by Ann Jensen
Sharp, Hannibal, and Ink approached, their boots scuffing against the dirt. He was glad to see them as they gave him chin lifts. Max recognized the scenic rest stop they were parked in. It was a good choice, far enough off the road to hide them from passing cars but open enough that motorcycles would have an advantage if she had tried to break away. The sounds of sirens were muffled somewhere out in the darkness, so the warehouse wasn’t too far away.
He was embarrassed to admit he had lost all track of time because of the pain of sitting during the bumpy ride. Akula closed the doors, and all light from the vehicle was cut off. The night was bright with an almost full moon, so once their eyes adjusted, it was easy to see everyone.
Max turned to Akula, tired of the waiting game. “So what’s your grand plan?”
She looked over at Hawk, and Max would have sworn she looked sad. “The relationship between the Bratva and the Dark Sons has always been tenuous at best. Here in Denver, more than anywhere else, it would take very little to destroy the truce.”
Hawk nodded. “I know Andrey hates me. He hasn’t been subtle.”
“Yes, well he wanted more than anything to use this as a spark to set off a war.”
Cat perked up. “Wanted?”
“Yes. He was encouraging Viktor to go after you, even after he knew Max had claimed you. He was not happy when I told him that Viktor had kidnapped Max in order to draw you out, Avery.”
Sharp crossed his arms. “And he believed you?”
“Yes, Viktor has never been the brightest bulb in the pack. My orders were to find them both and try to clean up the mess before the Dark Sons found out.”
Max couldn’t believe Andrey would think that would work. “What were you supposed to do?”
“Kill you and make sure the body was never found so there would be no proof that Viktor had acted first.”
“So what was the point of all the drama back at the warehouse?” Max was still angry about what she had done. The terror he had felt in those minutes when he thought Avery was dead would stay with him for all of his days.
“Viktor had to die to sell the lie. But without proof other than my word and yours his death would have been enough for Andrey to convince the rest of the family to go to war with the Dark Sons. The only way to avoid that was to give them a life for life."
“Fine, but why have her kill him and then pretend to kill both of us?” Max had been part of plenty of twisted situations in his life but this woman’s twisted plotting had his head spinning.
“I killed her and shot you, so here we have a choice. I can either say that I killed her, but managed to save you. And to the family the slate will be even. Or I can say I had to kill both of you. And Hawk can conveniently get one of his hackers to pull the video feed putting Andrey squarely in his debt.”
“You want me to use video proof that you killed my people to blackmail Andrey? Won’t that put you in a bad position?” Hawk sounded appalled at the idea of Akula being used as a bargaining chip.
Her smile was gentle as she responded. “My face never made it on to any camera. All you will have is proof that your man was kidnapped and then killed when his woman tried to free him. Either way, she needs to disappear for at most a year. But your Brother can stay in Denver if he wants to.”
Max felt Avery’s sharp intake of breath. It was tempting to make the choice himself. But that’s where he had gone wrong before. There was no way he wasn’t going to go with her wherever she went. But maybe if he made her part of the decision this time, things would turn out differently.
Cat spoke up. “Why would I only have to disappear for a year?” Max startled and realized he had missed an important part of what Akula had said.
“You would still have to hide from law enforcement, but things are happening within my family. Andrey won’t be an issue for much longer.”
“What’s going on?” Hawk’s question was a barked demand that had Akula glaring at him.
“Family business and none of yours,” she hissed back at him.
It was easy to tell this was going to escalate if it continued. While It was fascinating to watch, Max wanted time to work things out with Cat. He looked around at everyone. “Can you guys give us a minute?”
Max smirked as Hawk pulled Akula off in one direction and motioned for his Brothers to go in the other. It was clear that the two of them had a lot more to discuss than just this decision. Once he and Avery were alone, he turned to her.
Even in the dim light, she was so beautiful. Everything she had done today for him made her that much more fascinating. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with this woman. But he knew if it wasn’t her choice, she would never really be his. He needed her to be completely on board with whatever they did.
She tilted her chin up at him in a defiant gesture that made him want to smile. “Do you want to stay? I can understand, if you do. I wouldn’t be in danger anymore and I’m sure your brothers would help me start a new life somewhere else.” Her words had come out in a rush that was filled with nervous energy.
Max bit back the urge to growl at her. “Is that what you want?”
He could hear her swallow before she spoke. “No, it’s not.” She looked up at him and the moon reflected in her eyes. “While you were busy getting kidnapped, I was at a crappy diner, getting my head on straight. I want you, Max. I want to spend every day of the rest of my life with you. But it’s you who has a choice, not me.”
Ignoring the pain in his ribs. He gripped her face in his hands and kissed her. He poured all his love and desire, every bit of the happiness he felt in hearing those words into the kiss. He loved her. He bit back a groan as she melted into him and pressed against his chest. Not caring how much it hurt, he deepened the kiss, needing to show her how much she meant to him.
He pulled back and pressed his forehead against hers. “I love you. I love your strength. I love when you’re a brat. I don’t want to spend a single day of my life not getting to experience all the wild and crazy things that are you.”
Her smile was everything he could hope for. It was something he prayed he would see every day for the rest of his life.
“Let’s go tell them what we decided.”
Epilogue
I promise to always be by your side… or under you… or on top.
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The last few weeks at the cabin while Max recovered had been like a dream. Cat was almost sad they would be leaving their little mountain hideaway. The location was secluded, but it was still too big of a risk that they might be found. She stood on the porch, taking in the beauty of the forest for a final time.
The creaking of the front door broke into her mental wandering, and she smiled back over her shoulder at Max. All his bruises had healed, and he was back in fighting form. He had proved that to her very thoroughly yesterday when he had hunted her through the woods. Now, the only wounds on his body were her nail marks on his back.
Max wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his body in a warm embrace. She leaned her head back on his shoulder and wondered how she had gotten so lucky to find a man who fulfilled her every fantasy.
“Almost ready to go?” He nuzzled her cheek and nipped playfully at her ear.
She laughed. “Not if you keep doing that.”
He spun her around and took her mouth in a kiss that sent her heart racing. She groaned as he pulled back, and she tried to pull herself together. He always blamed their insatiable need for one another on her, but she thought it was his fault. Who could resist someone who treated them like both a precious gift and a valued partner?
“Did you say all of your goodbyes?”
She laughed. “Yes. I still can’t believe they snuck up here.”
They had been woken this morning when Cami and Val had burst into the cabin like a pair of tornados carrying a baby. It had warmed her heart that the two women had apparently staged a breakout from the compound to come up and say goodbye and let her meet Val’s baby.
&nb
sp; “Dozer is going to give her hell when she gets back to the compound.”
“He should have known better than to try to keep her confined after the doctor gave her the all-clear.” Cat raised her eyebrow, daring him to disagree.
Max shook his head. “Not my place to judge. That is between them.”
“Brinley is a beautiful baby. She’s going to be breaking hearts in no time.”
“You mean Dozer’s going to be breaking heads.”
Cat rested her head on Max’s chest. “I still can’t believe what Cami did for me.”
“I can. That woman is a miracle worker with a computer.”
“Yes, but to hack birth records and social services to create a twin for me?” The level of trouble the woman had gone to was amazing.
Inside, Cat had every piece of documentation she would need to create a real life without fear of ever getting caught. Catherine Perez, twin of Avery Perez, was just as real as any person could be. Cami had not only created a digital trail, including social media, and faked pictures of the ‘twins’ but she had doctored a will and gotten all of Avery’s assets and death benefits transferred over to accounts in Catherine’s name. The story was they had been separated in foster care but had reconnected later in life. If someone ever recognized her, she had the perfect cover story.
“She likes you. All the Old Ladies do.”
“I like them too. I’m going to miss them. Speaking of that, are you going to tell me where we are going?”
Max ran a hand down her cheek. “I was thinking we would head down to Texas for a bit. We don’t have to settle right away.”
“If Akula was right, would you want to come back here?”
Her whole body shivered as he ran his hands down her back and cupped her ass. “I don’t know. I kind of like the idea of traveling with my woman for a while.”
“Your woman, huh?” She bit his chest. Two could play the teasing game.
“Are you packed, Wildcat?” His voice held the sexy growl that she loved so much.
“Yup.” She slid her hand around to cup his cock which was pushing against her stomach.
His growl had things tightening low in her body. She gasped as he spun her roughly around and held her back firmly against his chest. He moved them so she was facing directly at the stairs of the porch, the path into the woods clearly visible.
“If we’re going to make the hotel I planned on staying at tonight…” He spoke softly into her ear.
“Yes?”
“We have two hours before we need to leave.” His hand brushed over her tight nipples sending jolts of pleasure through her.
“What do you think we should do with that time?”
“I know what you should do.”
Cat bit her lip. “What’s that?”
“Run!”
Ann Jensen
I’m a snarky Jersey Woman who dreamed of one day becoming an Author. I write Romance with bigger than life characters who have to dodge every obstacle I gleefully throw in their paths. Somehow my characters also find time for steamy fun on their way to their HEAs.
I’m an avid reader, engineer, photographer, and a proud Bi woman. My life is a journey that I hope never stops in one place too long. I fill it with love and laughter whenever possible and when I can’t, I pull out my clue by four and use it with deadly precision.
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https://annjensenwrites.com/
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Dark Sons Motorcycle Club
Saved by the Dark
Lost in the Dark
Caught in the Dark
Undercover In the Dark
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