by K E Osborn
How my baby sister could have gone down such a dangerous path is fucking beyond me.
She lifts her head, her eyes meeting with mine. “By the way, Neon, Damir is the one who put me in touch with the Baroness. So, you have him to thank for the whole me conning Oakley with Rage and her father double-cross, too!”
“You’re welcome!” Damir calls out.
Goddammit! This whole time Anna was being led astray right under our very fucking noses. I was in there, I could hear Damir talking to her. We should have known better. Anna is so impressionable—all of this could have been avoided if Zero just let her sleep upstairs where she was meant to be in the first place. But I can’t stand here laying blame because she wouldn’t be so vulnerable if it weren’t for me too.
As the Triglav leave the compound, everyone keeps their aim up, but as soon as they exit, I pull out my tablet hitting the program to shut the gate.
Zero glances at me.
“Fuck, brother, I had no idea she was this far gone… I should have checked up on her.”
Zero waves me off. “Thankfully, no one’s fucking hurt. This wouldn’t be Defiance if something didn’t go a little awry. But seriously, Fox, can we finish this shit off, so I can make Cherry mine officially before any-fucking-thing else happens.”
Everyone nods.
We all move back into place, though Wraith won’t let Prinie away from his side. I understand why.
Zero bobs his head to Wraith. “You both okay?”
“We will be… but tomorrow we come up with a plan,” Prinie suggests.
“Deal. Right, someone go check on Blake. Make sure he’s okay.”
“Got it!” Frost affirms, taking off for the gate.
Zero turns to Fox, letting out an exhale. “Fox?”
“Okay, you ready to finish this?” Zero and Cherry move back in front of Fox. “Let’s make this quick. Zero, do you—”
“Hell. yeah.”
“Rayne, do you—”
“I do.”
“Then by the power vested in me, by all the brothers and fuckers here, I now declare you husband and wife. Zero, you know what to do.”
Zero grabs Cherry by the waist, pulling her to him, one hand racing to her cheek, the other firmly gripping her hip as he kisses her so strongly, even I’m impressed by his form. While they kiss, our brothers race off to the gate to make sure our visitors have vacated.
Even with the drama of my sister and Damir, it’s good that the wedding still took place.
With the threat of the Triglav and Damir hanging over us, I’m not sure the party will be as huge as we were hoping for tonight, but there’s reason to celebrate. Good reason.
We will address Damir tomorrow.
Tonight, we need to regroup and allow Zero his time with his Old Lady.
Because if anyone deserves a night to celebrate, it’s him.
NEON
The Next Day
Fox’s infamous barbecue and homebrew had us partying until the sun came up. At least it is the excuse we used to stay up and keep guard despite the drinking and getting rowdy. But now it’s late afternoon, and once our weary heads came up from having a good sleep in, it’s back to business.
We’re all aware what happened last night is something to take seriously, so that’s why Zero called church. “I should be off having a honeymoon with my wife, but instead, we have to be here thinking about our options. My ex is hell-bent on making my life a fucking misery. Now, she’s joined forces with Wraith’s fuckhead brother, who is also hell-bent on making his life a misery. Goddammit! We could have had this settled. You should have pulled the damn trigger when you had the chance, Wraith. Second guessin’ leads us nowhere. I thought I taught you that.”
Wraith scrubs at his face looking like he hasn’t slept a wink. “Don’t you think I haven’t thought of that. This is all my fucking fault. I should have laid him out when I had the chance, but he’s my brother. A brother I didn’t get the chance to grow up with. For a second, I wavered and thought maybe if I had a chance to get to know him, we could work something out. I was so fucking wrong. I should have killed him. I won’t make that mistake again.”
I sit forward. “Now isn’t the time to lay blame. Anna’s gone rogue, Damir is by her side. With them together, who knows what they will cook up. Anna knows the club… inside and fucking out. She knows the people. Damir has inside knowledge now Anna is with him. We need to figure out what we’re gonna do.”
“Any suggestions?” Zero asks.
“We hunt them down and end them both,” Wraith calls out.
He might not have a bond with his brother, but I still care about my sister, even though I know she is way off in some sort of mental breakdown land.
My eyes meet Zero, and he lets a long exhale. “Neon, the three of us… you, me, and Anna, we’ve been through so much together. But this… her turning on us and joining forces with the Triglav… she can’t come back from that.”
Clenching my eyes shut, I scrub at my face, the weight of this is crushing my soul. She’s my baby sister. I’m supposed to take care of her, but she also betrayed me. She manipulated the woman I love. She tried to ruin my best friend’s wedding and joined forces with the club’s enemies. How much more can she do before I say enough is enough?
I clear my throat. My eyes meet Zero’s, and I give him a curt nod. I can’t say it, but Zero understands me well enough. He sits taller, puffing out his chest. “I need men on the hunt for Damir and Anna. Neon stays away from this. We won’t have tech. Ax, you used to do search and rescue in the Navy. I’m putting you on this one.”
“Sure thing, pres.”
“In the meantime, until Ax finds out where they are, we go about our usual business. I don’t want our world to stop turning because of those assholes.”
“You want me to tell you when I find their location, or should I scope it out first?” Ax asks.
“Tell me. I’ll bring it to the table. Then we will discuss further our plan of attack. They both need to be taken out. We can’t let any more chances go by letting the women and children of this place come to harm. They’re too important to us all. Family is family. Brotherhood is all there is.”
My stomach knots at what this means.
The club is going to kill my sister.
This is going to devastate my parents, especially because they have nothing but respect for Defiance and what they have done for Zero and me.
But this?
This will tear my family apart.
I’m fucking glad I have Oakley. Hopefully, having her by my side to help explain things will soften the blow.
“Right, we have our tasks. Let’s get to work.” Zero bangs his gavel.
Everyone stands.
His eyes meet mine. “Neon, stay back.”
Everyone leaves the room as I sit back down. I should have known this was coming. Texas shuts the door behind him, leaving me alone with my president, my best friend, the man who’s dropping the ax over my sister’s head.
“Sorry.”
My eyes widen as I jerk back in shock. An apology from Zero is not often heard. It shows a sign of weakness and emotion. It’s not something he does, so I’m a little taken aback. “I want you to hear me when I say… I get it. It’s just fucking hard… she’s still my sister.”
“That’s why I don’t want you anywhere near this. This isn’t your responsibility. She isn’t your responsibility anymore. Let the club handle Anna and her issues.”
I should fight harder for her, but I just don’t have the strength to fight anymore, not after seeing her with Damir. She’s too far gone.
“Just do me one favor?”
“Anything.”
“Make it quick and painless. I don’t want her to suffer.”
Zero stands, walks to me, and grips my shoulder. “It will be. You have my word on our long friendship, brother.”
Zero pulls me up, yanking me into a tight, back-slapping embrace. I wrap my arms around him, needing to ta
ke a second to mourn the loss of my sister. She isn’t dead yet, but I may not get a chance to even know when she’s gone. I won’t get to say goodbye. This is completely out of my hands now. My stomach swirls in years of regret and turmoil for not pulling Anna into line, wishing I could have done more to save her from this fate.
Zero pulls back, his eyes meeting mine. “You good?”
I nod once, then he opens the door to Oakley standing there with a bright smile. Instantly, I feel better for just seeing her. She makes my entire world so much fucking brighter.
“Fox said you might need me after the conversation you’ve just had.”
Zero slaps my shoulder, pushing me toward the door. “Go! Have a good night. Forget everything we said and spend time with your woman.”
I dip my chin, turning for the door. My hand darts out reaching for Oakley’s. She grabs it. Instant sparks shoot into my fingertips. Even after a moment of sorrow, she makes my heart soar. That’s the power Oakley has over me.
Some might call me whipped, I call me damn lucky.
“C’mon, let’s go get you a drink. Relax for a bit, yeah?” Oakley asks.
Zero chuckles. “You got yourself a keeper there, brother.”
“Fuck yeah, I do.” I tighten my grip on Oakley.
Zero walks past us heading straight for his wife. The thought that Zero has a wife makes me fucking envious but also so damn pleased for him. Pleased that one of us has made it to that stage where he gets a happy ending. Even after all the shit Zero’s been through, he got his woman. Even though there’s still a shitload happening at the club, he’s happy as all hell.
I want that.
I want it with Oakley.
We walk over taking a seat at the bar, and she taps it for Nessie to bring us over a shot.
Oakley rubs my forearm tenderly as her eyes meet mine. “You don’t have to tell me anything, but I do want you to know, I’m here. I’m gonna be here for you no matter what, Neon. I’m not going anywhere.”
A slow smile creeps over my face. “It’s damn good to hear you say that, Nic.” I lean in pressing my lips to hers, and that chill sweeps over me again. “You know what?”
She pulls back. “What?”
“We should forget the drinks and go upstairs.”
“Oh, really?”
“If you don’t get your fine ass into my room in thirty seconds, I’m taking your clothes off right here.”
She widens her eyes, standing from the stool, then starts rushing toward the stairs. I follow behind, smacking her ass as she goes. Fox chuckles as we pass, but we take the stairs two at a time then run to my room. She flings the door open. I grab Oakley, swinging her around and pull her to me. I kick the door closed with my foot, pressing my lips to hers as I edge her toward the bed. She giggles against my lips as I kiss her.
She’s my home.
This is how we’re meant to be.
Each other’s safe place.
Each other’s rock.
There is far more to come for us, but right now, I need her, she needs me, and that’s all that matters in this moment.
I pull back staring in her eyes, sweeping a strand of hair away from her face. “I love you, Nic.”
“I love you, Asher. So, fucking much.”
I pull her lips to mine again.
I’ll tell her about Anna, but it can wait.
Right now is about us, and fuck if that isn’t the one thing in my life that’s so fucking bright we’re incandescent.
Oakley and I are the one thing I have absolutely zero doubts about. And after I’ve made love to her, I’m going to prove to her exactly how much she means to me.
NEON
The Next Morning
Lying in bed with Oakley in my arms, I can’t help but think how lucky I am. We’ve discussed it, and she’s heading off back to the racing circuit soon. She didn’t want to, but I know she’s missed it, so I talked her into finishing this season. She will be away for about two weeks out of four each month until November. This is her job and knowing Slick will be around to protect her if she needs it, gives me some stress relief.
I’ve also talked Zero into sending Blake out with her when she’s on the road. The prospect will be her personal bodyguard but reporting to me directly. She’s not to go anywhere without Blake. If there’s any shit while they’re on the road, his first point of call is Slick.
But we don’t expect Rage to go after Oakley.
He’ll be gunning for Defiance now. We’re a much bigger fish for him to fry.
But I also don’t want her going without understanding how deeply I feel about her. So, I roll on my side swiping a stray hair from her face. “Morning, Shiver.”
Her sleepy eyes stare up at me with a cheeky smile. “Did you just call me Shiver?”
I pull her closer. “Funny thing, ever since we met, every time we touch or kiss, I get this sweeping chill through my body. It makes me shiver with the intensity of it.”
“No shit! Me, too.”
“It’s why I’ve chosen Shiver as your Old Lady name.”
She stills.
Her eyes land on mine.
Her breathing stops.
“But that would mean—”
“Yeah… I’m claiming you, Nic.” I caress her cheek.
Her eyes flood with tears as she leans in pressing her lips to mine. I run my fingers through her hair holding her to me. Our tongues dance with each other’s as the all-too-familiar chills run through me, giving me that shiver I love so much.
Suddenly, she pulls back, tears running down her face. “Thank you for rescuing me from the Heathens. I can’t imagine where I would be now if I didn’t meet you. Being your Old Lady means everything to me.”
My chest squeezes so fucking full, and I wipe her tears away with a gentle swipe of my thumb. “I’m glad you came to me that day with your damn sassy attitude. Fuck, you were and are… sexy as hell!”
Her lips meet mine again, and I roll her over, ready to show her what being my Old Lady is all about.
Headed downstairs to breakfast, we’re later than everyone else after our eventful morning, and as we reach the bottom stair, I can’t wait to tell everyone. I send a whistle through the clubroom making everyone turn to us. “I just want everyone to know, I claimed Oakley. She’ll now be known as Shiver.”
A huge roar of cheering erupts around the main room as brothers and old ladies come up, embracing and celebrating with us.
Zero makes his way over with the biggest of smirks. “Welcome to the family, officially.”
“Thanks, Zero, it means a lot.”
“Nessie, let’s get that property patch made up real fast.”
“Yes, pres.”
My device suddenly alerts me to an incoming at the gate. It’s Finley, our attorney, so I let her in.
Moments later she walks in, Sunshine greeting her boss as she enters. Fin walks over to Zero and me with a hard expression on her face. Oh, for fuck’s sake, that’s never a good sign.
Texas makes his way over as well. It seems lately wherever Finley is, Texas is sure to follow. “Finley, you’ve come just in time. We’re celebrating. Neon just claimed himself an Old Lady.”
“That’s so great to hear. Congratulations, I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks, Fin, but you seem tense. I don’t tend to like it when you walk into the club with that look on your face. Is it the Baroness? Is she making waves with the information she has on me?” I ask.
“Actually, on that front, the Baroness is being super quiet. Looks like she’s sticking to her word, so far…”
“Then why the long face?” Texas asks.
“As you know, I’m brutal when it comes to my cases. If I take something on, I really go for it.”
“Okay?” Zero questions.
“I had a defendant, Maxen Miller, locked up for murder a few years back. It was open and shut. The guy was a white supremacist. Complete narcissistic asshole. It was clear he was guilty, so I went full throttle
to bring him down. Somehow, he had an appeal last week… his damn conviction was overturned.”
“He’s out walking the streets?” Texas asks.
“Yes. He’s already had one of his men pay me a visit.”
Texas puffs out a loud groan, his fists clenching at his sides in anger. “What the fuck?”
“He didn’t do anything. Well, not really. Just put a dead cat on the windshield of my car… while I was in it.”
“What the fuck do you mean… while you were in it?”
“I parked, was on the phone, sitting in the car while I talked to a client. Next second, the dead cat landed on my windshield. I looked up, the skinhead looked down at me and gave me a ram symbol with his fingers. I knew then he was sent by Maxen because he always used to do that symbol when he was trying to prove a point.”
“He’s warning you. Bating you, Finley,” Zero suggests.
“That’s why I’m here. I want protection… I don’t trust anyone but you guys.”
Texas steps forward. “I volunteer. I’ll guard you, whether you want to stay here, or me come to your home for a while. I’ll step in, Finley.”
He’s being far too obvious, but I’m not even sure if Fin is noticing that fact right now because she turns to Zero. “Is that okay? If I borrow Texas and some other guys in shifts if I stay at my place? It will be easier on me. All my work is there. I don’t want to stop my life if I don’t have to.”
“Let’s be vigilant about this, especially with everything else that’s happened recently. Texas, you can leave with her immediately. In addition, I will be sending Phantom with you to keep watch outside.”
“Thank you, Zero. I should have known being so hard would get me in the shit one day.”
“We got your back, Fin. I got your back,” Texas tells her, full of enthusiasm.
“Good to know! Because I can’t tell how bad this is going to get…”
NEXT IN THE SERIES:
Protective: The Houston Defiance Series Book Five
