“Rico, we need to go downstairs. Church, remember?” She shoves me away, trying to get me to let her go, but I don’t want to. I’m caught thinking about last night in the stairwell, my tongue soaking up all her sweet nectar. Flashes of the events that transpired rush through my mind. How I fucked her against the wall, filling up her pussy with my cum in the process. How when we got back to her room she got on her knees and cleaned me up, doin’ shit with her tongue that I’ve never had another woman do. Eventually, she straddled me on the bed and fucked me reverse cowgirl. God, my fuckin’ balls are tightenin’ up at the memories.
I loosen my grip around her waist and she scoots away from me, walks over to her dresser and quickly covers up her beautiful body. Meanwhile, I roll over and grab my clothes from the floor, throwin’ them back on and grab my cut from the hook next to her door.
Within a matter of minutes we’re both on our way to where we have church. I walk in ahead of her and she stops in the hallway for a minute, tryin’ not to be seen with me. I’m damn sure the only people who know we’re fuckin’ around are Reno, Cowboy, and now Abyss.
I take my seat, and in comes Mug, Muffler, Hoodrat, and finally Cowboy and Boss. Venom sneaks in right after them and everyone else is here. “I’ve just had a meeting with Cowboy in regard to our Calgary charter, and after an in-depth discussion I’ve decided to shut it down and transfer everyone to Boston. The Irish have been giving us contracts and in doing this I’m securing more income for both charters, opposed to giving the money to someone else.”
“Shit, good for you. Havin’ your family closer together now,” Chuckles speaks with a smile on his face and Boss tries to hide her own happiness. I know she’d never make a selfish decision, how this was smart for both clubs and it’s why she decided to do this. I’m sure it won’t hurt havin’ Cowboy closer to home, though, especially for their daughter.
“I wish it were just about family, Chuckles, but it’s not. Our Calgary charter hasn’t been beneficial for us whatsoever. Cowboy and I spent the last few nights crunching numbers, and we’re about sixty thousand in the red. I’m hoping when we sell the property we might be able to catch up a bit, since we put some work into it and whatnot . . . but time will tell.”
Shit. I knew we weren’t doin’ great up there, but I didn’t have a clue we were that far in the red. It’s not like sixty thousand is chump change either.
“We could get that back within the first quarter, if things go well once everyone’s in Boston,” Omen speaks, backing Boss up.
“There’s only one thing that needs to be done before we get everyone moved around. I need to go to Boston and meet with Colin O’Dea,” Boss tells the group of us.
I watch as minds try to piece together who Colin O’Dea is, but I’m sure they’ll start figuring it out rather quickly. “Omen, Ricochet, I’d like for you two to come with me. Chuckles, I’m gonna leave your crazy ass in charge, so do me a favor and don’t let my club burn down.”
Chuckles smirks and gives her a curt nod. “Promise on your dad’s life, Prez.”
Chuckles hasn’t made a promise like that in a long time, so the fact Boss keeps her eyes locked on his for a few moments isn’t surprising to me. Not in the least bit. Rage might’ve been a shit father when she was young, but when push came to shove, he showed he wasn’t so bad before he died.
If the man were here right now, he’d be damn proud of his daughter. I know that for a fact. “When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow,” Boss answers as she slams the gavel down.
Chapter Fifteen
Ricochet
We made our way up to Boston in record time, leaving around two in the afternoon so we didn’t hit too much rush hour traffic. Omen led the three of us, bein’ the usual speed demon he is. I swear the dude needs to get into some street racin’. He has too much fun blowin’ us in his dust. He’s risky for a VP, but it’s part of the reason everyone around here loves ‘em so damn much.
Only, about halfway into our trip Cowboy called and said he was comin’ too, said he felt it was wrong for the three of us to be goin’ and not him. Now, I wouldn’t have said this to Boss, but I agree with him. He’ll be the man meeting with Colin O’Dea for most of the time . . . so if you ask me, he needs to be here too. The guy needs to make his presence known, most of all, he needs to give the old mafioso some of his fuckin’ respect.
We all roll up to a brownstone together after waitin’ for Cowboy to catch up with us. From the outside it looks like a normal house, a normal house where rich folk live, but alas a normal place. We all dismount our bikes and head up to the front door, where Boss moves her hand so she can knock on the door, but she doesn’t even get the opportunity.
The door comes open and there’s a massive dude. He’s gotta be six-six, or maybe six-seven. His arms look like they’re the size of tree trunks and I bet he could break necks with his damn pinky finger. He looks her up and down before lookin’ directly at Omen. “You must be Boss.”
Omen cracks a smile but quickly corrects the man, “No, that would be her.”
The guy glances to Boss and I watch as he realizes our names are on our cuts. “My apologies. Colin has been waiting for you, so please come inside.”
Boss agrees and follows the massive muscle inside, while the rest of us follow along with her. Though, we don’t get far before we reach the foyer and there are two more men suited up. “Before we go any further we need to take your weapons for the time being.”
Boss nods and Cowboy goes first, handing them his guns, knives, and even a Swiss Army knife. Omen goes up next and the fact he has to hand over his weapons is obviously annoying him. I’m sure he’s internally sayin’ somethin’ about bein’ invited here and we shouldn’t have to do shit. However, the O’Deas are a prominent mafia family, so of course they’re going to operate on the side of caution.
I walk up to the guys next and hand them over everything I have, and then they pat me down like they did with Omen and Cowboy, and the only person left they have to clear is Boss. She steps up to them and hands everything over, including her brass knuckles she usually carries in the pockets of her jeans and then holds her arms out, and then legs.
The guys look at each other like they’re not sure who’s gonna clear her, but the man who brought us in ends up walkin’ up to her and rolls his eyes at the other two idiots on his team. He brings his hands close to Boss and Cowboy clears his throat. “You’d better watch where those hands go.” His tone comes out like a warnin’, like the dude is itchin’ to fuck someone up for even layin’ a finger on her.
“Iann, what’s the meaning of this?” An older Irish man opens a set of double doors and looks out at Iann, the man who let us in. His accent is thick, almost so thick I can barely make out what he’s saying.
Iann draws his brows together. “Don’t you want them cleared?”
The man scoffs and shakes his head, comes right over and grabs Iann by the collar of his shirt. “The Iron Vex MC are allies to our club. What in the bloody hell do you think you’re doing? Give them back their property this instant.”
The men hand us back our property and the old man motions for us to follow him into what looks like an elaborate conference room. “Thank you for coming here so quickly. I was hoping for a meeting in the next week or so, but as Liam said, you’re good people.”
“I appreciate you saying that. It’s great to meet you in the flesh, Mr. O’Dea. I’m Boss, the national charter Prez for the Iron Vex MC.” Boss extends a hand and they shake, and while they do I shut the door so all words spoken here are private. “This is Cowboy, who will be the Prez of the Boston charter. He’s currently the Prez for our Calgary charter, but I’ve made the decision to transfer everyone out here since this deal has been struck.”
“It’s great to meet you, Cowboy, your ink an ode to your soul?” Colin nods toward Cowboy’s neck which gives him a chuckle. He has a good chuckle and gives Colin a nod.
“Likewise, Sir. I’ll be happy to assi
st you however I can.” Cowboy puts on his charm and the old man makes introductions with Omen as well before heading around behind his desk and having a seat.
We all start a conversation about what’s to be expected once the Boston charter gets up and running. But our conversation quickly comes to an end as there’s a light rap on the door. Colin furrows his brows and clears his throat. “Who is it? I’m in a meeting.”
“It’s me, Father.” A man who appears to look in his late-twenties opens the door and comes in, shutting it behind him.
“I’m in a meeting, Cian.” Colin seems a bit frustrated, obviously wanting to know what’s going on.
“Yes, I’m sorry . . . I think there’s a situation you need to know about,” Cian states clearly, looking directly into his father’s eyes.
“Okay, so tell me. I have business to tend to,” Colin grits out.
“I . . .” Cian looks around the room, “I think it’s something we best discuss in private, Father.”
“I don’t care what you think, son. Speak.”
With a huff, Cian tells his father there’s a woman in Ireland spreading word that she’s a bastard child of the Mackenzies. She’s the half-sister to Desmond Mackenzie, and she has children, she’s saying that her children deserve a piece of the pie.
“What’s her name?” Colin questions.
“Orla Gallagher is her name, and the children she’s had are all out of wedlock, she’s saying—”
Colin puts a hand up and shakes his head. “We’ll talk about this later, son, when we can call Liam and get his thoughts on the situation. Until then, I’m not concerned with what she’s saying, not until we have proof.”
“Yes, Father.” Cian quickly does what his father says and leaves us. Boss waits a few moments before suggesting we come back another time if he has other things to tend to, but Colin tells her today is perfect and they’ll iron out the wrinkles so they’re working together effectively.
I sit back in my chair, knowing we’re about to have one hell of a successful meeting. I’m the type of man who trusts my gut and Colin O’Dea doesn’t strike me as a snake in the grass. I only hope I’m right.
Chapter Sixteen
Venom
Being up since the ass crack of dawn isn’t exactly something I’d prefer to do, but I’m not going to complain because Beretta texted me late last night and said we needed to chat. Now my ass is in Manhattan, tucked in an alley where there’s a small coffee shop. I’m sitting at a small two-seater table, waiting for the legend herself to come strutting up with her designer sunglasses and massive purse in hand.
I’m sipping on a plain cappuccino and ordered her a black coffee. She’s not a picky woman and after numerous times meeting with her, I know she prefers black coffee when she’s working, which is most of the time these days. I don’t think she takes any time off.
I glance down at my phone and look for the time, wondering if she’s a few minutes late, but just as I do the seat is filled across from me. “Sorry, traffic’s a hell of a bitch this morning.” Beretta wastes no time in taking the hot black coffee in front of her and guzzles it down like it’s water.
“Everything alright?” It can’t be. Not if she texted me at almost midnight and said we needed to meet as soon as possible.
She shrugs her shoulders and gives me a long stare before finally clearing her throat. “If you want to get her back you need to move now. There’s another woman trying to get out, someone who needs help as much as you did back then.”
I draw my brows together, not understanding how someone else’s actions move up my timeline. “Why does this affect stuff on our end? I should have plenty of time. They just got settled here in Boston. They shouldn’t be moving, so—”
“Eric re-married. He re-married and his wife is trying desperately to get out. She sought me out, or rather one of my associates in our Boston office. She has a son with him, Vanna. The woman’s not just worried about her and her son, she’s trying to take Peyton out too.”
Everything clicks in my mind and the reality is that there’s no time to waste. I need to tell the club everything and there’s not a doubt I need to do it soon. I know Boss will stand behind me and we’ll go get my baby girl, but the reality is the secrets I’ve kept are going to impact the relationships around me. This out of them all is the biggest one . . . and I don’t know if Ricochet will be able to turn a blind eye to it. I hope he will, or I hope he’ll forgive me and understand why I kept things so private, but I don’t know. I only hope my secret doesn’t destroy everything we’re building together.
“It’s not just herself that she’s worried about . . . she’s told me they’re abusing girls who grow up in the cult, right around the age of fifteen, sixteen . . .” Beretta’s voice grows softer, like she’s gently touching the subject but luckily I can read between the lines. She clears her throat. “It’s not only in one form of abuse either. They’re beating women too, and . . . the last time I met with her, I paid for a phone. The type you get from a gas station. Well, she snuck it in and was able to obtain some photographs for me.” Beretta pauses for a moment and removes her sunglasses, setting them down on the table. “I wish I never saw them, Vanna. I think I know why you left now, besides for obvious reasons.”
“I’m sorry you had to see.”
“They use your story as a way to scare people into submission if they start stepping out of line, that’s what I’ve learned from her, in addition to so much more.”
I shake my head, sickened by the thought, but I’m not surprised. They’ll do anything to keep their precious members, even if it means terrifying them to the point where they don’t think they have another choice.
Beretta takes out her phone and taps away and shortly I have a text message. I glance down at my phone and see it’s an address in Boston. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Yes, it is.”
Inhaling deeply through my nose I nod. “What do I owe you for this?”
“Nothing, just get her out, get as many out as you can.” Beretta grabs her glasses and puts them back on, then reaches for her wallet.
I hold up my hand. “I got this. After what you’ve given me, it’s the least I can do.”
Beretta gives me a nod in thanks and disappears the same way she came from. And as she leaves the realization of what I need to do weighs heavily on me. I need to get back to the club and I need to do it now. There’s so much I have to tell them and we’re running out of time.
Chapter Seventeen
Ricochet
I’m standin’ in the kitchen with Boss, Destiny, Cowboy, and Iris, while the three of us adults share some coffee. It’s been a nice mornin’ so far, but Venom wasn’t in bed when I woke up this mornin’. I went all through the club to see if I could find her but had no such luck. Seein’ her bike wasn’t in the garage told me she must’ve been out on a ride or something.
I guess it’s my fault, if I’d woken up on time, I would’ve kept her busy in other ways. And man, the two of us mesh so well when it comes to the bedroom. Last night I finally used those handcuffs on her, and fuck if I won’t use them in every naughty way I’ve dreamed about.
I turn my head and listen as the sounds of footsteps come trampling through the place. I glance over to the doorway and in comes Venom, a shocked look on her face and her chest rises and falls with what I’d assume is nervousness.
“I need to tell you something, and I need you guys to know how sorry I am for not saying anything, I wanted to, but I was afraid,” she starts off, lookin’ from me over to Boss.
Boss sets down her coffee and comes over to the doorway that Venom just walked in. “Okay, let me ask a question before you get started. Are you alright?”
“I . . . I think so,” Venom blurts out, but I doubt anyone here believes her.
Boss turns to look behind her. “Iris, can you take Destiny for a bit?”
Iris immediately goes to take the little girl from her daddy’s arms and then leaves the kitche
n area. Boss leans up against the island and looks straight into Venom’s eyes. “Okay, tell me everything.”
Venom’s hands begin to shake and she looks right at me. “I’m so sorry for keeping this from you and I hope you can forgive me for it,” she says with watery eyes so I know this must be damn serious.
“Whatever it is, we’ll be fine,” I assure her, knowing I don’t want to lose her. Whatever this is, I’ll make sure we get through it. I’m sure we’ve survived worse shit from both of our pasts.
She gnaws on her bottom lip. “I should start from the beginning. I got married when I was eighteen, to my high school sweetheart. I thought we were going to survive the world, that it would be awesome. I ended up getting pregnant pretty young, and so I was a junior in college with a toddler. My husband, Eric, had been . . . he’d been approached by an older man right after we graduated high school. Long story short, I was part of the cult the club’s been hunting the last few years. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything, I’m so sorry, but they have my daughter and I couldn’t do anything that would put her life in jeopardy.”
I look between Venom, as she struggles to word vomit her truths, and Boss’ reaction to everything she’s learning. Surprisingly, Boss doesn’t seem upset. She’s simply listening to Venom as she continues to tell us her story.
“I’ve been hiring a private investigator to keep tabs on where my daughter’s been the last few years, knowing at some point I’d get her out of that hellhole, but I didn’t think I was strong enough. I wanted to prove myself to you guys, to the club, and then my plan was to come to you, Boss, and tell you everything. But things have changed and I found out this morning that they’re going after teenage girls, assaulting them sexually amongst other things and I . . .” Venom’s entire body begins to slightly shake and tears run down her cheeks.
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