A Demon's Harmony

by E. C. Land

  Shaking my head, I head out back behind the shop to have some peace while I pull out my phone. I quickly dial her number. When she doesn’t answer, I try one more time. I know without a doubt she’s pissed. I’ll have to make it right with her when she gets home.

  As I turn to head back inside, I come face-to-face with a gun being pointed in my face. The guy holding the piece, I’ve always tried to avoid. He’s the leader of the High 7’s gang.

  Shit this isn’t good.

  “Time for you to pay up, motherfucker. Your pops said you had my money,” Trevor sneers.

  “He lied to you then. I don’t have shit for you,” I say, curling my lip.

  “I don’t care if he lied or not. You got money. You can pay his debt,” he says pressing the gun into my face.

  “Dude, if you don’t get that gun out of my face, we’re gonna have more problems than we already have. I’ve already told you I don’t have shit for you. I’m not responsible for that dickhead’s debt with you.” I’m not about to start paying Trevor a dime. I do that, then he’ll be coming at me every damn day.

  “You stupid or something, Tanner. I’m the one holdin’ the gun. I got no problem puttin’ a bullet in your ass.” I’m not the stupid one, that would be him.

  “Already told you I’m not giving you anything. You might as well go ahead and pull the trigger,” I clench my teeth. This dude isn’t smart enough to know what’s good for him. He’s just a drug addict, money hungry moron.

  “Don’t tempt me, I need you alive to get my money first,” he says, contradicting his own ass.

  Stupid fucker.

  “Well you’ll be waiting for a long time,” I sneer.

  “Maybe me and the boys need to teach you a lesson in not doing what you’re told.” It’s then I realize Trevor isn’t alone. I’d been focused on the gun pointed at my head. I wasn’t paying attention to anything else.

  At Trevor’s words the men with him move. I do my best to block the blows raining down on me and give a few of my own. It’s not easy when being outnumbered.

  A blow to my knee sends me to the ground. Pain radiates through my body with each kick as they continue to ‘teach me a lesson’.

  They finally stop and take off running when someone throws them away from me. I didn’t even bother finding out who stopped them before passing out from the pain.

  “Oh my God, what happened?” Alexis’ calming voice is the first sound to come to me as I wake up. My body throbbing with pain everywhere.

  “We were dropping Logan off for his guitar lesson with Hunter and heard noises from the back of the building. Gadget went to check everything out while Dragon made sure I got inside with the kids safely,” Connors says. All the woman had to do was mention her men’s names and everyone would know who she is.

  Not only is she one of the best doctors in the area, she’s married to both men. I’d heard plenty of the women who came in the shop complaining about how she’d snagged not just one but two men.

  As I open my eyes, I groan in pain when I tilt my head to see everyone in the room.

  Fuckin’ great. Get your ass kicked and everyone sees you can’t handle your own shit, pussy.

  Shut the fuck up.

  No way asshole. You could have taken them.

  Not when there was a gun pointed at me. Think I’d take a chance of ending up dead.

  Alexis is at my side instantly and I notice the difference in her straight away. She’d had her hair done. With its highlights and shoulder length cut it suits her.

  Cupping my cheek, Alexis’ brow is furrowed in uncertainty. “Are you okay?” she asks

  “I’m fine,” I rasp before lifting up on my hands to push myself to a sitting position.

  “You sure, Tan? That was one hell of a beating,” Lex states grinning. He may have a smile in place, but I know better than to think he’s happy about any of this. The guy has a way of hiding the pain he always carries with him.

  “Yeah, I’m sure, Lex,” I say nodding.

  “Want to tell us why the fuck you were getting jumped behind the shop?” Chaz asks.

  “Daddy you said a bad word you gotta put money in my jar,” Melody declares cheerfully as she jumps up off the floor where she must have been sitting.

  Everyone chuckles as Chaz groans while pulling out his wallet. Swear that kid is going to have enough to pay for college before getting out of elementary school the way she seems to always be around when someone curses.

  Shit Tombstone, Bethany’s dad, and his brothers always put a hundred-dollar bill in the jar ahead of time. Melody still calls them out saying, ‘That’s one-dollar mister’.

  “Why don’t you go see about getting ready for bed while we talk to Tan.” Chaz suggests as he kneels in front of Melody and runs his fingers through the girl’s locks.

  “Okay, Daddy,” she giggles taking the money, hugs her dad then proceeds to give everyone in the room one as she makes her way to me. “I hope your booboos get better soon, Uncle Tan–Tan. Love you.” Climbing up the bed, she lays her head gently against my chest. After a brief moment Melody lifts her head and moves away to go get ready for bed.

  “Now that the curse word tyrant is out of the room, wanna fuckin’ explain,” Hunter grumbles, his arms crossed over his chest as he stands at the foot of the bed staring down at me.

  Sighing, I glance at Alexis to find her sitting closer to me. Reaching out I take her hand in mine. “Seems Pops decided to tell Trevor that I’d pay his debt. I was outside making a phone call when I turned around, I was facing down the muzzle of the dickhead’s gun. I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings as I focused on not getting shot, I didn’t realize his goons were so close.” I don’t bother telling them about the entire conversation.

  It’s a moot point now. I’m sure they can figure out the rest of it. Shit it’s embarrassing enough to have to admit I hadn’t been paying attention.

  Makes you wonder what kinda man you are.

  Chapter 7

  Alexis

  My heart hasn’t stopped pounding in my chest from the moment I walked into the house. I knew immediately something was wrong. No one was in the living room or kitchen. I’d headed up to the room I shared with Tanner only to stop at the sight in front of me.

  Everyone including Emerson’s sister, Connors, and her men are in here surrounding our bed. Tanner laid on the bed beaten and bruised. When he’d told us what happened I could feel the anger toward not just the men who did this to him but his father.

  What man would allow this to happen to their own flesh in blood?

  Before my parents died, I can remember my dad being amazing. He loved taking my sister and me camping, fishing, anything really that he’d have done with a son if they’d had one. Guess you could say he turned us both into tomboys, because anytime Mom tried to get us to wear a dress we’d refuse.

  It hurts knowing that Tanner’s is a piece of shit. His mom’s no better. Sure, she’s nice but she’ll always choose her husband over her boys. Kobi and Tanner were both blessed to have people who cared enough to help encourage them to never go the same route as their parents.

  “Isn’t Trevor the leader of the High 7’s?” Gadget’s question pulls me out of my head.

  “Yep,” Tanner responds.

  “Why would he think you’d pay your pops debt?” Hunter asks.

  “I’ve been avoiding Mom’s calls this past week. She’d done what she’s always done. Begged me for money because Pops spent all their money on dope.” Shrugging Tanner releases my hand to wrap his arm around my waist.

  Not wanting him to hurt himself more than he already is by moving too much, I move as close as I can without climbing into his lap. I know all the guys want to know what’s going on, but I wish they’d leave it for later and give me and Tanner a little time alone together.

  Connors must have read my mind because a moment later she’d told everyone they could table the conversation for later. I could’ve kissed her for that.

  Soon
as the room is cleared of all bodies but mine and Tanner’s, I move out of his embrace and turn to face him. “Are you really okay?” I ask again, needing to know for sure.

  “Yeah babe, I’m fine,” he murmurs, meeting my gaze and grabbing hold of my hand. “About earlier today, it’s not that I didn’t want you to hear it. I just didn’t want you to think it sucked when it was the first time we tried the song out.”

  Now I feel like a bitch. I can understand that. I guess it’s because he’s been so distant with me after declaring we’re going to give our marriage a shot. I’d felt insecure over everything.

  Maybe I overreacted but, in the end, I’d gone to do something to work on breaking the distances between us. Emerson and Nora spent the afternoon making sure my hair was just right along with giving me my first ever waxing.

  Talk about the holy mother of pain.

  I don’t even think childbirth would be as bad as having someone rip the hairs off your who–ha.

  Hey, it’s gonna be worth it when Tanner is between your legs and devouring you.

  God, I swear my libido is a freak.

  “It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize. If I hadn’t run off the way I had, this wouldn’t have happened,” I murmur.

  “Baby, if you hadn’t this could have been far worse than it is. Trevor could have had you attacked.” The harsh tone in Tanner's voice sends a shiver down my spine.

  Would that really have happened?

  “How about we just lay here for a while?” he suggests as I open my mouth to say something. “You can tell me what made you change your hair; it looks gorgeous on you.” Pulling me toward him, I curl into his side as he scoots down the bed to rest his head on a pillow.

  Tilting my head back to look up to his face, I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and contemplate telling him the truth.

  Telling him means admitting everything that I know in my heart out loud. Not telling him means giving up on what I really want in this relationship. The war between my head and heart is torture as they battle for who is right.

  Just tell him already so we can move the hell on to the good stuff.

  And there goes my libido again putting her two cents in.

  “I did it because I wanted to look pretty for you,” I blurt out.

  Great, I hadn’t wanted to blurt that out like some moron. Now Tanner’s going to think his wife is the biggest idiot.

  Chapter 8

  Tanner

  “Say that again.” I swear I didn’t hear her right. “On second thought don’t.”

  Does she really think I don’t think she’s pretty?

  Shit the woman is the most beautiful woman I know. No one compares to her and fuck if I’m going to allow her to think any different.

  Ignoring the throbbing pain, I roll us until I’m hovering over her. “Alexis, you are the only woman I see. Even when the room is full of others. My focus has always been solely focused on you baby and that’s not about to change anytime soon. I told you already I was done with this bullshit between us.”

  Alexis’ eyes widen as she lets my words sink in.

  Yeah, my girl is finally getting it.

  And so is my fuckin’ dick. It’s throbbing just as much as my body is but only for a different reason.

  Leaning down, I capture her lips with mine. Alexis moans as she opens up for me and I don’t waste a moment moving in for more. I need her more than I need my next breath right now. She’s my harmony in this world. The one who soothes me and it’s well past time I finally reclaim what’s mine.

  We are married after all. What we do is no one’s business but our own. It’s only a matter of getting my girl to finally stop letting others influence what she really wants. Main thing is making sure that now that Alexis stopped talking to Lori that the bitch doesn’t try to sink her claws into my girl again.

  Moving a hand underneath Alexis’ shirt, I slide it up to her breasts engulfing one with it. She may not have a large set of breasts, but they are perfect on her. I can easily cup my hand around one and use my thumb to stroke her nipple.

  Wanting more of her, I break our kiss as I remove my hand from under her shirt in order to strip the barrier from between the two of us.

  I’m done not feeling her skin on mine. Or sucking on these gorgeous nipples. Better yet, I’m sick of not having my mouth buried between her thighs as I fuck her with my tongue.

  No more waiting.

  I may be beaten to a fuckin’ bloody pulp but I’m not about to let that stop me from getting what I want.

  Kissing my way from Alexis’ mouth, I make my way down her jaw line to her neck all the way down until I’m face to breast. Reaching behind her, I unhook her bra and quickly remove the small layer that blocks me from viewing her delectable nipples.

  “Tanner,” she moans, her hands scraping down my back as I lean forward to take one of her nipples in my mouth.

  Rotating from one to the other, I savor the taste of her skin as well as the sounds coming from her.

  With a pop, I release her nipple and make my way further down her body.

  “What are you doing?”

  Lifting my head, I find her staring at me. With a smirk, I lean back on my knees as I hold her gaze. “Thought that was obvious baby. I’m about to remove those sexy as fuck jeans of yours and finish my feast on that delectable body.”

  “Oh. Umm. You can’t,” she murmurs, a blush crossing her cheeks.

  “Why the fuck not?” I demand.

  “I mean I want you too, but I can’t, at least not right now.” Not liking her vague answer, I wait for her to explain. Wondering if she’s going to tell me she’s on her period or some shit like that. “When I got my hair done earlier, I also had gotten a wax and it’s suggested not to do any activities for several hours directly after.”

  Well fuck. If the vision of her being bare to me doesn’t cause my dick to harden even further.

  “Plus, Tanner, you’re hurt right now and need to be lying down to rest,” she states, lifting herself up into a sitting position.

  “I may be fuckin’ hurtin’ but it’s nothing I can’t deal with. And nothing could keep me from seeing that pussy now knowing what you just said. Now lie back on the bed and let me get these jeans out of the fuckin’ way of seeing what I’ve been dreaming of every damn night for years,” I growl pushing gently against Alexis’ chest until she’s lying back down.

  Making quick work of the denim, I get them off of her body and toss them to the side. My gaze follows down her now naked body taking in the sight of her until I get to the part of her, I’ve missed.

  Seeing it completely bare is a sight for sore eyes. My dick throbs with need for her. Unfortunately, I’ll have to wait until later to sink my dick into her. Which is perfectly fine with me. I can simply just lay here and hold her naked body to mine.

  “You know how beautiful you are baby?” I murmur, lying back down and gathering her into my arms.

  “I’m not,” she says.

  “Bullshit, baby. You are perfect and more than that you’re mine.” Lifting a hand to cup her chin, I make her meet my gaze for this part. “Don’t ever say you’re not beautiful Alexis. No one compares to you. From the first day I saw you, I knew you were the most beautiful woman in the world. We may have been in high school when we met but fate brought us together, giving us all the challenges that we’ve had. You’re my harmony and to me that means more than just beauty. It means everything.”

  Before Alexis can respond, I lean my head to hers and take her mouth in a soul searing kiss. Desperate to have her as close as possible but the moment I roll her on to my chest, I have no choice but to break the kiss due to the pain.

  Fuck, I’m goin’ to kill that fucker for doin’ this to me.

  Better yet, I intend to kill the fucker who claimed I’d pay his fuckin’ debts.

  My father.

  Chapter 9

  Alexis

  “So how did everything go with Tanner? I mean it’s not like you’v
e been ignoring us for the past month or something,” Emerson states from across the table at the café next door to the salon. She and Nora demanded I meet them for coffee after being MIA for a month.

  “Ugh, don’t get me started,” I mutter.

  It’d been a whole flipping month since the day I got home from my friend’s salon to find Tanner had been jumped. I still feel guilty even if it wasn’t technically my fault. If I hadn’t left, he wouldn’t have been out back trying to call me.

  I’d tried to argue this point with him, and he’s constantly responded by stating it didn’t matter if it happened behind the shop or in the front, Trevor was there for one thing. Payment for a debt that Tanner’s dad owed.

  God, I hate his parents with a passion. What kind of man does that to his own son? A selfish one that’s for sure. If I could I’d go to Tanner’s parents’ house with a baseball bat and slam it in the big jerk’s head.

  The rest of the month has been about me making sure Tanner healed rather than trying to get in my pants. Sure, we fooled around. Who wouldn’t? However, I refused to give in and let him do anything that would cause him any pain.

  “Oh no, you start talking now. It’s been a month since we saw you in the salon. If Steph hadn’t told me about Tanner already, I’d be pissed you hadn’t. She’s the only saving grace you have right now in not letting me in the loop,” Emerson rants. It baffles me that she’s the only one who calls her sister by her first name rather than Connors like everyone else.

  “I can’t help the fact that I’ve been somewhat preoccupied lately trying to make sure Tanner doesn’t hurt himself more than he already is. Better yet, go after the guys who hurt him,” I grumble speaking the truth. Tanner even called his brother, who’s away for school, to make sure he was aware of what had happened. Kobi needed to be on alert as well. None of us knew if Trevor would send one of his members after Tanner’s brother.