Ronan stared at the agent as he placed his hands behind his head.
“Mr. Cox, nice of you to finally join this meeting,” Eve greeted in a cool voice.
“My pleasure, Ms. Kerrigan. How’s your hubby and son? What about our cousin he’s married to?” Ronan asked out loud.
Hardy shook his head. “Listen up, Eve’s not here to play happy fookin’ families, Ronan. This is a serious meeting.”
“That goes without saying,” Naomi replied smoothly. “Really, what we should be concerned about is how Carlito is still on the run and Fernando is out on bail. Should we be worried at all about whether there will be any retaliation against the Saints on their end?”
Eve raised one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows. “It’s always a possibility but I would think they’d have their hands full trying to decimate the ranks of the Demon’s Bastards.”
“Yeah, about that,” Ronan cut in. “Is it true? Did Evan really strike a deal with the Koslakov Mafia?”
“You would know more about than I would. I thought Dimitri was buddy-buddy with you until Cillian and Desmond bothered to inform me that the relationship between Koslakov and the Saints has been sketchy for a while. I was a bit disappointed to hear this. After all, I need to be kept informed of these issues,” Eve explained in a chastising tone.
“Listen, the only reason we didn’t say anythin’ is because it wasn’t our place. Dizzy was adamant that he would tell you what was going down between Koslakov and him. He’s been backing away for a while now and it’s only lately the situation has come to the point it’s become unattainable.
“Dimitri is a first class douchebag, unreliable, unstable and a fuckin’ psychopath to boot. Did you hear about the massacre he caused? Killin’ Raymond’s girls like that and slicing up the few he sent back as a message? We can’t do business with animals like him.” Hardy placed his hands on the table where they held church as he shook his head. “If it were up to me, he’d be dead but . . . Dizzy has other plans for him.”
“Yes, I’ve heard. A little bird has also informed me that you all are making nice with the Kitaev Bratva and their new Krestnii Otets, Erik.” Eve pursed her lips before she continued, “If something becomes of this new relationship, I would like to be informed about it. We’re willing to make deals with Kitaev especially since they have so much to lose with this new venture.”
Naomi smirked. “Well Erik seems to want to bring Kitaev back into the criminal fold his father worked so hard to actually get the family out of. He’s selling all his father’s legitimate businesses except the soccer teams his father owns in England. He’s quite passionate about the sport—or so I’ve heard.”
“That’s no problem,” Hardy responded as he sat up in his chair. “I’ve got contacts in Essex and Newcastle. I’ll keep an eye on his football teams in England but meanwhile, I have to know that the deal you have with Dizzy goes for us too, Eve. I know you two have a special relationship and I’m only his pain in the ass little brother but I can’t have your guys bustin’ my arse every time they get the urge. Do I have your word I can trust you and we’ll report any new information we come across if it pertains to Koslakov or Aztecas Infierno?”
Eve smiled almost girlishly. “I think you Vegas boys can do better than that. I want hard evidence of where Carlito is and I know you have the manpower here to get it done. You don’t get to go to Dizzy and ask for help on this one either. Think of it as a test to see how hard you boys . . . and girl . . . are.”
Ronan breathed loudly as he glared at Naomi before he turned toward Eve again. “Are you fucking insane? How the hell are we supposed to get that kind of intel?”
The Fed stood and smoothed down non-existent wrinkles in her black pantsuit. “You’re the bikers, guys—not me. Figure it out. Start kickin’ some ass and takin’ names on the streets. This is Vegas, baby—someone’s gotta know something.”
“Eve, Hardy and Ronan have to establish themselves here. The guys who ran the club before—Thorne and Walker—were known by everyone in the Valley. The Abandonatos, Brad and the White Knights chapter, the local Demon’s Bastards’ chapter—”
“Not my problem, Naomi. You’re DEA for Christ’s sake. Get your boss to have you assigned specifically to the case. There is one being made as you know. The whole case falls under RICO and every agency wants a piece of Aztecas Infierno. You want to make a name for yourself and retire with dignity so you can play house with your biker? Now’s the time to do it before they snatch you out and you find yourself on your ass.” Eve tossed a business card on the table between Ronan and Naomi.
“What’s this?” Ronan questioned out loud.
“It’s what Naomi will need to give to her superiors so she can be reassigned to work with my unit. My ass is being pushed by my superiors who are being pushed by the Justice Department who’s being pushed by the U.S. Attorney General who is being reamed by the President. They want this cartel shut down. Now! So, I suggest you guys stop bitchin’ to me about what you can and can’t do and start to show me some results. Otherwise I will send my guys in here to bust shit up—just ’cause I can. And North Las Vegas Police Department will be all over your asses like white on rice. They are particularly fond of drug busts by the way.”
He glared from his old lady to Eve and back again. “We’ll get you the info you want but don’t ever threaten my woman like that again. She’s worked her ass off for you fuckin’ guys even though some of the brothers still question her loyalty. It’s bad enough she has some of the old ladies lookin’ down on her because she doesn’t have blonde extensions flowin’ down her back and doesn’t act like some fuckin’ hood-rat.”
“Naomi’s a big girl, Ronan—she can take care of herself and do her job. After that, whatever happens is between you and her. She isn’t off the hook yet and as far as I’m concerned, she can get into all kinds of trouble. I’m sure her superiors will be thrilled to find out she’s been acting as a double agent . . . for years—”
“Eve, I’ll do it.”
Ronan stared at Naomi but she shook her head at him as she placed a firm hand on his arm. “Babe, you don’t know what you’re gettin’ into.”
“Yes, I do.” Her amber eyes met Eve’s hazel-green orbs. “Listen, I just wanna do what’s best for everyone involved. I want Aztecas Infierno to pay too. They didn’t just hurt us financially—they took down one of our own. Miranda was one of the sweetest old ladies I’ve ever known and she shouldn’t have died in a drive-by shooting. I’ll do this for her before I ever admit to doing it for you.”
Eve smiled and shrugged apathetic shoulders. “I don’t give a damn who you do it for—hell, do it for starvin’ kids in Guatemala for all I care. Just get it done.”
Ronan watched as Eve left the office they used for church before he turned toward Hardy.
“What do you think, brother?”
The Vegas president shrugged. “What difference does it make what I think. I’m more worried about your old lady—”
“Are you saying you don’t think I can handle myself?” Naomi questioned with a hint of anger and resentment leaking into her voice. “I’m DEA, Hardy. You think I got that job because of affirmative action? I worked my ever loving ass off and even an injury I suffered serving this fucked up country didn’t stop me!”
“You misunderstand me, luv,” Hardy replied, his crystal blue eyes bright yet amused. “I know you’re badass but that’s not he point. I don’t want to risk your life for something that could cause excessive amounts of bloodshed, yeah? We lost Miranda. I don’t want another old lady lost—not on my watch. You got me?”
Naomi stared at the president and nodded her head. “Sorry . . . it’s just . . . the whole time Ronan and I have been together, I’ve had to prove myself. I can carry my weight. What Eve just offered me, how can I say no to that? You think I want to do this for the rest of my life? I want a place in this club. I want to be a strong old lady and I want to be a woman with a backbone. I don’t wanna be Ronan’s b
itch—I wanna be his old lady and I’m determined to earn that respect, come hell or high water.”
Hardy reached over and grabbed her hand. “You will. Maybe you can help me with my old lady, yeah? She’s not cooperating at all and not even havin’ her in a precarious position will allow her for me to get a word in edge-wise.”
Naomi smirked. “Sorry, can’t help you there. That woman of yours is in a whole other ballpark. If Sydney can’t reach her then you’re a goner.”
Ronan laughed as he grabbed Naomi’s hand underneath the table and squeezed lightly.
She turned toward him, her gorgeous features softened. She truly was a beautiful woman with her warm brown skin, the color of toasted almonds, amber eyes and exotic features. Her background, a mélange that came from a deceased mother who’d been half Washoe Native American and half-black combined with a father of black, Scots-Irish and Blackfoot Native American ancestry, complimented a pug-nose, high cheekbones that could cut glass, luscious full lips and silky yet wavy, short dark brown hair that ended just below her chin at the tip of her shoulders.
It didn’t hurt she had a beautiful face, sweet personality and charming disposition; she was also cold as ice and had a body that wouldn’t quit. Her figure, athletically thin looked almost pornographic with her breasts, which were large enough to fill out dresses but small enough not to have to wear a bra. And that ass! Ronan could worship that heart shaped ass that would leave Beyoncé green with envy because it was sheer perfection in every way.
“Well, I’ll give you lovebirds some time alone,” Hardy announced as he stood and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Ronan wondered out loud.
Naomi stared at him with dark determined eyes. “Not you too. You were always the one person I could count on that didn’t treat me like a fucking piece of china—”
“Not china, babe. You’re my old lady and I know you can do this but . . . Fernando is an animal. I don’t know—I’m not scared for you but I am terrified about what he would do to you.”
“I can’t do this anymore.” She looked away and blinked the tears away with determined resignation. “I’m tired of playing both sides. I want to be your old lady. I want us to get married and have a few Coxes runnin’ around. I can’t do that working for the DEA. I need to be on Eve’s team so I can get away from the Feds once and for all.”
He grabbed her neck and pressed their foreheads together. “You know what that means? You’d be an outlaw just like the rest of us. Is that really what you want?”
“Absolutely, especially if it means I get to spend the rest of my life with you,” she responded without hesitation.
Ronan kissed her hard.
He’d finally found the one woman made for him; now if he could stay true to them both and not fuck everything up.
Part One
Tainted Love
Chapter One
Ronan
Ronan awoke the morning of the operation with a lead brick in his stomach and a headache the size of Utah.
He shouldn’t have drunk the last five shots of Jack Daniels he’d imbibed before Naomi dragged him to bed.
However, since he and Hardy had taken over the Vegas chapter, every night seemed to be a party.
They always took care of business first, and that included babysitting Lennon’s sister, Trista, and her rock star hubby. It didn’t really matter whether or not Lennon “Linx” Carter was an honorary member of the Saints and he could take care of his wife just fine. It wasn’t like he’d had a happy and violence-free childhood growing up in South Boston. Now he was a bonafide rock star, the Saints had sworn to protect their own and that’s exactly what they would do.
Then there were the members of the Saints Vegas chapter he and Hardy had to get on their side. They were mostly older than them though there were quite a few younger members. However, it was the old guard they had to make sure were on their side. Men loyal to Thorne and Walker who had lives and ties in Vegas and couldn’t—or didn’t—want to move to Southern California with their former Prez and VP.
Hardy immediately gained their respect. He was Dizzy Cox’s youngest sibling and had run the London chapter. They knew what he was capable of and they trusted him.
Ronan, on the other hand, was just a snot nosed kid and Dizzy’s son. He was much too young to hold the title of VP but there wasn’t much they could do. He’d been chosen, not only by Hardy but Dizzy himself after being usurped from his Sergeant at Arms position by his older half-brother, Trey “Hacker” Lennon.
Not that he cared much.
He had been happy to leave the Tri-Cities area and reveled living in L.A. and now Las Vegas. He’d always preferred the big city to small town life and Naomi held similar beliefs.
He stood and walked bare ass to the bathroom and pissed in the toilet before Naomi passed him equally naked.
“The shower’s yours,” she responded.
Ronan flushed the toilet before he grabbed her from behind and kissed her shoulder. “What are you doing up so early?”
“Unlike you, I didn’t drink a bottle of Jack Daniels by myself. I have to go over some notes Eve sent me for the meet with Fernando tonight. The last thing we need is a shoot-out at that stupid fuckin’ club.”
His arms wrapped tighter around her waist. “I wish you wouldn’t do this at all. It’s dangerous and they don’t trust us. Why should they? First, they try to blame us for blowing up their club in Century City, then they murder Kink’s wife in a drive-by shooting. We retaliate and get their main backer to turn on them . . . there’s too damn much that can go wrong, babe.”
“What other choice do I have? Do you see another alternative to me leaving the DEA with my image intact? I know . . .” She trailed off as her hands grasped his tattooed arm harder than necessary. “I shouldn’t even fuckin’ care, right? But some part of me does. My dad—he doesn’t care what side of the law I live on as long as I’m happy and safe. He trusts you, Ronan. But . . . part of me feels like I’ve let my mother down. It’s stupid I feel this way, right?”
He turned her around to face him, his violet-blue eyes bright in their intensity. “Listen, I am here for you, no matter what you decide to do. You got that?”
“Oh my God. Big man with a matching cock tellin’ me he’ll support me regardless what I do. I think no one would believe this conversation took place if they weren’t here to witness it,” Naomi replied in a flippant voice before she let go of his arm and continued to walk back into the bedroom.
Ronan shook his head and turned on the shower as he thought about her. Regardless how many times they’d fucked or she exclaimed to him how she belonged to him, he still couldn’t believe it.
She was a woman of color, after all—how the fuck did you ever own a woman like her? She was a wild beauty, a gorgeous minx who knew what she wanted out of life. How could he possibly compete with that?
The MC lifestyle was in his fucking blood. His father was a biker, his brothers were bikers except the two rock star pussies who took the easy way out.
Although Kasper Gillian was only his half-brother, he and Jaden both shared the same parentage. The lifestyle wasn’t good enough for either one of them; instead they decided to circle jerk on stage as two of the most popular members for the mega rock band, Scarlet Fever. Gyrating and singing suggestive songs to a bunch of horny, young women who thought they were gods just because they both played mean guitars and resembled the hottest movie stars.
For Jaden—aka Kaelan—he could understand the appeal. The kid had always been sickly, even when they were children. He wasn’t built for the lifestyle. Now Kasper—or Kaz as he liked to be called like he was some fuckin’ Aussie—tried to act like he was so different. Fuck it if he was the progeny his father had by some uptight wealthy, blue blood snatch from the East Coast. He could be just as cold blooded as the rest of them but he’d taken the easy way out too.
If they assumed he and Hardy were gon
na babysit their asses just because they took over the Vegas chapter, they were sadly mistaken. They only had two wards at the moment and from where they’d decided to live, it probably wouldn’t be all that hard of a mission.
Ronan soaped himself, washed his hair and quickly rinsed off before he stepped out of the steaming shower. Although a lot of his brothers preferred scraggly beards and days without a bath, he wasn’t the type to ever keep those kind of hygienic methods.
He had a good woman and although life could have been better, he was very happy, or as content as he could be given the circumstances. He’d never been a “Daddy’s boy,” and preferred to keep his distance from Dizzy. He loved his parents with all his heart but he wasn’t Cillian.
He’d be the last to suggest his oldest brother could have used a stronger backbone but then again, he hadn’t spent years in Belfast. Even if he had, he doubted he would have handled it the way his brother did. No way in hell would he have married a hood-rat like Brianna. Sure, he’d fucked her brains out and thrown her some money but a woman like that would have never trapped him in the first place.
There was a reason Ronan loved Naomi and it had more to do than with the fact she had a kick ass personality, beautiful body and wonderful disposition. She also happened to be a “good girl.”
Beneath all his tough talk, he was a misogynist like most of his brothers. Women were great but unless they hadn’t been passed around like a goddamn party favor, they were never worth anything other than a quick fuck. Unfortunately, he hadn’t managed to score any sloppy slapper seconds since Naomi monitored his ass. Not that he minded it very much. It wasn’t like he was missing anything other than fish-smelling pussy and a sexually transmitted disease or two.
Ride To Vengeance (A Rough Riders MC Novel #3): A Rough Riders MC Novel #3 (The Rough Riders MC Series) Page 2
