“Fine.” I let out a loud sigh. “I love you,”
“Love you too, and please be careful.” I let her go and swing my leg over my bike, putting my helmet on.
“Always.” She blows me a kiss and walks back inside.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Daria
“Hey, Daria.” Jake Snr. walks in. “You okay? You look pale.” I went to see him this morning before I came home to cook Striker's meal with Blair. I cut my hours back to two and a half days a week. I’ve decided I want to do an online course to do what I’ve always wanted to do; be a dance and drama teacher. He was upset, but he understood that being a lawyer was Denise’s dream for me, not mine. I’ll stay with him until he gets a replacement.
“Yeah, just not feeling too good. Dad will be home in an hour. He and Lauren had a luncheon with a client.”
“Grandpa!” Emily runs down the stairs and hugs him.
“Hey, kiddo,” he says, kissing her temple.
“I have another dance for you to learn next time I stay over.” Jake shakes his head.
“Emily, I think Grandpa needs a break from all those dances.”
“Don’t sweat it. She’s keeping me young.” He waves me off with a chuckle.
“Mom, I have one for us to do. You’d be amaze at it.”
“Amaze?” I raise an eyebrow at her.
“Amazing, duh.” She rolls her eyes at me, causing me and Jake Snr. to laugh.
“Jake get back to New York okay?” I ask. He said this morning he was going back this afternoon.
“He’s still here, said something about Jamie coming into town, so he changed his flight to tomorrow afternoon.” I nod.
Emily’s eyes widen and a smile appears on her lips. “I need to get Dad and Uncle Nico to do one.”
I let out a loud laugh and cover my mouth. “Then we’ll definitely be needing a hospital trip. “I can’t imagine your father doing any of those dances.” Just the thought makes me giggle again, imagining his six-foot-seven body trying to do the moves. I know Nico can move, but Striker? Nope, can’t see that happening.
“I’m going to convince him.”
“Oh, I look forward to seeing that video.” Jess giggles as she walks in. She knows all the codes so she can come and go as she pleases. She said she was going to drop Ezra off at her parents’ after the meal then come back here so we could chat and then go over to see the guys before they leave.
“Come on, Grandpa! Let’s practice before Grandpa Nicholas comes home.” Emily excitedly pulls Jake to the back yard to rehearse.
“Please don’t break a hip,” I call after them.
“I won’t, sweetheart.” He chuckles.
“So, are we going to talk about what happened with Blair?” Jess asks, pouring herself a glass of wine. She has free rein of the house like it’s her home. It was always like that growing up until Denise came into Dad’s life, then it stopped. I know it hurt Jess as much as me because she saw Dad as a second father figure.
“Where’s Ezra?” I ask, knowing full well where he is, but I’m trying to bat the conversation away from me. I hate talking about myself and how I’m feeling, because I don’t know how to put those feelings into words sometimes. It’s hard enough doing it twice a week with my therapist, and half the time I just sit there in silence.
“He’s at Mom and Dad’s, like he is every Monday.” She smirks. “So, Blair?”
“Striker thought something was going on between us.” I risk a peek at her; her mouth pops open.
“You and Blair?”
“Yup.”
“Why would he think that? Blair was only helping you with the meal.”
“We’ve talked and worked it out. He saw us hugging, plus, I said I was busy, didn’t I? It’s not like I don’t have a track record of cheating.”
“Brad was a different scenario, Dar.”
“Doesn’t excuse cheating, Jess. I should never have dated him.”
“Austin told me he kissed you at the wedding.” She swerves getting into the whole Brad thing. My cheeks flame red and I clear my throat before I respond to her.
“I’m so embarrassed, Jess. Striker saw it, but not me knocking him back.”
“Striker saw it and my brother is still breathing?” Jess’s voice levels up. “Wow, seems like Mr. Moody McMoodface has learnt the art of self-control.”
She makes me giggle. “Looks like it.”
“You coming to say goodbye to the guys?” she queries, finishing her wine.
“Yeah..” My smile falters when I think about going back to the clubhouse. I haven’t been back since Striker revealed everything to me. Jess must have noticed my mood change.
“Wanna talk about it?” She smiles a little. I look at her and nod. I need to talk about this. Talk about how he killed all those people through his rage over me.
“I need you to swear you won’t tell a soul.”
“Have I ever spilled any of your secrets?”
“No.” I sigh. “Okay, you have to remember this was in the past. Not that it makes it okay, but he was in a different place mentally back then.”
“Daria.” Jess giggles at my babbling.
I tell her what Striker told me about all the people he tortured and killed, and the fact that, if he had seen me, he doesn’t know if he would have killed me or not. She stares at me with her mouth agape.
“Jess, it was years ago, he regrets it. He’s changed. You even said yourself he’s not the same person.”
“I’m just shocked. I had no idea.” She blinks a few times. “I know he’s changed. Nico said he’s changed for the better too, and it’s all down to you being in his life.” She reaches over, squeezing my hand.
“I haven’t done anything other than love him.”
“Exactly.” She winks at me. “Come on. Let’s go say goodbye.”
***
After Jess told me that everyone thinks it’s down to me that Striker has changed, we left Emily with Dad and Jake, learning a dance while Lauren enjoyed the show.
I don’t think it’s down to just me for him changing. I think it’s always been there. The good in him just needed to be pulled out. If I was to pinpoint anyone who has changed him, I would have said Emily. She has him wrapped around his little finger, a real daddy’s girl. The thought makes me smile and happy that they know about one another now. It’s paired with a tinge of sadness too that they didn’t have that from the beginning. He’s getting another chance to be in this baby’s life from day one, and I won’t stand in the way of that.
My eyes scan the room, but Striker is nowhere to be seen. So, Jess and I get drinks and sit down on the black leather sofas in the far corner away from everyone so we can talk and hear each other over the music.
“Daria.” Barron walks over. “How are you doing, sweetheart?”
“I’m okay.”
“You not drinking?”
“Um, no. I’ve got to study when I get home,” I lie. Jess brings her glass to her lips to hide her smile.
“Striker will be here soon. He and Nico were meeting some others from another charter.” I nod, and he walks away to greet more bikers coming in.
“So, he doesn’t know?”
“No. I’m not ready to tell everyone yet.”
The noise level in the room grows louder as more bikers walk in. My heart rate starts to pick up. I’ve never been good with crowds, and it’s gotten worse since Brad. I hate that I’m constantly looking over my shoulder and jumping at every little noise. I especially hate that the only time I’m truly calm and feel safe is with Striker, Nico, Barron, Cobra, or Blair. Life shouldn’t be like this.
My skin pebbles when I hear Striker’s voice; he’s totally oblivious that I’m here watching him.
Jess is talking about something, but I have no idea what she's saying. I zoned out as soon as I saw Striker walk in. He's all I've thought about since I told him I was pregnant. I couldn't blame him for asking if the baby was his, and I kind of expected it; it just st
ung a little hearing it out loud.
I watch the way his bicep bunches up when drinking his beer, his lips wrapping around the bottle and his tongue darting out to lick the excess off his lips. I need to fuck him before he leaves for seven days. Screw going slow.
I stand, walking away from Jess. My eyes never leave my Striker-shaped target.
“Daria?” Jess calls after me, but I ignore her, continuing on my way to Striker.
I grab the neckline of his t-shirt, and without a word, I pull him to me and plant a hard kiss on him, my tongue tracing the seam of his surprised, closed lips which open for me to play a game of chase with his tongue. I kiss him like my life depends on it, deepening it before releasing him. His eyes still hooded and a darker shade of blue, I look down at his lips, which are swollen after my assault, then back up to his eyes. I bite my lip, trying to convey to him that I need him.
“Mickey, talk to Nico. He's the gunman.” Striker stands from his stool, never breaking eye contact with me. Looking up at him, sometimes I forget just how tall he is. We're usually horizontal, so we’re always face to face.
Taking my hand, he walks fast toward his room and slams the door shut.
“I'm sorry-”
I press my index finger to his lips, shaking my head, and walk him back to his bed. I push him, making him fall on it with a bounce. I strip off my jeans and top, so all I'm left in is my bra. His eyebrow raises, questioning where my panties are. I bite my lip as I crawl up to his body, attacking his mouth again, pressing my bare pussy down on his jean-clad hard cock.
His fingers spear into my hair as he deepens the kiss. I reach my hand down between us, unbuttoning his jeans, pushing them down as far as I can until I can’t reach any more, and I push them the rest of the way down using my feet. There's no way I’m breaking this kiss. His dick slaps against my ass. I lift my hips a little, lining his cock up to the entrance of my pussy, and I slam down with a loud groan. I need it hard and fast.
“Striker, it's time...” We're so lost in each other, we couldn't care less who just walked in and saw me riding him. “Fuck. That's something a brother doesn't need to see his sister doing.”
Nico.
“Then get the fuck out,” I growl between kisses.
“Shit. Striker, we need to head out. Now.”
Striker laughs as he places his hands on my hips to stop me. I growl again as my head falls to the crook of his neck.
“Baby, I gotta go,” he whispers in my ear, his fingertips dancing down my spine.
“Five more minutes,” I grumble.
“I can't.” He chuckles. Sighing, I lift my head. He places his hands on either side of my face. “Rain check?”
“Fine.” I circle my hips. His eyes flutter closed and he groans out loud. I climb off him, reaching for my jeans and t-shirt. Once I finish pulling on my clothes, I watch him half-naked, and desire pools between my legs again.
“I think we’ve scarred Nico for life,” he says with a smirk, standing and pulling his trousers and boxers up.
“He’ll get over it. I’m a grown woman. How does he think we made two babies?”
He turns to me, taking my hand in his. He looks down and places a hand on my stomach. “I love you, Emily, and our baby.”
“I love you too. More than you know.” My vision clouds over as he kisses my lips softly. “Now, let's go see my pussy blocker of a brother.”
“Pussy blocker?” He snorts out a laugh.
“Let's just say it's not the first time he's walked in on me getting down and dirty.”
“You know what? I don't want to know.” I think he knows who I'm talking about, and I'm not going to say his name and ruin this mood.
“Striker?” I pull his hand, stopping him short of the door. He turns his head, looking down at me with a smile. “What’s your run for?” His smile falls and he stays silent. I can see the internal battle of whether to tell me or not. “Babe, I need full disclosure if this is going to work.”
He closes his eyes and takes my face in his hands, making me look at him. “Brad has been spotted in Washington. Austin called Dad.” All the air leaves my lungs. “When you thought there was someone in your house, he was spotted here. That’s why I was watching from across the street. I wanted to make sure you were safe.” My heart pounds against my ribcage. I feel like someone is squeezing my lungs, stopping the air from entering and exiting. Panic attack. I’m having a panic attack. I need to get a handle on this before it gets worse and I pass out. Closing my eyes, I try one of the techniques given to me from Dr. Jacobs, my therapist; picture your happy place. Which, right now, is in Striker’s arms with Emily and the baby. “Baby, are you okay? I swear nothing is going to happen. Blair and Cobra are staying here to shadow you and Emily. I’m a call away, and Chucky is hanging back too with a couple of the other guys.”
“But I don’t want them. I need you, Nico, and your dad. You all make me feel safer.” Hot tears fill my eyes as I look up at him. He pulls my head to his chest, caging me with his strong, calming arms.
“I know, but I need to settle this. I need to witness the life leaving his eyes for myself.”
“I understand. Just, please…” I lift my head, looking right into his eyes. “Make him suffer.”
“Oh, babe, after what I have planned for him, no-one will be able to recognize him.”
I watch his eyes darken from bright blue to almost black with the thought of revenge on the man who almost killed me and killed our baby.
“Is it wrong how turned on I am right now?” I ask.
He lets out a laugh. “No, baby. Wait until I get home, and you’ll get the best orgasm you have ever had in your life.”
“I’ll be waiting.” My voice is soft as I lean up on my tiptoes to kiss him, but he still has to bend down to reach me. “I think I need to get a portable step ladder.”
“I can always just carry you everywhere.” I let out a squeal when he lifts me. My legs wrap around his waist and he begins to walk.
“I’d like to see you try to do that when I’m the size of a house.”
“I’ll still be able to carry you with one hand.” He kisses my collarbone.
“Striker, we seriously need to get going. Put the girl down.” We both look toward Barron, who smiles at us.
Once outside, we see all the guys on their bikes, their significant others saying goodbye. We walk to where Jess and Nico are. Striker’s bike is parked beside Nico.
“Be safe, pussy blocker.” I narrow my eyes at Nico, standing in front of him. He gives me a cheeky grin.
“Love you too, cupcake.” He laughs. I throw my arms around him, almost knocking him off his bike, unable to keep my act of disdain up. “Whoa.”
“You come home, and look after Striker, okay?” I whisper in his ear.
“I will.”
I release him and kiss his cheek. I turn to Striker. “You come back home to me, Striker. Even if you lose a limb, you come back to me.” I place a hand on my stomach. “To us.”
“If I have to crawl back, I will be coming home to you, baby.”
I plant a kiss on his lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I reach into my back pocket and hand him something. He looks down then back at me. “Is that?” I nod.
“Please, be safe and come home to us,” I repeat. With one last kiss, he places the sonogram picture in his inside pocket, close to his heart.
Jess and I stand back. I link my arm in hers, placing my head on her shoulder as the guys drive off.
“They’ll be okay, won’t they?” Jess whispers to me. I’ve never heard Jess this worried before, which makes me even more anxious that something bad is going to happen.
“I hope so.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Striker
We left Phoenix last night at six p.m.; it’s now six in the morning, and we’ve just hit Nevada. Dad suggested pulling into the Nevada charter for a break before the rest of the journey. He wanted to call and check in on the club
and the garage.
“Get some rest. And I mean rest, not fuck the pussy here, and lay off the booze.” He gives us all a pointed look. I’m not touching any skank in this place.
Sitting on a sofa in the corner while Nico goes to get us a couple of bottles of water, I pull out the sonogram photo. A smile tugs at my lips.
“What’s that?” Nico juts his chin at the picture, handing me my bottle of water. I’m not sure if Daria wants people to know yet, but Nico’s my best friend, and I tell him everything, like she does with Jess.
“Daria and I are having another baby,” I say with a grin, handing him the sonogram picture. A wide smirk pulls at his lips.
“Wow, man. I’m happy for you guys.”
“You knew, didn’t you?”
“Yeah.” He scrunches up his face, just like Daria does sometimes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I thought it would be better coming from Daria. Plus, getting on the wrong side of her without the raging pregnancy hormones is enough to make the devil himself cower in a corner.” I let out a laugh because it’s true; she’s a little spitfire when she gets angry.
“Don’t sweat it, man. I get it.” He hands me the picture and I stare it some more. “I’m getting a second chance, Nico. I’m not fucking this up again.”
“I know. I have no doubt you’ll do right by her this time around.”
“Are you over seeing her earlier?” I take this opportunity to tease him. He looks like he’s been kicked in the balls, obviously getting a little flashback of last night.
“I think I've seen Daria naked more than my wife.” I have to laugh at his expression. He's still struggling with the idea of having a sister, and the fact I'm screwing her.
“Learn to knock then.”
“I didn't expect to see her riding you like a fucking cowgirl, or find her handcuffed to a bed.”
“Handcuffed to a bed?”
“I walked in on her and Brad a few weeks before all that shit went down.”
My hands clench into fists.
“Hey, we'll find this fucker. Austin said he'd been spotted in Redmond. He has eyes on him. We find him, and we kill this motherfucker.”
Nothing Else Matters (Demons Disciples MC Book 2) Page 11
