“I told you once before, we are not woman beaters. You will never lay a hand on her or any other woman as long as I am alive.” I hawked a thick loogie onto the president’s patch. “It’s outlaws like you that give one percenters a bad name.”
Sherry lay motionless, curled up against the wall in the closet. Without thinking twice, I picked her up and carried her into another room to tend to her injuries, leaving Odin to deal with his anger and lick his wounds.
After locking the door, I grabbed a med kit out of the top dresser drawer of the room I had called home since the day I had arrived in that shithole of a town.
“He’s going to kill you for this, you know,” Sherry said, whimpering as I dabbed the gash over her right eyebrow with an alcohol swab.
“I’d like to see him try.” I snickered, cleaning the trickled blood from her swelling face. “What happened anyway?”
She shrugged. “Lover’s spat is all.”
I let her keep her secret. I wasn’t one to pry. “These might need stitches. We should probably get you to the hospital.”
“No hospitals. They’ll try to make me file a domestic and walking in there with those busted knuckles wouldn’t be good for you.” She grabbed the suture kit out of the bag, placing it in my hand. “I’ve seen you patch up more guys than I can count. I trust you.”
I grabbed a half-empty bottle of Jameson from the nightstand. “Chug. This isn’t going to feel good.”
After she downed a few long pulls from the bottle, I slowly went to work sewing up her cheek and forehead. She muscled through it, biting down on the bedsheet as tears rolled down.
“I’m sorry if these scar up. I’m not usually worried about the aesthetics of these types of things.”
She pulled down the collar of her white shirt, which was stained with her blood, revealing a jagged scar running down her sternum. “It’ll just match the others.”
I leaned down, softly kissing the top of her scar between her tits. “You’re beautiful, scars and all.” I breathed in the lilac sent on her skin, realizing the mistake I had just made. Body frozen, I glanced up at her.
Pulling me close, she brushed her lips over my forehead. Instinctively, I knotted my fingers through her tangled mane, finally tasting the lips I had craved for years. Hunger overcame me as I crawled on top of her on my bed, feeling every nerve in my body buzz with lust.
“I want you, Rave,” she moaned in my ear as my teeth sank into her tender flesh.
“Be careful what you wish for, darlin’.” I breathed into Sherry’s ear, my fingers still knotted in her long golden locks, her hips pinned between my thighs.
She bit her bottom lip. “I like playing with fire.”
Banging erupted from the door, forcing me out of my love-drunk daze, and I reluctantly snapped back to reality.
“You fucking whore! Open the damn door!” Odin yelled as his fists beat against the thin wood.
“Come on.” I pulled Sherry to her feet, seeing the terror in her eyes. “I’m getting you outta here.”
“We can’t.” She pulled me toward the corner.
“We can and we will. Just keep your eyes down and walk beside me. Odin is not going to mess with me after the beating he just took. He’s dumb, but he’s not a complete moron.”
I sucked in a sharp breath before unlocking the door. I stood toe to toe with Odin as I shielded Sherry, pulling her out of the room.
“Someone had to clean up your mess, Pres.” I growled before walking Sherry right out to my bike. Every club member sat motionless as Odin yelled every foul thing he could muster. I didn’t care. I wasn’t loyal to him or to any of those men. I was loyal to my club, what we stood for, my personal code, and now Sherry.
I helped her onto the back of my Chief, whisking us to the gorgeous field I had parked in only hours before.
“This is breathtaking.” Sherry looked around at the expansive blanket of wildflowers as I killed the engine and stood up from the bike.
“You’re breathtaking,” I responded, wrapping my arms around her shaking body. “Are you cold?”
She stopped me from stripping off my jacket before kissing me sweetly. “No, I’m fine. It’s just been an intense day.”
My body ached to feel hers. My mouth watered as I thought about kneeling down and tasting her. My cock grew as I thought about bending her over my bike, but it was not the time or the place. She was vulnerable, and there was no way I would take advantage of her after what she had just endured.
“Do you want me to take you home?” It was the last thing I wanted, but I didn’t want her to feel pressured.
She shook her head against my chest. “Please don’t.”
In the middle of that field, I said three words I had only ever said to my mother and my daughter. “I love you.”
With her tiny hand on my cheek, her face softened into a knowing smile. “And I have loved you since the first time you came to my rescue. All these years, you’re the only one who has cared for me, defended me, and treated Abel like a son.”
In that moment, my world shifted again, the Hyde in me softening back to its even balance once more. In that moment, Sherry became my old lady.
Epilogue
Years later
After time, the dust settled. Even though Odin hated my guts, he refused to show weakness. He left Sherry alone, moved out of their house, and didn’t try to retaliate against me for stealing his woman. It was one of the worst things I could have ever done, but I followed the only barometer I knew to—my heart.
It took a few years for me to move in with Sherry and Abel; I wanted to respect their family dynamic and not piss the club off more than I already had. Once Abel was eighteen, he was the one who asked me to finally move in. It was what I needed to feel right with the situation. He was a patched member and had grown into a man I truly loved and respected.
One normal Tuesday night, while Sherry was cooking dinner, Abel practically carried his sobbing girlfriend into the kitchen. Setting her down at the table, Abel kissed the top of her head.
“Rave, Mom? Can we talk to you?” His shaking voice and terrified gaze made my heart race.
Sherry yanked off her apron, turned the stove off, and sank down in a chair. “What’s going on?”
“There’s no easy way to say this…” Abel trailed off as he looked down at his girl.
“I’m pregnant,” Colleen exclaimed through her blubbering.
I knew I should have been pissed. Abel was barely old enough to wear the new cut on his back and Colleen was still a senior in high school, but a huge grin spread like wildfire as I slapped my pseudo-stepson on the shoulder. “Holy fuck! That’s incredible!”
Sherry followed suit as elation coated her words. “I have never been so happy in my entire life. You’re going to be a daddy! I’m going to be a grandma!”
“You’re not mad?” Abel was wide eyed, glancing from his mother to me over and over.
“How could we be mad? A baby is a gift, not a punishment.” Sherry reached across the table to grab Colleen’s hand. “What’s wrong, honey?”
Colleen wiped her eyes with the back of her free hand. “My parents kicked me out. I’m pregnant and homeless.” She started wailing as her head fell onto her outstretched arm.
“You’ll move in here, and we’ll all help with the baby. You’re family. It’s settled.” Sherry looked up at her son as his eyes got glassy.
“Thank you, Mom.” He looked over at me. “As long as you’re all right with this, Rave.”
It was the first time I felt like the man of the house. I knew I was the figurehead, but I never wanted to throw my weight around too much.
I lifted my hands in the air. “How could I say no to our family growing by two? You know how I feel about being able to protect my loved ones, and y’all being under one roof will just make it that much easier.”
Bonus Scene
Where the fuck are you taking me?” Sherry asked as I led her down a steep riverbank.
&
nbsp; “You’ll see.” I glanced over my shoulder at her as we made our way to a moonlit waterfall cascading down to a gorgeous river.
I pulled my jacket off, wrapping it around her as I tucked her into my side.
“This is magnificent,” she whispered.
Pulling the ring box out of my cut, I knelt down in the mud, my boots nearly slipping out from under me on the slippery rocks.
“Sherry, I know you said you’d never get married again, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask.” I popped open the velvet-covered case, letting the moonlight twinkle over the modest stone. “Will you make the happiest man in the world and marry me?”
Her mouth was agape as she pulled me back to my feet by my leather. “I never thought I could love a man the way I love you. Of course I will marry you.” Tears rolled down both of our faces as I slid the gold band onto her ring finger.
Crushing my lips to hers, I pulled my woman into me, and her fingers fumbled with my belt buckle as she moaned into my kiss. I yanked down her jeans as she freed my cock, and then I licked my fingers before feeling her quickly, getting her ready for me.
“You’re so wet already, baby.” I bit down hard on her shoulder as her head tilted back.
“Diamonds do that to a girl, Rave.” She giggled a little while staring at the ring as she stroked my growing dick.
I moved her hand away, thrusting deep inside her cunt. I knew she had been mine for years, but nothing felt more real than that moment, standing in the mud, freezing my ass off, claiming her as mine all over again.
Want more of the Unacceptables MC Series?
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Unbearable
A Yeah Baby & Unacceptables MC Crossover
Sneak Peek
Chapter 1
Bear
Red.
That was all I could see.
The blaze of rage burning in my eyes.
The stinging of sadistic desire for revenge.
The sight of coursing blood.
Abel’s blood.
I was riding south on Interstate 85 in the middle of the night, just past Greenville. I hadn’t even noticed when we crossed over the North and South Carolina boarder. Jaxon was close on my flank. We road well together. There was a stinging emptiness though. Going up to Vilas, we had been three. Riding home with one missing was something I never thought would happen in my wildest dreams.
“Fuck you, Rigger!” I cursed my fallen traitor of a brother, screaming into the damp, still night air. My words were swallowed by the wind that whipped through my beard. I was the one who had brought Rigger into the club. I was responsible for trusting him on this mission. It was all my fault that Abel was dead.
The weight of that responsibility would haunt me for the rest of my days.
I was the reason why Abel was dead. I knew it to be true, but I could barely believe it.
Abel Hellock was not just a friend, another president, another Unacceptable—he was the backbone of the entire organization. He was the binding force that kept our men honest, loyal, and brave. What the hell were we going to do without him?
There was no method to the madness that I could pinpoint. For the first time since the president patch was put on my chest, I was unsure of the future of the club and unsure of the skull and bones that graced my back. As we neared an exit in White Plains, I signaled to Jaxon that we were pulling off.
It was for a call I had been dreading to make for days, but I knew it was far too overdue.
Pulling into a 7-Eleven parking lot, Jaxon and I parked at pumps.
“Everything all right, Pres?” he called over to me, pulling his skull bucket off.
I grabbed my cell out of the right saddlebag of my hog. “Yeah, fill ’em up. I have to hit the head.”
Even though Jaxon would find out I was calling Buck, I didn’t want him to hear me. I knew my voice would be shaky and hesitant. I knew I would fumble for words. It was not the time or place for a leader to show any sign of weakness, especially in front of a soldier who was losing his faith as well. Jaxon would never admit it to me, but my number two was wavering—I could feel it deep in my bones.
The store clerk’s eyes got wide as her gaze wandered over to me when the bell chimed overhead, announcing my entrance into the tiny shop.
I nodded over her way. “Hello, darlin’.”
She feigned a smile. She couldn’t have been more than nineteen, and I knew she was scared shitless. Her hand slowly disappeared under the counter; I knew she was reaching for some sort of weapon hidden under there. It wasn’t the first time I had gotten a reaction like that from a female. I was pretty used to it, and I couldn’t blame her. It was three in the morning, and Jaxon and I had ridden up on screaming hogs wearing cuts, looking meaner than sin. If she were my daughter, I would have taught her to do the same damn thing.
I pointed to the back, where a big Bathroom sign hung over the hallway. “Just hittin’ the john, dear.”
I walked into the tiny white washroom that smelled like mildew and piss. The lock clicked. The phone was gripped in my grasp, and I knew I had to dial. I knew it was time. To say that I was nervous was a damn understatement. It was the hardest thing in the fucking world for me to admit, but I was scared shitless to tell Buck about Abel. The other charters needed to know, deserved to hear it from me, but out of all the other presidents, Kane Buckley was going to be the hardest to tell. He needed to be first. I couldn’t bear the thought of him hearing the news from Blaz or Maccon.
It was two in the morning in Killeen, Texas. Thankfully, Buck was usually still awake at that hour. The phone only rang once before his gruff voice answered, “Yeah? Who the heck is this calling at this hour?”
“It’s Bear.” I sucked in a deep breath, waiting for his response.
“Hold on.” I could hear him shuffling a little and Barley mumbling in the background. Buck whispered, “It’s all right, sweetheart. Just a call I have to take.” The sound of him kissing his wife on the cheek came through the line before he shut a door behind him. “Bear? You all right?”
I chomped down, churned my jaw for a few seconds. No words would come out.
“Bear? What in the fuck is going on?” Buck’s voice was low as he growled into the phone.
“It’s Abel,” I finally spit out. Flashes of Abel’s skull ripping open as the bullet pierced the back of his head haunted me while I fought to find the words to explain the horror of that entire situation.
“What do you mean?” The smallest hint of panic coated the simple question.
I choked a bit before the words left my throat. “It’s not good, brother.”
“Bear, you fucking need to spit it out.” His voice was low and even.
“Fuck, man. H-he was shot. There was nothing we could have done. We walked right into their goddamned trap like fucking idiots.” My voice crackled as the thick words forced themselves out.
“Who? How? What can I do?” The sounds of his boots stomping down the stairs of his house echoed.
“The Vilas guys need some time. Ryder is his heir. Between Holt and Ryder, they will let us know what needs to be done. Right now, all we can do is reach out to connections and try to figure out who is truly behind this. We know Sinners were involved.”
“They’re too small of an organization to have the balls or manpower to go to war with us.” Buck was right; there had to be something more to all of this.
“I am about halfway back to Atlanta. I will call Blaz and Maccon in the morning.”
“Safe home, man. Talk tomorrow.”
“Aye, brother. We will make this right.”
“Nothin’ can make this right. Regicide will never be all right.” I could hear the twisting of Buck’s heart in his words. It mirrored mine. Rage and sorrow collided as we tried to accept our new reality.
After taking a piss and washing my hands, I made my way back through the store. “Have a nice mornin’, darlin’.” I nodded at the clerk on my way out. She
never muttered a word all the while her eyes stayed glued on me.
Jaxon was leaning up against his bike, waiting for me.
“Ready to get home?” I asked, throwing my left leg over my Harley.
“That’s a damn understatement.”
We were only a few miles out from our exit. The road was clear and quiet, it had been at least an hour since we had seen any other vehicles on the abandoned highway. I could feel the exhaustion from the last couple of days starting to weigh me down. It felt like it had been years since I had truly slept. A flickering light caught my eye just up ahead, off on the shoulder. Right as I was about to signal to Jaxon, he whistled. He must have been seeing the same thing I was.
There was a motorcycle on its side, the headlight flickering, the engine making a low crying sound. I flew off my bike, rushing to the aid of the rider who was sprawled out in the damp grass just a few feet from the overturned bike.
Throwing my helmet to the side, I yelled to Jaxon, “Call 9-1-1!”
“On it,” he responded and I could hear him pushing the buttons on his cell immediately.
I ripped the helmet off of the injured, passed-out rider and was shocked to find that it was a woman. I checked for a pulse—it was faint, but there. She wasn’t breathing. Without second-guessing it, I started CPR. The song “Staying Alive” played in my head just like the instructor had taught me in the class I had taken in high school when I was getting my lifeguard certification. At the time, I’d thought it was the most ludicrous thing on the damn planet, but in that moment, it worked.
I had no idea how long I was pumping on her chest, if Jaxon was talking or not, or even when the responders arrived. It wasn’t until a paramedic pulled me off of her that my brain snapped back into focus.
The Unacceptables Series Box Set Page 32
