Beyond Her Words (Corrupt Chaos MC)

by Bink Cummings

  I don’t turn around to greet him. Instead, I keep walking, which doesn’t matter because he slides up beside me and throws his arm over my shoulder. My annoyance elevates and I shrug him off. So much for my cheery shopping experience.

  Thankfully, he lets me go, although he continues to walk beside me, sounding way too friendly for his own good. “Hey, Magdalene. How are you?”

  I continue to stride, keeping my eyes forward, my body stiff, lips tight. “I’m fine, Thor.”

  “That’s good. Hey. . .” He steps in front of my moving cart so I’m forced to stop or I’ll plow him over. Not that I’d mind.

  I cock a brow at him. “What can I help you with, Thor? As you can see, I am getting groceries before I have to head home to cook supper for Bridget and myself.” I sweep my hand to the cart, speaking demurely, which is totally out of character for me. However, I refuse to use my friendly tone with him. He’s a womanizing jerk, and must think that I didn’t notice him at the party, which I surely did. I saw him with those women. And that just cemented my already poor opinion of him. He’s good looking in his tight jeans, man bun, and Spiderman t-shirt, I’ll give him that. And from an outsider’s perspective, he appears to be a nice, courteous gentleman. Nope. That’s what he wants you to believe. When deep down, my gut says that he’s nothing but, as my grams always use to say—a no good, dirty rotten scoundrel. Or as Lachlan would say—a bloody arsehole. Take your pick.

  Stuck in the middle of the aisle, Thor’s beefy hands cuff over the end of my cart, making it impossible to move. “I know you have to get home to Pip, but I was hoping that if you had time this week, we could maybe grab some lunch or dinner?”

  Jesus, he’s really grasping at straws, ain’t he? Did he truly miss my orgasm in Lachlan’s arms at the party after I’d handled that chick pawing at him? I doubt it. Whisky has texted me twice about it, and Cas gave me a high-five this morning when I came to work. Even sweet ol’ Rosie gave me a hug today, congratulating me for landing Smoke. Since everyone in the club lives in this town, and there were outsiders in attendance at the party, I’m willing to bet that everyone in a thirty-mile radius is well aware of my orgasm and minor showdown. And I couldn’t care less. Actually, I hope everyone knows. Then maybe chicks will stay away from Lachlan, or I might go buck wild on them, too. Okay, maybe not buck wild. That was kind of a one-time thing. But I wouldn’t be happy, and my reaction wouldn’t be pretty, let’s just leave it at that.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I respond politely, keeping my face blank.

  “Why not? You go to lunch with Bonez all the time,” he argues like a three-year-old whose mom told him he couldn’t have any cookies.

  Keep calm, Mags. Keep calm.

  I take a deep breath and release it slowly, forcing my tense shoulders to deflate.

  “Bonez is my therapist and my friend. I like going to lunch with him.” I speak to him like he’s that three-year-old I mentioned.

  He scowls and rears his head back. I wait to see if I care; and strangely, I don’t.

  “You tryin’ to tell me I’m not your friend now? Is that what you’re saying?” His cool demeanor is slipping. This isn’t good.

  “I’m saying that Bonez is my doctor, then we became friends. I am with Lach—Smoke now, and I don’t think it’d be right to see you outside of club functions, or at, say, the grocery store.”

  Why won’t he just take the hint before we make a scene? I don’t want to do this. Apparently, I’m the only female who’s in this thirty-mile radius who he’s attracted to, who’s said no to him. I don’t think he takes rejection well. It’s apparent by the look of disdain he fires my way as he jerks my cart out of my hands and quickly rolls it behind him.

  What the. . .

  Shocked and disgusted, I try to take it back, but he grabs my bicep, hard, and maneuvers me so I’m flush against him. His other hand secures at my waist, and I immediately feel the erection poking me through his jeans.

  “You need to let me go,” I assert.

  “No. You need to agree to dinner with me, tomorrow night, when Smoke’s off work.”

  “I can’t do that.” I try to wrestle out of his hold. It does no good. His fingers only dig in tighter, bruising me.

  An older woman pushing a cart strolls by, head down, pretending we don’t even exist.

  Great. It’s nice to know she turns a blind eye to abuse.

  “Then what can you do?” His tone is placating, giving me a sense of whiplash. And here I thought only Lachlan was capable of such things. At least he’s never put his hands on me in this manner. If he had, I wouldn’t be living with him. And I sure as hell wouldn’t be in. . .you know. . .that love stuff. . .with him.

  Tilting my head back, I leer, making eye contact. “What I can do for you, Thor, is allow you the dignity to walk away without me making a huge fucking scene. I do not like your hands on me. If you think this asserts your dominance as a man, you’re wrong. It’s a turn-off—”

  “It is not,” he opposes, still not releasing me. Although his grip slackens some.

  “It sooooo is.” I roll my eyes for effect. “And if you think I’d give you the time of the day after the night I had, you’re out of your ever lovin’ mind.” I don’t even care that I’ve cursed. I’m so damn mad right now I could spit in his face. But I won’t. I’m still too nice for that. Go figure.

  “What’d ya do?”

  Ha, I prompted that one like a pro. Whisky would be proud.

  “I had orgasms. Lots and lots of glorious orgasms given to me by a beautiful man, with a. . .Big. Fat. Dick. And you know this man well. Because if you don’t release me this instant, you will become best friends with the bottom of his boots, when he kicks the ever lovin’ shit outta you and then lets Bonez finish the job,” I stress, whispering harshly under my breath, trying not to make a scene.

  Granted, I’m kind of lying, because I’m already going to tell Lachlan, and I know for sure he’ll kick Thor’s hiney for doing this. Afterward, I’m sure Cas, Whisky, and Bonez will want a round, too. Obviously, he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed if he thought I’d say yes. And he’s even dumber if he thinks he can act this way without repercussions. Life doesn’t work that way. Bloody arsehole.

  Thor takes a moment to contemplate my words, and then he finally releases me with a string of not so nice curses.

  “You know,” he shakes his head, peering at the ground, scoffing, “it’s funny how you won’t go to dinner with me, yet your so called man is allowed to have an early dinner with Carrie, the chick from the party. Seems fucked up if you ask me.” He scratches the back of his neck and gives me a two-finger parting wave before sauntering away.

  Lachlan did what?!

  I don’t even contemplate what I do next as my fingers yank my phone out of my purse and text Lachlan. I’m not sure if I should believe Thor or not, so I go with something not as hurt as I feel right now.

  Two things. One: Thor and I had an altercation at the supermarket. When you get time, I’ll tell you about it. Two: funny thing is, he mentioned you having an early dinner with the chick from the party. Is this true?

  I hit send and throw my phone back in my bag, too nervous about what his response might be. The last time I heard from him was at lunch. And I just got off from work before I drove to the store. I don’t know what to think. Thor’s one to stir the pot, I know that. But at the same time, I don’t think he’d openly lie.

  Sweeping those painful thoughts under the rug, I finish my rounds at the market. When I check out, I make small talk with the friendly cashier. The bag boy helps me to the car and loads my groceries into the trunk. I spot him a five, and he thanks me before rolling his cart back inside.

  Once I fold myself into Viola, I’m finally able to breathe. And I do. I take a few long, cleansing breaths to wash away all of the crap that happened inside the market.

  Then I chastise myself aloud. “Why am I so emotional? It’s not like you know what happened.”

/>   It’s true. I don’t.

  Turning over the engine, I head home and don’t even bother to check my phone, which probably has messages from Lachlan. I’m too much of a coward to read them, and need to wait to do it until after dinner. Then, if I need to break down and cry, I can. But not beforehand.

  Right now, I need to put groceries away, fix Bridget dinner, and feed Pirate, in that order.

  I just hope I can stop freaking out long enough to accomplish what I need before the truth is unfolded. Or maybe I should pull up my big girl panties and let him tell me what really went down. No, I think I’m all tapped out of my big girl panties for the night. After I had to muster up enough courage to confront Thor, I’m awarding myself this pass. I think I need it.

  Two things. One: Thor and I had an altercation at the supermarket. When you get time, I’ll tell you about it. Two: funny thing is he mentioned you having an early dinner with the chick from the party. Is this true?

  Mags just texted me that fifteen minutes ago. I tried callin’ and textin’ her back, but she’s not answerin’ her damn phone. Pip ain’t home yet, either, so she cannae relay my message.

  Tae answer the question, hell fuckin’ na I didnae go tae dinner with Carrie. I bumped into her at the diner. And I was only there because I decided if Mags is gonna be havin’ lunch with Bonez, then I’m gonna be the one treatin’ her tae it. At least I’ll be there in spirit. So I handed Maurice, the owner, a hundred and told him tae give me a call when the money ran low. Maurice is a romantic lad at heart, and his old eyes lit up when I’d told him what he was gonna do for me. Easy as pie.

  On the way out, Carrie stopped me at the door and we talked for a second. Or, she talked for a second and I listened, tryin’ tae be polite. Then I left and hit all of the other restaurants in town with a few bills, so when Mags goes in tae grab a bite tae eat on her lunch hour, it’s covered. It’s my duty tae take care of my lassie, even if she’s eatin’ lunch with one of my brothers. One of the few I can stand tae be around for more than ten minutes. One that I highly respect, even if I dinnae like him fancyin’ my lass for any reason. It pisses me off, actually. But I’m gonna shut those feelings down before they come between Mags and me. And I’ll tell ye now, there ain’t nothin’ comin’ between us. She’s it for me. The best damn thing, outside of Pip that’s ever walked into my life, and I sure as fuck ain’t ever lettin’ it go.

  Right now, I’m headed tae confront the bastard that I cannae stand tae even look at. The fucker tried messin’ with what’s mine one too many times. Now I’m gonna take care of it, and teach the arsehole a lesson once and for all. Then I’m gonna throw a motion tae Sniper, askin’ if we can vote this motherfucker outta the club. Ye dinnae mess with another lad’s lassie, and the bastard went beyond that. I’m done playin’ nice.

  Rollin’ my Harley tae a stop in front of Thor’s gym, I see him through the window talkin’ tae some blonde bodybuilder named Tiffany. Nice girl. Too naïve, though.

  I know he sees me when I kick off my bike and remove my dagger from my side, puttin’ it in my saddle bag. This way I dinnae use it and end up in jail for guttin’ him.

  Steppin’ onto the sidewalk in front of my bike, his sharp eyes cut tae me before he says bye tae Tiffany and meets me outside.

  “We got a problem,” I bite off with a low growl, my hands fisted at my sides, my body wound, ready tae unleash all of my rage on this bastard.

  “We have no problem, Smoke.” Thor crosses his arms over his chest and lackadaisically leans against the brick wall next to the gym’s glass door.

  “Aye, we do. Ye talk tae my lass lately?” I crack my neck side tae side, gettin’ ready.

  “Yeah.” He shrugs, liftin’ his chin in arrogance. “So what if I did?”

  Such a bloody punk. Ye’d think he would’ve grown up by now.

  “Ye tell her. . .” Ah, fuck it, who gives a shit if he told her what he told her or not. I know he did. I’m tired of dealin’ with him, and I’m sure as hell tired of him messin’ with Mags.

  Takin’ a step forward I close the distance between us. “Ye know what? I dinnae care what ye told Mags. I dinnae care aboot any of it. I’ve been tired of yer arse for a while now. It’s time ye learned some respect, boy.”

  Lungin’ forward, I wrap my hands around Thor’s neck and quickly take him down in a headlock. His knees crash tae the sidewalk as he struggles, clawin’ at my hands. It’s a futile effort when I’m twice this bastard’s size.

  Gatherin’ his composure, his fist clips my side, and I grind my teeth, inhalin’ sharply, tae move past the pain.

  Then, shit gets real and I lose my temper, as all of my past comes crashin’ tae the forefront. First, my fist collides with his kidney, then another tae his gut. He dinnae know what hits him as someone else, someone fueled by merciless rage, inhabits my body. I see nothin’ but red.

  Fist after fist, I pound into his unforgivin’ flesh, roarin’ my shameless hatred. He doubles over on the concrete, tryin’ tae fend me off. Kickin’ his legs. Screamin’ like a wee bitch for me tae stop. He lands a couple hits, but I cannae feel them. I cannae stop. He’s fucked with my lassie; he’s threatened tae touch her. I’m so lost that I dinnae notice the blood that bathes my knuckles as I smash into him with all of my strength, over and over and over, until I’m sweatin’ and pantin’ for air. My arms burn, my legs burn, everythin’ burns as ecstasy-laden adrenaline courses through my throbbin’ veins, drivin’ my instincts tae protect what’s mine. Tae take care of what’s mine. And tae take out anythin’ that might get in the way of that.

  Mags is mine!

  People gather in a circle.

  Thor grows weaker, and his body fizzles out, shuttin’ down from my powerful onslaught of wrath. Suddenly, strong arms are yankin’ me backward, and someone’s yellin’ for me tae stop. People are runnin’ tae help Thor.

  The roar of sirens break through the sound of blood rushin’ through my ears, and I glance down tae see my clothes are red, and my knuckles are busted open, stained with blood.

  “You’re done with him. It’s done,” Sniper says, rubbin’ my shoulders tae calm me down.

  I shrug him off with a grunt. I dinnae feel done with him. I feel like I need tae inflict more pain so he’ll get the bloody lesson I’m tryin’ tae teach. One I feel zero remorse over, whatsoever. He’s an arsehole, and I’ve dealt with him as such.

  “He’s out of the club, Sniper! He fucked with Mags!” I growl, not givin’ him a choice.

  “If he still lives, then we’ll take it to a vote,” he replies calmly, releasin’ a heavy sigh.

  “I cannae be there, or I’ll kill him.” I stare off into space, as the redness recedes from the edges of my eyes and my breathin’ levels out. I unclench my jaw.

  Cops and paramedics arrive in hordes, fillin’ the street with flashin’ lights. Blockin’ the downtown traffic.

  A paramedic sees tae my minor wounds as another ambulance carts an unconscious Thor tae the hospital. Then Joey, a cop I’ve known for ages, takes my statement. He says that I’m free tae go, but tae stay close just in case they’ve gotta bring me in. Ha, I’d love tae see them try. They do that, and I’ll beat Thor again, just for spite. Shoulda done it a long fuckin’ time ago.

  My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it free.

  House fire 756 Maple Lane, all hands on deck.

  Fuck! It’s time tae go fight some fires.

  With a sharp nod, I say goodbye tae Sniper and Whisky, who’s now standin’ with her husband, arm locked around his waist, her eyes of concern pinned on me. Kickin’ over and straddlin’ my bike I prepare myself for a long night of work, sans Mags. I just hope she texts me back soon. I fuckin’ miss her.

  “Yes!” I scream in ecstasy, my nails clawing at Lachlan’s shoulders as his mouth devours my nipple, sucking in hard pulls. Closer and closer, he lures me to the point of no return.

  AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ blares to life, disturbing my imminent orgasm, fading it i
nto the distance.

  What the heck?

  Closing my eyes, I ignore the noise and focus on his hot, wet mouth that leaves me to sizzle as he swaps to my other nipple, giving it the same love.

  For a second time, AC/DC wails to life and I sigh, irritated. Where in the frick is that coming from?

  Glancing around the room, I seek the distraction. It’s killing the moment. Yet, he doesn’t seem to notice as his mouth continues his ministrations, trying to pull me under once more.

  “Lachlan, we need to shut that racket off.” I run my hand over his head to steal his attention from my breast. When he looks up, his eyes meeting mine, the teal has vanished. Replacing the coolness is the terrifying flames of hell as they lick the edge of his irises.

  What the. . .

  My eyes burst open and my heart leaps into my throat. I scratch it, trying to breathe, then I force myself to calm enough and inhale a lungful of air to ease the struggle.

  Shoot. That was a freaky dream.

  AC/DC screams at me again from my phone on the nightstand, and I roll over to grab it.

  Jesus, it’s still dark outside. Who in the heck could be calling me at this hour?

  Without looking at the screen, I accept the call, placing it to my ear.

  “Y—yes.” My tone is groggy.

  “Maggie? You up?”

  It’s Bonez.

  Rubbing the sleep from my eyes with the corner of my fist, I stretch my legs under my blanket, groaning tiredly. “Uh, I am now. What’s up?”

  “I need you to get dressed, and wake Pip up, too. . .” He cuts out as he’s interrupted by someone else. “Hold on─ Whisky, give me a fuckin’ minute, woman. Calm down.”

  Why is he with. . .?

  “Sorry about that,” he returns quickly. “I need ya to get up, get dressed, and drive you and Pip to the hospital.”

  What?!

  “What?!” I shout, knifing up in bed, my heart racing. “What’s wrong?”

  “There was a fire, and Lachlan’s been injured. Stay calm and just get here as soon as you can,” he explains, his tone soft.