AFFLICTED: A Dark Bad Boy Romance

by Nicole Fox

  No. I’m not fucking okay.

  Then he’d thanked Rex for keeping an eye on her. Keeping an eye on her — like he hadn’t showed her a fucking gun and told her to stay put.

  The drive home had been tense. When she’d opened her mouth to speak, her father had cut her off.“It’s best not to ask any questions.”

  “How can I not?”she’d demanded, too furious and scared to keep quiet.“I found your guns, I found the money. Whoare you?”

  A long silence.

  Russell had turned onto their street, keeping his gaze on the road.“In a way, my dear, I suppose it’s good that you found those things. Now you’ll understand how important it is to do precisely as I say.”

  Was hethreatening her?

  “Dad.”Kelly’s eyes were full of tears of anger and despair.“What are you talking about? Please, whatever this is about, you can tell me.”

  He’d gotten that distant look that she saw on him sometimes. That look where he didn’t even seem to recognize her.“Your life is about to change. Kelly. It’s about to change very much indeed.”

  And then he’d explained what he intended her to do. She’d been so stunned she almost wanted tolaugh.

  “But that’s absurd. You can’t — you can’t order me to marry somebody. This isn’t the 1800s.”

  “Do as I say, darling. It’s what’s best for you. Trust me.”

  Was it possible? Was it possible that he was doing all this to protect her from some greater danger? Possible that her father was actually a hero, rather than a villain, and that the truth was simply too dangerous for her to know?

  “But why?”she’d asked again and again.“Why do you want me to marry him? I barely know him!”

  “All you need to worry about is following my orders.”

  Oh, that was a laugh. All she needed toworry about?

  She’d spent the past few weeks thinking of any possible way to get out of this. She’d followed Maddy on Facebook for a few days, wondering if she could get back in touch, ask Maddy for help. But they hadn’t really spoken since she had left, and she had no idea how to explain this situation to her friend. Plus, Maddy had her own troubles: her financial aid had been revoked; she wasn’t sure she’d be able to continue with school. One of her best friends had recently been injured in a car accident. Kelly couldn’t add to her stress. She thought about confiding in Jenna, but she’d never met Jenna in person.

  She could have fled on her own, but she wasn’t surehow. She’d led a sheltered life, and had no money of her own. What little she’d made at her campus jobs in Ohio had gone toward rent and food and tuition for her new nursing program. She had no savings. And besides, she didn’t know where to go, didn’t know who would take her in, keep her safe. Wherever she went, she was sure her dad would find her. He was a more resourceful man than she’d ever imagined.

  And so she’d gone along with it. Hadn’t seen her husband to be since that night in the bar, but had been assured by Russell that Gunner wasvery interested in getting to know her better. Kelly was terrified to think what that might mean.

  She was interrupted by the arrival of the very sweet old lady from the church who’d been wrangling guests all afternoon. The old woman smiled gently at Kelly. “It’s time.”

  Kelly nodded numbly.

  “Such a pretty dress,” the old woman said, looking her over. It was the third time she’s said it today. “You’re such a beautiful girl. And the church looks so lovely, the way you’ve decorated it.”

  I didn’t decorate it.

  Or, she had, but under duress. Her father had sent her links, the way he’d once sent her links to funny videos online. He’d stood over her while she selected various decorations.

  He’d come with her to the bridal store and watched her try on dresses, finally choosing the one he liked best on her.

  This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. She’d always thought if she were to get married, it would be on her terms. A small yet elegant ceremony. Guests she’d invited. Centerpieces she’d chosen, on her own. A man she loved.

  Instead she was marrying some tattooed asshole who thought she was another notch for his belt.

  God, she wasscared of him. He could be anyone. If her father was a criminal, if that was how he knew Gunner, then Gunner could be someone ten times worse than Russell. Someone her father was paying to get her out of the way — marry her, then kill her and make it look like an accident.

  You never let me ride a motorcycle. But you’d force me to marryhim.

  She stopped herself. She’d been down this rabbit hole too many times in the past few weeks. She needed to get herself together. She had to be strong now. For herself, and for the memory of her mother.

  She was eleven. Her mother had just started playing for the Cin City Crushers. She was the only woman on the team. Said the guys were mostly good about it, but gave her some crap once in a while. She’d told Kelly:“Nobody else dictates where you go in this world. The world is as much yours as anybody else’s, and if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, prove them wrong.”

  Yet here Kelly was, going dumbly along with her dad’s plan. She ought to be embarrassed to call herself her mother’s daughter.

  I’ll figure something out. I will. I’m not gonna be other people’s pawn forever.

  She swiped her thumbs under her eyes to get rid of any smeared makeup, and followed the old lady to the door.

  ###

  Gunner threw back another slug of whiskey. “It ain’t working.” He passed the whiskey bottle to Durango.

  “Mm.” Durango took a swig. Coughed. “You just need to keep drinking.” He handed the bottle to Gunner, swiping at his burning eyes.

  They were in an alley behind the church. Gunner was trying to delay the inevitable for as long as possible. Trying to numb himself to this outlandish reality.

  He stared at the bottle. “This isn’t gonna help. I mean, it’s not gonna change anything.”

  “Yeah. But it’ll drown your fuckin’ sorrows if you drink enough.”

  Gunner didn’t take another drink.

  When the Horned Devils had returned to the clubhouse after that night in the desert, Gunner had rounded on Silverback, expecting an explanation, expecting aplan.

  But Silverback had simply helped Bones guide Mica to the bathroom to clean and bandage his shoulder. The wound was a graze — it bled a lot, but wasn’t serious. Bones set Mica on the toilet and cleaned the wound with some whiskey. Mica was already furiously insisting that they track Russell Powers down so Mica could personally rip his head off.

  Gunner had looked after Durango. And “looked after” meant “handed him the remaining whiskey and asked, ‘Does your face hurt? ’Cause it’s killing me.’”

  Durango wheezed out a laugh and took a long drink.“Fuck, man. I must look pretty badass, huh?”

  “You look like you stuck your fucking face in a blender.”Gunner peeled off his bandana and threw it at Durango.“Wipe some of that off, man.”

  Durango spat in the bandana and started wiping the dried blood from his face.

  Once Mica and Durango were both tended to, Cesar gathered everyone in the main room. Durango and Chevy took the old sofa that reeked of cigarettes and had stuffing coming out in all directions. Mica sat on the pool table, his left arm in a sling made from an old shirt. The others sprawled on various pieces of furniture, or leaned against the walls. Gunner paced, restless as a panther.

  “Cool it,”Silverback said to him.“You’re gonna want to stay still and listen.”

  Gunner let out a hollow laugh.“Hope you got a miracle up your sleeve. Because I’m pretty sure I just got saddled with an old lady and a baby.”

  Silverback addressed the room.“Brothers. What happened tonight in the desert was unfortunate.”

  Mica snorted.

  Silverback ignored him.“Russell Powers is not an ideal ally. However, he is a very, very powerful man, with a lot of connections. Particularly across the border. He’s offered us a way t
o double, even triple our profits.”

  Bones whistled. Gunner raised his eyebrows.Shit. Triple our profits? No wonder Silverback was hopping into bed with this psycho. Still, that didn’t change the fact that Gunner was pissed.

  Silverback looked at Gunner.“This doesn’t have to be permanent. As far as I’m concerned, we work with Powers and his boys until we start reaping the benefits, then we drive them out.”

  “Uh,”Chevy said.“This guy’s powerful enough to triple our profits, and you think we’re gonna be able to just … run him out of town when the time comes?”

  “We’re gonna use some of those profits to strengthen our own brotherhood. To build up the Devils, so that when the time comes, Powers’ll know he has no choice but to tuck his tail and leave.”

  Gunner fumed.“And in the meantime, I gotta get married and knock some girl up?”

  “Hey man,”Chevy said.“There’s worse girls you could be forced to marry.”

  No kidding.

  Silverback stared evenly at Gunner.“Gunner. I’ve never known you to refuse to do something for the good of the brotherhood.”

  “This isn’t for the good of the brotherhood. This is foryour own good. You thought you could make more money, so you jumped in bed with this guy without knowing who he was. Am I right? Who’s rash now?”

  They stared at each other, hackles raised, teeth practically bared.

  “It’s temporary,”Silverback repeated.

  “A baby,”Gunner growled.“You really think it’s okay me bringing akid into the world just to appease some psychopath?”

  Something flashed across Silverback’s face. Something Gunner couldn’t read.“It won’t get that far. Say you’re having problems conceiving. Say she’s barren, say you’re shooting blanks. Delay until we can get the fuck out of this.”

  Gunner just stared. Then he laughed harshly.“He’s got us by the balls, hasn’t he?”

  Silverback didn’t answer.

  “You’re afraid of him.”

  Silverback’s jaw tightened.“We don’t have a choice any of us.”

  Gunner nodded and started pacing.“Great. Just fuckin’ great.”

  Delay until we can get the fuck out of this, Gunner reminded himself now, passing the bottle back to Durango. He checked his phone. “Shit. Shit, I’m supposed to be in there.”

  “Hang on, hang on.” Durango dusted off Gunner’s rumpled suit. Gunner’d had to borrow it from Silverback; it was too short in the legs and sleeves. Gunner felt ridiculous.

  He stepped inside the church and was immediately set upon by some random woman who hustled him into position, straightened his tie, and positioned him at an aisle entrance. The organ music fired up.

  Okay.He let out a long breath. Go time.

  The walk down the aisle was interminable. Surreal. He was barely stumbling, which was something, he supposed. It was like the alcohol hadn’t done a damn thing for him.

  God, why was he so alone here? Weren’t there supposed to be other people? A flower girl, and a ring bearer and some shit? And where was Kelly? He looked around but couldn’t see her anywhere. He had no idea how weddings were supposed to work. But the usher got him on the altar, standing where he was supposed to be. He had nothing to do but try not to make awkward eye contact with the priest. The other option was to look out into the pews, which was disturbing as hell. The Horned Devils sat on one side of the church, wearing their grubby Sunday finest. Their expressions held a mix of discomfort, anger, and anxious amusement.

  Powers’ men sat on the other side, looking far more put together, but far blanker.Bunch of garbage-faced goons.

  Gunner decided to distract himself by thinking about Kelly. Thinking about those curves. Thinking about kissing her, hearing her soft exhales as he worked his way down her body. Her cry of pleasure as he entered her. In his fantasy, she wanted him. They were both in doing this willingly. They were fucking like animals, and she was the hottest, wildest woman he’d ever slept with.

  He was snapped out of it by more organ music.

  Shit.

  It was time.

  Chapter Ten

  Kelly was nervous enough to throw up as she stared down the aisle. Some part of her, disconnected from her rational mind, was excited. Excited to see Gunner again. Excited because this was her wedding, whatever the bizarre circumstances, and so many little girls dreamed about their wedding day. Kelly had been one of those girls, once upon a time.

  Her father was suddenly beside her, linking his arm with hers. She felt that increasingly familiar wave of sickness. She didn’t want him anywhere near her. But the organ music blared, and she walked side by side with him down the aisle, her heart pounding. She tried to focus straight ahead, but she kept sneaking glances at her audience. She didn’t know any of these people. There were bikers on one side, and her father’s … associates on the other. No one was here forher. No friends. No family. Her throat tightened. This wedding was a sham. It was a … a kidnapping of sorts. And she was too weak to escape it.

  She stepped up onto the altar and her breath caught. Gunner looked…

  Handsome.

  His suit didn’t fit very well, his shirt could use an ironing, but he was still possibly the hottest guy she’d ever seen in person. But his expression… He looked horrified to see her. Which didn’t bode well.

  She blinked back tears as her father let go of her arm and stepped away. She tried not to look Gunner in the eye. Wished she’d insisted on a veil, so that her face could be at least partially hidden during this travesty.

  Just get this over with, she willed the priest.

  She tried to listen to what the priest was saying, but she couldn’t focus on anything except the heat that was prickling across her skin. Being this close to Gunner, even in these awful circumstances, was doing something to her. She could feel him staring, and she blushed furiously, aware of how the bodice of the gown pushed her breasts up so they rose just slightly above the scalloped neckline. Aware that the dress cinched her waist and hugged her ass.

  All right, Gunner, look your fill. Because if you think I’m sharing a wedding bed with you tonight, you’re wrong.

  Cold fear gripped her gut for the umpteenth time. It wasn’t like she could stop him.

  The priest droned on and on. Held the rings out in a small velvet box. Gunner fumbled picking up the ring. But when he touched her hand to put the ring on, clumsy as the gesture was, a jolt went through her. She met his eye for just a second, and he gave her a wan smile.

  My God. He looks as terrified as I feel.

  Was it possible that Gunner wasn’t one of her father’s associates? That he had been forced into this just like she had?

  When it came time for her to put the ring on his finger, her own hands were steady. Inside, she was falling apart, but she was determined to stay strong on the outside.

  Gunner’s hand was large, callused, and warm. She slid the gold band onto his ring finger and stared at it for a second. It caught the light so beautifully. Made her ache with longing for a life that had never gotten a chance to come to pass — a life where her wedding day was joyous, where the thought of living with her husband for the rest of her life made her feel safe, happy, proud.

  She flushed further as she realized she was still holding Gunner’s hand. She let it go like it was burning her and listened to the priest finish up.

  “Do you, Cam, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish her as long as you both shall live?”

  Kelly almost snorted. Did this guy even know he was officiating an abduction?

  Gunner swallowed visibly. “I do.”

  The priest turned to her. “And do you, Kelly, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor, and cherish him, as long as you both shall live?”

  This was her chance to be her mother’s daughter. To refuse to say I do. To turn and bolt. To denounce her father here, in this house of God.

  But then that little spark
of hope was back, the voice that said maybe her father was doing this for her own good. Maybe this was part of some larger plan.

  The silence was growing all around her. Everyone was waiting.

  She took a deep breath. “I do.”

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

  Gunner looked slightly green.

  Kelly flinched as the words she’d been dreading arrived. “You may kiss the bride.”

  ###

  Well damn. Seriously damn.

  Those were the only thoughts that had been running through Gunner’s head as Kelly had approached the altar.