Honey Whiskey (Bastards MC #2)

by Carina Adams

  The face that greeted me as we turned the corner surprised me. I hadn’t thought I’d see Senator Henry Butler so soon, and definitely not standing in my kitchen. He wasn’t alone. His daughter had her arms wrapped around my fiancé and was leaning in for a kiss.

  Chapter 30

  Jo

  Whoever said the devil wore Prada was wrong. Nope, today she was clad in an adorable Dolce and Gabbana black and white polka dot sheath dress and mile high patent wedges. She should look overdressed next to the man wearing a plain white tee and blue jeans. Instead, they looked perfect together. She was tall, but the heels brought her almost eye level to Matty. The way that they were snuggled together gave me flashbacks, and I couldn’t even pretend the jealousy wasn’t there.

  I couldn’t look at them and pretend to be happy, so I smiled at the senator. Then, I glanced around the room for Rob. Even the open bottle of wine and three goblets on the counter grabbed my attention. Anything to keep myself from glaring at Matty and Taylor.

  “Senator.” I glanced back to him, struggling to keep my voice level. “What a surprise. If I’d known you were stopping by, I would have made sure to be here.”

  “Josephine.” Hal smiled at me warmly, closing the gap between us as he reached for my hand. “I won’t lie. I had hoped to run into you.” His thumb trailed over my knuckles. “We came to speak with Rob. He told us you were out with Matthew and the children.”

  I pulled my hand away and gestured toward my offspring. “Yep. My kids are visiting for vacation week. This is Benjamin and Lily.”

  The Senator said his hellos to my kids as I introduced them, then gave Sam a quick hug and asked them all about their day. The whole exchange took maybe five minutes, but I could feel Matty staring at me, willing me to look at him. Dean, understanding the glance I’d sent his way, asked the kids if they wanted to go watch a movie downstairs and then promised me he’d order the pizza soon so they’d at least be fed. The kids, especially Sam, seemed in a hurry to get away from us. I had no doubt they could feel the unease in the room.

  Hal didn’t waste any time once the four of them had started down the stairs. “I didn’t know you were in town, Matthew.” Suspicion made his voice cold.

  I glance up at Matty then and found him staring at Taylor instead of me. “You didn’t? Why didn’t you tell your dad I was in town, Tay?”

  She smirked, only making her features look even more alluring. Pushing her hair back off her shoulders, she winked at him before dropping her lips into a fake pout. “If he knows you’re here, he tries to steal you. Is it so awful that I wanted some time alone with my man?”

  I rolled my eyes, instantly feeling like the unwanted third wheel.

  Hal only chuckled at his daughter though. “You’ll have plenty of alone time in just a few months.”

  Matty cupped Taylor’s cheeks and then kissed the middle of her forehead before turning his attention back to Hal. “It seems that Miss Taylor didn’t fill me in either, Senator, because I didn’t realize you hadn’t gone back to Washington. I’m in town for vacation week. Sam’s very close with Jo’s kids and we wanted them to spend as much time together as they could.” Turning back to Taylor, he smiled and moved his thumb along her cheek in a move that made me feel like I was intruding on their private moment—he’d done the same thing to me numerous times. “We missed you today.”

  His tone was soft and seemed sincere. I couldn’t watch another instant. I thought about joining Dean and the kids, but didn’t have enough self-preservation. Telling myself it wasn’t real, and instead of saying something that could destroy their whole sham, I turned to the table and sat just as Taylor excused herself to use the bathroom. When I glanced up, Hal was watching me.

  I smiled. “The kids wore me out today. My feet are killing me!”

  Hal chuckled. “What you need is a foot massage.”

  He started towards me when Matty demanded, “What’s going on, Hal? Why were you coming to see Rob and not me?”

  Hal’s eyes left mine and moved to Matty. He pursed his lips in thought, tucking his hands in his pockets, and then jingled the change in his tailored khakis. “Taylor is being followed.”

  “What?” Matty’s tone was abrupt and full of disbelief. I heard him step towards the island, but I still didn’t turn to look at him.

  Hal raised an eyebrow and the change rattled more. “I knew she wouldn’t tell you. That girl thinks she’s untouchable.” He shook his head, sighing. “Three separate times in the last week my security caught someone tailing her.” He nodded to the counter where a manila folder sat next to the wine. Matty rushed around the counter and grabbed the file.

  Shuffling through the pictures, he stopped and squinted at each one. “Have your men made contact?”

  Hal shook his head. “No. They didn’t want to spook him. He hasn’t come any closer, but she hasn’t been alone either.”

  Matty swore and slammed the file onto the counter. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before now? What’d Rocker say?” His hand curled into a fist as he turned, demanding the answer from the older man.

  “I said we’d look into it. But, that Taylor needed to tell you what was going on from now on,” Rocker answered as he came in off the patio. He slipped his phone into his jeans, slid the door shut behind him, and then he headed straight for me, kissing my hair before pulling out the chair behind me and sitting. His hand found my shoulder, and he pulled me back into him before I could object. Oh, that’s right. Rocker’s supposed to be interested in me. Awesome. “How was the museum?”

  I turned to him, not even bothering to hide my irritation with the whole damned mess and the blonde bombshell that I wanted to hit. “It was a great day. Then we came home.”

  “You must be exhausted!” Ah, yes. Speak of the devil and she will appear. “I can’t imagine running all over the city with three kids!” Taylor's eyes went wide in revulsion as she joined the men at the counter. “Ugh.” Then she shuddered dramatically as if the thought of traveling with kids was absolutely horrific.

  Everyone else ignored her. Hal moved to the table and leaned down across from us. “Any luck?”

  Rob shook his head. “Wiz is running the picture. As soon as we know something, I’ll call you. In the meantime, she needs to have someone with her.”

  Taylor scoffed. “You are all making something out of nothing. I’m sure it’s just some paparazzi freak hoping to dig up some dirt before the wedding. It is going to be the social event of the fall.” Her eyes twinkled happily, as if the idea of being stalked by a man with a camera was exciting.

  “Taylor, this isn’t a game. We don’t know how serious it could be,” Matty warned.

  She rolled her eyes in response. “Daddy, you talked to Rob. We should get going.”

  Hal nodded at her before turning towards Matty. “Why don’t you ride with us? We can talk more about the plan to keep our girl safe, discuss options. Someone will bring you home in the morning.”

  Before Matt could answer, Taylor interrupted. “Daddy! Sam’s here. Matty can’t just leave!”

  Hal gave them a condescending look. “I don’t know why you two act like I’m old fashioned. Or an oblivious nit-wit.” He laughed at his daughter. “It’s very obvious that you’ve been sneaking over here every weekend. And now that we know someone is following you, it would be safer, and make me feel better, if you two to stayed at the house. It sounded like the kids had plans tonight, and I don’t want to make my future grandson dislike me by forcing him away while his friends are here. I'm sure Rob and Josephine won’t mind him staying with them.”

  Three sets of eyes turned to us. “Ahh…” What did I say to that? There is no way in hell Matty would take off with Taylor and leave Sam here, even if we weren't a couple, but I needed to have some sort of reasonable excuse. Right?

  The fingers on my shoulder tightened, as if warning me to be quiet. “Absolutely. He’ll never know you’re gone,” Rob's deep voice answered.

  I turned my head,
shocked. “What?” I hissed at Rob, but he just shook his head slightly and winked. My eyes narrowed at the giant man, and I was sure I'd never been as surprised by someone as I was at that moment.

  Until Matty spoke. “If you're ok with it, it sounds like a plan. Let me go say goodbye to the little man.” My eyes closed automatically and I inhaled slowly. No. This was a sick joke. Matty would never choose to go home and spend the night with her instead of being here with me and Sammy. I was dreaming and would wake from this nightmare soon.

  “Joey?” The voice in my ear startled me. Matty was suddenly standing right next to me. “Did you hear anything I just said?” I shook my head pathetically at his scolding tone. “I asked if you wanted to come downstairs with me. I thought you might soften the blow of me leaving.”

  Looking up at the face I loved, I let the hurt flow through my veins. Even though they should have been buried deep, the words Taylor flung at me last summer came flooding back and every single insecurity came bubbling to the surface. I could practically hear her sneering the words, ‘Have you looked at yourself lately? Honey, I can promise you, if you can’t keep your own husband in your bed, you sure as hell won’t be able to get mine there.

  I studied him for a few seconds. Square jawbone that was filled with scruff and was ticking in frustration, heart shaped lips twisted in concentration as he watched me, perfect long, thin nose, and bright blue eyes that were staring into mine, surrounded by a thick set of black lashes

  Yeah, she was right. This Greek God was too beautiful to belong to me. Then, I chastised myself for being a fool. Fuck her. He was mine. He was in my bed every single night, while she had to lie about where she’d been. Sorry, sweetheart, he doesn’t want to marry you, regardless of what the ring on your finger told the world. He wants me. I have his grandfather’s ring and most importantly, his heart.

  If I had just let him explain this whole situation last night, I wouldn’t be so confused right now, I realized angrily. Well, now was really as good a time as any to get to the bottom of this shit pile.

  I nodded and stood up. “Taylor, you really didn’t get to say anything to Sammy earlier. Why don’t you come with us?” Three sets of eyebrows rose, and I had to fight to keep from laughing at the disgusted look on her face. I didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, I patted Rob’s head and practically skipped across the hall to the stairs, happy with my plan.

  I heard them behind me, one set of footsteps heavy and hurried, the other slow in her annoyingly stylish shoes. Matty called to me, but I didn’t stop at the landing because I didn’t want the kids to hear what was going on. This was a long overdue conversation for just the three of us.

  Matty’s long legs caught up with me before I reached the last step, but he waited until we reached the bottom before he grabbed my arm and pushed me back me against the wall. “Jesus, Joes!” He was slightly out of breath, but my chest was heaving. I didn’t know if it was from the exercise or because excitement at his closeness. “Would you wait a fuckin’ minute?”

  Twisting a hand into my hair, he pulled my head back, forcing me to look at him, and pushed his body into mine preventing any sort of escape. “Talk to me,” he growled.

  Taylor’s heels click-clacked on the steps as she carefully made her way down to us. I ignored the sound, focusing on the angry sky inside Matty’s eyes. A hundred thoughts filtered through my mind as I tried to figure out what to say to him. Nothing seemed good enough. Without thinking, my hand snuck under his shirt and I dragged my nails up his back.

  He groaned and leaned in, nipping at the soft skin between my neck and shoulder before moving his empty hand to my chin. He leaned back, just enough to meet my eyes again, and then his lips were on mine. “This isn’t what you think,” he managed as his teeth moved to my ear and sucked in my lobe. “You don’t get to run away anymore!” Teeth sunk into my bottom lip almost painfully before his mouth was crushing against mine, punishing me. The hand in my hair tightened as he leaned back once more, showing me storm clouds in his baby blues. “You are wearing my ring. That means you are mine. It means I’m yours. You. Do. Not. Run away!”

  I felt horrible as I realized that the intense look in his eye was fear. His mind was working on overdrive, and he was just as scared as I was. But, he’d totally misunderstood. When I shook my head, his face fell. "I'm so sorry, Joes. I didn't know she'd be here. Didn’t know you’d have to see that. So fuckin' sorry!" And he captured my mouth again.

  Taylor cleared her throat at least twice before the sound sunk in, and I remembered that we weren’t alone. Matty must have heard her the same time I did because he moved away slightly, but kept his forehead pushed against mine. His eyes promised me so many things I couldn’t begin to keep up.

  “As charming as this little public display of affection is, we really do have to get going.” And, bitchy Taylor was back. I was surprised she was making an appearance in front of Matty.

  “I’m not fuckin’ leaving and you damned well know it!”

  Taylor sighed, obviously annoyed, and tapped her foot loudly. “And just how in the hell do you plan to get out of this one?”

  Matty shrugged. “I’m going to be honest. My kid doesn’t want me to leave, and since I only get a few nights a month with him, you are gonna stay here with us. If your dad asks, I’m sure Jo has something you can wear. Then, Rob can drive you to your boyfriend’s house.”

  She inhaled sharply. “First of all, if anything of Jo’s fit me, I’d kill myself. Second, I don’t have a boyfriend! Is that jealousy talking, Matt?”

  Matty stepped away from me and turned on her. “Oh, get over yourself. The only reason you’re minutely smaller than Jo is because she isn’t afraid to eat.” His words and hateful tone shocked me. Something had happened between these two and it wasn’t good. “Make no mistake, if you insult my fiancé again, you will regret it.”

  I was off the wall and between them in a flash. Holding up my arms, I pushed Matty back from getting any closer to her. “Hey!” I snapped. “Back off!”

  He backed up, but only marginally, shooting daggers at the beauty behind me. “How stupid do you have to be?” he snapped at her. “Sneaking out of the house? What’s gonna happen when his goons follow you and realize you aren’t coming here?” Taylor only raised her chin defiantly. “Holy fuck. You’ve planned it all out, haven’t you? You’re meeting him at a hotel or some shit so you can say you’re meeting me.” His tone was now one of surprise. “Good Christ, Tay! Tell me you’re not fucking a married man!”

  She straightened her back. “As opposed to you, the man that was fucking a married woman?”

  Ouch. That hurt a little. “You’re such a selfish miserable bitch,” Matty seethed back.

  “Oh, I’m selfish and miserable? Funny how you’d see it that way considering you’re the only one in this room that fits both descriptions!”

  “I see it the way it is!” he snapped. “I bet you know who’s following you and you’re the little boy crying wolf to get some attention.”

  Feeling very much like the monkey in the middle, I put my hands up and jumped up and down trying to get their attention before she could reply. “Seriously? Stop!”

  Looking from one to the other, I realized I had their attention. “Matty’s room. Now!” I said, pointing at the closest door.

  Once we were all inside and the door was closed, I motioned Taylor to the chair and pushed Matty onto the bed. “What in the hell is going on?”

  Taylor only gave me the evil eye, making Matty glare at her in return. Finally she rolled her eyes and answered, “Its club business.”

  I laughed. Of course it was. Fucking, stupid, pathetic club.

  “Ohhh, kayy,” I sighed, realizing I wasn’t going to get anywhere. “I’m gonna say it’s safe to assume that neither of you are happy and that this fake engagement has gone on long enough. Can you break it off?”

  Matty sighed. “I don’t know. Can we Taylor?”

  She shook her head. “Not yet. He�
�s getting close. Especially after he met Jo.” She motioned at me with her chin. “But, he’s still not there yet.”

  I turned to Matty, hoping he’d fill in the blanks. “Senator Butler and Jon Greenwood are old friends. They grew up together.”

  “Are you kidding me right now? This whole thing has been one more ploy to get the lawyer you want?” All this drama for something so stupid? So very anti-climactic. I was disgusted.

  “Not really.” Matty leaned forward, grabbing my hand. “Taylor first had the idea to keep our breakup a secret last fall, after she found out you and I were no longer together.”

  “Please,” Taylor interrupted. “It was a win-win for both of us. You got to have a popular senator support you and the club. He’s a powerful ally to have. All you had to do was pretend to date me. Every man in a hundred mile radius wishes they’d been so lucky!”

  Matty ignored her. “The Senator knows everyone, and everyone owes him a favor. I won’t lie—it’s nice to have that connection. Tank got out early thanks to him. A few of our kids were spared the trauma of testifying because he golfs with a few judges. Plus, we’ve gotten some huge donations.”

  “And, been able to give numerous families a new start. We were able to give new identities and move some of our clients that were in serious danger,” Taylor added.

  “Like the witness relocation program?” I asked, confused.

  “Along the same lines, but funded by the Bastards rather than the government,” she clarified for me. “And, we’ve been able to clean up the Bastards’ image even more. Put Matty with a pretty little Daddy’s girl and people start sucking up to the club, and everyone that owes my dad something wants to help us out, just to get in his good graces. We haven’t landed Jon yet. That’s my main concern right now.”