He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not good at mourning. Give me a pass and I’ll make it up to both of you. I promise.”
Fee and Stretch exchanged glances. Cash smirked at Fee’s narrowed look. She was her brother’s sister.
“Okay,” Stretch said, breaking the stare-off between Fee and Cash. “I won’t insist. The fact that you came all the way here to support me lets me know how much you care.”
Sashaying to Cash, Fee kissed his jaw. “Yes, he really does care, despite his actions otherwise.” A light slap against his cheek emphasized each word. Eyes twinkling, she turned to Stretch. The motherfucker saw her hits and doubled over with laughter. She giggled. “Don’t worry, Stretch. I got you. If any of those assholes start with you, they’ll have me to deal with.”
“We’ll have breakfast together,” he promised her.
She nodded.
“Are you sure you’re okay with me and Cash being alone together?”
She hugged Stretch. “Positive.”
“What are you going to do while we’re gone?” Stretch asked when they were alone again.
He took Stretch into his arms and rubbed his hard cock against Stretch’s. “Does that really matter right now?” he whispered.
Stretch groaned. “Not in the least.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“Sorry, Louis, we miscalculated the number of people that were coming for your daddy’s service,” Lena told him later that morning, in the vestibule of the church. “We don’t have room for you on our side. You have to sit with the visitors.”
“I beg your pardon?” Fee asked in outrage. “You can’t be serious, Mrs. King.”
“Fee—” Stretch began, tightening his hold on her hand.
“I’m most serious,” Lena said tightly.
“We need to leave,” Fee spat, shooting daggers at his mom. “He doesn’t have to stay and put up with your crap.”
“No, Fee, wait.” Stretch had come this far, so he wouldn’t turn away now. “I flew in, expecting things to be different between us, Mom.”
She lifted her chin. “I expected the same, then you bring your boyfriend. It was like a slap in my face. Harry, Dillon, everyone warned me that you were still practicing your filthy ways. I thought our refusal to see you when you were beat up would straighten you up. It seems as if I was wrong.”
“Ophelia and I are lovers,” he said, not lying. He just neglected to tell his mother that Cash was also part of the equation. “I’ve accepted that there are parts of me you’ll never understand.”
“What is there to understand?” she flung back bitterly, tears watering her eyes. “Your choices are shameful.”
“Why are we staying?” Fee demanded as he guided her to a pew near the back of the church. He wouldn’t even view his father’s body. That meant walking down the aisle and drawing attention. “I know she’s your mom, but she’s being so mean to you. You deserve better than that.”
“It wasn’t as if I chose her to be my mother. She wanted me here.”
“Obviously, that’s no longer the case.”
Stretch had always believed his father had a lot to do with his mother’s treatment of him. Now that he was gone, he’d hoped he and his mom would become close again. Later, today, he’d give it one last shot.
At the gravesite, Stretch managed to finagle him and Fee a spot on the front row.
“Brother King can rest in peace,” the minister said, his gaze narrowing on Stretch. “In my estimation, his son has seen the light.” He smiled gently at Lena. “You may yet become a grandma before being called to glory.”
Dillon snickered. “Not unless you can drop a seed in a fag’s ass.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Fee snarled, jumping to her feet, dodging Stretch’s attempt to catch her.
“The jig is up, honey,” Dillon went on, ignoring the fact that Fee was storming down the row of chairs toward him. “We all know you not really his woman. Once a wall facer, always a wall facer.”
Fee reached Dillon just as he finished his vicious words. “Once an asshole, always an asshole.” Balling her fist, she planted it against his left eye, catching him off guard and knocking him off the chair.
Stunned, Stretch hurried to her and grabbed her waist. “Fee!” Her Zoann-like justice was completely out of character.
She struggled against Stretch’s hold, but he managed to keep his grip.
“Aunt Lena,” another of Stretch’s cousins called, “you know we been here for you all these years. None of us gonna desert you. It’s not right to be in the same room with your son. Or daughter. Whatever he is.”
“Now, now,” the preacher said, attempting to bring calm as Dillon picked his ass up. “Let’s finish this burial, folks. Then we can retire to Lena’s house for the repast. It’s not like Louise, er Louis, has a contagious disease. Nobody can catch whatever he thinks he is.”
Fee stilled at the minister’s pretended error. “Who are you people?”
“We were his family,” Dillon sneered, holding his eye.
“Son,” Lena began tearfully. “You know I love you, but it’s best if you leave.”
“Right, Mom,” Stretch said, his mother’s words cutting through him. “Thanks for your loyalty.”
“Louis, I’m amongst family. They’re all I have.”
From this moment on, his mother was as dead to him as his father.
“She knows where her bread and butter is,” Dillon called out, smirking at him. “It’s not with her ladyboy.”
“You’re a stupid jerk, Dillon,” Fee yelled. “Stop saying those things about him. Whether you or anyone else believes it, I am Stretch’s girlfriend.”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Dillon said sarcastically. “You’re a girl and you’re his friend. Put that together and you get girlfriend.”
Fee growled and lunged, unbalancing Stretch and knocking Dillon off his feet, pounding against his face. “You fucking bigot. Die!”
Grunting, Stretch pulled himself up, using his cane to stabilize himself. Uncle Harry pried Fee from Dillon. As livid as she was, she elbowed the man hard enough to make him stumble back. Right into the casket. It slid to the edge of the carriage. One more push would tip it over.
“Get this crazy woman out of here!” Harry demanded, then rounded on Stretch. “Leave it to you to bring an ignorant floozy to such a solemn ceremony. I should’ve shoved that pole up your ass instead of beating you with it.”
“Told you, Dad,” Dillon puffed out, wiping his bloody nose. “Get this low-class, amoral whore away from all our women. Filthy dogs.”
Instead of walking away with a little remaining dignity, Fee attacked again. “I’ll show you a filthy dog, asshole.”
She wasn’t aware of how precarious the casket was on the carriage. If she had been, he doubted she would’ve punched Dillon again, so hard he reeled back. The coffin stood no chance, flying to the ground and landing on its side.
“Lena!” Harry said, moving quick, catching Stretch’s mom before she fell to the ground in a dead faint.
“Time to go, Fee,” Stretch rushed out, before things got even worse. They could grab him and beat him as they had so many years ago. Dillon was knocked out cold at the moment, but when he came to, he’d be meaner than a rattle snake.
“Fuck them!” she screeched, still struggling as he managed to drag her toward the rental. “They’re stupid idiots. They don’t deserve your loyalty. Your anything!”
Somehow, he got Fee into the car and headed back to the hotel. Although his mother had greatly disappointed him, Fee had just proven her loyalty to him, once and for all.
Fee walked into the hotel bar, her mind on Stretch and his fuck-ass family. How could they humiliate him as they had? Not only his family, but the minister.
Seeing Stretch’s heartache reminded Fee of Christopher, and the way she and their sisters had treated him. Although she’d already apologized, it shamed her all the more. Maybe, that’s why she’d punched fuckhead. The l
ines had blurred in her head and sent her into a blind rage at their cruel bigotry.
They’d ostracized Christopher for a different reason. Still…Families are supposed to stick together. No matter who or what they are. On her part, it was a hard-earned lesson, one that had almost cost her her relationship with her brother.
As to Stretch’s family, she was certain he’d forgive them, if they gave him a sincere apology one day. She doubted that would ever happen, but hope sprang eternal.
She was so grateful Cash hadn’t come. Had he been there, there’d be a few dead bodies left behind and she, Cash, and Stretch would’ve been arrested.
This morning, when she’d walked in on Cash and Stretch kissing, she’d paused, waiting for the hurt and the jealousy. Neither emotion had come. She’d felt nothing but understanding and a need to take Stretch’s pain away. Just as she had the other day. Cash knew him better than anyone, so she wouldn’t begrudge Stretch time alone with him.
Now, she scanned the room for Cash, spotting him immediately, on the far side of the bar, a dark-haired girl leaning her head against his shoulder. Fee took a step back, unsure if she should let him see her or if she should slink away with her tail between her legs to go in search of Stretch. After today, they didn’t need to be at a luxury hotel watching Cash flirt and…Fee swallowed, pushing her hurt away.
After the emotional day, she wouldn’t confront Cash about his ratfink ways. She’d believed they’d reached a happy place in their relationship. She’d thought they were past Cash’s roving eye and running away.
Before Fee made a firm decision about leaving, Cash spied her. Grinning, he nodded to Fee and whispered something to the beautiful girl, who lifted her head. Cash stood and tenderly squeezed the girl’s shoulder before making his way to Fee. Upon reaching her, his grin faded and he frowned, tilting his head.
“Is everything all right? Is Stretch okay? I thought we’d have a drink together. That’s why I texted you. Where is he?”
“He didn’t go to our hotel. He’s here,” she said coolly. “He went to the registration desk for whatever.” She’d been anxious to get to Cash so she hadn’t asked particulars when he’d excused himself.
“For our keys,” Cash answered. “We’re moving to this hotel. Now, what the hell’s wrong?”
“I can’t afford to stay here.”
“It’s on me,” he growled, glaring at her.
“Stretch knew?”
“Yes. I thought it might cheer him up and I wanted to surprise you.”
“Congratulations. You surprised me. Pat yourself on the back.”
“How’s Stretch? What happened at the funeral? Was there any trouble?”
Fee forced a smile. “What is this? Twenty questions? Stretch is fine,” she lied. He was better than she’d expected him to be, considering what he’d endured from his asshole relatives, including his poor excuse of a mother.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I got your text. Instead of responding, I headed here.”
She glanced past him at the girl making her way toward them. Fee had been around beauty her entire life. Zoann was stunning. But the girl next to Cash was breathtaking. She seemed so familiar, but Fee couldn’t place where they’d met.
“Apparently, so are you, considering who you were cozied up to,” she replied just as the girl reached them.
The girl held out her hand and spoke, although Fee couldn’t process her words at the moment. All she focused on were the purple irises and long lashes. Her hair was dark, it was ebony.
“Are you okay, Fee?” Purple eyes asked hesitantly.
Fee blinked. “You know my name?”
“Why wouldn’t my little sister know your name?” Cash asked with a shit-eating smile.
“Your little…” Voice trailing off, Fee scowled at Cash. “Asshole.”
“I like her already.” Cash’s sister held out her hand again. “I’m Georgie, by the way. I introduced myself a minute ago, but I don’t think you heard me.”
Heat crept into Fee’s cheeks. Instead of answering, she clasped Georgie’s hand in her own, the huge amethyst on her finger grabbing Fee’s attention. “That’s a beautiful ring.”
Georgie beamed. “Thank you.”
She wasn’t sure if she should mention Stretch in front of Cash’s sister, so Fee searched for small talk, glaring at the wicked sparkle in Cash’s eyes. “I didn’t know he had a sister who lived in Missouri.”
“I don’t,” Cash responded.
“I live in Denver, with my husband and children,” Georgie explained.
“Oh! You look so young,” she blurted, then cringed at her foot-in-mouth. Trying to gauge what she should and shouldn’t say about Stretch had taken her manners away. “I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” Georgie said quickly. “I’ll be twenty the month before Meggie turns twenty-three.”
“Since you seem to be the only person on the planet who doesn’t know this,” Cash said dryly. “Ever heard of Sloane Mason?”
“Of course I have. Who hasn’t?”
Cash downed whatever had been in his glass. “Georgie is Mrs. Sloane Mason.”
Fee gasped. Of course. Meggie’s friend. Cash’s sister. Of course she knew of Georgiana Mason. That’s why she looked so familiar.
“Sloane!” Georgie called, looking past Fee.
A moment later, superstar, Sloane Mason, sauntered next to his wife, rocking hoop earrings, a bandanna on his head, and the bluest, most swoon-worthy eyes Fee had ever seen.
“This is Cash’s girlfriend,” Georgie introduced between kisses. “Meggie’s sister-in-law.”
“Georgiana, fuck. I told you don’t announce my relationship with Fee,” Cash snapped.
“She did, McCall,” Sloane told him, with a lift of his brow. “So deal with it.”
Cash visibly gritted his teeth. “I love her too, you know? I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. But if Outlaw was around, he’d hurt me.”
Sloane shrugged. “That’s between you, Outlaw, and your cock. Do not raise your voice to my wife.”
Georgie rolled her eyes. “We were waiting for Fee and Stretch before we came to the suite.”
Well, she did know about Stretch. What a difference between Cash’s family and Stretch’s.
“You didn’t have to come in search of me, Sloane.”
Hands on her waist, Sloane pulled Georgie against him, bending to kiss her again. “As a matter of fact, I did.”
“Stop staring at the motherfucker, Fee,” Cash grumbled. “You’ll bloat his ego a little more and trample mine.”
Georgie turned from Sloane and came to Fee, looping their arms. “She sees you every day. Besides, Sloane has that effect on women. Don’t hate.”
“Where are we going?” Fee asked as Georgie marched them out of the bar, unperturbed by the line of bodyguards.
Fee, however, was looking at the star-struck guests, listening to the squeals of women for Sloane, even some calls for Georgie the entire walk to the elevator. Once there, Georgie scowled at a bald-headed man who awaited them. His blue-green eyes narrowed.
“One fucking word, Kiln, and I’m knocking your fucking teeth in,” Sloane announced cheerfully.
“My mouth is closed,” Kiln responded. “Why would I say anything about you coming down here in search of Georgie, when one of us could’ve easily done so?”
“Because you’re a fucking asshole?” Georgie inquired, as the elevator dinged.
Kiln snickered and held his hand in front of the doors so the elevator wouldn’t close. “An asshole you couldn’t live without.”
Georgie sniffed. “Modest much?”
Although Fee was certain there were at least ten bodyguards she’d counted, only Kiln boarded the elevator with them. He pressed the button for the twentieth floor.
“The funeral was hard on Stretch. You need to talk to him. He’ll listen to you.”
“I’ll call him when we get upstairs. Let him know Sloane flew my little si
ster here especially to see me,” Cash instructed.
“He’s met your sister and brother-in-law?” For some reason, she’d assumed Georgie knew about Stretch in the same manner she knew of Fee.
“If you’re asking if they know we’re lovers,” Cash said bluntly, “yes. Their mansion is about the only place where Stretch and me have true freedom.”
Cash had considered Stretch enough to take him away in order to enjoy each other.
The elevator dinged. Unaware of Fee’s hurt feelings, their entourage got off the elevator and headed down a short hallway.
Another dinging elevator announced the arrival of the bodyguards. Sloane used his key card to open the door, and everyone followed him in. While Georgie headed to one of the closed doors, Cash pulled out his cell phone, and Fee just stood in the center of the room, torn between awe at her present company and dismay over the information she’d learned.
“Oh, fuck, here I thought I was home free,” Cash said with a teasing grumble.
“Me, too,” another man chortled. “I couldn’t believe the fucking bad kismet that got me here, in the same city as you.”
Cash grinned and held out his hand, yanking yet another handsome, dark-haired man into a bear hug, as they each pounded the other’s back.
Sloane walked to the two men, carrying a highball glass. “Josh is traveling with us. He wants to see what touring is like.”
“Can I say free pussy? All the free pussy I want.”
“Oh my God, you’re disgusting, Josh,” Georgie complained, at least five inches shorter now that her heels were off. “I do not want to hear where you stick your dick.”
“Hey, hey, hey,” Cash complained. “Watch your mouth!”
“Fuck you.”
“I think she’s on the rag, Cash,” Josh said in a loud whisper.
“You’ll need a rag,” Sloane said conversationally. “To mop up the guts and gore I spill from your body.” He kissed Georgie again, reminding Fee of the way Christopher couldn’t keep his hands off of Meggie. “How are my son and daughter?”
Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books Page 331
