by Bijou Hunter
Realizing Aaron was irritated, maybe even angry, I thought to slug him. I didn’t want rational. I wanted emotional. I wanted someone to save Vaughn even if other people suffered. My heart only cared about one perfect man.
“I get it. I do, but that’s all logical shit and I’m not feeling logical. I’m afraid and my fear says I need to do whatever possible to save Vaughn.”
“I know, but you don’t have the kind of money that would be necessary to get someone capable of taking out a few members of a motorcycle club.”
“How hard would it be really?” I asked. “Bailey said it would be like four guys that needed killing.”
“You start spilling blood and you can’t always decide when the blood stops flowing. Even if you could hire someone to travel to Tucson and he was able to ambush four badass killers, he would have the club on his ass forever. The Devils are linked to drugs and gun running. You think they’ll just let your hit man walk away? You think they won’t come after you and Vaughn for payback? It won’t be four guys.”
“So they can’t be killed?”
“If Coop decides to call in someone, it would need to be a pro and they don’t come cheap. If it’s the Reapers taking out the Devils, the remaining club in Tucson will walk away. The pros leave calling cards and there are few people who want to fuck with a real assassin. Not worth the effort when they’re going to be fighting to keep their territory. Killing you and your hired gun won’t mean as much.”
No matter what Aaron said, I still wondered about finding someone to deal with the Devils. My brother-in-law was Cooper’s guy and Cooper wanted to be the one to decide. In reality, they didn’t want me interfering with their plans because I wasn’t in the club. I was an outsider and needed to mind my own business. Normally, I would, but Vaughn was my business and I would find a way to save him if possible.
Lark babied me for a while then I babied her then Aaron said she needed to go to bed so he could baby her. I was stuck watching TV with the dogs until I dozed off wondering how I could save Vaughn. If he was safe, I could say the words without jinxing him.
I woke up to Aaron talking to the dogs about Deputy Dipshit who was bugging someone down the street about their car alarm. Lark shuffled out in her Barney slippers. I heard them whispering about how I was sleeping. Before I could announce I was awake, they returned to the bedroom and didn’t emerge for an hour.
Sitting on the porch, I wondered if Vaughn was awake. He always woke up quickly like a starter’s pistol went off in his system. I was groggy and a mess. He was lively and usually ready for morning sex. Fortunately, he didn’t care if I participated much when it was early.
I missed him and the edginess made me chew half a pack of Nicorette. Giving up smoking had gone well until this morning. Now, I wanted to smoke a few cartoons to take the edge off.
Once Aaron left for the shop, I headed inside where Lark sat on the couch with her feet up. We didn’t say much while eating muffins and watching the Today Show. By the time Bailey arrived, Lark looked ready for a nap. I was still dying for a smoke, but Bailey had something else on her mind.
“I’m getting a boob job,” Bailey announced. “I want to attract a better quality of guy.”
Lark and I glanced at each other and fought the urge to roll our eyes. Standing up, I walked to Bailey.
“You’re like a little sister to me, so I’m going to tell you what I would tell Lark in this situation.”
“I hope you plan to say, ‘Go for it. I support you no matter what,’” Bailey said. “That’s what I’m looking for here.”
“If you’re going to have surgery to change your body just so you can get dates, I think you’re an idiot. If you want to have a doctor cut into you because you haven’t found the right guy even though you’re nineteen, I think you’re a super fucking idiot.”
Bailey frowned. “You guys are always telling me I need to change, so people will like me more.”
“I never said that,” Lark mumbled, leaning back on the couch. “I like you the way you are.”
Bailey’s frown darkened. “I saw a shrink and she said I’m insecure. She’s right because I don’t like my boobs.”
“Shut up while I finish,” I said, taking her by the shoulders. “If you want to get new boobs because you want to feel prettier, I support you. If you want to bleed to improve yourself for you, I support your decision. As long as you’re doing it for you and not to land a guy, I support you. Guys come and go, but you’ll always have you. Besides, new boobs will be a cosmetic change and you’re insecure on the inside.”
“I’m hot, but my boobs aren’t. They let me down when I wear sexy clothes.”
“Hey, I’m not going to pretend like having nice tits isn’t great. I love my girls. Just promise me you won’t go crazy with the size,” I said, walking into the kitchen. “I knew a girl at the strip club who had huge boobs. She was very plastic looking anyway which was sad because I think she was likely gorgeous without the super tan and bleached hair. Anyway, her boobs looked painful like the skin was stretched too much. Not sexy. Keep your boobs realistic for your body. Be Bailey with nice boobs, not huge boobs with some girl attached to them.”
Bailey smiled. “I grew up in a place with new girls coming to town every year. They were always so pretty and I thought I’d be like them. I don’t know why my boobs stayed so small.”
“I like small boobs,” Lark announced, eyes still closed. “They fit the rest of me.”
“Can you imagine big honkers on your body?” Bailey snorted. “How you would walk around with them?”
“I couldn’t and that’s why I’m happy with my little ones. Aaron likes them just fine.”
“Didn’t need that visual,” Bailey said, winking at me. “Will you help me pick out my new boobs?”
“Sure. I like shopping.”
Lark laughed then made a weird noise. “Heartburn.”
“What happens when the hormones kick in and your boobs inflate?” I asked. “Pregger chicks get bigger boobs and you’ll get bigger for two.”
Opening her eyes a bit, Lark flipped me off. “I have enough problems not projectile vomiting on you right now. Let’s not freak me out about giant boobs, okay?”
“Sorry,” I said as Bailey and I laughed from a safe distance. “I’ll make it up to you by going shopping. I see the list on the fridge and you can stay home and rest while I do slave work.”
“I’ll do your dishes,” Bailey said, eyeing the kitchen. “Clean up the counter too. Helping is fun and not at all boring or beneath me.”
Lark grinned. “I’m feeling really crappy though. Like I need you to do the laundry and sweep the floors kind of crappy.”
Bailey and I glanced at each other then back at little Lark reclined on the couch. She was so fragile and I didn’t want to think of how miserable she would be once the bump of hers exploded into a full fledged camel hump.
“Bailey will start the laundry and I’ll finish it when I get back from the store.”
“Yeah, we’ll tag team your to-do list into submission.”
My little sister beamed at us from the couch and her happiness distracted from my worries over Vaughn. Once I was in Aaron’s Honda on the way to the store, my mind returned to the sexy bastard who owned my heart.
The grocery list consisted of mainly odd pregnancy craving foods. Peppers, onions, limes, lemons plus a few other basics like bread and beef. I picked up a bouquet of flowers for Lark too and mint ice cream. I remembered her mentioning in passing how the flavor might work with her peculiar cravings.
“Remind me not to come to your house for dinner,” Dylan said, pushing his cart next to mine.
I sized up my tall, muscular, and mohawk sporting stepbrother. “It’s for Lark, fuckwit.”
His dark eyes amused, he sighed. “You’re as eloquent as ever, twatface.”
“Is it time to kick your ass again?” I asked, cracking my knuckles.
Dylan scratched at his stubbled jaw. “I’m not letting
you win this time, dingus.”
“You know, Lark says you don’t think of us as your sisters, but you sure act like a shithead little brother.”
“I’m older.”
“Not mentally.”
Dylan grinned. “How is Lark?”
“Fine.”
“How are you? You look crankier than usual.”
“I’m fine. Do you really care?”
“Sure, why not? I’m nice now. Lark told me not to be an asshole like Larry and I just switched off my asshole gene.”
“Never occurred to you to turn it off before?” I asked, pushing my cart.
“No. Asshole has always worked for me.”
“I didn’t thank you for helping out Lark when Larry and his grease ball brother attacked her. Thanks, turdmuncher.”
“You’re welcome, skank. I’m glad you came back to town. Lark needs you. Baldy is no substitute.”
“I call him Mister Clean and Yule Brenner.”
“I’ve referred to him as Telly Savalas and Cooper knew who I meant. Didn’t even correct me.”
Laughing, I smacked his arm. “I like this new less asshole version of you.”
“Would you lose respect for my self-improvement if I called your mom a bitch?”
“She is a bitch.”
“Cool because the bitch is here with her bitch friends from the country club.”
My mother was still beautiful, but I sensed her cold personality even from a distance. She noticed us and waved as if happy to see her slut daughter and loser stepson. I knew it was a show for her friends, so I flipped her off. Dylan laughed and flipped her off too.
“I don’t think I’ll be invited to Thanksgiving dinner at this rate,” he said as we started walking to the checkout.
“Who gives a shit? Holidays with your dad and my mom were lame anyway. You can have dinner with Lark and me. She’ll cook and I’ll help and Telly can play with his ugly dogs.”
Dylan grinned. “I’ll bring beer and something for Lark to drink. Whatever she’s craving by then.”
“Poor tiny broad is miserable, but this crap might make her feel better.”
“For this months away dinner, will you be bringing your scary biker boyfriend? I only ask because I might have to hide my assholeness more if he’s around. Don’t want to get my ass kicked.”
Struggling not to wonder if Vaughn would be alive in November, I grinned. “Won’t be any worse than when I kicked it.”
Clearly remembering the fight differently, Dylan smirked, yet said nothing. We checked out, gave my mom another middle finger, before heading to the parking lot. I wished him well and meant it. Life was full of changes and I decided to follow Lark’s lead by viewing Dylan as a friend rather than a member of the enemy camp.
Lark was asleep when I arrived home. Once I put away the food, I swept the floor then folded clothes with Bailey. We had many giggles at Aaron’s wide selection of graphic boxers. I was still thinking about them after Bailey left and Aaron arrived home.
We sat on the couch, not talking. I knew he wanted to say something about Vaughn. He knew I wanted him to keep his trap shut. We settled on awkward silence until Lark appeared full of sleepy grins.
“I like having maids,” she announced, sitting between me and Aaron.
“Hey, I saw Mom at the store and flipped her off for you.”
“Thanks, sis.”
“I also got you mint ice cream.”
Lark leaned her head against me. “I’ve never loved you more.”
“Shallow bitch. Now what are you two going to do to entertain me, so I won’t spend all night crying over Vaughn?”
“Crap,” Aaron muttered. “I was hoping you would run back to him by now. I was looking forward to running around the house naked.”
Lark giggled. “I like when you do that.”
Rolling my eyes, I got up and walked to the kitchen. “I’m not running back to Vaughn. Well, I shouldn’t because I’m a jinx and I need to protect him. With that said, he runs around naked at his place and I miss that view.”
“Sure, Vaughn’s a sexy guy, but mine is better,” Lark said, winking at Aaron.
“Vaughn is really sexy,” I said, missing him and wondering what he was doing right then. “He’s funny too. I’ve never been with a guy who was so funny. He can scare you one minute and make you laugh the next. He’s amazing.”
Lark studied me then glanced at Aaron. When they were both watching me, I realized I was crying. Wiping away the stupid tears, I shook my head.
“I wish I was like you two,” I said, smiling weakly at them. “I ruin things with guys and I can’t ruin Vaughn. He’s special.”
An awkward moment passed as I fought with my need to be selfish and go to Vaughn. I needed him, but I knew I would bring bad luck down on him.
“You guys want to go to the movies?” Aaron asked as Lark cuddled with him.
They were so comfortable together. Always relying on each other to feel right in the world. Vaughn needed someone to rely on, but I couldn’t be that person. I was too messed up and I’d jinx him.
“I’d like to see something funny,” Lark said. “I know preggos usually have bladder issues, but so far I don’t. I want to take advantage of that by laughing without peeing myself.”
I smiled at my little sister. “Man, marriage sure has made you sexy.”
“Hell yeah,” Aaron said, kissing Lark and making me feel like a perv to watch them.
“I’ll steal your dork Honda, go home, and clean up for the movies,” I muttered, heading for the door as they made out. “You two get the horny out of the way, so the movies won’t be weird for me.”
“I can finally get naked,” Aaron announced as I shut the door.
I left them to enjoy what I wanted to hungered to do with Vaughn. On the drive, I listened to every channel on the radio in an attempt to stop thinking about him. Instead, the songs all reminded me of Vaughn. I thought about how he watched me sing karaoke and didn’t make fun of my horrible singing. He even liked my rough voice. Not in a fake way like guys would lie about shit to get in a girl’s pants. Vaughn honestly liked my voice. He liked a lot of my flaws.
He loved me.
Arriving at my apartment, I started thinking about how I might get the cash to pay for a hit man. I had a few thousand from the cage fights, but doubted that would be enough. Even with no idea how to find a killer, I knew I had to save Vaughn. If he was safe, maybe my habit of turning things to shit wouldn’t ruin him. We could be together and I could finally have the love of an amazing man.
Until then, I had to avoid Vaughn. I just wasn’t strong enough to tell him no. I missed every damn thing about him. No, I needed distance.
So when I got home and saw the text from him asking to talk, I knew lies were my only way out.
“I have a date tonight. We can talk tomorrow,” I texted back.
My text had the desired effect because he didn’t respond. A pissed Vaughn was likely headed to a bar to find a pretty girl to work out his aggravations with and it was my fault.
Jealous like never before in my life, I fought the urge to text him and ask to talk. Send him a shot of me topless, anything to keep him from fucking someone else. Instead, I imagined him dead and knew I needed to stay away.
Once in the shower, I let myself cry a little. Vaughn deserved to live a long and happy life with everything he desired. I even considered killing the Devils myself. I wasn’t great at many things, but I could kill to protect the ones I loved and I did love Vaughn. I’d probably die in the process. Killing enough of those fuckers and protecting Vaughn would make my sacrifice worth it.
As I dried off and dressed, my mind wondered how to get the names and locations of the guys in charge of the Devils. I bet Tawny would help me get weapons. Or Bailey would or I could just buy the damn things. Then, I’d drive to Tucson and find the ones who put a bounty on Vaughn’s beautiful head. If I was careful, I could kill more than one target before they killed me. As a hot chick,
those guys wouldn’t view me as a threat. I could get close enough…
In the dark living room, Vaughn sat with his arms crossed and legs propped up on the table.
“What the hell?” I cried, taking a moment to identify the big guy in the corner.
“I said we need to talk.”
“You’re nuts,” I mumbled, soothing my beating heart. Mostly, I didn’t know how to keep enough distance between us to avoid me giving him anything he wanted.
“Probably,” Vaughn said, standing up and walking towards me in a casual manner, “but love can make a man do crazy things.”
“What do you want to talk about?” I asked, moving to the kitchen as he followed.
“Not here.”
“What?” I muttered, turning to find him right behind me.
Before I could speak, Vaughn had me around the waist while pressing a cloth against my mouth. I struggled against his hard body. It was like wrestling with a brick wall. He never faltered and I passed out thinking it had been stupid to turn my back on a pissed guy.
Chapter Twenty - Vaughn
If abducting the woman I loved was wrong, I didn’t want to be right. Maybe a different guy would find a better way to make Raven listen. I wasn’t a different guy and I didn’t know how to do soft when imagining my woman fucking another guy. Hell, chloroform was as soft as I got when jealousy tore me up.
Once Raven was wrapped in a blanket, I carried her down to my truck. I ran into Kirk and Jodi who were taking a walk. They eyed me then Raven’s face peeking out from the blanket. Jodi checked her while Kirk frowned hard at me.
“We’re just going to talk at the cabin,” I said when he fiddled with the gun on his hip.
“If she doesn’t come back in one piece, it won’t be the Devils who put a bullet between your eyes, Outlaw.”
“Understood.”
Jodi swiped hair from Raven’s eyes then sighed. “Kids today make everything so damn complicated.”
Kirk rested an arm around his wife and they started walking again. “People are just dumber these days, babe.”
