“What’s going on in that mind of yours?” Debra asked.
“I was thinking about Dad. I mean, I thought he loved us enough and that he’d never leave, but that’s not true.”
“Don’t do that, Mia.” Debra stroked her cheek, forcing her to look up. “Your father and I loved each other when it was necessary. Don’t try and make our relationship something it wasn’t. I love you, honey, but you’re wrong about a lot of things.”
“What do you mean?”
“I stopped loving your father a long time ago. He was a great dad but not a great husband. We’d been living separate lives for a long time. You just didn’t notice it.” Debra smiled at her. “You and Bradley are the real deal. I see that look in your eyes, and I know I never felt that deeply for any man. You’re lucky, Mia. Don’t let fear of what happened between your father and me cloud your own feelings.”
Sometime later, Mia was putting some finishing touches to the pasta she’d made as Curse walked into the house. There was no mistaking the masculine sigh that greeted her. Smiling, she tossed the salad together and put some on a plate for her mother.
He rounded the corner, removing his jacket.
“Hey, babe, sorry I’m late.”
“No need to be sorry. The talk ran a little longer than you expected?” she asked, putting his food on the table.
“Yeah.” He took a seat as she picked up the tray.
“I’m just going to take this up to Mom. Are you going to start without me, Bradley?” she asked, chuckling as he glared at her.
“Only nice people get to call me that.”
“I’m a nice person.”
“No, you’re a naughty person. I believe you’ve had your ass spanked a couple of times in the last week.”
She didn’t expect his words, and heat filled her cheeks. Entering her mother’s room, she placed the tray on her lap.
“Was that Bradley I heard?”
“Yeah, he’ll be up to see you shortly.”
“I’m going to get better, Mia. Everything is going to be good, I promise you.”
Kissing her mother’s cheek Mia agreed. For the first time since her father left, Mia really did believe everything was going to be all right.
Going back downstairs she found Curse getting himself a second portion. “I was feeding you and you could cook like this?”
“You never asked for me to cook. I did what I was told, and you told me to sit on my ass and let you cook.” Picking up her fork, she started to eat as Curse joined her. He lifted her leg up to rest on his lap. With his free hand, he caressed up her calf.
“I’m not going to sleep with you,” she said.
“We’re not sleeping. You didn’t say anything about having fun.” He dropped his fork and turned the paper she hadn’t noticed on the table for her to look at. “What do you think of an apartment?”
She looked down at a picture of one of the luxury places near the wealthy part of Piston County.
“Erm, I can’t afford it, Curse.” One of the men she cleaned for was dead. Her mother’s medical bills were a constant concern.
“Baby, I’ve got plenty saved up. We can afford this, and we won’t have to worry about rent. I’ll buy it outright. I’ve never had a problem with drugs or drink. I’ve got plenty of money.” He gave her a smile.
His touch caressed up the inside of her thigh. Curse didn’t go further up, and he kept teasing her with whatever else he could do.
After they were finished with food, Curse went to grab her mother’s tray, and she washed the dishes. He surprised her by grabbing a towel and drying up the dishes.
“When we get our own place you can cook every day.”
“I can’t cook every day. Curse, this is insane. How can I move in with you? You’ll be paying for everything.” She ran fingers through her hair as she stared at him.
“We’ll be a couple, and soon we’ll be married. What I have is yours.” He placed the towel in the washing machine, taking hold of her arm and drawing her closer to him. The scent of leather filled her nostrils, turning her on.
He cupped her cheek, stroking a thumb along her lips. She opened her mouth, and he slid his thumb inside. With his other hand, he tugged at the button holding her jeans up.
“Curse, what are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m going to fuck you. Your mother was already asleep when I left the room. No one can hear us.”
She couldn’t deny him. Her body was on fire for his touch.
Wriggling out of the jeans, she tore at his clothes as he got her naked. He lifted her up and placed her on the kitchen counter. His lips were on her pussy before she could stop him. Gripping his hair, she smashed her pussy against his face needing the slight edge of pain to the pleasure.
“That’s it, baby, take what you want.” He slammed fingers inside her as he sucked in her clit.
As she cried out, the pleasure was too much.
“No, I want to feel your cunt around my cock before you come.”
He stood, pulled his cock out of the slit in the jeans. She watched him rub the tip up and down her slit before thrusting deep into her core. Sinking her nails into his bare shoulders, she pressed her lips to his neck to keep her noises down. Mia sucked on his neck wanting to mark his flesh for others to know who he belonged to.
“You’re so fucking tight. I can’t wait to get inside your ass. You’re going to love my cock there.”
Curse bit her nipples, sliding his tongue over the peaks to ease out the sting. He pulled her off the counter and slammed in deep. They both cried out together. Holding onto the counter, she thrust down onto his cock. The angle was odd, but he got so deep inside her.
“We’re going to need to do something about this,” she said. “You never wear a condom.”
“I never want to wear one. I don’t care if I get you pregnant. That’s how much I want you, Mia. I want you pregnant with my kid. You’ll make a good mother. I want everything from you. Your laughter, your screams of pleasure and pain. Give me everything.”
He was asking for her to give a part of herself she’d not even thought about in such a long time. Ever since her life had been changed by taking a life she’d kept the happiness from inside her.
“Please, give it to me, Mia.” He cupped her face, pressing his lips to hers.
Could she do it?
Why are you hiding?
Nodding her head, she smiled. “Yes, Curse, I’ll give you everything.”
He fucked her harder, going deep inside her. She forgot where she was and gave him everything he wanted. Opening up her feelings, she fucked Curse, loving him with every part of her being.
When he pulsed deep inside her as she came to a screaming orgasm, she wrapped her arms around him. Curse held her as he carried her through to the sitting room.
His hands caressed up and down her back, comforting her in ways she didn’t think was possible.
“You’re never going to regret giving me what I need.”
“Please, don’t hurt me,” she said.
Curse pushed some of her hair off her shoulder. “Baby, the one thing you can fucking guarantee, I will never hurt you. I will protect and love you for the rest of my natural born fucking life.”
He tugged her head down and claimed her lips. Moaning, Mia finally felt alive. For so long she’d been dying inside from what happened. Curse loved her and made her feel safe to finally be herself. He kissed across her neck to her ear.
“No one will ever find him, Mia. The club and I will always make sure you’re protected.” As he nibbled her ear, she giggled.
“When you two have stopped screwing, could I have my water and pills?” Debra asked, shouting downstairs for them to hear.
Gasping, Mia turned to look at Curse.
“I thought she was asleep. She must have been fibbing.”
“You did that on purpose,” Mia said, slapping his arm.
“I’m a guy. Never trust a horny guy, Mia. He’ll say anything to get you
in bed.” Shaking her head, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’ll remember that for the future.” Her heart was racing, but she couldn’t stop smiling.
Chapter Twelve
Friday
The tension in the club could be felt. Lexie was standing by Devil’s side as Phoebe was with Vincent. Judi and Ripper were missing, and Curse found out that the other man was on babysitting duty. Devil still considered Judi a baby and wouldn’t have her anywhere near the club when problems could occur.
Mia stood beside him. She kept playing with her shirt, tugging on the end and moving from side to side. Her fidgeting didn’t bother him. Curse couldn’t blame her. This Frederick Gonzalez had been given some kind of monster reputation.
Many of the men were playing cards or shooting pool.
“This is horseshit,” Pussy said. “I’m not going to be stressing out about this. Devil, what do you think of the idea of having some prospects around?”
“You’re really going to talk about this now?” Jerry asked.
“Look, before we settled down here we were on the road. I’m not used to being scared. I refuse to be scared of a man who can die from a fucking bullet just like everyone else. We’ve got business of our own. I say we handle that shit before we all drive each other crazy over what could happen.”
Out of all of the men, Pussy didn’t have a filter from his brain to his mouth. Curse recalled all the men they’d ended up fighting because Pussy couldn’t stop talking.
“He’s got a point,” Death said. “We can sit here worrying, or we can do what we do best and consider this a party.”
“Prospects?” Lexie asked. “Do I even want to know?”
“You were a stripper, Lex. You could give us some entertainment.”
Devil grabbed the nearest beer bottle and threw it at Death for his comment.
“Hey, I was being nice. Your woman knew how to dance,” Death said, laughing.
“Stop it, Death, while you still have your cock attached,” Lexie said, snuggling against Devil. With his arms busy holding his woman, he couldn’t start throwing things or hurting others.
Wrapping his own arms around Mia, Curse watched his club. They were a family in their way. They were not perfect, nor were they monsters. Chaos Bleeds lived by their own code, a code of the road and of a brotherhood, similar to The Skulls only not as harsh on the rules.
“Devil,” Snake said. “Three cars have just pulled into the lot. They’re locking the front gates.”
Glancing down at Mia, Curse smiled at his woman.
“Four men are guarding the gates, and several men are coming to the door. I think this is show time,” Snake said.
Jerry moved to the window. “Yep, that’s Frederick.”
“The guy in the suit with the fancy haircut?” Snake said. “He looks more like a businessman than anything else.”
“Yeah, that’s him.”
The doors to the club opened. Two large men entered. Their hands were down their sides, but the tension was easy to see.
Another couple of men entered the club and started to look around the building.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Devil asked.
“They’re checking your place for anyone hoping to kill me,” Frederick said. He had an Italian accent but spoke perfect English and was easily understood.
“Pussy, Death, go and follow them.” Devil sent the two men off to follow the other men.
Watching everything play out, Curse gripped Mia’s shoulder to stop her from moving or catching any of the men’s eyes.
“So, this is the clubhouse of Devil, Chaos Bleeds MC leader. It’s nice, if a little, should I say, clichéd.” Frederick walked over to the bar, whistling. “At least you’re fully stocked on the good stuff. Pour me a whisky, straight. I want the aged stuff, none of the shit people like to serve in crap bars.”
“You’re insulting my hospitality,” Devil said. “Call your dogs off or else.”
“Your hospitality?” Frederick chuckled. He poured himself a drink and turned to look at Jerry. “You think this is your town? You’re wrong. Now, Fort Wills is owned by Tiny and The Skulls. They own that town outright, and even I won’t mess with that kind of shit. No drugs and no women and I respect that. This town, however, this town is mine.” He turned to look at the room.
Curse saw the smile on his lips, the cruelty. The insult was clear for all of them to see. Frederick respected Tiny while he didn’t respect Devil or the club.
Devil looked ready to commit murder.
“Now, I let Rob slide—and yes, I knew about you then—because he was a little shit upstart who thought he was better than anyone else. Dale I was looking forward to hurting, and you took that opportunity away from me. Not only was I going to give him to a friend but I was getting a shitload of money from him. I want to know why, and you better have a damn good reason.” He took a sip of the whisky. “Damn, that’s good.”
“I’m the reason Dale was killed,” Mia said, stepping forward.
Curse swore as she brought the guy’s attention toward her. The bruises had lessened slightly but not much.
“Come here,” Frederick said.
Going with her, Curse refused to be pushed aside.
“You’re the one who killed him?”
“Yes.”
“Figured as much.” Frederick grabbed her face, turned it this way and that. “Dale was an animal. He couldn’t handle being told no. What else did he do to you?”
“He tried to rape me. Curse got there before he could do that,” she said, looking down at the floor.
“Fine. I can see why you killed the fucker. I know Dale had already raped a couple of women, and then he nearly fucked up the deal that you guys did by raping my friend’s daughter. Any man who needs to rape a woman is no man in my book. Now, beating a woman from time to time is okay. They need to be kept in line. Raping, I don’t like or agree with.” He dropped his hand. “Go away.”
Curse despised the man. No man should ever lay a hand on a woman to cause her pain.
The men who’d gone away to look around the clubhouse came back holding Ashley’s arm. She wasn’t fighting them. Pussy and Death looked annoyed as they followed behind them. None of them were used to having to follow other men around.
Holding onto Mia, Curse watched the conversation.
“Now, I’m a lenient man, but I can be pushed. I accept why Dale had to die, but we’ve got to come to some arrangement,” Frederick said, facing Devil. “Jerry told me you’re businessmen and you won’t make waves unless you have to.”
“We are businessmen. We’re not lapdogs,” Devil said.
“Good, I’m not looking for lapdogs. I’m looking for men who can do a job without getting caught.” Frederick took a seat, looking more relaxed than tense. “I think we can do business providing you’re prepared to listen to me.”
“What do you want us to do?” Devil asked.
“I like Tiny. He’s a good man and has morals. I want you to make sure Piston County remains your town. Any new little upstart you take out, and we take their business. I want you to run guns and drugs. The women I’m not interested in yet. I’ve got plenty of girls around the world earning me more than enough money. However, that may change as all business does.” Frederick took another sip. “I want you to do a better job than the person I’ve got in charge now.”
“Frederick, I—” Jerry started to speak.
Curse tensed and covered Mia’s mouth as Frederick shot Jerry without another word. The bullet entered the front of his head and smashed the window behind him. Jerry fell to the floor. Lexie screamed, covering her ears, and Phoebe cried out. The whole room stayed silent.
Turning toward his president he saw Devil gritting his teeth at the slight they’d been dealt with. Jerry had never been a problem to any of them, and now he was dead.
“As you can see I’ve got a job opening for a new leader of Piston County,” Frederick said.
Ash
ley looked pale, ready to pass out.
“You’re fucking insane,” Devil said.
“I can kill you all now, and when I’m done here I can go and get Judi and Ripper, I believe his name is. I can kill all of your family, and I couldn’t give a shit.”
“How can I trust you not to do that to us?” Devil asked.
“You’re friends with Tiny. I suggest you start taking a leaf out of his book and own this fucking town once and for all.” Frederick looked at all of the men in turn. “Now, are you willing to agree to my terms, or is this a waste of my time? I’ve got the girl. You, Jerry, and myself have already agreed to her.”
“We need time to vote,” Devil said.
They were all trapped. There was no choice.
“I vote yes,” Curse said. Everyone turned to look at him. He hoped the others knew what he was doing.
Pussy and Death agreed. Others started to nod their agreement.
“It looks like we’re the new Sheriffs in town,” Devil said.
“Good, I’ll take her with me now as well.” Frederick pointed at Ashley. “I like to look at her from the picture you sent me. We’ve got a deal.”
Curse looked at Ashley. She seemed to know this was going to happen.
“We only talked about you agreeing to take her. It wasn’t confirmed. I can’t allow you to take a woman without her consent.” Devil took a step away from Lexie.
“I’m going to go,” Ashley said. Her voice was small, but her tone said to all of them not to argue. “It’s time for me to move on, and I already talked with Jerry and Frederick about mending fences for the Chaos Bleeds crew.”
“Ashley, no,” Mia said.
“I’ve got to, honey. Jerry told me this could happen. He even suggested it to me. It’s time for me to get out of here, and I was already going to go.” She moved toward Mia. Curse let his woman go for a few minutes to allow the two women to hug. “I’m dying here. This is not my home.”
“I don’t want you to go.”
“We’ll stay in touch. I promise you, I’ll be more than fine.” Ashley kissed her cheek. “Take care of her.”
“I will,” Curse said.
He watched as Ashley said goodbye to the club. She was giving up her freedom to help the club. This was why she’d come to him the other day to ask him to take care of Mia. Curse wanted to tell her to stop, but he couldn’t.
Curse's Claim (Chaos Bleeds) Page 12
