by C. M. Owens
“You keep saying that. Yet everyone around you keeps trying to hurt me.”
Yeah, I deserve that stab.
“Eve, where are you?”
She groans as though she doesn’t really want me to know, and I stand, pacing the room as she takes her sweet fucking time debating what to do.
“Eve,” I say softly, prompting her to hurry.
“One more thing,” she says hesitantly.
Biting back the curse that is on the tip of my tongue, I fist my free hand, growing more impatient by the second. “And that is?”
“No other girls. If you want me, then I need to be enough.” She says the words in a rush, as though she can’t get them out of her mouth fast enough.
“That’s not an issue,” I say without hesitation. It’s not like I’ve even looked at anyone else since she bounced into my life. “Now where are you?”
She’s killing me with these long pauses.
“I’m trusting you, Drex. I’ll text you the address.”
Even though she hangs up without saying anything else, the weight on my chest leaves. I walk out the door, ignoring the doctor who is speaking, ignoring my father as he calls for me, and ignoring everyone else as they chatter and ask questions.
Axle is on my heels, but I ignore him too. Dash walks out from an adjoining hallway, almost colliding with me, but I don’t ignore him. I give him one hell of an acknowledgement by landing a punch to his face.
When he goes staggering backwards, he curses, spitting out the blood that has pooled in his mouth.
“The fuck, Drex?” he snaps.
“You’re walking with a limp because of Eve. I can only imagine you’re the one who bruised her arm. Touch her again, and I won’t stop at a busted nose.”
The anger in his eyes dies, and he has the decency to show some shame. I just walk off, tearing away the hospital bracelet as I go.
“You can’t drive yourself,” Axle says as he follows me onto the elevator.
My phone chirps in my hand, and I look down to see the address she promised to send. She didn’t even have my motherfucking number. Obviously I never foresaw anything like this happening, but I still should have given her my number.
I text her back, telling her I’m on the way, but she doesn’t respond to it. Can’t say I blame her.
Chapter 3
EVE
“I can’t believe you told him where we are,” Drake groans. “I was going to speak to them after the heat had cooled down for a few days.”
Yeah, I’m nervous about the impulsive decision myself.
I eye his arm, since he’s shirtless. He’s covered in tattoos, so it’s hard to see the fresh stitches some girl did. I hope she used sterile tools for that. Not that I could watch.
“He promised me nothing would happen to either of us. I think he just wants to… I don’t know.”
Even I realize how ridiculous it sounds to say Drex just wants me back. What was I thinking?
It’s hard to believe he’d ever hurt me after all the times he’s protected me or tried to protect me. He covered my body with his when those bullets were flying in.
I haven’t even had time to process the madness inside his house. I’ve been too focused on avoiding the Death Dealers. Now I’ve invited them over.
Drake groans while grabbing a beer. “I’ve known Drex longer than you. Drex is cold. They didn’t make him VP just because he’s Herrin’s son, even though that did play some part in it. They did it because he’s the one who will obliterate anyone who crosses them. He’s trigger happy. Hell, even Herrin has said Drex is too bloodthirsty, and that they’d always be in a war if he doesn’t get his temper in check before he takes over.”
Hearing it said aloud makes me really regret telling him where I am. I’m that damn turtle or frog or whatever it was that let the scorpion ride its back across the pond.
“How do you know all this?” I ask him, deciding not to share that childhood tale of instinct versus intentions.
He shrugs while propping his feet up, sitting down beside me on the sofa.
“I was their go-to guy before my fallout with Drex. Cecil wouldn’t have ever touched their ink if it hadn’t been for that. And when someone is getting ink, they usually like to talk. I’ve always been smart enough to keep my mouth shut when I hear something that could get me killed. Hence the reason I’ve earned their trust.”
I eye him, finally getting curious.
“What happened between you and Drex?”
He cocks an eyebrow. “He fucked my girl. Claims he didn’t know she was mine. But he didn’t exactly feel bad about it even when he found out. I told you; Drex is cold. I learned we’re not friends, but I also never want to be his enemy. Drex doesn’t let people close enough to hurt him. Not even his own dad.”
I’m sure he’s trying to dissuade me from my interest in Drex, but it does the opposite. I almost feel… sad? Drex doesn’t even kiss women because he doesn’t like the intimacy of it.
And yet I can’t seem to push him away. He’s coming for me. I might have misconstrued everything he said, but he almost sounded desperate to have me back.
“Drex won’t kill you.”
He smiles grimly. “Yeah. I know. He’s cold, but he’s not that damn icy. He will, however, probably punch me a few times. It’s you I’m worried about. After everything you’ve told me, you’re a target. You’re the center of too many coincidences. You sure Drex cares enough about you to believe you?”
Before I can answer, there’s a pounding at the door. That was fast.
“Open the fuck up, Drake!” Drex demands, sounding pissed. “Or I’ll kick in the door.”
Oh no. No. No. No. He wasn’t supposed to sound pissed.
My palms are sweaty as I rake them over my jean shorts, standing up and taking a deep breath. Drake hesitates, but the loud pounding starts back up.
He tucks his gun in the back of his jeans before walking over and opening the door, using his body to block the path.
“Listen, she didn’t—”
“Move,” Drex growls, then suddenly he’s shouldering by Drake—who is a wall of muscle—and stalking toward me.
My heart flips when I see him, especially the relief that seems to cross his eyes. His head has stitches, starting just above his eyebrow and almost going into his hairline.
He’s a little bruised, but other than that, he seems fine.
Of course, my inner appraisal is cut short when he comes at me faster. I try not to gasp when he grabs me at the waist and jerks me to him. But my breath is gone when he crushes his lips to mine.
I definitely know the definition of melting now.
One hand goes to my hair as he angles my head, giving his tongue access to thoroughly explore me, kissing me stupid. It only takes a second for the shock to wear off so that I can react.
I kiss him back, hungrily searching and seeking, exploring and needing. He grips me tighter, pulling me off the floor until my legs are forced to wrap around his waist.
It’s the only kiss he’s ever initiated. It’s the only kiss he’s ever pushed for more. And it’s the hottest kiss I’ve ever had in my life. I’d almost forgo sex to continue kissing like this.
Almost.
He finally breaks the kiss, and I’m left panting for air like I’ve just run a marathon. His forehead presses against mine, while he tries to breathe as well.
“Alright. Guess that means he’s not killing you,” Drake says, a smirk in his tone.
Drex glares over his shoulder at him, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, his lips graze my forehead with a sweet touch that conflicts with Drex’s hard nature. Drake walks over to us until he’s beside us, crossing his arms over his chest and looking at us like he’s amused.
“Let’s get back to the warehouse. We have a mess to sort through. Drake, you’re coming with us.”
Drake tenses, narrowing his eyes. So Drex adds, “You’re holding out on us. I get why, but now the Hell Breathers are under th
e impression you’ve joined us, since my arrival at your place seemed so abrupt. Now there’s nothing to lose.”
Drake curses, running a hand over his hair. “Why can’t I just tat and stay out of this shit?”
Axle’s laughter startles me, and I look over Drex’s shoulder to see him in the entryway. I tense against Drex, who is still holding me.
“Ain’t no one gonna hurt you, baby. Relax,” Drex says before running his nose along my jaw, gently kissing a spot near my ear.
Axle’s laughter dies, and he seems to sober before giving me what resembles an apologetic look. As if that makes everything okay.
Then again, he did let me go with Drake instead of insisting I go with them to the executioner’s lair.
“Come on. We have shit to go over,” Drex tells the other two.
He carries me as though he’s worried I might run away if my feet hit the ground. His arms are locked around me as he climbs into the SUV, keeping me strapped to his waist.
“No bike?” I ask, mostly to distract myself from reading too much into his actions.
“Concussion,” he answers, pointing to his head.
“That explains the unusual greeting,” I mutter dryly.
He softly laughs, but it tapers off quickly. “Don’t run away again.” The seriousness is edged with a hint of warning in his tone. I swallow hard, suddenly not feeling so safe.
“What happens if I do?” I ask hoarsely.
He leans forward, letting his lips almost brush mine, close enough for us to exchange breaths.
“I’ll find you.”
A shiver slides down my spine, but he starts kissing me, and I drink in the effect he has on me. His hands slide into my hair so that he can properly devour me, but he pulls back, leaving me leaning in and hungry for more.
“I’ll end up fucking you in the car if I keep kissing you,” he murmurs before pressing one last chaste kiss to my lips.
For a man who claims to not be a fan of kissing, he’s damn good at it, and I’m left reeling from the rush.
“But when we get back,” he whispers, still keeping his lips close to mine, “I’ll kiss every inch of your body. When I get done, you’ll never want to run again.”
Chapter 4
DREX
Pop keeps talking, but I’m barely listening. Eve is upstairs waiting for me, yet we’re still going over the same shit. My skin is crawling, and I’m not sure if it’s impatience or adrenaline.
“Drex?” Pop prompts, drawing me out of my own head.
I look up to see all eyes are on me, and I have no clue what answer they’re waiting on. Pop frowns and bristles, acting irritated with me.
“Your head injury messing with your attention span?” he asks.
Rush, for once, doesn’t give me a smug look of superiority. His scowl is focused on Pop. Then again, most of the club is pissed at him for holding out on us.
“Nah, Pop. Just sick of repeating the same shit.”
He looks taken aback by my fuck-you attitude. It’s sure as hell a new form of disrespect from me. But he shouldn’t have pissed me off.
Truth? I suddenly don’t give a damn about any of this. No one here is concerned with the fact that any one of us could have been killed. I just happened to be the target. The only thing anyone is worried about is how or if to retaliate and if they’ll strike again.
Talks of war aren’t exactly easy. No one wants it. War means casualties and a lot of heat from the feds. Wars get noticed and get people like us killed or tossed in prison. Wars are stupid for business. That’s what everyone is focused on.
More truth? I would be doing the same thing.
I wouldn’t even think to give a damn if someone nearly died. I’d be worried more about the club. It’s how we operate. Yet I was worried about Eve. Just like she was worried about me, even though she has every right to want me dead.
“I want Eve to get out more. Obviously Benny has plans for her, but if he tried killing Drake for what he knows or might have told you, that means Eve probably doesn’t know a damn thing. But if she gets out, Benny might approach her. It’s becoming more apparent that we’re not using her to her full potential, and according to the others, she’s grown attached to you. So I doubt she’ll turn on us. Use her.”
My teeth grind, but I rein in my temper.
“Why? We know Benny is out for blood. What’s the point in putting Eve out there as bait?”
If they see her as my weakness, then Benny and his guys might find out. Someone in the club or someone close to the club had to have told him where I live. There’s no other way he could have known.
“Drake said they want info about our cars. They know what we’re selling. Apparently Benny wants a slice of the pie. If he approaches Eve, we can find out exactly what he wants to know. We might even find out who our traitor is.”
The circle of our most trusted guys all look at me again, as though they’re waiting on the usual. Typically, I don’t argue. I agree completely with Pop. It’s not like I can tell everyone I don’t want to put Eve at risk, so I decide to strike a nerve instead.
“We might have avoided me nearly getting killed too, if you had bothered to enlighten us with the tip you had. But you chose to stay quiet. You’ll forgive me if I’m having problems listening to your logic right now. I say we take Benny and his guys out. Or we ice them from their normal funds. Either way, be ready to fight.”
Pop glares at me, his eyes narrowing to slits. This is the worst tension this room has ever had.
“You’ll let her go out. Starting tomorrow. It’s not a request. And you won’t tell her what we’re doing. If you do, I might just decide I want to find out what’s so damn special about her that has you willing to piss me off.”
My jaw clenches, and anger vibrates through my body.
“If she’s not working with Benny, what’s the point?” Rush asks, surprising me.
His eyes are solely on Pop as he awaits the answer.
“If she’s not working for Benny, then we’ll see it firsthand. If she is working with him, we’ll get all the info out of her we can. She won’t know she’s being watched, and Benny won’t know we’re watching her. No more taking chances,” our president answers, regaining his cool.
He’s contradicting himself now and talking in circles. This is just a pathetic man’s desperate ploy to draw heat off him and look like he’s taking action.
“Does that go for you too?” I dare, leaning forward.
I catch sight of Rush’s lips twitching, as though he’s enjoying the confrontation between me and the man I once respected more than anyone. Pop glowers at me.
“I hope you get your head out of your ass and start seeing the big picture soon. This isn’t just about you.”
He turns and pushes through the door. All of his loyalists follow, even though a few of them are pissed off about the current management as well. Rush and Sledge stay behind.
“I don’t like where his head is at,” Snake says quietly. Rarely ever does he insert his opinion.
“Neither do I,” Rush says on a groan. “But that’s typical, since I haven’t liked where his head was at for a really long time. Never thought I’d be agreeing with Drex, but I’m not cool with using a woman for bait when we know Benny is out for blood. Especially since she’s proven she’s not his puppet.”
Un-fucking-believable. The universe has flipped upside down and inside out.
“You believe her, then?” Sledge asks him, looking as surprised as I feel.
Rush rolls his eyes. “Any girl that will cover her man’s body when gunshots are blasting around everywhere has my respect. She’s also family now, since Drex has claimed her as his old lady. So I don’t like any of this. It’s like Herrin is only looking out for himself right now. Not that that surprises me, but he’s usually more discreet with his selfishness.”
I swallow the bile in my throat. It feels like a betrayal to talk behind Pop’s back like this, but at the same time, it’s pointless to speak
aloud in front of him. He doesn’t seem to give a damn what anyone else thinks right now.
He’s scared. He’s scared for his own life.
“What are you going to do?” Snake directs that question to me, and I tighten my lips.
“I’ll let her go out. But I’ll be watching her. I’ll give Pop this win—”
“Shocker,” Rush interrupts with a snort.
“Because I plan on using this against him later on when this blows up in his face,” I add, watching as Rush swallows down whatever retort he was planning to say as surprise washes over his face.
“It will,” I go on. “Blow up in his face. Something will go down, and I’ll finally get to put Benny down for good. He has people focusing on Eve, when he’s the one doing shady shit. I’ll bring it up when it matters. Eve could use the vote of confidence as well, since everyone is apparently still leery of her. If I play his game now, no one will question me later on when I let the dominos fall. And he won’t be able to stop me when I put Benny down. Pop’s scared. You all saw it. I’m not scared. The club needs that right now.”
At least I’m not scared for me. But Eve…
“Drake is still outside,” Axle points out.
I brought in Axle for this meeting. Pop knew better than to try and stop me when I told him.
“He’ll stay here for now… until we set up a security routine for his place and the shop. He stuck his neck out by telling us everything they’ve been asking. It could ruin his reputation by labeling him a snitch, but he really didn’t have a choice, considering the Hell Breathers are panicking. Someone is feeding them intel. We need to find out who. For them to know so much about us, they’re in contact with clients or someone inside the club. Nothing directly links their questions to Benny, but it has to be him.”
Rush cracks his fingers. “I suggest you let me have first stab at that interrogation when we narrow down the suspect pool.”
I snort derisively, but the look in his eyes tells me he’s serious. He’d probably be the one to send them to.
