by K. J. Dahlen
“So what were you going to school for?” I asked wanting to catch up on the three years, I’d missed.
“Well, the first two years I took general classes as I wasn’t really sure where I wanted to go. Then I got into numbers. Do you remember math was always my strong point back in high school?”
I nodded. She’d been a wiz at Geometry and Algebra when I knew her before.
“Well, I thought about accounting but that was so dull, so I went one step further and checked out international banking. And I love it. All the different laws and banking systems are really fascinating. I’ve got less than a year of school left then I can go into an internship with a bank and after a couple more years, I can get a really good job anywhere I want.” Then she shrugged. “Between that and a minor in journalism I’ve kept myself pretty busy.”
“International banking huh?” I shook my head. “I never would have thought that would be an interesting profession. Me and numbers aren’t such good friends. I’m better off earning a pay check the hard way, by earning it.”
Chloe smiled. “Yeah, it’s not for everyone I guess. My mom never understood it either. Although, I did get her to invest in a retirement plan with good dividends.”
“Well, that’s something.” I cleared my throat. “I was surprised to find her still working at the diner.”
Chloe shook her head. “I think she’s afraid of moving on. Her life has been hard after my dad died. She didn’t want anything to do with the MC. She told Jumper she didn’t want his blood money and that she would take care of me and her on her own. We haven’t done so bad over the years. Oh sure, it was hard at first but once you got used to it, it wasn’t that bad. We got by.”
The guilt I felt dug deeper. “I’m sorry,” I whispered lowly.
She glanced at me then looked away. “What for? You didn’t kill my dad. The MC did that. That was the one thing my mom could never forgive them for. They sent my dad into a place that wasn’t stable and that’s what got him killed that night. That and the fact they sent him in there alone. He bled out after the beam hit him, trapping him in the basement. The cops think he heard the two other men fall through the floor and went in to see if he could help them and was trapped himself when he fell through the floor. They could see the three bodies trapped by the rubble but couldn’t get to them. The MC didn’t bother checking on him until the next morning and by that time he was dead.”
Guilt raged through my soul as I listened to her tale. Her father didn’t need to die. If I’d been a better man, I would have helped him get free. I should have helped him get free. He had helped me when I’d been trapped and when I should have returned the favor, I just ran away. I almost told her the truth then and there but she asked a question I shouldn’t have known the answer to.
“I’ll always have to wonder why he was even there that night. What was in that place that would have drawn the MC to it?”
Frowning, I just stared at her for a moment. “Didn’t the police find any contraband in there when they arrived?”
Chloe shook her head. “There were rumors floating around at the time he died but the police never found a reason for anyone to be there. The building had been condemned and abandoned for some time before that day. The MC always told my mom they didn’t know why my dad was even there. It didn’t help answer her questions at all so she was left with nothing.”
I looked away for a moment. So the MC never told anyone what they were storing in that warehouse? Well, that is interesting… I had to wonder where the moonshine they had stored there had gone? I’d seen it there myself just before the floor gave out and sent all of us down to the floor below. If no one ever found it, why didn’t whoever moved it find the bodies?
Then I had a thought I didn’t want to have. “What was your dad’s road name?”
Chloe shook her head. “The MC called him Dagger. I’m not exactly sure why but that’s what they called him. My mom always hated that name.”
I shook my head. I knew why they called him that. It was because when shit went down he was fast to draw his gun and a deadly shot but when the bullets ran out, he grabbed the knife he always carried and continued what he’d been doing. I’d heard the rumors about her dad and never put it together until now.
Something else I never put together until now was the fact the Blood and Bones MC let their man die that night. They were more worried about their moonshine than their man’s life. I looked away and let the rage inside me build almost to the point it burst through me at the results of things that happened in the past.
It was at that moment I knew exactly what kind of men the Blood and Bones MC were made of. No wonder Roy thought he could get away with trying to rape Chloe. He probably thought no one would call him on it.
My fingers curled into fists and I had to wonder why Jumper had allowed me to leave that damn garage this morning. He said he knew who I was, he knew I was a Black Devil but what did that mean? And why the hell did he look so much like Antonio? All I had were more questions when I should have had at least some answers.
I needed to talk to Bruno and get some answers. Then I looked over at Chloe. I knew I couldn’t risk getting caught with her in tow. If my own men found us together, they would look at me as if I had betrayed them. Her father might have been dead ten years but he was still a Blood. They’d kill Chloe and then torture me until I begged for death.
Tomorrow we had a job to do and then Friday was the vote. I had a lot to do before I could get any answers but I also had to protect Chloe. She was becoming more and more important to me and I didn’t know how to stop the feelings I had for her. My MC and her mother would never let us be together and I didn’t know if I could live without her in my life.
My eyes went to her face again, and in the fading light of the day, I felt mesmerized by her. The softness of her skin and the blush on her cheeks told me no other man had gazed at her in the same way I was looking at her now.
Her eyes had a question in them as to what I wanted from her but there was also a look that told me she knew exactly what I wanted. The two emotions warred with each other and it made me want her all the more.
I shook my head knowing she was the one woman I shouldn’t want at all. But wasn’t that the way of things? Didn’t we always want the one thing we shouldn’t have? Was fate so cruel to throw that up to us?
I leaned over and she didn’t move away from me like she should have. Was she as curious as I was right now? Did she want me as much as I wanted her? I was the one thing I knew she shouldn’t want, not with the way her mother felt about bikers and MCs. She’d grown up in that life and lost the one man she should have been able to count on. If her father had been alive then the two of us would never have met. He was a Blood and I was a Black Devil. We’d have been sworn enemies and always would be.
I leaned closer and when there was less than an inch between us, I whispered, “Tell me to go away.”
“Why?” she whispered back as she licked her lips.
“Because we shouldn’t be here, we shouldn’t be together but I can’t help myself. I want to kiss you right now.”
“Maybe I want that too. Did you ever think about that?”
I could barely hear her words but in my heart, they were as loud as a shout. I closed the distance between us and my lips brushed hers gently. A zap of electricity sparked between us. I felt it and from the look in her eyes, she felt it too.
I pulled away from her but she quickly wrapped her hand around my neck and pulled me back to her. Then it was her lips that covered mine. Her lips that pressed on mine. The power between us built up to ignite a fire in our mouths. I gasped and when I did, she thrust her tongue into my mouth. I quickly took over the kiss and we devoured each other.
Her hand tightened on my neck and the kiss deepened. All I could think about was how much I needed to kiss her. How good it felt to have her in my arms. I crushed her body to mine and I felt her shiver of excitement as we contin
ued to kiss.
Finally, I broke the kiss and gasped for air. She wasn’t much better and it took us both a few minutes to breathe again. My heart was pounding in my chest. I felt a trickle of sweat roll down the side of my face.
“Oh, my god…” she whispered breathlessly.
I looked over at her and nodded. “Yeah, all of that…”
We both looked away into the quickly fading light. Soon, it would be completely dark outside and I knew we had to get back to the apartment.
Then I heard something that chilled me to the bone. There was someone walking nearby and he laughed. It was a laugh I knew very well.
Antonio. It was his chuckle I heard. Had he seen Chloe and I together? If he had what would he do about it? Had I just put her in danger?
Reaching out, I grabbed her hand. Putting my finger over my lips, I pulled her to her feet. Leaning toward her I whispered, “We have to get out of here quickly and quietly. There’s someone nearby that shouldn’t see us together.”
She nodded and with me leading the way, she followed me close. When we got back to where the bike was parked, I looked around the area before I allowed her to get on.
If Antonio had found the bike, he might have done something to it. He would have known it was mine and I didn’t trust that little bastard any further than I could throw him.
I looked back along the trail but no one came out of the woods after us. I had to wonder what Antonio was doing there in the first place and who exactly he’d been with. I know he’d been with someone. I heard more than just his footsteps on that path.
I rolled the bike a ways away before I started the engine. My start-ups were loud and I knew it. Antonio would know it too.
As soon as the bike started up, we were out of there. If he did manage to catch us, he wouldn’t be able to see who I was with. The night closed in behind us as I took us back to town.
Chapter Nine
(Chloe)
“I bet you’re starting to figure me for some sort of nutcase. I’ve worried about Antonio for months, just waiting for him to strike,” Jax said, in a noticeably shaken tone, as we entered his apartment.
“Of course not,” I said.
Frustrated and preoccupied, Jax rubbed his hands over his face and through his messy hair, fiercely clenching his fingers into fists around it. “I keep telling myself all this isn’t as bad as it appears. Then, one morning you wake up, and you realize it’s worse.”
“You’re saying everything’s worse because of me. Aren’t you?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. My eyes searched his face – Jax was noticeably stressed – but there was a dead calm in my voice that surprised even me. I took a step toward Jax and hugged him, rubbing his back.
He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulled me in close and held me tight. The moment was punctuated by his phone, which started to vibrate continuously in the pocket of his jeans.
“You should probably get that,” I said.
Jax grabbed his phone, declined the call, and slipped it into his pocket without saying a word. He looked down at me. “No baby. You’ve done nothing wrong. It’s just... I don’t wanna bury my head in the sand. I can’t. I’ve gotta get this shit taken care of. These problems are serious problems.” His voice was low, his body agitated.
“But Antonio could kill you,” I said, my voice laced with fear. I just couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible could happen to Jax and very soon.
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take,” he responded.
I took his words in, but I didn’t speak right away.
Jax broke hold of me and took a step back, burying into his pockets for keys and tossing them on the hallway cabinet.
Leveling my eyes at Jax, making him see what I was feeling, I smiled. I was deeply touched by his declaration. His extreme defensiveness and possessiveness over the people he loved was my undoing – a small flaw in this otherwise almost perfect man.
He’d always acted like a big brother to me throughout the years. There was no denying it; he was mine.
“I’ll set this straight. I promise,” Jax said. His words were reassuring until he added, “It’s just…Ever feel like your back is against the fucking wall?”
“I know.” I understood, but that sentence from his lips, combined with the kiss we’d just shared sent my mind spinning in whole different direction.
I knew the effect I had on Jax. I also knew he would be too much of a gentleman to touch me unless I made it damn clear what I wanted. “Who’s taking the bed tonight?” I asked, with a slight grin as I pulled off my jacket. I tried to conceal my unease as I waited with baited breath to see how he would respond.
“What? Who’s taking the bed?” Jax asked in surprise. “It’s a little early to be turning in for the night isn’t it?” He still didn’t know what I meant but I could tell he was aching to find out.
“Not necessarily,” I replied, simply.
Jax looked at me, stunned; his face changed instantly when he realized what I was offering. “You’re blushing,” he teased.
“No. I’m not,” I replied. I gave him a coy smile and tried to swallow my nerves. I averted my gaze from him and turned, taking one step toward the bedroom door just ahead to my left. I turned back for a moment and looked him in the eyes to prompt him inside.
Before I stepped through the open door to his room, I said, “You know, I don’t believe I’ve thanked you yet. For everything, you’ve done.
My words halted Jax and he stared at me, expressionless.
I continued, “So… thanks, Jax. I owe you.” My body wanted Jax. I was sure he wanted mine. And I was right…
“Yes, you do.” Jax shot back, stopping me in my tracks. He gave me a knowing look. He understood completely. Sighing heavily in frustration, he said, “I promised myself I wouldn’t. I respect you too much to put that kind of unfair pressure on you.”
“You’ve never pressured me. Not once,” I assured him.
Jax ran his hand across the back of his neck. “I’m just here to make sure no harm comes to you.”
“There’s no harm,” I responded nonchalantly, arching an eyebrow at him. I couldn’t believe what had just slipped off my tongue with such ease. As those words escaped my lips, I had a sinking feeling that Jax might not want this as bad as I wanted it. I’m virtually best friends with this guy. If he rejected me, I would feel humiliated.
Jax studied me for exactly two seconds. After that, he couldn’t hide the small smirk that played on his lips. “Then fuck it,” he said as he whipped off his jacket in one smooth motion. Something flickered in his eyes right before his lips collided with mine, and we locked in a passionate kiss.
He pressed me up against the wall beside the doorframe to his bedroom. One hand started to lift my shirt; he was desperate to pull off my clothes. Already, I could feel his cock had become instantly hard in his pants.
“Fuck, I’ve missed you.” Jax tugged me back from the wall and pushed me into the room, impatiently.
Our lips parted only long enough for him to pull my shirt over my head. Jax slid one hand down my body from my shoulder to my left breast, along my waist before settling across my lower back. “You taste so good when I kiss you,” he whispered.
I couldn’t respond. My lips and tongue melted into him as he took what he wanted from me. I’d wanted this for too damn long. And damn if he didn’t taste just as good to me. I could smell his scent too. Between that and the feel of his skin on mine, I was almost delirious with need.
Unclipping my bra and pulling it away from my body, Jax’s lips traveled down to my neck and collarbone. I slipped my hands under the back of his shirt and grazed my fingertips across his muscled back as he sucked and nibbled on my neck. My hands followed the firm contours of his back, then across to his thick, rippled chest.
Jax’ pulled back from me briefly and stared into my eyes with his emerald gaze. “You’re having fun, aren’t you?”
he teased in a deep whisper.
I nodded my head. Not uttering a sound.
He smiled and leaned down to my mouth, pausing right before he was about to crush my lips with his. Instead, he grabbed my breasts with both hands and pulled at my nipples with his teeth, sucking hard and giving them teasing bites.
My breath caught in my throat, and I started to moan. Jax brought his lips back up to meet mine and pulled me in close as he straightened his body so I could feel that his cock had become hungrier, harder and thicker in anticipation.
Seconds later, he lifted me off the ground and tossed me onto the bed in one slick swoop. I lay for a moment, my back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling as Jax kicked the bedroom door shut. He climbed onto the bed and over me until his eyes met mine his twitching cock waiting between my spread thighs.
I fought him off, playfully, but he grabbed my arms, pinning them above my head. Kissing his way to my jeans and underwear, he ripped them quickly away from my body. He lay on top of me and smothered my mouth with his. I sucked and nibbled his lips passionately.
Our lips parted. “I should have never let you go,” Jax said, and he jumped up off the bed and wrested with his clothes.
Almost embarrassed to be watching him, I rolled over, my head propped up on my elbow, giving him a good show of my ass. Then I knew…I just had to look as he bared his body.
Jax unbuckled this belt, shoved his jeans to the floor and tossed his shirt aside. I sized him up and had to pretend not to be stunningly impressed by his muscled form and the many alluring tats that lined his body. My eyes scanned him over, and after a second scan, I bit my lower lip in expectation.
Jax climbed onto the bed again, but this time I pinned him down before he could put his weight on top me. “Just sit back and enjoy,” I suggested.
A surprised look crossed his face.
I kissed his neck as I ran my hands across his hard pecks and down his well defined abs. Slowly, I kissed lower and lower along his torso, pausing long enough to flick his nipples with the tip of my tongue. Then I continued my downward path until I reached the distinctive V-shape that looked like it was keyed into his solid muscle; it led me down to his thick cock.
