STARSTRUCK: A Dark Bad Boy Romance (The Destroyers MC)

by Zoey Parker

  “I guess I ran out of things to say.”

  Bax raised an eyebrow, then walked over to Harry and spoke to him quietly. “Do you have that other thing I asked about?”

  Harry slipped him a pair of cufflinks. “It's the left one. I tested it, and it should work fine.”

  “Good. Thanks.” He turned to Stef. “There's an office at the back of the warehouse, near the bathroom. Can I talk to you alone for a sec?”

  Stef nodded, and they walked into the office.

  Chapter 29

  Stef

  “You wouldn't happen to be pregnant, by any chance, would you?”

  Stef's eyes widened. She'd taken the pregnancy test right after they'd made the call to her father, and it had been positive. In her head, she'd been rehearsing what to say to Bax for almost an hour, imagining every possible reaction from him and trying to decide how she'd respond to each one. For her, the most farfetched outcome seemed to be the one in which he'd react with joy.

  But she certainly hadn't expected him to bring it up first, and now that he had, all of her planned discussions had run away from her. She felt like a rabbit in headlights.

  “How did you know?”

  “Your mother saw you sneak me out of the house. And Benny said they've heard you getting sick in the mornings. He gave me a pretty rough time about it.”

  “So that's why they've been looking at me like that,” Stef sighed. “That makes sense. Okay. Is this the part where you tell me you can't deal with having a baby around, and you won't be taking me with you when this is over?”

  Bax cradled her face in his hands tenderly. “This is the part where I tell you I'd never leave you behind to deal with the fallout after what we're about to do to Benny. It's the part where I tell you that we belong together, no matter what. And if there's a baby, well, we'll just have to make sure we do a better job raising him than our parents did with us.”

  “Or her,” Stef whispered.

  Bax grinned. “Or her.”

  “I love you, Bax.” She felt warm tears spill down her cheeks.

  He kissed her again. “I love you too.”

  Stef clung to Bax like ivy embracing a wall, trying to find every nook and crease that would allow her to take root in him so they could become an inseparable whole. He held her tight and she felt strength and comfort in his arms, radiating from him, saturating every cell in her body with the unspoken promise of happiness and safety.

  They both sank to the floor as one, their hands exploring each other's bodies eagerly. The carpeting in the office was cheap, ragged, and dusty, but Stef didn't care. She lowered herself onto her back and pulled Bax on top of her, spreading her legs so he could lie between them. He reached up to brush some strands of hair out of her face and then he was kissing her again, sucking on her tongue gently but insistently.

  She ran her fingertips through his hair and caressed his neck, enjoying his hunger for her. Even through his trousers, she could feel his cock stiffen against her thigh. She reached down, kneading it slowly and relishing the way Bax's breath caught in his throat at her touch.

  Bax hooked his fingers under the hem of Stef's dress, pulling it up over her head and tossing it aside. She arched her back and he reached behind her, unclasping her bra. A vent near the floor exhaled a hot, stale torrent of air, and as she felt it on her bare chest, her nipples hardened.

  “Looks like we're both getting hard,” Bax said playfully.

  He touched her breasts, and the faint tickle of his fingertips made Stef wet. As he fondled her nipples, she closed her eyes, moaning softly.

  “I'm yours, Bax,” she sighed happily. “Every part of me belongs to you.”

  “Damn right.”

  She felt the tip of his tongue trace a line down her chest, pausing briefly to kiss her breasts before continuing its journey down to her belly. His breath was so warm against her, washing over her skin in gentle waves like a tropical breeze. He nuzzled the damp area of her panties, breathing in deeply, as though he was savoring her primal musk.

  Stef opened her eyes again as Bax slid her panties down her legs and threw them over his shoulder. She caught a glimpse of the mischievous twinkle in his eyes, and then his head was between her legs. His tongue found her clitoris easily and she gasped as it flicked against her.

  Even though he was just licking the surface of her, she felt it all the way down to the base of her spine, making her tremble and spasm uncontrollably.

  “Oh yes,” she murmured. “Yes, Bax, please, just like that.”

  Bax took her clit between his teeth tenderly, rubbing it with his tongue. As he did, he slid a finger inside of her, followed by another. They pressed against Stef's G-spot and the room began to spin around her like a carousel. Her hands shook as her nails dug into the carpet at her sides. He moved his fingers in and out, in and out, expertly finding the most sensitive areas inside of her and applying pressure to them.

  He was like a brilliant conductor and every nerve ending in her body was an instrument in the orchestra, their individual notes rising in harmony until their chorus reached its apex.

  “No one's ever made me feel like this,” Stef whispered, each word carried on its own sharp exhalation like leaves on the wind.

  Bax's mouth chuckled against her skin, and the tickle of his breath was more than she could bear.

  “Take me...please...I need you inside of me, I need you now...”

  Bax continued to taste her, the movements of his tongue and fingers growing more rapid, but not fast enough to give her what she needed. “Beg me,” he commanded between licks.

  At first, Stef couldn't gather her thoughts together into coherent words. What flickered across her mind were scattered colors, feelings, impulses. How could she speak when she couldn't even think?

  “Beg me, or I'll stop.”

  She mustered all of her strength and focus. “Please...please, take me...please, Bax, please, please, I'll do anything, please...”

  Bax withdrew his mouth and fingers from her and moved forward until he was on top of her again. Stef unhooked her fingernails from the carpet and impatiently reached up to seize the front of his shirt, tearing it open. His buttons scattered across the floor.

  “That was an expensive shirt,” he said with a grin.

  “We'll be rich soon,” Stef laughed. “I'll buy you a closet full of them.”

  A brief shadow passed over Bax's face, but before Stef could ask why, he reached behind her head and pulled a handful of her hair. Stef's head tilted back, exposing her neck. Bax planted a series of kisses under her jaw as he reached down with his other hand, unzipping his pants.

  A moment later, he was inside of her, his cock growing even more rigid as it filled her up.

  Bax plunged deeper into her with every thrust, their cries of passion crashing against each other in the air between them. Stef was sure that the others in the warehouse could hear them, but she didn't care. In that moment, her entire world was this man, this room, this feeling.

  Their hips rocked against each other until they ached, each trying to disappear completely into the other. The sweat of their bodies mingled together in an intoxicating perfume. Bax pressed into her harder and harder, until Stef believed that she could feel him making his way up into her stomach, her chest, her heart. Her pulse seemed to throb in perfect time with their lovemaking, filling her ears with its singular booming rhythm.

  They came as one and it was like a dam breaking, a gushing, elemental roar that ran through both of their bodies. Stef wanted its raging current to lift them both up and wash them away together, anywhere at all, as long as they could continue to cling to each other.

  But instead it passed over them, leaving them in a pile of limbs, damp and gasping for air.

  They stayed that way for a long time before finally getting up and composing themselves. When they walked back to the main area of the warehouse, Skull looked them over disdainfully.

  “Looks like you'll need a new shirt for tonight. Better
hurry up and get one before the stores close.”

  Chapter 30

  Bax

  Bax pulled up in front of the Metairie Cemetery in the red Ferrari at ten minutes to ten. Benny was already there, waiting for him with the valise. As he walked over, Bax noticed that Benny was freshly-shaved and wearing a crisp suit. His eyes were still baggy and exhausted, but he didn't look stricken and helpless, the way he had at the waterfront earlier.

  This gave Bax a faint twinge of anxiety, but he pushed it aside. He was about to pull off the biggest score of his life. It was only natural for him to feel a bit jumpy.

  “Glad you were able to smooth yourself out a little,” Bax said. “I know how hard that must have been, given the circumstances.”

  “It's nothing. Just a shower, a shave, a change of clothes, and a couple glasses of grappa. I didn't want to give these animals the satisfaction of seeing me like that.”

  Bax nodded. “We'll get through this, Benny, I promise. But listen—just in case anything goes wrong in there or it looks like they're going to screw us over, I'll grab Stef and get her to safety, okay? You just turn around and run as fast as you can.”

  Benny shook his head. “No. She's my daughter. I'll take her.”

  “Of course she's your daughter, and of course you feel that way, but you have to think it through. With all due respect, Stef and I are both younger and more in shape than you are. The odds of me getting her out of here in one piece are a hell of a lot higher. But if you split off from us and run for it on your own, Letrong's men will have to split up, which will lower the chances of them finding any of us. Once we've all gotten away, we can meet up at The Hurricane Club and call your guys down there to protect us.”

  Benny considered this. “Okay. You're right. I'm sorry. You've dealt with these slant-eyed terrorists before, so you're in charge of this show. Just make sure Stef makes it out of here alive and unharmed.”

  “You have my word on that, Benny. Now come on, follow me. I found Fournier on a map before I got here. We should be able to get there pretty easily.”

  They walked through the vast, impeccably-manicured graveyard, passing rows of gothic crypts and monuments. There were many marble angels perched on the headstones in various poses—smiling, weeping, praying, brandishing swords, spreading their wings.

  At last, they reached the tall, narrow mausoleum with “Fournier” chiseled over the doorway. The narrow doors had panes of stained glass depicting Michael the Archangel wrestling with Satan as crimson flames danced around their feet.

  The doors were ajar, and a light flickered inside.

  Bax walked in with Benny right behind him. David and Skull stood waiting in their costumes, with Stef kneeling on the floor between them. Her hands were tied behind her back, and a gag was tied around her mouth. Skull's AK-47 hung from his shoulders on a strap, and David had a handgun tucked into his belt. A lantern rested on the stone slab in front of them, casting their giant shadows on the rear wall.

  “Thank you for joining us, gentlemen,” David said, using the accent once more. “Before we conduct our transaction, please be so kind as to turn around and place your hands on the wall, so my associate can make sure you are both unarmed.”

  Benny set the valise down, turned, and put his palms against the cool stone wall. Bax did likewise. Skull stepped forward, frisked them both quickly, and nodded to David.

  “Excellent. Now please, hand the money to him so he can verify that it's all there.”

  Benny picked up the valise again, handing it over. Skull opened it, pawed through the stacks of bills, and nodded again.

  “We've done everything that you asked, Letrong,” Bax said. “Now let her go.”

  “Hmm.” David narrowed his eyes, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “I think not. I think now that we're here, there are many opportunities for us to use the resources of your criminal operation to advance our cause. And I think your precious daughter would be the perfect insurance policy to retain when embarking on such a business venture. From now on, Mr. Altamura, you and all the assets of your little empire will be at our disposal.”

  Bax snatched the AK from Skull, snapping its strap and slamming the rifle butt into Skull's stomach. As he did, he was careful to use the choreographed moves that Harry had taught them, so it would look like a savage blow without actually doing any damage.

  David reached for his gun, but Bax swung the rifle around, firing several blanks into David's chest. The squibs went off as planned, and the fake wounds exploded with blood. Bax aimed the rifle at Skull just as he was starting to get back on his feet and unleashed another short burst of blanks. Skull's squibs popped too, the dyed red corn syrup splattering against the marble slab.

  Skull and David slumped to the floor, playing dead.

  Bax untied Stef's hands and pulled the gag off. “You came for me,” she said breathlessly. “Both of you. Thank you...”

  “No time for that now,” Bax barked, turning to Benny. “I've got her. Go on, run! The rest of Letrong's men will be here any second!”

  Benny stood firmly in place, his hands behind his back, his expression neutral.

  “What are you doing?” Bax demanded. “Are you trying to get us all killed? Run!”

  “Why should I?” Benny asked quietly. “I'm not afraid of guns filled with blanks. Especially when I have this.”

  His right hand emerged from behind his back, holding a .22 pistol.

  Bax stared at it, his heart sinking. “Where did you get that?”

  “I hid it in my crotch,” Benny said evenly. “Silvio was right. Most men won't frisk another man there. Oh, maybe actual guerrilla fighters would...but not a bunch of half-assed bikers and con men, which is all you are.” He leaned over, addressing David and Skull. “You can both get up now, I think. There'll be plenty of time for you to bleed on the floor soon enough.”

  Slowly, Skull and David got up, facing them. Skull pulled off his ski mask, glaring at Benny.

  “Of course it's you,” Benny sighed. “I should have known.”

  “Daddy, I can explain everything...” Stef began.

  “Can you?” Benny sneered. “What possible explanation could you give for betraying me to a pack of greedy thieves and vultures? How much of my money did they promise you? What did it take for them to convince you to turn on me, after everything I've done for you?”

  Stef's expression hardened. “Not much.”

  “Okay, so it seems like you know the whole score,” Bax admitted. “Fine. It was a scam. But it was all my idea, from top to bottom. I'm the one you want.”

  “Bullshit,” Skull spat. “I'm the one who called him in to help us get our money back from you. None of this shit would have happened if it wasn't for me. You want to torture someone, kill someone—here I am. This begins and ends with me. Go for it. Just let the others go.”

  “A noble display, but you can all save your breath,” said Benny. “None of you are leaving this graveyard alive. Not after what you've done to me. Now come on, let's get out of here. I want to shoot you in the open air, so the bullets don't ricochet on the walls.”

  He gestured to the doorway with his gun. They filed out in a line, stepping out onto the grass between the headstones.

  “She's your daughter, Benny,” Bax whispered. “And she's pregnant.”

  Benny's face crumpled with rage and anguish. “I don't care. I'd rather let my bloodline die right here, tonight, then let this ungrateful bitch live to spawn another rotten, spoiled, poisonous little traitor to the name Altamura. Everything I've ever wanted for my family has been stolen from me. This is all that's left.” He cocked the pistol.

  “All right,” Bax said. “If you're going to kill us, you're going to kill us. Clearly, there's no talking you out of it. But before you pull the trigger, just answer one question for me. How did you figure it out? How did you know that Stef's kidnapping was a setup?”

  Benny smirked and called out, his gun still leveled at them. “Silvio, you can bring him over n
ow.”

  Silvio stepped out from behind a nearby crypt, holding his Desert Eagle. Tommy walked behind him, adjusting his glasses.

  “We found the other two bikers,” Silvio rasped. “They're tied up a couple of rows away.”

  “Tommy,” Bax sighed. “Of course.”

  “Hiya, Bax,” Tommy said with a smile. “After you demonstrated what an unreliable fuck you are, I figured this whole plan was pretty much doomed. So I went to Benny and came clean. Told him the whole thing, and in exchange, he's gonna make sure I get to stay a made guy, even after the mistakes I made. But I guess you made a few of your own, huh, pal? Like thinking I wouldn't dime you out.”