Ignite

by Holly S. Roberts

  “You’re right, I won’t listen,” I reply as he removes the tape from my chest. The tube is attached at the other end to a pump, which rests on the floor. Apparently it’s been pumping out air from my lung cavity while the puncture in my lung healed. As far as I know, none of Gomez’s victims last this long, so I wasn’t familiar with the remedy for a collapsed lung.

  “Removing the tube won’t be too bad. Unfortunately, the broken ribs will remain sore for a month or longer. Breathe in for me.”

  I suck in air.

  “Let it out.”

  He pulls and the tube feels like it takes my insides out with it. Won’t be too bad my ass. He places two stitches in the hole the tube leaves behind and puts another bandage in place. He tries asking a few questions, but all I do is grunt. He pokes and prods for a few more minutes before packing his bag and leaving.

  I rise from the bed as soon as he’s gone. I struggle to get into a pair of pants because of my ribs. I’m panting and sweating by the time I zip and button them. I walk out of the room and hear Beth’s voice coming from next door. She’s sitting on the bed playing with Carson. He smiles as she makes weird noises, spirals her finger, and plucks his tiny nose.

  This moment.

  His smile.

  Her voice.

  I burn them into my memory.

  I must have made a sound, because her head whips around.

  “Hi,” I say.

  I follow her gaze when she looks to the wall beside the door. A rolling suitcase and Carson’s diaper bag rest there. This is it. I step forward and she pushes herself off the bed and into my arms.

  I won’t beg her to stay because I more than understand. She’s safe now. This world, even though I’m leaving Moon’s organization, stains my soul. I will never shake the things I’ve done. I hold her while keeping my eyes on Carson. So damn close. I almost had it all.

  She’s crying softly. I have no reassuring words. My ribs are killing me but I squeeze tighter. “May I have a few minutes alone with Carson?” I whisper into her hair.

  She steps back and wipes tears from her face. “Yes, of course.”

  I reach a finger out and trail it down her cheek. “Thank you for sharing him with me. I will never forget the two of you.” My chest is heavy but I’ve been here before—denying grief, refusing to allow my tears to flow. Beth needs me to be strong.

  “Moon called a car for us,” she says. She wipes more tears. “How do I ever thank you?”

  She’s beautiful and so fucking strong. I could ask for nothing more for my son. “You take care of him and you find happiness,” I tell her, though it kills me inside.

  She nods and walks to the bags. She lifts the diaper bag over her shoulder and rolls the other bag behind her. “I’ll come back up and get him in a few minutes.” She leaves me alone with Carson. I wanted to ask where she was going but stopped myself. It’s better I don’t know. My attention turns to the small child kicking his legs on the bed.

  He’s in a blue onesie, leaving his small legs and feet bare. His baby hair is messy from playing with his mother. I sit on the side of the bed and run my palm over the wispy strands. “You have a big job on your hands for such a tiny thing,” I tell him. The lump in my throat makes it hard to say the next words. “I need you to look after your mother. No, not right now, but when you’re older. She has a way of finding trouble.” I pause for a minute when he smiles at me and kicks his legs again. “I love you, Carson Andrew. You need to grow into a good man like your uncle and your namesake. Our blood runs through your veins because I’m giving you a piece of my soul.”

  I pick him up and pull him into my shoulder. His baby smell washes over me. I look up and see Beth standing at the door. She’s crying, or has never stopped. I’m having a difficult time holding my emotions inside. This needs to be over now or I don’t think I can let her and Carson go. I place him in her arms and kiss her cheek. I leave and head straight to my room, closing the door behind me. The window I’m at faces the back of Moon’s property. I stare outside glad I won’t see Beth and Carson drive away. I have no idea how long I stand there, when there’s a knock on the door and Gomez steps inside.

  “Are they gone?” I ask him.

  He nods. “Moon wants you downstairs if you think you can handle walking that far?”

  I almost say that I no longer give a fuck what Moon wants but I stop myself. “I’ll make it,” I reply.

  After putting on a shirt and boots, I take the stairs slowly and follow him. Once we’re on the bottom floor, he heads to the back of the house. Another two turns and I realize where we’re going. It’s a wet room. Moon doesn’t like violence at his home but sometimes it can’t be avoided. When I walk inside, I know exactly why I’m here. Gomez closes the door behind us. Moon is standing with a gun pointed at two men on their knees. It’s the two from the warehouse. The men who killed Andrew.

  Strange really because I haven’t wasted a single thought on them. Moon lowers the gun to his side and walks to me. “These men are yours.” Moon hands me the gun.

  I take it and walk forward. I’m in no condition to do all the things I’ve dreamed of doing to make them suffer. Killing them should be enough. Both men stare me in the eyes. You don’t get to their level of cold-blooded killers and beg for your life. When you live like they do, you know if you’re lucky it will end quickly with a bullet. I lift the gun.

  Beth’s face flashes before my eyes.

  Carson’s smile.

  My brother’s laugh.

  Nick’s smirk.

  My mother’s face when she scolded us boys.

  My father’s police swagger when he walked.

  All the things these two men took from me. I look at the gun in my hand. An extension of my hand. So much blood that no one but my nightmares see.

  I lower my arm, turn to Gomez, who’s standing closer, and hand him the gun. “No.” I look between Moon and Gomez. “I’m no longer that man. I don’t care what happens to this scum, but it won’t be me who hands down their retribution.”

  I walk to the door and leave the room without looking back. I’ll go to my brother Linc’s house and start from there. I walk several feet down the hallway that leads to the stairs. The door to the entertainment room was closed when I walked past it a few minutes ago. It’s open now and I glance inside. Beth is standing in front of a large television screen. The screen shows the room I just left, the two men still on their knees, Moon and Gomez standing over them. The screen goes dark and Beth turns. She’s holding a sleeping Carson in her arms.

  My rage builds. Not at her but at Moon and Gomez for taking a chance that I would have killed those men with her watching.

  “You didn’t do it,” she whispers over my son’s head.

  “That’s no longer who I am.”

  “I know.” So much love shines from her eyes. My anger at the circumstances melts.

  In three strides she’s in my arms with Carson squeezed between us. I hold her as tightly as I can. A noise behind me makes me lift my head from her shoulder. Gomez stands in the door.

  “You were never one of us, cabrón, and it’s time for you and your woman to move on. There’s a car waiting out front. Thank you for being my friend.”

  It all makes sense. The deal with Angelo. The two men I left alive in the room. “What if I would have killed them?”

  Gomez shakes his head. “You were never a killer. Circumstances forced it on you. Moon never doubted what you would do even if I didn’t exactly agree. You proved me wrong. If you ever need us, we’ll be there. But somehow, I doubt you will. Your brother was never in danger. We needed you closer to keep you safe and put Moon’s game into play.”

  He turns and leaves before I can say anything. I release Beth so I can lift the diaper bag and suitcase. What broken ribs? I’m on cloud nine and feel no pain. Beth and I walk outside to the waiting car. We drive away.

  “Where are we going?” she asks.

  “We have unfinished business at the clubhouse,
but we need to stop and pick up a marriage license first. Shit,” I mutter.

  “What?” she asks with concern.

  “My ID. I want you taking my real name.”

  She leans over and grabs the diaper bag, which is in front of the car seat that was inside the car. She takes out her wallet and hands me my license from so many years ago. “Moon gave this to me.”

  Moon gave us more than that. He gave us life.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Beth

  THE WEDDING TOOK PLACE the next day. We’re headed back to the cabin we stayed in almost a week ago. The only thing missing is the motorcycle. Rack didn’t want me out of my wedding dress even when I told him I could put it back on in the room once we arrived.

  “No way. I’m taking this dress off.” He kissed my fingers over the ring that will never be absent again. The wedding took place earlier than our originally scheduled time and it’s still daylight.

  He picks me up and carries me over the threshold into the shadowed room. “Your ribs,” I laugh.

  “My ribs will survive, Mrs. Street.”

  He draws in a sharp breath and I know it hurts. Damn man. He puts me down and wraps his arms around me. My laughter disappears. His lips move over mine and he licks the inside of my mouth. For an unknown amount of time all he does is kiss me. I’ve never known a man who gets so much enjoyment out of kissing. Of course, I’ve never known a man like Rack. He’s better than my brother’s letters ever described.

  “I love you,” he says when he finally lifts his head. His face is such a mess of cuts and bruises.

  “I love you,” I reply because I love him with my heart and soul.

  “Now the dress,” he whispers with a wicked smile. I slowly turn and present the small buttons that run from the neck to the hem. Rack’s fingers work their magic starting at the top. His hot breath hits my skin before he kisses every inch of flesh uncovered as the buttons give way. I’m wearing a tight white corset beneath the dress. “What’s this?” he whispers again.

  “I had to look good in the dress,” I whisper.

  “No, no, no.” He begins untying the laces. “You’re perfect. No contraptions or I’ll need to look for a plump wife who understands how sexy she is.”

  I love him so damn much. The corset gives way and I’m able to take a deep breath. He lifts me again and carries me to the bed. He grimaces with pain when he leans over and sets me down.

  I try for the meanest expression I can muster considering it’s my wedding day. “No more picking me up.” He undoes his tie and I go silent. He takes off his suit jacket and slowly unbuttons his shirt. My heart beats double-time when he peels it off. Triple-time when he sits on the bed, removes his shoes and socks, and then stands and takes off his pants and boxers in one downward pull. I still have heels on and I lift a leg.

  He takes my calf and kisses the top of my foot. “These stay until I make the fantasy of fucking you in them a reality.” He licks the skin and then gives the slightest of bites. He releases my leg and moves enough to comfortably run his hands up my thighs to the bottom lace of my panties. He runs one finger under the elastic and slides it across my wet sex. I want him so bad it hurts. He swings one leg over me so he’s leaning over the tops of my thighs. He kisses his way to my breast, finds my nipple, and sucks until my hips lift from the bed.

  “God,” I moan.

  He laughs and slides my other breast free. I couldn’t feed Carson before we left because of the dress and corset. I pumped milk the last two days so we could have a wedding night. This time I was smart enough to pack the milker. I still feel uncomfortable while it’s doing its thing.

  “You taste divine,” Rack whispers.

  “You’re a kinky bastard,” I tell him with another long sigh.

  “The kinkiest. I need to keep you pregnant so I can enjoy this for years. Twelve babies, remember?”

  “You wicked man,” I say and laugh. “You want to keep me the size of a house.”

  One hand leaves my breast and travels to my tummy. “This needs to stay like this or bigger. A house means a whole lot of lovin’.”

  He moves up from my breast and kisses my neck. “I love you, Beth Street.”

  “Say it again.” I sigh.

  “My wife, Beth Street.” He supports himself with his left forearm and slips the fingers of his other hand beneath my panties. “These need to go.” He slides them down and I lift my legs. The panties get caught up in one shoe.

  “You’re evil for making me keep the heels on,” I chide.

  “Maybe.” He nuzzles my neck and then bites. I inhale sharply and forget about the shoes. “Lift your knees, Beth, and wrap those gorgeous legs around me.”

  With panties still hung up in my shoe, I do as he bids. He positions himself over me and his cock slides home. I press the heels into his ass and wrap my hands around his back, sinking my nails in deep. He glides slowly in and out finding a rhythm that drives us both wild. His lips come down on mine and his tongue dances to the same beat as his cock. I forget about everything but my husband.

  He breaks off the kiss. “Hold on.” He rolls and takes me with him so I’m sprawled on top. “Ride me, Mrs. Street.”

  We’re still joined. I lift my knees slightly and rest my hands on his chest. He palms my breasts as I set the rhythm. This is so good, so perfect, so wonderful. My pussy tightens and heat builds between our bodies. We are an extension of the other. One body, one soul, and a love so big it heals everything.

  I’m close.

  “No, not so fast,” he groans. “Move up here, I want to taste you.” Oh, God, he’s going to kill me. “Ride my face, beautiful.” He releases my breasts, slides his hands around my waist to my ass, and pulls me off his cock. I grip the headboard as he lifts me higher and I’m kneeling over his face. His tongue swirls and I cry out. He sucks and nips and sucks some more. His tongue slides into me and I have no word for the noises I make. His hands grip my ass and lift me up and down.

  The air around us is dried tinder ready to ignite. When it does, I scream. He lifts me again and I fall onto his chest. I’m too undone to think about his ribs. He positions my weak limbs so I’m over him again and his cock fills me. He rolls us back to the other half of the bed and increases his tempo. His heavy groan is followed by my own cries as our world explodes together.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Rack

  A ONE-NIGHT HONEYMOON wasn’t enough. We both missed Carson, though, so we made it work. We’re back at the clubhouse and I’m nervous. I stare at my phone for several seconds before I touch my brother’s name.

  It rings twice before he answers. “Detective Street.”

  “It’s Rutherford.”

  “Are you okay? Beth, the baby?”

  I hear the worry in his voice and hate myself all over again for causing it. “We’re good. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

  “Go,” he answers.

  I tell him what’s happened, excluding the warehouse scene.

  “Are you responsible for Gimonde and his son’s death?” he asks me.

  “No,” I tell him. “I wasn’t aware of what was going down. I’m not unhappy about it, though.”

  “Yeah, okay. Can’t say I was unhappy to hear it either. Where does that leave you?”

  “I want to come home.”

  There’s a long minute of silence on the other end. “When?”

  “We’re leaving here tomorrow.”

  “Shelby and I will move her things to my side of the duplex and you can have her place. She won’t mind. She’s mentioned it a few times since I told her the Gimondes were no longer a threat.”

  “Thank you.” My voice cracks and Beth, who’s sitting beside me holding Carson, squeezes my arm. I move my hand down and place it in hers. I inhale. “I’m calling Mom now. We’ll be going to see her and Dad before we get to your place.”

  “Thank God. She needs to know she’s a grandmother.”

  My chest hurts and it has nothing to do
with my ribs. “I’m so sorry, Linc.”

  “I love you, Rutherford. I’m glad you’re coming home and bringing your family.”

  The call ends a minute later. Beth leans into me and I circle her hip with my arm. With one hand I punch in the number to my parents’ house.

  “Hello?” My mom’s warm, loving voice fills my ear.

  Dear Reader,

  Wipe those tears. I loved ending this book with the sound of Rack’s Mom’s voice. I truly hope you enjoyed this incredible man’s happily ever after. I promise Rack will appear in the books about his brothers, Calvin and Woodrow. Street Fight and Street Law are part of my 2017 schedule for book releases.

  A few details to help you better understand Ignite:

  I seriously dug myself into a hole with Beth’s pregnancy. These books are hot and steamy and I kicked off this story with a woman who is eight months pregnant. Thank God I remember my pregnancy hormones going wild. I also want to add that I have always thought breastfeeding beautiful. I nursed my three daughters and it was such a special bond. Dads really need to be more involved in it just like Rack. And yes, that’s a kinky statement.

  My youngest daughter delivered her baby at home with only her three year old for company. Definitely not planned that way but it gave me comfort in Beth’s refusing to go to a hospital. I had so much fun with Shelby Googling child birth. I also enjoyed giving you another dose of Daisy. You haven’t seen the last of these characters either.

  Gardez Hospital is in Afghanistan. A police buddy told me the story of the soldiers returning and then being kicked out of the vehicle by a diplomat’s wife. I don’t remember the actual name of the hospital he mentioned and used Gardez because it exists. My friend’s story made me quite angry and I wanted you to know that it happened in real life. Thankfully I believe in Karma.

  Speed Radar is a detective’s best friend. Not only does it do its job and slow down traffic at key points but it also logs all license plates that drive past and holds the information for up to six months. You have no idea how many crimes I solved with this little bit of technology. So yes, to all you conspiracy theorists, the government is watching.