by Debra Kayn
Mel rubbed the back of his neck. Carl had no idea the man driving was a dead man, and Gordon had set the whole accident into motion before jumping out of the car.
"Someone took Gordon's money I was hiding in the kitchen the day the car hit the bar. I was supposed to give the money to Brady at seven o'clock, and Gordon would pick the cash up from Brady, but he never showed up. I thought Brady stole it because he wasn't at the bar after the crash," said Peggy.
"Fuckin' Brady." Battery lit his cigarette. "I'd given him a chance working at the grill. We'll need to find him."
"Why did Gordon kidnap you?" asked Mel.
"He was looking for the money and caught me coming out of the apartment. When I told him I didn't have the money and Brady must've stolen it, he forced me into his car." Peggy pointed at Carl. "He tried to stop Gordon and got shot. You're okay?"
"Just nicked me." Carl grinned. "The money isn't missing. I took it after Mel got done dragging me inside the bar after the crash and Swiss gave me the verdict that I was going to live. I figured out Gordon planned the accident to try and grab the cash while everyone was dealing with the police and after almost killing me, there was no way I'd let him skip town."
"Where is the money now?" asked Battery.
"That's a funny question." Carl shrugged. "I don't know the town well enough or any of the people here to trust them keeping the money for me, so I invested the cash and doubled the money. So, technically, only half the money I have is Gordon's. The other half is mine."
"How much are you talking total?" asked Mel.
"Over ten grand." Carl looked at each of the Ronacks members. "I hid it outside of town underneath a fallen log. It's safe, but I'll need my half. My mom and Grandma June need their own place. It'll get us settled in a rental and let Raelyn have her own life. She's done enough for all of us, she doesn't need us hanging around when she's made something of herself."
"How the fuck did you double the money?" asked Mel.
"Picked up some cheap weed and sold it to the old guy at the Senior Center." Carl looked down to hide his amusement. "Grandma June and those old fogeys who play Pinochle can't tell when the shit they're smoking is quality or not."
Mel looked away and rubbed his hand down his face. He needed a big glass of whiskey.
"All right." Battery held up his hand. "That's enough talk. I've already called LeWorth, and he's taking my Harley home and getting the other riders out of the area, so we don't draw attention to the gravel pit. I'll take Peggy back to her apartment using her car that Carl stole."
"I'll take Carl back with me," said Mel.
Rod stepped back against the wall. "I'll stay here and help Battery."
Mel motioned Carl to walk out. At the door, he turned and gazed at Peggy. "I'm not happy with the trouble you brought around the bar, not to mention how you put Raelyn and Dukie at risk."
"Mel..." Peggy stepped forward. "I'm sorry."
"I know you are." He nodded, knowing what he had to do. "Go home and rest. When you're back on your feet, you'll need a safe place to go. It'd be wise to look outside of Haugan. Maybe you have relatives or a friend who can help you out."
Peggy nodded and lowered her gaze. Mel looked at Battery. Whether Peggy's involvement was innocent or not, it was a risk to have her around Raelyn and Dukie when she was that impressionable and reluctant to trust the club.
"I'll take a couple riders and pay Brady a visit," said Battery.
Mel lifted his chin out of respect for his president. No one took advantage of Ronacks and continued to live in Haugan. The territory would be cleaned tonight.
He left the building and joined Carl on the long walk back to his motorcycle. The story Carl gave was too stupid not to be believable. Everyone in Carl's family had underestimated the kid. He had good eyes and a way about him that went unnoticed.
"A lot happened here today." Mel kept up the steady pace. "You killed a man."
"He would've killed you or one of the others if I hadn't shot him." Carl exhaled loudly. "What happens now?"
Mel held out his hand. "You give me my pistol back, and you take what happened to your grave. You don't tell your family, your girlfriend, your wife in ten years. It's your burden, Slick. You have to carry it."
"Slick?"
"Don't question the name. It fits." Mel stopped at the side of the road. "If that burden you're now carrying ever comes out to anyone, you compromise the lives of everyone that is involved. Peggy. Battery. Rod. Me. And, especially your sister and Dukie. Any one of us can get hurt, put in prison, or killed. That can't happen."
"Right," mumbled Carl.
"I was supposed to marry Raelyn today at the courthouse, and because I was here saving your ass, your sister is home, probably worried to death that she's going to lose another husband."
Carl's chin hit his chest. "Fuck," he said.
"You're tough and smart enough to handle the burden." Mel reached out and squeezed Carl's neck and got him walking again. "I'll be around, and if there's any hint of you cracking, I'll make sure you hold it together. When we get back, you can tell your family anything you want that will put their mind at ease regarding your asshole moves lately, but club business stays within Ronacks, and it's a risk that we're going to trust you to do the right thing because you killed a man to protect the patch. You blow it, and you won't have a life to worry about anymore."
Carl inhaled deeply. Mel watched him for any sign that he was making the wrong decision. Hearing the story from Peggy and Carl, he had to admire the kid. The situation could've been worse.
"How old do you have to be to join Ronacks?" asked Carl.
Mel looked off into the distance. He'd been eighteen years old when he started prospecting for the club. The choice he made changed his life, gave him a family, taught him to survive.
"Eighteen," said Mel. "You can't join until you prospect for the club, and then you need to be voted in."
Several minutes went by, and they reached the Harley. Mel picked up his gloves sitting on the seat.
"I guess I'd need a motorcycle first," said Carl.
He left Carl's musings go without a reply and sat the bike. It wasn't his place to help the kid make up his mind what he wanted to do with his life. It was a choice he'd need to make on his own.
Chapter Thirty Four
The single lamp in Raelyn's living room gave off enough light for her to see the clock hanging on the wall. She sat curled in the corner of the couch with the afghan Grandma June made her for her birthday last year. It'd been forty minutes since she and her mom had spoken a word of comfort to each other.
The low rumble of motorcycles hummed through the building. Even the bikers were getting antsy sitting inside and had gone outside to have a smoke, sit on their motorcycles, and speak about the situation in private.
She couldn't make up a lie to explain away where Mel and Carl were and what was keeping them away. The mysterious texts from her brother earlier only made things worse. She didn't even know if they'd saved Peggy or who was in danger.
What she understood and felt clear down to her bones was that the situation was dangerous and there were guns involved. She also understood Mel would put himself into harm's way to save her brother, and there was always the chance that she'd lose two more people she loved.
"Do you think I should walk downstairs and tell the others that Dukie is asleep?" asked Raelyn's mom.
She looked at the clock. Mom broke her silence after forty-five minutes. "No, they'll come up when they want to. Did Grandma June make it to bed okay?"
"Oh, sure." Her mom sighed. "After lecturing me to have faith."
Raelyn sighed. "Honestly, it's nice to have a little break from the constant hovering from everyone. I know they all mean well, but their concern only validates my fear that something has happened."
"Do you think Carl is okay?" asked her mom.
Feeling bad that she wasn't better at keeping others strong when she was falling apart herself, she nodded and spoke of w
hat she wanted to happen. "Of course. He'll be fine. M-Mel is there with Carl, and they'll be home any minute."
A door shut downstairs. She laughed sadly. "It looks like our break is over and everyone is coming back upstairs."
"You've got good friends who support you." Sharon stood from the chair. "I'm sorry your plans to get married today were ruined."
Tonight should've been spent with Mel, cuddled in his arms, and letting the high of being Mrs. Davis sweep her into believing she had the perfect life where nothing could come ruin her lifelong plans.
She shook her head. "You know what? It doesn't matter that I didn't get married today."
"It sure in the hell matters to me," said a male voice behind her.
She jolted and turned her head, spotting Mel standing in the open doorway. Alive, intense, and looking at her as if she alone wished him home. "Are you really here?" she whispered, her heart racing.
Mel walked into the room, picked her up along with the blanket, and sat down on the couch and held her to his chest. She caught sight of Carl following him into the room and buried her face in Mel's neck.
Only in the security of his arms with his heart beating against her, she let go of her worry in big, ugly, silent sobs that threatened to break her into a million pieces. Mel cupped the back of her head and simply held her.
Through letting go of her panic, she listened to her mother's voice lecturing Carl between her prayers of thanks that her son returned to her.
Mel put his lips to her ear and whispered, "Enough, babe. You were scared. I get that. But, I'm here, and I rather have you pissed off at me for fucking up our wedding than crying because you thought I wasn't coming back."
She raised her head and kissed him, and another sob escaped. "I can't be mad at you because I'm relieved. We will get married, and I will always fall apart if you're gone, and I don't know what is going on or if you'll even come back to me. And, I'll love you, even more, when you return to me."
"That alone is worth me making sure I come home," he said.
"Yeah?" She caressed his face with her hand.
He nodded. "Every single time."
She closed her eyes as more emotions hit her and inhaled deeply. Opening her eyes, she cleared her throat. "Thank you for bringing Carl back. Is he okay?"
"Ask him yourself." Mel tucked her back against him.
She gazed over at her mom and Carl and found them watching her and Mel. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." Carl shrugged. "I’m not sure how it all happened. I think that Gordon guy tried to break into Peggy's apartment and was surprised she was home...with the bar closed and everything. I followed them and texted you to get Mel. The club came and took Peggy home."
Raelyn sat up on Mel's lap. "Why in the world would Nate Gordon break into Peggy's apartment? Was he the one responsible for the other two break-ins?"
"Yeah, he confessed to both," said Mel. "He's got a drug problem."
Raelyn frowned. "I bet he found out Peggy didn't use a bank and kept her money at home. How is Peggy?"
"Battery took Peggy home. You know her, too stubborn for her own good. She's fine." Mel rubbed Raelyn's back. "The club escorted Gordon out of town."
"Good. We don't need someone doing others harm in Haugan." Raelyn shook her head. "It's unbelievable what people will do when they're desperate. Addiction is a terrible thing."
Carl yawned. "I'm going to bed."
"I'll walk you out." Raelyn's mom stepped over and hugged her, then hugged Mel. "Now, marry my girl, okay?"
"Plan to," said Mel.
Alone in the room, Raelyn held on to Mel tighter. The story he and Carl gave tonight had too many holes. She'd been around the club for too many years, listened to Duke's not-always-the-truth stories when he was alive, and knew not to question. The Ronacks members required their women to trust them, and Mel was no exception.
"How's Dukie?" Mel brushed her hair off her shoulder, leaving his thumb on her skin, tracing the curve.
"He's fine. I put him to bed a couple of hours ago." Raelyn leaned her forehead against his. "There will come a time when he's aware of what is going on. Cartoons and treats won't distract him."
"We'll take care of that when it happens. He's a smart kid and will know the role of a man in the family. Know he's loved. Safe." Mel raised his gaze from her skin to her eyes. "Are you good?"
His concern warmed her more than the blanket covering her legs. All she needed was him to make her feel good, and she could put today behind her and concentrate on the future.
Marriage was only a piece of paper, but she would marry Mel. Claiming her in front of the club ranked right up there with the most romantic gesture imaginable. It was being together that counted for her happiness.
"I am now." She tilted her head. "I'll be better when you take me to bed, and I can hold you and feel you against me."
"You read my mind," he whispered, picking her up and carrying her to the bedroom.
After he put her down, she closed the door and stripped out of her shorts and T-shirt. Then, she kneeled in front of him and unlaced his boots while he removed his pistols, his belt. She stood and took his vest from him, folding it in half and placing it on the dresser. There was no use moving his things into her room when they would eventually need to find a house to rent.
She shut off the light.
"Babe?"
She turned around and took his hand, climbing onto the bed. Together, they lay face to face as her eyes became adjusted to the darkness and could see him in front of her. She rubbed her leg against his hip, as she wound herself around him. The ache in her stomach became something pleasant as his warm breath washed over her neck.
He tilted her face and kissed her lips softly with more care, more love, more patience than normal. His tenderness made her even needier. She wanted to roll on top of him and sink down on his cock, and never let him leave her bed until he shouted how much he loved her and promised to tell her everything her mind refused to let go of. But, he wouldn't voice what happened within the club, because he loved her.
That ability to protect her, no matter what he went through personally, gave her strength. She'd be the strong woman he wanted in his life and never take him for granted. He went to a depth she could only imagine, providing a haven where he guaranteed her and Dukie safety. It went beyond being a biker or a member of Ronacks Motorcycle Club. It was because he was the kind of man who had stuck by her and proven how much he loved her.
"Make love to me," she whispered.
Mel linked his fingers with her, rolled, and pinned her to the bed. Hands clasped above her head, she inhaled under his weight and hooked her ankles behind his calves. Her tense muscles from the day gave up their fight and relaxed.
He nibbled her flesh, sucking his way up to her ear. "Thought of you all day and what I was missing."
She smiled into the darkness of the room as pleasure twirled throughout her body. "That's good to know."
Mel lowered his hand between their bodies and stroked her sex. Her legs widened, and she arched against his hand. The warmth he created swirled and gathered between her legs. She reached underneath her pillow, found a condom, and opened the wrapper, handing him the protection
"Wet, babe." He shifted his hips and rolled off her.
She stretched, exhaling loudly. Aroused and ready.
Condom on, he moved back between her legs and put his hardness at her opening.
He slid inside of her, and her lungs expanded. She squirmed at the pleasurable awareness of having his large size fill her completely.
Her body melted around him. Arms around his neck. Legs around his hips. Her nipples, hard and throbbing, pressed against his chest, seeking his touch. Her lower stomach quivered, caught in suspension of an orgasm she desperately wanted to find.
"That's it, babe." He lowered his head, taking her nipple in his mouth.
The suction from his mouth seared through her soul, stroking her core, and taking her higher. She panted, greedily
taking from him. Her hand fisted in his hair, holding him in place, wanting him to continue and never stop. Never leave her.
Her urgency sent Mel grinding against her, then pulling almost out, before plunging back in only to stroke her with his cock, over and over. She met him move for move, her sex pulsating with tension.
"So, fucking good," he muttered.
Her body spasmed in wonderment. Each tiny jolt better than the last. Until finally, she could breathe, think, and see again.
Mel hovered over her, staring at her intently as she came to her senses. She caressed his chest, so in love with the man that centered his life around her.
"I'm sorry for not being back in time to get to the courthouse." He frowned, still inside her body, still moving, still trying desperately to give her more than she needed.
"I'll still marry you tomorrow," she said. "Or, the next day, or next year."
With that, he growled, plunging into her, holding still, while he found his own release and the pleasure of a lifetime together. He filled her with the peace she craved.
“Thank you for coming back to me.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “I will go to hell and back to make it home to you."
Epilogue
One week later —
"You may kiss the bride."
Raelyn's gaze sparkled brighter than the ring on her finger. Mel hooked her neck, sliding his fingers through her hair to palm the back of her head and brought her gently forward and kissed her softly, pulling back without letting her go. She had reminded him moments before the ceremony to keep their kiss rated PG, for appearance sake.
Her fingers curled, grabbing his vest. "I changed my mind," she whispered.
A slow smile came over him. "Then, hold on, babe."
He captured her mouth, bending her backward, and opened her mouth with his lips. He stroked her with his tongue intimately, long and smooth, absorbing her pleasure, sharing his excitement.
Raelyn's body softened, and her leg came up and hugged his knee. He supported her weight, holding her close. Her soft 'I do' moments ago still vibrated through his body.
