by Tl Reeve
She came apart. Her body tensed one second and in the next she screamed as her pussy contracted around him and the pressure behind her clit exploded. She whimpered, unable to fully express the intensity of her release. Kru shoved deep inside of her and stilled. He grunted seconds before she felt a sharp prick in her neck, and she was coming again with him. He laved the area where his mouth covered her skin.
The fact he bit her so hard should have scared her, but her brain refused to gather the energy she needed to feel anything but blissfully spent. She sighed and stroked his side when he went limp above her.
Long minutes later, he withdrew from her and stood. Gabby’s eyes grew heavy, and she succumbed to the need for sleep. At some point she felt him return to the bed and gather her in his arms. “Sleep, beautiful. We have a lot to discuss when you wake.” He placed a kiss to her forehead. She sighed and curled into his body, completely sated. To hell with talking later. She wanted to stay right here in bed with him. Screw the rest of the world.
Gabby woke the next morning alone. Kru’s side of the bed was cool to the touch, but his scent clung to the pillow beside her. She snuggled into the covers, not ready to greet the day yet. Sighing, she nuzzled the pillow she’d wrapped her arms around and tried to go back to sleep. Images from the night before ran through her mind and her body tingled, softening for the man who no longer occupied the space next to her.
A shaft of light broke through the darkness and she grumbled. “It’s too early.” She cracked one of her eyes open and could barely see the blurry image of Kru sitting at a desk.
“It’s after eight, lazy.” Humor laced his voice. “It does an ego good to know I made you this tired.”
She rolled and stretched. Her body felt deliciously used. She ached in all the right places and a pleasant throb radiated from the spot he’d bitten her. Gabby blinked a few times, adjusting to the morning light streaming into the room, finally getting a good look around. Kru sat across from her at a desk she hadn’t seen when they first entered the room the night before. A laptop sat open with several different files laying in front of him. She took in his muscular form. Tattoos dotted his flesh. His hair, still sleep tousled, lay in different directions giving him a boyish quality. He slouched in the wooden chair, legs fully extended, crossed at the ankles. He wore only a pair of jeans. The top button was undone, and the crest of his shaft poked out. A bead of pre-cum glistened in the light at his slit. “Damn, there should be a law against being so sexy,” she mumbled.
He gave her a cocky smirk then licked his lips. “I think you have me beat, beautiful.” His heated gaze caressed her. Her nipples hardened into tight beads. A low growl rumbled from him and she shivered. “Tempting morsel. We’ll revisit this, later.” He winked at her. “For now, why don’t you grab a shower then meet me in the kitchen. I have some stuff to show you then we have a small trip to take.”
“I might need some help,” she said coyly.
Kru placed the paper in his hand on the desk then stood. In three long strides, he crossed to the bed. Lifting the blankets, he held his hand out to her. “Well, I think I can wash your back for you.”
“I was thinking something a little lower.” She slid his hand over her body, stopping at her pussy.”
Flames of desire flared in his onyx eyes. His lips parted and a single finger filled her. Gabby gasped. “I believe I can wash this, too. In fact, I’ll pay special attention to it.” He curled his finger, rubbing the sensitive, hidden bundle of nerves behind her clit, and sent shockwaves of pleasure surging through her system.
“Well,” she said, her voice thick with arousal. “What are you waiting for?”
He grinned. “For you to get your ass into the bathroom.” He slid a second finger into her snug channel. “Unless you don’t really need my help and you were just hoping I’d fuck you again.”
“A girl can dream,” she sighed.
An hour later, after a shower and breakfast, Gabby followed Kru through the kitchen to the door. In his hands were the files and her laptop. Once she was sitting in the passenger seat, he handed over everything then closed the door and came around the front of the pickup.
“So, what did you find?” she asked when he sat beside her.
“A ton of bullshit, none of it good. All of it painting your brother’s club in a horrible light,” he answered, starting the truck before pulling away from the house.
“Okay, that doesn’t sound ominous at all,” she quipped. “Why don’t we start with where we’re going then we’ll begin with the least offensive crap and work our way to the worst part.”
“Sounds like a plan,” he said, turning right onto the dirt road. “First, it’s a surprise. Second”—he tapped the top file— “this is the file of people your brother trusted.”
Gabby opened the binder and frowned. “It’s only four names. Poppa, Alicia, Hombre, and Black Jack.”
“Yep.”
“I don’t understand.” She frowned. “The club has over a hundred members and he only trusted four?”
“Well according to this paper”—he motioned for her to flip the page— “your brother was being robbed blind and someone was trying to take the club from him.”
“What?” She glanced at the new report in front of her. “I don’t understand.”
“Fawn worked on it all night. She said the notes Craven left you were actually codes to open secret files he left on the thumb drive.”
“No wonder they didn’t make sense.” She shifted through the papers. “What are these?”
“Those are amounts kept from deposits. These,” he said grabbing another set of papers when he came to a stop, “are jobs that went south.”
“Why didn’t he say something to me? I’d have helped him.” She couldn’t believe what she was looking at. Each of the jobs on the list, she remembered. If it wasn’t some fabricated DOT stop or being carjacked on the way to the bank. It was something else.
“My guess? I think he knew how dangerous the situation had become and he didn’t want to put you in harm’s way.” When the light changed to green, he continued on.
“So what you’re saying is, my brother knew who’d been screwing him over and they got the drop on him,” she said.
“I think so.”
“Any clue who?” she asked.
“No. He narrowed it to ten people, the majority of them, I believe, are his inner circle. Take a look,” he said, glancing over at her. “Tell me who on the list you’d suspect.”
She went through the list. Find a suspect? How the hell did she do that? “I don’t…there’s no way to know. I mean, you do understand you have his vice president, sergeant at arms, his secretary, best friend…treasurer.” She glanced at Kru. “These guys are his inner circle.”
“I’m well aware of it. I’m also aware of the fact two names on the list cross over into DOBs crew as well.” He turned right onto the state route and sped up. “I want to know why officers from one crew are also hanging with officers from another crew.”
“Well it’s not uncommon,” she answered. “People do have get-togethers. Doesn’t mean they’re doing anything wrong.”
“True.” He nodded. “Now your brother is dead. You’re on a hit list and I’ve been framed. So, somewhere along the line, it went from friendly biker fun to deadly biker takeover.”
“But—”
The crunching of gravel under their tires had Gabby looking up. She didn’t know where she was or whose driveway they were pulling into. A white king-cab truck with a trailer behind it sat alongside a nice two-story house. The front door opened and two people appeared, obscured by the shade of the porch. “Surprise,” he said, pulling the truck to a stop. “Why don’t you go greet them?”
“What?” Her heart hammered. Excitement welled inside her. “That fast? Where are we?”
“We’re in Hill City,” he chuckled. “When I called, they were in Montana. I don’t know what the fuck they’d be doing t
here.”
“Poppa owns a fishing cabin there,” she said absently as she opened the door then got out.
“Makes sense,” he said, following her.
Alicia stepped onto the porch first. Her honey-colored hair was in a ponytail, her skimpy clothes replaced with something a little less flashy, but her glam-squad makeup was perfect. She squealed in delight and took the stairs two at a time to the woman she’d considered her mom since the moment she met her all those years ago. The woman enveloped her in a bone-crushing hug, while speaking in rapid-fire Spanish.
“I’m okay. I promise. I’m safe.” She glanced over at Poppa and went straight into his embrace. “I can’t believe you guys are here.”
“What, and leave you alone with this asshole?” There wasn’t a hint of anger in Poppa’s voice.
“This asshole is keeping her alive,” Kru groused, as he sauntered over to the group. “Glad you could make it.”
Poppa inclined his head. “I’d never hear the end of it if I didn’t bring Alicia here to see our girl.”
“You’re right,” Alicia huffed. “Plus the thing between your legs would never have gotten between mine if you’d have abandoned her.”
“Not what you were screaming last night, mi vida.” Poppa gave Alicia a cocky grin.
“You were on my hair,” she said with a roll of her eyes then laughed.
“They’re like fucking jackrabbits,” Hombre said, pushing past everyone. “Come here, squirt.”
Gabby went to him and accepted the hug he gave her. “How are you?”
“I’ve seen better days,” he answered.
“Yeah,” she answered with a nod. “Me, too.”
She felt his presence behind her before she saw him. Big and imposing, Black Jack rivaled Kru for king of intimidation. “Black Jack.”
“Gabby.”
“No love for me?” she asked, turning toward him.
A hint of a smile pulled at his full lips while his green eyes glittered with mischief. Only the lucky ones got to see a playful side to the serious man. She considered herself lucky every day. “I was hoping for a kiss.” He took her hand and tugged her toward him. “Pucker up, girl.”
“The hell you say,” Kru growled.
Black Jack winked at her. “Relax, Kru. We don’t need you getting your ass hairs in a knot.” Wrapping his arms around her, he sighed and squeezed her tight. “I thought we’d never see you again.”
“Kru saved my life.”
Chapter Nine
Guilt ate at Kru’s gut. A friendly reminder of how much he still needed to explain to his mate. After getting home from spending the day with her family, and going over the file Fawn had made him, he pulled Gabby into his arms. The sparkle of life he’d fed off of all those lonely nights, or when he’d had difficult assignments, returned to her eyes. He cupped her cheek, memorizing the moment. The time had come. He had to tell her the truth of who he was. Whatever happened afterward, well he hoped she’d stay in the hills with him. Learn to love him even though he wasn’t necessarily like her.
“Take a walk with me?” he asked.
“Sure,” she said. Worry lit her gaze and he hated it. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “Nothing’s wrong. I wanted to show you something.” The full moon called to him, beckoning him like a long lost lover. The magic held in the slivers of light cascading upon the house from above caressed him, bringing his wolf to the surface.
“Okay, lead the way.”
He took her hand in his. For the first time since he’d been a boy, nervous energy rolled through him, irritating his already-pacing wolf. He needed to shed his human skin and be a wolf. “Grab your jacket. It’s cold outside.” She gave a short incline of his head and donned the corduroy coat Lily had given her. He threw on his leather bomber and opened the door. “I need you to remember two things. Don’t run and don’t be afraid.”
“Because saying it won’t scare me half to death.”
He chuckled. “We’re going into the woods.” He stepped outside with her then led her around the house where Drew, Ryker, and Gee had appeared the day before. “This is the easiest way. Watch your step.”
They climbed the incline, Kru made sure she didn’t stumble or hurt herself any more than she already was. It surprised him she didn’t comment on the gunshot wound being closed, but perhaps she hadn’t been paying attention to it. The sound of trickling water from the brook behind the house had him pausing. The canopy of trees opened, allowing the natural light of night to glitter onto the forest floor. “This is beautiful,” Gabby said, standing beside him.
“Yeah it is,” he said. “Stand right here, and don’t take your eyes off of me.” He leaned in for a kiss then pressed his forehead to hers. “Remember, be brave.”
“I will. I don’t understand.”
“You will.” He gave her a quick peck on the lips then began taking off his clothes.
He didn’t bother folding them. He created a pile as he went, and when he was ready, he called to his wolf. The big black and great beast within him stretched, shifting his form from human to animal. His perception changed. The scents of small creatures moving about under the safety of darkness permeated the air around him and mingled with Gabby’s natural floral scent.
Gabby gasped and took a step away from him.
“Kru,” she whispered. “How is this possible?”
Her body tensed as if she’d run if he got any closer. Kru sat and whimpered at her. She gave him a curious look. He yipped and began panting. He watched her like a hawk. The tension bled off her with each passing second. He knew her natural curiosity would prevent her from leaving, yet he continued to watch her.
Gabby tentatively closed the gap between them and slowly went to her knee in front of him. She reached for the wolf with a trembling hand, and he snuffled it before licking her. The giggle bubbling from her made him grin. He moved in, licking her cheek. This time, she laughed and ran her fingers through his fur.
He gave her another moment to get used to the wolf then called to the same magic which allowed him to show his true nature. In the next second, he had her pinned to the cold ground beneath them. She gasped. He took advantage, covering her mouth with his. His wolf growled in triumph, claiming his prize as he feasted on her. His tongue plundered and took everything she’d give him. He needed his mate naked.
What he got instead was a head rattling smack across the face. “What the fuck, Kru?” she yelled, scooting away from him. “What the fuck are you?”
“I’m a shifter, wolf to be exact,” he said calmly, which surprised him.
“How is it possible?” She put more distance between them.
“Genetics and a little magic, I guess,” he sighed, sitting on his haunches.
“So tonight you decided to spring it on me? After all the shit I’ve been through?” He scented no hate coming from her, only a healthy dose of confusion and pissed-off female.
“Yes,” he answered. “I marked you last night and I knew with your family staying in Hill City, I had to tell you now rather than later.
“Because I’d just accept it?”
“I didn’t expect you to accept anything. I expected you to run when you saw me.” Even though he told her not to, he’d believed she would. “If you think this is easy for me, it’s not.”
“Because being a hundred and twenty pound wolf is scary for you?” Sarcasm lit her words.
“For you, more like it,” he snapped.
“I’m not afraid of you.” Her chin lifted and she crossed her arms. “I’m furious you didn’t tell me before now. How am I supposed to trust you when I don’t know all of your truths?”
“We’re not supposed to talk about it, Gabby.” If a human found out about their kind and told others, it’d spell disaster for all of them.
“So? You had time to tell me.”
“When? Before we were shot at? While I was balls d
eep inside you?” he growled, growing more agitated by the second.
“I don’t know.”
“I told you when I knew we were safe. When I knew you would be most receptive to my explanation.” He inched closer to her.
“I trusted you,” she whispered.
“I haven’t changed, beautiful. It’s still me. I’m the same man who loved you last night.” He closed the distance between them. “I’ll be the man who protects you. Loves you. Is your everything. I’m just different. Please don’t shut me out, baby.”
“Make me understand, Kru.” Her eyes beseeched him to do whatever it took to give her peace of mind.
“For me, once a month, under the power of the full moon, I become a wolf. It’s the one time I feel free.” His fingertips glided over her fingers. When she didn’t shy away, hope bloomed in his chest. “Not everyone is moon-bound, but there are others like me.”
She swallowed hard. “There are?”
“You’ve met a few already and didn’t know it,” he said.
“I should have guessed. Okay, I know you’re chomping at the bit to tell me. Who have I met like you?”
“Well, my sister, for starters. Then Kalum, Graham, and Lily,” he stated.
“Anyone else?”
“Drew is our Alpha and the man with him is our Enforcer, Ryker.”
Her eyes widened, her mouth fell open. “No wonder,” she murmured.
“No wonder, what?” he asked.
“When the big scary guy looked at me, it was like he could see all the way to my soul. La muerte negro.”
Kru laughed. “Ryker might enjoy your nickname. Hell, he might get cocky being called the Black Death.”
A smile tugged at her lips, before she wiped it away. “So, when you drugged me, you were keeping me from seeing where we were going?”
“Yes.”
“What happens if I leave and blab about you being wolves?” she asked then nibbled on the corner of her lip.
