Redemption Road

by Katie Ashley

  I had spent four miserable, heart-wrenching months without him, so I knew I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life. He was my heart, mind, and soul.

  “Yes. My answer is yes.”

  Rev beamed before slipping the ring on my finger. I jumped into his arms to bestow kisses all over his face and neck. I was once again rushed by Rev’s brothers and their families. Pitchers of beer, rather than champagne, appeared for us to toast with. Everyone was genuinely happy for us, especially Rev’s blood family.

  Once the hoopla had died down, Rev and I once again found ourselves on the dance floor. Gazing up at him, I smiled. “Take me home and make love to me. I won’t even mind if you fuck me, just take me home.”

  At my use of the f-word, Rev’s dark brows shot up. “With a request like that, how can I say no?”

  Taking my hand, he led me away from the other couples dancing. When we started for the back door, Deacon called, “Where you two sneakin’ off to?”

  When I glanced over my shoulder at him, he winked at me. “It was a long ride, and I’m really tired,” I answered.

  Bishop hooted with laughter. “Ha. More like you’re planning on some long ridin’ in the bedroom.”

  “Shut your trap, asshole,” Rev growled, which caused me to laugh. It was obvious he wasn’t used to his brothers ribbing him about a girl. When I nudged him playfully, he did manage to give me a smile.

  As soon as we were out the door and out of sight of his brothers, Rev couldn’t keep his mouth or his hands off me. It took us longer than normal to get down the hill because we kept stopping to grope each other in the dark.

  Even though it was freezing outside, we were already stripping each other as we started up the porch stairs. We tumbled in the front door in just our underwear. I don’t know how we made it back to Rev’s bedroom. As we collapsed onto the bed, I couldn’t help thinking of all the times I had slept with Rev in this bed. Now we were finally going to have sex in it.

  Without unfastening my bra, Rev pushed the cups up to bare my breasts. His mouth went to work, sucking and licking my nipples. As I wrapped my legs around him, he began to rub his growing erection against my panty-clad core. They were practically drenched within seconds. “Rev, please,” I urged.

  “Please what, baby?” he asked, his warm breath hovering over my breast.

  “Get inside me.”

  “With my tongue or my dick?”

  I pursed my lips at him. “Aren’t you being a dirty talker tonight?”

  He gave me a teasing smile. “You bring it out in me.”

  “I could say the same for you.”

  Rev rose to his knees. He jerked off his underwear and then relieved me of my panties. It had taken a few times before I was comfortable with him on top. Now it was my favorite position because it meant I could wrap my arms around him and feel his skin on mine. He didn’t need to do anything else to prep me because I was more than ready.

  When he thrust inside, I gasped with pleasure. “You feel so fucking amazing,” he murmured.

  As he settled into a pounding rhythm, I brought my hips up to meet his thrusts. When my fingernails raked up and down his back, Rev groaned. The next place my hands went was his hair, which I knew was a pleasure spot for him. He reciprocated by dipping his head to nuzzle the tops of my breasts. I arched up to give him access to my nipples.

  He pulled back to sit up on his knees. With his hands gripping my hips, he worked them as he thrust hard in and out of me. Our bodies became covered with a sheen of sweat from our efforts. After a few minutes, he pulled me up to where I could wrap my arms around him. I was once again riding him in a way, but I loved it more because we were chest to chest and face to face.

  It was wonderful coming with his eyes locked on mine, sharing in the emotions and feelings. Rev followed me a few seconds later. When he eased me onto my back again, I cradled his head to my chest. My fingers naturally went to the long strands of his hair. “So we’re engaged now,” I mused once we had finally caught our breath.

  “Yep. I’ll need to get you a cut of your own that says ‘Rev’s Property’ on it.”

  “You’re not serious?”

  He raised his head up to grin at me. “I sure as hell am. Haven’t you seen them on the other women?”

  “I haven’t noticed Alexandra wearing one.”

  “I don’t think they come in maternity sizes.”

  “What would you say if I said I didn’t think I liked the idea of wearing a cut?”

  “I would say I would be very disappointed and sad that you didn’t want to share that part of my life.” His serious tone took me by surprise.

  “It really means that much to you?” When he nodded, I sighed. The feminist in me wanted to tell him where he could shove his little “property of” patch, but then I realized that relationships were all about compromise. He might’ve been the president of an MC club, but he wasn’t the type of Neanderthal to demand things of me. I appreciated him for that. “If I only have to wear it within the compound, then I’ll be happy to.”

  Rev’s face lit up. “You mean it?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “Mmm, let me show you just how happy you make me.”

  When his head dipped between my legs, it was him making me very, very happy.

  TWENTY

  ANNABEL

  Things continued to speed along with absolute perfection for Rev and me. A few days before Christmas, we got our first tree together—hand cut by Rev himself from the woods behind the house. We spent Christmas Day at Mama Beth’s, where both Alexandra and I helped her prepare a huge feast. As I sat around the table so full of delicious food that I couldn’t breathe, I once again had to thank God that going through hell had led me to the most divine existence I could ever imagine.

  As New Year’s Eve approached, Rev and his brothers were busy planning a huge party at the roadhouse. I found myself at home sitting around the tree while working on my admissions essay to the veterinary program at the University of Georgia. I had already talked to an adviser, who, after reviewing my transcripts and work experience, put me at ease about having missed almost a year of school after what had happened to me.

  When Rev suddenly burst through the front door, I didn’t have to ask what he was doing home. His darkened expression told me something bad had happened. “What’s going on?” I demanded as I rose off the couch.

  He didn’t even stop to look at me. From the kitchen he called, “I need to you pack up enough clothes and personal items for a week or two.”

  I didn’t bother arguing with him that most of my possessions were still en route from Virginia. My parents were more than happy to have some of the maids box up my belongings.

  As he blew around the house, snatching and grabbing things, my chest tightened with worry. “Rev, please talk to me.”

  At my pleading tone, he set the items down on the kitchen table and turned to me. “The club is going on lockdown.” When I stared blankly at him, he asked, “Do you know what that is?”

  “Like on campus if there was a threat of a gunman we were put on lockdown in classrooms until the police could get there?” I said.

  He nodded. “It’s somewhat like that. When the club receives a threat, we go into protection mode where everyone comes together in the compound, including wives and children.”

  My mind whirled as I processed what was happening. “If we stay within the compound, why can’t we stay here?”

  “We just can’t risk it.”

  “But why?”

  Rev’s expression darkened. “Because the last time we thought our houses were safe, Case got blown up and killed.”

  I didn’t have any response to that.

  Once again, I remained rooted to the floor as I tried not to be overwhelmed with this aspect of Rev’s life. Then a thought came to me—one that made me shiver. “What was the threat?”

  “Nothing you need to worry yourself with.”

  When he refused to look at me, I close
d the gap between us. “Rev, who did the threat come from?”

  The moment his haunted eyes met mine, I knew. Mendoza. Rev’s involvement with my past had come back to haunt his club. His family. “Please tell me everything. We’ve been through too much together not to be honest with each other now.”

  After jerking his hands through his hair, Rev sighed. “The El Paso Raiders’ clubhouse was attacked today and two guys were killed.”

  I gasped in horror and felt sick. I couldn’t help thinking of the Raiders who had come to the hospital to see me. They had been so kind to me. “One of the ones we knew?”

  Rev shook his head. I could tell our conversation was having an effect on him. He was becoming visibly rattled. “No. It wasn’t one of them.”

  The relief I felt was fleeting. “How did they know it was Mendoza?”

  When Rev shifted uncomfortably on his feet, I knew I needed to brace myself for more horrible news. “One of Mendoza’s men called. He said unless they gave up the information where Roja was, more of them would die.”

  Hearing Mendoza’s demand caused my knees to buckle. I would have sunk to the floor if Rev hadn’t reached out and caught me. He eased me down onto the couch. Although I hated myself for my weakness, I began to sob uncontrollably.

  “Shh, Annabel, it’s going to be all right.”

  Jerking my head up, I stared at him in disbelief. “How can you possibly say that? Two innocent men were killed today because of me. They could just be the tip of the iceberg if Mendoza gets his way. Some of them could be your brothers. . . . It could even be Deacon or Bishop.”

  Rev brought a hand up to cup my cheek. “Listen to me. You are not to blame for what happened today. You never asked to be kidnapped or to be Mendoza’s slave. Rescuing you was the right thing to do. This was all done to you, not by you.”

  “I wish I could feel that way.”

  “My Raiders brothers and I aren’t going to just sit back and let Mendoza win. We’ve been in church since the call came through from El Paso.” At what must’ve been my questioning look, Rev replied, “Church is what we call our meetings.”

  I nodded in understanding. There was still so much of his world I had to learn about. “So you have a plan?” When Rev only nodded and didn’t seem ready to fill me in, I growled in frustration. “Be honest with me, dammit! This is your life and mine we’re talking about here.”

  “Fine. You want to know all the details? Then here it is. Mendoza is a lieutenant for the Rodriguez drug cartel. If anyone can make him listen or take him out, they can. To get them on our side, we have offered them all our gun trade. The supplier we used to run guns for would simply ship to Texas and then go on to them in Mexico. At no charge.”

  “Isn’t that bad for the Raiders businesswise?”

  “It cuts us off at the knees in one way, and then in another it ensures that we go legitimate.”

  “You’re willing to do all of that just for me?”

  Rev smiled. “I would do all of that just for you, but in this case, it’s for all of us. We’ve been working to go legitimate for several months. It was a promise Deacon made to Alexandra to get her to marry him. It was also something we all wanted to do to honor Case’s memory.”

  As I stared into Rev’s handsome face, I couldn’t help feeling like my love for him would overflow beyond the confines of my physical body. He was so loyal, so strong, and so honorable. I wanted their plan to work so much for him, for his brothers, and for me. Most of all, I wanted to stay strong for him.

  Rising off the couch, Rev said, “You just have to have faith. In the meantime, we all need to lay low in case Mendoza knows more than he’s letting on.” He held out his hand. “Now hurry up with the packing. I need to be back to the roadhouse to supervise as soon as I can.”

  When I stood up, Rev drew me back into his arms for a moment. “The only thing you need to be worrying about right now is how well you’ll handle being cooped up with a crowd.” He stared intently into my eyes. “Mendoza will never hurt you again. I swear.”

  As I brought my lips to his, I wanted to believe him, but I just couldn’t seem to drive away the dark feeling of foreboding that enveloped me.

  Three days into the lockdown felt like thirty days. Although I loved my new MC family, it was hard being cooped up together with tension weighing heavy in the air. I also couldn’t help feeling like people were staring at me because I was the source of the trouble. I didn’t bother voicing my concern to Rev because I knew he would say I was just being silly or paranoid.

  Considering how laid-back everyone usually was, life during lockdown ran on a pretty strict schedule. There had to be order to ensure that everyone got fed, showered, and slept. Most of the men were housed down at the warehouse, since it was poorly insulated and heated. Rev and I barely had time alone since Bishop slept on the floor in our room with his flavor-of-the-week club whore. His bedroom had been given to Mama Beth, who was bunking with some of the older women.

  It was also Alexandra’s first time on lockdown, and she wasn’t handling being cooped up any better than I was. Of course, she was also dealing with swollen feet, backaches, and exhaustion from being pregnant. At breakfast, she had appeared utterly spent and kept rubbing her lower back. She had excused herself in the middle of the meal and gone to lie down. After that, I was surprised that she insisted on helping out the officers’ old ladies who were in charge of meals.

  We were all hard at work preparing the chicken and rice when Alexandra said, “Shit. I think we need more rice.”

  I held my hand up to stop her. “Take it easy, mama. I’m on it,” I said as I headed into the giant pantry just off the kitchen. As I reached for the bulk-sized box of rice, I heard the door close behind me. I didn’t think much of it until a hand snaked around my waist, drawing me against a hard, familiar body. Although his intent was clear, I asked, “What are you doing?”

  Rev’s reply came in the form of his warm tongue sliding up the column of my neck, causing me to shiver in pleasure. One of his hands slid from my waist up to cup my breast. When he squeezed it, I gasped and tried to turn toward him. His breath scorched my ear as he whispered, “I need you.”

  “So badly you have to molest me in the pantry with your brothers’ old ladies outside?” I teased.

  He rubbed his erection against my backside. “I need you,” he repeated, his voice deep with desire.

  I turned slowly in his arms, making sure to rub every one of my curves against his body. In the dim glow from the lightbulb overhead, I could see the evidence of his desire in his face. His deep blue eyes were hooded, his strong jaw clenched. He made me feel so beautiful in moments like these, so wanted, so complete. Never defiled and degraded because of what I had been through.

  Bringing my lips to his, I savored his rough and rugged handling of me. My arms came up to wrap around his neck, my fingers tangling through the strands of his long hair. His tongue slid across my lips, opening my mouth to allow him inside. Our tongues danced along together. When I tugged his hair, he groaned into my mouth.

  His fingers came to fumble at the button on my jeans. Once he had them undone, he jerked the zipper down. And then one of his hands slipped inside, cupping me over my underwear. “Rev,” I moaned when his fingers delved into my panties to stroke me. My hips bucked against his hand, desperate for more friction. Back and forth his fingers slid over my clit, rubbing it, teasing it, and driving me mad when he wasn’t even inside me. I rubbed myself even harder against him, not caring that I’d positively soaked him with my need. And then I came faster than I ever had before. Eyes pinched shut. Legs giving way. Crying his name so loud that I was sure anyone in the next room could hear.

  Rev pulled his hand out of my panties and jeans, and with eyes burning with lust, he proceeded to lick me off each one of his fingers. I grunted with frustration before reaching out to undo his jeans. “Quit teasing me and get inside me.”

  He gave me a lazy grin. “If that’s what you want.”


  I gripped his erection tight in my hand, causing him to suck in a breath. “Yeah, that’s what I want, and I’m pretty sure that’s what your dick wants, too.”

  His eyes widened. “Annabel Percy, what a mouth you have on you.”

  Smiling, I replied, “Being around bikers has been a bad influence.”

  He chuckled. “Then a part of me hopes that lockdown doesn’t end anytime soon.”

  I shoved his jeans down over his buttocks while he worked at tugging mine down my thighs. It probably would have been easier just to undress ourselves, but there was something much hotter about taking care of each other.

  Once our pants and shoes were in a rumpled pile on the floor, Rev’s firm hands lifted me up to wrap my legs around his waist. He didn’t ease in. Instead, one powerful thrust had him filling my core. I gripped his shoulders hard, grinding my hips against him.

  As he pounded in and out of me, we crashed back against one of the shelves, strewing boxes along the floor. Over and over, he surged into me. Each time he seemed to go deeper, reaching the perfect spot that caused me to moan and shudder. I gripped his shoulders tight, anchoring myself to him. He was always my lifeline—in and out of the bedroom.

  Although I’d once had such a hard time coming with a man inside me, Rev knew exactly how to make me shatter around him. I cried out his name once again, burying my face in his neck. He began pumping harder and harder, and within a few moments, he was filling me with his warmth.

  Once his hips stopped jerking, he stared at me intently. “I love you.”

  I smiled. “I love you, too.”

  He gave me a tender kiss. “I wish we could stay like this forever.”

  “Locked in a dusty pantry?” I asked teasingly.

  “Smart-ass,” he muttered as he playfully smacked my bottom. “I meant, I wish I could stay inside you like this. The two of us joined as one.”