by Rebel Hart
It wasn’t until those beautiful words fell from her mouth that my head popped up.
“I need you inside me. Please!”
Her words were so desperate. So wanton. So needy. And damn it, if it wasn’t fucking perfect. I rushed up her body and crashed our lips together. I fell between her legs as the heat of her pussy called to me. I lined myself up as I hovered over her glorious form, her soft curves rolling and tumbling for my viewing pleasure. I’d never get sick of the view from up here. The way her skin flushed for me. The way her eyes begged for me. The way her body shook in my wake.
“I love you so much,” I murmured.
I pushed into her body and our hips fell together. Her entire body wrapped around me, locking me in tight. Her arms went around my neck and her legs wound around my waist. And as I pounded into her, shaking the entire bed against the wall, I felt her quickly pulling me to my end.
“Fuck, Dani.”
“Max, yes. Yes. Yes!”
“Shit. Holy fuck, what have you done to me?”
“I love you. I love you so much. I’m so close. Max, please. Please. Please.”
I grunted. “Just. Like. That.”
I slammed myself against her as my lips fell to hers. I felt her body pulling me in. Massaging me to my end as goosebumps scattered along my body. I unraveled her hands from my neck, rutting against her as I threaded our fingers together. I pinned her hands above her head, opening her up to me. Kissing down her neck. Marking her skin. Sucking in patches and nibbling on them until nothing was left but dark red marks.
“I’m coming,” she choked out.
And when her walls clamped me in their vise grip, I met my end with her.
Chanting how much I loved her as it fell effortlessly from my lips.
29
Dani
One, two, three. Breathe!
One, two, three. Breathe!
Underwater. Turn. Push. Mermaid.
One, two, three. Breathe!
I felt the water gracing my skin as I soared through the pool. I felt the waterproof bandaging from the student’s health office on campus protesting my every move. I knew I couldn't be in the water. I knew I shouldn’t have been swimming. But damn it, I couldn't help myself.
One, two, three. Breathe!
One, two, three. Breathe!
I needed to blow off steam. I needed to center myself. Because after blowing off classes yesterday and the day before, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. I didn’t want to let my parents down. I didn’t want them to throw away all this money on my education. But I also didn’t want to waste their time and their hope on something I wasn’t even sure I wanted any longer.
One, two, three. Breathe!
One, two, three. Breathe!
I drew in deep breaths. I kept checking in with my waterproof wrapping. Even though plastic wrap was a bad idea, I had layers of it wrapped around my leg over the gauze, with some waterproof stuff on top that the doctor at the student’s office gave me. Three layers between it and the water sloshing against my skin. That was enough to protect it, right?
I really hoped so.
One, two, three. Breathe!
One, two, three. Breathe!
I touched my hand against the side of the pool and switched strokes. I threw myself onto my back, kicking and stroking as I stared up at the ceiling. With my hair underneath a rubber cap and my goggles much too tight on my face, I heaved for air. I felt my body finally winding down. After a sleepless night of nothing but studying, catching up, and reading, I needed a way to exert all of this nervous energy. I felt myself turning into something new. Something greater. Something I knew my parents wouldn’t approve of.
And finally showing that to them made me sick to my stomach.
Max had turned my life upside down in the best way possible. I’d never felt so in tune with myself. Ever. I felt like I was just getting to know myself. My whole self. And it felt fantastic. The part of me that Max helped me to open up felt more natural than anything I’d ever done with my life up until this point. I’d never been able to look at something and know so confidently that I wanted it. That I needed it.
Every time I looked at Max, I felt that way.
Your parents are going to kill you for it.
I stumbled with my turn under the water and scraped my toe. I cursed beneath the surface and forced myself back up, gasping for air in the process. I looked down and saw wisps of blood mixing in with the water. I tilted myself onto my back, floating as I brought my foot out of the water. Damn it, I’d really scraped my big toe up good. It stung, too.
I wasn’t done swimming, though.
I turned around and started with a breaststroke, moving beneath the water like a graceful frog, as weird as that sounded. And as I worked my heart rate up again, my thoughts fell back to my parents.
I wasn’t sure what they’d think. I mean, I knew what they would think once they figured out what was really going on. But my father took my change in major hard enough. He’d shunned me for three days because I didn’t want to follow in his medical footsteps. It had been torturous, too. I loved my father. The nickname ‘Daddy’s girl’ was apt for me. I loved him dearly. I wanted him to be happy with me. To be proud of me.
And I knew he wouldn’t be if I told him any of this.
He’s a criminal, Danika!
My father’s voice echoed off the corners of my mind as my hands slapped against the edge of the pool.
He’s a biker, for God’s sake!
I pushed off the wall, the water rippling over my back.
A man with no prospects. How could you do this to yourself? To us!? As a family!?
I kept kicking beneath the water, leaving my father’s voice behind in my wake. I swam beneath the surface, straining my lungs as the wall on the other side came into view. I pulled myself through the crystal liquid, kicking with all my might. My lungs protested. My eyes began to dim. And just when I felt my hand touch the wall, I came up for the biggest, most refreshing breath of air to date.
“Hiya, Bambi.”
Through my goggles, I saw him. Benji, with that cocky little grin on his face. I gazed up into his menacing eyes, watching as he crouched down in front of me.
“That a new tattoo I spy on that thigh of yours? Got it wrapped up pretty tight. Why don’t you come a little closer so I can get a good look at it?”
I pushed off the edge of the pool, desperate to get away from him. But he reached out quickly and caught my wrist.
“Let me go,” I hissed.
His grip tightened. “You made a mistake, little deer. I know exactly what that tattoo is. And it makes you one of them. For life. Your timing couldn’t have been any worse.”
“Let. Me. Go!”
He chuckled. “Your mistake is my gain, I suppose.”
I struggled to break free, but he wouldn’t release me. I pressed my feet against the edge of the pool, but I felt the bandages around my thigh giving way. I gasped and quickly straightened my legs. If any water got up underneath those wrappings, I could get an infection. So I splashed him with water. Trying to get it in his eyes so he’d let me loose.
But all he did was bark with laughter.
“Cute. I’ll give you that.”
I snarled. “I swear to fuck, Benji, if you don’t let me go, I’ll scream.”
He looked me dead in my eyes. “Yes. Yes, you will.”
I thought he was going to drag me out of the pool. Just hoist me up and have his way with me. I didn’t like the twinkle in his eye. I didn’t like the feeling of his skin against my own. But, instead of pulling me out, he released my wrist. I quickly pushed off the edge of the pool, treading water a few feet away from the edge. And as he stood to his feet, smirking down his nose at me, he straightened up his jacket.
“Watch yourself, Bambi. This town isn’t going to be good for the Red Thorns anymore.”
My heart raced. “What are you talking about?”
He slid his hands into his pockets. “You
’ll see. I promise you, you’ll see.”
His laughter echoed off the walls as he made his way to the exit. I watched him the entire way, feeling those bandages getting looser around my thigh. He peered over his shoulder at me and winked, then disappeared out the door. And the second I could, I scrambled to the edge of the pool.
Where I hoisted myself out.
I quickly unwrapped the bandages and sighed with relief. No water had gotten in, though my skin looked irritated. I needed to air it out and get some Vaseline on it. So I slipped my goggles off and ripped off my rubber cap.
“Shit,” I groaned.
As I stood to my feet, Benji’s words tumbled around in my head. What did he mean by all of that? Did this have something to do with Max? Or the crew? Had they done something?
Am I in trouble?
I didn’t know what to do, but I knew who to call. I had to talk with Max. I scrambled to my feet and ran into the locker room, desperate to gather my things. I slipped into my clothes, pulled my hair up into a bun and shoved my things into my backpack. Max needed to know what happened. He needed to know that Benji was bad. That Benji wasn’t on his side.
And there wasn’t a moment to waste.
30
Max
“Rupert, I’m telling you. You paid last time. You had to settle that tab when I was drunk off my ass. So I’m picking this one up.”
He shook his head. “I invited you out. It’s my tab.”
I yanked the check from him. “Tough shit, asshole.”
He grinned. “I’m getting the next one.”
“Yeah, you are. And we’re taking shots on that one, too.”
As I handed my card and my check to the waitress, I heard my phone ringing with a familiar tune. Usually, I had my phone on silent. But, with shit the way it was right now, I had my ringer on constantly. I didn’t want to miss a call. Or a text. Or a voicemail. Or any notification from my guys, for that matter. But when I heard the ringtone I’d set specifically for Dani ringing from my pocket, I didn’t hesitate to pick it up.
“Hey there, gorgeou--”
“Max! Max. Holy shit, thank God. You have to listen.”
I quickly stood. “Where are you and what’s wrong?”
Rupert stood with me, concern etched over his face.
“Max, you have to listen to me. I just--hold on. Fuck, I can’t--”
“Deep breaths. Are you on campus?”
The waitress came back with my check and I nodded at her, stuffing everything into my pocket.
“I got the tip. Let’s get out of here,” Rupert whispered.
I pointed at the table. “Dani!”
She gasped. “Sorry, sorry. I just--I uh, I was at the pool, and I was swimming--”
“With your tattoo? Did you have it covered?”
“Damn it with the tattoo, Max! Benji was there!”
I felt my blood boiling. “What the fuck did he do to you?”
I grabbed Rupert and dragged him out of the bar. I felt all eyes on us as we rushed out the front doors. We got out to our bikes and I put her on speaker so Rupert could hear. Just in case I needed an alibi before I killed Benji myself.
“Dani, are you there?” I asked.
She sniffled. “Max, something bad is happening. This isn’t like all the other times. He was talking nonsense. Talking crazy.”
I growled. “Did he hurt you?”
“Benji. He-he-he--uh… he grabbed my wrist so I couldn't go anywhere. But--but I’m not hurt.”
My eyes held Rupert’s and I watched my best friend’s face turn red.
“Where are you? Start with that question,” I said.
“No, Max. Please, listen to--”
I bellowed. “Where are you!?”
Rupert squeezed my shoulder, trying to get me to calm down as Dani sniffled again.
“I’m on campus. In my dorm. He lives in my dorm building, right? Fuck. That’s not good. None of this is good.”
“What did he say to you? Try to recall, word for word, what he said.”
She sniffled. “This wasn’t like the other times he’s ever cornered me, Max. He seemed… I don’t know. More serious somehow. Like this wasn’t just his typical bullshit he likes to rattle off. He meant what he was saying when he said something was going to happen. I’m scared, Max. What if he comes to my dorm room?”
“I’ll kill him if he does that.”
“Don’t say that,” she whispered.
“I don’t say shit I don’t mean. Are you alone in your dorm?”
She sighed. “Yeah. Hannah’s not here. We’re still not on good terms.”
I nodded. “Okay. Lock your door. Stay put. I’m coming to get you. We can talk then. Face to face.”
I heard a knock in the background and Dani yelped. I heard her talking in muffled tones before something like a door opened. I whipped my leg around my bike. I pointed to Rupert and pointed to his bike. Then I flashed a small signal. One all of the guys knew by heart. With my pointer finger in the air and my thumb off to the side, I made the motion like I was shooting off a gun into the air.
Signaling for him to round up the guys at my place.
“Sorry. I’m sorry. That was Hannah. She’s wondering what’s going on. I think I look really flustered,” she said.
I cranked up my bike. “You’re going to come stay with me for a while. We’ll figure out your classes as we can. Understand me? Pack a bag, get your toiletries, and pack up your electronics.”
She swallowed hard. “Okay. Max?”
“Yes?”
“Please hurry.”
I heard her voice crack. I heard it shaking as she uttered those small little words. I hated how scared my girl sounded. How weak she probably felt. And all because of me. Because I was an idiot. Because I was weak myself.
Because I was a selfish asshole.
“I’m leaving the bar now. I’m less than ten minutes out. Lock your door and don’t you leave until I call. Got it?”
She sniffled. “Got it.”
“Good. I love you.”
She lowered her voice. “Love you, too.”
I hung up the phone and looked over at Rupert. Who still hadn’t fucking left. I glared at him as I slid my phone into my pocket and kicked up my kickstand.
“The fuck you still doing here?” I asked.
He gave me a grim look. “So, Benji does have a hand in this after all?”
I sucked air through my teeth. “Sounds like it.”
“Little rat bastard. I never liked him, you know. Always thought he was a slippery little dude with a bad attitude and an uncanny knack for getting other people in trouble on his account.”
I revved my engine. “Yeah, well. Not happening again. You know what to do. See you tonight.”
I was pissed. So pissed that my vision started tunneling. My cousin had fucked around with my girl for the last goddamn time. It was time to teach this asshole a lesson in learning his place. And if he didn’t want to stay in his damn place, I’d beat him into submission and nail him there for good. I knew Benji saw me as a peacekeeper. Someone willing to bend over and take it up the ass just to make sure no one broke out into a fight.
Well, Benji was about to get a taste of what I called ‘peacekeeping tactics.’
“Max, look out!”
I whipped my head up and watched Rupert’s eyes grow wide before a sharp pain in the back of my head sent me plummeting to the ground. I felt my bike fall on top of me, pinning me. The engine still churned. The bike was warming as it vibrated against me. But every time I moved to get the bike off me, a searing pain in the back of my head stopped me in my tracks.
“Get the hell off me, you piece of--mmph. Fuck. Oh, no you don’t.”
I coughed. “Rupert?”
I heard punches landing and boots scuffling against the tarmac.
“Rupert?”
I heard him grunting. I heard bones cracking. I felt something connect with the side of my head and it made me vomit. I felt
it rising up the back of my throat. I turned my head off to the side and heaved with the pain coursing down my spine. Fucking hell. I knew enough to know I had a concussion. The one thing I couldn't do was lose consciousness.
Honk your horn.
I felt my hand along my bike. As Rupert cursed and grunted and gurgled, I slid my hand along the hot metal. I continued vomiting onto the pavement, feeling it trickle down my skin. And just as I reached the handlebar, I heard a gruff voice in my ear.
“Surprise, bitch.”
A sharp pain raked up my arm and I yanked it back. I fell to the ground, staring up at the sky as I choked on my own vomit. I didn’t hear Rupert any longer. I saw the sky fading into darkness from the bright blue it boasted of today. And as the world continued to go dark on me, only one thing crossed my mind.
Dani.
As my world fell silent, the only thing I could think about was Dani.
And whether or not she was all right.
31
Dani
I peeked out the window and listened to the sounds of people walking by. Giggling. Laughing. Having the time of their lives. And what was I doing?
Fearing for my own safety.
Hannah sighed. “You’re stressing me out. Will you sit down already?”
I shook my head. “Can’t. Something isn’t right.”
And it was the truth. I had spoken to Max half an hour ago, and he still hadn’t arrived. Too much time had passed.
Something’s happened to Max.
Hannah slapped her book closed. “Damn it, Dani. Sit down, would you? You’re going to give all of us a heart attack.”
I sighed. “Something’s wrong. I can’t sit down when something’s wrong.”
Her voice lowered. “No shit.”
I whipped around. “The hell’s that supposed to mean?”
She snickered. “You’re dating a criminal, Dani. Of course something isn’t right.”
“You wouldn't understand. Just go back to studying.”
“What? I don’t understand because I’ve never been there, done that with a criminal? Well, let me fix your perception of me for a second. Because I have been. I’ve done the bad boy thing to piss my parents off. I’ve done the rebellion thing. It’s overdone and overdue. This is exactly what I was worried about when you hooked up with him in the first place.”
