Dirty Side Down

by Phoenyx Slaughter

  “Prospects too?”

  “Hell fucking no.”

  Okay, now that I think about it, the whole thing sounds kind of hot. I sort of like the idea of the guys standing there watching Dante take something they can never have.

  “Do I have to be naked?”

  “Fuck no.”

  “Okay.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “Okay?”

  “I trust you.”

  A satisfied smile spreads across his face. “Thank you, baby girl.”

  “Wait a second. Are there any other surprises the Iron Bulls have in store for an ol’-lady-to-be that I should know about?”

  Dante chuckles. “None that I can think of right now.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Karina took the whole “claiming” conversation a lot better than I expected. I’m still not sure it’s going down right away, but at least I feel better about moving forward and having her around the club more.

  The next morning we get the shock of finding Athena in Romeo’s lap downstairs. I need way more coffee in my system before I deal with that situation. If Karina’s surprised, she hides it well. She follows Athena into the kitchen and I can only imagine how that conversation will go.

  When I turn, I find Romeo staring at the doors the girls just disappeared behind.

  “So, was it everything you’d hoped?” I ask and barely manage to keep a straight face.

  Romeo’s eyes widen. He’s unsettled and I’m dying to give him shit. He’s certainly earned it after all the fucked-up jokes he’s made about me and my girl.

  “Tucker’s on his way in,” he informs me, ruining my plans for payback.

  “What the fuck for?” The thought of seeing that slimy prick again ruins my good mood.

  “He’s got Kadence’s info for you.”

  “Doesn’t that asshole know how to pick up a phone or send a fucking text? Jesus Christ.”

  He lifts his chin and I see the girls have returned from the kitchen with coffee. They glance our way before settling down at the bar.

  Romeo nods at Karina. “Just thought I’d warn you in case you wanted your woman to throw on more clothes.”

  I glance at my beautiful girl, wearing socks and one of my T-shirts that hangs to her knees and nothing else. She’s perfect.

  “Nah. Don’t give two fucks what he thinks about us.” I don’t take my eyes off her and she must feel the weight of my stare, because she turns and gives me a soft, sweet smile.

  I don’t want anything wiping that smile off her face. As Romeo leaves to join the girls, I stop him with a hand on his arm. “Keep an eye on Karina. I’m going to meet him outside. Don’t want him upsetting her today.”

  “Yeah, okay.”

  “Hey, I might be claiming her ass sooner than later.”

  “Yeah? How was that conversation?” It’s hard to tell if he’s fucking with me or he genuinely wants to know.

  “None of your fucking business.”

  He glances over at Athena again.

  “Aw, should we make it a double ceremony, prez?”

  I get a sharp glare in return. “Fuck off.”

  After a brief discussion with Karina, I head outside to wait for Tucker. He rolls up maybe fifteen minutes later.

  And he ain’t exactly thrilled to find me waiting outside for him.

  “I can not believe you’re still here.”

  Athena isn’t impressed with my harsh whisper. Her mouth curls into a sly smile, but I don’t get to question her further.

  Dante’s big hands curl over my shoulder and his lips brush against my ear. “Baby girl, I need to take care of some business outside. You’ll be okay for a few minutes?”

  “Sure.”

  I notice Romeo’s joined us and I’m not sure how I feel about that. It’s a little too weird to think of my best friend and Romeo…ew.

  All my concerns about whatever the heck they’re doing are wiped away when I spot Luck entering the common area. “Be right back.”

  Athena’s so wrapped up in Romeo, she doesn’t even notice my departure.

  “Luck?”

  He stops and gives me a genuine smile. A flash from last night stops me.

  Luck’s hands on my breasts.

  Skillfully tying my wrists.

  His rich warm voice reverberating against my ear.

  Heat sears my cheeks at the memories. Will I ever be able to look at him again without blushing?

  “Karina? You okay?” he asks, coming closer.

  I suck in a deep breath and lift my chin. “Can we talk?”

  He stares at me for a second, then glances around the room. “Where’s Dante?”

  “Outside.”

  Gently, he places his hand on my shoulder and guides me into the hallway. “What is it, sweetheart?”

  He’s being so nice and it only makes me feel worse about the way things ended last night. “I’m sorry,” I blurt out.

  I risk a glance up into his eyes and only see concern. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. I told you we wouldn’t do anything you weren’t comfortable with.”

  “I was. I wanted you… to do…but I just—”

  Heat flares in his eyes and it stops any more babble from tumbling out of my mouth. “Did you like it?”

  “What?”

  “The ropes.”

  “Oh, yes. I think so. It’s neat. The suspension stuff sounded cool.”

  For a brief moment he rubs the back of his hand over my cheek. “You’re special, Karina. I hope Dante always treats you well.”

  I’m not sure if it’s a question, concern, or statement, so I simply answer, “He does.”

  “Whenever you’re ready, you guys can come over for another lesson. I’ll leave it up to him.”

  “Okay.”

  I watch as he walks away, feeling like we had two very different conversations.

  Tucker must have reached down and found his balls since the last time I saw him. He scowls as if he remembers we’re practically family and he ain’t too fond of the idea.

  Tough shit.

  He flicks a piece of paper at me. “I got Kadence’s number.”

  “And?” His blank face begs me to smash my fist into it. “You have that talk with her?”

  Ballsy motherfucker grits his teeth before answering me. “Yes. It was very unpleasant.”

  “Life’s gonna get a whole lot more unpleasant if you don’t stop making me ask you questions. Tell me what the fuck I want to know so you can leave.”

  He finally drops the attitude. “At first she was pissed and hung up on me. But she called back and she’s excited to meet Karina.”

  “Good.”

  “She’s in California right now and won’t be back until next week though. Broke up with her boyfriend or something. I’m warning you, there’s always some drama—”

  A quick shake of my head shuts him up. “Ain’t your concern. I’ll take care of Karina.”

  By the look on his face he’s annoyed he has no say over his younger daughter’s life.

  Too bad. He gave up that right a long time ago far as I’m concerned.

  “You know her momma was involved with the Savage Dragons’ prez, right?”

  “Don’t concern me.”

  We stare at each other for a minute. He breaks eye contact first and finally hands over the information. “I’ll give Karina the number and let her work things out with her sister.”

  The coward flinches, but doesn’t contradict me. No, instead he follows me inside. Brave fucker.

  Romeo must have warned Karina because she’s nowhere to be found. Sadie stops me from tearing the place apart.

  “She’s upstairs.”

  “Thanks, Sadie-girl.”

  Karina smiles when I open the door to our room. She’s perched on the bed reading a book, and looks so frickin’ cute, I forget all about how much I wanted to beat the shit out of her dad five seconds ago.

  “Got something for you, baby girl.”

  She closes the book a
nd sits up. “What?”

  Can’t say I blame her for being a little wary. I’ve thrown a couple surprises at her in the last few days.

  I drop down next to her on the bed. “Now, I don’t want you to get too excited. Nothing can happen until next week.”

  “You’re killing me.” She glances at the paper in my hand and bites her lip. “What is it?”

  My other hand closes over hers. “Whatever happens, I’m here. You and me. What we have, no one can touch.”

  “Thank you.” She meets my eyes and whispers. “You know I feel the same way, right?”

  I can’t help it. My hand cups the back of her head and I pull her to me for one of the softest kisses I’ve probably ever given her. “Yeah, baby girl. I know,” I say against her lips. I brush one last kiss on her forehead and sit back.

  Tucker’s warning about Kadence’s wildness and her mother’s involvement with a rival MC is strong in my mind. I’ll need to make sure the sisters have their first few meetings on my turf so I can keep Karina safe.

  None of that’s stuff she needs to worry about right now. I hand over the slip of paper and she unfolds it, reads it, then stares up at me with shining eyes.

  “Ready to meet your sister, baby girl?”

  Written by Phoenyx Slaughter

  Copyright 2017

  All Rights Reserved

  A few months later…

  “Ready, baby girl?” Dante asks outside the bedroom door. My eyes water as I take one last look around the room. I don’t want to go.

  Dante moves closer, wrapping me up in his big arms. Arms I’m really going to miss. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this,” I whisper.

  He sighs. “Yes you are.”

  I pull back, tipping my head back to see his face. Before I open my mouth to voice the question forming in my head, he stops me. “We’ll be fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He hugs me tight again. “I’m an animal when it comes to you, but only you.”

  There. That’s what was bothering me and without expressing my fear, Dante figured it out and set it aside for me. Last night they threw me a going away party at the clubhouse and the number of girls circling Dante like dick-thirsty sharks had given me nightmares.

  “I’m the one who should be worried,” he continues. “You’ll be surrounded by guys your age who you’re going to have a hell of a lot more in common with.”

  He says it teasingly and one corner of his mouth curves up, but I sense a ripple of uncertainty underneath.

  “Impossible,” I answer in a strong voice, considering I’m on the verge of tears.

  “Come on.” He slips and arm around my shoulders and leads me to the door. “Another second and I might not let you go.”

  Maybe that’s what I want. Dante forbidding me from leaving. Except I know he’d never do that. He pushes me to do well in school as much as I push myself. And I really love him for it.

  Outside, we meet up with Luck and one of the prospects from the club. My car is packed with everything I should need for the next few weeks.

  “Ready, sweetheart?” Luck asks.

  “I think so.”

  Dante arranged for Luck to drive my car out to campus. The prospect will drive Luck back. This way I can ride on the back of Dante’s bike one last time before we’ll be separated for a few weeks. Part of me wishes we were going in my car, so we could talk. Part of me thinks this is probably for the best.

  The ride is only about an hour but it feels so much longer. Dante pulls off at a rest stop about halfway.

  As I’m coming out of the bathroom, I run smack into Luck. His hands grip my shoulders, keeping me upright.

  “How are you, sweetheart?”

  My bottom lip trembles. I’m still a little awkward around Luck. But that’s not why I’m upset today. I’m still worried about what this separation will mean for Dante and me.

  Luck—who seems to always know how to read my moods—squeezes my hands. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but time’s gonna fly by for you, sweetheart. Your man’s real proud of you. You two will get through this stronger than ever.”

  My breath hitches and tears sting my eyes. “You think so?”

  “I really do. You’re it for him.”

  “Thank you.” I tilt my head. “What about you? When are you going to find someone?” I tease, because I feel a little silly for being so dramatic today.

  He shakes his head and glances away. “Not my time yet.”

  I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean, but maybe I’m not supposed to understand. Dante wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me against his chest. “Ready?”

  The closer we get to campus, the louder the fear beating in my chest seems to get. We did this drive a couple of times over the summer, so Dante knows exactly where he’s going. He doesn’t need directions from me.

  Campus is crazy when we arrive. We’re directed to the freshman lot and Dante pulls right up front. He follows me inside to grab my housing information. Confused, I stare at the papers.

  “I have a single room?”

  The bored-looking girl shrugs and turns away to help someone else.

  “What’s wrong?” Dante asks, coming up behind me.

  “Nothing. I guess I got lucky. No roommate.”

  The corner of his mouth lifts. “That was me. I ain’t playin’ any sock-on-the-doorknob bullshit games when I wanna see my girl.”

  “Oh. Dante, everything has already been so expensive…” My voice trails off, because arguing with him about any of this is pointless. He’s ruthlessly determined to make sure to give me everything I need.

  “Thank you,” I say, raising up on tippy-toes to kiss his cheek.

  “Told you, it’s more about me being selfish,” he says.

  I just smile and take his hand. At the car, he takes my room information and shows it to Luck. Luck points at the prospect and the two of them start unpacking my car.

  While I have the room to myself, it’s small. Institutional-looking. “Maybe Kadence will come visit and the two of you can go shopping,” Dante suggests.

  He’s not saying it to get out of a trip to Target with me, he’s genuinely been trying to help me figure out a relationship with my sister. So far it’s been going well.

  After everything’s unpacked, Luck stops Dante. “Prospect and I are going to get something to eat.” His gaze slides to me. “Take your time.” Dante walks him outside and I hear their low voices murmuring in the hallway for a few minutes, before Dante returns.

  “Do you have to get going?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Dante?”

  “Yeah, baby girl,” he answers taking a few steps closer.

  “I need you to do something for me.”

  He lifts an eyebrow. I tilt my head toward the clean sheets I just made my XL Twin bed up with.

  “You wanna mess ’em up already?” he asks with a knowing grin.

  “Please,” I say, sounding more desperate than I intended. “I want my bed to smell like you, so I don’t miss you so much.” My voice breaks on the last word and he pulls me into his arms.

  “Baby girl, I’m an hour away. Anytime you need me, all you have to do is call.”

  “But what if you’re away on a run?”

  “I’ll always let you know where I’m gonna be, well when I’m going to be on the road. You need anything and I’m not here, you call Luck.”

  “He’s not going to want me annoying him.”

  “Hey.” He frames my face with his big hands, tilting my head to look at him. “I already cleared this with him and he had no problem with it. He cares about you too. And not just because you’re my girl.”

  I don’t quite know what to make of that, but I nod. Then the corners of my mouth twitch. I gesture to the bed again. “That doesn’t really help me with the bed problem, though.” I drop my voice to a low purr. “What if I’m horny?”

  He throws his head back and laughs. “I packed something special for y
ou. You have that problem, call me and we’ll talk through it.” He stops laughing and gives me a more serious look. “Honestly, baby girl, I think you’re going to be so busy, you’re not gonna have a chance to miss me or my dick.”

  “Hmm. I doubt that,” I grumble.

  He takes my hand and leads me to the bed. Dropping down on the mattress, he gives it a close inspection. “Fuckin’ twin bed,” he grumbles. “My big ass is gonna have trouble sleeping in this thing.”

  “I don’t plan to do a lot of sleeping in it with you,” I tease.

  He grins up at me. “When I come visit, maybe we’ll go stay in a hotel or something.”

  “I’d like that. Are you really planning to come visit?”

  “Fuck yeah, I am. Any time you want me to. I don’t wanna fuck with your studying or your schedule, so once you’re settled you tell me when you want me here.”

  I’m so overwhelmed by Dante. By his kindness, his pride in me, his understanding and faith in my abilities. You’d never look at him and expect him to consider things so carefully or unselfishly, but he does. For me, he does.

  He leans back on his elbows and stares up at me with a half-smile. “What’re you thinking about?”

  “How wonderful you are. How much I love you.”

  His expression turns serious and he crooks a finger at me. “Come closer,” he orders in a low gravelly voice that sets my insides on fire. He sits up and skims his hands over my legs and very matter-of-factly unbuttons my jeans, pushing them down my legs until I step out of them, kicking off my shoes as I go. He places his fingers against the thin satin panties hiding my pussy. “Soaked,” he murmurs. “Need you to come sit on my face for a few.”

  He strips off his shirt, unlaces his boots and toes them off, then stretches out on my bed.

  “Panties off,” he orders. I slowly drag them down my legs, never breaking eye contact and he groans. Next, I strip off my tanktop and bra and he nods appreciatively. “Good girl. Come on up here.”

  The sounds of college students moving into the dorm filter in through the door. Eventually, everything fades away and all I’m aware of Dante’s heavy breathing as I straddle his legs and work my way up his body.