“I get it. You either wanted the real thing or nothing.” My parents had the real thing, right down to both agreeing to cut me out of their lives.
“I guess so, but if I walk away for pride and fairy tales, then maybe this isn’t my passion. Shouldn’t I be willing to sacrifice everything for what I’m passionate about?” She stared up at the ceiling for a long time.
I didn’t interrupt her. She had a lot to sift through.
“I never accepted, until tonight, this choice was real. My dad loves me in his own misguided way, so I was sure he’d back down because he loved me.” She turned her head to me and her expression stole my breath.
Her normally sunny expression was weighed down with sorrow. “Tonight, I finally understood no matter what happened with the business, I’ve lost my father because he’s pushed me too far, taken this too far. He might think he can come back from here, but he can’t.” She hit her fist against her chest. “He tore something deep in here tonight and nothing he says will ever fix that. You don’t do that to people you love.”
Her words drove me from the bed. Pissed off in a way I had no right to be, I prowled the room wanting to plant my fist in the white wall again and again until the fury faded.
“What’s got you so worked up?” she teased.
Her story wasn’t my own. This situation wasn’t mine, yet I craved to set shit right for her. She couldn’t have her family back any more than I could, but I had my brothers. She deserved to have something at the end of this fight, or what was the goddam point. She wanted the company, and I wanted to give it to her.
“Listen to me, okay.” I sat on the edge of the bed, her face cupped in my hands.
She tried to nod even though I held her face.
“All the way to the end.” I stood and paced again, unable to believe I was going to say this.
“You should marry me, now before the first deadline passes.”
She opened her mouth to speak but I held up a finger.
“You promised to wait.”
She clamped her mouth shut.
“I don’t want your company, we can have a lawyer draw up whatever papers you want. In Oklahoma, we can get married without waiting. We just need to purchase the license and reserve time with a judge.”
“You’re crazy,” she interrupted.
I put my finger to my lips to quiet her again. “This is a get-your-business-only kind of marriage. And when the requirements are met, we get divorced. Shove his terms down his fucking throat and get what’s yours.” I growled the last part when my anger got the best of me.
“Now you can speak,” I said when she was quiet for a long time.
“You’re serious?” She reached for her shirt.
“What are you doing?” I had no idea why she was dressing.
“Putting on clothes. I can’t have a serious conversation while you’re naked.” Her face turned pink.
I found my jeans. “Why not?”
“It distracts me.” She pulled on her underwear and pants before grabbing her phone.
I had to smile, we were discussing her future and she was distracted by me. I was so focused I hadn’t even thought about her delicious tits on display, well not much, anyway.
“Yes, I’m serious.”
“Aren’t there repercussions in the club for marrying me?” She bit her lip, making me want to bite it too.
“In my club, we have a ceremony to make a woman belong to us.” I picked my words carefully. “It’s the one that matters.” I pushed a hand through my hair. “Marriage means next to nothing in the club—in fact only a handful of my seventy-some brothers are married but maybe a third of them have an old lady, maybe even more.”
“An old lady?” She wrinkled her nose.
“It’s just words.” It wasn’t, but we were doing this to secure her company, not because of something real. The idea of Elle wearing my property patch made my pulse spike. I wasn’t sure if that was because of fear or excitement, either way, I wasn’t looking for an old lady, ever.
She scrolled through her phone before glancing up. “The worst condition—we have to live together from the time we’re married until at least September 1. He requires we live together sixty days after he signs over the company, and he doesn’t have to do that until June 30.”
The idea of Elle in my bed for the next four months didn’t send me running—it should have, but it didn’t.
“I can live with that. Some of the time here; some time in Ardmore works for me.”
“I wouldn’t work for him.” She shuddered. “I have some savings, but I’d need to work.”
“Work for Brotherhood Bonds. You probably already have an Oklahoma license.” We needed her experience even if it was only for a few months.
Excitement shone in her eyes then she scowled at me. “Not as your secretary, right? Even if you need one.”
I laughed. “No way, but how did you know I needed one?”
“I called your business number and no one answered.”
Cursing, I planned to rip JoJo a new asshole when I returned. He was in charge of the office which included forwarding the line when he was out.
“So this sounds like a go?” I needed her commitment before she overthought the deal.
“You’re good with the terms?”
“I need to add two.” I was crazy for doing this.
“First, I go with you when you deliver the marriage license to your father.”
She clapped her hands together. “Yes. I was afraid to ask you to go with me. Let’s say you’re the last guy he’d expect me to marry.” Her smile dropped away and her head bent. “You have to know something, even if you don’t want to know.”
Shit, no love words. Please no love words. I don’t know what would happen if she said she loved me.
“I wouldn’t trust anyone else to have my back, but not be after more. I considered this idea, but couldn’t think of anyone who wouldn’t try to take my company or take me. But, I trust you.”
Her words rocked my foundation. My brothers trusted me, but no one else had ever put total faith in me, not like she was. “Well, I still plan to do wicked things to your body, but that’s a totally separate deal between us.”
“Agreed, now what was the second thing?”
“We do this, it’s only me and you together while we’re doing this.” My skin crawled. Uncomfortable didn’t begin to describe the sensations roiling through me. I’d never proposed any kind of exclusivity to another person. However, I knew I didn’t want her in another man’s bed and I wasn’t stupid enough to believe she’d agree to a one-way exclusivity. Maybe after four months of her, I’d be ready to walk away.
She opened and closed her mouth. “You sure?” She squeaked the words out when she finally spoke. “I can live with it the way it was before.”
“You been screwing other guys?” Anger sparked inside me.
She rolled her eyes at me. “No, but I assumed you’d been, you know...”
“Fucking other women?”
Anger flashed across her face then was gone. “We never said otherwise.”
I was an asshole of epic proportions. I knelt in front of her. “Just you since we started this, and that’s the way it’s going to stay, yeah?”
“Yeah.” A sexy smile graced her face, making her look like her old self for the first time tonight.
Then she shot up almost knocking me on my ass. “Oh sorry, but I gotta go. I have stuff to do if we’re getting married the day after tomorrow.”
“What’s wrong with tomorrow?” Confusion had me glancing her way again, but she only searched for her shoes. “Under the bed.”
She grinned at me before digging them out. “I want it on April 17, the day of the deal.”
My girl was ferocious
and I liked it. “Got it. Be ready to head north with me tomorrow night.”
“I can meet you there.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed my lips with a quick peck.
I held her in place for a thorough kissing. If she hadn’t made me get dressed, I’d have had her again and again tonight. “You’ll be going up with me. Got it.” I swiped her nose.
“Fine. But only because I like your bike.” She stepped away and hurried out the door.
I stood in my empty room laughing. I was marrying the first girl I’d let on the back of my bike. Thinking about bikes brought me to the club. The marriage had nothing to do with the club, but I still picked up the phone to call my Prez.
“What?” Jericho growled into the phone.
“You got a minute.”
“I answered didn’t I?”
“Fine, just letting you know I’m getting married in Ardmore the day after tomorrow.” I hung up.
Fucking ass anyway. See how he liked the sarcasm.
My phone rang a second later.
“Explain.”
I told him about Elle, her father, and the deal.
“She going to be your old lady?”
“No.” She couldn’t be my old lady even if I wanted one.
“You’re protecting her like she will be.”
“Can’t ever happen.” Shit, why those words. Now Jericho would be all up in my business.
“Why? She too good for us?” Anger tinged his words.
“I don’t want a fucking old lady, and what’s the point of doing all this shit to get her the company with no strings, to put even bigger strings on her shit.”
“That made no sense.” Jericho spoke to someone on the other end and then shut a door. “Explain in a way I understand.”
“You get I don’t want her as an old lady.”
“I’ll agree to that for now, but if you did, what would stop you?”
“She’d be my property, meaning we’d own her business. Remember that shit?” I wasn’t pissed, and honestly it was one of the reasons I liked being with Elle. She’d never be a forever kind of girl because nothing was more important than Jackson Bonds. It gave me comfort knowing it was impossible.
“Good point, that’s a big chunk and we couldn’t just exclude it, but you know we’d only take a small percent.” Jericho was being lenient.
“One percent would be too much and that’s part of what I like, she’s not permanent. Get me yet?”
Jericho chuckled. “I get you, but you don’t get it, not yet.” He hung up. The bastard always liked having the last word.
Chapter Fifteen
Elle
Today I was getting married for all the wrong reasons, but I couldn’t squish this giddiness bubbling in me. The little spark of emotion had blossomed into this fragile love that I’d live to regret. This wasn’t a real marriage, and Rebel didn’t love me back. Even repeating the cold hard facts didn’t dim my happiness.
Hopeless romantic, that’s me.
Right now, I needed to change clothes again. Rebel’s cat, his purr on high, slipped between my legs, wrapping a tail around me. While Rebel had warned me Harley was mean, the cat and I got along fine, maybe he was a ladies’ man like his owner. I stroked Harley’s sleek fur before digging through my bag for a new shirt.
Rebel walked into the room. “Damn, baby, you look hot.”
I glanced up from my bag into appreciative cinnamon eyes. I wore the Jericho Brotherhood half shirt I’d made with a denim skirt with cowboy boots. Every Texas girl wore cowboy boots with skirts, it was practically a state law.
“I was about to change.” I tugged on my skirt.
“Don’t you dare.” He stalked to me. “I love what you’re wearing.”
He clasped my hand. “Let’s go.”
“Wait.” I grabbed my purse, slipping the ring in my pocket. I’d bought his ring yesterday afternoon on impulse even though I wasn’t sure if I’d even take it out, but it didn’t feel right not having one.
The drive to the courthouse took less than five minutes, small towns had some advantages. We parked in front of the building that looked like every courthouse in small-town America. It even had a bell tower.
I tried to settle the bubbly feeling inside me by reminding myself for the thousandth time this wasn’t a real wedding. The happiness remained. Yup, somewhere down the path, I was in for some long nights of ice cream and sappy love stories because he’d break my heart. On the plus side, at least I loved the man I’d marry. And if I felt this way now, it could only get worse. I feared living with Rebel for the next four months would turn my love into this wild, uncontrollable garden that took over my life. How lonely my life would be when he’s gone.
Stop borrowing trouble, Jackson. I wiped all the sappy thoughts from my mind and focused on the plan. Get married. Get my company. Get on with my life. I had no room for love, let alone loving a wild biker who didn’t do love.
He held my hand and we walked inside the brick building and up a flight of steps to the second story. Courtroom was written on a brass plaque over the two wood doors. Rebel pushed the door open and we walked inside. One person sat in the bench seats, dammit, it was Jess. What was she doing here? I’d expressly forbid her to come since it wasn’t a real wedding. Our fake wedding didn’t need guests.
“Jess,” I hissed.
She turned to me, a huge smile on her face.
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
Rebel laughed and let go of my hand.
She teetered to us on impossible high heels. “Hey, introduce me to handsome biker guy.”
“Handsome biker guy.” I pointed to Jess. “This is my crazy-ass best friend who isn’t supposed to be here.”
“You’re hot and chivalrous. I like you.” She held out a hand.
“Jess, this is Rebel.”
“Nice to meet you.” Rebel shook her hand. “I’m glad my girl has good friends.”
Jess let her gaze travel up and down him before she turned to me. “He’ll do.”
Rebel threw back his head when he laughed. I loved the rumble of his laugh, it lit me like a winning slot machine. I glanced at my watch, ten minutes until wedding time. When would the judge come in?
The back door swung open and five huge, tatted guys walked into the courtroom. The room shrunk, and suddenly, it was crowded in the courtroom.
Whoa, every one of them was hot, not as hot as Rebel, but still, damn hot.
“Oh my.” Jess whimpered. “Please let them not all be taken,” she whispered.
Rebel chuckled and I smacked her arm, even if I understood the sentiment.
“Dude, say it ain’t so.” The youngest one had a grief-stricken look on his face. “You’re all falling so fast.”
Shit. Did they think this was real? I tugged on Rebel’s hand until he leaned down. “They know this isn’t like a love thing?” I whispered.
He nodded before turning to the biker horde. “Zero, meet Elle and her very available friend Jessica.”
Zero took one look at Jess and smiled at her like a boy on Christmas morning. “Hey, beautiful, I might need some consoling. My brothers keep dropping like flies.”
I didn’t hear what Jess said because they already were walking away heads bent toward each other.
Rebel drew me close. “Elle, meet my family. This is Viper, Jericho, Thorn and JoJo, who is supposed to be covering the office.” He growled at the last one.
“Don’t blame him, I made him tell me.” Jericho’s voice echoed in the quiet room. “Once he knew we were coming—”
“Man, you know I got your back, especially in a courtroom.” JoJo winked at me and sauntered off to sit down.
“Hello, everyone.” I gulped. “Nice of you to come.”
Jericho focused on me for the first time and his grin widened in a scary way. Not many people were scarier when they smiled, but this guy was. “Like that shirt.”
Shit. Yeah, here I was wearing their name on me like this was a real thing.
“And she blushes, how cute,” the black-haired one said. “I’m Viper,” he reminded me.
“You guys have interesting names.” I heard noise from the front of the courtroom. I glanced over my shoulder to see a woman judge sit down, peering over reading glasses at all of us. A bailiff and court reporter stepped into the room as well.
“I read my docket right? This is a civil ceremony, not a bail hearing?” She looked back down at her notes.
Did these guys get in trouble a lot? Or was that some kind of judge humor? I didn’t know Rebel or his friends well enough to guess.
“Yup.” Rebel and I stepped forward to the judge’s bench.
With a dry mouth and anxiety clutching my throat, I stared up at the judge.
“Will there be rings?” the judge asked.
I shook my head and Rebel nodded. I frowned over at him because this was turning into a lot of real, which only increased my struggle not to freak the hell out. With friends and now rings, my delusions of love were being fed when I needed to starve them.
The judge looked confused, so I spoke up. “Yeah, to the rings.”
The judge began the ceremony by asking for two witnesses to step forward. Jess clicked up beside me and Jericho stood beside Rebel. I had to blink back tears.
“Do you, Kevin Jacob Johnson, take Ella Jane Jackson to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
Kevin. I’d never thought that Rebel had to have a real name, I hadn’t even asked what it was.
“I do.” He looked into my eyes.
Oh holy mother of all that was sexy, every girl part of me lit up. Sincerity rang in those two words and echoed in my heart. Yup, this was one hundred percent real to me, even though it was one hundred percent not real for him. I had dove into a deep pool and sooner or later I’d sink.
Bail Out Page 12
