to see if anyone was home, but the place was vacant.

  “I’ll wait in the living room. Try to surprise him as he walks through the door,” Ghost said.

  “I’ll provide backup.” Whisper headed toward the front of the home.

  “I’ll take the back door,” Axel said, “in case he runs.”

  “Want me to wait outside and try to keep the ladies occupied if they come home while we’re taking care of business?” Crimson asked. “I think Tamara is sweet on me, so it wouldn’t be hard to distract her. Hell, I could convince her I want all three of them at once and lure them away from this place.”

  Axel arched a brow. “This isn’t the time to get your dick wet.”

  “I wasn’t implying that it was. I don’t have to actually fuck them; they just have to think I will. Although, if they’re as loyal as Shelly says, I don’t know what the hell we’ll do with them after Richard is out of the picture. They’re sure to sound the alarm if they find him dead.”