Page 26

Not ten minutes later, we were in another room deeper in the clubhouse, a small, windowless space that smelled of disinfectant and cigarette smoke. Taz was there, setting up a tattoo station that consisted of a swivel chair, a tray of ink bottles, and a buzzing machine. I was going to be sick. I’d never had a tattoo, never even considered it.

Maverick’s hand was on my back. “Think about where you want it,” he murmured in my ear. “Something that says ‘Property of Maverick’ and just the Road Monsters' patch.”

Taz looked up, raising an eyebrow. “Hey, man. Let’s do a small property patch. She’s new to this.” He shot me a reassuring grin that did little to calm my racing heart. “Where’s it going?”

I hesitated, glancing down at my arms, my legs. Maverick made a low sound, stepping up behind me, fingers slipping beneath the hem of my shirt. “Here,” he said, lifting the fabric just a bit, exposing my navel.

Heat flooded my face. “Maverick…” I started to protest, but the look in his eyes silenced me.

“It’ll be hidden under your clothes most of the time,” he murmured, leaning close so only I could hear. “I want it here, near your stomach. Symbolic, I guess.” His hand pressed gently on my waist, stirring a flutter in my belly that was half fear, half holy shit hot.

“That okay with you?” Taz asked, glancing between us.

I swallowed. “Yes. Fine.”

Taz nodded, grabbing a small stencil. “Then have a seat, sugar.”

Instead of leading me to the tattoo chair, Maverick sank down first. He spread his legs, pulling me onto his lap. I let out a little gasp at the feel of his strong thighs beneath me and something else pressing, growing harder against my backside. My cheeks burned.

“This all right?” Taz asked, snapping on latex gloves. “Sometimes the old ladies get nervous. Having the man there can help.”

I couldn’t find my voice, so I just nodded, heart rattling in my chest. Taz produced a shot of liquor. “You look real nervous, sugar.”

Maverick’s arm encircled my waist, steadying me as I took the shot. Knocking it back, I noticed how strong it was. I about gagged. “What the hell is that?”

“Tequilla and Molly,” Taz remarked.

“Molly?... Drugs?” I asked, horrified.

Maverick grumbled, maybe at Taz. “Don’t worry. I’ll be here.”

Taz carefully pulled my shirt up, exposing the lower half of my stomach. The chill of the air made my skin prickle. “Small patch, right?” he confirmed.

“Yeah,” Maverick said. “Make it say ‘Property of Maverick of the Road Monsters MC with the small flaming skull, the standard design for ol’ ladies.”

He glanced down at me, his lips brushing my ear. “You good?”

I gave another nod, my heart banging. My head swam with the significance. I was getting a permanent mark that said I belonged to this club… and by extension, to Maverick. And I felt all fuzzy.

Taz cleaned the skin with alcohol and placed a stencil. I felt Maverick’s breath warm on my neck, his hand gripping my hip. “You’re doing great,” he murmured.

Then Taz switched on the tattoo machine, and the buzzing filled the room. The first prick of the needle stung more than I expected. I winced, inhaling sharply through my teeth. But I laughed out loud. My head was floating around the room like a helium balloon.

Maverick pressed his mouth to my ear, whispering, “Easy, princess. Breathe.”

I did, focusing on the steady drum of my heart, on Maverick’s arm holding me close. But I was also liquid, flowing. Part of me knew it was the laced shot. Part of me didn’t know a damn thing. My nails dug into Maverick’s thigh as Taz worked. But after a minute, the pain dulled to a constant burn, bearable, if uncomfortable.

Maverick’s hot lips brushed my earlobe, sending shivers that competed with the sting of the tattoo. “I’m proud of you,” he whispered. “When I get back, I’m gonna make this real. Claim you for good.”

My cheeks burned. “This wasn’t real enough?”

He chuckled, his breath ghosting over my neck. “The tattoo makes you off-limits to the club, but I’m talking about us. ” His free hand slid under my shirt a fraction, resting on my rib cage. “I want to claim you, Lexi. For real. You, me, no fear, no interruptions. Show you what it’s like to be mine in every sense. Claim your soul, mind, your pussy.”

“My pussy,” I repeated his words. Or rather, the drugs did. I would never say such a word aloud.

My pussy pulsated, half terror, all desire.

“Yeah, that full bush.”

“You know that’s not true. I don’t have any hair down there. I’ve waxed so long, it barely grows back.”

The needle buzzed, Taz oblivious to our conversation. Maverick’s hand had slipped lower, and he was petting me, petting my pussy. Well, my jeans over my pussy. I was sure Taz could see that, but nothing was said. And somehow, I didn’t give a damn. Oh God, this is intense, I thought, biting back a moan that was definitely not from pain alone.

“I can’t wait till I come back and get inside you. Make you mine,” Maverick rumbled in my ear.

“You… you talk like it’s guaranteed,” I mumbled, breath catching.

He tightened his hold, his cock beneath me pressing into my ass as he rubbed me. “Because it is, princess. Very soon, I’m coming back for you. And I’ll make sure you’re never afraid again.”

I swallowed, heart thudding so loudly I swore Taz could hear it. Or maybe my pussy was pounding. “Maverick…”

He kissed the side of my neck, and I almost got off. “Just breathe. Focus on me.” He whispered other things, half-promises, half-sins. “I plan to kiss every inch of you. And when I’m finished, I’m going to tie you to the bed and fuck you so hard, you’ll think this tattoo was a breeze.”

His words sent me over the edge, as I got off just with him rubbing my jeans. I was trembling by the time Taz announced he was nearly done.

When Taz finally killed the machine and wiped away the excess ink, I let out a ragged breath. The area stung fiercely, but the realization that I now had a permanent Property of Maverick of the Road Monsters MC mark on my skin was the bigger shock. Taz grinned as he applied a bandage, telling me the usual aftercare instructions: keep it clean, apply ointment, that sort of thing.

I nodded, barely processing his words. Maverick’s hand stroked my back now, yet my entire mind buzzed with the knowledge that I’d just taken a step deeper into this world. A world that once existed only in my books. Now it was etched on my skin.

“You okay, sugar?” Taz asked as I carefully stood, pulling my shirt down.

I giggled. “Yeah, thanks.”

He eyed Maverick. “She’s a trooper. Most first-timers squirm a lot more.”

Maverick smirked proudly. “Don't let her looks fool you. She can handle this life.”

My face heated, but I tried to play it cool. “I’ll be fine. Just… need to lie down.” The drugs were starting to wear off.

Taz nodded. “Sure thing.” He started cleaning his station. “Take care of that tat, y’hear?”

Maverick guided me out of the room, his hand sliding around my waist protectively. We made our way back through the narrow hallways until we reached his room again. My brain felt foggy from the adrenaline and the lingering sting in my abdomen, not to mention the Molly.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind us, Maverick turned me around, cupping my face in his hands. He kissed me with a desperation that nearly stole my breath, mouth slanting over mine, tongue urging me open. I grabbed ahold of his cut, pulling him close, gasping against his lips, still reeling from the sensation of the tattoo and the promises he’d whispered in my ear.

The memory of his words, the promise to come back and claim me, pulsed between my thighs. I wanted to lose myself in him, to forget the terror and the pain of the last few days. But we had no time, no privacy, not really. And I still wasn’t sure I was ready to cross that final line.

He tore away, breathing ragged. “Lexi,” he muttered, looking sorry. “I gotta go. Sarge found me a lead, someone who might be familiar with your mom, and I need to chase it.”

My heart sank. “Right now?”

He nodded, regret shadowing his eyes. “Yeah. I’m sorry. I don’t want to leave you here alone, but it’s the best shot at tracking down who wants you dead. And now you’ve got the tat, so the men know you’re under my protection.”

“But what if something happens?”

“Then Sarge is your go-to. He’ll keep you safe. Just show them the tattoo if anyone gives you trouble. They see that brand. They know you’re not to be messed with.” He brushed his thumb over my lip.

“What will happen if they do mess with me?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“I’ll kill them,” he said, dead serious.

“You’re serious?”

He cocked an eyebrow that said I was silly for asking. “You’ll be safe. I promise. Don’t go anywhere.”

Safe in an outlaw biker clubhouse. The irony wasn’t lost on me. But given the alternative, being hunted on the open road, maybe this was safer indeed.

I exhaled shakily. “Where would I even go if I tried to run? So, yeah, I’ll stay.”

He hauled me into another fierce kiss, his hand fisting in my hair. His essence, the feeling of pure pent-up longing, nearly buckled my knees. His hands slid down to my crotch again, as he spoke into my gaping mouth. “Wait for me. I don’t want you to even touch yourself. I want you to be horny from the time I leave until I get back to claim your pussy.” Then, with a groan, he tore himself away, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the door.

“One more thing,” he said, turning back. “If you need anything, food, clothes, first aid for your tattoo, tell Sarge. Or Ruby, if you prefer a woman’s help.”

My fingers pressed over the bandage on my stomach, reality crashing in. “Maverick… come back.”

His eyes flickered with emotion. “I will.” A final glance at me. Then he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him.

I stood there, alone in that unfamiliar room, trying to steady my heart. Now what? His scent lingered, stirring a longing I wasn’t ready to face.

Stifling a sigh, I reached down to lift the hem of my shirt, peering at the fresh bandage. Underneath it was a brand-new symbol, the tiny, flaming skull with Property of Maverick of the Road Monsters MC inked in swirling script. Property. My mind tottered at what that implied. I had no clue how I got here so fast. But part of me couldn’t ignore the twisted thrill that came with belonging to a biker like Maverick, if only to survive.

I slipped onto the bed, hugging my knees to my chest. I can do this, I told myself, ignoring the ache in my abdomen. Because I had no other choice, right? He’ll come back. And maybe then, once this nightmare was over, I’d find out if those heated promises of his were anything like the fantasies I’d clung to for so long.

For now, I was alone, a Road Monster ol’ lady in name, if nothing else. And all I could do was wait for my hero in leather to come back and claim me.