by Rebel Hart
“So does he have a sunset? Since he was once president?”
“Nope. The base tattoo you see right here--with the rose and the vines and the mantra?--every guy inducted into the Red Thorns has that. When John was president, he got a separate tattoo. A rose on his left upper arm, with the beginning and end dates of his run in that position wrapped around it. Like a ribbon.”
“Why the sunset, then?”
I paused. “I wanted a new day to rise on the Red Thorns. I wanted to completely overhaul the group and get them away from some of the shit they’d gotten themselves into. We’ll never be fully safe, but I wanted to make things as safe as possible for them.”
She smiled. “The dawning of a new day.”
“Exactly.”
Her fingers rose and danced along my tattoo. “Will anyone ever have the same kind of tattoo one day? Or will it only ever be you?”
I chuckled. “Only my woman will have this tattoo. One day, at least.”
She giggled. “Oh, really now?”
I nodded. “Really, really.”
“And where do you expect your woman to get this tattoo? Assuming she obliges.”
“Well, seeing as she just told me she’d do anything for an orgasm, I don’t think she has a leg to stand on.”
Her lips parted in shock. “My parents would freak out if I got a tattoo.”
“You’re a big girl, Dani. I think you’ll be fine.”
“No, I just meant--”
“Gorgeous, you hit a thug in the back of the head with an empty wine bottle. I think you can make the decision to get your own tattoo. You know where I think it might look good?”
“Max, I just don’t know if--”
I traced my finger along her left breast. “Right there.”
She blushed. “You think?”
Then I traced my finger along the valley of her breasts. “Or right there.”
“That would hurt, though, right?”
I chuckled, sliding my finger all the way to her outer thigh. “Or even right here.”
She slapped my hand away. “Down, boy. Our water isn’t gone just yet.”
I grinned. “What happens when it’s gone?”
“You’re bad, you know that?”
“Very. You’re just now learning this?”
She shook her head. “Never a dull moment with you, is there?”
I picked up my water bottle. “Not when my father is sending people after me, no.”
She paused. “Wait, what?”
I chugged back some of my water before she turned to face me.
“Did you just say your father’s the one sending men after you?”
I sighed. “I don’t have a way to be sure of it just yet. But my gut tells me that’s what’s really happening.”
“Wait, but why? I don’t think I’ve even heard you mention anything about your parents. And now, your father is the one hunting you down?”
“To be fair, my father hunts a lot of people down. Doesn’t make me special.”
“I--you--but--what the fuck does that even mean?”
I snickered. “Cussing suits you.”
“Seriously, Max. Why do you think your own father is the one sending these people after you?”
I clasped my hands behind my head. “For one, my family situation is complicated. At best. In my father’s world, money makes everything go round. And he’s never had a soft spot for the likes of me. John? Sure. Because John’s more of a pushover than I am. He can manipulate my brother easier than he can me.”
“So you really think your father doesn’t like you?”
I scoffed. “I know he doesn’t.”
“Why not? I mean, you’re his son.”
I shrugged. “Been asking myself that question my entire life. If you figure out the answer, let me know.”
She sighed. “I’m so sorry, Max.”
“Don’t be. I didn’t tell you any of that so you could feel sorry for me. You had questions you wanted answered, so I answered them.”
“Do you see your father often?”
“When he wants something, sure. When he has no need for me, I don’t even get a text message.”
“I’m so sor--”
I placed my finger against her lips. “No more apologizing. You have nothing to apologize for. Understood?”
She kissed my finger softly. “Understood.”
Fire pooled in my gut. “Good. Now, are you done with your water?”
She held up the empty bottle. “Completely drained it. Why?”
“Because I’m ready for round two.”
“Max!”
She squealed as I rolled her over and pinned her beneath me. I crashed my lips against hers and felt our tongues collide, something that would always make my cock stand at attention. I gathered her in my arms and slid off the bed. I hoisted her against me, feeling how sticky she was. And as I walked us into the bathroom, my cock leaked with anticipation of what was to come: the water sliding down her soft curves, the steam swirling around us and blanketing us from the harshness of the world, her sounds flooding my ears as I filled her body with my own. And her sighs of content after she collapsed into my arms and curled against me once we’d both had our fill for the night.
19
Dani
The first thing I felt was a press of his lips against my shoulder. I drew in a deep breath, shifting my sore body as his muscles moved with me. His lips puckered again, this time kissing my upper arm and working down until he kissed every tip of my fingers as I rolled over onto my back.
I groaned. “Not again. I can’t take it.”
Max chuckled. “Don’t worry. I won’t put you through the wringer this morning.”
“This morning?”
I peeked an eye open and watched him grin at me. He lay there at my side, his fingers threading themselves with mine. Max looked positively spent first thing in the morning. His hair was a disheveled mess. His eyes were still half-hooded with sleep. Or lust. Or maybe both. I reached out and traced the small mark I’d left on his shoulder last night. My teeth marks looked so small compared to the rest of him. I let my fingers ramble over the soft red marks I’d left behind.
“Got pretty frisky in the shower there, gorgeous.”
I snickered. “Says the man who practically invaded my body.”
“Are you complaining?”
I giggled sleepily. “Not one bit.”
“Good.”
His arms hooked underneath mine and he pulled me against him. He rolled over, my tired body draped over his like a blanket. I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heart beating against my ear. I let my eyes fall closed again as his even breaths lulled me back to sleep. The feeling of his fingers running through my hair sent chills throughout my entire body. I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to get up. I didn’t want to go back to campus.
But I knew I’d have to eventually.
After falling in and out of sleep with him until almost noon, I relegated myself to fate. I pulled myself out of bed, fumbled around with my clothes, and let Max take me back. I wasn’t sure what day it was, honestly. As I leaned against him, with the motorcycle almost putting me back to sleep, I had no idea what time it was. Or what day of the week.
For all I knew, I’d missed my classes again.
“We’re here.”
His rumbling voice cut through the haze of my sleepiness and I sighed. I pulled my helmet off and slipped off his bike, my heart already aching to be with him again. I pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. He grinned at me before tossing me a playful wink. And after giving my ass a soft pat, he sent me away to my dorm building.
While he rode off into the sunset.
Sunrise.
Wait, no. The sun was too high in the sky for a sunrise.
Is it almost lunch time?
I yawned as I clutched my purse. I fumbled my way inside and into the elevator. I’d never felt so tired, yet so amazing, in all my life. I couldn't wipe the goofy gri
n off my face as I made my way to my dorm room. Not even Hannah could ruin this for me. I’d done as she asked, so she didn’t have a reason to be upset. I’d messaged her last night to let her know I wasn’t going to be back before morning.
So hopefully, things would be better.
“And where the hell were you all night?”
Or maybe not. “I sent you a message.”
“Yeah, telling me you weren’t coming in last night. What were you up to?”
I dropped my purse. “I was with Max.”
She sighed. “Of course you were. Ruining your life, one step at a time.”
I climbed into my bed. “I don’t need your judgment, Hannah. I get enough of it from my parents. I know what I’m doing. And if you don’t trust that, then that’s your fault.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you. I’m just worried. You missed your classes again. That’s the second time in two weeks you’ve missed an entire day of school for him. And for what?”
I slid under the covers. “Well, I don’t know what to tell you. I have it under control. So you can stop punishing me for finally getting out there. Like you wanted me to at the beginning of the semester, you jerk.”
“Fine. Whatever.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
And, despite the tension, I didn’t have any issues falling right back asleep.
When my eyes opened from my nap, it was almost dark out. The sun was setting, and it jolted me right out of bed. I practically rolled out of bed and crawled to my purse to yank my phone out. Holy shit, it was already past six o’clock in the evening.
How long was I out?
I scrambled to my feet and searched around for my books. I had to do whatever I needed to do to catch up for today. I frantically logged into my school account and found the lectures. My lucky day, apparently. Because both of them were already posted.
One absence in each of my classes. I can’t do more than two.
I flipped my calendar opened and started checking things off. I was ahead on my reading, so all I needed to do was refresh my mind with the questions at the back. I was already jotting down notes from my first lecture of the day, so I had that going for me. And thankfully, the material was still pretty easy.
Then my eyes fell to something in my calendar. Something that was circled in red. Written in green. And bolded with a highlighter, just so it was extra obnoxious.
“Oh, no,” I murmured.
I had a paper due tomorrow afternoon.
I turned the lecture off and shuffled things around. I pulled up a Word document and found the requirements for the paper. I groaned at the sight of a needed bibliography. Of course a bibliography would be involved. I’d be up all night pulling this off. Easily. And since I still had no idea what the hell I was writing for this paper, I still had to research and piece an outline together before I did anything else.
And of course, my phone started vibrating with a call.
“Not now, Satan,” I whispered.
The vibrating stopped, but quickly picked back up. Again, and again. Until I couldn't focus enough to do my research anyway. I groaned as I rummaged around for my phone. My hand finally settled on it and I picked it up. Great. Mom was calling. Which meant Dad wasn’t too far behind.
Such bad timing.
I put on my chipper voice. “Hi, Mom!”
“Well, there’s my little sweetheart. It’s been a while since we’ve heard from you.”
Dad chuckled. “Not drowning in those books yet, are you?”
If you only knew. “Well, I’m not going to lie. One of my professors is terrible with deadlines, so I’m scrambling to make some last-minute edits to a paper before I turn it in tomorrow.”
Dad sighed. “Ugh, I remember those kinds of professors. Don’t worry, they aren’t all like that. Just go with the flow as best as you can and take breaks when necessary.”
“Exactly, sweetheart,” Mom said, “don’t overdo it. I know you’re proud of your A’s, and we are, too--”
“Don’t make her compromise her good grades. That’s not the point of college.”
Mom sighed. “It’s also not the point to stress yourself out to the point of not enjoying anything.”
I licked my lips. “I can leave you two alone, if you want me to.”
Dad chuckled. “Not necessary. We just wanted to call and see how school’s treating you.”
I lied through my teeth. “Oh, everything’s fine. Like I said, just this dumb paper that’s been plaguing me, but I’m almost done with it anyway.”
Mom snickered. “That’s my girl. Make sure to treat yourself tonight before you go to bed. You deserve it.”
“Oh! Before you go, get this. One of your mother’s friends has a son who just came back from two years travelling abroad.”
I nodded mindlessly. “That’s nice.”
“And he’s such a nice boy. Very respectful. Cute, too. Your father wasn’t happy with me--”
“Eh, I suppose he could be a worse kid.”
Mom laughed. “But I took the liberty of passing on your number.”
I blinked. “Wait, what?”
Mom sighed. “I know, I know. I got a bit hasty. But he really is a good kid. And he doesn't live far from your campus! He told me he’d call you sometime soon and ask you to dinner or a movie or something like that. Isn’t that nice?”
Dad butted in. “And I approve, too. So no using me to wiggle out of this. It’s good for you to get out and live a little. You can’t stay cooped up in your dorm room all the time.”
My heart thundered in my chest. “You gave out my number?”
The delight in Mom’s voice made me confused. “Oh, you’re going to adore him. Ask him about his adventures. I’m sure he’s got so many stories to tell.”
“As well as a future in acupuncture. Don’t forget about that.”
I paused. “Acupuncture?”
Mom clapped her hands. “Yes! He’s very well studied. His name is Kline. He’s not quite thirty yet. Just turned twenty-nine. And he’s got that nice dark hair I know you like. Please tell me you’ll say yes if he calls.”
What the fuck? “Mom, I don’t know. I’m--I’m pretty busy with school. I don’t really want to see someone right now, because I’m just getting into my core classes. It’s just a bit much to juggle right now.”
Dad snickered. “Oh, come on, you party pooper. Even I’m on board with this one, and that’s saying something. Just one date. Coffee. You can squeeze in coffee, I’m sure.”
I sighed. “I’ll think about it. How does that sound?”
Mom clicked her tongue. “Well, it’s not a no. I’ll take it. For now.”
“But princess, if he calls and you get a weird vibe--or you meet and you don’t feel comfortable--just leave. Or hang up. No harm done.”
“He’s not going to be like that. I promise. You trust me, right?”
Uh… “I mean, you did marry Dad.”
He snickered. “Awww, thanks, princess.”
“Exactly. Just give it a shot. Or at least consider it. Have a few conversations with him. Get out and spread those wings of yours. Make a few memories. You're in college. And while we’re both proud of you, we also don’t want you to miss out on all the fun things college has to offer.”
“Just--not too much fun. Dad’s rules.”
Could this call get any worse? “Not too much fun. Got it. You guys, I really have to get back to this paper. I’m so sorry.”
“No, no, no! Don’t let us hold you up, sweetheart.”
“We’ll talk soon, princess. Love you.”
I smiled. “I love you guys, too.”
And as I hung up the phone, only one question ran through my head.
What the fuck just happened with my life?
20
Max
John cracked open another beer. “All right. Give me the rundown one last time. Because I swear to fuck, if I figure out you’re hiding anything else, I’m gonna kill you myself.”
Rupert nodded. “I’m with him. I didn’t even know your father paid you a visit.”
I paused. “I’m pretty sure I mentioned that.”
Rupert snickered. “Trust me, I’d remember if you did.”
John chugged his drink back. “Give us the rundown one more time. And don’t leave anything out.”
I sighed. “Well, the two of you know about Dad coming to visit me in the garage. Yes?”
John nodded. “With the goons.”
Rupert reached for a slice of pizza. “That practically beat you into the wall. Yep.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, so that happened. Then Dani and I kicked things off a bit. Then that night happened where I took her back to her dorm and I got jumped.”
John pointed at me. “You said Benji called you and said he wanted to talk?”
I nodded. “Before I got jumped, yeah.”
Rupert cocked his head. “That’s a bit weird, don’t you think?”
I shrugged. “I didn’t think anything of it until Benji came to visit me in the garage himself.”
John pointed at me. “This is the part I want to hear again. What happened?”
Rupert chewed his pizza as loud as fucking sin as I tried gathering my thoughts.
“It was the weirdest thing. I asked him where the hell he’d been. Because other than the meeting I called to inform the crew about the jump, he was nowhere to be found. Not answering anyone’s calls. Not showing up for shit. It was weird to me, especially since he wanted to talk.”
John nodded. “What happened once he got here?”
“I don’t know. He was just… weird. Off. Very nonchalant about things. I got onto him about being absent and shit always taking priority in his life over the club, and then he wonders why I don’t induct him.”
Rupert swallowed. “I thought you didn’t want to induct him anyway.”
“I don’t. But Benji doesn’t get why. I went ahead and laid that shit out for him in the hopes that it would completely deter him from trying again.”
John paused. “Why does he attend the meetings if he’s not part of the crew?”
“To keep his ass out of trouble. Remember the last time we tried to keep him out of the group?”
