This Savage Love: A Bad Boy Romance Boxed Set

by Kathryn Thomas

  Riley nodded. Maybe he was the confirmed idiot. Rather than talk to these guys, he should call the police, do something to help Tania, but, instead, he was actually having a conversation with them, but he was aware these men weren’t bad people. They didn’t know about the insurance fraud until after everything happened. They didn’t help kidnap Tania and, sure as hell, they didn’t want trouble. Right now, they lacked direction – and he planned to give it to them.

  “It’s a good plan except someone must’ve seen you come in or may see you go out. If we were to die, the first people the police would investigate would be members of Devil’s Mafia Brotherhood as we’ve already filed complaints against them. Your names would pop up. Some witness would claim seeing you here and that would be the end of your illustrious career as murderers.”

  Paul, who hadn’t said anything up until now, shifted on his feet. “Shit!”

  “Yeah, that’s what you’ll end up landing in. A pile of shit is what you deserve for trying to protect Raymond and Charlie, but they don’t deserve your sympathy. They’re the ones who deserve the brickbats for running the gang, for doing things that we didn’t agree to. So I’ll ask you: are you sure you want to end up in trouble over men who betrayed your trust?”

  Paul sighed and looked down at his feet. Mac winced, and Jimmy growled. “You’re trying to mess with our heads.”

  “I’m trying to show you the right path. Look, we all signed up at Devil’s Mafia Brotherhood because we love bikes and we’re speed junkies at heart. That’s not what they had in mind but I’ve found another club who does all that, and they’re not involved in any illegal activities.”

  Tania who was quiet up until now hissed. “Riley.”

  He ignored her. “If you want, I’ll introduce you guys. They’re always happy to take on new members. And trust me; Devil’s Mafia Brotherhood is history. We might as well start with another club and this time we’ll choose wisely.”

  The men all exchanged looks as they thought he was crazy. Perhaps he was. But Riley didn’t want to take down every members of the biker’s club. Most of the men weren’t bad people. They didn’t deserve to be in this mess. Like him, they were innocent bystanders who got into something that was way beyond their capability. If he could bring them around to the right side, Riley would consider it an accomplishment, but he could only lead them to the right path; he couldn’t force them on it. Maybe they didn’t want a normal, quiet life. Perhaps they had gotten so used to the violent, wild life that Devil’s Mafia Brotherhood offered that they didn’t want something sane and ordinary anymore.

  “Jimmy,” said Mac in a low voice.

  Jimmy bit his bottom lip and Riley knew this was a crucial moment. Jimmy was their leader right now, and it all depended on what he chose. If Riley failed, they would likely beat the hell out of him and they might kick around Tania, too. He didn’t want that to happen. She didn’t deserve any more abuse. Shit! He shouldn’t have let down his guard. He should’ve kept a loaded gun in his pocket and shot out their kneecaps so they couldn’t move while he called the police.

  He made his choice, though, and they would make theirs. There wasn’t much else he could say to influence their decision. They would do something that made sense to them, and he could only hope that they would choose that which was sensible.

  Jimmy stepped aside and allowed Tania to run to him. “Where does this biker’s club meet?”

  And just like that, it was all over. Riley dug into his pocket and pulled out his wallet as he released a breath he wasn’t aware he’d been holding. After taking out a card, he held it out. “These guys are legit. I’ve checked them out. Tania and I are planning to join them.”

  Mac frowned while Jimmy strode forward to take the card. “They take women?”

  “Yeah, they do.”

  The men weren’t sure what to make of this new development but they didn’t say anything. Jimmy took the card, took a look at it, and then shuffled towards the door. “Come on, guys; let’s go.”

  Riley held Tania close as they moved away. After what seemed like an eternity, he allowed her to slip out of his embrace. “A gun?” she asked.

  “It was insurance, but I never kept it loaded.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t believe you actually offered them a chance to join the same biker’s club that we’re thinking of joining.”

  “If you’re not comfortable with them, we don’t have to join them. But these guys…they’re just looking for direction, and I hope that they find it this time. Raymond and Charlie failed them, but maybe this new biker’s club won’t.”

  She put her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. “I thought we were dead for sure this time.”

  “We have nine lives, just like cats.”

  “Let’s hope, then, we haven’t used all of them yet.”

  He sucked in a deep breath of air. What if other gang members found them later? It could always happen. Now that they were targeted so many times, he simply couldn’t ignore the possibility that someone else may find them to seek revenge for destroying the biker’s club. Or, perhaps, Raymond and Charlie may get bail or get out of jail and embark on a quest to exact their pound of blood.

  “Tania, it might be a good idea for you not to remain with me. If anyone else comes after me…”

  “Don’t be silly,” she announced in a voice that invited no argument. “They could find me easily enough, too. After all, I was the catalyst that caused this trouble. We’re in this, Riley, for now and forever.”

  Lifting her head, she looked into his eyes. Her lips curved in a smile, and he bent his head to kiss her. As always, it was hot and stormy, slow and sweet. She was everything that he’d dreamt of, and now, for the last time, Riley hoped all trouble was behind them and they could move forward without looking back.

  He lifted his head and tucked a lock of stray hair behind her ear. So perhaps separation wasn’t the best idea that he came up with, but he had other tricks up his sleeve. “Tania, how about we go to a jewelry store and pick out a ring?”

  “A ring, yes.”

  She waited for an explanation and he sighed. “I just knew that you would make me work for it.” Letting her go, he dropped on one knee. “Tania, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife? I promise to do as best as I can to earn and keep your trust, and I’ll spend my life bringing a smile to your face.”

  She considered him. “No more hanging out with guys who are thinking of illegal schemes?”

  “I’ll stay a mile away from them.”

  “Okay, then. I’ll marry you.”

  He stood and swept her in his arms. “I love you.”

  “And I love you more.”

  The kissed and this time, Riley was sure that happy ever after would last for a long, long time, and if they were lucky, it might remain like this for the rest if their lives.

  ***

  Five months later, they walked out of a meeting that was held in the office of Brick and Mortar, one of the largest retail distributors. “We nailed it.”

  Tania laughed. As she swept her hair from her face, the three-carat diamond that was nestled prettily in the ring twinkled. “We sure did. I don’t think I’d ever forget Brin’s face. He looked positively outrageous when they informed him that the contract was ours.”

  It was particular satisfying to beat her ex-boss. Now that they were a successful team, Riley felt a surge of pity for the guy. Brin had lost the best member of his team and the sad truth was that he didn’t have anyone to blame for that mishap except himself.

  He held Tania’s hand as they marched down the pavement, totally happy with all they achieved and the pace with which they were moving forward. He didn’t much care about anyone, not her ex-boss, not the men who were languishing in jail for the crimes that they committed. All he wanted was his slice of heaven, and this was it.

  “We’re a team.”

  “Oh, yes, we are,” she agreed.

  THE END

 
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  HE SAVED ME FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS

  My life had spiraled out of control. In one split moment, everything I knew was ripped away.

  Everything except him.

  Every fiber in my body screamed to keep him away…

  … but somehow, this monster pulled me in.

  I know I should get away.

  Run while I still have a chance.

  But each time I feel his searing lips on mine.

  Each time he whispers in my ear—all the things he’d do to me.

  I can’t help believe him.

  And I can’t stop begging for more.

  Back to Table of Contents

  TRAITOR – AMY LOVE

  CHAPTER ONE

  It was morning, and it had been a long time coming.

  Kane Peters took possession of his meager belongings, the suit from his trial, the penknife that could have served him well on the inside, and her photograph. The image got him through the darker nights.

  None so dark as the first.

  ***

  Kane was cornered in the shower. He had told himself that he had nothing to fear; nothing was too much too handle. But forms that surpassed even his great height threatened to rip him wide open for another man’s crimes. Rumor had spread through the showers that a baby rapist had recently arrived. Soap fell off the shoulders of men who had killed in the name of money and honor. But to hurt a child? That broke code and would be dealt with accordingly.

  Kane held his ground in the wake of their menacing eyes.

  “I’m a Blood Brother,” he stated simply.

  “What the fuck is that?” the biggest guy barked.

  Glancing at the ink on his arms, Kane thought of the days in which that mark had been enough to keep him from all harm. He was the one that men feared when other gangs tried to challenge him in the space of a fast food counter or on the cusp of a knife fight. He could take them down with a glance and head back to his crew, needing nothing more than Noel at his side and the roar of the bike between his legs. Nothing more than that.

  “Look, buddy,” Kane started. “You better—”

  He was driven into the tiles, and he couldn’t stop the force of the foot that spread his legs apart until he was splayed on the ground. It was a bitch move, but Kane tried to scream. He couldn’t make a sound, and as he steeled himself for the attack, Kane drifted towards a memory.

  ***

  Angeline.

  ***

  Her face was all pale angles below wild brown curls. When he first met her, by chance as she spent her day off ministering to the lowest corner of Frisco, Kane was nursing a sprained wrist. Normally he’d ice it down and wait it out, but after two days, the pain still raging and forced him to swallow his pride. Gritting his teeth, he fell into the feel of her hand, and she smiled when he winced.

  “Relax,” she said. “I promise I won’t hurt you.”

  In her pink scrubs, she danced her fingers up his arm and back again. Stopping at his tender wrist, Kane sighed.

  “I get that,” he said. “Think you can help me out… nurse?”

  She smiled brightly and cocked her head to the side.

  “Leave it to me,” she said. “Here.”

  Reaching into a tiny fridge, she produced an ice pack.

  “Hold this close,” the nurse said. Kane grudgingly brought the icy gel to his wrist and watched her move around the small exam room. She was a frenzy of quick starts and stops, her head constantly poking through the door to ask if anyone else needed her help. Her pace impressed him, and when she turned her gaze back to his, her eyes brimming with concern, Kane touched her with his good hand. His fingers curled around her neck. She gently closed her eyes, and Kane felt her flesh, warm and wanting. She seemed to forget herself. Closing her eyes, she sighed into him, and when she lifted her lids, there was nothing but two too-wide eyes, bright green.

  “Look, mister I have to—”

  He kept her close when she tried to pull away. He had to know more.

  “You got a name?” he asked.

  Again she tried to leave his hold, but before she could move, Kane forgot his injury and brought her pale face closer to his.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered. Kane felt her body tense, but her eyes were anything but.

  “Relax, honey,” Kane said as he grazed his fingers against her cheek. “Just trying to be friendly.”

  The nurse began to protest, but then she paused as she seemed to realize that he wasn’t the type to give up without getting everything he wanted.

  “Angeline,” she murmured. “Okay?”

  She tried to turn her attention back to his injured wrist when he brought his good hand behind her back. Taking her curls between his fingers, Kane knew that he wanted to know more about her. And there was no way that she would ever be able to turn him down.

  “What about you?” she asked.

  No way at all.

  “Who, me?” he asked, a confident smile crossing his face.

  “Can’t I be friendly, too?” she challenged with a smirk.

  Just as he had expected.

  “I’m Kane.”

  “How’d you hurt your hand, Kane?” Angeline asked.

  He massaged his wrist as his eyes went dark.

  “Price of doing business,” he said. “It happens.”

  It might scare her some, but soon he’d get her alone and show her everything he could do, even with a bad hand.

  But there was no fear in her eyes. If anything, Angeline was curious.

  “And what business is that?” Angeline asked.

  He’d show her soon enough, but first things first.

  “You got dinner plans?” he asked.

  Angeline blushed, but she didn’t fall away from him.

  “And what if I say yes?” she teased

  Pressing his palm into her, Kane’s eyes narrowed and he laughed.

  “Cancel ‘em,” he said. “You just got a better offer.”

  She hesitated for all of a second before smiling.

  “Looks like,” she said.

  ***

  “Scum!”

  He was back in the prison showers, shaking his head, trying to scream through a tattered wash cloth. As he fought, more and more men surrounded him. Out of the corner his eye, Kane saw them working their hands around their cocks. Being a Blood Brother counted for nothing. He had taken beatings before. When he was a kid. The trick was always to focus on something else.

  ***

  “I cancelled my imaginary plans for this?”

  So it wasn’t the Ritz. Diner grub was good enough for him, and this was just the first course. Dessert would be more to her liking.

  “Hey, at least you don’t have to cook,” he said as he casually pulled a smoke from his pack. Lighting the butt, smoke spilled above her head. She looked good through the haze, and he started to speak when a cracked out waitress drifted towards their table.

  “Not in here,” she said, her eyes dazed as she moved past them in her own fog. Kane took another drag before starting to stamp the cigarette out. Angeline folded her arms across her chest.

  “You know that’s bad for your health?” she prompted.

  “Seriously?” he said in a mocking voice. “No one has ever told me that.”

  Here it came. The lecture. He’d let her talk for a few seconds. But no more. He wanted to hear other sounds pouring out of her mouth.

  “Well, it is,” she said.

  The flame was almost dead when she reached across the table. Taking his hand, she brought the crumpled cigarette to her lips, exhaled like a pro, then snuffed it out against her saucer.

  “But some habits are hard to break I guess,” she said.

  Her eyes sparkled as she scanned her menu. Leaning back, Kane knew that he liked her, and he was glad that that some punk had twisted his wrist to the point where it now was.
r />   ***

  Now his arm was wrenched back again, and his soapy form was about to be ripped in two. As the tip of a strange cock started to work its way inside his ass, Kane forced his mind back to Angeline.

  ***

  His apartment was cluttered, but she didn’t seem to mind. Brushing a pile of dirty clothes aside, she sat on the couch as he cracked open the fridge and pulled out a beer.