by Wilder, L.
“Yeah, this is it. No doubt about it.” He glanced around the rundown kitchen and said, “There’s gotta be something we’re missing.”
We were all gathered in the kitchen when Blaze asked, “Is there a basement?”
“No idea.”
We all started looking around, and it wasn’t long before Menace discovered a secret hatch door in the bottom of the pantry. As soon as he opened it, the familiar scent of marijuana filled the room, and I knew we’d found what we were looking for. After he turned on the lights, we followed him down the wooden steps and into the small cellar. When we reached the bottom step, I saw that there was a makeshift table in the center of the room that held about twenty small, pitiful marijuana plants—not even a fraction of what Kiersten had out at the Manor. Lynch’s brows were furrowed with confusion. “Is this really it?”
“Certainly looks that way.”
“But that can’t be right,” Hawk argued. “The guy had seven or eight men with him. How the fuck did he manage that when this is all he’s got?”
I shook my head with disgust. “Yeah, there’s not enough here to wipe my ass. No way this Drake asshole is making any real money off this shit.”
“You’re right,” Hawk agreed. “There’s got to be more somewhere.”
“I’ll go outside and see if there’s anything in the barn,” Riggs volunteered.
He rushed back up the steps, and we all could hear him stomping through the kitchen as he made his way out of the house. I was looking around to make sure we hadn’t missed something when Hawk asked, “What do you guys think we should do with this shit?”
“I figure we got two choices.” I looked over to Hawk as I continued, “We can take it back to the Manor or torch the whole place and be done with this shit.”
Drake’s place was at least ten miles from town without another house anywhere in sight, so burning the place to the ground seemed like the best option until Riggs came back into the house and shouted, “You guys need to come and see this shit.”
We all rushed upstairs and out to the barn, where we found a dozen or so crates filled with heavy artillery, each with a variety of handguns, shotguns, and even a couple of semi-automatic rifles and plenty of ammo. Lynch was the first to voice his suspicion. “Holy hell. This guy was in deeper than I thought.”
“You think he’s moving all this on his own or working with someone?”
“Figure the guy is on his own,” Riggs answered. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so fired up to partner with Kiersten.”
“Sure hope you’re right about that.” Hawk went over and picked up one of the crates. “It’ll be daylight soon. Let’s get this shit loaded up in the trucks.”
“And then what?”
“We’re gonna fucking torch the place.”
With our plan in place, we carried the crates outside and stacked them in the back of the SUVs. After we got everything loaded, we grabbed a couple of gas cans and spread fuel all over the house and barn. The second we were done, Hawk tossed the match, and the entire place went up in flames. The old wood was dry and rotted, so it wouldn’t take long for the entire place to be nothing more than a pile of ash. Once we were certain the fire had taken hold, we loaded up and got the hell out of there.
None of us spoke on the way back to the Manor. The adrenaline had officially worn off, and we were too fucking exhausted to even speak. I leaned my head back on the headrest and closed my eyes, and it wasn’t long before I found myself thinking about Kiersten. I could only imagine the hell she’d been through last night, not only with the shootout but the whole fiasco with Billy. I had no doubt it had taken its toll on her, and I was eager to get back and make sure she was okay.
Viper was there waiting for us when we pulled back up to the Manor. Menace and Hawk explained what we’d found and told him how we’d torched the place. He stepped back to the rear of the SUVs and checked out the crates, and like us, he was quite surprised by the number of weapons the guy was holding on to. Viper shook his head. “I gotta admit. I wasn’t expecting this shit.”
“None of us were.”
Viper closed the back hatch of one of them and said, “Somebody is going to be expecting this shipment, and when they don’t get it, they’re gonna come looking for it.”
“Yeah, more than likely. So, what do you want us to do about it?”
“Nothing,” Viper replied. “I’ll make sure Billy takes care of it. Right now, all we have to worry about is getting someone in here to take care of Kiersten’s office. That asshole made a real fucking mess of the place.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. When y’all are ready, I’ll call Gus and have him send up Guardrail and a few of the brothers. They can have it fixed up in no time,” Blaze offered.
“Appreciate it, brother.” Viper spotted Billy walking in our direction and ordered, “You boys head over to the guest quarters and get some shut-eye. We’ll pick up from here in a couple of hours.”
“Sure thing, Prez.”
Everyone immediately turned and started walking across the field. We hadn’t gotten far when I heard Billy and Viper talking. I struggled to make out what either of them was saying, but it was clear from his tone that Billy was still pissed. If I had to guess, I’d say he was struggling with the fact that the Sinners not only knew about his daughter’s secret drug business but that we were also in cahoots with her. Something I was sure he thought he should’ve been made aware of, but we didn’t discuss our business with any outsiders, and like it or not, that included him. I didn’t doubt that Viper would set him straight with the club and, hopefully, put this whole thing behind us.
Kiersten, on the other hand, would have a much harder time clearing things up with him, but she had an advantage the Sinners didn’t have. She was his daughter, and it was clear by the way he looked at her that he adored her. That in itself would be enough to help them get through this mess—or so I hoped.
On the way over to the guest quarters, I let Hawk and Lynch know I wouldn’t be joining them and that they could find me over at Kiersten’s. They were both too tired to give me any shit about it and simply nodded when I turned and started walking over to her place. When I got up to the front door, I wasn’t surprised to find it locked. I figured that meant she was sleeping, so I used the key she’d given me and let myself inside. I kicked off my boots and removed my cut and jeans, then laid them across the back of the sofa. After removing my long-sleeved shirt, I made my way into the bedroom and slipped under the covers next to Kiersten.
As I hoped, she was sleeping soundly and hadn’t even noticed that I’d gotten in bed with her. I eased up behind and spooned her with her ass by my crotch, then carefully slipped my arm around her waist. I closed my eyes and listened to the soothing sounds of her breath, and in no time, I was out like a fucking light. I have no idea how long I’d been sleeping when I felt Kiersten moving beneath me. Thinking she’d eventually drift back off, I remained perfectly still and didn’t say a word. She didn’t. Instead, she became even more restless. I pulled her back against my chest and dropped my mouth to her ear as I whispered, “You okay?”
“Yes and no.”
“Something you wanna talk about?”
“We lost Timms and Jackal.”
“Yeah, we did.”
“Braylon and Lynch were shot, my office is destroyed, and I’m pretty sure my father hates me.”
“He doesn’t hate you, Kiersten.”
“Are you sure about that? Because he wouldn’t even look at me tonight. I’ve never seen him so angry before. He was absolutely livid.”
“And I’m sure you can understand why.” I kissed her lightly on the shoulder. “He just needs a little time to sort things out.”
“You know, it’s kind of crazy. There was a time when I was so mad at him I couldn’t think straight. Back then, I wouldn’t care if he was angry or upset with me. I’d just think he had it coming for keeping so much hidden from me, but now, I’m terrified of losing him.”
&nbs
p; “You aren’t going to lose him, Kiersten. Not over something like this.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m more than sure.”
“I really hope you’re right.”
“I am. You’ll see.” I didn’t want to cause her any undue stress, but I had a question that needed to be answered. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Drake?”
“I don’t know. At first, I didn’t think there was any reason to. I thought he was just interested in dating me or whatever, so I told him straight out that I wasn’t interested. The last time I ran into him, you were gone on your run, and I didn’t want to worry you with it.”
“You wouldn’t be bothering me, Kiersten. I’m here for you.”
“I know. I just figured I could handle it on my own. Clearly, I was wrong.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t take blame that isn’t yours to take.”
“But—”
“No buts. This thing with Drake wasn’t your fault. Now leave it at that.” I gave her another kiss, then laid my head down on the pillow and closed my eyes. “You’ve had a long night. Go back to sleep.”
Without any further protest, she nestled close to me and became perfectly still. After several minutes passed, I thought she’d gone back to sleep, but I quickly realized I was wrong when she inched her hips back, gently pressing her ass against my cock. “What are you doing, babe?”
“I can’t sleep,” she whispered.
“Is that right?”
“Mm-hmm.” She pressed her ass against me again. “I need you to take my mind off of everything ... just for a little while.”
“I can do that.” I trailed my hand down her stomach and beneath her lace panties as I asked, “You sure this is what you want?”
“Yes, Grayson ... Please,” she whimpered as my fingers slid between her legs. Her ass nudged back against my growing erection, and I groaned in response. With one simple move, she’d struck a match, lighting a fire that sent a flash of need and want surging through me, burning me to the core. There were no limits to my desire for her. This woman was everything I’d ever wanted, everything I’d ever dreamed of, and she was mine. All mine. I guided my fingertips inside her, and the blood rushed to my cock when I found she was already soaked. I’d just begun to stroke her when she moaned, “Oh God, Grayson …”
The sound of my name from her lips spurred me on, and I couldn’t wait a moment longer to be inside her. Before she could protest, I withdrew my fingers and quickly lowered her panties down her legs. Once I’d removed my boxer briefs, I dropped my hands to her hips, pulling her ass against me. Instinctively, her legs spread wide for me, giving me complete access as I positioned myself at her center. A sense of contentment washed over me when her back arched against me as I drove inside her. She was so fucking tight, and just being inside her made me forget about the craziness of the night. Like all the times before, when she was in my arms, there was no one else. Just her.
“You drive me crazy, woman. Never wanted anyone like I want you,” I growled as my fingers dug into her hips.
I drove into her again and again, fucking her deep and hard. A fevered moan vibrated through her as she started to grind against me, taking me deeper and deeper with every shift of her hips. Knowing what she needed, I slid my hand from her hip down between her legs, and her breath quickened when I reached her clit. Pleasured cries echoed through the room when I began to stroke her with a tormenting rhythm, and it wasn’t long before I could feel her muscles contracting all around me as she pleaded, “Don’t stop!”
She felt so damn good, so right. Her body started to tremble around me, urging me on as I drove deep inside, over and over, until at last, she let out a groan and clamped down around me. There was no better feeling in the world, and I felt my release building as my muscles in my abdomen and legs grew taut. With one final thrust, I pulled her to me and came deep inside her, growling with complete and utter gratification.
Neither of us moved. We just lay there nestled close together as our breathing started to slow. She reached for my hand, and as she laced her fingers through mine, she tucked my arm under her in a tender embrace. “Grayson?”
“Mm-hmm?”
“I don’t want you to leave.”
“You want to tell me what you’re talking about?”
“I know it’s too soon to say this or even think it, but I love you, Grayson. I love you so very much,” she replied softly. “I just don’t want to lose you.”
“Not going to lose me, babe. I’m not going anywhere.” I leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m here for the long haul.”
“Really?”
“Mm-hmm. Gonna talk to Viper today about staying on here full time.”
Her eyes lit up as she looked up at me and smiled. “But what about the club?”
“Nothing will change there. I’ll still fulfill all my duties and spend time at the clubhouse. I’ll just be living here.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Her eyes were locked on mine when I said, “I love you, babe. There’s no place I’d rather be than here with you.”
“You love me?”
“I thought we already covered that.”
“Well, I’m gonna need you to cover it again.”
“Yes, Kiersten. I love you.” I laid my head back on the pillow as I teased her. “Not something I planned on happening, but what can I say? You sank those nails in deep. I never stood a chance.”
“Grayson!”
“What?” I opened one eye as I kept pestering her. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. You knew what you were doing.”
“Tell me you aren’t being serious right now!”
While it was good to see that spark in her eyes had returned, I didn’t want to take my teasing too far. I gave her a playful smirk as I admitted, “Yeah, babe. I’m just messing with ya.”
She lowered herself back into the crook of my arm with a huff. “That’s just wrong.”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”
I leaned down and kissed her briefly, then settled back down on the bed. It wasn’t long before she finally drifted back off to sleep. I looked down at her, and my chest swelled in a way it never had before. I had no doubt that I loved her. I felt that same feeling every time I looked at her, thought about her, and even more when I held her in my arms. I knew I didn’t deserve a woman as incredible as Kiersten, but she was mine, and I wasn’t going to let her go.
Not now. Not ever.
Eighteen
Kiersten
It had only been a couple of weeks since the night of Drake’s attack, but things were already starting to get back to normal—at least partially so. Guardrail and several of the other Satan’s Fury crew came and completely redid my office. They even added a few upgrades that I hadn’t expected. The place looked incredible, and it only took them a couple of days. We also had a few new faces on the grounds. Braylon had gotten in contact with some of his old platoon buddies, and just as he’d hoped, they’d agreed to come work with us. Having them there seemed to lift Braylon’s spirits, and he was starting to get around a little better. I was concerned he was pushing himself too hard, but he assured me that getting back to work was exactly what he needed.
While I was pleased that things were going so well, it still seemed strange not having Timms around. I had no doubt that Grayson and his brothers felt the same about Jackal. We’d done our best to give them both a proper burial on the grounds, but I couldn’t help but feel like I should’ve done something more. They’d both died trying to protect me and the others at the Manor, so I got in touch with Menace and had him anonymously wire a large sum of money to their families. I knew it wouldn’t replace their loved ones but hoped it might give them a little peace to have a bit of help with some of their financial burdens.
There was one big change that I cou
ldn’t have been happier about. Grayson had talked it over with Viper, and like we’d both hoped, the Ruthless Sinners’ president gave the okay for Grayson to move to the Manor full-time. I loved having him there with me, I truly did, but there was one small catch. Every morning, just like right now, he’d ask me the exact same question. “Are you going to go talk to your father today?”
Normally, I would come up with some random excuse not to go, but I’d spent most of the night thinking about it and decided it was time to face the music. Grayson was sitting on the edge of the bed, putting on his boots, when I sauntered by him in nothing but my bra and panties. I glanced back over my shoulder and answered nonchalantly, “Actually, I am.”
“What?”
“I’ve decided to go talk to him.” I found it endearing that Grayson cared so much about my relationship with my father. I knew he was concerned, not only for me and my well-being but also for my father’s. He was an integral piece of the Ruthless Sinners’ puzzle, and since I was now in business with them, I needed to be in my father’s good graces. But business was the last thing on my mind when I contacted my father. There were times when I was angry with him, but I’d always loved my father. I hated that this estranged distance had settled between us and hoped an honest conversation with him might actually bring us closer. I grabbed my jeans out of my drawer and started to pull them on. “I messaged him while you were in the shower and told him I was coming.”
