Outlaw's Wrath - An MC Brotherhood Romance Boxed Set

by Glass, Evelyn

  This party was only the beginning of great things to come.

  “Thank you, dear, but this is nothing compared to the way your girl is looking,” said Willow. “I must admit that I’d something to do with that. If Tasha and I didn’t insist that she pick the right dress, she might have attended this party in jeans.”

  “And she would’ve rocked in it,” he said with a cheeky grin. “But I appreciate your effort.”

  She wriggled her eyebrows as she stood and leaned against the counter. “You’re besotted, aren’t you?”

  Nick laughed. “I guess I am.”

  “She is a rare find, that girl. But her heart’s delicate. The bruises on it are fading fast but I can still feel the pain that she felt all these years,” said Willow. “Treat her gently.”

  He lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips. “Oh, I intend to, and I am grateful that you’re also looking out for her. It means a lot to me, and to her.”

  She tugged free her hand. “Go on now, you’re going to make me cry.”

  Nick went upstairs. As he was going up, his gaze was drawn to the kitchen where preparations were on in full swing. He stopped by to say hello and also to check if everything was alright. Although he came to the clubhouse for a meeting with Ronald, he wanted to ask Gabby if she wanted him to take her luggage back to his house. That way, she could leave after the party with him and they wouldn’t have to wait for another night. He was well aware that she was dragging her feet about this. Initially, he’d tried his best to be patient, but now he was becoming a little irritated. It wasn’t just that she appeared reluctant to move in, but also the fact that she wasn’t being herself.

  Could it be that she said yes to him in a moment of enthusiasm and was now regretting her decision? If that was the case, he would prefer if she flat out told him. Gabby wasn’t the sort of girl who played games. She was straightforward and upright, and he loved that about her. It was one of the qualities that attracted him to her, but now she was being evasive and secretive. And he hated to see her like that.

  Was she so averse to commitment that she didn’t even want to live under one roof?

  She loved him, even though she never said the words. Damn it! He knew it in his heart. No woman could make love to him the way she did and not feel anything genuine. But lately, he was having serious misgivings about her behavior. If she didn’t straighten out, he might have to confront her.

  But not today!

  It was their celebration dinner and he didn’t want anything to spoil it.

  As he raised his hand to knock on her door, he heard her talking to someone. Tasha? Or the new girl who just arrived yesterday? Nick knocked on the door and opened it. He strode inside. The room was empty. Gabby was shoving her phone in the purse. Her smile was bright, overly so. “Hi.”

  “Hello, babe! All packed up.” He noticed the bags that lay in the corner. It still amazed him that a person could pack their entire belonging in such small suitcases. When she arrived, she had only one, and now at least, there was another. It was progress. Slowly and steadily, she was becoming a normal person. “Who were you talking to?”

  “It’s…I…it was Tasha.”

  He couldn’t believe her audacity. On another day, he might not have given this another thought. He wouldn’t have even bothered to read anything on her face. But today, he could see the lies that swirled in her eyes. He hated the whole damned thing. Why would she feel the need to tell him untruths? Whom was she talking to?

  Was it someone he didn’t approve of? But then he never told her how to live her life. She was free to be friends with anyone she chose. He never dictated his will on her, and he didn’t intend to start now. So why would she hide stuff from him?

  Nick folded his arms over his chest as he tried to think. Frankly, he was tired of tiptoeing around her. It was time to make things clear. “It couldn’t be Tasha. I just saw her in the kitchen on my way over, and she gave me her phone because it was broken and needed to be fixed.”

  Gabby opened her mouth and closed it. “I don’t have to tell you everything.”

  His eyebrow rose at the bold statement. Anger swept through his nerves, but he stomped on it viciously. He wouldn’t give in to his basic impulses. All through his life, whatever tough times he had, Nick always made it a point to behave like a gentleman with women. Perhaps it was a lofty ideal given the environment he lived in but he clung to it because it made him feel good. It didn’t matter how much she annoyed him, he wouldn’t raise a hand.

  “You’re right, but your lies raise suspicions in my heart. Do you want that?”

  Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. Tears pooled in her eyes. That was such a surprising sight that his anger fizzled fast. He’d never seen her cry. She tried her best to hide her emotions. Gabby wasn’t the kind of girl who dissolved into tears at the slightest insult or rebuke. She was made of sterner stuff, but right now, she looked vulnerable, scared. He hated to see her like that.

  For now, Nick decided to back off. If she wanted to spin lies and feed him garbage, he would accept that. Perhaps it was important to her to keep this thing a secret. He didn’t understand, but he would do his best to do so.

  “Please give me a little time,” she pleaded. “Everything will become clear.”

  Having already decided to not ask more questions, he simply nodded. “Do you want me to take your bags?”

  Fresh fear exploded over her face. “No, I…I’ve got some things in the cupboard. Tomorrow, we can take them.”

  She was lying again. With an effort, nick curbed his temper. Not now! Not this way! Sooner or later, she would’ve to come clean. “Do you want me to do something about the party?”

  She sucked in a deep breath. “No! It’s all done. The food is ready. Willow has everything under control. I’m going to get dressed and go down in a little while.”

  “I’ll go home and change then,” he said. “See you in a while.”

  For the first time since he met Gabby, Nick was disappointed as he walked out and strode downstairs. This wasn’t the woman he fell in love with. The woman he cared for and admired wasn’t a liar. What would make her spin these tales that he couldn’t believe? Only one possibility sprang to his mind. She was having an affair.

  The thought even as it ran in his mind froze his inside. He couldn't move, couldn’t even take another step. All the breath whooshed out of his lungs and Nick felt lightheaded. No way. That couldn't be true. But if that was true, it explained her behavior. If she was interested in another man, she wouldn’t want to shift with him. That would curb her freedom and wouldn’t give her the chance to meet the man she liked. If that was true, it explained her shady behavior such as talking on the phone.

  Shit!

  Was he blind? How could this possibility not occur to him before?

  “Hey man, what’s up?” said Matt in a loud voice as he climbed up the stairs.

  Startled, Nick shifted. “Alright. What are you doing here?”

  Matt raised his eyebrow at Nick’s abrupt tone. “I’ve recruited to deliver this to Gabby.” He held up the packet in his hand. “It’s some beads or necklaces or some such thing that Tasha lent to her.”

  Nick resisted the urge to snatch the package from his hand. In his current state of mind, he didn’t want to barge into her room again. And also, he didn’t think Matt was the one having an affair with Gabby. And perhaps, he was wrong. It could probably be his imagination that as going wild. “Go right ahead. I will see you at the party.”

  “Yeah, sure, man.” Nick must have detected something in Nick’s voice because he didn’t immediately start to climb up. Ignoring him, Nick wound his way down. He didn’t talk to anyone else. Instead, he walked out of the clubhouse.

  Surely, he was wrong.

  He couldn’t possibly be right.

  Gabby wasn’t the sort of woman who juggled two men at the same time. She was honest and decent. If she didn’t love it, she would have told him straight out. Why would she lie t
o him and sleep with another man?

  But nothing else fit her behavior as well as this theory.

  Ronald was waiting outside with Willow. They were also headed back home to get dressed. The two of them were together for more than fifteen years now. Sometimes he looked at them and his heart swelled with an ache. He wanted the same love that they shared with each other. For years, they were with each other through thick and thin. When he found Gabby, Nick had naively assumed that he’d found something similar. Given time, he expected to grow old with Gabby.

  Now, it looked as his dreams would never come to fruition.

  “Hey, how is the man of the moment?” Ronald’s grin damn near broke his head. “Ready to tie the old yolk around your neck, boy? She is moving in. That’s a huge deal.”

  Willow poked him in his tummy. “Don’t scare the boy. You love living with me, and he is going to cherish this too. Gabby is a great girl.”

  Ronald winked at Nick. “Sure, that is true. But there is no end to the nagging, I tell you that. Pick up the towel. Don’t leave the dirty dishes in the sink. Fold the laundry and put it in. I may be boss in this clubhouse, but she works me like a slave in the house.”

  “Me? Nag?” Willow put her hands on her hips. Another time, her indignant expression might have amused Nick, but now he couldn’t think straight. “You just wait till we get home, Ronald James Mathew!”

  “See, this is exactly what I am talking about.” Ronald gripped her arm and marched her towards the bike. “Nag! Nag! Nag!”

  They bickered all the way to the bike, but he helped her strap on the helmet, and when she rode behind him, her arms went around his waist in a loving manner. Willow waved to him before they sped off. Nick didn’t bother to wave back. He was feeling too depressed, but maybe he was blowing this whole thing out of proportion. Surely, his sweet, loving Gabby couldn’t be cheating on him with another man. She loved him. Maybe she hadn’t said the right words back, but that didn’t mean anything. They shared a perfect relationship, and soon she would fall into his rhythm. Life was good, and he should read too much into minor incidents.

  Nothing could deter him from his goal of taking her home tomorrow, and once she lived with him, their lives would settle down and they would be happy forever.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Gabby hated lying to Nick. She abhorred the idea of deserting him, but it was the only way she could keep him out of harm’s way. Perhaps one day, he would understand. Or most likely, he would curse her till his last breath. She could leave him a note to explain things, but she knew that if she did so, he would try to come after her and attempt to bring her back.

  It was important to sever all ties so that he could remain happy in his world. Joseph would track her to the end of the world, and she didn’t want even his shadow to fall on Nick. Soon, after she was gone, Nick would get over the heartbreak. He would find someone else and be happy forever. The mere idea sent a lance of pain through her heart. She couldn’t bear seeing him with another woman, and the thought that she would never see him again was devastating. She would never be able to get over him. Never. He was the love she’d never imagined she would get, and yet, now she didn’t have a choice but to leave him.

  After she dressed, Gabby carried her bags to the pantry where she left them for the time being. Once the party was over, she would slip out of the backdoor. She couldn’t risk carrying the bags down the stairs at that time. This was the perfect plan. It didn’t give her much time. A few hours, at most. She checked her watch. It was already six in the evening. Soon, people would start trickling in. Once she finished her preparations, she went into the kitchen.

  “Hey, you look fabulous,” said Tasha as she cast an appreciative glance at Gabby. “But what are you doing here? Your dress will get spoilt. Go out, shoo!”

  “I just came to see if you need help.”

  “I’ve got everything covered,” said Tasha as she tugged Gabby’s hand and led her out of the kitchen. “You don’t need to worry over a thing. It’s your party and I want you to have fun. Tomorrow, you can be back in this kitchen and do all the work and I will sit and relax in a corner.”

  Gabby’s heart swelled with pain. She would never see her friend again. Would Tasha wonder what made Gabby do such a miserable thing? Would they all sit and speculate over her reasons? She would never find such good friends ever again. She clasped Tasha’s hand in hers. “Tasha, you’re amazing. Don’t ever change.”

  Her grin split her lips. “And you’re amazing too, girl.”

  “What is this? A mutual admiration club?” said Willow as she sashayed towards them. She wore a black shirt, a while off-the-shoulder blouse, and wore a bandana from which a feather jutted upward. “How do I look?”

  Tasha clapped. “Fantastic. I love it. Guess I should go and change.”

  “You think? Yeah, go run, girl. People would start coming in. This party is happening, and don’t worry about anything in the kitchen, I will handle it.” Willow cast her gaze over Gabby’s outfit. Reaching with her hand, she fiddled with the necklaces until she was satisfied. “You do look beautiful, like an angel who has come in the guise of gypsy. When Nick sees you, he will be floored.”

  Her heart squeezed with the pain of the knowledge that only she was privy to. Gabby fought the tears that sprang to her life. “Your dress will get spoilt if you work here. Let me help you.”

  “Oh no, you don’t.” Willow put her arm around Gabby’s waist and led her to the main room, away from the kitchen. “Tonight, you relax and enjoy. We want you to have fun.”

  “I’ve had nothing but fun ever since I came here, and you’ve been a delight, Willow. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  Willow caressed Gabby’s cheek. “You would’ve managed just fine, girl. It’s you who have made this life. It’s all your doing, and I am so proud of you. Nick is a great guy, and I just know that you guys will be happy together.”

  She swallowed the lump that rose in her throat. No way was she making a fool of herself. Gabby couldn’t afford to raise any suspicion. If these girls even suspected that she was contemplating such a move, they would run to Nick and tell him everything. No one would let her go easily. That was their love, the extent of their loyalty. For their sakes, she would’ve to be stealthy and cunning.

  Even as she was thinking all these thoughts, Nick strode in. She stiffened, suddenly scared that she might have spoken aloud. For a moment, his gaze was cold, icily so, as if he knew but then his expression softened.

  “You look absolutely gorgeous.”

  She moistened her lips with her tongue as her gaze feasted on his handsome face. She would never see the devilish twinkle in his eyes, never ever be able to curl into his arms, and she would never know the gentle love he showered on her so unselfishly. “Thank you, kind sir. You clean up pretty good, too.”

  “Ah!” He kissed her cheek, drew her in his arms, and rested his chin on her head. “Nothing compared to you, babe! You look hot!”

  She laughed at the obvious honesty in his words, but before she could say anything, Willow marched out from the kitchen. “You two love birds better break it up before the guests start pouring in. Nick, I want you to bring the plates that I have set in the kitchen. Put them on the bar.”

  “Slave labor,” he muttered in her ear as he walked off. “Anything else, ma’am?”

  Willow winked at Gabby who was still staring at Nick. “Oh yeah, you can also serve behind the bar tonight until someone else takes over. Although, I think, they will all be having too much fun to help you much tonight.”

  Muttering under his breath, Nick went into the kitchen. After he came out and set the plates, he began setting the chairs according to Willow’s firm instructions. Gabby had to admit that the girls did a fabulous job with the decorations. Festive balloons and ribbons hung down. Flowers, fresh and colorful, were put in round jars on the tables that were covered with red tablecloths. Soon, people began to come in, and rather than sit and talk, Gabby be
gan to serve the drinks along with Nick. It was a fabulous party, made even more so because everyone knew each other. The atmosphere was relaxed and genial. In comparison, she felt as if she strung as tight as a bow. Soon, she would be out of this place, away from these people, and in some other city where she wouldn’t know anyone. She would miss them all, but her life would be barren because Nick wouldn’t be in it.

  The music blared out of the speakers, and soon people began to dance. Nick tugged her hand. “Let’s take a breather.”

  “The bar?”

  “Hey, Peter, you mind the bar for a few minutes, man. I’m going to dance with my lady love.”

  Peter took over without protest. Their last dance! Their last party! Gabby moved willingly in Nick’s arms as he led her to the floor. The music pounded inside her head, took over every thought and worry. For just a few minutes, she wanted to enjoy herself. She wanted to have fun and carry the memory of this glorious day with her forever. Tilting her head up, she glanced at him. His green eyes sparkled in the dim light. The long column of his throat was smooth and enticing. She resisted the urge to swipe her tongue over his creamy skin. Desire licked her insides as she danced with him. The whiff of his strong cologne hit her nostrils and she inhaled the familiar scent, relishing it, cherishing it. As the music shifted beats, he swung her around. People around them clapped as they began swaying to a fast, salsa number.