by Jade Kuzma
We all looked around the table at one another. Every man knew the risk involved without even saying anything. Jordan especially looked like he already had his mind made up.
“I haven’t talked to Picardo myself,” he said. “But if you guys are interested, I can put it to a vote. Ash and Smoke ain’t here but we can wait for them if it’s split.”
“This guy… Aaron Picardo,” Doc said. “We don’t know shit about him. But the Picardo name alone spells trouble. Bone Pit ain’t doing bad business. You can’t pay me enough to fuck around with the cartel.”
“You’re right,” Micah said. “The MC is doing just fine without this deal. I say don’t even waste your time looking for Picardo.”
“Yeah,” I sighed. “That’s probably the right move.”
Everybody at the table shifted their eyes toward Rex. If there was anybody crazy enough to wanna get into a deal with someone like Picardo, it was him.
He looked around the table and shook his head.
“If you guys ain’t down, you ain’t down,” he scoffed. “But I don’t think we should shut this down completely. One or two shipments and some nice paper then we get out.”
“You don’t just get out when you want with the cartel,” Doc said. “We’d just be troops. They’d demand a certain kinda loyalty from us.”
“I didn’t say that. I’m just saying it’s something we should think about.”
“While you think about it, there’s something else we gotta deal with,” I said. The business with the club was settled. My thoughts shifted to the woman who’d been on the back of my mind this whole time. “Summer’s got a problem.”
“No shit she’s got a problem.” Rex’s satisfied smile made me wanna sock it off of him. I would’ve done it if I wasn’t so fucking used to the feeling. “Something must be really wrong if she came back to Ivory after all these years.”
“What’s up, Teddy?” Jordan said.
I had the entire table’s attention. “Summer got a call last night. Some asshole saying he kidnapped her three-year-old.”
“No shit…”
“Pigs did some digging and found out it was some punk named Lennox Moore. Last known whereabouts where right here in Ivory. Any of you heard of this motherfucker?”
I looked around the table and they all shook their heads.
“Never heard the name, so he must be smalltime,” Doc said. “But if he’s the kinda lowlife who’d kidnap a three-year-old, then he shouldn’t be too hard to get some dirt on. I’ll talk to Ash and Smoke, tell ’em to be on the lookout.”
“I’ll check it out,” Micah said. “There’s a chance Audrey might know something. Maybe stop by Hades and see if Cain wants to give us some free info.”
“We’ll all keep our ears open,” Jordan said. “It don’t matter if this is your ex-lady or not. If some kid is being held hostage in Ivory, we gotta do something about it. Gonna teach this motherfucker some respect.”
Nobody had the information I was looking for but it was nice knowing they had my back. Jordan ended the meeting and dismissed everybody from the chapel.
I stepped outside and saw Summer leaning up against the bar. The worry on her face was clear. Shit, I couldn’t fucking blame her. But damn if she wasn’t the prettiest dame I’d seen in a long time. Just a pale-skinned, unassuming brunette. I guess when you were around all of the broads who hung around the Bone Pit for so long, a normal girl was a bigger breath of fresh air than anything else.
She walked up to me as soon as she saw me. “Did you find anything? Do you know who he is?”
“Summer, just relax, all right… This guy you’re looking for… He’s not from around here. But if he did what you say he did, then he can’t hide for long. He’ll make enough noise to reveal himself. When he does, I’ll be right there to snatch him up. Why don’t you have another drink to try and relax?”
“It’s two in the afternoon. I’m not any use to Sage if I’m drunk.”
“And you’re not any use to her if you’re worried.”
She sighed and took a seat back at the bar. I moved next to her, still in slight disbelief that she was sitting right next to me. Even after all these years, it just felt so natural.
“Where’s her father?”
“…Roger is dead. Police say it probably had something to do with Moore.”
“Right… Did you know about what he was doing—”
“I’m telling you what I told the cops. Roger was just a sales representative. An ordinary guy. I didn’t know anything else he might’ve done. There’s no evidence at my house. There are no mysterious voicemails or visits from strangers. Roger was as straight as an arrow.”
“Okay, okay… Just trying to figure out what kinda motherfucker this Moore guy is. Any information you can give me will help.”
“I told you everything I know. I wouldn’t hold anything back. Not with what’s at stake.”
I didn’t owe Summer anything. Frankly, I was a little pissed she decided to show back up in my life. But I was more pissed about the circumstances. From the look in her eyes, I could tell how helpless she felt. I had to do something.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said.
“What? And go where?”
“You’re safer here than anywhere else in Ivory. But I know you only came back here because you needed help. I’m sure you don’t need more reminders of why you left in the first place.”
“That’s… That’s probably a good idea.”
“Come on. I’ll give you a ride.”
Chapter 5
THEO
Five years earlier…
You got used to seeing a certain type of guy here at the Bone Pit. Shaved head. Teeth dirty from tobacco. Tattoos all over his arms and neck and the rest of his body. Something about giving a guy a leather kutte, some riding boots, and the keys to his own hog made him think he was invincible. I never held it against a man for being proud. Shit, if a man could respect his ride, he had every reason to be full of himself.
Not at the Bone Pit though. This was Cobra territory. And nobody fucked around in a place like this.
Everybody else came out to the clubhouse tonight to have a good time. Just a regular night for drinking and friendly conversation. This asshole though… He seemed intent on acting like he owned the place. Tonight wasn’t his night.
I stared at the motherfucker from across the room, watching him sip on his booze and hit on every girl that walked within three feet of him. His time was coming. He just didn’t realize it yet.
“Teddy… It’s all right…” Summer put a hand on my arm. Just her touch was enough to get through to me. “Please don’t do anything.”
“I’m not doing anything.” I turned my attention back to the bald-headed prick across the room.
“You’re not doing anything now but I know you’re up to something. I’m all right… Really…”
Summer was such a sweet and innocent woman. She didn’t belong in a place like the Bone Pit. It was all the more reason I had to take care of her.
“You said that he told you he wanted to bend you over,” I said.
“So what? He’s just some drunk trying to cause trouble. I’ve heard worse.”
“He touched you.”
“Just a slap on the ass. It’s nothing. Really…”
“Okay, okay… Then I’ll just give him a slap. It’ll be nothing.”
“Teddy…” She looked into my eyes but she knew there was nothing she could do to stop me. I waited until that soft smile of hers slowly appeared on her lips. That was all the confirmation I needed.
“I’ll be right back.” I headed to the other side of the bar just as my target was trying to get into it with another unwilling lady. I cleared my throat to get his attention. “Hey, pal. You havin’ a good night?”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Doin’ just fine.” He took a sip of his beer, staring at me hard over his bottle.
“We don’t like it when people cause trouble around the Bone
Pit.”
“We?”
“This is the Winter Cobras clubhouse. I guess it’s kinda hard to tell with all of the banners and photos hanging on the walls.”
“Oh, yeah… Nice place you got here, Cobra. I’m just trying to enjoy my beer—”
“I think you’ve had enough. Why don’t you step outside with me?”
The man looked me up and down from his seat and gulped the rest of his beer. Then he got up and headed for the exit, some smarmy smirk on his lips. “Your funeral, pal.”
He cracked his knuckles as I followed after him.
It was a quiet night in Ivory. A few patrons were out to enjoy the fresh air. I headed into the parking lot with my new friend. Summer stood right behind me.
“All right.” The punk cracked his knuckles again and motioned for me to come toward him. “I don’t like it when somebody interrupts my drink, so let’s make this quick—”
I leveled the guy with a right cross before he could put his hands up. He slumped to the ground and laid flat on his back. His chest heaved up and down as he took deep breaths but his eyes were closed.
“Teddy!” Summer rushed up to me and put a hand on my arm. “Is he…”
“He’s all right. Once he wakes up, he’ll find a new bar to start bothering people. Come on.” I took Summer’s hand and we headed back into the clubhouse.
As I leaned up against the bar and sipped on my beer, I couldn’t help but notice how gorgeous she looked tonight. A white sundress that was completely out of place. Her brown hair flowing down the sides of her face. Even with the worry in her eyes, she was still beautiful.
I moved forward and kissed her. My tongue tasted hers. I savored her for as long as I could before she pulled away.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she whispered. “I don’t want you beating people up just for trying to flirt with me.”
“Normally, I’d think twice about it. But you know I couldn’t let him get away with that.”
“Still… It feels wrong…”
“Some punk getting what he deserves?”
“No. I don’t… I don’t wanna use you like that. Just pointing you in the direction of whatever it is that’s bothering me at the moment. Like you’re supposed to solve all of my problems.”
I put my arms around her small waist and pulled her close. I looked into her eyes and smiled. “You’re my old lady. I am your problem solver. What kinda man would I be if I wouldn’t do anything for you?”
“Teddy—”
“Anything you want, Summer. Anything you want and it’s yours. Tell me what to do and I’ll do it. I’m yours.”
She smiled softly, her cheeks blushing red and I knew it wasn’t from the alcohol because she didn’t drink much. She reached her hands up and wrapped them around my neck. “You always make it so hard for me…”
“You make it hard for me…” I leaned forward with another kiss. I didn’t give a shit how crowded the bar was. I didn’t give a shit everybody was looking. Summer was the finest woman in Ivory and I wanted the whole town to know she was mine.
“Come on.” I took her hand and led her through the bar. I could hear the giddiness in her laugh as she skipped right behind me. We headed through the back entrance and into the alley. As soon as the door closed, I was on her. Tongues dancing. Hands rubbing. Lips smacking. Nothing could stop me from taking her now.
I reached my hands down underneath her skirt and cupped that perfect little ass of hers. Thank God she was wearing a thong so I could enjoy her soft skin against my palm. She squealed between my lips as I squeezed.
We’d been together long enough to know what we both liked. It wasn’t exactly rocket science.
Summer reached down and returned the favor, stroking me through my jeans. I’d been with more women than I could count but Summer always made me harder than a fucking rock. My dick strained so bad against the denim I became desperate.
“I want you… I want you so bad, babe.”
“Oh, yeah?” Summer’s innocent little smile turned into something mischievous. The way she looked at me now, the moonlight shining on her face through the darkness of the alley… Nothing else was on my mind. “Tell me how bad you want me.”
“I want you more than anything… I wanna fuck you so damn hard.”
“Is that right?” She unzipped me, letting my jeans slide down to my knees. She spared me the agony of holding back and pulled my briefs down, too. My cock popped up, the cold night breeze brushing against it.
My thumbs moved to the waistband of her thong. I tugged her panties down to her ankles and she stepped out of them. My eyes locked on hers, I stepped between her legs and lifted her up from the ground. She gasped as our lips tied back together.
The heat coming from her made me twitch. I’d had Summer before but every time was like the first time. The wetness. The warmth. Her pussy had me begging for it.
I pushed my tip to her slit and shoved it inside of her.
“Oh, fuck!” Her mouth hung open with a gasp. Seeing how much she loved it just made me enjoy it even more. I buried my cock as deep into her as I could, impaling her completely on my whole shaft. My body pinned her up against the wall as we stared at one another.
I reared back and thrust back into her like I was trying to nail her to the wall. The music from inside of the clubhouse was loud but not even close to her whimpers. Another thrust made her groan.
“Summer…” I groaned her name softly as I steadily ramped up my pace. The wet sound of her folds slamming against my hilt was music to my fucking ears.
I grabbed her hands and pinned them up over her head. Our lips tied together in a messy kiss. She wrapped her legs around the small of my back. I was big enough that it didn’t take much effort to hold her up.
It didn’t matter where we were. It didn’t matter who was watching. It didn’t matter what else was going on in our lives. Fucking Summer, hard and deep and just how I wanted to… This was the kinda shit I dreamed about.
I grunted more and more with every hard thrust. She writhed in my grip. I pulled my lips away so I could see that gorgeous, orgasmic face of hers. Mouth open. Eyes squinting. Words stuck in her throat. Her body trembled and I knew she was close.
I started pounding her harder and harder until I couldn’t take it. “Summer…”
“Come inside of me… I want you… Teddy…”
I was bigger and stronger than her but damn, she had me wrapped around her finger. Everything she said to me was like a command from my own thoughts.
“Summer…” One last grunt of her name was all I could get out before my body took control. I slammed my cock into her and buried it as deep as I could. I seized up as the first line of cum made me spasm. Another thick throb of cum made me tremble again. My knees buckled. I dug my heels in and kept her hands pinned up over her head as I came.
If that wasn’t enough, Summer started convulsing underneath me. She squeezed around me with her legs then tightened her pussy around me. She came just as hard as I did, milking me for every last drop I had. We came together in the alley until our bodies had nothing left.
I slowly lowered her back down to her feet. My cock fell out, the cool night air blowing against me.
I looked at her. Hair messy. Brow sweating. Body trembling slightly. Cheeks flushed from her orgasm. She looked like she’d just been fucked. But she was still the prettiest girl I’d ever seen in my life. She tried to fight off a grin by biting her lips but she knew she wanted me to see it.
I gave her another kiss, tasting her tongue and tugging on it between my lips.
Life was simple in Ivory. That was all either one of us needed.
Chapter 6
SUMMER
He kept his hair styled the same way as I remembered. The muscles and the ink were the same, too. Even the way the leather smelled brought back memories. I wasn’t above admitting Theo had the kind of appeal that I was into. Even as he stuffed his face, there was just something about him that made him differe
nt from the other men I knew. I guess that’s what falling in love when you were young did to you.
He took another bite of his hamburger and raised his eyebrows at me. “You not hungry?” His mouth full, he stuffed a handful of fries between his lips to see if more could fit.
“I’m not hungry.”
We sat inside of the burger joint. If it wasn’t for all of the crap I had to deal with, it would be just another day in Ivory.
He swallowed his food down and nodded. “I’m not gonna pretend like I know what you’re going through. You’re worried. You’re stressed out. But you know what I see when I look at you? I see a pretty girl who’s worn-out, exhausted and on the verge of losing her mind. Bags under your eyes… Face gaunt… You’re starving.”
“I’m not hungry—”
“Yes, you are. Just because you eat right now doesn’t mean you care any less about Sage. Whoever this asshole is, he’s got her. You not eating that burger isn’t gonna change things. The food will help you get your mind off things, at least…”
Theo’s logic was sound. Most people thought he was just another club member when they looked at him. And I’d been around him long enough to know what he was really capable of when he put his mind to it. But he wasn’t an idiot. I’d been around him long enough for him to know what I was thinking from time to time.
I sighed as I picked up the burger in front of me and took a bite. It made me realize just how hungry I was.
“I knew you couldn’t resist.” He smirked as he took another bite for himself.
“You don’t have to rub it in.”
“I’m not rubbing it in. Just thought I’d remind while you were back in town. I took you here on our first date, remember?”
“How could I forget? You thought you were suave by trying to feed me and ended up spilling mustard on my shirt.”
“We all make mistakes. It wouldn’t have happened if you weren’t fidgeting so much.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s great… Blame me for something you did. That’s just like you…”
“If I remember correctly, you were taking that blouse off a few hours later anyway.” He gave me a wink and hid that cocky smirk of his behind another bite of his burger.
