“And you guys do?” I raise my eyebrow in question. It’s hard enough to process the things he just said.
“Didn’t I just mention we do? If someone wants us to kill his wife, we look into the fucker who places the hit. Make sure the woman is safe. But if the woman turns out to be someone who steals his money while feeding the fucker poison so her husband dies a slow death…then yeah, we do accept the job.”
I feel my eyes widen. “That has happened? For real?”
Bark shrugs. “I could tell you more, but then I’d have to kill you…club secrets and all.” The funny man winks as if he’s joking, but I’m seriously wondering if he is.
A chill runs up my spine. “All of you are killers, I don’t see how that’s any different from the MC my brother is a part of,” Now Bark is about to interrupt me but I’m the one holding my palm up. “Let me finish. Six years ago, my brother had to do some kind of initiation thing where he went from being a prospect to a sworn in member, or whatever you guys call it. He had to steal a bag of money, or drugs, whatever, from a gang. He succeeded but the idiot didn’t notice he was followed. Leading them right to our house. They drove by,” I take a gulp of air to swallow down the bile of remembering that day. “My mother was about to leave for work. I always followed her out to her car but I was late putting my shoes on…I heard the gunshots…I rushed out to see Keegan hiding behind his car…my mom…the blood…her eyes…she was dead when the first bullet hit her head and a few more entered her body…his fault. All his fault.”
My vision is blurry when I see someone squatting in front of me before strong arms wrap around me.
“I’m so fucking sorry,” Gust croaks.
I start to push him away but he doesn’t let me, his grip tightens and I lose myself in the anger, sadness, powerlessness, despair, weariness…every single emotion is overwhelming as I let myself sink down into his embrace and start to cry uncontrollably.
Chapter 07
***Gust***
I’m a fucking moron. I’ve claimed the one woman who’s it for me, but who hates MCs. And has every fucking reason too. At least she’s not pushing me away and is crying in my arms. I’m sure it’s also because of everything that’s happened today, yesterday, six damn years ago, and not to mention her father dying recently.
Now her brother almost got her killed too. And yeah, I’m pretty sure those two who were about to rape her wouldn’t have left her alive if they were done with her. With Ugo demanding Keegan from us? Pretty sure the fucker screwed up enough for them to wipe out everyone connected to him.
Which also leads to his last days to roam this fucking earth because he’s as good as dead with the way Ugo wanted him. Another loss Paisley’s life will be tainted with, though I’m pretty sure she hates his guts with what she just said. Him being responsible for her mother’s death? The fucker hiding behind a car while his mother took the rain of bullets while she watched it happen? Yeah…fuck.
I was seventeen when I joined the army and moved out of my parents’ house nine years ago. “My parents never told me what happened. Not one fucking word. I didn’t know. I wish I fucking did... I would have come to you. I would have,” Fuck...what I wouldn’t give to turn back time and take away all the bad shit she had to endure in life. “And I’m fucking sorry for acting like a jerk. I’m such an asshole lashing out like I did. You don’t deserve that shit I said. I just...I’ve never had a girl, okay? So, bear with me. I know I’m gonna fuck up a lot more in the future, but you need to hang in there because I’m all about keeping us together, okay?”
“You just want an Old Lady and it doesn’t matter who she is...you just want one,” she sobs.
What. The. Fuck? My eyes go to Bark and he fucking shrugs. Asshole.
“You’re right about me wanting an Old Lady for a long while now. And no, it does fucking matter who she is because I’ve met so many damn women in my life and there’s just one who can make my blood sing, one who tightens my gut, one who makes my cock throb with need, and one who connects to my sanity and makes me hope for a bright and better future. That one...that’s you, darlin’. It’s always been you.” I now realize myself.
No wonder I never found the perfect Old Lady...she wasn’t living here, she left. “The one woman destined to be mine was run out of town by her fucking brother. The same fucking brother who brought you back here. Again, risking your life. It’s fucking time we grabbed hold and make our hometown safe again for you to stay. Because I need you here, Paisley. I just found you again and I ain’t ever letting go. No matter how many times I fuck up or how much you hate the MC I’m a part of. Even if you make me take a regular job, I’ll...fuck, I can’t lose you…I…Paisley, please, say something.”
She’s still sobbing in my arms but her eyes are staring into mine. Hope starts to light my heart and starts to pump through my veins when she presses her lips against mine ever so softly before pulling back.
“You really are an asshole, and I’m still mad at you.” Her voice wavers.
Shit. All hope plummets because the way she’s looking at me? She’s shutting the door on us.
“You’d better be good at groveling because the things you said about screwing around,” she starts, but I kiss her hard to silence her.
“Didn’t mean a word, darlin’. When I’m pissed I throw out words where they hit the hardest. My cock is yours, no other woman grabs my attention. It’s only you I want and need.” And I mean every damn word with fierce ferocity.
She rolls her eyes. “I bet you say that to all the girls,” she says over dramatically, making me fucking laugh.
I squeeze her tight against me, hoping to fuck we’ve cleared the air between us.
“I really hate...”
I’ve got her pressed so tight against me, I can’t hear the rest of what she says, making my heart halt. “You hate me?”
She groans. “No, you’re an overreacting asshole who needs to grovel to get back on my good side. I’m talking about Keegan. I really hate him. You can’t understand half of how much.”
“Oh, I’ve got a pretty good idea,” I mutter, mainly to myself because I hated the fucker before I left for my own reasons, which also tangled with the fact he didn’t look out for his sister. Back then, and fucking now.
“How are we going to find him? We need to save the guy that Ugo guy took. My brother needs to turn himself in.” Paisley’s eyes are pleading.
“It’s club business now, darlin’. Let my Prez and my brothers worry about this. You didn’t do shit to deserve any of it. Like last time and many times before, when he was chasing chicks instead of making sure his little sister got home safe. All the fucker ever cared about is himself. Let go, Paisley, let go and think of you from now on. It’s what he does. You can only give a person so much of yourself until there’s nothing left to give. You’ve reached that point, sweetheart. Let others deal with it and leave Keegan to face the sins he ungracefully made in his own fucked up world.”
Again, tears fall down her cheeks and this time I swear they will be the last to ever fall at the thought of her brother.
“You’re right, all Keegan cares for is himself, not caring one damn bit who he drags with him to an early grave. And Keegan is going to his grave. Everyone does, but with the shit going on? I’m sure his time is up sooner rather than later,” she says with a sad and determined voice, and I’m fucking glad she understands the mess Keegan made for himself and what’s bound to happen.
“I’m so fucking sorry.” Again, I give her the only words I can think of and I know they don’t help shit, but she needs to hear them. She needs to know she has my full support and understanding.
“Not your fault,” she says, placing her forehead against mine.
“Then I’m still fucking sorry for the shit I said to you,” I grumble. “Did I grovel enough already? Or do I need to sweet-talk you some more?”
She lightly snorts and sounds so adorable and it makes my heart tug. Fuck, I love that sound. Even more when it
’s lightening the mood.
I rise and take her with me. Glancing around the kitchen I notice both Bark and Ronin aren’t here anymore. When Bark took her into the kitchen, two of my brothers needed to hold me back. I was so fucking pissed at myself, at every-fucking-thing. But I knew I needed to go to her.
Once I calmed down, I told my Prez I needed to see my woman. I wouldn’t touch, say, or do shit…I just needed my eyes on her. Ronin agreed but warned me he would be standing in front of me. Needless to say, I caught half of the discussion between Paisley and Bark, ripping my heart in two. Nothing else matters, except her.
Now I only need to clear up the shit her brother tied her in to before we can really start what we just begun; a life together. Because I for sure as shit won’t ever let her walk away from me.
Chapter 08
***Paisley***
They’ve been in church for hours. Sometimes one of them comes out and leaves before returning with a laptop or some papers. It’s frustrating not knowing what’s going on or even worse, not being allowed to help.
I’ve tried calling my brother but the number I have isn’t in use anymore. Neither is the one Gust had. Since I haven’t seen my brother in years, I don’t know where to look for him. He’s a total stranger to me. See? Frustrating. Because, until this mess is cleared up, I can’t leave.
Though I’m doubting leaving this town. I probably should, it’s the most sensible thing to do, right? But, we had our first fight and Gust managed to hurt me deeply. This makes me aware he’s already so far underneath my skin and I would regret every second of my life not exploring the strong connection we have between us.
The door to church opens and Gust strolls out. The tired look in his eyes makes me dash up to him and take him into my arms. He wraps his around me, burying his head into the crook of my neck to breathe me in. Tension leaves his body but he pulls away all too soon.
“We’re running out of time,” he says in defeat. “And with it…it’s not looking good for the prospect.”
“Shit,” I mutter. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You’re doing enough by being here, staying safe. I need to head back inside. We’re finishing up a plan to flush your brother out. It only fucking works if he’s still in town though. But if he was smart he’s already crossed state lines,” Gust sighs.
I might be helpful by staying put but I’m climbing the walls. “I need some fresh air.”
“I can’t let you leave the clubhouse, not with Helios Darkness MC out for blood. Hell, maybe your fucked-up brother is a threat to you too. Waiting to snatch you up and use you for leverage to buy his way back in. Fuck. Sorry, that just slipped out. I’m sure your brother isn’t a threat to you. My brain is just fried.”
“I know,” I tell him in a soft voice, and place my palm on his cheek.
He closes his eyes ever so briefly. “We have a small yard out back. It’s surrounded by a large gate. Just stay near the clubhouse and not out in the open or close to the fence. There are cameras linked with the security feed, but I don’t want you taking any risk of getting shot by a sniper. Tell Badger, the prospect behind the bar. He’ll keep an eye on the feed too.”
“A sniper?” I gasp.
“Fuck,” Gust grumbles. “Sorry, I’m overreacting. Helios Darkness MC are a bunch of fucked up guys, but none are snipers. But my mind can’t process the thought of losing you.”
My heart warms a fragment more for this man. “How can you lose me when we just barely started? No way I’m leaving, you owe me.”
“I owe you,” he mutters thoughtfully.
“You do,” I say with determination. “You said something about groveling and sweet-talking, ripping my pussy with loads of sex. See? The list is long with the things you owe me.”
“I owe you,” he growls and pulls me closer. “And I’m gonna damn well give you all you fucking wish for.”
“Careful now,” I warn. “I might have another long list of demands. One involving a huge mansion with a pool and some extra rooms for lots of babies. And my finger looks naked without something shiny wrapped around it.”
There, I think I managed to put everything in a few sentences that would make any man take off running who shows interest in a woman who he’s only been a single day with.
Instead of fear or backing out, his eyes twinkle and an expression of longing spreads all over his freaking face. “Bring it on, darlin’, I’ve been waiting a long fucking time to spend everything I have on the perfect woman, and I’ve been saving up for fucking years. Whatever it is you want and need…it’s yours.”
I can feel my eyes widen. “You’re insane. We just met, again. I don’t care about money or marriage. Just you would be fine…for now.” I swallow hard, and mumble to myself, “Dammit, I meant to freak him out, not have it backfire and give myself a heart attack in the process.”
His head tips back and laughter rips out, pulling me close enough to feel his chest rumble as he says, “I’m miles ahead of you, Paisley. I know exactly what I want, but I’m also one who can pace himself…allowing you to catch up. Hell, all the times I found you walking alone alongside of the road, or how I came for you after nine fucking years…it’s a straight arrow pointing to a sign stating we belong together, I feel it in my gut. This shit we have to handle is a slight bump in the road. A road leading to a future for the two of us. Wedding, babies, lovely dovely shit, the whole shebang, darlin’. You and me.”
“Okay, you need to get back into church before I start to cry with you sweet-talking like a pro,” I tell him and slip away from his grip.
He growls, “Not. Sweet-talking.”
He’s probably thinking I thought he was just saying these things without any meaning, but instead they did strike hard. Smashing down a wall around my heart I had in place to not let anyone in. But I now realize Gust made it crumble from the inside, because he was already rooted in there from the start.
“I know,” I say and feather my lips against his, “but I’m trying not to turn to mush here. See? I really need some fresh air and you need to go back to church.”
“Don’t walk too deep into the yard, stick near the walls of the clubhouse,” he warns, and kisses me hard before letting me go to stalk back into church.
I sigh in a swooning way as I watch his ass disappear. Strolling to the bar, I ask Badger the direction to the yard, and for a bottle of water. He points me in the right direction as I snatch up the bottle. Before I head out, I ask him to keep an eye on the security feed.
Even though it’s chilly I take a deep breath and feel some of the stress draining with every breath my body expels. I grab one of the chairs and put my feet up. The yard is quite big with a few fire pits scattered here and there. I imagine this will be a nice place during the summer to have a barbeque. I take a few sips of water before placing the bottle on the ground next to me.
I close my eyes briefly but a rustle of leaves and a low whistle draws my attention. Standing, my gaze slides over the fence on the left where I heard the noise coming from. I’m shocked to see my brother standing behind a tree. I glance back at the door of the clubhouse, thinking of a way to alert Gust. Though I’m pretty sure Keegan will be gone as soon as I go inside. I grab the bottle of water and take off the cap.
I hate this. Not being able to trust my brother. My brother. Family. One should at least have nice memories about a sibling, right? But he gave me nothing but grief and trouble. This time my feet aren’t moving toward him because of our family bond. Hell, no. I am going to him for my own benefit.
I need to know what he wants. I need a way to get him to surrender himself to save the prospect and to take away the bullseye he painted on my back. I let my gaze find the camera, silently hoping Badger is watching the feed as I point my finger toward the fence.
“What do you want, Keegan?” I say, a little louder than necessary, hoping the camera has sound.
And if it doesn’t? I empty the bottle of water with a few strokes, making a K
on the concrete floor, still hoping Badger gets my signs and is getting Gust and the other guys.
I take one more step closer to the fence, but that’s it. I’m listening to Gust and sticking to the safety of the clubhouse. The wall is right next to me, if Keegan tries anything I can jump behind it and it’s only a few more steps to the door. Shit. I think this says more about my brother than me…I’m done with him. After this, I want him out of my life for good.
Like I said, I couldn’t care less what he has to say. I’m only doing this in an effort to save the prospect and myself. Seems like I lost my brother a long damn time ago. The face staring at me is one I don’t even recognize. Cold, dead eyes. As cold as the piece of steel he’s holding in his hand.
“Hey, little sis…I came to say goodbye,” Keegan states and raises the gun.
Chapter 09
***Gust***
Badger bursts into church and locks eyes with me. “Quick, your Old Lady.”
I don’t need more words but dash out and follow him back to the bar. He points at the black and white screen.
“Motherfucker,” I growl.
“Bark, Crane, outside. Titan, take three others to go around back. No fucking sound. Shoot the fucker in the legs if he tries to get away,” Ronin snaps and palms his gun. “Come on, Gust, you need to get out there in the yard. Fuuuuck.”
His curse draws my eyes back to the screen. “Hell, no,” I snap and move as fast as my legs will carry me.
Twisted Tales of Mayhem Page 12
