Page 2

Chapter Two

I take a hard pull of my beer, watching my VP and my baby sister as they have yet another heated argument.

They’ve been at each other since we arrived in California for the rally.

She probably caught him with a whore. Willow has always had a thing for Gray.

Since he first moved to town when we were kids.

She’d drive us crazy. Following us around trying to join our made-up MC.

Called ourselves the Devil’s Creek Outlaws, after my old man’s first club, before they patched into the Kings.

Treated our bicycles like they were Harleys.

We made up our own bylaws and nailed them to the door of our treehouse.

No girls allowed, especially not Willow.

She was a brat then, calling herself Gray’s Ol’ Lady.

Still a brat now, but she’s no longer threatening to tell Grannie Mags on us for smoking weed in the barn.

Watching them argue as adults is the same as it was when we were kids.

But the fucker knows not to touch her. He’s not good enough for my little sister. No one is. Willow is all that is good in the world. She’s not club pussy and I’ll be damned if any man ever treats as though she is.

“I hate you,” she screeches, shoving against him as he tries to wrap his arms around her to keep her from punching him.

“Calm your tits,” he growls at her and shoots me an exasperated look. I can’t tell if he’s about to walk away or spank her ass.

I’m about to intervene before either of them takes shit too far when Big Daddy approaches me.

“Need a favor.”

“Name it.”

“When you ride out, take Jessika with you.”

“The chick who showed up with a busted lip?” I know that’s exactly who he’s talking about.

I’ve not been able to get her out of my mind since I laid eyes on her.

There’s something about her I can’t shake.

The second I laid eyes on her, I wanted to kill whoever had hurt her.

The tear in her lip had me seeing red. I may be a lot of things, but one thing I’m for damn sure not is a woman beater. Any many who is, is fucking garbage.

“Need to get her out of town for her own safety. That slimy fuck she married was seen taking a meeting with one of the Juarez brother’s men. I’m sending a message and it’s best she’s not around when it’s delivered. Would hate for her to become collateral damage.”

The Juarez Cartel are some savage men. They’d sell out their own mother for the right price.

“You expecting any involvement from the Depraved Sinners? I can have some of my guys stay back?”

“Appreciate the offer of support. Those pussy motherfuckers have been lying low, trying to regroup since I took Meko and Whiz out. I don’t expect them to come out of the hole they crawled into any time soon. Just get her out of town. The further she is from Anarchy and Gwynee, the happier I’ll be.”

“We’ll ride out at first light.”

“The sooner the better. I’ll check in soon. Wicked will fill you in on anything else you need to know.”

I glance back to where I last saw my sister and Gray in time to see her stomping off.

“The fuck was that about?” I demand from Gray as I light up a cigarette and scout the crowd for Wicked.

“She was showing her ass. Had too much to drink and was grinding all up on some fucker that was getting a little too handsy.”

“She never gets shitfaced.” I glare at him because I guarantee he’s done something to set her off.

“That’s probably my fault. She saw me doing a line off some whore’s ass.”

“Fuck, man. I’ve got to ask and don’t bullshit me. Do you have something going on with my sister?”

“No. Fuck no.”

I don’t believe him. “Do you have a thing for her?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Then lay off her and stop stringing her along.”

“You know, I think of her as my own blood.”

I shrug. “If you say so.” I spot Wicked and stub my cigarette out. “I’ll catch up with you later. Keep an eye on Low. If anything happens to her, it’s your ass I’ll be shoving a boot up.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“She better be.” I leave him to it and catch up with Big Daddy’s guy.

“Think she can be trusted?” I ask Wicked, road captain for the KOAMC California chapter.

“You’ll have to suss that out for yourself. She’s been here a few times, hanging with Big Daddy’s ol’ lady. Works at the flower shop in town. Don’t know much else.”

“She’s going to need some boots.” My mind drifts back to the sad state the bottoms of her feet were in. They’re going to be tender.

“I’ll see what I can do. Doc Stevens said she’d be out after he administered some anxiety and pain meds.”

“Where’d they put her for the night?”

“She’s still in Big Daddy’s office. Sleeping on one of the couches. She’ll be good there for now.”

Big Daddy’s favor may not sound like a huge deal to most, but he’s asking me to take responsibility for the wife of his enemy.

Our enemy. One thing about us, we may have our own clubs, but if you fuck with one patched brother, you fuck with us all.

Wearing not only the president’s patch, but the club’s patch is a fucking honor.

I wear both with pride and I won’t let him down.

“Cool.”

“Enjoy the rest of your night. One of our prospects will guard her.” Wicked gives me a playful slap on my bicep.

“That’s the plan, man. That’s the plan.”

Normally I’d go find a little strange to get some head because what happens on the road stays on the road, but there’s an uncontrollable need inside me urging me to make sure Jessika is okay. She shouldn’t be alone after what she’s gone through tonight.

I’ve got this desire to protect her.

To know more about her.

“You’re relived of your duty,” I tell Kidd.

He takes off and I enter the dark room. Like Wicked said, Jessika is laying on one of the leather couches on her side in a fetal position, both hands tucked under her cheek that didn’t get punched, but she’s not sleeping.

She’s staring blankly out the open balcony doors, listening to the party that’s winding down below.

The sounds of chatter, laughter, and rock ‘n roll drifts in and out of the room.

“How you holding up?” I drop down into the chair closest to her.

She blinks a few times, then moves to sit up. She lifts a shoulder, her wide neck tee, slipping down it. Her blonde hair is tangled up and wild, as is the expression she wears. Her big blue eyes are wide and haunted.

“I’m alive,” her voice comes out rough, but sure.

“Can I get you anything?”

“No. No, thank you.”

“Looks like you’ll be getting that tour of my paradise after all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Come tomorrow, you’ll leave that asshole and California behind. Big Daddy has asked me to take you under my protection for your own safety.”

“I just can’t leave. I have a life. A job. Friends.”

“You also have a dead man walking for a husband and a bounty on your head. The man you spoke of. Hector. He’s the head of a dangerous Mexican cartel. They’ll kill you on sight if you’re lucky.”

“And if I’m not?”

“They’ll pimp you out. You’ll be too doped up to know your own name and you’ll beg for them to put that needle in your arm. Will do any-damn-thing to get it. Or if they are feeling generous, they’ll sell you to the Lamb Society. Trust me. Neither is something you want any knowledge of.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“You shouldn’t, but darlin’, I’m your best chance at walking away from this alive. I’m not shittin’ you. You’ve betrayed your man, and Big Daddy will find him and kill him. Question is, will they find him before he finds you?”

She shudders at my brutal honesty.

“Are you scared?”

She nods.

“Good. You should be. But first, you should sleep. We’re ridin’ out early.”

“You tell me all of this and expect me to sleep.”

“I can think of a few ways to tire you out.”

Her lips spread into a smile, and she shakes her head at me. “You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met.”

“That’s cause I’m one of a kind. You mind if I smoke?”

“Knock yourself out.”

I light up a cigarette and help myself to Big Daddy’s liquor cabinet.

“Pour one for me while you’re at it.”

“Should you be drinkin’ on that medication Doc gave you?”

“I didn’t take it.”

That explains why she’s not passed out. “Fair enough.” I hand her a glass.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“Why did you say yes?”

“To giving you sanctuary?”

She nods and takes a sip, making a disgusted chortle as the amber liquid coats her throat.

I fight the urge to grin and take a hearty drink, then refill my glass. I’ve got a feeling this is going to be a long night. One filled with torture. Because the way she’s looking at me, she gives me butterflies. Something I’ve never felt before.

Jessika tilts her head to the side, studying me. “Aren’t you going to answer?” she presses.

“I said you could ask. Never said I’d answer.”

“There’s got to be something in it for you.”

“Maybe I’m a nice guy.”

She licks her lip and winces. “Somehow I doubt that.”

I clutch my hand to my chest and stagger back like she’s shot me. “Ouch.”

“I’m just saying. You’re a biker and hardly what I’d call a boy scout.”

“What would you know about bikers?”

“My mom dated a few when I was younger.”

“Not all men are the same. That’d be like me saying I’ve dated a florist before, so they are all stuck-up cunts.”

“Touche.”

“Do you want a refill or are you ready to get some shuteye?”

“I don’t want to sleep, but I don’t want another drink.” Her gaze lingers on my mouth.

I find the remote to the TV and hand it to her. “Good night, butterfly.”

“Night, Woods.”

I finish my drink and stump out my cigarette. Kicking back on one of the other couches, I doubt I’ll be doing much sleeping. If I were a better man, I’d call that prospect back to guard the door. But I’m not. So I don’t.

I lay here in the dark watching her battle whatever is running through that pretty head of hers, knowing I’m inviting pure trouble into my life. Like I don’t have enough of it back home.

I’m not sure how much time passes when she says, “Woods…you awake?”

“Yeah.”

“Can I ask you another question?”

“I’m listenin’.”

“You can say no, but would you…would you hold me? Just until I fall asleep.”

It’s a terrible idea, but the vulnerability in her voice has me sliding in behind her on the couch she lies on.

With one arm slung across her belly and my leg thrown over hers, I don’t pull away when she twists around to bury her face in my neck smelling like peaches, pressing her sweet body to mine.

“You smell good,” she mumbles.

“So I’ve been told.”

“Woods?” her lips move against my skin she’s so damn close they feel like a kiss.

“What?”

“Why didn’t he just leave me? If he still loved her. Why torture me because I wasn’t her?”

“Men are selfish pricks, but no one can answer that question but the bastard you married. Don’t let one asshole make you doubt your worth. You’re gorgeous and you’ll meet someone else. Someone who will treat you like a queen.”

“You’re just saying that to be nice.”

“I’m not nice.”

“You aren’t fooling me.”

“If I were nice, I wouldn’t be thinking about kissing you right about now.”

Her lips move against my neck. Fuck me. She’s so damn sweet and tempting as she says, “Then what’s stopping you?”

“It’s a bad idea.”

“My life has been nothing but bad decisions.” She laughs without humor.

“We’ve got that in common, darlin’.” What’s one more mistake? I roll my body over hers, pressing her down into the cushions. I’ve already got my ticket to hell. What’s one more punch in the card? I kiss the corner of her mouth, careful to avoid her stitches.

“Make me forget his name. Make me feel wanted.”

“You’re wanted.” I guide her hand to my erection.

I was hard the second her lips touched my neck.

“Never forget it.” I yank her shirt over her head, exposing her chest. Her tits are like an early Christmas present waiting to be unwrapped from the white scraps of lace covering them, complete with a baby pink bow nestled in the middle.

Taking my time, I pepper kisses down the slender column of her throat, treating her with care.

She wants to be wanted, and I need to be needed.

“Boots,” Big Daddy, grunts out all gruff and groggy, dropping the shoes for Jessika in front of me as I wipe the sleep from my eyes. “You’d make a lousy guard dog. Fucking sleep like the damn dead.” He shakes his head and hands me a cup of coffee.

“Thanks.” I blow over the brim, then take a sip, needing the caffeine to wake my ass up.

“Don’t mention it.”

I check the time on my watch. I’ve slept longer than I intended to, but also not long enough. My fucking back feels like I slept on a pile of rocks. I glance around for Jessika, wondering if last night was too much for her. Part of me feels like an asshole, but the other part of me has no regrets.

“She’s in the bathroom. You forget I have a camera in here for a reason?” He gives me a pointed look, narrowing his eyes on me.

“Nope.”

“Not sure it’s smart getting involved with the woman you’re meant to be protecting.”

“Wasn’t planned. Sort of happened.”

“Is that how you’re going to explain it to your Ol’ Lady?”

“Let me worry about that. Faye knows what I do on the road stays on the road.”

“Yeah, but you’re bringing this one home. Do I need to make other arrangements?”

“I can handle Faye.”

My Ol’ Lady is Big Daddy’s niece. Her half-brother, Tree, is one of Big Daddy’s men. Lucky for me, he’s off on a run. Not that he’d give a fuck. He fucks around on every woman he gets with. He couldn’t keep his dick in his pants if his life depended on it.

“No one can handle Faye. Why the hell do you think we were all eager for you to take her to Arkansas when you married her?” he laughs.

“It’s a non-issue.” We both know it’s not true, but we both pretend otherwise. Jessika leaving with me is one less problem for him. Fuck knows he’s got enough to deal with between Lucie and Sissy. Last thing he needs is more women complicating his life.

Problem is, I don’t either. I’ve fucked up big time, but it’s on me to worry about it.