Page 8 of Ruthless Obsession (Royal Bastards MC Chicago, IL Chapter)

I was driven to work. But why was that a bad thing?

I’d laughed her off then. Thought it was jealousy talking. She leaned in, voice louder over the bass. “Beware of the monster sleeping next to you. Just because he looks innocent doesn’t mean he is.”

I’d returned to that club many times with Toby after meeting Paris. I never saw her again.

My heart lurches in my chest as I come back from the memory.

Snapping back to the present, my throat tightens. “I think he killed a woman who warned me about him years ago. Her name was Paris,” I mutter.

The room stills.

I turn to Mavis, my voice low. “Captor, can I take a bath?”

Mavis stalks over. His fingers grip my chin and tilt my face to his. “Don’t fucking do that.”

“Why not? You could’ve left me at the club. You didn’t have to bring me here, show me your life. Then showcased me at your meeting like I'm some shiny new acquisition."

“You belong to me, Sophie. And I want the world to know it. The difference between me and that asshole is I’ve got nothing to hide.

My grandfather held my trust fund over my head.

I now control my life. I only have to go into the office to ensure the family business is being ran correctly.

I love being a part of the Royal Bastards MC.

My father loved being part of an MC too, before he and my mother were murdered. ”

His pain flickers in those emerald eyes.

“I’m sorry, Mavis.”

He nods once. “Psycho and I have business. Make yourself comfortable. Check the master bedroom upstairs —first door on the left. You’ll find comfortable clothes in the closet.”

I start toward the stairs. His voice fades as he disappears down the hall with Psycho.

“He did what?” Mavis roars.

I ditch my heels and race barefoot toward the sound. Their voices carry from the office.

“Yeah, he’s looking for her,” Psycho says. “One of his guys saw her at your place. Tried to kill you—she was just collateral. Toby lost his shit. That guy went too far. But now Toby wants her back… and he’ll kill anyone in his way.”

Mavis slams a fist down. “So he can sell her? He’ll have to go through me.”

Tears blur my vision. He barely knows me, but he’s willing to go to war for me.

Sniffling I amble into the office. “Mavis, I can’t let you go to war for me. I was forced to walk away from my brother because he protected me.”

He pulls me into his arms. “It’s ok. You’re safe now. We won’t let anything happen to you. You’re under the protection of the Royal Bastards MC.”

I release a breath and peer up at him. “If they come for me, I’ll be ready to fight too.”

He winks. “That’s my girl.”

“I’ll cook dinner,” I say.

Mavis grins and leans into my ear. “Slip into one of my RBMC t-shirts. That’s what I want to see you cooking in.”

My thighs clench. I’m so hot for this man. The man who kidnapped me.

“I’ll think about it,” I tell him.

“You do it or I’ll put it on you myself,” Mavis growls.

“It’s clear you like to see me in your clothes.” I tug at the expensive royal blue tie.

He nods, eyes dark. “I only want to see my clothes on you.”

My heart swells in my chest. I don’t know if his words are sincere.

The whole virgin thing makes men say and do weird and bad things. Did it make sense to tell him again I wasn’t who he wanted? I’m shiny and new in his world. It’s clear he likes women who don’t give in to him.

However, he’s been wildly obsessive since he kidnapped me before he knew I was a twenty-five-year-old virgin.

“Are you making steaks?” Psycho perks up.

I smile. “I am.”

Mavis points a finger at Psycho. “You can’t go into the kitchen because she won’t be fully dressed.”

Psycho shrugs, hands up, “I’ll eat in your office.”

“Before I take a bath I’ll bring snacks to you guys.”

Mavis grunts. “He didn’t need to know that.”

I shake my head as I walk out.

My smile vanishes. All my nice gestures should get Mavis to trust me more. He’ll let his guard down and I’ll escape.

As I dropped off the snacks, I overhear Psycho hashing out a plan with Mavis. They’ll blow up some of Toby’s warehouses I didn’t know he owned.

I peek back at Mavis in his suit. The man looks delicious. I’m not sure which guy I like more the CEO or the biker. I ultimately like them both.

Hopefully, when all hell breaks loose, I’ll be able to escape. Guess I’m leaving town. Starting over.

I climb the sweeping staircase with its ornate railings, push through the double mahogany doors of the master bedroom, and step into the adjoining bathroom.

Despite everything, I can't help noticing how Mavis has created something beautiful here—a sanctuary that almost makes you forget what kind of man owns it.

A ruthless businessman who is also an outlaw biker and enforcer.

I twist my hair into a messy bun to keep it dry as I dip a toe into the warm, sudsy water and let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. As I lower myself into the tub, the tension in my shoulders eases. My head rests against a folded black towel while steam curls around my face.

The sand-colored tub melts seamlessly into the walls, the sleek floating chestnut countertop stretching toward the glass-enclosed shower. Everything in this bathroom screams quiet luxury. The control panel at my side adjusts the heated floors and warms the towels.

It’s the kind of space that whispers comfort . But it isn’t mine.

This house may be beautiful, but it’s not home. And the truth is, my house wasn’t cookie-cutter perfect, but it was mine. I squeeze my eyes shut as the reality hits: the last two years of my life were a lie.

Toby wasn’t just distant. He was a fraud. He had other women. And I—stupid, blind, hopeful—I thought I was the only one.

My fingers drift over my lips, still tingling from Mavis’s kiss. It was sharp, possessive, and fucking addictive.

How could I go from one man to the next?

Even though it was hard to keep my eyes off him.

So many times, I wanted to reach for his hand when he released mine.

I refuse to fall for my captor. Before I leave town, I’m going after Toby.

I’d slit his fucking throat. He planned to sell me and force me to be someone's sex toy.

My choice of wardrobe tonight is strategic. One of Mavis’s shirts and a pair of shorts. If I didn’t wear the shirt willingly, he’d find a reason to put it on me himself. Better to avoid the fight.

Padding downstairs in a pair of black socks, I mosey into the kitchen.

The design is as masculine as the rest of the place—wood-beamed ceilings and sand-toned walls, offset by creamy marble floors.

The oversized island is made of swirled brown and white stone, with ten high-back chairs surrounding it.

Everything looks curated. Expensive. Lived-in.

I open the fridge. Four thick ribeye steaks, fresh vegetables, and enough drinks to stock a small bar. Whoever stocked this place knew what they were doing. Does Mavis entertain often? Probably has a chef. A woman, most likely, based on the way this place is organized.

I take out everything I need and get to work. Several minutes later, a sharp clap startles me, and I instinctively whirl around, brandishing a meat fork like a weapon.

A low laugh rumbles from behind me. “Always on guard.”

“You scared me.”

He’s ditched the tie and jacket. His crisp dress shirt is rolled to his elbows, and his blond curls are pulled into a neat ponytail. He presses his hands on the counter, caging me in, his voice a low rasp against my skin.

“You smell so damn good.”

The warmth of his breath at my neck sends a shiver down my spine. His presence is overwhelming. I try not to lean into him. I fail.

“The food smells good too,” he says with a smirk.

“It’ll be ready soon. I’ll bring your plates to the office.”

“No. Just put them in the warmer. I’ll come get them.”

I steady myself and take a breath. “Mavis, I’m not giving myself to you.”

He laughs softly, mouth still hovering near my ear. “Sure, baby. But you never turned down the STD test.”

Damn him. Why didn’t I refuse?

“I wanted to be sure. After everything with Toby, I needed to know I was clean.” I flip the steaks, move them to a platter, and turn off the burner.

He turns me gently, tipping my chin with his fingers. “I hate knowing you sucked that asshole’s dick. But it helps knowing mine is the last you’ll ever touch.”

My jaw clenches. “No, Mavis.”

His lips crash into mine without warning, and his big hands tighten around my ass, dragging me flush against the hard lines of his body. I push weakly at his chest, but a moan betrays me. He breaks the kiss with a cocky smirk.

“If we didn’t have company, I’d lay you out on this counter and eat your pussy until you passed out.”

I shudder, heat licking through my core.

“You want me,” he whispers. “But you think we’re moving too fast. Fine. I’ll give you a little more time.” He holds up two fingers, barely apart.

“Your hacker knows everything about me. I know nothing about you.”

"My name is Mavis Enzo Marticon. I'm half Italian and was born in Newark, New Jersey, to Darlene and Gerald Marticon.

When I was ten, my family relocated to Chicago.

My dad joined Hell Squad MC shortly after our move, trying to escape my grandfather's influence, which was a nearly impossible task.

I went to the University of Chicago and earned a business degree.

I'm thirty now. I joined the Royal Bastards MC when I was twenty and have been serving as the enforcer for the past five years.

“He steps forward, thumb brushing my jaw. “Toby stole a weapons shipment from us. That’s why I was at your house.”

I nod slowly.

“I like trouble, love my brothers, and make the club a shitload of money. I kill anyone who crosses us.”

He arches a sexy blond brow. “And I can’t wait to watch you come apart on my cock.”

His words are raw, filthy, and... honest.