Petros (Royal Bastards MC)

by Esther E. Schmidt

  And I did only a moment ago when I had his dick in my mouth. I can’t believe I actually asked if I could give him a blow job. Though I boldly did since he’s the one with the dirty mouth. Petros never once hesitates to throw out crude or very direct sentences or questions.

  All of it reminds me of the fierce words he gave me, how we weren’t over when he had handled everything concerning my father. It shouldn’t have warmed my chest, but it did. Reason enough to put a leash on my feelings and keep it real. Like how I mentioned to him in the presence of all of his biker friends; the only feelings between us is to be the pleasure he’ll be giving me.

  Lust is most definitely running hot in my veins and I’m not afraid to let it consume me either. ‘Cause let’s be honest, sex with this man is worth every second of my time and every inch of my body. It’s the stuff you don’t have to brag about when you’re old and gray, sitting behind the window while the world passes by. The mere reminder will be enough to make you smile and warm the old and brittle bones in your body.

  His full lips move but suddenly turn into a smirk. I meet his gaze as I hear him say, “Stop with the heated gaze, darlin’, now is not the time.”

  “I can’t help it, it’s all your fault looking like you do and knowing how good you can make me feel.” Crap, I didn’t mean to admit to those ramblings. “Just…straddle the bike, let me hop on, and get this stuff over and done with, okay?”

  This stuff. Handling my father. Am I even going to see him? I wish he could see me. I wish he knows he will get what’s coming to him because of what he did to my mother. But wouldn’t it make me as evil as he is?

  Maybe that is the reason for me to accept whatever Petros is giving me; so he will take all of it out of my hands and handle it as he sees fit. Though my father did bring it all upon himself. Not to mention he pulled me in along with it.

  I can’t describe the feeling of straddling the bike and wrapping my arms around Petros. And when the bike comes to life underneath us with a roar and vibrations? Holy shit. I’m mentally adding having sex on the bike to my list of need to do things before I die.

  The closer we get to the hotel the more my nerves start to overwhelm me. I have no clue why, because Petros told me we’re following behind the SUV. Taz is behind the wheel keeping a close eye on my father. We’re following at a safe distance so my father won’t know he’s being followed.

  Petros called Boone and they agreed Boone and his guys would wait further down a road they expect my father to take. They know where my father is heading due to most of his business expenses. They double checked and from the receipts of gas stations and diners along the main roads…it was simple enough to guess he’s taking the same trip and what roads he’s taking.

  So, Boone and his guys are setting up an ambush. Though it’s them who are going to be ambushed because Petros told me how I needed to stay behind him whatever happened. And whatever happened could be bullets flying because they want to take Boone and his guys out exactly how I said they should do it; make it seem like they work together and take ‘em out without them realizing what’s going on.

  I notice my father’s car driving out of the hotel’s parking lot. I pat Petros’ thigh and point to the side. He follows my gaze and gives a brief nod. We watch how Taz slowly starts to fall in pursuit. Everyone behind us waits for Petros’ signal. When my father and Taz are almost out of sight, that’s when Petros lifts his hand in the air and circles it around.

  He guides the bike onto the road and when I glance to my right, I see Helix next to us riding Taz’s bike. I like him. The way we talked for hours in the car yesterday makes me feel as if we could be friends. My heart tugs at the reality of the limited time stamp I have with these guys. Even the brief time I talked to Taz was fun and easy going, even if I have to roll my eyes a lot of the time with their train of thoughts.

  Live in the moment seems to be my motto for now because Petros picks up speed, the road underneath us a blur as the scenery flashes by while the wind is licking our bodies. It’s exhilarating and the odd sensation of being stripped free of every inch of worry. I tighten my arms around Petros for an instant, to hug closer in a way to say thanks for this moment.

  Petros’ hand slides over my thigh and he squeezes, just a bit. Such a tiny gesture and still it’s worth so much. Like two people share a thought, a feeling, a moment captured simultaneously and valued in the exact same way. I place my cheek on his back and relish in the seconds passing, unaware of how easy it is to freeze the hands of time or speed them up for that matter. In this moment nothing matters except us and the freedom of this ride.

  There’s a sharp turn up ahead in the distance where my father’s car slips out of sight. A few breaths later a loud gut-wrenching sound follows. The SUV disappears around the corner, and I hold my heart as Petros lessens speed. The sharp turn is coming up and I swear I hear pops as if there’s a gunfight.

  Petros lessens speed while shouting words to Helix and the others over the roaring of our bikes. I can’t even make out the words and it makes me wonder if any of the others can. By this time, we’re almost crawling over the road, that’s how slow we’re all going.

  I feel him reach and move in front of me, noticing he’s now holding a gun in his hand. My head swings left and right to see all the others are holding their guns as well. How can they even hold or shoot a gun while riding their bikes?

  Petros’ hand flies up and I follow his line of sight. There’s a row of bikes blocking the road, all of them are wearing the same leather cut with the patch Boone was wearing. I don’t see Boone anywhere, though.

  Fear grips me with a whole lot of other emotions slamming through me. The realization of not knowing what to do or not being able to do anything is overwhelming. My breath stokes at the sight of the row of bikes in front of us.

  Guns are aimed straight for us and as my eyes slide to the SUV, tears burn my eyes. Taz is slumped over the steering wheel, the windshield is all cracked with bullet holes. It’s a vivid scene from an action movie—it seems unreal—too horrifying and gut-wrenching to be real.

  I just talked to him. He joked around...yet, the lifeless look in his eyes holds the promise that death can be waiting in the blink of an eye. I divert my gaze but notice the railing on the side of the road is smashed. The crashing sound...my father’s car...

  “Hand over the girl, Petros. You have nowhere to go and no other choice. Hand her over and we’ll allow you to back away,” one of the bikers standing across from us says.

  “You fuckers are making a grave fucking mistake, Dave. Now where the fuck is Boone?” Petros rumbles loud.

  Both my hands are resting on his thighs. I don’t want to have them locked around his waist if he needs to jump off the bike. Luckily the bikes and those of his guys are all at a standstill. My fingers touch the throwing knives Petros has in tiny sheaths strapped to his thighs and it makes me breathe a little better to realize I’m not completely empty-handed with those within my reach.

  “Boone too chickenshit to fucking face me?” Petros sneers.

  The man Petros called Dave utters a humorless laugh. “Boone’s got better things to do than to deal with your petty ass. He’s already miles away to snatch up Alvin’s two daughters. We’ve already dealt with that fucker last night when he ordered two whores up to his room. Take a guess who the whores belonged to?” Dave smirks. “Right. We put cunts to good use, and when we took over, we managed to get the info out of that fucker. Two daughters, fucking twins, nineteen years old and ready for a double tag team we can put to work even if the bitches turn out to be ugly or fat like the one warming your back.” Dave waves his gun in my direction. “We’ve got a long list of clientele wanting to fuck that type. And the offer Boone put on the table yesterday still stands. Hand her over and we’ll give you a cut, or you can choose to die right here.”

  “Dave,” Petros snaps. “You talk too much.” Loud gunfire erupts as Petros makes the both of us fall sideways.

  Petros grunt
s at the same time my shoulder stings. It’s as if bullets are whooshing by me left and right until it suddenly stops. Petros shoves his bike out of the way and stands, dragging me along with him.

  My fingers are still curled around a throwing knife I gripped in the middle of all the gunfire, needing to hold onto something. Glancing around I see one of Petros’ guys lying on the ground, blood soaking his head and chest.

  “That motherfucker is going to die. That whole motherfucking club is going to bleed until there’s nothing left to soak the fucking ground with,” Helix seethes.

  “Agreed,” Petros says through clenched teeth.

  I reach for my shoulder and hiss from the pain. Glancing at it makes me aware of the little hole in the fabric of my jacket. I got shot?

  Petros’ eyes meet mine and he steps closer. “Let me see.”

  His hands go up and I notice the wince of pain sliding over his face.

  “You’re shot too,” I gasp and by the looks of it, it seems the bullet went through his arm and lodged into my shoulder.

  The way his fingers grip my arm to check my wound make me nauseous. I divert my eyes and gaze over Petros’ shoulder. Not very smart to do because now I’m staring at bodies scattered and sagged to the ground, all wearing Iron Grims MC cuts.

  “Bullet is still in there,” Petros grumbles. “Sorry, darlin’ we need to get the hell out of here and we’ll get it looked after once we’re safe, okay? I need to handle...”

  Petros’ voice turns static as I watch a body move on the ground behind him. A gun raises and there’s only a split second where it’s being aimed at Petros and for me to take action. Without thinking I fling the knife. A curse leaves my mouth when it impacts. Not only from the pain in my other shoulder but my aim is slightly off. I was aiming for his eye but it lodged into his throat.

  “Way to go, doll face,” Helix cheers.

  Petros swings his head back to see what happened and when his eyes meet mine, there’s a hint of pride and appreciation along with a lot of heat.

  “She saved your ass before I had a chance to fire a bullet,” Helix states and ruffles my hair as if I’m a little kid.

  I glare right at him and snap. “You were too slow, and I can’t freaking believe my aim is off.”

  And why in the hell would I even fuss over these things when I was just in a freaking gun fight and threw a knife in a man’s throat that ended his life? Insane. Crazy, out of my mind, step into the twilight zone, insanity. Do I need to pull out the knife and wipe away my fingerprints? Holy shit, I never thought I’d ask myself that question.

  Petros cups the side of my face and our gaze collides, there’s a serene feeling settling inside my chest. “I wouldn’t worry about your aim; the result is what counts in this situation. Besides, pretty sure you only practice on nonmoving targets. This isn’t that, darlin’, this is different and messy. Now, we need to leave. Helix,” Petros tucks me against him and talks to his men about taking care of the SUV, Taz, cleaning up, getting everyone checked out, and going somewhere safe to meet up afterwards.

  Everything blurs into automatic action and before I know it I’m in some hotel room, sitting on the bed while Petros is fussing over my shoulder. He’s cleaning the wound and dressing it since he just pulled out the bullet.

  “You sure you’re okay?” His voice shimmers with worry.

  “No, I’m not. My whole arm throbs and I’m pretty sure it will take some time to process the things I saw...but what worries me most is those two...I have sisters. Sisters I didn’t even know about but they’re like me, Petros. Even if you took me for leverage and, hell...I don’t even know you, but you keep me safe and look after me. I feel safe with you. But with the things Boone’s guy said? They’re in a lot of trouble. They’re nineteen, dammit. And I don’t know how I can help them or if I even should. I should, right?”

  “We’re heading back to the clubhouse tomorrow morning and I’ll put a few guys on it to find out where Boone stashed them. We will find out and make sure they get home safe. There’s no need to worry about things you don’t have a grip on. Once it’s all handled you can see if you’d like to meet them or whatever.”

  My eyes bulge at his answer. “No need to worry? Once it’s all handled? You act like it’s all in a day’s job. Nothing weird happened here, keep going. People freaking died, Petros. Hell, I lodged a knife into a guy’s throat because he was going to kill you,” I seethe.

  “And I appreciate it, even more than you understand. And clearly, you’re getting to the shock part of what you went through.”

  “I’m not in shock,” I squeak, though I’m pretty damn sure he’s right, but I’m not willing to accept it. “I’m facing reality! And let me tell you…reality comes with bullet holes, dead people, women taken to be turned into whores without consent. All of this might not shock you and I might be in shock, but listen to me asshole, it damn well is shocking.”

  “But we’re going to get through this and make it right,” he says with determination.

  I let his words sink in for a few breaths before I repeat, “Make it right...how?”

  “That’s for me to deal with, not you. Just know I’m going to do anything within my power to make this right.”

  The promise in his eyes is enough to take away most of my worries. He’s right, the tailspin I landed in when all of this started has shattered the world as I’ve known it into pieces. The only thing I can do is to pull my hands off and focus on making the arrangements for my mother’s funeral. I need to find a way to cope, to find out where I belong, and what the hell I’m going to do with my life.

  Chapter Eleven

  ***Petros***

  It’s been well over three weeks already. Frustrating and emotional weeks where we also had to deal with more than one funeral. Add the frustration about Boone slipping through my damn fingers at every turn, and it will make for one hell of a month.

  Kinsey’s sisters haven’t been found either. Until now. We found out about another whorehouse owned by Iron Grims, it’s off grid and in the name of a sister of one of the bikers of Iron Grims.

  To be honest…we never would have found it if it wasn’t for Kinsey, she found it. She wanted to help out and when the new prospect, Dewey, hacked into their financial records Kinsey was the one who linked expenses to an address which leads us to the place.

  “Should I come with?” Kinsey bites her bottom lip and gazes up at me.

  She’s been in my bed each damn night since I took her. We went back to her place once to pick up some stuff she needed but other than that she’s been right here in the clubhouse. It’s not safe for her to walk around alone. Not until I’ve killed Boone. Or maybe I’m lying to myself because these last few weeks have been an eye-opener.

  I now know why I’ve never wanted an Old Lady. Simply because no woman I had come across was the whole package. Unlike Kinsey. She makes me doubt everything and at the same time everything is as clear as it’s ever been. She’s right where she belongs; by my side and in my damn bed.

  “No.” I wince at the sharpness of my tone and soften it some in an effort to explain. “I need to know you’re safe. If you were there with me, I’d be worried about you instead of focusing on doing my job. I’m leaving Helix here ‘cause I don’t want only one or two prospects to stay with you. But I need all the bodies with me when we’re hitting the whorehouse and Iron Grims MC both. Two places at the same time to make sure we take ‘em out all at once.”

  Her forehead scrunches up. “Helix should go with you. Isn’t it more logical if he does? He’s the VP, he needs to, right? Even if you two split up. I’ll be fine here. You guys have a gate surrounding the compound and Dewey and West will keep an eye on me. It’s not like Boone would come here while you guys are hitting his clubhouse. It’ll be fine, you’ll see.”

  I raise my hand and tap on my pecs. “What the fuck does it say right here, Kinsey?”

  She swallows hard and instead of sighing or agreeing why I’m making my point she hu
ffs. “Don’t remind me of things I’m very much aware of. Fine. Prez. My ass will stay on the couch next to Helix while we’ll be playing Monopoly, or something else, until you guys come home.”

  Come home. Not come back…but she voiced the words; come home. See how these few weeks were hard and rough and yet each day we’ve settled into something similar as a routine and normality? She might not have realized she picked those very words or not even think about it, but for me they hold meaning.

  “I will come home to you. And remember,”

  She doesn’t let me finish but adds the words herself, “We’re not done when this is over.”

  The corner of my mouth twitches. “That’s fuckin’ right.”

  She rises on her tiptoes and feathers her lips against mine. Not enough. My fingers slip into her hair where I fist it and tilt her head at the right angle. My tongue is welcomed by hers. Talk about comin’ home. This is where I love to dwell; getting lost in her.

  “All set, Prez. You sure about this? Great. Tongue-fucking over crucial details, all about fucking priorities and shit, makes me feel safe, cozy even,” Helix grumbles.

  I reluctantly end the kiss and glare at my VP. “Don’t be a jealous prick.”

  Helix drops his ass on the couch and spreads his arms out over the back, making sure to put his feet up on the table in front of him. “Ah, but this prick is going to make sure to keep your lady safe. And you damn well know I’d be by your side or leading the other attack if you didn’t ask me to do this. But, you know…priorities and all.”

  My lady. Fuck. See how easy this woman has smacked into my life and rooted deep? She’s formed a foundation of strength surrounding me I didn’t think I need or wanted. And what Helix said is true, no damn way would a VP stay home. But I need this for my own sanity.