by S. Nelson
Saying my goodbyes, I moved past them and headed toward the back of the building, toward the one room where I could escape. The spray of the hot water beckoned me, and I found I couldn’t move fast enough. Ryder was right on my heels, never once leaving me by myself. I guessed he was instructed to do so, and there was no way he was going to disobey Marek.
“I think I can handle it from here, Ryder.” I shooed at him, but he kept on following.
“Not a chance. I’m not letting you out of my sight until Prez comes back.”
Back? Where did he go?
Noticing the puzzled look, he answered before I uttered a single word. “He’s in Chambers talkin’ to Stone about club business. Should be around shortly,” he explained, taking a long swig of his near empty beer.
I had no idea what he was talking about. Chambers? Was that the same thing my father and Vex referred to as Church?
Deciding not to inquire about the whereabouts of my new husband, I walked into the bedroom, turning around to close the door behind me. But Ryder stepped inside before I could shut him out.
“What are you doing?” I asked, backing up a few steps. He closed the door and sauntered forward.
“I told ya already. I’m not goin’ anywhere.” He swayed slightly on his feet. “I was told to babysit you, and that’s what I’m doin’.” Plopping on the small couch against the wall, he leaned back and rested his hands behind his head, looking at me as if he were seeing me for the very first time.
From what I gathered about Ryder, he was friendly, but he also seemed a bit reserved, if that made any sense. His dark eyes hid secrets—I knew because I saw those same shielded pupils when I looked in the mirror. Short, dark hair adorned his head, a faint shadow of hair prickling his jawline. He wore dark jeans and a white long-sleeved shirt under his cut.
He was attractive . . . for the enemy.
Actually, quite a few of the KC men were handsome, their ruggedness hiding any vulnerability they may have possessed. Their looks were disarming, their ability to blend into society a most definite attribute. I hadn’t witnessed it thus far, but I was sure they had charm in spades whenever they felt it necessary.
His eyes glided over my body, a hint of appreciation for what I was wearing most definitely shining bright. “You’re quite beautiful,” he offered, finishing off his drink and tossing it aside.
The tone he used was sedate, but the longer I remained in his presence the more I feared he was going to show me how beautiful he thought me to be. Would he do such a thing? Did the men share each other’s property? Their wives? If it was anything like my club, they didn’t, although that was the only rule I knew of. A man didn’t go after another man’s old lady, not unless he wanted to die.
But the rules for the Knights Corruption might be different. I had no idea, and I didn’t want to find out. It was enough that I was forced to become one of them; I didn’t want to be passed around between brothers. Fending off his advances before he even offered them, I took a few steps back.
“I’m going to take a shower, then go to bed.” I kept eye contact with him the entire time, preparing myself for any unexpected moves. “Are you going to be out here when I get done in there?” I asked, flicking my thumb toward the bathroom.
“Yup.”
“Oh. . . .” In my uneasiness, I was instantly reminded that the only thing I had to wear to bed was the T-shirt and shorts Marek had given me the night before. At least the clothing was large enough to hide the majority of my body. With the simple realization, I turned my back on Ryder and hid away inside the comforts of the simple bathroom.
Once finished, I reentered the bedroom only to find a passed-out Ryder slumped back on the couch, his head lolled to the side. He was snoring, not too loud to be extremely distracting but loud enough to assure me he wasn’t a threat.
Crawling into bed, I pulled the covers under my chin and prayed I would remain safe until morning. Being as defenseless as I was, I knew I would be no match for the likes of any of these men, and although my mind drifted off into imaginary scenarios, logically I had no cause for concern.
Not yet, at least.
Marek
We’d been at it for three hours, and I was fucking exhausted. I tried to keep my brain focused on the task at hand, but I found it easily wandered to my new wife. It was useless. I couldn’t get her out of my head and Stone knew I was distracted, repeating himself a few times throughout the meeting.
Hidden away in Chambers, we’d told everyone we weren’t to be disturbed. We had some heavy shit to figure out for the club before it was too late. We had to make a move and do it quick, or our retaliation on the Savage Reapers would have been in vain. Well . . . sort of. I still had Psych’s daughter.
And I’d be damned if I was ever giving her back.
No, she was mine now. No matter the consequences.
“Fuck, Marek!” Stone shouted, pounding his fist on the table. “Pay attention, man.” Normally, if any other member had talked to me like that, they would have been facedown on the ground right then, but my VP was different. We’d grown up together. We were more like brothers than anything, and he knew he could get away with it. At least he only did it in private, making sure not to test my patience in front of everyone else. Otherwise, I would be forced to react in some way.
“What?” I feigned nonchalance. “I am. We have to set up a meeting with Los Zappas cartel—Rafael Carrillo, to be more specific. I’ll call in my one favor, essentially cutting the Reapers off from the cartel’s supply and crushing the entire club into the ground. They’ll have nothing. Their supply will be dried up, and with it their money and livelihood as well. Yeah, they may be able to secure product from somewhere else, but it’ll be shit, and their customers will eventually move on.” I leaned in close to Stone. “Paying enough attention for you?”
“Fuck you.” He smiled. “I’ll set it up. Just be ready to ride in the next few days.” He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the wood of the table while he studied me.
“The hell you lookin’ at?” I grumbled, hating that he was inspecting me rather suspiciously.
“You’re thinkin’ about her, aren’t you?” He rested his mouth on the lip of his bottle, waiting for my answer before allowing the cold liquid to fill his mouth.
I knew damn well who he was referring to, so I didn’t bother to ask. Instead, I chose to lie. “No.”
“Uh-huh,” he replied unconvinced. Swallowing his beer, he gave me a cocky grin before rising from his seat. “You gonna fuck her tonight? She is your wife now, you know.”
“I’m fully aware she’s my wife. I was there, wasn’t I?” Frustration laced my voice and there was no point in hiding it. I had no idea what the evening held once I entered my room and found her lying on my bed. My body certainly wanted to sink inside her but property, captive, wife or not, I wasn’t going to force myself on her. I wasn’t built that way, and neither were any of my men. I made sure of it. What was the point of forcing yourself on a woman when there was plenty of pussy available around the clock? All it took was a simple phone call, and we all knew it.
“Well, if you do fuck her, you have to tell me how she was. She’s quite stunning. And that body of hers . . . Fuck, Marek.” His words slurred the more he spoke, and it was only then that I realized he’d had quite a bit to drink. The more he talked the more he pissed me off, though, so I decided to return the favor. Finish him off so I wouldn’t have to listen to him anymore.
“Actually, Adelaide is still here, so I think I’ll see if she wants to have some fun. Trigger left for the night, so I won’t have to deal with his cock-blockin’ ass.” Licking my lips I added, “Think she’ll wanna fuck the prez?”
Stone’s reaction was priceless . . . and expected. Kicking his chair behind him, it skidded across the floor, knocking against the wall before it finally stopped. His hands clenched into tight fists while his chest rose and fell with heavy rage. Sweat beaded on his brow and his face turned red.
“Don’t you dare go near her,” he seethed, his warning telling me more than I wanted to be privy to. He’d given everything away with his response.
“Why do you care if I take her to bed, Stone?” I taunted, knowing damn well he was losing his mind.
“Because . . .”—he faltered—“you’re married now . . . and off-limits.” Lame excuse.
“What does me being married have to do with it? I’ll continue to get pussy wherever I want. Sully won’t put a stop to that.” My pokes had begun for pure amusement, but the further we took it, the more I realized I was telling him how things would be for me going forward. Just because I had taken a wife, her of all people, didn’t mean my life would change.
He took a step toward me, fury dancing in his eyes as he silently challenged me. “Just don’t go near her, Marek,” he gritted.
“Tell me why,” I taunted. “If you don’t give me a good reason, she’s as good as riding my cock.” My smirk challenged him right back.
All sense of protectiveness poured forth, the need to claim what was his too strong to back away from. “Because, motherfucker . . . She’s mine!” he roared. “Don’t you dare touch her or I’ll kill you.”
Wow!
Stone had never threatened me before. He was drunk, but that did nothing to excuse his outburst, and it was my job to remind him of that.
Snatching his throat, I slammed him against the wall, my grip tightening to show him how serious I was. “Don’t you ever threaten me again, friend,” I bit out. “I was just fucking with you. I know there’s something going on with you two but didn’t know how serious it was until right now.” Pulling back my arm, I released him and he stumbled forward. Stone was trained to kill, more so than me, but it was my surprise attack which worked to my advantage.
His blond hair fell over his eyes and with a heavy hand, he pushed it back, flicking his stare in my direction before punching the wall, ripping the door open and staggering from the room. Most likely to search for Adelaide.
I didn’t know the extent of their relationship, but I’d never seen Stone react like he just had toward any other woman before. Jealousy and possessiveness barreled from him like an unstoppable train.
I didn’t blame him, though. Adelaide was quite beautiful, but no one was supposed to mess with a member of one of the men’s family. It was an unwritten—or, in Trigger’s case, a steadfast, written, spoken and threatened-about—rule. Never mind that she wasn’t a part of our lifestyle. Sure, her uncle was, and she helped out from time to time when we needed her, but she wasn’t involved with the way we lived.
She was a good girl. She was educated and had a good career. Her life was promising, but getting involved with Stone threatened all that. Everyone in the club knew the dangers of our business. The dangers of our mere existence.
It was one of the main reasons I chose never to get involved with anyone, even someone ‘in the life.’ Sure, I was married now, but I didn’t love Sully. Hell, I didn’t even know her, and I planned to keep it that way. For everyone’s sake.
Letting Stone cool off a bit, I stayed in Chambers a few extra minutes before making my way back out to the common room. There were still plenty of people milling around, laughing and having a good ol’ time. All of the kids had been sent home, as well as most of the old ladies, but some remained behind, helping clean up from the day’s impromptu festivities.
Seeing Breck lounging on one of the sofas, a woman perched on each leg, I motioned him over. I didn’t care that I interrupted his fun, and he knew it. Pushing the women off him, he streamlined straight for me, his pants already half-undone.
Adjusting himself, he jerked his chin and asked, “What’s up, Prez?”
“You seen Ryder?” That fucker better still be watching over Sully or so help me. . . .
“Nope, not for some time. Last time I saw him, he was following your wife to your bedroom.” He grinned when he said ‘your wife,’ not caring to hide his amusement about the whole thing.
I grunted because I simply had no words left for him. Turning around, I snatched a fresh beer from the bar, taking a moment before walking back to my room. The longer the seconds ticked by, the more heat shot through my body at the thought of the two of them alone, and in my room of all places. She looked at me like she hated me and to a point, I didn’t blame her, but I saw the exchange she engaged in with Ryder when they’d all been talking earlier. She smiled at what he said, even going so far as to accept a drink from him, her fingers lingering on his hand a little too long for my liking. Maybe I was imagining the touching, but I sure as shit didn’t imagine the way she’d talked to him. Her long black hair flowing freely around her, covering her tits until she flicked it behind her shoulders.
Why the hell didn’t I take a closer look at the damn shirt before I gave it to her, or remembered she didn’t even have a bra to wear? I saw the way the men leered after her, and who could blame them? She was gorgeous, but nonetheless I didn’t like it.
“Then I’m leaving, you ass!” I heard someone shout from the back hallway. Adelaide stormed forward, looking like she was ready to kill someone. And, of course, Stone wasn’t too far behind. They’d been arguing, but it ceased as soon as they were around everyone else.
She searched the room until her eyes fell on me. Breaching the tiny distance between us, she came to stand before me, her eyes glassy and looking like she was ready to let loose at any minute.
Steeling her resolve, she straightened and abruptly said good-bye. She’d always been polite, more so than was necessary, but it was how she was raised.
“I want to thank you for inviting me today, Marek.” She touched my arm in a genuine gesture of appreciation, nothing more, but you wouldn’t know it from the way Stone watched us. Then I’d remembered what I’d teased him about earlier and it made me smile, but Adelaide probably thought I was returning her politeness. “I really like Sully,” she confessed. “If there is anything you need me to do for her—you know, to help her get adjusted to being with you crazy men—just let me know. Okay?”
Finding the perfect opportunity, I blurted out, “You could buy her a bra.”
She looked stunned, apparently taken back from such an odd request.
“Okay. . . .” She stalled, not quite knowing why I’d said what I did.
“Well, she came with us so abruptly that she didn’t have much with her. Actually, I would really appreciate it if you could pick up a few more things for her as well. Stop by tomorrow after work and I’ll give you a list.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She smiled then leaned in to give me a quick hug, her innocent affection nothing new. When I glanced across the room, Stone looked like he was ready to go nuclear.
Adelaide walked right past him on her way out, completely ignoring him, even when he called after her time and time again. Disappearing from the clubhouse, I continued to hear him call her name, their voices swallowed up by the growing distance.
He was shit at hiding his feelings for Adelaide when she was around. Sooner or later, Trigger would find out for sure, and shit was gonna hit the fan in a big way.
He’d already threatened to put a bullet in my VP, and that was only when he’d suspected something was going on with Stone and Adelaide.
What would he do when he found out it was for real?
Sully
The soft click of the door woke me. At first, I was confused as to where I was, but I quickly heard the soft snore coming from the couch across the room. Ryder was still there with me. Turned out he wasn’t much of a watch dog after all.
The noise from the club filtered into the room, along with the light from the hallway. A tall, broad form filled the doorway, frightening me enough to cower. Until I realized who it was.
Marek.
“Christ!” he growled, advancing toward a sleeping Ryder. “Good use you were, ya bastard.” He nudged Ryder’s leg with his foot but nothing happened, so he tried shoving at his arm. Still nothing. “What the fuck, Ryder,” he grumbled, b
efore smacking the man in the head. “Get. Up,” Marek ordered.
That time, Ryder shifted awake, assuming a fighting stance because he had no idea where he was. I couldn’t help it; I laughed, the sound so soft I didn’t think either of them heard me. But Marek did, because he turned toward me.
The room was still bathed in darkness so I couldn’t make out his expression, but I knew he was staring intently at me. My body just sensed it. Ryder rose off the couch and clumsily walked from the room, mumbling under his breath the entire time.
After closing the door, Marek flicked on a side light and instantly blinded me. I brought my hands up to my face to shield my eyes, allowing myself time to adjust to the brightness.
“I’m gonna take a shower,” he announced, throwing his cut on the chair before grabbing the hem of his shirt and pulling it over his head. Spreading my fingers over my eyes so I could see what he was doing, I inhaled a quick breath at the sight of his naked chest. Intricate designs wrapped around both arms, drifting over his shoulders and disappearing behind his back. A skull was inked in the center of his chest, flames shooting out from both sides, a large sword slicing through the middle of it. I’d seen that same design on the back of his cut, leading me to believe it was his club’s emblem. Images of dark and light traced down his sides, the designs foreign to me because I was too far away to inspect them in any detail.
He was a walking work of art, and I’d never seen anything so beautiful before in my entire life. I’d seen men with tattoos before, but none that exuded such raw beauty like his.
His sun-kissed skin brought the artwork to life. Every twitch of his hard muscles moved the images, entrancing me the longer I watched him flit around the room. Before he said another word, he disappeared into the bathroom. I heard the running water and counted the minutes before he was standing before me again.
Is he going to sleep in here? Will he take the couch, or does he expect to sleep in the bed with me? My worry kept me occupied while the clock mocked me, time moving slow but fast all at the same time.
