I looked around the main room, surprised to find so many of the members and their women there. Sal and Kat, Scarlet and Cole, Mack and Ettie, Connie and Wes all stood awaiting our arrival. Some of the guys must have driven like hell to get here, since they’d been at the warehouse with us.
“Wh-what?” I asked in confusion as Cal’s hand gripped my shoulder reassuringly from behind.
“They wanted to be here for you,” he explained.
“And for you,” Cole put in, his gaze on his father.
My throat tightened, and I was overcome with emotion. This club—the place and people I’d avoided for so long—had become the family I’d never had. I loved them for being here for me, but even more so for knowing Cal needed them too. He’d never ask—but they answered regardless.
Since I’d been with him I’d learned that not only did they respect him, and sometimes fear him, but they loved him too.
“Thank you,” I managed. I swallowed and straightened my shoulders. I was ready. “Where is he?”
Cole cocked his head down the hall.
I nodded once and took the first step toward ending this.
Tim sat tied to a chair, his head hung low. Axel stood behind him, his arms crossed, looking imposing as all hell. He kicked the chair roughly. “Wake up, asshole,” he growled.
Tim’s head bobbed in a slow bid to wake up. One of his eyes was swollen shut, his lip bleeding. He looked around the room blearily, appearing to try to make sense of his surroundings.
When his gaze landed on me, it took a moment to register. Then, with an angry cry, he lunged.
I lurched back into Cal’s body as his arm shot out, moving me protectively behind him.
With his hands tied behind the chair Tim was only able to get two paces before he fell awkwardly onto his side.
I couldn’t have orchestrated it better myself.
“You want him up?” Axel asked me.
He was putting me in charge here—in front of Tim. Words couldn’t have conveyed my gratitude.
I shook my head, stepping out from behind Cal. “No, leave him on the ground where he belongs.”
“I made you,” Tim spat. “You were nothing before me. You came from nothing.”
Cal tensed beside me but remained silent. I knew it cost him. I also understood what he conveyed in his silence. He understood that I needed this. His silence screamed out his love for me in a way words never could.
I leaned over Tim. “I was going to be something from the moment I took my first breath. I’ve proven that every day since I left where I came from, when I put myself through nursing school. Every day that I dealt with your abuse.” I glared down at him, my heart pounding and fists clenched. “And then every gorgeous day that I’ve gotten to be Mason’s mama. You didn’t make me,” I sneered. “You tried to destroy me. But you can’t.” I smiled then. “You won’t ever have that chance again.”
“You’ll never be rid of me. I own you.”
I scoffed. “You never owned me. I own me. And I say this is the last time you breathe my air. This is the last time you see my face. I’ve been ready to move on from you since the moment you laid a hand on me.” I turned to look back at Cal, his eyes bright with emotion I couldn’t place as he watched me. “You see,” I continued, my eyes still on Cal, “I’ve found a man who’s taught me how a real man treats a woman.” I turned back to Tim, who was snarling in frustration. “I’ve found a man who knows how to be a father to my son.”
“My son,” Tim snarled.
I shook my head. “The moment you raised a hand to me, he stopped being yours. I stopped being yours. Your violence and your absence saw to that. We’re done. We’ve been done. Whether or not you’d ever signed the papers, that would have been true.”
My chest heaved as the moment I’d thought about countless times became reality. The moment where I got to look Tim in the face and show him the kind of woman I really was. The kind of woman I’d always been but had lost along the way. Vindication raced through my veins like a drug.
“You never had me. Not even a piece.” I shook my head. I looked back at Cal, my gaze softening. “Only one person’s been able to put my pieces together,” I murmured, knowing only Cal would know what I meant.
I watched my man’s gaze soften as he nodded once, stating without words that he understood. I cocked my head to the side, knowing I must look frightful and more than ready to clean myself up. “Ready to go home?” I asked quietly.
His eyes smoldered as he pulled me to his body, ignoring Tim’s frustrated cries of protest. “I’m gonna be a bit longer here, darlin’. Why don’t you head on out with Scarlet? I’ll meet you at their house and we’ll head home together.”
We didn’t need one of the guys to follow us. It was safe. The realization nearly made me dizzy with relief.
I nodded, disappointed that he wasn’t coming with me but understanding why. I wasn’t going to ask what came next for Tim. I’d said my piece, Cal had seen to that. The rest was his to deal with as he saw fit.
He kissed me soundly before pressing his forehead to mine. “I’m right behind you, darlin’.” He knew I needed him.
“Okay,” I breathed. I looked up at him as his large hands cradled my neck. “It’s over,” I murmured triumphantly.
“It’s over,” he agreed.
It was just the two of us in that moment. Tim’s thrashing and threats didn’t register, nor did Axel growling at him to shut the fuck up. It was just us celebrating a victory hard won. One that meant we got to move forward. As a family.
I was finally free.
Chapter 34
I let the hot water in Scarlet and Cole’s guest bath sluice over my blood-caked skin, trying like hell to wash the day away. I grimaced, watching as the water pooling at my feet turned brown from dried blood before swirling down the drain.
Scarlet had doted on me, making sure I had more water to drink before handing me everything I needed to wash up. Her house had felt so quiet without the kids but I was relieved they weren’t around to see me in such a state. I was sure I looked like some version of Carrie with the amount of blood covering me, but hadn’t looked in a mirror to confirm that theory.
My hands shook as I washed my hair, the adrenaline from the day waning and becoming mild shock. I gave up the task, instead collapsing unsteadily to the shower floor, sitting on the cool surface and pulling my knees up close to my body. I shuddered as I fought to hold myself together.
I’d come so close to losing everything. The relief of it all and the lingering fear was a heady mix to grapple with.
I noticed distractedly when the water turned cool but I wasn’t ready to stand up yet. Instead, I was content to clasp my knees in close to my body, rocking slightly, knowing I must look half-mad.
“Jill?” Cal’s voice sounded from the other side of the shower curtain a moment before he pulled it open. “Oh, babe.” His rasp of concern hit me hard as he climbed into the shower, clothes and all, and sat behind me, pulling me into his body.
I remained in a ball as he held me close, rocking us in a soothing sway. “I th-thought you’d be a while longer.” My teeth chattered as I shuddered in his arms. The tears I’d been holding in streamed down my cheeks in an unrelenting onslaught. His presence made me feel safe enough to let go. I didn’t have to be strong anymore, not right now. He could be strong for both of us.
His chin rested on the top of my head. “I was, but then watching you walk away didn’t feel right. I know you, babe, and I knew you weren’t all right, but you put up a hell of a front. I was impressed. We all were.”
That front of mine was a skill I’d honed over the years, but all my pretenses collapsed when it came to him.
“I should feel so happy. It’s finally over. I got to face him—to show him that I’m not the weak person he tried to turn me into,” I tried to explain. “I hate that he can still upset me. That he came so close to Mason.” I shuddered again. “I hate that he had so much power over me for so long.
Hell, I was kidnapped today, I watched two men die, and seeing him, hands tied behind his back lying on the floor, was still far more terrifying.” My breath hitched. “I know it’s over but it doesn’t feel quite real yet.”
Cal squeezed me tight. “I can guarantee that he didn’t know you were scared. I sure as hell didn’t. You told that motherfucker off. I had to fight myself to let you do it—didn’t feel right to have you in the same room as him, but I knew you needed it. I knew you could handle yourself. I also knew you’d feel the effects. It’s why I’m here now. I want to pick up your pieces, baby. I’ll hold you together when you fall apart.”
My breath caught at his beautiful words and I pushed off his body so I could look him in the eye. “You get all my pieces,” I murmured with a smile, referring back to the conversation we’d had when we’d first gotten together.
He offered a soft smile in return as his hand lifted to tuck my wet hair behind my ear. “You get all my pieces too. And you helped me find some I didn’t even know I was missing.”
I bit my lip and nodded.
“Now.” He looked up with a wince at the cold water falling around us. “What do you say we get changed and head home?”
“Sounds perfect,” I agreed wholeheartedly as he stood up and helped me to do the same. He pulled me close, kissing me soundly before looking down at his drenched clothes.
“Guess I’ll have to borrow something from Cole.”
I laughed hoarsely, swiping at my eyes. “I think you’ll have to,” I agreed. “Thank you,” I added, my hands on his chest as I looked up at him. It felt totally inadequate but it was all I could manage.
“Only thanks I need is you for the rest of my life. And after today, looks like I’ll be getting my gratitude very soon.” The intent was clear in his tone.
Hell yes. There wasn’t anything I wanted more. “Like, tomorrow soon?” I asked hopefully.
His gaze turned soft as he smiled down at me, his hands on my hips.
I melted into his cold chest, trying to keep the shivers at bay, wishing we could stay like this for just a little bit longer.
He squeezed me tight once more, dropping a kiss to the top of my head before stepping away. “Come on, baby. Let’s get you home.”
After borrowing some clothes from Scar and Cole, we headed home. The house felt so empty when we walked inside. Ry and Piper were on their way over with the kids. In the meantime, the absence of their lovable chaos was evident.
It was obvious when Cal spoke that he felt the same way. “I can’t believe I used to live with this quiet,” he muttered to himself as we walked through the house to our room, where I promptly burrowed under the covers. “I didn’t used to even think about it. But now, it’s deafening, the silence.”
“Yeah,” I agreed quietly.
He sat on the edge of the bed, watching me intently. “I have to go back to the club, babe. Got some unfinished business there. I’ll probably be late.”
Tim. Tim was his unfinished business.
“You gonna be okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I murmured, biting my lip. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to ask the question that burned on the tip of my tongue. I felt so raw as it was.
“I’m not putting him in the ground.” His deep growl answered my unasked question. He always knew what was on my mind. “Truthfully, I’d like nothing more, but there’s too much heat. Too much of a paper trail, with the lawyers and police knowing the state of things.”
I nodded. I hadn’t really thought about that.
His palm rubbed over the whiskers on his chin. “As it is, with my contacts on the inside, his time behind bars will make him wish I’d ended him.” The dark intensity in his gaze had my heart pounding even though it wasn’t directed at me. “And he won’t be getting out.” He glowered. “Even on the off chance that ever happened, then I would fucking hunt him. I’d enjoy it.”
He leaned in close, his blue eyes glittering with intensity. “He’ll never lay a hand on you again. I swear to you.”
The irony didn’t escape me. Cal was a dangerous man. When required, a violent one too. But with him I’d experienced the most tenderness I’d ever known. With him I had a sense of peace that growing up, and in my life with Tim, always had been an arm’s reach of pain away.
I reached out to run my hand over his cheek, relishing the scratchiness of the few days’ worth of whiskers that had grown there. “I know you will,” I assured him.
He leaned in to take my mouth, his lips opening over mine as our tongues met in a delicious onslaught.
“I need you,” I rasped desperately, knowing we didn’t have much time before the kids got home. I needed him inside me. I needed him to consume me—something I’d been so afraid of when we first met and now couldn’t live without.
His low groan of approval had my whole body heating in response. He pulled the covers off that I’d buried myself under, his eyes raking over my form with such hunger, you’d think I were wearing sexy lingerie instead of yoga pants and a loose t-shirt.
He slid the thin material down my legs, his large hand palming my heat. “No panties,” he murmured with raw appreciation as his fingers toyed with me.
I was helpless to contain the raw cry of need that ripped up my throat. “Please,” I whimpered.
“You need me to take you, don’t you?” The feral rumble in his throat spurred my desperation into overdrive.
I nodded urgently.
“Tell me you need me,” he demanded.
I looked into his eyes, familiar but no less enthralled with the raw lust that shined back at me. There was nothing more gratifying than making him crazy, knowing he needed me in the same way I did him. “I need you,” I responded breathlessly as the sound of his zipper met my ears.
He moved over me still fully clothed, his muscular body enveloping mine. He braced his arms on either side of me, leaning down to nip at my neck. “You’re gonna get me,” he murmured a second before he slid inside me in one solid thrust.
We both moaned in response.
I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper as he moved inside me with delicious desperation. The headboard slammed on the wall as he took me hard—the way I needed it. The way I knew he craved it.
“So fucking sexy,” he growled, his lips against mine as our breath became one. “So fucking mine.”
“Yes,” I panted. “Oh, God.” I cried out as he thrust deeper, hitting the spot that would take me over the edge in seconds.
His mouth moved to my neck, biting hard, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from me. It was enough to push me over the edge and I spiraled into one of the most powerful orgasms I’d ever had.
For a moment I was lost in sensation—panting for breath as my entire body ignited.
I distantly heard him groan and I came back to myself, not wanting to miss a moment of him losing all control. He abandoned any sense of rhythm as he lost himself in me. A second later, he groaned out his release, his throaty rumble the most erotic sound I’d ever heard.
He collapsed on top of me and I wrapped my arms and legs around him, wanting to keep him close to me. “Christ,” he rasped.
“Yeah,” I agreed with a serene smile.
For a moment we lay together, catching our breath as I held him inside me. He rubbed his whiskers along my neck, rumbling like a lion. His tongue licked the perspiration from my neck, moving to my ear.
He had different ways of marking me and I loved all of them equally.
I shivered, knowing that if the kids weren’t going to be home soon we’d be going again. I was ready. I could feel him beginning to swell inside me, and knew he was right there with me.
“Fuck,” he gritted out as he pulled out.
I whimpered at the loss of him.
“Don’t torture me, babe.” He groaned.
I bit my lip against begging him to take me again. My body was still primed for him. I touched my lips, swollen from his mouth.
He tucked himself back into his j
eans, his eyes bright with intention. “Later,” he promised.
“Later,” I agreed, lifting my hips to slide my pants back up my legs.
Just in time too.
The sudden reverberation of the front door slamming shut followed immediately by the pitter-patter of little feet broke me from my spell. “Mama! I mean… Jilly.” Emmie’s squeal of excitement and slip of the tongue had my heart bursting. “Uncle Ry Ry let me watch dos sharks again and dis time they weren’t even scary!” she announced proudly as she marched into the room.
I’d told Ryker not to let her watch Finding Nemo. But we all knew “Uncle Ry Ry” was putty in Emmie’s hands. No doubt she hadn’t had to work very hard to convince him.
Piper peeked her head around the corner, shooting an apologetic look my way.
I knew what she was conveying without speaking. No doubt she’d been sick and they’d needed to entertain the kids. Poor Piper was having it rough her first trimester.
“That’s great, sweetie.” I smiled at Emmie. “Tell you what,” I suggested, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. “Cal has to run an errand. How about I make you guys something to eat. Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving!” Max hollered from the living room.
“We just fed him like an hour ago,” Piper replied incredulously.
“Yeah well, just you wait.” I grinned.
“Kid’s like a garbage disposal,” Cal agreed proudly, rising to his feet and scooping Emmie up. She giggled as he growled playfully at her. With a quick glance back at me, his promise from a moment ago clear in his gaze, he carried her from the room.
“We had fun,” Piper murmured. “Your kids are amazing. Are you okay?” she asked worriedly.
“I’m okay.” I nodded, surprised that I meant it. “How about a ginger ale?” I offered with a knowing smile.
I might have been taking a break from working, but I’d always be a nurse.
Chapter 35
“Marry me.” Cal’s demand took me by surprise the following morning. He’d gotten home late and more than held up his end of the bargain—he’d woken me by sliding inside me. We hadn’t fallen asleep until the hint of dawn began shimmering through the curtains.
Cal (The Ride Series Book 5) Page 21
