Inferno Glory MC

by Jennifer Ann

  “I love you too, darlin’,” he pants against my mouth. “Never felt this way for anyone before you.” Holy hell. This beautiful man—inside and out—loves me. Even the fucked up, twisted me that I’ve become.

  And just like that, I fall even harder.

  I never would’ve thought—never could’ve dreamt—that after the worst three years of my life I’d so quickly stumble across a perfect man who would accept my broken pieces for what they are, and give me his generous heart. Despite being reckless, and stubborn, and full of faults, he loves me regardless.

  After the fucked-up hand karma dealt me, it would seem fate has bigger and better things in store. I don’t know what the future will bring, except that Colt will be at my side through it all. For the first time since the day I was arrested, my life feels normal. Complete, even.

  Vision blurred with tears, I coax him back onto his legs and straddle over him, cradling his stubbled face as I release all my feelings into a heated kiss. Hands guide my hips forward until he’s tapping my still throbbing center again and again as I ride him, our mouths still attached. Though we’ve had more sex in the past week than I can count, this is without a doubt the first time we’ve made sweet love.

  It’s insane and illogical that two people can meet and declare themselves to each other in just a matter of days, but I'm done questioning it and ready to give everything I have to this beautiful man. I’ve fought it for too long and tried to pretend it wasn’t real.

  Warm liquid fills me as his arms cradle me. He kisses the damp skin on my neck. “Tell me you're mine, darlin’. Tell me how much you want this.”

  “I’m yours, baby,” I agree before catching his earlobe between my teeth. I grip my arms tightly around him and press my face into his damp hair, absorbing the stout scent of sweat and musky shampoo. “I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”

  “Me too, darlin’. Me too.”

  We drift asleep in each other’s arms. Sometime in the night, we wake to make love another time without any words spoken, just feelings shared. Sunlight falls across Colt’s peaceful though messed-up face the next time I wake to cell phone buzzing with a message from Kandi.

  Get your ass down to the clubhouse NOW

  A thick arm loops around my waist and warm lips brush over my shoulder. “Mornin’, gorgeous. What’s up?”

  “Kandi wants ‘my ass’ at the clubhouse.”

  With a deep, rumbling laugh, he moves my hair aside to suck on my neck. “Best be gettin’ a move on then. I hear the two of you had it out the other night. She probably wants to say her peace.” Warm fingers travel over the curves of my side and slip down between my legs, pressing into my wet folds. He growls with his discovery. “Just hurry the fuck back, because I plan to ravage this sweet pussy. All. Day. Long.”

  Leaving Colt in bed with a delightful hard-on makes me warm and achy. It may be the hottest vision ever, but it’s the worst kind of fucked up torture, but I know I’ve used up all of Kandi’s graces already, so I quickly get dressed before stopping to kiss him chastely. Smiling down on him, I push a strand of his wayward hair behind his ear. “Last night…it all feels like a dream.”

  Fingers wrap around mine and bring them up to meet his lips. “That was no dream, darlin’. I still love you this mornin’. Always will.” How did I get so damn lucky?

  Rainclouds rumble overhead the entire ride to the clubhouse. Remmy’s Harley and Kandi’s Honda are the only other vehicles in the parking lot. Inside I find Cheyenne and Kandi standing beside the bar. Rage fills my veins as I march toward them, ready to tear Cheyenne’s throat out.

  “Harley, hold on,” Kandi warns, lifting a hand like a traffic cop.

  Cheyenne’s mouth drops and her eyes widen when my hand comes at her. She’s unprepared for the powerful slap that sends her reeling, and cries out as she’s slammed into the side of the bar.

  Kandi pins my arms behind my back before I can go after her again. “Alright, you got a good one in. You two need to talk this out.”

  “There’s no fucking talking!” I yell with spittle flying everywhere. “This fucking bitch kissed Colt!”

  “When did this happen?” Kandi asks, sounding surprised. “I thought this was about catching you with Logan.”

  “I was pissed at Thunder!” Cheyenne cries, holding her hand over a reddened cheek. “And it takes two people to cheat, you know! Colt kissed me back!”

  “He was drugged up!” I yell.

  Kandi releases me to shove her. “What the fuck, Cheyenne? You violated a major club code! We don’t mess with each other’s men. I should let Harley cut out your fucking tongue!”

  Tears stream down Cheyenne’s cheeks as she cowers against the bar. “I didn’t plan it, I swear!”

  “Doesn’t fucking matter,” Kandi barks between bared teeth. “Once Thunder finds out, you’ll be done with this club. You may as well pack your shit and leave now.”

  “I have nowhere else to go,” Cheyenne whimpers with snot streaming out her nose.

  “Sounds like your problem,” Kandi answers, shaking her head. “Get outta here. You make me sick.”

  Sobbing uncontrollably, Cheyenne collects her purse and keys, throwing us sideways glances as she skitters out the door. Kandi turns to me, hands on her hips. “Jesus, no wonder you've been such a mess. That little bitch had her eye on Colt since day one. You square things up with him?”

  An incriminating blush fills my cheeks. “I told him I love him.”

  “Thatta girl!” she cheers with a sharp laugh, slapping the back of my skull. “Don’t you dare fuck this up again, because I won’t go so easy on you next time.”

  Rubbing my sore head, I say, “Colt wants me to see a shrink.”

  “He’s right. You need someone to try to fix all the shit prison did to that gorgeous head of yours. And you can always talk to me. I’m no professional, but I’ve been through a lot of shit myself. I can at least be your moral compass. Nothing you say to me will go any further, not even to Buzz. I love the man more than anything in this world, but his mouth is the size of a goddamn canyon.”

  I stick my hands in my back pockets and glance at the floor. “That shit that went down between us…”

  Her hand raises between us. “Not worth mentionin’. We had business to work out. It’s behind us now. I’m just glad you pulled your head outta your ass, and realized Colt is worth changing for. You two seem meant for each other.” Arms crossed, she tilts her head toward Remmy’s office. “The old man wants to have a word with you. Not sure what’s goin’ on, but he looked outta sorts when he told me to get you here. I’ll stay out here incase things get hairy.”

  Nodding somberly, I head toward the president’s office with dread coating my veins.

  26

  When I open the door, Remmy straightens in the chair behind the desk, his white eyebrows stitched with irritation. “Sit down.”

  “Why does it always feel like a visit to the principal’s office when I’m in here?” I grumble, doing as I’m told regardless. “What’d I do now?”

  “What’s this business with you an’ Colt?” his leathery voice growls.

  At least it’s quick and painless, like the removal of a bandaid. “We’re…together,” I admit in a tight voice.

  “Lucky tells me you’re sleepin’ with half the club.”

  I sigh deeply. Of course Axel would tell him that, the little prick. But two members definitely don’t constitute as ‘half’ the club and it’s none of his business what Colt and I did with Ranger. My sex life in general is not his business. “And you believe him?”

  “After that little fight with Kandi the other night, I’m not sure what I should think.” He looks just as conflicted and angry as the day we were reunited and he kicked me out. “Either way, you shouldn’t be messin’ around that way. Not with the guys from this club. Jawa wouldn’t have it.”

  “First of all,” I fire back, “we’re not messin’ around, we’re in love. And it doesn’
t matter what Jawa wants because he’s gone.”

  A growl vibrates through his throat. “Love? What the hell do you know about love? You’ve only known the boy a few days!”

  I bolt to my feet. “It’s none of your goddamn business, Remmy!”

  “That’s where you’re wrong! It is my business because your father put me in charge of your trust, which means I get a say in what you’re doing with your life!”

  My mouth drops open. “There's a trust?”

  “Wasn’t gonna say anything until you reached twenty-five, the age it’ll be turned over, but you’re actin’ outta sorts, and it’s my call whether or not you get that money. The rate you’re goin’ I’ll be waitin’ until you’re forty!”

  I sink back into the chair as the news settles into my brain.

  “Jawa had most of his money wrapped up in this trust so no one else could get their greedy hands on it when he died. He figured his bitch sister would go after whatever money you had left from his folks, and wanted to wait until you were settled awhile until the money became yours. And he made it clear that he didn’t want you hangin’ around this place after he was gone. He was always lookin’ out for you, Harley.”

  Eyes closed, I shake my head. “He may not have wanted this life for me, but he loved me, and would want me to be happy. This place makes me happy. Colt makes me happy.” I look pointedly back at him, stabbing my finger in the air. “You can’t stop me from getting that money.”

  Leaning over his desk, his eyes narrow. “Watch me.”

  Anger wrenches through my core as I match his threatening pose. “You’re telling me that if I stay with Colt, you won’t give me my trust? What kind of bullshit is that?”

  “I’m not fuckin’ around, Harley,” he growls. “You’re too old for a guardian, but Jawa wanted me to keep my eye on you, make sure you stayed outta trouble, and took the right path. Stayin’ here ain’t it.”

  “Even without Colt, I had no intention of leaving the MC! Do you realize the only family I have left is an asshole brother who wanted nothing to do with this place or Jawa? This club is my family! All the guys understand that! Why can’t you?”

  Fingers laced together, he sets his elbows on the desk and rests his head against them, breathing heavily and grumbling to himself. By the time he looks back up at me, the hostility is gone, and his gaze is gentle. “You need to think long and hard about your future. How are you gonna feel when your old man is out night after night, gettin’ shot at? He was lucky this time, but there are no guarantees luck will be on his side the next time he’s interceptin’ the next gun deal. Are you plannin’ on havin’ kids? You know more than anyone the MC is no place to raise children.”

  Even thinking about having children one day gives me hives. With all the shit that went down between my parents and the way Axel hated us, I can’t imagine wanting to go through anything like that myself. I have no idea how Colt feels about it, but I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to give up this lifestyle for wet diapers and sleepless nights.

  “I know Colt is putting himself in danger by being a member of the MC,” I answer. “I’m not crazy about it, but I’m proud that he wants this. You and I both know it’s noble that he wants to stick his neck out for this country.” I sit taller, squaring my shoulders. “I know I never served in the military, and I’m a woman, but I stand behind everything this club believes in. I want you to make me an honorary member, Remmy.”

  Expecting him to burst out laughing, I’m taken aback when he sets his chin in his hands and studies me thoughtfully. “Wouldn’t have it in me to put you in that kind of danger.”

  Hope swells in my chest when he doesn’t throw me out. “I wouldn’t expect to go on runs since I don’t have any military training. But I could do the behind the scenes shit. Make phone calls to contacts, research potential heists, whatever. Just don’t ask me to make fuckin’ coffee because bein’ a waitress is not what I have in mind.”

  Still studying me, Remmy lifts his chin. “What does Colt think of this?”

  “I haven’t told him yet,” I admit. “But he knows what this club means to me. I’m sure he’d be all for it.”

  “Suppose you’d be entitled to a salary, like the others. The MC would have to vote on lettin’ you in.”

  I can’t stop the wide smile spreading across my lips. I didn’t guess in a million years that he’d take my request this seriously. “I know.”

  “Shit, Harley. When we started this chapter of the MC, we never expected a woman to become one of us. Doubt any of the guys would take kindly to the idea.”

  “You know, Remmy, women even go to college nowadays,” I tease, flipping my eyes to the ceiling. “It’s not like I’m asking to become a full-fledged member. I respect that guys who wear the patch are veterans. I wouldn’t expect a pass just because I’m Jawa’s daughter. I just want to be acknowledged for having a real place here. I don’t want to be known as just another old lady.”

  Remmy’s Adam’s apple bobs with a deep swallow. “It’s that serious between you and him?”

  “It might be. I have some shit to work out before I make any hard decisions.”

  “This changes things,” he says, releasing a long sigh. “Didn’t know your level of commitment to the club ran this deep. Would’ve made Jawa proud that you’re too stubborn to walk away.”

  “You have no idea what this means to me,” I say, biting back an idiot-like squeal. “This is where I belong, Remmy. I know that scares you, but you have to admit my whole life has led to this path.”

  “Nothin’ is set in stone until the club votes,” he reminds me.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll work on them,” I say, jumping from my chair and racing around to his side of the desk. I stoop down and wrap my arms around him, kissing his leathery cheek. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t be puttin’ the cart ahead of the horse,” he warns, patting my back. “I don’t want any more trouble between you an’ the girls. You have a problem with any of them, you come to me.”

  “Yessir,” I answer smartly, backing away. “Does this mean you’ll reconsider giving me the trust?”

  “Possibly,” he growls, leaning back in his chair. “We’ll talk after the MC makes a decision on your ‘honorary’ status.”

  “This would’ve made Jawa happy,” I tell him before shutting the door behind me. Well hot damn! That went much better than I dare could have hoped.

  Kandi’s eyebrows quirk when I come bounding at her with a bright smile. “I take it things went well?”

  “Very well,” I say, not ready to share all the details with anyone before I have a chance to talk about it with Colt.

  “I haven’t seen you smile like this since I took you on that shopping spree.” Smirking, she tugs hard on a strand of hair hanging beside my face. “I’d say you owe me one for smacking some sense into you.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I answer, punching her in the shoulder. “You’re just lucky Ranger pulled me away when he did, or you’d still be in bad shape.”

  With a click of her tongue, she swats at my ass. “Go on, play wet-nurse with your man. If you can still walk straight, I’ll see you tomorrow night. They’re havin’ a party for Thunder’s birthday, and I’m gonna need someone to keep that little bitch from crashin’ and ruining all the fun.”

  The entire ride back to Colt’s apartment I’m grinning like the Cheshire Cat. It’s crazy how much things can change in a week. The club’s president went from turning me away to welcoming me with open arms, I may have a real job and a sizable trust, and a beautiful, kind soul told me confessed his love to me. And I love him back. Everything in my life has neatly fallen into place.

  In the apartment hallway, a girl lays passed out on the floor, and once again there’s music blasting from the neighbor’s place. Damn college kids must be celebrating the end of the semester. Imaging it will only get worse over the summer, I decide to approach the punk to let him know we’re not going to put up with his shit.

  I pound
on the door until a scantily-dressed blonde answers, checking me out from head to toe. She turns her head over her shoulder and yells, “Did somebody hire a stripper?”

  “I live next door,” I snarl, resisting the urge to smack her. “Turn the fuckin’ music down. This isn’t a frat house.”

  A tall, dark-hair kid in Under Armour nudges in next to the blonde, smirking. “Hey, beautiful! I’m Eric. You’re the one who moved into that biker dude’s place?”

  “I’m with that ‘biker dude,’ yeah,” I answer. “Can you please try to keep it down?”

  Arm braced on the doorframe, he laughs with a deep roll. “Guess he got tired of that uptight bitch in the suit that’s always stopping by at all hours of the night. She didn’t seem his type anyway. You, on the other hand…” his eyes travel down my body, “…are you two in a committed relationship, or just roommates?”

  “Thanks for being so understanding,” I say, ignoring his blatant advances.

  When I cross the hallway to Colt’s apartment, music still blaring full-blast behind me, I try not to let the “bitch in the suit” comment get under my skin. The woman could be anyone, and someone that high-class wouldn’t be his type. I’ve only been with him for a week. Why should I care who he was with before wet met?

  The door to the apartment is still open since I apparently forgot to lock it behind me. Figuring Colt is still sleeping, I tiptoe my way inside, quietly closing the door. I freeze with the sound of Colt’s agitated voice carrying down the hallway from his bedroom.

  “What exactly do you expect me to do? If I try to convince them going after the guns is a bad idea, they’re going to suspect somethin’ is up! I don’t have a good reason to talk them out of it, Grace! I didn’t spend a year of my life infiltrating this goddamn MC to have it blow up in my fuckin’ face before the job is done! I don’t give two shits what Darren says, either!”

  The kitchen takes on an uneven slant.

  Infiltrating the MC?

  Bits of the conversation I had in the hotel room with Colt down in San Diego before he hauled ass back to the MC replay in my head.