“Come on. You need to take my cut off and give it back, but inside. Not here.” He said clenching his jaw. He began dragging her into the clubhouse. Bone moved into his path.
“Ratchet, we need to talk about this.” Bone growled looking at the hand he had on Mia’s arm. He didn’t fucking care what the man had in store for him. Mia was his and he wasn’t fucking allowing even Bone to tell him that wasn’t true.
“Not now. She needs to put her clothes back on and give me my cut first.” Ratchet said, moving to walk around the other man.
“Look I…” Bone began, but he was interrupted by a feminine voice that Mia would recognize anywhere.
“Mia? What the hell are you doing here? Wearing that?” Racheal’s shocked voice demanded from the porch.
“Racheal?” Mia said before she was almost tackled by the other woman. The woman wrapped her in her arms clucking in a way that reminded Mia of Miss Pearl. Mia hugged her back awkwardly because Ratchet didn’t let go of her arm.
He was still holding her arm in a possessive grip that Racheal seemed to notice as she stepped back. Her eyes narrowing on that hand which held her in an unbreakable grip. Then she asked in a cautious voice that Mia knew meant trouble if her questions weren’t answered correctly.
“What’s going on here?”
It made her happy to hear that deadly calm voice coming from her friend. After she’d married her husband Eugene, Mia had thought her friend was gone forever. She was grateful to see that she’d been wrong about that.
“They saved me.” She told her wanting to protect Ratchet from her friend’s retaliation.
“They did, did they?” Racheal asked a brow raised in question.
“Yes, I kind of got into some trouble helping the rebels.” Mia told her trying to tug her arm free of Ratchet’s hold. He didn’t allow it just moved closer and held on. She glared at him, but he only stared back at her. “Ratchet.” She growled, and he finally released her arm. He didn’t look happy about it though.
Ratchet wasn’t happy when Racheal called out Mia’s name and ran over to hug her. What the fuck. How did she know Racheal? She was from the Hill district. He didn’t understand. Nor did he like the idea that she had someone else to guide her in his world. He didn’t want anyone else teaching her about who they were or protecting her or hell anything. He was the one who was supposed to guide her not Racheal and certainly not another man. Even a man with an old lady he adored, he thought grimly.
He knew he was being stubborn as he held on to her arm, but fuck this wasn’t the way this was supposed to go. He heard her telling Racheal that he’d saved her and he liked being the one who’d saved her. Only he didn’t like that she lumped him in with the rest of the club who’d been there. Not at all. He also didn’t like her tugging away from him. Frankly it pissed him off. He finally released her when she gave him a defiant glare and said his name in a sexy pleading tone. He didn’t move away though. That just wasn’t going to happen.
“Rebels?” Racheal asked.
“Oh, I forgot that its been a while since you were in the city. After you left things went downhill fast. Harsher punishments for smaller crimes. Beatings. Deaths.” Mia’s voice faltered on the last words making Ratchet feel protectiveness rising up in his chest again.
“Yes, but why did you need saving? Did these rebels get you into trouble? Tell me that Raven and Marcus were not involved in this.” Racheal demanded anger in her voice.
“Of course, they weren’t involved it was Tray.” Mia said not feeling very proud to admit she’d been working with that jerk. She’d been an idiot.
“Tray? That little smarmy asshat had something to do with you getting into trouble?” Racheal asked.
“Well I was kind of working with him on getting food for the slums, Things have gotten really bad, Rach. Really bad. People on both sides are getting hurt, and I think they are headed for a war. It was awful. The Slum district is sure to revolt if they don’t stop with the starvation and the beatings. Anyway I took a job at the food plant and Tray was only supposed to take the two crates I told him were okay to take. Only they took seven, and somehow they must have found out and that was how they ended up coming after me. So then Ratchet and these other guys showed up just in time, and they saved me.” Mia finally stopped letting words flow out of her mouth. A little embarrassed by her long explanation.
“Oh hon. I’m sorry that this happened, but at least you’re okay. Come on lets go get you something besides that to wear. You know Pearl will want to see you. And Molly’s here. You met her that one time about four years ago, you remember her right.”
“Wait a damned minute!” Ratchet grumbled watching as Racheal began to pull her away.
“Right. Thanks for saving my friend, Ratchet. See you later.” Racheal said dragging Mia away. Ratchet would have followed and taken Mia right back if a hard hand hadn’t landed on his shoulder. He turned looking at Tank who was glaring at him. Bone stood next to him a look just as grim on his face.
“Let’s talk.” He said. Ratchet sighed, fuck. He wasn’t going to be able to follow Mia. She’d just waltzed away with Racheal after he’d saved her ass back at the city. That was gratitude for you. How dare she just walk away?
As he watched her retreating form, he almost growled in displeasure. She turned looking at him over her shoulder. Fuck, he thought as he followed Bone and Tank into Bone’s office. Ratchet was sitting in the chair across from Bone’s desk when Tank suddenly asked, “Where’s your cut?”
That was when he realized that although he never let his cut out of his sight, he’d just let Mia wear it as she’d waltzed away with Racheal. Fuck, he was really screwed, he thought. Because if he’d let her walk away with his cut he was already way too attached to her.
“Mia was wearing it over her bra. That’s why I was bringing her inside. To get it back.” He told the other man.
“What I want to know is what you’d planned to do today? That gate was crawling with guards. We didn’t have enough men to handle that. Were you planning to kill them all to get to Mia? Are you patching her? Is that what this is about?” Bone demanded.
“Fuck no!” Ratchet told him.
“That might not be the answer you want to give me. See I am sure that I told you to stand down at that gate, and the only way I could be okay with the direct defiance that you were about to engage in is if she was yours. Otherwise, this is going to need some explanation.” Bone said slamming his fist down on the table.
“Fine, I don’t know what the fuck this is. I just know I want to keep her safe. Fuck I don’t know.” Ratchet finally said after Bone glared at him for about three minutes.
Bone’s phone rang and he answered it on the third ring.
“What’s up, baby.” Bone asked turning his chair away from Ratchet. His voice taking on that soft tone it always did for Molly.
“Okay, so you’re going over there with them.” There was a pause then. “Yeah, that’s fine. I have stuff that I need to handle….Tomorrow” The man said after another pause. Then he whispered. “Love you too, babe,” before he hung up.
“Molly says your girl’s staying with Pearl and Bear.” He told him making Ratchet snarl in angry disagreement.
“The fuck she is! She’s coming back to the farm with me.” Ratchet burst out angrily.
“That isn’t going to happen unless she agrees to it. If you can convince her to stay with you instead of Bear and Pearl then fine, otherwise deal with it.” Bone snarled back at him.
“No, I fucking saved her. She needs to come with me I can protect her.” He roared standing now, glaring daggers at Bone who watched him silently.
“Not going to say this again. Ratchet, you don’t own that little girl. She’s safe. You know she is. If that’s all you’re worried about stay at the clubhouse for a few days to be sure, but know this. I am not in the habit of forcing any woman to live with a man she doesn’t want to live with and nobody in this club will be taking a woman who isn’t fully wi
lling to go with them anywhere. Make no mistake. We will protect her from you if it becomes necessary.” Bone stood and he was leaning forward into Ratchet’s face as he said this.
“I wouldn’t force her.” He grumbled sitting back in his chair with a sigh. Fuck, what made the man think he was going to force Mia to do anything that she didn’t want to. He was just going fucking nuts. This bullshit was making him fucking crazy. He’d planned on getting to know her better. A lot better. Only when he’d discovered that she was in trouble he’d decided that he’d keep her. Fuck, he should just go get his damned cut from her and leave. Go home to the farm and forget that Mia’s perfect tits made his dick throb so hard his teeth ached.
Even as he listened to Bone telling him about a man they needed his expertise to break anyway he knew he wasn’t going anywhere without Mia.
Chapter 10
Mia watched as Pearl began to mix the batter for the cookies she was making for the bonfire party tonight. She’d been here for two days. She liked it in Devils Falls. It was fun. She’d met a lot of really nice people, but one of the ones she’d wanted to see for the last two days had barely showed his face.
“Okay, it’s ready to be put on the pans you greased.” Pearl’s bash voice told her as she plopped the bowl down on the counter.
Mia was startled out of her stupor. She began rolling the dough and placing it on the pans Pearl had laid out. Bear came into the kitchen walking up behind Pearl. Grabbing her ass, and kissing her on the neck. She smacked his hands away laughingly.
“Stop you big lug. You’re making Mia uncomfortable again.” Pearl squealed girlishly. This was normal and after three days of this type of behavior she was getting used to it. Bear was sweet. Everyone looked at her like she was nuts when she said it, but she’d been surprised by the large man’s gruff kindness on several occasions.
“The girl’s fine. What time are you headed over tonight?” Bear told her still kissing her neck.
“About five.” Pearl responded.
“Alright, you girls be good.” He said just before he turned Pearl around and kissed her until she was limp. Then propping her up on the counter with a chuckle he left. He was out the door and she heard his bike roaring away when Pearl finally sighed before resuming the chore. Mia had already filled a pan and was starting on the second.
“That man is a maniac. Sorry about that Mia.” Pearl said breathlessly.
“It’s okay. At least someone’s getting some.” She grumbled angrily smashing her dough onto the pan. Not that she wanted to be getting some she told herself sternly.
“Well the boy’s still around. You might see him tonight. Won’t that be nice?” Pearl asked smiling as she placed two pans into the oven.
“No, I don’t want to see him. He’s a jerk. He hasn’t even spoken to me since he demanded his cut back. Rudely I might add.” Mia told her still slamming dough onto the pans.
“Trust me I get it. Men can be idiots. They are all that way, even my Bear. He’d cut his own arm off before he hurt me intentionally, but he’s still a man, honey. They are fatally flawed you know. It’s really not their fault.” Pearl turned back to Mia smiling as she began rolling the dough into balls and placing them on the pans.
“I don’t like him anymore anyway.” Mia told her even though she knew that wasn’t true. She did like him, and she was pissed that he wasn’t even trying to talk to her.
“Maybe we can find you another young man then. That will teach the boy that he should have appreciated you.” Pearl smiled.
Mia thought about that for a moment. Then she nodded yes that was the way. She’d show him. She’d find a man who pushed all her hot buttons just like he did and that would show him he didn’t matter. How hard could it be?
“I like that idea. Know anyone who I might like?” Mia asked getting excited about this idea suddenly. He’d be so jealous when she was with another man, and she’d tell him to eat his heart out.
“Sure, I think Pretty Boy. He’s handsome and sweet. He’d do for you I think.” Pearl told her after thinking for a minute or two. Perfect Mia thought. Now he’d learn that she wasn’t going to wait around on his whims.
Standing on the other side of the fire seething with rage Ratchet watched Mia laughing with Pretty Boy and Log. He was not happy that Mia was talking with them. When Pretty Boy reached out to caress her face Ratchet had had enough. He moved around the fire towards Mia and that stupid fuck who thought he could touch her.
“Mia, I need to talk to you.” He barked. Moving to stand in front of her.
“Okay, we can talk later. Come by tomorrow and we can chat then.” Mia said turning away from him to smile at Pretty Boy. Now that just wouldn’t fucking do. Not at all. He reached out his arm sliding around Mia’s waist.
“Now, Mia.” He lifted her off her feet and began dragging her towards the club house.
“Hey, Ratchet what the hell, man?” Log demanded moving into his path.
He glared at the man who thought he had the right to stop him from talking to Mia. Who the fuck did this asshole think he was messing with. Log stared back at him for several moments while Mia squirmed in his arms trying to get away but his hold was too firm.
“I would suggest you get out of my way, Log.” Ratchet said in a deadly calm voice he knew the other man would recognize.
“I don’t think that is a good idea. She doesn’t want to go with you.” Log grumbled.
Mia was watching the way Log was reaching for the gun in the holster at his back. Her heart began to pound. She didn’t want Ratchet hurt. Nor did she want to see Log or Pretty Boy hurt for trying to protect her.
“It’s fine. I will talk to the stupid neanderthal.” Mia told Log who continued to hold eye contact with Ratchet despite her agreement.
“You heard her.” Ratchet muttered behind her, his arm still wrapped around her waist not allowing her to escape. Mia wanted to protest, but she also didn’t want the two men to fight so she refrained.
It was several tense moments later that Log stepped back and let Ratchet carry her into the clubhouse. Ratchet didn’t give a fuck. If that dickhead had tried to stop him shit would have gotten serious real quick. Mia going with him wasn’t debatable. He carried her upstairs ignoring the partying that was going on around him. Carrying her into his room and slamming the door. He locked it then set her down.
She turned on him like a little hell cat. “You’re a bastard! How dare you just jerk me up and force me to come with you. And to your bedroom! I don’t fucking think so. Now let me out of here.” Mia screamed trying to get to the door.
“Stop, now. I will spank your sweet little ass if you don’t. What the fuck was that down there?” Ratchet demanded as he avoided the blows she tried to land on his chest while she was trying to get away from him.
“How dare you! That is never going to happen!” Mia screeched. Ratchet captured her wrists and glared down at her.
“Try me.” He growled, holding her against him.
“Just stop. You don’t even want to be around me so what the hell is the problem.” She demanded glaring at him.
“You shouldn’t be twitching your ass at men you can’t handle, Mia.” Ratchet growled.
“How do you know I can’t handle them?” Mia snarled, jerking on her wrists. Ratchet saw red. No fucking way was any other man touching her. It just wasn’t fucking happening. Not when his dick felt like it was about to drive a pike through a steel wall. Fuck, that. She was not going to twitch her ass at another man.
“This is how I know you can’t fucking handle them, Mia!” That was the only warning he gave her before his mouth slammed down on hers. She gasped and he took full advantage sliding his tongue into her mouth. He felt her loosen as he continued to kiss her and released her wrists so that he could grab her hips and pull her to him.
He knew that this was a bad fucking idea. Getting involved with her would likely cause more problems than it would solve, but with her hot little tongue meeting his every stroke and h
er hands pulling holding his cut, he knew he wasn’t stopping. She was going to get fucked, and damned the consequences. She made a mewling sound of pleasure and pressed against his chest. Her breasts rubbing him, her little nipples hard points that poked at him.
He slid one hand under the button up shirt she was wearing sliding over her bare belly. His cock hardened even more at the feel of her soft skin as he slid it upwards to cup her breast. He growled low when he felt the lacey bra that barely covered her. He wanted to rip the offending shirt out of the way and suck on those sweet globes of flesh. But first he’d need to rip his mouth away from hers. He growled against her lips, nipping. She made another mewling sound and his dick throbbed so hard he thought he’d pass out. Fuck, that was sexy, he thought.
Her hands were sliding under his cut rubbing his chest. She arched into him, her little hands clinging to him. Mia couldn’t believe how hot she felt. She’d been so angry with him only a moment ago, but then he’d started kissing her. It was like he’d doused her in fire. She was suddenly desperate to have him touch her. Caress her. When his hand slid into her shirt and his fingers pinched her nipple she almost came.
She’d never been so turned on from just a kiss. He was tugging at the buttons now and she was trying to feel every inch of him. He was wearing just his cut again tonight and feeling all that hot male skin made her want to climb him like a tree. She couldn’t believe how wanton she was acting. His lips slid from hers, moving down her neck. She leaned forward biting into his shoulder a bit to keep from moaning out loudly. She felt his hands clench on her shirt and then he was ripping it off her and his mouth was on her breast. He sucked her nipple into his mouth with a grunt of satisfaction. He didn’t bother to remove her bra he just sucked it into his mouth bra and all, like he couldn’t wait that second it would take to take it off.
She was almost mindless and her knees weakened. She would have fallen if it wasn’t for his arm around her waist. She was suddenly lifted slightly off her feet and then she was being laid back on the bed. He came down on top of her, his mouth never leaving her breast. When she arched into him, he switched breasts going after the other one with as much hunger as he’d sucked the first one. Moaning with abandonment, she pushed at his cut trying to remove it. He pulled back with a groan and jerked it off.
Saving Mia Page 8
