Page 23 of Inglorious (Unwanted Bastards MC #1)

“Nanci said to fuck off, now do it,” Inglorious growled out, stepping into Raymond’s space.

Raymond sent him a filthy look but turned away and headed to his car. “This isn’t over; our love story doesn’t end like this!” he called over his shoulder.

“Screw that, all I sense is dislike and distaste. Ain’t no love lost here!” I shouted back and watched as Raymond walked away. “I don’t like the fact that anyone can just drive into town when they want,” I muttered.

“Not a lot we can do about it, but it will fuckin’ help when we get a sheriff here,” Razor said.

“That looks like it’s becoming a priority. I need somebody in place before we open to tourists,” I agreed as I turned and began walking back to the clubhouse.

“Have you advertised the position?” Inglorious asked.

“Yeah. But only one has applied, and they have just passed the academy. I want someone with experience. I don’t expect much crime here, but you should never underestimate. We’ve also been approved for a deputy,” I replied.

“Nice. That will give the sheriff a couple of days off a week. I was worried about having just one lawmaker in town,” Inglorious stated.

“Lawmaker, listen to you, Mr Wild West,” I teased, and Inglorious laughed.

“And I’m the third wheel here. I’m going to find Chill and beat on that bastard for a bit,” Razor announced and strode off. Inglorious’s laugh followed him.

I turned to him, feeling a little awkward. “Thanks for what you said back there. You didn’t have to, and I doubt Raymond even took it on board. But you shouldn’t have to lie for me.”

Inglorious stepped into my space, and his hands cupped my face. “Not a single word was a lie.”

His head descended, and his lips touched mine.

I froze, shocked at his actions, and then my lips parted of their own accord.

I’d only kissed Inglorious once before. And that time he’d pushed me away.

Today, I clung to him as the kiss swept through my body, making me tingle all over.

Inglorious’s lips were firm and gentle as I surrendered to him.

My arms wrapped around his neck, holding him in place.

He tasted of mint and coffee; it was intoxicating.

Inglorious’s hands moved down and hauled me against him, and I experienced every inch of his hard frame against my softer one.

His erection dug into my stomach, leaving me no doubt that Inglorious wanted me.

The kiss spiralled, and I gasped for breath as Inglorious nuzzled my neck before claiming my lips again.

This time, I sensed his urgency, and I plastered myself to him.

Large, firm hands cupped my ass and squeezed.

Shit, I needed to touch his skin and slid my hands down, running them down his spine and under his tee.

Inglorious’s skin was soft over hard muscles, and I explored the planes of his back.

He was thinner than the last time I’d seen him, but Inglorious’s muscles were still there.

“Shit,” I gasped as he ground his cock into my stomach. As soon as the word left my mouth, Inglorious released me and stepped away. His eyes were shuttered, but he watched me carefully.

“Did I overstep?” he asked, almost breathless.

“No!” I squeaked and coughed to clear my voice. Amusement lit his face. “No. I wanted and enjoyed that.”

“I’ve always loved your honesty, Nanci.”

“What are you doing kissing me?” I muttered. I needed this clarified.

The amusement deepened. “When a man likes a woman, and fancies the pants off her, he makes moves, ya see? This is me declaring I really fuckin’ like you, Nanci,” he replied.

“Oh.”

“By the way you responded, you like me too. There’ll be more kissing,” Inglorious stated.

“More?” I asked faintly.

“Lots more. And other things.”

“Other things?” Had I turned into a parrot?

“Yup. I’m going to court the fuckin’ boots off you, woman.” With that, Inglorious spun on his heel and walked away. His jeans hung a little baggy on him, but he was still as sexy as fuck.

Wait, he was courting me? Inglorious wanted me? Dazed and bemused, I headed to where Apache stood, looking entertained.

“Don’t say a word,” I stated and resumed the conversation we’d been having before Raymond had arrived.

Inglorious

It had been two hours since I’d kissed Nanci, and I could still taste her.

The woman was exhilarating. I’d been fully prepared to knock the asshole who had been confronting her on his ass, but that hadn’t been necessary.

Raymond was a pretty boy. All fluff and no substance.

How the fuck she’d dated somebody like him was beyond me, but I’d decided.

Nanci was going to be mine, come hell or high water.

It hurt that I couldn’t get permission from Psych, but that wouldn’t stop me anymore. Therapy had helped me come to terms with what I wanted—and needed—and to deny myself something healthy, something good, wasn’t an option. I wanted Nanci, and she would be mine.

As I headed out of town to the church and graveyard, I spotted someone moving about there. Irritation swept through me when I recognised Vortex. He was talking to Gravey, who looked cornered and ready to fight.

“Gravey,” I called out, and he turned to face me with relief on his face.

“Who’s this big bastard?” Gravey demanded.

A chuckle escaped me. “He’s VP of the club now.”

“I don’t like him,” Gravey stated.

“You don’t like anyone, you grumpy asshole,” I retorted, and a glimmer of a smile crossed his face.

“If you two have finished?” Vortex interrupted, looking put out.

“Shut up. VP or not, this is my turf,” Gravey snapped, and Vortex looked shocked.

“Tone it down, Gravey. Why are you here, Vortex?” I asked.

“Nanci mentioned we had a member who was alone out here. I was seeing if he wanted to bunk at the clubhouse. If he’s a brother, he should be with us,” Vortex replied.

Gravey scowled.

“Gravey is a loner, Vortex. He has his reasons for staying here. And Gravey knows he’s welcome in town. Do you need anything?” I asked Gravey, who shook his head.

Gravey sent Vortex one last glare and disappeared.

“What the fuck was that?” Vortex demanded.

“Gravey has severe PTSD. His story isn’t one that should be shared, but some of the facts are public.

Gravey was a police officer with a wife and two kids.

His partner was fucking his woman behind Gravey’s back, and was also a dirty cop.

His partner paid for a hit on Gravey, only it went wrong, and he pulled through.

The asshole fled with Gravey’s wife and two young children and wrapped the tree around the car, killing them all.

It broke Gravey because he had no idea his woman was cheating.

Gravey took five bullets and survived. He came out here to escape.

When he’s ready, he can rejoin us, hear me? ” I explained.

Vortex looked horrified and nodded. “Shit, poor guy. He’s about fifty?”

“Forty-four. That crap happened when he was twenty-eight. Gravey’s been here ever since. And we don’t pressure him. Trust for Gravey is earned, and he put me through the paces when we first met. Gravey will contact us if he requires something,” I continued.

“He needs people around him,” Vortex refuted.

“Oh, I agree. But you can’t force him. Gravey will withdraw completely. Once he trusts you, he’ll be more open. Was Gravey the only reason you were here?”

“No. I wanted to pay my respects. They were my brothers too,” Vortex said, waving his arms towards the headstones.

I could have argued but decided to be the bigger man. Nanci had clearly informed Vortex of what had happened when I had taken over the club. Vortex held my gaze and looked awkward.

“What?” I demanded.

“I thought many things about you. Murderer, asshole, drunk, bloodthirsty, and much more. Inglorious, I was mistaken. Mama always told me not to judge people without knowing the full story, and I forgot that lesson. Thank you for keeping Sasha safe. That was my job, and I didn’t succeed.”

“Yeah, you failed in several ways, brother. ” I emphasised the last word softly, and Vortex held my gaze.

“You forgive me?” he asked.

“Yup. Life’s too short to hold on to anger, Vortex.

I may not like how you’ve slunk back, just like Hercules.

But you’re both here to help the MC. I can respect that, but you need to let your grudge against me go.

I will regain the presidency when I feel I’m strong enough, and you’ll be my VP.

If you can’t handle that, then make that decision now.

If the president and VP aren’t on the same page, the club will fracture as sides are taken. ”

“I don’t want that.”

“Work with me and not against me.”

“That I can do,” Vortex agreed.

Just like that, the issue between us was resolved. Life was a fuckin’ surprise sometimes.