Torch (Tarnished Souls MC Book 1)
Page 7
“If it’s not too far away from the club house. I want to be able to get back if something were to happen to one of the girls.” She insists, causing me to smile. She has no idea how much her protectiveness turns me on. I’m the same way when it comes to my family and friends.
“Don’t look at me like that, Romeo, this does not mean you’re going to get lucky.”
Arching my eyebrow, I give her my trade mark smirk, “is that a challenge?” I question stepping into her personal space, watching as she visibly swallows. Mia may be able to control her bodies desire for me, but she will never be able to hide it.
“Maybe.” She hesitates to say, her eyes telling me everything I need to know. She wants me to break my rule. Taking her without having to say she’s mine. Her restraint is better than most, but not as good as mine.
Taking a step back, loving the look of disappointment that enters her eyes, “we should start heading back to the club house, I need a shower.” I declare before walking away. Knowing she will eventually follow when she quits picturing me naked.
##########
Mia comes strolling out of the club house wearing tight skinny jeans, white tank top, that is molded to her body, and a leather jacket. She recently went on a girls shopping trip with Serenity. If this is just a preview of the clothes she bought I’m in trouble. Mia is sexy, in whatever she wears, but her new outfit makes it hard to think about anything other than her legs being wrapped around me.
“Are you ready?” Spitfire asks, once she is standing next to me. With me sitting on my bike I’m now the one looking up at her. Trying to control my male urges, to take her where she stands, I opt to nod in way of answering. When Mia’s smile reaches her eyes, I know she is fully aware of what she is doing to me. “Then let’s go, Romeo.” She commands, throwing her leg over my bike, like she was born to do it. Grabbing her helmet from the handle bars I hand it to her over my shoulder. I know she has it on when she scoots closer to my back, placing her warm heat against me, and wrapping her arms around my abdomen. “Don’t take it easy on me.” She whispers into my ear, “I want it fast and hard.” With a flick of my wrist, the engine below us vibrates to life, and we take off. Flying rocks left behind are the only indication we were once there.
Mia’s grip tightens, but I swear I can hear her squealing out her excitement. When we get to the main road, that is paved, I’m able to speed up more. Enjoying the feeling of her arms around me and the wind in my face. There is nothing more freeing than being on a motorcycle, having all this power beneath you.
It takes us about half an hour to get to the location of my choice. Mia leaps off the bike, taking the helmet off, running her fingers through the tangles in her long hair. “This place is beautiful.”
“I thought you might like to sit by the water and have a picnic.”
“You made a picnic?” She questions, looking at me as if I have grown another head.
“Hell no. I had one of the prospects make, then deliver, it.” I declare, grabbing her hand. Making sure to walk at a speed she won’t have trouble keeping up with. I lead us to the cement picnic table by the water. The two coolers waiting on us lets me know the prospect has done his job correctly.
“You sit down.” She commands, “it’s only fair I fix you a plate since you went out of your way to plan all this for me.” As she opens the coolers, gathering all the stuff to make sandwiches I can’t help but smile. This is just one more thing about Mia I have grown to like. Whether she wants to admit it or not she enjoys taking care of me, just as much as I enjoy letting her do it.
“I haven’t been to a lake since I was a kid.” She says, “a group consular thought it would be beneficial to let the unwanted kids spend the day trying to be normal. When some of the older teenagers decided to go skinny dipping, we had to leave, I never even got in the water. I was too scared.” She tells me, placing a bottled water with two sandwiches down in front of me. I wait for her to finish making her own before I start eating. The conversation between us continues to flow easily. When we are, both finished, as she gets up to start packing everything back up I ask her a question she already answered.
“You’ve never been swimming in a lake?” I question.
“Nope.” She answers, looking at me over her shoulder. Her eyebrows go up in question when I start removing my clothes. “We’re not leaving here until you get in that water.”
“Are you insane? It’s the first week of November. The water is going to be freezing.”
“It’s going to be a little cool, but I’m sure we can find a way to warm up afterwards.” I reply, giving her a wink. With a look of uncertainty, she too starts to undress, leaving on her matching black bra and thong. In nothing more than my boxer briefs Mia, plus any animal peeking through the trees, can see exactly what she does to me.
“First one in the water gets to choose how we warm up.” She shouts out, already running toward the shore. Letting her get a small head start I watch as her ass bounces with every step she takes. Then, when she is far enough to still be caught I take off. Easily grabbing her. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I stop Mia’s movement, twisting her around to face me. Throwing her over my shoulder I march forward into the water loving the sounds of her laughter.
“You cheated.” She screams. When my bare flesh first makes contact with the water I realize it’s much colder than I had anticipated. Just when I’m about to turn around, not wanting to get either of us sick, Mia starts talking shit.
“You know you’ve forfeited your right to choose.”
“I do believe it was your ass I watched bouncing toward the shore while shouting over your shoulder.” I state, slapping my palm down on her left ass cheek. “Now let’s get you wet so I can warm you up.”
Don’t you dare thr…” Mia is not able to finish her statement. Throwing her high in the air I watch as she lands in the water, becoming completely submerged. After a few seconds of silence, she comes up sputtering and spitting, “YOU ARE GOING TO REGRET THAT!!” She screeches, barreling after me. Then she suddenly stops, starts cussing, and bouncing.
“Damn it. That fucking hurt… OWE! OWE!”
“What hurts.” I ask, instantly at her side. Quicker than I thought my Spitfire could move, she climbs my back like some monkey and proceeds to try drowning me. The little minx was never hurt. She just fooled me. We spend a few more minutes in the water, her on my back, me pretending to fight her off. Then I hear her teeth start clattering in my ear, so I know it’s time to get out.
“Come here.” I say to her, pointing to the blanket I laid out on the ground. I guess you can say I came prepared. Mia licks her lips, looking from my bare chest to the top button of my jeans I left open. We both removed our wet underwear, before putting on our dry clothes. I gave my shirt to Mia because the tank top would have done nothing to warm her up. Finally, she slowly saunters over to me.
“Lay down and close your eyes.” I command, enjoying her obedience.
“Torch.” She whispers, her voice sounding unsure.
“What’s wrong, Spitfire?” I ask, wanting her to say what I already know. This connection we have isn’t just sexual, and it scares her. Mia is not as closed off with her body as she is with her heart, but I want them both. Thankfully, with the use of her nickname she visibly relaxes.
“I want you. I just don’t know if I want to be yours.” She whispers, keeping her eyes closed.
“I know, Mia, but like I said before I’m a patient man. I already see you as mine.” I say, before placing a soft kiss to her lips. When Mia wraps her arms around my neck, trying to deepen the kiss, I take both her wrists in my hand, placing them above her head. “Don’t move them.” I order, going back to worshiping her body the way I want.
Her withering and soft whimpers are enough to distract me from our surroundings until a snapping twig catches my attention. Making sure to keep my cool, not wanting to alarm her, I move to reach for the gun I placed under the blanket. I did mention I came prepared.
“You must have a death wish, DeWayne.” I spit out, staring at the end of his forty-five. One bullet from that caliber sized gun, I’d be dead before Mia could scream. The thought brings me back to reality. I glance down at Mia to find her deathly white and stiff as a board.
“I’m not the one with a gun pointed at my head, Torch. It took a lot of patience and time but I finally found you.” He says, pulling the hammer back. “Get up.”
Leaving me little choice, concerned he may turn that gun on Mia, I slowly rise to my feet. Maybe if I can keep him talking, get him to turn his back toward her, Mia will have a chance to get away. Taking a few steps to my right, DeWayne, has no choice to follow me, because I’m the bigger threat.
“Your fucking club always takes everything that belongs to us. Slasher didn’t want me to pursue her, but as you can see I don’t give two shits about what he wants. She’s mine, has been ever since I forced my cock in her tight cunt. I should be president of the club, not him.” He declares, not realizing his mistake, too busy looking at me with pride. This peace of shit just admitted to raping my woman, he’s a dead man. My anger taking root, over riding any second thoughts I may have, I charge forward. Tackling him to the ground, barely missing Mia, I let my fist fly. In the struggle his weapon goes flying but he wouldn’t be able to raise it anyway. Hit after hit I enjoy the sound of his bones breaking. When my arms are too tired to move anymore, I force them to land two more shots, before rising to my feet. Mia is standing to my left, her eyes never moving from DeWayne’s dead body. She takes two steps forward, raising the gun I hadn’t seen in her hand, emptying the chamber into his crotch.
Chapter 14
Mia
I can hear Torch’s voice ringing out in the background, but it’s like I’ve stepped into an alternate universe. In my head, I can see me standing over the dead body, of my rapist, staring at the blood-stained pants he is wearing. Torch really did a number on his face, it’s busted up beyond recognition, but there is no telling who’s to blame for the finale blow. Whether it was by Torch’s fist, or the gun I’m still holding out doesn’t matter. As long as this piece of shit is dead. My arm is starting to shake from the weight of the gun, so for my piece of mind and to make sure this rapist is really gone I throw it at his chest. He doesn’t even flinch from the powerful thud.
Blinking my eyes a few times, reality finally comes slamming back into me, and I look to Torch. I can see the worry for me on his face. Too bad I’m not interested in his sympathy. Torch may act concerned right now, but once the air settles he will realize I’ve been with his enemy. No member of the Tarnished Souls, especially one as proud as Torch, would willingly be with a whore that slept with someone from the Blacktop Sinners, by force or not.
“Take me to the club house.” I state, avoiding his touch. The frown that covers his face is almost enough to make me run into his arms. I refrain because I’m not willing to pick up the pieces to myself he would leave behind, in his wake.
“Taz and Hammer are on their way, Mia.” He starts telling me, talking as if I’m a loose cannon. “They are bringing Rebecca. Hammer will take you back home while Taz and I clean up this mess.” Just as he is finishing I hear the sound of gravel on tires and look up to see Hammer’s truck barreling down the road, I’m able to breathe easier. I can see Rebecca in the front seat, putting my mind at ease. Torch knew I would need one of my girls, probably because he doesn’t want to be the one to comfort me anymore.
Numbly making my way to the truck that is now parked beside Torch’s bike I hear him shout out for Hammer to go straight to the club house. When Rebecca opens the door, pulling me into her arms, she allows me to be broken. I promise myself by time I get back to the club house I will be strong again, I will be the woman my sisters need me to be.
I never noticed Hammer stop to talk with Taz on our way back to the compound. I wasn’t even aware we were back until Rebecca was undressing me and helping me into the shower. Scarlett and Sammy were helping as well, all of them taking care of me as I had done for them so many times.
“Mia, the water is getting cold.” Rebecca states over the sound of the shower. Turning off the water, I grab the towel Sammy has ready for me, “I wanted him dead. For so long. I wanted him to suffer for everything he had done to us, to me.” I whisper, “I’ve never shot anyone before. Never thought I could be the reason someone wasn’t breathing anymore.”
“You were brave enough to do something none of us could.” Rebecca declares, raising her voice. “He was a monster, Mia. You probably saved more lives by ending his.”
“Rebecca’s right.” Sammy interrupts, “he helped take us from our homes. There are probably countless women he helped do it to.”
“We need to get out of here.” I command, telling myself that leaving this compound will help me get some of my strength back. I can’t walk around here as if nothing has happened, avoiding Torch in hopes I won’t have to witness the look of disgust in his eyes.
“We need to leave while all the men are occupied.” I tell them, forming a plan in my head. I have hotwired countless cars. I’m sure one of the many trucks outside will be easy to boost. I’m finally able to take a deep breath. Now that I have a plan, I can get Scarlett to safety. The added bonus is getting far away from the only man that has come close to breaking down my walls.
##########
The hotel room we are staying in is a bit sketchy. I tried to get a room at a nicer one, but the one thing Texans like more than talking funny is hunting. All the good hotels were booked solid. Getting Hammer’s truck wasn’t hard at all, sneaking out of the compound was a little difficult, but I managed to get me and my girls to Junction, Texas.
“I don’t think they have changed the sheets on this bed since… well ever.” Sammy says, a look of disgust planted firmly on her face. I can’t blame her. The once white sheets are now a dingy yellow, almost the color of a drunk man’s urine.
“It’s just for tonight.” I declare, “we need to rest so we can leave early. I talked to the manager here, he said there was a bus station not too far way. The more distance we put between us, and Blacktop Sinners the better.”
“It can’t be any worse than that dungeon floor.” Scarlett whispers, dropping her luggage on the ground. She walks to the mattress lifting up one end. We all follow suit, one by one helping her to flip the full-size mattress. We lay our duffle bags across the bed, using them as pillows. I have been preparing for this day for a while. Buying clothes for all of us, other essentials we need. I was also able to find a guy on online, using Buck’s computer, that is willing to sale me a car. I just hope he doesn’t mind me showing up earlier than we talked about.
“Sammy I wish you could have seen the look on your face when the truck backfired leaving the compound.” Rebecca laughs out, bringing forth the moment in my own mind. I thought she was going to have a heart attack.
“I was sure someone heard it.” She giggles out, “I still don’t know how we got away.”
“The men were busy trying to contain, Torch.” Scarlett explains, “He went crazy when they told him Mia didn’t want to see him. I’ve never seen anyone look so angry. I was just staring, waiting for him to turn green and start yelling SMASH.”
“Do you feel guilty for leaving him like that?” Rebecca asks, after the laughter from, Sammy’s, impression dies down.
“No. He’ll soon realize he dodged a bullet.” I answer, knowing she is talking to me.
“Do you think they will find us before we’re able to get to the bus stop?”
“No, Sammy. Between the dead body and Torch going Hulk on everyone they have too much on their plates. We will be long gone before they even realize we’re missing.”
##########
Getting to the bus station took a lot of pat and bending, walking, you know pat your feet bend
your knees. Anyway, it was a long, tiring trip, but we did make it. Just on time. Our bus is set to leave soon, Austin, here we come. From there we can take a cab to the guy that’s supposed to sale me a car. Once I have a set of wheels I can get all of us out of this state. To a town where no one knows what a motorcycle club is.
I must have fallen asleep because Scarlett is shaking my shoulders, telling me we have made it to Austin. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I walk down the steps of the bus, taking a deep breath. For the first time in hours I feel like I can smile again. All my problems are about to be behind me, and I’ll forever leave them in the past where they belong.
“620 West Slaughter Lane.” I tell the cabbie as I climb in the front seat. The other three are squeezing into the back seat of the cab.
“Slaughter Lane?” Sammy questions, visibly paling.
“I promise it’s a real address, Sammy. I wouldn’t go there if it wasn’t.” I try to convince her. “I did my research, even talked to the owner of the car lot. His name is Bob.”
The remainder of the ride is met with an awkward silence. All of us girls lost in thought, they’re probably just as nervous as I am about having to meet another unknown male. The cabbie keeps glancing back and forth between us, probably wondering what our story is. Why we are acting so skittish.
When we arrive, I look down at the meter, throwing the man a twenty-dollar bill. “Keep the change.” I declare, anxious to get out of the smothering car. Sammy looks more relaxed when she sees the car lot in front of us. Scarlett and Rebecca both seem reluctant to go in, but everyone ultimately follows me.