by Chiah Wilder
“Never know. Seems like Steel broke the ice around here.”
“So does that mean you’re off limits, or are you gonna have some fun sometimes like Rooster Mike does?”
Shaking his head, he smiled. “Off limits. My woman’s the only one for me.”
“You never know… it can get boring being with the same woman all the time.” She stared at him. “If that happens, let me know. I’ll always be available for you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. We had some fun times. I hope you find someone you can hitch up to.”
Ruby shook her head. “No way. I don’t want that. I’m having too much fun with all of you. Do you need anything?”
“A pot of black coffee would be great. I’m trying to sober up before my woman comes.”
“Got it. I’ll be right back with your coffee.” She spun around and disappeared around the corner.
An hour later, Muerto was leaning against the bar feeling better. When Raven walked in, he resisted the urge to run up to her and scoop her up in his arms. If he did that, his brothers would rib him about it for a couple months, so he stayed where he was, watching his old lady—it still seemed strange to call her that—sashaying over to him.
“Hey, babe,” he said as he pulled her close to him.
“You sobered up nicely,” she teased as she pressed tighter against him, smiling when she felt his hardness.
“Feel what you do to me each and every time I see you?” He feathered kisses down her neck.
“You wanna play a game of pool?” Brutus’s deep voice startled them.
Raven jerked back and looked at him. “Sure. When do you want to play?”
“What about now?”
“Anxious to lose the money you just made?” Muerto said as his hand rubbed Raven’s back.
“More like wanting to make more.” Catching her gaze, he said, “I’ll meet you at the pool table.” He walked away.
“You don’t have to play,” Muerto said in her ear.
“I want to. I have to admit that I miss the game. It’ll be good to play again.”
A couple hours later, Raven handed Muerto a stack of bills she’d won from the pool game. Brutus came over and handed her a shot of tequila. “You’re a kickass player. It was a fuckin’ good game.”
“I had a good time. You’re a good player. I was starting to sweat. Thanks.” She threw back the shot.
“We gotta use you in our fundraiser. We sometimes do pool runs. They’re like poker runs except the brothers from different clubs play pool. With you on our team, we could make a lot of money for our charity—Bikers Against Child Abuse,” Goldie said.
“I’d love to be a part of that.” She snuggled deeper into Muerto’s embrace.
“If I know you, Goldie, you’ll be betting on the side to line your pockets as well.” Muerto raised his eyebrows.
“I gotta pay for the expenses from the run.” Fixing his eyes on Raven’s, he said, “We’ll talk.” She nodded.
When Goldie sauntered away, she whispered in Muerto’s ear, “I think your brothers are getting used to me.”
“You’re part of the family now. They’ll respect and include you in family and some club activities.”
As the night wore on, the party became rowdier: fistfights broke out, club girls openly sucked and fucked the members, and liquor flowed non-stop. “You ready to head upstairs?” Muerto asked.
“Yes. I heard your parties were wild, but nothing like this. Is it always like this around here?”
“On the weekends, yeah. During the week, not so much. Tonight’s special ’cause I told them you’re my old lady.”
“So does this mean they’re glad about it?”
He laughed. “Fuck yeah. You’ll get used to this world. I know it’s a lot to take in, but you got me by your side, so it’s all good.” He kissed her then grasped her hand and pulled her behind him as he led her up to his room.
Once inside, Raven reclined on the bed, the lamp’s light bathing her nakedness in a golden glow. Muerto winked at her as he peeled off his clothes and joined her, his fingers running up and down her arm. “Did you tell your dad about us?”
“Yes. I thought he’d hung up when I told him you were a biker with an outlaw club. He was so quiet, but after the shock passed, he told me that he’d love to meet you. He said he could hear how happy I was in my voice.” She gazed out the window, a faraway look in her eyes. “I really miss him.”
“Then what’s stopping you from seeing him? Vegas is kickass, and I’d like to meet your dad.”
Her gray eyes sparkled and he loved the way they picked up the light. “Are you serious? I’d love for you to get to know my dad. That would be beyond awesome.”
“Then we’ll go. Don’t they have like a million chapels there?”
“You mean those cheesy wedding ones?”
“Yeah. Maybe we should visit one of them. I like cheesy.”
Her lips turned up, and she moved her face closer to his. “I do too.” She kissed him. Then he pressed her close to him and kissed her deeply.
“Make love to me,” she said softly as she ran her fingers across his shoulders.
He gently pushed her down and hovered over her, the back of his hand caressing her cheek. Then he slowly and sensuously made love to the woman who’d captured his heart so completely.
Epilogue
Three months later
Las Vegas
Flashing yellow, blue, red, and purple neon lights lit up the night as Raven and Muerto walked hand-in-hand down the Vegas Strip toward the brightly illuminated pink-and-orange feather sign. The balmy desert air rustled through the palm trees as they passed a glittering Eiffel Tower.
Raven laughed. “I lived here for almost a year, and I never got used to the over-the-top, surreal feel of the strip. I mean, it’s jarring to pass the Statute of Liberty, the Great Pyramid, a medieval castle, and the Eiffel Tower in less than twenty minutes.”
Muerto squeezed her hand. “That’s what makes it Vegas, babe. It’s a place where excess is the norm and the more indulgent it is the better.” He winked at her.
She shook her head. “Did you want to join up with your brothers after we have dinner with my dad and Wanda?”
“Maybe. I can check in with them and see if they’re somewhere you want to be. Knowing them, they’ll be at a strip club. Goldie’s crazy for them, and Chains and Army are right behind him. I’m pretty sure Crow and Paco are checking out the chicks, and Diablo’s definitely at the blackjack tables.”
“Diablo seems real nice. Does he have a woman?”
Muerto chuckled. “Not that any of us know of. He doesn’t talk too much about himself. He goes with a couple of the club girls but not on a regular basis. He’s a real good guy. He’d give you the shirt off his back. Loyal all the way.”
They walked through the entrance of the Flamingo Hotel and made their way to the restaurant. When they entered, Raven spotted her dad and Wanda at a table by the window, Caesar’s Palace shimmered in the background.
“Pop!” Raven broke away from Muerto and dashed toward her dad, who had risen to his feet, his arms outstretched. She fell into his embrace and they hugged each other tightly. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Me too. It’s been too long.” He kissed her cheek and pulled back a bit, his gaze surveying her. “You’re looking really good.” He glanced behind her. “Is that young man the one responsible for making you look so happy?”
She nodded while smiling. She reached out her hand and tugged Muerto closer. “Pop, this is Muerto.”
Muerto shook the man’s hand. “Nice meeting you. Raven talks a lot about you.”
“I’m hoping it’s all the good stuff. My name’s Ed. You’ve got an unusual name. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before.”
“It’s a road name. That’s what a lot of the bikers have,” Raven said. “And you don’t really want to ask why he chose that name.”
“You’re probably right about that.” Ed pu
lled out a chair for Raven then sat down.
“How’re you Wanda?” she asked her dad’s partner. Wanda looked very stylish in her St. John black knit dress with a spattering of crystals along the neckline.
“I’m doing great. Your father and I have been having all kinds of fun.” The skin around her eyes crinkled when she smiled.
Warmth spread through Raven when she saw her dad grasp Wanda’s hand and squeeze it. Pop’s taken care of. After all these years, he’s finally found someone to love and settle down with. She leaned over and kissed her dad’s cheek. “I’m happy that you have Wanda in your life,” she whispered in his ear.
Ed brushed his fingers against her cheek, then turned to Muerto. With his arm around Raven, he said, “This pretty, intelligent, and sweet woman deserves to be treated like a rare, precious gem her whole life. I’m not as young as I used to be, but if you do wrong by her, I’ll come to Colorado and kick your ass good.”
“Ed!” Wanda gasped.
Muerto laughed. “You’re my kind of man. And if I don’t treat this awesome lady good, I deserve to have you kick my ass.” His lips brushed against Raven’s.
“Fair enough.” Ed motioned the waiter. “Now it’s time to drink and eat while you tell me why you prefer Harleys over Honda Super Cubs.”
Raven groaned. “I don’t think we have enough time for that.” She leaned against Muerto and smiled up at him.
“You and Wanda talk shoes and purses while I talk bikes with your young man. I always wanted to get a motorcycle. I’d be interested in hearing which ones you think are the best. Raven told me you’re a Harley guy, but there must be other bikes you like.”
“Nothing’s better than a Harley.” Muerto picked up his beer and brought it to his lips, but Raven saw the sparkle in his eye. One of his favorite things to do was to talk bikes. Actually, it was a favored topic of conversation for all the brothers.
As they ate, drank, laughed, and talked, Raven was overcome with joy that the two most important people in her life were getting along so well. She’d been worried that her dad might not think Muerto was a suitable husband for her, but he seemed quite taken with the outlaw biker.
As the foursome walked out into the warm, night air, Muerto pulled her against him. “Do you want to join us for a bit of gambling?” she asked her dad and Wanda.
“Nope. I stay away from all that. I don’t even hustle anymore.” Ed looped his arm in Wanda’s.
“I can’t say Raven’s given it up entirely.” Muerto kissed the side of her head.
“You still shooting pool?” Ed’s blue-gray eyes shimmered with pride.
Nodding, she said, “Not as much as I used to, but there always seems to be a club member who wants to challenge me. The club had a charity run a month ago, and I made a ton of money for it.”
“I miss it real bad sometimes.” Ed glanced at Wanda as she cleared her throat. “But it’s all behind me. I do different things now.”
Raven caught the wistful tone in his voice. “When you come to visit us, you can play pool with the brothers. They seem to like to lose.”
Muerto guffawed. “Don’t let them hear you say that.”
“I’d love to play a few rounds when Wanda and I come to Colorado.” Ed’s eyes brightened. “Now you go and have a good time. We’re going to head home. We’ll see you tomorrow at the chapel.” He hugged Raven, then grabbed Wanda’s hand and walked away.
“You want to hang with Crow and Paco for a bit? Crow texted me that they’re at Margaritaville having some drinks on the patio. Crow said they have a great classic rock band playing.”
“Sounds fun. The bar’s in the Flamingo. Let’s go.”
They turned around and went back inside the hotel. Soon they were sitting with Crow and Paco. The three guys laughed and talked while she sat back and listened to the tunes of the cover band as they sang classics from the Beatles, Jimmy Buffet, Billy Joel, and many other artists. As she sipped her frozen pineapple daiquiri, she watched Muerto wave his hands as he spoke animatedly about something the three of them had done together a few years back. She noticed the women checking him out as they passed by and how he was oblivious to it. And when he turned to her and winked, her heart fluttered and her legs clenched. He’s so wonderful and he’s all mine. Life is so perfect right now. The moon shone, the breeze caressed, the glittering lights lit up the sky, and she was sipping the most delicious daiquiri she’d ever tasted with the sexiest man she’d ever known on the eve of her wedding.
“You doing good, babe?” Muerto kissed her. “Your lips are cold.” He laughed.
“I’m doing great. Don’t worry about me. I’m having a good time watching all the people.”
“I love you,” he breathed against her neck. “I can’t wait to take you back to our room.”
A shiver of anticipation rolled up her spine. “Me neither.”
He ordered another round of drinks for the table, and Raven knew she was playing with fire because the daiquiris tasted too much like a pineapple shake, but the way her eyes weren’t focusing, she knew they were lethal.
I’m getting married tomorrow. I can’t believe I’ll be Muerto’s wife—Mrs. Ruiz. She giggled and the three men turned and looked at her. Then she giggled some more until she was laughing heartily, tears running down her cheeks. Through her guffaws, she heard Muerto say, “She’s had a few too many.” When the other guys agreed, she laughed harder. And it felt so good. Her life was just so damn good at that moment. She leaned her head on Muerto’s shoulder, and he instantly wrapped his arm around her, pressing her close.
As the men droned on, she happily sipped her drink and nestled further into her man, her life, her love. The following day she’d no longer be single. She and Muerto would be an “us” forever, and even though she’d been scared by that thought, she wasn’t anymore. She wouldn’t have it any other way. She had finally found the missing piece in her life’s puzzle. And it was fantastic.
* * *
“Let me know if I’m tying your dress too tight,” Breanna said as she pulled the ties on the back of Raven’s corset dress.
“The tighter the better.” Raven sucked in a deep breath as Breanna pulled harder.
“There you go.” Breanna caught Raven’s gaze in the full length mirror. “You make a sexy bride. I didn’t even know you could get a black leather wedding dress. I’m sure Steel would’ve loved it if I’d worn one.”
“What kind of wedding dress did you wear?”
“An ivory one with lace sleeves and pearls. It was pretty traditional, but it was lovely.”
“I found this dress online. When I saw a corset leather wedding dress with a matching thong, I was sold. This is the dress for our Vegas wedding, but I’ll have the traditional one for the church wedding in Alina. Our marriage is such a huge deal for Muerto’s mom and sisters that I couldn’t deny them the traditional wedding they want. If it was up to us, this would be it, but Muerto would never do that to his mom.”
“I could barely handle one wedding. I can’t imagine having to do it twice.”
“The one today is fun and relaxed, but the big family wedding will be exhausting.”
“Does Muerto’s mom know you’re getting married in Vegas?”
“Yeah, but she doesn’t consider it real without a priest. It’s all good. Two honeymoons work for me.” Raven laughed and finger-combed her hair.
“I still can’t believe Muerto’s getting married. Steel just shakes his head every time I bring it up. I mean, he’s the last brother I thought would marry. But then again there’s Paco and Goldie…oh…and Chains, Crow….”
“Diablo…damn, I can’t think of any of them settling down,” Raven said. The two women laughed. Raven poured a shot of tequila for both of them. “Thanks for being here with me. I wish my mom could’ve been here. My pops has been great, and Wanda has helped me with some of the arrangements, but it’s not the same as having my mom.”
“I know,” Breanna said softly. “She’s watching you from
above, and I know she’s beaming.” She hugged Raven then pulled back. Lifting her glass she clinked it against Raven’s. “To a long and happy life with a moody, sweet, and crazy biker.”
“I’ll totally drink to that, and to a life of hotter than hell sex. And you know what I’m saying.” Raven threw her shot back as Breanna giggled.
“They are hot blooded, aren’t they?” Breanna drank her shot.
“Yeah, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.” They laughed. Looking in the mirror one last time, Raven took a deep breath. “I guess I’m really going to do this.”
Breanna handed her a bouquet of red roses with baby’s breath and greens. “It’s time.”
“Let’s rock and roll.” Raven opened the door and walked into the corridor.
Muerto stood by the doorway to the chapel, surrounded by his brothers. He wore a crisp black shirt with gray pinstripes, his leather cut, black jeans, and his shined up biker boots. His hair was combed back, and she thought he was the most handsome and sexy groom she’d ever seen. Butterflies fluttered inside her as his heated gaze rose slowly up her body. “Gorgeous,” he mouthed when his eyes caught hers. She wanted to run to him and wrap herself around him, covering him with kisses as she ground against his hard body, but she merely smiled and winked at him.
The guests took their seats in the small chapel and the director escorted Raven and Muerto outside. A black Harley stood at the entrance, the neon lights from the chapel’s sign bouncing off the chrome. Raven sat behind Muerto and he craned his neck as she leaned toward him. They kissed then he revved the motor and rode into the chapel. As they rode up the black aisle runner, the brothers cheered and whistled until Muerto cut the motor and helped Raven off the bike. Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” reverberated against the white walls. The justice of the peace, dressed in jeans and a black leather jacket, smiled at the couple and asked them to hold hands.
During the ceremony, Raven and Muerto held each other’s gazes. When he placed the simple white gold band on her finger, her insides exploded and she flung her arms around him and peppered his face with kisses.
