by Debra Kayn
"Ink—"
"A walk, Sheriff. This is Bantorus property. We'll take care of our own and call if you're needed." He strolled backward out of the alley, making sure the sheriff took a hike, and stood on the sidewalk to stop any of his MC brothers from riding too close to the building.
The Bantorus riders parked behind Lilly's car and came to him on foot. He motioned for them to hurry. Now that they were here, he wanted inside the building as quick as he could get.
Ink took Lilly's key ring out of his pocket. "I want Remmy and Cutter to follow me. The rest of you divide up and cover the front and back. I don't want whoever is inside to get out of the building."
The men split up without questioning him. Ink motioned for Remmy and Cutter to stay close to the building. He wanted everyone out of sight if someone looked out of the upstairs windows. He removed the pistol from his side, checked to make sure everyone else was armed, and unlocked the backdoor. Wanting to rush and find Lilly, he forced himself to take his time and pay attention.
On the main floor, he swung his arm out to the side, directing Remmy and Cutter to check the area. He headed toward the dressing room and office, knowing if someone broke in, they were likely to go for the locked safe where they kept the money. After a quick search, he found each room vacant, and spotted nothing out of the ordinary.
He headed to the stairs. The other men congregated around him and shook their heads. He peered up the steps at the closed door at the top. Fuck.
The only way someone could get inside if the door was lock would be by coming in the second floor entrance, right next to his and Lilly's suite. His muscles tensed and he gritted his teeth, checking himself. He needed all his focus toward getting upstairs unnoticed and finding Lilly.
"Katie's room is the second door on the left. Lilly will be at the far end on the right," Ink whispered. "The floor creaks on the landing at the top of the stairs. Go one at a time."
He led them to the second floor, tried the handle, and found it locked. Be safe, Ace. Be fucking safe.
Using his left hand to unlock the door, his non-dominant hand shook. Impatient and frustrated, he struggled with the key and fought the urge to kick the door in.
"Here," Remmy whispered, taking the key from him.
Once the door was open, he searched the lit hallway. Lilly's door stood wide open. He crept forward, pistol ready. Ten feet from the room, one of the men behind him made a soft noise to grab his attention.
He turned around, angered over being stopped, and found Cutter with his finger against his lips, pointing at Katie's door. Ink walked back to Katie's room and put his head close to the door.
Inside, Katie talked, but he couldn't make out what she was saying. Remmy leaned closer and whispered, "Maybe she snuck a guy in."
"Lilly's door is open. Let me check it out first." Ink clenched his teeth, put up a finger for them to stay, and he walked down the hallway to his and Lilly's suite. If Katie broke the rules, what in the hell would Lilly be doing inside their room, early in the morning, with the door open?
He held up his pistol, entered the apartment, and studied the whole area. Walking toward the bedroom, he checked out the kitchen, the bathroom, and found the rooms empty, the bed still made. Where are you, Ace?
Knowing there was only one place she could be, he returned to Remmy and Cutter. "I'm busting in the door," he whispered.
"It could be the girls decided they couldn't sleep waiting for news from the hospital and decided to chat." Remmy shrugged and continued to whisper. "You know how girls are when they're excited."
Cutter, leaning against the door, waved his hand to shut up, and shook his head. "There's a man in there. He keeps saying no."
"There's no reason for Lilly to be in there," Ink said, keeping his voice low. "I'm going in."
"What's the chance of Lilly having her gun on her and firing at you if you break in?" Remmy asked.
He ran his hand down his face. He'd rather take a bullet than wait another second. "Cover me."
The door to the room had an ordinary door lock, easily breakable. He stepped back and kicked underneath the door handle. The wood cracked, and he threw his body against the stressed area, stumbling into the room when the frame gave way.
Katie screamed. His gaze went straight to Lilly, who had her back toward him and a pistol aimed at a man tied up in a chair with an extension cord wrapped around his neck and attached to his ankles. Ink's legs wobbled as he stepped to the left with his pistol aimed at the man in front of his woman.
Out of his peripheral vision, Lilly stood straight and alert. The man's wild gaze flickered between him and Lilly. Ink wanted all the attention on him, and off his woman.
"Ace?" Ink said, walking closer. "I got him covered and Cutter is on your other side."
She remained facing the man, her gun pointed at him. "I waited for you."
"That's good, Ace. Real good," he said, a yard away from her. "You can put your pistol away now."
"I couldn't let him take you away from me if you came home," she whispered.
His chest tightened and he moved closer, not taking his eyes off the man in the chair. "Never leaving you, Ace, I'm here. Lower the pistol."
"Okay." She lowered her arm, along with the movement, her legs collapsed, and she crumbled.
"Cutter, watch him," he yelled, diving for Lilly.
He caught her before her head hit the floor and swept her limp body into his arms. He gazed down onto her face. His gut burned in anger. One of her eyes was swollen shut and there was blood at her temple.
He sank down on the couch, cradling her. His muscles spasmed in his need to go gentle with her, while wanting to crush her to his chest and never let her go. He'd left her safe at home, but it wasn't enough.
"Ink?" She wrinkled her nose in pain, peeking out of the one eye she could still work.
"Right here, Ace."
"I still have a headache," she whispered.
He pressed his lips to the top of her head and whispered, "I can fix that."
"Maybe later. Though I wouldn't turn down a couple aspirins if you have any." Her lips curved, and her sad attempt to humor him pierced his heart.
"Let's get you to the hospital and have your head looked at first." He stood from the couch, never letting her go.
"What would you like us to do with our visitor?" Remmy stood behind the man, pushing the barrel of his pistol under the man's chin. "Your call."
He glanced over at the man still tied to the chair and faced Katie. "Who is he?"
Katie continued to cry, rocking herself in the chair. "Troy Lehber. He was my ol' man. He escaped while he was out doing community service. H-he said he attacked one of the guards and ran. The cops are looking for him."
"He's Moroad?" Ink's jaw tensed.
Katie shook her head. "He said Moroad stripped his patches when he contacted them after he split. I didn't know he was out. I promise you, I didn't know. I'm so sorry. I would never let Lilly get hurt. I'm so sorry."
"N-not Katie's fault." Lilly nuzzled Ink's neck. "He broke in and was going to hurt her. I stopped him...I got my pistol back."
Ink turned to Remmy. "He's wanted. Call Cam and ask him if Moroad wants first crack at him. If they do, hand him over. If not, call in the sheriff and let him talk to Katie. Cutter, you stay with Katie and make sure she's all right. I'm going to the hospital."
"Does Lilly need an ambulance?" Katie stood, hugging her waist.
"No 'bulance," Lilly mumbled. "Ink. Just Ink."
He carried her out of the room, down the stairs, and to the car. After situating her in the front seat and buckling her in, he kissed her forehead lightly.
The fear of not knowing if she was okay, seeing her hurt, and knowing he should've been there to protect her killed him. It was his job to keep her safe, and she'd stood up and once again, saved him.
He swallowed hard. "Love you, Ace."
"I know." Her lips curved. "I love you, too."
Chapter Thirty
/> Nine months later —
Ink stood next to his old lady at the first ever Bantorus MC rally in Federal, Idaho. Every lifer from the Pitnam club and the Federal Charter attended. He'd swear that being here, holding on to Lilly, was the closest he'd ever come to having a family that loved him.
There were things he learned since claiming Lilly that he'd taken for granted. He rubbed Lilly's bare arm and bent his neck to kiss the top of her head. Despite his scars and his fears, he had always belonged. Bantorus MC had accepted him as a troubled young man, even though they weren't blood or paid by the state. He'd held himself back from seeing what was in front of him because he was afraid of losing the best thing he had in his life.
His gaze swept around the crowded area behind the clubhouse. While some things stayed the same over the years, each member had grown. There were new men in the MC, a wider reach within the community, and the first riders were settling down and making the Bantorus family bigger. Hell, even the Bantorus property had changed. Along with a few stray burn barrels lit to keep the mosquitos away, an empty keg or two from the party this weekend, there was a brand new wooden swingset and a couple of plastic kid ride-on toys littering the grassy spot halfway between the club and Kurt's house.
Life had changed for the better.
Kurt, a baby sleeping on his shoulder, stood with Risa talking to Beckett and Big Dawg over by the cluster of Tamarack trees. Ink smiled remembering when he walked Lilly down the corridor at the hospital to see Risa and Prez's new baby after the doctor checked out Lilly's head and deemed she'd be okay after a few stitches. Damn, that night changed everything for him.
Within a few precious minutes, he feared his world was falling apart. Then looking at a brand new fat baby gave him hope. They'd all move on and recover from what could've been the biggest loss of his life, because the next generation needed their support to accomplish what Bantorus MC set out to do.
Kurt had named his son David after the man who'd taught him how to fight in the ring. Since everyone knew David Haas as Pop, the Bantorus members had taken to calling the kid Poppy. A worthy nickname to protect, and Ink had an idea that if anyone made fun of Poppy when he was older for being named after a flower, the kid would have the necessary fighting skills to protect his reputation.
Lilly slid her hand into Ink's back pocket. "Did you have time to check in with Torque and see how he's doing?"
"Yeah." He held her closer. "He'll be fine. He's tough."
Torque sat in one of the chairs around the fire. His old lady, Brandy, had her own chair beside him, holding Torque's hand. Ink studied the man who'd always been there for him. The man that changed Ink's life when he handed over a suitcase filled with enough supplies to tattoo his whole body.
Torque's beard made him look older today, and the white bandages wrapped around his shoulder had aged him. It'd only been two weeks since Torque walked with some of the young boys affiliated with the Blue Flags, a youth gang out of Portland, when a drive by shooting happened at the youth center Torque owned. Torque—being the man that he was—jumped in front of the kids to protect them. He'd taken another bullet to his shoulder, but the doctor said if he survived all the other gunshots to his body over the years, this one wouldn't kill him either.
Lilly's fingers squeezed his ass. He leaned over and kissed her upturned lips. "Soon, Ace."
"That's what you always say." She sighed. "I don't think any of the others would notice if we slip away."
"They'd notice." He laughed. "Everyone is waiting for us to make our move."
Raul shoved Bruce, ducking when Bruce let go of Kristen and swung at him, missing. No sooner had Raul stepped away and he tapped Slade on the shoulder, motioning at his woman, Crystal, and Slade's wife Taylor.
"What are they doing?" Ink pointed to Crystal and Taylor, who grabbed Natalie's hand.
Linked together in a circle, the three women danced around Lee. Lee's gaze went toward the sky as he tried to ignore the women and their laughter.
"When I was little and hung out my dad's bar, Crystal and Taylor used to get in so much trouble bothering the bikers." Lilly turned in his arms and rubbed Ink's stomach. "It's good to see everyone happy and enjoying themselves. I hope we can make this an annual event."
Lilly's hands distracted Ink. He grunted in reply. While he enjoyed the rally, he'd rather take his woman back home and have her to himself.
"Let's work our way out of here, huh?" Ink lowered his head. "I know something else you can do with those hands."
Lilly's leaned into him. "Deal."
Remmy stopped them ten feet away. "No way. You two are sticking around."
"Silver Girls is closed tonight." Shari slipped her hand in Remmy's pocket, blocking their way. "There's no excuse in the world that will work for ditching the party."
"We're just going inside the club for a second." Ink hurried Lilly along before she changed her mind.
Sawyer pretended not to see them, but stuck his hand up for a knuckle bump. Lilly reached across Ink's body, and took the bump for him. He shook his head. Secrets were hard to keep from family, and she played right into keeping his reputation as being a lady's man alive.
"Hey, you two," Lilly's mom hurried over. "You're not leaving yet, are you?"
Lilly glanced at Ink and gave him the look. The look that begged him to make an excuse, so she didn't have to lie to her mom. The only problem was he owed Lilly's parents. They handed their daughter to him for the rest of his life, and he'd never forget that honor.
"No...we were going over to the table to get a drink." Ink pointed at the booze covered table holding every alcohol beverage imaginable. "Would you like one?"
"I'd love one." Tori hooked her arm underneath Ink's elbow.
Lilly patted his ass in thanks. He escorted the two women to the drinks and decided there was no use trying to escape.
"Before we leave tomorrow, your dad wants to talk to you about your thoughts on expanding the Sterling Building." Tori sipped the tequila Ink handed her. "He knows a guy who owes him a favor."
"That'd be great." Lilly continued to talk about her plans while he concentrated on pouring a shot of whiskey.
Only a month ago, Ink had bought the vacant building beside the Sterling Building after Lilly had a dream about hiring more dancers to work outside in a more intimate setting with tables and umbrellas within the alley way. He tipped back his drink. He'd learned to listen to her ideas when it came to business. So far, everything she touched turned to silver.
"Rain, come here." Tori waved her hand above her head.
Rain lifted his chin and walked across the lawn. Ink straightened his shoulders and tightened his arm around Lilly. To say Rain never gave an inch was an understatement. He still wasn't sure if every time he saw Lilly's dad if he was going to try and beat the shit out of him or shoot him on sight.
"Baby," Rain whispered, hooking Tori's neck and rolling her into his side.
Tori placed her hand on Rain's stomach and beamed at Lilly. "Doesn't our daughter look happy?"
Rain looked at Lilly and flashed his eyes to Ink. The intensity of Rain's gaze nailed Ink. He wanted to step between his woman and his president. He sure in the hell wasn't going to let Rain ruin the party.
"She's got a tattoo?" Rain's arm came off his wife and he stepped toward Ink.
Ink shifted and put his hand on Lilly's hip to keep her out of harm's way. "Yeah, I gave her a tattoo."
It was Lilly's body.
Lilly was his woman.
He could do whatever the hell he wanted.
Rain raised his arm. Ink never flinched when the broad, strong hand came down on his shoulder and squeezed.
"You do good work. I've always told you that." Rain let go of him, and reclaimed Tori. "As long as you know my daughter is beautiful just the way she is."
Ink's lungs filled with air. "I know."
"Good." Rain leaned down and kissed Lilly's forehead. "I love you, baby girl."
"I love you too, Dad...Mom.
" Lilly snuggled into Ink's side and watched her parents walk away.
Halfway across the yard, Tori smacked Rain in the ass. Rain tilted his head back and barked out a laugh that left Ink staring.
"Damn," he muttered, unable to look away at Rain's obvious amusement. "I never thought he had it in him."
"What?" Lilly asked.
He broke away from the smile across Rain's face and the crinkled corners of his eyes transforming Rain's whole badass expression into a man still deeply in love with his wife. "Your dad. He laughed."
Lilly shook her head. "Of course, he laughs. Usually he doesn't laugh at the expense of a Bantorus member, but you're his son in law now. He's going to treat you like family. He's actually a funny guy, even if he is my dad, when you get him away from the club."
Ink looked back at Rain. Tori had him preoccupied with her kisses.
Family.
"I'll be damned." Ink chuckled.
All those years of Rain riding his ass, his MC brothers smacking him back to keep him away from Lilly, and every night attempting to shut off a heart that continued to urge him to go to Lilly, had kept him from making the biggest mistake of his life. The rules kept him honorable, they taught him the values of putting those you loved first, and they taught him that he could be the man that deserved Lilly.
He learned that if someone was worth fighting for, you willingly moved earth to be with the one that you loved.
"It's time to leave," he said, looping his arm around her shoulders.
She hurried to keep up with him. "I thought you'd decided to stay longer."
"Nope." He swooped her up in his arms, smiling at her laughter and the way she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Nobody's going to stop me from taking my woman home."
She laid her hand on the side of his face and kissed him deeply. He growled, and kept walking to his Harley.
In the parking lot, he set Lilly down on the ground and grabbed her helmet. "Two."
"Only two?" She latched the D ring under her chin.
He swung his leg over his motorcycle, toed the kickstand, and held out his hand. "First fuck is for me, and I'm going to take you half the night...slow and deep. Then you can have your turn, and do whatever you want with me."
