“That’s a fucking lie.” Nick stood. Defending Gabby so vehemently wasn’t part of his plan, but when Matt targeted her, he couldn't just sit idle. “She works at the bar. Of course, she hears stuff, just like other girls do. That doesn’t make her a snitch.”
Matt stopped a few feet away from Gabby. Her expression conveyed fear. But she didn’t take a step back. Instead, her gaze bored into Matt’s. “I didn’t do it.” Her voice was loud, firm. “You guys offered me sanctuary. I would never do anything like that.”
“Why the fuck should I believe you?” he snarled into her face. “I don’t know you, but I know my men, and they wouldn’t do anything like this.”
“Leave her alone.” Nick leapt forward. His hand settled on Matt’s arm and he drew the other man back. When Matt shrugged out of his embrace, Nick placed himself between Gabby and Matt. “She didn’t do anything.”
“How the fuck do we know, man? Let me have a few minutes alone with her, and she will confess.”
Nick could imagine what would happen if he allowed Matt to take her into a separate room. Although violence was frowned upon in the clubhouse and among the members, the women were often fair game. And since they weren’t officially members of the club, their protection was rudimentary. If a man claimed a woman as his Old Lady, she was sheltered from the worst. But the rest of them were up for grabs.
Gabby wasn’t due any defense because she didn’t have a protector.
But he was there!
And he would see to it that Matt didn’t bully her.
“You’re not taking her anywhere,” he growled.
“I thought you wanted to get to the bottom of this mystery?” Matt snarled. “Is she more important than the safety of your brothers?”
“She is not a threat. If she was, I wouldn’t protect her.”
No one dared say anything as the two men glowered at each other. It was rare for one of them to go against the other. Such a thing was unheard of. Even if there were differences, they were sorted through words and not fists. But for the first time since he joined the club, Nick felt the urge to smash his fist in another’s face.
If Matt wasn’t careful, there would be a brawl. And he didn’t mind beating the shit out of the other if he didn’t lay off Gabby.
“She is the only one who could’ve done it,” Matt insisted. His hands clenched into fists, and Nick could see the struggle on his face. He was trying to resist throwing in the first punch. Well, bring it on. Nick was ready for anything. “Ronald, back me up here. We need to question her.”
Ronald scratched his head in an absent-minded gesture. “Until this matter is sorted out, it might be a good idea for Gabby to go away from the clubhouse.”
“She is not going anywhere.”
“And why the hell not? She is not a member of our club and as such doesn’t deserve our protection.”
“She is my Old Lady, and she isn't going anywhere,” Nick said in a voice that vibrated with rage.
He heard Gabby’s gasp loud and clear. Shit! He didn’t intend to lay it down like this. Cut a long story short, he didn’t even know he was considering the idea. But he couldn’t leave her alone to face the wolves, not when she got into this mess because he decided to spend the night with her. And damn it to hell! He bloody wanted her. Not only sexually but emotionally only. She was the only woman who won his heart in a long time. Every other woman paled in comparison. And he wasn’t going to lose her just because Matt was the world’s biggest dickhead.
Matt’s eyes narrowed. “She is your...what?”
“You heard me. She is my Old Lady so back the hell off!”
Ronald came forward to put a hand on Matt’s shoulder. “Matt, leave her alone. You know the rules. She is under Nick’s protection.”
“And if she screws up...”
Ronald’s gaze met Nick’s. Fear swirled in their murky depths. “If she screws up, he pays the price. We all know that. But right now, she is innocent until you have some proof.”
Matt bristled. He flexed the muscles of his arms but then he strode off to take his place on the table. Picking up his beer bottle, he drained it in one swig. “I will get it.”
Ronald turned his attention to Nick. “You’re the one who opened this Pandora’s Box, Nick. And now you have to see it through. Prove that someone is a snitch and find out who it is. Until then we’re not going to commit to any more hauls.”
James ran his hand through his hair. “How the hell would we get all that stuff out of the warehouse if the police are sitting there?”
“We leave it for now.”
“And if that raid it, we lose stuff worth thousands of dollars. That’s more a hundred grad of load sitting in there,” he growled.
“The police can’t raid without warrant, and they won’t get it because they have no way to prove beforehand that those are stolen goods stocked in there. Let’s just sit tight, and we will figure out a way later,” said Nick. He didn’t have any intention of letting the stuff sit in that warehouse but he didn’t want to provide the snitch with more information than what was necessary. He would personally remove the goods and move them to a more secure location once the police vigilance stopped.
But for now, he wanted to keep that idea to himself.
“The meeting is over,” said Ronald. “If anyone of you has any idea as to how the information could be leaking to the police, you can come forward and talk to me in private. But until we figure out this situation, no one puts a toe over the line. We’re going to protect each other.” The men strode off one by one. A few of them stayed in the bar to speculate and gossip. “You come with me,” said Ronald to Nick.
“Go on in your room,” Nick told Gabby before he followed Ronald.
In his office, Ronald closed the door. “Take a fucking seat.” Ronald was pissed, and this was one of the few times that Nick saw him like this. “You stirred up a hornet’s nest by announcing that girl as your Old Lady.”
“Matt was gunning for her without any reason. It irritated the shit out of me,” said Nick. “But she is innocent. I know it in my gut.”
Ronald leaned back to study Nick. “If she is innocent, you are safe enough but if she is not, you’re going to get dumped on your head with a barrel of mud.”
“I can handle it.” Nick rolled his shoulder. “It’s my head.”
“Fine,” Ronald huffed. “Do you have any ideas who it could be?”
Nick rolled his tongue in his mouth. “Not a clue,” he admitted. “But I’ve got plans to smoke the guy out.”
“If you get it wrong, there is a good chance I won’t have another option but to throw you out of the club.”
Fear licked over his skin like scalding flames. Without the club, he didn’t have an identity. And if he was kicked out, he wouldn’t know what to do. His friends were here, this was his life, and he fucking loved it. “I won’t get it wrong.”
Ronald ran his hand over the smooth surface of his desk. “Have you looked closely at Matt? He is only a year old in the club and he has a temper. And there have been a number of times he has picked fights with others. It could be revenge.”
Tempted as he was to point towards Matt, he couldn’t afford to be wrong. “He is clean.”
“How do you know?”
“The only two people who knew that I was going to scout the area before the pickup call were you and him. If he’d stationed the police there, he would have called and told them to move away. It would have been easy for them to drive away and come back later at the time when the truck showed up,” he assessed.
Ronald nodded. “So he is on the level?”
Damn it! He didn’t want it to be so but Matt was only one of the few people he could afford to eliminate. “Yes.”
“What’s the plan of action?”
“I will have to think of one.” Nick didn’t have a clue as to how he would find the snitch. It wasn’t going to be easy, especially because the person knew that they were looking in all directions. He would
be careful. Any plan they made would have to be smart. “Give me some time.”
“This is important, Nick. Don’t screw it up,” cautioned Ronald. “And if you need my help, let me know.”
“Thanks.” Nick walked off. Matt was still sitting downstairs at the bar, talking to Willow in a low voice.
He debated walking up to him and clearing the air, but damn it, he was still pissed. And if there was ever a need for talk, it would have to be with Gabby who was clueless about his motives. This was one talk that both thrilled and scared him.
By the time he reaching her room, Nick was shitting bricks.
Do or die!
This was his moment – and he wasn’t sure if would be able to utilize it the way he wanted.
CHAPTER TEN
Gabby took deep, steadying breaths as she lay on the bed in her room. Nick’s announcement took her by surprise. No! It bloody shocked the hell out of her. What the hell did he mean when he declared her as his Old Lady? Touched as she was by his attempt to save her from Matt’s accusations, she didn’t appreciate being made a fool of.
What would everyone say when they found out later that it was not true?
Just because they spent a night together didn’t mean they were committed to each other. He was a great guy, but it wasn’t as if they were officially going out.
Going out? Such a strange concept.
Old Lady? Even more foreign and scary.
When he knocked on the door, her heart thundered in her chest. Without hearing his voice, she knew it was him. Gabby opened the door and allowed him to step inside. Rather than open the conversation, she took a seat on the bed, waiting for him to give some explanation.
What the hell were they supposed to tell people tomorrow?
It wasn’t fair that he put her in this awkward position. Surrounded by a world that was replete with lies and deceit, the only thing she clung to with active determination was honesty. Gabby didn’t lie – but now, in order to give weight to his statement, she would have to.
Nick cleared his throat. His gaze strayed to the lone chair but then he remained standing. “I realize I shouldn’t have said anything to anyone about...you being my Old Lady.”
“You meant to protect me.”
Relief flooded over his face. He didn’t mean it, she could see that.
Just as well! The idea of a long-term commitment was as scary to Gabby as was the fear of being caught by Joseph again. She wasn’t ready for such a big step.
And of course, he didn’t mean it so there was no point worrying about it.
“Matt made me angry,” he said and took the seat.
She shrugged. “I am the newcomer. There is trouble in the clubhouse and naturally the one who falls under suspicion is the newest person on the block. But I didn’t do it. You guys gave me sanctuary when I needed it the most. How can I ever thank you all? Never in my life would I ever betray you and everyone else.”
His tongue darted out to moisten his bottom lip. “I never thought you did it.”
It was extremely gratifying to know that he believed in her so intently. No other man would have taken such a firm stand. She should be grateful – and she was. “Thank you. It means a lot to me.”
She didn’t shift or move. Now what?
“We’re going to investigate this matter further, but until I get to know the identity of the real culprit, it might be better for you to stay out of Matt’s way.” That would be difficult given that she lived here and Matt spent more than half his day in the clubhouse. “It might be a good idea for you to move in with me. In any case, we should do it. Old Ladies don’t stay at the clubhouse.”
She blinked her eyes, fighting the confusion that overwhelmed her. “So you want me to keep telling people that what you said was true?”
Now it was his turn to look bewildered. “What do you mean?”
Gabby ran her hand on the bed sheet. “Do you want to pretend that I am your Old Lady until you find the real culprit?”
His gaze settled on her. A strange expression flitted over his eyes. Moving over, he sat beside her. “Gabby, I meant it. I want you to be my Old Lady. I should’ve asked you first, of course. And I would have...if that fiasco didn’t happen.”
She couldn’t understand what he was saying. Surely this was a joke? But the sincerity in his eyes was real. What did she feel about this? He was asking her to be his Old Lady. Did she want it?
If he’d hit her with a bat, she wouldn’t have been more shocked.
“But...”
“I’m making a mess of this. Let’s just do it right this time.” He held her hand in his. “Gabby, will please do me the honor of becoming my Old Lady?”
Her lips trembled. An Old Lady was as good as a wife. Sure, maybe she didn’t have the legal status but as far as the clubhouse and the bikers’ world was concerned, she got the same rights. And he wanted her to be his forever. The idea terrified her.
And yet, she wanted it with a desperation that was hard to deny.
Nick was an amazing guy. Gabby saw too much shit in her life not to recognize a diamond when she came across it. And he was truly caring. Maybe...if she allowed herself, she would actually fall in love with him. But the idea scared the hell out of her.
And Goddamn it, she liked him much more than she cared to admit. Their sexual chemistry was outstanding and she enjoyed his company.
What more did a woman want?
But a voice in her heart told her to tread with care.
What if he changed his mind in a few days?
What if he decided that he didn’t want to pick a fight with a fellow biker over her? If he did any of those things, it would break her heart forever – and she might not be able to survive the crash back to reality.
The thought of failure made her afraid to try.
“Say something,” he urged. “I know this is difficult for you, but I am hundred percent committed, Gabby. I love you.”
Love? Gabby thought she might faint.
“But we’ve just met weeks ago.”
“The heart knows what it wants better than the mind.” His grin was infectious. “And I want you with all my heart and soul. With me, you will be safe. And I will cherish each day that we spend together. Sure, we will have to face ups and down as all couples do, but other than that, it’s going to be pretty damn good.”
She sucked in a deep breath of air to fortify her mind that was a nest of swirling, twirling emotions. Did she want him?
Did she want the commitment?
Even though she longed to avoid the pain of such a decision, Gabby wanted to belong. And who better than Nick? He was the perfect man, her man. Her eyes filled with tears. “Yes.”
“Yes?”
She threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, yes, yes. I’ll be your Old Lady.”
Delight spread over his face and his lips swooped down on her. The kiss was hot and demanding, passionate and wild. While he was tender and gentle the night before, she could sense his desire to plunder and possess. Tangles and coils of liquid hot desire whipped and lashed in her belly as she devoured his mouth.
Passion and need stirred inside her like a tornado.
When he tugged off her shirt, she didn’t resist. Instead, her fingers pulled his shirt out of his jeans so that she spread her fingers over his smooth, warm skin. His muscles bunched under the tips of her finger. With a quick swipe, he unhooked her bra and glided it off her shoulder. Her firm, twin globes escaped the tight confines and filled his willing hands. Pushing her on the bed, he tugged off her pants. Naked, she spread before him.
Nick stood and took off his clothes.
She watched as he dropped his clothes on the chair. It was easy to see the powerful stance of his shoulders as he flexed his arms. The play of muscles on his chest was riveting. His narrow wrist sat atop long, lean legs and when her gaze took in the sight of his cock that jutted out with pride from the tangle of curls, she felt a red-hot haze envelop her brain.
He stalked to
wards the bed, and she resisted the urge to run.
She wanted him.
And yet, she knew that this would the most defining moment of their relationship.
They had entered a new phase – and she was scared as hell.
But the warm caress of his gaze assured her.
When he leaned over her, his cock sliding over her taut belly, she felt the urge to arch her back and take him deep inside her. But it was obvious that he wanted to take his time. His demanding fingers encircled her breasts and squeezed gently. Her nipples, hard and ruby-red, stiffened and she smelt the musky scent of her arousal. His heavy lashes came down to cover his eyes as he bent his head and took a hard nipple in his mouth. His tongue swirled over the sensitive bud. The gently sucking motion made her blood boil. Moisture leaked down the swollen lips of her pussy and she rubbed her thighs against the hard muscles of his legs to alleviate the lure of desire that tugged in her belly. Her fingers speared through his hair and tugged.
Outlaw's Wrath - An MC Brotherhood Romance Boxed Set Page 8
