“That son of a bitch guiney, my dad snaps when she’s finished.
“The Senator’s mine,” Mickey says, “Any man who could hurt a girl is safer in hell. When I get through with him….”
I cut Mickey off, “That one is mine. You’re more than welcome to help, but I’m taking care of that one.”
“Son, you should have filled us in on this Senator crap sooner. I’m glad you boys want to take him out, but we got to be smart about this. First, we need to find out if Carlo is alive or not. I’m leaving Turk and Jarrod here to look after you and Jules. I’m going to call in some favors with the Sheriff and make sure I get a heads up if anyone is trying to come after you for kidnapping Ari. You sure the girl is safe?” he asks Aubrey after barking off orders.
“Yes, I think Angie would do anything to keep her and Gino safe.”
“Good. I also keep thinking that if Carmine knew who you were and McLeary was told, then who was it showing a picture around? Anyone else looking for you?”
“No. No one else has ever cared enough to look for me.”
“Since McLeary is in the public eye, I want to make sure everyone has their eyes and ears to the street. Pete, you call the motels and see if you can find anything out. Don't you worry, Aubrey. You’re not alone any more. You have family. No woman should ever have to endure anything like what you’ve been through. I’m just glad my son was smart enough to choose a woman with as much strength as you. Welcome to the family, Aubrey,” Dad says and then starts to walk out the door but pauses and says, “I’m going to send the doctor in for you both. Your arm’s still bleeding. I’m betting you’re going to need a few stitches.”
I can’t believe I sat here and held her in my arms and didn’t get a doctor in here sooner. I need to be more careful with her; now more than ever.
*
I’m laying in this bed with my arm all messed up, and all I can think about is my need to protect Aubrey. If I could become a cloak and cover her and hide her from all things evil, I would. Aubrey has dealt with enough evil in this world to now have to be dealing with mob shit too. It’s just too much. How much can one woman bear? She is strong. Stronger than anyone I have ever met.
Jarrod walks into the room being as quiet as possible, and considering he was military, it’s pretty quiet. Aubrey is asleep, curled up on my side away from the door, I have a gun in my other hand tucked under the blanket that one of my brothers gave me. Even with my brothers close by, I’m not taking any chances. The doctors came in and Aubrey did indeed need a few stitches in her arm. She was exhausted and despite giving me a hard time, she finally laid down with me.
“Hey. Dray called, he wants to move you all to the clubhouse. Our doc will check on you there, but he thinks it’ll be safer. Things are hot with the Red Nines, so Dray thinks it will be better to get you out of here.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Give us a minute, okay?”
“Sure, no problem.”
I move the hair off Aubrey’s face. A strand slides between my fingers. I wonder if she’ll go natural when this is all over. I hate that my woman has been hiding who she is all because of some sick fucker. Over the last few months, I’ve been watching this guy, trying to find out if there is a time when he doesn’t have an arsenal of men at his disposal. He’s careful. Calculated. Watching him has been breeding a whole new type of hate within me and one thing I know for sure….that motherfucker will pay.
Chapter 19
Aubrey
“Sweet girl, gotta wake up,” Daws says in a kind voice. I must have dozed off in his arms. We’re still in the hospital room and he must have dimmed the lights.
“What time is it? What’s wrong? Is everyone okay? Have you heard anything about Carlo?” I’m all kinds of frazzled.
“Relax, Dad just thinks it’s best for us to go to the clubhouse. It’s late and I haven’t heard anything yet about anyone,” he says calmly trying to ease some of my tension.
“But you’re still hurt. You need the doctors.”
“It’s okay, we got a Doc that works with the club. He’ll come and check on me.”
I let out a deep breath and slide off the bed. A few hours of sleep gave my body just enough time to start to really bruise. I wince at the pain as I stand up. Daws, of course, notices.
“You alright?”
“Yeah, just sore. How are you feeling?"
“Peachy?” He raises an eyebrow to see if I believe him. If he can joke, it must not be that bad. I open a closet door and see his clothes in a clear bag and set it on the bed. Daws is sitting up removing an IV from his arm. He grabs some gauze and wraps it around the small area on his arm where his IV was making a makeshift bandage.
I empty the bag, his boots look relatively fine. His leather vest, or ‘patch’ as Daws calls it is shredded on one side, a reminder that even though his shoulder is bandaged, a bullet ripped through his arm. His shirt is covered in blood and also shredded but his jeans look wearable.
“The jeans and boots are salvageable but you’re going to need something for your chest.”
“Help me get the jeans on, would you?”
I start at his feet that are hanging over the side of the bed and pull the jeans up until his strong thighs meet the bed. I look up and Daws removed the hospital gown. His chest is bare and he’s completely on display. I suck in a breath. Even in this state, he takes my breath away; a breath I gladly give for him. Daws notices the look in my eyes, I really can’t help it. He’s incredibly sexy, even bruised and battered.
“Aub.” My name, that only he has ever called me, slips from his lips. Now isn't the time for this. I push aside any sexy thoughts that I’m having. “Lift your bum, will you?”
He pushes up and I help slip his jeans up around his waist. I do it fast, not wanting to linger because I really want to linger and I know we don't have time.
A soft knock at the door breaks the tension.
“Come in,” Daws says as he secures the zipper on his jeans. I help him with the button.
“Jules is already downstairs. You ready?” Jarrod says.
Daws looks at me, “Help me with my boots?”
I smile, grab his boots and begin helping him. I think he’s going to milk this and I am so alright with that.
“My patch and shirt are ruined. You got anything for me to wear out of here?” Daws says to Jarrod. Jarrod takes off his vest, pulls the sweatshirt over his head and hands it to Daws. It hits me. That’s what type of family Daws has given me. The type that wouldn’t even flinch to give you the shirt off their back.
*
We leave through a parking garage. Jules and Jenny are already in the large SUV waiting for us.
“I drove here, what about my car?” I ask as I strap a seat belt over my lap.
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll send someone to pick it up later,” Daws answers. He scoots in next to me with his bad arm nearest me.
In the back row, Jenny is staring out the window not looking at Jules. Jules is staring at Jenny with a look that screams “look at me,” but my friend is as stubborn as they come and she isn’t giving in to his commanding stare. My chest aches when I look at her. I don’t know what to tell her about Carlo. Daws can sense the turmoil I’m going through. He squeezes my hand and whispers in my ear, “Don’t worry. We’ll fill her in as soon as we know anything.”
We pull up to the clubhouse and Daws grabs my hand and practically hauls me straight to his room. I’ve seen the clubhouse before, and I’ve always been so quick to enter. This time is no different. It’s a blur of leather vests, and the mood is much more somber than ever before.
Daws’ room is dark. The smell of cigarette smoke sits heavy in the air. The lock is clicked and Daws turns on a small lamp sitting on an end table.
“How you feeling, sweet girl?”
I sit down on the corner of the unmade bed. “My arm is sore. My heart hurts for Carlo. But, selfishly another part of my heart is filled from everything you declared to your family
about me. Did you mean it? You really want to marry someone like me one day?”
“No. There’s no one like you. You’re exactly the right person for me,” he says sitting next to me, cupping my cheek and making me look into his dark beautiful eyes. “And we’re not talking one day. I’m marrying you as soon as I put that motherfucker in the ground. And Aubrey?”
My breath hitches, “Yeah Daws?”
“It’ll be soon. I’m not having us look over our shoulder for long. We’re going to find out as much info as we can, and then I’m making a move.”
“Daws, Carlo might be dead because of me. I can’t let anything happen to you. I know you want to take care of me, but who’s going to watch over you? You were just shot for heaven’s sake.”
Daws pulls his shirt over his head with his good arm. I’m not sure what he’s doing as he turns his back towards me. “Look at the top of the devil’s head.”
I search his back and then I see the scars. I gasp. “I never noticed. What happened to you?”
“Rival club president cut me deep trying to make a point to my old man. But, my club got to me and they brought me back from the pits of hell. They saved me then and they saved me tonight. I’m not scared of some Senator, ‘cause baby, anything goes bad, anything at all, this club’s got our backs. But you gotta stop blaming yourself for what could've happened with Carlo. Carlo is a big boy, who’s made his own decisions to work with Carmine. Those guineys are the most un-loyal group I know. He knew what he was getting into, and he chose to do it. You can’t blame yourself. None of this is your fault. Anything bad that happens is because of the sick fuck, not you. Do you understand?”
A tear trickles out of the corner of my eye. I nod my head yes wanting to believe everything he just said. Just like when I had my bad episode, Daws’ finger sweeps up and captures my tear. He sticks his tongue out and licks it off of his finger. Damn this man’s tongue. Even though my heart is a roller-coaster of emotion, Daws’ intensity perks my nipples right up, and like a drug, makes me forget about everything bad.
“He doesn’t deserve your tears.”
I move so that I’m sitting on his lap with my legs curled around his waist. We’re both injured so our movements are clumsy. I take his mouth with mine, sucking in his tongue and giving Daws every bit of everything I have. I kiss him hard to release my pain. I kiss him soft to show him my love. He takes it all. With everything I put out in this kiss, he takes it and matches it. It’s like he’s kissing it into me, that whatever I have, he can handle.
His good arm slides up my shirt and flicks my sensitive pert nipples. I grind and gyrate my hips on him. Oh, this man. Even though our intimate parts have a thick barrier of clothes between us, I can feel his erection rubbing against me making me saturated with anticipation.
My shirt is whipped over my head and discarded nearby. I need to feel my chest against his. I put my good arm behind my back and unhook my bra. My full breasts are released and I press our bodies close together. I arch my back. Daws takes the hint, lowering his mouth to suck in my pink, puckered flesh. His tongue does a dance over my nipples and his teeth alternate between gentle tugging and harder nips. I close my eyes and a loud moan escapes my lips.
I feel a draft and I’m not even sure how my damaged man has managed to pull my pants down over my ass, but he did. They stretch almost like a rubber band around my thighs. His arm wraps around me as he slips a finger into my slick folds. It glides into me slowly, naturally, pumping in and out. I reach up and free his hair from its tie and tug on it pushing and pulling him harder on my nipple. “You’re so wet. I gotta have you.”
I unzip his jeans and reach in, freeing his dick. It springs free, beads of his arousal glisten at the tip. I pump my hand up and down his shaft, then move it so his cock rubs against my clit while he fingers me from behind. Our bodies are slick with sweat and juices gliding over each other.
His thumb massages over my backside. “One day, when all of this is in the past, I’m going to show you how good everything can feel. You’re not ready now, but one day…” He pumps his finger harder and I feel my walls start to tighten around his hand. “One day baby, I’m going to show your tight ass pleasure. I’m going to fuck you every which way. I can’t get enough of your sweet pussy and I know when you’re ready I’ll take away any thought of pain where this is concerned,” he says as he pushes his thumb gently inside and fingers move over and over again against my walls all while his dick rubs against my clit creating the perfect amount of friction.
Suddenly, I’m screaming out. The pleasure is so extreme. My walls clamp down on his fingers and I shudder.
“Need your pussy, sweet girl,” he says as he removes his fingers from me. I lift my hips and he thrusts his dick into me fast, filling me up. My pants are locked around my thighs taking away my control. I don’t mind. He fucks me hard, slamming into me over and over again. I hold on to his good shoulder trying to keep myself steady. Every time he pushes forward, his dick hits a sweet spot inside of me sending waves of bliss through my body. His breath is hot as his tongue trails up my neck, then back down until he is biting my nipple again. I close my eyes again and get lost in the pleasure of him sliding in and out of me.
“Tell me you love me,” he rasps out.
My eyes flutter open and I meet his gaze. “Always, Daws. I love you always.”
He lifts me up with his good hand until just his tip is inside of me. I want to come down on him, but he’s in control.
“You’re never running.”
“Never running,” I say.
“You’re my old lady.”
“I’m your old lady,” I confirm.
“Gonna be my wife?”
“In a heartbeat,” I rasp out. The feeling of him just on the edge of my pussy is driving me wild. I need him like I need air.
He drops me down impaling me with his cock. I scream out from the pleasure. I rise up again and he meets me thrust for thrust. This is a desperate fuck. He needs to show me the magnitude of his need for me.
“Good answer,” he says in between his own pants.
He grips my hair. My hands roam over his taut back. My neck is exposed and he sucks hard enough I’m sure there will be a mark. I stroke his cheek giving him softness. He slows his pace and pulls me in for a kiss. Our tongues tangle, swirling around each other. I pull his lip with my teeth and break free from the kiss.
My back arches again and I lean as far back as I can with my legs still wrapped around him. The angle change shifts something inside of me. The pressure is building again. I bite down on his good shoulder trying to contain my scream. My bite only fuels him on. His pace quickens. His good hand moves behind me again, finding the spot that he promises pleasure and uses the moisture seeping from me as a lubricant. This time, he finger fucks my ass while he fucks me harder and harder. My eyes jerk open, I stare at him. The pleasure is so great. I never imagined anything would feel good here.
“You close?” he asks me.
“So close.”
“Good.”
In and out his finger moves. A shudder moves through me so fierce, I nearly see stars. He pumps again releasing his warm cum into me.
“Aubriella.” My name slips past his lips.
We lay together, limbs tangled, bodies sweaty, and our emotions completely on display. I fall asleep with contentment that even though everything around my life is in chaos, for once in my life I know I am utterly loved.
I wake up covered in at least three blankets. I think Daws was trying to take care of me, but I’m hotter than hell. When I open my eyes, it’s complete darkness. I feel the loss of Daws. He’s not here and no amount of blankets will bring me his warmth. Where is he?
I sit up and look for my shirt. I wince at the pain in my arm. I decide to take some Motrin for the pain. I flip on the light on the small bedside table. This room is a mess. There are clothes all over the place and the small waste can in the corner is overflowing with beer bottles. I can’t wait to pick th
is place up, but first I need to take something for my arm.
I’m unable to find my shirt so I grab a loose t-shirt of Daws and slip it over my head. I finish getting dressed, unlock the door and head towards the kitchen. I hear Daws’ voice and smile, and pick up my pace to get to him. I come upon a door that’s slightly cracked open and look in through it. Daws is in a room filled with many other men all wearing their club vests. I get the feeling that my presence, right now, would not be welcome. Still, like a moth to a flame, I am drawn to what they are saying.
“My source says that Carmine fired a few warning shots and before Carlo had a chance to fire back, Carmine dropped dead,” a voice I think is Jarrod says. Carlo is alive! I am more than relieved.
“Odd, no?” Mickey questions.
“Think it’s a heart attack.” the same voice says again.
“What are the chances?” Mickey says again.
“I doubt that’s any coincidence. That means Antonio’s in charge. Daws, put the word out that we want to meet,” Dray says and then continues, “Any word on the Senator problem?”
“Got word. He’s at a fancy hotel next town over. My source says he’s surrounded by guards and Secret Service,” a voice I don’t recognize says. He is out of sight, so I can’t see him.
“I got something. Some reporter is staying at the motel off 6th. I’m betting it’s related,” another voice says.
Dray begins to bark off more orders on what he wants the guys to do, but my mind is on overdrive. With a reporter poking around and Rich just a town over, this was going to come to a head at some point. I can’t have Daws getting hurt anymore or into any trouble because of me.
One thing I’ve learned over the last day is that telling people what Rich did to me is freeing. I feel like if Daws and I are going to make it, I need to take some control back.
I hurry back to Daws’ room and scribble him a quick note telling him I ran out and not to worry. I gasp as I turn to leave. I don't know when Daws was able to do this, but on the back of a leather jacket is a patch similar to Daws’ that says Devil’s Crusaders Property. Many women might be appalled by this, but it makes me smile knowing I’m Daws’. I grab the keys to the Charger and the small Glock I spied earlier in the bedside table drawer. I check to make sure it’s loaded, just in case. I don’t think I’ll need it, but I want to be prepared.
Fight You Page 17
