Page 9 of Cuckoo (Devil’s Murder MC #7)

I spent the night with Katrina. Hell fucking yeah.

When my eyes opened, I nearly jolted, worrying about why I didn’t feel her pressed against me any longer until I heard the shower and water splashing in her bathroom.

I groaned as I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I’d been knocked out, dead to the world, which was fucking unheard of for me. I never slept well, not since I was a kid. The insomnia got worse after Katrina was taken away.

But being with her last night relaxed me. It must have been enough to drop my defenses and become vulnerable. That shit wasn’t good, especially since I still didn’t know what was happening with Eagle Eye and the cold case regarding Katrina’s biological parents.

My phone began vibrating inside my cut, and I reached inside, pulling it free to glance at the screen. Crow.

“Hey, Pres.”

“I know you’re not gonna miss church,” he growled.

I checked the time, hopping off the couch, when I noticed it was 11.35 a.m. Shit! “I’m on my way, Pres. Got caught up.”

He snorted. “Yeah. Get your dick wet later. Need you here fucking an hour ago.”

The bastard. “Yeah. I’m comin’.”

“I don’t wanna know that shit.”

He hung up, but not before I could hear his laughter.

What a dick!

I stood and stretched, pulling on my boots and lacing them up as Katrina left the bathroom. She wore a big, fluffy pink robe and piled her head in a matching towel. It was cute. “Hey, angel. I gotta run.”

Did I want to leave? Hell no. My woman was fresh out of the shower in a fucking robe, nearly naked, and smelling good enough to eat.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I’ve got church.”

“Church?” Her confusion made me smile.

“It’s a mandatory meeting. All members.”

“Oh.” She blinked, nibbling on her lip before she rushed into my arms. “You’re coming back soon?”

“Yeah. Later.”

“Okay.”

I tilted her chin up, holding it in place as I stared into those chocolatey, sweet eyes that could hypnotize me in two seconds flat. “Need you to listen about something.”

She frowned.

“The world isn’t a safe place, angel. Be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut. Don’t take any risks.”

She snorted.

“I’m serious, Katrina.”

“Fine. I’ll be careful, aware, safe, bored, and waiting for you.”

“Naked?” I asked, unable to hold back the question.

Her eyes widened, and she smacked my arm. “Cuckoo!”

Laughter spilled from my lips. Corrupting her would be so much fun. “Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Give me a kiss, angel baby.”

Her lips twitched, but she couldn’t fight her smile. Katrina slid her hands up my chest and circled my neck. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her in place, fighting the urges in my body, prompting me to take this to the next level. We didn’t have time. At least, not until later.

With the softest of caresses, her sweet lips met mine. It was so fucking intoxicating to taste her mouth and too irresistible not to stroke my tongue along hers, sweeping into that warm cavern until a little moan escaped. The sound she made shot straight to my dick.

“You’re making it hard to leave.”

She leaned back and dropped her arms, nearly dazed by our kiss. Could she be untouched? As pure and ripe for the taking as she appeared? Because fuck me, I wanted to be the one to show her pleasure and watch the wonderment spread across her beautiful, delicate features.

I slid her hand over my crotch. “All yours. Every hard inch.”

“What if I’m too scared to take it?”

“Then I’ll help you.”

“Is that a turn-off?”

“Hell no, angel. It’s a turn- on .”

Satisfied, she shyly nodded. “Text me later.”

“I will.”

After another kiss, I left her, forcing myself to leave before I picked her up, yanked the robe away, and feasted on her pussy.

With a raging hard-on, I sat on my bike, starting the engine as I caught Goose across the street, hiding out in an SUV with tinted windows.

He was smart enough to watch her place without riding a motorcycle.

It would tip off Katrina. But it could also alert anyone who intended to stalk or harm her.

I heard my crow titter when he flew overhead. Not me. I can stalk my woman all I want.

He flapped his onyx wings and landed on Katrina’s roof. I saw him land as I left her driveway, knowing I had two protectors watching over my angel while I attended church.

I arrived at the Roost with three minutes to spare. “Hey, Pres,” I greeted him as I entered and shut the door behind me. The rest of the members were already seated. Good. I could move this along and get back to Katrina. Maybe I’d make it before she got dressed.

Wishful thinking.

Crow sent me a dirty look. He was frustrated and didn’t hide it. “Church is in session.” He banged the gavel, calling the meeting to order. “We got shit to discuss. Cuckoo, you’ve got the floor first.”

“Thanks, Pres.” I turned to my brothers. “I found my mate.”

Eagle Eye was the only brother other than Crow, who was not surprised.

“Holy shit!”

“Hell yeah.”

“Another one bites the dust!”

I laughed at their antics. “I’ve been looking for her twelve years.”

The room quieted.

“Most of you know I had a rough childhood. Foster homes. Bad shit.” I cleared my throat. “Katrina was at the house that haunts me.”

I’d never opened up before and wanted them to hear this, trust me, believe me, and know what I needed without hesitation.

“We relied on one another to survive for eight years until she was taken away. I lost her.” Fuck. I hated thinking about how deeply that wounded me. “Took a long ass time, but Eagle Eye helped find her.”

My brothers pounded the table, showing their support.

“But there’s a problem.”

I explained about Katrina’s parents, the cold case file, and the security placed on the information, making it almost impossible to find the information we needed.

“So, what you’re saying,” Raven interjected, “is that her parents were murdered?”

“I think so.”

Crow shook his head. “We don’t know who did it or what they want.”

“Cuckoo.” I turned to Hawk. “Are you asking for the club’s protection for your mate?”

“I am.”

More than a few began talking strategy while others grew agitated. They understood what this meant. The club was risking exposure and vulnerability with an unknown enemy.

“I know this is a big ask,” I began.

Talon shot to his feet. “No. It’s not. Katrina is your mate. She’s an ol’ lady now. We protect our own.”

Crow lost control of the room as men agreed with Talon, and the noise level rose. He whistled, piercing the air with a shrill blast as we all shut the fuck up. “That’s better.”

I smirked.

“We take this to vote. Needs a majority to pass.”

We knew how it went down.

“We protect Katrina, Cuckoo’s mate. Yes or no?”

The vote was unanimous.

My angel was now as protected as one of the club’s members. No matter what happened, she wouldn’t be alone.

I left four hours later, a bit inebriated and feeling good. Every one of my brothers had my back, and that was a fucking beautiful thing.

KATRINA WASN’T HOME .

I sat on my bike, my headlight facing her garage door, and checked my phone. “Fuck.”

Goose had texted that she had left over an hour earlier. He followed her across town, where she parked her car and entered a private residence. I met him at the end of the street, demanding answers.

“She’s safe. I only saw an older couple and guy inside.”

“What guy?”

“Don’t know.” He shrugged. “He was here when she arrived.”

“Stick around,” I grumbled. “I don’t want any more surprises.”

“I will.”

I didn’t hide my arrival. In fact, I made a show of revving the engine, rolling up the long driveway, and shutting my bike down. I’d been so busy today that I actually wasn’t wearing a costume. I showered after church and shaved, making myself pretty as fuck for my woman.

So, when I stood at the front door, wearing my desert camo tank, cut, jeans, and boots, I knew I looked fucking good. Hopefully, I’ll be intimidating, too, with all my ink. I needed this motherfucker in the house to recognize I would squash him like a fucking bug if he tried anything with my angel.

My fist pounded the door as I stood, unwilling to move until someone let me in. When the door swung open, I glared at the guy in a white polo and khakis, who shot me a disapproving look. “I’m here to see my woman.”

Yeah, I growled the words.

He smirked. “Who? Sabrina? She’s been happily married for three decades, or so I heard.”

This prick. I didn’t bother answering him; I just forced my way in, shoulder-checking him as I moved forward. He slammed into the wall and grunted. Pussy.

I heard voices and turned left, immediately settling my gaze on Katrina. She stood with a couple I assumed were her foster parents who adopted her. They seemed nice. Clean. Polished. Proper.

Shit.

Katrina smiled as she saw me. “Rain. I’m so glad you could make it.”

Yeah, angel, I’m here.

“Wouldn’t miss it, sweetheart.”

Her gaze cut to the couple watching us. “Sabrina. Trent. This is Rain, my—”

“—boyfriend,” I cut in. “Nice to meet you both. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Trent gestured to my clothes. “You ride a motorcycle?”

“Yes. I’m part of a motorcycle club. We ride for leisure.” And a way of life.

He didn’t judge me but seemed curious. I could live with that.

“Make sure she always uses a helmet.”

“I do,” I assured him. “I won’t risk her safety.”

Sabrina smiled, but I could tell the idea of Katrina riding on the back of my bike scared her. “Oh, my. Is it safe?”

I didn’t have to answer that question.

“With Rain it is,” Katrina promised.

Sabrina remained doubtful.

“Harleys are deadly,” a male voice intervened.

I smirked. “So are those pants.”

Trent coughed to hide a laugh.

Ha. He had a sense of humor.

I wish I had worn one of my costumes. I bet they all would have gotten really uncomfortable.

Katrina must have thought the same thing because she glanced my way, biting her lip to keep from giggling.

I grinned before I reached for her hand, gently tugging her closer. This was a statement. I wasn’t going anywhere.

Trent seemed to get it. I caught the thoughtful expression on his face. He knew I was staking a claim.

Sabrina seemed anxious. Maybe she was just high-strung. “Let’s, uh, go eat. Everything is ready.”

I followed Trent and Sabrina, grinning at choir boy in his khakis as he fumed.

What claim did he think he had on my woman? The fucker was lucky to be living.

“Who’s the stiff?” I asked Katrina in a low voice.

She snickered. “Carmichael. Sabrina set us up.”

Ah. “Well, I think he knows it’s not happening now.”

Carmichael stomped around us, intentionally bumping into me, only as he did, he shoved into her, and it sent Katrina forward. She stumbled and nearly fell as I held her up. Picking her up, I brought her into the formal dining room and placed her bottom on the closest seat.

Two things happened fast afterward. The first? I kissed her. The second? I took care of this douchebag.

Snarling, I rushed forward and grabbed him by the collar, shoving his back into the nearest wall. “You ever touch Katrina again, I will end you. Don’t ever make the mistake of hurting a female because if it’s not me around, some other guy is going to be thrilled to kick your ass.”

Carmichael clawed at my fists, but I didn’t budge, nearly cutting off his airway.

“Nod, and tell me you understand.”

He frantically bobbed his head.

I lowered my voice. “I will fucking find you, asshole, and you will regret ever trying something like this again. My club can make you disappear.”

His eyes widened further.

“Get the fuck out of this house, and don’t ever come back.”

He yanked his shirt back in place as I released him and glared.

Trent took a step forward. “Out. You’re not welcome here, Carmichael.”

Good for him.

Carmichael rushed from the room, cussing us all out.

Christ. What a fucking piece of shit.

Trent turned my way. “I don’t have a problem with you dating my daughter as long as you keep her safe. Treat her right. Any complaints? I’ll come after you myself, and I don’t care how cocky or strong you are. Feel me?”

Hell yeah. I really liked Trent. “Yes, sir, I do.”

“Good.”

“Trent!” Sabrina finally hissed.

“Honey, in all the years we’ve raised our little girl, I’ve never seen a man come to her aid like that. It says a lot about Rain. He’s welcome in my home anytime he wants to come in.”

She blinked. “Okay.”

Damn. I guess I was wrong about who controlled shit in this house. Trent had my respect. Plus, he seemed to genuinely love and care for Katrina. Same with Sabrina.

I returned to her, kneeling in front of her chair to look her over. “Where are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.”

“Where?” I growled, not letting her pass on the answer.

“I banged my knee.” She winced. “It’ll be a bruised.”

I picked up her hand and kissed it. “Want me to chase him down? I’m happy to do it.”

She shook her head, amused. “No. I think you handled it.”

“Hell yeah, I did. Always. No one touches or hurts you. Never again.”

She blinked, and I could see the emotion churning in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“What do you mean? Again?” Sabrina asked.

I lifted my head to answer. “We were in the same foster home.”

She gasped. “The bad one?”

“Yes.”

Trent gripped my shoulder. “This makes a lot of sense now, son. Thank you. I know you protected her then, too.”

“I did.”

With that bit of knowledge revealed, Sabrina hugged me.

Wow.

“You will always be welcome here. Both of you.” She straightened and headed toward the kitchen. “Now we should eat. You’re both skin and bones, and I need to feed you.”

Funny how that had multiple meanings. We needed emotional nourishment as desperately as we needed the food.

Sabrina stood, and I hugged her against my side. “Want some aspirin?”

“It’s probably a good idea.”

I kissed her temple. “I’ll take care of it.”

As we ate, I held her hand, and for the first time in my life, I almost felt normal. But hell, I preferred to be a little cuckoo.